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Latest in Defra

Unlimited fines for polluting firms edge closer
New powers that will allow the Environment Agency hand out unlimited fines for serious pollution incidents have moved forward with the government setting out how civil sanctions will be extended beyond the current £250,000 limit. A consultation highlights that sentencing guidelines would be followed and existing appeals processes would continue.
News
Bullying complaints rocket at Defra
Overworked civil servants at the Department for environment, food and rural affairs (Defra) have been pushed to “breaking point”, leading to a rapid increase in employees speaking out about adverse working conditions including allegations of bullying. Data published by Defra shows that the number of complaints made about workplace bullying in the department rose by 560% between 2021 and 2023, increasing from fewer than five complaints to 28 this year. An insider at Defra told Utility Week that an “atmosphere of intimidation” now existed within the department with ministers routinely using “dehumanising language” towards civil servants.
News
Coffey has dealt ‘body blow to social tariffs’
The idea of a nationwide social tariff for water bills has garnered near universal support from industry, consumer bodies, regulators and government - until now. Therese Coffey's bombshell comments that this is no longer Defra's preferred approach has left the sector "surprised and bitterly disappointed". Utility Week gauges the reactions of sector experts.
News
Defra sets targets for PCC, nitrates and phosphorous
A water demand reduction target of 20% per capita below 2018 levels has been formally set as part of environmental targets confirmed by government and laid in the House of Lords. There are also fresh targets around nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment pollution. Defra will publish its approach to how these targets as well as ambitions for biodiversity, air and land will be achieved including interim targets for the coming years.
News
OEP launches first investigation into sewer regulation
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has announced its first investigation will be to determine the respective responsibilities of Defra, Ofwat and the Environment Agency with regards to the monitoring and regulation of combined sewer overflows, and whether or not they have each fulfilled their regulatory duties. The body’s chief regulatory officer Helen Venn said the probe could lead enforcement activity as well as broader actions to improve legal and regulatory systems.
News
Ofwat urges companies not to wait for PR24 to act on CSOs
Ofwat has welcomed plans by wastewater companies to reduce harm to river water quality from combined sewer overflows but urged the sector to do more in the remaining years of AMP7 rather than waiting until the start of the next asset management period in 2025. The regulator vowed to take swift enforcement action in response to overflows triggered by unresolved operational and maintenance issues.
News
We need a mature conversation on bills and investment
Affinity Water has raised concerns that the emphasis on eliminating harm from combined sewer overflows could detract from efforts to make abstraction sustainable. Regulation and strategy consultant Nicky Fomes says it is time to have a mature conversation about rising household bills and phasing investment following the publication of the strategic policy statement to Ofwat last week.
Opinion
Environment given top priority in Ofwat’s SPS
The strategic policy statement to Ofwat, which sets out the government's priorities for the next price review in 2024, has been laid before Parliament. The document gives top priority to the environment, emphasising the need to protect and enhance waterways by reducing the impacts of discharges from combined sewer overflows and other forms of pollution.
News
Ofwat’s SPS to be revealed
The strategic policy statement (SPS) informing Ofwat of the government's priorities for the water sector for PR24 and beyond will be formally laid out in parliament today (2 February). It is expected to reinforce the message in the draft SPS that protecting and enhancing the water environment must be central to the price review
News
EAC calls for culture of ‘water citizenship’
Responsibility for improving water quality in rivers cannot be laid solely at the door of the water industry, the Environmental Audit Committee has said in its report following a year-long inquiry into the health of rivers in England. The committee said engagement is needed with farmers, landowners, housing developers and local authorities and called for a culture of “water citizenship” to make people better aware of the impacts of their behaviour.
News
Long-awaited Environment Bill passed into law
The Environment Bill has passed into law after more than two years. Following a public outcry over the omission of a new duty on wastewater companies to “take all reasonable steps” to eliminate sewage discharges from storm overflows, the bill included an amendment requiring that they achieve a “progressive reduction” in the adverse impacts of sewage discharges on the environment and public health.
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