Call for new environmental watchdog to scrutinise future farming budgets

“While that certainly includes the public sector and the statutory agencies and local authorities, I think it needs to be looking at whether Government is investing enough money across the piece, and that does include the money which is going to go into the Environmental Land Management Scheme.

“If we are going to achieve our ambition, we need to be spending more on the environment. It cannot just be done on the cheap. It will not work.”

Defra’s OEP policy team leader Jon Taylor, who was also speaking at the event, said there would be nothing to stop the OEP commenting on anything which was hampering the delivery of environmental improvements, including low levels of public funding.

Limited

But others warned the limited capacity of the new body – it is estimated the OEP will have between 60 and 120 staff, compared to 800 at the National Audit Office – would restrict its ability to take on additional work outside of its statutory duties.

Further concerns were also raised about whether the OEP would be willing to criticise Government spending decisions given its own budget will be Defra-funded and board members appointed by the Secretary of State.

Ministers intend to have the new body up and running by the end of the current transition period, on 1 January 2021.