Towards a more accountable Environment Agency

The first stage of the quinquennial review of the Environment Agency suggests that Whitehall intends to take a tighter grip on its activities and demand greater accountability for its performance. The pressures will come at a time when the Agency fears a financial squeeze, even as many new duties continue to be heaped upon it. Shoring up its defences by explaining what it is achieving with its resources is something the Agency will need to do better than in its latest annual report.