Agency under fire from CBI survey

The Environment Agency has come under fresh pressure to improve its performance following a survey by the Confederation of British Industry. ¹ The findings are highly critical of the Agency's beleagured waste function, delays in deciding permit applications, and lack of transparency over the allocation of income from industry to regulatory activities. The CBI also wants faster progress by the Agency in integrating its environmental protection activities - and has raised renewed doubts about the wisdom of separating licensing and enforcement teams in water and waste regulation.