The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced an internal review to determine whether the inherited regulatory landscape is “fit for purpose”.
Defra said the review will develop recommendations to ensure that regulation across the Department is driving economic growth while protecting the environment.
The Department has appointed Dan Corry, who served as Head of the No10 Policy Unit under Gordon Brown, to lead the review.
Defra said the review is part of wider work to ensure regulation will “transform regional economies” through the development of a circular economy.
The review will explore whether Defra regulators are equipped to drive economic growth, secure private sector investment, and protect the environment, as well as examine the customer and stakeholder experience of regulation, including the impact on the people and organisations that are regulated.
Finally, the review will explore the efficiency of regulation and whether there are opportunities to make improvements.
Review part of wider work
Defra said the review is part of wider work to ensure regulatory reform drives economic growth in several sectors.
The Department said it wants regulation to boost private sector investment into the water sector, strengthen “economic resilience” in communities that need better flood defences, and drive rural economic growth by “cutting red tape” for farmers.
Finally, Defra said the review will produce recommendations for regulatory reform to develop “pragmatic solutions” that are needed to build the houses and infrastructure while protecting and improving environmental outcomes.
