MPs give green light to Dame Glenys Stacey as UK's new environmental watchdog
18 December 2020
MPs have today published their assessment of the Government’s choice for Chair of the Office of Environmental Protection (OEP), a new public body designed to hold the Government to account for breaches of environmental law.
- Read the report: Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair-Designate of the Office for Environmental Protection (HTML)
- Read the report: Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair-Designate of the Office for Environmental Protection (PDF)
- Environmental Audit Committee
- Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
- Non-inquiry work: Work of the Interim Office for Environmental Protection
Following a pre-appointment hearing, which took place on Tuesday, the Environmental Audit Committee and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee supported Dame Glenys Stacey’s appointment as Chair-designate.
Concerns over OEP's independence
Despite their satisfaction with Dame Glenys as Chair, the two Committees highlighted the concerns raised by their predecessors in the last Parliament about the OEP's independence as a non-departmental public body of Defra, with the Secretary of State making the key appointments. They therefore called on Dame Glenys to raise publicly any concerns about the Government interfering with the OEP with the Select Committees.
Chair comments
Neil Parish MP, Chair of the EFRA Committee, said:
"The Chair of the new OEP must ensure its independence from Government. Dame Glenys Stacey's track record as an effective regulator, who has used both carrot and stick to hold public bodies to account means I have faith in her achieving that. I look forward to her honouring her commitment to enforcing some of the most important laws of our time, without fear or favour."
Philip Dunne MP, Chair of the EAC Committee, said:
"I was very impressed with Dame Glenys’ credentials and experience at setting up regulatory entities from scratch, and I am confident that she will do a good job at the helm of the OEP.
Dame Glenys acknowledged that she will need to surround herself with staff experienced in environmental issues, and it was encouraging to learn that environmental analysts from the Natural Capital Committee secretariat will form the initial core of the interim OEP staff.
The OEP will pick up the environmental regulatory responsibilities from the EU, working with the equivalent bodies in Scotland and Wales, which is a vital role in ensuring the protection of our environment. The EAC agreed that Dame Glenys has the credentials and impartiality to take on this role and establish an effective regulatory body."
Further information
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