Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has
announced reforms to more than 30 of Defra’s arm’s length bodies.
Defra has around 90 arm’s length bodies, many
of which were set up in a time when our understanding of and engagement with
environmental issues was less mainstream. Most of the things that these
bodies do are now part of what the Government does as a matter of course,
others are now no longer necessary.
Caroline Spelman said:
“This Government is committed to being the
greenest Government ever and the Structural Reform Plan published last week
sets out how Defra will play its part in achieving this. Reducing the
deficit is the priority for the Government and all departments are playing
their part in making efficiency savings.
“Together with Chris Huhne I am determined to
play the lead role in driving the sustainability agenda across the whole of
government and I am not willing to delegate this responsibility to an
external body.
“The effective delivery of public services is
essential and I am committed to increasing the transparency and
accountability of Defra’s public bodies and to reducing their numbers and
costs. Times have changed since many of these bodies were set up and much
of what they do is now everyday Government business.”
The Secretary of State announced that she will
be:
Withdrawing Defra funding from the Sustainable
Development Commission (SDC);
Abolishing the Royal Commission on
Environmental Pollution;
Abolishing the Agricultural Wages Board, the
15 Agricultural Wages Committees, the 16 Agricultural Dwelling House
Advisory Committees and the Committee on Agricultural Valuation;
Abolishing the Inland Waterways Advisory
Council; and
Abolishing the Commons Commissioners.
Caroline Spelman continued:
“We will continue to liaise closely with the
Sustainable Development Commission’s partners and will work with business,
civil society, local communities, universities and internationally, to help
deliver sustainable development together.
“The House of Commons Environmental Audit
Committee will provide powerful democratic scrutiny of Government’s work in
this area.”
The arm’s length body review will make Defra a
leaner, stronger department – with a renewed and clearer focus on its key
priorities and a simplified structure for delivering those priorities;
underpinned by a robust, credible and efficient science base.
The Secretary of State will continue to look closely at other Defra arm’s
length bodies and will make any further announcements as appropriate.
In response to the abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board,
NFU President Peter Kendall said:
“The NFU has said for many years that the Agricultural Wages Board
was an industrial relations relic that exists in no other sector of
industry. The Secretary of State has quite rightly pointed out that the 1948
Act is outdated and does not have the best interest of farmers or workers at
heart.
“Today’s decision comes as a welcome relief for many farmers and growers who
have struggled with the complexity of the Order. But more importantly it
will put farmers on a more equal footing with other employers. The presence
of the Board has impacted adversely on the competitiveness of the farming
sector and its removal is key to farmers and growers playing their full part
in global food security.
“Clearly we need to understand the process by which the Board will be
abolished and the Agricultural Wages Act will have to be revoked before we
can comment further. Importantly, agricultural workers will be protected by
the National Minimum Wage legislation.
“Farmers are professional employers who value their staff and the NFU will
work to ensure that farmers and growers understand their responsibilities as
employers. We will consider how we can offer guidance to members who
currently use the Agricultural Wages Order to guide their decisions on staff
wages.”
