DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (173/08) issued by
The Government News Network on 4 June 2008
Information Bulletin
The Government will continue to support the Royal Commission on
Environmental Pollution (RCEP), the Government confirmed today.
An independent review of the Commission, conducted by independent
consultants and published last July, concluded that there is a
continuing need for the functions provided by the Commission.
The Government today published its response to the review,
concluding that the Commission added significant, valuable policy
advice to the government and, with some modernisation, should
continue to be supported.
Defra and RCEP have identified potential savings of up to £89,000
per year in the Commission's budget, which will be used to
deliver the recommended modernisation programme.
The value of RCEP to Government is based on its combination of
independence and scientific authority. The Government values its
reports which are highly influential and deliver significant
policy benefits.
Defra will provide a stable budget for the RCEP for the current
Spending Review period to ensure the organisation's
stability. The budget for 2008-09 will be approximately £1 million.
The review was in line with Cabinet Office guidance that public
bodies are subjected to periodic study to ensure that they are
still delivering high quality services and are adequately resourced.
Notes for Editors
1. The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) is an
independent UK-wide advisory body established in 1970 to advise
the Queen, the government, parliament and the public on
environmental issues. Although funded by Defra, it is independent
of government departments. It has been chaired by Sir John Lawton
since 2005.
2. Copies of the review report and the Government Response can be
downloaded from the Defra website http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/rcep/review.htm
3. The RCEP will this year publish a report on the
'Environmental Effects of Novel Materials and
Nanotechnology' and also a short report on 'The
Environmental Effects of Artificial Light'. The RCEP's
current study is 'Adapting the UK to Climate Change'
which will report in 2009.
4. Defra and RCEP have worked together to identify potential
savings up to £89,000 pa within its budget, which will be used to
deliver the recommended modernisation of the Commission. Defra
will also announce that it will provide a stable budget to the
RCEP for the Spending Review period to ensure the
organisation's stability. The RCEP budget for 2008-2009 will
be approximately £1 million.
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on
our website http://www.defra.gov.uk
Defra's aim is sustainable development
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Website
http://www.defra.gov.uk