The Government has confirmed that it will continue to support the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP). 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 has now 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. 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 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. 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.
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.
The RCEP's is currently conducting a major study 'Adapting the UK to Climate Change' which will report in 2009.
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