FUNDING PLANS THREATEN INDEPENDENCE OF POST-BREXIT GREEN WATCHDOG,NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE WARNS

摘要

THE NEW GREEN watchdog tasked with upholding UK environmental standards post-Brexit may struggle to maintain its independence if it relies on Defra for its funding,the National Audit Office(NAO)has warned.In a paper outlining the need for cross-government environmental targets to make sure environmental standards do not slip post-Brexit,the NAO warned denying the watchdog a guaranteed,independent source of funding could undermine its credibility and influence.”The watchdog will be funded through Defra,with a chair appointed by the Secretary of State for Defra,”the NAO said in its report.”While in principle this is not incompatible with it being functionally independent,it could bring risks for its independence in practice or for its perceived independence.”The UK currently has 161 environmental reporting obligations to European bodies that may fall by the wayside after Brexit if strong safeguards and independent scrutiny and enforcement is not maintained,the NAO added.