Written question asked by Adam Jogee (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 May 2026. It was answered by Mary Creagh (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 May 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Office for Environmental Protection

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Office for Environmental Protection.

Answer: Defra and the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) share an ambition to protect and enhance the environment. Nature is at the very foundation of growth, as nature’s recovery is a prerequisite of prosperity, health and wellbeing. It is Defra’s urgent priority to secure better outcomes for nature while accelerating growth, including through sustainable infrastructure development. Defra welcomes the OEP’s engagement in this agenda and supports a constructive relationship with them.

Secondary information