Natural Resources Wales (NRW) will pay £14.6 million to HMRC after the tax authority found the public body had incorrectly assessed the employment status of contractors under the government’s IR35 rules. The settlement follows a long-running HMRC investigation into NRW’s use of off-payroll workers over several years. The case centred on whether individuals hired for […]
Category: Legislation
The pollution court case that could reach far beyond the banks of the River Wye
Chris Hilson, Professor of Law, Director of the Centre for Climate and Justice, University of Reading. The River Wye used to be full of wild salmon. Today it is full of algae. And the meandering waterway which has long attracted anglers, hikers and poets is now the subject of a major pollution lawsuit. The case – against a […]
Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) offences
EPR can be used for offences related to regulated facilities, including waste operations, water discharge activities and flood risk activities.
Consultation launched to review Environment Agency permit charges
The Environment Agency is launching a consultation on proposed changes to water quality permitting charges.
Outcry as hedgerow protection law removed
Various wildlife conservation charities have voiced their concerns after rules which protect hedgerows and stop farmers from causing excessive river pollution ended recently.
From 11th Dec 2023: Unlimited penalties introduced for those who pollute environment
Companies who pollute the environment can be hit with unlimited financial penalties from the Environment Agency from today (11 December 2023).
Why ignoring ‘low-impact’ pollution could be a disaster for the environment
The overstretched Environment Agency has instructed staff to ignore ‘low-impact’ pollution incidents. Here’s what that could mean for the natural world.
Consultation on strengthening Environmental Sanctions, is raising the cap to either £25M or £250m the answer ?
DEFRA consider that protecting our natural environment is a government priority. Strengthening regulations that enable polluters to be held to account is one piece of the wider plan in reducing pollution to protect biodiversity and the ecology of our rivers and seas.
Worst polluters ‘should face big fines and jail terms for bosses’
The nation’s worst corporate polluters should face fines that put a “major dent” in their bottom lines and have their bosses jailed, the Environment Agency has said.
Unlimited fines for environmental polluters, Government confirms
Environmental regulators will be able to charge polluters unlimited penalties for causing damage, the Government has confirmed.