Response to the review of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution

London, 4 June/GNN/ -- 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 =A389,000 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 =A31 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.

Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

2008-06-04 06:37:14 0376909 PRNEWSWIRE