red tape

'Our current system lets down both nature and growth': Defra preps green regulation shake-up

Legislation

'Our current system lets down both nature and growth': Defra preps green regulation shake-up

Government promises to fast-track measures to streamline environmental rules for planning and infrastructure in response to Corry Review

clock 02 April 2025 • 8 min read
'Not fit for purpose': Government promises sweeping reforms to environmental regulatory regime

Legislation

'Not fit for purpose': Government promises sweeping reforms to environmental regulatory regime

New policy paper argues current regulations are failing in 'driving nature recovery or economic growth', as Chancellor promises new push to tackle excessive red tape

clock 17 March 2025 • 6 min read

Legislation

'Pace, energy, vision and agility': Government taskforce calls for regulatory overhaul in support of net zero

Taskforce led by several Tory MPs proposes sweeping regulatory reforms to support net zero and green farming – but green businesses remain concerned

clock 17 June 2021 • 9 min read

Legislation

'Regulation works': Environment Agency warns against post-Brexit red tape bonfire

EA chief executive Sir James Bevan argues strong environmental regulation crucial to post-pandemic economic recovery

clock 23 February 2021 • 3 min read

Legislation

Unchecked: The scandal at the heart of the UK's 'world class' environmental regulatory regime

The Prime Minister is right to say the UK has some of the most ambitious environmental legislation in the world, but as a new report reveals many of those rules are going unenforced

clock 21 August 2019 • 8 min read

Politics

Environmental regulations proving sticking point in cross-party Brexit talks, Labour claims

Jeremy Corbyn reportedly blames Conservative deregulatory agenda for lack of progress in cross-party Brexit talks

clock 16 April 2019 • 2 min read

Legislation

The curious case of the apologetic deregulators

When even the government is admitting its deregulation target is silly, it's probably time to can it, argues David Powell

clock 17 September 2018 • 6 min read

Legislation

Environmental regulation at risk from government red-tape removal drive

EXCLUSIVE: Deregulation target is inconsistent with government policy to tackle climate change and protect the environment, critics say

clock 09 September 2018 • 5 min read

Legislation

Environmental deregulation - here's the latest: you'll like it (not a lot)

David Powell argues that just like the late, great Paul Daniels the government is using distraction techniques to divert attention from the trick that is being pulled

clock 17 January 2018 • 7 min read

Legislation

It's not 'red tape': Regulation drives better, greener business, study finds

Well-design environmental regulations can boost business investment in innovation and skills, improve products and infrastructure, and increase competitiveness, analysis suggests

clock 07 December 2017 • 2 min read