HANSARDCommons09 May 20194 contributions

Environment Agency: Pay Dispute

Daniel Zeichner (Cambridge) (Lab)
LabourCambridge
11. Whether he plans to meet representatives of the Environment Agency to discuss the recent pay dispute at that agency.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Dr Thérèse Coffey)
ConservativeLife peer
No.
Daniel Zeichner
LabourCambridge
That is very disappointing to hear. We have just heard praise for the Environment Agency, but its staff have seen a 20% cut in real terms over the past decade. The agency is suffering from recruitment and retention problems and, inevitably, low morale. Will the Minister think again and at least press the Environment Agency to reopen the discussions?
Dr Coffey
ConservativeLife peer
No, because it is an operational matter for the Environment Agency and it would not be appropriate for the Government to get involved in the human resources issues of an independent agency.