UK environment watchdog confronts Thérèse Coffey over missed targets

Office for Environmental Protection chair expresses concern over delays to legislative deadlines

The head of the independent environmental watchdog is holding talks with the environment secretary over delays in meeting key targets to tackle water and air pollution and halt the decline in nature.

Dame Glenys Stacey, the chair of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), has told Therese Coffey, the new secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, that the possibility of taking formal enforcement action against the government over multiple missed targets was being kept under active review. The OEP can launch an investigation and take legal action if it deems it necessary.