²ÝÁñÉçÇø

EA forks out over £87,000 on contract to improve its 'negative reputation'

Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox said the money could have been better used to help farmers dredge rivers and alleviate pressure communities face with flooding

Chris Brayford
clock • 3 min read
Sir Ashley Fox, MP for Bridgwater, said: "It is absolutely galling to discover that the EA is wasting thousands of pounds of taxpayer money on combatting its 'negative reputation'. I can give them [the Environment Agency] advice for free: next time you want to spend £87,000 on ‘storytelling consultants’, use the money to dredge a river instead."
Image:

Sir Ashley Fox, MP for Bridgwater, said: "It is absolutely galling to discover that the EA is wasting thousands of pounds of taxpayer money on combatting its 'negative reputation'. I can give them [the Environment Agency] advice for free: next time you want to spend £87,000 on ‘storytelling consultants’, use the money to dredge a river instead."

More than £87,000 of taxpayer funding has been spent on helping the Environment Agency (EA) to improve its 'negative reputation'. Defra confirmed EA had awarded a three-month contract in April, worth...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

Ìý

More on Politics

Warning tariff suspensions could undermine domestic food production

Warning tariff suspensions could undermine domestic food production

NFU Scotland has highlighted the ‘unintended consequences’ for Scottish food producers and long-term food security

Alex Black
clock 27 June 2026 • 2 min read
'Shockingly bad' and 'vague', opposition MPs deliver their verdict on Labour's  Farming Roadmap

'Shockingly bad' and 'vague', opposition MPs deliver their verdict on Labour's Farming Roadmap

Conservative and LibDem rural representatives criticise document saying it will do nothing to support farmers

Jane Thynne
clock 27 June 2026 • 4 min read
Agriculture split over EU reset summit delay caused by Starmer's resignation

Agriculture split over EU reset summit delay caused by Starmer's resignation

Crop group says pause will enable parties to better prepare while meat industry warns further hold-ups will only fuel farmer frustration

Jane Thynne
clock 25 June 2026 • 2 min read