Environmental polluters will face unlimited penalties under new legislation introduced today.
Companies holding environmental permits, such as energy and water operators, will see the current penalty limit of £250,000 scrapped.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced changes to the legislation, following a government consultation, which received “widespread public support.”
The consultation offered several options to change the cap, ranging from £25 million to unlimited penalties.
As the government decided to opt for unlimited penalties, the Environment Agency (EA) and Natural England will be able to apply “a quicker method of enforcement than lengthy and costly criminal prosecutions.”
EA Chair Alan Lovell said that the new powers will enable the government to deliver penalties quicker and easier, while the most serious cases will continue to be taken through criminal proceedings….