Corporate report

Environment Agency corporate scorecard 2025 to 2026 - quarter 1

Published 8 October 2025

Applies to England

The corporate scorecard 2025 to 2026 quarter 1 (Q1) starts 1 April 2025 and ends 30 June 2025. The year end is 31 March 2026.

1. Water company compliance inspections

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
2,395	2,000	10,000	Green	Green

Commentary

This measure reports on the number of onsite inspections we have completed to assess compliance with water company water quality discharge permits. Carrying out onsite inspections is a business priority and is part of a wide range of activities carried out to monitor water company compliance.

Following a strong performance last year, we continue to concentrate our resources on achieving this year’s ambitious target of 10,000 onsite inspections.

In quarter one, we have achieved 2,395 inspections against a target of 2,000, a performance of 120%. As the year continues, it will get more challenging as the quarterly targets increase and officers support our drought response. Because of this we are currently forecasting amber for this measure. We are continuing our training program for our newly recruited water industry regulation officers to support this measure.

Water company inspections completed against target

Quarter	Actual	Target
Q2 2024 to 2025	1,932	686
Q3 2024 to 2025	3,246	1,828
Q4 2024 to 2025	4,626	4,000
Q1 2025 to 2026	2,395	2,000

2. Sewage treatment works brought into compliance

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
93%	90%	90%	Green	Amber

Commentary

This measure reports on the number of water company wastewater treatment works and water treatment works shown to have high risk non-compliances last year. It demonstrates that we are using our full range of regulatory powers to bring these sites into compliance. We are concentrating our regulatory effort on those sites that pose the highest risk to the environment. We are using our full range of interventions to achieve this outcome.

There were 111 sites identified as high-risk failing sites last year. Of these sites,103 (93%) are currently meeting the requirements of this measure. This means the site either:

• a) has returned to compliance
• b) has submitted to the Environment Agency compliance action plan (CAP) which adequately details the steps to be taken to return to compliance and by when
• c) we have started enforcement action alongside our activity to bring the site back into compliance

Over the year individual sites may change from ‘meeting’ to ‘not meeting’ the measure requirements, for example:

• if they do not comply with the steps in their action plan
• if they have another serious permit non-compliance during the year

This means the number of compliant sites can go down as well as up. Together with the organisational priority to respond to the drought this means we are forecasting amber for this measure.

Percentage of sewage treatment works brought back into compliance

Quarter	Actual	Target
Q1 2025 to 2026	93	90

3. Number of farm inspections

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
951	968	4,000	Amber	Green

Commentary

We continue to work on achieving the target of 4,000 agricultural inspections per year. In quarter one, we had completed 951 inspections nationally and we are currently amber at 98% of forecast inspections.

We are forecasting green on this target by the end of the year. However, this may be effected by drought incident work if current weather conditions continue and agriculture officers are required to support drought response.

All agriculture regulatory inspection officer posts are currently filled, so we expect an uplift in inspections in the second half of the year. Traditionally, inspections pick up after the summer harvest period in the autumn and winter.

The Environment and Business (E and B) agriculture remote sensing (RS) team have only completed 30 inspections in quarter one. The RS team are forecasting an uplift in inspections in the second half of the year as new remote sensing projects currently in development are completed. They are forecasting green against a target of 409 by the end of the year.

During quarter one we issued 1,180 new improvement actions, through the course of our inspections. As previous actions are completed, 915 outcomes have been achieved. The top 3 outcome categories are:

• nutrient management plans
• soil testing
• silage clamps

These will help reduce environmental pollution and improve the environment.

As the number of farm inspections increase, we also expect to see an increase in enforcement action. The Environment and Business enforcement team supports agriculture officers with guidance and case files to help maintain inspection activities.

Number of farm inspections

Quarter	Actual	Target
Q1 2024 to 2025	1,028	977
Q2 2024 to 2025	2,302	1,984
Q3 2024 to 2025	3,394	3,103
Q4 2024 to 2025	4,540	4,000
Q1 2025 to 2026	951	968

4. Bathing water monitoring

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
99%	98%	98%	Green	Green

Commentary

This performance indicator measures the successful completion of sampling and analysis for the statutory Bathing Waters Monitoring programme. It compares the number of commissioned monitoring samples to actual monitoring samples completed (collection and analysis of the samples). Performance was strong during the first half of the bathing water season. Of the planned samples for this quarter, 99% have been collected and analysed.

% of bathing water quality monitoring samples collected and analysed

Quarter	Actual	Target
Q1 2025 to 2026	99	98

5. We stop high risk illegal waste sites

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
24	17	90	Green	Green

Commentary

This metric helps measure the Environment Agency’s action to prevent and stop waste crime. The measure concentrates on illegal waste sites that pose the greatest risk to communities, the environment, and legitimate businesses.

We met our target, demonstrating strong operational performance. This work supports the government’s circular economy goals, and the ambition to eliminate waste crime. The Environment Agency’s crime priorities include:

• the misdescription of waste
• responding to illegal dumping
• closing waste illegal sites
• preventing the illegal exports
• responding to producer responsibility fraud and organised crime

Number of high risk illegal waste sites stopped

Quarter	Total	Target
Q1 2024 to 2025	28	17
Q2 2024 to 2025	65	41
Q3 2024 to 2025	111	62
Q4 2024 to 2025	143	90
Q1 2025 to 2026	24	17

Planning applications determined in 21 days

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 Status	Year end forecast
95%	95%	95%	Green	Green

Commentary

This performance indicator measures our ability to provide timely response to the planning application consultations we receive from local planning authorities. Specifically, it measures our ability to respond to planning application consultations within 21 days or as otherwise agreed with the local planning authority. An efficient planning system supports government growth ambitions, and this performance indicator demonstrates our commitment to achieving that goal.

In quarter one, we responded to 2,901 planning applications where the 21 days requirement applied. Of which 2,765 were replied to within the 21 days period or as otherwise agreed with the local planning authority. Our target is for 95% of responses to be made within that timeframe. Our performance in the first quarter of 2025 to 2026 was 95%.

Percentage of planning application consultations

Quarter	Actual	Target
Q1 2025 to 2026	95	95

Percentage of permits issued within timescales (category 1 permits)

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
90%	95%	95%	Amber	Green

Commentary

This measure looks at our simplest and highest volume permitting decisions where there’s a target processing time of 35 days. Normally we expect to receive 6,000 applications of this type per year. Our stretching target for 2025 to 2026 is to meet the 35 day target for 95% of applications. We forecast that this will be achieved by March 2026.

In quarter one we achieved our 35 day delivery target for 90% of the applications received. There have been IT and system developments this quarter aimed at reducing administrative burden and we forecast an improved performance for quarter 2.

Percentage of permits issued

Quarter	Actual	Target
Q1 2025 to 2026	90%	95%

Percentage of permits issued within timescales (category 2 permits)

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
55%	70%	70%	Red	Green

Commentary

This measure covers our transactional and other simple permitting decisions such as:

• the administration of existing permits
• transfers
• surrender of ownership
• minor changes to the activities included in the permit

On average we expect to receive 2,000 category 2 applications per year with a target processing time of 100 days. Our 2025 to 2026 target is to process 70% of applications within 100 days, which we expect to achieve by March 2026.

In quarter one we achieved this for 55% of the 360 applications received. Additional resource deployment and with the IT system upgrades adopted this quarter we expect to see an improvement in performance during quarter 2.

Percentage of permits issued

Quarter	Actual	Target
Q1 2025 to 2026	55%	70%

Percentage of permits issued within timescales (category 3 permits)

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 Status	Year end Forecast
56%	70%	70%	Red	Green

Commentary

This measure covers the provision of permitting decisions for:

• standard rules permits
• most flood risk activities
• many standard water quality and resources activity applications.

On average we expect to receive 1,000 applications per year with a target processing time of 140 days. Our 2025 to 2026 target is to process 70% of applications within 140 days, which we expect to achieve by March 2026.

In quarter one we achieved the target processing time for 56% of the 190 applications received. It is anticipated that the implementation of a backlog reduction plan and other IT and system improvements should enable improved performance for quarter 2.

Percentage of permits issued

Quarter	Actual	Target
Q1 2025 to 2026	56%	70%

Percentage of permits issued within timescales (category 4 permits)

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
49%	55%	55%	Red	Green

Commentary

This measure relates to the permitting decisions performance for a more complex range of applications. These applications are for bespoke assessments involving:

• wide consultation
• pollution modelling and assessment
• the utilisation of specialist skills and resource to advise on permit development

On average we expect to receive 800 applications per year with a target processing time of 250 days. Our stretching target for 2025 to 2026 is to meet the 250 day target for 55% of applications. We forecast that this will be achieved by March 2026.

In quarter one, 49% of the 180 applications received were processed within the target time. There were 90 applications that did not meet our target this quarter. A backlog reduction plan has been implemented, and we plan to eradicate the historic backlog by March 2026.

Further reforms aimed at reducing regulatory burden and risks and improving ways of working are also planned through our Transformation programme. We forecast that consistent improvement will occur, accelerating toward the final quarter of the financial year.

Percentage of permits issued

Quarter	Actual	Target
Q1 2025 to 2026	49%	55%

6. Number of properties better protected from flooding

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
27,882	27,843	52,000	Green	Green

Commentary

During quarter one of 2025 to 2026, there were 339 properties better protected from flooding and coastal erosion by schemes including:

• restoration of Prince of Wales Pier, Polperro (Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly area): 91 properties
• Team Happisburgh to Winterton Sea Defences (East Anglia area): 67 properties
• West Park Flood Alleviation Scheme, Hartlepool (North East area): 53 properties

This brings the cumulative total since 1 April 2024 to 27,882 and the cumulative total since 1 April 2021 to 116,154 properties better protected.

This confirms we’re on track to meet the combined 52,000 target for 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026 (set by the Defra Secretary of State). For the 5 year period 2021 to 2026 there’s a total target of 140,272.

Properties protected

2025 to 2026 programme cumulative target = 52,000

Number of properties protected

Quarter	Total
Q1 2023 to 2024	61,228
Q2 2023 to 2024	67,734
Q3 2023 to 2024	71,563
Q4 2023 to 2024	88,272
Q1 2024 to 2025	91,433
Q2 2024 to 2025	94,055
Q3 2024 to 2025	94,902
Q4 2024 to 2025	115,815
Q1 2025 to 2025	27,882

7. Innovation actions delivered in flood and coastal resilience to adapt to a changing climate

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
100%	80%	80%	Green	Green

Commentary

This measure tracks development in implementing innovative adaptation and resilience actions through the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation programmes managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes are overall on track with this quarter’s performance figure increased from the previous quarter.

The figures are based on project performance as of quarter 4 2024 to 2025. Assessments are based on detailed one to one project feedback and quarterly reporting from all projects.

For this quarter there are no projects ‘off track’. A reduction of 2 projects from the previous quarter following intervention from the programme team. The resolution of project risks has arisen following increased certainty on achievability and costing from previous projects. Both projects now have a clear route forward and a plan for realising benefits in line with their approved cases.

We expect all projects to remain on track for the next quarter although there is some residual uncertainty around construction activity for next financial year. This is largely due to landowner and legal agreements, which is currently well mitigated.

Percentage of actions completed or on track

Quarter	% Actual	% Target
Q1 2024 to 2025	88%	80%
Q2 2024 to 2025	91%	80%
Q3 2024 to 2025	94%	80%
Q4 2024 to 2025	94%	80%
Q1 2025 to 2026	100%	80%

8. We maintain our flood and coastal risk management assets at or above the target condition

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
92.7	92%	92%	Green	Green

Commentary

Environment Agency owned and maintained high consequence asset condition for quarter one is 92.7%.

Our target for 2025 to 2026 is to stabilise asset condition at or above 92%. For 2025 to 2026 we have allocated an additional £72 million from the Flood Capital programme to support the asset maintenance and repair programme. This quarter, weather has been drier, sunnier and warmer than average enabling asset repair work. Albeit with some periods of intense localised rain in each of the 3 months.

Overall, this is officially the driest spring since records began 132 years ago. There are 3 areas now officially in drought and a further 6 in prolonged dry weather status. Each of these areas has activated their drought action plans. This could affect our assets, especially earth embankments, which may shrink and crack in dry weather, increasing structural risks. Work is already underway to identify and closely monitor those assets most at risk from prolonged dry weather effects.

Percentage of our flood and coastal risk management assets at or above the target condition

Quarter	% Actual (rounded)	% Target
Q1 2023 to 2024	93.8%	94.5%
Q2 2023 to 2024	93.5%	94.5%
Q3 2023 to 2024	93.3%	94.5%
Q4 2023 to 2024	92.6%	94.5%
Q1 2024 to 2025	92.2%	94.5%
Q2 2024 to 2025	92.1%	94.5%
Q3 2024 to 2025	92.2%	94.5%
Q4 2024 to 2025	92.8%	94.5%
Q1 2025 to 2026	92.7%	92%

9. Resilience in our capacity to respond to incidents

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
Green	Green	Green	Green	Amber

Commentary

This measure demonstrates the Environment Agency’s capability to respond appropriately to flooding and other environmental incidents with sufficient resources in a timely and effective way.

Each day, if we are in incident mode, response cells around the country indicate their resilience based on availability of response staff and equipment:

• a green response denotes a specific cell has the staff and resources available
• an amber indicates partial resilience, with critical roles covered
• a red indicates the cell cannot function to the standards required to provide an effective response to the incident

Between April and June 2025 (quarter one) there were 1,010 instances of response cells being scaled up across the country due to environmental incidents. This was a 18% increase from quarter 4 (856 instances). Despite the higher number of scaled up days there were fewer discrete events in quarter one. This was due to the more prolonged nature of drought and dry weather events. Only 5 out of 14 operational areas needed to scale up response cells. Of those scaled up, most were dealing with drought related incidents which use different pools of responders and tend to be office hour response only. This would indicate the reason for the green status of most areas.

Our performance for quarter one is green due to nature of the events and reduced need to escalate responses beyond a regular shift pattern. Operational areas remain cautious about resilience amid:

• extended droughts
• dry spells
• the risk of simultaneous flooding
• other incidents

Many operational areas continue to report lower numbers of trained and capable staff in important incident roles. This necessitates using mutual aid arrangements with other operational areas or implementing office hours response with different staff. Many are in the process of recruiting and training additional response staff into critical roles.

10. Minimised time lost to work related injuries

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
0.17	0.11	<0.11	Red	Red

Commentary

Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate (LTIFR) is a key Health, Safety and Wellbeing (HSW) performance indicator. It measures the number of work related incidents resulting in time lost, per 100,000 hours worked. It provides a standardised way to assess the frequency of serious incidents that effect:

*employee health * productivity * operational continuity

This year we have broadened the definition of Lost Time Incidents (LTIs). We will include all work related incidents that result in more than one day (or shift) off work, while maintaining the existing target of 0.11. The new definition reflects a more comprehensive and rigorous approach to tracking and managing workplace harm and ill health.

Maintaining the 0.11 target is essential to demonstrate a mature HSW culture and reduce harm. While ambitious, achieving this goal may take several years as we embed the new HSW Strategy and strengthen the foundation of our management system. What we would expect to see this year is the start of a downward trend towards the target. It is disappointing at the end of quarter one to see a slight upward trend. LTIFR is measured over a 12 month period. In the past year, we recorded 40 LTIs, resulting in an LTIFR of 0.17 at the end of quarter one. This is an increase from the end of quarter 4 of 0.16.

In quarter one there were 9 LTIs, compared to 7 at this time in 2024 to 2025. None of the quarter one LTIs were serious enough to require reporting to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR).

In a broader context, while our LTI has slightly increased, it is positive to see the overall injury rate. This including non-lost time incidents, has declined compared to the same period last year. Additionally, our active monitoring and positive reporting rates (near misses etc) continue to increase. The HSW team shall be closely monitoring whether these positive trends translate into a reduction in Lost Time Incidents over the coming year. If not, efforts shall concentrate on identifying the underlying factors to ensure continued improvement in safety performance.

Lost time incident frequency rate per 100,000 hours

Quarter	Actual	Target
Q1 2025 to 2026	0.17	0.11

11. We have a diverse workforce

The percentage of our staff who are from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
Reports at Q2	Reports at Q2	7.6%	Not applicable	Not applicable

Commentary

Commentary will be provided at quarter 2.

Black, Asian and minority ethnic background staff as % of all staff

2025 to 2026 target = 7.6%

Quarter	Total
Q4 2022 to 2023	5.3 %
Q2 2023 to 2024	5.7%
Q4 2023 to 2024	6.1 %
Q2 2024 to 2025	6.4%
Q4 2024 to 2025	6.5 %

The percentage of senior staff who are female

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
Reports at Q2	Reports at Q2	50%	Not applicable	Not applicable

Commentary

Commentary will be provided at quarter 2

Percentage of senior staff who are female

2025 to 2026 target = 50%

Quarter	Total
Q4 2022 to 2023	48%
Q2 2023 to 2024	47.2%
Q4 2023 to 2024	45.7%
Q2 2024 to 2025	46%
Q4 2024 to 2025	48%

12. Net zero carbon by 2030

Q1 Actual	Q1 target	2025 to 2026 target	Q1 status	Year end forecast
57,407	49,730	<198,916	Red	Red

Commentary

At the end of quarter one, organisational carbon emissions are above target at 57,407 tonnes against a target of 49,730 tonnes (116%). This means we have emitted more carbon than the limit for the quarter. Although we haven’t hit the target, it is less than quarter one last year, where emissions were 78,658 tonnes.

Construction emissions are the main contributor. While there are promising innovations like low-carbon concrete, we need to expand their adoption across the entire flood risk programme.

Our fleet is advancing well. Our programme to rationalise and electrify the fleet has resulted in a decrease in tail-pipe emissions. Now 76% of lease cars are electric vehicles (EVs). The upcoming Fleet Optimisation programme should encourage further reductions in costs and emissions.

Quarterly Carbon dioxide equivalents emissions

Quarter	Total (tonnes)
Q1 2023 to 2024	100,031
Q2 2023 to 2024	139,658
Q3 2023 to 2024	171,387
Q4 2023 to 2024	269,339
Q1 2024 to 2025	78,658
Q2 2024 to 2025	126,176
Q3 2024 to 2025	181,434
Q4 2024 to 2025	261,414
Q1 2025 to 2026	57,407