Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Gove, has reappointed Emma Howard Boyd as Chair of the Environment Agency.

In confirming the reappointment, Secretary of State Michael Gove said:

I am grateful for Emma’s strong leadership and achievements over her first term. She has played a crucial part in the Environment Agency’s vital work safeguarding our environment.

I look forward to her continuing to enable delivery of our 25 Year Environment Plan which will leave the environment in a better state for future generations.

Emma Howard Boyd said:

It’s an honour to be reappointed as Chair of the Environment Agency. This is a dynamic and challenging period for the environment as we seek to maximise the opportunities presented by the 25 Year Environment Plan and EU Exit and develop even stronger environmental protections for the future.

Last year the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change called for urgent global action to limit temperature rises. The next three years will be critical for all of us to ensure that the country is more resilient to extreme weather, minimising carbon emissions and protecting and enhancing the environment.

I’m looking forward to working with all our partners to achieve the best we can. And I am proud to head an organisation which has such fantastic, professional and committed staff.

Emma Howard Boyd was first appointed Chair of the Environment Agency on 19 September 2016. She also sits on the Defra Board. Emma Howard Boyd’s second term will run from 19 September 2019 until 18 September 2022.

The appointment has been made in accordance with the Ministerial Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body set up under the Environment Act 1995 to take an integrated approach to environmental protection and enhancement in England. It has major responsibilities in flood management, water resources and quality, climate change, land quality, chemicals, pollution prevention and control, waste, conservation and biodiversity, fisheries conservation, air quality and navigation.

The Environment Agency Board currently comprises a Chair and nine members.

All appointments to the Environment Agency Board are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if significant) to be declared. Emma has confirmed that she has not undertaken any significant political activity during the past five years.

Biographical details for Emma Howard Boyd can be found on gov.uk.

Six crew from a fishing vessel in distress were airlifted from their disabled vessel off Lands End in atrocious weather conditions over night on 12th March.

HM Coastguard was alerted at around 10pm on Tuesday night to the 24 metre French registered fishing vessel, La Fanette which had suffered engine failure. Another fishing vessel went to assist and HM Coastguard requested the launch of Sennen Cove RNLI lifeboat. Despite atrocious weather, Sennen Cove lifeboat launched but due to 5-6 metre waves on scene and storm force winds, it was impossible for either the fishing vessel or the lifeboat to establish a tow with La Fanette. Penlee RNLI all weather lifeboat also attended.

The six crew on board were airlifted from the fishing vessel by Newquay coastguard rescue helicopter.

Speaking after this morning’s incredible rescue, Captain Sharky Finn from Newquay coastguard helicopter said: ‘This is definitely one of the most challenging jobs we’ve seen at Newquay. We were flying into a force 8 gale with 20ft high waves swirling beneath us and we could clearly see the fishing vessel disappearing beneath the swell as we approached.

‘We had the support of RNLI Sennen Cove on scene who had tried to establish a tow line but were unable to do so because of the severe weather conditions.

‘We tried a variety of different winching positions as the fishing vessel pitched and rolled violently underneath us before lowering a hi-line and then our winchman to the bow. The only way we could do this was turn the helicopter 90 degrees out of winds which meant we were effectively flying sideways. Needless to say, it was very challenging deck; it stretched the capabilities of both the crew and the aircraft. However, despite this pressure we were able to take our time and safely recovered all six crewmates and our winchman to the aircraft before returning to the Newquay base. We’re grateful for the support of the Newquay coastguard rescue team and the Newlyn seaman’s mission who met us when we returned.’

Athough weather conditions are still quite rough due to Storm Gareth the sister vessel ‘Faradet’ has successfully established a tow with the ‘La Fanette’ and it is now safely under tow proceeding to rendezvous with a French tug on route from Brest.

There has been no pollution reported however HM Coastguard will continue to monitor the vessel whilst it’s in UK waters.

Rescue footage

Scotland’s Devolved Settlement and the Role of the Courts. The Inaugural Dover House Lecture, London, Lord Reed, Deputy President of the Supreme Court.

Lord Reed, Deputy President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, delivered the inaugural Dover House lecture on the evening of Wednesday 27 February 2019. The text of his lecture, titled “Scotland’s Devolved Settlement and the Role of the Courts” is available for download as a PDF.