Corporate report

Environment Agency corporate scorecard 2022 to 2023 - quarter one

Published 19 January 2023

Applies to England

1. Corporate scorecard summary page

The Environment Agency use a red, amber, green system to see how we are performing at a glance. They are:

• green which means we are performing at or above the target(s) set

• amber which means we are falling slightly short of the target

• red which means there are improvements to be made

This table shows the red, amber, green scores for the 14 measures plus the actual and target figures.

1.1 A nation resilient to climate change

By 2025 we (the Environment Agency) will have created more climate resilient places and infrastructure, by ensuring the nation is prepared for flooding, coastal change and drought

Measure title	Units	Q1 actual	Q1 target	Year end target	Year end forecast	Q1 status
We reduce the risk of flooding for more properties	Number of properties better protected	33,223	33,000	65,000	Green	Green
We maintain our flood and costal risk management assets at or above the target condition	% of high risk assets at target condition	91.8%	98%	98%	Red	Red

By 2025 we will be a stronger leader on climate adaptation and resilience, encouraging others to act now on the climate emergency

Measure title	Units	Q1 year to date actual	Q1 year to date target	Year end target	Year end forecast	Q1 year to date status
We will deliver our strategic adaptation actions to tackle the climate emergency	Actions	Reports in Q2 and Q4	Reports in Q2 and Q4	90% minimum	Green	Reports in Q2 and Q4

By 2025 we will be a recognised and trusted incident management organisation responding rapidly to environmental emergencies to protect people and the environment

Measure title	Units	Q1 year to date actual	Q1 year to date target	Year end target	Year end forecast	Q1 year to date status
We have a first class incident response capability - proportion of trained staff employed in core incident roles	% staff utilised	76%	80%	80%	Amber	Amber

1.2 Healthy air, land and water

By 2025 our air will be cleaner and healthier

Measure title	Units	Q1 year to date actual	Q1 year to date target	Year end target	Year end forecast	Q1 year to date status
By 2025 our air will be cleaner and healthier	% reduction grams per tonne	Reports in Q4	Reports in Q4	4 out of 4 pollutants showing a reduction on the previous year	Amber	Reports in Q4

By 2025 our rivers, lakes, groundwater and coasts will have better water quality and will be better places for people and wildlife

Measure title	Units	Q1 year to date actual	Q1 year to date target	Year end target	Year end forecast	Q1 year to date status
Our rivers and coasts have better water quality and are better places for wildlife.	Kilometres (km)	1,475	1,300	1,300	Green	Green

By 2025 our air, land and water is better protected and enhanced

Measure title	Units	Q1 year to date actual	Q1 year to date target	Year end target	Year end forecast	Q1 year to date status
We increase biodiversity and encourage an environmental net gain by creating more and better habitats for the benefit of people and wildlife	Hectares (ha) created, and habitat restored	Reports in Q4	Reports in Q4	660 Hectares total	Red	Reports in Q4
We protect people and the environment through effective regulation	% compliance of permitted sites	Reports in Q4	Reports in Q4	97%	Green	Reports in Q4

1.3 Green growth and a sustainable future

By 2025 we will achieve cleaner growth by supporting businesses and communities to make good choices, through our roles as a regulator, adviser, operator and enabler

Measure title	Units	Q1 year to date actual	Q1 year to date target	Year end target	Year end forecast	Q1 year to date status
We successfully influence planning decisions by local authorities	% decision notices successfully influenced	93.9%	97%	97%	Green	Amber

By 2025 we Will have cut waste crime and helped develop a circular economy

Measure title	Units	Q1 actual	Q1 target	Year end target	Year end forecast	Q1 status
We reduce the number of high risk illegal waste sites	Number of high waste sites	188	195	180	Green	Green

By 2025 we will be on track to deliver our sustainable business commitments, including to be net zero by 2030

Measure title	Units	Q1 actual	Q1 target	Year end target	Year end forecast	Q1 status
Net zero by 2030 (total carbon)	Tonnes (carbon dioxide equivalents emissions)	53,901	56,119	224,475	Green	Green

1.4 Enabling outcomes: life enhancing organisation - how we will deliver our actions: our people and our values

Measure title	Units	Q1 year to date actual	Q1 year to date target	Year end target	Year end forecast	Q1 year to date status
We manage our money efficiently	% spend on budget	94%	100%	100%	Amber	Red
We have a diverse workforce: a) The proportion of our staff are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (B.A.M.E)	% of workforce	4.7%	14%	14%	Red	Red
We have a diverse workforce: b) The proportion of our executive managers who are female	% of executive manager workforce	45%	50%	50%	Amber	Amber
We have the lowest possible lost time incident (LTI) frequency rate	LTI frequency rate per 100,000 hours	0.05	0.11	0.11	Green	Green

2. We reduce the risk from flooding for more properties.

Q1 Status	Actual	Cumulative target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Green	33,223	33,000	Green	65,000

Commentary

In quarter one 315 properties were better protected from flooding and coastal erosion due to completion of 6 schemes including the following:

• Cumbria and Lancashire Culvert refurbishment programme (104 properties)

• Little Hadham A120 bypass flood storage area, Hertfordshire (67 properties)

This takes the cumulative total since April 2021 to 33,223. Project reporting is currently forecasting to meet the end of year target of 65,000 properties better protected by the end of March 2023.

Properties protected

2022 to 2023 programme cumulative target = 65,000

Quarter	Total
Q1 2021 to 2022	7,198
Q2 2021 to 2022	10,679
Q3 2021 to 2022	17,162
Q4 2021 to 2022	32,908
Q1 2022 to 2023	33,223

Actions

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Integration of new properties reporting into AIMS:PD (asset information management system: programme delivery)	Flood and Coastal Risk Management Manager	Completed
Working with delivery Managers / programme specialists to derive the best method for measuring properties better protected to 2040 (for example: effects of climate change)	Flood and Coastal Risk Management Manager	31/03/2023
Continued national priority programme (NPP) calls and a re-affirmation of the risks, issues and opportunities group alongside local integrated delivery teams support	Flood and Coastal Risk Management Manager	31/03/2027
Developing dashboards to measure various risks against the 6 year programme	Flood and Coastal Risk Management Manager	31/03/2023

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

Q1 Status	Actual	Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Red	91.8%	98%	Red	98%

Commentary

Our reported asset condition continues to reflect data errors resulting from the transition to a new asset system including the effect of the backlog of inspections resulting in many assets having out of date condition data. We are therefore continuing to take a precautionary approach to reporting asset condition, while we improve asset data quality and assess the actual state of our assets. The effect of flood events and COVID-19 reduced our ability to inspect and repair assets. Asset condition for quarter one remains at 91.8% against the 2022 to 2023 published target of 98%. When the data errors are removed, we anticipate that the figure will be closer to 94%.

Asset condition is directly related to maintenance funding, which is currently lower than required. While it is sufficient to sustain asset condition between 94% and 95% it is not currently enough to restore them to our 98% target.

Where assets are below their required condition this identifies that work is required. This does not mean that they have structurally failed or that performance in a flood is compromised.

We have prioritised the maintenance and repair of the highest risk assets. Where needed, we have risk mitigation measures and contingency plans in place to manage any risk until any necessary repairs and maintenance are complete.

Quarter	% Actual (rounded)	% Target
Q1 19/20	97.2%	97.5%
Q2 19/20	96.9%	97.5%
Q3 19/20	96.2%	98%
Q4 19/20	96.1%	98%
Q1 20/21	95.8%	98%
Q2 20/21	95.2%	98%
Q3 20/21	95%	98%
Q4 20/21	94.5	98%
Q1 21/22	94.3	98%
Q2 21/22	95.4%	98%
Q3 21/22		98%
Q4 21/22	91.8	98%
Q1 22/23	91.8	98%

3.1 Number of high consequence assets passing

At or above required target condition (Environment Agency)	Below required target condition (Environment Agency)
32,922	2,924

Actions

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Repairing and maintaining flood defence assets remains a corporate priority.	Deputy Director, Asset Performance and Engineering	31/03/2023
Ensuring mitigation measures are in place for below required condition (BRC) assets to manage risk pending repairs.	Deputy Director, Asset Management Operations	31/03/2023
Reducing the backlog of asset repair assessments	Deputy Director, Asset Management Operations	31/03/2023

4. We deliver our climate impact plan and enabling UK net zero plan to tackle the climate emergency

Q1 Status	Actual	Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Reports at Q2 and Q4	Reports at Q2 and Q4	Reports at Q2 and Q4	Green	90%

Commentary

Our enabling UK net zero plan continues to be refined. The strategic aims have been finalised and work continues to refine the draft milestones. This is expected to be complete in time for reporting in quarter 2 and quarter 4. Commitments in our third adaptation report to ministers under the Climate Change Act are delivered through our internal ‘preparing for climate impacts plan’. This sets out the Environment Agency’s annual actions to adapt to a changing climate such as:

• how we address increasing flood and coastal risks
• reducing water availability
• pressures on the natural environment

We have acted on the advice of an internal audit report, by assigning director level senior responsible officers for each of the actions to support delivery and setting milestones for each action.

Headway has been made on plan activity, most notably we have published the Environment Agency’s flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy roadmap. This sets out the actions needed by 2026 to ensure we remain on track to implement the strategy vision.

Reports at Q2 and Q4

Quarter	% Actual	% Target
Q4 2019/21	76	90
Q2 2020/21	70	90
Q4 2020/21	72	90
Q4 2021/22	78	90

Actions

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Refine milestones in the enabling UK net zero and climate impacts plans to ensure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, timebound, (SMART) and ambitious	Senior Responsible Officers	30/09/2022
FCRM actions are aligned with the FCERM strategy roadmap. The roadmap is being programme managed with appropriate levels of governance to ensure timely completion of actions.	Director Strategy & National Adaptation	30/09/2022

5. We have a first class incident response capability

Q1 status	Actual	Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Amber	76%	80%	Amber	80%

Commentary

Over the past 12 months there has been 3,393 trained staff who have responded to emergencies to reduce the effect of environmental incidents.

We continue to ensure all staff on incident rosters can work flexibly and feel supported and confident to volunteer particularly during escalated response periods.

Less staff have been used during incidents due to the lower number and duration of incidents reported.

Proportion of trained staff utilised in core incident roles

Quarter	Number
Q1 21/22	85%
Q2 21/22	83%
Q3 21/22	82%
Q4 21/22	77%
Q1 22/23	76%

Actions

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
We are establishing a future incident response framework to ensure availability of our essential services (24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year) and establish reliable and resilient core and surge incident response arrangements.	Director Incident Management and Resilience	31/12/2023
It seems likely that the percentage decrease is due to the drop in the number of incidents. We will review across next quarter and further consider what the data may be revealing.	Deputy Director Strategy Service and Investment	30/09/2022

6. Air quality is improving

6.1 Monitor the reductions across 4 priority pollutants: NOX, SOX, NMVOC, NH3 and particulates in the refineries sector (Defra)

Q1 status	Actual	Target (tonnes)	Year end forecast	Year end target
Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Amber	4 out of 4 pollutants showing a reduction on the previous year

Commentary

We have expanded the air quality measure to report emissions of 4 key pollutants:

• sulphur oxides (SOX)
• nitrogen oxides (NOX)
• PM2.5 (fine particulate matter)
• non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs)

From 4 key industry sectors:

• refineries
• large volume organic chemicals (LVOCs)
• non-ferrous metals (NFM)
• large combustion plant (LCP)

We have recently reviewed the permits for these 4 sectors. However, the sectors have also been economically affected by COVID-19 restrictions and any emission patterns observed may reflect changes in production as well as in environmental performance.

Quarter one shows current emissions emitted by sectors for the 4 key pollutants from 2017 to 2021. We will provide a more complete picture of emissions as part of quarter 2 by further expanding on some of the sectors.

Our year end forecast for 2022 to 2023 is amber. The PM2.5 emissions and SOX levels are likely to come down with continued closure of coal powered stations. The NMVOCs for the LVOC sub sector are expected to reduce because of permit reviews. Overall, NOX emissions are likely to increase, as industries that reduced activities during COVID-19 return to normal or increased levels of production. However, emissions normalised by production rates may provide a different picture, as improved abatement techniques become installed.

Sulphur dioxide emissions grams per tonne

Quarter	Actual	Target
Q4 2019/21	420.85	431
Q4 2020/21	421.56	431
Q4 2021/22	414.21	431

Nitrogen oxides emissions grams per tonne

Quarter	Actual	Target
Q4 2019/21	222.26	203
Q4 2020/21	236.24	203
Q4 2021/22	236.55	203

Actions

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Assess production levels for sample sector, e.g. refineries, to determine whether changes in emissions could be linked to increased production vs lack of sufficient abatement.	Sector Leads	30/09/2022
Assess level of take up of improved abatement measures in individual sectors, to determine expected effect on emission reduction.	Sector Leads	30/09/2022

7. Our rivers and coasts have better water quality and are better places for wildlife

Q1 status	Actual (km)	Target (km)	Year end forecast	Year end target (km)
Green	1,475	1,300	Green	1,300

Commentary

In December 2021 we set a target to achieve a further 1,300 km enhanced between April 2022 and March 2023. This target has been achieved in the first quarter, mainly because a large component of the water industry national environment programme was accomplished in Q1 exceeding the original forecast. In the last 2 years over 8,000 alterations have been proposed by water companies, predominantly changing delivery dates due to the affects of COVID-19. Water company targets exceeded expectations in Q1 and we recommend revising the target to reflect this. We will review this in time for Q2 reporting. Since the original target was set, we have also secured more capital for our own environment programme through agreements on over-programming (£6 million rather than £3 million) which will allow us to accomplish more with our partners.

While 79% of individual tests meet the threshold for good ecological status, only 16% of surface waters achieve good ecological status. This is because failure of any one individual test means that the whole water body will fail to achieve good ecological status. While working with others to resolve long-standing problems we continue to deliver local improvements.

Other highlights include:

• Over 400 km of enhancements reached through the Environment Agency’s environment programme. For example, tree planting and fencing along river corridors to prevent cattle grazing.
• the flood and coastal risk management programme enhanced a further 120 km, mainly by removing barriers to fish migration
• the new forest invasive non-native species project reduced the spread of Himalayan balsam, giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, American skunk cabbage and parrot’s feather, protecting 25 km of local watercourses.

Kilometres of rivers, lakes and coastal waters enhanced this year

Quarter	Actual km	Target km
Q1 2020/21	31	100
Q2 2020/21	4,193	1,509
Q3 2020/21	4,230	3,445
Q4 2020/21	4,551	3,900
Q1 2021/22	822	883
Q2 2021/22	1,245	1,272
Q3 2021/22	1,347	1,650
Q4 2021/22	1,528	1,650
Q1 2022/23	1,475	1,300

Insight cumulative totals

Quarter	Actual km	Target km
Q2 2020/21	10,967	8,000
Q3 2020/21	11,004	8,000
Q4 2020/21	11,292	8,000
Q1 2021/22	12,167	8,000
Q2 2021/22	12,590	8,000
Q3 2021/22	12,799	8,000
Q4 2021/22	12,980	8,000
Q1 2022/23	14,445	9,000

Actions

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Assess what the new target should be ready for Q2 reporting	Director, Environment and Business	30/09/2022

8. We increase biodiversity and promote an environmental net gain by creating more and better habitats for the benefit of people and wildlife

Q1 status	Actual	Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Red	660 hectares (ha)

Commentary

Current forecasts indicate that we will create or restore 327 ha of priority habitats, equivalent to an area twice the size of Regent’s Park in London.

We have an expected shortfall of 333 ha. Area teams had originally identified 222 ha, but were given an expanded target. Areas have brought forward restoration of 105 ha to meet this, but we do not expect to meet the overall target this year.

Reasons for this include:

• delays in getting planning permission
• reduced funding from the water environment improvement fund (WEIF)
• delays in securing necessary future management agreements
• uncertainty of land purchases
• loss of experienced staff
• limitations with local flood and coastal risk management (FCRM) and programme and contract management (PCM) teams

Quarter	Hectares created	Target
2018/19	460	410
2019/20	3,147	1,280
2020/21	1,897	1,200
2021/22	1,111	620

9. We protect people and the environment through effective regulation (new measure)

Q1 status	Actual	Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Reports at Q4	Green	97%

As an organisation we have reaffirmed our commitment to be a trusted and respected regulator and the priority given for our regulatory activity. This measure will provide an indication of how well the environment and our communities are protected from pollution caused by regulated sites.

In 2021, the total number of waste and installation permitted sites was 13,842. We carried out 19,151 compliance assessments at 9,643 permitted sites; 70% of all sites were assessed.

There were 10,412 (54.4%) physical inspections; auditing, monitoring and inspecting sites, alongside 6,589 (24.4%) desktop and 2,150 (11.2%) remote assessments.

During COVID-19 we adopted innovative ways to carry out regulatory work and completed 8,739 (35.6%) compliance assessments remotely. We continue to develop our ability to regulate remotely to ensure greater compliance in future.

There will always be poor performing and complex sites that are difficult to manage which take time to resolve and affect our resources. We will continue to operate in an open and transparent way. This is so those we regulate understand what is expected of them, the public can see the results of our regulation and recognise those going beyond compliance.

We are facing resourcing and technical resilience challenges in our operational teams, who carry out compliance activities to secure the regulatory outcome of compliant businesses. These risks are being mitigated through increased training offers and securing resources to increase our technical services provision. We will monitor our performance throughout the year.

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Programme to improve regulatory officer skills and development	Senior Advisor, Operations Regulation, Monitoring Customer (ORMC)	31/04/2023
Strategic resourcing regulatory officer recruitment campaigns	Strategic Resourcing, Chief Operating Officer (COO)	31/04/2023
Technical service review programme	Senior Advisor, Operations Regulation, Monitoring Customer (ORMC)	31/04/2023
Strength in place- regulatory workstream	Director of Operations (Regulation)	31/04/2023

10. We successfully influence planning decisions by local planning authorities

Q1 status	Actual	Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Amber	93.9%	97%	Green	97%

Commentary

Performance in quarter one was amber with 93.9% against a target of 97%. There were 35 decisions that weren’t in line with our advice:

• 15 where we had raised an objection
• 20 where a condition we’d requested wasn’t included in the final decision
• 11 out of the 15 objections were made based on no, or inadequate, flood risk assessments

All these applications were for minor developments which if implemented would create an additional 3 dwellings that could be at risk from flooding. The conditions that weren’t included in the final decision covered:

• flooding
• land contamination
• biodiversity
• water quality
• pollution control issues

Most planning decisions are made in line with our advice, but where we do have to raise objection, we work hard with developers and the local planning authorities to try and resolve issues.

In quarter one we raised initial objections to 89 planning applications, but by engaging with developers we managed to resolve these issues. This facilitated the creation of 3,200 new residential units should all these planning permissions be implemented. These residential developments, once built, will help contribute over £55 million to UK economic output. Recognising that we are one of several consultees who provide planning advice, this represents an excellent return on the Environment Agency’s £2.4 million quarterly spend on this vital work.

Quarter	Total
2020/21	97.8%
Q1 2021/22	98%
Q2 2021/22	98.6%
Q3 2021/22	98.7%
Q4 2021/22	98.2%
Q1 2022/23	93.9%

Actions

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
The Sustainable Places and Growth Business Activity Group will explore the reasoning behind decision notices going against our advice to determine any trends and mitigating actions.	Deputy Director Sustainable Places, Business & Environment Strategy Director Operation South and East	30/09/2022
The National Office Sustainable Places team is currently facilitating the recruitment of 29 entry level roles into Area teams to ensure the collation of decision notices, and other important work, can be carried out.	Deputy Director Sustainable Places, Business & Environment Strategy Director Operation South and East	30/09/2022

11. We reduce the number of high risk illegal waste sites

Q1 status	Actual	Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Green	188	195	Green	180

Commentary

The number of recorded high risk illegal waste sites decreased by 6 in quarter One at 188 and remains below the ceiling target. Areas continue to focus on the sites that pose the greatest threat, risk and harm. Across England the number of non-high risk illegal waste sites fell by 17 to a total of 404.

The number of illegal waste sites and high risk sites identified and substantiated by the Environment Agency continues a downward trend that began in quarter one 2020 to 2021. Furthermore, the number of illegal waste sites is the lowest reported since at least 2012 to 2013 and high risk sites are the lowest reported since at least 2015 to 2016. These low figures are despite increased referrals from the public, via Crimestoppers, with referrals concerning the illegal disposal of waste having increased every year since 2017.

In line with previous quarters, we acknowledge that there is uncertainty regarding these figures, and we should remain cautious in interpreting these numbers as the true number of sites is likely to be greater than those reported. We know that allocating resources to identify and substantiate illegal waste sites will contribute to finding more. An internal review is underway to get a better understanding over the factors driving the downward trend, including how post pandemic ways of working are affecting site substantiation.

Quarter	Total	Ceiling target
Baseline 19/20	233	233
Q1 20/21	250	233
Q2 20/21	237	227
Q3 20/21	218	222
Q4 20/21	206	216
Q1 21/22	201	216
Q2 21/22	208	211
Q3 21/22	201	205
Q4 21/22	194	200
Q1 22/23	188	195

12. A net zero organisation by 2030 (total carbon)

Q1 status	Actual	Ceiling target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Green	53,901	56,119	Green	224,475

Commentary

At the end of Quarter one (Q1) 2022, we were at 96% of the target and achieved 24% of the annual target (of 224,475 tonnes). Whilst this means that the status is currently green, we missed the key targets for construction and cars (which collectively make up 66% of the target). This means we have limited flexibility for the rest of the year, and we will need to see a rapid reduction in construction emissions, to remain on track.

Embodied carbon from construction projects make up 78% of our emissions. We significantly exceeded the construction target due to over 100 new projects starting this year, making construction emissions 5% more than the same time last year. Encouragingly, our data coverage of construction carbon continues to improve with 30% more projects reporting their carbon data than was the case last year.

Embodied emissions from our cars also exceeded the Q1 target, this will balance out by Q4. The new lease car policy will reduce the fleet size this year, as well as a change from petrol to electric cars, which will reduce emissions. All other direct and indirect sources of emissions are green and on target.

The widespread return of face-to-face meetings has led to a predictable increase in travel (54%) and hotel stays, compared to Q1 of last year. Carbon literacy rates continue to grow. This means that in June, the Carbon Literacy Trust accredited us at bronze level.

Quarter	Total
2018/19	30,930
Q1 19/20	8,529
Q2 19/20	14,019
Q3 19/20	22,297
Q4 19/20	31,217
Q1 20/21	5,078
Q2 20/21	4,243
Q3 20/21	4,748
Q4 20/21	5,558
Q1 21/22	5,558
Q2 21/22	4,082
Q3 21/22	14,724
Q4 21/22	20,485
Q1 22/23	53,901

Actions

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Reporting - continue to improve timeliness and accuracy of carbon data returns.	All executive directors, directors and deputy directors.	31/03/2023
Learning - continue to encourage all colleagues to complete carbon literacy training and to champion hybrid working, and other best practice, for carbon reduction.	All executive directors, directors and deputy directors.	30/11/2022
Investment - continue to seek options to fund carbon reduction plans, using in year underspend, whilst making more strategic budgeting plans for future years.	All directors.	31/03/2023

13. We manage our money efficiently

Q1 status	Actual - £million	Budget - £million	Year end forecast	Year end target
Red	£326m	£348m	Amber	100%

Commentary

The measure is used to report on effective money management to achieve our outcomes and is based on the percentage of our full year funding we have invested. The Environment Agency has a major capital and resource programme of investment projects and conducts a very detailed planning process to ensure appropriate prioritisation of these investments. We are subject to a series of strong financial and governance controls that both protect this investment and provide a logistical challenge in achieving the programme of expenditure. This is considered an appropriate measure, with expenditure being a support for environmental outcomes and this measure is therefore inextricably linked to most of the other scorecard measures.

The Environment Agency has invested £326 million in the first quarter of 2022 to 2023, a higher level compared to the amount invested at this point last year, reflecting the scale of the capital programme and resource allocation to be delivered this financial year. During quarter 2, Finance will present a report to executive directors, evaluating forecasts and detailing any significant financial risks and issues that need to be managed over the remainder of the year. Decisions arising from this review will be implemented to ensure best use of available funding.

Cumulative expenditure against YTD budget (%)

Quarter	Total
Q4 19/20	100%
Q1 20/21	103%
Q2 20/21	93%
Q3 20/21	96%
Q4 20/21	96%
Q1 21/22	98%
Q2 21/22	95%
Q3 21/22	97%
Q4 21/22	100%
Q1 22/23	94%

Cumulative expenditure against YTD budget (£million)

Quarter	Planned profiled cumulative expenditure (£million)	Actual cumulative expenditure (£million)
Q4 19/20	£1,305	£1,303
Q1 20/21	£304	£313
Q2 20/21	£707	£654
Q3 20/21	£1,117	£1,073
Q4 20/21	1,630	1,563
Q1 21/22	£321	£316
Q2 21/22	£750	£716
Q3 21/22	£1,182	£1,143
Q4 21/22	£1,635	£1,640
Q1 22/23	£348	£326

Actions

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Conduct a mid-year financial review to be presented to Environment Agency executive directors.	Director of Finance	31/10/2022

14. We have a diverse workforce

The proportion of our staff who are from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background (B.A.M.E %)

Q1 status	Actual	Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Red	4.7%	14%	Red	14%

Commentary

Our current target is that 14% of all employees are Black, Asian or minority ethnic (B.A.M.E). In quarter one 2022 to 2023 the proportion of B.A.M.E. employees in the Environment Agency stood at 4.7%, an increase from 4.44% for quarter one 2021 to 2022. In quarter one 2022 to 2023, 26 (6.5%) of our 398 external recruits were from B.A.M.E backgrounds, an increase from 5 (6.02%) of our 83 external recruits in quarter one 2021 to 2022. In quarter one 2022 to 2023, 9 (5.1%) of our 178 leavers were from B.A.M.E. backgrounds, a decrease from 11 (5.82%) of our 189 leavers in quarter one 2021 to 2022.

The equality, diversity, and inclusion strategy and action plan were launched on 11 May 2022. The Strategy confirms our commitment to prioritising improvements on ethnicity, race, gender and sex.

Outstanding work to achieve our race action plan (published April 2021) is now proceeding through the overall equality, diversity and inclusion action plan.

Our summer diversity internship programme, a positive action programme running July to September 2022, attracted 25 interns from ethnic minority backgrounds. This is a pilot scheme to test more inclusive attraction and retention approaches.

We are exploring whether we can take more positive action in recruitment and look at how we get better information from exit interviews, along with improving support at induction.

B.A.M.E staff as % of all staff

2021 to 2022 target = 14%

Quarter	Total
Q1 2020/21	4.4%
Q2 2020/21	4.5%
Q3 2020/21	4.4%
Q4 2020/21	4.5%
Q1 2021/22	4.4%
Q2 2021/22	4.5%
Q3 2021/22	4.5%
Q4 2021/22	4.6%
Q1 2022/23	4.7%

The proportion of our executive managers who are female

Q1 status	Actual	Target	Year end forecast	Year end target
Amber	45%	50%	Amber	50%

Commentary

We have a target for 50% of executive managers to be female. In quarter one 2022 to 2023, the percentage of executive managers (EMs) who are female was 45% (43). The percentage of grade 7 employees who are female was 38% (212). This has enabled an increase in the internal talent pipeline to executive manager roles.

The equality diversity and inclusion action plan includes commitments to help improve diversity in our staff population, including executive managers:

• all recruitment to vacancies lasting 6 months and more will be advertised externally as well as internally (permanent and temporary roles)
• all vacancies advertised grade 7 and above must have shortlisting and interview conducted by a diverse panel (not just on the staff engagement panel).

Proportion of executive managers (EMs) who are female %

2021/22 target = 50%

Quarter	Total
Q1 2020/21	44%
Q2 2020/21	42%
Q3 2020/21	43%
Q4 2020/21	44%
Q1 2021/22	44%
Q2 2021/22	45%
Q3 2021/22	45%
Q4 2021/22	43%
Q1 2022/23	45%

Actions

Actions	Owners	Deadlines
Refreshed equity, diversity and inclusion strategy	Chief Operating Officer	Completed
Promote inclusive cultures: big conversation on race	Chief Operating Officer	30/09/2022
Summer diversity internship programme	Chief Operating Officer	30/09/2022
Targeted inclusive recruitment improvements	Chief Operating Officer	31/04/2023

15. We have the lowest possible lost time incident (LTI) frequency rate

Q1 status	Actual	Ceiling rate	Year end forecast	Year end target
Green	0.05	0.11	Green	0.11

Commentary

Lost time incident frequency rate (LTIFR) is used widely by many businesses but is a retrospective health and safety performance indicator. We are developing a range of leading (or prospective) indicators which amongst others include reporting of near miss, positive behaviours, and unsafe conditions as well as the amount of formal active monitoring carried out by directors and deputy directors. We define lost time incidents as work related injuries resulting in a day or more lost time. This conservative definition, plus a very low ceiling of 0.11 injuries per 100,000 hours worked, sets a challenging ambition.

In quarter one, we have continued to see below average numbers of LTIs (4 compared to a monthly average of 7). We have seen a very slight, but not significant increase in the 12 month rolling average at the end of quarter one. The monthly rate has been moving up and down 0.01 injuries per 100,000 hours worked for 4 months. The data suggests that our health and safety management strategy is affecting the low injury rate that we aspire to and so there is currently no need to adjust our plans. The data has been checked and does not repeat previous data errors.

Lost time incident frequency rate

12 month rolling average

Quarter	Number
October 2020	0.08
November 2020	0.07
December 2020	0.08
January 2021	0.10
February 2021	0.10
March 2021	0.10
April 2021	0.10
May 2021	0.11
June 2021	0.11
July 2021	0.09
August 2021	0.09
September 2021	0.08
October 2021	0.07
November 2021	0.06
December 2021	0.06
January 2022	0.07
February 2022	0.06
March 2022	0.05
April 2022	0.05
May 2022	0.04
June 2022	0.05

Number of LTIs

Quarter	Number
Q1 2020/21	1
Q2 2020/21	9
Q3 2020/21	3
Q4 2020/21	8
Q1 2021/22	3
Q2 2021/22	4
Q3 2021/22	3
Q4 2021/22	0
Q1 2022/23	4