DEFRA chief to be quizzed on perceived shortcomings amid staffing cuts

Evidence session: The work of DEFRA 

Tuesday 3 March, 10.00, in Committee Room 6, Palace of Westminster

Watch on Parliamentlive.tv

The new Permanent Secretary of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Paul Kissack, will be questioned on perceived shortcomings and examples of poor communication with its stakeholders.

The Department has seen an 8% headcount reduction since July 2024, with a further 5% staffing cut planned for 2025/26. Staff turnover hit 10% in 2024/25 amid concerns of uncompetitive pay compared with the private sector.

Mr Kissack, who took up the post in October 2025, will be joined by three other senior DEFRA officials (details below).

They are likely to be questioned on issues around Environmental Land Management schemes and Sustainable Farming Incentives which both experienced sudden closures or gaps in support.

The cross-party Committee is also likely to raise examples of delays to major strategy documents, including the Farming Roadmap, the Lane Use Framework and the Circular Economy Strategy. DEFRA has said these documents are due this year having been expected in 2025.

During a visit to fishing businesses in Brixham in 2025, the Committee heard complaints of fragmented policymaking, despite rising regulatory demands and increasing workloads for small boats. Funding schemes were also criticised for being poorly administered, with larger operators learning of schemes earlier and securing advantage.

MPs are also likely to raise concerns about DEFRA’s capacity to respond, and work cross-government, when major incidents occur such as livestock disease outbreaks, flooding or environmental disasters.

Witnesses from 10.00am:

• Paul Kissack, Permanent Secretary, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

• David Hill, Director General for Strategy and Water, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

• Emma Bourne, Director General for EU Reset and Trade, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

• Iain King, Chief Financial Officer, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs