Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Applying Environment Act 2021 civil sanctions.

Online engagement is an efficient and transparent means for sharing proposals and gathering feedback from groups and individuals affected by or interested in proposed changes. It is part of a wider engagement process.

The consultation relates to a targeted national audience of business stakeholder interests. Communications to affected stakeholders included emailing numerous key stakeholder businesses and trade associations.

People who are unable to respond to the consultation online can request a printed copy of the consultation documents and a response form that can be returned to the Environment Agency by post.