Environment Agency Splashes £87,000 to Improve Its “Negative Reputation” – Guido Fawkes

Environment Agency Splashes £87,000 to Improve Its “Negative Reputation”

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DEFRA quango the Environment Agency has been busy running waste management, flood protection, and conservation efforts out of its Bristol headquarters. It’s also found the time to bill the taxpayer for a PR makeover…

UK DOGE’s The Waste Files research reveals that in a bid to tackle their “passive positioning”, “lack of voice” and “negative reputation,” the Environment Agency has shelled out £87,122 on a three-month ‘Mission Narratives’ contract to spruce up their image. In their own words:

“Our narrative has been defined by others; our ‘brand’ positioning is passive, we lack a voice and an attitude to cut through; we require a new approach to inspire our internal teams and engage external audiences. A negative reputation impacts on our ability to deliver as an organisation and to work effectively with our partners and government, it also diminishes trust with the public.”

Someone grab the tissues. The contract has been awarded to advertising agency Storycatchers – a firm that touts: “Stories capture the imagination. They don’t just change the way we think – they powerfully shape and change.” Might take more than a few stories to clean up the Environment Agency’s image. For £87,122 you could: 

• Buy 12,446 25kg sand bags.
• Purchase 458 public 100 litre outdoor litter bins.
• Fill 1,210 potholes.

The EA defends itself by saying “Every year we talk to millions of people in their communities, and it’s vital they understand what we are doing and why we are doing it. We deliver good value for money for taxpayers, and in the last year we are on course to save over £23 million for the public.” No one knows what it’s like, to be the sad man, to be the bad man…

The taxpayer may have a view on which should be prioritised. UK DOGE recommends costs are cut here…