Defra publishes annual report on local authority industrial pollution regulation Defra has published annual statistics showing local authority performance in regulating industrial air pollution. For the second year running the report shows low levels of inspection by many authorities. Environment Minister Lord Hunt has written to all local authorities in England asking for substantial improvement in inspection performance for authorities to be credible pollution control regulators. Although the number of high and medium risk installations had reduced, the report shows that 49 per cent of authorities did not inspect high-risk installations as often as specified and over 30 per cent did not inspect medium-risk installations as often as required. Government has tough targets to improve air quality. Local authorities help achieve these targets and regulating industrial pollution and taking action where necessary is an important means of doing so. In the last year there were five successful prosecutions leading to fines totalling £33,155, with four pending. The report can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ppc