Winter 2025-26 SocEnv Policy Recap

SocEnv Joins Coalition of Chartered Bodies Urging Government to Champion Professional Standards 

For Chartered Week in February, we joined a group of professional bodies representing more than 1.5 million people in writing a collective letter to the Government. Together, we call for stronger backing of Chartered and professionally registered status across key sectors, as it is essential to rebuilding public trust, reducing risks of future failures in public services, and driving economic growth.

In an open letter to Pat McFadden, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Chartered Week Alliance – a coalition of over 40 Chartered and professional organisations – asks Ministers to take a lead in expecting and promoting professional registration and Chartered status, including within the civil service.

SocEnv also sent a copy of the letter to Emma Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, stressing the importance of registration and Chartered status within the environmental profession.

You can view our full letter via the link below, with our key points summarised in the graphic (also below).

Responses to the National Planning Policy Framework

We responded to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) consultation into the National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes to the planning system. We did so through our Soils and Stones project, which consists of a group of interdisciplinary practitioners with proven expertise. Our response focused on the questions most related to the project’s aims, in particular the degree to which the proposed reforms align with the Ten Principles of Good Soils and Stones Management. Among our key asks is the formation of a National Soil Policy.

In addition to our SocEnv response, we also coordinated a letter response on behalf of the collective Environmental Policy Forum (EPF). Our concise response covers five key overarching points, including the need for a holistic, evidence-based approach to planning.

You can view both our responses below.

Having Our Voice Heard on Education Reforms

In January, we submitted a response to The Department for Education’s Post-16 level 3 and below pathways consultation. We chose to respond to the consultation question most aligned with our expertise, regarding the subjects we think are most appropriate for delivery through V Levels. We argue that making environmental sustainability a priority within V Levels (and the wider skills system) is essential to meeting Net Zero and Nature Recovery commitments.

In February, we then responded to the Ofqual consultation on ‘Regulatory framework for apprenticeship assessment – Conditions, requirements and guidance’. Again choosing to focus on the questions most aligned with our work and expertise, we question whether the proposed revised approach to assessment can consistently provide the level of confidence required to confirm that apprentices are competent.

You can view both our responses below.

Speaking up for Nature

In February, both SocEnv and EPF signed in support of two collaborative calls to action on nature.

Firstly, we signed a collective letter addressed to the Defra Secretary of State, Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP. The letter outlines our serious concern about the misuse of the de minimis exemption within the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) framework, and about proposals to introduce further exemptions before this non-compliance has been comprehensively addressed.

We also joined a broad and politically neutral coalition of leaders from across the environmental, education, planning, business and civil society sectors in signing in support of a joint statement calling on the UK Government to renew its commitment to nature.

You can view both our letters below.

A Growing Coalition

The EPF recently announced our newest member, The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), a professional body with approximately 9,000 Members and Affiliates – and a SocEnv Licensed Member.

CIAT exists as a not-for-profit organisation to lead, represent and promote Architectural Technology and to set and maintain the standards for education, practice and professionalism.

As noted by EPF Chair, Professor William Pope FIEnvSci HonFSE CEnv CSci:

“The EPF now encompasses sixteen professional bodies and learned societies, collectively representing around 170,000 qualified professionals. Through collaboration and knowledge sharing across a range of disciplines, our expanding membership will inform and amplify our work in advocating for evidence-based environmental policy.”