Former Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett should be called to account over the "fiasco" of delayed EU payments to farmers, MPs have said.
Former Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett should be called to account over the "fiasco" of delayed EU payments to farmers, MPs have said.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee called the handling of the new Single Payments Scheme an "embarrassing failure".
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee called the handling of the new Single Payments Scheme an "embarrassing failure".
In a report, it complained Ms Beckett and senior officials had not been held "personally accountable" for delays.
In a report, it complained Ms Beckett and senior officials had not been held "personally accountable" for delays.
The problems could cost the government up to £500m, the MPs added.
The problems could cost the government up to £500m, the MPs added.
Last month, it was revealed that UK taxpayers could face a £300m European Commission fine for the delays.
Last month, it was revealed that UK taxpayers could face a £300m European Commission fine for the delays.
The environment department, Defra, said it was still negotiating the exact amount.
The environment department, Defra, said it was still negotiating the exact amount.
'Consciences'
'Consciences'
A computer problem at the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), set up to deal with EU subsidies, had caused delays in payments to thousands of farmers, it added.
A computer problem at the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), set up to deal with EU subsidies, had caused delays in payments to thousands of farmers, it added.
The committee's chairman, Conservative MP Michael Jack, said: "The reason that we are calling for people to consider their positions is because of Defra's failure to carry out one of its principal core functions."
The committee's chairman, Conservative MP Michael Jack, said: "The reason that we are calling for people to consider their positions is because of Defra's failure to carry out one of its principal core functions."
He added: "Those involved should examine their consciences about the role they played in this failed venture, which could well cost Defra and farmers up to half a billion pounds."
He added: "Those involved should examine their consciences about the role they played in this failed venture, which could well cost Defra and farmers up to half a billion pounds."
The committee questions why some leading Defra and RPA officials most closely involved with the scheme have stayed in post or moved on unscathed.
The committee questions why some leading Defra and RPA officials most closely involved with the scheme have stayed in post or moved on unscathed.
Its report mentions Ms Beckett (now the foreign secretary), former permanent secretary Sir Brian Bender and the director general for sustainable farming, food and fisheries, Andy Lebrecht.
Its report mentions Ms Beckett (now the foreign secretary), former permanent secretary Sir Brian Bender and the director general for sustainable farming, food and fisheries, Andy Lebrecht.
The MPs' report said: "A culture where ministers and senior officials can preside over failure of this magnitude and not be held personally accountable creates a serious risk of further failures in public service delivery."
The MPs' report said: "A culture where ministers and senior officials can preside over failure of this magnitude and not be held personally accountable creates a serious risk of further failures in public service delivery."
The committee wants new guidance to make clear to ministers what they should do to take responsibility in the event of serious departmental failure.
The committee wants new guidance to make clear to ministers what they should do to take responsibility in the event of serious departmental failure.
It also recommends that the Cabinet secretary reappraises the work of the past and present members of Defra's senior management team to determine whether they should remain in post.
It also recommends that the Cabinet secretary reappraises the work of the past and present members of Defra's senior management team to determine whether they should remain in post.
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