Organisations that break environmental laws could face unlimited fines, according to the new legislation presented by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Following a consultation that demonstrated “widespread public support” for the measures, Defra has revealed it will scrap the current £250,000 limit on civil penalties resulting from environmental offences. This will allow the Environment Agency (EA) and Natural England to impose large penalties without having to go through lengthy criminal prosecutions.

Defra said the size of the penalties will be subject to sentencing guidelines and will take into account the extent of the pollution and degree of responsibility and harm, as well as the polluting company’s size and ability to pay.

In addition, these higher penalties will also be able to be levied as a civil sanction for offences under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, the regime under which...