Environment Minister Michael Meacher is using the power of the Internet to encourage local councils to do more about air quality. Since 1997 each local authority in the UK has been carrying out a review and assessment of air quality. This involves measuring air pollution and trying to predict how it will change in the next few years. 

As the radical programme to reform the Civil Service launched in October 1999 grinds on with few visible results, change continues to sweep through Customs and Excise. The change started in February 2000 with the appointment of Richard Broadbent as Chairman. He was recruited from Schroders plc where he was responsible for corporate finance business.