Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 February 2026. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 January 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Houseboats

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the communications between boaters and The Canal and River Trust.

Answer: Communications between boaters and the Trust are a matter for both parties. The Trust recognises the importance of communications with boaters, conducts an annual boater survey, and has published its ‘Better Boating Plan’ that sets out areas of boaters’ concerns and actions being taken to address them. The recommendations in the Independent Commission on Boat Licensing’s report published last November included improved communications with the boating community. The Trust has accepted all the recommendations and is now considering how best to implement them.

Secondary information