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Written question asked by Earl Russell (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 20 April 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 May 2026. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 April 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Climate Change

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what changes have been made to the Defra Futures Unit since 2025; whether the unit has been abolished, renamed, merged or transferred; what arrangements are now in place within Defra for horizon scanning, futures analysis and climate-related risk assessment; and which teams or senior responsible owners are now accountable for those functions.

Answer

Defra’s Futures Team closed as a central function in March 2025. It was not renamed or transferred.

Since then, horizon scanning and futures analysis have been undertaken by evidence and analytical teams across the Department, supported by work within Defra’s arm’s length bodies.

Accountability for climate related risk assessment sits with Defra’s climate adaptation teams, which lead the Climate Change Risk Assessment and the National Adaptation Programme.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL16579
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Climate change Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Risk assessment
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk