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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the ecological status of the River Soar and its tributaries in Leicester and Leicestershire; what steps are being taken to tackle the principal sources of pollution in that...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the ecological status of the River Soar and its tributaries in Leicester and Leicestershire; what steps are being taken to tackle the principal sources of pollution in that...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what principles will guide decisions on water allocation where the water requirements of major infrastructure projects may potentially conflict with environmental flow requirements for protected habitats and chalk streams.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what principles will guide decisions on water allocation where the water requirements of major infrastructure projects may potentially conflict with environmental flow requirements for protected habitats and chalk streams.
The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should protect and enhance valued landscapes and sites of biodiversity, which includes Chalk Streams. We have also set out more clearly expectations for development proposals to assess and mitigate adverse impacts to water quality on these sensitive waterbodies.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the outcomes of the River Chess Smarter Water Catchment pilot since its launch in 2021; and what plans she has to apply lessons learned from...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the outcomes of the River Chess Smarter Water Catchment pilot since its launch in 2021; and what plans she has to apply lessons learned from...
That this House notes that, of the approximately 200 chalk streams in the world, 85% are found in England, and that chalk streams such as the River Lavant represent a globally significant and irreplaceable freshwater habitat, supporting ecosystems that cannot be found elsewhere; further notes with grave concern that Southern Water discharged partially or untreated sewage into the River Lavant for 3,582.9 hours in 2025; also notes the detrimental impact this has on river life, contributing to algal blooms both in the river itself and in Chichester Harbour, into which the River Lavant flows; notes with concern the continued over-abstraction of local waterways, including winterbourne rivers such as the Lavant; further notes with alarm that other local chalk streams in West Sussex, including the River Ems, face similar threats; recognises and commends the vital work of volunteer citizen scientists from the Western Sussex Rivers Trust, who carry out monitoring of river health and water quality; and calls on the Environment Agency to introduce a phosphate permit for the River Lavant, establishing clear, enforceable targets for phosphate reduction.
That this House notes that, of the approximately 200 chalk streams in the world, 85% are found in England, and that chalk streams such as the River Lavant represent a globally significant and irreplaceable freshwater habitat, supporting ecosystems that cannot be found elsewhere; further notes with grave concern that Southern...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of fish-eating birds on inland fish populations; how predation by fish-eating birds is considered alongside other factors affecting the health and abundance of fish populations in rivers; and whether...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of fish-eating birds on inland fish populations; how predation by fish-eating birds is considered alongside other factors affecting the health and abundance of fish populations in rivers; and whether...
Defra, the Environment Agency and Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science assessed the range of pressures affecting English Atlantic salmon stocks in 2025. This considered predation by fish-eating birds, seals and other fish alongside wider pressures such as climate change, water quality and habitat degradation. We are now prioritising actions relating to water quantity and habitats which should make fish stocks more resilient against predation.
Under current legislation and Defra policy, Natural England issue licences to take action where cormorant predation is impacting fisheries, balanced with the latest information on cormorant populations to ensure that action is sustainable. Licensed control of cormorants continues to be appraised and revised by Natural England so it is proportionate and meets fishery protection needs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made (a) of the risks to human health and wildlife posed by microplastics and (b) the extent to which artificial grass and pitches contribute to the level of microplastics entering surface water and rivers.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made (a) of the risks to human health and wildlife posed by microplastics and (b) the extent to which artificial grass and pitches contribute to the level of microplastics entering surface water and rivers.
Defra carried out a research project on intentionally added microplastics and published an Option Appraisal on 12 May 2025. This project assessed the impacts of intentionally added microplastics emissions, the risks they pose both to human health and the environment, and included a socio-economic assessment of different policy options, including restricting primary microplastics in line with the EU.
Defra welcomed the findings of the report, which provides important analysis of the UK-specific emissions of, and policy options for, intentionally added microplastics, and which recognised artificial grass sports pitches as an important source.
That this House welcomes the launch of the Smarter Water Catchment Initiative led by the River Thame Conservation Trust in partnership with Thames Water; recognises the Initiative’s innovative approach to tackling multiple environmental challenges in a holistic way to achieve multiple benefits; notes its focus on the River Thame and the urban, natural and farmed ecosystems through which it flows; commends the collaboration between the River Thame Conservation Trust, Thames Water, and local stakeholders; further commends the Trust’s work with local people across rural and urban communities including volunteers, farmers and landowners to improve biodiversity across the river catchment; further recognises the vital role of farmers in delivering sustainable land management and environmental stewardship; further welcomes the use of nature-based solutions to improve water quality, enhance habitats and build climate resilience; further notes the significant success of Smarter Water Catchments during Ofwat's seventh Asset Management Plan period (2020–2025), which has demonstrated the effectiveness of partnership-led, catchment-based approaches in rivers such as the Chess and Crane, delivering measurable benefits for water quality, biodiversity and community engagement; also recognises the importance of improving public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of rivers and their wildlife; and supports the shared vision of a river catchment with healthy fresh waters and wildlife, valued by local people and resilient for the future.
That this House welcomes the launch of the Smarter Water Catchment Initiative led by the River Thame Conservation Trust in partnership with Thames Water; recognises the Initiative’s innovative approach to tackling multiple environmental challenges in a holistic way to achieve multiple benefits; notes its focus on the River Thame and...
Can the Government give us their estimate of the cost and the timetable for putting in the extra pipes and processing capacity so that we can clean up our rivers?
Can the Government give us their estimate of the cost and the timetable for putting in the extra pipes and processing capacity so that we can clean up our rivers?
That is probably a cost for the water companies to assess.
That is probably a cost for the water companies to assess.
That is probably a cost for the water companies to assess.
Can the Government give us their estimate of the cost and the timetable for putting in the extra pipes and processing capacity so that we can clean up our rivers?
To ask His Majesty’s Government when they intend to publish the Clean Water Bill; and what steps they will take before its publication to ensure that urgent protections for chalk streams are in place.
To ask His Majesty’s Government when they intend to publish the Clean Water Bill; and what steps they will take before its publication to ensure that urgent protections for chalk streams are in place.
My Lords, the clean water Bill was announced in the King’s Speech in May, to be introduced during this Session. We have set out our ambitious programme of reforms in the water White Paper, which was published on 20 January, and we are protecting chalk streams, including by reducing the risk of harmful abstraction, by modifying water company abstraction licences and ensuring that chalk streams are prioritised for improvement in our storm overflows discharge reduction plan.
My Lords, the clean water Bill was announced in the King’s Speech in May, to be introduced during this Session. We have set out our ambitious programme of reforms in the water White Paper, which was published on 20 January, and we are protecting chalk streams, including by reducing the risk of harmful abstraction, by modifying water company abstraction licences and ensuring that chalk streams are prioritised for improvement in our storm overflows discharge reduction plan.
My Lords, the clean water Bill was announced in the King’s Speech in May, to be introduced during this Session. We have set out our ambitious programme of reforms in the water White Paper, which was published on 20 January, and we are protecting chalk streams, including by reducing the risk of harmful abstraction, by modifying water company abstraction licences and ensuring that chalk streams are prioritised for improvement in our storm overflows discharge reduction plan.
To ask His Majesty’s Government when they intend to publish the Clean Water Bill; and what steps they will take before its publication to ensure that urgent protections for chalk streams are in place.
My Lords, I thank the Minister for her response. Does she regret that, despite repeated assurances that chalk streams were an urgent priority during the passage of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, they still do not have statutory protection? Can she assure the House that they will not be left out of the clean water Bill, or indeed the final National Planning Policy Framework, especially if there is any danger of that being published in a rush over the next few days due to a change in the senior management team in the House of Commons?
My Lords, I thank the Minister for her response. Does she regret that, despite repeated assurances that chalk streams were an urgent priority during the passage of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, they still do not have statutory protection? Can she assure the House that they will not be left out of the clean water Bill, or indeed the final National Planning Policy Framework, especially if there is any danger of that being published in a rush over the next few days due to a change in the senior management team in the House of Commons?
We are very aware that chalk streams are an important ecological resource and we are doing a number of things that will make a difference, which is what we have to do. We are holding water companies to account. We are working within the environmental land management scheme to provide incentives for farmers; for example, six of the ELMS-funded landscape recovery projects are being developed in chalk stream catchments. The Environment Agency is working, as I said, to tackle the impacts of harmful abstraction. We made a number of changes to the then Planning and Infrastructure Bill to ensure that chalk streams feature in local nature recovery strategies so that they can be embedded into any legislation. There are also actions embedded in the water White Paper, which we will discuss as we take forward the legislation.
We are very aware that chalk streams are an important ecological resource and we are doing a number of things that will make a difference, which is what we have to do. We are holding water companies to account. We are working within the environmental land management scheme to provide incentives for farmers; for example, six of the ELMS-funded landscape recovery projects are being developed in chalk stream catchments. The Environment Agency is working, as I said, to tackle the impacts of harmful abstraction. We made a number of changes to the then Planning and Infrastructure Bill to ensure that chalk streams feature in local nature recovery strategies so that they can be embedded into any legislation. There are also actions embedded in the water White Paper, which we will discuss as we take forward the legislation.
We are very aware that chalk streams are an important ecological resource and we are doing a number of things that will make a difference, which is what we have to do. We are holding water companies to account. We are working within the environmental land management scheme to provide incentives for farmers; for example, six of the ELMS-funded landscape recovery projects are being developed in chalk stream catchments. The Environment Agency is working, as I said, to tackle the impacts of harmful abstraction. We made a number of changes to the then Planning and Infrastructure Bill to ensure that chalk streams feature in local nature recovery strategies so that they can be embedded into any legislation. There are also actions embedded in the water White Paper, which we will discuss as we take forward the legislation.
My Lords, I thank the Minister for her response. Does she regret that, despite repeated assurances that chalk streams were an urgent priority during the passage of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, they still do not have statutory protection? Can she assure the House that they will not be left out of the clean water Bill, or indeed the final National Planning Policy Framework, especially if there is any danger of that being published in a rush over the next few days due to a change in the senior management team in the House of Commons?
One of the opportunities we have to protect our chalk streams is to prevent off-flow from farms. One way of doing that is to create a biodiversity break between a chalk stream and farming activity. When the Minister looks at these issues, will she examine whether financial support could be provided to farmers through the existing schemes to encourage the creation of that kind of biodiversity margin to protect chalk streams?
One of the opportunities we have to protect our chalk streams is to prevent off-flow from farms. One way of doing that is to create a biodiversity break between a chalk stream and farming activity. When the Minister looks at these issues, will she examine whether financial support could be provided to farmers through the existing schemes to encourage the creation of that kind of biodiversity margin to protect chalk streams?
As I just mentioned, there are encouragements through the existing ELMS, but I take the noble Lord’s point. As we develop our support for farmers going forward, it is important that important ecological parts of our environment, such as chalk streams, are fully supported.
As I just mentioned, there are encouragements through the existing ELMS, but I take the noble Lord’s point. As we develop our support for farmers going forward, it is important that important ecological parts of our environment, such as chalk streams, are fully supported.
As I just mentioned, there are encouragements through the existing ELMS, but I take the noble Lord’s point. As we develop our support for farmers going forward, it is important that important ecological parts of our environment, such as chalk streams, are fully supported.
One of the opportunities we have to protect our chalk streams is to prevent off-flow from farms. One way of doing that is to create a biodiversity break between a chalk stream and farming activity. When the Minister looks at these issues, will she examine whether financial support could be provided to farmers through the existing schemes to encourage the creation of that kind of biodiversity margin to protect chalk streams?
My Lords, as the Minister knows, I am extremely supportive of the creation of a new single regulator for the water industry, which will be in the new Bill. Admittedly, however, I am slightly disappointed that it is taking quite some time to bring it into effect. When does she think the new single regulator will become operational?
My Lords, as the Minister knows, I am extremely supportive of the creation of a new single regulator for the water industry, which will be in the new Bill. Admittedly, however, I am slightly disappointed that it is taking quite some time to bring it into effect. When does she think the new single regulator will become operational?
We have said that we will create a powerful new regulator. We will abolish Ofwat and bring together the different functions of Ofwat, the DWI, the Environment Agency and Natural England into one new body so that we no longer have a fragmented system. That will be part of the clean water Bill when it comes forward. We have said we will do it in this Session. We are currently working on it, and as soon as we find a suitable legislative slot, we will crack on with this.
We have said that we will create a powerful new regulator. We will abolish Ofwat and bring together the different functions of Ofwat, the DWI, the Environment Agency and Natural England into one new body so that we no longer have a fragmented system. That will be part of the clean water Bill when it comes forward. We have said we will do it in this Session. We are currently working on it, and as soon as we find a suitable legislative slot, we will crack on with this.
We have said that we will create a powerful new regulator. We will abolish Ofwat and bring together the different functions of Ofwat, the DWI, the Environment Agency and Natural England into one new body so that we no longer have a fragmented system. That will be part of the clean water Bill when it comes forward. We have said we will do it in this Session. We are currently working on it, and as soon as we find a suitable legislative slot, we will crack on with this.
My Lords, as the Minister knows, I am extremely supportive of the creation of a new single regulator for the water industry, which will be in the new Bill. Admittedly, however, I am slightly disappointed that it is taking quite some time to bring it into effect. When does she think the new single regulator will become operational?
My Lords, Wessex Water, Thames Water, Southern Water, Anglian Water and Yorkshire Water have terrible records of dumping untreated sewage into chalk streams. None has had its licence to operate revoked. Can the Minister explain how many criminal convictions these companies need before the Government will listen to the people and revoke their licences?
My Lords, Wessex Water, Thames Water, Southern Water, Anglian Water and Yorkshire Water have terrible records of dumping untreated sewage into chalk streams. None has had its licence to operate revoked. Can the Minister explain how many criminal convictions these companies need before the Government will listen to the people and revoke their licences?
I am sure my noble friend is aware that, as a Government, we have created the ability to hold the directors and higher-up members within the water industry to account, including through criminal charges. That is an important step forward. The key thing is that we cannot carry on as we are, which is why we have pledged to bring in the clean water Bill this Session to tackle all the issues that he and other noble Lords are so concerned about.
I am sure my noble friend is aware that, as a Government, we have created the ability to hold the directors and higher-up members within the water industry to account, including through criminal charges. That is an important step forward. The key thing is that we cannot carry on as we are, which is why we have pledged to bring in the clean water Bill this Session to tackle all the issues that he and other noble Lords are so concerned about.
I am sure my noble friend is aware that, as a Government, we have created the ability to hold the directors and higher-up members within the water industry to account, including through criminal charges. That is an important step forward. The key thing is that we cannot carry on as we are, which is why we have pledged to bring in the clean water Bill this Session to tackle all the issues that he and other noble Lords are so concerned about.
My Lords, Wessex Water, Thames Water, Southern Water, Anglian Water and Yorkshire Water have terrible records of dumping untreated sewage into chalk streams. None has had its licence to operate revoked. Can the Minister explain how many criminal convictions these companies need before the Government will listen to the people and revoke their licences?