A drought permit application is expected from Anglian Water in early October to support refilling Grafham Water if sustained rainfall is received. The Great Ouse Catchment System Plan partnership project has been formed to identify and track sources of nitrate and develop strategies to reduce it.

A drought permit application is expected from Anglian Water in early October to support refilling Grafham Water if sustained rainfall is received. The Great Ouse Catchment System Plan partnership project has been formed to identify and track sources of nitrate and develop strategies to reduce it.

It is the responsibility of water companies to determine when and how Temporary Use Bans (TUBs) are implemented. The Environment Agency meets with the water company weekly to discuss water resources and drought actions. It provides monthly drought prospects assessing risks in future months.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 28 January 2026 in response to Question 107832.

There are approximately 14,000 licensed medicines and the overwhelming majority are in good supply. Medicine supply chains are complex, global and highly regulated and there are several reasons why supply can be disrupted, many of which are not specific to the United Kingdom and outside of Government control. These include manufacturing difficulties, access to raw materials, sudden demand spikes, or distribution and regulatory issues.

The Department uses a sophisticated, multi-layered approach to monitor, assess, and respond to medicines at risk of future supply disruption. Intelligence is drawn from a wide range of sources, including our existing communication channels with our partners in the National Health Service, suppliers, industry, and international partners. In 2020, the Department developed a global risk register which draws on information on medicines licensed in the UK to map manufacturing touchpoints within the supply chain. It is used to help understand medicines supply chains vulnerability and risk.

Water companies are responsible for deciding whether to implement a Temporary Use Ban during periods of water scarcity and must do so in accordance with their statutory drought plans and the relevant legislative framework.

The local water company can decide whether certain activities are exempt from the TUBs in their area. A common approach to applying discretionary exceptions is adopted by water companies (as outlined in Water UK code of practice).​

Customers meeting statutory or discretionary exception criteria, may continue using hosepipes, but are encouraged to use water responsibly and efficiently. Exemptions are unlikely to materially undermine the effectiveness of TUBs because they are generally targeted at activities that are either essential for health, safety or animal welfare, commercial activities where water use is relatively small and specific customer groups such as Blue Badge holders or Priority Services customers.

Research by the Environment Agency found that where TUBs had been used they can reduce the amount of water companies put in their distribution network by 3 to 5%, helping supplies last longer.

Water companies are responsible for deciding whether to implement a Temporary Use Ban during periods of water scarcity and must do so in accordance with their statutory drought plans and the relevant legislative framework.

The local water company can decide whether certain activities are exempt from the TUBs in their area. A common approach to applying discretionary exceptions is adopted by water companies (as outlined in Water UK code of practice).​

Customers meeting statutory or discretionary exception criteria, may continue using hosepipes, but are encouraged to use water responsibly and efficiently. Exemptions are unlikely to materially undermine the effectiveness of TUBs because they are generally targeted at activities that are either essential for health, safety or animal welfare, commercial activities where water use is relatively small and specific customer groups such as Blue Badge holders or Priority Services customers.

Research by the Environment Agency found that where TUBs had been used they can reduce the amount of water companies put in their distribution network by 3 to 5%, helping supplies last longer.

Social water tariffs are affordability schemes that provide discounted water bills for eligible customers and do not automatically exempt customers from hosepipe bans. Decisions on temporary use bans, including any exemptions, are made by water companies under the relevant statutory framework. No guidance is issued specifically relating to social tariffs and temporary usage bans.

Companies are expected to have arrangements in place to identify and support those with additional needs, including during temporary use bans. This includes maintaining a Priority Services Register where customers can receive further assistance and additional protection.

The Environment Agency (EA) continually assesses water availability and manages abstraction licences to balance the needs of people, industry and the environment. Recognising the long-term impacts of climate change, it supports a national strategy to improve future water resilience, including for Nottinghamshire. The EA restricts abstraction during dry periods to protect the environment, works with abstractors to understand future demand, and supports resilience projects such as new reservoirs. It also reviews water companies’ long-term plans to ensure they can meet future needs and adapt to climate change, population growth and increasing pressure on water resources.

Managing water demand through non-essential use bans can only be granted if there is a risk of a serious deficiency of water supply due to an exceptional shortage of rain and following a thorough assessment process which considers detailed advice from the Environment Agency. Water companies that wish to apply to limit non-essential uses of water are responsible for assessing the volumes of water savings in their NEUB application and cost benefit analysis. The impact on commercial businesses that may be impacted will be considered as part of any assessment of whether a non-essential use ban is agreed.

Water companies are responsible for deciding whether to implement a Temporary Use Ban during periods of water scarcity and must do so in accordance with their statutory drought plans and the relevant legislative framework. Temporary Use Bans are intended to reduce non-essential water use while allowing certain exemptions set out in legislation and guidance.

Water companies are responsible for deciding whether to implement a Temporary Use Ban during periods of water scarcity and must do so in accordance with their statutory drought plans and the relevant legislative framework. Temporary Use Bans are intended to reduce non-essential water use while allowing certain exemptions set out in legislation and guidance.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) does not collect or hold information on individuals or organisations that may have breached these restrictions. Responsibility for monitoring compliance and taking any enforcement action rests with the relevant water company.

The threat of climate change is driving more frequent hot and dry summers, increasing the UK’s risk of drought with far-reaching impacts on both water supply for our use and on the natural environment. Government recognises the challenges drought brings and understands a secure water supply is critical to our environment, economy, health, and livelihoods.

Water companies have a statutory duty under the Water Industry Act 1991 to produce and maintain Statutory Drought Plans, which set out how companies operationally respond to droughts. They must also produce Water Resources Management Plans, which outline how they will provide secure water supplies over 25 years, which include strengthening drought resilience and managing supply and demand.

Government has committed to cutting leakage, increasing efficiency through water re-use, mandatory water efficiency labelling and accelerated rollout of smart meters, alongside delivering nine new reservoirs, delivered as part of a record £104 billion investment into the sector. In response to this year’s drought, Government and the Environment Agency increased the frequency of National Drought Group meetings, bringing together key partners to assess the situation, hold water companies to account and ensure coordinated action.

Water companies have a statutory duty under the Water Industry Act 1991 to produce and maintain Statutory Drought Plans, which set out how companies operationally respond to droughts. They must also produce Water Resources Management Plans, which outline how they will provide secure water supplies over 25 years, which include strengthening drought resilience and managing supply and demand.

Government has committed to cutting leakage, increasing efficiency through water re-use, mandatory water efficiency labelling and accelerated rollout of smart meters, alongside delivering nine new reservoirs, delivered as part of a record £104 billion investment into the sector. In response to this year’s drought, Government and the Environment Agency increased the frequency of National Drought Group meetings, bringing together key partners to assess the situation, hold water companies to account and ensure coordinated action.

No Section 57 spray irrigation restrictions have been applied to licences in the Huntingdon constituency in August 2026.