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1002250

	registered interest
	date	05/11/2018
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Droughts
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what studies they have commissioned to predict the effect that future global water shortages and drought in the southern hemisphere will have on migration patterns, particularly to northern Europe.
	tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
	uin	HL11271
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>The Department for International Development has not directly commissioned studies on the impact of water shortages on migration patterns from the southern hemisphere to northern Europe.</p><p>We recognise climate change and increasing water shortages can combine with other factors to influence migration decisions and therefore fund analytical work to improve the understanding of the impacts of climate change in developing countries. Examples include our work with the Natural Environment Research Council on the Future Climate for Africa Programme and our support to the World Bank’s Water Global Practice, which has produced analyses on the effects of water shortages, including migration. We are also building the evidence base to better understand why people migrate as part of our efforts set out in the 2015 UK Aid Strategy to tackle the root causes of migration.</p><p>In 2011, the Government Office for Science commissioned the Foresight Report on <em>Migration and Global Environmental Change</em> which analysed how human population movements across the world could be affected by global environmental changes.</p> answering member printed Lord Bates question first answered 19/11/2018 16:55:47 answering member 1091 label Biography information for Lord Bates
	tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1200291

	registered interest
	date	03/06/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Droughts
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what plans they have put in place to deal with any long spring and summer drought, in particular in relation to the potential impact of such a drought on food supplies and public health.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL5195
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has a range of policies in place to mitigate the impacts of drought, including the impact on food supplies and public health:</p><p> </p><ul><li>The Environment Agency, which has responsibility for managing water resources and protecting the environment, chairs the National Drought Group (NDG). The NDG consists of representatives from regulators such as Public Health England (PHE), the agricultural sector and water companies. This group ensures that all sectors work together and take action to manage any impacts of dry weather and drought.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Water companies have the legal duty to supply adequate quantities of wholesome water. To fulfil their duties, water companies maintain statutory drought plans, which set out the short-term actions they will take should a drought develop. Water companies’ drought plans are published on their websites.</li></ul><p> </p><p>The impacts of drought on food supply are mitigated by the UK’s robust and reliable food industry, which is experienced in dealing with scenarios that can affect food supply, from adverse weather damaging crops to transport issues abroad. The size and diversity of the industry is a key factor in enabling the food sector to remain resilient to food supply chain disruptions. The expertise, capability, levers and resilience to plan for and respond to food supply disruption lies within the industry.</p><p> </p><p>The health effects of drought are primarily indirect, including: injury, risk to public and private water supply; dust-related problems for those with pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease; and impacts on mental health and wellbeing. PHE specifically plans for the risks of hot weather, including drought, in the Heatwave and Summer preparedness programme of the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heatwave-plan-for-england" target="_blank">Heatwave Plan for England -</a> which became operational in June 2020.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 17/06/2020 13:13:41 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1505654

	registered interest
	date	06/09/2022
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Droughts
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what national preparations, if any, they have made for an increase in frequency and intensity of drought conditions.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL2238
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2022 answer text <p>Despite the dry summer, water companies in England have assured us that essential water supplies remain resilient across the country. It is their duty to maintain those supplies. Defra ministers expect water company action in accordance with their pre-agreed drought plans.</p><p> </p><p>The National Framework for Water Resources, published in March 2020, sets out the strategic water needs for England to 2050 and beyond. The Government is requiring water companies to plan to deliver resilience to a one in 500-year drought, that is not needing to resort to emergency measures, such as stand pipes and rota cuts.</p><p> </p><p>The Government recognises the need to improve the resilience of our water supplies and is committed to a twin track approach to improving water resilience, which is set out in our Strategic Policy Statement to Ofwat, Written Ministerial Statement on Water Demand and in the 25 Year Environment Plan. This involves investing in new supply infrastructure and action to reduce water company leaks and improve water efficiency.</p><p> </p><p>Water companies are using the £469 million made available by Ofwat in the current Price Review period (2019-2024) to progress the infrastructure required. In Autumn 2022, water companies will publish their statutory draft Water Resources Management Plans for consultation, that will set out how they will improve drought resilience and secure water supplies in the long term.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 23/09/2022 10:36:39 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

1535427

	registered interest
	date	24/10/2022
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Droughts
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has had discussions with (a) Ofwat and (b) water companies on civil contingency planning for drought since January 2022; and if he will publish the minutes of those meetings.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	69643
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2022 answer text <p>The National Drought Group, made up of senior decision-makers from HM Government, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, water companies and key representative groups is meeting regularly to agree the actions required to manage the current impacts of the drought and reduce the risks into next year. The EA publishes a summary of the NDG discussions and actions which is available <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fbusiness%2Fenvironmental-management-water-drought-and-water-availability&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C23bc57af66204129a00508dab837d22b%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638024847125500191%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=b%2BNCTDUugbHsrT3Pk3zEp3CDan7Sg2icBmWbCTGw5dI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>Defra is the Lead Government Department for drought contingency planning with further details available <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fnational-risk-register-2020&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C23bc57af66204129a00508dab837d22b%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638024847125500191%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=zvCeoorsOKpPiVi4qktg8lOpI3UpQ9lC9Kmy0MGWQhY%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 27/10/2022 16:27:30 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1535428

	registered interest
	date	24/10/2022
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Droughts
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether (a) he and (b) his predecessors have had discussions with the Minister for the Cabinet Office on civil contingency planning for drought since January 2022; and if he will publish the minutes of those meetings.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	69644
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2022 answer text <p>Defra and the Cabinet Office maintain regular contact at an official level to discuss a range of risks and issues, including those relating to dry weather and drought. Cabinet Office are also regular attendees of the National Drought Group, which have been taking place on a monthly basis. I do not have details of any meetings taking place specifically between my predecessors and the minister for the Cabinet Office.</p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 01/11/2022 16:12:06 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

654385

	registered interest
	date	07/12/2016
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Droughts
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the low levels of rainfall in the South of England in the last six months, what discussions she has had with (a) the Environment Agency and (b) water utility companies on drought preparedness and water resilience planning; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Broxbourne
	tabling member printed	Mr Charles Walker
	uin	56508
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/12/2016 answer text <p>Although overall rainfall for November 2016 was above average, prolonged dry weather from July to October has resulted in some rivers, groundwater and surface reservoirs at, or below, normal levels as we approach the end of the year. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the water resources situation in England, together with water companies, and has been providing regular updates to the Department on the situation.</p><p> </p><p>All water companies in England have a statutory requirement to prepare, maintain and revise drought plans and long-term water resources management plans, setting out how they will ensure a secure supply of water. Most companies will consult on revised drought plans next year and their water resources management plans early in 2018. Water companies are currently discussing expectations for their revised plans with the Environment Agency and the Department.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Suffolk Coastal answering member printed Dr Thérèse Coffey question first answered 12/12/2016 10:17:22 answering member 4098 label Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey
	tabling member	1493 label Biography information for Sir Charles Walker

1201745

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2020
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Droughts
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of level of risk of a hose-pipe ban in summer 2020; and what his policy is on new reservoir provision.
	tabling member constituency	Warley
	tabling member printed	John Spellar
	uin	57081
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has a range of policies in place to mitigate the impacts of drought:</p><p> </p><ul><li>The Environment Agency, which has responsibility for managing water resources and protecting the environment, chairs the National Drought Group (NDG). The NDG consists of representatives from regulators such as Public Health England (PHE), the agricultural sector and water companies. This group ensures that all sectors work together and take action to manage any impacts of dry weather and drought.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Water companies have the legal duty to supply adequate quantities of wholesome water. To fulfil their duties, water companies maintain statutory drought plans, which set out the short-term actions they will take should a drought develop. Water companies’ drought plans are published on their websites.</li></ul><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to a ‘twin track approach’ of managing water demand, including leakage reduction, and increasing supply, including the development of reservoirs.</p><p> </p><p>Water companies have the statutory duty to develop and maintain efficient and economical systems of water service provision which will provide security of supply for customers. Statutory water resources management plans show how companies will meet this duty and manage water supply and demand for at least the next 25 years.</p><p> </p><p>The National Framework for water resources brings together industry, regulators and Government to improve water company planning of water supplies. This includes investigating and developing new supplies such as reservoirs, supported by a £469 million fund for the development of strategic supplies.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 17/06/2020 11:05:28 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	318 label Biography information for John Spellar

1469824

	registered interest
	date	13/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Droughts
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to identify areas of the UK at risk of drought.
	tabling member constituency	York Central
	tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
	uin	17024
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2022 answer text <p>The Government is committed to a twin track approach to improving water supply resilience as set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan and the National Infrastructure Strategy. This involves action to reduce water demand alongside investing in new supply infrastructure where necessary.</p><p>The Environment Agency's National Framework for Water Resources, published in March 2020, sets out the strategic water needs for England, and all its regions and sectors, up to 2050 and beyond. The Framework sets out how we will reduce demand, halve leakage rates, develop new supply infrastructure, move water to where it's needed, increase the drought resilience of water supplies and reduce the need for drought measures that can harm the environment. The proposed Environment Act 2021 water demand target would make these demand and leakage reductions statutory.</p><p>Informed by the National Framework for Water Resources, five regional water resources groups are producing a set of co-ordinated, cross-sector plans. The plans will take account of the Adaptation Committee’s Climate Change Risk Assessment, used to inform the Government’s National Adaptation Programme. The plans will be consulted on at the end of 2022, with water companies own water resources plans. They will set out how water supply needs are met over at least a 25 year period, further assessing and achieving improved resilience to climate change and droughts.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 17025 17026 question first answered 22/06/2022 14:08:51 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1469825

	registered interest
	date	13/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Droughts
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government has an updated drought mitigation strategy.
	tabling member constituency	York Central
	tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
	uin	17025
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2022 answer text <p>The Government is committed to a twin track approach to improving water supply resilience as set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan and the National Infrastructure Strategy. This involves action to reduce water demand alongside investing in new supply infrastructure where necessary.</p><p>The Environment Agency's National Framework for Water Resources, published in March 2020, sets out the strategic water needs for England, and all its regions and sectors, up to 2050 and beyond. The Framework sets out how we will reduce demand, halve leakage rates, develop new supply infrastructure, move water to where it's needed, increase the drought resilience of water supplies and reduce the need for drought measures that can harm the environment. The proposed Environment Act 2021 water demand target would make these demand and leakage reductions statutory.</p><p>Informed by the National Framework for Water Resources, five regional water resources groups are producing a set of co-ordinated, cross-sector plans. The plans will take account of the Adaptation Committee’s Climate Change Risk Assessment, used to inform the Government’s National Adaptation Programme. The plans will be consulted on at the end of 2022, with water companies own water resources plans. They will set out how water supply needs are met over at least a 25 year period, further assessing and achieving improved resilience to climate change and droughts.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 17024 17026 question first answered 22/06/2022 14:08:52 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1469827

	registered interest
	date	13/06/2022
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Droughts
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to use natural resources to mitigate drought in (a) urban communities and (b) rural communities and agriculture.
	tabling member constituency	York Central
	tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
	uin	17026
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2022 answer text <p>The Government is committed to a twin track approach to improving water supply resilience as set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan and the National Infrastructure Strategy. This involves action to reduce water demand alongside investing in new supply infrastructure where necessary.</p><p>The Environment Agency's National Framework for Water Resources, published in March 2020, sets out the strategic water needs for England, and all its regions and sectors, up to 2050 and beyond. The Framework sets out how we will reduce demand, halve leakage rates, develop new supply infrastructure, move water to where it's needed, increase the drought resilience of water supplies and reduce the need for drought measures that can harm the environment. The proposed Environment Act 2021 water demand target would make these demand and leakage reductions statutory.</p><p>Informed by the National Framework for Water Resources, five regional water resources groups are producing a set of co-ordinated, cross-sector plans. The plans will take account of the Adaptation Committee’s Climate Change Risk Assessment, used to inform the Government’s National Adaptation Programme. The plans will be consulted on at the end of 2022, with water companies own water resources plans. They will set out how water supply needs are met over at least a 25 year period, further assessing and achieving improved resilience to climate change and droughts.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow grouped question UIN 17024 17025 question first answered 22/06/2022 14:08:52 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell