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1737240
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2024-10-22more like thismore than 2024-10-22
answering body
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government more like this
answering dept id 7 more like this
answering dept short name Housing, Communities and Local Government more like this
answering dept sort name Housing, Communities and Local Government more like this
hansard heading Flood Control remove filter
house id 1 remove filter
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of reforming the planning system to introduce new measures to help reduce flood risk. more like this
tabling member constituency Mid Bedfordshire more like this
tabling member printed
Blake Stephenson more like this
uin 900890 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2024-10-28more like thismore than 2024-10-28
answer text <p>The government recognises the devastating impact which flooding can have on communities, and the role the planning system plays in directing development to areas of lowest possible flood risk. National planning policy is clear that inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided. In the recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, we sought views on how the planning system can be more effective in managing flood risk. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Greenwich and Woolwich more like this
answering member printed Matthew Pennycook more like this
question first answered
less than 2024-10-28T16:26:54.567Zmore like thismore than 2024-10-28T16:26:54.567Z
answering member
4520
label Biography information for Matthew Pennycook more like this
tabling member 5100
1734678
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2024-10-16more like thismore than 2024-10-16
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Flood Control remove filter
house id 1 remove filter
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will have discussions with the Environment Agency on clarifying its position relating to the ability of landowners to maintain stretches of waterway on their land to help reduce flooding. more like this
tabling member constituency Central Suffolk and North Ipswich more like this
tabling member printed
Patrick Spencer more like this
uin 9553 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2024-10-21more like thismore than 2024-10-21
answer text <p>The Environment Agency has proactively engaged riparian landowners setting out responsibilities, where there might be exemptions and how they can get help. This has already reached several communities affected in Storm Babet – in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich constituency the letter has been sent to:</p><p> </p><ol><li>Framlingham</li><li>Debenham</li><li>Needham Market</li><li>Wickham Market</li><li>Charsfield</li><li>Parham</li><li>Framsden</li><li>Hacheston</li><li>Somersham</li><li>Great Bealings</li></ol> more like this
answering member constituency Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice more like this
answering member printed Emma Hardy more like this
question first answered
less than 2024-10-21T12:04:27.237Zmore like thismore than 2024-10-21T12:04:27.237Z
answering member
4645
label Biography information for Emma Hardy more like this
tabling member 5303
1734679
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2024-10-16more like thismore than 2024-10-16
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Flood Control remove filter
house id 1 remove filter
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to support for landowners to maintain stretches of waterways on their land to help mitigate future flooding risk. more like this
tabling member constituency Central Suffolk and North Ipswich more like this
tabling member printed
Patrick Spencer more like this
uin 9554 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2024-10-21more like thismore than 2024-10-21
answer text <p>All farmers and land managers are encouraged to manage the land in a way that supports and enhances the environment while reducing impacts on others, such as climate risks.</p><p> </p><p>Where there is a watercourse, riparian landowners are required under common law to keep watercourses clear of anything which could cause an obstruction to the flow of water on their land, or downstream if washed away. This includes maintenance of the bed and banks, as well as any trees or shrubs growing on the banks. They must also ensure that any structures such as culverts, trash screens and mill gates are cleared of debris and allow the flow of water.</p><p> </p><p>The new Environmental Land Management schemes aim to help the environment while supporting farming and food production. These will include support for farmers and land managers to adopt Natural Flood Management approaches in a way that reduces flooding and coastal erosion risks to local communities.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice more like this
answering member printed Emma Hardy more like this
question first answered
less than 2024-10-21T16:10:50.427Zmore like thismore than 2024-10-21T16:10:50.427Z
answering member
4645
label Biography information for Emma Hardy more like this
tabling member 5303
1733660
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2024-10-11more like thismore than 2024-10-11
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Flood Control remove filter
house id 1 remove filter
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce flood performance certificates. more like this
tabling member constituency Runnymede and Weybridge more like this
tabling member printed
Dr Ben Spencer more like this
uin 8675 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2024-10-21more like thismore than 2024-10-21
answer text <p>Protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this Government.</p><p> </p><p>Flood Re is a UK-wide, Government and industry led flood re-insurance scheme which aims to promote the affordability and availability of insurance for UK households at high flood risk. It is also required to manage the transition to risk-reflective pricing of flood insurance for household premises, ahead of the scheme closure in 2039.</p><p> </p><p>In their 2023 Transition Plan, Flood Re have committed to bring to the market a 'Flood Performance Certificate' which will enable assessments to be undertaken of property-level resilience to flooding.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst there is no statutory requirement for ministers to comment or respond to the published transition plans, the Government continues to work closely with Flood Re on the transition to risk reflective pricing for household insurance.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice more like this
answering member printed Emma Hardy more like this
question first answered
less than 2024-10-21T12:27:14.433Zmore like thismore than 2024-10-21T12:27:14.433Z
answering member
4645
label Biography information for Emma Hardy more like this
tabling member
4785
label Biography information for Dr Ben Spencer more like this
1733674
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2024-10-11more like thismore than 2024-10-11
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Flood Control remove filter
house id 1 remove filter
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Environment Agency's (a) actions and (b) policies in managing flood risk from watercourse in riparian ownership. more like this
tabling member constituency Runnymede and Weybridge more like this
tabling member printed
Dr Ben Spencer more like this
uin 8678 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2024-10-21more like thismore than 2024-10-21
answer text <p>Under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, the Environment Agency (EA) has a strategic overview of the management of all sources of flooding and coastal change and are the lead authority for managing the risk of flooding from main rivers, estuaries and the sea.</p><p> </p><p>Landowners are responsible, under common law, for maintaining the bed and banks of any watercourses that run through their land in a state which avoids flooding on their neighbours’ or other land. This common law duty also extends to keeping watercourses and culverts clear of anything that could cause an obstruction, either on their own land or downstream if it is washed away.</p><p> </p><p>The EA has published guidance on owning a watercourse on <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/owning-a-watercourse" target="_blank">GOV.UK</a>, and has supplemented their riparian guidance with <a href="https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/your-watercourse-rights-and-roles" target="_blank">Your Watercourse: rights and roles</a> to help Risk Management Authorities, EA staff, and landowners have more effective conversations on this matter.</p>
answering member constituency Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice more like this
answering member printed Emma Hardy more like this
question first answered
less than 2024-10-21T11:04:05.027Zmore like thismore than 2024-10-21T11:04:05.027Z
answering member
4645
label Biography information for Emma Hardy more like this
tabling member
4785
label Biography information for Dr Ben Spencer more like this
1733678
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2024-10-11more like thismore than 2024-10-11
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Flood Control remove filter
house id 1 remove filter
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many enforcement actions relating to flood risk prevention were taken by the Environment Agency in each constituency in 2023. more like this
tabling member constituency Runnymede and Weybridge more like this
tabling member printed
Dr Ben Spencer more like this
uin 8679 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2024-10-21more like thismore than 2024-10-21
answer text <p>The Environment Agency (EA) regulate works in rivers through a permissions-based approach under the Environmental Permitting Regulations. These are referred to as “flood risk activities”. The primary purpose of the regulations is to ensure in-river works do not damage the environment or cause a flood risk to others.</p><p> </p><p>Enforcement actions can occur due to a breach in permit condition but are predominantly for unauthorised works. Enforcement actions can vary from advice and guidance, formal warnings, notices, civil sanctions and prosecutions.</p><p> </p><p>There were 65 Enforcement Actions across the country relating to flood risk prevention in 2023. Please see the table below for the number of enforcement actions for each EA area.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Number of enforcement actions for each Environment Agency area</strong></p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Environment Agency area</p></td><td><p>Number of enforcement actions</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Cumbria and Lancashire</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>East Anglia</p></td><td><p>30</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>East Midlands</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Greater Manchester and Merseyside</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Hertfordshire and North London</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Kent, South London and East Sussex</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North East</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Solent and South Downs</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Thames</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>West Midlands</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wessex</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Yorkshire</p></td><td><p>30</p></td></tr></tbody></table>
answering member constituency Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice more like this
answering member printed Emma Hardy more like this
question first answered
less than 2024-10-21T11:17:10.733Zmore like thismore than 2024-10-21T11:17:10.733Z
answering member
4645
label Biography information for Emma Hardy more like this
tabling member
4785
label Biography information for Dr Ben Spencer more like this
1731258
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2024-10-04more like thismore than 2024-10-04
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Flood Control remove filter
house id 1 remove filter
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure the water industry invests in proven nature-based solutions for natural flood management. more like this
tabling member constituency South Devon more like this
tabling member printed
Caroline Voaden more like this
uin 7131 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2024-10-11more like thismore than 2024-10-11
answer text <p>Defra recognises that nature and catchment-based solutions in the water sector have an important role to play. The strategic policy statement in 2022 set out the governments priorities for Ofwat. This set out that water companies should significantly increase their use of nature and catchment-based solutions to achieve multiple benefits for the environment and the public including natural flood management. We expect companies and regulators to work towards delivering these solutions as a matter of preference.</p><p> </p><p>The Working with Natural Processes (NFM) Evidence Directory provides natural flood management information and case studies: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fworking-with-natural-processes-to-reduce-flood-risk&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cfloodspqsmcs%40defra.gov.uk%7C53ecb25a04ec4e69f3f008dce78c1724%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638639836067001793%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=2jnOTLfoXId%2BljyznlWxfwGAWVCNlJbqcSpqnowELF8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-with-natural-processes-to-reduce-flood-risk</a>.The Environment Agency is producing new long-term investment scenarios to quantify the benefits of natural flood management for the next 50 to 100 years in England.</p>
answering member constituency Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice more like this
answering member printed Emma Hardy more like this
question first answered
less than 2024-10-11T11:42:29.253Zmore like thismore than 2024-10-11T11:42:29.253Z
answering member
4645
label Biography information for Emma Hardy more like this
tabling member 5216
1727087
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2024-09-03more like thismore than 2024-09-03
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Flood Control remove filter
house id 1 remove filter
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve (a) resilience and (b) preparation for flooding. more like this
tabling member constituency Broxbourne more like this
tabling member printed
Lewis Cocking more like this
uin 4079 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2024-09-16more like thismore than 2024-09-16
answer text <p>Defra has established a ministerially led cross-Governmental Flood Resilience Taskforce to ensure that communities are better protected from flooding, with the first meeting taking place in September. The Flood Resilience Taskforce will ensure that preparedness and resilience to flooding is reviewed regularly before the start of the main flood season; and that it is continuously improved to ensure optimum protection to people, homes and businesses.</p><p> </p><p>In advance of the winter, MPs will receive advice on how to access the most up to date flood information from the EA and how to raise awareness of flooding with constituents.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice more like this
answering member printed Emma Hardy more like this
question first answered
less than 2024-09-16T09:31:55.757Zmore like thismore than 2024-09-16T09:31:55.757Z
answering member
4645
label Biography information for Emma Hardy more like this
tabling member 5050
1724567
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2024-07-30more like thismore than 2024-07-30
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Flood Control remove filter
house id 1 remove filter
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of (a) Anglian Water and (b) all water companies in England in (i) identifying and (ii) removing barriers that prevent the connectivity of surface waters. more like this
tabling member constituency Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard more like this
tabling member printed
Alex Mayer more like this
uin 2621 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2024-09-20more like thismore than 2024-09-20
answer text <p>The Government recognises the need for well-connected surface waters, so that water can be moved to where it is most needed. Water companies, including Anglian Water, have focussed their resilience improvements on water grids and transfers, a number of which have been built in recent years. The resilience of our water supply has been strengthened by the action taken by Government, regulators and the private sector, including water companies investing £469 million to investigate additional resources like new reservoir projects and inter-regional water transfers.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice more like this
answering member printed Emma Hardy more like this
question first answered
less than 2024-09-20T11:01:40.037Zmore like thismore than 2024-09-20T11:01:40.037Z
answering member
4645
label Biography information for Emma Hardy more like this
tabling member 5141
1715385
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2024-05-01more like thismore than 2024-05-01
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 more like this
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Flood Control remove filter
house id 1 remove filter
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Environment Agency on trends in the level of (a) dredging and (b) desilting as a means of flood prevention. more like this
tabling member constituency Bassetlaw more like this
tabling member printed
Brendan Clarke-Smith more like this
uin 24564 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2024-05-07more like thismore than 2024-05-07
answer text <p>Ministers and Defra officials regularly meet with the Environment Agency to discuss flood and water management issues, including dredging.</p><p>The Environment Agency assesses each situation individually and dredge when it is the right solution, and it provides long-term value for money. Understanding where it will, and will not, reduce flood risk is key.</p><p>Where there is evidence that dredging will reduce flood risk to local properties or agricultural land without increasing flooding downstream, it meets government criteria, and is cost effective, the Environment Agency will do it.</p><p>Dredging can contribute to reducing flooding in some locations, but in others dredging would be an extremely inefficient and ineffective way to manage flood risk, as the natural processes in many rivers can cause the silt to return and accumulate in the same places very quickly. We also know from historic records and modelling that dredging in some locations can increase erosion and flood risk for communities downstream.</p><p>In extreme flooding events, the relatively small increases in width and depth achievable by dredging the channel do not provide anywhere near enough capacity to contain the excess flood water, since the channel may already be full of water, and therefore does not prevent flooding.</p><p>Any structures encroaching in the river such as bridges, weirs and natural features need to be considered, as these could be damaged or may be pinch points with hard foundations which can make dredging ineffective. Deepening can in some instances also cause destabilising of natural riverbanks leading to soil erosion and damage to riverside flood defences.</p>
answering member constituency Keighley more like this
answering member printed Robbie Moore more like this
question first answered
less than 2024-05-07T13:52:10.197Zmore like thismore than 2024-05-07T13:52:10.197Z
answering member
4861
label Biography information for Robbie Moore more like this
tabling member
4756
label Biography information for Brendan Clarke-Smith more like this