Every parliamentary written question tabled by Barry Gardiner this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 115 · this parliament
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has undertaken an analysis to assess whether using Regulated Capital Value to measure water company values provides the most accurate measure of their value since July 2024.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 March 2026 to PQ UIN 120291.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department has set a date by which it aims to have ended operator self-monitoring in the water industry.
Government has committed to ending ‘operator self-monitoring’ so water companies will no longer mark their own homework on pollution incidents. We will develop a new strengthened open monitoring approach for monitoring wastewater. This will be driven by greater digitisation and automation, making data accessible to the public in near-real time, and helping to restore public trust in the system. Water companies are already required to publish data on some sewage spills within one hour. We will roll out real-time monitoring across the wastewater system, and all this data will be made publicly available online. That will ensure that the regulator and, importantly, the public have the power to hold water companies fully accountable.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has undertaken an analysis to assess whether using Regulated Capital Value to measure water company values provides the most accurate measure of their value since July 2024.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 March 2026 to PQ UIN 120291.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to undertake a cost-benefit analysis of the (a) financial and (b) non-financial costs to the public between the privatised model and public ownership of the water industry over (i) the rest of PR24 and (ii) over the following 30 years.
The Government has no intention to nationalise the water industry, and therefore has no current plans to asses the financial or non-financial costs to the public between the privatised model and public ownership of the water industry. The Independent Water Commission found no strong evidence between ownership model and performance. We are moving forward with fixing our water system, creating a powerful new water regulator to hold companies to account and prevent the abuses of the past.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has undertaken a cost-benefit analysis of requiring all water company incidents to be attended.
The EA already operates a robust, risk-based system to respond to pollution incidents. The increase in inspections, including unannounced inspections, will allow the EA to conduct more in-depth and independent audits to get to the root-cause of incidents, reducing the reliance on operator self-monitoring. Government has committed to ending ‘operator self-monitoring’ so water companies will no longer mark their own homework on pollution incidents. Initial cost information on ending ‘operator self-monitoring' has been provided by the Environment Agency, and we will do further work to develop a detailed and comprehensive assessment as we move to Open Monitoring.
Food and Rural Affairs, for the 28 enforcement undertakings accepted by the Environment Agency from water companies between 26 July 2024 and 12 February 2026, if there was a recommendation to prosecute from the investigating officers in any of the cases.
There have been 31 enforcement undertakings accepted by the Environment Agency from water companies between 26 July 2024 and 12 February 2026 as detailed below. Of these, 20 have been closed. 5 have a prosecution recommendation by an Investigating Officer. The Environment Agency is unable to provide additional information for the remaining 11 as they are related to active investigations. In all 5 cases, the EU offers were received after the Investigating Officer recommended prosecution. Environment Agency officers can recommend prosecution but the final decision on the sanction used is made at a more senior level, in conjunction with Lawyers and in line with the Environment Agency enforcement and sanctions policy - GOV.UK. EU REFCompanyDate of AcceptanceEU516Thames Water Utilities Ltd18/09/2024EU593Thames Water Utilities Ltd20/09/2024EU745Yorkshire Water Services Limited24/09/2024EU983Thames Water Utilities Ltd01/10/2024EU936Thames Water Utilities Ltd05/12/2024EU915Severn Trent Water Limited24/12/2024EU984Thames Water Utilities Ltd30/12/2024EU1064Severn Trent Water Limited30/12/2024EU886Thames Water Utilities Ltd06/01/2025EU1008Anglian Water Services Ltd17/01/2025EU947United Utilities Water Limited22/01/2025EU821Wessex Water Services Ltd30/01/2025EU1122United Utilities Water Limited24/02/2025EU1089Severn Trent Water Limited29/05/2025EU1147Anglian Water Services Ltd02/07/2025EU1086Yorkshire Water Services Limited24/07/2025EU1095Yorkshire Water Services Limited25/07/2025EU1149Wessex Water Services Ltd08/08/2025EU1059Yorkshire Water Services Limited29/09/2025EU1091Severn Trent Water Limited29/09/2025EU1167Severn Trent Water Limited29/09/2025EU1131Anglian Water Services Ltd30/09/2025EU1148Anglian Water Services Ltd04/11/2025EU1172Severn Trent Water Limited11/11/2025EU1154Yorkshire Water Services Limited02/12/2025EU1151Yorkshire Water Services Limited16/12/2025EU843Thames Water Utilities Ltd18/12/2025EU1152Yorkshire Water Services Limited19/01/2026EU868Severn Trent Water Limited09/02/2026EU1099Severn Trent Water Limited09/02/2026EU1159Yorkshire Water Services Limited10/02/2026
Food and Rural Affairs, for the 28 enforcement undertakings accepted by the Environment Agency from water companies between 26 July 2024 and 12 February 2026, what criteria was used in the decision not to prosecute.
There have been 31 enforcement undertakings accepted by the Environment Agency from water companies between 26 July 2024 and 12 February 2026 as detailed below. Decisions regarding prosecution are made in line with the Environment Agency enforcement and sanctions policy - GOV.UK. The Enforcement and Sanctions Policy outlines the options available to the Environment Agency alongside how it makes enforcement decisions. EU REFCompanyDate of AcceptanceEU516Thames Water Utilities Ltd18/09/2024EU593Thames Water Utilities Ltd20/09/2024EU745Yorkshire Water Services Limited24/09/2024EU983Thames Water Utilities Ltd01/10/2024EU936Thames Water Utilities Ltd05/12/2024EU915Severn Trent Water Limited24/12/2024EU984Thames Water Utilities Ltd30/12/2024EU1064Severn Trent Water Limited30/12/2024EU886Thames Water Utilities Ltd06/01/2025EU1008Anglian Water Services Ltd17/01/2025EU947United Utilities Water Limited22/01/2025EU821Wessex Water Services Ltd30/01/2025EU1122United Utilities Water Limited24/02/2025EU1089Severn Trent Water Limited29/05/2025EU1147Anglian Water Services Ltd02/07/2025EU1086Yorkshire Water Services Limited24/07/2025EU1095Yorkshire Water Services Limited25/07/2025EU1149Wessex Water Services Ltd08/08/2025EU1059Yorkshire Water Services Limited29/09/2025EU1091Severn Trent Water Limited29/09/2025EU1167Severn Trent Water Limited29/09/2025EU1131Anglian Water Services Ltd30/09/2025EU1148Anglian Water Services Ltd04/11/2025EU1172Severn Trent Water Limited11/11/2025EU1154Yorkshire Water Services Limited02/12/2025EU1151Yorkshire Water Services Limited16/12/2025EU843Thames Water Utilities Ltd18/12/2025EU1152Yorkshire Water Services Limited19/01/2026EU868Severn Trent Water Limited09/02/2026EU1099Severn Trent Water Limited09/02/2026EU1159Yorkshire Water Services Limited10/02/2026
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has undertaken a cost-benefit analysis of ending operator self-monitoring in the water industry.
The EA already operates a robust, risk-based system to respond to pollution incidents. The increase in inspections, including unannounced inspections, will allow the EA to conduct more in-depth and independent audits to get to the root-cause of incidents, reducing the reliance on operator self-monitoring. Government has committed to ending ‘operator self-monitoring’ so water companies will no longer mark their own homework on pollution incidents. Initial cost information on ending ‘operator self-monitoring' has been provided by the Environment Agency, and we will do further work to develop a detailed and comprehensive assessment as we move to Open Monitoring.
Food and Rural Affairs, how many solicitors were employed by the Environment Agency in the Area facing legal services teams in 2008, 2014, 2020 and 2026.
The table below shows the number of solicitors employed by the Environment Agency in the Area facing legal services teams in 2020 and 2026, and the number of vacant lawyer posts that were being held during these years. The Environment Agency does not hold data for 2008, and it has insufficient data for 2014. YearNumber of solicitors employed in Area facing teams Number of vacant lawyer posts202052 (47.36 Full Time Equivalent)4202666 (52.69 Full Time Equivalent)6
Food and Rural Affairs, how many solicitor vacancies there were in the Environment Agency Area facing legal services teams in 2008, 2014, 2020 and 2026.
The table below shows the number of solicitors employed by the Environment Agency in the Area facing legal services teams in 2020 and 2026, and the number of vacant lawyer posts that were being held during these years. The Environment Agency does not hold data for 2008, and it has insufficient data for 2014. YearNumber of solicitors employed in Area facing teams Number of vacant lawyer posts202052 (47.36 Full Time Equivalent)4202666 (52.69 Full Time Equivalent)6
Food and Rural Affairs, what criteria her department used in its decision to aim to conduct 10,000 water company asset inspections by April 2026.
The Environment Agency (EA) increased its capacity for inspections of water company assets, with over 4,000 inspections completed from April 2024 to March 2025. In April 2025 the EA increased its target for inspections to a further 10,000 in 2025/26 as part of the Governments wider focus to hold companies to account and improve out water environment. As of 31 March, the EA has successfully achieved this target – further details can be found here.
Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Office for Environmental Protection’s report entitled Investigation Report addressed to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in relation to their compliance with the Water Industry Act 1991 and the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 regarding the regulation of network combined sewer overflows, published in December 2025, whether her Department accepts that report’s findings that there have been failures to comply with environmental law by (a) her Department, (b) Ofwat and (c) the Environment Agency.
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) concluded its investigation in December 2025 and is taking no further action due to the significant progress that has been made by Defra, Ofwat and the Environment Agency (EA). This progress includes: Defra replacing outdated guidance with a new policy and guidance document that better reflects the legal duties of sewerage undertakersOfwat revisiting its enforcement guidance and taking enforcement action against several water companiesThe EA updating its Storm Overflow Assessment Framework, whilst progressing with plans to modernise permits and introduce spill limitsProgress on cross-cutting issues, such as the clarification of roles and responsibilities between the authorities. The OEP stated that, throughout the investigation, all public authorities engaged constructively, with a focus on the outcome of protecting the environment.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has formally responded to the Office for Environmental Protection's information notices regarding compliance with the Water Framework Directive.
This Government welcomes the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP)'s investigation, and we responded to their Information Notice on 6 March. We continue to work collaboratively with them to improve our waterways. The Government accepts the OEP’s conclusion that not enough progress has been made in meeting the Water Framework Directive’s objectives for water quality, and that this is due to a lack of investment and action over the last 15 years since the first River Basin Management Plans were published. Our Water White Paper sets out long-term reforms to strengthen regulation and planning, reduce pollution, and accelerate the delivery of vital infrastructure.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to undertake a cost-benefit analysis of the (a) financial and (b) non-financial costs to the public between the privatised model and public ownership of the water industry over (i) the rest of PR24 and (ii) over the following 30 years.
The reality is it would take years to unpick the current ownership model, it would be extremely complex, and we would be in the courts for years. Billions of pounds of private investment going in to fixing broken pipes would be slashed in the meantime. Nationalisation would a black hole in the public finances, this money would be better spent on our hospitals and schools. Nationalisation is not the answer – tougher regulation is – which is why we’re giving the regulators more teeth through things like these swift automatic penalties. In the Water White Paper, we are clear that where a water company might want to transition to a new ownership model, such as a not-for-profit, the new regulator will assess whether this should go ahead and ensure customer interests are properly reflected in the decision.
Food and Rural Affairs, if her department has set a date by which it aims to have ended operator self-monitoring in the water industry.
We want to move away from Operator Self‑Monitoring because the current system does not provide the transparency or independent assurance the public expects. As set out in the Water White Paper, we are working with regulators on how best to transition to an open, independently verified monitoring model. We will set out further detail once this work is complete.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the Office for Environmental Protection Investigation Report, published in December 2025.
In December 2025, the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) published the concluding reports of its investigation into the regulation of network Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) in England. I was pleased to see recognition that work undertaken by this Government has built the foundations for much needed change in the water sector. The OEP stated that, throughout the investigation, all public authorities engaged constructively, with a focus on the outcome of protecting the environment. We agree with the OEP that it is important for Defra, the Environment Agency and Ofwat to be fully transparent when it comes to their roles and responsibilities in the regulation of network CSOs.
Food and Rural Affairs, what analysis her department has undertaken to assess whether using Regulated Capital Value to measure water company values provides the most accurate measure of their value.
Regulatory Capital Value was originally set with reference to the equity value and debt levels of each water and sewerage company at privatisation. It has been updated by the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) since and provides a proxy for the total value of the water industry’s equity and debt (otherwise known as ‘enterprise value’).
What work her department has taken to ensure overflown communities are represented in the governance structure of the UK Airspace Design Service.
The Government and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) jointly consulted on proposals to establish a UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) in 2024, and responses to that consultation, including from overflown communities, has helped to inform our plans. Between 17 November 2025 and 12 January 2026 the CAA consulted on guidance for the UKADS, including governance and stakeholder engagement. The outcome of this consultation will be published by the CAA.In addition, the CAA’s Airspace Change Process (CAP1616) sets out how airspace change proposals must be developed and delivered. A fundamental part of this process is the requirement for the airspace change sponsor, which would include the UKADS, to consult those who may be affected by airspace change and to consider their views before any final proposals are submitted.
When she expects the UK Airspace Design Service to be fully operational.
The UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) provided by NATS En Route PLC (NERL) has now begun work to enable it to deliver its functions and design airspace for the complex London region. A number of processes to complete the establishment of the UKADS will be completed over the coming weeks including the publication of updated guidance documents and decision on changes to the conditions of the NERL Licence by the CAA.
What environmental duties will be placed on the UK Airspace Design Service.
The UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) must follow the processes for airspace change, including environmental requirements, set by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in line with the Government’s Air Navigation Directions and Air Navigation Guidance.Any airspace change proposal must follow the CAA’s CAP1616 airspace change process. CAP1616 sets out how sponsors of airspace change, including the UKADS, must undertake comprehensive environmental assessments for airspace options which are under consideration. There are also requirements for airspace change sponsors to provide sufficient information and carry out consultation with those who may be affected by a change, before any final proposals are submitted.A consultation on potential changes to the Air Navigation Directions and Air Navigation Guidance closed on 26 January 2026 and the outcome will be published later this year.