Written questions by Bailey.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Rt. hon and hon. Members on the Climate and Nature Bill since 24 January 2025.

This Government is absolutely committed to tackling the climate and nature crises. Accordingly, we have engaged extensively with Roz Savage MP on the proposed Climate and Nature Bill and agreed how we can take forward the spirit and substance of the Bill. The minister responsible for the Bill area, Minister Creagh, met with Roz Savage on 27 January to discuss the government’s approach to taking forward the spirit of the Bill.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Environment Agency in tackling pollution of the River Roding by Thames Water outfalls without permits.

The River Roding faces challenges from urban pressures, storm overflow discharges, surface water runoff, misconnections, and pollution incidents. These factors can contribute to elevated bacterial levels, including E. Coli, particularly during wet weather when foul and surface water systems may interact. These urban influences are factored into the Environment Agency’s overall assessment of water quality. The Environment Agency’s routine monitoring is carried out under the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). This includes sampling for a range of chemical, ecological, and biological indicators to assess the overall health of the watercourse During Thames Water’s improvements in PR19, there was an investigation into the Snakes Lane Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) to look at options available to reduce spill frequency. In its final determinations for PR24 (2020-2025), Ofwat allowed Thames Water £784 million to reduce the use of storm overflows across its network. Improvement actions will include increasing treatment capacity at sewage works, providing storage for high flows, reducing flows entering the system and provision of treatment for storm overflows which are separate from the main treatment route.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of E. coli levels in the River Roding during dry weather; and what discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on those levels.

The River Roding faces challenges from urban pressures, storm overflow discharges, surface water runoff, misconnections, and pollution incidents. These factors can contribute to elevated bacterial levels, including E. Coli, particularly during wet weather when foul and surface water systems may interact. These urban influences are factored into the Environment Agency’s overall assessment of water quality. The Environment Agency’s routine monitoring is carried out under the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). This includes sampling for a range of chemical, ecological, and biological indicators to assess the overall health of the watercourse During Thames Water’s improvements in PR19, there was an investigation into the Snakes Lane Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) to look at options available to reduce spill frequency. In its final determinations for PR24 (2020-2025), Ofwat allowed Thames Water £784 million to reduce the use of storm overflows across its network. Improvement actions will include increasing treatment capacity at sewage works, providing storage for high flows, reducing flows entering the system and provision of treatment for storm overflows which are separate from the main treatment route.