Every parliamentary written question tabled by Charlie Maynard this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 31 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the financial stability of Thames Water.
The water white paper published on the 20 January sets out the Government’s plans to reform the water sector and the wider water system. It will create a new regulator with powers to prevent companies from accumulating unmanageable debts and to ensure the sector as a whole is financially resilient.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with (a) Ofwat and (b) Thames Water on the potential merits of issuing penalties to Thames Water for alleged breaches of its license agreement in the context of its investment grade credit ratings.
The enforcement of licence conditions is a matter for Ofwat as the independent economic regulator. To remedy its licence breach in losing its investment grade credit ratings in 2024, Ofwat has confirmed it accepted an enforcement undertaking from Thames Water in August 2024 (Ofwat confirms actions for Thames Water following investment credit rating downgrade - Ofwat). These commitments will remain in place until the company regains two investment grade credit ratings.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she can disclose how much additional risk the Flood Re scheme is underwriting this year than it was when it launched; and whether she holds any information about the sustainability of those trendlines through to 2039.
In its first operational year (2016/17), the Flood Re scheme’s Liability Limit was £2.1 billion and 127,326 policies were ceded to the scheme. By 2024/25, 346,200 policies were ceded and from 1 April 2025, the Liability Limit reset to £3.2 billion for three years, with annual Consumer Price Index adjustments thereafter. The Liability Limit is set for successive three-year periods and reviewed ongoingly by the Scheme Administrator, Flood Re Ltd, to ensure alignment with the Flood Reinsurance (Scheme and Scheme Administrator Designation) Regulations 2015. Flood Re Ltd monitors risk exposure and sustainability as part of its statutory obligations. Its future trajectory, including sustainability through to 2039, is based on ceding forecasts, their risk levels and a prudent margin for uncertainty. Flood Re must also publish a Transition Plan every five years, outlining how it will move towards a market with affordable flood insurance without the need for the scheme after 2039.
Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the reasons for households not obtaining insurance for flooding in spite of being eligible for the Flood Re scheme; and if she will call on Flood Re to clarify why such cases are occurring in Witney constituency.
Flood Re is a joint Government-industry scheme enabling high flood risk households to access affordable insurance. Since launch, Flood Re has supported more than 650,000 households, with 346,000 policies ceded to them in 2024/25. Prior to Flood Re’s inception, the average home insurance quote for a householder with a flood claim was about £4,400. As of December 2024, the average was c. £1,100, with 99% of householders at high risk of flooding now able to obtain quotes from 10 or more insurers. The decision to insure a property, and/or to cede a policy to Flood Re is a decision made by each insurance company, but all households eligible under the Flood Re Scheme should be able to access to flood insurance cover. It remains important that policy holders shop around for an insurer to find the most suitable policy for their needs as individual insurers will consider a range of factors in setting their premiums. Defra continues working with Flood Re and insurers to monitor affordability, and have not been made aware of any Flood Re eligible properties being refused flood cover on an industry wide basis.
Food and Rural Affairs, how many new properties were covered by FloodRe in the last twelve months.
In 2024/25, Flood Re provided cover for over 346,000 household policies. Of these, 30% of the policies ceded to Flood Re in the financial year to 31 March 2025 had not previously been ceded to the Scheme. In total, 650,000 properties have benefited since the scheme’s launch. Flood Re publish these figures annually in their annual report.
Food and Rural Affairs, how many properties are covered by FloodRe.
In 2024/25, Flood Re provided cover for over 346,000 household policies. Of these, 30% of the policies ceded to Flood Re in the financial year to 31 March 2025 had not previously been ceded to the Scheme. In total, 650,000 properties have benefited since the scheme’s launch. Flood Re publish these figures annually in their annual report.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of publishing criteria, thresholds and circumstances under which the Water Industry Special Administration Regime may be triggered.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 November 2025 to the hon. Member for Witney, UIN 90063.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that public, environmental and customer interests are considered in future uses of the Special Administration Regime for struggling utilities.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 November 2025 to the hon. Member for Witney, UIN 90065.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has assessed Thames Water’s current financial position against the statutory criteria for triggering the Special Administration Regime under the Water Industry Act 1991.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 November 2025 to the hon. Member for Witney, UIN 90065.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to publish guidance setting out how non-financial factors, such as environmental performance or repeated regulatory breaches, will be considered when determining whether to trigger special administration of a water company.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 November 2025 to the hon. Member for Witney, UIN 90063.
Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Ofwat on the adequacy of Thames Water’s compliance with its environmental and financial obligations under its operating licence; and whether Thames Water's performance meets any threshold for intervention under the Special Administration Regime (SAR).
Special administration is the ultimate enforcement tool in Ofwat’s regulatory toolkit, and as such the bar is set high. In determining whether to apply to the court for a Special Administration Regime, the Secretary of State would have regard to all the relevant facts and matters pertaining at the time, acting in accordance with applicable statutory duties.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has assessed Thames Water’s current financial position against the statutory criteria for applying to the High Court for a special administration order.
The law states that Special Administration can only be initiated if the company becomes insolvent or they are in such serious breach of their principal statutory duties or an enforcement order that it is inappropriate for the company to retain its licence. For a company to be considered insolvent means that it is either unable to or is likely to be unable to pay its debts. Thames Water has ongoing liquidity. We stand ready for all eventualities – including being ready to apply for a Special Administration Regime if necessary.
Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to ensure that (a) public, (b) environmental and (c) customer interests are prioritised in the special administration regime for utility providers.
The purposes of a Special Administration Regime are set out in legislation. In the event of a SAR, it is for the special administrator to manage the affairs of the company so that the company continues to carry out its statutory duties pending rescue (via e.g. debt restructuring) or transfer (via a sale) to new owners. The Government will always act in the national interest.
Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Ofwat on Thames Water’s compliance with its (a) environmental and (b) financial obligations under its (i) Infrastructure provider project, (ii) water supply and (iii) sewerage licence.
The Secretary of State meets regularly with stakeholders including Ofwat to discuss a range of issues.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will publish guidance on how (a) environmental performance, (b) repeated regulatory breaches and (c) other non-financial factors will be considered when determining to apply to the High Court for a water company special administration order.
The law states that Special Administration can only be initiated if the company becomes insolvent or they are in such serious breach of their principal statutory duties or an enforcement order that it is inappropriate for the company to retain its licence. In determining whether to apply to the court for a Special Administration Regime, the Secretary of State would have regard to all the relevant facts and matters pertaining at the time, acting in accordance with applicable statutory duties.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of publishing the (a) criteria, (b) thresholds and (c) circumstances for making an application to the High Court for a water industry special administration order.
The law states that Special Administration can only be initiated if the company becomes insolvent or they are in such serious breach of their principal statutory duties or an enforcement order that it is inappropriate for the company to retain its licence. In determining whether to apply to the court for a Special Administration Regime, the Secretary of State would have regard to all the relevant facts and matters pertaining at the time, acting in accordance with applicable statutory duties.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to consider the potential impact of trends in the number of small, local abattoirs on the operations of livestock farms as part of the Farming Profitability Review.
In conducting her review, Baroness Minette Batters is considering implications for all farming sectors (including livestock), regions, and the different stages of the food supply chain. Minette has written an open letter to farmers and growers to be collated by relevant sector and trade groups to consider three barriers to profitability and three corresponding solutions for returns by 11 July. She has ongoing engagement with livestock sector groups convened by the Department and relevant trade unions. We expect small abattoirs to be considered as part of this.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the number of abattoirs on (a) food security and (b) local food supply chains.
The Government recognises the importance of abattoirs to national food security, local supply chains and rural communities. We remain committed to maintaining a resilient and sustainable meat processing sector. While the sector has faced and continues to face a wide range of challenges in recent years, our national abattoir network remains resilient and continues to deliver high-quality meat products that are fundamental to feeding the nation and maintaining a strong export market. We continue to work closely with stakeholders across the sector in addressing both the challenges and opportunities they face.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the use of (a) mobile abattoirs and (b) farmer-assisted slaughter on (i) costs for livestock farmers and (ii) animal stress.
A mobile slaughter facility must be approved on the premises on which it is to operate. Currently there is one mobile abattoir in England and two Food Standards Agency (FSA) approved sites it can operate from. Mobile abattoirs may offer benefits in certain localised or remote settings and in reduced transport times for animals. There are operational and regulatory constraints, and throughput is low and as such their wider application across the industry is limited. Other than mobile slaughter facilities, the only forms of slaughter allowed on farm are emergency slaughter, which is strictly defined in the legislation, and slaughter by the animal’s owner for their own private domestic consumption. In both circumstances FSA have set out requirements on their website. No recent assessment of costs to farmers has been made for mobile or on farm slaughter.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of implementing a graduated regulatory system for smaller scale abattoirs operating within smaller distribution areas on (a) movement of and (b) stress to livestock.
The Government recognises the vital role smaller abattoirs play in supporting a resilient food supply chain and reducing journey times for livestock, which minimises the risk of welfare issues arising during transport. However, to date there has been no formal assessment of the potential impact of implementing a graduated regulatory system for smaller-scale abattoirs operating within smaller distribution areas. Defra remains committed to working with industry and the Food Standards Agency to explore how the current regulatory framework can better support smaller operators while maintaining high standards of food safety and animal welfare. Ongoing efforts, such as reviewing Official Veterinarian attendance requirements and introducing exception reporting to reduce administrative burdens, reflect this commitment.