Written questions by Morello.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of sewage discharges at (a) Charmouth West Stream and (b) Lyme Regis Church Cliff beach on (i) public health (ii) local businesses and (iii) marine ecology.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. It is the responsibility of water companies to invest in infrastructure and other improvements to reduce untreated wastewater pollution incidents. The Price Review 24 programme, which runs from 2025-2030, will see Wessex Water investing £580 million to reduce the use of storm overflows. This investment includes the following actions to protect the River Lim and Church Cliff bathing water in Lyme Regis: Uplyme sewage treatment works and Gun Cliff sewage pumping station will be fitted with certified flow monitoring equipment,Improvements to Uplyme storm sewage tanks,Improvements to the Cobb sewage pumping station,Two combined sewage overflows (CSO) are to be investigated and assessed in relation to the possible impact on water quality,Five further CSOs to be improved to meet the bathing water standard of no more than 2 spills per bathing seasonAn investigation will be undertaken to confirm the benefits of these works for Church Cliff beach. There are no improvements identified in the Price Review 24 programme specifically for the West Stream in Charmouth. The Environment Agency (EA) is not currently pursuing any enforcement action in the Charmouth Lyme Regis area. However, water company assets in the Char and Lim catchments may be inspected as part of the EA’s new water industry regulation inspection programme. The EA will continue to monitor all this work to ensure the quality of the River Lim and Church Cliff beach further improves. Full details of the storm water overflows in the area are available here and information on Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach is available here.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to provide additional funding for local authorities to help tackle the impact of sewage pollution on (a) Charmouth West Stream and (b) Lyme Regis Church Cliff beach.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. It is the responsibility of water companies to invest in infrastructure and other improvements to reduce untreated wastewater pollution incidents. The Price Review 24 programme, which runs from 2025-2030, will see Wessex Water investing £580 million to reduce the use of storm overflows. This investment includes the following actions to protect the River Lim and Church Cliff bathing water in Lyme Regis: Uplyme sewage treatment works and Gun Cliff sewage pumping station will be fitted with certified flow monitoring equipment,Improvements to Uplyme storm sewage tanks,Improvements to the Cobb sewage pumping station,Two combined sewage overflows (CSO) are to be investigated and assessed in relation to the possible impact on water quality,Five further CSOs to be improved to meet the bathing water standard of no more than 2 spills per bathing seasonAn investigation will be undertaken to confirm the benefits of these works for Church Cliff beach. There are no improvements identified in the Price Review 24 programme specifically for the West Stream in Charmouth. The Environment Agency (EA) is not currently pursuing any enforcement action in the Charmouth Lyme Regis area. However, water company assets in the Char and Lim catchments may be inspected as part of the EA’s new water industry regulation inspection programme. The EA will continue to monitor all this work to ensure the quality of the River Lim and Church Cliff beach further improves. Full details of the storm water overflows in the area are available here and information on Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach is available here.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the impact of combined sewer overflows on water quality at (a) Charmouth West Stream and (b) Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. It is the responsibility of water companies to invest in infrastructure and other improvements to reduce untreated wastewater pollution incidents. The Price Review 24 programme, which runs from 2025-2030, will see Wessex Water investing £580 million to reduce the use of storm overflows. This investment includes the following actions to protect the River Lim and Church Cliff bathing water in Lyme Regis: Uplyme sewage treatment works and Gun Cliff sewage pumping station will be fitted with certified flow monitoring equipment,Improvements to Uplyme storm sewage tanks,Improvements to the Cobb sewage pumping station,Two combined sewage overflows (CSO) are to be investigated and assessed in relation to the possible impact on water quality,Five further CSOs to be improved to meet the bathing water standard of no more than 2 spills per bathing seasonAn investigation will be undertaken to confirm the benefits of these works for Church Cliff beach. There are no improvements identified in the Price Review 24 programme specifically for the West Stream in Charmouth. The Environment Agency (EA) is not currently pursuing any enforcement action in the Charmouth Lyme Regis area. However, water company assets in the Char and Lim catchments may be inspected as part of the EA’s new water industry regulation inspection programme. The EA will continue to monitor all this work to ensure the quality of the River Lim and Church Cliff beach further improves. Full details of the storm water overflows in the area are available here and information on Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach is available here.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of limiting protections within designated (a) Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and (b) National Parks on the tourism sector.

This Government is committed to retaining the existing protections in national planning policy for National Parks, National Landscapes and The Broads (Protected Landscapes). We have committed to supporting our Protected Landscapes to become greener, wilder and more accessible for all. In delivering on this commitment we will consider impacts on all sectors, including tourism, businesses and communities.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of sewage discharges from combined sewer overflows at (a) Charmouth West Stream and (b) Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach in the last 12 months.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. It is the responsibility of water companies to invest in infrastructure and other improvements to reduce untreated wastewater pollution incidents. The Price Review 24 programme, which runs from 2025-2030, will see Wessex Water investing £580 million to reduce the use of storm overflows. This investment includes the following actions to protect the River Lim and Church Cliff bathing water in Lyme Regis: Uplyme sewage treatment works and Gun Cliff sewage pumping station will be fitted with certified flow monitoring equipment,Improvements to Uplyme storm sewage tanks,Improvements to the Cobb sewage pumping station,Two combined sewage overflows (CSO) are to be investigated and assessed in relation to the possible impact on water quality,Five further CSOs to be improved to meet the bathing water standard of no more than 2 spills per bathing seasonAn investigation will be undertaken to confirm the benefits of these works for Church Cliff beach. There are no improvements identified in the Price Review 24 programme specifically for the West Stream in Charmouth. The Environment Agency (EA) is not currently pursuing any enforcement action in the Charmouth Lyme Regis area. However, water company assets in the Char and Lim catchments may be inspected as part of the EA’s new water industry regulation inspection programme. The EA will continue to monitor all this work to ensure the quality of the River Lim and Church Cliff beach further improves. Full details of the storm water overflows in the area are available here and information on Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach is available here.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with Wessex Water on improving sewage infrastructure to prevent discharges at (a) Charmouth West Stream and (b) Lyme Regis Church Cliff beach.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. It is the responsibility of water companies to invest in infrastructure and other improvements to reduce untreated wastewater pollution incidents. The Price Review 24 programme, which runs from 2025-2030, will see Wessex Water investing £580 million to reduce the use of storm overflows. This investment includes the following actions to protect the River Lim and Church Cliff bathing water in Lyme Regis: Uplyme sewage treatment works and Gun Cliff sewage pumping station will be fitted with certified flow monitoring equipment,Improvements to Uplyme storm sewage tanks,Improvements to the Cobb sewage pumping station,Two combined sewage overflows (CSO) are to be investigated and assessed in relation to the possible impact on water quality,Five further CSOs to be improved to meet the bathing water standard of no more than 2 spills per bathing seasonAn investigation will be undertaken to confirm the benefits of these works for Church Cliff beach. There are no improvements identified in the Price Review 24 programme specifically for the West Stream in Charmouth. The Environment Agency (EA) is not currently pursuing any enforcement action in the Charmouth Lyme Regis area. However, water company assets in the Char and Lim catchments may be inspected as part of the EA’s new water industry regulation inspection programme. The EA will continue to monitor all this work to ensure the quality of the River Lim and Church Cliff beach further improves. Full details of the storm water overflows in the area are available here and information on Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach is available here.

What her Department's policy is on requiring technology companies to implement backdoors into encrypted services.

I refer the Hon. Member to the response given to UIN 33378 answered on 3rd March 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has issued recent enforcement actions against water companies for sewage discharges at (a)Charmouth West Stream and (b) Lyme Regis Church Cliff beach.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. It is the responsibility of water companies to invest in infrastructure and other improvements to reduce untreated wastewater pollution incidents. The Price Review 24 programme, which runs from 2025-2030, will see Wessex Water investing £580 million to reduce the use of storm overflows. This investment includes the following actions to protect the River Lim and Church Cliff bathing water in Lyme Regis: Uplyme sewage treatment works and Gun Cliff sewage pumping station will be fitted with certified flow monitoring equipment,Improvements to Uplyme storm sewage tanks,Improvements to the Cobb sewage pumping station,Two combined sewage overflows (CSO) are to be investigated and assessed in relation to the possible impact on water quality,Five further CSOs to be improved to meet the bathing water standard of no more than 2 spills per bathing seasonAn investigation will be undertaken to confirm the benefits of these works for Church Cliff beach. There are no improvements identified in the Price Review 24 programme specifically for the West Stream in Charmouth. The Environment Agency (EA) is not currently pursuing any enforcement action in the Charmouth Lyme Regis area. However, water company assets in the Char and Lim catchments may be inspected as part of the EA’s new water industry regulation inspection programme. The EA will continue to monitor all this work to ensure the quality of the River Lim and Church Cliff beach further improves. Full details of the storm water overflows in the area are available here and information on Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach is available here.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential risks to UK users of Apple's removal of its advanced data protection feature.

I refer the Hon. Member to the response given to UIN 33378 answered on 3rd March 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has had discussions with the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization on measures to protect Atlantic salmon from industrial by-catch in the North Norwegian Sea.

Defra is working with the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) to better understand the risk of salmon bycatch in commercial pelagic fisheries, including the North Norwegian Sea.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with Natural England on a restoration policy for Atlantic salmon populations in chalk streams designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Defra has not discussed a restoration policy for salmon in chalk streams that are Sites of Special Scientific Interest with Natural England.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will take steps to ensure that (a) the River Frome and (b) other chalk streams outside of designated protected landscapes receive equal consideration for (i) conservation and (ii) restoration.

This Government is committed to the restoration of our cherished chalk streams. With 85% of the world’s chalk streams found in the UK, these unique water bodies are not just vital ecosystems but a symbol of our national heritage. The Government is committed to restoring our rivers, lakes and seas, including chalk streams. This is why on 23 October 2024 the UK and Welsh Governments launched an independent commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe and supported by expert advisors, to recommend reforms to reset the water sector regulatory system. The commission aims to build consensus for a resilient and innovative water sector and a robust wider regulatory framework that will deliver long-term benefits to ultimately serve both customers and the environment. The main pressures on the Dorset Frome are point-source and diffuse pollution, historic land use and water management changes such as weirs and channel straightening, and water resources balance. The Environment Agency is working with partners in the Frome Headwaters catchment this year to further understand and address some of these issues with a focus on reducing fine sediment input and improving habitat.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help improve survival rates of juvenile Atlantic salmon migrating through Poole Harbour from the Rivers (a) Frome and (b) Piddle.

Both Natural England and the Environment Agency are working with the Frome and Piddle Association on potential opportunities regarding salmon stocks.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to review the regulatory framework governing Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority to improve protections for Atlantic salmon entering Poole Harbour.

Defra is not planning to review the regulatory framework for Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs). IFCAs already have a duty to manage inshore fisheries sustainably, balancing socioeconomic factors with protecting the marine environment, including Atlantic salmon. Southern IFCA have published a Salmonid Good Handling Code of Practice and introduced a Net Fishing Byelaw in 2023, both of which help to protect salmon in Poole Harbour.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to implement the measures announced in the press release entitled Changes announced to better protect England’s chalk streams, published on 21 September 2023.

On 21 September 2023, the Government brought forward an amendment to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, now Act, to add chalk streams to the definitions of 'environmental protection' and 'natural environment', so that they can be considered when setting the outcomes for a future system of environmental assessment. The Government is committed to securing better environmental outcomes alongside securing the development we need and is considering how best to reform environmental assessment processes with this objective in mind. This includes whether to take forward the powers in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act to introduce Environmental Outcomes Reports We continue to direct investments to projects that will improve chalk streams. In 2024/2025, there are over 45 chalk stream projects receiving funding from the government's Water Environment Improvement Fund, each leveraging private investment, alongside that we are investing in catchment level initiatives through the Water Environment Improvement Fund where the Government is funding 45 projects (worth £2.5m of government investment) this financial year (2024/25) that improve chalk streams, each with the injection of private investment.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of providing funding for the A35 Sea Road South scheme in 2025-26.

National Highways has entered an interim settlement year to allow time for ministers to pause and consider Strategic Road Network priorities and capital spend. It has received an allocation of Customer and Communities funding for this interim settlement and prioritised schemes nationally against this allocation. While the A35 Sea Road South scheme did not score highly enough within the prioritisation process to receive this funding, money has been allocated to a scheme which addresses road safety on this route.

What criteria her Department uses to determine the level of prioritisation of road improvement schemes.

The Department has responsibility for prioritisation of investment in enhancement on the strategic road network and considers a balance of funding, economic, and strategic factors. These are principally considered through a proposed scheme’s value for money assessment, affordability, deliverability, and alignment to wider government objectives and plans. Prioritisation decisions for local roads are a matter for the relevant local highway authority.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the (a) condition and (b) traffic capacity of the A35 Sea Road South.

This Government recognises that maintaining the condition of the country’s roads is essential to ensure people can travel safely and effectively. The condition of the A35 is regularly inspected and any identified maintenance defects are addressed accordingly in line with their severity. Traffic capacity and congestion along the route is monitored regionally by National Highways and fed into a prioritisation process as appropriate.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that road infrastructure works on the A35 Sea Road South are not indefinitely delayed due to funding constraints.

Improvements across the strategic road network are evidence led, and National Highways will continue to use a prioritisation matrix to ensure that schemes are progressed in line with the associated need across the network. As such the proposed safety improvements running between Charmouth and Yellowham, inclusive of Sea Road South, have been allocated funding for 2025/26.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the level of funding allocated to the A35 Sea Road South scheme on (a) road safety and (b) local transport infrastructure in West Dorset constituency.

The safety of our roads is an absolute priority for this Government, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The A35 Sea Road South improvement scheme is assessed, like any other Customer and Communities designated funds scheme. National Highways have developed a safety study running throughout Dorset. Working with partners such as the police they have assessed the safety need along the route and allocated funding in 2025/26 to a scheme to make the route safer and more intuitive for road users.