Written questions by McMurdock.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled Government unveils biggest overhaul to water in a generation, published on 19 January 2026, what improvements to water infrastructure will be made in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency as a result of her Water White Paper.

The Government’s New Vision for Water sets out measures to bring forward a shift towards proactive maintenance of water company assets, and tougher oversight and stronger accountability for water companies to deliver. This includes providing the new, integrated water regulator with a new Chief Engineer and dedicated supervisory teams for each water company, which will guide companies to focus on fixing crumbling pipes and treatment works and increase grip over water company delivery. There are several improvements planned for water infrastructure in the Basildon and Thurrock areas, as part of £104 billion of investment across the country to fund essential infrastructure over five years. Further information on Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) actions for water companies to deliver within the 2025-2030 period is available for the public here: Price Review 2024 Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) App. This can be filtered to show the Basildon and Thurrock areas.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled ‘Government unveils biggest overhaul to water in a generation’ published on 19 January 2026, what estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of her Water White Paper on household bills once implemented.

Managing cost of living pressures is a priority. These reforms build on safeguards for households, including by strengthening the Guaranteed Standards Scheme and reforming the WaterSure support scheme. Affordability must be at the core of any future investment plans. The Government will be doing an impact assessment for the water reform bill which will cover the costs and benefits of reforms.The reforms are ultimately designed to support growth, reduce bill volatility, and keep costs fair for customers in the long-term.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled ‘Government unveils biggest overhaul to water in a generation’ published on 19 January 2026, whether the roll-out of smart meters will remain voluntary for homeowners.

Under the Water Industry Act 1991 and the Water Industry (Prescribed Conditions) Regulations 1999, water companies do not have to ask customers before they install a water smart meter, but can only bill the customer (compulsory metering) where specific conditions are met. These conditions include where the property is in an area designated as under serious water stress, or where specific conditions are met, such as a change of occupier, a new property, or a swimming pool on premise. Any water company using these powers must show this approach represents value for money and has customer support in their Water Resource Management Plan consultations.Moving to a metered supply can deliver water-use reductions of up to 17%. Improving water efficiency offers a win-win by reducing bills, supporting sustainable water supplies, and protecting the environment. Government's commitment to fairer bills and better data for customers in our White Paper seeks to maximise the benefits of this reduction in water usage for customers.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to ensure that animal rescue and rehoming centres are subject to the same licensing requirements as other animal-related establishments.

As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, Defra will launch a consultation on licensing domestic rescue and rehoming organisations.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure consistent animal welfare standards in animal rescue and rehoming centres.

As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, Defra will launch a consultation on licensing domestic rescue and rehoming organisations.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of large‑scale habitat restoration funded through the Nature Restoration Fund on the economy.

Large-scale habitat restoration has the potential to deliver significant economic benefits alongside environmental gains. Evidence from similar programmes suggests the following could be realised: Job creation: Habitat restoration projects generate skilled employment in land management, and ecological services. Natural capital uplift: Improved ecosystems enhance flood resilience, water quality, and carbon sequestration, reducing long-term public costs. Local and National growth: Investment will attract jobs, supporting local businesses and supply chains. Further detail can be found within the published Impact Assessment.

Food and Rural Affairs, how communities will be consulted on the design and delivery of conservation measures funded through the Nature Restoration Fund.

We are committed to working with stakeholders both throughout the development of Environmental Delivery Plans, including working closely with local planners, reviewing relevant local plans and strategies, and engaging local communities. All Environmental Delivery Plans will be subject to a minimum 28 working-day public consultation, giving stakeholders and the local community an opportunity to comment. This ensures Environmental Delivery Plans are informed by local context and priorities whilst maintaining consistency with national standards.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Environmental Delivery Plans on public access to green space in Basildon and Thurrock.

Public access to green space is not the primary policy objective of the Nature Restoration Fund, however Natural England will seek to increase public access to nature in support of both the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) and their recently published strategy for recovering nature for growth, health and security: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-englands-strategy-recovering-nature-for-growth-health-and-security.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps Natural England will take through the Nature Restoration Fund to help tackle nutrient pollution impacting housing delivery.

This Government made a commitment that it would implement solutions to unblock the building of homes affected by nutrient neutrality without weakening environmental protections. The first Environmental Delivery Plans will cover developers’ obligations related to nutrient pollution mitigation, supporting both housing delivery and nature recovery. This will allow housing to be delivered quicker in the areas covered by these Environmental Delivery Plans, since the impact of nutrient pollution by development will be addressed strategically by Natural England, rather than requiring site-by-site mitigation strategies.

Food and Rural Affairs, in what circumstances Natural England may propose that an Environmental Delivery Plan be made mandatory.

The majority of Environmental Delivery Plans are expected to be voluntary. In exceptional circumstances it is possible for Environmental Delivery Plans to be mandatory if it is recommended by Natural England and the Secretary of State agrees that this is necessary. Further detail on the circumstances in which Natural England may propose mandatory Environmental Delivery Plans will be set out in guidance.

Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will publish annual progress reports on environmental improvements delivered through the Nature Restoration Fund.

Natural England is required to publish organisational annual reports, which will provide a high-level view of Nature Restoration Fund progress, including the amount of money received and spent under each Environmental Delivery Plan. These will be accompanied by Environmental Delivery Plan-specific reports published at the mid-point and end-point of an Environmental Delivery Plan. These will show the delivery of conservation measures and whether they are on track to achieve the desired positive environmental outcomes

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of small and medium-seized developers assisting with the delivery of Environmental Delivery Plans.

Private and third sector providers, including small businesses and landowners, will play an essential role in delivering conservation measures under Environmental Delivery Plans through fair and open tendering processes.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the amount of developer contributions to be paid into the Nature Restoration Fund in each of the next five years.

The Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) will be financed through a developer levy. As set out in our NRF Implementation Plan, the first Environmental Delivery Plans will cover developers’ obligations related to nutrient pollution mitigation. The overall level and profile of receipts will depend on the timing and scale of developments coming forward under each individual Environmental Delivery Plan.

Food and Rural Affairs, what criteria will be used to assess whether Environmental Delivery Plans meets the Overall Improvement Test.

The Overall Improvement Test requires the Secretary of State to consider whether, by the end date of an Environmental Delivery Plan, the positive effect of all the conservation measures set out in the Environmental Delivery Plan will materially outweigh the negative effect on the environmental feature of all the development that it enables. This is a determination that will be informed by the best available scientific evidence.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to monitor and evaluate whether conservation measures delivered through the Nature Restoration Fund materially outweigh the environmental impacts of development.

Throughout an Environmental Delivery Plan’s (EDP) duration, monitoring will play a critical role in providing the scientific evidence and confidence that conservation measures are achieving the desired effect. Natural England are required to publish reports covering an EDP’s start date to its mid-point, and its mid-point to end date. Natural England may also choose to publish a report at any other time. These reporting requirements will provide transparency around the environmental improvements that each EDP has delivered and whether it is having the required impact. Where monitoring shows these measures are insufficient, Natural England will ensure backup measures are deployed.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether developer contributions to the Nature Restoration Fund will be ring‑fenced for use within the geographic area covered by the relevant Environmental Delivery Plan.

Revenue paid into an Environmental Delivery Plan is subject to a statutory ringfence for use to implement that Environmental Delivery Plan and deliver appropriate conservation measures as outlined within that Environmental Delivery Plan. As set out in Section 77 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act, Natural England must spend funds on conservation measures that relate to the environmental feature in relation to which the levy is charged.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Nature Restoration Fund on the cost and viability of new housing developments.

The Nature Restoration Fund will accelerate the building of homes, while unlocking the positive impact development can have in driving the recovery of protected sites and species. Environmental Delivery Plans will offer a streamlined route to discharging environmental obligations that will benefit developers. An impact assessment of the Nature Restoration Fund covers these benefits in more detail and has been undertaken and is publicly available here. In setting the Nature Restoration Fund levy, Natural England are required to consider matters relating to economic viability, as specified in levy regulations.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the first tranche of Environmental Delivery Plans on nutrient pollution in rivers, lakes and estuaries.

The first tranche of Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) will cover nutrient pollution, delivering on this government's commitment to unblock homes affected by nutrient neutrality. While still under development, conservation measures within these EDPs will be designed to improve conditions at protected freshwater habitats and estuaries affected by excess nutrients. Under the requirements of the Overall Improvement Test, the nutrient pollution reductions or removals secured within each EDP must be greater than the additional pollution arising from development in scope of each EDP.

Food and Rural Affairs, what support will be provided to local authorities to engage with the development and implementation of Environmental Delivery Plans.

Defra and Natural England will provide comprehensive guidance on the Nature Restoration Fund for Local Planning Authorities. Natural England will also continue to work closely with Local Authorities throughout the development and implementation of Environmental Delivery Plans.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list the legislative loopholes relating to animal welfare that will be addressed in the Animal Welfare Strategy.

The Animal Welfare Strategy was published on 22 December and sets out our priorities for animal welfare, focusing on the changes and improvements we aim to achieve by 2030. The strategy identifies the need to address loopholes in current legislation allowing animals to be bred in and sourced from low welfare settings – such as puppy farms, unscrupulous traders, and unsuitable rescue and rehoming centres. We will continue to work in partnership with stakeholders to understand if new or emerging issues are identified.