Written questions by Farron.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress her Department has made on establishing a new integrated water industry regulator.

Alongside the recommendations which the Government responded to on 21 July, the Commission examined many other areas within its remit, to ensure that water sector regulation delivers for environmental, public health, customer and economic outcomes. This is reflected in the recommendations in Sir Jon’s final report, including recommendations intended to create a single powerful regulator to help provide the clarity and stability investors need to bring forward billions of pounds of funding, driving jobs, skills and growth across the country.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the report entitled Independent Water Commission: review of the water sector, updated on 29 July 2025, whether she plans to revise the legal framework for the Strategic Policy Statement and replace this with a new Ministerial Statement of Water Industry Priorities.

The Government will respond to the recommendations published in the final report of the Independent Water Commission through a White Paper and a new water reform bill, including reforms to the Strategic Policy Statement. We will bring forward root and branch reform to secure better outcomes for customers, investors and the environment and restore trust and accountability. Together with the building blocks the Government has already put in place, this will mark the most fundamental reset to our water system in a generation.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the report entitled Independent Water Commission: review of the water sector, updated on 29 July 2025, whether she plans to provide a regulatory framework to drive the adoption of water re-use infrastructure in the (a) household and (b) non-household markets.

The Secretary of State will respond to recommendations in the Independent Water Commission in the upcoming White Paper publication. A consultation launched on 23 September 2025 proposes tightening Building Regulations that could see new homes fitted with Water Saving features, such as aerated taps and showerheads, and dual flush toilets. Strengthened Water Efficiency Standards through updated Building Regulations will boost housebuilding and keep more money in families’ pockets. Updated standards will bolster drought resilience and unblock developments in water scarce areas. Future innovations such as using harvested rainwater to flush toilets are also being considered in a call for evidence running alongside the consultation.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the report entitled Independent Water Commission: review of the water sector, updated on 29 July 2025, whether she plans to ensure future water monitoring programmes are (a) reviewed and (b) resourced to reflect the state of the environment.

The Government will respond to the recommendations in full via a White Paper, published later this year. The White Paper will outline the Government’s vision for the future of the water sector, marking the most fundamental reset to our water system in a generation. Following this, we plan to introduce a new water reform bill, bringing forward root and branch reform to secure better outcomes for customers, investors, and the environment.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the report entitled Independent Water Commission: review of the water sector, updated on 29 July 2025, whether she plans to strengthen the requirements on companies to (a) map and (b) assess the health of their assets.

The Government is preparing to respond to the recommendations of the Independent Water Commission, including on the extent and enforcement of current water industry mapping requirements and condition assessments. Reforms outlined in this response will form the basis of a new water reform bill to be introduced early in this Parliament.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress her Department has made on publishing a national water strategy.

The Independent Water Commission, tasked by the Government to produce recommendations to transform how our water system works, delivered its final report on 21 July 2025. The Government will respond to the recommendations in full, including on the recommendation to publish a national water strategy, via a White Paper. The White Paper will outline the Government’s vision for the future of the water sector, marking the most fundamental reset to our water system in a generation. Following this, we plan to introduce a new water reform bill, bringing forward root and branch reform to secure better outcomes for customers, investors, and the environment.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the report entitled Independent Water Commission: review of the water sector, updated on 29 July 2025, what progress her Department has made on responding to the recommendations in that report.

The Government has already responded to a number of Sir Jon’s recommendations, as set out in the statement made by the previous Secretary of State on 21 July.  This set out the Government’s intention to establish a single regulator for water, to include a regional element within the new regulator, to establish a new statutory water ombudsman, to end operator self-monitoring and transition to Open Monitoring, and to issue an interim Strategic Policy Statement to Ofwat and give Ministerial directions to the Environment Agency, setting out our expectations and requirements. The Government will respond to the recommendations in full via a White Paper, published later this year. The White Paper will outline the Government’s vision for the future of the water sector, marking the most fundamental reset to our water system in a generation. Following this, we plan to introduce a new water reform bill, bringing forward root and branch reform to secure better outcomes for customers, investors, and the environment.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the report entitled Independent Water Commission: review of the water sector, updated on 29 July 2025, whether she plans to consult on the introduction of a national social tariff.

The Government is considering the Independent Water Commission’s recommendation to consult on a National Social Tariff and will respond later this year. Through the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, it has expanded powers to create improved affordability support schemes, helping water companies better identify and assist eligible customers. However, due to the complexities involved and the need for consultation and Parliamentary approval, no specific policies or timelines can yet be confirmed. In the meantime, the Government expects the water industry to continue reviewing existing support schemes to protect vulnerable customers.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress her Department has made on abolishing Ofwat.

Alongside the recommendations which the Government responded to on 21 July, the Commission examined many other areas within its remit, to ensure that water sector regulation delivers for environmental, public health, customer and economic outcomes. This is reflected in the recommendations in Sir Jon’s final report, including recommendations intended to create a single powerful regulator to help provide the clarity and stability investors need to bring forward billions of pounds of funding, driving jobs, skills and growth across the country.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the report entitled Independent Water Commission: review of the water sector, updated on 29 July 2025, whether she plans to introduce a comprehensive systems planning framework with responsibility for (a) integrated and (b) holistic water system planning.

The Government will respond to the recommendations published in the final report of the Independent Water Commission through a White Paper. We will bring forward root and branch reform to secure better outcomes for customers, investors and the environment and restore trust and accountability. Together with the building blocks the Government has already put in place, this will mark the most fundamental reset to our water system in a generation. The Government's day-one response committed to a regional approach to water system planning, including a catchment-based model to strengthen local involvement and tackle all sources of water pollution more effectively.

Food and Rural Affairs, what data his Department holds on whether any areas of Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency exceeded the nitrogen dioxide annual mean limit in 2023.

No exceedances of the annual mean limit value for nitrogen dioxide were reported in 2023 in the Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency from data held by the Department.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the localised hotspots in the reporting zones of (a) Greater London, (b) Nottingham, (c) Reading/Wokingham, (d) Coventry/Bedworth, (e) Eastern, (f) Greater Manchester, (g) Portsmouth, (h) South East, (i) Liverpool, (j) West Yorkshire, (k) Bristol, (l) Sheffield, (m) The Potteries, (n) West Midlands and (o) Tyneside which are not complying with the nitrogen dioxide annual mean limit value beyond 2023 in each calendar year until full compliance is achieved.

The localised hotspots identified through Defra’s national modelling and monitoring networks are published annually as part of the national compliance assessment under the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010.

Food and Rural Affairs, which localised hotspots in the reporting zones of (a) Greater London, (b) Nottingham, (c) Reading/Wokingham, (d) Coventry/Bedworth, (e) Eastern, (f) Greater Manchester, (g) Portsmouth, (h) South East, (i) Liverpool, (j) West Yorkshire, (k) Bristol, (l) Sheffield, (m) The Potteries, (n) West Midlands and (o) Tyneside are delaying compliance with the nitrogen dioxide annual mean limit value beyond 2023 in each calendar year until full compliance is achieved.

Predicting when locations will comply with the annual mean limit value for nitrogen dioxide is inherently uncertain.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department publishes information on the (a) Joint Air Quality Unit, (b) nitrogen dioxide programme and (c) nitrogen dioxide programme’s Central Evaluation.

The Joint Air Quality Unit has been established to deliver the actions set out in the published Air quality plan for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in UK (2017) and the Supplement to the UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations (2018). The Clean Air Zone Framework sets out the principles for the operation of clean air zones in England, one of the air quality measures used in seven local authorities. These publications set out how local authorities with the worst air pollution concentrations must take robust action to improve air quality. The NO2 programme’s accounting officer assessment is also published and shows assessments of regularity, propriety, value for money, feasibility and affordability. The Evaluation of Local NO2 Plans is publicly available on the DEFRA website at the following link: Evaluation of Local NO2 Plans - AQ0851 (defra.gov.uk).

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Questions 45557, 45558 and 45559 on Nitrogen Dioxide: Pollution Control, whether Stoke on Trent is the only (a) city and (b) town in The Potteries reporting zone delaying compliance until 2032.

Stoke on Trent is the only city in the Potteries delaying compliance with the NO2 limit value.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department will comply with the National Emission Ceiling Regulations emission reduction commitments for (a) NH3, (b) NOx, (c) SO2, (d) NMVOCs and (e) PM2.5 in each year until 2030.

The UK is projected to meet the emission reduction commitments for NH3, NOx, SO2, NMVOCs and PM2.5 for each year to 2029 and to meet tighter commitments for 2030 and beyond for NOx, SO2, NMVOCs and PM2.5. Projections published in March 2025 show a risk to the 2030 target for NH3. UK Governments are considering further policies and measures to tackle NH3 emissions that will help to reduce that risk.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 45552 on Nitrogen Dioxide: Pollution Control, whether he has had discussions with the Office for Environmental Protection on exceedances of nitrogen dioxide limit values.

Defra has regular discussions with the Office for Environmental Protection on a range of issues.

Food and Rural Affairs, which (a) local authorities and (b) metro mayors have published local plans to achieve compliance with legal limits for nitrogen dioxide.

Responsibility for developing plans to address nitrogen dioxide exceedances rests with local authorities, rather than metro mayors. We have agreed plans with the following local authorities: Basingstoke and Deane Borough CouncilBasildon Borough Council, Essex County Council and Rochford District Council (joint plan)Bath and North East Somerset CouncilBirmingham City CouncilBlackwater Valley (joint plan by Surrey Heath Borough Council, Guildford Borough Council, Rushmoor District Council and Hampshire County Council)Bolsover District CouncilBradford Metropolitan District CouncilBristol City CouncilBroxbourne Borough CouncilCoventry City CouncilDerby City CouncilDudley Metropolitan Borough CouncilFareham Borough Council and Hampshire County Council (joint plan)Greater Manchester (joint plan by Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council, Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, Manchester City Council, Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, Rochdale Borough Council, Salford City Council, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, and Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council)Leeds City CouncilLeicester City CouncilLiverpool City CouncilNottingham City CouncilPortsmouth City CouncilReading Borough CouncilSandwell Metropolitan Borough CouncilSouthampton City CouncilSheffield City Council and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (joint plan)Solihull Metropolitan Borough CouncilTyneside (joint plan by Newcastle City Council, South Tyneside Council and Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council)City of Wolverhampton Council

Food and Rural Affairs, which (a) local authorities and (b) metro mayors have not published local plans to achieve compliance with legal limits for nitrogen dioxide.

Responsibility for developing plans to address nitrogen dioxide exceedances rests with local authorities, rather than metro mayors. We have agreed plans with the following local authorities: Basingstoke and Deane Borough CouncilBasildon Borough Council, Essex County Council and Rochford District Council (joint plan)Bath and North East Somerset CouncilBirmingham City CouncilBlackwater Valley (joint plan by Surrey Heath Borough Council, Guildford Borough Council, Rushmoor District Council and Hampshire County Council)Bolsover District CouncilBradford Metropolitan District CouncilBristol City CouncilBroxbourne Borough CouncilCoventry City CouncilDerby City CouncilDudley Metropolitan Borough CouncilFareham Borough Council and Hampshire County Council (joint plan)Greater Manchester (joint plan by Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council, Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, Manchester City Council, Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, Rochdale Borough Council, Salford City Council, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, and Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council)Leeds City CouncilLeicester City CouncilLiverpool City CouncilNottingham City CouncilPortsmouth City CouncilReading Borough CouncilSandwell Metropolitan Borough CouncilSouthampton City CouncilSheffield City Council and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (joint plan)Solihull Metropolitan Borough CouncilTyneside (joint plan by Newcastle City Council, South Tyneside Council and Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council)City of Wolverhampton Council

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April to Question 45559 on Nitrogen Dioxide: Pollution Control, which localised hotspot in the Greater Manchester Urban Area reporting zone is delaying compliance until 2026.

The Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan is currently being implemented. Greater Manchester’s modelling identifies localised hotspots in 2026 at A34 Bridge St, A34 Quay St, A664 Shudehill, Lever St in Manchester and A49 Chapel Lane and King St West in Wigan. These sites are expected to become compliant in 2026 once measures are implemented.