Written questions by McMurdock.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled UK leads global efforts to help communities save the ocean and beat poverty, published on 26 January 2026, whether her Department has agreed outcomes with Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature Grants Programme recipients.

All recipients of Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature Grants must agree outcomes and monitor and report on progress towards them throughout the grant lifecycle. During the application phase, proposed outcomes and the indicators used to measure progress are agreed. These are assessed by an external Expert Committee, which also considers any potential adverse environmental impacts and their corresponding risk mitigations.An independent evaluation is planned for the programme and will provide further evidence on progress towards agreed outcomes and impact. This process will form the basis for assessing the environmental impact of projects, including the solar‑powered recycling hubs funded under the programme.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of peat extraction on (a) endangered (i) plants, (ii) invertebrates and (iii) and bird species and (b) other peatland-dependent species.

Defra keeps the impacts of peat extraction for horticulture under review as part of its peatland evidence programme. Peat extraction in England is estimated to take place over approximately 384 hectares, with associated greenhouse gas emissions estimated to be less than 0.05 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, based on 2023 data. This figure may be an overestimate due to the potential misclassification of some historic extraction sites. The department recognises that continued peat extraction can damage peatland habitats and disrupt hydrology, with impacts on biodiversity, water quality and flood regulation, and can adversely affect peatland‑dependent species, including endangered plants, invertebrates and bird species, primarily through habitat loss and drying of peat soils. Ending harmful peat extraction, alongside the planned peat restoration programme, contributes to the peatland targets set out in the latest revision of the Environmental Improvement Plan.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Government unveils biggest overhaul to water in a generation, published on 19 January 2026, how her Department plans to monitor and report progress on private sector investment over the next five years.

Before 2029, the water industry will deliver a water infrastructure upgrade programme worth £104 billion. Upgrades will include 10 million new smart meters, progressing 9 new reservoirs, and delivering 3,000 storm overflow projects. This will require the highest level of private sector investment in the water sector since privatisation. The investment programme will drive economic growth, create jobs, and enable thousands of new homes. Ofwat, the independent economic regulator, monitors and reports on water company spending and financing through its annual performance report and its monitoring and financial resilience report. These documents are publicly available. The Government has set out its new vision for water through a White Paper published on 20 January 2026. The White Paper sets out once in a generation reforms that will transform the water system for good, with a renewed focus on securing a fair deal for customers, investors, and the environment, to rebuild trust and secure a water system that works for everyone.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Government unveils biggest overhaul to water in a generation, published on 19 January 2026, what powers the new Water Ombudsman will have to require compensation payments to customers following service failures.

All customers of water and sewerage companies are entitled to guaranteed minimum standards of service, as set out by Government. These rights are known as the Guaranteed Standards Scheme (GSS). Where a company fails to meet any of the standards, it is already required to make a specified payment to the affected household or business customer. However, to rebuild consumer trust in the sector, it is vital customers have assurance their complaints will be resolved. We will establish an independent, impartial and accredited Ombudsman which is approved and overseen by the regulator, in line with approaches used in other sectors. This will guarantee protections for customers by ensuring they can access legally binding resolutions when a water company has failed to resolve a customer complaint. Government has committed to publish a Transition Plan this year to lead the water sector through transformative reforms such as the new Water Ombudsman.

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 proportion of households experiencing water disruption each year which will be resolved as a result of her Water White Paper, once implemented.

The Government’s New Vision for Water sets out our plans to being forward measures specifically designed to improve the resilience of our water infrastructure and minimise disruption for customers. This includes providing the new, integrated water regulator with powers to conduct ‘no-notice’ inspections to bolster enforcement of the Security and Emergency Measures Direction which requires water companies to be prepared to respond to disruption to water supplies in the first place. In addition, a new Chief Engineer will be embedded in the new regulator to oversee company behaviour, and guide companies to focus on fixing crumbling pipes and treatment works, as part of stronger, prevention-first measures to mitigate future disruption. Where disruption occurs, the Government has already taken action to update the Guaranteed Standards Scheme, doubling – or more than doubling – compensation levels and adding new standards, to hold companies to account and stand up for customers.

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, when she anticipates the new Water Ombudsman will become operational.

To rebuild consumer trust in the water sector, it is vital customers have assurance their complaints will be resolved. The Government will therefore establish an independent, impartial and accredited Ombudsman which is approved and overseen by the regulator, in line with approaches used in other sectors. We will establish the Ombudsman at the earliest opportunity. The Government will publish a Transition Plan later this year, setting out a roadmap to guide the sector from today’s system to the future model.

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, 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, 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 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, 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 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, 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, 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, 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, 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