Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Acknowledged
We welcome the scale of engagement carried out in developing the Fund and note clear...
Recommendation
We welcome the scale of engagement carried out in developing the Fund and note clear evidence that stakeholder views have informed its early design, such as the introduction of competitive rounds in the first year of the fund. However, there were significant gaps in representation that must be addressed in future engagement exercises. (Conclusion, Paragraph 16)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government acknowledges the importance of engagement, stating the Fund's design continues to be informed by sustained engagement with the sector and an Expert Advisory Group. It indicates that future plans are being developed based on this ongoing engagement but does not detail how specific gaps in representation will be addressed.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
The design of the Fund has been, and will continue to be, informed by evidence and engagement. The Government has drawn on lessons learned from independent evaluations of previous schemes, undertaken in line with Magenta Book guidance, including the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) and the UKSF. It will also be shaped by sustained engagement with the fishing sector in England and by careful consideration of stakeholder feedback. This will help ensure that investment is targeted where it can deliver the greatest value for the industry and that routes into funding are clearer and more effective for the sector. Details on the engagement undertaken for the Fund are located here, with a summary included in case study 1. We are currently developing future plans for the Fund based on engagement with the sector which started in autumn 2025. A broader range of spending options will be established, taking us beyond use of the FaSS. The Government is using engagement with key stakeholders, including the industry and the recently established Expert Advisory Group, to develop priorities for the Fund from year two onwards. The Group brings together interested stakeholders from across the sector, including representatives from the catching sector, environmental non-governmental organisations and universities, and held its first meeting in March 2026.
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