Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Acknowledged
Spatial squeeze poses significant and growing challenges, with an increasing number of sectors competing for...
Conclusion
Spatial squeeze poses significant and growing challenges, with an increasing number of sectors competing for limited marine space. Although initiatives such as the MSPri programme are intended to inform cross- departmental policy and planning, the absence of any reference to fishing or environmental protection in the North Sea Future Plan, despite its ambition to support a prosperous and sustainable future for the region, shows that this approach is failing. Confirmation that the MSPri programme was not used in the development of the Plan, despite being explicitly referenced within it, further undermines confidence in the purpose and effectiveness 30 of the programme. The MSPri programme is of little value if it is not used consistently, or at all, across departments when planning activity in the marine environment. (Conclusion, Paragraph 50)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government commits to finding appropriate ways to improve overall transparency for the MSPri programme but rejects the need for an addendum to the North Sea Future Plan, stating the NSFP already acknowledges MSPri's role in considering future demands on marine space.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
51. The Committee recommended greater transparency on the work of MSPri. The work of the MSPri Programme in the early days was focused on data, modelling scenarios, problem identification and potential responses and considerations. As is common during this phase of work, much of MSPri work was not publicly discussed to allow for policy debate and due to the sensitive nature of some of the data and scenarios. Where relevant and possible, the team did engage with stakeholders about the work of the Programme, particularly on the co-location work. Further detail on this is provided below. The fisheries sector was also engaged directly by the MMO in the early stages of developing data sets that could be used to map fishing activity. The latest MMO report is located here. 53. We understand the Committee’s ask for more transparency regarding MSPri and we are considering whether there is material that could be made public from our previous work, such as additional maps to that included in Annex I. We will also consider what can be made public in the future as the MSPri Programme continues to help ensure more strategic decisions about the sea are used. While a commitment to regular reporting is not possible at this time, because of the evolving nature of the programme, we are happy to commit to finding appropriate ways of improving overall transparency. 61. Regarding the Committee’s recommendation on the North Sea Future Plan, Defra and DESNZ do not believe an addendum is necessary. The North Sea Future Plan sets the Government’s vision for the North Sea, to foster an internationally-leading offshore clean energy industry, which ensures good, long-term jobs, growth and investment in communities. This will be in tandem with a sustainable transition in oil and gas, boosting the country’s economy and energy security, in line with climate obligations. 62. As this vision is implemented, the Plan acknowledges the role the MSPri Programme has in England in considering all future demands on the marine space. It also sets out how the Government is taking a more strategic approach to spatial planning through the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP).
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