Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
7th Report – Resetting the relationship with fishing communities
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 680
Published 24 April 2026
Government response
2nd Special Report - Resetting the relationship with fishing communities: Government Response · published 23 Jul 2026
Recommendations & Conclusions
1
Conclusion
Accepted
While we welcome the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, the government has not clearly set...
Conclusion
While we welcome the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, the government has not clearly set out its rationale for committing £360 million over 12 years. The timeframe aligns with revised reciprocal access arrangements between the UK and EU, but it …
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Government Response Summary
The government provided a rationale for the Fund's purpose, stating it will support the fishing and seafood sector and contribute to coastal community regeneration. It committed to using clear and measurable criteria to ensure the Fund achieves its objectives, with design informed by evidence and stakeholder engagement.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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5
Conclusion
Accepted
No Parliament can bind its successor and therefore front-loading the 12-year investment would better support...
Conclusion
No Parliament can bind its successor and therefore front-loading the 12-year investment would better support ambitious, multi-year projects and deliver early benefits. Current plans for the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund provide £165 million up to 2030–31, yet England’s first-year …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's observation and states it has introduced some front-loading to the Fund's spending profile, ensuring funds are available for the full 12 years and commencing allocation in 2026-27.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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6
Recommendation
Accepted
In response to this report, the government should set out the year-by-year allocation of the...
Recommendation
In response to this report, the government should set out the year-by-year allocation of the budget in England for the next four years and clarify how funding will be provided to the devolved administrations through the block grant, including whether …
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Government Response Summary
The government provided the £116m budget allocation for the Fund in England from 2026/27 to 2029/30 and clarified that Barnett formula consequentials of £13m capital and £6m resource DEL (for 2026/27-2028/29) apply to devolved governments, who are responsible for their own allocation.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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8
Recommendation
Accepted
From year two onward, delivery of the Fund will not be limited to the Fisheries...
Recommendation
From year two onward, delivery of the Fund will not be limited to the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme and will incorporate a broader range of priorities such as community projects which are potentially beyond the remit of what the current …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it is developing future plans for the Fund, and a broader range of spending options will be established, moving beyond the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS). They are engaging with stakeholders and an Expert Advisory Group to develop priorities for year two onwards.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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12
Recommendation
Accepted
Going forward, the UK Government should work collaboratively with the devolved administrations on the design...
Recommendation
Going forward, the UK Government should work collaboratively with the devolved administrations on the design and allocation of the Fund to ensure consistency and fairness across the sector for the allocations in year two. Seafish should be used to support …
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Government Response Summary
The government commits to continuing to work closely and constructively with the Devolved Governments as delivery progresses. It also notes the renewed Seafood Exports Package, which will support businesses across all four nations and be delivered by Defra in collaboration with Seafish, addressing the call for a UK-wide approach.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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19
Recommendation
Accepted
Those who are regulated need clear visibility of how that regulation is being enforced, so...
Recommendation
Those who are regulated need clear visibility of how that regulation is being enforced, so it is concerning that the MMO no longer routinely publishes its enforcement data in its annual reports, despite continuing to collect it. While we welcome …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has committed to making enforcement data publicly available through its Annual Report and Accounts process, with a report expected in autumn 2026, which will include a breakdown of inspection types and compliance rates for the previous three years.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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21
Recommendation
Accepted
There is growing spatial conflict between fisheries, offshore energy, conservation and other marine users, yet...
Recommendation
There is growing spatial conflict between fisheries, offshore energy, conservation and other marine users, yet current governance arrangements still lack a coherent “shore-to-sea” approach. Defra’s Marine Spatial Prioritisation programme (MSPri) remains opaque and underused, The Crown Estate’s Marine Delivery Routemap …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the issue of marine spatial squeeze but states it will continue to use existing frameworks and programmes like MSPri, Marine Policy Statements, and TCE's Routemap rather than creating a new single, comprehensive UK-wide sea use framework as requested.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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26
Conclusion
Accepted
Fragmented responsibilities and siloed decision-making continue to undermine coherent marine management.
Conclusion
Fragmented responsibilities and siloed decision-making continue to undermine coherent marine management. Confusion over the North Sea Future Plan and conflicting policy signals experienced by fishers demonstrate that existing coordination structures are not delivering consistent cross-government direction. Although mechanisms such as …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's concern but states that existing structures such as Marine Plans, National Policy Statements, the MSPri programme, and TCE’s Marine Delivery Routemap already provide the functions of a Sea Use Framework.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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