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
10
Conclusion
Rejected
The allocation of the Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund through the Barnett formula is inconsistent...
Conclusion
The allocation of the Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund through the Barnett formula is inconsistent with model preferred by industry stakeholders in all parts of the United Kingdom. We are concerned that it does not reflect the relative scale, distribution …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the committee's concerns about the Barnett formula allocation, stating that devolved governments specifically requested funding not be reserved and preferred to identify their own fishing industry needs. It confirmed £56 million would go to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland via this method.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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16
Recommendation
Rejected
Defra should establish a UK-wide network of Regional Fisheries Management Forums, comprising of fishers, marine...
Recommendation
Defra should establish a UK-wide network of Regional Fisheries Management Forums, comprising of fishers, marine scientists and environmental organisations. These forums should meet at least three times a year, with minutes published within 20 working days, and be given a …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to establish new UK-wide Regional Fisheries Management Forums, citing concerns about stakeholder fatigue and stating it is not the right approach. It instead highlighted existing working groups for Fisheries Management Plans and strengthened Regional Fisheries Groups in England that serve similar engagement purposes.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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22
Recommendation
Rejected
In response to this report, the government should confirm its commitment to development of a...
Recommendation
In response to this report, the government should confirm its commitment to development of a ‘Sea Use Framework’. It should set out a clear timetable for developing such a Framework, which should follow a similar structure and methodology to the …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation for a new 'Sea Use Framework', stating that structures already exist to fulfil this role. It cites current marine plans, National Policy Statements, the Marine Spatial Prioritisation programme, and TCE’s Marine Delivery Routemap as already providing effective frameworks for sea use.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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24
Recommendation
Rejected
Defra should introduce an annual reporting process which details the use of the Marine Spatial...
Recommendation
Defra should introduce an annual reporting process which details the use of the Marine Spatial Prioritisation programme (MSPri). The first report, covering activity during 2025–26, should be published within six months of the publication of this Report. Thereafter, annual MSPri …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the specific recommendation for an annual reporting process and timely publication of MSPri Programme Board minutes, stating it is not possible at this time due to the evolving nature of the program, but commits to finding other ways to improve overall transparency.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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25
Recommendation
Rejected
Defra should work with DESNZ to publish, within six months of the government response to...
Recommendation
Defra should work with DESNZ to publish, within six months of the government response to this Report, an addendum to the North Sea Future Plan that explicitly sets out how fishing interests and marine environmental protections are assessed and incorporated …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to publish an addendum to the North Sea Future Plan, stating it is not necessary and that fishing and environmental considerations will be incorporated into the developing Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) via Defra’s MSPri programme.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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27
Recommendation
Rejected
To ensure coherent cross-government leadership of the proposed Sea Use Framework by the end of...
Recommendation
To ensure coherent cross-government leadership of the proposed Sea Use Framework by the end of 2026, the government should establish a ministerial board, to oversee the coordination of government policy on the use of UK waters. This ministerial board would …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to establish a new ministerial board for a Sea Use Framework, stating that existing structures such as Marine Plans, National Policy Statements, the MSPri programme, and TCE’s Marine Delivery Routemap already fulfil the role of a Sea Use Framework.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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