Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Not Addressed
Mandate catchment-scale planning and delivery through regional partnerships with statutory duties by 2027
Recommendation
Catchment-based planning must become the default approach, not a discretionary extra. By 2027, the Government should mandate catchment- scale planning and delivery through regional partnerships with defined statutory duties, long-term funding, and clear oversight. These partnerships should coordinate key actors across land, water, infrastructure and planning, and lead integrated water management that delivers multiple outcomes, including flood risk reduction, water quality improvements, and environmental enhancement, at the scale and complexity the challenge demands. (Recommendation, Paragraph 39)
Government Response Summary
The government response is entirely unrelated to the recommendation, instead discussing an assessment of a statutory duty for Fire and Rescue Services in England to respond to flooding, which is planned to conclude in summer 2026.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The government recognises the importance of the Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) and is assessing the case for a statutory duty for FRS in England to respond to flooding. This assessment will consider the operational, legal, and financial implications of such a change, including the provision of dedicated funding for training, equipment, and operational planning, as well as the potential for FRS to become statutory consultees in planning decisions. Defra is leading this work in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and will engage the National Fire Chief’s Council, the Fire Brigades Union, devolved administrations, and other key stakeholders. The project will evaluate evidence including on current flood response capability, and lessons from the devolved governments where statutory duties already exist. It will assess alignment with the UK Government Resilience Framework and existing legislation, such as the Fire and Rescue Services Act (2004) and the Civil Contingencies Act (2004). This work is planned to conclude in summer 2026. Embedding resilience in public investment Recommendation at paragraph 69: ‘By 2026, the Government should embed climate and flood resilience as a core test for all departmental spending and public investment proposals. This should be supported by clear resilience standards, measurable targets, and a requirement for every department to demonstrate how its spending aligns with these standards.’