Select Committee · Transport Committee

National Policy Statement for Ports

Status: Closed Opened: 27 Jun 2025 Closed: 21 Jul 2026 10 recommendations 4 conclusions 1 report

The Transport Committee is carrying out an inquiry into the Government’s proposal for a revised National Policy Statement for Ports (NPSP). Read the call for evidence.

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report - National Policy Statement for Ports HC 1028 14 Nov 2025 14 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

1 item
14 Recommendation 4th Report - National Policy Statement … Rejected

Include provisions on deemed marine licences in NPS for Ports to reduce burdens

The Development Consent Order process is meant to streamline the planning approval process for nationally significant infrastructure. To achieve this and to reduce duplication of regulatory burdens, the National Policy Statement for Ports should contain similar provisions on deemed marine licences to those in the NPS for renewable energy infrastructure. … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government notes the suggestion for deemed marine licences but defers it to DEFRA for further consideration. Regarding dredging, it rejects making provisions less onerous, stating it intends to keep a separate section on dredging in the NPSP due to its unique regulatory features.
Read full response →
Department for Transport

Oral evidence sessions

2 sessions
Date Witnesses
16 Sep 2025 Keir Mather MP · Department for Transport, Mike Alcock · Department for Transport, Philip Grindrod · Department for Transport View ↗
10 Sep 2025 Cathy Hall · UK Major Ports Group, Mark Simmonds · The British Ports Association, Ms Stephanie Kenyon · UK Chamber of Shipping, Robbie Owen · The National Infrastructure Planning Association View ↗

Who gave evidence

7 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Cathy Hall · Senior Masterplanner UK Major Ports Group 1
Keir Mather MP · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department for Transport 1
Mark Simmonds · Director of Policy The British Ports Association 1
Mike Alcock · Head of Ports and Shipping Department for Transport 1
Ms Stephanie Kenyon · Director of External Affairs UK Chamber of Shipping 1
Philip Grindrod · Ports and Shipping Division Department for Transport 1
Robbie Owen · Board Secretary and Director The National Infrastructure Planning Association 1

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
11 Jun 2025 To cttee Letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transpor…

Meetings & visits

1 item
DateTypeDetail
25 Jun 2025 Formal meeting (private meeting) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House