National Policy Statement for Ports: Government response to the Transport Committee and Consultation

This is the government's response, published 21 July 2026.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government welcomes the Committee's general support for the revised National Policy Statement for Ports, says it is making further detailed amendments in line with its response, and states that the broad thrust of the NPSP "will, however, be unchanged".

• On Critical National Priority status, the government "does not intend to accord ports Critical National Priority (CNP) status at this juncture". It says CNP projects are likely to create port demand, and that it has strengthened the needs case in the NPSP in relation to CNP infrastructure.
• It accepts the recommendations to clarify the NPSP's applicability to projects directed under section 35 of the Planning Act 2008 and to make clear that good design is primarily functional, safe and low-impact. It will do both in the final revised NPSP.
• On the Finch judgment, it agrees the NPSP should include specific guidance on Scope 3 emissions and is providing it in the final text, but says this does not create an "automatic presumption" that a full Scope 3 analysis will be required.
• On dredging, it intends to keep a separate section in the final proposed NPSP, saying that on balance highlighting it is "justified". On deemed marine licences for harbour orders, it notes the suggestion and says it is a matter for DEFRA to consider further.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error