Written questions

Utilities: Emergencies

Commons · Question 104633 · Tabled 12 Jan 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record

Answered 15 Jan 2026

Question

Asked by Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with utility companies on directing customers to online information during service disruptions; and what steps she will take to ensure that essential infor

Answer

Answered by Emma Hardy, 15 Jan 2026

The Security and Emergency Measures Direction 2022 (SEMD) requires water companies to ensure continuation of their water distribution functions during an emergency. SEMD includes a legal requirement for companies to have “appropriate emergency communicati...