Written questions

Water Abstraction: Licensing

2026-06-29 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · HL1502 · Official question

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to implementing a flexible water abstraction licensing system linked to real-time water availability

Answer

Defra is taking steps to move towards a more flexible abstraction licensing system. The white paper: A new vision for water, includes the proposal to move the legislative framework for regulating abstraction, to the Environmental Permitting Regulations. T...