Written questions

Water Abstraction: Licensing

Commons · Question 18152 · Tabled 13 Jul 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record

Answered 16 Jul 2026

Question

Asked by James Wild

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to expand the use of dynamic abstraction licensing to support water resource management across catchments.

Answer

Answered by Emma Hardy, 16 Jul 2026

Defra is taking steps to move towards a more dynamic abstraction licensing system.The Environment Agency (EA) supports innovative approaches to abstraction that ensure the rights of other abstractors are protected, while safeguarding the environment. Defr...