Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 June 2022 to Question 22447 on Rivers, when his Department plans to publish the report on the review of statutory powers, roles and responsibilities in relation to assets and watercourse maintenance, including riparian landowners.

The Government wants to ensure that responsibilities in relation to assets and watercourse management and maintenance are clear and that there are appropriate powers in place to enable suitable management and maintenance to be undertaken.

Our review of the statutory powers, roles, and responsibilities in relation to assets and watercourse maintenance began earlier this year and the full review will be completed in 2024 after which it will be published. During this time, we will be working with the reviewer and stakeholders to identify the relevant issues and take any immediate action that is necessary.