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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Environment Agency consultation entitled Boat registration charges proposals from 1 January 2022, published in July 2021, what assessment he has made of the potential for increased charges by up to 60 per cent to reduce the overall number of users of the Anglian Waterways.

The Environment Agency's proposed approach was discussed with boat user representatives in advance of consultation and was broadly supported. The individual impacts were assessed and included in the consultation, showing more substantial impacts for customers on the Anglian waterways. The Environment Agency has listened to feedback, including from Anglian customers, and will be taking these concerns into account in its final proposals, due to be published shortly.