Policy paper: National Framework for Water Resources 2025: water for growth, nature and a resilient future (updated)

Explores England's long term water needs, setting out the scale of action needed to ensure resilient supplies and an improved water environment.

Published 17 June 2025

Last updated 20 October 2025 — See all updates

Graphical summary: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

PDF, 3.36 MB, 32 pages

Forewords, executive summary and structure: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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1. Introduction: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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2. Current and future pressures on water resources, an overview: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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3. How much additional water we need: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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4. Water availability: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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5. Taking action: water for the environment: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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6. Taking action on public water supplies: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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7. Taking action on water for energy: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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8. Taking action on water for food: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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9. Taking action on other significant water-using sectors and emerging demands: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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10. Water resources planning and abstraction licensing: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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11. Expectations of Regional Water Resources Groups: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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12. Further evolution of water resources planning: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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13. Next steps: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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Appendix A: regional water resources planning expectations: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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Appendix B: results of public water supply water resources modelling: National Framework for Water Resources 2025

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Appendix C: Environmental Destination technical report

PDF, 1.04 MB, 40 pages

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Appendix D: Environmental Destination principles for protecting the water environment in water resources planning

PDF, 499 KB, 17 pages

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The National Framework for Water Resources 2025 builds on the foundation provided by:

• the 2020 framework
• water resources management plans and regional water resources plans