Tuesday 10 March 2026, 13.45, Thatcher Room, House of Commons
On Tuesday , Secretary of State for the
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs(DEFRA) will give evidence to
MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee.
In her first appearance before the Committee since she was
appointed in September 2025, MPs will ask the Secretary of State
to set out her vision for nature and the environment, as well as
her department's influence on policy across Government.
MPs are likely to examine the progress DEFRA is making to meet
current environmental targets, in light of recent concerns raised
by the Office for Environmental Protection.
DEFRA currently has 11 of the projects on the Government's Major
Projects Portfolio, with costs ranging from £278 million to
£24,875 million, as well as £10.5 billion of flood investment to
be delivered by 2036.
MPs are likely to question the Secretary of State on her
confidence that that these projects will be delivered and what
this could mean for an overall reduction in national flood risks.
The Committee may also examine the potential impacts of a mooted
second major planning bill, and question what progress the
Government made on coordinated marine planning and protection.
Witnesses from 13.45:
- Rt Hon MP, Secretary of State for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Sally Randall, Director General, Environment Group,
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- David Hill, Director General for Strategy and Water,
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
