Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee receives Government response to drought report

The Government has published its response to the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee report Surviving drought: reclaim the rain'.

The link to the response and accompanying quote from Lord Krebs, Member of the Committee are below:

Government response link:
UK Government Response to Lords ECCC Inquiry into Drought Preparedness

Lord Krebs, Member of the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee said;

We welcome the Government's response to our report and for accepting the vast majority of our recommendations. However, it is disappointing that they have rejected our call for water companies to be statutory consultees on all major planning decisions. They have also turned down the opportunity, at a time when farms and businesses need it most, to expand the remits of Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) to support improved water resource management at a local level.  

As we spiral towards another drought with wildfires burning, crops suffering, reservoir levels falling and hose pipes bans being put in place, the Government must act urgently to secure water now and for the future. Otherwise, as our report warns, the taps could run dry.