Business of the House

Ashley Fox Excerpts

Thursday 26th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I will absolutely join my hon. Friend in encouraging her constituents to consider studying at Lancaster University and the colleges associated with it, as I did myself many—or, shall I say, many, many—years ago. We have conducted the first curriculum review in a decade, which includes high standards for every child in maths and other foundational subjects. The topics my hon. Friend raised will make an excellent topic for an Adjournment debate, should she apply for one.

[Sir Ashley Fox (Bridgwater) (Con)]

During the recent floods in Somerset, the Minister for Water and Flooding said that

“the Environment Agency has committed to reviewing the issues around water level management in Somerset”—[Official Report, 11 February 2026; Vol. 780, c. 890.]

and that it will consider

“when pumps should be activated, whether the current trigger points are right, and whether installing permanent pumps in certain locations could offer better value for money in the long term.”—[Official Report, 11 February 2026; Vol. 780, c. 890.]

Given the agency’s decision to withdraw from main river maintenance, I ask the Leader of the House for a debate in Government time so that we can discuss these issues and the Environment Agency’s effectiveness at preventing flooding.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The Government are committing resources to the alleviation of and protection from flooding, but it is important that we learn from local examples. I happen to think that the Environment Agency has been working full out in many areas over what has been a very wet winter, as I said before, but that does not mean it has got absolutely everything right. If the hon. Gentleman is seeking a meeting with the floods Minister to outline his local concerns and inform that debate, I will arrange that.