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Written Question
Water
Thursday 29th January 2026

Asked by: Victoria Atkins (Conservative - Louth and Horncastle)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many of the 88 recommendations proposed in the independent report entitled Independent Water Commission: review of the water sector, published in July 2025, are included in her Department's policy paper entitled A new vision for water: white paper, published on 20 January 2026.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra thoroughly reviewed the Independent Water Commission’s final report in its entirety, and the White Paper sets out our overall response to the Commission’s recommendations.

This Government’s priority is to deliver the best possible outcomes for customers, the environment and investors through this once-in-a-generation reform of the water sector.

Written Question
Water Delivery Taskforce
Thursday 29th January 2026

Asked by: Victoria Atkins (Conservative - Louth and Horncastle)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on which dates the Water Delivery Taskforce has met.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra has established a Water Delivery Taskforce to ensure that water companies deliver on their planned investments to provide water and wastewater capacity. It ensures that water availability and wastewater capacity are not a constraint on growth.

The Water Delivery Taskforce first met in April 2025 and has convened on a six-weekly cycle since, including meetings in June, July, September, November, and December 2025. Its next meeting is scheduled for February 2026.

Division Vote (Commons)
28 Jan 2026 - Youth Unemployment - View Vote Context
Victoria Atkins (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 89 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 91 Noes - 287
Division Vote (Commons)
28 Jan 2026 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context
Victoria Atkins (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 91 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 294 Noes - 108
Division Vote (Commons)
28 Jan 2026 - British Indian Ocean Territory - View Vote Context
Victoria Atkins (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 94 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 103 Noes - 284
Division Vote (Commons)
27 Jan 2026 - Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill - View Vote Context
Victoria Atkins (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 80 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 88 Noes - 310
Division Vote (Commons)
27 Jan 2026 - Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill - View Vote Context
Victoria Atkins (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 82 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 91 Noes - 378
Division Vote (Commons)
27 Jan 2026 - Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Committee - View Vote Context
Victoria Atkins (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 80 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 88 Noes - 310
Division Vote (Commons)
27 Jan 2026 - Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Committee - View Vote Context
Victoria Atkins (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 82 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 91 Noes - 378
Division Vote (Commons)
21 Jan 2026 - Northern Ireland Troubles: Legacy and Reconciliation - View Vote Context
Victoria Atkins (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 88 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 373 Noes - 106