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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effect of the EU Water Framework Directive on the level of water available in London.

The Water Framework Directive aims to protect and improve surface waters and groundwater and promote sustainable water use so that we have a sufficient supply of good quality water for people and the environment. Actions to achieve this are set out in river basin management plans every 6 years.

On the 30^th October, the Environment Agency published proposed updated plans which they submitted to the Secretary of State for approval, including the Thames plan which covers London. The preparation of the proposed plan has involved an assessment of current and future water availability in the Thames river basin.