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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she had discussions with (a) Natural England, (b) the Environment Agency and (c) the Office for Environmental Protection on the preparation of the Significant Improvement Test published on 31 January 2023; if she will place a copy of that advice in the House of Commons Library; and if she will make a statement.

The Secretary of State’s conclusion that the Significant Improvement Test has been met adhered to the legislative requirements set out in the Environment Act 2021, and was underpinned by an extensive evidence base.