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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many projects his Department has put on hold due to the requirements of planning for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Defra has received £410m of funding for 2019/20 to deliver the vital work of the Department to prepare for our departure from the EU, including deal and no deal activity.

Over 80% of Defra’s work is affected by our departure from the EU, so by necessity many existing staff are also working on preparations for leaving the EU.

Reprioritisation is an ongoing process and will continue to be reviewed to take account of evolving circumstances.