Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Canal & River Trust Funding

Thursday 19 October 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government has had discussions with the Canal & River Trust on funding, providing over 400 million additional funding between 2027 and 2037.
  • Government does not adjust for inflation in funding, stating a claimed 300 million cut in real terms is incorrect.
  • Richard Parry, CEO of the Canal & River Trust, has discussed with Michael Fabricant and Ministers the possibility of receiving a lump sum instead of annual funding.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Transport Environment
Context

The Canal & River Trust's funding is under review, with discussions ongoing over additional funding of £400 million between 2027 and 2037. The trust was established in 2012 with a memorandum of understanding signed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Question

What recent discussions has the government had with the Canal & River Trust on its funding? Ellesmere Port is proud to be home to the trust's headquarters but concerned about potential implications from funding decisions that amount to £300 million cut in real terms over a decade, urging for reconsideration and engagement to bridge this gap.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

We have had many discussions on the review of its funding, providing more than £400 million additional funding between 2027-2037. The government does not adjust for inflation in funding. The trust received an investment portfolio worth over £1 billion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for reassessment and engagement with the Canal & River Trust was not addressed directly, only partially acknowledged.

How: We Are Providing Additional Funding, Investment Portfolio Of Over £1 Billion

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Environment
Context

Concerns persist about the future funding of the Canal & River Trust, with a £300 million real-term cut over ten years causing significant worries.

Question

In Ellesmere Port, we are proud that the Canal & River Trust has its headquarters there but concerned about implications from recent funding decisions amounting to a £300 million cut in real terms. This will cause serious problems for the trust and urges the Minister to reconsider these decisions and engage on bridging this gap.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

We recognise the work done by the trust, but assert that the £300 million cut in real terms is not correct due to adjustments for inflation. The trust also benefits from an investment portfolio worth over £1 billion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for reassessment and engagement with the Canal & River Trust was not directly addressed, only partially acknowledged.

How: Real-Term Cut Is Not Correct, Benefits From Investment Portfolio

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Michael Fabricant Con
Environment
Context

Concerns exist over the future of Britain's canal network with the aim of self-financing since the trust was established in 2018. Previous discussions have taken place regarding a lump sum funding approach.

Question

As chairman of the all-party parliamentary group for waterways, I share concerns about our canal network's future but am aware that when the trust was set up 15 years ago, self-financing was the aim. Richard Parry has discussed with me and Ministers the possibility of receiving a lump sum rather than over ten years. What progress has been made on this?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

I thank my hon. Friend for his work and acknowledge that the subject is still under discussion.

Not addressed: The specific ask about progress on lump sum funding was not addressed directly.

How: The Subject Is Still Under Discussion

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)