Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Chalk Streams

Thursday 19 June 2025 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chalk streams in Hampshire, including the River Loddon, River Itchen, and River Test, are highlighted for their rarity and need for protection.
  • The River Chess in Rickmansworth is noted as one of the chalk streams going through South West Hertfordshire.
  • Funding cuts for the Canal & River Trust, affecting volunteer support for waterways heritage, are mentioned as a point of concern.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Luke Murphy Lab Basingstoke
Environment
Context

MP Luke Murphy references Hampshire's rare chalk streams, including the River Loddon, the River Itchen and the River Test. He mentions ongoing campaigns for greater protection of these irreplaceable habitats.

Question

I am grateful to the Minister for her response. In Hampshire, we are blessed with several rare and irreplaceable chalk streams, including the River Loddon, the River Itchen and the River Test. The Minister will be aware of the campaigns to secure greater protection for these irreplaceable habitats, including during the passage of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, and I pay tribute to the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Greener Basingstoke, and Natural Basingstoke for all their work. Can the Minister confirm that this Government are committed to the protection of chalk streams, and set out what further steps they will take to restore these precious habitats?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Hardy)

My hon. Friend is quite right: chalk streams are a source of beauty and national pride. Just a few weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting a chalk stream restoration project with Charles Rangeley-Wilson, who is a passionate campaigner for chalk streams. Under this Labour Government, water companies will spend more than £2 billion to deliver over 1,000 actions for chalk stream restoration, and will reduce their abstraction from chalk streams by 126 million litres per day.

Answered
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Q2 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

MP Gagan Mohindra mentions the River Chess in Rickmansworth as one of the chalk streams through his constituency. He highlights the importance of volunteers supporting the canal heritage and expresses concern over funding cuts to the Canal & River Trust.

Question

The River Chess in Rickmansworth is one of the chalk streams that goes through my constituency. The volunteers at the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust are keeping our canal heritage alive, despite funding for the Canal & River Trust being cut. I believe the cut is short-sighted, because these waterways tackle water shortages, boost biodiversity and protect 2,500 miles of national assets for a modest cost. Will the Minister rethink the funding cuts and back the Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign, so that local champions like David Montague and his team at Batchworth lock are not left to sink or swim on their own?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Hardy)

The hon. Gentleman is quite right to say how important volunteers are in supporting our natural environment up and down the country. He will be aware that the decision to reduce the funding for the Canal & River Trust was taken by the previous Government, and that was extended under this Government. There will be a tapering off of some of the funding, but we continue to support water projects up and down the country. As I have already mentioned, the changes that we are introducing for water companies will help to protect not only our beautiful chalk streams, but all our rivers, lakes and seas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not confirm a reconsideration of funding cuts or support for the Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign.

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