Select Committee for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
House of Commons select committees generally examine the work of government departments, with a select committee for each government department, examining spending, policies and administration. Some select committees have a role that crosses departmental boundaries and some are involved in on-going investigations of specific issues. Select committees are made up of Members of Parliament selected from the political parties in proportion to the representation of those parties in the House.
The Commons Select Committee for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and its associated public bodies. The Committee chooses its own subjects of inquiry on environmental and agricultural subjects.
On 24 January 2017, the committee published Future flood prevention: Government's response to the Committee's Second Report of Session 2016-17. The report criticised the government for not taking up the recommendations of their previous report Future flood prevention and called on the Department to provide greater safeguards and assurance to local communities through stronger planning rules and improvements to flood insurance coverage. It also suggested the government should develop robust long-term plans and fundamentally overhaul the governance and streamline the delivery of flood risk management.
Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Acting Chair of the Committee, said: “Defra has failed to give sufficient justification for its rejection of our recommendations for important new measures to improve flood protection. Ministers must give us more detailed information on how the Government is using its £2.5 billion flood defence budget to slow the flow of water across river catchments so as to stop communities flooding in future. Ministers must also update us on their actions to ensure that the insurance, planning and building regulation regimes reduce flood risk and improve property resilience."
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- All party parliamentary group.
- Cabinet committee.
- Catchment flood management plans.
- Flood and Water Management Act
- Flood insurance.
- Flood risk
- Flood risk management plans.
- Future flood prevention.
- House of Lords Select Committee on National Policy for the Built Environment.
- Pitt Review.
- River engineering.
- Select committee for the built environment.
- Select committee.
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.