Emma Reynolds, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will give evidence to MPs on the House Of Commons Environmental Audit Committee tomorrow.

In her first appearance before the Committee since she was appointed in September 2025, MPs will ask the Secretary of State to set out her vision for nature and the environment, as well as her department’s influence on policy across Government.

The evidence session will cover the environmental protection policies of DEFRA - MPs are likely to examine the progress DEFRA is making to meet current environmental targets, in light of recent concerns raised by the Office for Environmental Protection.

DEFRA currently has 11 of the projects on the Government’s Major Projects Portfolio, with costs ranging from £278 million to £24,875 million, as well as £10.5 billion of flood investment to be delivered by 2036.

MPs are likely to question the Secretary of State on her confidence that that these projects will be delivered and what this could mean for an overall reduction in national flood risks.

The Committee may also examine the potential impacts of a mooted second major planning bill, and question what progress the Government made on coordinated marine planning and protection.

Witnesses from 13.45 Tuesday 10 March:

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Sally Randall, Director General, Environment Group, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

David Hill, Director General for Strategy and Water, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Click here to watch the evidence session live on parliamentlive.tv or to catch up later.