Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs written question – answered at on 17 November 2025.
Helen Maguire
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Primary Care and Cancer)
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of expanding access rights for (a) paddling, (b) swimming and (c) other non-motorised craft on inland waters.
Emma Hardy
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government recognises the importance of access to nature for people’s health and well-being. We are considering our approach to improving access, including to unregulated inland waterways, and are committed to working with stakeholders as this develops.
Yes1 person thinks so
No1 person thinks not
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Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
