The formal comprehensive spending review settlement for 2008-09 to 2010-11 for Departments has been announced and will now be followed by DEFRA’s own financial allocation process, during which the budget for British Waterways will be determined. The final allocations will not be known until the new year after further discussions with Ministers. The process of allocation will be based on careful prioritisation across the Department and all its sponsored bodies. We are engaging British Waterways in this and working with them to develop a long-term strategy which will maximise public benefits while delivering an affordable sustainable network within the total funding available.