My honourable friend the Minister for Marine and Natural Environment (Huw Irranca-Davies) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I will today place copies of the consultation document setting out the Government’s proposed strategy for Inland Waterways of England and Wales, Waterways for Everyone, in the Libraries of the House. A copy of the consultation document and details of how to respond to the consultation can be found on Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/waterways /index.htm.

Waterways for Everyone sets out the Government’s proposals for an updated strategy for the inland waterways of England and Wales. This builds on the Government’s 2000 strategy, Waterways for Tomorrow, and sets out our approach to further enhance the public benefits provided by our inland waterways through widening the involvement of stakeholders and potential beneficiaries in the management and development of the waterways.

Waterways for Everyone also demonstrates the valuable contribution that the inland waterways can make to a wide range of public policy objectives. These include place-making and shaping, climate-change mitigation and sustainable transport, health, well-being, recreation and sport, tourism and business development and developing fairer, stronger and more active communities.