The Impact of Grant Reductions on the work of British Waterways.

British Waterways has used the public money that has been put at its disposal in a highly productive manner. We must also not forget the benefits that come from canals and other waterways cross many Government Departments. I encourage the Minister to respond to his challenge to find a method of funding British Waterways, because it has a lot going for it.

The other advantage of such a debate is that it gives the opportunity for hon. Members, and the public, to demonstrate the huge support for canals and waterways. Sometimes we need such a challenge to do that. Indeed, the number of hon. Members that have turned up would almost have done justice to a debate on the Floor of the House. They would have given us a huge description of the beautiful countryside and towns that canals go through.

DEFRA is a serial offender in terms of budget mismanagement. Recently, it has been an under-spending Department and it has now run into terrible trouble with the single farm payment. However, I do not want to dwell on that.

Canals and waterways have a number of benefits that are valued by the public, first in terms of tourism and the local economy. There are 300 million visits to 2,000 miles of inland waterways. Not only that, but they encourage people in this country to take their holidays in this country, boosting the local economy and cutting back on carbon emissions. Regeneration has been dealt with, as well as conservation, biodiversity and heritage.

British Waterways is not a passive recipient of Government largesse, but generates increasing income. It has been said that 180 jobs will be lost, and that is a huge blow to those individuals, as the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) said.

Their expertise in building partnerships and getting match funding will be sorely missed by British Waterways. Although the cuts on the canal bank are not that great, the expertise is fundamental in maintaining the work done by British Waterways. It is not only about ensuring that the maintenance of canals is carried out but about encouraging tourism with new attractions, new developments and a sense of adventure when people go on the canals—they need to see something different and to have a new experience.

The cuts penalise a successful and well-run organisation. They are a setback to our tourist industry and put back progress on regeneration and extending biodiversity. Indeed, what is probably more worrying to the Minister is that they will probably affect those who, as Ratty said in “The Wind in the Willows”, like

“simply messing about in boats.”

They are an increasing constituency in this country. I urge the Minister to take on board the suggestion made by the hon. Member for Leicester, South and to investigate among his fellow Ministers to see whether support can come from other Departments for this worthwhile cause.

Publish date: 7th December 2006
Modified: 7th December 2006

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