Water responsibilities assigned to Double after Defra reshuffle

More than a week on from the resignation of water minister Rebecca Pow, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed the responsibilities of her successor Steve Double.

Pow stepped down on 7 July, a day after the resignation of Jo Churchill, the resources and waste minister at Defra.

Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay, has been appointed parliamentary under-secretary of state for the department, with responsibility for floods and water and the Defra lead for the Environment Agency.

Also within his remit will be domestic and international environmental management and regulation; science and innovation in agri-food; delivery of net zero and climate change adaptation within the department; and, commercial projects.

Pow was the final minister to resign before Boris Johnson announced he would be stepping down. She said the “values, integrity and the moral code from which I live” had been “sadly lacking in too many decisions coming from the top”.

Double was previously the party’s assistant whip but has not held other government posts or sat on committees that relate to Defra business.

On his appointment, Double said “the apparatus of government needs to continue to run” until the leadership contest has concluded and added he was “honoured to accept the offer to serve and ensure the smooth running of this important department.”

He added he had worked with Defra officials and ministers on numerous issues in his Cornish constituency.

“I  look forward to working with the Defra Ministerial team and officials over the coming months for the benefit of the UK and for Cornwall,” he said.

Pow had held the position since 2019 while Churchill joined the department in September last year. Pow has been outspoken on the need to enhance biodiversity and improve water quality in rivers. She oversaw the Environment Bill as it ascended into law following the UK’s exit from the European Union.