Future water resources
This briefing sets out the challenges for future water resources in England. It covers future water resource forecasts, policy and legislation, and planned actions to address the water supply deficit.

A debate will be held on the subject of support for the tourism industry after the Covid-19 lockdown on Thursday 10 September
Support for the tourism industry after the Covid-19 lockdown (249 KB , PDF)
Tourism contributed £59.7 billion to the economy in 2017. This was 3.2% of total economic output in the UK.
There were 1.6 million jobs directly supported by tourism in the UK in 2017, which was 4.8% of employment in the UK.
The tourism industry in the UK supports overseas visitors coming to the UK, UK residents visiting other parts of the UK (domestic tourists) UK residents going abroad (for example airports serve this kind of tourist). In 2019, there were:
Overseas tourists spent £28.4 billion on visits to the UK in 2019. Domestic tourists spent £24.7billion.
Overseas travel to and from the UK slowed significantly during Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2020. Visits to the UK from overseas decreased by 16% compared with the same period a year earlier. Visits overseas by UK residents decreased by 24% compared with the same period a year earlier.
VisitBritain has forecast significant falls in UK tourism. In 2020, VisitBritain forecast:
The Government has introduced measures to support businesses, workers and individuals during the coronavirus outbreak. In the main, these aren’t specific to the tourism industry. They include:
More specific to tourism:
Support for the tourism industry after the Covid-19 lockdown (249 KB , PDF)
This briefing sets out the challenges for future water resources in England. It covers future water resource forecasts, policy and legislation, and planned actions to address the water supply deficit.
The service industries include retail, finance, administration, and other areas. Find the latest data on the activity of the UK services sector.
The Water Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 16 October 2024, and its second reading took place on 28 March 2025. The second reading debate was adjourned, and is scheduled to continue on 4 July 2025, if there is time in the sitting. The Library briefing provides an overview of the bill and background information.