CMA to review £401.2m Defra subsidy for Canal & River Trust
The CMA's Subsidy Advice Unit has opened a referral into a proposed £401.2 million Defra subsidy to the Canal & River Trust, covering 2027 to 2037. This briefing covers the administrative timetable, the subsidy's structure and policy objectives, and how interested parties can make submissions.
- The proposed subsidy totals £401.2 million, paid to the CRT over the period 2027 to 2037.
- The initial grant in 2027 to 2028 is £49.99 million, tapering downwards by 5% each subsequent year to £31.51 million in nominal terms by 2036 to 2037.
- Third-party submissions on the Assessment of Compliance are due by 19 October 2026.
- The SAU's report to Defra is due for publication on 16 November 2026, within a 30 working day reporting period that began on 6 October 2026.
- The CRT manages around 2,000 miles of inland waterways across England and Wales and employs around 1,600 people.