Topical Questions 2025-03-20
2025-03-20
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Lucy Manzano of the Dover Port Health Authority warned before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee that without confirmed funding, checks at borders would stop. A new case of foot and mouth disease in Europe adds urgency.
In February, Lucy Manzano warned the committee about the potential cessation of border checks due to lack of funding. With the financial year fast approaching and another case of foot and mouth in Europe, will the Secretary of State confirm that the Government have secured necessary funding?
We take border security seriously. We have the BTOM system closely monitored to ensure it functions properly and are investing in the National Biosecurity Centre to prevent its dilapidation, unlike under previous governance.
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Assessment & feedback
Funding confirmation for border checks
Not Directly Addressing Funding
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Conservative Members have received messages from farmers expressing concern over the stoppage of the sustainable farming incentive farm payment scheme. The shadow Secretary of State questions the Secretary's understanding and commitment to farmer needs.
The Secretary of State cannot find his way around a farmyard; he is certainly not speaking to farmers. We Conservatives know that if the Government continue to tax businesses, they will break. His answers show why we have seen cold fury in the countryside at his impotence in standing up to the Chancellor on compulsory purchase orders, massive cuts to de-linked payments, stopping capital grants and SFI, and the family farm fax. Ahead of next week’s emergency Budget and spending review, given The Guardian's claims, will the Secretary of State guarantee that his Government’s Budget will not face further swingeing cuts?
Farming became unprofitable due to the previous Government's actions in trade deals, welfare standards, and export barriers. This government aims to make farming profitable again by backing British businesses through procurement and ruling out undercutting farmers.
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Assessment & feedback
Guarantee on avoiding further budget cuts for farmers
Shifting Blame Onto Previous Government
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Animal Welfare Committee's report highlighted the urgent need for further regulation around the breeding of cats due to concerning trends in demand.
I declare an interest as chair of the all-party parliamentary group on cats. The Animal Welfare Committee’s report highlighted the urgent need for further regulation around the breeding of cats after uncovering a trend towards extreme characteristics. Will the Minister set out how many of the report’s recommendations the Government have taken up, and what their timeframes are for implementation?
The Government are closely examining the welfare implications of current feline breeding practices as per the Animal Welfare Committee’s opinion. We are carefully considering their recommendations.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific implementation details of regulations
Promising To Examine And Consider Recommendations
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Farmers in North Norfolk have shown resilience through tough times and are innovating and diversifying, but face more challenges ahead.
What one thing does the Secretary of State think my farmers should be doing to secure their future in the face of so many challenges?
We need to establish farming as a profitable sector. We will work with farmers to ensure this vision is realized.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific advice for securing future
Promising To Work Towards Profitability
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Residents of Burghfield Bridge have suffered years with devastating effects of flooding and are frustrated by the lack of action.
My constituents in Burghfield Bridge have suffered for years with the devastating effects of flooding, and are rightly frustrated that nothing is being done. Will the Minister meet me to discuss flood resilience and better join-up of local agencies in Burghfield Bridge and across my constituency?
I thank the hon. Friend for raising concerns; we have heard them up and down the country today. I would be happy to meet her.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions on flood resilience
Offering To Meet But No Concrete Action
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Scottish pubs are facing higher costs due to extended producer responsibility measures, which classifies bottles delivered to pubs as household waste. This has caused serious harm to the industry.
After many years of rising costs for Scottish pubs, they now face being unfairly caught up in the double jeopardy of extended producer responsibility, as bottles going to pubs are being classed as household waste by DEFRA, even though almost no glass bottles delivered to pubs end up in household waste. Given the extremely tight margins on producing bottled beer, will the Minister consider an EPR exemption for pubs and other hospitality venues, or some kind of easement to help the situation?
We are introducing the biggest set of changes to the regulations in 20 years. We are looking at the issue of dual use, but the real prize with glass is, of course, to get to a reuse system, instead of a recycling system. I have been in touch with the drinks companies to look at how we speed up the start of that.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly address whether an EPR exemption or easement would be considered for pubs and hospitality venues.
Looking At The Issue
Speeding Up Reuse System
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Nuneaton and Bedworth borough council has reduced fly-tipping incidents by more than 10%, while North Warwickshire borough council served only one fixed penalty notice in the year 2023-24.
Labour-led Nuneaton and Bedworth borough council has bucked the national trend in fly-tipping with a reduction in the borough of more than 10%, while total reported incidents have fallen by 200 on the previous year. Meanwhile, neighbouring Conservative-led North Warwickshire borough council served only one fixed penalty notice in the year 2023-24. Does my hon. Friend agree that the actions taken by Nuneaton and Bedworth borough council demonstrate that councils can reduce fly-tipping incidents, and that North Warwickshire must do more to stop the scourge of fly-tipping on our country roads?
I have travelled along those country roads near Coventry many times. My hon. Friend is right: this is a political choice that councils can make. I urge people in the upcoming elections on 1 May to vote for more Labour county councillors, who will take this scourge seriously.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly address whether North Warwickshire must do more to stop fly-tipping but urged voting for more Labour county councillors.
A Political Choice
Upcoming Elections
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
More than 4,000 litres of diesel spilled into the River Wandle from a Transport for London garage in Wimbledon.
Last month, more than 4,000 litres of diesel spilled into the River Wandle from a Transport for London garage in the Secretary of State’s previous constituency. Will the Secretary of State meet me and my hon. Friend the Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Bobby Dean) to discuss what can be done to restore the wildlife and to ensure that that cannot happen again?
I agree that what happened on the River Wandle is shocking; it runs very close to my constituency as well, so I am aware of the situation. The Environment Agency is investigating and, if there was inappropriate behaviour, there will be swift action. I would be happy to arrange an appropriate meeting for the hon. Gentleman.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not commit to a specific meeting but indicated willingness to discuss the matter.
Arrange An Appropriate Meeting
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The operator of Walley's Quarry landfill site, Walley’s Quarry Ltd, has entered liquidation.
For far too long, the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme have had to live with the consequences of Walley’s Quarry landfill site. With the operator, Walley’s Quarry Ltd, now in liquidation, may I urge the Minister to do all she can to make sure that those who caused the mess are forced to pay to clean it up?
We are disappointed that Walley’s Quarry has entered administration. The Environment Agency has attended the landfill site, assessed it and decided that it does not pose an immediate risk, but, of course, we are liaising with specialist contractors to look after the site and we are in close contact with the Environment Agency to recoup those costs.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to ensuring that those responsible would pay for cleanup but said they were working on it.
Liaising With Contractors
Recouping Costs
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about overdevelopment on unspoiled green-belt land have been raised.
May I first congratulate the new councillor, Ian Campbell, on his by-election win yesterday? The team got a great result in my part of the world. Many in my constituency are concerned about the newly coined grey belt, which will be used as an excuse to destroy our land irreversibly. What calculations have the Minister and his Cabinet colleagues made about the impact on the environment of over-development on unspoiled green-belt land?
This is why we will be introducing a land-use framework—to ensure that we can make rational decisions about how land is used to best effect.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specific calculations but indicated an intention to introduce a land-use framework.
Introducing A Land-Use Framework
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government has announced £2.65 billion for flood defence funding.
We are blessed to be nestled between the beautiful River Adur and the sea in my constituency, but that leaves us prone to flooding. Last year, my constituents in Shoreham found their homes and businesses flooded. I welcome the Government’s £2.65 billion for flood defences and must stress the importance of East Worthing and Shoreham getting its fair share of that funding. Will the Minister confirm when the Government will announce funding allocations for local flood defence projects?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that important issue. We are taking decisive action to halt the steady decline in the condition of flood defences that we saw under the previous Government, including shifting an extra £108 million into maintenance. We will announce further projects in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not specify a timeline for announcements but indicated ongoing work on maintenance and future projects.
Decisive Action
Projects Announced In Due Course
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Family farms like the Day family's farm are vital for landscapes such as the dales and moors.
I recently visited New Sheepfold Farm in Ingleby Greenhow to see the great work that the Day family are doing to diversify their farm, help nature recovery and improve enjoyment of our rural area. They did this with the help of the North York Moors National Park Authority and the farming and protected landscape scheme, which I am glad the Government have extended for a further year. Does the Minister agree with me about the importance of family farms, such as that of the Days, in landscapes such as the dales and the moors, and will he ensure that they remain at the forefront of Ministers’ minds?
We are fighting to have the honour of responding to the former Prime Minister! Of course I agree with him. Our focus on farm profitability is precisely so that family farms up and down the country can have a bright and secure future. Any sector that does not make a profit is not going to attract investment and will not have a future. We want farming to succeed in his constituency and in every constituency across the land.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State agreed with the importance but did not commit to ensuring family farms remain at the forefront of ministers' minds.
Fighting For Honour
Focusing On Farm Profitability
Response accuracy