Topical Questions 2026-02-05
2026-02-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Southport is a seaside resort where sewage discharges are impacting the local environment.
As you will know, Mr Speaker, Southport is a lovely seaside resort and one of the nicest places to visit in the whole of the country, so what recent discussions has the Minister had with United Utilities about reducing sewage discharges, which affect Southport and the wider north-west coast?
The Water Minister and I are working closely with water companies across the country, including United Utilities, to drive them to reform their operations and clean up rivers, lakes and seas. Our water White Paper will replace the one-size-fits-all approach with dedicated supervisory teams at every company. UU is investing £50 million to upgrade Southport’s waste water treatment by 2029 to reduce storm overflow spills and improve coastal water quality.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The EU reset deal is expected to cut farming budgets significantly, raise food prices and decrease production.
The EU reset deal is predicted to slash around a third of the Government’s farming budget from farm profits in its first year, cause higher food prices and lower food production, and sink the UK fishing industry. As the Prime Minister’s authority seeps away, will the Secretary of State insist that this shoddy deal is renegotiated while she is still in post?
Nice try! We are still negotiating the deal, and the whole purpose of it is to bring down trade barriers that the right hon. Lady’s Government put up during their botched Brexit negotiations.
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Assessment & feedback
The exact renegotiation request was not addressed with specifics.
Nice Try!
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Over 40 MPs and peers signed a letter raising concerns about the import of illegal seafood.
Today a letter is on its way to the Secretary of State. It is signed by over 40 MPs and peers, and highlights the Coalition for Fisheries Transparency’s “Criminal catches” report. Will the Minister agree to meet us to discuss how we can stop the UK becoming a dumping ground for illegal seafood linked to criminality, environmental destruction and human exploitation?
Once my hon. Friend gets the letter off to us, she will certainly get a reply. The UK has a robust regulatory framework to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. DEFRA and the Marine Management Organisation work closely with the devolved Governments, local authorities and port health authorities to ensure that documents are appropriately checked and verified on seafood imports from all countries.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific meeting request was not confirmed.
Once My Hon. Friend Gets The Letter Off To Us, She Will Certainly Get A Reply.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
There is concern over the impact of methane-reducing feed additives used in livestock farming, such as Bovaer.
What steps is DEFRA taking to raise public awareness of the impact of methane-reducing feed additives used in livestock farming, such as Bovaer? What steps is DEFRA taking to ensure that all chemicals and additives are tested and proven to be safe for humans, animals and nature before being approved for use in agriculture and food?
We have a system. Methane-reducing food products, including seaweed, oils and synthetic products such as Bovaer, are a key tool in reducing emissions from agriculture by up to one third. Bovaer is approved for use in 70 countries, including those in the EU, Switzerland, the US, Canada and Australia. We are building the market for safe, effective options and helping farmers to adopt them. Such products are approved by the Food Standards Agency.
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Assessment & feedback
The public awareness campaign details were not provided.
We Have A System.
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Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
Residents of Jameson Road landfill site area are enduring toxic stench due to Transwaste's activities.
My constituents have had to put up with over two years of toxic stench because of Transwaste’s disgraceful activity at the Jameson Road landfill site. Residents are weary of the endless enforcement orders issued by the Environment Agency. It is not complicated: the toxic stink has to stop. Will the Minister work with me to ensure that the Environment Agency has the powers to shut down these cowboys once and for all?
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for her tireless campaigning on that disgraceful site. The Environment Agency has served a notice requiring the operator to reduce the risk of smells, and the deadline is 9 February. We expect the operator to comply. If it does not, all options, including suspension and closure, remain on the table.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Storm Chandra caused severe flooding in multiple villages in West Dorset.
Following Storm Chandra, vast swathes of West Dorset are under water. An amber warning is in place, and we are expecting more flooding. Whole villages have become islands. Eighty-four houses in Yetminster have sewage in them. One family in Maiden Newton had only just moved back into their house following 15 months of repairs after the previous flooding, only to get flooded again within three days. Will the Minister please visit West Dorset and explain to residents how she will get the water companies and the Environment Agency to focus on flood-prone areas?
I can hear the hon. Gentleman’s passion and how upset he is about the devastating impact that repeated flooding has had on his community. We are putting a record amount of money into flood defences and will continue to do so. We are also looking at how we can work more effectively with other agencies in the area.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific visit request was not confirmed.
I Can Hear The Hon. Gentleman’S Passion
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Tideswell brook is the second most pharmaceutically polluted river in the UK.
Tideswell brook was deemed to be the second most pharmaceutically polluted river in the UK, despite being a site of special scientific interest and in a national park. Concentrations of some chemicals are currently more than 2.8 times higher than annual average environmental standards. Will the Government therefore follow the example recently set by the European Union, and require sewage treatment works to treat pharmaceutical micro-pollutants?
Tideswell brook is an issue that requires a thorough investigation. I am not aware of specific steps being taken by the EU in this regard, but we will consider all options to address pollution from pharmaceutical micro-pollutants.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific mandate request was not addressed with details.
I Am Not Aware Of Specific Steps Being Taken By The Eu In This Regard
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Q8
Direct Answer
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On January 8, the US Secretary of the Interior wrote to the UK Secretary of State on behalf of the big game hunting industry asking for the commitment to the trophy importation ban to be abandoned.
In her reply to the US Secretary of the Interior, will she give a robust indication that this Government are committed to maintaining their ban on importing hunting trophies?
We are committed to banning trophy hunting. It is a manifesto commitment, and we will take it forward.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q9
Direct Answer
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Context
The River Derwent, which powers the early industrial revolution, flows through Derby and up to the Peak district. Local councils, MPs, East Midlands Mayor, and various organizations agree that turning existing rambling paths into a continuous river walk will benefit health, economy, and wellbeing.
Will the Minister provide an update on establishing regional river walks along the River Derwent?
We said in our manifesto that we would deliver nine new national river walks—one in every region—to bring nature closer to people and make it accessible to everyone. The first walk, in the north-west, will be completed in the spring, and there will be a competition later this year for the next locations.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government’s own national security assessment warns that biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse pose serious risks to the UK's long-term food security, potentially intensifying natural disasters. Parliament has yet to discuss this matter.
Given that Parliament has not had the opportunity to debate this assessment, will the Secretary of State support a dedicated debate on these risks and actions across Government?
The Secretary of State and I have just spent a couple of days in Manchester looking at that with the international science panel on nature. We will report on Monday about how business can do better in tackling those risks, bringing the nature and climate debates together.
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Assessment & feedback
Support for dedicated debate
Bringing The Nature And Climate Debates Together
Response accuracy