Topical Questions 2024-09-12
2024-09-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The financial allocation for Scotland's departments is yet to be confirmed through the spending review. The question arises from the need to provide clarity on how funding will support farming and agriculture in Scotland.
Scotland's financial allocation will be confirmed through the spending review that concludes in October. As agriculture is devolved, it will be for the Scottish Government to allocate funding to farmers in Scotland. Will the Secretary of State make a statement on his departmental responsibilities?
Scotland's financial allocation will be confirmed through the spending review that concludes in October. As agriculture is devolved, it will be for the Scottish Government to allocate funding to farmers in Scotland.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about making a statement on departmental responsibilities was not directly addressed.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Farming and agriculture are vital parts of the economy in west Fife and Dunfermline. The economic, social, and environmental value of active farming and crofting in Scotland is significant.
Farming and agriculture are a vital part of the economy in west Fife and my constituency of Dunfermline and Dollar. Given the economic, social and environmental value of active farming and crofting in Scotland, will the Secretary of State share what he will do to ensure that food security and food production in Scotland remain at the heart of our national security?
Many of those issues are devolved to the Scottish Government. I have already held meetings with the Scottish Agriculture Minister and we are due to meet again next week, and I will be making sure that we have a strong working relationship.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about ensuring food security was not directly addressed.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The Water (Special Measures) Bill was announced to strengthen requirements on water firms, but concerns exist about regulatory easements being introduced.
The Secretary of State has repeatedly talked tough with the water companies. Will he confirm that there will be no regulatory easements as part of the review?
The very Bill that the right hon. Gentleman referred to strengthens regulation. We will be looking further at regulation through the review. The intention will be to make it stronger, not weaker.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Raw sewage was discharged into rivers and seas for 4 million hours last year, causing significant environmental damage.
Will the Minister reassure our coastal communities that water companies will be held accountable for necessary investment to address systemic pollution of waters?
We will not stand by and allow these levels of pollution to continue. I hope that where she saw inaction in the past, she will see this Government taking action right now through our Water (Special Measures) Bill.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about holding water companies accountable was not directly addressed.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
Water bills in the west midlands are set to increase by 37% over the decade, causing concerns about affordability for constituents.
What steps will the Secretary of State take to stop private water companies from increasing consumer bills and ensure they remain affordable?
Customer bills will be ringfenced under the changes brought about by the Government, and if that money is not spent on infrastructure improvement, it will be refunded to customers.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
Water bills increased despite Southern Water failing to meet service standards, leading to environmental damage.
What are the Government doing to clean up the mess left by Southern Water?
One of the things we are looking at doing is doubling the rates of compensation from water companies when they let down their customers.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Animal and Plant Health Agency staff face challenges such as bluetongue in East Anglia, African swine fever across Europe, avian influenza, and bovine tuberculosis.
Will the Minister support APHA by affirming that the Government will fully commit to the redevelopment of its HQ in Weybridge?
The Department remains vigilant to potential global disease threats and has robust measures in place. We will be looking at funding as part of the spending review.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about full commitment for HQ redevelopment was not directly addressed.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Thanet district council faces high levels of littering and fly-tipping during peak tourist season, affecting local beaches.
Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are popular seaside destinations. Thanet district council deals with significant littering and fly-tipping issues. At the end of a hot day, 5,000 people leave Margate main sands very dirty. The rubbish is an environmental and health hazard. What plans do the Government have to support coastal communities in tackling this blight?
I welcome my hon. Friend to her place. We need to educate the public that there is no such thing as 'away' when disposing of waste at beaches. I am convening a circular economy taskforce, and we will look at seasonal needs as part of that.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific plans not addressed; instead suggests education and taskforce review
We Need To Educate The Public
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The environmental land management scheme aims at climate and nature recovery. The RSPB, National Trust and Wildlife Trusts propose a £5.9 billion annual budget increase.
Any cuts to the environmental land management scheme would damage farmers and hinder Government's climate and nature targets. Does the Secretary of State agree with an economic assessment made by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the National Trust and the Wildlife Trusts that the ELM scheme budget will need to be increased to around £5.9 billion a year?
The Government remain fully committed to the ELM schemes, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor will make announcements about the budget at the appropriate time.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment on specific budget increase or agreement with proposed amount; defers announcement timing
Announcements To Be Made Later
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Yorkshire Water caused almost 18,000 hours of sewage discharges in the constituency.
There were almost 18,000 hours of sewage dumping by Yorkshire Water in my constituency last year. What is the Minister doing to ensure that Yorkshire Water cleans up its act and our beautiful River Don?
I thank my hon. Friend for her question and welcome her to her place. She is a tireless champion for her constituency, raising this issue with me before. Our new Water (Special Measures) Bill will clean up our rivers, lakes and seas.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific action against Yorkshire Water mentioned; cites new bill without details
Welcoming Her To The Place
Referencing A Future Bill
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State is discussing the justice impact test for a new water bill.
The Secretary of State is talking tough but will he publish the justice impact test for his Water (Special Measures) Bill and list additional court cases and prison places needed?
We will publish all information relating to the Bill at the appropriate time during its passage through Parliament.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment on publishing test or listing additional measures; defers timing
Publishing At An Unspecified Future Date
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Rural crime is a significant issue affecting Essex farmers.
What action will the Secretary of State and his Department take to support farmers in addressing rural crime, which is huge in my constituency?
I am pleased to say that I made a joint announcement with the Home Secretary for a cross-departmental rural crime strategy intended to cut huge impacts on communities.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific measures mentioned; cites broad strategy without details
Referencing A Broad Strategic Approach
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
The policy of biodiversity net gain is now mandatory but has exemptions which many developers are exploiting.
Biodiversity net gain must replace loss and is now mandatory for planning applications. What will the Government do to tighten up current exemptions?
This new policy has just come into force and we are keeping it under active review. I am in discussions with officials about tightening up any current exemptions.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific actions mentioned; acknowledges review but no concrete plans
Acknowledging A Review
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
A bluetongue outbreak is serious and requires swift testing by the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
The bluetongue outbreak at Haddiscoe is concerning, and it's crucial that the APHA has sufficient resources for quick testing. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss this urgent matter?
I am happy to ensure that the relevant Minister meets my hon. Friend, but I note that APHA and other authorities are doing a good job right now of containing this worrying incident.
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Assessment & feedback
No meeting commitment; cites current containment efforts without details
Acknowledging Ongoing Containment
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
The High Weald area of outstanding natural beauty faces pressure due to centrally imposed housing targets.
In Bexhill and Battle, we enjoy the High Weald AONB but it's expansive at 1,400 sq km. What advice did your Department give Housing on planning issues for such areas?
Our national landscapes are protected, and planning authorities work appropriately. I am in discussions with officials and will write to the hon. Gentleman properly addressing this issue.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific advice given; mentions ongoing discussions without details
Referencing Protected Landscapes
Acknowledging Discussions
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
Bluetongue cases confirmed in the constituency, impacting local farmers.
In my constituency we have confirmed bluetongue cases and a farmer lost six pregnant ewes. Will the Minister meet me to discuss this issue?
I will happily ensure my hon. Friend gets a meeting, perhaps with our hon. Friend from South Norfolk (Ben Goldsborough), to discuss this issue in her region.
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Assessment & feedback
No direct commitment; suggests joint discussion without details
Suggesting A Joint Meeting
Response accuracy
Q17
Direct Answer
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Context
26 year 3 students wrote to the MP expressing their concern over sewage discharge into the Thames.
Before summer holidays, 26 year 3 students in Cookham expressed concern over sewage discharge. Will the Minister meet me and students at Holy Trinity to discuss these concerns?
As a former primary teacher, how can I not say yes? I am already looking forward to it.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
The Thetford biomass facility in South West Norfolk turns half a million tonnes of poultry litter into electricity annually. Concerns arise over the end of the renewables obligation scheme affecting its operation and waste management.
I am very concerned about the future of the Thetford biomass facility in my constituency. Every year, it turns half a million tonnes of poultry litter into electricity. Has the Secretary of State had meetings to discuss the potential impact of the end of the renewables obligation scheme on the disposal of poultry litter?
We are in the early stages of looking at how we deal with the country's waste and considering the policies we will bring forward. This will be looked at as part of the review. We will be working with colleagues from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to ensure we get the right results.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details about meetings or plans related to the Thetford biomass facility were not provided, only a general statement of reviewing waste management policies.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q19
Direct Answer
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Context
The closure of Marsh Lock bridge on the Thames path in Henley-on-Thames has raised concerns among local residents regarding access to recreational areas.
Will the Secretary of State meet me and the Environment Agency to discuss the closure of Marsh Lock bridge on the Thames path in Henley-on-Thames?
I would be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman and the Environment Agency to discuss the matter in more detail.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy