Topical Questions 2022-01-27

2022-01-27

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The MP is seeking clarity on the department's initiatives following a recent announcement.
I am concerned about ensuring tenant farmers can access future agricultural policies. Will my right hon Friend make a statement on his departmental responsibilities?
Today I can announce that my noble Friend Baroness Rock will be chairing a new working group to investigate how we can ensure that tenant farmers access our schemes.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Context
The MP is concerned about the bureaucratic burdens on East Anglian inshore fishermen, especially regarding vessel testing stability, monitoring, and app usage.
I have concerns about the bureaucratic burden being imposed with regard to vessel testing stability, inshore vessel monitoring and the under-10-metre catch app. Will my right hon Friend ensure that obligations on SMEs are proportionate and realistic?
We have increased the amount of quota in the inshore pool by around 70%, which is a positive development. However, I can assure that we will continue to work on making obligations proportionate.
Assessment & feedback
the specific ask for ensuring proportionate and realistic regulatory burdens was not directly addressed with concrete commitments
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Jim McMahon Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Context
The MP is concerned about the food industry's struggle with inflation, CO2 crisis, fuel costs, labour shortages, and other issues. He also notes that a roundtable discussion was convened.
The food industry faces numerous challenges such as inflation, CO2 shortage, feed price increases, and labour shortages which are pushing up costs and prices for consumers. Can the Secretary of State outline what plans there are to tackle these issues?
The food industry employs millions of people and brings prosperity. We are managing cost pressures caused by gas prices through collaboration with industry.
Assessment & feedback
the specific ask for a detailed plan was not addressed; only general support was provided without specifics
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Jim McMahon Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Context
The MP raises concerns about sewage discharges in the River Wye due to investment reduction, water company debt, and a decrease in Environment Agency grants. He also criticizes the Prime Minister's response.
What is being done to reduce sewage discharges given that investment is down, water companies are heavily in debt, private investment has not followed, and the Environment Agency's funding has been cut?
The Environment Act 2021 legally obliges reductions in storm overflows. Spending on catchment sensitive farming has doubled, and the number of inspectors increased by 50%.
Assessment & feedback
the specific ask for ensuring everyone's right to clean water was not directly addressed; only general measures were mentioned
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Context
The MP wants to know more about the rollout of future farming schemes for rural areas, noting that farmers welcome policies promoting environmental benefits and food production.
Can my right hon Friend update me on the roll-out of future farming schemes in Buckinghamshire?
The sustainable farming incentive will open this year. Payment rates for countryside stewardship have increased.
Assessment & feedback
the specific ask about financial support was not addressed directly; only general scheme details were provided
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
The MP is concerned about food insecurity affecting millions of people due to rising prices, national insurance hikes, reduced universal credit, and a Select Committee report.
Given that there are 6.6 million people in food insecurity with insufficient daily food, will my right hon Friend agree that this number could reach 10 million without intervention? Will he meet me and the co-operative movement to discuss solutions?
We have the lowest spending on food as a percentage of household income in Europe. However, there are challenges for certain individuals, which is why we offer holiday funding.
Assessment & feedback
the specific ask about meeting to discuss solutions and enshrining the right to food was not addressed; only general statistics were provided
Response accuracy
Q7 Direct Answer
Context
The MP is concerned about the financial readiness of the inshore commercial fleet when the TCA agreement ends, especially those from Looe.
Will my right hon Friend confirm that there will be financial support to help upgrade fishing vessels and ready them for five and a half years' time when the TCA agreement with the EU ends?
Yes, we have a new £100 million fund to support a range of activities, including port infrastructure as well as upgrades to vessels.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Context
Southern Water claims responsibility issues for sewage discharges, citing mixed company involvement. There's a model in Wales with one publicly controlled water board.
When I met Southern Water to discuss sewage discharges, it said, “Oh, it isn't our fault because we're not in charge of runoffs and there's a mixture of companies that do sewage treatment.” Is it not time to follow the model in Wales and have one water board that is publicly controlled by the consumers, so that there is no more finger pointing in other directions?
The Environment Agency brought a prosecution against Southern Water in respect of its failures, and it received, as the hon. Gentleman will know, a record fine of £90 million.
Assessment & feedback
Implementation of a single public-controlled water board similar to Wales
Brought Prosecution Record Fine
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
Illegal waste sites are a significant problem in North Staffordshire with many organisations involved, leading to unregulated activities.
Illegal waste sites have been a problem across North Staffordshire, and the number of organisations and agencies involved in regulating waste is allowing unscrupulous actors to go unchecked, so will Ministers look at better regulating waste?
Yes, I will. As my hon. Friend knows, I have been up to his part of the world and have looked at some of the challenges there. We need to do more, we will do more, and we will keep monitoring until we get it right.
Assessment & feedback
Concrete steps or timeline for improved regulation
Need To Do More Keep Monitoring
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
Government authorised a neonicotinoid pesticide despite advice from the Health and Safety Executive and the Government's expert committee against it.
The Government's recent decision to authorise a neonic, bee-destroying pesticide runs contrary to the advice of both the Health and Safety Executive and the Government's expert committee on pesticides. How on earth is this decision compatible with the Government's legal requirement to halt species loss by 2030, and will the Secretary of State look again at this particular decision?
I addressed this issue earlier. The chief scientist gave some analysis, along with others. We took a decision firmly based on the science. Twelve other EU countries have done so, too.
Assessment & feedback
Reconsideration of pesticide authorisation
Based On Science Other Eu Countries
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Context
Corbett meadow, a historic piece of land in the constituency with green-belt protections in draft local plan.
Corbett meadow is a historic piece of land in my constituency and in the draft local plan it has been afforded the same protections as green-belt land. Does my hon. Friend agree that the recommendations should be carried forward into the final plan, not just because the land is our green lungs but for mental health and wellbeing?
I cannot comment on matters in that specific plan, but I congratulate my hon. Friend on that work, as our wildflower meadows are so precious. There are only 3% left, and we need to get them protected and communities looking after them as much as possible.
Assessment & feedback
Agreement on carrying forward protections in the final plan
Cannot Comment Congratulations
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Kerry McCarthy Lab
Bristol East
Context
Government promised a White Paper in six months following the publication of the national food strategy.
The Government promised a White Paper in response to the national food strategy within six months of its publication. That time runs out at the end of this month, so when are we going to see it? Please do not say “shortly” or “soon”.
We are working on it and it will be published in due course.
Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline or date of publication
Working On It Due Course
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
Hempsted woods project in Gloucester aims for every child to plant a tree, with the minister participating last year.
In this “tree-bilee” year, the Environment Minister knows about Gloucester's huge new project, Hempsted woods, where I hope every child will have the chance to plant a tree. She herself kindly planted an apple tree there last year. Does she agree that it would be very helpful if the Department could publish a crib sheet about how everybody in the country can access new trees to plant this year, as soon as possible?
It was a pleasure to plant that tree; I hope it is doing well. I congratulate my hon. Friend on his tremendous work with the whole team in Gloucester to plant that huge wood. It will make such a difference to our tree target. It is a great idea of his to send out a list of all the myriad grants that are available for tree planting.
Assessment & feedback
Specific timing or plan for publishing information on tree planting opportunities
Pleasure Congratulations
Response accuracy