Topical Questions 2022-04-28

2022-04-28

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The MP noted concerns about the impact of the Russian invasion on international commodity markets and its effect on fertiliser costs and labour availability.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities regarding the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on international commodity markets, particularly concerning fertiliser costs and labour availability in agriculture.
The Russian invasion has caused shocks to international commodity markets. The UK issued a joint statement with the US on keeping markets open for essential commodities like wheat. I met political leaders and the US farming industry in the United States to discuss challenges, particularly rising fertiliser costs and labour availability.
Assessment & feedback
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Q2 Partial Answer
Context
The MP supports the Government's introduction of biodiversity net gain and wants it to become mandatory on all construction sites in England.
Will the Secretary of State commit to ensuring that biodiversity net gain becomes mandatory on all construction sites in England by the end of 2023?
My hon. Friend is right about the importance of biodiversity net gain. We have committed to a two-year transitional period to ensure that it is introduced in that timeframe.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not commit explicitly to making biodiversity net gain mandatory by the end of 2023.
Two-Year Transitional Period
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Ruth Jones Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
Context
The National Audit Office's report on waste crime revealed a poor record of prosecutions by the Tory Government. The MP urges setting a robust target for Environment Agency prosecutions.
When will the Minister finally get a grip on tackling waste crime and at least set a robust and achievable target for precisely how many criminals the Environment Agency will prosecute this year?
We have established the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, awarded £450,000 across 11 councils for innovative technology, and enhanced powers for local authorities to take enforcement action. Local authorities have legal powers to take action, which I urge them to use.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not set a specific prosecution target as requested.
Suite Of Measures Enhanced Powers
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Bob Blackman Con
Harrow East
Context
Fly-tipping is the main issue raised by constituents in Harrow. The MP seeks a process for councils to obtain funding from the Department to combat this.
Can she assure us that there will be a process for urban and suburban councils to get funding from the Department to ensure that they can combat fly-tipping?
I am working on the next tranche of funding. I would be happy to come and see the issue in Harrow, discuss with constituents what more we can do, and help get rid of this blight.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide assurance about a specific process for councils to obtain funding.
Working On The Next Tranche Happy To Come
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Justin Madders Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Context
The MP asks the Minister to ensure criteria are transparent for future rounds of grants to combat fly-tipping.
If there are to be further rounds of grants, I urge her to ensure the criteria for selection are transparent and clear.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide any specific details or commitments about transparency in future rounds of grants.
Response accuracy
Q6 Direct Answer
Context
The MP highlights frequent sewage discharges into the Thames estuary and seeks information on actions being taken to prevent this.
Will the Secretary of State or the Minister tell me please what is being done to stop water companies discharging untreated sewage into the Thames estuary around Southend?
We have launched a storm sewage discharge reduction plan consultation under the Environment Act 2021, setting out how we will tackle sewage discharges. The Thames tideway tunnel is due to complete.
Assessment & feedback
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Q7 Direct Answer
Jim Shannon DUP
Strangford
Context
The MP raises the issue of encouraging innovative and diverse farming practices.
What is being done to encourage farmers to do just that to help the economy?
Up to 2028-29, we will be investing £270 million across a programme of innovation to boost research and development and innovation. I spoke to Northern Irish farmers about driving this forward.
Assessment & feedback
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Q8 Direct Answer
Context
The MP seeks special designation for shellfish waters such as the Blackwater estuary to protect them from contamination.
Will my hon. Friend consider giving special designation to shellfish waters, such as those in the Blackwater estuary where Maldon oysters are grown, to protect them from contamination?
Blackwater is one of 96 designated shellfish waters to protect economically significant shellfish production. I have been working closely with my hon. Friend on this issue.
Assessment & feedback
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Q9 Partial Answer
Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Context
The MP discusses issues like the Groceries Code Adjudicator and integrity of the UK internal market with National Farmers Union Scotland and Scotland Office Ministers.
When she receives those representations, will she do as the Scotland Office has done and bring in all the farmers?
I had a good meeting with Lesley Griffiths and Mairi Gougeon last night. We will continue to discuss these matters.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specific commitments or timelines for involving all farmers in discussions.
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
The Environmental Audit Committee published a report on water quality in rivers which the Government are supposed to respond to within 60 days, extended to 90 days and now at 105 days.
Further to the questions from my hon. Friend the Member for Southend West (Anna Firth) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale), the Environmental Audit Committee published its report on water quality in rivers, which was widely well received across the House. The Government are supposed to respond to a Select Committee report within 60 days. I granted an extension to 90 days. I think we are now at 105 days. Can we please have this report today?
I am well aware of that issue, as my right hon. Friend knows—indeed, I have discussed it with him—and I absolutely am chasing this up. If I could, I would get the response to him today, but it will come very soon.
Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline not given, only 'very soon'
If I Could, I Would
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Dave Doogan SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Context
Input costs in agriculture are at a high, including feed, fuel, fertiliser, energy, and wages. The Home Office's pernicious surcharge on growers is £10.10 an hour.
Input costs in agriculture are at a tremendous high, including for feed, fuel, fertiliser, energy and wages. On that last point, the Home Office's pernicious surcharge on growers of £10.10 an hour has no basis in reality. Will the Secretary of State explain what the Home Office is thinking, and will he come to speak to my local growers to see how they can make their way through this unnecessarily difficult situation?
In introducing the seasonal agriculture workers scheme, we were very keen for it not to undermine the domestic labour market and prevent people from joining it. We wanted to give industry access to labour, but not to cheap labour. That is why we followed the Migration Advisory Committee's recommendation to have a slightly higher minimum wage for those coming in under the scheme.
Assessment & feedback
No commitment to meet with local growers
That Is Why
Response accuracy
Q12 Direct Answer
Context
Farmers in Wales and Aberconwy are concerned that tree planting could create a new asset class by carbon capture incentives, which might encourage the purchase and forestation of viable upland farms.
In Wales and Aberconwy, farmers have told me of their concerns that an unintended consequence of encouraging tree planting is, specifically, the creation of a new asset class by carbon capture incentives, which encourage the purchase and forestation of viable upland farms. Will my right hon. Friend reassure them that he has that under control?
I reassure my hon. Friend that we are well aware of that challenge. My noble Friend Lord Benyon is leading a piece of work on the green market, including looking at where we should allow private capital to support the development of new forestry.
Assessment & feedback
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Q13 Partial Answer
Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem
Bath
Context
There are fears that dogs swimming in rivers will be poisoned by sewage. Water companies should report on the number of dogs and animals poisoned.
Further to the questions about sewage, there are fears that dogs swimming in rivers will be poisoned by sewage. Will the Secretary of State make it mandatory for water companies to report on the number of dogs and animals poisoned in their rivers and name and shame the worst offenders?
We have been clear about our work to crack down on pollution in rivers. We have just launched our targets, which have all the details, and our storm sewage overflows discharge plan consultation. I recommend that the hon. Lady looks at and puts her views in.
Assessment & feedback
No commitment to mandate reporting or naming offenders
I Recommend
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Context
Kingfisher Seafoods in the constituency has been awarded a grant by the Marine Management Organisation to move into depuration but needs equipment not available by the time of grant expiry.
Kingfisher Seafoods in my constituency is one of the largest producers of cockles and mussels in the UK. It has been awarded a grant by the Marine Management Organisation to move into depuration, but unfortunately, the equipment that they need to buy will not be available by the time the grant expires. May I urge the Minister to apply some of her good sense to the MMO to get it to work with Kingfisher on a solution to that?
My hon. Friend is a great champion for his constituents, and particularly for that seafood company. We have discussed it before, and I undertake to look into how we can extend the time available for the application process.
Assessment & feedback
No commitment to specifically extending timeline
We Have Discussed
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Chi Onwurah Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Context
A successful slush syrup manufacturer in the constituency recently reformulated its recipe to reduce sugar, replacing it with glycerine as the anti-freezing agent. The war in Ukraine and covid have made glycerine unobtainable or available at high prices.
A successful slush syrup manufacturer in my constituency recently reformulated its recipe to reduce sugar, replacing it with glycerine as the anti-freezing agent. As a result of the war in Ukraine and covid, glycerine has become unobtainable, or obtainable only at absolutely exorbitant prices. Will the Minister urgently meet me to discuss how we can make sure that that successful manufacturer keeps manufacturing?
I would be delighted to meet the hon. Lady to discuss that issue. As I said, we have good food security. We are very fortunate that the war in Ukraine has not directly impacted most of the food that we eat, but in isolated cases, there are real difficulties.
Assessment & feedback
No commitment to specific meeting details
We Have Good Food Security
Response accuracy