Topical Questions 2021-04-22

2021-04-22

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem
Bath
Context
Earth Day is being celebrated and the Government are engaging with countries around the world in preparation for COP26.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. Today is Earth Day, an initiative that has been running now every year since 1970 and promotes engagement, awareness and individual action for our environment. The Government continue their own engagement with countries around the world in the build-up to COP26 in Glasgow later this year.
Today is Earth Day, an initiative that has been running now every year since 1970 and promotes engagement, awareness and individual action for our environment. The Government continue their own engagement with countries around the world in the build-up to COP26 in Glasgow later this year.
Assessment & feedback
The question was about making a statement on departmental responsibilities, but the answer focused on Earth Day and COP26 without addressing the specific ask for a statement.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem
Bath
Context
Food waste accounts for 19% of the UK's landfill and the proposed targets in the Environment Bill are unlikely to eliminate food waste in landfill by 2030.
Given that food waste accounts for 19% of the UK's landfill and that even the proposed targets in the Environment Bill to separate household food waste collections are unlikely to eliminate food waste in landfill by 2030, is it not time that his Department considered a food waste to landfill ban in England for food waste businesses that produce more than 5 kg of food waste per week?
We are obviously looking at this very carefully through our waste resources strategy and through the provisions in the Environment Bill. We will require local authorities to collect food waste through our consistent collections policy; that is an area that we are consulting on at the moment.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not confirm a ban but acknowledged consideration of options and consultation.
Looking At This Very Carefully
Response accuracy
Q3 Direct Answer
Context
Pet theft, especially of pedigree dogs, is a major issue in Felicity Buchan's constituency.
Pet theft, especially of pedigree dogs, is a major issue in my constituency. What discussions has my right hon. Friend had with the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice about introducing new measures to tackle this crime?
As I said earlier, I had meetings in March with both the Home Secretary and the Chancellor on this particular issue. We have set up a pet theft taskforce that is investigating it and, in particular, gathering the evidence to understand the scale of the problem.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Luke Pollard Lab Co-op
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Context
The year 2020 was the warmest on record, with habitats lost, species facing extinction, and raw sewage pumped into rivers.
The year 2020 was the warmest year on record: more habitats were lost; more species were facing extinction; and more raw sewage was pumped into our nation's rivers, seemingly without consequence for the water companies involved. On Earth Day, will the Secretary of State commit to take fast action against water companies that are pumping raw sewage into our rivers?
I have already acted in this area. The Department has established a taskforce to look at combined sewer overflows, which are one of the key sources of sewage pollution.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific commitment or fast action plans.
I Have Already Acted
Response accuracy
Q5 Direct Answer
David Simmonds Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Context
Research compiled by the Local Government Association indicates that manufacturers of food packaging contribute only about 10% of recycling costs.
According to research compiled by the Local Government Association, the manufacturers of food packaging in the UK contribute only about 10% of the cost of recycling their products. Does my right hon. Friend agree that as part of the efforts we are undertaking to improve the recycling of waste food packaging, we need to see the manufacturers of that packaging contribute much more towards the costs of recycling their products?
I very much agree with my hon. Friend on this matter. As he will be aware, the Environment Bill introduces the concept of extended producer responsibility, and we are consulting on that at the moment.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
Local residents have successfully campaigned against a waste incinerator, and the Welsh Government announced a moratorium on future large-scale incinerators.
Waste incinerators emit toxins and pollutants that are harmful to human health and exacerbate climate change. I am pleased to say that local residents in my constituency of Cynon Valley have recently successfully campaigned against a waste incinerator through the Valleys For Tourism Not Trash campaign, and the Welsh Government have recently announced a moratorium on any future large-scale incinerators. Will the Minister commit to reconsidering the Government's decision to exclude waste incinerators from their post-Brexit carbon emissions trading scheme?
This is obviously a contentious area. However, energy from waste can be a way of extracting some use from it.
Assessment & feedback
The question asked for reconsideration of excluding waste incinerators from the carbon emissions trading scheme but received a discussion on benefits and drawbacks without commitment to reconsidering.
This Is Obviously A Contentious Area
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Context
Charity shops are experiencing an increase in donations and fly-tipping, leading to higher costs.
Charity shops are currently experiencing both a surge in donations and an increase in fly-tipping on their doorsteps. Many of the goods donated are of poor quality and simply cannot be sold on. This is causing significant extra waste disposal costs for charities, which have already seen their incomes diminish during the pandemic. What support can DEFRA offer through its new waste management plan to support the charitable community in this financial challenge?
My hon. Friend makes an important point. Fly-tipping has become a scourge in recent years. It has become a growing problem, with organised gangs behind some of these waste crime incidents.
Assessment & feedback
The question asked for specific support through the new waste management plan but received general comments on fly-tipping and waste crimes.
My Hon. Friend Makes An Important Point
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Ian Lavery Lab
Blyth and Ashington
Context
A report by the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union revealed that one in five workers in the British food sector face food insecurity due to low wages. The questioner highlights this as a human rights issue.
The Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union released a report revealing that 20% of people working in Britain's food industry are facing food scarcity due to insufficient earnings. Given the UK's wealth status, the MP argues for access to affordable, nutritious food as a fundamental human right. He asks the Secretary of State if he agrees with this viewpoint and whether the government will commit to including the 'right to food' in next month's Queen's Speech.
The Government closely monitors household spending on food and supports raising earnings for low-paid workers through the national living wage policy. Since its implementation, household spending on food among the poorest has decreased from 16% to under 15%, which is a record low.
Assessment & feedback
Commitment to including 'right to food' in Queen's Speech
We Agree That We Want To Raise Earnings Among The Lowest Paid Introducing A National Living Wage And Then Increase It Incrementally
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
Local councillors in Stoke Bardolph and Burton Joyce are forming a flood action group to prevent flooding and reassure residents. The MP seeks recognition for these efforts and asks about government assistance.
The questioner is collaborating with local councillors in Stoke Bardolph and Burton Joyce to establish a flood action group aimed at preventing flooding and providing reassurance to residents. He commends volunteers involved and requests the Secretary of State to also recognise their work, and inquire what steps the Government plans to take to prevent flooding in Nottinghamshire.
The hon. Member's local efforts are recognised and commended. The Environment Agency collaborates with local authorities on flood resilience forums, aiding communities to enhance their resistance to floods. Additionally, a major investment programme of over £5 billion is planned for the next five years aimed at building flood defences.
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps in Nottinghamshire
We Have Our Flood Resilience Forums Around The Country An Ambitious Capital Programme Of More Than £5 Billion Over The Next Five Years
Response accuracy