Topical Questions

Question

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.

Question

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?

Question

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?

Question

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?

Question

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?

Question

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?

Question

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?

Question

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.

Question

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.