Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Victims of Ecocide

Tuesday 10 December 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Danny Chambers asked the Minister about steps taken to support victims of ecocide through the criminal justice system.
  • The Minister mentioned the victims code, which outlines services and support victims of crime are entitled to receive.
  • Danny Chambers also asked for a sewage victims compensation scheme to address issues related to water companies.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Danny Chambers Lib Dem Winchester
Justice & Courts Environment
Context

The question arises from the need to support victims affected by large-scale environmental destruction. The term 'ecocide' is being considered in legal contexts.

Question

What steps her Department is taking through the criminal justice system to help support victims of ecocide.

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

The victims code sets out the services and support that victims of crime are entitled to receive from the criminal justice system in England and Wales. That includes the right to access support, which applies regardless of whether they decide to report the crime directly to the police. We provide police and crime commissioners with annual grant funding to commission local, practical, emotional, and therapeutic support services for all victims of crime.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about steps being taken regarding ecocide but the answer provided general victim support measures without addressing ecocide-specific actions or policies.

How: Provided General Information On Victim Support Rather Than Specific Measures For Ecocide

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Danny Chambers Lib Dem Winchester
NHS Environment
Context

England hosts a significant portion of the world's chalk streams, with Winchester having Rivers Itchen and Meon. However, these rivers face ecological challenges due to over-abstraction, pollution, and sewage dumping by water companies.

Question

Will the Minister, in addition to coming down harder on water companies, commit to implementing a sewage victims compensation scheme for that particular problem?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

I will ensure that the hon. Member's comments are passed to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Minister responsible for water quality. I can confirm that we are committed to delivering for nature, taking action to meet our targets in the Environment Act 2021, and that we work in partnership with civil society, communities and businesses to restore and protect our natural world.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically requested a commitment to a compensation scheme but the answer did not provide such a commitment or details of any proposed action.

How: Passed Comments To Relevant Departments Without Committing To A Specific Compensation Scheme

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email