Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Air Quality

Thursday 18 December 2025 · 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

  • Kate Osamor noted that the Government's policy to strengthen standards for new waste incinerators is insufficient to address concerns for her constituents affected by the Edmonton incinerator.
  • Jim Shannon questioned whether the proposed policy on wood stoves would be fair to individuals who rely on wood stoves as a primary heat source, especially those in rural areas.
  • The Government aims to promote circularity in waste streams, reducing the amount sent for incineration and landfill, and will reform recycling processes for households and businesses starting from April 2024.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osamor Labour (Co-op) Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
Environment
Context

The MP raised concerns about the impact of a new Edmonton incinerator on her constituents' health despite government efforts to strengthen standards for new waste incinerators. She highlighted the need for further action to reduce reliance on incineration.

Question

Kate Osamor noted that while the Government's policy to strengthen standards for new waste incinerators was a step in the right direction, it did not alleviate concerns for her constituents affected by the Edmonton incinerator under construction. She urged the government to take further action to reduce incentives for continued reliance on incineration.

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mary Creagh)

Our future circular economy growth plan aims to go beyond recycling by promoting circularity in waste streams, reducing the amount sent for incineration and landfill. Additionally, we are reforming recycling processes for households and businesses with food waste collections starting from April 2024 and encouraging reduced and recyclable packaging.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request to reduce incentives for reliance on incineration was not directly addressed with concrete actions or commitments.

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Q2 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Energy Environment
Context

The MP expressed concern about the impact of upcoming regulations on households using wood stoves, particularly those in rural areas who rely on these for heating.

Question

Jim Shannon highlighted that many people use wood stoves as a primary heat source, especially those living on farms where fallen trees provide fuel. He questioned whether the proposed policy will be fair to these individuals who have committed to using wood stoves and asked how their concerns could be addressed.

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mary Creagh)

Wood burners are an important means of heating homes. The upcoming consultation will focus on implementing tighter standards for new wood-burning appliances to mitigate health impacts while considering the needs of those who rely on these devices.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific concerns about fairness and impact on rural users were not directly addressed with concrete actions or commitments.

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