Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1124875

registered interest
date	07/05/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Water Companies: Insolvency
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent retailers in the water market who sell to SME customers from failing.
tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
uin	HL15550
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>When considering applications from potential retailers, Ofwat, the economic regulator for the water industry, considers whether it would have sufficient financial resources to finance its obligations under the law and to deliver its business plan. Once the retailer enters the market, it is for the retailer to ensure it operates efficiently and is able to continue to operate. In any functioning market some retailers will fail. If a retailer were to fail, as has been seen in other sectors, Ofwat would step in and ensure affected customers are allocated to a new supplier in a seamless way.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 20/05/2019 14:58:48 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1124876

registered interest
date	07/05/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Water Companies: Competition
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment has been made by (1) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and (2) Ofwat of the (a) Scottish SME non-household retail water market, and (b) the English SME non-household retail water market.
tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
uin	HL15551
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (a) undertook some analysis of the Scottish SME non-household retail water market during the initial planning stages of opening up the English market; and (b) works closely with Ofwat as they review the English non-household retail market and its operation since opening, including with regard to SMEs.</p><p> </p><p>Ofwat monitors and assesses the non-household retail water market in England on an ongoing basis. It commissioned customer research to gauge directly customers’ experiences of the market, including views on the interactions between the markets in England, Scotland and Wales. This information was published in July 2018 as the Ofwat <a href="https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ORS-final-report-Non-household-customer-insight-survey.pdf" target="_blank">customer insight survey</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Ofwat’s first annual assessment of the market, <a href="https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/State-of-the-market-report-2017-18-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">Open for Business</a>, also published in July 2018, highlighted a number of areas in which to achieve better outcomes for business customers in England, including SMEs.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL15552 question first answered 20/05/2019 15:51:11 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1124877

registered interest
date	07/05/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Water Companies: Competition
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what research they have undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the Scottish non-household retail water market in encouraging switching by SMEs when compared with the English non-household retail water market.
tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
uin	HL15552
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (a) undertook some analysis of the Scottish SME non-household retail water market during the initial planning stages of opening up the English market; and (b) works closely with Ofwat as they review the English non-household retail market and its operation since opening, including with regard to SMEs.</p><p> </p><p>Ofwat monitors and assesses the non-household retail water market in England on an ongoing basis. It commissioned customer research to gauge directly customers’ experiences of the market, including views on the interactions between the markets in England, Scotland and Wales. This information was published in July 2018 as the Ofwat <a href="https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ORS-final-report-Non-household-customer-insight-survey.pdf" target="_blank">customer insight survey</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Ofwat’s first annual assessment of the market, <a href="https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/State-of-the-market-report-2017-18-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">Open for Business</a>, also published in July 2018, highlighted a number of areas in which to achieve better outcomes for business customers in England, including SMEs.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL15551 question first answered 20/05/2019 15:51:11 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1124878

registered interest
date	07/05/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Water Companies: Competition
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions there have been between the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about the need to ensure that small business customers benefit from the non-household retail water market in England.
tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
uin	HL15553
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Ofwat are the economic regulator for the water industry, and it regulates and monitors the operation of the retail business market. Ofwat published their first annual report on the market, Open for Business<em>,</em> in July 2018. It identified that small and medium sized business customers are not yet experiencing the same benefits that larger customers receive from the retail market, and raised a number of issues that could be affecting this.</p><p> </p><p>Ofwat and Mosl, the market operator, have been taking a number of actions to investigate further and address these issues, including for SMEs.</p><p> </p><p>Ofwat is currently undertaking a further assessment of the market with a view to publishing their second annual report in July.</p><p> </p><p>My Department has ongoing discussions with Ofwat and Mosl about these issues and will discuss the outcomes of the second annual report with Ofwat in due course.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Minister Coffey, the Minister responsible for this policy area, requested that the then Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility, Margot James MP, use her channels to advertise and promote to small business customers that they can benefit from the non-household retail water market in England.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 21/05/2019 13:37:33 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1121600

registered interest
date	11/04/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Food: Rural Areas
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the importance of the food and drink industry to the rural economy; and what steps they intend to take to ensure that food safety standards are maintained.
tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
uin	HL15251
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2019 answer text <p>The food and drink industry, and the wider agri-food sector, forms an integral part of the rural economy whether in primary production, manufacturing, retail, or hospitality. The Government recognises its importance and provides a range of support for the industry and the rural economy as a whole.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has world leading standards of food safety and quality, backed by a rigorous legislative framework. We will maintain these high standards once the UK leaves the EU.</p><p> </p><p><em>Rural Economy and Food and Drink </em></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Various figures demonstrate the importance of the food and drink industry to the rural economy. The industry employed 3 million people in 2017 in England, over 475,000 (16%) of whom lived in rural areas. 31% of all business units that produce food products or beverages are in rural areas. Food and drink manufacturing in rural areas in England (excluding animal feed and pet food) had a turnover of £11 billion in 2017. In 2016 an estimated 2% of the gross value added of predominantly rural areas came from farming, forestry and fishing.</p><p> </p><p>The Government provides a range of support for the rural economy. We are investing over £500 million in rural businesses and communities through the socioeconomic schemes within the Rural Development Programme for England. This includes over £250 million for rural business growth and broadband infrastructure through the Growth Programme; £150 million for locally identified business and community priorities through LEADER; and £140 million for improving farm performance through Countryside Productivity. Rural communities can also receive support through Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Government also provides support for the agri-food sector. Defra’s work on the Industrial Strategy includes the Food and Drink Sector Council, the Food and Drink Sector Deal (currently in negotiations) and the Food and Drink LEP Network. The Government promotes increasing agricultural productivity through a range of programmes including the Transforming Food Production Fund and the Agri-Tech Strategy. The Government will publish a National Food Strategy once we leave the EU.</p><p> </p><p><em>Food Standards</em></p><p> </p><p>When we leave the EU, we will maintain our current high standards. We will keep our existing UK legislation, and the EU Withdrawal Act will convert EU law into UK law as it applies at the moment of departure.</p><p> </p><p>As noted above, the UK has world leading standards of food safety and quality, backed by a rigorous legislative framework. We will maintain these high standards once the UK leaves the EU.</p><p> </p><p>We are working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care, the Food Standards Agency, the Department for Exiting the European Union and the devolved administrations to ensure that the UK’s world leading reputation for food safety and standards continues after we leave the EU.</p><p> </p><p>Maintaining safety and public confidence in the food we all eat is a high priority for the Government. We are committed to upholding and strengthening our high standards. Future trade agreements must support the UK’s food safety, animal welfare, and environmental standards.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State has been clear on numerous occasions that we intend to maintain our standards when pursuing any trade deals.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 29/04/2019 13:06:07 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1042904

registered interest
date	16/01/2019
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Agriculture: Subsidies
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether farm support will continue in its current form until 2022.
tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
uin	HL12895
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2019 answer text <p>In September last year Defra published, alongside the Agriculture Bill, detail about, and a proposed timeline for, the move away from current Common Agricultural Policy schemes. Our farming reforms will be underpinned by the principle of public money for the provision of public goods. The Bill will provide the legal powers to move away smoothly from the CAP as well as assisting farmers in their central task of producing food for the nation.</p><p>The government has pledged to continue to commit the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of this parliament, expected in 2022. This includes all funding provided for farm support under both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 of the current CAP. This commitment applies to the whole UK and provides more certainty than anywhere else in Europe.</p><p>We will pay the current Direct Payments for the 2019 scheme year on the same basis as now. The EU rules for the Basic Payment Scheme, greening and young farmer payment will apply throughout the whole of 2019. We also plan to allocate the money paid in Direct Payments for 2020 in much the same way that we do now. We will, however, look to make simplifications to make it easier to apply for and administer Direct Payments to increase value for money.</p><p>In 2021 we intend to start making reductions to Direct Payments, marking the beginning of the agricultural transition. This will be accompanied by pilots of our Environmental Land Management scheme and targeted investment in Research and Development and innovation. We aim to phase out Direct Payments completely by the end of the transition, with the last payments being made for the 2027 scheme year.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 30/01/2019 14:03:39 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1027181

registered interest
date	17/12/2018
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Agriculture: Migrant Workers
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the interests of the UK’s meat processing sector and other agriculture industries are accounted for in their immigration policy after Brexit.
tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
uin	HL12363
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/12/2018 answer text <p>It is a priority of this Government to enable an innovative, productive and competitive food supply chain, which invests in its people and skills. Defra is engaging actively with the Brexit Livestock Group, which was set up in early 2017 to provide a forum in which to discuss issues common to the livestock sector as a whole.</p><p>Defra understands the importance of labour in supporting a successful and effective meat processing sector, and is considering how best to support the needs of the sector both before and after the UK leaves the EU.</p><p>The UK Government has guaranteed that EU citizens resident in the UK by 29 March 2019 will be able to stay and we will take the necessary steps to protect their rights in a ‘no deal’ scenario. They will continue to be able to work, study, and access benefits and services in the UK on the same basis after we leave the EU as they do now.</p><p>Defra is working closely with other government departments, devolved administrations, partners, and businesses so that the food and farming industry is at the heart of EU exit preparations. We continue to work with industry partners to understand the challenges and opportunities in order to ensure a smooth transition.</p><p>Defra is also working to ensure that the meat processing sector has access to a sufficient number of veterinary surgeons, meat hygiene inspectors, slaughterers and livestock drivers.</p><p>In the first phase of the withdrawal agreement we secured agreement on the continued recognition of professional qualifications, including Vets, where recognition decisions were received or were ongoing, before the withdrawal date.</p><p>After we leave the EU, we must have an immigration system which works in the best interests of the UK – controlling immigration whilst continuing to ensure we have access to the labour we need.</p><p>Defra is working closely with the Home Office to ensure that there is a long term strategy for the food and farming workforce, including the meat processing sector, as part of the future immigration policy.</p><p>A White Paper on the future border and immigration system was published on 19 December 2018. This paper sets out the Government’s proposals for the UK’s future immigration system after our exit from the EU.</p><p>For the longer term, Defra is working with industry to raise awareness of the career opportunities within the agriculture and food industry to attract domestic workers, and is exploring the potential for innovation and automation in meeting future labour demands.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL12364 HL12367 question first answered 28/12/2018 13:13:53 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1027182

registered interest
date	17/12/2018
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Meat
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to ensure that the meat sector is able to access the labour it needs throughout the year after Brexit.
tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
uin	HL12364
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/12/2018 answer text <p>It is a priority of this Government to enable an innovative, productive and competitive food supply chain, which invests in its people and skills. Defra is engaging actively with the Brexit Livestock Group, which was set up in early 2017 to provide a forum in which to discuss issues common to the livestock sector as a whole.</p><p>Defra understands the importance of labour in supporting a successful and effective meat processing sector, and is considering how best to support the needs of the sector both before and after the UK leaves the EU.</p><p>The UK Government has guaranteed that EU citizens resident in the UK by 29 March 2019 will be able to stay and we will take the necessary steps to protect their rights in a ‘no deal’ scenario. They will continue to be able to work, study, and access benefits and services in the UK on the same basis after we leave the EU as they do now.</p><p>Defra is working closely with other government departments, devolved administrations, partners, and businesses so that the food and farming industry is at the heart of EU exit preparations. We continue to work with industry partners to understand the challenges and opportunities in order to ensure a smooth transition.</p><p>Defra is also working to ensure that the meat processing sector has access to a sufficient number of veterinary surgeons, meat hygiene inspectors, slaughterers and livestock drivers.</p><p>In the first phase of the withdrawal agreement we secured agreement on the continued recognition of professional qualifications, including Vets, where recognition decisions were received or were ongoing, before the withdrawal date.</p><p>After we leave the EU, we must have an immigration system which works in the best interests of the UK – controlling immigration whilst continuing to ensure we have access to the labour we need.</p><p>Defra is working closely with the Home Office to ensure that there is a long term strategy for the food and farming workforce, including the meat processing sector, as part of the future immigration policy.</p><p>A White Paper on the future border and immigration system was published on 19 December 2018. This paper sets out the Government’s proposals for the UK’s future immigration system after our exit from the EU.</p><p>For the longer term, Defra is working with industry to raise awareness of the career opportunities within the agriculture and food industry to attract domestic workers, and is exploring the potential for innovation and automation in meeting future labour demands.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL12363 HL12367 question first answered 28/12/2018 13:13:54 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1027184

registered interest
date	17/12/2018
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Agriculture: Training
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to support agricultural industries in training UK workers after Brexit.
tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
uin	HL12366
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/12/2018 answer text <p>It is a priority of this government to enable an innovative, productive and competitive agricultural sector, which invests in its people and skills.</p><p> </p><p>Access to a sufficient and appropriately-skilled workforce is essential to continued industry growth, productivity and safety. Agricultural technologies are transforming farming, creating new types of jobs and requirements for new kinds of skills. By raising awareness of agriculture as an exciting and attractive career path, more people will understand the opportunities available in the farming industry.</p><p> </p><p>The government is working with industry bodies to improve access to the talent and skills required. The Food and Drink Sector Council has established a Workforce and Skills Group to develop a long-term action plan for a world-class workforce for all sectors of the food chain, including agriculture.</p><p> </p><p>The government is reforming post-16 technical education to provide clear routes to skilled employment in agriculture and other sectors. A key part of this is the introduction of new T levels programmes, which alongside apprenticeships, will sit within 15 routes, including agriculture, environmental and animal care.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble question first answered 28/12/2018 13:15:26 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1027185

registered interest
date	17/12/2018
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Meat: Processed Food
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they will provide to the meat processing sector to ensure a smooth transition to UK labour after Brexit.
tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
uin	HL12367
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/12/2018 answer text <p>It is a priority of this Government to enable an innovative, productive and competitive food supply chain, which invests in its people and skills. Defra is engaging actively with the Brexit Livestock Group, which was set up in early 2017 to provide a forum in which to discuss issues common to the livestock sector as a whole.</p><p>Defra understands the importance of labour in supporting a successful and effective meat processing sector, and is considering how best to support the needs of the sector both before and after the UK leaves the EU.</p><p>The UK Government has guaranteed that EU citizens resident in the UK by 29 March 2019 will be able to stay and we will take the necessary steps to protect their rights in a ‘no deal’ scenario. They will continue to be able to work, study, and access benefits and services in the UK on the same basis after we leave the EU as they do now.</p><p>Defra is working closely with other government departments, devolved administrations, partners, and businesses so that the food and farming industry is at the heart of EU exit preparations. We continue to work with industry partners to understand the challenges and opportunities in order to ensure a smooth transition.</p><p>Defra is also working to ensure that the meat processing sector has access to a sufficient number of veterinary surgeons, meat hygiene inspectors, slaughterers and livestock drivers.</p><p>In the first phase of the withdrawal agreement we secured agreement on the continued recognition of professional qualifications, including Vets, where recognition decisions were received or were ongoing, before the withdrawal date.</p><p>After we leave the EU, we must have an immigration system which works in the best interests of the UK – controlling immigration whilst continuing to ensure we have access to the labour we need.</p><p>Defra is working closely with the Home Office to ensure that there is a long term strategy for the food and farming workforce, including the meat processing sector, as part of the future immigration policy.</p><p>A White Paper on the future border and immigration system was published on 19 December 2018. This paper sets out the Government’s proposals for the UK’s future immigration system after our exit from the EU.</p><p>For the longer term, Defra is working with industry to raise awareness of the career opportunities within the agriculture and food industry to attract domestic workers, and is exploring the potential for innovation and automation in meeting future labour demands.</p> answering member printed Lord Gardiner of Kimble grouped question UIN HL12363 HL12364 question first answered 28/12/2018 13:13:54 answering member 4161 label Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble
tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering