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1689976

registered interest
date	19/02/2024
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	Rural Payments Agency: Assets
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 137 of his Department’s annual report and accounts for 2022 to 2023, HC 1872, what the purpose was of the asset under development for the Rural Payments Agency; and for what reasons did it became obsolete before it became operational.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	14500
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2024 answer text <p>The published text is reproduced below followed by a more detailed explanation.</p><p> </p><p>The Core department has recognised a constructive loss (£2.5 million) relating to a project that was abandoned as no longer required. Defra had been developing the non-current asset for the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), but at some point, this was cancelled while the Assets Under Construction (AUC) was still held in Digital, Data and Technology Services (DDTS) and therefore the AUC became obsolete before it became operational.</p><p> </p><p>The purpose of the asset was an IT system called MS Dax that RPA used for its running costs and HR. The HR functionality included holding staff personal data, booking annual leave for employees and extracting data for the annual leave accrual.</p><p>The amount related to enhancement work done for the upgrade to this IT platform, the Microsoft Dynamics Running Costs Solution Release 3 from Release 2.</p><p> </p><p>The reason for the obsolescence was the asset was decommissioned in January 2023 as the RPA took a strategic decision to move the management of RPA’s running costs and HR to the same IT system as other larger Defra bodies.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 27/02/2024 12:56:02 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1666898

registered interest
date	24/10/2023
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	Flood Control: Staff
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many flood support officers were employed by her Department in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	204005
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/10/2023 answer text <p>It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 26/10/2023 11:12:16 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1484682

registered interest
date	29/06/2022
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	Marine Animals: North Sea
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has received increased reports of malnourished marine mammals along the North Sea coast since July 2022.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	27559
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/07/2022 answer text <p>Causes of death of stranded marine mammals are monitored and investigated through the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) and Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS).</p><p>We have not received any reports which suggest an increase in malnourished marine mammals since July 2021. Strandings will continue to be monitored and investigated through the CSIP and SMASS. Annual reports are published and available publicly.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 06/07/2022 06:36:54 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1484683

registered interest
date	29/06/2022
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	Marine Animals: North East
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority has taken to collect data on reports of incidences of marine life stranding.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	27560
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2022 answer text <p>The North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NE IFCA) is working closely with partner agencies to record and verify reports of incidences of marine life strandings with a focus on shellfish within the affected area between Hartlepool and Robin Hoods Bay. Following receipt of a report, Officers will attend to confirm the location of strandings and their extent or composition.</p><p> </p><p>Any reports received are submitted as intelligence reports to the Marine Management Organisation/IFCA national intelligence database from which periodic summary documents are being circulated to the relevant agencies. Furthermore, any reports received by NE IFCA which link to suspected pollution are being shared with the Environment Agency.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 12/07/2022 08:29:37 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1484684

registered interest
date	29/06/2022
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	Bivalve Molluscs: North Yorkshire and Tees Valley
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the environmental impact of the mass stranding of razor clams along Teesside and North Yorkshire beaches in May and June 2022.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	27561
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2022 answer text <p>An investigation was carried out seeking causes of a mass mortality incident of crabs and lobsters off the north-east coast of England between October and December 2021. Local reports of smaller, recent incidents, including stranding of razor clams, are being jointly monitored by agencies at the coast and research is ongoing to understand the impacts on the stocks.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 12/07/2022 10:39:45 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1467170

registered interest
date	01/06/2022
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: Public Sector
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of global food price rises on public sector caterers; and whether he is taking steps to (a) help protect public sector food provision from food cost increases and (b) mitigate the impact of potential future food cost increases on those services.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	11582
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2022 answer text <p>The rising cost of living has presented additional financial challenges to many people and businesses.</p><p>We are also aware that there are a number of challenges that caterers and suppliers are currently encountering in the wider commercial environment including general inflation, energy price increases, material shortages and supply chain disruption.</p><p>International commodity prices are heavily influenced by factors such as energy costs and exchange rates. Recent pressures have been sustained and we have seen year-on-year food price inflation rise to 6.7% in April, up from 5.9% in March. The Russia/Ukraine conflict adds further cost pressures to UK food supply chains (via international commodity and fuel price rises).</p><p>Defra has well established ways of working with the industry and across Government to gather evidence and monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains. Lead Government departments will be responsible for ensuring that they have sufficient evidence to show that major suppliers can fulfil their public sector food contracts. The Government Commercial Function has provided general guidance on handling inflationary pressures to Contracting Authorities.</p><p>The Government recently published its Food Strategy and this sets out a plan to transform our food system to ensure it is fit for the future. As part of this the government is developing an ambitious and transformational approach to public sector food and catering. We want the public sector to lead by example, championing healthier, sustainable food, provided by a diverse range of suppliers. To underpin this approach we are launching a consultation on public sector food and catering policy, including updating the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 17/06/2022 13:46:48 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1467516

registered interest
date	01/06/2022
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: Supply Chains
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 31 May 2022 to Question 5626 on Food: Supply Chains, what support his Department is providing to the Departments referred to in that Answer to ensure that they are aware of issues relating to the food and drink supply chain; and what support the Government is providing to maintain the food supply chain.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	11587
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/06/2022 answer text <p>There are a number of challenges that caterers and suppliers are currently encountering in the wider commercial environment including general inflation, energy price increases, material shortages and supply chain disruption.</p><p>The procurement and fulfilment of food for the public sector is the responsibility of lead departments for that sector. The actual procurement of food is fully devolved to schools and academy trusts and NHS Trusts. The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Defence retain responsibility for procurement to facilities management providers.</p><p>We will continue to work with these departments regarding any ongoing supply chain issues to gain assurance that any disruption can be accommodated through routine mitigations and further contingency plans.</p><p>The Government Commercial Function has provided general guidance on handling inflationary pressures to Contracting Authorities.</p><p>Defra has well established ways of working with the industry and across Government to gather evidence and monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains. Lead Government departments will be responsible for ensuring that they have sufficient evidence to show that major suppliers can fulfil their public sector food contracts.</p><p>The Government published its Food Strategy last week and this sets out a plan to transform our food system to ensure it is fit for the future. To underpin this approach we are launching a consultation on public sector food and catering policy, including updating the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services. Within the consultation, we are proposing that the public sector reports on progress towards meeting an aspiration that 50% of its food expenditure is on food produced locally or to higher environmental production standards.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 11588 question first answered 20/06/2022 08:32:41 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1467517

registered interest
date	01/06/2022
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: Public Sector
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 31 May 2022 to Question 5626 on Food: Supply Chains, what evidence he has received to show that major suppliers can fulfil existent and future public procurement contracts to the public food sectors.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	11588
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/06/2022 answer text <p>There are a number of challenges that caterers and suppliers are currently encountering in the wider commercial environment including general inflation, energy price increases, material shortages and supply chain disruption.</p><p>The procurement and fulfilment of food for the public sector is the responsibility of lead departments for that sector. The actual procurement of food is fully devolved to schools and academy trusts and NHS Trusts. The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Defence retain responsibility for procurement to facilities management providers.</p><p>We will continue to work with these departments regarding any ongoing supply chain issues to gain assurance that any disruption can be accommodated through routine mitigations and further contingency plans.</p><p>The Government Commercial Function has provided general guidance on handling inflationary pressures to Contracting Authorities.</p><p>Defra has well established ways of working with the industry and across Government to gather evidence and monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains. Lead Government departments will be responsible for ensuring that they have sufficient evidence to show that major suppliers can fulfil their public sector food contracts.</p><p>The Government published its Food Strategy last week and this sets out a plan to transform our food system to ensure it is fit for the future. To underpin this approach we are launching a consultation on public sector food and catering policy, including updating the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services. Within the consultation, we are proposing that the public sector reports on progress towards meeting an aspiration that 50% of its food expenditure is on food produced locally or to higher environmental production standards.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis grouped question UIN 11587 question first answered 20/06/2022 08:32:41 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1467518

registered interest
date	01/06/2022
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: Supply Chains
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the United Kingdom Food Security Report 2021: Theme 3: Food Supply Chain Resilience published in December 2021, what assessment he has made of public (a) confidence and (b) trust in the UK's food supply chain.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	11589
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2022 answer text <p>Recognising the importance of food security, in the Agriculture Act 2020, the Government made a commitment to produce an assessment of our food security at least once every three years. The first UK Food Security Report (UKFSR) was published in December 2021 and will serve as an evidence base for future policy work. The UKFSR covers food security in the widest sense from global food availability and sustainability to domestic supply chain resilience, household food security and food safety.</p><p>Chapter 5 of the UK Food Security Report provides data on the key factors that underpin confidence in the UK food system. Data from the Food Standards Agency consumer survey <em>Food and You 2, Wave 2 (2021)</em> [www.food.gov.uk/research/food-and-you-2/food-and-you-2-wave-2] shows that 77% of respondents in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were confident in the food supply chain. Furthermore, respondents in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were asked specifically about the extent to which they were concerned about the availability of a variety of food; 13% of respondents were highly concerned, 34% somewhat concerned, 38% not very concerned, and 11% not at all concerned.</p><p>The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain, as demonstrated throughout the COVID-19 response. It is well equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption. The Government published its first ever food strategy on 13 June, outlining our plans to transform our food system to ensure it is fit for the future. Food security sits at the heart of the strategy. We want to create a sustainable food system, from farm to fork and catch to plate, seizing on the opportunities before us and ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious and healthier food.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 17/06/2022 13:48:17 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

1464683

registered interest
date	20/05/2022
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: Supply Chains
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has plans to provide support to the food and drink supply chain in its servicing of the public sector in the context of that sector facing pressures due to rising energy, food and labour costs.
tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
uin	5626
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/05/2022 answer text <p>The procurement of food for the public sector is the responsibility of lead departments for that sector (Department for Education – schools, Department of Health and Social Care – hospitals and care homes, Ministry of Justice – prisons, Ministry of Defence – armed forces).</p><p> </p><p>Defra is working closely with those lead departments to ensure that they are aware of any issues to the food and drink supply chain. Lead departments are in regular contact with major suppliers to review their public procurement contracts and ensure they can continue the fulfilment of their services, as stated in their contracts and including food standards they are expected to uphold.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain, as demonstrated throughout the Covid-19 response, and Cabinet Office has been running a series of workshops giving relevant businesses advise on handling inflationary pressures.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 31/05/2022 09:14:20 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson