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1663429

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2023
	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	Water Companies: Pollution Control
	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 her Department is taking to help ensure that water companies meet their target for reduced pollution incidents by 2025.
	tabling member constituency	City of Chester
	tabling member printed	Samantha Dixon
	uin	201283
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2023 answer text <p>While the water sector has delivered a 15% reduction in category 1-3 pollution incidents since 2019, companies are not on track to meet the 2024-25 target. Both the Government and regulators expect water companies to step up this improvement. Ministers regularly meet with the regulators to discuss progress and have engaged directly with water companies who are not performing to the standard we expect.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency regularly meets with water companies to assure progress against their pollution reductions plans, which water companies are required to publish. Pollution offences may be subject to action in line with the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fenvironment-agency-enforcement-and-sanctions-policy%2Fenvironment-agency-enforcement-and-sanctions-policy&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Cdfdf0e5535154e46bce308dbd09ff523%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638333157657964573%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=fuZ1%2BT5%2F0A%2BhXqPVTz4GNeoxroOke%2F5yWkgPZXYrqnE%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Environment Agency’s Enforcement and Sanctions Policy.</a></p><p> </p><p>Ofwat requires underperforming companies to produce detailed service delivery plans, and Ministers will be following this up with regular meetings with Chairs and CEOs to track progress. I have also written to Ofwat’s Chair and CEO asking them to outline the detailed steps they will take to hold all water companies to account on these findings.</p><p> </p><p>Where companies have underperformed against their commitments, they will be required to return money directly to customers through their bills. Based on the results of Ofwat’s 2022-23 Water Company Performance Report, water companies will have to return £114 million over 2024-25.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 24/10/2023 09:29:01 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4976 label Biography information for Samantha Dixon

1663603

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2023
	answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept id	215
	answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	hansard heading	Community Energy Fund
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if her Department will produce annual reports on the progress (a) of the Community Energy Fund and (b) towards establishing local supply rights.
	tabling member constituency	City of Chester
	tabling member printed	Samantha Dixon
	uin	201457
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2023 answer text <p>The Government has recently committed to publishing an annual report on the community energy sector, and to consult on the barriers the sector faces when developing projects. The right to local energy supply already exists and Ofgem has existing flexibility to award supply licences that are restricted to specified geographies.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart question first answered 23/10/2023 09:47:53 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
	tabling member	4976 label Biography information for Samantha Dixon

1664456

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2023
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Disability
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that disabled people in the asylum system receive the care they need.
	tabling member constituency	City of Chester
	tabling member printed	Samantha Dixon
	uin	202309
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2023 answer text <p>Asylum seekers have access to health and social care services from the point of arrival in the UK. The Home Office and its contractors work closely with the NHS, local authorities and non-governmental organisations to ensure that people can access the healthcare and support they need. All accommodation providers have a contractual duty to assist people in accessing the health care they need. The Home Office also operates a Safeguarding Hub to support vulnerable individuals in accessing these services.</p><p>In addition, the Home Office contracts Migrant Help to provide advice and guidance to asylum seekers should they have an issue with their accommodation or support, and for signposting to health and welfare services. Asylum seekers can access Migrant Help 24/7, every day of the year by a freephone telephone number, via an online chat or completing an email enquiry form both of which can be accessed free of charge on the Migrant Help website. Interpreting and translation services are available through Migrant Help when the need arises for asylum seekers to raise any queries or concerns.</p><p>Where an individual is on asylum support and has a care need, a referral will be made to the local authority for an assessment of care needs under the Care Act 2014. Our guidance sets out the approach to be taken by the Home Office to the duties and obligations owed to asylum seekers who have disabilities, care needs or both. In doing so it sets out how the framework of the Care Act 2014 should be interpreted by the Home Office and its external partners in the context of asylum support. The guidance can be found here: <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fattachment_data%2Ffile%2F731907%2FAsylum-Seekers-With-Care-Needs-v2.0ext.pdf&amp;data=05%7C01%7CASRA-briefingcorrespondence%40homeoffice.gov.uk%7C081080a50dbd484acbbc08dbce3b4912%7Cf24d93ecb2914192a08af182245945c2%7C0%7C0%7C638330526240960737%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=7f0kBgn6mzT%2F6FIVzy0H5IgjHuwK%2BW07V0g7HW75sBQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Asylum-Seekers-With-Care-Needs-v2.0ext.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)</a></p> answering member constituency Newark answering member printed Robert Jenrick question first answered 23/10/2023 11:18:46 answering member 4320 label Biography information for Robert Jenrick
	tabling member	4976 label Biography information for Samantha Dixon

1661157

	registered interest
	date	18/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept id	215
	answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	hansard heading	Energy: Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the adequacy of (a) guidance and (b) information on participating suppliers to support the ECO4 flex application process.
	tabling member constituency	City of Chester
	tabling member printed	Samantha Dixon
	uin	200018
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/10/2023 answer text <p>The Department and Ofgem, the ECO4 scheme administrator, consistently engage with stakeholders to ensure that the ECO4 Flex guidance is fit for purpose and meets the needs of its intended users.</p><p> </p><p>Ofgem has published a full list of ECO-obligated energy suppliers on its website, including contact details. The Department and Ofgem encourage participating local authorities and ECO-obligated energy suppliers to promote ECO4 Flex through their own communication channels.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart question first answered 18/10/2023 08:12:46 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
	tabling member	4976 label Biography information for Samantha Dixon

1659400

	registered interest
	date	08/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept id	215
	answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	hansard heading	Social Rented Housing: Energy
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to help ensure energy companies inform (a) the landlord and (b) the relevant housing provider of any social housing tenant who is about to have their energy supply stopped.
	tabling member constituency	City of Chester
	tabling member printed	Samantha Dixon
	uin	198574
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/09/2023 answer text <p>In 2022 there were 13 electricity and 6 gas meters disconnected in Great Britain due to a failure to pay a debt owed. Energy suppliers must explore all other options first, such as payment plans.</p><p> </p><p>An energy supplier would only be able to inform a landlord in cases where the landlord is the party that holds the contract with the energy supplier, or where the householder has given their permission for their energy supplier to communicate directly with their landlord.</p> answering member constituency Derby North answering member printed Amanda Solloway question first answered 18/09/2023 09:06:12 answering member 4372 label Biography information for Amanda Solloway
	tabling member	4976 label Biography information for Samantha Dixon

1656997

	registered interest
	date	01/09/2023
	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	Water: Standards
	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 her Department is taking to ensure that water companies publish the data they collect on water quality in a timely manner.
	tabling member constituency	City of Chester
	tabling member printed	Samantha Dixon
	uin	197241
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2023 answer text <p>The Government is driving up monitoring and transparency of water quality data. We have increased the number of storm overflows monitored across the network from 7% in 2010 to 91% now, and we will reach 100% by end of this year.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has also required water companies to publish Event and Duration Monitoring (EDM) data annually since 2020. Data from 2022 was published in March 2023.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is taking additional steps to further improve water quality data published by companies. In April 2023 we launched a consultation on continuous water quality monitoring, setting out proposals to enhance the monitoring of watercourses to show not just whether an overflow is discharging but also its impact on the receiving watercourse. The Government is currently analysing responses and will respond to the consultation in due course.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency has secured through the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), the monitoring of Storm Overflows through Event Duration Monitoring (EDM). There will be 100% coverage in England by December 2023. We secure the monitoring and reporting of EDM performance to the Environment Agency through requirements on water and sewerage company discharge permits.</p><p> </p><p>Defra and Government have introduced statutory requirements on the water and sewerage companies to publish EDM data annually and in near real time.</p><p> </p><p>There are also statutory requirements on water and sewerage companies through the environment act for water and sewerage companies to monitor and report on the water quality impacts of their discharges through installation of continuous water quality monitors. The Environment Agency is supporting Defra in their technical standards work around this monitoring and reporting and facilitating delivery by water and sewerage companies through the Environment Agency WINEP PR24 and future programme.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 11/09/2023 11:20:49 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4976 label Biography information for Samantha Dixon

1652034

	registered interest
	date	11/07/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Railways: Ticket Offices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of railway station ticket office closures on people with disabilities; and what steps he is taking to mitigate the potential impact of railway station ticket office closures on people with disabilities.
	tabling member constituency	City of Chester
	tabling member printed	Samantha Dixon
	uin	193536
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/07/2023 answer text <p>When proposing major changes to ticket office opening hours, including closures, operators are required to take into account the adequacy of the proposed alternatives in relation to the needs of all passengers; and to include this in the notice of the proposal sent to other operators and passenger groups. We would also expect operators to consider other equality related needs and make this clear in the notice sent to other operators and passenger groups. The Department recently hosted roundtable discussions with industry and accessibility and transport groups to discuss this matter. We continue to engage with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee.</p><p> </p><p>Together with the industry, we want to improve and modernise the passenger experience by moving staff out from ticket offices to provide more help and advice in customer focused roles. No currently staffed station will be unstaffed as a result of industry changes, and train operators will ensure staff are well located to meet passenger needs in future.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bexhill and Battle answering member printed Huw Merriman question first answered 19/07/2023 09:39:04 answering member 4442 label Biography information for Huw Merriman
	tabling member	4976 label Biography information for Samantha Dixon

1642628

	registered interest
	date	07/06/2023
	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	Marine Animals: Fishing Catches
	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 her Department is taking steps to help ensure that fishers meet the mandatory requirement under their fishing vessel licence conditions to report any bycatch of marine mammals to the Marine Management Organisation within 48 hours.
	tabling member constituency	City of Chester
	tabling member printed	Samantha Dixon
	uin	188437
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/06/2023 answer text <p>The Government recognises that accidental bycatch in fisheries is one of the greatest threats faced by sensitive marine species such as cetaceans, and we remain fully committed to tackling this issue.</p><p> </p><p>The UK introduced new rules in 2021 making it a mandatory requirement under fishing vessel licence conditions for fishers to report any marine mammal bycatch to the MMO. On the introduction of this requirement, communications were sent out by Defra, the Devolved Administrations and the MMO to ensure that industry understood the new obligations. Responsibility for enforcing licence conditions in Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the Devolved Administrations.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 12/06/2023 16:38:03 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4976 label Biography information for Samantha Dixon

1625431

	registered interest
	date	02/05/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Hong Kong: Pension Funds
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his department is taking to ensure that British National (overseas) Visa holders from Hong Kong are able to access their money from the Mandatory Provident Fund of Hong Kong.
	tabling member constituency	City of Chester
	tabling member printed	Samantha Dixon
	uin	183639
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2023 answer text <p>We are aware of the difficulties BN(O)s (British National (Overseas)) are experiencing in seeking early withdrawal of their pension held by the Mandatory Provident Fund in Hong Kong. The root of the problem is the Chinese Government's decision not to recognise the BN(O) passport. The UK firmly opposes the discrimination of BN(O)s in this way. We have urged the Hong Kong authorities to facilitate the early drawdown of funds as is the case for other Hong Kong residents who move overseas permanently. I raised this issue with Christopher Hui, Hong Kong Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury on 18 April and pressed for a pragmatic solution.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 15/05/2023 16:15:21 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	tabling member	4976 label Biography information for Samantha Dixon

1625432

	registered interest
	date	02/05/2023
	answering body	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	answering dept id	211
	answering dept short name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	answering dept sort name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	hansard heading	British National (Overseas): Hong Kong
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of refusals by the Hong Kong Police Force to provide criminals records of British National (overseas) Visa holders on the ability of those people to gain employment in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	City of Chester
	tabling member printed	Samantha Dixon
	uin	183640
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2023 answer text <p>In April 2021, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) launched a new UK-wide Welcome Programme to support BN(O) status holders. In November 2022, DLUHC published a letter to BN(O)s and prospective employers on Certificates of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC) from the Hong Kong Police. The letter outlines a revised guidance on how to obtain a CNCC. Where a CNCC cannot be obtained, sectoral examples on alternative methods are provided. The letter is available in English and Cantonese and is available on the <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Fwelcome-a-guide-for-hong-kong-british-national-overseas-visa-holders-in-the-uk&amp;data=05%7C01%7CParliamentary%40levellingup.gov.uk%7Cebbaf02613e04f79fe0708db52d26a8f%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C638194835893959409%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=zP%2F9M%2BeDLJ4RQF6bAuJHXUGw0iMU6K8COY9t7codrpI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">GOV.UK</a> landing page. We are working closely with FCDO officials to keep the guidance under review and monitor the impact to help BN(O)s overcome the barriers they face when seeking employment.</p> answering member constituency Kensington answering member printed Felicity Buchan question first answered 15/05/2023 15:46:55 answering member 4821 label Biography information for Felicity Buchan
	tabling member	4976 label Biography information for Samantha Dixon