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 constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1698352

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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	Reservoirs: Brent
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on what dates the Priestley Way trash screen that sits on the River Brent and enters the Welsh Harp was cleared by the Environment Agency in the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	20280
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>The Environment Agency plans to attend once a week to clear the debris and waste build up on the Priestley Way Screen. By exception, operatives may not attend if they are required elsewhere to carry out higher priority work that could cause flooding or an environmental incident (for example, responding to emergency incidents). The Environment Agency arranges for a grab lorry to attend site once a month (although this frequency does increase at times of heavy rain and higher river levels when the screen can become inundated with waste much quicker). This lorry takes away up to 3 tonnes of rubbish each trip.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency cannot provide exact dates for when it cleared the screen in the past 12 months but can confirm it cleared the screen 43 times (this includes planned visits to end of March 2024).</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 15/04/2024 16:05:29 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1695355

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2024
	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	Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to reduce the cap on concentration levels per individual type of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances that require immediate water treatment from 100 nanograms per litre to 10 nanograms per litre.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	18103
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2024 answer text <p>The guideline value on individual types of PFAS of 100 nanograms per litre was set in 2021 based on an assessment of existing scientific knowledge. It was agreed with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to be a robust level with an appropriate margin to ensure our drinking water is safe to drink. There is no evidence of PFAS concentrations above this value in drinking water supplies.</p><p> </p><p>Nevertheless, work is continuing with other government departments, regulators and the devolved administrations to assess levels of PFAS occurring in the environment, their sources and potential risks to safeguard current high drinking water quality and ensure our regulations remain fit for purpose.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 19/03/2024 15:34:00 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1695356

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2024
	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	Drinking Water: Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will create a national chemicals regulator to improve coordination of (a) monitoring and (b) regulation of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	18104
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2024 answer text <p>Defra works closely with the other Government Departments, regulators and the Devolved Governments to monitor and assess levels of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) occurring in the environment, their sources and potential risks, in order to inform and develop policy and regulatory approaches in a coordinated way. Drinking water quality in England is of an exceptionally high standard and is among the best in the world. The UK is one of only six nations in the world with the maximum score possible in the 2022 Environmental Performance Index.</p><p> </p><p>We are progressing work under the UK REACH regulatory regime to reduce PFAS emissions. This includes developing possible UK REACH restrictions, beginning with PFAS in fire-fighting foams, and also exploring further possible restrictions covering a wide range of industrial and consumer uses.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 19/03/2024 15:28:23 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1690861

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2024
	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	Inland Waterways: Pollution
	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 estimate his Department has made of the number of inland waterways that are contaminated by expired mine workings.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	15050
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2024 answer text <p>In 2021, the Environment Agency estimated that contaminated groundwater discharged from abandoned metal and coal mines was polluting more than 1,500km (3%) of rivers in England (see <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fmine-waters-challenges-for-the-water-environment&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Cc826e40aec1f496b948d08dc384f401e%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638447160251094989%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=CJkfYiDkx72L7znQ79qiFrLWh6rnphX1vewTDYeqwcI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Mine waters: challenges for the water environment - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a>).</p><p> </p><p>In 2023, Defra’s Environmental Improvement Plan outlined the Environment Act target to halve the length of rivers and estuaries polluted by cadmium, lead, nickel, zinc, copper and/or arsenic from abandoned metal mines by 2038, against an estimated baseline of around 1,500km. This baseline length of rivers and estuaries polluted by abandoned metal mines will be updated later in 2024.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 08/03/2024 13:36:06 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1690866

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2024
	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	Rivers: Environment Protection
	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 recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of river basin management plans in delivering the Government's 25 year Environment Plan goal for clean and plentiful water.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	15051
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2024 answer text <p>We have an ambitious Plan for Water which is delivering more investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement needed to meet our commitment in the 25 Year Environment Plan, to improving at least 75% of our waters to be close to their natural state. River Basin Management Planning is part of the regulatory framework to achieve this goal and has provided a mechanism for managing England’s waters, bringing together national and local measures and investment to improve the water environment. The 2022 update to the River Basin Management Plans represents £5.3 billion worth of planned and funded actions by 2027. Each update to the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Friver-basin-management-plans-updated-2022&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C8e817a7884e44dc0fa9108dc347c471e%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638442955581560667%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=pW9iFq36fyhuvvcBSqvK93SiWpENq0B8OLjbajFt97w%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">River Basin Management Plans</a> includes a progress report.</p><p> </p><p>Further, in the Plan for Water, we committed to reviewing the Water Framework Directive regulations including River Basin Management Planning to improve integration between flood, water and water company plans.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 01/03/2024 10:33:10 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1675491

	registered interest
	date	05/12/2023
	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 Charges: Social Tariffs
	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 estimate his Department has made of the proportion of older people who (a) are eligible for and (b) receive a social tariff from water companies as of 5 December 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	5254
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/12/2023 answer text <p>We are committed to a water sector that delivers for customers, the environment and wider society.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise that some households and vulnerable groups may struggle to pay their water bill in full and as such, continue to work with industry and consumer groups to explore options to improve arrangements focussing on improving consistency and fairness across social tariff schemes.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to social tariff schemes, we know that there are many older people supported through the statutory scheme WaterSure, which assists over 220,000 households.</p><p> </p><p>We expect all water companies to make sure households are aware of the schemes and measures available to help those struggling to pay their bills and do everything they can to support all customers who are vulnerable, including having regard to the interests of individuals of pensionable age.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 13/12/2023 16:00:32 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1669174

	registered interest
	date	10/11/2023
	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	Urban Areas: Carbon Emissions
	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 she has had recent discussions with the UN Environment Programme on which UK cities have expressed an interest in the Cool Coalition’s Nature for Cool Cities Challenge.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	1333
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/11/2023 answer text <p>The former Secretary of State had not held any recent discussions with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on the Cool Coalition’s Nature for Cool Cities Challenge. However, the UK is actively involved in many of the UN Environment Programme's workstreams and has a strong relationship with the organisation. I look forward to building on this relationship and continuing to support the vital work of UNEP in the coming months.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 20/11/2023 14:28:01 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

228085

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Better Care Fund
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to ensure that the Better Care Fund helps councils provide services faster and with improved value for money.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	228088
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>The Better Care Fund aims to keep people well and independent at home, delivering better care and value for money. Through locally led Better Care plans, local areas will spend over £2 billion on protecting social care, supporting over 2,500 more people to live independently rather than move to a care home.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Kris Hopkins question first answered 23/03/2015 14:38:02 answering member 4043 label Biography information for Kris Hopkins
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

228086

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2015
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Small Businesses: Non-domestic Rates
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the local economic benefits arising from the small business rate relief scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	228090
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2015 answer text <p>We have doubled the level of small business rate relief since October 2010. For 2015-16, this means an estimated 400,000 properties are paying no rates at all, while a further 200,000 properties are benefitting from tapered relief.</p><p> </p><p>Small businesses will also benefit from other measures in our £1.4 billion package of support for 2015-16 bills, including the 2% cap on the increase of the small business rates multiplier for two years and the £1,500 discount for shops, pubs and restaurants with rateable values below £50,000. They will also benefit from wider support for small businesses.</p><p> </p><p>Business rates are a proportionately higher fixed cost for small businesses as compared to large. The doubling of Small Business Rate Relief therefore provides targeted support to reduce small businesses’ tax burden.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Kris Hopkins question first answered 23/03/2015 14:36:52 answering member 4043 label Biography information for Kris Hopkins
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

227488

	registered interest
	date	16/03/2015
	answering body	Department for Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Troubled Families Programme
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the performance of the Troubled Families scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	227691
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2015 answer text <p>As my rt.hon. Friend, the Secretary of State (Eric Pickles) outlined in his Oral Statement of 10 March, <em>Official Report</em>, Column 157, the Troubled Families Programme is firmly on track. As of the end of February 2015, local authorities reported that 105,671 troubled families had been turned around. This represents 90% of the national total of 117,910 troubled families targeted by the programme and there remains a final opportunity for local authorities to report results in May 2015. 10,508 of these families include a family member who had been helped off benefits and into continuous employment.</p><p> </p><p>My Department regularly publishes information about progress online. The latest breakdown, by individual local authority, is available at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/troubled-families-programme-progress-information-at-december-2014-and-families-turned-around-at-february-2015" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/troubled-families-programme-progress-information-at-december-2014-and-families-turned-around-at-february-2015</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Kris Hopkins question first answered 19/03/2015 16:41:22 answering member 4043 label Biography information for Kris Hopkins
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord