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1280232

	registered interest
	date	25/01/2021
	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	Animal Grooming: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason dog grooming businesses are not required to close during the covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021, but are prohibited from offering their services, and do not qualify for Government covid-19 support.
	tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
	tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
	uin	142910
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/01/2021 answer text <p>Dog grooming businesses are not on the list of businesses required to close. The latest coronavirus regulations permit dog groomers to continue working, subject to distancing, hygiene and other safety requirements being met. This may include dog groomers collecting pets from their owners' homes and then returning them once they have been groomed. The Canine and Feline Sector Group has already issued advice for pet businesses, including dog groomers, on how to operate safely within the new restrictions. This includes a protocol for the handover of pets and may be found online: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cfsg.org.uk%2Frepository%2F360%2F&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cemma.pryor%40defra.gov.uk%7C1a9b3ef1a46c42052e4c08d8c38f255f%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637474366864278230%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=kGKVMyuX9nf%2BYvPYK8Q5e1zOKdPO%2Fmrw8eMvkp3wisY%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.cfsg.org.uk/repository/360/</a></p><p>The Government has issued advice for pet owners and livestock keepers on looking after the welfare of animals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Fcoronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cemma.pryor%40defra.gov.uk%7C1a9b3ef1a46c42052e4c08d8c38f255f%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C1%7C0%7C637474366864288223%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=F7Mx2Z0Ry2HajhcS6AD2VdLdXOpqS5Gx4lkM%2BA4xePA%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals</a> This advice makes clear that you may leave your home to take your pet to be groomed. You should do this only if necessary for your animal's welfare and not simply for aesthetic purposes. You should contact the groomer in advance to make an appointment. Ask the groomer if they operate a mobile collection and drop-off service.</p><p>The Government has put in place a range of business support measures since March 2020. These include loans, small business grants through local authorities, mortgage holidays and VAT deferral. These measures have been updated in line with local and national restrictions. In November, at the beginning of the second national lockdown, Government made available £1.1 billion in discretionary funding allocated to each local authority to support businesses via the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG). This was topped up with a further £500 million in January 2021.</p><p>Local authorities have significant discretion in the businesses they support and the amount of grant funding per business based on local priorities.</p><p>Given the new national restrictions, other amendments now include:</p><ul><li>Extending the coronavirus job retention scheme to support the wage costs of employers until end of April 2021.</li><li>Increasing the overall level of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme grant to 80% of trading profits covering November to January for all parts of the UK.</li><li>Extending the Bounce Back Loan Scheme application deadline to the end of March 2021, to further support eligible firms who need it during this ongoing period of difficulty.</li></ul><p>We encourage businesses that have been unable to access support, or who are unsure about what support is available, to contact their Government-backed Local Growth Hub for free tailored guidance and support.</p><p>Furthermore, the Business Support Helpline (FREEPHONE 0800 998 1098) provides free, impartial business support and advice to businesses.</p> answering member constituency Banbury answering member printed Victoria Prentis question first answered 28/01/2021 17:15:43 answering member 4401 label Biography information for Victoria Prentis
	tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1613166

	registered interest
	date	21/04/2023
	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	Metals: Waste Disposal
	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 much and what proportion of Environment Agency’s time is dedicated to (a) tackling permitted scrap metal operators acting illegally and (b) tackling unpermitted operators in the scrap metal sector accessing Grant-in-Aid funding.
	tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
	tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
	uin	182151
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2023 answer text <p>The Environment Agency spent a total of 32,446 hours on compliance activities at 7,070 permitted sites across all waste treatment sectors (Hazardous Waste Treatment, Non-Hazardous &amp; Inert Waste Treatment and Metal Recycling) in 2022.</p><p> </p><p>For the metal recycling sector specifically, the Environment Agency undertook 1,762 compliance related activities across 2,152 permitted sites. These compliance activities include site inspections, site audits, check monitoring, procedure reviews and report/data reviews. As part of these compliance checks we recorded 1,396 separate permit breaches. The Environment Agency spent a total 8,811 hours on compliance work in the Metal Recycling Sector. 7,878 of those hours were spent undertaking site inspections.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency does not have data available on the proportion of time spent tackling unpermitted operators in a specific sector. However, we can state that in the financial year 2021/2022 the Environment Agency spent approximately 130,000 hours or 108 FTE tackling illegal waste sites, including illegal scrap metal sites. During that same financial year, a total of 561 illegal waste sites were stopped by the Environment Agency. As an indicator, 94 of these sites were in the scrap metal sector, which represents 17% of all sites stopped. Activities to tackle illegal waste sites are currently funded through government grant-in-aid.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 26/04/2023 12:23:48 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1248958

	registered interest
	date	04/11/2020
	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	Chemicals: Regulation
	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 carry out an economic impact assessment on the UK not being subject to EU REACH chemical regulations after the end of the transition period.
	tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
	tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
	uin	111494
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/11/2020 answer text <p>At the end of the Transition Period the UK will have in place its own independent chemicals regulatory framework, UK REACH. UK REACH will retain the principles and fundamental approach of the EU REACH system, with its aims of ensuring a high level of protection of human health and the environment, as well as enhancing innovation and competitiveness.</p><p> </p><p>Businesses will incur costs as a result of the transition to an independent UK regime, and to maintain their access to EU markets. However, it is impossible for a single model, number or scenario to capture the complexity or represent the varying impacts that will be felt across different parts of the economy as a result</p><p><br> We will continue to support businesses through the transition through our range of transitional measures, and seek to minimise cost and burden on industry as far as possible.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 09/11/2020 17:44:57 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1507798

	registered interest
	date	22/09/2022
	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	Horticulture: Peat
	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 an assessment of the implications for his Department's policies of the Horticultural Trade Association's press release entitled HTA response to Defra announcement on horticultural peat, dated 27 August 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
	tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
	uin	54508
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/10/2022 answer text <p>I welcome the good progress made in terms of reducing the quantity of peat used in growing media. However, there is significant support for ending the use of peat in horticulture which will contribute to our net zero carbon targets and prevent biodiversity loss. Officials are currently engaging with stakeholders, including the Horticultural Trade Association, in order to identify and overcome the remaining technical barriers to ending the use of peat in horticulture.</p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 11/10/2022 08:20:24 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1288250

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2021
	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: Maghull
	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 meet with the hon. Member for Sefton Central to discuss the shortfall in grant-in-aid funding for flood defences at Dover’s Brook in Maghull.
	tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
	tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
	uin	156364
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/02/2021 answer text <p>As the Minister responsible for flooding, I would welcome the opportunity to meet the hon. Member and discuss flood risk in Maghull.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 25/02/2021 13:01:33 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1316830

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2021
	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
	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 publish the feedback given to each organisation that submitted an expressions of interest to the flood and coastal resilience innovation programme.
	tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
	tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
	uin	4583
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/05/2021 answer text <p>All organisations who submitted expressions of interest to the flood and coastal resilience innovation programme have been offered feedback. Where requested, the Environment Agency has, or will, provide detailed feedback from the assessment process, providing learning opportunities for the lead applicant and their partners. The Environment Agency is continuing to work with all projects that did not secure funding via this programme to help them identify potential alternative opportunities to take their good ideas forward.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 25/05/2021 16:15:22 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1624051

	registered interest
	date	26/04/2023
	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	Horticulture: Peat
	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 she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the ban on the use of peat and peat-containing products in the horticultural sector on carbon emissions.
	tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
	tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
	uin	182849
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2023 answer text <p>An impact assessment was included in our consultation on the sale of peat and peat-containing products issued on 18 December 2021 and updated on 14 February 2022. This states that our policy saves an estimated 0.455 MtCO2e. The Impact Assessment will be further updated prior to introduction of legislation to Parliament. A link to the Impact Assessment can be found <a href="https://consult.defra.gov.uk/soils-and-peatlands/endingtheretailsaleofpeatinhorticulture/supporting_documents/Consultation%20Impact%20Assessment%20%20Ending%20the%20Retail%20Sale%20of%20Peat%20in%20Horticulture%20in%20England%20and%20Wales.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 02/05/2023 13:53:29 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1624735

	registered interest
	date	28/04/2023
	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	Horticulture: Peat
	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 evidential basis she has reduced the timeframe for tree and plant growers to test peat-free growing media before a ban becomes law.
	tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
	tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
	uin	183247
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/05/2023 answer text <p>We formally consulted in December 2021 on ending the retail sale of peat in horticulture in England, proposing an end date of 2028 for professional use. This consultation built on a voluntary target to end professional peat use by 2030 that was set in 2011. From the consultation process it is evident that many businesses have switched to peat free or have made commitments to be peat free well in advance of 2030. Having considered written responses and wider stakeholder engagement we have confirmed a proposed end date of 2030 alongside limited restrictions after the end of 2026.</p><p>The restrictions will be designed to continue to allow continued peat use in those parts of the sector where the switch to peat free is particularly difficult and we will work to ensure that they strike the right balance between protecting our natural environment whilst ensuring that we continue to be able to grow the food we eat and the plants we enjoy.</p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 09/05/2023 09:03:47 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1653373

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2023
	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	Dogs: Electronic Training Aids
	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 13 July 2023 to Question 193127 on Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (England) Regulations 2023, whether her Department has discussed the potential merits of positive-only training of dogs with the British Veterinary Association; and if she will make a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of the use of (a) e-collars and (b) positive-only training of dogs on the prevalence of dog attacks on sheep.
	tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
	tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
	uin	194373
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/07/2023 answer text <p>The British Veterinary Association submitted a response to my Department’s 2018 consultation on ‘Electronic training collars for cats and dogs in England’ The response supported the use of reward-based training methods. Defra carefully considered this response alongside the other responses received.</p><p> </p><p>We maintain that keeping dogs on leads around livestock and securing dog enclosures offer effective means of preventing dog attacks on livestock, keeping both livestock and dogs safe without the need to use e-collars.</p> answering member constituency Copeland answering member printed Trudy Harrison question first answered 21/07/2023 12:11:47 answering member 4593 label Biography information for Trudy Harrison
	tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson

1328117

	registered interest
	date	26/05/2021
	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
	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 20 May 2021 to Question 4583 on Flood control, if he will publish the content of that feedback.
	tabling member constituency	Sefton Central
	tabling member printed	Bill Esterson
	uin	7799
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2021 answer text <p>All organisations who submitted expressions of interest to the flood and coastal resilience innovation programme have been offered detailed feedback. The significant details included in the expressions of interest and the subsequent feedback are commercially confidential, meaning that it is only appropriate for this to be handled between the applicant organisations and the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency is continuing to work with all projects that did not secure funding via this programme to take their <del class="ministerial">good</del> <ins class="ministerial">proposed</ins> ideas forward.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 07/06/2021 13:20:31 question first ministerially corrected 07/06/2021 13:38:48 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow previous answer version 4370 answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4061 label Biography information for Bill Esterson