Tackling all forms of waste crime is a Government priority. We have commissioned a review of serious and organised waste crime and, following this, we will set out our strategic approach to waste crime. The strategic approach will aim to prevent, detect and deter all forms of waste crime and will be published as part of this Government\u2019s Resources and Waste Strategy.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-31T15:06:51.453Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Waste: Crime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans in addition to those recently announced his Department has to tackle waste crime.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"} ], "uin" : "183338"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/994083", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/994083/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government is committed to tackling fly-tipping and we work closely with local authorities and the Local Government Association through the National Fly-tipping Prevention Group (NFTPG).<\/p>
It is the responsibility of local authorities to use the full range of enforcement powers available to them to tackle fly-tipping. We have recently strengthened these powers by introducing fixed penalty notices for small scale fly-tipping and enhancing the ability of local authorities to search and seize vehicles of suspected fly-tippers. The NFTPG has published guidance which sets out clearly the powers available to local authorities when tackling fly-tipping.<\/p>
Earlier this year we consulted on proposals to introduce a new fixed penalty for householders who pass their waste to a fly-tipper. We also intend to provide updated guidance for householders about how to ensure their waste is disposed of correctly. Subject to Parliamentary approval, we will seek to implement the changes later this year. As two thirds of fly-tipping contains household waste, these additional measures will give local authorities another tool to tackle fly-tipping.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-31T15:04:49.62Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Fly-tipping"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to strengthen local authorities' powers to tackle fly-tipping; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"} ], "uin" : "183339"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/994088", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/994088/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government has pledged to protect the amount we allocate to farming support, in cash terms, until the end of this Parliament. We will be working closely with HM Treasury and the devolved administrations to deliver this commitment and on the longer term funding arrangements for agriculture.<\/p>
On 16 October the Government announced a review of the intra-UK allocation of domestic farm support funding until the end of this Parliament. The independent review will be chaired by Lord Bew of Donegore and will look at what factors should be taken into account to ensure an equitable intra-UK allocation of domestic farm support funding between 2020 and 2022. This review will help to ensure fair funding for farmers in the UK as we leave the EU and will consider a range of factors reflecting the unique circumstances of each of the four parts of the UK.<\/p>
The Government has ruled out simply applying the Barnett Formula to Defra\u2019s replacement CAP funding beyond this Parliament. This means that farmers in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will not just be allocated funding according to the population size of each nation, which are in each case significantly smaller than England.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for George Eustice"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Camborne and Redruth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "George Eustice"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-01T17:33:55.607Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Farmers: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the equitable funding for farmers throughout the UK after the UK leaves the EU.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"} ], "uin" : "183340"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/994100", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/994100/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Defra is committed to protecting our trees from pests and diseases and building the resilience of our trees and plants. In May we published a new Tree Health Resilience Strategy. The strategy sets out plans to protect England\u2019s trees from pests and diseases.<\/p>
<\/p>
The UK has robust controls in place to protect against tree pest and disease threats. These include being the most prolific user of the EU Protected Zone system, comprehensive official inspections and surveillance and a statutory notification scheme for certain tree species imported from the EU. Horizon scanning for new and emerging threats associated with tree imports is carried out continuously and the results are considered monthly by all UK Plant Health Authorities, facilitated by Defra\u2019s Plant Health Risk Group. The UK Plant Health Risk Register is the principal screening tool used for this purpose and all outputs are published. The Register now has over 1000 entries, informing decision making and prioritisation in relation to tree health threats. Our approach is updated on a frequent basis, to protect against new and revised threats.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for George Eustice"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Camborne and Redruth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "George Eustice"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-01T17:30:19.607Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Trees: Conservation"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) support tree health and (b) prevent the spread of infectious diseases in trees.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"} ], "uin" : "183341"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/994103", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/994103/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government and regulators have taken a number of steps in recent months to improve water company performance:<\/p>
<\/p>
At the Water UK City Conference in March, the Secretary of State challenged companies to respond to public concerns over their performance and financial and corporate practices.<\/p><\/li>
In April, Ofwat announced its reforms for the sector. These push companies to share benefits of their financial arrangements with customers and ensure greater transparency in dividends and executive pay.<\/p><\/li>
In July, the Secretary of State held a meeting with water companies who had missed their leakage targets and had a poor record on leakage and challenged them to improve their performance.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>
<\/p>
Water companies submitted their draft business plans to Ofwat in September. These give an early indication that water companies are responding positively to the challenge. The industry is aiming to reduce leakage by 16% by 2025, the highest reduction for 20 years. Companies have committed to increase investment by 13% compared to the previous price review period (PR14) and plan to reduce bills by 4% in real terms on average. Ofwat will now scrutinise water companies\u2019 business plans to make sure they have responded adequately the challenges.<\/p>
<\/p>
Water companies have committed to close all Cayman Island structures by the end of the year.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-31T15:31:46.747Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Water Companies: Standards"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to improve the performance of the water industry.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"} ], "uin" : "183342"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/994106", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/994106/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "