This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only, unless otherwise stated.<\/p>
<\/p>
Emissions of greenhouse gases from peat extraction in the UK in 2017, were an estimated 337,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents. Commercial extraction in England is licenced on approximately 664 hectares of peatland, across 29 sites.<\/p>
<\/p>
The National Planning Policy Framework, first published in 2012, ends the granting of new licences for peat extraction. Therefore, peat extraction in England will end when the remaining licences come to an end. We are also continuing to focus on reducing demand for peat in horticulture in England. This not only protects UK peat bogs, but recognises that two thirds of the peat sold in the UK is imported from the rest of Europe. In the 25 Year Plan for the Environment we signalled to the industry that if we have not seen sufficient movement to peat alternatives by 2020, then we would take further measures. We are discussing what these potential further measures could look like.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government is also working with the industry to make the transition to peat alternatives, and to overcome the barriers to their use. For example, we are jointly funding research with the industry to overcome barriers to peat replacement in professional horticulture. We have also worked with the industry to develop a Responsible Sourcing Scheme for Growing Media, which allows manufacturers and retailers to make informed choices of growing media inputs to amateur/retail products, based on environmental and social impacts.<\/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" : "2019-05-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "256355"} , {"_value" : "256356"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-23T10:44:17.407Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Peat"} , "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 has taken to promote the use of green alternatives to peat.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4653", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Morgan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Morgan"} ], "uin" : "256363"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1127663", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1127663/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
On 30th April, the Department for Transport laid The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019 No. 891). From 30th August 2019, local authorities will be required by law to implement the changes being introduced under the expanded Blue Badge eligibility criteria for non-physical disabilities.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Department for Transport is currently finalising the guidance necessary for local authorities to assess the new types of applications, which it plans to publish shortly.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3991", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jesse Norman"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hereford and South Herefordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jesse Norman"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-23T10:33:27.28Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Blue Badge Scheme"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the 2019 changes to Blue Badges are implemented at local authority level.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4653", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Morgan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Morgan"} ], "uin" : "256405"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1127103", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1127103/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government has committed to publishing a Green Paper on adult social care at the earliest opportunity, setting out proposals for reform and will bring forward ideas for including an element of risk pooling in the system, which will help to protect people from the highest costs. We are committed to ensuring everyone has access to the care and support they need, based on a principle of shared responsibility.<\/p>
One of the important elements of the dementia fund proposal was greater use of Personal Health Budgets (PHBs). PHBs are one way to give people with long-term health conditions and disabilities more choice and control over the money spent on meeting their health and wellbeing needs. We have committed to exploring possible new rights to have PHBs to a further five areas across 2019-20 including dementia.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4008", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gosport"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Caroline Dinenage"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-21T11:08:31.053Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Dementia"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of implementing the recommendations of the Alzheimer\u2019s Society\u2019s report entitled, Dementia Fund, published in May 2019.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4653", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Morgan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Morgan"} ], "uin" : "255383"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1126269", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1126269/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Delivering a deal negotiated with the EU remains the Government\u2019s top priority. However, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the same customs rules will broadly apply to transporting instruments and equipment to the EU as apply to trade between the UK and non-EU countries. This will include the use of temporary admission and applications for Returned Goods Relief.<\/p>
<\/p>
Alternatively, ATA carnets are available for commercial goods, professional equipment or goods going to trade fair or exhibition in participating countries, which are moved on a temporary basis to a new customs territory (i.e. they will not be sold and will return to the country of origin). This includes musical instruments.<\/p>
<\/p>
In a no deal scenario, the process of using an ATA Carnet (or a temporary admission declaration) will become an acceptable option for moving goods temporarily between the UK and EU, as the UK will become a single customs territory. The process for obtaining and using a Carnet will remain as it is now.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-16T13:41:53.537Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Musicians: EU Countries"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that musicians can transport instruments and equipment to EU27 countries after the UK leaves the EU.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4653", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Morgan"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth South"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Morgan"} ], "uin" : "253708"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1126271", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Exiting the European Union "} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1126271/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on preparations for the UK\u2019s departure from the European Union.<\/p>
The Government recognises the importance of mobility for the UK\u2019s creative sector and wider economy. The creative industries contributed £101.5bn to the UK economy in 2017<\/a>. That is why, in our White Paper on the UK\u2019s future relationship with the EU, we said that whilst free movement of people will end, we want to agree reciprocal mobility arrangements with the EU that support businesses to provide services and move their talented people, and discuss how to facilitate the temporary mobility of self-employed professionals and employees providing services. The Immigration White Paper sets out the foundation for a single immigration system that will support the UK\u2019s dynamic economy.<\/p> Our proposals for mobility arrangements with the EU are reflected in the Political Declaration on the future relationship, which contains a specific reference to the importance of mobility and temporary movement of objects and equipment in enabling cooperation in the cultural sector. The details will be discussed in the next phase of negotiations.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Robin Walker"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Worcester"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Robin Walker"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-16T14:20:16.34Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "203"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Exiting the European Union "}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Exiting the European Union "}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Free Movement of People: Musicians"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture Media and Sport on the effect of freedom of movement on the (a) livelihoods of UK musicians and (b) UK (i) creative sector and (ii) overall economy.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4653", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Morgan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Morgan"}
], "uin" : "253709"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125474", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125474/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Local authorities will receive over £3.1 billion in 2019/20 for use on public health. It is for local authorities themselves to determine how best to use these resources based on their assessment of local need and with regard to their statutory duties. This funding is in addition to what the National Health Service spends on public health, which included over £1.2 billion in 2018/19 on national public health programmes such as immunisations and screening. Future funding arrangements for local authorities\u2019 health duties will be considered carefully in the next spending review, in the light of all the available evidence.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4455", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Seema Kennedy"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Ribble"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Seema Kennedy"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-13T16:32:28.277Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Health: 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 Health and Social Care, with reference to the Consensus Statement, published by Cancer Research UK on 7 May 2019, what assessment he has made of the implications of that statement for his Department's policy on ensuring that there is a sustainable funding solution for public health services provided by local authorities.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4653", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Morgan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Morgan"}
], "uin" : "252121"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124939", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124939/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Chief Executive of the Office for Product Safety and Standards met senior Whirlpool officials in Birmingham on 2nd May to discuss their response to the requirements placed upon them by OPSS following the review of Whirlpool\u2019s tumble dryer modification programme. He advised them on steps necessary to fulfil their obligations. The investigation remains on-going as Whirlpool address these requirements.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rochester and Strood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kelly Tolhurst"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-13T13:26:43.39Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Whirlpool Corporation: Tumble Dryers"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has plans to undertake a further investigation into the safety of Whirlpool tumble dryers.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4653", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Morgan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Morgan"}
], "uin" : "251339"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124940", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1124940/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Government identified the need for national leadership and co-ordination of the product safety system and established the Office for Product Safety and Standards in January 2018 to fulfil this role. The Office has built capability to lead on scientific and technical issues, including commissioning a research programme; set up arrangements to deal with national product safety incidents; and formed a trading standards co-ordination unit to support the work that Local Authorities carry out on product safety in their local areas.<\/p> <\/p> We value the important role that Local Authority Trading Standards carry out in enforcing product safety measures, protecting consumers and providing advice to businesses at a local level. Local Authorities are independent from central government and are responsible for their own finances and funding decisions, accountable to their local electorates. As part of its support for Local Authority Trading Standards, OPSS has made available £500,000 per annum to Local Authorities for product safety testing, trained over 650 trading standards staff from 211 Local Authorities and provided scientific and technical support in responding to incidents to increase their capability on product safety regulation.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rochester and Strood"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kelly Tolhurst"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-13T13:28:49.793Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Trading Standards: 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 Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of recent trends in the level of local authority funding on the ability of trading standards bodies to enforce product safety measures.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4653", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Morgan"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Portsmouth South"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephen Morgan"}
], "uin" : "251340"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125005", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1125005/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Short-term peaks of air pollution are associated with a range of adverse health effects including exacerbation of asthma.<\/p> Public Health England (PHE) has not made any specific assessment of the impact of air pollution on the well-being of people with asthma diagnosis, across the United Kingdom.<\/p> PHE is continuously developing and reviewing the evidence on the health effects of air pollution, to help reduce the health burden attributable to air pollution in England, for the general population and vulnerable groups, including those suffering from asthma. Examples of this can be seen at the following links:<\/p>