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1641189

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2023
	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	Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the oral statement of 25 May by the Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries, Official Report, column 495, what plans he has to take forward the provisions of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill on (a) a ban on live exports, (b) reducing puppy smuggling and (c) primates as pets,; and to what timetable.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	187162
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2023 answer text <p>We will be taking forward measures in the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill individually through other means during the remainder of this Parliament. This includes the manifesto commitments to ban live exports for fattening and slaughter and to crack down on puppy smuggling. We will also deliver the manifesto commitment to ban the keeping of primates as pets, which will be implemented via a statutory instrument to be laid this year.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 06/06/2023 16:20:53 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Mark Spencer
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1641253

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2023
	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	Sewers
	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 she is taking to help ensure that sewage systems are upgraded.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton South
	tabling member printed	Matt Vickers
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	187287
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2023 answer text <p>We recognise the importance of having a robust drainage system for now and the future.</p><p> </p><p>All English water companies have published Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans which outline improvements to drainage and wastewater systems over the next 25-30 years. These plans follow the priorities and expectations of the government, which are set out in published Guiding Principles.</p><p> </p><p>The next publication of Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans, in 2028, will be statutory and Government will have powers to direct companies to consider additional matters.</p><p> </p><p>In August 2022 the Government launched an ambitious <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1101686/Storm_Overflows_Discharge_Reduction_Plan.pdf" target="_blank">plan</a> to reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows. Delivering this plan will require the largest infrastructure programme ever delivered by water companies - £56 billion capital investment over 25 years.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 06/06/2023 13:59:06 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4844 label Biography information for Matt Vickers

1641261

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the time allowed for road users to pay the Dart Charge for using the Dartford Crossing.
	tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire North
	tabling member printed	Gavin Newlands
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	187295
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2023 answer text <p>Users of the Dartford Crossing can pay the Dart Charge up to a year in advance and by midnight the day after travel. They can also set up a pay as you go account where their card will be automatically charged when they cross, or a pre-pay account which also offers a discounted rate. The vast majority of journeys at the Dartford Crossing are paid for correctly and on time (94.7% in the period May 2022 to April 2023 inclusive).</p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden question first answered 06/06/2023 14:11:42 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
	tabling member	4420 label Biography information for Gavin Newlands

1641275

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2023
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Wines: Excise Duties
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to freeze the duty band for wine of 11.5 per cent to 14.5 per cent.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	187166
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2023 answer text <p>The duty band for wine between 11.5 and 14.5 per cent is a temporary provision to help the wine industry transition to the new alcohol duty system. From February 2025, the wine easement will come to an end and wine will be taxed according to its strength to ensure consistency of treatment across all categories of alcohol.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>All decisions on alcohol duty rates are reserved for the Chancellor as part of his Budget process and will be taken during the fiscal event cycle in the usual way.</p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Gareth Davies question first answered 06/06/2023 14:14:21 answering member 4850 label Biography information for Gareth Davies
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1641354

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2023
	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	Food Supply: Northern Ireland
	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 made an assessment of the potential impact of staff shortages on the range of food available in Northern Ireland in the next five years
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	187199
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2023 answer text <p>Defra is working closely with industry to help our world-leading growers, farmers and food producers access the labour they need.</p><p> </p><p>The Seasonal Worker visa route is currently available to the horticulture and poultry sectors across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland through to the end of 2024. The visa route allows overseas workers to come to the United Kingdom for up to six months to harvest both edible and ornamental crops and to help with the pre-Christmas surge in demand for poultry.</p><p> </p><p>For 2023 and 2024, 45,000 visas have been made available to the horticulture sector (plus 2,000 for poultry), with the potential for a further 10,000 visas available for horticulture if necessary. The additional 10,000 visas are contingent on sponsors and growers improving and abiding by worker welfare standards as previously agreed.</p><p> </p><p>This visa allocation will provide clarity and confidence to Northern Ireland businesses, who are seeking to plan for 2023 and 2024 harvests.</p><p> </p><p>We will keep labour market data under very careful scrutiny to monitor any pressures in key sectors. Defra is also working closely with the Home Office to make sure that the requirements for these sectors are understood across Government.</p><p> </p><p>The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain, as demonstrated throughout the Covid-19 response. It is well equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption.</p><p> </p><p>Our high degree of food security is built on supply from diverse sources; strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes. We produce 61% of all the food we need, and 74% of food which we can grow or rear in the UK for all or part of the year, and these figures have changed little over the last 20 years.</p><p> </p><p>UK consumers have access through international trade to food products that cannot be produced here, or at least not on a year-round basis. This supplements domestic production, and also ensures that any disruption from risks such as adverse weather or disease does not affect the UK's overall security of supply.</p><p> </p><p>Defra has well established ways of working with the industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains.</p><p> </p><p>Recognising the importance of food security, in the Agriculture Act 2020, the Government made a commitment to produce an assessment of our food security at least once every three years. The first UK Food Security Report was published in December 2021. It considers the UK's food supply sources overall, noting that domestic production and diversity of supply are both important to our food security.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 06/06/2023 16:03:10 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1641371

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2023
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Motor Vehicles: Ambulance Services
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of dual crewed emergency ambulances entered service with Driver Vehicle Standards Agency Individual Vehicle Approval certification since 1 April 2022.
	tabling member constituency	Brigg and Goole
	tabling member printed	Andrew Percy
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	187156
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2023 answer text <p>The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency does not hold data on dual crewed ambulances that have entered service with Individual Approval certification.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden question first answered 06/06/2023 14:07:35 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
	tabling member	3939 label Biography information for Andrew Percy

1641431

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2023
	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	Rural Areas: Employment
	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 discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on encouraging young people to consider employment in (a) farming and (b) other rural occupations.
	tabling member constituency	Bosworth
	tabling member printed	Dr Luke Evans
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	187418
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2023 answer text <p>The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a wide range of issues.</p><p> </p><p>Attracting bright new talent into land-based careers and having a skilled workforce in place is vital for the future of UK food and farming.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is contributing towards the establishment of a new professional body for the farming industry; The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH). TIAH is aimed at removing the fragmentation that exists within current learning and skills landscape for farming businesses, enabling the industry to drive greater uptake of skills, creating clear career development pathways and promoting the sector as a progressive, professional and attractive career choice. This includes leading a cross-industry initiative to address common negative misconceptions about the sector.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently piloting different approaches to building entrepreneurial capacity in those who wish to start their own land-based business or scale-up their existing business venture, including how to pitch effectively for land and finance, which are crucial for their success.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is also reforming post-16 technical education to provide clearer routes into skilled employment in agriculture and other sectors. A key part of this is the introduction of the new Technical Level programmes (T-levels) which include pathways in agriculture, environmental and animal health and care. Alongside apprenticeships this provides more opportunities and pathways for young people looking for careers in agriculture and horticulture.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 06/06/2023 15:56:19 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4781 label Biography information for Dr Luke Evans

1641461

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2023
	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	Food: Allergies
	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 funding was given to Solihull Council for new burdens resulting from the enforcement of legislation relating to allergen labelling changes for prepacked for direct sale food in the 2023-24 financial year.
	tabling member constituency	Solihull
	tabling member printed	Julian Knight
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	187448
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2023 answer text <p>Funding for the enforcement of Natasha's Law for 2023/24 has been rolled into the Local Government Finance Settlement. The distributions for each council are similar to the 2022/23 grant. The funding for each local authority was calculated to take into account the number of relevant officers and affected businesses and the additional time required during routine inspection visits. In the case of Solihull Council, this was £5,114 for 2023/24.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 06/06/2023 14:52:37 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4410 label Biography information for Julian Knight

1640436

	registered interest
	date	25/05/2023
	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	Solar Power: Congleton
	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 that investment in solar energy generation at factory sites in Congleton constituency are incentivised by the policies of the local electricity network operator.
	tabling member constituency	Congleton
	tabling member printed	Fiona Bruce
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	186834
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2023 answer text <p>The Government is working closely with network companies to release network capacity and improve the connection process to reduce connection timescales, including for onsite solar generation. Ofgem has also reduced connection costs for ‘final demand’ users, such as factory sites installing onsite generation capacity below their maximum demand, by deciding that they should no longer be charged for distribution network reinforcement costs.</p> answering member constituency Beverley and Holderness answering member printed Graham Stuart question first answered 05/06/2023 10:52:11 answering member 1482 label Biography information for Graham Stuart
	tabling member	3958 label Biography information for Fiona Bruce

1640437

	registered interest
	date	25/05/2023
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Voluntary Work
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the findings of the report Time Well Spent 2023 published by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations on 2 May 2023, whether she is taking steps to help improve satisfaction levels among volunteers.
	tabling member constituency	Worsley and Eccles South
	tabling member printed	Barbara Keeley
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	186835
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2023 answer text <p>Volunteering is vital for society and the Government recognises this. It benefits volunteers and the organisations involving them and has transformational impacts on beneficiaries and their communities. Government aims to remove barriers to getting people involved.</p><p>Government sees the experience and satisfaction of volunteers as a key part of unlocking the benefits of volunteering. We are supporting the volunteering sector’s Vision for Volunteering initiative, which focuses on improving the volunteer experience, including an investment of £609,000.</p><p>We will consider the full findings of the Time Well Spent survey when the report is published in June 2023 by NCVO.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 05/06/2023 14:05:10 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	1588 label Biography information for Barbara Keeley