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1329839
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-06-04more like thismore than 2021-06-04
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 remove filter
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Rights of Way: Portsmouth more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that Portsmouth City Council bring forward an Order for a restricted Byway at the Camber. more like this
tabling member constituency Portsmouth South more like this
tabling member printed
Stephen Morgan more like this
uin 10610 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-06-14more like thismore than 2021-06-14
answer text <p>Public rights of way are a local issue and this matter is the responsibility of the local County Council. We are unable to comment on specific cases, to avoid prejudice should they come before a Government Minister or Planning Inspector for a decision. I can, however, offer some general advice which I hope you will find helpful.</p><p> </p><p>Public rights of way exist in four categories: footpaths for use on foot (or with mobility scooters); bridleways for use on horseback or bicycle as well as on foot; restricted byways for use of carriages in addition to the above; and byways open to all traffic for use of motor vehicles in addition to the other types.</p><p> </p><p>A public right of way is added to the network by either proving the way existed through historic evidence or proving the public has used the route for 20 years. The use needs to be at the appropriate level. For example, a bridleway would not be added if there is no evidence it has been used by horses or bicycles. Whether the route is amenable to local residents is not considered at this stage as it is an evidence-based process only.</p><p> </p><p>Once a route is recognised as part of the network, a public path order may be made to change the status of the route by agreement with the local authority. Here convenience, safety and other such concerns are taken into consideration. In both instances, the public has the right to object to the proposed changes to the network and the local authority advertises the changes in order to give residents the opportunity to give their views.</p><p> </p><p>The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) administers rights of way cases on behalf of Defra. They deal with cases where the decision has been challenged.</p>
answering member constituency Taunton Deane more like this
answering member printed Rebecca Pow more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-06-14T16:36:29.823Zmore like thismore than 2021-06-14T16:36:29.823Z
answering member
4522
label Biography information for Rebecca Pow more like this
tabling member
4653
label Biography information for Stephen Morgan more like this
1329844
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-06-04more like thismore than 2021-06-04
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 remove filter
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Hops: Finance more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to incentivise and support investment in the UK’s hop sector; and if he will make a statement. more like this
tabling member constituency Portsmouth South more like this
tabling member printed
Stephen Morgan more like this
uin 10612 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-06-14more like thismore than 2021-06-14
answer text <p>The UK has a proud hop-growing tradition, with the climate, soils and the entrepreneurial farmers and growers that enable us to produce the highest quality hops, with a wide selection of traditional and new varieties. We want to encourage a thriving and competitive farming sector where all farms, including those growing hops, can be profitable and economically sustainable. There is a huge opportunity for UK agriculture to improve its competitiveness – developing the next generation of food and farming technology, adopting the latest techniques and investing in skills and equipment.</p><p>From autumn 2021, we will open the new Farming Investment Fund which will provide grants to farmers, foresters and growers (including contractors to these sectors) so that they can invest in the equipment, technology and infrastructure that will improve their productivity and deliver environmental and other public benefits. This will help businesses to prosper while enhancing the environment. We are also working closely with the British Hops Association on mitigating the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the industry.</p>
answering member constituency Banbury more like this
answering member printed Victoria Prentis more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-06-14T13:09:39.31Zmore like thismore than 2021-06-14T13:09:39.31Z
answering member
4401
label Biography information for Victoria Prentis more like this
tabling member
4653
label Biography information for Stephen Morgan more like this
1303283
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-03-17more like thismore than 2021-03-17
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 remove filter
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Budds Farm Waste Water Treatment Works more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the investment made by Southern Water following funding in Government green grants for key environment programmes on measures to increase capacity at Budds Farm wastewater treatment facility to better protect the surrounding environment. more like this
tabling member constituency Portsmouth South more like this
tabling member printed
Stephen Morgan more like this
uin 170726 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-03-26more like thismore than 2021-03-26
answer text <p>Tackling the harm caused by sewer overflows is a top priority for this Department.</p><p> </p><p>There are currently no projects planned by Southern Water to improve treatment or increase capacity at Budds Farm wastewater treatment facility within this Asset Management cycle (2020-2025). There have been improvement projects to environmental monitoring systems at Budds Farm wastewater treatment facility. The treatment works is complying with its permit and there are have been no recorded breaches of effluent quality standards for this discharge during 2020.</p><p> </p><p>During periods of significant rainfall untreated sewage diluted by rainwater will discharge through storm overflows to avoid streets, premises and sewage treatment plants from being flooded. Water companies are committed in the 5-year business planning period (2020-2025) to a significant programme of improvements to the monitoring and management of storm overflows at a cost of around £1.1 billion. This investment includes undertaking 800 investigations and 798 improvement schemes to provide environmental improvements by reducing spills from frequently spilling overflows.</p><p> </p><p>I met water company CEOs in September and made clear that the volume of sewage discharged into rivers and other waterways in extreme weather must be reduced.</p><p>The new Storm Overflows Taskforce - bringing together Government, the water industry, regulators and environmental NGOs - has agreed to set a long term goal to eliminate harm from storm overflows. The Taskforce is now working on plans to start making progress towards that goal, and they have commissioned research to gather evidence on the costs, benefits and feasibility of different options.</p><p> </p><p>Water companies are currently producing for the first time comprehensive Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans to assess the capacity of their wastewater networks. We are also taking key steps through the Environment Bill to require water companies to produce such Plans on a statutory basis. These plans will be another tool to help address the risks that storm overflows pose to the environment.</p>
answering member constituency Taunton Deane more like this
answering member printed Rebecca Pow more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-03-26T12:25:46.947Zmore like thismore than 2021-03-26T12:25:46.947Z
answering member
4522
label Biography information for Rebecca Pow more like this
tabling member
4653
label Biography information for Stephen Morgan more like this
1303284
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-03-17more like thismore than 2021-03-17
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 remove filter
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Land Drainage: Storms more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Storm Overflows Taskforce's plans to eliminate harm from (a) Langstone Harbour and (b) other storm overflows. more like this
tabling member constituency Portsmouth South more like this
tabling member printed
Stephen Morgan more like this
uin 170727 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-03-26more like thismore than 2021-03-26
answer text <p>Tackling the harm caused by sewer overflows is a top priority for Defra.</p><p>Nationally water companies have agreed to make real-time data on sewage discharges available at bathing sites all year round and are installing additional monitoring devices by 2023. Southern Water intends to meet this commitment ahead of the deadline.</p><p>Locally Environment Agency (EA) teams are assessing the latest data of discharges to Langstone Harbour and identifying any discharges that are not operating as they are intended. For any non-compliance they will take appropriate actions in line with the EA’s enforcement and prosecution policy and will continue to investigate and respond to any reported incidents associated with the operation of storm discharges in the area.</p><p>I also understand that the hon. Member met with the EA recently to discuss the reporting arrangements and controls relating to storm discharges into Langstone Harbour.</p><p>During periods of significant rainfall untreated sewage diluted by rainwater will discharge through storm overflows to avoid streets, premises and sewage treatment plants being flooded. Water companies are committed in the five-year business planning period (2020-25) to a significant programme of improvements to the monitoring and management of storm overflows at a cost of around £1.1 billion. This investment includes undertaking 800 investigations and 798 improvement schemes to provide environmental improvements by reducing spills from frequently spilling overflows.</p><p>The new Storm Overflows Taskforce - bringing together the Government, the water industry, regulators and environmental NGOs - has agreed to set a long-term goal to eliminate harm from storm overflows. The Taskforce is now working on plans to start making progress towards that goal, and has commissioned research to gather evidence on the costs, benefits and feasibility of different options.</p><p>Water companies are currently producing comprehensive Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans to assess the capacity of their wastewater networks. We are also taking steps through the Environment Bill to require water companies to produce such plans on a statutory basis. These plans will be another tool to help address the risks that storm overflows pose to the environment.</p>
answering member constituency Taunton Deane more like this
answering member printed Rebecca Pow more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-03-26T12:48:39.997Zmore like thismore than 2021-03-26T12:48:39.997Z
answering member
4522
label Biography information for Rebecca Pow more like this
tabling member
4653
label Biography information for Stephen Morgan more like this
1302479
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-03-15more like thismore than 2021-03-15
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 remove filter
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Coastal Areas and Rivers: Sewage more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress he has made on reducing the harm caused by sewage spilling into rivers and offshore water bodies; and on how many occasions he has met with the Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee to progress that work since 22 January 2021. more like this
tabling member constituency Portsmouth South more like this
tabling member printed
Stephen Morgan more like this
uin 169019 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-03-23more like thismore than 2021-03-23
answer text <p>Tackling the harm caused by sewer overflows is a top priority for this Department.</p><p> </p><p>Since the privatisation of water companies, around £25 billion has been invested to reduce pollution from sewage, covering improvements in sewage treatment and in sewer overflows.</p><p> </p><p>During periods of significant rainfall untreated sewage diluted by rainwater will discharge through storm overflows to avoid streets, premises and sewage treatment plants from being flooded. Water companies are committed in the 5-year business planning period (2020-2025) to a significant programme of improvements to the monitoring and management of storm overflows at a cost of around £1.1 billion. This investment includes undertaking 800 investigations and 798 improvement schemes to provide environmental improvements by reducing spills from frequently spilling overflows.</p><p> </p><p>There is more to do to manage sewage pollution. To achieve this, we have set up a new Taskforce - bringing together Government, the water industry, regulators and environmental NGOs - which has agreed to set a long-term goal to eliminate harm from storm overflows. The Taskforce is now working on plans to start making progress towards that goal, and they have commissioned research to gather evidence on the costs, benefits and feasibility of different options.</p><p> </p><p>Water companies are currently producing comprehensive Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans to assess the capacity of their wastewater networks. We are also taking steps through the Environment Bill to require water companies to produce such Plans on a statutory basis. These plans will be another tool to help address the risks that storm overflows pose to the environment.</p><p>I met the Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee on the date of the latest Storm Overflows Taskforce announcement on 22 January 2021 and have had subsequent conversations with him on this issue. Officials are working with the Chair on how we can accelerate progress in reducing the frequency and harm caused by sewage discharges from storm overflows.</p>
answering member constituency Taunton Deane more like this
answering member printed Rebecca Pow more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-03-23T15:04:29.623Zmore like thismore than 2021-03-23T15:04:29.623Z
answering member
4522
label Biography information for Rebecca Pow more like this
tabling member
4653
label Biography information for Stephen Morgan more like this
1286733
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-02-11more like thismore than 2021-02-11
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 remove filter
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Air Pollution more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. what steps the Government has taken to prioritise improving air quality in preparation for COP26. more like this
tabling member constituency Portsmouth South more like this
tabling member printed
Stephen Morgan more like this
uin 912528 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-02-24more like thismore than 2021-02-24
answer text <p>Air quality has improved significantly since 2010. We are committed to leaving the environment in a better state for the next generation.</p><p> </p><p>Our Clean Air Strategy sets out an ambitious programme of action to reduce air pollutant emissions from a wide range of sources. The World Health Organization has recognised the Strategy as an example for the rest of the world to follow.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Bill delivers a number of key elements of the strategy including establishing a duty to set a target on PM2.5 alongside a further long-term target on air quality as part of the wider framework for setting legally binding environmental targets. As set out in a policy paper published in August 2020, we're also specifically looking at average population exposure to PM2.5 across England and setting an additional long-term target on this. The Report Stage is set to recommence early in the Second Session and Royal Assent expected in Autumn.</p><p> </p><p>We have put in place a £3.8 billion plan to improve air quality and deliver cleaner transport.</p><p> </p><p>We have also introduced our statutory instrument containing regulations to phase out the sale of the most polluting solid fuels (wet wood, bituminous (house) coal and high sulphur manufactured solid fuels) used in domestic combustion. This area is critical as domestic burning is a major source of our national emissions of PM2.5.</p><p> </p><p>Climate change and air pollution are closely coupled because the sources of air pollutants are also often the sources of climate change agents. the UK recognises the potential for carbon emission reduction policies to improve air quality but also the risk that some approaches can increase human exposure to air pollution. The UK supports decarbonisation approaches that strive to improve air quality and minimise adverse impacts on human health, balanced with action to achieve reductions in carbon emissions.</p>
answering member constituency Taunton Deane more like this
answering member printed Rebecca Pow more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-02-24T17:47:04.947Zmore like thismore than 2021-02-24T17:47:04.947Z
answering member
4522
label Biography information for Rebecca Pow more like this
tabling member
4653
label Biography information for Stephen Morgan more like this
1285273
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-02-09more like thismore than 2021-02-09
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 remove filter
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Sewage: Seas and Oceans more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February to Question 141594 on Sewage, what assessment has he made of the implications of going beyond providing more and better information to reduce frequency and harm of discharges from storm overflows, particularly to offshore public water bodies; and what plans are in place to reduce those discharges. more like this
tabling member constituency Portsmouth South more like this
tabling member printed
Stephen Morgan more like this
uin 151826 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-02-17more like thismore than 2021-02-17
answer text <p>I met water company CEOs last year and made clear that the volume of sewage discharged into rivers and other waterways in extreme weather must be reduced. To achieve this, our new Storm Overflows Taskforce has been established, bringing together representatives from the Government, the water industry, regulators and environmental Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to set out clear proposals to address the harm and frequency of sewage discharged into our rivers and other waterways from storm overflows. As announced on 22 January, this Taskforce has agreed a long-term goal to eliminate harm from storm overflows.</p><p> </p><p>This Taskforce has commissioned a research project to gather a comprehensive evidence base about the costs, benefits and feasibility of different options. This research project is due to be completed in the spring.</p><p> </p><p>We are also taking key steps through the Environment Bill by requiring sewerage undertakers to produce Drainage and Sewerage Management Plans on a statutory basis. Plans will fully assess network capacity, and set out the measures undertakers plan to take to develop their drainage and sewerage systems. The plans aim to deliver more actions to help sewerage companies better address the risks that some sewerage assets, such as storm overflows, may pose to the environment. Undertakers started developing plans on a non-statutory basis in 2018.</p><p> </p><p>We have introduced the requirement for at least one legally binding, water target in the Environment Bill. This target will complement existing regulations and legislation, moving us closer to achieving our goal of clean and plentiful water set out in Defra’s 25 Year Environmental Plan.</p>
answering member constituency Taunton Deane more like this
answering member printed Rebecca Pow more like this
grouped question UIN
151827 more like this
151828 more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-02-17T15:09:57.14Zmore like thismore than 2021-02-17T15:09:57.14Z
answering member
4522
label Biography information for Rebecca Pow more like this
tabling member
4653
label Biography information for Stephen Morgan more like this
1285274
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-02-09more like thismore than 2021-02-09
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 remove filter
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Land Drainage: Storms more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) industry representatives and (b) stakeholders on reducing the frequency and harm of discharges from storm overflows, particularly into offshore public water bodies. more like this
tabling member constituency Portsmouth South more like this
tabling member printed
Stephen Morgan more like this
uin 151827 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-02-17more like thismore than 2021-02-17
answer text <p>I met water company CEOs last year and made clear that the volume of sewage discharged into rivers and other waterways in extreme weather must be reduced. To achieve this, our new Storm Overflows Taskforce has been established, bringing together representatives from the Government, the water industry, regulators and environmental Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to set out clear proposals to address the harm and frequency of sewage discharged into our rivers and other waterways from storm overflows. As announced on 22 January, this Taskforce has agreed a long-term goal to eliminate harm from storm overflows.</p><p> </p><p>This Taskforce has commissioned a research project to gather a comprehensive evidence base about the costs, benefits and feasibility of different options. This research project is due to be completed in the spring.</p><p> </p><p>We are also taking key steps through the Environment Bill by requiring sewerage undertakers to produce Drainage and Sewerage Management Plans on a statutory basis. Plans will fully assess network capacity, and set out the measures undertakers plan to take to develop their drainage and sewerage systems. The plans aim to deliver more actions to help sewerage companies better address the risks that some sewerage assets, such as storm overflows, may pose to the environment. Undertakers started developing plans on a non-statutory basis in 2018.</p><p> </p><p>We have introduced the requirement for at least one legally binding, water target in the Environment Bill. This target will complement existing regulations and legislation, moving us closer to achieving our goal of clean and plentiful water set out in Defra’s 25 Year Environmental Plan.</p>
answering member constituency Taunton Deane more like this
answering member printed Rebecca Pow more like this
grouped question UIN
151826 more like this
151828 more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-02-17T15:09:57.203Zmore like thismore than 2021-02-17T15:09:57.203Z
answering member
4522
label Biography information for Rebecca Pow more like this
tabling member
4653
label Biography information for Stephen Morgan more like this
1285276
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-02-09more like thismore than 2021-02-09
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 remove filter
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Sewage: Coastal Areas more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential effectiveness of the Environment Bill in protecting offshore public water bodies from Combined Sewage Overflows (CSOs) and Sanitary Sewage Overflows (SSOs) which are linked to inland rivers and water bodies. more like this
tabling member constituency Portsmouth South more like this
tabling member printed
Stephen Morgan more like this
uin 151828 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-02-17more like thismore than 2021-02-17
answer text <p>I met water company CEOs last year and made clear that the volume of sewage discharged into rivers and other waterways in extreme weather must be reduced. To achieve this, our new Storm Overflows Taskforce has been established, bringing together representatives from the Government, the water industry, regulators and environmental Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to set out clear proposals to address the harm and frequency of sewage discharged into our rivers and other waterways from storm overflows. As announced on 22 January, this Taskforce has agreed a long-term goal to eliminate harm from storm overflows.</p><p> </p><p>This Taskforce has commissioned a research project to gather a comprehensive evidence base about the costs, benefits and feasibility of different options. This research project is due to be completed in the spring.</p><p> </p><p>We are also taking key steps through the Environment Bill by requiring sewerage undertakers to produce Drainage and Sewerage Management Plans on a statutory basis. Plans will fully assess network capacity, and set out the measures undertakers plan to take to develop their drainage and sewerage systems. The plans aim to deliver more actions to help sewerage companies better address the risks that some sewerage assets, such as storm overflows, may pose to the environment. Undertakers started developing plans on a non-statutory basis in 2018.</p><p> </p><p>We have introduced the requirement for at least one legally binding, water target in the Environment Bill. This target will complement existing regulations and legislation, moving us closer to achieving our goal of clean and plentiful water set out in Defra’s 25 Year Environmental Plan.</p>
answering member constituency Taunton Deane more like this
answering member printed Rebecca Pow more like this
grouped question UIN
151826 more like this
151827 more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-02-17T15:09:57.25Zmore like thismore than 2021-02-17T15:09:57.25Z
answering member
4522
label Biography information for Rebecca Pow more like this
tabling member
4653
label Biography information for Stephen Morgan more like this
1279164
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2021-01-21more like thismore than 2021-01-21
answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept id 13 remove filter
answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
hansard heading Sewage: Seas and Oceans more like this
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the January 2021 Surfers Against Sewage, Ocean & Climate Report; and if he will make a statement. more like this
tabling member constituency Portsmouth South more like this
tabling member printed
Stephen Morgan more like this
uin 141594 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2021-02-02more like thismore than 2021-02-02
answer text <p>The work carried out by Surfers Against Sewage on their Ocean &amp; Climate Report provides a timely reminder of the urgent need to reduce emissions and the importance of nature-based solutions in our response to climate change and biodiversity loss.</p><p>The most effective thing we can do to reduce the impacts of climate change on the ocean is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The UK government has therefore set a legally binding target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.</p><p>Internationally, 2021 is a critical year for the ocean, climate and nature. We are committed to working closely with our partners to drive a recognition of the linkages between the ocean, climate and biodiversity. We will use our COP26 Presidency to secure ambitious emission reductions and drive action on the Leaders' Pledge for Nature commitments, recognising the role of nature-based solutions in building resilience and adapting to the impacts of climate change, as well as supporting mitigation.</p><p>At the recent One Planet Summit, the UK accepted the position as Ocean Co-Chair of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People and between this and the UK-led Global Ocean Alliance we now have over 60 countries supporting a target to protect at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030 as part of our aim for an ambitious and transformational post-2020 global biodiversity framework for adoption at the 15th Conference of Parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 15).</p><p>Together with Vanuatu, the UK Government is driving forward ambitious action to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean through the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance (CCOA), a growing group of 34 Commonwealth member states. To support the ambitions of CCOA, the UK Government has committed up to £70 million to boost global research and support developing countries to stop plastic waste from entering the ocean in the first place. Through one of our UK Aid programmes, the Global Plastic Action Partnership, the UK is working in partnership with Indonesia, Ghana, Vietnam and Nigeria to stem the tide of plastics entering in the ocean.</p><p>The UK has also committed to launch a £500m Blue Planet Fund, financed from official development assistance (ODA), to protect the ocean and reduce poverty in developing countries.</p><p>In November 2020 the UK announced its support to start negotiations on a new global agreement at the United Nations Environment Assembly that will create the system change required to tackle increasing levels of marine plastic litter and microplastics.</p><p>The UK is also taking action domestically to avoid further irreversible impacts to the ocean from climate change and biodiversity loss.</p><p>The protection, restoration and management of the marine environment are central to objectives in the 25 Year Environment Plan and the UK Marine Strategy on clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse seas that are managed sustainably. We already have 38% of UK waters in Marine Protected Areas and our focus is ensuring these are effectively protected.</p><p>We have stated our intention to pilot Highly Protected Marine Areas in Secretary of State waters and we look forward to publishing the Government's response to Richard Benyon's review in due course.</p><p>The Fisheries Act 2020 protects our marine environment and develops plans to restore our fish stocks back to more sustainable levels.</p><p>As part of our commitment to ocean recovery we are supporting coastal and estuarine restoration projects, including blue carbon habitats. The £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund will help environmental organisations start work now on restoration projects across England, including the inshore marine environment.</p><p>Our new Storm Overflows Taskforce is bringing together government, the water industry, regulators and environmental NGOs to work urgently on options to tackle sewage pollution issues.</p><p>As announced on 22 January, and welcomed by Surfers Against Sewage, this Taskforce has agreed a long-term goal to eliminate harm from storm overflows.</p><p>Water companies have also agreed to make real-time data on sewage discharges available at bathing sites all year round. This data will be made available to help surfers, swimmers and other recreational water users to check the latest information and make informed choices on where to swim.</p><p>We recognise there is more that needs to be done beyond providing more and better information, and so we will continue to work with the industry to reduce frequency and harm of discharges from storm overflows.</p>
answering member constituency Taunton Deane more like this
answering member printed Rebecca Pow more like this
grouped question UIN 141595 more like this
question first answered
less than 2021-02-02T16:59:33.973Zmore like thismore than 2021-02-02T16:59:33.973Z
answering member
4522
label Biography information for Rebecca Pow more like this
tabling member
4653
label Biography information for Stephen Morgan more like this