Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to publish their response to the findings of the Competition and Markets Authority's report into the subsidy regime for Drax.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We welcome the report from the Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) regarding government support for large-scale biomass generation. This report makes clear that DESNZ has given detailed consideration of how the Low Carbon Dispatchable CfD is in line with the principles within the Subsidy Control Act and relevant environmental regulations.

We have carefully considered the recommendations in the report and the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has determined that the subsidy is compliant with the requirements under the Subsidy Control Act. The publication of a response to the SAU report is not required.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will announce plans to (1) counter the illegal dumping of waste, and (2) remove such waste.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government has announced its plans to reform both the waste carriers, brokers and dealers regime and the waste permit exemptions regime. This will make it harder for rogue operators to find work in the sector and easier for regulators to take action against criminals. In addition, our planned digital waste tracking reforms will make it harder than ever to mis-identify waste or dispose of it inappropriately. We have also increased the Environment Agency’s total budget for 2025 to 2026. This includes £15.6 million for waste crime enforcement – a more than 50% increase from 2024/25.

Neither the Government nor local authorities should be held responsible for the associated costs of clearing up after waste criminals as to do so may risk creating a perverse incentive for some people to dump, or facilitate the dumping of, waste. Those who pollute - rather than taxpayers - should cover the costs of clean up. The Environment Agency is not funded to clear illegal waste sites; however, action may be taken if there is an immediate, significant risk to health or the environment.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 24 December 2025 (HL12960), in what proportion of the instances of the illegal dumping of waste on private land the perpetrator is identified and required to remove the waste; and in instances where the perpetrator dumping waste on private land is not identified, whose responsibility it is to remove the waste.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Data on the proportion of illegal dumping incidents on private land where the perpetrator is identified and required to remove the waste is not held centrally.

In instances where the perpetrator dumping waste on private land is not identified responsibility to remove the waste falls to the landowner.