UK Water Companies: Chinese Financial Influence
Debate between Lord Evans of Rainow and Baroness Hayman of Ullock(3 weeks, 5 days ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
We made some changes very quickly as soon as we came into government with the Water (Special Measures) Act, which I know this House welcomed. As I mentioned, the White Paper has been published. We are working on the Bill that we will be bringing forward, and we will want to make the changes as quickly as possible. As my noble friend points out, this is a prime ministerial and government priority.
Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)
My Lords, when we consider that China, with its long-term strategic endeavour to undermine our economy, owns critical national infrastructure such as water and our manufacturing industry—this has been evidenced in the motor manufacturing industry—could we utilise pension funds, whether homegrown or international, to invest specifically in the water industry?
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
I suggest, given the huge challenge the water industry faces and the huge amount of investment that we need, that the Government will be open to looking at any suggestions on how we can plug that gap, as there is so much work to do.
PFAS
Debate between Lord Evans of Rainow and Baroness Hayman of Ullock(7 months ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
As I said, this is very much the starting point. We are in negotiations with the EU. The EU is looking at what it wants to do in this space. We wanted to lay out a plan that demonstrated that government was serious about doing something in this area, because it is important. It is also important that we work with industry and educate consumers along the way. It is important, too, that we continue to work constructively with the EU, because we want eventually—as I said, this is the starting point—to get to a place where PFAS chemicals are dealt with effectively.
Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)
My Lords, rural community pubs are very much a force for good, not just for the local rural communities they serve but also for the wider communities in towns and cities. Does the Minister agree with that statement, and does her department agree that diversity within the rural economy is most welcome for those in towns and cities?
River Pollution
Debate between Lord Evans of Rainow and Baroness Hayman of Ullock(11 months ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
On agricultural run-off pollution specifically, which the noble Baroness asked about, we are doubling the funding to the Environment Agency farm inspections and regulatory enforcement team, which will enable it to conduct at least 6,000 inspections a year by 2029, in order to work with farmers to raise standards, which is really important.
The catchment sensitive farming grant—of which my husband and I have been recipients—is designed to address the specific needs of each farm. For example, we have fenced off the river to stop cattle going down and causing pollution and damage to the riverbanks. This supports capital investment in specific ways to stop livestock going in watercourses, for example, as I just mentioned. That also includes improving drainage to manage run-off more effectively.
The sustainable farming incentive scheme pays farmers for actions that protect and enhance our natural environment. That includes things that reduce run-off and erosion, and that will maintain soil cover, create buffer strips and so on. We are also looking at improving farm pollution regulations, which need to be both simple and effective. We have also issued amended statutory guidance on the farming rules for water to set clearer expectations on enforcing the regulations.
Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)
My Lords, the Canal & River Trust has removed litter bins from the canal network throughout England and Wales, on the tow-paths. It has a statutory duty to manage litter in England and Wales. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of water pollution on biodiversity and wildlife on our waterways?
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
Clearly, it is important that we do not have litter blowing into our rivers, causing further damage and pollution, or litter generally, not just going into the watercourses. The Canal & River Trust can make its own decisions, but we work very closely with it and urge it to consider pollution in its decision-making.
Local Government: Reinvigorating Local Democracy
Debate between Lord Evans of Rainow and Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)
I agree with the right reverend Prelate that accountability is at both ends. In my experience, if there is good local leadership in the local authority that can communicate well with the government departments, it can help things, but he raises a very important point and if we can avoid those delays, working both ways is exactly the way to do it.
The noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, asked a couple of questions on local government structures. The English Devolution Accountability Framework, published in March, sets out how areas with devolution deals will be scrutinised and held to account through local scrutiny by the public and by the Government.
Through its accountability framework, the Government have committed to review how current scrutiny and accountability arrangements in London are operating in practice, exploring the strengths and challenges of the capital’s devolution settlement, and how the Greater London Authority works with London’s boroughs. This will be aimed at sharing best practice, learning lessons for other mayoral authorities and considering how current scrutiny arrangements may need to evolve over time.
I will also mention the abolition of the Audit Commission. We are establishing the Office for Local Government, a new data-focused performance body for local government which will increase transparency of local government performance and improve the accountability of performance across the local government sector. There is a need to have the appropriate checks and balances in the system; Oflog will support others to interpret performance data and take action on it, particularly where the data shows early warning signs of failure.
Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab)
Is the intention that Oflog will do the financial audit?
Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)
That is the case. In conclusion, we recognise the importance of local democracy, and that devolution is essential for flourishing local democracy. Devolution is a process, not a moment, and the country continues to see the model evolve and the benefits it brings. I thank again the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, for bringing forward this debate, and all noble Lords for their contributions today and their service as councillors. I look forward to continuing our discussions on local government in England as we continue our efforts to put power in the hands of local people.