Wales
Debate between Lord Harlech and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent
Lord Harlech (Con)
I am grateful to the noble Lord. Tourism is one of the most important areas for the Welsh economy. Indeed, many farmers and farming families have diversified into tourism. They are already reeling from the Budget announcement, but today the Welsh Government are going to put in place a levy on overnight tourist visitors. How can this be in any way good for growth and prosperity of Wales?
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
As the noble Lord will know, this is a devolved matter. The Government respect the devolution settlement and the Senedd’s ability to legislate on it. Both this Government and the Welsh Government understand the importance of tourism to local economies, economic growth and jobs.
Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Revocations) Regulations 2024
Debate between Lord Harlech and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent(6 months, 4 weeks ago)
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Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Earls, Lord Kinnoull and Lord Attlee. I am grateful to the noble Lord for introducing these amendments to the various sanctions regulations so comprehensively. As he outlined, the regulations introduce a new power to make it unlawful for a designated person to act as a director of a UK company. They also clarify the responsibilities of HMRC in relation to the enforcement of trade sanctions—a step we on these Benches welcome.
We also welcome the provisions relating to Belarus in the light of the country’s continued support for Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. The extension of the prohibition on the import of aluminium to Belarus is significant, as noted in paragraph 5.16 of the Explanatory Memorandum. This is a key part of the economy, and it is vital that we extend the sanction.
Taken together, we hope that these measures will help to crack down on the circumvention of Russian sanctions—a topic that was discussed earlier this week during Questions to the noble Lord, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, the Foreign Secretary. The Minister will know that the Opposition have supported the Government in their approach to Russia-related sanctions. We are glad that the measure can be passed before Parliament is prorogued.
I ask for noble Lords’ indulgence for a moment, as this is my last contribution of this Parliament. I thank your Lordships’ House for being so welcoming to a new Member. I thank those on the Government Front Bench for their constructive approach to working together during my time on the Opposition Front Bench. I wish everyone a safe and fruitful general election campaign in the months ahead. I look forward to seeing all noble Lords in six weeks.
Lord Harlech (Con)
My Lords, I thank all noble Lords for their contributions. These measures are the latest addition to our continued work on sanctions. The scope of these measures shows the continuing work the UK does on sanctions, from strengthening our enforcement capacity, making it harder for entities to circumvent sanctions, to implementing new sanctions against those who continue to support Putin in his barbaric war against Ukraine, and keeping our regimes under review and lifting them when they no longer serve the purposes for which they were introduced.
I will now respond to the questions raised by noble Lords. The noble Earl, Lord Kinnoull, asked about global co-operation with our partners and allies, particularly the G7. We work closely with all our international partners, including the G7, and will continue to do so. Wherever possible, we take co-ordinated action with our partners to ensure the effectiveness of our sanctions. We will continue to do so on a range of circumvention issues, not only on outreach to third countries but to promote enhanced enforcement and the implementation of sanctions at home. We have regular quarterly meetings on sanctions with the EU, which promote co-operation and set forward strategies across all regimes. These meetings focus on all elements of sanctions policy, including the discussion of strategic sanctions and objectives, identifying areas of co-ordination and expertise sharing.
I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent, for her always thoughtful and incisive comments. It is always a pleasure to work with her, whether it is on FCDO, Defra or MoD briefs. I am grateful for her good wishes, and those of her colleagues the noble Lords, Lord Coaker and Lord Collins of Highbury, on the issue of Ukraine. I extend my thanks to all of His Majesty’s loyal Opposition for the collaborative and collegiate way in which we have shown that, as a country, we will not stand by and allow Putin’s barbaric and illegal invasion of Ukraine to go unpunished. We will lead in this country’s efforts to support the people of Ukraine.
As I said, we keep these sanctions—whether they be on individuals, corporate entities or countries—under review. The UK has transformed its use of sanctions. These measures show our commitment to continuing to strengthen our sanction regimes and their implementation and enforcement, and to review their ongoing appropriateness in changing foreign policy contexts. I once again thank Members for their insightful contributions and continued cross-party support for our sanction regimes.
War Widows: Ex Gratia Pension Payment
Debate between Lord Harlech and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent
Lord Harlech (Con)
My noble friend strays somewhat outside the scope of this Question, but he is, of course, absolutely right.
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
My Lords, I first take the opportunity to thank the noble Baronesses, Lady Crawley and Lady Fookes, for their tireless campaigning on behalf of the disenfranchised war widows. Their work is inspiring. Given the answers that the Minister has given us today, when will he meet with the War Widows’ Association and apologise?
Lord Harlech (Con)
I have not actually received an invitation from the War Widows’ Association. However, should such an invitation be forthcoming, I would be only too delighted to meet with them.
Ministry of Defence: Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
Debate between Lord Harlech and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent
Lord Harlech (Con)
The noble Baroness raises a valid question, and it would be right to write to her with an exact reply on the HIV question, which I do not have an answer for.
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
I remind the House of my registered interests. Two weeks ago, the Prospect trade union published a damning survey of its female members who work in defence, in which 60% of respondents reported experiencing sexual harassment in the last year. Some 75% said they had witnessed or experienced sexual harassment in the last month. Hansard has reported many warm words from Ministers in both Houses about a zero-tolerance approach. But the reality for women in defence seems completely at odds with these statements, and we need to fix it. It is time for a dedicated sexual harassment policy within the MoD. Can the Minister tell us when we might see one?
Lord Harlech (Con)
My Lords, I reaffirm to the House that unacceptable sexual behaviour is not tolerated in defence. We reinforced that position with the introduction of a number of new policies in July 2022. These make it clear that, where allegations are made, victims will be supported, complaints will be investigated, and offenders will be discharged. Appropriate advice and support are available to any serviceperson who wants to make a complaint or allegation of criminal behaviour. This includes access to welfare services, chaplains and assisting officers. The Defence Serious Crime Unit provides improved victim support through a new victim and witness care unit.
Environmental Protection (Plastic Plates etc. and Polystyrene Containers etc.) (England) Regulations 2023
Debate between Lord Harlech and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent
Lord Harlech (Con)
I am grateful to all noble Lords for their important contributions to this debate. These measures do not seek to solve the problem of single-use plastic in one go. However, they are an important part of a wider strategy to tackle plastic pollution and serve as an important marker that our reliance on single-use plastics must be reduced. I will address some of the points raised in the debate.
All Peers raised the consultation period. A public consultation around the policy area was carried out from November 2021 to February 2022. I understand that the consultation period on the SI itself was shorter. However, given the correlation between the two themes, it is our view that the public consultation period was long enough to address this SI. Responses from members of the public and non-governmental organisations demonstrated overwhelming support for our proposals, with 95% in favour of all bans. However, responses from businesses were varied, understandably, with approximately 20% opposing all bans, while others were supportive of the proposals but highlighted areas for further consideration to make sure that bans do not have unintended consequences.
We also engaged with relevant sectors, such as the NHS and disability charities, to determine whether any exemptions were needed. Our determination was that no medical exemptions were needed for these bans. We conducted an impact assessment, which covered banning the supply of single-use food and beverage containers made from expanded or extruded polystyrene, or EPS, in England, and banning the supply of single-use plastic plates and cutlery to the end-user in England. A de minimis assessment was carried out for the ban on single-use plastic balloon sticks in line with better regulation guidance, as the annual net direct cost to businesses was estimated to be less than £5 million. All received green ratings from the Regulatory Policy Committee.
The noble Baroness, Lady Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent, talked about costs to businesses and consumers. This is very much about reducing the cost to the environment, so this one SI is not meant to tackle all costs in society.
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
My Lords, I was asking about additional costs on food-related products during a cost of living crisis, especially given evidence today suggesting that more people are having to use microwaves rather than ovens. This would potentially be covered by this SI, meaning that there will be an additional cost to the consumer. I asked specifically what debate and discussions the Minister and the department are having with retailers to mitigate the costs being passed on at this time.
Lord Harlech (Con)
I absolutely take the point and I am not downplaying it; I am just saying that this SI is focused on single-use plastics. However, I would like to reassure the noble Baroness that we remain in constant conversation with food retailers and food service providers to make sure that excessive costs are not being put on consumers at this very difficult time.
The noble Baroness, Lady Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville, raised the important issue of who will pay the charge. The supplier of the product will pay, not the end-user; I hope that provides some clarity. She also spoke about Scotland and Wales, the devolved nations. I think we are having a Division.
Lord Harlech (Con)
My Lords, we were getting on to the topic of how some of the devolved nations are dealing with plastics and recycling. The Government’s view is that plastic pollution is a global challenge and, as such, we welcome ambitious actions from all Governments. All nations across the UK are making good progress on tackling these challenges. However, where areas are devolved, nations are able to act in ways that reflect their circumstances. For instance, the Government moved to introduce restrictions to the supply of single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds in October 2022, ahead of the Scottish Government. We delayed those restrictions from earlier in 2020 to avoid additional burdens being faced by businesses on top of the challenges already posed by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. We have to move at pace, but we also think it is right that each of the nations has the flexibility to address its most pressing problems in the timescale it wants.
The noble Baroness, Lady Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville, mentioned how the ban will be affected by the UK internal market Act. The United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 (Exclusions from Market Access Principles: Single-Use Plastics) Regulations 2022 created an exclusion from the market access principles in Part 1 of that Act for legislation, so far as it prohibits the sale of single-use plastic plates, straws, drinks stirrers, stemmed cotton buds, cutlery, chopsticks and balloon sticks, and expanded and extruded polystyrene food and drinks containers, including cups. This follows an agreement reached under the then provisional resources and waste common framework. This exclusion does not encompass single-use plastic bowls and trays. Therefore, the market access principles of the UK internal market Act will apply to this legislation in respect of those items.
My noble friend Lady McIntosh of Pickering asked why there are no exemptions, as with plastic straws. Throughout our consultation and post-consultation engagement, we were able to determine that no exemptions were needed in any potential settings. This will give the SI the greatest positive environmental impact.
My noble friend and the noble Baroness, Lady Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville, also mentioned oxo-degradable plastics. We have prioritised work on introducing restrictions on single-use plastic plates, cutlery and balloon sticks and polystyrene food and drinks containers because, at this moment in time, that will have the greater impact on reducing plastic pollution. However, we are aware of oxo-degradable plastics.
I turn to the issue that my noble friend raised about wet wipes. In the Plan for Water published in April 2023, the Government announced their intention to ban wet wipes containing plastic, subject to a public consultation, which will be published in due course. Some 96% of respondents to our 2021 call for evidence supported a ban on wet wipes containing plastics. Therefore, we are keen to deliver this at pace, just not in this particular SI. More information on the proposed timings of any ban will be announced following the consultation.
We are working with local authorities and trading standards to ensure that any breaches of legislation are being enforced. If breaches are identified, it will be the responsibility of local authorities as regulators of the legislation to enforce it and tackle the pollution appropriately.
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
Just to clarify, on the trading standards point—we have seen something like 170 fewer trading standards officers in the past 12 years. They are spread in different areas; some local authorities now spend only 50p per resident, while others spend £4.50 per resident on their trading standards function. Can the Minister let me know either now or in writing how we are ensuring that this is being applied equally across all local authorities in the UK, given the varying regulatory framework that will exist and given the enforcement action—as in, the number of people that can enforce?