Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made (1) the potential cost savings, and (2) the fire reduction benefits, of mandatory nationwide kerbside collection of waste batteries and small electrical items.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra has not carried out a formal assessment of the potential cost savings and fire reduction benefits of mandatory nationwide kerbside collection of waste batteries and small electrical items.
Defra has however worked closely with industry and Material Focus on Material Focus’ UK electricals and portable batteries collections review (see attached), which was published in January. Material Focus is funded by the compliance fee that operates under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013 and is paid by electrical producers if they do not meet annual recycling targets set by the government. This review indicated that although kerbside collections impacted the amount of recycling collected, the picture is complex and various other important factors may influence the 'best collection method' for each local authority.
Fires in waste are a significant concern, and we are closely engaged with industry, including waste disposal operators, on the issue. The Government has already taken action to ban disposable vapes - one of the main ways in which lithium-ion batteries end up in general waste. We are currently considering options for reform of the batteries regulations in the UK and are in the process of engaging further with industry and other stakeholders on those options.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of local authorities in England offer kerbside collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment; and what steps they are taking to increase kerbside collection of that equipment.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In January this year, Material Focus published research reviewing the effectiveness of public collections of small mixed WEEE and portable batteries in the UK, including kerbside collections. Material Focus is funded by the compliance fee that operates under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013, which is paid by electrical producers if they don’t meet the annual recycling targets set by the Government. Figure 4 of Appendix A in the review (copy attached) includes a map of the 95 local authorities that provided small electrical kerbside collections in 2023. The findings indicated that although kerbside collections impacted the amount of recycling collected, the picture is complex and the 'best collection method' for each local authority may be influenced by various other important factors.
Defra recognises the importance of continued innovation in collection and treatment of waste electricals and electronics. As we develop the Circular Economy Growth Plan, we will consider the evidence for action right across the economy and evaluate what interventions may be needed. The Circular Economy Growth Plan is due to be published in early 2026.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of battery-related fires on the safety of works in waste and recycling facilities.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra has not carried out a formal assessment of any increase in battery-related fires in waste and recycling infrastructure between 2021 and 2024, or the impact of such fires on the safety of works in waste and recycling facilities. Fires in waste are a significant concern, and we remain engaged with industry, including waste disposal operators, on the issue.
The Government has already taken action to ban disposable vapes - one of the main ways in which lithium-ion batteries end up in general waste. We are also considering options for reform of the batteries regulations in the UK and are in the process of engaging further with industry and other stakeholders on those options.
The Health and Safety Executive sits on the Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH) which has commissioned several pieces of research, in particular on ‘Reducing fire risk at waste management sites’ WASTE-28.pdf (see attached). WISH and the Environmental Services Association are also funding a PhD project to investigate improved methods to detect ‘hot spots’ where there is a build-up of heat deep within the waste, before a fire breaks out.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the increase in battery-related fires in waste and recycling infrastructure between 2021 and 2024.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra has not carried out a formal assessment of any increase in battery-related fires in waste and recycling infrastructure between 2021 and 2024, or the impact of such fires on the safety of works in waste and recycling facilities. Fires in waste are a significant concern, and we remain engaged with industry, including waste disposal operators, on the issue.
The Government has already taken action to ban disposable vapes - one of the main ways in which lithium-ion batteries end up in general waste. We are also considering options for reform of the batteries regulations in the UK and are in the process of engaging further with industry and other stakeholders on those options.
The Health and Safety Executive sits on the Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH) which has commissioned several pieces of research, in particular on ‘Reducing fire risk at waste management sites’ WASTE-28.pdf (see attached). WISH and the Environmental Services Association are also funding a PhD project to investigate improved methods to detect ‘hot spots’ where there is a build-up of heat deep within the waste, before a fire breaks out.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what meetings (1) ministers, and (2) senior officials, at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have had with the Unit for Future Skills.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
There have been no ministerial level meetings to date, but the Unit for Future Skills (UFS) has met Defra officials at a working level. The UFS also recently joined Government’s Green Jobs Delivery Group and will look to support this group to access data and insights on skills needs across green sectors.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what skills gaps they have identified in the UK horticulture sector.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Lord Chamberlain (HM Household)
Whilst no specific assessment has been made of the horticulture sector’s skills gaps; enabling an innovative, productive and competitive food and farming industry which invests in its people and skills to drive growth is a key priority for the Government. Attracting bright new talent that is diverse and inclusive into agricultural and horticultural careers and having a skilled workforce in place is vital for the future of UK food and farming. By raising awareness of agriculture and horticulture as an exciting and attractive career path, people will understand the opportunities available to them in the farming and land management industry.
An Independent Review of Labour Shortages in the Food Supply Chain began in September. The review will focus on farming, processing, and food and drink manufacturing as sectors that are critical for food production and food security. Skills in the food supply chain is a critical area that will be covered in the final report. The final report will be published by summer 2023 and the Government response will follow thereafter.
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. TIAH has launched a pilot to help develop its services ahead of a general launch to wider membership.
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.
Alongside training opportunities, TIAH will also provide information about apprenticeships. There are currently 40 high-quality apprenticeship standards available in the agriculture, environmental and animal care sector including Horticulture and landscaping technical manager.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the statistics his Department holds on air quality in Wednesbury in the borough of Sandwell.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
Statistics from national air quality monitoring networks are published on the UK-AIR website. The national network for the main set of air pollutants is the Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN), which meets the requirements of the Ambient Air Quality Directive (2008/50/EC).
Hourly measurements from this network are published within two hours of measurement on the UK-AIR website; various data extraction and analysis tools are also available. The URL for the data section of the UK-AIR website is here:
https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/data/
There is currently one AURN monitoring site in the borough of Sandwell: West Bromwich Kenrick Park. Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council also carry out air quality monitoring activity, and publish annual reports on their website containing statistics from their monitoring sites.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has reviewed the effectiveness of the German Federal Immission Control Act; and whether he has any plans to implement similar such legislation in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
No, the Government has not reviewed the effectiveness of the German Federal Immission Control Act. The UK introduced a similar integrated approach to controlling pollution to air, water and land with the Environmental Protection Act 1990, as well as the concept of Best Available Techniques. These approaches have subsequently been adopted and applied across the EU through the Industrial Emissions Directive, which sets challenging industry standards for the most polluting industries.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reasons the Government's command paper, Health and Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment in a Green Brexit, Cm. 9577, published on 27 February 2018, does not reference the role of agricultural policy in supporting public health and tackling diet-related disease.
Answered by George Eustice
The food we eat affects our health and well-being and our connectedness to the world around us. In our consultation we recognise that leaving the EU will allow us to design a future agriculture policy which promotes environmental enhancement, supports profitable food production and contributes to a healthier society.
In the consultation paper we propose a range of ideas to increase productivity, exploit new technology and research and improve animal health and welfare - all of which support better environmental and public health outcomes.
Asked by: Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reasons the Government's command paper, Health and Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment in a Green Brexit, Cm. 9577, published on 27 February 2018, does not reference the role of agricultural policy in supporting public health and tackling diet-related disease.
Answered by George Eustice
The food we eat affects our health and well-being and our connectedness to the world around us. In our consultation we recognise that leaving the EU will allow us to design a future agriculture policy which promotes environmental enhancement, supports profitable food production and contributes to a healthier society.
In the consultation paper we propose a range of ideas to increase productivity, exploit new technology and research and improve animal health and welfare - all of which support better environmental and public health outcomes.