Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Anthony Mangnall and Steve Barclay

Thursday 14th March 2024 Commons Chamber

[Steve Barclay]

First, I am happy to look at any individual case the hon. Lady raises. Secondly, I agree with her on the wider point. I have been very clear with the Rural Payments Agency that we need a more trusting relationship about payments. We need to accelerate those payments, so they are paid more quickly. To be fair to the RPA, there are sometimes constraints because of National Audit Office rules around the error rate checks it needs. We are working with the RPA to shift the relationship to one built more on trust, where payments go out in a more expedited fashion.

[Anthony Mangnall (Totnes) (Con)]

Fishermen are the farmers of the sea. What further steps is the Secretary of State taking to support the aquaculture industry, especially helping it to create new businesses across our coastal communities?

[Steve Barclay]

My hon. Friend knows from our regular conversations just how engaged I am on this subject. He met with the Minister for Water and Rural Growth yesterday. As he knows, there is a consultation about medical exemptions for boats under 10 metres. I know the Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries is looking closely at the issues around pollack. I am happy to update my hon. Friend on a series of other initiatives as we work through them.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Anthony Mangnall and Steve Barclay

Thursday 1st February 2024 Commons Chamber

[Anthony Mangnall (Totnes) (Con)]

This week, Ian Perks, a constituent of mine, had his entire shipment seized in France by over-zealous French officials because he missed out a single word on the export health certificate. Can the Secretary of State please reassure me that we will find arbitration methods to speed up the process of challenging these completely ridiculous situations?

[Steve Barclay]

I know my hon. Friend champions very strongly the farming and food sector in his constituency, and that he has raised this issue with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries, who is actively engaged on it. Of course, a proportionate approach should always be taken on these issues.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Anthony Mangnall and Steve Barclay

Tuesday 6th June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Steve Barclay]

Chorley is extremely important, Mr Speaker—I am very sighted on that.

Our commitment is that that is part of the new hospital building programme. We said that it is part of the rolling programme, so it will not be completed by 2030 but we are keen to get work started on it, and that is exactly what we will be discussing with Members of Parliament in the weeks ahead.

[Anthony Mangnall (Totnes) (Con)]

12. When he plans to publish a dental recovery plan.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Anthony Mangnall and Steve Barclay

Monday 18th May 2020 Commons Chamber

[Steve Barclay]

My hon. Friend raises an important point. Although at present we have no plans to do as he suggests, he will be well aware, from the green finance strategy, that the Government remain open to the introduction of new debt instruments, and I am happy to continue to discuss the issue with him.

[Anthony Mangnall (Totnes) (Con)]

If he will take steps through the Government’s Business Rates Review to tackle exploitation of business rates relief.