Greg Smith Portrait

Greg Smith

Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire

5,872 (10.9%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 12th December 2019

Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Business and Trade)

(since July 2024)

Opposition Whip (Commons)

(since November 2024)

Employment Rights Bill
20th Nov 2024 - 16th Jan 2025
Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Transport)
19th Jul 2024 - 6th Nov 2024
European Scrutiny Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 30th May 2024
Transport Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 30th May 2024
Licensing Hours Extensions Bill
7th Feb 2024 - 30th May 2024
Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill
19th Jul 2023 - 14th Sep 2023
Firearms Bill
8th Mar 2023 - 15th Mar 2023
Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Bill
8th Mar 2023 - 15th Mar 2023
Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill
25th Jan 2023 - 1st Feb 2023
Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill
15th Jun 2022 - 20th Oct 2022
Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Bill
15th Dec 2021 - 5th Jan 2022


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Greg Smith has voted in 140 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Greg Smith Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Justin Madders (Labour)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
(161 debate interactions)
Laurence Turner (Labour)
(41 debate interactions)
Michael Wheeler (Labour)
(28 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Business and Trade
(414 debate contributions)
Wales Office
(35 debate contributions)
Department for Transport
(29 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Employment Rights Bill 2024-26
(89,788 words contributed)
Climate and Nature Bill 2024-26
(1,465 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Greg Smith's debates

Mid Buckinghamshire Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Greg Smith has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Greg Smith

2nd September 2024
Greg Smith signed this EDM on Monday 2nd September 2024

Social Security

Tabled by: Rishi Sunak (Conservative - Richmond and Northallerton)
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024 (S.I., 2024, No. 869), dated 22 August 2024, a copy of which was laid before this House on 22 August 2024, be annulled.
81 signatures
(Most recent: 10 Sep 2024)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 75
Independent: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Scottish National Party: 1
27th November 2023
Greg Smith signed this EDM on Tuesday 5th December 2023

Dogs

Tabled by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) (England and Wales) Order 2023 (S.I., 2023, No. 1164), dated 31 October 2023, a copy of which was laid before this House on 31 October 2023, be annulled.
13 signatures
(Most recent: 8 Jan 2024)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 8
Labour: 3
Independent: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
View All Greg Smith's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Greg Smith, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


1 Urgent Question tabled by Greg Smith

Monday 24th February 2025

2 Adjournment Debates led by Greg Smith

3 Bills introduced by Greg Smith


A Bill to make provision to prevent the theft and re-sale of equipment and tools used by tradespeople and agricultural and other businesses; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 20th July 2023 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to change the period of life expectancy relevant to certain pension rules.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 21st October 2024
Next Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 25th April 2025
Order Paper number: 17
(Unlikely to be Debated - would require unanimous consent to progress)

A Bill to require persons selling second hand tools online to show the serial numbers of those tools in searchable advertisement text; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 27th April 2021

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
1 Other Department Questions
13th Dec 2024
To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the work for vehicle entry and exit in New Palace Yard is on (a) time and (b) budget.

The most recently approved Business Case for the works in New Palace Yard anticipated a completion date of between October 2024 and March 2026. This range takes into account identified risks that may occur over the life span of the project, for example material shortages, unexpected discoveries during excavation, or unexpected events. The works are currently expected to complete in October 2025, which is within the approved range. The works are anticipated to complete within the overall budget set out in the Business Case.

10th Sep 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the level of inward foreign direct investment was in each of the last 10 financial years.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 11th September is attached.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
10th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the retail sector.

The Chancellor has been clear that the government must take difficult choices. This was a budget to fix the foundations of the economy, and these tough decisions are intended to provide a platform for growth.

Government is focused on its five-point plan to breathe life back into Britain's high streets. We understand how important the high street is to our businesses which is why our plans include tackling retail crime, ensuring a level playing field between online and high street businesses, stamping out late payments and ending the blight of empty spaces. The government is creating a fairer business rate system and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities.

Through the Retail Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills and sustainability. This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper next year.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
10th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the professional services sector.

The Chancellor has been clear that the government had to take difficult decisions in budget. To fix the foundations of the economy, and provide a platform for growth.

The government is creating a fairer business rate system and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities.

Through the Professional and Business Services Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector. In addition, Professional and Business Services is one of the Industrial Strategy’s growth-driving sectors. We will work with businesses to co-create a Professional and Business Services Sector Plan which will identify key barriers to growth and describe how government and industry intend to achieve long-term growth for the sector.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
10th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the infrastructure sector.

The Autumn Budget outlined The Government’s commitment to support the infrastructure sector to rebuild Britain. It included plans to increase capital investment by over £100 billion in the next five years. This investment spans the infrastructure sector, including rebuilding schools and hospital, improving roads and public transport, building homes, and launching Great British Energy. Strengthening our infrastructure will drive substantial increases to our national income, positively impacting GDP.

The Government will also introduce reforms to enable greater delivery of infrastructure projects. This includes publishing a 10-year infrastructure strategy, establishing the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority and reforming the planning system.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
10th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the hospitality sector.

Hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities and vital for economic growth. Following the budget I have met extensively with hospitality sector stakeholders including a meeting of the Hospitality Sector Council where we discussed the budget

The Government is creating a fairer business rate system, reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities. All of these measures have been consistently demanded by the sector.

This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper next year.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
10th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the consumer goods sector.

The Chancellor has been clear that the government had to take difficult decisions in budget. To fix the foundations of the economy and provide a platform for growth.

Government is focused on its five-point plan to breathe life back into Britain’s high streets supporting the consumer goods sales in particular. We understand how important the high street is to our businesses which is why our plans include tackling retail crime, ensuring a level playing field between online and high street businesses, stamping out late payments and ending the blight of empty spaces. The government is creating a fairer business rate system and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities.

The Small Business Strategy Command Paper, which we will publish next year, will set out our plan to boost scale-ups, grow the cooperative economy, create thriving high streets, make it easier to access finance, help break into overseas and domestic markets, build business capabilities, and provide a strong business environment.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
5th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to stop third party discrimination.

DBT is committed to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees and does not tolerate any form of unacceptable behaviour or abuse, by any party, towards an employee.

DBT’s HR policies provide guidance on how to report third party harassment and the actions managers can take to respond when it occurs.

Mandatory training is provided for all employees on bullying, harassment and discrimination.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
5th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace.

We are strengthening protections against workplace sexual harassment. The Employment

Rights Bill will amend the Equality Act 2010 to:

  • require employers to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of their employees;
  • introduce an obligation on employers not to permit the harassment of their employees by third parties;
  • enable regulations to specify steps that are to be regarded as “reasonable”, to determine whether an employer has taken all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, and;
  • strengthen protections for whistleblowers, by making it explicit that sexual harassment can be the basis for a protected disclosure.
Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
18th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish all correspondence his Department has had on the Rosefield solar proposal in Buckinghamshire.

The Department does not routinely publish correspondence that it receives and sends as part of the normal course of business.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
18th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had recent discussions with National Grid on the East Claydon substation.

The government recognises the need to upgrade and reinforce the grid at pace to achieve clean power by 2030.

Ministers and officials engage regularly with Transmission Owners, including National Grid Electricity Transmission, as part of the normal policymaking process. This includes but is not limited to discussing network infrastructure.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
18th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will have discussions with the Advertising Standards Authority on the mis-advertising of part-copper broadband.

In September, Ofcom issued new guidance to ensure consumers are told in clear terms about the technology that underpins their broadband service. At point of sale, providers will no longer be able to use the term ‘fibre’ on its own; they must now state whether their network is a new ‘full-fibre’ network or a ‘part-fibre’, ‘copper’, or ‘cable’ network. The government will continue to engage with the regulator and the Advertising Standards Authority to monitor the impact of these new rules, including considering the implications for advertising terminology.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
10th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with mobile network providers to accelerate the delivery of the Shared Rural Network.

The Shared Rural Network has already delivered substantial improvements to outdoor 4G mobile coverage across the UK.

I’m pleased to report to the House that 4G coverage across the UK now stands at 94.9% which is an increase from 91% in March 2020 when the Shared Rural Network was agreed.

This indicates the programme will deliver the overarching 95% coverage target ahead of its December 2025 target, enabling rural businesses and communities to thrive.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
13th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's Sector Plan for the creative industries, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on (a) creators and creative networks in the UK and (b) the ability to deliver Art for Everyone Everywhere.

DCMS Ministers received advice on changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, including consideration of the potential impacts of various options to scale the scheme.

We believe that the changes announced were necessary and adequate given the tight fiscal challenges we inherited from the previous government and considering competing financial demands in other parts of the heritage and cultural sector, and will continue the widest distribution of the scheme’s benefits within the available means. Based on previous scheme data, we expect 94% of claims to be unaffected by this change.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
13th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on the number of apprenticeships and training opportunities across the heritage sector.

We believe that the changes announced were necessary and adequate given the tight fiscal challenges we inherited from the previous government and considering competing financial demands in other parts of the heritage and cultural sector, and will continue the widest distribution of the scheme’s benefits within the available means. Based on previous scheme data, we expect 94% of claims to be unaffected by this change.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
13th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with grant making agencies on additional financial assistance to buildings with projects over £25,000 (a) underway and (b) about to commence work unable to claim back VAT under proposed changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

Based on the Department’s analysis of previous data, 94% of applications between 2022-2024 have been under £25,000, and most of these claims were for under £5,000. We believe that the modifications were necessary and adequate given the tight fiscal challenges we inherited from the previous government and the capital pressures on other parts of the heritage sector.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
13th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of (a) phasing in and (b) enabling the completion of projects already (i) on-site, (ii) soon-to-start and (iii) those part of the phased work part started prior to the changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

Claims received in this financial year are unaffected, assuming that they are eligible claims with the required detail and documentation.

We expect the cap will be applied to all claims received on or after 1 April 2025. We will be publishing guidance on scheme applications and eligibility in due course.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
13th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reductions to the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme on the Government's aim of increasing access to the arts at (a) local, (b) regional and (c) national level.

DCMS Ministers received advice on changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, including consideration of the potential impacts of various options to scale the scheme.

We believe that the changes announced were necessary and adequate given the tight fiscal challenges we inherited from the previous government and considering competing financial demands in other parts of the heritage and cultural sector, and will continue the widest distribution of the scheme’s benefits within the available means. Based on previous scheme data, we expect 94% of claims to be unaffected by this change.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
3rd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to help deliver a new SEND school in Buckinghamshire.

This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and giving every child the best start in life. Applications to run a special free school in Buckinghamshire have closed. The department is working through next steps and will provide an update in due course.

The government is clear it wants to make sure all children with special educational needs and disabilities receive the support they need to achieve and thrive. That is why the manifesto set out a clear ambition to improve inclusivity in mainstream schools, while ensuring that special schools cater for those with the most complex needs.

As with all government investment, special free school projects will be subject to value for money consideration through their development, in line with the government’s vision for the special educational needs system.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department consulted industry representatives on the level of extended producer responsibility fees.

The Government consulted on the principles of extended producer responsibility in 2019 and 2021, including the principle that producers would cover the full net costs to local authorities of managing household packaging waste. This included an estimate of the total costs of the scheme. In accordance with this principle, disposal fees per tonne for each material category are determined by dividing the total efficient cost to LAs by the total amount of household packaging placed on the market.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the extended producer responsibility scheme does not disproportionately impact (a) consumer choice and (b) product availability.

Through making producers responsible for the costs of managing the packaging they use; packaging extended producer responsibility will incentivise producers to use less packaging and transition to re-usable or easy-to-recycle packaging. Defra have not identified any evidence that pEPR will lead to reduced consumer choice or product availability, including through assessment of international schemes.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to commission an independent review of extended producer responsibility fees to consider whether the fees are (a) fair to and (b) sustainable for relevant businesses.

The Scheme Administrator, PackUK, is required to set base fees in line with the regulations, which were developed by the previous Government following extensive engagement and consultation with stakeholders. Since the publication of the first illustrative base fees my department has continued to engage extensively with stakeholders, including through material specific workshops and the Scheme Administrator Steering Group (SASG) comprised of stakeholders across the sector. Most recently my department published a third set of illustrative base fees in December 24, which provided point estimates in direct response to industry feedback

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department considered alternatives to extended producer responsibility.

The Government consulted on the principles, objectives, and proposals for extended producer responsibility in 2019 and 2021, and these received high levels of support. This followed initial lobbying in 2018 from the sector, which preferred extended producer responsibility, in which funds are invested back into the sector, to other fiscal measures such as a non-hypothecated tax.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce (a) financial support and (b) tax relief for businesses impacted by extended producer responsibility.

The Government wants to see all businesses take steps to reduce packaging use, ensure packaging is easy to recycle, and where appropriate move to re-use systems. However, the pEPR scheme includes generous exemptions to reduce the burden on small producers. Producers with an annual turnover of less than £2 million and 50 tonnes of packaging supplied will be exempt from pEPR payments but will be required to report packaging data. Producers supplying less than 25 tonnes and that have less than £1 million turnover will have no reporting or disposal cost obligations.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to mitigate the potential impact of extended producer responsibility on food and drink prices.

The aim of pEPR is to ensure businesses - rather than taxpayers - are responsible for the cost of dealing with packaging when it becomes waste. These regulations will encourage manufacturers to reduce the amount of packaging they use and increase recyclable and reusable alternatives. It is up to individual producers to decide how much of these costs are passed on to consumers. While pricing decisions by producers will differ by product, the impact of pEPR on overall inflation is estimated to be small, increasing consumer costs by less than £1 a week per household, or 0.1%.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how his Department will monitor compliance with extended producer responsibility requirements; and what penalties will apply for non-compliance.

Defra officials are working closely with the Environment Agency (EA) and Devolved Governments to ensure robust plans are in place to both scrutinise the accuracy of submissions from enrolled producers, and identify and bring into compliance free riders who have not yet enrolled or reported their data. This is being supported by more than doubling the number of compliance officers. We are also encouraging compliant producers to report producers they suspect of being non-compliant to the appropriate regulator. The new pEPR regulations also significantly enhanced the potential penalties for non-compliance. This will give the EA the ability to secure compliance and to take swift and proportionate enforcement action with powers, including warnings, cautions, civil sanctions, and prosecution. In addition to regulator enforcement, PackUK, the new Scheme Administrator, also has the power to invoice producers for fees in the years in which they were non-compliant.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the (a) efficiency and (b) effectiveness of how local authorities use extended producer responsibility revenue.

From 2028, the pEPR scheme administrator, PackUK, must assess whether each local authority is running an effective waste management service for household packaging waste. If PackUK determines that a local authority is not providing an effective waste management service, they are able to give notice to the local authority, work with them to determine how the services could be improved, and where necessary reduce the payments available to them in the following year by up to 20%. In relation to cost efficiency, local authorities will receive payments representing their estimated efficient costs.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to delay the implementation of extended producer responsibility.

No. The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024 came into effect on 1 January 2025, PackUK, the Scheme Administrator has been appointed, and producers will start to accrue scheme costs from 1 April 2025.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the extended producer responsibility scheme does not reduce investment in UK manufacturing.

The scheme treats domestic manufacturing and import equally, with all packaging and packaged products, whether manufactured and supplied domestically or imported into UK, subject to the obligations in the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations.

Similarly, any packaging or packaged goods manufactured in the UK and exported will not be in scope of the UK Regulations but may be in scope of the Extended Producer Responsibility regime in the country the packaging or packaged goods are being exported to.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the extended producer responsibility scheme on (a) brewers and (b) other businesses.

Following the passage of the legislation introducing extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR) through parliament, the government has been working closely with industry, including the glass sector, to understand the impact of the upcoming fees on business as the scheme is implemented. To date we have had little evidence presented that pEPR fees cannot be afforded.

We are encouraging the glass industry to seek to reduce the cost impacts of pEPR through a transition to reuse and refill, something that used to be commonplace in the UK and continues to be in many other countries. The use of reusable/refillable packaging is encouraged under pEPR, as producers are only required to report and pay disposal cost fees for household packaging the first time it is placed on the market, and can then offset these fees when they recycle this packaging at then end of its life, thereby avoiding the vast majority of pEPR fees.

A full assessment of the impact of Extended Producer Responsibility was completed in 2024 and is published on legislation.gov.uk.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of extended producer responsibility fees on brewers using glass bottles.

Following the passage of the legislation introducing extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR) through parliament, the government has been working closely with industry, including the glass sector, to understand the impact of the upcoming fees on business as the scheme is implemented. To date we have had little evidence presented that pEPR fees cannot be afforded.

We are encouraging the glass industry to seek to reduce the cost impacts of pEPR through a transition to reuse and refill, something that used to be commonplace in the UK and continues to be in many other countries. The use of reusable/refillable packaging is encouraged under pEPR, as producers are only required to report and pay disposal cost fees for household packaging the first time it is placed on the market, and can then offset these fees when they recycle this packaging at then end of its life, thereby avoiding the vast majority of pEPR fees.

A full assessment of the impact of Extended Producer Responsibility was completed in 2024 and is published on legislation.gov.uk.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
5th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how the quantum for the Rural England Prosperity Fund for 2025-2026 was decided.

The Department announced on 4th March that it would be providing an additional £33 million for the Rural England Prosperity Fund in financial year 2025-26. This announcement continues funding beyond the lifetime of the original scheme providing new money for new projects in rural areas.

The Autumn Statement on 30 October confirmed Defra’s budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26. Funding allocations for individual programmes have been determined through the departments business planning exercise. Future funding decisions remain subject to the Government spending review.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
5th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason the Rural England Prosperity Fund has been reduced for the year 2025-2026.

The Department announced on 4th March that it would be providing an additional £33 million for the Rural England Prosperity Fund in financial year 2025-26. This announcement continues funding beyond the lifetime of the original scheme providing new money for new projects in rural areas.

The Autumn Statement on 30 October confirmed Defra’s budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26. Funding allocations for individual programmes have been determined through the departments business planning exercise. Future funding decisions remain subject to the Government spending review.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
26th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to roll out the not for sale in EU labelling scheme in October 2024.

The Government is committed to implementing its obligations under the Windsor Framework in good faith, including commitments on the use of 'Not for EU labels', as well as taking all steps necessary to protect the UK internal market. As per guidance published on GOV.UK, from 1 October 2024 milk and dairy products moving under the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme will need to be individually labelled.

The previous Government held a consultation on extending the ‘not for EU’ labelling requirements across Great Britain earlier this year and this, as well as further discussion with business, will inform our future approach.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his Department's policy is on the future of the UK Food Resilience Forum.

The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain, which has coped well in responding to unprecedented challenges. Defra maintains a collaborative relationship with industry which allows us to effectively respond to disruption. This includes a Food Resilience Industry Forum, which can be stood-up at short notice should the need arise.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will conduct modelling on the potential impact of increases in the use of (a) low carbon-emitting and (b) synthetic fuels by vehicles in the logistics sector on carbon emissions.

Low carbon fuels, including synthetics, are helping decarbonise the logistics sector and are supported by the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation. Any future policy decisions on the support for low carbon fuels in transport will be developed and informed by modelling potential impacts.

In the logistics sector, delivering net zero will require the adoption of zero emission vehicles and this is why we are turbocharging the rollout of zero emission HGVs and their charging and fuelling infrastructure through our Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme.

The logistics sector is vital to drive economic growth and achieve net zero and we are committed to working with the sector to achieve these aims.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she last met with the HS2 (a) Construction Commissioner and (b) Residents Commissioner.

The Secretary of State, who was appointed on 29th November 2024, has not yet met the Construction or Residents’ Commissioners. However, Minister for Rail Lord Hendy met both Commissioners on Monday 16th December.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with the DVLA on the call for evidence entitled Registering historic, classic, rebuilt vehicles and vehicles converted to electric: call for evidence, updated on 9 December 2024.

The summary of the responses to the call for evidence was published on 9 December.

As part of the ongoing engagement regarding this matter, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency held a positive meeting with representatives of the Historic Vehicle User Group on 12 December, in which the DVLA updated the Group on potential next steps in reviewing the policies in this area.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate she has made of the cost of HS2 Phase 1.

As reported in the last HS2 report to Parliament published in November 2023, HS2 Ltd indicated that its projected cost to deliver Phase 1 would significantly exceed the current Funding Envelope of £44.6 billion (2019 prices). Following the significant scope changes and deferrals made under the previous government, the Department is working with HS2 Ltd to review the Estimate at Completion (EAC) for HS2 Phase 1 and will report to Parliament in due course.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of construction inflation on mitigation projects linked to the building of HS2 Phase 1.

The funding provided to HS2 Ltd includes allowances for inflation based on inflation forecasts set at spending reviews. HS2 Ltd has been impacted by high levels of inflation in recent years alongside all major construction projects. However, HS2 Ltd continues to bear down on its costs to mitigate this, manage pressures within its annual budgets, and is working to reduce the impact to any mitigation projects linked to the building of Phase 1.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review the safety of (a) all-lane running and (b) smart motorways.

The safety of everyone travelling on our roads is the Government’s priority, which is why we are committed to delivering a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. We will set out next steps on smart motorways in due course.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to fund independent research into the potential safety implications of headlight glare.

Yes. The government is in the process of commissioning independent research to better understand the root causes of headlamp glare and help identify potential countermeasures.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to spend £8.3 billion on local roads.

The government is committed to maintaining and renewing the local road network, and to enabling local highway authorities to fix up to a million more potholes a year. The previous government made a number of funding commitments, the affordability of each of which is being examined closely as part of the Spending Review.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to mitigate the impact of population density on the allocation of road safety funding.

The allocation of general road safety funding does not take into account population density as a funding requirement unless specified. The majority of our funding for road safety improvements is based on collision data, including killed and seriously injured statistics as well as road length. Targeted road safety improvements are devolved to the local authorities.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve the (a) frequency and (b) quality of bus services.

The government knows that Britain needs a modern transport network to help kickstart economic growth. Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities, and the government is committed to working at pace with local transport authorities, bus operators and passengers to ensure that our vital bus services truly reflect the needs of the local communities.

As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will introduce the Better Buses Bill to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, to ensure networks can meet the needs to the communities who rely on them, including in Buckinghamshire. We also plan to empower local transport authorities through reforming bus funding. By giving local leaders more control and flexibility over bus funding they can plan ahead to deliver their local transport priorities.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will use money from the cancellation of the A27 to repair potholes.

This Government is committed to ensuring that people have access to transport and transport infrastructure that enables them to travel to the destinations they want to reach and meets their needs. As my Right Honourable Friend the Chancellor has set out, decisions must be made based on the assessment of the spending inheritance from the previous Government.

Tackling the poor state of our local roads is a priority for this Government, to ensure they are safe and serve all road users, and we will set out how we will achieve this in due course.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)