Jeremy Corbyn

(a) The Environment Agency is responsible for issuing permits to allow new incinerators to operate in England. The Health Protection Agency’s (now the UK Health Security Agency or UKHSA) response to the 2005 British Society for Ecological Medicine report on the health effects of waste incinerators states “there are no grounds for adopting the ‘precautionary principle’ to restrict the introduction of new incinerators”. The Environment Agency consults UKHSA on every permit application it receives for a new incinerator and is satisfied that this advice remains appropriate.

(b) As part of the permitting process, the Environment Agency carries out a thorough environmental impact assessment of emissions from the proposed plant, including particulate matter, and strict emission limits are included in permits for particulate matter and other pollutants. The Environment Agency will not grant a permit if the proposed plant could give rise to any significant pollution of the environment or harm to human health.

Some waste is imported into the UK from the European Union (EU) for use in energy recovery; or in exceptional circumstances for disposal, such as when the UK can offer an environmentally sound solution for specialist waste not available in the country of dispatch.

The total volume of waste imported into the UK from the EU for recovery or disposal by incineration in the past five years, for which there is currently complete data[1], is presented in the table below. Defra does not hold information on a daily basis.

Source: Basel Convention National Reporting

[1] Defra does not have complete data on waste imports for 2020 as the Basel Convention National Report is collated at the end of each year for the previous calendar year.

Some waste is imported into the UK from the European Union (EU) for use in energy recovery; or in exceptional circumstances for disposal, such as when the UK can offer an environmentally sound solution for specialist waste not available in the country of dispatch.

The total volume of waste imported into the UK from the EU for recovery or disposal by incineration in the past five years, for which there is currently complete data[1], is presented in the table below. Defra does not hold information on a daily basis.

Source: Basel Convention National Reporting

[1] Defra does not have complete data on waste imports for 2020 as the Basel Convention National Report is collated at the end of each year for the previous calendar year.

In line with the commitment in our Resources and Waste Strategy (RWS), officials are currently assessing planned incinerator capacity against expected future residual waste arisings so we can understand what future capacity may be required following implementation of key commitments in the RWS. This assessment of residual waste treatment capacity needs will be published in coming months.

The UK was an architect of the Sustainable Development Goals, one of which is to achieve Universal Health Coverage. Our NHS is a shining light and we have deployed British expertise across the world including during African Ebola outbreaks. DFID’s health programmes support developing countries to build resilient health systems that provide quality health services for all and are prepared for global health threats like coronavirus.

The UK has been at the forefront of the international response to the coup in Myanmar. Following the coup, we urgently convened the UN Security Council and secured a statement on 4 February which called for the protection of human rights. On 12 February we co-led a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council where a resolution calling for an end to human rights violations taking place in Myanmar was passed by consensus. In response to escalating violence we convened the Council again on 5 March and secured a Presidential Statement on 10 March which called for the restoration of democracy, respect for human rights and condemned violence against peaceful protestors. I [Minister Adams] have also met the UN Special Rapporteur for the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar and the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Myanmar to discuss human rights in Myanmar.

The UK is a longstanding supporter of an arms embargo on Myanmar. We are clear that no international power should sell arms to the Myanmar military. The UK autonomous Myanmar sanctions regulations prohibit the provision of military related services, including the provision of technical assistance, to or for the benefit of the Tatmadaw. We will work closely with partners to pressure those who sell arms to the military.

The UK, in conjunction with partners including the US and Canada, have announced targeted sanctions against nine high-ranking military officials for their role in serious human rights violations during the coup. We are actively consulting with partners on further measures, including additional sanctions. We are determined to impose a cost on the Myanmar military and we will consider all tools at our disposal. These sanctions follow the 16 individuals from the Myanmar military who were previously listed by the UK for human rights violations.

The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), which is composed of many individuals who were elected in November 2020, are an important voice for many in Myanmar. We coordinated with them to read out excerpts from their statements at the Special Session of the Human Rights Council on 12 February, and at the UN General Assembly meeting on 26 February.

We believe sanctions are an important tool to increase pressure on the Myanmar military and we are working closely with partners to coordinate on further sanctions.

The UK, in conjunction with partners including the US and Canada, has announced targeted sanctions against nine high-ranking military officials and we continue to work in concert with our partners and allies on additional measures, including further sanctions.