Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that water companies support those on the Priority Services Register during emergency incidents.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Under the Security and Emergency Measures Direction 2022 (SEMD), water companies must identify and prioritise vulnerable customers during supply interruptions. They must maintain a Priority Services Register (PSR) to identify those needing extra support in emergencies, including priority access to alternative water supplies. Ofwat provides PSR guidance, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate regulates compliance with SEMD.

During sustained or large-scale water supply incidents, Defra regularly engages with water companies. Support for vulnerable customers, including those on PSR, is routinely discussed, and companies must demonstrate that appropriate arrangements are in place.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support biodiversity in Epping Forest constituency.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government supported Essex County Council to develop the Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), which includes Epping Forest. Essex LNRS, brings together local stakeholders to agree priorities for nature recovery and supports groups and individuals to target action where there is greater benefit for biodiversity.

Natural England (NE) works closely with the City of London Corporation which owns and manages much of Epping Forest. NE recently provided support in securing major agri-environment agreements that fund habitat restoration, including for ancient trees and wood pasture. NE is also monitoring the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation to inform key actions to protect it.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help improve access for consumers to water supply during extremely warm weather in a) Epping Forest constituency and b) England and Wales.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Water companies in England are responsible for maintaining water supplies in all weather conditions. If supplies fail, they can deploy emergency measures, including mobile water tankers and bottled water stations. Under the Security and Emergency Measures Direction 2022 (SEMD), companies must support vulnerable customers and maintain Priority Service Registers to target alternative supplies. Consumers are encouraged to use water responsibly during extreme heat. During drought, companies should implement their Statutory Drought Plans to maintain secure supplies and are expected to plan for resilience against a 1-in-500-year drought. Drought Plans should align with Water Resources Management Plans, ensuring secure, sustainable supplies.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that water companies communicate effectively with consumers during maintenance work projects.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Guaranteed Standards Scheme (GSS) requires companies to provide at least 48 hours' notice for planned supply disruptions lasting longer than four hours. Last year this Government doubled or more the financial penalties companies must pay to affected customers if they fail to meet GSS standards. Ofwat also requires water companies in England and Wales to communicate upcoming maintenance work and infrastructure projects transparently, focusing on accessibility, timeliness, and customer-led approaches.

If customers believe their water company has not communicated effectively, they can contact the Consumer Council for Water or use the alternative dispute resolution system.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support greater public awareness around the impacts of climate change.

Answered by Katie White - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We know people are concerned about climate change and a majority support the Government taking action to tackle this.

Our Energising Britain plan sets out how we will work to ensure people have the facts and understand the scale, pace of change and benefits of climate and nature action as well as the opportunities for their local communities, including through policies that are responsive to people’s needs and views.

The first annual Energising Britain event was held on 6 July at five locations across England, celebrating, supporting and learning from the vital climate and nature action already taking place across the country.

On 13 July, the Government delivered its second annual statement on the state of climate and nature to provide Parliament and the public with an honest assessment of the challenges we face and the progress being made in response.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department are taking to improve the availability of hospital beds in Epping Forest and neighbouring constituencies.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Across the country, the Department and NHS England, working with local delivery partners including integrated care boards and National Health Service trusts, are working to ensure hospital beds remain available for those who need them most, whilst expanding access to integrated, community-based care and reducing avoidable hospital stays. This includes investment in same day emergency care and urgent treatment centres, to ensure patients are seen where it is most appropriate and avoid unnecessary admission.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the visitor levy on the fishing industry.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

It will be for Strategic Authorities to decide whether to put in place an Overnight Visitor Levy in their area. Any impacts will largely be determined by local decisions, including whether local leaders choose to introduce a levy and the detail of any local scheme.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, much money has been awarded through the Water Management Grant between its inception and 4 July 2024.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

From the Scheme’s inception date to the 04 July 2024 there were 52 Water Management Grant Agreements worth £7,901,286.46 awarded. Of this £6,664,811.59 has been claimed and paid by the Rural Payments Agency. There are currently 2 of these projects still in progress with £237,848.94 remaining to be paid to them.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much money is left in the Water Management Grant Fund.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The total funding remaining for the Water Management Grant Fund is £8,020,371.40.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much money has been awarded through the Water Management Grant since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Since 05 July 2024 there has been 28 Water Management Grant Agreements awarded, worth £5,147,486.26. Of this, £3,085,828.95 has been claimed and paid by the Rural Payments Agency.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will have discussions with TFL on the potential impact of stopping the provision of bus services between Waltham Abbey and Chingford on levels of accessibility for people in Waltham Abbey.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL), and decisions on the operation and routing of London bus services, including routes that extend beyond the Greater London boundary, are a matter for TfL. While the Department works closely with TfL on a range of issues affecting public transport, decisions on service levels and network planning rest with the Mayor and TfL.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of autonomous delivery robots on accessibility for people with disabilities.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We have announced that we intend to trial pavement robots using powers the Government is seeking through the Regulating for Growth Bill. A key part of the trial will be understanding the impact on pedestrians, particularly the most vulnerable groups.

No permanent regulations will come into force without detailed public consultation and a full assessment of the impacts.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ban the importation of hunting trophies.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government is committed to banning the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. Defra continues to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can implement a robust ban. Timeframes for introducing legislation will be provided once the Parliamentary timetable for future sessions is determined.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when will (a) Princess Alexandra Hospital and (b) Whipps Cross Hospital receive their allocations from the Estates Safety Fund.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Barts Health NHS Trust was allocated £27,693,000 from the Estates Safety Fund in 2025/26 to deliver vital safety improvements at both Whipps Cross University Hospital and Newham General Hospital. Of this, £16,738,500 was allocated to schemes at Whipps Cross Hospital. The Barts Health NHS Trust does not currently have funding allocated to the Estates Safety Fund scheme at Whipps Cross Hospital for this financial year, 2026/27 or future financial years.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust is currently able to access funding from the Estates Safety Fund for their planned schemes at the Princess Alexandra Hospital across 2026/27 and 2027/28 in line with the planned spend profile for the schemes.

This investment is an important step in addressing infrastructure challenges at the site and forms part of the Government's wider programme to improve the safety and resilience of National Health Service buildings.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much of the £27,693,000 allocated to Barts Health NHS Trust through the Estates Safety Fund has been allocated to Whipps Cross Hospital.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Barts Health NHS Trust was allocated £27,693,000 from the Estates Safety Fund in 2025/26 to deliver vital safety improvements at both Whipps Cross University Hospital and Newham General Hospital. Of this, £16,738,500 was allocated to schemes at Whipps Cross Hospital. The Barts Health NHS Trust does not currently have funding allocated to the Estates Safety Fund scheme at Whipps Cross Hospital for this financial year, 2026/27 or future financial years.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust is currently able to access funding from the Estates Safety Fund for their planned schemes at the Princess Alexandra Hospital across 2026/27 and 2027/28 in line with the planned spend profile for the schemes.

This investment is an important step in addressing infrastructure challenges at the site and forms part of the Government's wider programme to improve the safety and resilience of National Health Service buildings.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce the potential impacts of the incorrect use of disposable barbecues.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government will consider the case for further restrictions, including a permanent ban, on the sale of disposable barbecues in the light of experience gained from the temporary ban introduced in August. Any such restrictions are most likely to be implemented under waste legislation, which is why Defra is taking the lead on this issue, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government who are leading the Government’s overall approach to wildfires.

In the meantime, local authorities have powers to establish Public Space Protection Orders, which can prohibit the use of disposable barbecues in designated areas where appropriate. It is for individual councils to decide how and to what extent to use these powers.