Asked by: Neil Hudson (Conservative - Epping Forest)
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.
Asked by: Neil Hudson (Conservative - Epping Forest)
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.
Asked by: Neil Hudson (Conservative - Epping Forest)
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.
Asked by: Neil Hudson (Conservative - Epping Forest)
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.
Asked by: Neil Hudson (Conservative - Epping Forest)
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.
Asked by: Neil Hudson (Conservative - Epping Forest)
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.
Asked by: Neil Hudson (Conservative - Epping Forest)
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.
Asked by: Neil Hudson (Conservative - Epping Forest)
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.
Asked by: Neil Hudson (Conservative - Epping Forest)
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.
Asked by: Neil Hudson (Conservative - Epping Forest)
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.