Asked by: Steve Brine (Conservative - Winchester)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answers of 19 October 2022 to Question 59009 on Rights of Way and of 9 March to Question 150378 Rights of Way: Registration, whether she plans to repeal the 2026 cut-off date to record historic rights.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Secretary of State has decided to commence the cut-off date for recording historic public rights of way which will provide certainty for all parties. The Government remains committed to implementing the rights of way reforms package as soon as reasonably practicable, which will streamline processes and benefit users, landowners and local authorities.
However, in recognising the reforms have experienced delays due to Covid, the Secretary of State has also decided to use existing powers in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to implement a full 5-year extension of the cut-off date to 1 January 2031. This will allow time for our rights of way reforms to have a real impact.
The Secretary of State is keen to promote responsible access, protect nature and support people who work and live in the countryside.
Asked by: Steve Brine (Conservative - Winchester)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer given on 27 May 2022 to Question 5327, on Rights of Way, when the Government plans to bring forward proposed rights of way reforms including repealing the 2026 cut-off date to record historic rights of way.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
HM Government is committed to implementing the rights of way reform package as soon as reasonably practicable in 2023 and is working closely with the Stakeholder Working Group in finalising the individual measures. The 2026 cut-off date will be repealed as soon as a suitable legislative vehicle has been identified.
Asked by: Steve Brine (Conservative - Winchester)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to introduce the deposit return scheme for plastic bottles.
Answered by Rebecca Pow
The Government committed in its manifesto to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers to incentivise people to recycle plastic and glass, and is seeking powers to do so in the Environment Bill. Since consulting on its introduction in 2019, the Government has been developing proposals for a DRS for drinks containers using further evidence and ongoing engagement with stakeholders. The scope of the scheme is being further developed and will be presented in a second consultation. The Government is reviewing its implementation timeline for the proposed introduction of the scheme, which will be announced in due course.