Information between 8th April 2024 - 18th April 2024
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Parliamentary Debates |
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Food Waste and Food Distribution
51 speeches (13,286 words) Tuesday 16th April 2024 - Westminster Hall Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Mentions: 1: Selaine Saxby (Con - North Devon) works for a more sustainable supply chain to tackle food waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water - Link to Speech |
Tobacco and Vapes Bill
213 speeches (48,358 words) 2nd reading Tuesday 16th April 2024 - Commons Chamber Department of Health and Social Care Mentions: 1: Wes Streeting (Lab - Ilford North) Anyway, it is water off a duck’s back to me. - Link to Speech 2: James Grundy (Con - Leigh) If someone was selling beer or spirits made out of turpentine or toilet water, for example, people would - Link to Speech |
Farmers: Flooding Compensation
20 speeches (1,284 words) Tuesday 16th April 2024 - Lords Chamber Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Mentions: 1: Lord Hain (Lab - Life peer) earth are Ministers not fully compensating all farmers whose entire cropping land is submerged under water - Link to Speech |
Horticultural Peat: Prohibition of Sale
4 speeches (2,343 words) 1st reading Tuesday 16th April 2024 - Commons Chamber Mentions: 1: Theresa Villiers (Con - Chipping Barnet) wider landscape, damaging wildlife habitats and reducing peat’s capacity to prevent flooding and filter water - Link to Speech 2: Christopher Chope (Con - Christchurch) Plant longevity has declined, because they do not have the natural water retention in their pots that - Link to Speech |
Human Rights: Consular Services
27 speeches (10,903 words) Tuesday 16th April 2024 - Westminster Hall Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Mentions: 1: Christine Jardine (LD - Edinburgh West) to take reasonable steps to secure the safety and support of the person detained, with visits, food, water - Link to Speech |
Iran-Israel Update
190 speeches (16,579 words) Monday 15th April 2024 - Commons Chamber Cabinet Office Mentions: 1: Andrew Gwynne (Lab - Denton and Reddish) Given that the issues are settlements, water and access between Gaza and the west bank and Jerusalem, - Link to Speech |
Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill
83 speeches (12,834 words) Consideration of Lords messageConsideration of Lords Message Monday 15th April 2024 - Commons Chamber Mentions: 1: None pity’s sake—and the rest of Europe, they would then be faced with crossing a relatively small body of water - Link to Speech |
Sudan Conflict Sanctions
1 speech (591 words) Monday 15th April 2024 - Written Statements Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Mentions: 1: Andrew Mitchell (Con - Sutton Coldfield) food assistance to support people particularly in hard-to reach areas in Sudan, including nutrition, water - Link to Speech |
Draft Code of Practice on Dismissal and Re-Engagement
34 speeches (7,512 words) Monday 15th April 2024 - General Committees Department for Business and Trade Mentions: 1: Justin Madders (Lab - Ellesmere Port and Neston) It would be helpful if the Minister took the opportunity to explain why the decision was taken to water - Link to Speech |
Economic Growth (Regulatory Functions) (Amendment) Order 2024
11 speeches (4,067 words) Monday 15th April 2024 - Lords Chamber Department for Business and Trade Mentions: 1: Lord Johnson of Lainston (Con - Life peer) Applying the growth duty to the regulators of the energy, water and communications sectors will help - Link to Speech 2: Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville (LD - Life peer) Ofwat has struggled to ensure that the water companies fulfil their duties to provide clean water and - Link to Speech 3: None Is the DBT a shareholder of the most polluting water companies? - Link to Speech |
Data Protection and Digital Information Bill
93 speeches (24,613 words) Committee stage Monday 15th April 2024 - Grand Committee Department for Science, Innovation & Technology Mentions: 1: Lord Clement-Jones (LD - Life peer) But the Government are proposing to water down Article 45, and that is the essence of what we are all - Link to Speech |
Economic Growth (Regulatory Functions) (Amendment) Order 2024
11 speeches (3,143 words) Monday 15th April 2024 - Lords Chamber Department for Business and Trade Mentions: 1: Lord Fox (LD - Life peer) the energy market are distinctly different from the privatised regional monopoly system which is the water - Link to Speech 2: Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville (LD - Life peer) against those water companies.The Minister has mentioned the millions that have been returned to water - Link to Speech |
Select Committee Documents |
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Wednesday 17th April 2024
Written Evidence - Maritime and Coastguard Agency WCS0009 - Investigation into whistleblowing in the civil service Public Accounts Committee Found: volunteers in circa 350 coastal bases around the UK coastline who perform skilled cliff, mud and water |
Wednesday 17th April 2024
Correspondence - Letter from Direct Line to the Chair relating to insurance premiums, dated 12 April 2024 Treasury Committee Found: videos of damage to property, especially in relation to helping accelerate and progress with escape of water |
Wednesday 17th April 2024
Written Evidence - Northumbrian Water Group WCC0022 - Work of the County Court Work of the County Court - Justice Committee Found: WCC0022 - Work of the County Court Northumbrian Water Group Written Evidence |
Wednesday 17th April 2024
Written Evidence - United Utilities Water Ltd WCC0006 - Work of the County Court Work of the County Court - Justice Committee Found: WCC0006 - Work of the County Court United Utilities Water Ltd Written Evidence |
Wednesday 17th April 2024
Written Evidence - United Utilities Water Ltd WCC0006 - Work of the County Court Work of the County Court - Justice Committee Found: WCC0006 - Work of the County Court United Utilities Water Ltd Written Evidence |
Wednesday 17th April 2024
Written Evidence - Northumbrian Water Group WCC0022 - Work of the County Court Work of the County Court - Justice Committee Found: WCC0022 - Work of the County Court Northumbrian Water Group Written Evidence |
Wednesday 17th April 2024
Scrutiny evidence - Petitioner Evidence Part 1 of 2 Royal Albert Hall Bill [HL] Committee Found: and tenants, the free use, jointly with the said Corporation, their successors and assigns, of the water |
Wednesday 17th April 2024
Scrutiny evidence - Promoter Evidence Part 2 of 4 Royal Albert Hall Bill [HL] Committee Found: u.ccessors and assigns, of the water now being arising, or flowing into the well situate on the south |
Wednesday 17th April 2024
Scrutiny evidence - Submissions on the Town and Country Planning (Former RAF Airfield Wethersfield) (Accommodation for Asylum-Seekers etc.) Special Development Order 2024 and the Town and Country Planning (Former RAF Scampton) (Accommodation for Asylum-Seekers etc.) Special Development Order 2024, and government response Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee Found: lso release PFAS in to the agricultura l and residential a reas around the base as w ell as int o water |
Wednesday 17th April 2024
Written Evidence - Humberside Fire and Rescue Service FRS0006 - Fire and Rescue Service Fire and Rescue Service - Home Affairs Committee Found: interviews, a number of the women described individuals who would start with a comment to “test the water |
Wednesday 17th April 2024
Correspondence - Correspondence from the Executive Chair, HS2 Ltd relating to road safety audits, 29 March 2024 Transport Committee Found: The existing M6 network consists of surface water channels, slot drains as a collection system with |
Wednesday 17th April 2024
Report - Twenty-Sixth Report - The BBC’s implementation of Across the UK Public Accounts Committee Found: protecting vulnerable peopleHC 134 8th NHS capital expenditure and financial management HC 344 9th Water |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Written Evidence - Transport UK Group RRB0008 - Scrutiny of the draft Rail Reform Bill Transport Committee Found: We are concerned that certain provisions of the draft Bill appear to water down the ORR’s current |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Written Evidence - High Streets Research Network at Sheffield Hallam University HSC0014 - High streets in towns and small cities High streets in towns and small cities - Built Environment Committee Found: Climate risk: risks from climate change continue to increase, and flooding, water shortages, and extreme |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Written Evidence - Policy Exchange HSC0054 - High streets in towns and small cities High streets in towns and small cities - Built Environment Committee Found: Does the street feature water features, drinking fountains or make maximum use of natural water features |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Written Evidence - Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea HSC0051 - High streets in towns and small cities High streets in towns and small cities - Built Environment Committee Found: and the coordination of utility servicing from broadband telecommunications to electricity, gas water |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Written Evidence - National Association of Local Councils HSC0045 - High streets in towns and small cities High streets in towns and small cities - Built Environment Committee Found: Blue light services Health and educational sectors Tourism associations Statutory agencies e.g. water |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Written Evidence - University of the West of England HSC0046 - High streets in towns and small cities High streets in towns and small cities - Built Environment Committee Found: Urban greening snakes and ladders: a case study of the practical realities of implementing Food-Water-Energy |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Written Evidence - British Beer and Pub Association HSC0018 - High streets in towns and small cities High streets in towns and small cities - Built Environment Committee Found: £89,214 Wages and Salaries£119,600 £171,028 +£51,428 Rates £18,148 £19,364 +£1,216 Utilities (inc. water |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Written Evidence - Colin Hicks HSC0038 - High streets in towns and small cities High streets in towns and small cities - Built Environment Committee Found: convenience, accessibility, safety, walkability and the provision of mobility transport, childcare, water |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Written Evidence - Martin Emmett ECL0056 - Education and Careers in Land-based Sectors Education and Careers in Land-based Sectors - Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Found: and describe how seeds and bulbs grow into mature plants find out and describe how plants need water |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Written Evidence - Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office MUL0014 - International relations within the multilateral system International relations within the multilateral system - Foreign Affairs Committee Found: It works particularly hard to water down condemnation of its human rights abuses in Xinjiang and elsewhere |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Correspondence - Correspondence from Alan Lovell, Chair, Environment Agency regarding publication of 2023 Event Duration Monitor data, dated 27 March 2024 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Found: March) the Environment Agency has published the 2023 Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) data from all water |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Correspondence - Correspondence from David Black, Chief Executive, Ofwat regarding Thames Water, dated 28 March 2024 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Found: Correspondence from David Black, Chief Executive, Ofwat regarding Thames Water, dated 28 March 2024 Correspondence |
Monday 15th April 2024
Written Evidence - The Fields Association UKR0003 - Asylum Accommodation and UK-Rwanda partnership Public Accounts Committee Found: Potable water supply was also raised as a potential problem, as was electricity supply and communications |
Monday 15th April 2024
Written Evidence - Stop Wethersfield Airfield Prisons UKR0009 - Asylum Accommodation and UK-Rwanda partnership Public Accounts Committee Found: and capacity issues. 4.Services 4.1There is an uncertainty about the provision of electricity, water |
Monday 15th April 2024
Report - Twenty-Fifth Report - Scrutiny of sound financial practice across Government Public Accounts Committee Found: protecting vulnerable peopleHC 134 8th NHS capital expenditure and financial management HC 344 9th Water |
Written Answers |
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Water Supply: Bacteria
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark) Wednesday 17th April 2024 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of (a) antibiotic-resistant and (b) antimicrobial-resistant organisms in waterborne bacteria networks on public health. Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) We have been working with the Environment Agency and the UK Health Security Agency, to trial methods for detecting and quantifying antibiotic resistant bacteria in 3 river catchments in England and to provide example data on their presence and prevalence. The work involved sampling river waters at sites along the length of each river and subject to different land uses and potential sources of resistant bacteria. We expect to publish the results in the summer. The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a wide range of issues, and Cabinet discussions are considered confidential. |
Housing: Sewers
Asked by: Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat - St Albans) Tuesday 16th April 2024 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 Answer of 20 April 2023 to Question 181086 on Housing: Sewers, on what date the Department will launch its public consultation on its proposals to implement Schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) A public consultation on the implementation proposals for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in new developments is expected to take place in Spring 2024. |
Microplastics: Water Treatment
Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire) Tuesday 16th April 2024 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of wastewater treatment plants in removing microplastics from waste water. Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) A recent UK water industry project investigated the quantities and types of microplastics entering a range of wastewater treatment works. The Department reviewed the findings from the work and agrees with the conclusion that conventional wastewater treatment is effective in removing microplastics from wastewater. The evidenced showed treatment processes can take out an average of 99% of microplastics (by-number of microplastics) and 99.5% by-mass from wastewater arriving at the works. |
Tuberculosis: Drug Resistance
Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North) Monday 15th April 2024 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent steps his Department has taken with the United Nations to help tackle (a) drug-resistant tuberculosis and (b) antimicrobial resistance. Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development) The department actively contributed to the High Level Meeting on Tuberculosis held at the UN General Assembly last September, at which Lord Ahmad represented the UK. The UK's current £1billion commitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will support treatment for 41,800 people with Multi-Drug Resistant TB. The UK funds major programmes and research to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and strengthen health, water, sanitation, and hygiene systems. The High-Level Meeting on AMR is an excellent opportunity to catalyse global progress, set high ambitions across the One Health spectrum, and promote equitable access to and stewardship of antimicrobials. |
Flood Control: Finance
Asked by: Emma Hardy (Labour - Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle) Monday 15th April 2024 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of local authorities have received funding for surface water management schemes from the flood and coastal erosion risk management investment programme; and what proportion of these schemes are (a) completed, (b) underway and (c) yet to start. Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) The Environment Agency (EA) has the strategic overview role for all sources of flooding, including surface water. This is set out in the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy for England. Lead local flood authorities (LLFAs) have the lead operational role in managing flood risk from surface water.
During the first 3 years of the FCERM investment programme approximately 150 surface water schemes were delivered by other Risk Management Authorities.
By the end of the programme, it is envisaged approximately 400 surface water schemes will better protect around 20,000 properties with a government investment of £200m. These schemes are within 174 different local authorities. This information is a forecast only, based on our current consented FCRM investment programme. The properties better protected figure is based on the best available information. |
Microplastics: Washing Machines
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East) Monday 15th April 2024 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent microplastics entering waterways from washing machines. Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Government recently funded an external rapid evidence assessment to better understand the costs, benefits, and efficiencies of installing filters in washing machines. The filters aim to trap textile microplastic fibres during the laundry cycle and before discharge to sewer networks and wastewater treatment works. The assessment concluded further evidence was needed to determine how to avert additional costs incurred by consumers of new washing machines with filters, and the consumer’s sustainable disposal of used filters. Industry are currently conducting research and developing proposals to develop filters that meet this criteria, and Government are happy to review any research in this area.
A water industry investigation of the levels and types of microplastics entering a range of UK wastewater treatment works reported that conventional treatment can remove 99% of microplastics by number and 99.5% by mass.
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River Deben: Flood Control
Asked by: Dan Poulter (Labour - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich) Monday 15th April 2024 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to support landowners to maintain their own stretches of river along the River Deben in Suffolk to help reduce future flooding risk. Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Riparian landowners, those whose land adjoins a watercourse, are required under common law to maintain the watercourse, including the removal of debris and blockages, which could cause an obstruction to the flow of water on their land, or downstream if washed away, as well as maintenance of the bed and banks, and any trees or shrubs growing on the banks.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on owning a watercourse on GOV.UK. By April 2024, new Environment Agency engagement guidance will be published to help risk management authorities, Environment Agency staff, and landowners have more effective conversations on this matter.
The Government’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Policy Statement sets out what we expect from those responsible for all assets and watercourses – including risk management authorities, other public and community organisations, the private sector and riparian owners – to invest in ongoing maintenance and ensure timely repairs where necessary. |
Agriculture: Procurement
Asked by: Neil Hudson (Conservative - Penrith and The Border) Monday 15th April 2024 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure an adequate supply of (a) animal feed, (b) fertiliser and (c) CO2. Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) a) Animal feed: The UK has a highly resilient food and animal feed supply chain which has coped well in responding to challenges in the past few years. Cereals and oilseeds make up a significant proportion of animal feed, most of which are internationally traded commodities. Subsequently, their supply chains are dynamic and responsive to global market developments in price and availability. These developments may be influenced by the war in Ukraine or additional factors unrelated to the conflict, such as weather conditions and currency fluctuations. Our high degree of food security is built on strong domestic production and imports from diverse sources. We recognise the essential role that domestic production plays in providing food security and resilience, which is why the government is committed to broadly maintaining the current level of food we produce domestically.
We continue to keep the market situation under review through the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group, which monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, inputs, trade and recent developments.
b) Fertiliser: In 2022, nitrogen fertiliser prices increased to two to three times their recent nominal historic levels (imported ammonium nitrate prices were £870/t), due to increased global gas prices and conflicts around the world (including but not limited to the conflict in the Ukraine) as well as strong demand driven by high crop prices.
Defra is continuing to monitor fertiliser prices and supply chains through regular engagement with key manufacturers and wider stakeholders. We are also working with other government departments to coordinate intelligence and understand supply and pricing issues.
CO2: Defra works closely with stakeholders across the food industry, to encourage CO2 contingency planning and resilience. The tightness in supply of CO2 has eased and shown more stability recently and the industry has taken steps to make efficiencies and use alternative CO2 sources where possible. The stable supply of CO2 is vital to several CNI sectors including food and water. We recognise the importance of CO2 supply for our key sectors.
Over the past few years we have completed extensive work to build resilience into the sector including: monitoring and encouraging further diversification of production and supply in the UK; providing clarity on various regulatory questions, including through the Environment Agency’s publication of a Regulatory Position Statement on the capture, treatment, storage and use of carbon dioxide (CO2) from anaerobic digestion (AD) of waste; and working with industry on this supply chain through various forums. The diversification of this supply chain is being demonstrated through a series of recent industry announcements, such as British Sugar’s recent reopening of the CO2 capture plant at their Wissington site. |
Agriculture: Water Abstraction
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion) Monday 15th April 2024 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of making provision of data on water use rates a requirement for agricultural water licences. Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) The Environment Agency regulates water abstraction in England. The information provided therefore relates to England only.
The Environment Agency assesses water use for agriculture as part of the abstraction licence application process both when it first grants an abstraction licence and at renewal. The Environment Agency uses the following guidance to assess water need and use rates: Optimum use of water for industry and agricultural dependent on direct abstraction - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
The Environment Agency already receives information about how much water is used under abstraction licences in England. All ‘full’ abstraction licences must include requirements to measure or assess the amount of water abstracted. Licence holders must keep a record of how much water they abstract available for inspection. Licences that authorise the abstraction of 100 cubic metres per day or more must also send a return to the Environment Agency of how much water they have abstracted. The Environment Agency uses this information to assess compliance with licences and the environmental effects of abstraction. It also uses information about past usage to determine whether a time limited abstraction licence should be renewed on the same terms or for example have its quantities reduced.
The Environment Agency collates information about abstraction from all sectors and makes it available to Defra in a report called ‘ABSTAT’. The Environment Agency is currently producing an update to the ABSTAT report and will provide it to Defra in due course.
Defra and the Environment Agency are working to move the water resources licensing regime into the Environmental Permitting Regime (EPR). Under EPR, abstraction data will become public register information. |
Environment Protection: Bournemouth
Asked by: Tobias Ellwood (Conservative - Bournemouth East) Monday 15th April 2024 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help maintain (a) Bournemouth's coastline and (b) the cleanliness of bathing water. Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) The Government is taking a range of steps to maintain Bournemouth’s coastline. The Environment Agency (EA) has developed and maintains a strong professional partnership with the local authority, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, through which the EA has jointly secured an investment of £36 million between 2020 and 2027 for a flood management scheme to better protect 3,361 homes from coastal erosion and deliver over £1 billion of benefit to the local community. £17.5 million was invested between 2015 and 2020 in beach management to renourish the beach and replace timber groynes. Additionally, there are currently works on site at Hengistbury Head to the eastern end of Poole Bay to repair and upgrade the vital coastal asset known as ‘Long Groyne’ with new rock, at a cost of £12 million. In addition, there are numerous ongoing studies into flood and erosion risk, such as investigating more locally sustainable sources of beach nourishment for Bournemouth, and the delivery of a cliff management strategy for the whole of Poole Bay to better manage historic poor drainage and land instability of the cliff top.
The Government is committed to improving the quality of our bathing waters. Almost 90% of bathing waters in England met the highest standards of ‘good' or ‘excellent’ in 2023, up from just 76% in 2010 and despite the classification standards becoming stricter in 2015. Bournemouth has eight designated bathing waters; last season one was classified as ‘good’ and seven as ‘excellent’. |
East Africa and Southern Africa: Droughts
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer) Monday 15th April 2024 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the prolonged heatwave and drought on eastern and southern Africa, in particular on children, and what steps they are taking in response. Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) We closely monitor climatic conditions in Africa - including recent drought conditions in parts of Eastern and Southern Africa, where over 80 million people are experiencing crisis levels of food insecurity. In 2023 the UK was the 4th largest bilateral donor to humanitarian appeals in sub-Saharan Africa. Our programmes in the region are directly tackling food insecurity and poor access to safe water, in order to improve the nutritional and health status of children. The UK is also raising the profile of humanitarian needs with our international partners, maintaining a focus on the need for long-term solutions to climate related crises in the region, including drought. |
Water Companies: Public Sector
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion) Monday 15th April 2024 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing water companies into public ownership. Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Since privatisation, the private water sector model (underpinned by strong, independent economic regulation) has unlocked around £215 billion of investment. This is equivalent to around £6 billion annually in investment, almost double the pre-privatisation level, and has delivered a range of benefits to customers and the environment. Government is therefore committed to the system of independent economic regulation and has no plans to bring water into public ownership.
The Government is clear that to retain public support, water companies must ensure they meet high standards of transparency and corporate governance. |
Water Abstraction: Licensing
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion) Monday 15th April 2024 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to reform the abstraction licensing regime in England. Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) As set out in the Plan for Water, Defra and the Environment Agency are undertaking a programme of changes to modernise abstraction licensing in England. We are working to move the water abstraction licensing system into the Environmental Permitting Regime. This will provide a modern, consistent and flexible legal framework upon which the management of abstraction can be developed to meet the needs of today and the future.
Alongside the legislative changes, the Environment Agency is modernising its digital systems to maximise the opportunities the new legislation provides. This will bring new functionality to improve the way abstraction is managed, including a water abstraction eAlerts system which provides notifications directly to farmers. As the environment and our climate changes, the Environment Agency is adapting its policies in response. The Environment Agency has recently produced a regulatory position statement setting out how flood water can be abstracted for the benefit of abstractors but ensuring that the environment is protected.
The Environment Agency is also undertaking a refresh of the National Framework for water resources, which looks at how best to manage water resources across England. Through this, abstractors from all sectors will come together to identify water needs and the best way of meeting them. |
Agriculture: Water Abstraction
Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion) Monday 15th April 2024 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to improve the collection of data in agricultural water use. Answered by Robbie Moore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) The Environment Agency regulates water abstraction in England. The information provided therefore relates to England only.
The Environment Agency’s ‘Managing Water Abstraction Service’ enables abstraction licence holders to submit records of how much water they had taken electronically rather than on paper. The Environment Agency estimates quicker, and easier submission of returns data digitally saves abstractors £247k each year. Some 95% of returns now come into the Environment Agency digitally.
Defra is working on rolling out a Water Farm Practices Water Survey involving crop types and volumes of water used. This will be an extension of the annual farming practices survey, which provides a snapshot of the farming landscape across England. It will give an opportunity to update data last collected in 2010 on agricultural water management.
Natural England is this week due to report on its latest phase of Catchment Sensitive Farming water advisory visits in the Southwest of England.
As part of the Prime Minister’s commitment at last year’s Farm to Fork Summit Defra has funded an agriculture project on supply demand balances which have been piloted in Cambridgeshire and will be rolled out to wider parts of England. The water data from this work will be used to update the next round of Regional Water Resource Plans on agriculture water requirements (together with the Environment Agency’s Water Resources National Framework which will be published next spring). A sister project funded by Defra will also include agriculture water use data to assess and screen local resource options (such as reservoirs and rainwater harvesting) to help groups of farmers improve their water resilience. |
Gaza: Humanitarian Aid
Asked by: Philippa Whitford (Scottish National Party - Central Ayrshire) Monday 15th April 2024 Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what representations he has made to the Israeli government since it announced it would open a new aid crossing into northern Gaza; and what steps he plans to take to help (a) prevent starvation of Palestinian citizens and (b) ensure compliance with international humanitarian law. Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development) Palestinians are facing a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis. The UK is playing a leadership role in alleviating that suffering. We are doing everything we can to get more aid in as quickly as possible by land, sea and air. On 20 March, the Foreign Secretary announced the UK has funded WFP to provide 2000 tons of food aid, enough to feed 275,000 people in Gaza. For example, on 20 March, the Royal Air Force airdropped 10 tonnes of food aid - including water, rice and baby food - directly to civilians in Gaza. The British Government has pressed Israeli counterparts to increase the flow of aid into Gaza. On 5th April Israel committed to significant steps to increase the amount of aid getting to Gaza, including allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid through the Port of Ashdod and the Erez checkpoint. The UK has urged Israel to take these steps for a long time and they are welcome. We are resolved that the international community will work with Israel to see these vital changes fully implemented. |
Parliamentary Research |
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Wildfire risks to UK landscapes - POST-PN-0717
Apr. 15 2024 Found: habitats.38 Fire suppression is more challenging in the uplands , because reporting can be slower, water |
Bill Documents |
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Apr. 16 2024
Promoter Evidence Part 2 [Pages 106 to 232] Royal Albert Hall Bill [HL] 2022-23 Written evidence Found: u.ccessors and assigns, of the water now being arising, or flowing into the well situate on the south |
Apr. 16 2024
Petitioner Evidence Part 1 [Pages 1 to 113] Royal Albert Hall Bill [HL] 2022-23 Written evidence Found: and tenants, the free use, jointly with the said Corporation, their successors and assigns, of the water |
Apr. 15 2024
HL Bill 38-II Second marshalled list for Committee Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill 2022-23 Amendment Paper Found: organisms, (ii) their habitats, or (iii) land (except buildings or other structures), air and water |
Apr. 15 2024
Notices of Amendments as at 15 April 2024 Renters (Reform) Bill 2022-23 Amendment Paper Found: required for the occupation of the premises as a household include, but are not limited to— (a) water |
Department Publications - Guidance |
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Wednesday 17th April 2024
Home Office Source Page: Immigration Rules archive: 11 March 2024 to 3 April 2024 Document: Immigration Rules archive: 11 March 2024 to 3 April 2024 (PDF) Found: 1123 Production managers and directors in mining and energy • Operations manager (mining, water |
Department Publications - Statistics |
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Wednesday 17th April 2024
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero Source Page: UK renewables deployment supply chain readiness Document: UK renewables deployment supply chain readiness study: appendix (PDF) Found: These are piledriven into the seabed and suitable for water depths of up to 60 metres, provided the seabed |
Wednesday 17th April 2024
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero Source Page: UK renewables deployment supply chain readiness Document: UK renewables deployment supply chain readiness study: executive summary for industry and policymakers (PDF) Found: investment strategies Although not modelled, according to interviewees, the UK has a shortage of deep-water |
Non-Departmental Publications - Transparency |
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Apr. 17 2024
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Source Page: Nuclear Decommissioning Authority: Business Plan 2024 to 2027 Document: (PDF) Transparency Found: TRS) was constructed in the late 1980s to store encapsulated waste from the Steam Generating Heavy Water |
Apr. 16 2024
Regulatory Policy Committee Source Page: RPC Register of Interests, March 2024 Document: RPC Register of Interests, March 2024 (PDF) Transparency Found: regulation of HFSS advertising • Northern Ireland consumer council – advice on regulation of Gas, Water |
Non-Departmental Publications - News and Communications |
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Apr. 17 2024
Environment Agency Source Page: Appointments to the Environment Agency Board Document: Appointments to the Environment Agency Board (webpage) News and Communications Found: It has major responsibilities in flood management, water resources and quality, climate change, land |
Apr. 17 2024
Environment Agency Source Page: South West Water in court for series of alleged offences Document: South West Water in court for series of alleged offences (webpage) News and Communications Found: South West Water in court for series of alleged offences |
Apr. 16 2024
Flood Forecasting Centre Source Page: Rapid Flood Guidance trial for England and Wales: sign up now Document: Rapid Flood Guidance trial for England and Wales: sign up now (webpage) News and Communications Found: in May and the support it will provide to our responder community in planning and mitigating surface water |
Apr. 16 2024
Environment Agency Source Page: Anglers land penalties over £1,300 for fishing illegally Document: Anglers land penalties over £1,300 for fishing illegally (webpage) News and Communications Found: Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence to fish. |
Apr. 15 2024
Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning Source Page: Penguins Public Notice Document: Best Available Techniques (BAT) (PDF) News and Communications Found: Water and Discharge Use The main discharge to water from use of the turbines is from the washing of |
Apr. 15 2024
Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning Source Page: Penguins Public Notice Document: Non-Technical Summary of Application (PDF) News and Communications Found: Only a low rate of water production is expected. |
Apr. 15 2024
Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning Source Page: Penguins Public Notice Document: Environmental Assessment Justification (PDF) News and Communications Found: Produced water will enter the produced water system for treatment before discharge to sea. |
Non-Departmental Publications - Statistics |
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Apr. 17 2024
HM Revenue & Customs Source Page: Child Benefit Statistics: annual release, August 2023 Document: (ODS) Statistics Found: 690 [d] 875 430 360 85 Carsic E05010676 980 190 325 325 140 475 505 [d] 515 225 175 120 Carsington Water |
Scottish Government Publications |
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Wednesday 17th April 2024
Local Government and Housing Directorate Source Page: Standing Committee on Structural Safety: EIR release Document: FOI 202300374485 - Information Released - Annex A-E (PDF) Found: This material has a lifespan of approximately 30 years and can also be weakened by water ingress. |
Wednesday 17th April 2024
Social Security Directorate Source Page: Disability Assistance for Older People (Scotland) Regulations 2024: Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment Document: The Disability Assistance for Older People (Scotland) Regulations 2024: Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (PDF) Found: No • Does the policy affect the essential services market, such as energy or water? |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Environment and Forestry Directorate Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate Source Page: Market Framework for Natural Capital - Engagement Paper Document: Market Framework for Natural Capital - Engagement Paper (webpage) Found: , it defines key terms and describes the current context.Natural capital is our geology, soil, air, water |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Environment and Forestry Directorate Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate Source Page: Market Framework for Natural Capital - Engagement Paper Document: Market Framework for Natural Capital - Engagement Paper (PDF) Found: BACKGROUND : Natural capital is our geology, soil, air, water, plants and animals. |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Corporate Transformation and Workplace Directorate Source Page: Energy Management System contracts: EIR release Document: Energy Management System contracts: EIR release (webpage) Found: What is the total number of Water meter points?12. |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Source Page: First Minister addresses STUC Congress 2024 Document: First Minister addresses STUC Congress 2024 (webpage) Found: and spending plans.We will support measures to strengthen workers’ rights – and oppose any attempt to water |
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Energy and Climate Change Directorate Source Page: Home Energy Scotland scheme: EIR release Document: EIR 202300387352 - Information Released - Data (Excel) Found: Heat Recovery SystemGround Source Heat PumpHigh Heat Retention Electric Storage HeatersHybrid Solar PV/Water |
Monday 15th April 2024
Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate Source Page: Annual report on procurement activity in Scotland 2021-2022 Document: Annual Report on Procurement Activity in Scotland 2023 (PDF) Found: £45,439,455 0.5% Real estate activities £83,596,252 0.9% Transportation and storage £1,292,322,492 14.6% Water |
Monday 15th April 2024
Marine Directorate Source Page: Progress of the Wild Salmon Strategy and Implementation Plan Document: Progress of the Wild Salmon Strategy and Implementation Plan (PDF) Found: /marine-directorate/ © CROWN COPYRIGHT 2024 Peatland restoration, Galloway Fisheries Trust Crawick water |
Thursday 11th April 2024
Energy and Climate Change Directorate Source Page: Water industry: Investment Planning and Prioritisation Group minutes - June 2023 Document: IPPG Minutes June 2023 (PDF) Found: Water industry: Investment Planning and Prioritisation Group minutes - June 2023 |
Thursday 11th April 2024
External Affairs Directorate Source Page: Donations to UNRWA for Gaza: FOI release Document: FOI 202400396149 - Information Released - Annex A (PDF) Found: Over 610,000 people in Gaza are being affected by the 82% cut of water supply. 7. |
Thursday 11th April 2024
Energy and Climate Change Directorate Source Page: Water industry: Investment Planning and Prioritisation Group minutes - June 2023 Document: Water industry: Investment Planning and Prioritisation Group minutes - June 2023 (webpage) Found: Water industry: Investment Planning and Prioritisation Group minutes - June 2023 |
Thursday 11th April 2024
Energy and Climate Change Directorate Source Page: Water industry: Delivery Assurance Group minutes - June 2023 Document: Water industry: Delivery Assurance Group minutes - June 2023 (webpage) Found: Water industry: Delivery Assurance Group minutes - June 2023 |
Thursday 11th April 2024
Energy and Climate Change Directorate Source Page: Water industry: Delivery Assurance Group minutes - June 2023 Document: DAG Minutes June 2023 (PDF) Found: Water industry: Delivery Assurance Group minutes - June 2023 |
Thursday 11th April 2024
Marine Directorate Source Page: Salmon farming net washing: EIR release Document: Salmon farming net washing: EIR release (webpage) Found: authority the planning consent may include conditions relating to the operation of the facility.The Water |
Thursday 11th April 2024
Source Page: Flooding and drainage issues on A90 road: EIR release Document: Flooding and drainage issues on A90 road: EIR release (webpage) Found: I'm looking for plans for how surface water drains from the A90 between the Kirriemuir junction at Forfar |
Thursday 11th April 2024
Local Government and Housing Directorate Source Page: Housing Development and Planning Policy: FOI release Document: FOI 202400399227 - Information Released - Annex (PDF) Found: Lanarkshire AHSP PARKFOOT STREET KILSYTH 30 Mar 22 29 RSL Mid Market Rent Glasgow City GOVAN HA WATER |
Thursday 11th April 2024
Source Page: A9 Dualling Sustainability Tracker: EIR release Document: EIR 202400399994 - Information Released - Annex A (PDF) Found: Clunie Bridge Retention 3579 B2140005 SuDS pond D specimen design update 310 B2140004 Geo-cellular water |
Thursday 11th April 2024
Digital Directorate Source Page: Scottish Government departments using AI: FOI release Document: FOI 202300382289 - Information Released - Data (PDF) Found: river fish counter sites; to identify and count salmon smolts in underwater video footage from mid -water |
Thursday 11th April 2024
Energy and Climate Change Directorate Source Page: Radiological contamination risks of building windfarms: EIR release Document: Radiological contamination risks of building windfarms: EIR release (webpage) Found: for the assessment of underlying geology and the potential for radiological contamination of drinking water |
Wednesday 10th April 2024
Tackling Child Poverty and Social Justice Directorate Source Page: Additional poverty analysis 2023 Document: Cost of Living Analysis-Living Costs and Food Survey (Excel) Found: housing, fuel and food, ScotlandNotes:Housing costs include gross rent, mortgage interest payments, water |
Wednesday 10th April 2024
Source Page: Afforestation applications: EIR release Document: FOI 202300384784 - Information Released - List (Excel) Found: AreaOPIN2020-07-24 00:00:00Consent Not RequiredNew Planting (Afforestation)69.763030902372BERRIEDALE WATER |
Wednesday 10th April 2024
Marine Directorate Source Page: Annual Fisheries Committee Reports: EIR release Document: FOI 202300380867 - Information Released - File 5 (PDF) Found: Kirkcudbright River Dee within 1km of the head of tide and produces an impoundment which supplies water |
Monday 8th April 2024
Financial Management Directorate Budget and Public Spending Directorate Source Page: Guide to the Spring Budget Revision 2023-24 – Finance Update for the FPAC Document: Guide to the SBR - Finance Update for FPAC 2023-24 (PDF) Found: The vast majority of this is being provided as additional borrowing capacity for Scottish Water . |
Monday 8th April 2024
Financial Management Directorate Budget and Public Spending Directorate Source Page: Guide to the Spring Budget Revision 2023-24 – Finance Update for the FPAC Document: Guide to the Spring Budget Revision 2023-24 – Finance Update for the FPAC (webpage) Found: The vast majority of this is being provided as additional borrowing capacity for Scottish Water.25. |
Scottish Written Answers |
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S6W-26307
Asked by: Swinney, John (Scottish National Party - Perthshire North) Tuesday 9th April 2024 Question To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to any implications of recent flooding events for wild salmon populations. Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands The Scottish Government has not given specific consideration to the implications of recent flooding on wild salmon populations. High river flows potentially wash out salmon eggs from nests on the riverbed and displace juvenile fish downstream. However, research suggests that salmon are well adapted to natural flow variability, including floods in natural river systems. Current evidence suggests a periodic trend towards more extreme flows in some Scottish rivers. With climate change scenarios, there is potential for further increases in high flows which may impact on salmon. Heavily modified rivers are likely to be less resilient to potential disturbance. Restoration of natural morphological processes and channel characteristics could improve resilience. The Wild Salmon Strategy covers five priority areas, including ‘improving the condition of rivers and giving salmon free access to cold, clean water.’ The Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) specifically encourages projects to restore wildlife and habitats. |
S6W-26497
Asked by: Greene, Jamie (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - West Scotland) Friday 5th April 2024 Question To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to evidence taken at the Scottish Parliament's Public Audit Committee on 21 March 2024 that the former chief executive of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland was paid six months' salary after resigning amidst reports of serious governance and expenses concerns. Answered by McAllan, Màiri - Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition Ministers are aware of the circumstances under which the previous Chief Executive departed and the Water Industry Commission for Scotland is writing to the Public Audit Committee on this very point. |
Scottish Parliamentary Research (SPICe) |
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Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill
Wednesday 10th April 2024 This briefing covers the Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill. A judicial factor is a person appointed by the court to gather in, hold, safeguard and administer property belonging to someone else. The Bill aims to reform the existing law associated with judicial factors. View source webpage Found: “No – you can take a horse to water etc etc – generally a partner/shareholder seeks the appointment of |
Scottish Parliamentary Debates |
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Topical Question Time
33 speeches (14,769 words) Tuesday 16th April 2024 - Main Chamber Mentions: 1: Harvie, Patrick (Green - Glasgow) objective is to prevent the greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with delivering space heating, hot water - Link to Speech |
Scotland’s International Culture Strategy
80 speeches (107,531 words) Tuesday 16th April 2024 - Main Chamber Mentions: 1: Tweed, Evelyn (SNP - Stirling) City Walls bar, which is built into the city walls, to Creative Stirling’s latest endeavour in an old water - Link to Speech |
Scottish Government Consultations |
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Open Consultation: Developing a natural capital market framework: survey Opened: Tuesday 16th April 2024Closed: Monday 3rd June 2024 Found: OverviewNatural capital is our geology, soil, air, water, plants and animals. |