Chris Elmore debates involving the Cabinet Office during the 2019-2024 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Elmore Excerpts
Wednesday 29th January 2020

(4 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
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About 70% of the litter in the ocean is plastic, and I therefore commend the work of my hon. Friend and his young constituents in highlighting the clear and present danger of plastic pollution to life in our oceans. The Government recognise the need for action and for our joint leadership, with Vanuatu, of the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance, and we are supporting technical assistance for countries that are committed to taking practical steps to tackle marine pollution.

Chris Elmore Portrait Chris Elmore (Ogmore) (Lab)
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In the poorest countries, 93% of waste is burnt or discarded on roads or open land or in waterways. Will the Secretary of State expand on his answer to the first question, and tell us what he is doing to develop a system of improved waste collection while also encouraging recycling in many of those countries?

Lord Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
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The hon. Gentleman has raised an important point. Let me give him a couple of examples. In Uganda and Ghana, my Department is providing support for pilot projects. We are working with businesses to improve waste management and increase recycling. In Uganda, for example, we are working with the Kampala plastics recycling partnership.

Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Elmore Excerpts
Wednesday 15th January 2020

(4 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Peter Grant Portrait Peter Grant (Glenrothes) (SNP)
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2. What recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the shared prosperity fund.

Chris Elmore Portrait Chris Elmore (Ogmore) (Lab)
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9. What recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the UK shared prosperity fund.

Anna McMorrin Portrait Anna McMorrin (Cardiff North) (Lab)
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10. What recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the UK shared prosperity fund.

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Simon Hart Portrait Simon Hart
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I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for strengthening the Union by coming here to support Welsh questions, which is very much appreciated. I hope that I can reassure him by describing the shared prosperity fund as a good news story, because for the first time in 45 years, a substantial sum of money is going to be distributed in Wales by Welsh politicians who are directly accountable to Welsh voters. That has not been the case for some time. The hon. Gentleman is quite right that the collaborative approach I take with the Welsh Government over the distribution of the fund should ensure that it goes to the places where it is most needed, and is not—as some might argue has been the case in the past—blown on vanity projects. The relevant Minister in the Welsh Government is with me on this; we have a shared ambition to ensure that outcome, and to do so collaboratively and efficiently.

Chris Elmore Portrait Chris Elmore
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I am all for strengthening the Union, as most Welsh politicians are. I am completely against nationalism and all it stands for, but the reality is that I am also in favour of supporting the devolution settlement. This funding has always been controlled by the Assembly, so can the Secretary of State confirm that he will rule out subverting the Welsh Government by funding local government directly in Wales? Bypassing the Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales will do nothing to strengthen the Union.