Live Debate: Commons Chamber

Commons Chamber

Thursday 19th March 2026

(began 2 hours, 16 minutes ago)

09:34

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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The The order. The order. We The order. We start The order. We start with The order. We start with questions. Secretary of State for the environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

09:34

Josh Babarinde MP (Eastbourne, Liberal Democrat)

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Josh Babarinde. Question number one. committed to supporting coastal communities, and that's why between April 24th and March 26th, over £600 million has been invested into protection from sea flooding, tidal flooding and coastal erosion.

09:34

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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Rotherham thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne, we Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne, we understand, is the only Marina of its kind in Europe where thousands of residents, rather than the of residents, rather than the government, have to cover the cost of sea defences through an annual charge. The charge this year increased by 16%, way more than inflation and poor transparency on inflation and poor transparency on why. So will the Minister meet with me and representatives of the amazing Sovereign Harbour Residents amazing Sovereign Harbour Residents Association, who are in the gallery today, to hear more about the issues with the harbour charge and issues with the harbour charge and to help us secure a fairer arrangement.

Yeah.

09:34

Josh Babarinde MP (Eastbourne, Liberal Democrat)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So the annual sea defence charge is a legal obligation placed on property owners in Sovereign Harbour in 1988, so introduced under Thatcher, unchanged under the coalition. And this contributes to the maintenance of the harbour and the local sea defences on the south coast between Ben Spencer Bay and Eastbourne. We spent nearly £5 million this year and are planning and invested over 100 million over the next decade. Of this, 5,400,000 comes from the rent charge in 2627, and we've also secured record funding of 1.4 billion for over 600 flood schemes across all regions in England.

09:35

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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Brian Mathew number two. Mr Speaker Secretary of State. an end to the use of snare traps. We set out this commitment in our animal welfare strategy, and we're actively looking to bring a ban on snares into force as quickly as possible.

09:35

Q2. What progress she has made on banning snare traps. (908368)

Matthew. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >> Matthew. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I and many others in my constituency of Melksham and Devizes, no doubt across all Devizes, no doubt across all England, welcome the new animal welfare strategy for England, particularly the banning of snares particularly the banning of snares which are indiscriminate and cruel. What progress is being made in protecting hares during the breeding season, and on delivering the pledge to consult on ending the pledge to consult on ending trail hunting, where this is used as a cover for illegally killing foxes.

foxes.

09:36

Brian Mathew MP (Melksham and Devizes, Liberal Democrat)

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I thank him for his interest in this, and I share his view that he outlined that the use of snare traps is cruel and indiscriminate on hares. We are looking and consulting on whether we can introduce a closed season for those. Thank you.

09:36

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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Sian Berry Mr. Speaker. and I'd like to take the opportunity to congratulate the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, on the excellent progress made on reducing air pollution in London, which was recently identified as one of the leading cities in reducing air pollution. Communities across England will benefit from cleaner air thanks to our actions to tackle fine particles particulate pollution, which harms public health and is linked to asthma, lung conditions and heart disease. And we will deliver this through modernising, industrial permitting, modernising, industrial permitting, exploring tighter standards for new wood burning appliances to protect public health and increase public health and increase communication of air quality information.

09:37

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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Sian Berry. answer. I published the Clean Air Human Rights Bill, also known as Ella's Law, this month alongside the Ella Roberto Foundation. Mums for lungs, Clean Air for London, Asthma and Lung UK and Global Action Plan. Together, we affirmed the right to breathe. Clean air is a fundamental human right. So does the Minister agree the government should include this vital life saving legislation in the upcoming King's Speech, so as to give clean air the statutory momentum it requires.

09:37

Siân Berry MP (Brighton Pavilion, Green Party)

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Thank the hon. Lady and pay tribute to Rosamund in the campaigning that she has been doing on this for for years. And of course, I support the objectives of improving and cleaning up air pollution and how important it is to public health, and that is why we're already taking action to deliver those meaningful improvements on air quality, through commitments and actions that are set out in the Environmental improvement Plan.

09:38

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Warwick and Leamington, the Minister will know that we've suffered extreme chemical pollution in the atmosphere from beri beri polymers. More recently, we've got an application from Bellway Homes that's proposing to dump the equivalent of building waste of an Olympic sized swimming pool each day that this development will be built, it will be several years. The common theme here, Minister, is, of course, the Environment Agency. of course, the Environment Agency. So will she agree to meet with me and the Environment Agency urgently to resolve this pressing issue?

09:38

Matt Western MP (Warwick and Leamington, Labour)

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I thank my hon. Friend for raising this, and I know how important it is for him and his community to see that we clean up our rivers, lakes and seas and he's been campaigning on this for a very long time. And of course, I'd be delighted to meet with him today.

09:39

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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Meg Hillier. number four. >> Mr Speaker Minister. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government recognises the importance of wholesale markets for the customers and communities they serve. We have limited recent evidence, however, of the impact that public ownership of markets has on food security.

09:39

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, a number of us in London are concerned about the City of London's proposal to put through a private bill to relinquish its responsibility for providing the fish and meat markets, Billingsgate and Smithfield. A lot of constituents rely on Billingsgate to enable them to be able to sell and buy fresh fish. It's important for our restaurant industry as well. Does the government have any position on the city of London's position, and how are we going to position, and how are we going to make sure that we can protect these food markets so that we don't see a diminishing of the opportunity to have fresh food in London?

09:39

Dame Meg Hillier MP (Hackney South and Shoreditch, Labour )

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Minister thank you, Mr. Speaker. We recognise Billingsgate its importance as a distribution hub for fish across the UK and will continue to monitor the proposed transition closely. We are engaging with the City of London Corporation about the proposed changes. I recognise Billingsgate, its importance as a distribution hub across the UK and will continue to across the UK and will continue to monitor the proposed transition closely.

09:40

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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Jim Shannon Mr. Speaker, thank you. Can I thank the Minister for her response to the hon. Lady. She always brings forward interesting matters for the South to consider. I always enjoy following on from what the hon. Lady has referred to,

09:40

Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party)

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always underline the importance of farming, food, fishing, food in farming, food, fishing, food in Northern Ireland and that the impact of public ownership of markets in any way in Northern markets in any way in Northern Ireland wouldn't impact upon us either. So can I ask the Minister very, very respectfully and genuinely? Has the Minister had the opportunity to discuss these matters with the relevant Minister matters with the relevant Minister in Northern Ireland, to ensure that nothing will happen to us, similar to what the Valerie Vaz, as said, might happen in London?

09:41

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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Well. express my admiration at the. The hon. Gentleman's. The hon. hon. Gentleman's. The hon. Gentleman's capacity to get something and ingenuity as well to get something into order in this context. I mean, it gives a new

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meaning to the London Irish. It's so bad even I didn't mention Chorley market and the mention Chorley market and the wonderful as it is, right? Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat Yeah.

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Yeah. On the topic of food security, only. 55% of Britain's food is only. 55% of Britain's food is actually produced in Britain. So food security should be a much bigger priority for this government

09:41

Tim Farron MP (Westmorland and Lonsdale, Liberal Democrat)

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bigger priority for this government than it clearly is. Has not Donald Trump's war in the Middle East, Putin's war on Ukraine, all the other global shocks woken the government up to this. And yet England is now the only country in the UK, the only country in Europe that does not financially support farmers to produce food. Isn't this recklessly foolish? Will she amend the farm payment scheme to change it?

09:42

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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Yes. Markets and local markets are extremely important, are extremely important, particularly to maintain food supply locally, and I'm very supply locally, and I'm very interested in seeing what we can do to assist. Most markets are actually owned and operated by actually owned and operated by local authorities. Now. I think that only the Covent Garden Market Authority is the only wholesale market that DEFRA still looks after. I recognise his comments on food security, but this country is 67% self-sufficient in food at the moment, 77%.

If one takes away things we can't grow like mangoes and bananas. Nobody's complacent about that and we are looking very closely. This is something that the new Farming and Food Partnership Board is going to be looking at. And the first sectoral look we're going to have is at horticulture.

09:43

Q5. What steps she is taking to reform the Sustainable Farming Incentive. (908371)

Callum Anderson Mr Speaker. Question five. >> So. >> Mr. Speaker, I set out further details of the 2026 SFI offer at details of the 2026 SFI offer at the NFU conference last month. We are streamlining action and reducing complexity so more farmers reducing complexity so more farmers can access funding. The offer will be simpler and fairer, with priority access in June for small farms and for farms not already in receipt of Elm agreements.

09:43

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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Callum Anderson thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was pleased to welcome my right hon. Friend to Ashfield, a great small family farm in the Buckingham and Bletchley constituency for a royal summit where she'll know that SFI came up frequently. Can she set out a few more for the house steps that she's taken to ensure that farmers with taken to ensure that farmers with SFI 23 and Countryside Stewardship tier grievance there are aspiring. This year can move on to SFI 26 This year can move on to SFI 26 without losing any support.

09:43

Callum Anderson MP (Buckingham and Bletchley, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was a pleasure to meet with him at the local farm in his constituency and other farmers from Buckinghamshire. As he says at our rural summit where we discussed SFI and other issues, Mr. speaker, our government at the end of last year decided to extend expiring Mid Cheshire agreements. I understand that farmers are concerned about a gap in their support, and we're looking problem.

09:44

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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So, Julian. because farmers across Skipton and Ripon are really concerned about the fact that having recently signed agreements that they won't be eligible for the new SFI window. And I think if she could push further on that and try to find a way through, certainly farmers in North Yorkshire would be extremely grateful.

09:44

Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith MP (Skipton and Ripon, Conservative)

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I thank him for his very thoughtful question, and I've heard this from farmers in different parts of the country. I know it's an issue in his constituency. As he said, we are looking to see what we can do because we know that there are many whose agreements are expiring towards the end of the year, and the second window will open in September. So we're we're the intent is there, but we've got to make sure that we've got the happen.

09:45

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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So the. Minister. Robbie Moore. we are after stop start, chop change. The government is finally working on the rollout of the new SFI scheme, which will be launched this summer. But it comes with lower payment rates for key environmental delivery measures.

09:45

Robbie Moore MP (Keighley and Ilkley, Conservative)

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£100,000 cap. We learned that thousands of upland farmers are going to actually be excluded altogether, and those on historic altogether, and those on historic agreements will still be locked in and unable to apply. Farmers are already struggling as a result of already struggling as a result of rising costs, the family farm tax and choices that this Labour government is making. So what focus government is making. So what focus is the Secretary of State giving to ensuring effective delivery of the scheme? And what does she say to the many farmers that I have spoken the many farmers that I have spoken to that actually say that the new SFI creates more cost, more risk and less reward for our farmers?

09:45

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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I respectfully disagree with his >> I respectfully disagree with his analysis. We are simplifying the SFI precisely because we want more farmers to benefit from it. At the farmers to benefit from it. At the moment, 25% of SFI funding goes to just 4% of farms, and we don't just 4% of farms, and we don't think that is right. So we're simplifying the scheme so it's easier and less costly to administer. We've got new leadership at the RPA, as he will know, and the cap that he talked about only affects a tiny, tiny minority of those already.

With the agreement he can keep. He can keep shouting at me from a sedentary position, but I cannot actually talk and listen, believe it or not. So I would say this there are a record number of farmers in our schemes, unlike under the previous government, where they failed to get the money out the door.

09:46

Q6. What steps she is taking to support UK interests in sanitary and phytosanitary negotiations with the EU. (908372)

Charlie Dewhirst number six Mr Speaker. Number six. Secretary state. >> I thank him for his question. We're negotiating an SBS deal with We're negotiating an SBS deal with our closest trading partner, the EU, to reduce barriers and cut friction costs and delays at the border for costs and delays at the border for businesses. Last week, I launched a call for information to understand how best we can support businesses opportunity.

09:47

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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Join us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Now, various farming organisations have expressed their concern about the potential negative impact of dynamic alignment with the EU crop. Life's report suggested that immediate alignment could cost British farming £800 million in year one, could see wheat production reduced by more than 15%. So can I ask the Secretary what she is doing to work with Cabinet Office colleagues to ensure they understand the potential negative impacts of an CPS deal, so that we don't sell out our farmers like you did with the fishing industry.

09:47

Charlie Dewhirst MP (Bridlington and The Wolds, Conservative)

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This is about making it easier for farmers and other food processors in the food chain to export to our biggest export market. And I can reassure him, I know he's an assiduous member of the Select Committee. I can assure him that we're in touch with the NFU and others and about the negotiations which are ongoing. I can't provide running commentary of them, but as it was set out in the common understanding between the UK and the EU, there will be a number of the EU, there will be a number of exceptions and we do want to see a smooth transition to the new system.

09:47

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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Melanie Onn thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. These negotiations are critical to UK fisheries, and I wonder if the Secretary of State has any plans on how she's going to keep this House and the fishing sector updated, and perhaps she or one of her colleagues would attend the fisheries APPG to ensure that the fisheries APPG to ensure that we are up to date on all of the developments.

09:48

Melanie Onn MP (Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Labour)

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So stay. sectors within that are affected by the agrifood deal, but I recognise her work, particularly with the fishing industry and my my colleague, the farming and Food Minister would be very happy to attend and talk to her. APPG.

09:48

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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So the Select Committee. Alistair Carmichael thank you, Mr. Speaker. Obviously, there are real opportunities to be had by the completion of an SPS agreement, but those who import fresh produce, in particular citrus fruits, are concerned that actually the position with regards to imports from countries outside the European Union will become more difficult Union will become more difficult and more expensive as a consequence. Can I encourage the Secretary of State to engage more vigorously and in greater detail with the Fresh Produce Consortium, who brought Produce Consortium, who brought these concerns to my desk recently?

09:49

Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP (Orkney and Shetland, Liberal Democrat)

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My hon. Friend is more than happy to meet with them. As he said, there are. There's a big prize here because we do more trade with our nearest trading market, and there's been significant delays, as he knows, at the border administrative costs, which means that the export of fresh produce is very, very difficult. And in some sectors, like shellfish, it's become almost like shellfish, it's become almost impossible. So I think we've got to keep our eyes on the prize. I understand the point that he's making about produce from other non-EU countries.

That is something that we're engaging with as well. But as I said, my friend is happy But as I said, my friend is happy to meet the group that he mentioned.

09:49

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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Nia Griffith. appreciate the determination of this government to get an SPS agreement with the EU, which will bring down costs both for our Welsh farmers exporting meat and for our consumers, but has a long tradition of cockle gathering. But exports of unprocessed shellfish were stopped by the Tories ill thought through Brexit deal. So can the Secretary of State please update us on any progress in respect of the export of shellfish here? of shellfish here?

09:50

Dame Nia Griffith MP (Llanelli, Labour)

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I thank my hon. Friend for for her question, a successful SPS deal will bring huge benefits to the shellfish industry, which are, as she said, very, very badly affected by the botched Brexit deal that we inherited from the last government.

09:50

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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So the Minister Neil Hudson. Stakeholders have expressed alarm as to why the government's guidance for businesses on the UK. EU SPS agreement, published last week, has legislation in scope on the use of hormones in livestock, including

09:50

Dr Neil Hudson MP (Epping Forest, Conservative)

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bovine somatotropin, the use of growth promoting hormones in livestock and the use of bovine somatotropin are rightly banned in somatotropin are rightly banned in the UK and EU because of serious animal welfare issues and public health concerns. Bovine somatotropin is linked with a 25% increase in mastitis in cows. For increase in mastitis in cows. For the sake of animal welfare, can the Minister give a clear assurance that the UK will maintain our bans that the UK will maintain our bans on hormone treated beef, ractopamine treated pork and bovine somatotropin and dairy, and that none of these standards will be weakened or traded away in these EU SPS negotiations or in trade deals with other countries.

And can she confirm if the Animal Welfare Livestock Export Act 2024, which ended the export of live animals

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for slaughter or fattening, will be retained in this reset? Have the greatest. Respect for more knowledge than

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Respect for more knowledge than anybody in this chamber. But what we can't have is five questions. You know, I've got to get somebody

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else in. I don't know which question to

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I don't know which question to answer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I just reassure him that as a government, we're absolutely government, we're absolutely committed to maintaining high animal welfare standards and that, as we made clear to the United States when we were doing the deal with them, that we will not tolerate hormone treated beef and other products.

09:52

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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David Smith.

09:52

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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CB7. Mr Speaker. announce the biggest ever flood program, investing £1.4 billion program, investing £1.4 billion across 26 and 27 for over 600 flood schemes across all regions in England, the government is investing at least £10.5 billion to 2036 to build new flood schemes, strengthen existing defences and this record funding will protect 900,000 properties over the next decade.

09:52

David Smith MP (North Northumberland, Labour)

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David Smith Mr. Speaker, can I warmly welcome the funding just announced, including in my constituency affecting Budib, constituency affecting Budib, Bedford and along the river, the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Assessment says that 1 in 4 Risk Assessment says that 1 in 4 homes are projected to be at risk from flooding by 2050. So can I ask my right hon. Friend, if she can my right hon. Friend, if she can give us further assurances about what the government will be doing on an ongoing basis to address these concerns?

09:53

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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I thank my hon. Friend, I know how much he cares about this issue, and as well as announcing the biggest ever major flood investment, biggest ever major flood investment, we are also changing the flood and coastal erosion funding policy. And as part of these changes, at least 20% of future investment will be set aside to help the most deprived communities, and the reforms will make it quicker and easier to deliver flood defences, as ensure that deprived communities continue to receive vital investment, as well as investing at least £300

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million in natural flood management over the next ten years. John Glen thank you, Mr. Speaker. Salisbury has benefited

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Salisbury has benefited enormously from investment in the River Park scheme, which is alleviated flood risk to the centre of Salisbury. But my attention now turns to the villages and the role turns to the villages and the role that farmers and agricultural land can play in dealing with flood

09:53

Rt Hon John Glen MP (Salisbury, Conservative)

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can play in dealing with flood defence effectively. But the consequential impact it has on food supply. Could the Minister say something about how she views the role of farmers in as part of a

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collaborative approach to flood defences? Yeah, I thank the right hon. Gentleman, he raises a really Gentleman, he raises a really important point, because quite often we find that flooding farmland is sort of sometimes used farmland is sort of sometimes used to protect villages and, you know, rural communities. So it's it's something I've been thinking about. something I've been thinking about. The best way in which we can take this forward. After meeting a farmer myself, when I went out to Somerset and I could see the

09:54

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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Somerset and I could see the extensive flooding that he had right across his land. We've put £91 million into internal drainage boards, which is obviously the most money ever that we've gone in there to try and support farmers in draining that agricultural land.

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But it is something I'm actively considering and having conversations about at the moment. But.

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But. Ben Lake Mr Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government is taking strong action to improve access to good, nutritious food. We have extended nutritious food. We have extended eligibility for free school meals to half a million more children. A free universal breakfast clubs are free universal breakfast clubs are being introduced across the country and we are reforming the crisis support through the introduction of the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

09:55

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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Remember. launched last November and is currently gathering vital evidence from policy experts and those with lived experience of food poverty from across the UK. Next week we are another day in Cardiff and I'd like to put on record my thanks to my right hon. Friend for the positive meeting that we had last week on the Right to Review Commission. But will the Secretary of State commit to meeting with me later this year upon the publication of the Commission's legislative roadmap, so we can work together to ensure that the right to food is finally committed into to food is finally committed into law, and we tackle the scourge of hunger together in our communities.

hunger together in our communities.

09:55

Ian Byrne MP (Liverpool West Derby, Labour)

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Well, I thank my hon. Friend, and I certainly welcome the opportunity to discuss his work in this area. We agree on the importance of the problems that the Commission is looking to resolve, and look forward to seeing the final report. The government is working across departments to improve access to healthy and affordable food. We've already affordable food. We've already introduced the junk food ad ban, mandatory targets for healthier food sales from our food industry, food sales from our food industry, and we are committed to breaking poverty.

09:56

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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Sir Desmond Swayne.

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It's a wind up, Mr. Speaker. They'll be asking for collective farms in this socialist Paradise farms in this socialist Paradise next. Has the Minister made any assessment of the impact that a assessment of the impact that a right to food will have on the public purse? Once our activist

09:56

Rt Hon Sir Desmond Swayne MP (New Forest West, Conservative)

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public purse? Once our activist judges get hold of it. >> Let them eat cake?

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Let them eat cake? Well, I have to say that a study of history demonstrates that collectivising the food system doesn't usually work.

09:56

Q9. Whether she plans to increase the level of funding available to agricultural industries. (908378)

Let them eat cake. Question number nine, please, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Rising input costs, including including fertiliser, have contributed to pressure on many contributed to pressure on many farm businesses in recent years. We continually assess how global cost volatility affects farm productivity and the resilience of the sector. the sector.

09:57

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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Christine Jardine thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Edinburgh West may not seem like the most rural constituency, but we do have several critical agricultural businesses in the seat, including the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston and a number of businesses which are diversifying into agri tourism. Yes, there is funding available, but often it's not clear how to get it or how to not clear how to get it or how to align it for, say, conversion of buildings. So can the Minister commit to making it clearer how these agricultural businesses who want to diversify can access the funding?

09:57

Christine Jardine MP (Edinburgh West, Liberal Democrat)

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Well, I would love to if it was in England, Mr. Speaker, but agriculture is devolved and therefore she must ask the Scottish Government.

09:58

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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So question. >> Number ten, please, Mr. Speaker. >> Minister the government's good food cycle sees alternative proteins as a major opportunity not proteins as a major opportunity not just for the economy but for health, sustainability and food resilience. We are backing the sector and working with the Food Standards Agency on novel food programs to accelerate precision fermentation technology. I thank the Minister for the response. The cultivated meat sector could bring in billions of pounds to the UK economy and help increase food chain security.

There's companies like Oxford Farms, which are leading the way in this genuinely world leading. Will the Minister support growth in this industry and meet with meet with me in Oxford Farm to see how we can do it better?

09:58

Will Stone MP (Swindon North, Labour)

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Well, Mr. Speaker, I'm happy to >> Well, Mr. Speaker, I'm happy to meet my hon. Friend and congratulate the company he has in his own constituency leading the his own constituency leading the way in this area. We are a major we have a major national hub for plant based, cultivated and fermentation based research and development are based research and development are at the forefront of of progress in this exciting new area. this exciting new area.

09:59

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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Monica Harding thank you, Mr. Speaker. Question 11 please.

09:59

Q11. What steps she is taking to support flood preparedness projects in Esher and Walton constituency. (908380)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said previously, but it is always worth reiterating. On Tuesday, I worth reiterating. On Tuesday, I announced the biggest ever flood program of £1.4 billion investment into 2627 and over £1 million of that is going into projects in Esher and Walton constituency.

09:59

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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Monica Harding thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Thames runs down the length of my constituency of Esher and Walton, making flooding a significant issue. The Thames Ditton flood Group have brilliantly secured funding for temporary flood barriers, but cannot deploy them because, despite their efforts, they are unable to obtain public liability insurance. Despite contacting flood, Bieber and the local flood authority, there is no viable public liability insurance. They have explored and exhausted all leads provided by the EA. So what would the Minister suggest to what would the Minister suggest to the Thames Ditton flood group to enable them to get insurance so they can actually use the flood borrow? borrow?

10:00

Monica Harding MP (Esher and Walton, Liberal Democrat)

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I thank the hon. Lady and pay tribute to all the flood groups up and down the country, and those volunteers who do so much to add to our flood resilience. If she wants to write to me about that specifically, I'll have a think about which agency would be the best one to help, because what we want to do is enable more people to help with our flood resilience and response, and not make it too difficult for them to do so.

10:00

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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There you go.

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While the Minister knows that good progress has been made by my Flooding Task Force on Sand and Flooding Task Force on Sand and Road in Stafford, we've cleared the brook and there's a planned installation of a non-return valve. A long term fix will likely require A long term fix will likely require government investment. So could the Minister please say a little more about the new schemes and how new schemes like mine can access some

10:00

Leigh Ingham MP (Stafford, Labour)

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of this funding? >> I thank my hon. Friend and I was delighted to go and visit her constituency. Speaking to some of the people who've been impacted by flooding and going to see the area for myself, and she's been a formidable champion. On the issue of flooding as well. So, of course, continue to have those conversations to make sure we do everything we can to protect the most people possible from the devastation of flooding. devastation of flooding.

10:01

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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We come to topical Sally Jameson.

10:01

Topical questions: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Yesterday I launched the Land Use Framework, a blueprint for how we can make the most of our land. We will shortly be publishing our We will shortly be publishing our Waste Crime Action Plan to give the Environment Agency police style powers to crack down on these criminal networks. Earlier this criminal networks. Earlier this week, we announced more than 600 flood defence projects. Earlier this month, I led the first agri food trade mission to Washington to

10:01

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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promote the new 13,000 tonne beef quota. I also took part in the second UK Island Summit, alongside the Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet. Next week I will chair the first Food and Farming Partnership Board. And Farming Partnership Board. And today, Mr. Speaker, we're opening the King Charles II of England Coastal Path, which I'm sure all across the House will it will will agree, is a wonderful achievement.

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agree, is a wonderful achievement. Sally Jameson thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I ask the Minister what assessment she has made of agricultural cooperatives and how they might contribute to government objectives around sustainable farming and food security?

10:02

Sally Jameson MP (Doncaster Central, Labour )

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I thank her for that question. This Labour government is committed to doubling the size of the co-operative and mutual sector. As co-operative and mutual sector. As we laid out in our manifesto, we already have some very successful agricultural cooperatives such as agricultural cooperatives such as Arla and Open Field, which benefit the farmers in those cooperatives and their local communities.

10:02

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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Shadow Secretary of State Victoria Atkins. Consumers and. >> Farmers believe that a Union Jack flag or a Made in Britain Jack flag or a Made in Britain label should mean that the food was made or grown in the United Kingdom. Now we conservatives, led by my

10:02

Rt Hon Victoria Atkins MP (Louth and Horncastle, Conservative)

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right hon. Friend for North East Cambridgeshire, consulted on this flag loophole before the election, flag loophole before the election, and we will close the flag loophole when we're back in government. But can I offer some help to the can I offer some help to the Secretary of State? Can I offer some help to the Secretary of State? Because we've been very pleased to Because we've been very pleased to help her with her fly tipping policies this week. I'm pleased to see she's adopted some of our policies to tackle fly tipping.

policies to tackle fly tipping. Will the Secretary of State now adopt another conservative plan and

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close the flag loophole? I think she had.

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I think she had. 14 years to do what she's just. Talking about. The Secretary of State has had

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The Secretary of State has had this sitting on their desk for 18 months, but instead we've had 18 months of damaging the rural months of damaging the rural economy, damaging rural businesses and hurting rural families under this government. And indeed, only this government. And indeed, only yesterday we had yet another example of this, because as fuel prices surge, Labour MPs voted yesterday to make the fuel in our cars even more expensive than it already is. On this side of the House, we know that rural families depend on their cars to live.

This is why we are asking this government why are is this Labour government targeting rural families with ever higher taxes on their cars, their incomes and their businesses, making life harder for us all?

10:04

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I just point out to the right hon. Lady gently, that the Prime Lady gently, that the Prime Minister announced on Monday a £53 million package to help those rural communities who are reliant on communities who are reliant on heating oil and on waste crime. I will not take any lectures from the hon. Lady who, for the 14 years in hon. Lady who, for the 14 years in government, they had a 2018 review of what to do on waste crime, and they did precisely nothing.

10:04

Noah Law MP (St Austell and Newquay, Labour)

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Noah Law thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we came to power, our then DEFRA Secretary committed to DEFRA Secretary committed to protect farmers from being undercut in all new trade deals. I'm pleased to say that we have come good on that commitment. Ahead of the that commitment. Ahead of the Labour Rural Research Group's push for farming profitability, does the Minister agree to level the playing field in trade deals and reaffirm that commitment to farmers?

10:05

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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Thank you very much. Thank you to my hon. Friend. We have promoted and protected farmers in trade deal, unlike the previous government who sold them down the river on the US and Australian trade deals.

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and Australian trade deals. Bob Blackman. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Harrow we've suffered two industrial type dumping facilities on land that is earmarked for much needed housing development. It's cost thousands of pounds to clear up. The council has issued more than a thousand fines for people dumping their rubbish on the streets. I welcome the decision by the Secretary of State to introduce further measures. Will she outline what those measures are and when they'll be introduced so we can end this scourge of flytipping?

10:05

Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East, Conservative)

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Well.

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He's absolutely right. And under the previous government, incidents the previous government, incidents rose by 20% in the last five years. We are encouraging councils to seize and crush the vehicles of fly seize and crush the vehicles of fly tippers, and we will be consulting on a conditional caution so that people who do fly tip will pick up

10:05

Mary Creagh MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Coventry East, Labour)

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and pay up. >> Paul Davies thank you, Mr. Speaker. The recent real life drama Speaker. The recent real life drama Dirty Business highlights the scale of issues within the water industry. In my constituency, Yorkshire Water had serious issues with sewerage outage outages and poor standards of infrastructure. I welcome the government's water reforms which will protect customers. However, will protect customers. However, does the Minister agree with me that we now need to consider public ownership of the water industry in ownership of the water industry in order to resolve the fundamental problems it faces?

10:06

Paul Davies MP (Colne Valley, Labour)

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I thank him for raising this important issue. Like the viewers of Dirty Business and himself, I share the public's anger about the decades of failure and neglect in our water system, and the documentary was very distressing and upsetting. I've extended an and upsetting. I've extended an invitation to Heather Prynne's mum, Julie to meet with me, but can I reassure him that as a government, reassure him that as a government, we're determined to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas? We've already banned unfair bonuses for water bosses.

We're scrapping Ofwat water bosses. We're scrapping Ofwat and we're ending self-monitoring of water companies.

10:07

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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Munira Wilson.

10:07

Munira Wilson MP (Twickenham, Liberal Democrat)

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My constituent Caroline fell. and warned by her doctor never to swim in the river again. Like many others, she's also been enraged by others, she's also been enraged by Channel Four's dirty business. So will the Secretary of State now step up and not just replace Ofwat, but also improve transparency in monitoring by a sewage by volume, not just by time?

10:07

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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I thank the hon. Lady and it is incredibly distressing to hear of people falling ill when they're using our bathing waters. That's why one of the reforms we're looking at, which has been led by looking at, which has been led by Chris Whitty, is looking at public health and water to ensure that when we're doing reforms to the water industry, we're bringing back that lens of thinking about this as a public health issue, as well as being an issue regarding pollution so that we see so we can take action to make sure that we're not continuing to see people falling ill after they're using our beautiful bathing waters.

10:08

Ben Goldsborough MP (South Norfolk, Labour)

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Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. >> Face a vitamin D deficiency with serious health impact, but in South Norfolk, we are part of the solution. The John Innes Centre is boosting vitamin D in tomatoes. boosting vitamin D in tomatoes. Using gene editing technology in the Quadram Institute is studying the impact. Will the Minister visit the impact. Will the Minister visit my Norwich Research Park to support the changing agritech and supporting people's healthier lives?

10:08

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. agritech and engineering biology sectors, which are key to the industrial strategy. We are allocating £200 million to the allocating £200 million to the Farming Innovation Programme precisely for for this purpose, and precisely for for this purpose, and I look forward to trying to visit my hon. Gentleman as soon as I'm out that way.

10:08

Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MP (Tonbridge, Conservative)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was wondering whether the Secretary of State has had a chance to speak to her colleague, the Housing her colleague, the Housing Secretary, about the different pressures that water is having on housing demands in Kent. If she had housing demands in Kent. If she had spoken to Tonbridge and Maldon and to South East Water, she would have heard that this planned house building is simply not possible with the water capability available. Has she engaged in any way with her housing colleagues, and does she have an answer for the people in my community?

10:09

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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Minister I finally. And the. And the short answer is yes. So both the Minister for housing and I sit the Minister for housing and I sit on the water delivery task force and one of the things was delivery task force is looking at is that question of, do we have the amount question of, do we have the amount of water we need in the areas that we need it? So we've done some heat mapping to look at areas of stress. It's why we're committed to building nine new reservoirs, which were obviously not built over the last 30 years.

And we also sit together on the Oxicam group as well. So looking at areas where there's acute stress to make sure that we have the water security we need for this country to deliver, for growth, to support our environment and to build the homes that we need.

10:09

Chris Hinchliff MP (North East Hertfordshire, Labour)

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Chris Hinchliff thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are widespread. >> Off target for national biodiversity targets. So does the Minister agree that we now need no further backward steps on

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environmental protection and must set clear red lines for nature? Agreed that the environmental improvement plan we inherited was improvement plan we inherited was not fit for purpose, but we are going to oversee the largest investment in nature ever. We've. Band bee killing pesticides, licensed the first wild Beaver release in England for 400 years and announced the first new national forest for 30 years. Aphra Brandreth thank you, Mr. Speaker.

10:10

Mary Creagh MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Coventry East, Labour)

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Red diesel prices. >> Have shot. >> Up by 60%. fertiliser. >> Goes through the Strait. >> Of Hormuz, and.

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Of Hormuz, and. Energy prices, as we. All know, are skyrocketing. All of which is creating challenges for farmers and ultimately for the price that we will all pay for food in the shops. What is the Minister doing to work across department to reduce pressure on farmers and reassure them that this government, for once, them that this government, for once, understands the challenges they face and their importance for UK food security? Yeah.

10:10

Aphra Brandreth MP (Chester South and Eddisbury, Conservative)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. pressure on import prices. She mentioned red diesel and fertiliser for the farming sector. I've talked to the CEO of the Competition and Markets Authority. We're taking a very close look at what's happening, to see that there's no market abuse, and we've got very close eyes on how this situation develops. So my right hon. Friend the Chancellor right hon. Friend the Chancellor has already announced extra support for fuel oil in rural communities, and we are keeping a watching brief in this very important influences.

10:11

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My constituents across Bexleyheath and Crayford continue to raise their concerns about last year's price increase from Thames Water. While I appreciate the need to put right the failings of the past. Will the Minister give assurances that Thames Water are being held to account and provide information to customers about how infrastructure Absolutely.

10:11

Daniel Francis MP (Bexleyheath and Crayford, Labour)

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I thank my hon. Friend and I share his anger about the poor service that many people are seeing from Thames Water. I can absolutely assure him they are being held to account, which is why there's a record £122 million fine issued by APhA only a few months ago.

10:12

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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Steve Barclay thank you, Mr. >> Steve Barclay thank you, Mr. incident. >> The Environment Agency produced what is referred to as a health what is referred to as a health report that is shared with her officials, and so she will have been notified of a category one, the most serious pollution incident that occurred in September 2024 at Stanground, near Whittlesey in my constituency. Yet no prosecution has been made. Can the Secretary of has been made. Can the Secretary of State explain why?

10:12

Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP (North East Cambridgeshire, Conservative)

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I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question, and I'm happy to look into that and get back to him in writing. organisation Surfers Against Sewage.

10:12

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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Have just published their investigation into illegal dry spells by water companies across 2025 over 204,000 hours of illegal 2025 over 204,000 hours of illegal sewage spills last year, and the situation in Scotland is no better, with Scottish Water having very little accountability, with just 30% of overflows currently monitored and 70% unreported. So will this government take tougher action to ensure water companies are held properly to account? are held properly to account?

10:13

Douglas McAllister MP (West Dunbartonshire, Labour)

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I thank my hon. Friend for his question, and we absolutely are in England holding those companies to account by banning bonuses, abolishing or introducing over 10,000 inspections for water companies. Sadly, our power does not extend to that of Scotland, and I can only hope that the SNP continue to follow our lead.

10:13

Emma Hardy MP, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice, Labour)

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Chris Law thank you, Mr. Speaker. million devolved to Scotland, whilst £304 million to England, despite Scotland representing 60% of fishing capacity in the UK. So despite unable to understand basic arithmetic, is the Minister considering mitigations to ensure that Scotland's fishing industry and coastal communities can thrive?

10:13

Chris Law MP (Dundee Central, Scottish National Party)

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The Scottish Government had the largest real terms increase in its funding in the Comprehensive Spending Review since devolution and if they wish to support the thriving Scottish fishing industry more, they have every right to do so.

10:14

Dame Angela Eagle MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wallasey, Labour)

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That completes questions. the Secretary of State announced yet another supposedly significant policy this week the Land use framework outside Parliament and has not offered an oral statement

10:14

Points of Order

so that Ministers may be scrutinised. This is the fifth time she has done this. The other four

10:14

Rt Hon Victoria Atkins MP (Louth and Horncastle, Conservative)

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she has done this. The other four occasions were the Baroness Battersea review, the animal welfare strategy, the family farm welfare strategy, the family farm tax fiasco and the SFI scheme, which we've heard has attracted many questions today because colleagues need to know more details for their constituents. What can be done, Mr. Speaker, to encourage the Secretary of State to

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encourage the Secretary of State to make a proper announcement in this House so that Members of Parliament. Can you put the point on while

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I've got the Secretary, do you wish to respond? Secretary? To respond, we issued a written

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To respond, we issued a written ministerial statement yesterday. I have done oral statements on big issues like the water white paper. issues like the water white paper. I note that when my predecessor did an oral statement on on water in September, she didn't care to

10:15

Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Wycombe, Labour)

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attend. >> What what I want to say is, and I'll just put it for the benefit of the house, Adobe was out there. What I would say is priorities always should be given to this House. And I say that and I say that to the government, and I'm sure it will be noted we have far too many that are made outside, but there wasn't a mess on this case. I there wasn't a mess on this case. I will leave it at that because I've got other things to get through.

Please let frontbench changeover. Please let frontbench changeover. We now come to Oral Questions, the Solicitor General.

10:15

Mr Speaker

Sarah Coombes one, please.

10:15

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Mr. Speaker. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First, I'd like to pay tribute to Nick for his dedication, professionalism and tenacity during his tenure as tenacity during his tenure as director of the Serious Fraud Office. Over the past five years, the SFO has secured more than half £1 billion through deferred prosecution agreements, sentencing outcomes and proceeds of crime orders, including recently securing guilty pleas from three former directors who defrauded over 3000 UK investors in a £70 million green investment fraud.

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Sarah Coombes Mr Speaker. Scams are devastating for the victims in my constituency, but serious fraud is insidious and is undermining the UK economy. Given the Serious Fraud Office recently found that just 10% of fraud referrals are coming from whistleblowers, what more is the government doing to empower whistleblowers to come forward and

10:16

Sarah Coombes MP (West Bromwich, Labour)

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protect them when they do? >> I thank my hon. Friend for that question, and I recognise the vital question, and I recognise the vital role that whistleblowers play in uncovering serious economic crime and the need to ensure they are properly protected and supported when they come forward. Through the recently launched UK anti-corruption strategy, the government has committed to exploring opportunities to reform exploring opportunities to reform the UK whistleblowing framework, including through potential financial incentives. I will financial incentives.

I will continue to work across government forward.

10:17

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Desmond Swayne sir.

10:17

Q2. Whether the Attorney General has advised the Lord Chancellor on the potential impact of the Courts and Tribunals Bill on the rule of law. (908356)

With permission, Mr. Speaker, I will answer questions two, eight, nine and ten. Together, the government's reforms will focus on delivering faster and fairer

10:17

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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justice for victims. This includes removing the presumption of parental involvement to prioritise parental involvement to prioritise what is in the best interests of children. After tireless campaigning from Claire Throssell, campaigning from Claire Throssell, whose two sons, Jack and Paul, were killed by their father after their separation, reforms also include strengthening the use of special measures and preventing the misuse of evidence to unfairly undermine victims in court.

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victims in court. Sir Desmond Swayne. On the 3rd of February, the Lord Chancellor undertook to model his proposals for jury trials and to publish the results. Has the modelling been done and when will the results be published?

10:18

Rt Hon Sir Desmond Swayne MP (New Forest West, Conservative)

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So the the the the reforms that the hon. Gentleman refers to come after Sir Brian Leveson set out a report with 135 recommendations making clear that investment alone in the justice system wouldn't solve the backlog left by the previous conservative government. And that reform was also needed. Estimates show that it will reduce cases by 20%, although given the cases by 20%, although given the modelling from Canada, it's likely estimates.

10:18

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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The modelling here.

10:18

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP (Solihull West and Shirley, Conservative)

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Doctor Neil Shastri-Hurst. contentious element of this bill relates to the proposed changes to jury trial. It's united the legal profession, it's united these benches and it's united a significant number of government MPs as well. To avoid the embarrassment for government MPs coming out and defending this policy, only to face a U-turn. Can the Solicitor General give a categorical assurance to her own side that there will be no U-turn

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or watering down of this folly of a policy? I'm sure the hon. Gentleman listened to what the Deputy Prime listened to what the Deputy Prime Minister had to say at justice questions two days ago. The reality is, is that the last conservative government left the justice system on its knees. A backlog of 80,000 on its knees. A backlog of 80,000 cases, which, without both investment and reform, will simply

10:19

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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investment and reform, will simply go up. That is why we are funding unlimited sitting days, increasing spending on criminal defence lawyers and investing in the crumbling courts which the last government left behind. But Sir Bryan was clear that investment alone would not tackle the backlog sufficiently, and that's why radical reform is also needed.

10:20

Martin Vickers MP (Brigg and Immingham, Conservative)

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Martin Vickers thank you, Mr. Speaker. Lady has just said, she must recognise that there is growing resentment and lack of confidence resentment and lack of confidence from not just the wider general public, but from within the legal profession. How does she expect to maintain confidence in the judicial process against such widespread opposition?

10:20

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Well, let me just say something about confidence and the confidence about confidence and the confidence of victims who are waiting three years, in some cases, for their years, in some cases, for their rape case to get to court because of the backlogs that we inherited from the last conservative from the last conservative government. That's not confidence in the justice system. That's why these reforms are necessary. We are clearing up the mess that the previous government left us.

10:21

Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP (Gainsborough, Conservative)

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Sir Edward Leigh. Further to that answer that the hon. Lady has that answer that the hon. Lady has just given, it's obviously outrageous that rape victims have to wait three years. We all accept that, and we've had moving testimony on that. The problem is the Institute of Government has found that abolishing jury trials found that abolishing jury trials may actually only get these rape trials on a week early, earlier. So can I ask this direct question to her? In the Labour manifesto, it promised specialist rape courts.

Why doesn't the Minister now take action, set up specialist rape courts, pay lawyers properly to undertake the work and deal with this backlog now?

10:21

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Well, the hon. Gentleman will be aware that listing is a matter for aware that listing is a matter for the judiciary, but one proposal being brought forward is a national being brought forward is a national listing framework to make sure that cases are listed as soon as cases are listed as soon as possible, but we are committed to supporting victims of rape and serious sexual violence. That's why we launched our landmark strategy in December to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

It's why we are investing over half £1 billion in victim support services, including victims of rape and serious sexual violence. committee.

10:22

Andy Slaughter MP (Hammersmith and Chiswick, Labour)

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Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. At her annual press conference this At her annual press conference this week, the Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr, said I have grave security concerns. If there are going to be judge alone trials. Does the Solicitor General share those concerns and what is the

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government doing about it? The my hon. Friend, as always, makes an extremely important point. I would be happy to discuss both the Lady Chief Justice comments the Lady Chief Justice comments with whom I meet with regularly with whom I meet with regularly with colleagues in the Ministry of Justice, to get answers to those important issues.

10:23

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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important issues. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our plan for court reform implements time savings across the system, not just in the courtroom, but with a number of other aspects of the justice system that contribute to delays with the administration of jury trials, from the summoning of jurors, the compiling of jury bundles, juror expenses, and behind the scenes preparation. Does the Solicitor General agree with me Solicitor General agree with me that these crucial changes will address the bigger picture of address the bigger picture of delays across the system, and allow the Crown Prosecution Service to focus on delivering swift justice for victims?

10:23

Linsey Farnsworth MP (Amber Valley, Labour)

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My hon. Friend is completely right and, of course, has considerable experience as a previous Crown prosecutor, and she will know that is why we are investing £2.78 billion in the coming year. That includes over £280 million for vital repairs, digital upgrades and unlimited sitting days in the Crown Court. sitting days in the Crown Court. Record funding for our courts. It's only the combination of reform, investment and modernisation that investment and modernisation that will ultimately deliver faster and fairer justice.

10:24

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Carolyn Harris thank you, Mr. Speaker. It should be. Bill delivers that for children in this country by removing the presumption of parental contact. Will the Solicitor General join me in paying tribute to the tireless campaigning of Claire Throssell, who was brought. Was fought every day in Jakob Paul's memory to put children's safety in law, so no one children's safety in law, so no one else will have to suffer as they did.

10:24

Carolyn Harris MP (Neath and Swansea East, Labour)

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Mr. gentleman.

10:24

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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My friend, makes an incredibly important point, and I'm sure the whole House will want to pay whole House will want to pay tribute to Claire Throssell for her tirelessly tireless campaigning and to the memory of her two children, Jack and Paul. Every child deserves to be safe and every family deserves a justice system they can trust. We need to make sure that what happened to Claire and her children never happens again. That is why this government is introducing this measure to repeal the presumption of parental involvement.

Courts will no longer start from an assumption that parental involvement is always in a child's best interests, and instead adopt an open minded inquiry into what's in the child's best

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interests. This government is putting children's welfare and safety first. Not Peter Prinsley.

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Not Peter Prinsley. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I welcome the government's reform to welcome the government's reform to the criminal justice system, but I'd like to ask what measures will be taken to increase cultural, be taken to increase cultural, class and age group diversity in magistrate recruitment so as to

10:25

Peter Prinsley MP (Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, Labour)

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magistrate recruitment so as to increase confidence in our reforms.

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My hon. Friend, as always, makes an incredibly important point. I an incredibly important point. I understand that measures are being taken to recruit more magistrates from more diverse backgrounds. Magistrates are the cornerstone of local justice, and it is right that they represent the communities in

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they represent the communities in which they are taking decisions. Shadow Solicitor General Helen Grant. Thank you very much indeed.

10:26

Helen Grant MP (Maidstone and Malling, Conservative)

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Mr. Speaker. The court's >> Mr. Speaker. The court's Minister at Second Reading told this House that politics is about choices. So let us be clear about choices. So let us be clear about the choices that this government have made. They chose to bring forward a bill with no consultation, no manifesto mandate, no green paper, no white paper and no robust modelling. They chose to go further than Sir Brian Leveson had recommended. They chose to remove the right to trial by jury for offences carrying up to three years in prison, sentences that will cost defendants their jobs, their homes and their families.

And they chose to do all this, Mr. speaker, in five days of committee scrutiny. So what does the Minister think about the choices that her government has made, and what will she tell the victims of miscarriages of justice

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and the thousands of legal professionals who are in opposition? Thank you gentlemen.

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Thank you gentlemen. Well, first of all, can I pay tribute to the hon. Lady's tireless campaigning on behalf of her constituents, Paula and Tony Hudgell? I am pleased that the government has now announced a government has now announced a child cruelty register in relation to the points that she makes, Sir to the points that she makes, Sir Brian Leveson. Incredibly well

10:28

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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regarded and experienced lawyer, took months on his two reports, took months on his two reports, which sets out a huge number of recommendations. The hon. Lady recommendations. The hon. Lady talks about choices. Well, we inherited a court system on its knees with rape victims waiting knees with rape victims waiting three years and more, in some cases for their cases to get to court. It for their cases to get to court. It was a dereliction of the previous government not to tackle this court backlog.

We are getting on with the job. That's the choice that this government has made.

10:28

Helen Grant MP (Maidstone and Malling, Conservative)

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Helen Grant well, I thank the hon. Lady in what she said about the case of Hudgell and the Child Cruelty Register. It has been an amazing campaign led by Paula amazing campaign led by Paula Hudgell and her little boy, and I'm pleased that we were able to get cross-party support to to, to cross-party support to to, to change the law and hopefully look after children and save lives. But, you know, I it's unfortunate that she just will not answer the very straightforward questions that I am asking.

Jo Hamilton OBE was a victim of the Post Office horizon scandal, and she made it very clear that under government proposals that none of the wrongly convicted 900 subpostmasters would have had the right to a jury trial. And just this weekend, Mr. Speaker, there was a further revelation, this time involving the Prime Minister in a report. He had previously concluded that scrapping jury trials led to unreliable convictions in Northern Ireland in the 1990s. So can the Minister please explain how removing this vital safeguard makes the justice system more fair and

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not less? The hon. Lady, be well aware that we are not removing jury that we are not removing jury trials. Jury trials will remain a cornerstone of this justice system. The reality is that the vast The reality is that the vast majority of cases that are heard in majority of cases that are heard in this country are not heard by 90% of cases are not heard by a jury.

10:30

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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of cases are not heard by a jury. So it's wrong to say that we are getting rid of jury trials. There will be some cases. There will be some cases that are triable currently triable either way, where sentences are expected to be three years of less or less that will be heard by a judge. Judges act without fear or favour. They swear a judicial oath. But jury trials

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will still continue in this country. It was. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Question

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number three. Gentlemen.

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Gentlemen. The law officer's power to refer unduly lenient sentences to the Court of Appeal is a powerful way Court of Appeal is a powerful way to ensure justice is achieved in some of the most serious crimes. It gives a voice to victims, their

10:31

Q3. What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. (908357)

gives a voice to victims, their families and the public. In the sentencing of cases. Since my appointment as solicitor general in September last year, I've received requests to review the sentences requests to review the sentences imposed on 815 offenders, and in the last six months, 30 offenders have had their sentences increased under the scheme. under the scheme.

10:31

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Beardless. General's meeting with me on Monday about the failures of the unduly lenient sentencing scheme. It is not enough to simply ensure families are informed of their

10:31

Lorraine Beavers MP (Blackpool North and Fleetwood, Labour)

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rights. They should have longer than the current 28 days to use those rights. For families who have been put through the traumatic trials, it is just not long enough. Could the Solicitor General update the House on what plan she has to the House on what plan she has to ensure families of victims have

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every chance to see justice done? Well? I thank my hon. Friend for attending the unduly lenient Sentence Scheme Victims round table on Monday evening. I know what a strong advocate she is for her constituent, Katy Brett, whose sister Sasha was brutally murdered. Victims and families should always be informed about the scheme, but I know it doesn't always happen and know it doesn't always happen and how grief is compounded if an application is then rejected out of time, that is not good enough.

And time, that is not good enough. And it's why I'm working with the Ministry of Justice to find solutions.

10:32

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Robbie Moore can I thank the Solicitor General for our meeting in January to discuss improving the ULS scheme? As I've said before, it cannot be right that grieving families have just 28 days to appeal their sentences of their abusers, whereas the abusers themselves can extend the deadline. There are common sense approaches to make that we can make right now, to make that we can make right now, including extending the 28 deadline, a 28 day deadline, creating a a 28 day deadline, creating a statutory duty for victims and expanding its scope.

These are backed by the Victims Commissioner. backed by the Victims Commissioner. So does the Minister agree?

10:33

Robbie Moore MP (Keighley and Ilkley, Conservative)

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I thank the gentleman for that question and welcome the opportunity to meet with him recently to discuss these issues in more detail. Can I take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to pay tribute to Tracey Hanson, who has

10:33

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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been a tireless campaigner for victims of serious crime and particularly in relation to unduly lenient sentences following the tragic loss of her son Josh. Organisations like the Josh Hanson Trust do vital work in this area. Trust do vital work in this area. As I said in answer to the previous question, I am working with the Ministry of Justice colleagues to

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Ministry of Justice colleagues to see if we can find solutions to some of the issues that have been raised today. Sarah Russell question.

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Q4. What steps she is taking to help increase prosecution rates for cases involving violence against women and girls. (908358)

Number four, please, Mr. Speaker. >> Solicitor General. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I can announce an additional £5 can announce an additional £5 million of funding for the CPS to be invested for victims of domestic

10:34

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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abuse in three pilot areas. Victims will be offered meetings with prosecutors ahead of Crown Court prosecutors ahead of Crown Court trials, ensuring their voices are heard, and better supporting them to remain engaged in the criminal to remain engaged in the criminal justice process. This offer is already available to victims of rape and serious sexual assault rape and serious sexual assault across the country. I know from speaking with prosecutors and victims the difference these meetings can make, and I am pleased

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meetings can make, and I am pleased to see it extended to victims of domestic abuse. Sarah Russell thank. You, Solicitor.

10:35

Sarah Russell MP (Congleton, Labour)

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General, and I very much welcome that news. The prosecution rates for cases involving violence against women and girls are shamefully low. I strongly welcome the government's ambition to tackle violence against women and girls, including our manifesto commitment to fast track rape cases and to fast track rape cases and introduce specialist courts. Will the Minister agree to meet with me to discuss the government's specific progress on these promises? I thank my hon. Friend for that question, and I know that she is a strong advocate for tackling violence against women and girls, and I'm proud of our cross-government strategy that we set out in December to do just that.

I'll be more than happy to meet with my hon. Friend to discuss these issues in more detail.

10:35

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Robin Swann much, Mr. Speaker. that Northern Ireland since 2020. 29 women have been murdered and we've seen a significant increase in femicide. So can I ask the Solicitor General to give an assurance that she will continue to engage with the Northern Ireland Attorney General and Justice Minister to ensure that the rate of prosecutions is also increased in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland.

10:36

Robin Swann MP (South Antrim, Ulster Unionist Party)

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I thank the gentleman for raising that important point, and I am happy to engage further on those really important matters.

10:36

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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Liberal Democrat spokesperson Ben Maguire. Ben Maguire. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >> And could I just ask the Solicitor General, first of all, to Solicitor General, first of all, to please follow up on her kind offer to chase the justice Minister responsible for legal aid to meet with me about support for domestic with me about support for domestic abuse victims. The 2024 Domestic Abuse Joint Justice Plan aims to

10:36

Ben Maguire MP (North Cornwall, Liberal Democrat)

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improve early coordination between police and the CPS. I'm aware a review was conducted as part of the review was conducted as part of the plan, highlighting concerns around the quality and timeliness of police referrals and CPS decision police referrals and CPS decision making. However, Mr. Speaker, based on recent cases I've heard from my North Cornwall constituents and from other members in this place, I'm rather concerned that the plan's focus on high risk victims does not ensure accurate identification of who is genuinely at high risk.

Professionals could misinterpret or overlook risk factors, meaning some of these high risk cases may be wrongly assessed and underestimated in severity. So does the Solicitor General agree that while the plan improved investigations and prosecutions, a needs based approach is absolutely essential, especially to show victims that come forward that coming forward is worthwhile and that the justice system won't fail

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them. I thank my honourable, the hon. Gentleman for that question, and I know that he's a strong champion on know that he's a strong champion on these issues. He talked about timeliness, the Domestic Abuse Charging Authority pilot, which I Charging Authority pilot, which I visited recently in Wales, is showing huge improvements of

10:37

Rt Hon Ellie Reeves KC MP, The Solicitor-General (Lewisham West and East Dulwich, Labour)

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showing huge improvements of getting domestic abuse cases to court, which in turn helps with victim attrition. Just in relation to his points about Cornwall, I'm pleased to inform him that from July 2024 to March 26th, the CPS charged over 2800 offenders of domestic abuse and over 2300 were convicted. That includes over 900 convictions in Devon and Cornwall. I will continue to work with the CPS to ensure that we are prosecuting Vawg offenders, including in his constituency, and I'll be very happy to take the

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point away about chasing up the meeting with the Justice Minister. That completes Solicitor General

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That completes Solicitor General questions let frontbench change

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To To leader's To leader's questions. To leader's questions. Shall leave the House. Jesse Norman thank you very much indeed, Mr. Speaker. Will the Leader of the House give us the forthcoming business leader? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The business for the week commencing 23rd March will include Monday the 23rd of March,

10:39

Business Statement: Business Questions to the Leader of the House

consideration of Lords amendments to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, followed by consideration of Lords amendments to the National

10:39

Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP (Hereford and South Herefordshire, Conservative)

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amendments to the National Insurance Contributions, Employer Pensions Contributions Bill, Tuesday the 24th of March

10:39

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Tuesday the 24th of March Opposition day on a debate on a motion in the name of the official opposition, subject to be announced opposition, subject to be announced Wednesday, the 25th of March. Consideration of Lords amendments to the Victims and Courts Bill, to the Victims and Courts Bill, Thursday the 26th of March debate on a Motion on Transport accessibility for disabled people, followed by a general debate on support for Gurkha veterans. The subject for these debates will be determined by the backbench Business Committee.

The House of Commons will then rise for the Easter recess at the conclusion of business on Thursday the 26th of March, and return on Monday the 13th of April. Jesse Norman thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me begin.

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If I may, by paying tribute to President Zelensky. Thanks to you, Mr. Speaker. He gave an extraordinary speech here this week, extraordinary speech here this week, a speech like Auden's Shield of Achilles, a speech of poetry and hope, but also of steel. He showed hope, but also of steel. He showed that Ukraine, far from being bowed by Russia, is now sharing its

10:40

Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP (Hereford and South Herefordshire, Conservative)

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by Russia, is now sharing its expertise in Counter-drone defence with nations across the Gulf and elsewhere. I also give thanks for the swift action the government has taken so far to support households, including many in Herefordshire, now facing sharp and unexpected increases in the cost of heating oil. Mr. speaker, as Herefordshire goes, so goes the UK. The events in the Middle East have exposed a hard truth. This country is dangerously exposed on energy and the government's policies are compounding that vulnerability.

Around a fifth of the world's oil and gas LNG passes through the Straits of Hormuz. When that is threatened, prices spike and when prices spike, everything else is hit. Heating, electricity, industry, jobs, every industrialised economy relies on secure and affordable energy. Yet we import in this country around 60% of the gas we use, and we pay far more than our competitor nations. And around three times US prices for it. So when shocks come, the benefits of higher gas prices go to other countries.

But our citizens bear the higher costs and added insecurity that structural vulnerability has built up over decades under governments of all the major parties. But this government is negligently or deliberately making it much worse. They've blocked new North Sea licences and sent a clear signal that domestic oil and gas production is to be run down, regardless of demand. The consequences of these decisions are already visible. The CF fertilisers plant near Chester has closed thanks to high energy costs, so this country now imports ammonia instead.

The Grangemouth refinery is ceasing its refining operations and becoming an import terminal in Aberdeen. Scunthorpe, Teesside investment is falling and companies are failing. Thousands of jobs have been lost and tens of thousands more put at risk. Little wonder a host of businesses and unions, including unite and the GMB, even renewables UK, have expressed their concern. These are not isolated events, Mr. Speaker. They are the predictable effects of policy decisions taken by Ministers without any serious consideration of the economic and strategic consequences.

In the current context, the Energy Secretary often says the problem is global gas prices and that increasing domestic production makes no difference. Of course, that is nonsense, because domestic production actually boosts jobs, public revenues and national resilience while lowering emissions. But that line is also dangerously misleading. Gas prices are regional, not global, because gas, unlike oil, is relatively expensive to ship and store. The energy sector is confusing a global market with global pricing. It is a basic error.

Alas, the Chancellor is no less confused. On Tuesday, she said, and I quote, you see countries like Canada and Norway increasing their production and every country has to play their part. But of course, in her view, that does not include the UK. Her policy is precisely the opposite not to increase, but to reduce oil and gas production. You could not make it up. Shortly, we will hear the Business Secretary make a statement on how the government wants to increase domestic steel production, even while it is stopping the domestic oil and gas on which that steel production relies.

It's an absolute nonsense, Mr. speaker. Cut domestic production in the face of steady demand and imports will fill the gap, but an increasingly import dependent system is forced to rely ever more on pipelines, LNG cargoes and interconnectors. These are vulnerable fixed assets open to damage and disruption from abroad. And there is a further consequence. Modern conflict is determined by industrial capacity. Steel, chemicals fuels supply chains. Yet the government is allowing these national sovereign capabilities to erode. So this is a policy that increases carbon emissions, deprives Britain of tax revenues, worsens the balance of payments, hurts consumers and businesses, and weakens both our energy resources and our national security.

That is quite an achievement, Mr. Speaker. It is hard to imagine a more confused or dangerous approach. I don't want a debate on this topic. We can all see what's happening at some point. There must be a U-turn because Iran is making a fool of the Energy Secretary. Now, I desperately want the Leader of the House to get the Prime Minister to see the madness of this approach and get the policy changed as soon

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as he possibly can. Leader of the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, Mr. Speaker, can I say that my thoughts are with the friends and family of the young people who have family of the young people who have died and others who are currently unwell as a result of the meningitis outbreak in Kent? I also meningitis outbreak in Kent? I also want to place on record our tribute

10:45

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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to Phil Willis, who was a greatly respected and admired colleague and played a considerable role in modernising the Labour Party, and I am sure the whole House will join me in sending our condolences to his friends and family. Let me join with the Shadow leader in praise of President Zelensky and what he said earlier this week. This week, Mr. Speaker, a new defence pact has been agreed between the UK and Ukraine and by deepening our defence partnerships with strengthening Ukraine's ability to defend itself from Putin's ongoing attacks while ensuring the UK and our allies are better prepared to meet the threats of the future.

We were, as the hon. Gentleman said, honoured Mr. Speaker to listen to President Zelensky on Tuesday, and I must thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the role that you played in organising the event, but also in making clear that this House is unwavering support for the Ukrainian people. I just want to mention another couple of things, Mr. Speaker, if I may, before we get to the comments of the hon. Gentleman. On Monday, the modernisation Committee launched an inquiry into backbench business and petitions debates as part of an ongoing inquiry on how time is used in this place.

Both the backbench business and petitions committees play a vital role in bringing key issues of local, national and international importance to this. House members will have received an online form seeking their views and I would encourage all members to engage in this inquiry. In addition, this morning, the response from the House administration to the Modernisation Committee report on accessibility in the House of Commons was published, and I would like to thank all of those who contributed to the inquiry and the House authorities for the progress they are making in addressing the important matters raised in the report.

And as I committed, Mr. Speaker, the House will have the opportunity to consider this report in due course. Let me turn to the comments by the shadow Leader of the House and first of all, thank him for the support which he has given for what we have already done on the price of fuel oil. And let me reassure his Herefordshire constituents, and indeed the House, that the government keeps these matters in the forefront of our minds and under close scrutiny and if necessary, we will take further action.

I agree with him on one point from the rest of what he said, which is that we should be concerned about potential spikes in fuel prices during crises. But I have to say he made an admirable case for energy independence, and the policy of this government. He also talked about the North Sea as a matter of concern. And it is a matter of concern, not just for the whole country, but particularly for constituencies in the region that I represent. But I have to point out, Mr.

Speaker, that the North Sea is a mature oil and gas area, and therefore, it is not surprising when he quotes some of the things that have happened in that area because it is mature and in that sense, declining. But gas and energy from the North Sea will be part of the energy transition in the UK for some decades to come. And the big lesson that we learned from this particular crisis is that we have to get off the roller coaster of oil and gas, and that means getting off fossil fuels and onto home grown clean power, which is why he talks about the inaction of the government.

That's why we're bringing forward the next auction for renewables, extending solar and accelerating the Warm Homes Plan rollout. But he talks about the loss of jobs in the area. I have to point out that 70% fall in jobs in north in the North Sea came from the during the time of the government of which he was a supporter. And in terms of turning this round, it would take a decade Mr Speaker between starting to explore and to extract oil. Not a single barrel of extra oil extracted from the North Sea today would reduce prices for consumers.

And if he doesn't take my word for it, Mr. Speaker, let him take the words of his conservative energy Minister in 2022 who said, and I quote, Mr. Speaker, more UK production wouldn't reduce the global price of gas. So as the shadow leader said, you couldn't make it up. And on the question of steel, Mr. Speaker, there will be a statement later today about the our steel strategy going forward. So the idea that we don't value these national assets, I'm afraid, is simply untrue.

We have acted already with regard to Scunthorpe, and we will be acting not just on steel, but other matters of

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national importance because they're in our national interest. Kirsteen Sullivan thank.

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Kirsteen Sullivan thank. You, Mr. Speaker. Last Saturday, Nicolas Women's Support Group Nicolas Women's Support Group celebrated its first anniversary, marking a year of welcoming women in West Lothian to connect, share experiences and offer a listening ear. Nicola's was founded in memory

10:50

Kirsteen Sullivan MP (Bathgate and Linlithgow, Labour )

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ear. Nicola's was founded in memory of a beautiful young woman, Nicola, who took her own life after repeated delays to desperately needed surgery for endometriosis. Will the Leader of the House join me in thanking Nicola's team, including her family and all the volunteers for the invaluable work they do to support local women here?

10:51

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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I will do. Mr. speaker, it is unacceptable that Nicola had to wait so long for the surgery that she needed and I'm sorry to hear of she needed and I'm sorry to hear of her family and friends. Tragic loss. We have committed to renewing the We have committed to renewing the women's health strategy to tackle inequalities and improve access to healthcare for for women across England, and supporting groups like Nicola's provide an essential lifeline for women living with health issues. And I would encourage my hon.

Friend and indeed other hon. Members to attend next week's Westminster Hall debate on access to endometriosis, endometriosis services.

10:51

Bobby Dean MP (Carshalton and Wallington, Liberal Democrat)

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Bobby Dean Liberal Democrat spokesman. you'll be as concerned as I am about the recent outbreak of meningitis in Kent, and I'm sure the thoughts of the whole House are with the families of those who have lost loved ones already. The the UK lost loved ones already. The the UK Health Security Agency now has a huge job on its hands to get good public health information out there and to work with the NHS on a targeted vaccination programme. And I think it's a reminder of how much faith and trust we put into health professionals in these moments of crisis who are all dedicated to keeping us safe.

It's also a reminder, though, of the dangers of bad information. And it's a sad truth that in this in this country, the take up rates of child vaccination has been declining over the course of the last decade. Some of this has been attributed to misinformation that's allowed to spread freely online, but there are also well organised and well funded anti-vaccination groups. Now that I'm sure we've all come across in time. And unfortunately, it's also been egged on at times by populist politicians.

President Trump in America has appointed a vaccine sceptic into a senior role in the White House and, of course, the Reform Party platform. An anti-vax spokesperson at their own conference recently. And we will all have got stick online if we dare to confront this subject. And I even have protesters in my high street who've stopped me whilst walking my dog to give me stick about the subject. And I think that's made us as a as a political class, a little bit scared to take this subject on.

I think it's about time that we use moments like this to take on those conspiracy theorists. So I wonder if the House could organise for a statement to be made about how we're going to tackle this rise in misinformation, this rise in conspiracy theories,

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and ultimately get that childhood rate of vaccination up again. Here, here. Mr Speaker firstly, Mr. Speaker,

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Mr Speaker firstly, Mr. Speaker, as I said in my earlier remarks, our thoughts are with the friends our thoughts are with the friends and family of the young people who tragically died, but also others tragically died, but also others who are currently unwell. The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right about

10:53

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Gentleman is absolutely right about the importance of the UK HSA. It is monitoring the situation and has launched a targeted vaccination programme, starting with students that are most at risk and. And they'll be contacted directly and I would encourage everyone affected to take preventative antibiotics or the vaccine if they are offered. And the Health Secretary is considering what steps can be taken to improve as a wider vaccination uptake, not just in this matter, but across the population, because the hon.

Gentleman is absolutely right in his comments about misinformation or disinformation, and I would urge everyone to share the public health information that is disseminating online so that we can spread facts Mr Speaker rather than misinformation. It really is an important matter, and I will draw his comments to the attention

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of the Health Secretary. Linsey Farnsworth thank you, Mr. Speaker. Denby pottery has been the Speaker. Denby pottery has been the heart of Amber Valley since 1809. It provides over 500 jobs and It provides over 500 jobs and brings in 250,000 visitors a year, but they've sadly had to apply for but they've sadly had to apply for administration support. While the Prime Minister has already committed to a review of the supercharger scheme, which helps

10:55

Linsey Farnsworth MP (Amber Valley, Labour)

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supercharger scheme, which helps with energy costs, I hope this will be sped up in light of the current situation and include the ceramics industry in it today, hashtag Save Denby has launched a campaign asking people to buy Denby, visit the Brilliant Pottery Village in Derbyshire or just simply share the campaign far and wide. So with Easter around the corner, might I ask the invite the Leader of the House to consider picking up some Denby pottery? And will he join me in encouraging other members to do

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the same and help me save Denby Pottery? Yeah, yeah. Mr. speaker, I say to my hon. Friend, and I will certainly give that consideration. And I not only thank her for her question, but thank her for her question, but certainly join her in encouraging members to pick up some Denby Pottery, because this is a crisis situation for the company. And I know it's a difficult period ahead,

10:56

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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know it's a difficult period ahead, and anything that we can do to help, we should consider doing. On the matter of energy prices, the government recognises how energy prices are a significant pressure on UK industry, including ceramics. That's why she mentions we're increasing the discount on energy costs through the British Industry Supercharger. But I do know that this will be a worrying time for the employees at Denby Pottery, and I'll make sure that Ministers are aware of her concerns as a matter of urgency.

10:56

Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East, Conservative)

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Bob Blackman chair of the backbench committee. business for the chamber for next week. Could he give us early notice of whether we're going to get time after Easter so the committee can allocate time accordingly? In addition, next Thursday there will be a statement from the EFRA Select Committee on their report on coastal erosion in Westminster Hall. Next Tuesday, there will be a debate on sudden, sudden, unexplained death in childhood. On Thursday the 26th, there will be a debate on outcome for patients with Ehlers Danlos syndrome and Craniocervical instability, followed by a debate on potential merits of mandatory body armour for prison officers on Tuesday the 14th.

When we come back, there'll be a debate on hidden credit liabilities and the role of the FCA. And on Thursday the 16th, debates on housing needs of young people, followed by a debate on NHS Federated Data Platform. And I hope that the leader will bring forward the necessary changes to standing orders that he promised. Before we go for, for, for the State Opening of Parliament. Now, Mr. Speaker, in my position as chairman of the all party parliamentary group for British Hindus, I have been in contact with Peterborough Council about the plight of the Hindu Samaj Temple.

This is the only Hindu temple in Peterborough. There are 11 mosques in the area and I wish them Eid Mubarak. As we approach the end of Ramadan. Ramadan. But the council have decided to sell the temple after the trustees of the temple agreed to match any other bid that came forward. They eventually offered £1.4 million. The council, however, chose to to another bid of £1.2 million. This was kept in secret. Now the trustees have taken the case to court and indeed have got to a position whereby the judge has stayed the sale of the site.

Could we have a statement from the Secretary of State next week, or what action he's going to take to make sure we preserve the opportunity for Hindus in Peterborough and across the country to celebrate their religion in proper fashion, in peace and harmony.

10:59

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Through the House. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the matter of the early notice of time, I'll certainly bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman says in thanking the hon. Gentleman says in thanking him for the work that his committee do. He will appreciate, however, that as we. And it's no secret approach, the end of this approach, the end of this particular session over the next few weeks, things like Lords amendments that tend to dominate these matters. It's quite tricky in order to take out all uncertainty, but I will do everything that I can in order to do that.

In terms of the change to standing orders, I will certainly look at what he requests and see if we can do that. With regard to the concerns that he raises about the Hindu community in Peterborough, we understand the concerns, not least because of the excellent work that my hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough does on these matters, and for whom members of his community. The temple has been a primary place of worship for many years. This is ultimately a matter for the local authority, but we hope that the local authority will engage productively with the community on these matters and on the wider matters of temples and places of worship.

I'll raise his concerns with the relevant Secretary of State.

11:00

Andrew Pakes MP (Peterborough, Labour )

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I will now bring in the Member of Parliament for Peterborough Andrew Pakes. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >> AM I OK to ask my question? I was going to ask as well. Can I just put on record. I'm deeply just put on record. I'm deeply disappointed as the Member of Parliament representing this constituency where the temple is based, that I've not had a based, that I've not had a conversation with the hon. Member, and he has used parliamentary privilege to state some untruths, something which is subject to legal

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action. Yeah. We we can't use the word

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We we can't use the word untruths. There may have been a misunderstanding, but we certainly don't have untruths. That he stated things which are

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That he stated things which are not factual in relation to this. But, Mr. Speaker, what I wanted to say is that one of the great blessings I actually have as a Member of Parliament is joining with communities to celebrate with communities to celebrate things like Diwali, Hanukkah, Versace, and in the coming hours, I'll be joining many members of my community to celebrate Eid, which is coming up. I'd like to ask the Leader of the House does he recognise the divisive, exclusionary, hateful language that some people have been using to describe a community iftar in recent days, which shows that it isn't about British values, it's the antithesis of British values to seek to divide and tie hatred.

And will he join me in wishing well all of those who will be taking part in Eid, in the park, in Peterborough in the coming hours, as showing off the best of my city? And will he make time in parliamentary hours to ensure we can have a debate about the language we use when we talk about social cohesion and bringing our faiths together, rather than dividing them here.

11:01

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I'm grateful to my hon. Friend for his grateful to my hon. Friend for his clarification on these matters, and I'm more than happy to speak to him afterwards about that. With regard to the statements which he condemns, the Prime Minister was absolutely the Prime Minister was absolutely clear yesterday that the statements, which he refers to by the spokesperson for the opposition, were utterly appalling and only spread poison and division, freedom of religion and the right of peaceful expression are fundamental British values, not the opposite.

These rights should be respected for everyone, and it applies equally to peaceful prayer, protesting or assembly or wherever it happens to be. So I do join with him in wishing everyone celebrating Eid, wherever they are celebrating it. I do wish them well in that, Mr. Speaker, but with the warning

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to all parties in this place, if you get into the gutter in these matters, the public will not forgive you. Yeah.

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Yeah. Can I just remind members if you are going to mention somebody else's constituency, please give them notice. It's courtesy that should happen. Dame Karen Bradley.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

should happen. Dame Karen Bradley. Very much. Mr. Speaker. One of the great privileges of being a member of Parliament is being able member of Parliament is being able to raise constituents concerns directly with Ministers. Unfortunately, far too frequently at the moment, the responses that we receive to be sent to our constituents are coming from officials rather than Ministers. I'm sure the leader would agree with me that our constituents are entitled to hear from the Ministers entitled to hear from the Ministers themselves and would.

Can I ask him to remind his ministerial colleagues of the duty they have to colleagues of the duty they have to ensure that our constituents hear directly from them and not their officials?

11:03

Rt Hon Dame Karen Bradley MP (Staffordshire Moorlands, Conservative)

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Thank you.

11:03

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Mr. Speaker. I thank the right hon. Lady for raising this question, because members who write to because members who write to Ministers do so with the reasonable expectation that they receive a timely and substantive response from a Minister. And that is absolutely right. If the right hon. Lady has a specific example which she draws to my attention, I will she draws to my attention, I will raise that with the appropriate department. And on the wider issue, I will raise it with other departments too.

11:04

Rebecca Paul thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have a profound duty to those who elect us regarding the those who elect us regarding the scrutiny of legislation. The other place has been debating the Crime and Policing Bill this week, which and Policing Bill this week, which is wide in scope and raises several concerns of utmost importance to our constituents. Could the Leader of the House provide clarity on the length of time that will be provided to members of this House to properly debate and vote on amendments, including Lords amendments, on a new category of extreme criminal protest groups, as well as new and existing government clauses on so-called cumulative disruption and face coverings, which are profound equalities implications.

And can he assure us that timetabling pressures before the end of this parliamentary session will not prevent proper scrutiny and consideration of this serious and substantive bill?

11:04

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Mr. Speaker, and I thank my hon. Friend for her question today. As Friend for her question today. As she notes, amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill have been considered by the House of Lords, and the government will consider and the government will consider these. As we move forward. I will announce future business in the announce future business in the House in the usual way, Mr. Speaker, but I am absolutely conscious of the importance of providing sufficient time for parliamentary scrutiny wherever it falls in the Parliament.

Parliamentary year.

11:05

Jamie Stone MP (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, Liberal Democrat)

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Jamie Stone thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I note what the Leader of the House has said about the of the House has said about the forthcoming consultation exercise? And can I urge hon. Members to take part in this exercise? However, Mr. part in this exercise? However, Mr. Speaker, what I want to raise today is something that the shadow Leader of the House touched on, which is the activities in recent months of Russian spy ships and indeed submarines off the coast of my constituency. They are taking a period our undersea cables, our connections.

And indeed, when you think about the strategic resource of the North Sea oil, you think also about offshore wind energy. Can I respectfully ask the Leader of the House if he would help facilitate a meeting between myself and perhaps other concerned members and other parties with appropriate Ministers to discuss this issue and what our methods and means of defence are?

11:06

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Later? government understands the vital role that it will play in the future, and it is Britain's greatest asset in building our greatest asset in building our energy future. It gives Scotland and the rest of Britain a chance to lead in offshore wind, carbon capture and storage and hydrogen, alongside oil and gas production. So I it is such an important matter, Mr. Speaker, that I will help to facilitate the meeting that the hon. Gentleman asks for.

11:06

Alistair Strathern MP (Hitchin, Labour)

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Alistair Strathern thank you. Mr. Speaker. >> The events in the Middle East have shown how exposed we remain to polluting and volatile. Oil and gas markets. Moving on to clean domestically, secure power is domestically, secure power is obviously the long term solution, but in the short term, we shouldn't allow gas producers to profiteer while they still far too often set the market. Price analysis by Greenpeace and Stonehaven has suggested we could save millions for households and businesses across the UK by moving gas power stations into the regulated asset base.

So could we have a statement from the Energy Secretary about how we can drive through really important market reforms like this? So consumers and businesses right across the UK much needed money off their energy bills.

11:07

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Later. >> Mr. speaker, throughout this conflict, Mr. Speaker, our first priority has been to help households with the cost of living. And this underlines our need to And this underlines our need to focus on clean, home-grown energy. And as the role of gas diminishes, we will continue to explore how market and system arrangements can evolve to minimise its impact on consumer bills, and we will learn the lessons from the current situation that we find ourselves in. I would encourage my hon. Friend to raise his specific concerns at DESNZ.

Questions next week.

11:07

Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP (North East Cambridgeshire, Conservative)

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Steve Barclay thank you, Mr. Speaker, and with your. Speaker, and with your. >> Forbearance. >> On Tuesday evening, a car with five teenagers left the road near five teenagers left the road near Wisbech in my constituency and entered the river and tragically, only three of the teenagers exited only three of the teenagers exited the car. I'm sure the whole house will join me in sending our condolences to the families affected by this tragedy and also the very distressing recovery that the emergency services are performing.

In respect to my question, Mr. Speaker, in the government's fit for the future ten year plan for the NHS, the first of the three big shifts it set out is to shift care services from hospital into the community. Yet the exact opposite is happening in Finland, both at the North Cambridgeshire Hospital site and the Doddington site, where services are being reduced and moved to hospital settings. Could we have a debate on whether this is just the latest U-turn from the government that they've not yet announced, or whether health bosses are free locally, simply to ignore the government's strategy and do the exact opposite.

11:08

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Thank you. join him in the House in sending our deepest condolences to the friends and family of the young people involved? Each and every one people involved? Each and every one of them is a tragedy. On the wider of them is a tragedy. On the wider issue about the NHS in his area. There's no question of a U-turn, Mr. Speaker. He knows very well from his former role in roles in government about the importance of delivering services locally, but having a government setting the strategy and providing the resources.

I do not know the detail other than what he has said and if he wishes to provide me with that, I will certainly raise it with members, with colleagues in the health department. But I have to say that there are many on the front line in trusts across the country who are struggling, despite the fact that this government is putting more money into the NHS, who are struggling with the legacy of his government.

11:09

Nick Smith MP (Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, Labour)

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Nick Smith Mr. delivered for. >> Mineworkers and their families on improving their pension schemes. For members of both the Mineworkers Pension Scheme and the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme tell me they are pleased. After the release of reserved funds. However, many former miners, now in their 80s and their 90s could further benefit from future support. So can I ask the Leader of the House if the Minister for industry can please provide a statement on the next steps for both of those schemes?

11:10

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Speaker. I thank my hon. Friend for his question as he rightly draws attention to the rightly draws attention to the government has delivered justice for members of the former British Coal Pension Scheme, and I want to Coal Pension Scheme, and I want to thank him for the role in which he played in the campaign to persuade the government to do so. He may wish to raise this question, Mr. Speaker, directly with Ministers at DESNZ questions next week to see what more could be done, or should he seek a meeting on that with Ministers? I will help him to arrange one.

11:10

Wera Hobhouse MP (Bath, Liberal Democrat)

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Wera Hobhouse thank you, Mr. Speaker. At a time of heightened Speaker. At a time of heightened global tension, we must be aware of how important it is that we look after our current and ex-service personnel. I've got a constituent personnel. I've got a constituent who served in the Army and later in the MoD for 50 years. He survived four stage cancer and his illness is now forcing him to retire. Capita, who administers the Civil Servant Pension Scheme, has taken over two years to get a statement to him about his pension, ultimately delaying the moment when he can retire.

This is just one of five different civil service pension cases my office had to deal with in the last three months, none of which have received responses from capita. Can we have a statement from the Minister how we will improve the situation? For my constituents and many across the country?

11:11

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Mr. speaker, I'm sorry to hear >> Mr. speaker, I'm sorry to hear of the hon. Lady's constituents, because we do hold veterans and servicemen and women very high in our thoughts and our regards. The our thoughts and our regards. The delay that she describes is unacceptable. It's not the service that people deserve, and resolving the matter is of the utmost urgency. There is a recovery plan underway. An interest free loan is being made available by the department to provide immediate financial support, but the Cabinet Office is also using its every opportunity to hold capita to account and ensure that they deliver.

So it's about individual cases. And if she wishes to raise that individual case with me, I will see whether we can resolve that. But there is the wider issue about how we can resolve it for everyone, and it's just about every constituency, I would imagine, where there is a case so that everybody gets the justice that they deserve.

11:12

Helena Dollimore MP (Hastings and Rye, Labour )

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Helena Dollimore thank you. >> Mr. Speaker. The Queensway Gateway roadworks were a shambles. >> From start to finish, meant to last weeks. They dragged on for last weeks. They dragged on for almost a year, causing gridlock and local businesses lost millions. We've just found out that We've just found out that conservative run East Sussex County Council overspent by £5 million on these shambolic works. Does the leader of House agree with me that this is £5 million less now to repair our potholes and repair our roads? And does he agree with me that East Sussex County Council and the contractors involved, like Balfour Beatty, owe it to local taxpayers to explain what the hell went so wrong and how they're going again.

11:13

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My hon. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My hon. Friend is a doughty campaigner for her constituency. And indeed, on this very issue, these roadworks this very issue, these roadworks have been very disruptive for her constituents. And there are serious questions, as she said, about how this has been managed by East Sussex County Council. I'll make sure that Ministers hear of her concerns. She may wish to raise them directly with Ministers of Transport questions next week, but just as importantly, by raising them then and indeed here, I hope that her constituents get to hold the council to account.

11:13

Rebecca Smith MP (South West Devon, Conservative)

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Rebecca Smith thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if the Leader of the House will join me in congratulating my constituent, John congratulating my constituent, John Maldon Jo White. In fact, his ancestor was a member of this House over 100 years ago. But he recently, over 100 years ago. But he recently, as in on Saturday, actually completed a 600 kilometre run from Mother in Devon to Westminster Bridge in aid of Wild About the River, and he's raised at least £25,000 for that course, so I wonder if he will join with me in congratulating him and all the campaigners that supported him.

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I absolutely join the hon. Lady in absolutely join the hon. Lady in praising Mr. John Mildmay. Right. White on his achievement is his considerable initiative, and it just goes to show what remarkable people we have in our

11:14

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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constituencies. >> Melanie Ward thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under the SNP. >> Scottish Government, police

**** Possible New Speaker ****

Scottish Government, police numbers in Fife have fallen by an average of one a month. Results from a new anti-social behaviour survey show that 4 in 10 residents in Cowdenbeath are afraid to go out after dark, and more than half witnessed antisocial behaviour every single week. This is unacceptable. Does the Leader of unacceptable. Does the Leader of the House agree with me that Cowdenbeath has been badly let down by the SNP and we need change, and by the SNP and we need change, and when we make time in government time for a debate on antisocial behaviour.

11:15

Melanie Ward MP (Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I absolutely do join my hon. Friend in her analysis of the situation. This government is committed to making our streets safer by delivering 13,000 more

11:15

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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neighbourhood policing roles and introducing new respect orders to deter and drive down anti-social deter and drive down anti-social behaviour. But in terms of what happens north of the border, I would remind the House that we have delivered Scotland's largest delivered Scotland's largest settlement since devolution, so I hope that the SNP have heard my hon. Friends contribution today and hon. Friends contribution today and take action and I would encourage her to apply for a Westminster Hall debate on these matters so that she debate on these matters so that she can set out in more detail the failure of the SNP government in this regard.

11:15

Chris Law MP (Dundee Central, Scottish National Party)

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Chris Law. announced that the listed Places of Worship Grant scheme, which would allow congregations to reclaim VAT and repairs to listed places of and repairs to listed places of worship, would close at the end of March whilst the replacement scheme was announced for England. I understand the Scottish Government were not informed of the advance of this change, leaving both the Scottish Government and places of worship in the lurch following the sudden expected decision. So can I ask, can I have a statement from the UK government explaining this total disregard and confirm that funding will be made through the Barnett formula for a similar scheme to be now replicated in Scotland?

11:16

Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Tynemouth, Labour)

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will certainly the hon. Gentleman may certainly the hon. Gentleman may know my appreciation of the importance of places of worship in local communities, whether they local communities, whether they happen wherever they happen to be in our country. I don't know the details of what he's saying, but I'm listening to what my colleagues behind me are saying, and I will look into this. If after this session, Mr. Speaker, but my understanding is that the SNP government were given the money for this as part of the biggest

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