Baroness Byford

The Review found that the Adjudicator is making effective use of her statutory powers and is effectively enforcing the Groceries Code through collaborative working with the large retailers. The Government will continue to support the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) in her work.

The Review also found that some direct suppliers are reluctant to raise legitimate grievances with the GCA due to a fear of commercial consequences. The Government will agree a strategic goal for the GCA to address this issue. The Government will also make it clear to retailers designated by the Code that it is not acceptable that direct suppliers face commercial consequences as a result of reporting potential breaches of the Code.

We will also work with Trade Associations to help their members understand how the Code works and the role of the GCA and encourage them to raise issues with the GCA and the retailers’ Code Compliance Officers.

National Trading Standards (NTS) work with various bodies including the police to tackle mass marketing frauds across all sectors, including energy.

The NTS scams teams work with local authorities to provide support to victims. The team currently has agreements with nearly two hundred local authorities to provide additional support for victims in their areas to help them rebuild their lives. The Department does not hold data on number of mass marketing scams targeting energy customers, the number of victims targeted or the amount of money they have lost.

National Trading Standards (NTS) work with various bodies including the police to tackle mass marketing frauds across all sectors, including energy.

The NTS scams teams work with local authorities to provide support to victims. The team currently has agreements with nearly two hundred local authorities to provide additional support for victims in their areas to help them rebuild their lives. The Department does not hold data on number of mass marketing scams targeting energy customers, the number of victims targeted or the amount of money they have lost.

National Trading Standards (NTS) work with various bodies including the police to tackle mass marketing frauds across all sectors, including energy.

The NTS scams teams work with local authorities to provide support to victims. The team currently has agreements with nearly two hundred local authorities to provide additional support for victims in their areas to help them rebuild their lives. The Department does not hold data on number of mass marketing scams targeting energy customers, the number of victims targeted or the amount of money they have lost.

National Trading Standards (NTS) work with various bodies including the police to tackle mass marketing frauds across all sectors, including energy.

The NTS scams teams work with local authorities to provide support to victims. The team currently has agreements with nearly two hundred local authorities to provide additional support for victims in their areas to help them rebuild their lives. The Department does not hold data on number of mass marketing scams targeting energy customers, the number of victims targeted or the amount of money they have lost.

The safety of tumble dryers and refrigeration units is regulated by the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, which require these products to be safe and manufactured in accordance with good engineering practice. Standards, although voluntary, support the legislation by providing a benchmark as to what is considered to constitute safe in practice. The review of British Standards is a matter for the British Standards Institution (BSI) which undertakes regular reviews to ensure the standards address any safety concerns raised and follow best practice, and BIS officials participate in these activities.

I am aware that the BSI has submitted proposals to the International Electro-technical Committee (IEC) to revise the refrigeration standard to address the recent fire concerns.

The standard for tumble dryers is frequently revised, the last revision being in 2015, to ensure the relevant hazards are addressed.

Labelling and information requirements vary by product.

If information on a UK product label is a mandatory requirement, this information must be provided in English.

For non-food consumer products, the UK General Product Safety Regulations 2005, which implements the European General Product Safety Directive, require that a product is safe when placed on the market. In this context, it is considered safe to have the instructions and safety information in the language of the Member State where the product is being sold.

The Government’s Impact Assessment for the introduction of the National Living Wage estimates that around 20,000 workers in the agriculture sector – including horticultural businesses - will be covered by the National Living Wage in its first year..

To help businesses with the costs of implementing the National Living Wage Government is raising the Employer Allowance, cutting corporation tax, and setting the Annual Investment Allowance at a new permanent level of £200,000. The Government is also taking steps that will specifically help horticultural businesses with the introduction of the National Living Wage. The Government is enabling farmers to average their profits over five years rather than two for income tax purposes to provide greater financial security, and it is establishing Level 2/3 horticulture apprenticeships.

The Government’s proposals to devolve the power to extend Sunday trading hours will benefit the horticultural sector. The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), which represents garden centres, many of which are rural SMEs, estimates that Sunday trading restrictions cost the industry £75 million per annum in lost sales.

The Government does not collect statistics on the durability of condensing boilers.

From May 2017, frameworks in some sector subject areas will incorporate a STEM uplift on the basis that employers were previously more likely to make additional contributions to the costs of training in these areas. We sought evidence on what sector subject areas should be included in the policy for 2017/18, prior to the policy being confirmed last October, and will monitor the market response as the policy takes effect.

We are also moving the market away from frameworks to standards, which are higher quality and more rigorous. We recognise this in the new system by allocating higher funding bands to apprenticeship standards, relative to equivalent frameworks, where appropriate. Over the course of the parliament, we will phase out the current apprenticeship frameworks so that all new apprentices undertake standards. The agriculture sector has good emerging coverage in terms of standards, with land-based engineering already in delivery, and more under development.

From May 2017, frameworks in some sector subject areas will incorporate a STEM uplift on the basis that employers were previously more likely to make additional contributions to the costs of training in these areas. We sought evidence on what sector subject areas should be included in the policy for 2017/18, prior to the policy being confirmed last October, and will monitor the market response as the policy takes effect.

We are also moving the market away from frameworks to standards, which are higher quality and more rigorous. We recognise this in the new system by allocating higher funding bands to apprenticeship standards, relative to equivalent frameworks, where appropriate. Over the course of the parliament, we will phase out the current apprenticeship frameworks so that all new apprentices undertake standards. The agriculture sector has good emerging coverage in terms of standards, with land-based engineering already in delivery, and more under development.

It is for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) providers to use their professional judgement to determine how to structure the course. However, ITT courses must be designed so that teacher trainees can demonstrate by the end of their training that they meet all of the Teachers' Standards at the appropriate level. The Teachers’ Standards, revised in September 2012, set out the key elements of effective teaching and the minimum expectations for the professional practice and conduct of teachers. The Teachers’ Standards have been attached to this answer.

Although it is already possible within existing flexibilities for schools and ITT providers to offer shorter or longer courses, the majority of postgraduate courses are one year in length. The National College for Teaching and Leadership is working with nine School Direct lead schools to pilot a shortened School Direct (salaried) route for physics and mathematics trainees. Findings from these pilots will be shared with the ITT sector to encourage other schools and ITT providers to use the existing flexibilities to meet their recruitment needs.

A farm business may hold more than one agreement and make multiple claims. As of 17 March 2019:

1) All eligible Countryside Stewardship 2016 and 2017 claims have received a payment apart from exceptional cases such as those that cannot be paid for legal reasons such as probate.

There are just over 6,100 2018 claims still due an advance payment. Any claim that has not been paid a 2018 advance payment by the end of March will be issued a bridging payment in early April.

RPA are on track to complete 95% of 2018 final payments on claims by the end of July.

2) The information held on Environmental Stewardship claims does not currently separate between Entry and Higher Level agreements.

All eligible 2016 claims have received a system advance and/or final, or a bridging payment. All eligible 2017 claims received an advance or bridging payment.

RPA is on track to complete 95% of 2017 final payments by end of July. There are just over 9,500 2018 claims due their advance payment.

Payments for 2018 Countryside Stewardship claims are underway and 20% of eligible agreement holders have received their advance payment. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is working towards paying 95% of 2018 advance payments by the end of March and will issue bridging payments, in early April, to eligible agreement holders who have not received a payment by the end of March. In addition the RPA is aiming to pay 95% of eligible final payments by the end of July 2019.

The RPA took on administration of Countryside Stewardship in October 2018 and is continuing to simplify the administration of the scheme as far as possible under the current EU system.

Over 98% of 2017 advance and over 80% of 2017 final payments have been issued to agreement holders. Recognising the importance of these payments, around £26 million was paid in bridging payments to just over 1,700 eligible agreement holders in September 2018. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is working to complete 95% of final payments by the end of July.

The RPA took on administration of Environmental Stewardship in October 2018 and is continuing to simplify the administration of the scheme as far as possible under the current EU system.

The Government recently announced that EU vessels will no longer be able to carry out electric pulse beam trawl fishing in UK waters after we leave the EU. At EU level, a recent provisional political agreement awaits adoption which will include a phase out period for pulse trawl, culminating in a ban from 1 July 2021.

The Dutch are considering the implications of the EU agreement for their fleet, but it is anticipated upon adoption and coming into force this will mean a drop from around 84 vessels they have authorised to use pulse methods, to an estimated 12 vessels operating with pulse during the phase out period, in line with the 5% of their beam trawl fleet that was originally agreed by Council. There are currently six UK authorisations in place, with three (two English and one Scottish) that actually use pulse fishing, and Defra is working with Marine Management Organisation and Marine Scotland to review these licenses with a view to withdrawal.

Meanwhile, under the current EU rules, there is a prohibition on beam trawling within the UK 12 mile zone for vessels with engine power of over 220kW, which includes relevant pulse-equipped beam trawl vessels. This applies to other EU Member State and UK beam trawl vessels in that gear category. In addition, under Common Fisheries Policy rules, the Netherlands, the primary exponent of pulse beam trawling, does not have access to use any beam trawl gear within our UK 6-12 mile zone. There are no reports of incursions within our 12 mile zone by Dutch pulse trawl vessels operating in the southern North Sea derogation area.

The Government has confirmed that it will introduce a deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers in England, subject to consultation, aimed at boosting recycling rates and reducing littering.

We are consulting on two options for a DRS relating to size of containers: an ‘all-in’ DRS which would include containers of any size, and an ‘on-the-go’ DRS that would include containers smaller than 750ml. The scope of a DRS, including the size of drinks containers included in such a scheme, will be dependent on the results of the consultation.

Defra collects data on the number of fly-tipping incidents and actions taken which is provided by local authorities in England. These data are published annually and may include some private land incidents that are voluntarily reported (although it is not mandatory to do so). Defra does not hold data relating solely to fly-tipping incidents on private land. The tables below show the data held regarding prosecutions and fines for fly-tipping in the last ten years. Details of fine levels for individual cases are not held.

Local authority prosecutions for fly-tipping in England

Level of fines for fly-tipping offences in England resulting from the above prosecutions

The Environment Agency investigates and prosecutes larger and more serious cases of illegal dumping. Data distinguishing between types of waste crime incidents have been available since 2015. Data for privately-owned land are not shown separately. The table below shows the total successful prosecutions by the Environment Agency for illegal dumping incidents only.

Environment Agency prosecutions for illegal dumping in England

Invasive non-native species outbreaks since 2014 include several incursions of Asian hornet, as well as raccoon, coati, quagga mussel, various leafed water milfoil, acrobat ant, marbled newt, American comb jelly, Asian super ant, American lobster, argentine ant, gulf wedge clam and pacific salmon.

Swift and effective action has been taken to remove populations of Asian hornet, American lobster, raccoon and coati, with ongoing action against the various-leaved water milfoil. In some cases it has not been feasible to eradicate species and so biosecurity measures to contain or reduce spread are being developed.

Biosecurity and control of invasive non-native species are devolved matters. In England in 2016/17 the Government spent an estimated total of £922,000 on biosecurity measures relating to invasive non-native species.

I will write to the Noble Baroness with further information regarding the costs from 2014- 2018.

Ofwat, the economic regulator for the water industry, regulates and monitors the operation of the retail business market. They published their first annual report on the market, Open for Business, in July 2018.

It identified that small and medium sized business customers are not yet experiencing the same benefits that larger customers receive from the retail market, and raised a number of issues that could be affecting this.

These included issues that could potentially hinder retailers engaging with certain customer groups, particularly small businesses, and that could also affect customers’ experience of the market.

Ofwat and Market Operator Services Ltd (MOSL), the market operator, have been taking a number of actions to investigate further and address these issues.

Ofwat is currently undertaking a further assessment of the market with a view to publishing their second annual report, likely in July.

My Department has ongoing discussions with Ofwat and MOSL about these issues and will discuss the outcomes of the second annual report with Ofwat in due course.

Ofwat published their first annual report on the market, Open for Business, in July 2018 and are currently undertaking a further assessment of the market with a view to publishing their second annual report, likely in July.

The first report highlighted that, overall, market opening has benefited both customers who have switched and those who have not. Ofwat estimate that in the first year customers who switched or did not, but renegotiated services, saved:

• around £8 million through lower bills;

• approximately 270 to 540 million litres of water, equivalent to 100 to 200 Olympic sized swimming pools, due to water efficiency measures from switching; and

• time from more convenient billing or better customer services

The report identified that small and medium sized business customers are not yet experiencing the same benefits that larger customers receive from the retail market, and identified some issues preventing the market reaching its full potential for them and entrants to it. These include:

• the availability and accuracy of market data; and
• interaction between wholesalers and retailers.

Ofwat are working with market participants, including the Market Operator (Services Ltd, MOSL), to address these issues.

The Environment Agency has wide ranging duties covering matters it may take into account when it deals with water abstraction licence applications. When making decision on licence applications, the Environment Agency balances the needs of businesses, people and the environment.

The legal framework in which the Environment Agency is required to operate means that, where a licence application may affect protected species or habitats, or cause the environment to deteriorate as a result of unacceptable environmental damage, the balance must be weighted in favour of the environment. However, the Environment Agency works with applicants to secure access to water for them on reasonable terms whilst still protecting the environment.

Ultimately, applicants can appeal the Environment Agency’s licence application decisions, where applications are refused or licences have been granted subject to conditions. Appeals are normally decided by an Inspector appointed from the Planning Inspectorate.

Defra does not hold the statistics required to answer this question. Overseas trade commodity data collected by HMRC does not include any details of where products are manufactured, or of any intermediate manufacturing processes.

Natural England is the statutory nature conservation body in England.

There are currently 224 National Nature Reserves (NNRs) in England, with an approximate area of 94,000 hectares. Natural England manages in whole or in part 143 NNRs, with a total area of approximately 65,000 hectares. Of these, Natural England owns about 20,000 hectares, leases about 30,000 hectares, and manages about 15,000 hectares under Nature Reserve Agreements. The remainder are managed by 53 'Approved Bodies' (organisations approved by Natural England to manage NNRs under Section 35 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981). Almost all NNRs are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) (over 99% by area) and 84% is designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA), or both.

Defra does not hold information on individual land ownership outside the government estate, although many environmental non-government organisations are open about the size of their land holdings. For example, the National Trust and the RSPB, both of whom own significant area of land, publish data and maps of their reserve boundaries across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The public forest estate in England, which is managed by Forest Enterprise England (an executive agency sponsored by the Forestry Commission), covers over 250,000 hectares and is managed for multiple purposes, including conservation.

There is no scheme at this time to financially support fishing fleets in collecting litter from the sea during periods when fishing activity might be restricted. We encourage Fishing for Litter: an initiative which supports fishers in Scotland and Southwest England in collecting litter during their usual fishing trips. We also recognise the work that the many NGOs and charitable groups do in conducting beach cleans and litter collection at sea. We are reviewing what more can be done to reduce plastic in the marine environment and will set out our plans shortly in our Resources and Waste Strategy.

The UK has a high degree of food security as shown by the UK Security Assessment. This is built on access to diverse sources of supply, including our excellent domestic production. Consumers will continue to have a wide choice of food after we leave the EU.

Defra regularly assesses the security of food supply and has well-established relationships with industry on supply chain resilience. We will be using these to support preparations for leaving the EU.

It is also essential that we maintain public confidence in the food we all eat; we will therefore ensure there is no compromise on animal welfare, environmental and food standards. We will remain global leaders in environmental protection and animal welfare standards, maintaining our high quality produce for British consumers.

The Government is aware that there is public concern about meat from animals slaughtered in accordance with religious beliefs being sold to consumers who do not require their meat to be prepared in this way. There are no domestic or European Regulations that require the labelling of Halal meat but where any information of this nature is provided, it must be accurate and must not be misleading to the customer.

The Government believes that consumers should have the necessary information available to them to make an informed choice about their food. This is an issue the Government is considering in the context of the UK’s exit from the EU.