Asked by: Lord Roborough (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they made of the impact of the US–UK Economic Prosperity Deal on UK farmers before it was signed.
Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
On 8 May, we concluded a landmark economic deal with the US. For the first time ever, this deal will open up exclusive access for UK beef farmers to the US market. This is a major opportunity for British farmers to sell their high-quality British beef to a market of over 300 million people, helping farmers grow their business.
We are engaging extensively with the agricultural and food sectors and will always put the UK’s national interest first.
Asked by: Lord Roborough (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government on what date they informed bioethanol companies of the details of the preferential terms for US bioethanol to be sold into the UK market under the US–UK Economic Prosperity Deal. [I]
Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Representatives from the Department for Business and Trade have been engaging with bioethanol companies regularly, including on 8 May, when the US–UK Economic Prosperity Deal was signed. Both the Business Secretary and senior officials from the department have met members of the bioethanol sector to listen to their concerns, with further engagement to take place. We are committed to engaging with the sector during this critical period.
Asked by: Lord Roborough (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they consulted the bioethanol industry before the US–UK Economic Prosperity Deal was signed. [I]
Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Representatives from the Department for Business and Trade have been engaging with bioethanol companies regularly, including on 8 May, when the US–UK Economic Prosperity Deal was signed. Both the Business Secretary and senior officials from the department have met members of the bioethanol sector to listen to their concerns, with further engagement to take place. We are committed to engaging with the sector during this critical period.
Asked by: Lord Roborough (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact that the US–UK Economic Prosperity Deal will have on the wheat prices achieved by farmers. [I]
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
On 8 May, the UK Government announced a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to reach an agreement with President Trump. This delivers on the commitment by the Prime Minister and the President on 27 February to agree an economic deal in our respective national interests.
The deal protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK. For the first time ever, this deal will also open up exclusive access for UK beef farmers to the US market.
We have always been clear that this Government will protect British farmers, secure our food security and uphold our high food, animal welfare and environmental standards in trade deals. That is exactly what we have done and will continue to do. Any agricultural imports coming into the UK will have to meet our high sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards.
Other than beef and ethanol, no access has been offered to US farmers into the UK market. We are working closely with the ethanol industry to find a way forward.
Asked by: Lord Roborough (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what meetings they have had with representatives of the Canal and River Trust since 4 July 2024.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Since 4 July 2024 there has been one formal grant review meeting between officials and Canal and River Trust senior management, which was part of the regular series of three such meetings per year. There are also ongoing working level meetings between the Trust and officials to support grant management.
The Canal and Rivers Trust is also a member of the Flood Resilience Taskforce.
Asked by: Lord Roborough (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have discussed the incidence of litter on urban towpaths with the Canal and River Trust since 4 July 2024.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We have discussed the general upkeep of towpath conditions with the Canal and River Trust, but have not specifically discussed the incidence of litter on urban towpaths since July 2024.
Asked by: Lord Roborough (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the value of the Nature Restoration Fund balance sheet by 2029.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Nature Restoration Fund will collect levy payments from developers seeking to discharge relevant environmental obligations through an Environmental Delivery Plan (EDP). The EDP will spend those funds on conservation measures deployed by Natural England to outweigh the negative effects of development. The fund is not intended to accrue value, as it is intended that levy receipts will be rapidly deployed into the delivery of conservation measures to deliver environmental benefit.
Asked by: Lord Roborough (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many times local authorities have used compulsory purchase order powers in the most recent year for which data are available.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The government did not use its compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers in 2024.
The Department does not collect data on the number of times CPO powers have been used by local authorities and other bodies to compulsory acquire land. The following data on the number of CPOs made by such bodies which were confirmed in 2024.
Type of acquiring authority | Number of CPOs confirmed in 2024 |
Local authority | 54 |
Other | 7 |
Asked by: Lord Roborough (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many times compulsory purchase order powers have been used by all permitted bodies in the most recent year data are available.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The government did not use its compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers in 2024.
The Department does not collect data on the number of times CPO powers have been used by local authorities and other bodies to compulsory acquire land. The following data on the number of CPOs made by such bodies which were confirmed in 2024.
Type of acquiring authority | Number of CPOs confirmed in 2024 |
Local authority | 54 |
Other | 7 |
Asked by: Lord Roborough (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many times they have used compulsory purchase order powers in the most recent year for which data are available.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The government did not use its compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers in 2024.
The Department does not collect data on the number of times CPO powers have been used by local authorities and other bodies to compulsory acquire land. The following data on the number of CPOs made by such bodies which were confirmed in 2024.
Type of acquiring authority | Number of CPOs confirmed in 2024 |
Local authority | 54 |
Other | 7 |