Alec Shelbrooke

This Government is focussed on getting the UK’s first low carbon hydrogen production projects built, which is why in the Autumn Budget we committed £2.3bn in revenue funding for 11 green hydrogen projects from the first Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1). The second Hydrogen Allocation Round is now underway to support further green hydrogen production capacity. The Government is also supporting carbon capture and storage enabled hydrogen production and in October 2024 we announced up to £21.7bn of available funding over 25 years to launch the UK’s new CCUS industry.

We will publish a Hydrogen Strategy Update to the Market this winter, including further information on recent hydrogen developments and a forward look.

Grid-scale batteries are regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) within a framework which requires battery designers, installers and operators to take the necessary measures to ensure health and safety throughout all stages of the system’s construction, operation and decommissioning.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is considering options, including environmental permitting, to further mitigate thermal runaway risk in battery storage facilities. The Department’s officials are supporting this work.

Local authorities are responsible for the enforcement of avian influenza controls including Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) measures. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) works in conjunction with the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers (ACTSO) which includes representatives from North Yorkshire Council and the Local Authority Animal Health and Welfare National Panel to disseminate information and guidance as required. Communication material is also shared with local authorities that provides up to date information and is available for use in the local community to raise awareness.

North Yorkshire has seen 10 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed in poultry during this outbreak season (2 in the Wetherby and Easingwold constituency and 8 in the Thirsk and Malton constituency) and we recognise bird keepers and local authorities are on the front line of this terrible disease. We extend our thanks to North Yorkshire Council and other local authorities for the work they do to support bird keepers and improve compliance with mandatory requirements.

Defra’s avian influenza disease control measures aim to minimise the economic burden of the outbreak on the food and farming sectors, bird keepers and the wider economy. Defra works closely with both the poultry industry and wider bird keeping stakeholders and the impacts of the avian influenza outbreak are being monitored closely.

When avian influenza is confirmed at a premises, in order to limit the risk of the disease spreading, all birds on the premises are humanely culled. Keepers will be paid compensation for clinically healthy birds culled by HM Government for disease control purposes as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981. Compensation is not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control measures, nor for eggs or poultry meat.

The future Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer will build on what has made SFI effective so far. Defra is working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future SFI offer that fairly and responsibly directs funding. Further details about the reformed SFI offer will be announced following the spending review in summer 2025.

In September 2024 laying hen and pullet keepers could apply for funding to undertake large infrastructure projects to deliver excellent levels of health and welfare through the Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant, this included funding for features such as fixed bio-secure housing and mechanical ventilation. The grant also funds constructing verandas, which can provide access to fresh air and natural light when an A.I. housing order is in force.

On 29 May keepers of layer hens and broilers will be able to apply for grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, toward the cost of a list of items that address a range of health and welfare issues including biosecurity risks.

Local authorities are responsible for the enforcement of avian influenza controls including Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) measures. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) works in conjunction with the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers (ACTSO) which includes representatives from North Yorkshire Council and the Local Authority Animal Health and Welfare National Panel to disseminate information and guidance as required. Communication material is also shared with local authorities that provides up to date information and is available for use in the local community to raise awareness.

North Yorkshire has seen 10 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza confirmed in poultry during this outbreak season (2 in the Wetherby and Easingwold constituency and 8 in the Thirsk and Malton constituency) and we recognise bird keepers and local authorities are on the front line of this terrible disease. We extend our thanks to North Yorkshire Council and other local authorities for the work they do to support bird keepers and improve compliance with mandatory requirements.

Defra’s avian influenza disease control measures aim to minimise the economic burden of the outbreak on the food and farming sectors, bird keepers and the wider economy. Defra works closely with both the poultry industry and wider bird keeping stakeholders and the impacts of the avian influenza outbreak are being monitored closely.

When avian influenza is confirmed at a premises, in order to limit the risk of the disease spreading, all birds on the premises are humanely culled. Keepers will be paid compensation for clinically healthy birds culled by HM Government for disease control purposes as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981. Compensation is not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control measures, nor for eggs or poultry meat.

Termination of agreements is covered by condition 15 of the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2024 terms and conditions. In some specific circumstances, agreements can be terminated by the department with immediate effect, for example if a change of circumstances means an agreement holder is no longer eligible, or if there has been a breach of the agreement. Beyond these specific circumstances, we may terminate an agreement at any time on giving at least six months’ written notice to the agreement holder.

As part of the Government’s broader Collection and Packaging Reforms Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging will provide regulatory certainty necessary to support investment in recycling and reprocessing infrastructure across the UK and support the transition to a circular economy. Defra and senior officials from the Dutch Government have met with representatives of the UK and Dutch finance sectors to set out a path toward closer cooperation in financing a circular economy. Both sets of officials, with support from the Dutch Banking Association, invited attendees to form a Circular Economy Finance Coalition. The Coalition will identify ways to boost investment in the transition to a circular economy, including developing the necessary infrastructure and innovative business models.

Investment is at the heart of the government’s growth mission, increasing the number of good, well-skilled jobs and improving productivity across the country. The UK has a strong track record attracting private investment – a testament to our strong economic foundations, including world-leading innovation, the rule of law, our ambitious transition to clean energy, and a supportive regulatory framework.

The UK remains a globally competitive destination with the lowest top-line corporation tax rate in the G7 at 25%; the joint most generous capital allowances regime for plant and machinery in the OECD; and R&D tax incentives up to 27% for SMEs and the joint highest uncapped rate in the G7 for large companies.

In England, waste incinerators cannot operate unless issued with an environmental permit by the Environment Agency (EA). The EA assesses the emissions from new incinerators as part of its permitting process and consults the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on every application received. The UKHSA’s position is that modern, well-run and regulated municipal waste incinerators are not a significant risk to public health. This view is based on detailed assessments of the effects of air pollutants on health and on the fact that these incinerators make only a very small contribution to local and national concentrations of air pollutants.

The Environment Agency (EA) has a range of powers to tackle waste crime and take enforcement action. These powers, coupled with those of their partners ensure that it can confront criminals. Over the last 3 years the EA has stopped more than 1500 illegal waste sites and is now implementing powers from the Environment Act 2021 to increase funding available for enforcement work against waste crime.

This Government is committed to tackling waste crime. We are considering how to continue to increase the pressure on illegal waste operators.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Epping Forest on 28 October 2024, to Question 10798.

Defra has made additional funding of £1.9 million available to Dover District Council for the Port Health Authority, for the remainder of this financial year (2024 to 2025), to support Border Force to conduct safeguarding checks on the illegal import of products of animal origin. This is in addition to the £1.2 million already committed. This total funding of £3.1m million is based on the existing staffing costs provided by Dover Port Health Authority. This funding is only for this financial year. Defra has also contributed operational equipment to support Border Force with relevant checks.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 12666 on 5 December 2024.

Defra continues to monitor and review the impact of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), including the Border Control Post at Sevington. We are working closely with industry, trade partners and enforcement agencies to minimise disruption and costs to trade, while continuing to protect our biosecurity. The effectiveness of the import controls has been demonstrated throughout September and October by the interception at Sevington of 34 consignments of plants infested with Pochazia Shantungensis, a fruit tree pest native to China but now present in mainland Europe. The consignments were destroyed, preventing the potential for a damaging outbreak for UK fruit growers.

The BTOM is designed to assure the biosecurity of commercial imports. Illegal imports of products of animal origin are dealt with through separate intelligence led checks, conducted at the border by Border Force, in Border Force facilities, with the assistance of Port Health Authorities.

Defra has no current plans to undertake research on the specific impact of solar farms on soil properties.

We have undertaken an evidence review evaluating opportunities for agrivoltaic systems in England and Wales. Impacts on soil were not considered.

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of solar farms on soil.

When considering development proposals that affect agricultural land and soils, the Government encourages developers and local planning authorities to refer to relevant Government policies and legislation that aim to protect all soils by managing them in a sustainable way.

The previous Government did not commission research into this space, so it is currently unclear what impact solar panels may have on soil properties such as carbon storage, structure and biodiversity across England. However, a solar farm development near Kenilworth (Honiley Road solar farm) reports that it delivered 135% Biodiversity Net Increase.

The Department’s impact assessment published online here has considered the impacts on businesses from the introduction of extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR).

Obligations on non-household packaging elements of the upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility scheme will continue to be enforced by the Environment Agency in England and the equivalent regulators in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as these obligations are in the current producer responsibility scheme.

Checks are handled by trained staff working to standard operating procedures, ensuring inspections are undertaken safely and efficiently.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency’s plant health import inspection process is accredited to the ISO 17020 Inspection Standard which is subject to external audits from the UK Accreditation Service.

Inspectors are rigorously trained and are equipped to ensure sanitary and phytosanitary goods are handled safely and with care.

In August 2024, we released the first set of illustrative packaging extended producer responsibility base fees covering the following eight packaging materials: aluminium, fibre-based composite materials, glass, paper or board, plastic, steel, wood and other materials.

In September 2024, we released a second set of illustrative base fees using an updated methodology, based principally on 'Report Packaging Data’ (RPD) producer reported tonnages from 2023 alongside Defra-modelled Local Authority costs. This is the same underlying approach and datasets that the Scheme Administrator intends to use for final fees from 2025, with all tonnages based on RPD data.

Final fees can only be calculated after 1 April 2025, the deadline for large organisations to report their packaging data for the period July to December 2024.

These fees have been published and can be found here: Extended producer responsibility for packaging: illustrative base fees - GOV.UK.

The Secretary of State has made clear she expects all operators to ensure their policy on ticketing is clear and fair for passengers at all times. Ticketing has become far too complicated, which is why we plan to simplify it as part of the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation.

The Department does not hold information on the number or proportion of buses operating in the UK that were made in the UK.

We understand that the scheme promotor is seeking to resolve legal and commercial processes with the Principal Contractor. These processes are expected to be concluded by the end of this calendar year, with a view to re-mobilising site works early 2025.

My officials were in touch with ToCs at the time. As the Minister (Ellie Reeves, Minister without Portfolio) said in her statement to the House of Commons on Monday 22 July, the transport sector will review its response and implement any learnings.

The Cabinet Office has led a review of the incident, identifying lessons. The Department has engaged with this process and will implement recommendations with the transport sector, including the rail industry and train operating companies, as appropriate.

The Department for Transport works closely with the bus and coach sector to advise them on protective security issues, and in 2018 published best practice guidance to advise the sector on security measures to protect against acts of violence. The guidance is available to view on GOV.UK at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/875547/bus-and-coach-security-recommended-best-practice.pdf. The Department is currently in the process of updating this guidance, working in partnership with industry, and expects to publish an enhanced document later this year.

Local authorities, rather than central government, are responsible for the bus stops and shelters in their area. Any decisions regarding the reopening of Bradford Interchange bus station are for West Yorkshire Combined Authority to make.

This Government remains committed to making ticketing simpler and more flexible for passengers and to working with local authorities to support integrated transport plans in their areas. Following the announcement in February that Pay As You Go (PAYG) pilots would be launched in 2025, we have been working closely with Transport for the West Midlands, the West Midlands Rail Executive, Transport for Greater Manchester and train operators to finalise delivery plans for the PAYG pilots including launch dates.

The Department does not hold the requested data concerning journey cancellations on 14 July 2024 directly due to crew shortages.