Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 28 Mar 2019
Oral Answers to Questions
"My hon. Friend raises an important issue. The Electoral Commission’s regulatory remit is confined in law to UK-based parties and other campaigners. It liaises with the UK Government and security services, working to ensure that our elections are free from foreign interference and to address the issue of threats to …..."Bridget Phillipson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 28 Mar 2019
Oral Answers to Questions
"I understand the hon. Gentleman’s concerns. I am sure that the issues he has raised this morning will have been heard. I will ensure that the commission responds in full to the issues he has raised...."Bridget Phillipson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 28 Mar 2019
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"This is a growing area of concern. In its recent report on digital campaigning, the Electoral Commission recommended greater transparency on the sources of digital campaign materials and those paying for them and that the commission should be given greater powers to compel information from social media companies...."Bridget Phillipson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 28 Mar 2019
Oral Answers to Questions
"The commission found Vote Leave guilty of multiple breaches under electoral law and imposed fines of £61,000 in July 2018. Vote Leave made representations to the commission in June 2018, when it was notified of the commission’s proposals for penalties. The commission considered these representations carefully, in accordance with its …..."Bridget Phillipson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 28 Mar 2019
Oral Answers to Questions
"The Electoral Commission works closely with the Information Commissioner and others in making sure that our rules are followed, but the Electoral Commission, in terms of its responsibilities, continues to urge the Government to introduce legislation to strengthen its sanctioning powers for future referendums and elections. Its view is that …..."Bridget Phillipson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 21 Feb 2019
Oral Answers to Questions
"The Electoral Commission has ongoing dialogue with the Northern Ireland Office as the lead Department on the transparency of donations received by political parties in Northern Ireland. Copies of the relevant correspondence will shortly be placed in the House of Commons Library. The commission continues to urge the UK Government …..."Bridget Phillipson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 21 Feb 2019
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"I fully understand the hon. Gentleman’s frustration. However, the law requires the Electoral Commission to keep confidential all information about political donations and loans in Northern Ireland before 1 July 2017. The commission therefore regrets that it is unable to disclose information and its own work in fulfilling its statutory …..."Bridget Phillipson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 21 Feb 2019
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"The hon. Lady is right to add her voice to that of the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Brendan O’Hara) in expressing frustration. I can only reiterate the Electoral Commission’s position, which is that it is unable fully to disclose information in this regard. However, it is for the …..."Bridget Phillipson - View Speech
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Written Question
Wednesday 13th February 2019
Asked by:
Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question
to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking through the 25 Year Environment Plan to promote learning on the environment and sustainability for children in schools with low levels of access to natural spaces.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
The 25 Year Environment Plan, published in January 2018, sets out the government’s ambition to improve the environment within a generation. A key commitment is to encourage children to be close to nature, in and out of school. The government announced £10 million funding for the Children and Nature Programme which aims to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds to have better access to the natural environment. The programme has been designed to make it possible for schools to undertake a range of activities in natural spaces, including learning about nature and how to care for the natural environment.
As announced by the Environment Secretary on 31 January, grants have recently been awarded to projects in the Children and Nature programme. Resilience through Nature, a consortium of The Wildlife Trusts, YoungMinds, Groundwork, the Sensory Trust and Field Studies Council, have been appointed to the Nature Friendly Schools project which will help deliver greener grounds and pupil visits to green spaces for schools with the highest proportion of disadvantaged pupils. Social Farms and Gardens, working with Thrive, will deliver the Growing Care Farming project which aims to achieve a transformational change in the scale, scope and uptake of care farming services in England for children and adults with a defined health, education or social need particularly those from disadvantaged areas. Funding for the Community Forests and Woodland Outreach project is yet to be awarded.
The announcement on 31 January marked the beginning of the 2019 Year of Green Action. Over the next 12 months government will work with businesses and communities to create ways for people from all backgrounds to connect with nature, protect our environment, and contribute to restoring our natural world.
As part of the 2019 Year of Green Action, the nationwide #iwill4nature initiative, led by charity Step Up To Serve and backed by government will support a series of activities for young people to connect with, protect and enhance nature.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 17 Jan 2019
Oral Answers to Questions
"The Electoral Commission has ongoing dialogue with the Minister for the Constitution, and it has raised the need for a significant increase to its current maximum fine of £20,000. That will ensure that sanctions are proportionate and provide a genuine deterrent...."Bridget Phillipson - View Speech
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