Asked by: David Lammy (Labour - Tottenham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of the Civil Service workforce in his Department dedicated to planning for (a) the UK leaving the EU and (b) projects relating to the UK leaving the EU.
Answered by George Eustice
Over 80% of Defra’s agenda is affected by the UK’s departure from the European Union and as a result, many roles across the Defra group are now supporting EU exit-related work, either directly or indirectly. We continue to keep our resourcing plans under review, focusing both on recruitment and increasing the capability of new and existing staff.
Asked by: David Lammy (Labour - Tottenham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Government has to implement a diesel scrappage scheme to tackle air pollution.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
Current plans for improving air quality are set out in our national plan for nitrogen dioxide, published on 17 December last year. The plan sets out a comprehensive approach to improving UK air quality. The priority measure in the plan is the introduction of new Clean Air Zones to tackle the most polluting vehicles in air pollution hotspots. Clean Air Zones will be introduced in five cities in England (Birmingham, Leeds, Southampton, Nottingham and Derby), along with the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London.
The plan sets out a range of other measures. For example, we are also planning to consult in the Autumn on proposals to control emissions from generators, which have the potential to cause breaches in air quality limits for nitrogen dioxide. The proposed controls will apply from 2019.
Asked by: David Lammy (Labour - Tottenham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government plans to take to tackle air pollution and the associated health effects.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
The Government is committed to improving the UK’s air quality and reducing health impacts. Air quality has improved significantly in recent decades and we are working at local, national and international levels to continue those improvements. The UK currently meets legal limits for almost all pollutants; however, reducing levels for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) remains the most challenging.
In December last year, the Government published the national air quality plan for NO2. This is an ambitious plan combining national and local measures. It includes targeted measures, for example, the implementation of a new programme of Clean Air Zones, alongside wider approaches including continued investment in clean technologies, such as electric and ultra low emission vehicles. Our approach also includes working closely with the Mayor on improvements to air quality in London. The Plan sets out that we intend to meet legal limits for NO2 in all areas outside London by 2020 and in London by 2025.
The Plan also sets out a range of action by local authorities across the UK. Alongside national action, local authorities have a crucial role to play in improving air quality. They are required to review and assess air quality in their areas and to designate Air Quality Management Areas and put in place Air Quality Action Plans to address air pollution issues where national air quality objectives are not being met.
Later this year, we will also consult on proposals to reduce pollution from electricity generating plants with high emissions of nitrogen oxides that are not currently regulated. The proposals would set emission limit values on relevant air pollutants, with a view to having legislation in force no later than January 2019 and possibly sooner.
Asked by: David Lammy (Labour - Tottenham)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Environment Agency is taking to respond to the oil spill on the River Lea near Tottenham Lock.
Answered by Rory Stewart
The Environment Agency attended the site on the morning of 5 April and worked with Thames Water Utilities (TWU) Ltd to trace the source, identifying it as a ruptured diesel oil tank.
The Environment Agency is working alongside contractors and the Canal and River Trust (CRT) to clear up the oil. Absorbent booms are in place to contain the spread of the oil. Any residual patches of oil not trapped by the booms are being mopped up by absorbent pads. The Environment Agency attended the site on 11 April and will continue to oversee the clean-up operation.
The Environment Agency is continuing investigations with a view to possible enforcement action.