Asked by: Neil Parish (Conservative - Tiverton and Honiton)
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 to ensure that (a) the response to the covid-19 outbreak does not delay the urgent steps required to tackle illegal levels of air pollution and protect people’s health and (b) local authorities deliver their air quality plans as soon as possible.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Air pollution poses one of the biggest environmental threats to public health. Our ambitious plans to decarbonise transport, improve air quality and support more active forms of travel have not changed, including the £3.8 billion we are already investing to clean up our air.
The 2017 UK Plan for Tackling Roadside Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Concentrations sets out how we will achieve compliance with legal NO2 limits in the shortest possible time. We are continuing to work closely with those local authorities identified to assist them in developing local plans to tackle NO2 exceedances. These plans can include charging Clean Air Zones (CAZ) although other measures that are at least as effective are preferred. We rigorously assess local plans to make sure they will deliver reductions in NO2 levels in the shortest possible time.
To help them focus on their response to coronavirus, we agreed with Leeds and Birmingham’s requests to delay the introduction of CAZ until after January 2021. However, CAZ development work is continuing, and we are working to deliver compliance as soon as possible. Our recent rapid call for evidence will ensure we can fully understand the impact that coronavirus is having on changes in air pollution emissions, concentrations and exposure. Recent Automatic Urban and Rural Network provisional NO2 data from 23 March to 15 June shows that average NO2 levels decreased by 45%. It is not clear that these reductions will be maintained long term. Improving air quality as soon as possible remains vital and we continue to engage with local authorities and keep plans for all CAZ under constant review.
Asked by: Neil Parish (Conservative - Tiverton and Honiton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of implications for his policies of the conclusions of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors survey that (a) 50 per cent of businesses surveyed that have a turnover of £45 million or lower, are in danger of going into liquidation in the next three months to a year, (b) 70 per cent of respondents supply to schools, care homes, hospitals and (c) £270 million worth of public sector contracts are at risk; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - President of the Board of Trade
The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency including almost £300 billion of guarantees – equivalent to 15% of UK GDP. Local Authorities (LAs) can choose to make discretionary grants to businesses in supply chains, like wholesale distributors, if they feel there is a particular local economic need. The Government has allocated up to £617 million to LAs to enable them to give discretionary grants to businesses in this situation. LAs may choose to focus payments on those priority groups which are most relevant to their local areas or to businesses outside of these priority groups, so long as the business was trading on 11th March, and has not received any other cash grant funded by central Government.
Wholesale distributors can also benefit from other elements of the Government’s unprecedented package of support for business, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the four government-backed loan schemes for firms of all sizes. The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply - https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder.
On 11 May the Government published its COVID-19 recovery strategy which sets out our plan for moving to the next phase of our response. The strategy sets out a cautious roadmap for easing existing measures in a safe and measured way. Our aim is that all non-essential retail will be able to reopen by 15 June if the Government’s five tests are met and they follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines. The roadmap will be kept constantly under review, and we will continue to work hard to support business and workers as the situation evolves. The Department for Transport is engaging with the haulage industry to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the sector.
Asked by: Neil Parish (Conservative - Tiverton and Honiton)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend the application of business rates relief to food and drink wholesalers.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government has provided enhanced support through business rates relief to businesses occupying properties used for retail, hospitality and leisure given the direct and acute impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on those sectors.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published guidance for local authorities on eligible properties. As set out in the guidance, support is targeted at premises that are wholly or mainly being used as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues; for assembly and leisure; or as hotels, guest and boarding premises, and self-catering accommodation. It is for local authorities to determine eligibility for reliefs, having regard to guidance issued by the Government.
A range of further measures to support all businesses, including those not eligible for the business rates holiday, such as wholesalers, has also been made available.
Asked by: Neil Parish (Conservative - Tiverton and Honiton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if it remains the Government's policy to maintain the October 2022 deadline for (a) air quality, water, (b) biodiversity, (c) resource efficiency and (d) waste reduction targets.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government plans to bring forward at least one target in each of the four priority areas by the Environment Bill’s 31 October 2022 deadline. Targets will be developed based on robust, scientifically credible evidence, as well as economic analysis. We want them to be ambitious, credible and supported by society.
Asked by: Neil Parish (Conservative - Tiverton and Honiton)
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 to support the UK fishing industry (a) during the covid-19 outbreak and (b) in preparation for the end of the transition period.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
The Government remains committed to supporting the long-term profitability of our fishing industry in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. On 17 April 2020 it launched a £10 million financial assistance package for England's fishing and aquaculture businesses which included a £1 million grant scheme to support the sale of fish locally.
We have left the EU, and at the end of the Transition Period will leave the Common Fisheries Policy. We will take back control of our waters to secure a fairer share of fishing opportunities for the UK fishing industry and will develop a world-class fisheries management regime to the benefit of industry. The Fisheries Bill will give us the necessary powers to manage fisheries as an independent coastal State. New, domestic, long-term funding arrangements will support the UK's fishing industry from 2021. We are working closely with the industry and others to ensure that the trade of seafood with the EU can continue after the end of the Transition Period.
A number of schemes are available to support fisheries and aquaculture businesses and a summary can be found via the link below:
Asked by: Neil Parish (Conservative - Tiverton and Honiton)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of potential contribution of domestic tidal lagoon power to reaching the target of net zero by 2050.
Answered by Kwasi Kwarteng
The Government has been clear that tidal range technologies such as tidal lagoons and barrages may have a role to play in the UK’s long term energy mix but only if they can deliver value for money in the context of other renewable technologies.
Asked by: Neil Parish (Conservative - Tiverton and Honiton)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what representations he has made to Cabinet colleagues on the interests of British farming in relation to the Government's (a) forthcoming heat policy roadmap and (b) plans to renew the Renewable Heat Incentive.
Answered by Kwasi Kwarteng
The Department engages regularly with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, at both ministerial and official level, on the interests of British Farming on a range of issues. This includes the biogas and biomethane technologies included under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
The RHI has funding confirmed for new deployment of renewable heat technologies until 31 March 2021. The Budget on 11 March confirmed a new allocation of flexible tariff guarantees on the non-domestic RHI and announced a new support scheme for biomethane production to increase the proportion of green gas in the grid, funded by a Green Gas Levy.
We are planning to publish a Heat and Building Strategy later this year, which will set out the immediate actions we will take for reducing emissions from buildings and an ambitious programme of work required to enable key strategic decisions to set us on a path to Net Zero by 2050. We are currently developing policies to deliver low carbon heating in the 2020s and meet our climate targets which we will consult on with a wider range of stakeholders including British Farmers.
Asked by: Neil Parish (Conservative - Tiverton and Honiton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many reports of mis-stunning before slaughter he has received for each category of animal in each year since 2008.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) can provide recorded data from 2010 onwards detailing the number of instances of inaccurate/ineffective stunning which have occurred in the main categories of animals, in FSA approved slaughter premises in England and Wales. Each instance relates to an event that has been categorised as a serious or critical non-compliance on the welfare reporting systems used at that time. These figures do not reflect the number of animals involved.
Number of inaccurate/ineffective stuns recorded as serious/critical in England and Wales 2010-19
Year | Period | Poultry | Cattle | Pigs | Sheep and Goats | Total |
2010 | April 2010 to March 2011 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 39 |
2011 | April 2011 to March 2012 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 23 |
2012 | April 2012 to March 2013 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 25 |
2013 | April 2013 to March 2014 | 6 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 24 |
2014 | April 2014 to March 2015 | 11 | 21 | 3 | 3 | 38 |
2015 | April 2015 to March 2016 | 4 | 81 | 0 | 3 | 88 |
2016 | April 2016 to March 2017 | 2 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 30 |
2017 | April 2017 to March 2018 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 10 | 30 |
2018 | April 2018 to March 2019 | 2 | 34 | 4 | 6 | 46 |
2019 | April 2019 to December 2019 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 21 |
Grand Total | 61 | 232 | 21 | 50 | 364 | |
The figures in the table above for poultry only reflect the data associated with electrical stunning methods as the predominant method used in larger poultry premises is controlled atmosphere stunning (gas) method which is designed to kill rather than stun.
Asked by: Neil Parish (Conservative - Tiverton and Honiton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many reports of mis-cutting he received for each category of animal in each year since 2008.
Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) can provide the recorded data from 2010 onwards detailing the number of instances of mis-cutting which have occurred in the main categories of animals, in FSA approved slaughter premises in England and Wales. Each instance relates to an event that has been categorised as a serious or critical non-compliance on the welfare reporting systems used at that time. These figures do not reflect the number of animals involved.
Year | Period | Poultry | Cattle | Pigs | Sheep and Goats | Total |
2010 | April 2010 to March 2011 | 181 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 181 |
2011 | April 2011 to March 2012 | 154 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 154 |
2012 | April 2012 to March 2013 | 180 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 180 |
2013 | April 2013 to March 2014 | 88 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 88 |
2014 | April 2014 to March 2015 | 93 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 93 |
2015 | April 2015 to March 2016 | 96 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 96 |
2016 | April 2016 to March 2017 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 |
2017 | April 2017 to March 2018 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 |
2018 | April 2018 to March 2019 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
2019 | April 2019 to December 2019 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 28 |
| Grand Total | 933 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 936 |
As is evident in the data contained in the table the issue is almost exclusively related to poultry processing with an improving trend in recent years. This is due to improvements in business operator practices, technology and enforcement action being taken against operators who do not comply with the legal requirements.
Asked by: Neil Parish (Conservative - Tiverton and Honiton)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress has been made towards establishing a code of practice under the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.
Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)
On 3 November 2019, we announced we were contracting with the British Standards Institution (BSI) to develop the Code of Practice as British Standard, to ensure the new regulation will be robust and of the highest quality.
The government’s choice of BSI delivers on our promise to listen to industry and consumers and involve them in the design of the new regulation.
Work with BSI commenced in December 2019, and they are now convening a group of key stakeholders to write the Code. The stakeholder group will comprise representatives from the parking industry, consumer groups, standards bodies and, recognising the key role that parking plays in supporting our high streets, the retail sector.
A full public consultation will take place within six months, to give the parking industry, the public, and other interested parties the opportunity to have a say.
We have committed to developing the final Code this year.