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 help tackle environmental harm in (a) Broxtowe Constituency and (b) Nottinghamshire.

The Environment Agency (EA) advises and regulates businesses across the energy, agriculture, and waste sectors. They are the environmental regulator for water companies, prosecute and act against those who pollute the environment, and they reduce and protect against flood risk. As a Category 1 Responder (with the emergency services) under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 they have a duty to warn, inform, and respond to flood incidents and prevent environmental damage.

The EA advises on planning applications within their statutory remit for all local planning authorities, including assessing flood risk and potential impacts to main rivers or controlled waters. They also work with local planning authorities ensuring flood risk, climate change, land contamination, and the water environment are included in their evidence base and policies for local plans.

In addition, they partner with the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, local authorities, and local police forces, to tackle environmental waste crime.