Asked by: Stephen Kerr (Conservative - Stirling)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the value for money of the renewable heat incentive subsidy mechanism; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) compares favourably to other ways of saving carbon or generating renewable energy across the economy, contributes to our renewable targets, and plays a significant role in supporting supply chains in the renewable heating industry.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and prior to BEIS, the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has made regular assessments of value for money in the RHI subsidy mechanism. The latest scheme Impact Assessment was made in February 2018 and is available on GOV.UK.
The RHI was reformed in 2017 and 2018 to focus on long-term decarbonisation, improve consumer protection, support supply chain growth and improve value for money for the taxpayer. These reforms included setting maximum heat demand limits for biomass, air source and ground source heat pumps in the Domestic RHI, removing wood drying as an eligible heat use for the Non-domestic scheme and giving Ofgem greater enforcement powers.
Asked by: Mark Hendrick (Labour (Co-op) - Preston)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of shale gas extraction on the UK’s ability to meet its climate change targets.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Government believes that shale gas has the potential to be a home-grown energy source which can lead to jobs and economic growth, contribute to our security of supply, and help us achieve our climate change objectives.
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has considered whether shale gas production at a significant scale can be compatible with the UK’s carbon budgets, and has conducted that it can if certain conditions are met, which they have set out as three “tests”. These are:
We believe that our robust regulatory regime and determination to meet our carbon budgets mean those tests can and will be met. As such, we welcome the conclusions, and also the CCC’s belief that shale gas could make a useful contribution to UK energy supplies.
We welcome the recent publication of the IPCC’s special report on 1.5ºC. It sets out the strong case for pursing efforts to limiting global warming to 1.5°C, as set out in the Paris Agreement, and reiterates that current global efforts are not enough to meet this unprecedented challenge. The UK’s way forward is set out in the Clean Growth Strategy and we have committed to asking the Committee on Climate Change for advice on our long-term targets in light of this new evidence.
Asked by: Earl of Clancarty (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the response by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 16 July ( HL Deb, col 1126) that "current evidence suggests that while players see the two types of lottery as distinct, there is little danger of product substitution", what is that evidence.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
The Government is currently consulting on reforms to society lottery sales and prize limits. Our aim in reforming society lotteries is to allow for further growth in the sector, whilst ensuring that growth does not have a detrimental impact on the National Lottery.
The consultation options have been informed by expert advice from the Gambling Commission, which was requested following a CMS Select Committee enquiry on society lotteries in March 2015. This advice has been published alongside the consultation, which I attach, and can be found at:
http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PDF/consultations/Society-lottery-advice-provided-to-DCMS-002.pdf
In its comprehensive advice, the Gambling Commission advised that small changes to existing limits are likely to have minimal impact on the National Lottery, and that while society lotteries offer a differentiated product with smaller prizes, substitution between the two is likely to remain minimal. In conclusion, it said:
“In the context of society lotteries and the National Lottery in GB, the [academic] studies would suggest that whilst society lotteries offer a differentiated product with smaller jackpot prizes, substitution between the society lotteries and the National Lottery is likely to remain minimal. Lifting restrictions on the society lottery sector may enable society lotteries to increase their sales but under existing conditions and therefore under small changes to existing limits the impact on the National Lottery is likely to be small.”
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 13 of his Department's Clean Air Strategy 2018, whether his Department has identified the reason for increased agricultural fertiliser use since 2015; and what steps his Department is taking to reverse the associated 3.2% rise in ammonia emissions.
Answered by George Eustice
The Government launched a consultation on the Clean Air Strategy on 22 May. This ambitious Strategy aims to cut air pollution and save lives by achieving substantial reductions in emissions of five pollutants, including ammonia, which are harmful to human health and the environment.
The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory report published in 2018 provides estimates of ammonia emissions from agriculture in the year 2016. The report attributes the 3.2% rise in ammonia emissions between 2015 and 2016 to a slight increase in numbers of dairy cattle and an increase in the use of urea-based fertilisers. The report indicates that the increased use of fertilisers is likely to be due to price variation between different fertiliser types.
Farming accounts for 88% of ammonia emissions in the UK. The Clean Air Strategy proposes concerted action to tackle these emissions by requiring and supporting farmers to invest in the equipment that will reduce emissions. It includes proposals to regulate to reduce ammonia emissions from farming and consults on three approaches. Proposals include regulations to reduce emissions from storage and spreading of slurry and manure and from use of urea-based fertilisers.
The Strategy sets out the support that has been provided to farmers through the Farm Ammonia Reduction Grant which offered grants for covering slurry stores and provided on-farm advice. It also highlights the grants now available through the Countryside Productivity Scheme to help farmers purchase manure management equipment including low-emission spreaders and through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme for slurry tank and lagoon covers for farmers in priority water catchments.
Defra has worked with farming industry organisations to develop a Code of good agricultural practice which will be published later this year.
As set out in the Clean Air Strategy a group of independent specialists will be recruited to make recommendations on the maximum limits that should be applied for fertiliser application. Details of the members of this group will be available in due course.
The Agriculture Bill will set the foundations for a future domestic agricultural policy as the UK leaves the EU and the Common Agricultural Policy. As set out in the Health and Harmony consultation, future financial support for farming should see public money paying for public goods. The new environmental land management scheme, underpinned by natural capital principles, will contribute to delivering against many of the key outcomes set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan and the Clean Growth Strategy. These include clean air; clean and plentiful water; thriving plants and wildlife, which habitat protection would contribute to; reduced risk of harm from environmental hazards such as flooding and drought; using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently; enhanced beauty, heritage and engagement for the natural environment and mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 64 of the Clean Air Strategy, when he plans to publish the national code of good agricultural practice.
Answered by George Eustice
The Government launched a consultation on the Clean Air Strategy on 22 May. This ambitious Strategy aims to cut air pollution and save lives by achieving substantial reductions in emissions of five pollutants, including ammonia, which are harmful to human health and the environment.
The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory report published in 2018 provides estimates of ammonia emissions from agriculture in the year 2016. The report attributes the 3.2% rise in ammonia emissions between 2015 and 2016 to a slight increase in numbers of dairy cattle and an increase in the use of urea-based fertilisers. The report indicates that the increased use of fertilisers is likely to be due to price variation between different fertiliser types.
Farming accounts for 88% of ammonia emissions in the UK. The Clean Air Strategy proposes concerted action to tackle these emissions by requiring and supporting farmers to invest in the equipment that will reduce emissions. It includes proposals to regulate to reduce ammonia emissions from farming and consults on three approaches. Proposals include regulations to reduce emissions from storage and spreading of slurry and manure and from use of urea-based fertilisers.
The Strategy sets out the support that has been provided to farmers through the Farm Ammonia Reduction Grant which offered grants for covering slurry stores and provided on-farm advice. It also highlights the grants now available through the Countryside Productivity Scheme to help farmers purchase manure management equipment including low-emission spreaders and through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme for slurry tank and lagoon covers for farmers in priority water catchments.
Defra has worked with farming industry organisations to develop a Code of good agricultural practice which will be published later this year.
As set out in the Clean Air Strategy a group of independent specialists will be recruited to make recommendations on the maximum limits that should be applied for fertiliser application. Details of the members of this group will be available in due course.
The Agriculture Bill will set the foundations for a future domestic agricultural policy as the UK leaves the EU and the Common Agricultural Policy. As set out in the Health and Harmony consultation, future financial support for farming should see public money paying for public goods. The new environmental land management scheme, underpinned by natural capital principles, will contribute to delivering against many of the key outcomes set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan and the Clean Growth Strategy. These include clean air; clean and plentiful water; thriving plants and wildlife, which habitat protection would contribute to; reduced risk of harm from environmental hazards such as flooding and drought; using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently; enhanced beauty, heritage and engagement for the natural environment and mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 64 of the Clean Air Strategy, what steps his Department plans to take to support farmers to make investments in farm infrastructure and equipment that will reduce emissions; and what the timeframe is for the introduction of that support.
Answered by George Eustice
The Government launched a consultation on the Clean Air Strategy on 22 May. This ambitious Strategy aims to cut air pollution and save lives by achieving substantial reductions in emissions of five pollutants, including ammonia, which are harmful to human health and the environment.
The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory report published in 2018 provides estimates of ammonia emissions from agriculture in the year 2016. The report attributes the 3.2% rise in ammonia emissions between 2015 and 2016 to a slight increase in numbers of dairy cattle and an increase in the use of urea-based fertilisers. The report indicates that the increased use of fertilisers is likely to be due to price variation between different fertiliser types.
Farming accounts for 88% of ammonia emissions in the UK. The Clean Air Strategy proposes concerted action to tackle these emissions by requiring and supporting farmers to invest in the equipment that will reduce emissions. It includes proposals to regulate to reduce ammonia emissions from farming and consults on three approaches. Proposals include regulations to reduce emissions from storage and spreading of slurry and manure and from use of urea-based fertilisers.
The Strategy sets out the support that has been provided to farmers through the Farm Ammonia Reduction Grant which offered grants for covering slurry stores and provided on-farm advice. It also highlights the grants now available through the Countryside Productivity Scheme to help farmers purchase manure management equipment including low-emission spreaders and through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme for slurry tank and lagoon covers for farmers in priority water catchments.
Defra has worked with farming industry organisations to develop a Code of good agricultural practice which will be published later this year.
As set out in the Clean Air Strategy a group of independent specialists will be recruited to make recommendations on the maximum limits that should be applied for fertiliser application. Details of the members of this group will be available in due course.
The Agriculture Bill will set the foundations for a future domestic agricultural policy as the UK leaves the EU and the Common Agricultural Policy. As set out in the Health and Harmony consultation, future financial support for farming should see public money paying for public goods. The new environmental land management scheme, underpinned by natural capital principles, will contribute to delivering against many of the key outcomes set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan and the Clean Growth Strategy. These include clean air; clean and plentiful water; thriving plants and wildlife, which habitat protection would contribute to; reduced risk of harm from environmental hazards such as flooding and drought; using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently; enhanced beauty, heritage and engagement for the natural environment and mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 64 of his Clean Air Strategy 2018, whether he plans to include in his forthcoming agriculture Bill funding for targeted action to protect habitats affected by ammonia; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by George Eustice
The Government launched a consultation on the Clean Air Strategy on 22 May. This ambitious Strategy aims to cut air pollution and save lives by achieving substantial reductions in emissions of five pollutants, including ammonia, which are harmful to human health and the environment.
The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory report published in 2018 provides estimates of ammonia emissions from agriculture in the year 2016. The report attributes the 3.2% rise in ammonia emissions between 2015 and 2016 to a slight increase in numbers of dairy cattle and an increase in the use of urea-based fertilisers. The report indicates that the increased use of fertilisers is likely to be due to price variation between different fertiliser types.
Farming accounts for 88% of ammonia emissions in the UK. The Clean Air Strategy proposes concerted action to tackle these emissions by requiring and supporting farmers to invest in the equipment that will reduce emissions. It includes proposals to regulate to reduce ammonia emissions from farming and consults on three approaches. Proposals include regulations to reduce emissions from storage and spreading of slurry and manure and from use of urea-based fertilisers.
The Strategy sets out the support that has been provided to farmers through the Farm Ammonia Reduction Grant which offered grants for covering slurry stores and provided on-farm advice. It also highlights the grants now available through the Countryside Productivity Scheme to help farmers purchase manure management equipment including low-emission spreaders and through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme for slurry tank and lagoon covers for farmers in priority water catchments.
Defra has worked with farming industry organisations to develop a Code of good agricultural practice which will be published later this year.
As set out in the Clean Air Strategy a group of independent specialists will be recruited to make recommendations on the maximum limits that should be applied for fertiliser application. Details of the members of this group will be available in due course.
The Agriculture Bill will set the foundations for a future domestic agricultural policy as the UK leaves the EU and the Common Agricultural Policy. As set out in the Health and Harmony consultation, future financial support for farming should see public money paying for public goods. The new environmental land management scheme, underpinned by natural capital principles, will contribute to delivering against many of the key outcomes set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan and the Clean Growth Strategy. These include clean air; clean and plentiful water; thriving plants and wildlife, which habitat protection would contribute to; reduced risk of harm from environmental hazards such as flooding and drought; using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently; enhanced beauty, heritage and engagement for the natural environment and mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 64 of the Clean Air Strategy, what funding his Department plans to allocate to tackle the effect of ammonia from agriculture on natural habitats; and what the timeframe is for the allocation of that funding.
Answered by George Eustice
The Government launched a consultation on the Clean Air Strategy on 22 May. This ambitious Strategy aims to cut air pollution and save lives by achieving substantial reductions in emissions of five pollutants, including ammonia, which are harmful to human health and the environment.
The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory report published in 2018 provides estimates of ammonia emissions from agriculture in the year 2016. The report attributes the 3.2% rise in ammonia emissions between 2015 and 2016 to a slight increase in numbers of dairy cattle and an increase in the use of urea-based fertilisers. The report indicates that the increased use of fertilisers is likely to be due to price variation between different fertiliser types.
Farming accounts for 88% of ammonia emissions in the UK. The Clean Air Strategy proposes concerted action to tackle these emissions by requiring and supporting farmers to invest in the equipment that will reduce emissions. It includes proposals to regulate to reduce ammonia emissions from farming and consults on three approaches. Proposals include regulations to reduce emissions from storage and spreading of slurry and manure and from use of urea-based fertilisers.
The Strategy sets out the support that has been provided to farmers through the Farm Ammonia Reduction Grant which offered grants for covering slurry stores and provided on-farm advice. It also highlights the grants now available through the Countryside Productivity Scheme to help farmers purchase manure management equipment including low-emission spreaders and through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme for slurry tank and lagoon covers for farmers in priority water catchments.
Defra has worked with farming industry organisations to develop a Code of good agricultural practice which will be published later this year.
As set out in the Clean Air Strategy a group of independent specialists will be recruited to make recommendations on the maximum limits that should be applied for fertiliser application. Details of the members of this group will be available in due course.
The Agriculture Bill will set the foundations for a future domestic agricultural policy as the UK leaves the EU and the Common Agricultural Policy. As set out in the Health and Harmony consultation, future financial support for farming should see public money paying for public goods. The new environmental land management scheme, underpinned by natural capital principles, will contribute to delivering against many of the key outcomes set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan and the Clean Growth Strategy. These include clean air; clean and plentiful water; thriving plants and wildlife, which habitat protection would contribute to; reduced risk of harm from environmental hazards such as flooding and drought; using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently; enhanced beauty, heritage and engagement for the natural environment and mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Asked by: Kerry McCarthy (Labour - Bristol East)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with referenced to page 64 of the Clean Air Strategy which independent experts he plans to comprise the board that will make recommendations on the maximum limits of fertiliser application.
Answered by George Eustice
The Government launched a consultation on the Clean Air Strategy on 22 May. This ambitious Strategy aims to cut air pollution and save lives by achieving substantial reductions in emissions of five pollutants, including ammonia, which are harmful to human health and the environment.
The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory report published in 2018 provides estimates of ammonia emissions from agriculture in the year 2016. The report attributes the 3.2% rise in ammonia emissions between 2015 and 2016 to a slight increase in numbers of dairy cattle and an increase in the use of urea-based fertilisers. The report indicates that the increased use of fertilisers is likely to be due to price variation between different fertiliser types.
Farming accounts for 88% of ammonia emissions in the UK. The Clean Air Strategy proposes concerted action to tackle these emissions by requiring and supporting farmers to invest in the equipment that will reduce emissions. It includes proposals to regulate to reduce ammonia emissions from farming and consults on three approaches. Proposals include regulations to reduce emissions from storage and spreading of slurry and manure and from use of urea-based fertilisers.
The Strategy sets out the support that has been provided to farmers through the Farm Ammonia Reduction Grant which offered grants for covering slurry stores and provided on-farm advice. It also highlights the grants now available through the Countryside Productivity Scheme to help farmers purchase manure management equipment including low-emission spreaders and through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme for slurry tank and lagoon covers for farmers in priority water catchments.
Defra has worked with farming industry organisations to develop a Code of good agricultural practice which will be published later this year.
As set out in the Clean Air Strategy a group of independent specialists will be recruited to make recommendations on the maximum limits that should be applied for fertiliser application. Details of the members of this group will be available in due course.
The Agriculture Bill will set the foundations for a future domestic agricultural policy as the UK leaves the EU and the Common Agricultural Policy. As set out in the Health and Harmony consultation, future financial support for farming should see public money paying for public goods. The new environmental land management scheme, underpinned by natural capital principles, will contribute to delivering against many of the key outcomes set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan and the Clean Growth Strategy. These include clean air; clean and plentiful water; thriving plants and wildlife, which habitat protection would contribute to; reduced risk of harm from environmental hazards such as flooding and drought; using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently; enhanced beauty, heritage and engagement for the natural environment and mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of remaining a member of the European Investment Bank after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
In her speech in Florence on 22 September 2017, when setting out the UK’s aims for the Implementation Period, the PM made clear that; “The United Kingdom will cease to be a member of the European Union on 29th March 2019. We will no longer sit at the European Council table or in the Council of Ministers, and we will no longer have Members of the European Parliament.”
This means that in March 2019 the UK will no longer be a full member of the EIB as it will no longer be a Member State. This also means that, as agreed in December, repayment of the UK’s capital will commence in 2019.
The UK considers that it may prove to be in the mutual interest of all sides for the UK to maintain some form of ongoing relationship with the EIB Group after leaving the EU, and we will explore these options with the EU as part of the negotiations on the future relationship.
And as the Chancellor said in his Mansion House speech last year, if we do not maintain our relationship with the EIB group, we will be prepared. The government has already taken steps to increase support for infrastructure finance and high-growth businesses, and will keep that support under review as negotiations progress.
The British Business Bank has already raised the limits on the amount it can invest in venture capital funds from 33% up to 50%, and brought forward of some of the £400m additional investment that was announced at the Autumn Statement 2016, providing the BBB with the flexibility to significantly increase its investment. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority has also broadened the range of the UK Guarantees Scheme by offering construction guarantees for the first time.