Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to use the Sustainable Development Goals to help communities become more sustainable.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
In July 2021, we published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to explicitly refer to the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development as a widely-recognised statement of sustainable development objectives, to which the UK has subscribed. At the heart of the NPPF is the presumption in favour of sustainable development. This means that all plans should promote sustainable patterns of growth to meet the local need, align growth and infrastructure; improve the environment; mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects.
The National Model Design Code sets out a process for engaging local communities to create homes, buildings and public places which are safe, inclusive and accessible. It includes design parameters around mitigating and adapting to climate change, including the use of green infrastructure, sustainable drainage systems and encouraging active transport through design.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in providing a framework for towns, cities, and communities to become more sustainable.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
In July 2021, we published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to explicitly refer to the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development as a widely-recognised statement of sustainable development objectives, to which the UK has subscribed. At the heart of the NPPF is the presumption in favour of sustainable development. This means that all plans should promote sustainable patterns of growth to meet the local need, align growth and infrastructure; improve the environment; mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects.
The National Model Design Code sets out a process for engaging local communities to create homes, buildings and public places which are safe, inclusive and accessible. It includes design parameters around mitigating and adapting to climate change, including the use of green infrastructure, sustainable drainage systems and encouraging active transport through design.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to support new sustainability initiatives in towns, cities, and local communities across the UK.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
In July 2021, we published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to explicitly refer to the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development as a widely-recognised statement of sustainable development objectives, to which the UK has subscribed. At the heart of the NPPF is the presumption in favour of sustainable development. This means that all plans should promote sustainable patterns of growth to meet the local need, align growth and infrastructure; improve the environment; mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects.
The National Model Design Code sets out a process for engaging local communities to create homes, buildings and public places which are safe, inclusive and accessible. It includes design parameters around mitigating and adapting to climate change, including the use of green infrastructure, sustainable drainage systems and encouraging active transport through design.
Asked by: Barry Sheerman (Labour (Co-op) - Huddersfield)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to support sustainability initiatives in towns, cities, and local communities across the UK.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
In July 2021, we published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to explicitly refer to the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development as a widely-recognised statement of sustainable development objectives, to which the UK has subscribed. At the heart of the NPPF is the presumption in favour of sustainable development. This means that all plans should promote sustainable patterns of growth to meet the local need, align growth and infrastructure; improve the environment; mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects.
The National Model Design Code sets out a process for engaging local communities to create homes, buildings and public places which are safe, inclusive and accessible. It includes design parameters around mitigating and adapting to climate change, including the use of green infrastructure, sustainable drainage systems and encouraging active transport through design.
Asked by: Peter Dowd (Labour - Bootle)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the (a) Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group’s action plan entitled Unlocking Green Growth: A plan for the ornamental horticulture and landscaping industry, published on 7 September 2021 and (b) proposals contained in that document that aim to support UK tourism.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
I am aware of the value of the garden tourism market, especially domestic ornamental horticulture and the positive impact it makes to the UK, through job creation, encouraging creativity and promoting people’s well-being. The Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group (OHRG) report identifies how barriers to the sector's growth can be unlocked through a collaborative approach between the government and industry. This collaboration reflects the shared ambition for a truly vibrant and sustainable ornamental sector which can support the UK tourism industry.
The government is working with the OHRG and the sector to build on current good work already happening within the industry. The recently published Tourism Recovery Plan highlights our commitment to ensuring the tourism sector enhances the country’s natural heritage, in a sustainable and inclusive manner.
Asked by: Catherine West (Labour - Hornsey and Wood Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) assess the effectiveness of and (b) increase the UK's diplomatic presence in Latin America.
Answered by Wendy Morton
Latin America is an important partner region for the UK. Many countries in the region have values and priorities that align closely with the UK's. Our relationships are based on democratic values, sustainable, inclusive and resilient economic growth, and the championing of free trade. We also have strong people-to-people links and effective cooperation on innovation, health and climate change. We now have embassies in almost all countries in the region.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the link between climate change and population growth; and what plans they have, if any, to weaken this link to reduce the impact caused by population growth.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
Evidence shows that while population growth has an impact on the environment and global emissions, the bigger factor is consumption levels per capita. For example, it takes the average UK citizen five days to emit the same amount of carbon as the average Rwandan does in a full year. Voluntary family planning programmes are one of the most powerful enablers of sustainable development and prosperity. Effective and voluntary family planning programmes can positively change population trends and the overall development trajectory of communities and whole countries, by empowering women and bringing down fertility rates. Good investments in health and education can also enable communities to adapt and respond to climate change.
Key UK aid investments include support for voluntary family planning and for provision of 12 years of quality education for girls in low income countries. This year, we are supporting the launch of FP2030, the new global partnership to accelerate progress on voluntary family planning. This November, the UK is hosting the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26 and is committed to delivering an ambitious and inclusive COP26.
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham, Edgbaston)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the UK’s channelling of its Special Drawing Rights to countries in the global south does not increase the debt burdens of those countries.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The IMF Special Drawing Right (SDR) is an international reserve asset designed to supplement the official reserves of IMF member countries. SDRs are allocated to members, including the UK, in proportion to their IMF quota shares. HMG therefore holds SDRs as part of the UK’s international reserves.
The UK strongly supports the proposed new $650bn SDR allocation and has urged its implementation by the end of August. The UK also supports the G7’s ambition to significantly magnify the impact of the allocation to reach a total global ambition of $100bn to the countries most in need.
The UK together with other G7 members has called on the IMF to work quickly to explore a menu of options for the voluntary channelling of SDRs to further support health needs and to help enable greener, more robust recoveries in the poorest and most vulnerable countries. G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors have also committed to explore options to channel SDRs to support resilient, inclusive and sustainable recoveries. As part of this, members have committed to work to scale up the IMF’s concessional lending facility, the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT).
The Government continues to support initiatives to help countries in need address their debt vulnerabilities and ensure future debt sustainability, including the G20-Paris Club Debt Service Suspension Initiative and Common Framework, alongside efforts to enhance official and private sector debt transparency.
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham, Edgbaston)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in which areas he is planning to use the UK’s Special Drawing Rights.
Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The IMF Special Drawing Right (SDR) is an international reserve asset designed to supplement the official reserves of IMF member countries. SDRs are allocated to members, including the UK, in proportion to their IMF quota shares. HMG therefore holds SDRs as part of the UK’s international reserves.
The UK strongly supports the proposed new $650bn SDR allocation and has urged its implementation by the end of August. The UK also supports the G7’s ambition to significantly magnify the impact of the allocation to reach a total global ambition of $100bn to the countries most in need.
The UK together with other G7 members has called on the IMF to work quickly to explore a menu of options for the voluntary channelling of SDRs to further support health needs and to help enable greener, more robust recoveries in the poorest and most vulnerable countries. G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors have also committed to explore options to channel SDRs to support resilient, inclusive and sustainable recoveries. As part of this, members have committed to work to scale up the IMF’s concessional lending facility, the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT).
The Government continues to support initiatives to help countries in need address their debt vulnerabilities and ensure future debt sustainability, including the G20-Paris Club Debt Service Suspension Initiative and Common Framework, alongside efforts to enhance official and private sector debt transparency.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when she last met her New Zealand counterpart; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
New Zealand Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor concluded a day of detailed talks on June 17 in London with the Secretary of State for International Trade.
The UK and New Zealand held constructive and productive discussions towards the conclusion of a high-quality and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement that will support sustainable and inclusive trade. Both countries are confident that the remaining issues will be resolved, with talks on track to deliver an ambitious Free Trade Agreement, bringing both strategic and economic benefits to the United Kingdom.