Contributions
571 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWater White PaperAs I have said, the environmental improvement plan that we published before Christmas sets out a comprehensive plan to tackle agricultural pollution. We are building on that in…21 Jan 2026HANSARDWater White PaperThe hon. Member is right to say that we need to abolish Ofwat—we might have had that idea previously too, by the way. As he knows, at the moment we have four regulators, and…21 Jan 2026HANSARDWater White PaperWith permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the publication of the Government’s water White Paper, “A New Vision for Water”. The paper sets out…21 Jan 2026HANSARDWater White PaperOh my gosh! Well, I say to the right hon. Lady that I will not take any lectures from the Conservative party. Not only can they not be bothered to turn up for the statement, which…21 Jan 2026HANSARDWater White PaperI thank my hon. Friend for his question and the opportunity to mention that we will be publishing a transition plan which, as I mentioned in my statement, will set out a road map…21 Jan 2026HANSARDWater White PaperI agree with my hon. Friend. That is why the main focus of our reforms is to create a single, more powerful and integrated regulator. At the moment, as I said in my statement, we…21 Jan 2026HANSARDWater White PaperI agree with the hon. Lady that the water pollution we see in the River Wye is completely unacceptable. That is why we are working closely with the Welsh Government, such as…21 Jan 2026HANSARDWater White PaperAs I said previously, I do not have a problem with mutual ownership—I think it is a good thing—but the question the Liberal Democrats have to answer is how they will get there.…21 Jan 2026HANSARDWater White PaperI thank the hon. Lady for, I think, some support for the White Paper and what she has said. We both share real concerns about the status quo. On mutual ownership, I do not really…21 Jan 2026HANSARDWater White PaperI commend my hon. Friend’s leadership on this issue. I know that she was putting pressure on Southern Water on Christmas eve. She was concerned about the previous outages, but…21 Jan 2026HANSARDWater White PaperI thank the EFRA Committee Chair for his thoughtful reflections. I agree with him on the Drinking Water Inspectorate—it does a magnificent job—and we will ensure that we transfer…21 Jan 2026HANSARDWater White PaperI am being kept regularly updated on the issue in Holland Park that my hon. Friend has raised. I understand that 2,000 households are off supply. That is unacceptable, and the…21 Jan 2026HANSARDWater White PaperToday I am announcing the launch of this Government’s water White Paper, “A New Vision for Water”. This paper sets out once-in-a-generation reforms for our water system, putting…20 Jan 2026HANSARDFarming: Profitability and SustainabilityFarmers are at the heart of our national life—for what they produce, the communities they sustain, and the landscapes and heritage they protect. Since becoming Secretary of State,…08 Jan 2026HANSARDAnimal Welfare StrategyWe are a nation of animal lovers. People across the country care deeply for animals, and the UK has a proud history of being pioneers when it comes to ensuring the very best for…05 Jan 2026HANSARD Animal Welfare StrategyI found Sir David Amess to be a really good and generous friend; I went on a number of parliamentary visits with him, and I thank the right hon. Member for what he said about Sir…18 Dec 2025HANSARD Animal Welfare StrategyI know that the hon. Member is active on the issue of farrowing crates. Some 50% of the sow herd give birth outside, but we are looking at what more we can do to deal with the…18 Dec 2025HANSARD Animal Welfare StrategyI have ordered my meat from my local butcher already. It is a bit late in the day, but I thank my hon. Friend for the reminder to those who may not have done so already. We want…18 Dec 2025HANSARD Animal Welfare StrategyAs I said in response to a previous question, this is a DSIT lead, not a DEFRA lead. We do work closely with DSIT, and as a Labour Government, we are committed to phasing out…18 Dec 2025HANSARD Animal Welfare StrategyI reassure my hon. Friend that we are looking at this issue, and there will be further details in the strategy.18 Dec 2025