Contributions
1,571 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDFloodingMy noble friend was, I think, referring to dredging, which certainly can play a part in flood-risk management. However, the truth is that it can also make flooding worse…20 Jan 2021HANSARDFloodingMy Lords, alongside our record £5.2 billion investment to better protect 336,000 properties over the next six years, our policy statement sets out plans to accelerate progress to…20 Jan 2021HANSARDFlooding[ Inaudible ] —report. I should say that we are pleased that the report highlights that government investment is making a difference by significantly lowering flood risk for…20 Jan 2021HANSARDFloodingAs I say, this is a priority issue for the Government. We are now on track to better protect 300,000 homes from flooding through the £2.6 billion. We have committed to doubling…20 Jan 2021HANSARDFloodingI believe that Defra, the Environment Agency and local emergency services are fully prepared to respond to any flooding alongside the response required to Covid-19. Extensive…20 Jan 2021HANSARDFloodingThe noble Lord highlights an important point. We know that many of our coastal settlements are at risk if trends continue in the same direction. We are also investing, as part of…20 Jan 2021HANSARDCircular Economy and Elimination of WasteThe noble Baroness has my commitment on both points. We recognise the problems of waste mountains in numerous countries that cannot or do not manage their waste properly. The…18 Jan 2021HANSARDCircular Economy and Elimination of WasteThere is no doubt that the recycling infrastructure or approach across the country is mixed. The Government are committed to a 65% recycling target for municipal waste by 2035,…18 Jan 2021HANSARDCircular Economy and Elimination of WasteMy Lords, our goals in the 25-year environment plan are for zero avoidable waste, doubling our resource productivity by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and impacts on…18 Jan 2021HANSARDCircular Economy and Elimination of WasteI certainly agree with that assessment, and the Government do too. Reusing and repairing products saves people money. Low-income households saved, we believe, £468 million in 2019…18 Jan 2021HANSARDCircular Economy and Elimination of WasteUK law can already be used to set requirements in relation to electronic equipment: on durability, repairability and recyclability. BEIS has run a call for evidence, which will be…18 Jan 2021HANSARDCircular Economy and Elimination of WasteMy Lords, my noble friend raises a really important point. The UK is fully signed up to meeting the UN sustainable development goal 12.3 target, which seeks to halve global food…18 Jan 2021HANSARDCircular Economy and Elimination of WasteYes, subject to the consultation that I mentioned earlier, it is possible, even likely, that manufacturers will be required to manufacture products that are not simply thrown away…18 Jan 2021HANSARDCircular Economy and Elimination of WasteMy Lords, as I mentioned, the Environment Bill includes a whole suite of primary legislation measures, which, combined, will result in a move towards a more circular economy. That…18 Jan 2021HANSARDCircular Economy and Elimination of WasteMy Lords, the Environment Bill includes powers to introduce legislation on product or eco-design—for example, to support durable, repairable and recyclable products. It will also…18 Jan 2021HANSARDCircular Economy and Elimination of WasteMy Lords, in the 25-year environment plan, the Government pledged to leave the environment in a better condition for the next generation, committing to eliminating avoidable waste…18 Jan 2021HANSARDBiodiversity: Impact of NeonicotinoidsI can commit to conveying that request to the department. I see no reason why the assessment should not be made public, but it is not for me to unilaterally make that decision…14 Jan 2021HANSARDBiodiversity: Impact of NeonicotinoidsThe noble Lord makes an extremely important point. The Government are guided, as they pursue new free trade agreements and seek to expand our trading relationships around the…14 Jan 2021HANSARDBiodiversity: Impact of NeonicotinoidsIf Cruiser SB were to be used by everyone who is covered by the emergency authorisation that has been provided, the amount used would be around 6% of the quantity applied in each…14 Jan 2021HANSARDBiodiversity: Impact of NeonicotinoidsThe noble Lord makes an important point. The Government’s goal and the purpose of our pesticides programme action plan is to minimise the use of pesticides. A big part of this is…14 Jan 2021