Contributions
1,387 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBTEC QualificationsIt is a pleasure to be here now that I am back on the Back Benches, as one of the 56 who were driven to resign. This is the first debate that I have spoken in since then, which…18 Jul 2022HANSARDVillage HallsVillage halls are at the heart of so many rural communities, and I am absolutely delighted that we have launched the platinum jubilee village hall improvement fund. Just as a mark…23 Jun 2022HANSARDPeatlandsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right about the value that restoring peat can bring to us. That is why we have nearly 100 restoration projects across the UK registered with the…23 Jun 2022HANSARDPeatlandsWe have a genuine focus on protecting and enhancing our peatlands, because that helps to tackle net zero and add to wider ecosystem services. We have an England peat action plan…23 Jun 2022HANSARDWet Wipes: PlasticI can only agree that it is revolting. We are getting sewage overflows more frequently than we need because of blockages with wet wipes. It is slightly extraordinary really, but…23 Jun 2022HANSARDWet Wipes: PlasticI am a mother who did not use wet wipes. It is all about comms and education. If one has to flush, one should look for the flushability logo. My hon. Friend is so right, because…23 Jun 2022HANSARDWet Wipes: PlasticMy hon. Friend’s question demonstrates the interest in the issue. I am just as interested myself, but we have to get the science right. We must not jump out of the frying pan into…23 Jun 2022HANSARDWet Wipes: PlasticThere was a huge response to the call for evidence, and we are working our way through the details. We have to make sure that if a ban is brought in, it does not have knock-on…23 Jun 2022HANSARDWet Wipes: PlasticLike the hon. Member, I am determined to tackle the issue. We have already run a call for evidence to explore policy options for tackling wet wipes, including a possible ban on…23 Jun 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am pleased that the hon. Lady welcomes that funding on the Foss barrier; it is a tremendous project and well done to everyone involved. She also mentioned upstream work: we are…23 Jun 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsOur landscape review highlighted that areas of outstanding natural beauty are often just as important as national parks to their local communities, as my hon. Friend is…23 Jun 2022HANSARDDischarge of Untreated SewageI thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this issue, but that is why we have a very sound system in place through the Environment Act and through our directions to Ofwat, the…23 Jun 2022HANSARDDischarge of Untreated SewageThe hon. Gentleman has referred to the storm overflow discharge reduction plan, which we will publish in September. A huge amount of scientific research is informing this, and we…23 Jun 2022HANSARDDischarge of Untreated SewageThis Government are the first to set out our expectation that water companies must take significant steps to reduce storm sewage overflows. Through the Environment Act 2021 we…23 Jun 2022HANSARDVillage HallsMy hon. Friend makes such a good point. I congratulate him on his former role, and all those who have been on village hall committees. That included my husband who regaled me with…23 Jun 2022HANSARDEnvironment, Food and Rural AffairsWater companies also need to play their part in reducing nutrient pollution in rivers, which was mentioned by a few colleagues. Through our landmark Environment Act, we propose to…15 Jun 2022HANSARDEnvironment, Food and Rural AffairsWater companies also need to play their part in reducing nutrient pollution in rivers, which was mentioned by a few colleagues. Through our landmark Environment Act, we propose to…15 Jun 2022HANSARDAdaptationGood progress is being made on adaptation, as was clear at COP26, and it is critical that we work on that. We will continue to do that through the global goal on adaptation, which…15 Jun 2022HANSARDAdaptationI thank my hon. Friend for raising that important issue. Nature-based solutions are critical, and about one third of the mitigation that we need to keep up with 2° of warming can…15 Jun 2022HANSARDAdaptationA major focus of COP26 was attracting climate finance, and £126 billion was attracted for the forest and agriculture sector to work on reducing degradation. We are of course…15 Jun 2022