The below Parliamentary question was asked by Poulter on 2015-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what proportion of households are still with their home, regional incumbent, supplier for electricity and gas.
Andrea Leadsom
DECC estimate, that at the end of June 2015, 33 per cent of domestic electricity customers (9.2 million) and 37 per cent of domestic gas customers (8.3 million) in Great Britain were still with their home supplier.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2015-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the progress of UK firms in reducing their contribution to climate change.
Andrea Leadsom
Since 2003, the UK has had the least energy intensive economy in the G7. In its recent progress report, the Committee on Climate Change set out provisional figures for 2014 [1] which indicate that industrial output grew while energy consumption and emissions fell. The Government response [2] to the CCC report provides further assessment of progress towards reducing emissions from all sectors, including business.
However, there is still significant untapped energy efficiency potential in the business sector, estimated at 45TWh in 2020, representing around 10% of current business energy use. On 28 September Government launched a consultation reviewing the business energy tax landscape that will seek to better exploit this potential, reducing energy costs and improving productivity, while minimising administrative burdens. For energy intensive industry, following publication of the 2050 Industrial Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency Roadmaps in March, the Government is working with sectors to develop action plans to enable industry to contribute to our decarbonisation targets while remaining competitive in the international marketplace.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Adam Afriyie on 2015-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential change in risk of flooding in South East England if Heathrow Airport expansion were to proceed.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The Government is currently considering the large amount of very detailed analysis contained in the Airports Commission’s final report before taking any decisions on next steps.
The Government will carefully consider all the evidence set out, including that on flood risk, when making a decision on additional runway capacity.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2015-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2015 to Question 11059, whether officials in her Department have discussed with representatives of Malta the chairing of environment sessions during the Maltese Presidency of the European Union in 2017.
Rory Stewart
Officials from Defra, along with officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, have held preliminary discussions with representatives from Malta on support for chairing meetings during the Maltese Presidency of the European Union. These discussions are ongoing.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Antoinette Sandbach on 2015-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether alpacas are routinely tested for the presence of bovine tuberculosis.
George Eustice
There is no statutory bovine TB surveillance testing regime for alpacas except for post-mortem inspection of any that may enter the food chain. Defra has, however, worked with the British Alpaca and Llama Societies on the design and promotion of a TB testing regime that includes voluntary routine surveillance. A call for views on control of bovine TB in non-bovine farmed animals, including camelids, is currently in progress and will run until 20 November.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Rosindell on 2015-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of any potential effects of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership on food standards in the UK; and if she will make a statement.
George Eustice
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could be worth £10 billion to the UK and is about encouraging exports and economic growth. It is not about lowering standards. All food entering the European Union (EU) from the United States of America must adhere to the EU’s import rules and TTIP will not change that. Any changes to food safety standards in the EU must be subject to a robust scientific risk assessment and agreed by Member States.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to prevent diseases (a) contaminating and (b) spreading between horse chestnut trees.
Rory Stewart
Horse chestnut trees have been affected by two particular organisms in recent years; the horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella) and horse chestnut bleeding canker (Pseudomonas syringae pathovar aesculi).
These are both well established in Great Britain and statutory action to destroy affected trees would be impractical.
Forest Research has been involved in several studies to understand the nature of the organisms and their spread. This work has been used to develop recommendations for evidence-based disease management.
The UK Plant Health Risk Register helps to identify new and revised threats to horse chestnut trees and priority actions in response. In collaboration with EU partners we have taken actions to reduce the risk of damaging pests, such as the citrus longhorn beetle, being introduced and causing damage to horse chestnut trees.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with representatives of countryside organisations on the effect of the numbers of badgers on numbers of hedgehogs.
Rory Stewart
Defra is working with partners to identify actions that will help the conservation of hedgehogs, particularly though the Terrestrial Biodiversity Group chaired by Natural England. The reasons for the decline of the hedgehog population are complex. Badgers are one of a number of potential factors in the decline in hedgehog numbers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many big cat sightings have been reported in each of the last five years.
Rory Stewart
A total of 26 sightings of big cats in the wild have been reported to Natural England since 1 January 2010. This figure is broken down as follows:
2010 – 6
2011 – 4
2012 – 4
2013 – 6
2014 – 1
2015 – 5 (to date)
Please be aware that the above are only reports received and logged by Natural England. Other parties such as the Police may hold further records.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-10-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many animals have been reportedly killed by big cats in the last five years.
Rory Stewart
During 2015 a calf and a dog were reported to have been killed by big cats. This information was provided by Natural England, which holds no further information about animals reported to have been killed in this way.