The below Parliamentary question was asked by Steve Baker on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, which measures originating in the EU have an effect on the level of energy bills.
Amber Rudd
Many EU policies, energy related and wider, have the potential to impact on the level of energy bills. These include the single European market for energy, product standards to improve energy efficiency and measures to meet climate change objectives.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Martyn Day on 2016-03-21.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 2.159 of Budget 2016, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the freeze in petrol and diesel duty on (a) carbon emissions by cars and (b) the environment.
Damian Hinds
The Government took a wide number of factors into account when considering the case for a further duty freeze, including the impact on carbon and emissions. The data shows that carbon dioxide and air pollutant emissions from the road transport sector have continued to fall since 2011 when Government cut fuel duty by 1 penny per litre and froze it. This information can be found here in Table TSGB0308: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/tsgb03
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Michelle Donelan on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support her Department provides to farmers who are waiting to receive a single farm payment.
George Eustice
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) started paying Basic Payment Scheme claims from the opening of the payment window on 1 December 2015. As of 21 March 2016, the RPA has paid 72,807 claimants approximately £1.15 billion and remains focused on paying the remainder of claims as promptly as possible.
The RPA has an established financial hardship process and is working with a range of farming help organisations to see what further support could be offered. Following hardship case referrals from these organisations, over 420 farmers have received RPA hardship payments, amounting to more than £6.8 million.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to paragraph 1.301 of Budget 2016, how much funding will be made available to support delivery of the final phase of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme; and what proportion of that funding is additional to the £2.3 billion capital programme previously announced.
Rory Stewart
The Government has announced a new scheme for Leeds and the wider Aire catchment, which will provide flood defence for the area north of the station. Subject to business case approval, £35 million has been made available for this scheme up to 2021, with a commitment to ensure that the project is completed. This funding is in addition to the £2.3 billion capital programme.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to paragraph 1.242 of Budget 2016, how much of the additional £700 million for flood defence and resilience will be spent in Lancashire.
Rory Stewart
Of the additional £700 million announced in the Budget to be spent on flood defences and resilience, £150m has been allocated to new schemes in Yorkshire and Cumbria. The £40m per year increase in floods maintenance will be spent nationwide according to need. The remaining funding will be allocated following the outcome of the National Flood Resilience Review in the summer.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alex Cunningham on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with the Treasury on the business case for delivery of the final phase of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme.
Rory Stewart
Ahead of the Budget, Defra and the Treasury discussed support for communities in areas at high risk of flooding, including Leeds.
A scoping study for further work in Leeds is underway and due for completion by the end of March this year. This will lead to the development of a full feasibility study and business case looking at how Leeds could be better protected. An additional £35 million has been made available to support work in Leeds up to 2021, with a commitment that the Government will provide funding to support the completion of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme in later years subject to business case approval.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sue Hayman on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press release by her Department of 17 March 2016, how much of the £33 million funding for flood defence schemes in Cumbria will be spent in Flimby.
Rory Stewart
Flimby has been allocated £1.1 million of the £33 million funding for flood defence schemes in Cumbria.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tom Tugendhat on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of funding from the new measures announced in paragraph 1.205 of Budget 2016 she plans to allocate for flood defences on the River Medway and its tributaries.
Rory Stewart
Of the additional £700 million announced at the Budget to be spent on flood defences and resilience, £150m has been allocated to new schemes in Yorkshire and Cumbria. The £40m per year increase in floods maintenance will be spent nationwide according to need. The remaining funding will be allocated following the outcome of the National Flood Resilience Review in the summer.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Evans on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a mandatory dog-breeding licence for any household planning to produce two or more litters per year; and if she will make a statement.
George Eustice
We are reviewing certain local authority licensing schemes, including the breeding and selling of dogs. The public consultation on this issue closed on 12 March. The consultation proposed that anyone in the business of breeding and selling dogs, or who breeds more than two litters in a twelve month period, would need a licence.
We also proposed to prohibit the sale of puppies under eight weeks of age in all cases. We are currently analysing the 1,500 or so responses before making any firm decisions.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Evans on 2016-03-21.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to ban the sale of puppies under eight weeks old; and if she will make a statement.
George Eustice
We are reviewing certain local authority licensing schemes, including the breeding and selling of dogs. The public consultation on this issue closed on 12 March. The consultation proposed that anyone in the business of breeding and selling dogs, or who breeds more than two litters in a twelve month period, would need a licence.
We also proposed to prohibit the sale of puppies under eight weeks of age in all cases. We are currently analysing the 1,500 or so responses before making any firm decisions.