Written questions by Hollinrake.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2024 to Question 14343 on Litter, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the compliance of (a) local authorities and (b) outsourced companies with the provisions of the non-statutory Code of Practice on issuing fines to receive greater (i) revenue and (ii) profits.

Local authorities remain responsible for the whole enforcement process. Authorities that outsource any area of enforcement to private companies should ensure that the contractor fulfils all the requirements set down for the authority itself. This position is set down in existing advisory guidance on enforcement of environmental offences available here.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 18950 on Planning Permission: Air Pollution, if he will make an estimate of the average additional cost resulting from that interim guidance for a new building dwelling in areas with poor air quality.

The interim planning guidance applies to developments which would normally require an air quality assessment, regardless of location and is expected to have minimal impact on the cost of new developments. As this is interim guidance an assessment of cost is not required.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 13 October 2023 to Question 201037 on Rivers: Environment Protection, what steps his Department has taken to support the implementation of the Chalk Stream Recovery Pack.

For too long, water companies have pumped record levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. Cleaning up our waters, including iconic sites such as chalk streams is a top Government priority. That is why on 23 October, the Secretary of State announced the launch of an independent commission to fundamentally transform how our water system works. Fixing the systemic issues in the water system is essential to address the multiple pressures facing chalk streams, namely over abstraction, phosphorous pollution and physical modifications of habitats. Restoring our chalk streams to better ecological health is part of our holistic programme of reforms for the water sector. Alongside this, we are continuing to direct investment to projects that will improve chalk streams. In 2024/2025, there are over 45 chalk stream projects receiving funding from the Government's Water Environment Improvement Fund, each leveraging private investment.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to (a) amend and (b) repeal assimilated EU law on the Habitats Directive on (i) newts and (ii) other protected species.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. As the Prime Minister said in his speech on 5 December the Government will streamline development processes to meet new and ambitious targets to build 1.5 million h...

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the requirements set out in the interim planning guidance on the consideration of the Environment Act PM2.5 targets in planning

The interim planning guidance is expected to have minimal impact on the viability and cost of new developments. It is interim guidance whilst Defra develops substantive technical guidance, and as such an assessment is not required.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's guidance entitled Ensuring good waste collection services for households, published on 29 November 2024, and the consultation outcome on exemptions a

This Government is simplifying the rules to make recycling easier for people in England, while stimulating growth and maximising environmental benefits. Local authorities are already legally required to deliver waste collection services to all households ...

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Government has to issue guidance on issuing of litter fines to householders.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 25 November 2024 to the hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, Question 14343.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will (a) take steps to allow local authorities to set unlimited fines for littering and fly-tipping offences and (b) make an assessment of the financial resources local authority

The Government is currently not considering further increases to the maximum levels of fixed penalty notices that can be issued by local authorities. At present these stand at £500 for littering and £1000 for fly-tipping. Local authorities must spend this...

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of EU Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 on shipments of waste.

In May 2024, Defra officials were asked by the previous Government to prepare a briefing note for the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Democratic Scrutiny Committee on the implications for Northern Ireland of EU Regulation 2024/1157 on shipments of waste. The ...

Food and Rural Affairs, how much and what proportion of hazardous waste was exported by the type of hazardous waste in the latest period for which data is available.

The regulation of hazardous waste is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. Waste exports are reported using a different classification system to domestic movements of hazardous wastes. The two datasets are ther...