Speeches by Blake.

“Do you think that 10% is too much of a blunt instrument then?”

“Moving on to biodiversity net gain, can I ask both the people in the room—because I think it is most relevant to your organisations—what the biggest concerns are about the implementation and delivery of biodiversity net gain?”

“As a Committee, we have heard quite a mix of views on the BNG hierarchy, and you have both highlighted the challenges of what the preference should be on site versus off site. In your view, which side of the argument is best on that? Which is better? We have heard conflicting evidence.”

“Do any of you have an example of where you have gone beyond the 10% target? Would you want to adopt a wider policy of trying to get to 15% or 20% on sites? If yes, what was your experience? If no, what is preventing you from being a bit more ambitious?”

“Do either of the other witnesses have examples?”

“I appreciate that it is very new, but are there any other environmental actions that developers could be taking before relying on BNG? What impact, if any, is BNG having on adherence to mitigation hierarchy?”

“Yes—it is not new.”

“We are short on time.”

“That is probably for a different Committee.”

“Mr Spearing, do you have anything on that final point about adherence to the mitigation hierarchy?”

“As someone with ADHD, it is disappointing to hear from many of my constituents about difficulties in accessing diagnosis, medication and other therapeutic inputs for ADHD, and the impact on their lives and livelihoods as a result. Whether for children or adults, waits of two, five or seven years are becoming the norm. …”

“A number of families have contacted me to share their concerns about the impact of the delays to the adoption and special guardianship support fund and the cuts to the service, describing the very real and distressing strain on them. What consideration has the Department given to addressing their challenges, and what s…”

“The Minister will know that there is considerable concern and fear among transgender, intersex and non-binary people across the UK, including in my constituency. Will she outline what urgent steps the Government are taking to reassure my trans and non-binary constituents that it is their right to remain protected under…”

“I draw the attention of the House to my declaration in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests on the help I receive from the Refugee, Asylum and Migration Policy project and as co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on migration. After the mountain of Acts passed by the last Government, I can finally breat…”

“Reports show that Drax has behaved appallingly, and under the last Government it seemingly had pretty free rein. I welcome the fact that this settlement includes a drastic reduction in subsidy, an upping of sustainability in supply chains to 100%, and a windfall tax principle that will deliver value for the British bil…”

“The remaining global carbon budget is extremely small, amounting to just five years’ worth of present global emissions. There is significant evidence that burning all oil and gas in existing fields globally would exceed the 1.5°C global limit. The climate pollution from burning Rosebank’s reserves would be more than th…”

“First question to Ms Postlethwaite if that is okay. Are biodiversity net gain requirements making any difference to the way that housing developments are being planned and delivered than previously?”

“Back to you, Dr Boulton, if that is okay. Previously we had a witness note that biodiversity net gain means that ecologists are now being consulted on developing designs much earlier in the process. Is this the experience across ecologists working in the field, do you think, at the moment or do you think there is still…”

“Some very quick questions from me, and I would appreciate some very concise answers, if that is okay, because we have a lot to cover. This is all about BNG and first I want to ask you all: if Government does achieve the 1.5 million homes, will current biodiversity net gain requirements be sufficient to ensure that the …”

“How about yourself, Dr Hills?”