Speeches by Dyke.

“I am very keen to get an answer that you will be supporting organic farmers and those who wish to transition to organic farming in the future.”

“Just moving back to animal welfare in the countryside, we are seeing a huge rise in illegal gangs, hare coursing, badger baiting and trespassing on farmers’ land, coupled with, at the same time, a reduction in rural crime units. In Somerset, for example, we have four officers in the rural crime unit. Quite often, they …”

“On the back of that, this is great stuff, but if the global plastics treaty does not have a legally binding target attached, will that be a failure?”

“Glass is a highly recyclable material. Particularly in my constituency of Glastonbury and Somerton, I have lots of traditional cider makers and brewers. I will not list them all, because there are so many of them. They are really worried about the impact that EPR is going to have on their business and about the delay. …”

“A lot of the EPR fees are going to go to local authorities. What assurances can you give me that that money will be ringfenced to make sure that it is spent on waste-related activities?”

“It feels that there needs to be some really proactive support for some of these farmers who will have just closed the door on it and assumed that there was not any funding. My issue here is that, despite it being reopened, some of these farmers are going to be severely disadvantaged over the course of the last couple o…”

“My hon. Friend is telling the heartwarming story of her constituent. Two constituents of mine, Liz and Steve from Wincanton, have recently become the special guardians for their grandchild. They faced a long-drawn-out process as a result of the delays to the adoption and special guardianship support fund, and they have…”

“Somerset is home to many growing defence sector SMEs, such as Needles and Pins Aerospace in Somerton, which will shortly be opening a new factory in the town. It has been a supplier of bespoke support equipment to Leonardo helicopters for many years. What support is the Minister providing to SMEs such as Needles and Pi…”

“My hon. Friend, as a veterinarian, will know that farmers also suffer with significant mental health issues. My constituents are under immense pressure following the family farm tax and the sudden closure of the sustainable farming incentive. Alongside that, they work extremely long hours, and the unpredictability of f…”

“This closure follows today’s no-notice closure of the special care baby unit and maternity unit at Yeovil district hospital, and comes amidst a crisis in our health services. I take the opportunity to thank the hundreds of NHS volunteers in Glastonbury and Somerton, who give millions of volunteer hours to the NHS, but …”

“I congratulate the hon. Member on securing this important debate. In Somerset we have a huge number of libraries, and a recent independent review cited Somerset libraries as examples of excellence nationally. In community-managed libraries such as Castle Cary, links to carers’ groups have been established. Does he agre…”

“My hon. Friend was probably going on to say that most carers have no idea that they have accidentally been overpaid carer’s allowance. Unpaid carers are doing such a remarkable job. I have been contacted by many in Glastonbury and Somerton who deserve our support. They are facing extreme financial hardship. Does she ag…”

“My hon. Friend makes a really good point. Those are, indeed, the unintended consequences we will see if the scheme is rolled out in its current form. I am really worried about how this will impact the independent pubs in my constituency such as the Etsome Arms in Somerton, which prides itself on celebrating brilliant l…”

“My hon. Friend is right: Somerset council operates many mobile libraries across the county, which provide a lifeline to rural villages in Glastonbury and Somerton such as Penselwood, Beercrocombe, Norton-sub-Hamdon, and Baltonsborough, to name a few. The cost of delivering library services has increased, and the recent…”

“It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Mr Stringer, and to speak on behalf of the Liberal Democrats on this important issue. I congratulate the hon. Member for Rotherham (Sarah Champion) on securing the debate. It is right that the Government are taking action to make manufacturing and packaging more sustaina…”

“A constituent of mine who lives in Glastonbury told me that she cares for her 95-year-old mum who needs constant assistance. She is concerned because not only is she having to spend more time with her as time goes on, but she has lost her winter fuel allowance and respite care is out of her reach. Does my hon. Friend a…”

“What would that impact be and how will you mitigate it?”

“Sir Adrian, Thames Water announced an eight-year turnaround plan in March 2021 under the previous chief executive, Sarah Bentley. In June 2023, Sarah resigned suddenly, reporting conflicts with shareholders. In December 2023, the then interim CEO, Alastair Cochran, informed the previous Committee they had refocused on …”

“There are the six priorities that you are delivering around health and safety, pollution, customer complaints, water quality leakage, and supply interruptions. Chris, how would you judge the performance against those measures that you have put in place over the period so far?”

“Please do, yes.”