Speeches by Dyke.

“Somerset council is in the position of having to raise council tax this year, but a recent external assurance review reported that a significant proportion of the council’s budget shortfall was attributable to decisions taken by the previous Conservative Administration, who recklessly froze council tax for a record six…”

“I rise to speak to Lords amendments 1, 4, 5, 9 and 13. These amendments tabled by the Liberal Democrats in the other place would ensure that care providers, NHS GP practices, NHS-commissioned dentists, NHS-commissioned pharmacies, charitable providers of health and social care, and hospice care continue to pay secondar…”

“Sixty-six per cent of Somerset council’s budget goes to fund social care. That budget is funded through the taxes raised on property based on prices from 1991, as the hon. Member has set out. Does he agree that that is archaic and unfair, and that we should enact real reform to the way we fund local authorities?”

“A constituent from Tintinhull who is suffering from stage 4 stomach cancer contacted me because he has recently had a gastrectomy, which has caused him considerable weight loss. Despite that, he has now lost his winter fuel allowance, which is making it more difficult for him to keep his heating on as it costs him a lo…”

“Around 40% of properties in Glastonbury and Somerton are not connected to the gas grid. They are more expensive to heat, and people experience more fuel poverty as a result. Off-grid pensioners, who are particularly suffering, are obviously more reliant on their winter fuel payment. Will the Minister commit to developi…”

“Thank you, Chair. James Asser made representations.”

“Thank you, Chair, and thank you very much for inviting me to present this to the Committee. Small abattoirs are really important for our farmers. We know that farmers are having a particularly difficult time at the moment. In 2007, the UK had nearly 100 small abattoirs, but by 2023, this number had fallen to just over …”

“Yes.”

“WASPI women should be fairly compensated. Just this week, I spoke to a woman who lives in the village of Street in my constituency. She worked hard for 40 years, but has recently been made homeless—she has been evicted—as a result of not receiving fair compensation. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Government should …”

“Like young people in Portsmouth North, in Cramlington and Killingworth, and in Derby South, young people in Glastonbury and Somerton face barriers to their employment, education and training due to poor public transport infrastructure. Research has shown, however, that a 1% improvement in public transport time could su…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for securing this really important debate. Speaking of medieval villages, I met residents of a little village called Mudford in my constituency last week. Two new housing applications have recently been approved for up to 1,000 homes just upstream on the River Yeo. Mudford already suffers from ex…”

“Let us move on to environmental performance. Wessex has seen increasing levels of pollution, or numbers of pollution incidents over the last couple of years, and data shows that you are over-using some sewage overflows. What explains this increase? Does the four-star rating from the Environment Agency seem appropriate …”

“I am, but Chair, if I may, I will first come in on the back of the previous questions. If the business does not become more financially stable in the future, what assessment have you made about the impacts on your consumers? I am obviously particularly interested in those for Glastonbury and Somerton, my constituency.”

“Coming at a time of record low confidence in farming, many farmers in Glastonbury and Somerton will feel that the sudden closure of the SFI scheme will bring them closer to closing their farm gates for the very last time, and at a time when food security is at an all-time low. What communications will go to affected fa…”

“Yesterday, with no notice, DEFRA closed sustainable farming incentive applications, leaving thousands of farmers who want to deliver public goods waiting for a year without support. Can the Prime Minister assure British farmers that they will not be left stranded and unable to support environmental and food resilience …”

“I will not, because of time. Given that the SFI has now finished, will the Department publish the scheme’s key performance indicators and how they were met? Or will it keep farmers in the dark again? The Liberal Democrats are deeply disappointed by Labour’s decision to compound the damage done to our farmers by the Con…”

“It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Dr Murrison. I also thank my hon. Friend the hon. Member for South Devon (Caroline Voaden) for securing this important debate and for her excellent speech. Rural communities and farming go hand in hand, as farmers are the backbone of our rural economy. Glastonbury and So…”

“Thank you very much. Despite this, the Glastonbury water recycling centre spilled 94 times, polluting the Glastonbury mill stream and the River Brue for 1,267 hours last year. What kind of sewage monitoring system is being used at this site, and how can we stop this level of spills happening?”

“Recently you have upgraded five sewage works along the River Parrett, which runs through my constituency, and I was able to visit the Langport sewage works last summer as some of the upgrades were being installed. I understand from Dr Andrew Clegg, a local citizen scientist, that the water quality monitoring he has bee…”

“You have said that the regulators are not sufficiently supportive of your ambitions to invest in more nature-based solutions to treat overflows. Why is that?”