Speeches by Dyke.

“In 2024, the BBC identified 68 sites where sewage may have been discharged illegally in the Wessex region back in 2022. It found that Wessex had spilled for over 1,500 hours, some of which was on 19 July 2022, which you will remember was the hottest day on record. How was that allowed to happen?”

“In 2024, the Advertising Standards Authority banned Wessex Water from releasing a TV advert about its plan to tackle storm overflows, as it was misleading and omitted the information about your overflow and environmental record. What does this tell us about your approach to transparency and investment?”

“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.”

“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 …”

“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?”

“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…”

“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?”

“T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered ambulance service response times. It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Jardine. I thank the Backbench Business Committee for scheduling this important debate. Unacceptable ambulance response times have become endemic in the UK, leaving people in pain and dist…”

“Women in rural areas often face additional barriers to their engagement in politics, at both local government and national Government levels. The reasons can vary: they may be social, cultural, structural, institutional, or often a perceived lack of knowledge. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, what steps is th…”

“I am sure you will appreciate, Madam Deputy Speaker, the importance of the cider industry to my constituency, which is home to many fantastic traditional cider makers: Burrow Hill cider, Bere cider, Hecks cider, Harry’s cider and Tricky cider, to name just a few. However, as we enter the spring blossom season, many ind…”

“I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention. I will come to that point a little later. With the stark realities facing people in an emergency and the distressing sight of ambulances backed up at hospitals now commonplace, leaving my constituents in Glastonbury and Somerton in despair, it is time to properly address…”

“I thank all hon. Members for their contributions to this important debate. The examples that they raised highlight the urgent need to improve ambulance response times. It is just unacceptable that people cannot trust that when they need an ambulance, one will arrive. That is not fair on patients or on the incredible am…”

“You mentioned some areas we could work on to help prevent diseases coming into the country. Do you think Border Force should interact better with our European neighbours to tackle the flow of illegal meat products?”

“Do you think the 2 kg threshold for personal use is confusing and difficult to enforce, and that perhaps we should look at a zero tolerance scheme instead?”

“That intervention needs to come quicker; 18 months is too long. Having those conversations undoubtedly has a knock-on effect to veterinary professionals as well, because at the end of the day, you are not trained counsellors. What impact is it having on the veterinary workforce and how do you think we can mitigate it?”

“Sarah, turning to you, what assessment have you made of the merits of establishing an independent agency to manage bovine TB outbreaks?”

“Exactly. On that, do you feel the Farming Community Network has a sufficient amount of funding support to deal with the amount of demand you are experiencing?”

“Do you think Government across all its Departments are doing enough to support farmers’ mental health during disease outbreaks?”

“That is really interesting. The stats show that, from the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak, 73% of farmers in Somerset experienced depression and anxiety. If we are going to move forward into potentially another outbreak, do you have any stats around how farmers might deal with their mental health struggles? To me, we have…”