Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
LabourMP for Coventry East
“Over the last year we have taken significant action on nature recovery. In December 2025 we launched our revised Environmental Improvement Plan (the EIP) to restore nature, move to a more circular economy and protect our environmental secur…”
“I wish to update the House on the action I have taken with the support of the Forestry Commission and Defra officials to cut the backlog of Restocking Notice appeals and to build a faster appeals process which protects nature and growth.…”
“I will be making an Oral Statement on this subject later today.…”
“Yes.…”
“Since publishing the waste crime action plan in March, we have started clearing illegal waste at Kidlington, and we are investigating clearing up sites in Wigan, Sheffield and Hyndburn. We have arrested 18 waste criminals, launched the digi…”
“The eyes to the right for 394. The nose to the left were 85. The eyes have it. The eyes have it unlocked. With the leave of the house. I call the minister to move. That this House agrees with the Lords in their amendment 2 to 6. The questio…”
“Thank you very much indeed. Madam Deputy Speaker, it's a pleasure to serve and to speak in the House on this issue today. Can I begin by thanking my honourable friend, the member for Rotherham, for securing this debate, and for all honourab…”
“Tomorrow, during London Climate Action Week, I am publishing the first ever Government Estate Nature Plan, which sets out a new, smarter way of using Government land to support nature recovery, climate adaptation, and the resilience of publ…”
“It is a pleasure to respond to this afternoon’s debate on behalf of my colleague the Water Minister, my honourable Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull East and Haltemprice (Emma Hardy), who is sadly unable to be with us because she is …”
“I thank my honourable Friend for all the work he did for us during his time in DEFRA. This Government are transforming access to nature in this country, delivering three new national forests and nine new national river walks, as well as lau…”
“The Government has published its Waste Crime Action Plan for England. The plan sets out our zero-tolerance approach to prevent waste crime, pursue the criminals responsible and accelerate the clean-up effort.…”
“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship this evening, Madam Deputy Speaker. I congratulate the honourable Member for Bath (Wera Hobhouse) on securing the debate and thank her for raising this important issue. I also thank the honoura…”
“What a pleasure it is to stand in this glorious room panelled with English oak cut down in the wake of world war two to refurbish this great Chamber of democracy, and at this Dispatch Box, a gift from New Zealand crafted from its native pur…”
“The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has today published its latest report on the Government’s progress in improving the natural environment and a briefing note on the revised EIP. The OEP plays an important role in monitoring and …”
“I am grateful to have the opportunity to close this debate. I have to say that even in the deep, bleak midwinter, I do not recognise the gloomy, barren landscape that Conservative Members have been describing. They describe a litany of disa…”
“It is lovely to be here with you again to celebrate the new year, Madam Deputy Speaker. I wish you and all colleagues in the House a very happy new year. What a shame it is that we are starting it with the trash from last year. As we have j…”
“Poor air quality harms health, and it does not affect all communities equally. Our new environmental improvement plan sets a new target to cut exposure to harmful particles by nearly one third by 2030. We will deliver that by modernising in…”
“The Government will clean up Britain and end the throwaway society. That is why we banned the sale of single-use vapes earlier this year and why our forthcoming deposit return scheme will drastically reduce the littering of single-use cans …”
“Fly-tipping sky-rocketed under the Conservative Government. This Labour Government will crack down on the waste cowboys in order to clean up Britain’s streets. We will support councils in seizing and crush their vehicles. We will use drones…”
“indicated assent .…”
“I congratulate my honourable Friend and neighbour, the Member for Warwick and Leamington (Matt Western). I know his area well and he has made a powerful and compelling speech on behalf of his constituents. We have a commitment to transition…”
“On this 80th anniversary of VE Day, I pay tribute to the city of Coventry, which suffered so grievously in the blitz. The commemoration was marked at the old and new cathedrals with the lighting of the torch for peace, a brilliant initiativ…”
“Happy spring equinox and happy World Sparrow Day to you, Mr Speaker, and to everyone in the House. Fly-tipping blights communities, harms the environment and places huge costs on taxpayers and businesses. Councils dealt with over 1 million …”
“This Government is committed to ending poverty on a liveable planet. The climate and nature crises define our times and it is the most vulnerable who bear the brunt. Over half of global GDP is moderately or highly dependent on nature. Loss …”
“Beavers were once widespread across England but became nationally extinct due to overhunting. In recent years, they have returned to our waterways through a combination of licensed releases, escapes, unlawful wild releases, and natural bree…”
“This Government are determined to halt and reverse the trend of nature loss in our country and end the cycle of destroy, regret and restore. We are investing £400 million in tree planting and peatland restoration. We have announced a new na…”
“I begin by drawing the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I pay huge tribute to the honourable Member for South Cotswolds (Dr Savage) for securing this debate and giving these vital issues the par…”
“I beg to move, That the draft Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2024, which were laid before this House on 25 November 2024, be approved. It is a red-letter day, is it not, Madam Deputy Speaker?…”
“May I wish you, Mr Speaker, all the staff of the House, and all those in our public services who will be working over the weekend a very merry Christmas and a safe and successful new year? The UK has a long history of championing the global…”
“What a pleasure it is to serve under your chairmanship this evening, Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank the honourable Member for Stockton West (Matt Vickers) for raising this issue—he has certainly had a busy day, having moved from the Front Be…”
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