Written questions by Khan.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to support local authorities in tackling methane emissions from landfill sites through improved (a) waste separation, (b) capture technologies and (c) food waste reduction.

Reducing emissions further requires ‘turning off the tap’ for landfill gas production by diverting biodegradable waste from landfill, as well as maximising capture and destruction of landfill gas created by previously deposited waste. Defra is exploring options for the near elimination of municipal biodegradable waste to landfill from 2028 and landfill gas capture and is engaging with the landfill and landfill gas operators on these issues. Simpler Recycling will deliver changes in waste management including separate food waste collection which explicitly aims to divert this material from landfill.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce methane emissions from agriculture through (a) dietary changes, (b) manure management, (c) innovation in feed additives and (d) other methods.

The Carbon Budget Delivery Plan (CBDP), published in 2023, outlines measures to reduce methane in the agricultural sector and meet our Carbon Budget 4-6 commitments. Defra is actively exploring ways to reduce methane emissions, including through scientific research into livestock management, feed, and breeding. The Government will set Carbon Budget 7 by June 2026 outlining the next phase of the UK’s net zero pathway, including future policies to further mitigate methane from agriculture. In particular, we are supporting access to nutritious food and healthier diets through our ambitious Food Strategy. The Government respects individual dietary choices for a healthy diet, as set out by the NHS Eatwell Guide. Adherence to the Eatwell Guide has been shown to improve both health and environmental outcomes, with appreciably lower environmental impact than the current UK diet. To support manure management, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund provides grants to improve farm productivity, slurry management and animal health and welfare, which contribute to methane reductions.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to support local authorities in tackling methane emissions.

Reducing emissions further requires ‘turning off the tap’ for landfill gas production by diverting biodegradable waste from landfill, as well as maximising capture and destruction of landfill gas created by previously deposited waste. Defra is exploring options for the near elimination of municipal biodegradable waste to landfill from 2028 and landfill gas capture and is engaging with the landfill and landfill gas operators on these issues. Simpler Recycling will deliver changes in waste management including separate food waste collection which explicitly aims to divert this material from landfill.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of methane reduction measures on (a) air quality and (b) public health.

The Government recognises that methane contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone, a harmful air pollutant, and is also a significant greenhouse gas. That is why the Government are taking action to drive down emissions of this pollutant.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will include plans to ensure food partnerships in every area by 2030 in the National Food Strategy.

The food strategy will articulate the outcomes we want from the food system, enabling the Government, civil society, and the food industry work to shared goals and priorities. Local and place-based approaches will have a key role to play in delivery of these outcomes. We will continue to work with partners across the food system as we develop our approach.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the National Food Strategy will reference young people.

We are developing an ambitious new food strategy to set the food system up for long term success. The strategy will deliver wide ranging improvements. Everyone including young people will benefit from a healthier, more affordable, sustainable and resilient 21st century UK food system that grows the economy, feeds the nation, nourishes people, and protects the environment, now and in the future. A number of food strategy outcomes are particularly important for young people touching on children's health, food education, and jobs and skills in the food sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of breakage rate of glass beverage containers in kerbside collections.

Defra has not made an assessment on the breakage rate of glass beverage contains in kerbside collections.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to increase the recycling rate of glass beverage containers.

This Government has set ambitious recycling targets under the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) regulations, with annual increases to glass packaging. The packaging recycling target for glass in 2025 is 74% and will increase to 85% by 2030. Modulation of pEPR fees, which will be introduced from year two of the scheme, will be used to disincentivise packaging formats that are not readily recyclable by placing higher fees on these packaging materials.The Government has also introduced the Simpler Recycling reforms, which will ensure that every household and workplace (businesses and relevant non-domestic premises like schools and hospitals) across England will be able to recycle the same materials, including glass.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in the levels of recycling rates for (a) plastic, (b) metal and (c) glass beverage containers.

Defra has not made an assessment of trends in the levels of recycling rates for plastic, metal and glass beverage containers.However, Defra’s Impact Assessment for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) uses external estimates of the recycling rates for beverage containers made of specific materials for specific years –https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2024/217/pdfs/ukia_20240217_en.pdfDefra more routinely publishes annual statistics on the total amount of UK packaging waste that is recycled broken down by material types. The following table shows the amount of packing waste recycled by material types for 2023. The amount of recycled packaging is based on tonnages reported by accredited reprocessors and exporters under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations. Table1: Packaging waste and recycling, split by material, UK 2023 (thousand tonnes and % rate)MaterialPackaging waste arisingTotal recycledAchieved recycling rateMetal77455171.2%— of which: Aluminium27716258.6%— of which: Steel49738978.3%Paper and cardboard5,4223,98073.4%Glass2,6801,81867.8%Plastic2,2591,18652.5%Wood1,50466844.4%Other* materials2300.0%Total 12,6628,20464.8%Notes* ‘Other’ includes materials such as cloth, corks, gel, glue, hessian sacks and wax used as packagingArisings estimates made at point of manufacture.UK packaging waste figures by material types for 2012 to 2023 can be found in the UK statistics on waste dataset: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on improving responsible access to nature in Greater Manchester.

The Government recognises the importance of access to nature for health and wellbeing and is committed to ensuring it is safe, inclusive and appropriate. We are delivering on our ambitious manifesto commitments to create nine new national river walks and three new national forests in England while also developing wider policy to improve access to nature in collaboration with other departments and stakeholders. We are already delivering several initiatives to expand access to green spaces and parks, such as the £16 million ‘Access for All’ programme, which supports inclusive access to protected landscapes, national trailsand green spaces. The National Planning Policy Framework stipulates planning policies to consider the need for open space and recreation facilities. We have also established the Parks Working Group to find practical solutions to improve the quality and sustainability of parks, with an emphasis on equitable access. Through the £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods up to £20 million will support 75 communities across the UK over the next decade. This can include improving green spaces, with Chadderton, Ashton under Lyne and Farnworth already selected. Finally, we own the Green Flag Award scheme, which sets national standards for green spaces. In 2024, 2,227 awards were given, including nine in Manchester.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on improving access to parks and green spaces.

The Government recognises the importance of access to nature for health and wellbeing and is committed to ensuring it is safe, inclusive and appropriate. We are delivering on our ambitious manifesto commitments to create nine new national river walks and three new national forests in England while also developing wider policy to improve access to nature in collaboration with other departments and stakeholders. We are already delivering several initiatives to expand access to green spaces and parks, such as the £16 million ‘Access for All’ programme, which supports inclusive access to protected landscapes, national trailsand green spaces. The National Planning Policy Framework stipulates planning policies to consider the need for open space and recreation facilities. We have also established the Parks Working Group to find practical solutions to improve the quality and sustainability of parks, with an emphasis on equitable access. Through the £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods up to £20 million will support 75 communities across the UK over the next decade. This can include improving green spaces, with Chadderton, Ashton under Lyne and Farnworth already selected. Finally, we own the Green Flag Award scheme, which sets national standards for green spaces. In 2024, 2,227 awards were given, including nine in Manchester.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing extended producer responsibility collection targets for glass bottles to 90%.

Collection targets are not a feature of the extended producer responsibility scheme for packaging (pEPR). However, the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024, which implement pEPR, set challenging, but achievable, recycling targets for all glass packaging which rise year on year to 85% by 2030.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on aligning the UK-wide bottle return scheme with the planned scheme for Wales.

The Government is committed to deliver a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in England in October 2027 and to realise its benefits of reducing litter, increasing recycling, and creating high quality recyclate that will support the transition to a circular economy. Following a period of joint development of DRS across all four nations, the Welsh Government made the decision to withdraw from this approach in November 2024. Defra Ministers remain in close contact with Welsh Government counterparts through bilateral meetings, calls, and written correspondence. Officials remain in close working partnership with the Welsh Government as they take the decisions regarding a DRS in Wales. The UK Government is keen to keep the door open to provide as much interoperability of schemes across the UK as possible.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) France, (b) Germany and (c) Sweden on reducing plastic waste.

The Secretary of State has not held discussions on plastic waste with his counterparts in France, Germany, and Sweden. However, officials have had discussions with their counterparts in other countries to learn lessons on tackling waste, including plastic waste. For instance, officials have had discussions with the German Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) administrator to assist in developing the DRS in the UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to provide financial incentives for businesses engaged in (a) upcycling and (b) the sustainable production of textiles.

The Secretary of State has asked his department to convene a taskforce of experts from across the Government, industry, academia and relevant non-governmental organisations. The Taskforce will help to develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England and a series of roadmaps detailing the interventions that the Government will make on a sector-by-sector basis. The Taskforce will consider the evidence for action right across the economy, and as such the Taskforce will evaluate what interventions, including financial incentives, may need to be made in the textiles sector as it helps to develop the Circular Economy Strategy. Financial incentives are primarily a matter for the Treasury, and Treasury Ministers will be part of a Small Ministerial Group on the Circular Economy, which is also being convened, along with Ministers from Defra, the Department for Business and Trade, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This group will govern, join up and drive work to promote a Circular Economy across the Government. supporting the Government’s Missions to kickstart economic growth and make Britain a clean energy superpower.