Speeches by Stephenson.

“From responses to my written parliamentary questions, we know that the median earner can expect to pay £273 more in tax this year under Labour. When the Chancellor sat on the Opposition Benches, she described freezing tax thresholds as “picking the pockets” of working people. Does the Chancellor accept that she is now …”

“Particularly in the east of England.”

“Who or what are the main blockers to house building?”

“It is the same question to you, Mr Duffy.”

“That is very helpful.”

“Thank you. Ms Spain and Mr Duffy, do you feel that your roles as statutory consultees are sufficiently protected from political or commercial pressures in the planning process?”

“Thinking about flooding particularly, because it is something I have been working on quite a lot in my Mid Bedfordshire constituency, the Environment Agency is not the only agency that has expertise in flooding and water management. In my area, the internal drainage board also contributes to planning consultations, but…”

“Thank you very much for that answer. It is good to hear that you are planning to almost increase your productivity in responding to applications. Of course, 100% would be great, but the question is how you will get there as an agency. I do not know the answer, but related to that is the question of the Environment Agen…”

“Mr Duffy, given the pressures to accelerate house building, how will your organisation ensure that it continues to robustly apply environmental protections, particularly in cases where there may be pressure to permit planning in inappropriate locations such as on flood plains?”

“Would changes to UK REACH help the UK respond more effectively to emerging chemical threats such as PFAS?”

“I am conscious that I have not asked you any questions, Ms Cottrell, and I do apologise. Do you have anything to add on my batch of questions?”

“Do you have anything further to add on that, Dr Cloy?”

“That is very helpful—thank you.”

“The same question to you, Professor Depledge. What is your view on the interim position from DEFRA?”

“You will probably know better than me that Denmark has adopted a national action plan. Do you think that the UK should do something similar to inform the future—our prioritisation and what change we need to make?”

“I will come to you shortly, Dr Cloy—you were nodding, so I think you are in agreement. In the spirit of finding recommendations for the Government, Professor Depledge, what do you think an action plan like that should cover?”

“That is very helpful—thank you.”

“You will know that DEFRA recently published a policy paper outlining their interim approach to the persistent, mobile and toxic concept to support UK REACH risk management for PFAS. I will start with you, Dr Cloy. You can make the other point that you wanted to make as well. What are your views on DEFRA’s interim posit…”

“Would changes to UK REACH help the UK respond more effectively to emerging chemical threats such as PFAS?”

“You will probably know better than me that Denmark has adopted a national action plan. Do you think that the UK should do something similar to inform the future—our prioritisation and what change we need to make?”