Speeches by Hinchliff.

“In November 2022, ClientEarth, WWF and others requested that the OEP review and report on the systemic failings of the regulatory framework to address nitrogen pollution in England’s rivers. It took until January 2024 for the OEP to eventually make a determination on that issue. Are you satisfied with the timeframe in …”

“I am going to focus on the role of the OEP’s enforcement. To return very briefly to the WWF-ClientEarth nitrogen issue and just to reiterate what we discussed before, concern was raised in November 2022; an investigation, as I understand it, was launched in November 2024. You referred to mitigating circumstances for th…”

“Sorry, can I just interrupt there? I do not want to focus on the specifics of the case. What I want to focus on is your general approach, having learned from that. We have spoken before about that timeline not being acceptable. Generally, what can be done to accelerate that process, notwithstanding the mitigating circu…”

“Following the OEP’s recent warnings to DEFRA and Ofwat regarding unlawful sewage discharges, what are the next steps that you are pursuing? What impact do you expect the OEP intervention to have?”

“Okay, but is the answer in fact that there are no further recommendations on improving the processes, for example in how you are working with Government on the enforcement process?”

“To look at some of the other specific cases, could you talk to us about what led the OEP to step in on the Rights Community Action court case about MHCLG’s duty to consider the environmental principles policy statement, and what you have learned from that and other court cases?”

“We have had a few references to the marine environment already. Could you tell us a bit more about what prompted the OEP’s investigation into DEFRA’s duty to achieve good environmental status in the marine environment, and what the key areas of concern that you have identified are?”

“I rise to present this petition on behalf of the residents of Furneux Pelham in my constituency, where Whitebarns Lane has been left in a state of disrepair for years, despite being the only access road for many social housing tenants and others in the village. Hertfordshire county council has refused to adequately mai…”

“Does the Minister agree that the most important policies that we can look at in planning reform to deliver genuinely affordable homes in rural communities are a bold approach to land reform, the abolition of hope value and the reform of compulsory purchase orders to allow our local planning authorities to assemble the …”

“I share my hon. Friend’s concern that far too many children in our part of the world miss out on years of education as a result of this crisis. In setting out many of the reforms we need to see, will he join me in urging the Minister to bring forward those reforms as swiftly as possible and to provide a clear timeline …”

“Just this morning, commuters in Ashwell in North East Hertfordshire, which is also served by Thameslink, wrote to me about the challenges that they are experiencing because of a lack of reliability and expensive fares on the line, and how those challenges are increasingly cutting them off from work and education opport…”

“Yes, thank you. On to more questions about farming. Specifically, I would like to begin, Ms Hallos, with how you feel the national flood and coastal erosion risk management plan could better address flood risks for farmers and rural communities, especially in relation to climate risks and resilience.”

“Of course, following on from my colleagues, you can always write to us with more detailed thoughts, if you would prefer to.”

“Sure. Specifically, since you mention it, do you feel that currently the right conversations are happening, and that the farming community is being properly involved in that conversation around that management plan?”

“It is beginning—okay. Moving on, in relation to schemes like ELMs and Countryside Stewardship, do you feel that more needs to be done to ensure that fair funding is available to farmers for the public good of, for example, nature-based solutions that reduce flooding impacts? Are these schemes suitably designed to give …”

“Would you say they are currently lacking?”

“From all of the questions you have just raised there, it sounds like you feel that the schemes that currently exist have not answered that yet.”

“Sure. We heard about some of the challenges at the opening of the session from a slightly different perspective. Can I ask whether we have the necessary incentives to support moves towards farming practices that themselves reduce flooding risks—for example, maintaining and restoring hedgerows, fields, trees and reducin…”

“Correct me if I am wrong, but it sounds like you are saying a recommendation you would like to see this Committee make would be relating to the speed at which we reopen those capital projects.”

“To pick up some of the points that Barry was making previously, how can funding mechanisms such as the Farming Recovery Fund be tailored to better support flood-affected farmers? Do we need to be doing more to protect the recovery of our highest-grade agricultural land through those schemes, or is that the wrong way to…”