Speeches by Tufnell.

“I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings and Rye (Helena Dollimore) for the work that we did together on this report in the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. As she will know, I represent a Welsh seat in Mid and South Pembrokeshire. Welsh Water’s not-for-profit model avoids dividends and maintains a …”

“We have talked a lot about the banking crisis. You have referenced it a lot. The 2008 crisis is a shadow that hangs over this country. It lives long in the memory of taxpayers, who effectively bailed out banks. The taxpayer is not bailing out the water companies in this instance in respect of nationalisation, but they …”

“It is quite clearly set out that, even if nationalisation is not part of it, public confidence is very much part of your terms of reference. We have Canadian pension funds taking big dividends. We have Australian private equity companies. We have the complexity around water companies effectively becoming financial vehi…”

“What is your assessment of these financial incentives?”

“Just finally, you talked about the supervisory role in your commission and how Ofwat could play that role. I was wondering about the conclusions in respect to the financial incentives, particularly the outcome delivery incentives.”

“On the company point, though, they have often failed to contest those previous determinations, which means that, coming back to the culture that we have been talking about, effectively there is an acceptance that those previous levels of investment are tolerable.”

“I want to rattle quickly through a couple of questions, starting with the price review process. We have concluded that there is a broader culture about lower bills and lower investment. I was wondering whether you recognised that and, if so, how do you propose to tackle the problem?”

“Nicola, do you have anything to add?”

“You have named a lot of the barriers in respect of brownfield regeneration and repurposing these sites. It is set out in the report that councillors used to be able to do that, but there is a lack of learning from elsewhere to overcome those barriers. I wonder whether you accept that need for an innovative approach, no…”

“I want to expand on that a little in terms of public confidence, particularly in managing and remediating those disused tips, and the systems that you have in place, particularly around high-risk tips.”

“Are you using innovative practices in respect of managing the systems?”

“Nicola, do you accept the finding of the report in January 2024?”

“You have referenced the recreational spaces in Caerphilly. I was wondering what other opportunities you saw as a council in respect of brownfield sites and the regeneration aspect.”

“If we talk about mine water and geothermal heat, for example, as an innovative technology that can be used as a result of these opportunities; in England, it is already in commercial use at Lanchester and production is going ahead in Seaham. But that is not the case in Wales. There are test schemes in Bridgend and ther…”

“In January 2024 we had a report from the Auditor General for Wales, which said, “Councils are not always taking an ambitious, interventionist approach to tackle long-standing barriers.” This is in respect of regenerating brownfield sites, so former industrial sites. Mark, do you accept that finding in the report?”

“Are those strategic plans co-ordinated across regions or is it more bespoke depending on the safety risk to the public in the specific area?”

“Q5. More jobs, cheaper bills: that was our promise on net zero. If we cannot meet those goals, we must consider our approach. In Pembrokeshire we have a proud industrial history rooted in oil and gas, and an incredibly exciting opportunity in respect of floating offshore wind in the Celtic sea. Can the Prime Minister a…”

“I am grateful to the Minister for his statement, and for the work he has done and continues to do on this issue. The people of Pembrokeshire watch in despair the events unfolding on their TV screens—the death, the horror, the humanitarian catastrophe. I add my voice and my constituents’ voices to those urging the Minis…”

“My parents and my brother own and run an 895-hectare mainly arable farm in Gloucestershire. My parents also own 10 hectares in Pembrokeshire, which they let out to a local farmer. I have no financial interests in either of those holdings. Just for the sake of clarity, my father is a non-executive board member of Natura…”

“We have talked a lot about the data already. Aled, you talked about a flaw in the data presented by Treasury in respect of its estimate that about 500 estates claiming relief would be affected annually. You referred to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers. Gareth has talked about the evidence to the Committe…”