Speeches by Riddell-Carpenter.

“I will try to keep it brief and to time. First on drought and then we will move on to abstractions. What is your reading of the latest situation over the summer and into the months where we are now? What is the assessment that you have made and specifically the effectiveness of water companies, drought plans and their …”

“My final point—it is more of a point than a question—goes back to the amazing innovation happening in the east of England, in Suffolk Coastal, as an example. A lot of farmers have told me that over the last 20 years—since the late ’90s—they have worked very closely with the EA to develop and foster a good working relat…”

“Mine will be brief because it is on a very similar theme to Jayne’s: licensing permits. Just to add two examples to that. I would say it is probably the biggest amount of casework that I have about the EA in my inbox from farmers and river partnership trusts. Licensing for farmers will often cost 600 quid to get a lice…”

“On that point of the summer, 240 farmers in the Ely Ouse catchment area were subject to an abstraction ban in July that was imposed quite suddenly, with no warning. Lots of campaigners there—the farmers working with bodies such as the NFU—worked really hard and at pace to get some abstractions overturned. It was reduce…”

“I appreciate that. One of the sincerest challenges that I see is Suffolk Coastal, a big agriculture area with a big industry in Sizewell. I see a lot of those pressures that we talk about from water resilience play out daily in Suffolk Coastal. We need to talk about monitoring. I had a farm visit on Friday. The constit…”

“5. What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of providing additional funding to support tourism in areas affected by major energy infrastructure projects.”

“Suffolk Coastal is proud to be the tourism capital of Suffolk, but we also wear the badge of hosting possibly the highest number of nationally significant infrastructure projects within a small, 10-mile radius. Suffolk Coastal is home to Aldeburgh, Southwold, Woodbridge and Saxmundham, and every day I speak to business…”

“I know that my hon. Friend has been passionate about this since his arrival in this place last year. I look forward to the Minister’s response to that point, but yes, I do agree; in fact, I will come on to some of those themes later. There is an opportunity to set up an overarching body to ensure that the many competin…”

“Will the Minister meet me to talk about what more co-ordination can happen now through the projects that are live, in the way that I set out in my speech?”

“I beg to move, That this House has considered the coordination of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects for energy on the Suffolk coast. Suffolk Coastal is central to the UK’s energy ambitions. It is often said that up to 30% of Britain’s future energy is expected to be generated in, or transmitted through, my…”

“I thank the hon. Member for his contribution, and I look forward to the Minister’s remarks. As I said, the multiple NSIPs in Suffolk Coastal are within just a 10-mile radius. They are being planned in an area of the country that is mostly served by B roads and country lanes. It seems remarkable that developers are bein…”

“I rise to present a petition about road safety around primary schools in Suffolk Coastal. There is growing concern about speeding and dangerous driving that puts children, parents and staff at serious risk. Many schools also lack basic measures, such as 20 mph zones, pedestrian crossings and safe walking routes. In fac…”

“My hon. Friend is making an incredibly compelling case on behalf of her constituents. Does she agree that families have to fight so incredibly hard for an EHCP, and face so many anxieties and so many battles to get one, that they feel that it is a golden ticket? Behind that, however, there is often a lack of sufficient…”

“5. What steps her Department is taking to support Ukrainian nationals with their visa applications.”

“I start by congratulating the Minister and welcoming him to his place. My constituent Lesley has been hosting and supporting a Ukrainian refugee, Ella, who, after months of delay and difficulty, has thankfully now received a visa extension. Ella’s case highlights the wider problems in the system: long waits, radio sile…”

“Thank you. Before I hand over, Chair, can I just mention two incredible schemes in my constituency, which I would be really keen to talk to you about further. One is the Hydrocycle in Felixstowe, which you may be aware of. It is a programme that has inspired many others and is a genuine opportunity. It was brought abou…”

“Just quickly a bit more on abstractions: we obviously have heard many concerns about the abstraction licences, that they are being poorly monitored and poorly enforced. What are the timescales, if any, for reform of that system?”

“Earlier you made the point that in your new role you now worry about dry summers; I also worry about dry summers as mine is a rural constituency with lots of farmers, and the moment it rains I am terrified of flooding. It is this continual battle of being out of kilter with it. I want to talk more about abstractions. I…”

“I was at the East Suffolk Water Abstractors Group—ESWAG— last week, so it is very timely to have this conversation. I know ESWAG will be delighted with the recognition that you just made about valuing food security and not just talking about water as the public good point but having a broader view on it. To that point,…”

“11. What recent discussions he has had with allies on military support for Ukraine.”