Written questions by Mullane.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made in establishing a national social tariff for water consumers; and what steps he is taking to ensure that a national social tariff will end geographical disparities in the support available for consumers.

Water companies must ensure support is available for vulnerable customers who are struggling to pay their bills. Companies have therefore more than doubled the number of customers that will receive help with their bills through social tariffs – from 4% to 9 and government expects industry to keep the current support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers across the country are supported. The Independent Water Commission made a recommendation to consult on a National Social Tariff which the Government is taking into consideration and will provide a response to later this year in a White Paper.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) mitigate pollution from historic landfills and (b) facilitate the remediation of landfill sites.

Local Authorities have a duty to identify contaminated land (including historic landfills) which are causing unacceptable risks to human health or the environment. Where requested, the Environment Agency (EA) supports Local Authorities in discharging these duties by providing information and advice. The EA is responsible for requiring remediation to be carried out on Special Sites. These are contaminated land sites where it has the specialist skills to deal with contamination due to past activities or certain current land uses and specific types of water pollution. The EA has inspected many historic landfills as potential special sites on behalf of Local Authorities. 60 sites (including 14 historic landfills) have been designated as Special Sites in England. Remediation is outstanding or ongoing on 19 sites where the EA is either working with those responsible or using discretionary powers to carry out works to reduce unacceptable risks to health and the environment. The list is published here: Contaminated Land Special Sites - data.gov.uk. Operators (and landowners) of permitted or historic landfill sites are responsible for maintaining and managing their sites. Where they propose to remediate sites to enable redevelopment, the EA will advise on permitting requirements where remediation involves deposit, or treatment of waste. Where consulted, the EA will liaise with the relevant Planning Authority. Published guidance is available on GOV.UK: Landfill operators: environmental permits - Deposit waste over existing waste at landfills (overtipping) - Guidance - GOV.UK.