Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ruth Cadbury this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–4 of 4 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number of people who live in residential houseboats in permanent moorings in (a) London and (b) England.
The Department does not hold such information. Navigation authorities are responsible for operational matters on their waterways, including issuing licences for permanent moorings on their waterways. This does not necessarily involve recording the number of people living on a boat.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of rights for residents living on houseboats in permanent moorings in the context of the (a) length and (b) security of their tenure.
No assessment has been made. Navigation authorities have responsibility for operational matters on their waterways, including setting the terms and conditions of the licences that they issue for the use of permanent moorings. The length and security of tenure of houseboat owners will depend on the terms they agree with the mooring owner. The terms of the agreement issued by the mooring owner must comply with the unfair terms in consumer contracts requirements in the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Boat owners with residential moorings will also benefit from the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. This requires mooring owners to get a court order to evict boat owners who continue to moor after their license agreement has ended.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether people can import polystyrene cups into the UK.
The supply of expanded and foamed extruded polystyrene food and drinks containers, including cups, that are used to contain food or drink that is ready-to-consume has been banned since 1 October 2023. However, you may still import polystyrene cups. This facilitates their movement through the supply chain to allow for other uses.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department have taken to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles.
This Government is committed to delivering the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers in October 2027, as agreed with the devolved governments of the UK, and in accordance with the Joint Policy Statement published in April 2024. We plan to lay the DRS regulations for England/Northern Ireland before Parliament in late 2024 and for them to come into force in early 2025 (assuming parliamentary time allows) and for the Deposit Management Organisation, who will run the scheme, to be appointed in April 2025 as planned.