To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether contractual requirements have been placed on catering providers at MoD Barnham in relation to minimising food waste; and whether financial penalties or performance targets relating to food waste will apply.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether contractual requirements have been placed on catering providers at MoD Barnham in relation to minimising food waste; and whether financial penalties or performance targets relating to food waste will apply.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what role the National Crime Agency currently plays in tackling organised waste crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what role the National Crime Agency currently plays in tackling organised waste crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of designating waste crime as a national strategic policing priority.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of designating waste crime as a national strategic policing priority.

The hon. Lady is absolutely right. Rural waste crime is completely unacceptable; it is often driven by larger, serious organised criminal gangs, and we are determined to bear down on it.

The hon. Lady is absolutely right. Rural waste crime is completely unacceptable; it is often driven by larger, serious organised criminal gangs, and we are determined to bear down on it.

Criminal gangs are targeting isolated farmland and woodland, dumping lorry loads of illegal waste, which poses serious environmental risks. The Environment Agency reports that offenders are saving thousands of pounds in disposal costs while landowners face the financial responsibility of clearing the site. Will the Minister support the National Crime Agency in preventing and effectively prosecuting serious and organised rural waste crime?

Criminal gangs are targeting isolated farmland and woodland, dumping lorry loads of illegal waste, which poses serious environmental risks. The Environment Agency reports that offenders are saving thousands of pounds in disposal costs while landowners face the financial responsibility of clearing the site. Will the Minister support the National Crime Agency in preventing and effectively prosecuting serious and organised rural waste crime?

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of community policing in tackling antisocial behaviour linked to waste crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of community policing in tackling antisocial behaviour linked to waste crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2023 to Question 143701 on Waste: Crime, whether her Department has had recent discussions with relevant stakeholders on updating the Serious and Organised Crime Strategy to include waste crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2023 to Question 143701 on Waste: Crime, whether her Department has had recent discussions with relevant stakeholders on updating the Serious and Organised Crime Strategy to include waste crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the update to the Serious and Organised Crime Strategy will include tackling waste crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the update to the Serious and Organised Crime Strategy will include tackling waste crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department’s Greening Government Commitments for 2021-25, how many tonnes of food waste were produced from her Departmental estate in Financial Year (a) 2021-22 and (b) 2022-23 up to 31 December 2022.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department’s Greening Government Commitments for 2021-25, how many tonnes of food waste were produced from her Departmental estate in Financial Year (a) 2021-22 and (b) 2022-23 up to 31 December 2022.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will take steps to (a) provide additional funding to help tackle illegal unlicensed operators in the metals recycling sector and (b) launch a wider campaign to tackle waste crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will take steps to (a) provide additional funding to help tackle illegal unlicensed operators in the metals recycling sector and (b) launch a wider campaign to tackle waste crime.

Residents in Paston, Werrington and other parts of Peterborough have had to endure unauthorised encampments on public land and open spaces for many years. Rubbish, industrial waste and even human waste has been left behind, costing many thousands of pounds to clear up. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that is unacceptable and will she bring forward legislation to deal with it as soon as possible?

Residents in Paston, Werrington and other parts of Peterborough have had to endure unauthorised encampments on public land and open spaces for many years. Rubbish, industrial waste and even human waste has been left behind, costing many thousands of pounds to clear up. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that is unacceptable and will she bring forward legislation to deal with it as soon as possible?

I think my hon. Friend knows my views on this subject matter quite well, having campaigned with him. I absolutely agree with him: it is thoroughly unacceptable. He will have to wait until the autumn session of Parliament, but we will be bringing forward legislation covering that very issue.

I think my hon. Friend knows my views on this subject matter quite well, having campaigned with him. I absolutely agree with him: it is thoroughly unacceptable. He will have to wait until the autumn session of Parliament, but we will be bringing forward legislation covering that very issue.

Lords report stage second day. Amendment to leave out clause 37 (Arrangements with EU about unaccompanied children seeking asylum) agreed to on division (300 votes to 220). New clause, after clause 37, (Non-regression of EU-derived rights and protections), debated and withdrawn. Amendment to clause 38 (Parliamentary sovereignty) agreed to on division (239 votes to 235). Other amendments debated and withdrawn, or not moved. Part 2 of 2.

Lords report stage second day. Amendment to leave out clause 37 (Arrangements with EU about unaccompanied children seeking asylum) agreed to on division (300 votes to 220). New clause, after clause 37, (Non-regression of EU-derived rights and protections), debated and withdrawn. Amendment to clause 38 (Parliamentary sovereignty) agreed to on...

Oh!

Oh!

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who spoke before lunch. As the noble Lord, Lord Dubs, and my noble friend Lord Taylor of Holbeach have said, the British public rightly support our need to help the vulnerable children who most require our refuge. Parliament and Government feel this too....

My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who spoke before lunch. As the noble Lord, Lord Dubs, and my noble friend Lord Taylor of Holbeach have said, the British public rightly support our need to help the vulnerable children who most require our refuge. Parliament and Government feel this too....

If noble Lords will hear me through—when he says that it excludes children. I suggest that if that were challenged in court, the court might come to a different view.

Furthermore, the UK will continue to be bound by the Dublin regulation during the implementation period, which means that unaccompanied children...

If noble Lords will hear me through—when he says that it excludes children. I suggest that if that were challenged in court, the court might come to a different view.

Furthermore, the UK will continue to be bound by the Dublin regulation during the implementation period, which means that unaccompanied children...

The noble Baroness makes a characteristically careful and conscientious speech—I learned a lot and for that I am very grateful. Could she just tell us why Clause 37 is in this Bill?

The noble Baroness makes a characteristically careful and conscientious speech—I learned a lot and for that I am very grateful. Could she just tell us why Clause 37 is in this Bill?

As I explained in Committee, Clause 37 is in this Bill because the Government wished to reiterate their commitment. It is similar in almost every way to Section 17, except that it does not instruct the Government to do something—it merely states the Government’s intention to do something.

As I explained in Committee, Clause 37 is in this Bill because the Government wished to reiterate their commitment. It is similar in almost every way to Section 17, except that it does not instruct the Government to do something—it merely states the Government’s intention to do something.

With respect, it waters down that commitment by making a completely different commitment to make a Statement to the House rather than seek to negotiate a deal in Brussels.

With respect, it waters down that commitment by making a completely different commitment to make a Statement to the House rather than seek to negotiate a deal in Brussels.

That is correct. If the noble Lord has finished his intervention, I ask noble Lords to reconsider their intention to divide the House because I hope that I have provided the clarity necessary.

That is correct. If the noble Lord has finished his intervention, I ask noble Lords to reconsider their intention to divide the House because I hope that I have provided the clarity necessary.