Thank you for contacting me about Lords Amendment 45 to the Environment Bill currently working its way through parliament, as you know the amendment sought to tackle the environmental harm caused by storm sewage overflows.

I have been assured that Government is committed to maintaining and enhancing workers’ rights following the UK’s departure from the EU.

The UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and it is right for us to cement our status as a global leader by continuing to raise the bar now we have left the EU.

With early diagnosis key to treating the symptoms of MND, I am glad that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published new guidelines for clinicians on the assessment and management of MND.

The Government continues to support the restrictions on neonicotinoids to protect pollinators, and emergency authorisations for pesticides are only granted in exceptional circumstances where diseases or pests cannot be controlled by any other reasonable means.

Coping with terminal illness is distressing and difficult both for the patient and their families. These cases are truly moving and evoke the highest degree of compassion and emotion.

The hedgehog is an extraordinary creature with a long and celebrated history in this country. Like you, I am concerned to ensure that its future is similarly bright. I am aware that Hedgehogs are currently protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 from being killed using prohibited methods such as crossbows, traps and snares. 

I welcome the new measures put in place to help businesses across the country, particularly pubs. It is reassuring that no pub or other business in the hospitality sector will be required to pay business rates this year. Local authorities will apply the rates relief automatically and no action is required by pub rate payers.