theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of Housing Benefit recipients live in (a) private rented accommodation and (b) social housing. \p Sir Stephen Timms: In 2023/24 financial year, 490,000 Housing Benefit claimants lived in private-rented accommodation. This accounted for 21% of all housing benefit claimants.

In 2023/24 financial year, 1.9 million Housing Benefit claimants lived in social housing. This accounted for 79% of all housing benefit claimants.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on reviewing the balance of funding between housing support for private rents and long-term capital grants for affordable housing. \p Sir Stephen Timms: My department has been supporting the development of a long-term housing strategy which the government intends to publish later this year.

At Spending Review 2025, the government announced the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment for England in a generation, confirming £39 billion for a successor to the Affordable Homes Programme over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36. The programme will prioritise homes for social rent and will make more homes available for those who would otherwise struggle to afford private rents. The Government also announced a 10-year social housing rent settlement from 2026 at CPI + 1%, alongside a consultation on how to implement social housing rent convergence.
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Cat Eccles:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average cost to her Department was of a Personal Independence Payment mandatory reconsideration in 2024-25; and how much and what proportion of this cost was spent on successful appeals. \p Sir Stephen Timms: PIP Unit Costs

2024-25

Mandatory Reconsideration

£82

Cost figures are rounded to the nearest pound.

Data Source: ABM

The cost figures quoted are estimated DWP level 1 operating costs, including both direct delivery staff and non-staff costs. Non-staff costs are only those costs incurred in local cost centres, relating to direct delivery staff. They show the average Unit Cost of processing one PIP Mandatory Reconsideration.

Please note that the data supplied is from the Departmental Activity Based Models. This data is derived from unpublished management information, which was collected for internal

Departmental use only and has not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standards. It should therefore be treated with caution. The Departmental Activity Based staffing models are a snapshot of how many people were identified as undertaking specified activities as assigned by line managers.

24/25 model is in a process of sign off therefore the numbers may be a subject to change

We do not hold information on the unit cost of successful appeals.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what criteria her Department plans to use to determine when to end Universal Credit reassessments for people who are incapable of ever working. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Subject to Parliamentary approval, the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill legislates that those who meet the Severe Conditions Criteria (SCC) will not be called for reassessment for Universal Credit (UC).

The Severe Conditions Criteria are set out in the Bill, which was introduced to the House on 18 June 2025 and can be found here:

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/59-01/xx-xxxx-xxxx.pdf
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to provide training in (a) military and (b) trauma-informed care to Personal Independence Payment assessors working with veterans in Fylde. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments are not medical consultations and do not require Health Professionals (HPs) to diagnose conditions or recommend treatment. Instead, they are functional assessments designed to evaluate how an individual’s health conditions or impairments affect their ability to carry out daily living activities.

HPs conducting PIP assessments are trained specialists in disability analysis. Their focus is on understanding the functional impact of a claimant’s condition, rather than its clinical diagnosis. All HPs receive specific training on assessing the effects of mental health conditions and are supported by Mental Health Function Champions (MHFCs). MHFCs are experienced professionals with relevant expertise in mental health, cognitive, developmental, and learning disabilities. They are available to provide advice and support throughout the assessment process.

Additionally, HPs have access to Condition Insight Reports and Continuing Professional Development guides. These resources offer detailed clinical and functional information on a range of conditions, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, to support HPs in delivering informed assessments.
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Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to extend the consultation entitled Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper, published on 18 March 2025, for disabled people. \p Sir Stephen Timms: I refer the Hon. member to the answer I gave on 20 May 2025 to PQ 51603 [Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament].
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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the housing benefit taper rate on young people in supported housing who increase working hours. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The income taper in Housing Benefit ensures people in work are better off than someone wholly reliant on benefits. In addition to any financial advantage, there are important non-financial benefits of working. These include learning new skills, improved confidence and independence as well as a positive effect on an individual's mental and physical health.

Notwithstanding these positive outcomes from work, the Department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported Housing and Temporary Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. The department is considering the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans her Department has to review the (a) eligibility requirements for, (b) age threshold for, (c) tapering the earnings threshold for, (d) time spent caring condition for and (e) level of the Carers Allowance. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Government keeps all aspects of Carer’s Allowance under review to see if it is meeting its objectives. It is not means-tested, but is subject to a weekly earnings limit. This was increased by a record amount in April 2025, which will benefit at least 60,000 unpaid carers between 2025/26 and 2029/30. The Government is also considering the possibility of introducing an earnings taper in the longer term.

Carer’s Allowance may be supplemented for those on low incomes through Universal Credit and Pension Credit. These are paid at a higher rate for carers through the Universal Credit carer element of £201.68 per monthly assessment period, paid in addition to the Standard Allowance; or the additional amount for carers in Pension Credit of £46.40 a week, paid in addition to the Standard Minimum Guarantee.

The Government has no plans to make Carer’s Allowance available to those aged under 16, or to change the requirement to be caring for at least 35 hours a week for someone in receipt of a “trigger” disability benefit.
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Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the targeting of Iranian scientists by the IDF on British (a) science and (b) scientists. \p Feryal Clark: Science, innovation and technology are inherently international. The UK continues to work closely with international partners to harness the power of science and tech for global benefit.

We remain focused on ensuring stability in the Middle East. It is crucial that we now de-escalate the situation, stabilise the region, and get all parties back around the table to negotiate.

We have taken all necessary measures to protect UK interests, UK personnel, and to work with our allies to protect their interests as well. We urge all British Nationals, including scientists, to register their presence and monitor FCDO Travel Advice.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the financial support available for sole traders applying for a patent. \p Feryal Clark: The Government provides a range of support to inventors, including sole traders, so they may identify, protect and commercialise their intellectual property through tools found on GOV.UK.

The Government considers the fees charged by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to apply for patents to be accessible and comparatively low compared to other jurisdictions.

The IPO works in partnership with a range of organisations that can help inventors bring ideas to market. In addition, the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, provides a range of support services to help innovators.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the UK-US trade deal on the (a) science and (b) technology sectors. \p Feryal Clark: The UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD) includes a number of provisions that will in future benefit UK science and technology sectors. These include, for example, provisions on future negotiations on significantly preferential tariff treatment for pharmaceutical products, and an ambitious set of digital trade provisions.

Given detailed negotiations on these provisions have not yet concluded, it is not possible to undertake an impact assessment at this point.

As the Prime Minister has said, the Economic Prosperity Deal “opens the way to a future UK-US technology partnership through which our science-rich nations will collaborate in key areas of advanced technology”.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of 14 May 2025 from the hon. Member for Henley and Thame on Bullitt Group UK. \p Chris Bryant: The Secretary of State has responded to the Member’s earlier letter.
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Patrick Hurley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) telegraph poles and (b) other above-ground broadband infrastructure on (i) security and (ii) resilience; and whether his Department is taking steps to help mitigate potential risks. \p Chris Bryant: Under the Communications Act 2003, as amended by the Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021, public telecoms providers are required to identify and mitigate risks to the security and resilience of their networks and services. This includes risks to physical infrastructure, such as telegraph poles and other above-ground infrastructure. Ofcom monitors and enforces public telecoms providers’ compliance with their obligations in the Act.
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with the Welsh Government to ensure full gigabit coverage by 2030 in Brecon, Radnor and Cwm-Tawe constituency. \p Chris Bryant: The Government has recently reconfirmed its commitment to achieving nationwide gigabit coverage and now expects 99% of premises to have access to a gigabit-capable connection by 2032.

As part of Project Gigabit, Openreach is already delivering a contract across North West, Mid and South East Wales to bring gigabit-capable broadband to homes and businesses that would otherwise miss out. This contract currently includes approximately 3,500 premises in the Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe constituency.

Building Digital UK (BDUK) will continue to work closely with the Welsh Government to improve broadband connectivity across Wales as we refresh our delivery plans for the remaining premises in the UK.
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Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he has taken to protect creatives from copyright infringements by Artificial Intelligence developers. \p Feryal Clark: Copying protected material in the UK will infringe copyright unless it is licensed, or an exception to copyright applies.

The Government recently consulted on several topics relating to the interaction between copyright and artificial intelligence (AI), including seeking views on the use of copyright material in AI model development. This consultation closed on 25th February.

The Government’s priority now is to review all responses to the consultation, to help inform its next steps. The Government will continue to engage extensively on this issue and its proposals will be set out in due course.
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Patrick Hurley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what mechanisms are in place to (a) monitor and (b) enforce compliance with the Broadband Infrastructure Code of Practice; and how many breaches of that code have been recorded in the last 12 months. \p Chris Bryant: As the independent regulator for telecommunications operators, Ofcom is able to take enforcement action and have stated that they would investigate any complaints from local planning authorities about telegraph poles sited in a way which is not consistent with the requirements and guidelines in place, including where they block residents’ drives or where operators systematically fail to engage with local planning authorities’ suggestions. Ofcom has opened two investigations in the past 12 months into whether specific operators have failed to comply with their obligations when installing apparatus. These can be found on Ofcom’s enforcement page here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/enforcement
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Patrick Hurley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department provides support to local authorities to (a) challenge and (b) regulate the installation of telegraph poles where there is strong local opposition; and whether he plans to review the planning powers available to them. \p Chris Bryant: Permitted development rights enable telegraph poles to be deployed without case-by-case approval from the local planning authority. However, local authorities can raise complaints with Ofcom where poles are not sited consistently with the requirements set out in the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations 2003 and the relevant guidelines, including the new best practice recommendations published by the industry’s Telecommunications Poles Working Group. My Department is monitoring the impact of this new guidance before considering taking any further steps. I have made it clear that disregarding the views of local communities is counterproductive for the industry and that we reserve the right to change regulations if there is continued significant non-compliance.
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Patrick Hurley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what guidance his Department has issued to telecoms providers on (a) when they are required to use existing underground ducting before installing and (b) minimising the (i) visual and (ii) environmental impact of new telegraph poles. \p Chris Bryant: The Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations 2003 include requirements for operators to share apparatus where practicable, to use underground lines where reasonably practicable and to minimise the impact on the visual amenity of properties as far as reasonably practicable.

In addition, following my call for operators to consider revising the Cabinet Siting and Pole Siting Code of Practice, the industry’s Telecommunications Poles Working Group has published best practice recommendations setting out expectations that operators should explore existing sharing opportunities and minimise the visual impact of poles. It also includes guidance on how to enhance communication with the public.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with academics on the (a) development, (b) validation and (c) uptake of alternative methods to animal testing. \p Feryal Clark: The Secretary of State has had no meetings on alternative methods. However, as the Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, Minister Vallance and officials have met with academics including at Alternative Methods to Animals in Science Strategy Roundtables and at meetings run by the Home Office. Lord Vallance has also engaged with academics developing non-animal alternatives, including the Harries lab at the University of Exeter.

The Government is committed to supporting non-animal alternatives and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption later this year.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the distribution of allocations from the Northern Ireland Life and Health Sciences Launchpad is equitable. \p Feryal Clark: Innovate UK’s Launchpad programme is aimed at supporting clusters of SMEs and the most innovative businesses to progress their ideas toward commercialisation, contributing to local economic growth. Social equity and UK-wide impact are important features of the programme.

The Health and Life Sciences Launchpad in Northern Ireland is run in partnership between Innovate UK and Invest NI. Funding has so far been offered to over forty-five projects, across digital health, biotech therapeutics and diagnostics and medical technologies disciplines. During the competition period, Innovate UK and Invest NI raised awareness across different areas through media channels and hosting several in-person sub-regional workshops.
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Aphra Brandreth:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Welsh Government’s decision to ban the movement of livestock from England into Wales; and what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Wales on the (a) scientific basis and (b) implications of that policy for farmers in England. \p Daniel Zeichner: I refer the honourable member to the answers given on X June 2025 to PQs 61013 and 61014 regarding the potential impact of bluetongue regulations in North Shropshire.

Disease control is a devolved matter, and it is for the devolved administrations to assess their disease risks and impacts in relation to their national herds, alongside the impacts of controls, and respond accordingly.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timetable is for bringing forward a consultation on fox hunting. \p Daniel Zeichner: As per our manifesto, this Government will ban trail hunting. Work to determine the best approach for doing so is ongoing and further announcements will be made in due course.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the UK-US trade deal on the (a) environment and (b) food sectors. \p Daniel Zeichner: On 8 May, the UK Government announced a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to reach an agreement with President Trump.  This delivers on the commitment by the Prime Minister and the President on 27 February to agree an economic deal in our respective national interests.

This deal has created a reciprocal agreement to lower tariffs for British beef exporters to the US, while acting in the UK’s national interest by ensuring that we uphold our rigorous food standards while protecting our farmers.

The agreement on beef means that around 1.5% of the UK beef market could come from the United States, and the same quantity of British beef can be exported to them.

We have always been clear that this Government will protect British farmers, secure our food security and uphold our high food, animal welfare and environmental standards in trade deals. That is exactly what we have done and will continue to do.
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Dr Beccy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has considered introducing further regulations on establishing (a) dog and (b) cat rescue organisations. \p Daniel Zeichner: Companion animal rescue and rehoming organisations in England must comply with statutory welfare requirements set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Members of the public can also check if the rescue centre they use is a member of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes, which has set clear standards for animal assessments, neutering and rehoming procedures that all members adhere to.

More broadly, the Department is developing an overarching approach to animal welfare and has initiated a series of meetings with key animal welfare stakeholders as part of this work. It will be outlining more detail of plans in due course.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support chalk stream restoration in (a) Hogsmill River and (b) the rest of the South East. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency (EA) is working with the Chalk Stream Restoration Group, and other partners, to protect and restore chalk streams across the South East. For example, it is ensuring that water companies have ambitious but affordable programmes that address the threats to chalk streams, including restoring sustainable abstraction in chalk catchments and reducing the impacts of discharges from storm overflows. It also continues to work with partners to lead or support numerous chalk stream restoration projects.

The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) is a programme used to continuously improve the water industry and thus protect our water and waterbodies. There are 8 WINEP water quality actions that Thames Water will undertake in AMP8 (between 2025 and 2030) at Hogsmill. The EA have also been supporting species recovery of water voles on the Hogsmill.
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Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the levels of nitrates in English waterways. \p Emma Hardy: The levels of pollution in our waters, including nitrates, are unacceptable. We are prioritising cleaning up our waters.

We are reviewing the Environmental Improvement Plan and will create a new, statutory plan for how the department will protect and restore our national environment and meet each of our ambitious targets, including reducing pollution. We nonetheless continue to work with farmers to deliver improvements and drive down agricultural pollution including through regulations, Environmental Land Management schemes and advisory services. As a first key step, we have established a programme to reform the agriculture water regulations to ensure they effectively deliver pollution reductions whilst supporting farm businesses to grow.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to promote the transition to a circular economy. \p Mary Creagh: This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy and has convened a Circular Economy Taskforce of experts to help develop the first ever Circular Economy Strategy for England, for which we plan to publish for consultation in the coming autumn.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the commercialisation of circular economy innovations in UK supply chains. \p Mary Creagh: Defra recognises that commercialising circular economy innovations in UK supply chains is critical to driving genuine circular change and economic growth. In taking a whole-economy approach, the Circular Economy Taskforce will consider how the Government can support innovation, particularly at scale, as it develops the Circular Economy Strategy for England.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much of the £2.65 billion allocated under the Government’s flood defence investment programme is being directed to flood mitigation schemes in Wiltshire. \p Emma Hardy: We’re investing a record £2.65 billion in 2024/25 and 2025/26 to improve flood resilience by maintaining, repairing and building flood defences. The full list of over 700 schemes to benefit from fresh funding this year was announced on 31 March and can be found here.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number of flooding incidents reported in Wiltshire (a) since 2020 and (b) each of the previous five-year periods. \p Emma Hardy: Since 2010, the Wiltshire Council area has experienced multiple flood incidents that have required the response of the Environment Agency and other Flood Risk Authorities. This included widespread flooding during 2023/24, resulting in two-thirds of towns and parishes in the county being flooded and over 450 properties flooded. Flooding was also particularly acute during 2012-2014, with heavy rain and ten storms experienced between October 2013 and February 2014.

Projects such as Salisbury River Park, that helps to better protect 350 properties from flooding, and property flood resilience measures that were installed in areas such as Dauntsey in 2015, help to create more flood resilient communities.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to financially support the installation of flood defences in (a) Slough constituency and (b) the Thames Valley. \p Emma Hardy: We’re investing a record £2.65 billion in 2024/25 and 2025/26 to improve flood resilience by maintaining, repairing and building flood defences. The full list of over 700 schemes to benefit from fresh funding this year, including Thames Valley and Slough, was announced on 31 March and can be found here.
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Noah Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has considered introducing a waste code for black mass to align the UK and EU classification systems. \p Mary Creagh: Prospective changes to the List of Waste in England will be considered as we develop proposals for our Circular Economy Strategy. Any specific regulatory changes should be subject to consultation.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has considered public ownership as a potential outcome under the special administration regime in circumstances where a regulated water company is found to be in material breach of its statutory obligations. \p Emma Hardy: The purposes of a Special Administration Regime (SAR) are set out in legislation. Government stands ready to intervene to ensure the continued provision of vital public services – through the application for a SAR – should this be required. It is for the special administrator to manage the affairs of the company so that the company continues to carry out its statutory duties pending rescue (via e.g. debt restructuring) or transfer (via a sale) to new owners. A SAR is not a form of renationalisation.
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Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether fines received for environmental breaches are hypothecated back into environmental schemes. \p Emma Hardy: Following the Spending Review, this Government has confirmed that water company fines and penalties will be allocated to projects and programmes across the country which contribute to water quality. Over £100 million in fines levied against water companies since October 2023, as well as future fines and penalties, will be reinvested into projects to clean up our waters which could include local environmental programmes to address pollution.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of nationalising Thames Water. \p Emma Hardy: The Government has no plans to nationalise Thames Water or any other water company.

It would cost billions of pounds and take years to unpick the current ownership model, slowing down our reforms and only worsening sewage pollution.

However, this Government stands ready to intervene to ensure the continued provision of vital public services – through the use of a Special Administration Regime (SAR) – should this be required.

A SAR is not a form of renationalisation.
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Ann Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether Wales will receive any consequential funding through the Barnett formula as a result of UK Government actions on the bluetongue virus in England. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Barnett formula is applied in the usual way, as set out in the Statement of Funding policy, to all changes to Defra’s budget. It is applied when departmental budgets change - not when departments announce how they are spending their budgets.

Barnett consequentials provided to the Welsh Government are not ringfenced for a specific policy area. It is for the Welsh Government to allocate their funding in devolved areas, including agriculture, as they see fit. The Welsh Government can therefore take its own decisions on managing and investing available resources, reflecting its own priorities and local circumstances, and it is accountable to the Senedd for these decisions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-24)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of the potential impact of air pollution from domestic wood burning on public health. \p Emma Hardy: Following the publication of the Air Quality Information System (AQIS) review in March, we are working to increase awareness about air pollution and make air quality part of everyday conversations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-24)

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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to introduce a ban on the import of foie gras. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government shares the British public's high regard for animal welfare and has made clear that the production of foie gras from ducks or geese using force feeding raises serious welfare concerns.

We have been clear that we will use our Trade Strategy to promote the highest food production standards.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-24)

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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the merits of incorporating targeted cattle-based testing, enhanced slurry management, and wildlife vaccination from the Gatcomb project into its TB eradication strategy. \p Daniel Zeichner: Work is underway on a comprehensive new bovine tuberculosis eradication strategy, and findings from local initiatives such as the Gatcombe farm project will be considered as part of its development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-24)

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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of the Common Market Organisation Regulation for sugar on the UK sugar industry. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government recognises the importance of sugar beet farmers and their vital contribution to UK sugar production. Also, that sugar beet itself, used in crop rotations, is beneficial to soil and crop health and allows arable farms a season of “rest” from cereal production.

We are committed to promoting fairness across the food supply chain. That includes seeing a price agreed for sugar beet that benefits both growers and processors, in the context of the global market. There is a well-established process in place to agree the domestic sugar beet price; designed to be independent between both parties.

While this process has been effective over many years, we continue to keep it and the regulatory framework under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-24)

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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the length of time taken by British Wool to provide payments to domestic producers following auctions. \p Daniel Zeichner: British Wool is a public body, responsible for the collection, sale and marketing of wool from across the UK. While Defra maintains regular engagement with British Wool and monitors its strategic performance through a framework agreement, the organisation remains operationally independent. As such, Defra makes no assessment on the process by which payments are returned to producers.

Sales are conducted by auction throughout the year and reflect global market developments in price and availability. Payments to British Wool’s producer members are calculated at year end once the full value of that member’s clip is known. Returns are based on the weight and quality of wool delivered and the average value each grade achieved at auction. Payments are available from 1 May at the start of the following clip year and are released automatically when new season wool is delivered or on request from members.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-24)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of climate-related events in 2023–24 on the financial resilience of farm businesses; and whether he plans to provide additional support to assist recovery. \p Daniel Zeichner: We know climate change presents challenges to the agricultural sector. The government is offering a New Deal for Farmers to help address this.

We are providing farmers and land managers with the support needed to help restore nature, which is vital to safeguard our long-term food security and build resilience to climate change. In the recent spending review we committed to carrying on the transition towards paying to deliver public goods for the environment, with over £7 billion directed into nature’s recovery between 2026 and 2029. This includes environmental farming schemes (£5.9 billion), tree planting (£816 million) and peatland restoration (£85 million).

To address the impacts of flooding on farmers and rural communities, we will be investing £4.2 billion over three years in flood defences across the country – an average of £1.4bn each year and a 5% increase compared to the current spending review period.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-24)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has considered introducing a farm business investment loan scheme with a subsidised interest rate; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on (a) resilience and (b) productivity in farming businesses facing (i) commercial and (ii) weather-related pressures. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra officials regularly engage with financial institutions providing farm lending, and we will continue to work to explore further opportunities to improve farmers' access to finance.

This builds on the £110 million in farming grants announced earlier this year starting in 2025/6. These grants aim to support innovation and productivity investment within the farming sectors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-24)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to raise public awareness of the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars during warm weather. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government maintains a Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs which can be found here: Code of practice for the welfare of dogs. The Code summarises important information owners and keepers should consider when caring for their dogs. This includes advice on preventing dogs suffering from heat stress in cars and other enclosed areas on warm days.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-24)

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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on the requirement for schools to serve (a) meat and (b) dairy products to children. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Secretary of State has had no discussions with stakeholders on the requirements for schools to serve meat and dairy products to children, which is a matter for the Department for Education together with the Department of Health and Social Care. To ensure quality and nutrition in meals for the future, the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care are acting quickly with experts across the sector to revise the school food standards, so every school is supported with the latest nutrition guidance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-24)

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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage landowners in river catchments to transition toward nature-led farming. \p Daniel Zeichner: We are investing £2.7 billion a year into sustainable food production and nature’s recovery, with funding for our Environmental Land Management schemes increasing by 150%. This funding is available to all farmers, includes this in river catchments.

We have more farmers than ever in nature friendly farming schemes and are reforming SFI to target funds fairly and effectively towards food, farming and nature priorities. We will announce further details later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-24)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he is taking steps to support farmers with the cost of bluetongue (a) tests and (b) vaccinations in Shropshire. \p Daniel Zeichner: From 1 July 2025 the restricted zone (RZ) for bluetongue will be extended to include all areas of England and the current movement restrictions for live animals within England will be lifted. The bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) Control Framework for England sought to slow the spread of disease across Great Britain through movement controls while safe and effective vaccines were developed. Given the availability now of safe and effective BTV-3 vaccines, low prevalence of severe clinical signs in affected domestic animals, and the impact restrictions have had on a very large number of keepers in England, sustaining or increasing controls on BTV-3 into the future is neither sustainable nor proportionate.

Defra is not able to provide any financial assistance to farmers in Shropshire for costs associated with pre-movement tests required by the Scottish and Welsh Governments after this date. Farmers will need to make commercial decisions regarding the costs associated with moving their animals out of the All-England Restricted Zone into Scotland and Wales.

Vaccination is the most suitable long-term approach to controlling disease and is consistent with the approach taken in Europe. The decision to vaccinate is a matter for farmers based on the possible impacts for their businesses. In the current situation we do not believe there is a case for mandatory vaccination, nor for the Government to provide or fund vaccination for BTV.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-24)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help minimise the potential impact of bluetongue regulations on markets trading livestock on the border between England and Wales. \p Daniel Zeichner: Disease control is a devolved matter, and it is for the Devolved Governments to assess the disease risks and impacts in relation to their national herds, alongside the impacts of controls, and respond accordingly. However, Defra works closely with the Devolved Governments with the aim of providing, where possible, a consistent and coordinated response across the UK. A key forum for this is the Animal Disease Policy Group, which is a UK-wide policy decision making group. Defra and Devolved Governments also engage closely with industry to inform policy development and implementation through the Livestock Core Group. It is encouraging to see that Wales is now joining Scotland in allowing some exemptions for pre-movement testing for cattle which have been vaccinated with a product that prevents viraemia - which will reduce costs for movements of these animals between England and Wales.

Defra will keep the approach to bluetongue control under review in 2025 and are grateful for the continued engagement of Devolved Governments and industry stakeholders.