theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-12-02 conversation_410
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-02 conversation_410

Alison Bennett:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if the government plans to further regulate use by local authorities of glyphosate herbicides. \p Emma Hardy: Defra is not planning on further regulating glyphosate use by local authorities.

There is a legal requirement to minimise the use of pesticides along roads and in areas used by the public. It is for each Local Authority to decide the best way of delivering effective and cost-effective weed control in its operations without harming people or the environment.

The UK Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP) sets out how we intend to increase the uptake of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) across all sectors, including in amenity. Defra funded the recent publication of Parks for London’s Integrated Weed Management guide, which has been made open access. IPM lies at the heart of the government’s approach to minimise the environmental impact of pesticides.

A pesticide may only be placed on the market in Great Britain (GB) if the product has been authorised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), GB’s pesticide regulator. This only happens following a thorough scientific risk assessment that concludes all safety standards are met.
wrans/answers2025-12-02 conversation_411
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-02)

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John Whitby:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many hectares of privately-owned Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites have received public subsidies to restore them into good ecological condition in the last 2 years. \p Mary Creagh: The Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme supports the restoration of Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS).

In 2023 there was around 1,100 ha that received subsidies for the restoration of Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) under the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme which increased to around 1,900 ha of land in 2024. It is not possible to differentiate between publicly and privately owned land within this figure.

To Note: The payment window for existing CSHT agreements opens on the 01 December and receive annual payments. Applicants with a New CSHT agreement will receive quarterly payments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-02)

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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of re-instating the pause on the building of new waste incinerators. \p Mary Creagh: Determining the need and location for waste management infrastructure is a matter for the relevant planning authority. To support decision making the Government has made it clear we only back new Energy from Waste projects if they meet strict local and environmental conditions. Projects are expected to demonstrate a clearly defined domestic residual waste treatment capacity need to facilitate the diversion of residual waste away from landfill, or enable the replacement of older, less-efficient facilities. Additionally, new facilities will have to maximise efficiency and support the delivery of economic growth, net zero and the move to a circular economy.

We are considering how best to reflect the approach in this statement in the new set of national policies for development management which we have committed to producing, and in updates to National Policy Statements.

The Government encourages those developing energy recovery facilities (at all stages in the process) to consider forecast changes to future capacity, demand, and the Government's circular economy opportunities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-02)

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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the incinerator capacity for waste destined for landfill in Dorset. \p Mary Creagh: The Government publishes annual statistics related to waste collected by local authorities: Local authority collected waste management - annual results - GOV.UK.

In 2023-24 Dorset Council reported sending 936 tonnes of collected waste to landfill and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council reported sending 18,724 tonnes of collected waste to landfill.

However, this does not include waste processed by private waste management companies.

Our Residual Waste Infrastructure Capacity Note shows that at the end of 2024, the Southwest of England had around 1.63 million tonnes of operational and under construction energy from waste capacity whilst total residual municipal waste arisings were reported as 2.27 million tonnes. Residual waste infrastructure capacity note - GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-02)

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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing an immediate moratorium on the importing of trophies of endangered species. \p Mary Creagh: The Government is committed to a ban on the import of hunting trophies. Having examined the options to deliver this, the Department has determined that legislating a robust ban on trophy hunting is the most effective approach the Government can take. We are currently engaging with a range of stakeholders and will confirm legislative timetables once the Parliamentary timetable for future sessions is in place.
wrans/answers2025-12-02 conversation_415
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-02)

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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list the non-governmental organisations and associations that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Nature has met, since her appointment to the Department. \p Mary Creagh: I regularly engage with a wide range of stakeholders. Since coming into office my meetings have been declared here: Defra: ministerial overseas travel, and meetings - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-12-02 conversation_416
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-02)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what enforcement powers are available when local authorities fail to meet minimum animal welfare standards. \p Dame Angela Eagle: In cases of local authorities’ failure to meet animal welfare standards, Defra retains the necessary powers and scope to intervene under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
wrans/answers2025-12-02 conversation_417
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-02)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps are being taken to promote social inclusion for pensioners in rural areas. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Government is committed to supporting people to have the social connections they need. This is a key part of achieving wider government priorities across health and community cohesion.

The Government funds the Tackling Loneliness Hub, an online forum for people working on loneliness to come together and share insights, research and best practice, with the aim of addressing loneliness and strengthening social connections across our communities.

Defra also funds Action with Communities in Rural England to support local action, which includes actions related to social inclusion activities with older people.
wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_1

Vikki Slade:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of HMRC's Child Benefit verification checks on the timelines of Self Assessment tax repayments. \p Dan Tomlinson: Child Benefit is a non-means tested benefit payable to families as a contribution towards the cost of raising children. It is claimed through the Child Benefit service, which is separate to Self Assessment, so for the majority of families Child Benefit checks should have no impact on the timelines of Self Assessment tax repayments.

There are no further impacts anticipated.
wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_2

Vikki Slade:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) delays in HMRC Self Assessment tax repayments and (b) the non-fulfilment of published complaint response timeframes on taxpayers awaiting refunds. \p Dan Tomlinson: HMRC recognise that repayments are important for customers. They prioritise them to ensure they are processed as quickly and securely as possible.

HMRC balance the provision of prompt payments to eligible customers with effective revenue protection from fraudsters.

For Self Assessment repayments, once the repayment is created it goes through automated fraud and compliance checks. In 2024-25, after these checks, 93.1% of the repayments were paid automatically within a few days.

HMRC continues to invest in automation and to review their internal processes to ensure repayments are issued as quickly as possible.

HMRC recognise too the importance of keeping the customer, and where appropriate the customer’s representative, informed of progress, and are exploring ways of doing that more effectively.

In the meantime, HMRC’s online ‘Where’s My Reply’ tool can help customers understand when they can expect to receive a response.

HMRC aim to respond to complaints within six weeks.

In 2024-25, HMRC responded to 73% of new complaints within this timeframe. HMRC are committed to prioritising customer experience and are reviewing their complaints processes. The Adjudicator’s Annual Report was published on 20 October 2025 and HMRC are using the insight in the report to make further improvements.
wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_3

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the household income threshold for childcare support on (a) labour market participation and (b) associated reductions in local economic activity. \p James Murray: The Government is committed to providing access to affordable childcare to support parents’ who want to go out to work, and their local economies. This includes rollout of 30 funded hours for working parents from September 2025, which the OBR has estimated would lead to 60,000 more people in employment and 1.5m people increasing their hours.

The income threshold for childcare eligibility ensures that support is targeted towards the families who most need it, and that the system remains fair and sustainable.
wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Ben Lake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference her Department's policy paper entitled Finance: Interministerial Standing Committee – 17 October 2025, what options were discussed for enhancing the fiscal flexibilities available to devolved Governments; what elements of the operation of the Barnett formula were identified as areas which could be improved; and whether a formal review of (a) Wales's fiscal framework and (b) the operation of the Barnett Formula in Wales were discussed. \p James Murray: It is important that the Finance: Interministerial Standing Committee remains a space for confidential discussions between governments, so it would not be appropriate to comment on the detail of those discussions.

I look forward to continued engagement with devolved government finance ministers on a wide range of topics.
wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_5

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make representations to HM Treasury on the potential impact of VAT on the affordability of (a) Remembrance wreaths and (b) other commemorative items provided by charities. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government recognises the importance of Remembrance events and the role they play in honouring those who have served.

Where a charity chooses to offer its goods or services for free and invite voluntary donations, no VAT is charged. Charities also rightly enjoy generous tax reliefs, worth over £6 billion in 2024, including Gift Aid, exemptions from corporation tax and a number of VAT reliefs to support fund-raising activities. However, where charities sell goods and services, for example charging a set price, and the charity is VAT registered, it must charge VAT unless a VAT relief is available.

HMRC does not hold information on VAT charged on specific products or services. This is because businesses are not required to provide figures at a product level within their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.
wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many performance reviews were undertaken for staff in (a) her Department and (b) its agencies in each of the last five years; in how many cases performance was rated as unsatisfactory or below; how many staff left as a result of such a rating; and what proportion of full-time equivalent staff this represented. \p Dan Tomlinson: Performance management reviews are conducted in accordance with the relevant policies and procedures within HM Treasury and its agencies. The total number of reviews carried out over the past five years, including those that resulted in a poor performance rating, and the number of staff that left as a result is presented in the table below. We are unable to provide the exact proportion of full-time equivalent staff this represented due to the very small numbers involved, which could risk disclosure of personal information.

HMT

Year

No of Reviews

No of Poor Performance Markings

No of staff that left as a result

2024-2025

2,057

28

fewer than 5 4

2023-2024

1,962

19

fewer than 5 4

2022-2023

1,959

22

fewer than 5 4

2021-2022

1,976

26

fewer than 5 4

2020-2021

1,864

21

fewer than 5 4

Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA)

Year

No of Reviews 1

No of Poor Performance Markings

No of staff who left as a result

2024-2025

498

Markings not given/unable to disclose 2

Unable to disclose 4

2023-2024

509

Markings not given/unable to disclose 2

Unable to disclose 4

2022-2023

470

Markings not given/unable to disclose 2

Unable to disclose 4

2021-2022

461

Data not available 3

Unable to disclose 4

2020-2021

468

Data not available 3

Unable to disclose 4

Debt Management Office (DMO)

Year

No of Reviews

Classified as Unsatisfactory or below

2025

115

0

2024

111

fewer than 5 4

2023

104

0

2022

96

0

2021

200

0

Notes:

DMO
wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_7

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff in her Department (a) did not retain employment following completion of their probationary period and (b) had their probationary period extended in each of the last five years. \p Dan Tomlinson: HM Treasury’s probation policy and guidance advises managers on the steps to take to assess a new employee’s suitability for the post and to provide support to enable them to succeed. It also advises on the steps to take where performance, attendance or conduct are not satisfactory. This can include exiting the employee or extending their probation to provide further evidence for a final decision on their suitability. The below table provides the number of staff who had their probationary period extended in the last 5 calendar years, and the number of staff who have left involuntarily or were dismissed following a probation extension or not passing their original probation.

Year

Probation Extended

Left – Involuntarily (following probation extension/not passing original probation)

2020

7

Fewer than 51

2021

13

5

2022

5

Fewer than 51

2023

6

Fewer than 51

2024

Fewer than 51

Fewer than 51

Notes:
wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Llinos Medi:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce the time taken to issue remaining (a) Remediable Service Statements and (b) Remedial Pension Saving Statements to people affected by the McCloud remedy. \p Torsten Bell: The McCloud remedy under the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 took effect from October 2023 and will deliver a full remedy to all affected public service pension scheme members. Schemes are currently implementing the remedy. As part of this, all affected members are receiving a remediable service statement setting out the details of their pension entitlements and some members will also receive a Remediable Pension Savings statement in respect of their annual allowance position during the remedy period.

Scheme managers are responsible for supplying members with these statements and for setting out timetables for sending out the remaining statements. HM Treasury encourages schemes to complete this process as quickly as possible and regularly discusses McCloud remedy progress and timetables with responsible authorities, including the Welsh Government, which has responsibility for the Firefighters’ pension scheme in Wales.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the real-terms freeze in the annual Cash ISA allowance on (a) pensioners and (b) other low-risk savers. \p Lucy Rigby: ISAs incentivise saving and investment by providing generous tax advantages to individual taxpayers. Individuals can save up to £20,000 into an Individual Savings Account (ISA) each year, and any savings income received within an ISA is tax free. In 2022/2023 the average Cash ISA subscription was £5,296.

Along with the Personal Savings Allowance of up to £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers and £500 for higher rate taxpayers, and the Starting Rate for Savings, which allows for tax free savings income of up to £5,000 for those with earned income below £17,570, around 90 per cent of people with savings income pay no tax on that income.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans on widening the criteria for establishing additional banking hubs. \p Lucy Rigby: The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Where a resident, community organisation or other interested party feels access to cash in their community is insufficient, they can submit a request for a cash access assessment. LINK, the independent industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments, will then assess a community’s access to cash needs, and will recommend appropriate solutions, including Banking Hubs, where it considers a community requires additional cash services.

LINK’s assessment criteria is based on rules set by the FCA. The FCA’s rules require LINK to consider a range of factors in their assessments. This includes travel times to nearby cash facilities and local population demographics, including the levels of vulnerability and the number of elderly people within the community.

Any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK, the financial services sector, and for the FCA, which oversees the access to cash regime. We continue to engage closely with all parties to ensure that the process meets the needs of individuals and businesses across the country.

With regards to banking hubs specifically, the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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John Milne:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of reducing VAT on labour costs to 10% for the hair and beauty sector. \p Dan Tomlinson: VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s third largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26.

Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

No VAT is charged on employment costs themselves, as wages are not subject to VAT. VAT only applies where labour is supplied through an agency or another business-to-business service, and VAT-registered businesses can recover any VAT incurred.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of grants for farmers to support (a) sustainable and (b) regenerative agricultural practices in Lincolnshire. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Government has allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production across the country, including Lincolnshire, over this Parliament. All our Environmental Land Management schemes will continue, and we will continue to evolve and improve them in an orderly way.

We have committed nearly £250 million in funding up to 2030 to improve productivity, trial new technologies and drive innovation in the agricultural sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of whether the membership of the Food Strategy Advisory Board includes adequate expertise in (a) public health, (b) nutrition, (c) environmental science, (d) climate policy and (e) sustainable farming. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Food Strategy Advisory Board is a deliberately small group of senior leaders who represent a wealth of experience and important elements within the food system and reflect the diversity of the sector. The Board’s role is to provide independent advice to support the development of the food strategy. Appointments are considered in terms of the collective insight they bring to national food policy. We keep membership under review to ensure representation from throughout the food sector and the necessary expertise.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Sarah Dyke:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much of the Small Abattoir Fund was spent by her Department prior to it's closure in 2024. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Rural Payments Agency have offered agreements for the Smaller Abattoir Fund worth a total of £1,119,347.59.

Smaller Abattoir Fund grants are claimed in arrears and as of 04 November 2025, £593,018.55 has been paid out under the scheme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support essential infrastructure in rural communities at risk of depopulation. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Rural policy is a devolved matter. Defra regularly publishes statistics on a range of social and economic topics including rural population trends, and rural service provision in The Statistical Digest for Rural England.

Net internal migration within England tends to be towards rural authorities, and in 2023 the rate of this migration was higher than in 2013; the exception to this is 15- to- 19- year-olds for which there is net migration from rural authorities, reflecting the movement of students.

Despite this we know that people living in rural areas often have greater distances to travel to access essential services and can struggle to access other core utilities.

This Government is committed to improving the quality of life for people living and working in rural areas, so that we can realise the full potential of rural business and communities. We have made a commitment that all policy decision-making including the provision of utility infrastructure should be rural proofed to ensure that rural areas are not overlooked and that the intended outcomes are deliverable in rural areas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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John Glen:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 4th November 2025 to question 84180 on Alpacas: Bluetongue Disease, what restrictions there are on the export of alpacas to (a) Ireland and (b) mainland Europe as a result of the Bluetongue virus. \p Dame Angela Eagle: As Great Britain is currently not recognised as bluetongue disease-free, the export of all susceptible live animals, including alpacas, to EU and EFTA countries is suspended.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Kevin Bonavia:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a certification system to help prevent the (a) selling and (b) purchasing of pets that have not been neutered. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Owners of cats and dogs are supported by the Government’s welfare codes of practice, which can be found here: Code of practice for the welfare of dogs  and Code of practice for the welfare of cats. The codes signpost owners to advice on neutering.

Under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, commercial sellers of pets are required to give purchasers advice on the care of the animals bought. For cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets, this specifically includes reproductive health matters such as neutering.

The Government is not currently considering changes to its advice or regulations on the neutering of cats, dogs or other pets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Farming Profitability Review, which stakeholders in Northern Ireland gave evidence to the Review. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Under the Terms of Reference, Baroness Batters’s Farming Profitability Review is an England-only review. Baroness Batters wrote an open letter to stakeholders and received responses from organisations that represent farmers in Northern Ireland. This included Northern Ireland-specific organisations, and organisations covering the whole of the UK. The department is considering her recommendations carefully.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85623 on Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination, for what reason Northern Ireland was not included in the marketing authorisation. \p Dame Angela Eagle: To maintain Northern Ireland’s full access to the EU’s single market, from 1 January 2026, the movement of veterinary medicines into Northern Ireland must comply with relevant EU rules under the Windsor Framework. This includes the current EU-wide prohibition on the use of the bovine tuberculosis vaccine in cattle.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to para 23 of her Department's policy paper entitled Protecting Animal Health: The Government’s Approach to Veterinary Medicines in Northern Ireland, updated on 19 June 2025, how the proposed Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme will permit the use of suitable alternative products from outside Northern Ireland if required; and what steps she plans to take to ensure relevant obligations under (a) the IE/NI Protocol and (b) the pharmaceutical acquis of the Union are met. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme allows the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to provide temporary authorisation for EU veterinary medicines where the animal or public health or welfare situation requires. The new guidance sets out the criteria VMD will use to judge whether a temporary authorisation is necessary. In accordance with the Windsor Framework, EU legislation in relation to veterinary medicines applies in Northern Ireland. The schemes we have introduced are compliant with EU law.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_21

Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to paragraph 27 of her Department's policy paper entitled Protecting Animal Health: The The Government’s Approach to Veterinary Medicines in Northern Ireland, updated on 19 June 2025, how the proposed Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme will allow vets to use specific individual medicines not authorised or available in Northern Ireland when needed; and what steps she is taking to ensure relevant obligations under (a) the IE/NI Protocol and (b) the pharmaceutical acquis of the Union are met. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme (VMIMS) builds on the existing cascade system that is well known to vets. It removes the requirement for a Special Import Certificate for products sourced from Great Britain under the cascade that are not vaccines. The additional guidance clarifies how vets can source medicines under the VMIMS scheme in response to industry feedback. The VMIMS aims to reduce administrative burden on vets when seeking alternative products from GB that are not vaccines. In accordance with the Windsor Framework, EU legislation in relation to veterinary medicines applies in Northern Ireland. The schemes we have introduced are compliant with EU law.
wrans/answers2025-11-12 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 83716 on Food Labelling, will vegan sausages made in Great Britain and sold in Northern Ireland require packing that describes the product without the word 'sausages'. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) allows products which meet GB consumer protection and marketing standards to move to Northern Ireland for sale. Therefore, vegan sausages entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain using NIRMS would continue to be able to be packaged and sold as sausages, like in the rest of the United Kingdom.

The Government will continue to monitor changes to EU regulations, noting that the European Parliament’s position on this matter would require approval from the other EU institutions to become law. Furthermore, any new EU rules are subject to the democratic scrutiny arrangements under the Windsor Framework.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what changes have been made in the past twelve months to the monitoring of animal health disease under the Animal Health and Welfare Framework. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Animal and Plant Health Agency leads the Government’s monitoring of animal disease control and carries out routine surveillance of disease risks in the UK and globally, to help the Government anticipate future threats to animal health.

We remain vigilant to changes in risk and continue to use our established systems to monitor for new and emerging threats to our biosecurity through our Veterinary Risk Group and the Human and Animal Infections Risk Surveillance Group.

The Animal Health and Welfare Common Framework (Provisional Framework Outline Agreement and Concordat), published as a Command Paper in 2022, has been produced to explain how the UK Government and devolved Governments propose to work together in key areas of animal health and welfare law and policy. It explains how the principles of devolution continue to apply to animal health and welfare policy after the UK’s exit from the EU.

The separate Animal Health and Welfare Framework published in 2018 has been produced to help county councils, unitary authorities and metropolitan boroughs in England deliver their statutory duties in relation to the health and welfare of farmed animals.

Neither Framework in its own right establishes nor introduces any changes to the monitoring of animal health.
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Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her Department's policy is on the sale of goods bearing Not for EU labels in Northern Ireland to visitors who reside in the Republic of Ireland. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The ‘Not for EU’ labelling requirements are a necessary means of ensuring goods moved from Great Britain to Northern Ireland through the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) are only sold to consumers in Northern Ireland. The Windsor Framework does not stipulate a place of residence for those consumers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the implementation of Windsor Framework rules governing the distribution of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland from 1 January 2026 will impact (a) GB online retailers selling consumers in Northern Ireland veterinary diet foods for animals experiencing specific conditions and (b) the sale of veterinary medicines that must be prescribed. \p Dame Angela Eagle: a) Veterinary diet foods are not classified as veterinary medicines; therefore, they can continue to be supplied in the same way as they are now.

b) Authorised veterinary medicines sold in Northern Ireland, prescribed or otherwise, will need to be manufactured in the EU or Northern Ireland in order to comply with the changes that will take effect from 1 January 2026. If those medicines move from GB or through GB, then the batch testing and release activities will need to be repeated before they are placed on the market in Northern Ireland.

The Government has introduced two schemes to complement the prescribing cascade to help ensure vets are able to prescribe the medicines needed to protect animal health and welfare.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has considered reforming the Habitat Regulations in as far as they relate to planning. \p Mary Creagh: The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is nearing its final stages in Parliament. The Bill establishes a strategic alternative to the Habitats Regulations Assessment in certain circumstances, although the Regulations remain in place. These provisions will accelerate housing and infrastructure development while supporting the recovery of protected sites and species.

The Government is working to improve the functioning of the Habitats Regulations,

including acting on the recommendations of the Corry Review and the recent Post-Implementation Review. We will also publish updated guidance on the Habitats Regulations Assessment process.

We want to ensure that the Habitats Regulations deliver certainty and efficiency for developers, while protecting our most valuable habitats and species.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Josh Newbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of rhododendron sales on woodland (a) management and (b) restoration. \p Mary Creagh: Defra has not conducted a formal assessment specifically regarding the impact of rhododendron sales on woodland management or restoration. However, the Department recognises that Rhododendron ponticum is a highly invasive non-native species that poses a serious threat to woodland ecosystems. Its dense growth suppresses native vegetation, inhibits natural regeneration, and acts as a host for Phytophthora ramorum, a tree disease that affects a wide range of species. These ecological impacts significantly complicate woodland management and restoration efforts.

To support woodland owners in controlling and removing rhododendron, Defra provides funding through the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme, specifically the SB6: Rhododendron Control capital item. This offers payments of up to £5,500 per hectare, depending on site conditions, to cover the cost of cutting, treating, and disposing of rhododendron. Applicants must submit a management plan and follow strict protocols to prevent regrowth and disease spread.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department holds data on the number of properties in each flood risk zones that does not have insurance. \p Emma Hardy: Flood Re is a joint Government and industry scheme enabling households at high flood risk to access affordable insurance. Since launch, over 650,000 properties have benefitted, with 346,000 policies supported in 2024/25.

Before Flood Re, average premiums for flood-affected homes were around £4,400; now they are approximately £1,100.

Defra continues working with Flood Re and insurers to monitor affordability, support resilience, and improve outcomes through schemes like Build Back Better and the PFR Grant, alongside engagement with industry leaders at an insurance roundtable to ensure access to affordable coverage and fair claims for flood-prone homes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Kerry McCarthy:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure the availability of housing-related advice services in Bristol. \p Alison McGovern: I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 78811 on 15 October 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) local authorities and (b) schools on promoting careers in the fire and rescue service in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Samantha Dixon: Fire and rescue recruitment in England is managed by individual Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs). Each local service is responsible for its own recruitment processes, policies, and workforce planning, which are typically overseen by their HR or People Services teams.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service run engagement events across the county, not just in schools but for school-age groups and the wider community. These events combine fire prevention advice with information on careers in the Fire Service, ensuring a joined-up approach.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that freeholders of leasehold properties comply with their legal obligations to maintain asbestos management plans; and what penalties apply to freeholders who fail to provide leaseholders with access to such plans when requested. \p Samantha Dixon: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have published information to help landlords understand their duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 for the common parts of multi-occupancy domestic premises (such as foyers and corridors, lifts and lift-shafts and staircases etc). and what they are required to do to comply here: The duty to manage asbestos in buildings: Check if you have the duty to manage asbestos - HSE and here: Managing and working with asbestos - HSE. Those that are in breach would be subject to the normal range of penalties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Leaseholders can contact the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) for specific guidance on their situation and potential courses of action.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2025 to Question 83343 on Elections: Pilot Schemes, whether political parties were consulted on the plans for election pilots; and what publicity has been undertaken to promote the scheme other than issuing the prospectus. \p Samantha Dixon: The Government is exploring ways to make voting in person more efficient, more convenient, and better aligned with the expectations of today’s electors.

In addition to the prospectus, further communications on flexible voting pilots were issued to support ongoing local authority sector engagement.

We are working with individual local authorities to shape the detail of their flexible voting pilots. We will continue to work with key stakeholders and local authorities throughout the development and delivery process.

Where communications are shared with the public, our intention is for them to be tailored to the specific piloting option and the geographic area in which it is being delivered.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has consulted the (a) Conservative Party and (b) Labour Party on proposed changes to (i) electoral and (ii) political finance law since 4 July 2024. \p Samantha Dixon: The political finance and wider electoral measures set out in the Government’s Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections paper are building on long-standing, well-established recommendations from expert stakeholders across the electoral landscape.

In developing our measures, we have worked closely with key stakeholders. Following the publication of the Elections Strategy paper, we have engaged with a variety of stakeholders including the Parliamentary Parties Panel. We are keen to continue this important engagement with all stakeholders, including political parties, as we progress this work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many special advisers are employed by his Department as of 27 October 2025. \p Samantha Dixon: The government publishes an annual statement to Parliament setting out the numbers, names and pay bands of special advisers, the appointing minister and the overall paybill.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in his Department is made by a British manufacturer. \p Samantha Dixon: Catering facilities across the property portfolio are managed and operated by either Government Property Agency, landlords and/or their respective contractors, who supply all necessary tableware and crockery.

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.

The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British businesses bidding for work.

The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products.

Alongside this, the National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this government’s Industrial strategy and the sectors vital to our economic growth.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-12)

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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether existing (a) district and (b) borough council area borders can be changed as part of local government reorganisation. \p Alison McGovern: Final proposals for local government reorganisation must specify the area for any new unitary council(s). Boundary changes are possible, but existing district areas should be considered the building blocks for proposals. Where a final proposal includes a boundary change, that should be explained and mapped clearly.

More complex boundary changes will only be considered where there is a strong justification. Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the statutory guidance and the available evidence.