theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-17)

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Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's guidance entitled Early education and childcare (effective from 1 April 2025), published on 21 February 2025, what steps her Department is taking to maintain access to childcare places in rural areas; and what steps she is taking to support childcare providers with operational costs. \p Stephen Morgan: It is the department’s ambition that all families have access to high-quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life and delivering on our Plan for Change. In the 2025/26 financial year alone, the department plans to provide over £8 billion for early years entitlements, which is an increase of more than 30% compared to the 2024/25 financial year, as we roll out the expansion of the childcare entitlements, so eligible working parents of children aged from nine months can access 30 hours of funded childcare.

The government has committed to working with the sector to embed early years within the wider education system, and to find new ways to shift the early education system to better support parents in poorer and rural areas. As part of our plan to utilise unused space in primary schools, we have just announced the opening of 300 new school-based nurseries, which will be available from September.

On top of this, we are providing supplementary funding of £75 million for an early years expansion grant ahead of the 30 hours expansion from September. The department also announced the largest ever uplift to the early years pupil premium, increasing the rate by over 45% compared to the 2024/25 financial year, equivalent to up to £570 per eligible child per year. Public sector employers in the early years will also receive £25 million through the forthcoming National Insurance contributions grant.

Under Section 6 of the Childcare Act 2006, local authorities are responsible for ensuring that the provision of childcare is sufficient to meet the requirements of parents in their area. As we roll out the expansion to entitlements for working parents, the department is in regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing. There are currently no local authorities reporting that they are unable to meet their sufficiency duties for the expanded entitlements. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, we discuss what action they are taking to address those issues and, where needed, support the local authority with any specific requirements through our childcare sufficiency support contract.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-17)

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Paula Barker:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether there are obligations on landlords in relation to the rent they charge if their property has been improved with a grant under the (a) Energy Company Obligation, (b) Boiler Upgrade Scheme and (c) Warm Homes: Local Grant. \p Matthew Pennycook: Energy Company Obligation schemes do not place obligations on landlords in relation to the rent they charge if their property has been improved.

Currently, private landlords in England and Wales are eligible to apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with regulations setting out the full eligibility criteria. These do not place any requirements in relation to rent.

Warm Homes: local grant requires landlords to declare that they will not raise rents as a direct result of the upgrades being installed funded by government grants. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is monitoring the impact of this scheme including on rents and may make changes if needed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-17)

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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 25452 on Cabinet Office: Staff, how many staff were attached to the Skills Match Hub on 1 February 2025. \p Georgia Gould: At any point in time, there is likely to be a small number of individuals who have been displaced due to restructures within their business units or, for example, have returned from a loan from another department and their role no longer exists. The exact number changes on a day-to-day basis.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-17)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Senior Civil Service roles in the Cabinet Office have been permanently filled by people who were initially appointed on an interim or temporary basis by grade in the last 12 months. \p Georgia Gould: Since 24 March 2024, 7 Senior Civil Service roles in the Cabinet Office have been permanently filled by people who were initially appointed on an interim or temporary basis in the last 12 months.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-17)

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Gideon Amos:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to tackle the delay in former civil servants receiving their occupational pensions. \p Georgia Gould: In October 2023, system and process changes were implemented to rectify the pension position of those members impacted by the McCloud judgment, a legal ruling impacting approximately 420,000 Civil Service pension members. This had a significant impact on business as usual ‘retirement quotes’ and ‘finalisations’ as the new systems and processes went live and were embedded over the following months. This led to a dip in performance in providing retirement quotes and paying lump sum payments at retirement. The delay in lump sum payments for some members was up to 20 days; however, monthly retirement benefit payments were not affected and paid on time.

The Cabinet Office, as Scheme Manager, has worked closely with MyCSP to rectify this position and return to meeting contractual performance levels. This was achieved at the end of September last year. For the last six months, up to and including March this year, MyCSP is back to achieving over 99.7% of their service level agreements. We continue to monitor performance carefully and work to ensure that any complaints or errors are identified and addressed as quickly as possible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the (a) ban on controlled heather burning on deep peat and (b) definition of deep peat on the risk of wildfires. \p Mary Creagh: Evidence shows that burning is damaging to peatlands and can increase their long-term vulnerability to wildfires. The amendments to The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021 significantly increase the area of peatland protected, helping to reduce the impacts of wildfire in the future.

The Government’s full response to the public consultation, which includes sections on wildfire and peat depth, can be found here - Summary of responses and government response - GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Mr James Frith:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of animal import standards on (a) animal welfare and (b) British farmers. \p Dame Angela Eagle: As set out in the trade strategy, we recognise concerns about methods of production, such as sow stalls and battery cages, which are not permitted in the UK. While methods vary in line with different climates, diseases and other contextual reasons, we will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage and any impact that may have. Where necessary, we will be prepared to use the full range of powers at our disposal to protect our most sensitive sectors including permanent quotas, exclusions and safeguards.

We will always maintain UK levels of statutory protection in relation to human, animal or plant life or health, animal welfare, and the environment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Robbie Moore:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support young farmers. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Encouraging more young people into farming and land-based careers is vital to ensure a skilled workforce is in place and the longer-term viability of the sector.

Defra works closely with The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH) which is encouraging young people and new entrants into farming in its capacity as an industry led professional body for the farming industry. This includes leading a cross-industry initiative to address common negative misconceptions about the sector and providing free TIAH membership for students.

Furthermore, the Government has launched Skills England to ensure there is a comprehensive suite of apprenticeships, training and technical qualifications for individuals and employers to access, which are aligned with skills gaps and what employers need. It will work with its partners to ensure that regional and national skills needs are met.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Sarah Dyke:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of no rollover option being in place for the Countryside Stewardship scheme on (a) farmers and (b) 2030 nature recovery targets. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Government has allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. This includes increasing spend on Environmental Land Management schemes to £2bn by 28/29. Customers with Countryside Stewardship Higher-Tier agri-environment agreements expiring in 2024 were offered an extension to provide them with continuity of funding. Additionally, Countryside Stewardship Higher-Tier agri-environment customers whose agreements expire at the end of 2025 are now being prioritised for pre-application advice to develop a new Countryside Stewardship Higher-Tier agreement. Existing CS HT woodland customers may also be able to develop a new Woodland Management Plan ahead of accessing pre-application support for a new Countryside Stewardship Higher-Tier agreement, but this will depend upon individual circumstances.

We are aware of the concerns raised by farmers and stakeholders regarding farmers whose current Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements expire at the end of the year, and we are considering how we can support continued delivery of environmental outcomes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect UK sovereign innovation on gene editing in (a) current and (b) future trade deal discussions. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra has been clear, including in initial SPS agreement discussions with the EU, on the importance of supporting the use of new and innovative technologies such as precision breeding. Defra remains committed to the Precision Breeding Act 2023, and the secondary legislation needed to implement the Act for plants is due to commence in November 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has he made of the factors causing (a) agriculture, (b) forestry and (c) fishing businesses to close since 5 July 2024. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra is aware of the Office for National Statistics' quarterly business openings and closures data. There are many factors unrelated to government policy that might explain why businesses would be shown as "closing" in the data source, including purely statistical factors.

Defra monitors data on the number of farm businesses registered with Defra for England published here Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June - GOV.UK.

This Government is committed to supporting economic growth. We continue to work closely with our agriculture, fishing, seafood and forestry sectors to ensure they are vibrant, profitable, and sustainable.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Rosie Duffield:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will conduct a review of Southern Water’s stakeholder engagement with local fisheries on (a) pollution and discharge events and (b) development in Thames Estuary. \p Emma Hardy: This Government is putting customers at the heart of the water system. While stakeholder engagement is a matter for individual water companies, customers will be able to hold water company bosses to account through powerful new customer panels that are being developed. Ministers have met with all company boards to ensure they understand the Government’s drive to transform the water sector and to hear how they plan to meet their obligations to customers and the environment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to ban foreign supertrawlers from UK waters. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The UK is committed to protecting our marine environment and ensuring sustainable fisheries. We are taking action through Marine Protected Area management and Fisheries Management Plans, which apply to all vessels in UK waters.

Any policy changes must be evidence-based and consistent with our international obligations, including the non-discrimination provisions of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

We continue to monitor fishing activity closely and will act where there is evidence of harm or non-compliance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Office for National Statistics’ dataset entitled Business demography quarterly, UK Quarter 2 April to June 2025 edition, if the Government will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the number of (a) agriculture, (b) forestry and (c) fishing business closures on the supply of food. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Government assesses a whole variety of factors that affect UK food supply using readily available data. Two examples include: the Production to Supply ratio last updated in July 2025 (found here Chapter 14: The food chain - GOV.UK) and analysis of the UK’s Seafood Consumption (found here Seafood Consumption 2025 — Seafish and published annually).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information they hold on the number of workdays that were completed remotely in their Department in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025 to date. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Department does not hold data or information centrally on the number of workdays completed by staff remotely.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Jenny Riddell-Carpenter:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish draft legislative proposals to ban trail hunting. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Work is ongoing to determine the best approach to deliver the manifesto commitment to ban trail hunting. We have committed to running a consultation to ensure those with an interest can input. We will share further details in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will conduct a formal review of the regulation of veterinary prices. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Competition and Market Authority is conducting a market investigation into the provision of veterinary services for household pets. Defra will consider any remedies they propose in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of trends in the level of average vet costs in (a) London and (b) the rest of the UK. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra has not completed an assessment of any changes in the average costs for veterinary care. The Competition and Market Authority is conducting a market investigation into the provision of veterinary services for household pets. Defra will consider any remedies they propose in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that Lancashire cheesemakers can access the benefits of the new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement on equal terms with other UK artisan exporters. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We will agree a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers. GB goods such as dairy are currently subject to 100% documentary checks and up to 30% physical checks when exported to the EU. An SPS deal will see these removed entirely.

We are committed to working closely with businesses across the UK to ensure they are able to take advantage of the benefits the Agreement will provide.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support his Department offers to (a) independent and (b) not-for-profit veterinary practices. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Veterinary practices are private entities and therefore not directly supported by Defra. The Competition and Market Authority is conducting a market investigation into the provision of veterinary services for household pets. Defra will consider any remedies they propose in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to increase levels of funding available for farmers. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We have allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. We are investing more than £2.7 billion a year in farming and nature recovery, the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country’s history to put healthy, nutritious food on our tables. We are working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer that fairly and responsibly directs funding.

That's only part of our commitment to farmers.

We have also protected farmers in trade deals and provided a five-year extension to the Seasonal Worker route, giving farms certainty to grow their businesses.

We are using our own purchasing power to back British produce, with an ambition, where possible, for half of food supplied into the public sector to be produced locally or certified to high environmental standards.

We are reforming the planning system to support clean energy projects that align with our Clean Power 2030 ambitions, helping farm businesses to become more profitable and resilient.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing pricing guidance to veterinary practices to increase transparency around service costs. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Competition and Market Authority is conducting a market investigation into the provision of veterinary services for household pets. Defra will consider any remedies they propose in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) monitor and (b) help control the spread of Culicoides midges, the vectors of bluetongue virus serotype 3, in high-risk areas. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra’s bluetongue disease control measures aim to limit the spread of BTV infection through proportionate and evidence-based control measures, whilst balancing the burdens of controls against the benefits of slowing the spread of bluetongue and minimising the cost of any outbreak both to Government and farmers.

Vector control is not an effective control measure and vaccination remains the most effective long-term approach for reducing the impacts of bluetongue disease throughout the UK. Defra has permitted the use of vaccines for BTV-3 and these vaccines are now widely available for vets to prescribe in England.

The Government conducts annual targeted surveillance for BTV. This is designed to detect new serotypes of bluetongue virus, including BTV-12 that may be circulating. The annual surveillance uses diagnostic testing protocols at the bluetongue national reference laboratory, The Pirbright Institute, that can detect and differentiate between different serotypes of bluetongue virus including BTV-12.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2025 to Question 69995 on Primates: Imports, how many macaques have been imported into the UK for scientific research since 5 July 2024. \p Dame Angela Eagle: There were 19 import consignments since July 2024 and 1,696 macaques in total. These figures are from the number of import licences issued for macaques and where the Animal and Plant Health Agency received confirmation that the consignment had arrived in the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of adopting the 5 per cent rule for smaller abattoirs on the abattoir sector. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Working with Devolved Governments, Competent Authorities, and industry stakeholders, Defra has considered the potential merits of adopting the livestock unit regulatory flexibility (5% Rule) for smaller abattoirs, as part of its commitment to identifying opportunities to ease regulatory and administrative burdens on the sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of staff in his Department did not meet the minimum office attendance target in the latest period for which data is available; and what sanctions his Department issues to staff who do not meet this target. \p Dame Angela Eagle: On 24 October 2024 the Cabinet Office announced that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service. Senior managers will continue to be expected to be in the office more than 60% of the time.

Occupancy rates in our London HQ are given in the published Civil Service Headquarters occupancy data.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of staff in his Department have flexible working arrangements; and how many of those work compressed hours. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Based on the information recorded centrally about working patterns, Defra can report that 13.5% of employees work compressed hours.

Additionally, working from home is a form of flexible working and almost all roles in Defra include some flexibility to work from home for up to 40% of their hours, in line with wider Civil Service policy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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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 respond to the outbreak of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) in the UK. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra’s approach to bluetongue virus (BTV) considers the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice and aim to limit the spread of infection through proportionate and evidence-based control measures with the aim of slowing the spread of disease through movement controls while safe and effective vaccines were developed.   On 1st July 2025 the restricted zone for bluetongue was extended to cover all of England. Susceptible animals can now move freely within England without a specific bluetongue licence or pre-movement testing. This change was implemented because the movement controls were no longer proportionate or effective.

Disease control is a devolved matter. Defra works closely with the Devolved Governments with the aim of providing, where possible, a consistent and coordinated response across the UK.

Vaccination remains the most effective long-term approach for reducing the impacts of bluetongue disease throughout the UK. Defra has permitted the use of vaccines for BTV-3 and these vaccines are now available for vets to prescribe in England.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support food security. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Food security is national security. We need a resilient and healthy food system, that works with nature and supports British farmers, fishers and food producers.

As part of the Government’s Plan for Change we are delivering on the Government’s New Deal for Farmers which includes a raft of new policies and major investment to boost profits for farmers.

We've allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, he will make it is his policy to introduce measures to ensure that supermarket contracts support (a) traditional and (b) vertical farmers. \p Dame Angela Eagle: It would not be appropriate for Government to comment on, or intervene in, matters relating to contracts between producers and retailers. These are driven by commercial interests, based on supply and demand.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether a CITES permit is required to move live coral from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Live coral is not eligible for movement under the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (the “Green Lane”), as the scheme applies only to retail goods intended for final consumption in Northern Ireland. Movements of live animals and live aquatic invertebrates, such as coral, must therefore follow the standard procedures via Official Controls Regulations, including the standard SPS Requirements. Where a species of coral is protected under CITES, it will require a CITES permit for movement from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, which are issued by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on what evidential basis reducing the number of (a) Dartmoor ponies and (b) other livestock will effectively control overgrazing on Dartmoor. \p Dame Angela Eagle: All prospective Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme offers have been assessed for their potential impact against a range of environmental and cultural services, including carbon sequestration and biodiversity indicators. These have included qualitative assessments, drawing upon expert opinion and evidence reviews, as well as quantitative assessments, drawing upon published datasets.

Through the new Countryside Stewardship Hier Tier offer we will be providing payment for grazing with both cattle and ponies and making both cattle and ponies eligible under the native breeds at risk supplement. We are thereby removing the competition between the two as recommended in the Dartmoor review. We have also made it clear within the new offer that ponies are exempt from stock removal requirements, in recognition that removal of ponies from moorland is neither feasible nor desirable in most circumstances.

We cannot, exclude either cattle or ponies from stocking density calculations. All livestock contribute to the overall grazing pressure exerted on moorland. On some moorland habitats (such as peatland), it is necessary to graze with low stocking densities to support habitat restoration and maintenance. If any livestock are excluded from the stocking density calculation, then over grazing would result. This would prevent us achieving desired improvements in habitat condition.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether new Sustainable Farming Incentives will take into account the potential impacts of grazing moorland on controlling monocultures. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) pays farmers and land managers to carry out actions that support the sustainable production of food and boost farm productivity and resilience, while protecting and enhancing the environment. Upland farmers play a key role in delivering sustainable food production and our environmental targets.

We will provide further details about the reformed SFI offer later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to restore the Agricultural Workers’ Board. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We currently have no plans to restore the Agricultural Wages Board.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to bring forward secondary legislation to enact the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We continue to engage with stakeholders including the tourism industry and animal welfare groups to explore both legislative and non-legislative options to stop the advertising of low-welfare animal activities abroad.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department will consider supporting initiatives to commemorate the role of British farmers in maintaining food security during the Second World War. \p Dame Angela Eagle: In May, Defra relaunched the Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps Scheme, a civilian veteran service medal scheme recognising those women volunteers who took on roles traditionally done by the men away at war by cultivating crops used to help feed the nation.

We recognise the vital role that farmers play putting food on our plates and caring for our countryside. The Government is committed to supporting British farmers by strengthening food security, increasing farm profitability, and protecting our environment for future generations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_32

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 56079 on Agriculture: Land Use, what the breakdown in the type of agricultural production on the 50% of land with solar panels which is used for agricultural production is. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The statistics are based on results from the annual Defra June Survey of Agriculture and Horticulture. The specific survey category was “Area of solar panels on land also used for grazing or agricultural production” but no breakdowns of the type of production were collected and are therefore not available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_33

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the economic impact of pollinator decline on UK agriculture. \p Mary Creagh: There have been no recent assessments of the economic impact of pollinator decline on UK agriculture. Abundant pollinators are an essential part of maintaining sustainable food production and we will provide farmers and land managers with the support they need to help restore nature, vital to safeguarding our long-term food security, support productivity and building resilience to climate change.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_34

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how the £500 million estimate of the value of pollination services to UK agriculture was calculated. \p Mary Creagh: Bees and other pollinators play an essential role in our £100 billion food industry. The latest estimated value of insect pollination on UK crops fruit, vegetable and oil seed rape production is around £630 million per year. This estimate is based on increases in yield and market quality. It was produced through field and desk-based research undertaken by the University of Reading and other researchers, who estimated the potential deficits in crop yield and quality without (or with reduced) insect pollination services, and related this to market value.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_35

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction on levels of fishing at the Blue Hole in the South Atlantic. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in conjunction with the Falkland Islands Government, continue to collaborate closely to assess the implications of the Agreement on fishing in the South Atlantic. During the Informal Consultations of State Parties to the UN Fish Stocks Agreement (ICSP-18), held at the UN in May 2025, Defra colleagues recommended initiating further multilateral discussions to explore the implications of the Agreement. In parallel, both departments are continuing to work with the Falkland Islands Government to address concerns around unregulated fishing in the Blue Hole and to ensure their interests are represented in international fisheries meetings.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_36

Chris Bloore:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department holds information on the number of independent UK veterinary practices that offer out-of-hours emergency care. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra does not hold data on the number of independent UK veterinary practices that offer out-of-hours emergency care.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_37

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance his Department provide to (a) local authorities and (b) the police on the reassessment of exempted dogs where owners believe the dogs were wrongly classified as XL Bully type. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We are currently working to develop a withdrawal scheme so that owners who no longer believe that their dog is an XL Bully can apply to have their certificate of exemption for their dog withdrawn. Information about this process will be available soon.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_38

Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding his Department has provided to the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs in each of the last five years. \p Dame Angela Eagle: In each of the last five financial years, Defra has provided the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) with the following amounts of funding:

Financial Year

Funding Amount

2020/21

£30,000

21/22

£30,000

22/23

£31,000

23/24

£27,545.93

24/25

£29,982.93
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_39

Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2025 to Question 71412 on Slaughterhouses, how much funding is remaining in the Smaller Abattoir Fund. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The total funding remaining for the Smaller Abattoir Fund is £704,928.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_40

Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2025 to Question 71412 on Slaughterhouses, how much funding has been issued from the Smaller Abattoir Fund since July 2024. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Since July 2024, the Rural Payment Agency has paid £406,545 to customers of the Smaller Abattoir Fund.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_41

Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of his policies on the ability of farmers to diversify their income streams to support their farming business. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Agricultural permitted development rights were amended in April 2024 to expand the range of uses agricultural buildings and land within their curtilage can be used for under a ‘flexible commercial use’, incentivising development by providing certainty and removing the time and money needed to submit a planning application. As the Secretary of State announced earlier this year, we will ensure these permitted development rights work for farms to support all farmers to innovate and diversify their businesses. In June, we held three roundtables with agriculture stakeholders to discuss planning issues in depth. Government is consulting on national policies for decision making later this year to make the planning policy framework clearer and more accessible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_42

Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with farmers to help improve the resilience of domestic food supply chains. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Food security is national security. We need a resilient and healthy food system, that works with nature and supports British farmers, fishers and food producers.

As part of the Government’s Plan for Change we are delivering on the Government’s New Deal for Farmers which includes a raft of new policies and major investment to boost profits for farmers.

We've allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_43

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to introduce nature-friendly farming schemes. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We have allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. All our Environmental Land Management schemes (Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, and Landscape Recovery) will continue, and we will continue to evolve and improve them in an orderly way to make them work for farmers and nature.

We are working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future SFI offer that fairly and responsibly directs funding. Further information about the reformed SFI will be provided shortly. The new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) service will open this month for applications to those who have been invited to apply, have received pre-application advice and have completed any preparatory work. Landscape Recovery projects that were awarded development funding in rounds one and two are continuing to progress towards the delivery phase, and the first two projects have now completed the necessary checks, signed their agreements, and are ready to start work on the ground.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_44

Lizzi Collinge:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he is considering taking steps to standardise fees charged by veterinary practices for issuing animal health certificates. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 12 May 2025 to the hon. Member for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, PQ 49603.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_45

Sarah Dyke:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the trends in the number of business closures in rural areas. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra publishes the Statistical Digest for Rural England to provide up-to-date analysis across a wide range of subjects including information on business survival and growth.

Business deaths per head of population are lower in rural Areas. In 2023, there were 39 registered business deaths per 10,000 population in Predominantly Rural areas compared with 44 per 10,000 population in Predominantly Urban areas (excluding London).

Between 2018 to 2023 in Predominantly Rural areas, the number of business deaths remained between 35 and 45 per 10,000 population; in Urban areas it remained between 40 and 50.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_46

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if her Department will take steps to ensure that the design of new leisure facilities funded through the Levelling Up Programme reflects community preferences in changing arrangements. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Levelling Up Programme was run under the previous Government. Our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, provides resources to help in the design of new leisure facilities. Sport England works with local authorities as part of their place partnerships work to help them understand and meet community needs for sport and physical activity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_47

Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of Video Games Expenditure Credit on levels of inward investment into the video games industry. \p Ian Murray: The Video Games Expenditure Credit was introduced in 2024 to replace the Video Game Tax Relief, modernising the reliefs and ensuring they continue to work as intended to support the video games industry.

As set out in the Creative Industries Sector Plan, the Government is committed to supporting the growth of the UK’s video games sector. My department engages regularly with His Majesty’s Treasury on a range of issues to deliver this objective, including the Video Games Expenditure Credit.