theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_360
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_360

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that Overseas Development Assistance is used effectively to achieve intended outcomes in recipient countries. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has committed to a process to look at all Official Development Assistance (ODA) programming across Government. This is to ensure that it is strategically coherent, delivers UK objectives, whilst providing value for money for the UK taxpayer.

The Foreign Secretary commissioned the Development Review last year, which has also helped us consider value for money and oversight mechanisms for ODA.

The Foreign Secretary will lead the cross-Departmental ODA review as part of the Spending Review process, proposing draft allocations to the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Chief Secretary to the Treasury to inform final departmental settlements within the coming weeks.

The FCDO Programme Operating Framework (PrOF) is the FCDO's handbook for delivery of all programmes, and includes the mandatory ruleset, the roles and responsibilities and governance within which programme teams throughout the network operate. The PrOF ensures that the FCDO delivers good quality programmes and addresses our priorities through a blend of diplomacy and development programming, ensuring that we comply with cross-HMG standards on project delivery. The PrOF rules set out the requirements for programme design and approval - including capturing the intended outcomes of the programme in a suitable results framework. The rules also require a suitable assessment of any partner who is to receive funding, and that sufficient monitoring is in place to provide performance and financial oversight and manage risk. Regular formal reviews are mandatory - annually, as a minimum, and at closure.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_361
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_361

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Western Balkan countries. \p Stephen Doughty: We support the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Western Balkans countries as a route to promote stability and prosperity in the region, to help address threats to European security, and to counter irregular migration and serious organised crime. We work closely with the EU and other international partners, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), to support regional cooperation and reforms that drive integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions. We also work together to counter Russian disinformation and economic and political coercion in the region. This year's UK-hosted Berlin Process will support Western Balkans countries' Euro-Atlantic aspirations by focusing on strengthened regional cooperation to tackle irregular migration and serious organised crime, reinforced European security, and unlocking barriers to growth.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_362
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_362

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to UK Official Development Assistance on UK efforts to promote antimicrobial resistance work globally. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and official development assistance. Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments.

To enable us to deliver this change effectively, we are prioritising meeting legally binding commitments and delivering work already underway while maximising the Foreign, Commonwealth, Development Office's flexibility in 2025/26 before finalising ODA allocations and setting out our future budgets following the conclusion of the Spending Review.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_363
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_363

Dave Doogan:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of recognising the State of Palestine. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering.  We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that has the most impact in achieving this reality and is most conducive to long-term prospects for peace.

UK bilateral recognition is the single most important action the UK can take with regard to Palestinian statehood. That is why it is important to get the timing right, so it creates genuine momentum and is not simply a symbolic gesture. We have noted President Macron's comments regarding recognition and are in constant dialogue with all partners on how we can best use the conference in June to achieve our shared objective of a two-state solution.

We condemn the latest remarks by Minister Katz regarding the annexation of land in Gaza. Palestinian territory must not be reduced in the conduct of this war. On 21 March, the UK issued a Statement at the UN Security Council opposing any attempt to forcibly annex land in Gaza or expand settlements in the West Bank.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_364
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_364

Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with international counterparts to help prevent the forced transfer of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: This government has been clear that stability in the West Bank is crucial. All sides should work to ensure a lowering of tension in the West Bank at this time. The risk of instability is serious and the need for de-escalation urgent. We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions. The UK is clear that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and harm prospects for a two-state solution. Israel must clamp down on settler violence and end settlement expansion. We are also clear that in all but the most exceptional of cases, demolitions by an occupying power are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The Foreign Secretary has raised the situation in the West Bank with his Israeli and other international counterparts and during previous visits has met with Palestinian community members in the West Bank where he heard how communities are affected.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_365
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_365

Harpreet Uppal:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on ending military operations in the northern West Bank. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign Secretary has raised the Israeli operations in the West Bank with his Israeli counterparts. As I made clear in Parliament on 25 February, the UK is seriously concerned by the expansion of Israel's operations in the West Bank. 40,000 Palestinians have reportedly been displaced. Palestinians must be allowed home. Civilians must be protected and the destruction of civilian infrastructure minimised. All sides should work to ensure a lowering of tension in the West Bank at this time. The risk of instability is serious and the need for de-escalation urgent. It is in no one's interest for further conflict and instability to spread in the West Bank.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_366
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_366

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of reports of China's involvement in support of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. \p Catherine West: Any support for Putin's brutal and illegal war against Ukraine is deplorable. We are extremely concerned by these reports. There is a growing body of evidence that Chinese companies are enabling Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The Foreign Secretary has directly urged China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on a number of occasions, to take concrete measures to prevent Chinese companies from supporting Russia's military-industrial complex. We continue to call on China to stop providing diplomatic and material support to Russia's war effort.

On 24 February, we sanctioned an additional 10 Chinese entities, taking the total number of Chinese entities designated by the UK over supply to Russia to 31. Given the continued flow of components from China to Russia, this Government is now also minded to refuse licences for controlled goods on the Common High Priority list exported for stock to China. Guidance for UK exporters has been updated to this effect.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_367
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_367

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Home Secretary on the potential merits of placing China in the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. \p Catherine West: No decision has been made in relation to specifying China on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. As the Security Minister confirmed in Parliament on 1 April, countries are considered separately, and decisions are made based on a robust evidence base. It would not be appropriate to speculate on which countries may or may not be specified in the future, but any changes will be announced in Parliament in the usual way.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_368
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_368

Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding and extending sanctions against Democratic People's Republic of Korea. \p Catherine West: The UK remains steadfast in our commitment to limit Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) weapons programmes and counter their proliferation activity through maintaining a robust sanctions regime This includes an extensive range of UN sanctions covering financial, trade, aircraft, shipping and immigration measures. We continue to keep our DPRK sanctions regime under close review. We do not comment on future or potential expansions of our DPRK sanctions regime as this could affect their impact: we will continue to keep this regime under close review.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_369
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_369

Kate Osamor:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Pakistani counterpart on the detention of Mahrang Baloch. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is clear that the freedom to hold and express views without censorship, intimidation or unnecessary restriction is a cornerstone of democracy. We remain deeply concerned over reports of human rights violations and abuses against human rights defenders in Balochistan. The British High Commission in Islamabad continues to raise the human rights situation in Balochistan with the Pakistani authorities at the highest levels and has raised the detention of Dr. Mahrang Baloch with Pakistan's Minister for Law and Justice.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_370
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_370

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the work of the OSCE Mission to strengthen inter-ethnic relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK has consistently supported work with international partners to address ethnic tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), including support to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on electoral integrity; ensuring effective, fair, and transparent election processes helps to promote trust in the system and peaceful coexistence between communities. Our Embassy in Sarajevo regularly raises issues around inter-ethnic relations with BiH authorities, urging constructive action and underlining our support for an inclusive future, where fundamental rights are respected and all citizens are treated fairly.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_371
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_371

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with other signatories to the Dayton Peace Agreement to help ensure that it remains fit for purpose. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK remains committed to the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) and its instruments for maintaining peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). We work through the Peace Implementation Council to bolster domestic institutions to respond to threats to the DPA. The UK supports the High Representative's role, and should the situation require it, the use of executive powers to protect BiH's constitutional framework, stability and institutions. The Foreign Secretary, the Special Envoy and I continue to engage closely with leaders in BiH and the region, urging them to influence positively and refrain from actions which would undermine BiH's constitution. I reiterated these messages to BiH Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković and the High Representative of BiH when we met on 12 April, as did the Foreign Secretary when he spoke to BiH President Denis Bećirović on 29 April.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_372
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_372

Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to (a) lay his Department’s trade strategy before Parliament and (b) provide copies of that strategy to the media. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Department for Business and Trade is committed to upholding our parliamentary commitments and transparency. The Trade Strategy will be laid in Parliament, making the paper accessible to members of both Houses, in due course and will be made available on gov.uk once it is launched.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_373
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_373

Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2025 to Question 41654 on Trade: Occupied Territories and Western Sahara, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on the potential impact of recognising Western Sahara as a part of Morocco on British businesses. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: DBT and FCDO frequently engage on how best to deliver the government’s growth mission, including by supporting UK exports and investment across North Africa.

The Department for Business and Trade’s team in Morocco focusses on the business opportunities which will create the most value for the UK economy. An example of this is the work the Department is doing on infrastructure projects, ahead of Morocco’s co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The UK continues to support UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_374
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_374

John Glen:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive on (a) Northern Ireland, (b) UK firms trading with the EU and (c) levels of divestment in the UK defence industry. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Responsibility for assessing the impact of EU legislation ultimately lies with the European Commission, who have published their own impact assessment of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

CSDDD will apply to UK companies generating over €450 million in turnover within the EU. The Government has noted the recent Omnibus proposal updating CSDDD, which was published on 26 February.

We will continue to assess and monitor the effectiveness of the UK’s existing measures, alongside the impacts of emerging policy tools, including in the EU, to ensure we can best promote responsible business practices and take action where appropriate.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_375
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_375

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 43474 on Business: Regulation, whether the target to reduce the cost of compliance will be net of the cost of regulation on (a) business and (b) the voluntary sector; and whether it will include local government regulation. \p Justin Madders: As the Prime Minister has committed to, the government will cut the administrative costs of regulation to business by 25% by the end of this Parliament. We will publish the approach to measuring these administrative costs in due course.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_376
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_376

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of amending Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 to ensure company directors’ align the interests of (a) people and (b) planet with profit. \p Justin Madders: Section 172(1) of the Companies Act 2006 requires company directors to have regard to the interests of the company’s employees and the impact of the company’s operations on the community and the environment. Since 2019, directors of large companies have been required to report annually on how they have met this duty.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_377
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_377

Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many posts there are for (a) press, (b) media and (c) other communications staff in his Department; and what the salary band is for each post. \p Justin Madders: In the central Department for Business and Trade communications team, there are a total of 115 Full Time Equivalent Government Communication Service professionals.

Of this total, 22 work in the media discipline which covers press and media responsibilities. This is the latest available data from June 2024.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_378
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_378

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 43474 on Business: Regulation, whether the target to reduce the cost of compliance includes the costs of assimilated EU law. \p Justin Madders: Assimilated law, formerly retained EU law, is domestic law. It was created by the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (EUWA) and came into effect at the end of the United Kingdom’s post-Brexit transition period, on 31 December 2020. The government’s target to cut the administrative cost of regulation includes the administrative costs of assimilated law.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_379
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_379

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to the universal service obligation on (a) postal services and (b) South Suffolk constituency. \p Justin Madders: It is the responsibility of Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to ensure the provision of a universal postal service that meets the reasonable needs of users, throughout the United Kingdom, and is financially sustainable and efficient.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_380
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_380

David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the closure of the blast furnaces at the Tata Steel site on the economy in Neath Port Talbot. \p Sarah Jones: We are aware of the impact of this transition on the local economy and community, and we have taken steps to assist and support those affected. Under the leadership of the Secretary of State for Wales, the Port Talbot Tata Steel Transition Board moved from discussion to delivery from last July. Since then, more than £50 million has been announced to support steel communities, from the £80 million available from UK Government. The latest release of funding, to support mental health, was announced just last month.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_381
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_381

David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing the assets Tata Steel in Port Talbot into public ownership. \p Sarah Jones: Tata Steel decided to close the blast furnaces at Port Talbot in January 2024, under the previous government.

However, we negotiated an improved deal with Tata regarding the transformation of Port Talbot after just 10 weeks in office, with better terms for workers, future investment opportunities for the area and the highest voluntary redundancy package Tata has ever offered for workers. Work is proceeding on the development of the Electric Arc Furnace which will enable steelmaking to continue at the site and form a key part of our future steel sector.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_382
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_382

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans her Department to integrate the work of the Industrial Strategy Council with (a) Life Sciences Council and (b) other governance structures. \p Sarah Jones: Sector Plans are being designed in partnership with business, devolved governments, regions and other stakeholders, through bespoke arrangements tailored to each sector. This will vary by sector, but some may include Sector Councils, such as the well-established Life Sciences Council.

There will not be formal reporting structures between Sector Councils and the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council. However, we expect there to be close collaboration including through information sharing and joint-working as part of their role advising government on the delivery of the Industrial Strategy. The Council will continue a programme to engage widely across government.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_383
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_383

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he considered a derogation for vintage firearms that cannot safely use alternatives to lead shot in the proposed lead shot ban. \p Emma Hardy: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have now published a final opinion on their restriction proposal for lead in ammunition, informed by feedback from public consultations as well as independent scientific advice. As part of their Opinion, HSE have considered the socio-economic impacts of their proposed restriction in GB. Further information will follow in due course.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_384
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_384

Brian Mathew:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the packaging extended producer responsibility scheme on glass producers. \p Mary Creagh: In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) scheme on packaging producers as a whole. This impact assessment did not split the assessment by sector.

The Government has worked closely with industry, including the glass sector, throughout development of pEPR. Feedback from stakeholders was factored into finalising the regulations, including formally consulting stakeholders on a draft of the pEPR regulations in 2023.

We are encouraging the glass industry to seek to reduce the cost impacts of pEPR through a transition to reuse and refill. This is encouraged under pEPR, as producers are only required to report and pay disposal cost fees for household packaging the first time it is placed on the market, and can then offset these fees when they recycle this packaging at the end of its life, thereby avoiding the vast majority of pEPR fees.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_385
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_385

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the Environment Agency has sufficient (a) resource, (b) legal expertise and (c) access to court time to enforce environmental protection laws. \p Emma Hardy: Environment Agency (EA) funding and resource is closely monitored to ensure that the agency can carry out its duties and functions effectively. EA funding is currently being reviewed in line with Defra’s departmental Spending Review process.

The EA has specialist legal expertise in the enforcement and prosecution of environmental crime including water company failures. The EA has very recently increased the number of specialist prosecuting lawyers dealing with pollution cases.

The EA has exactly the same access to court time as other prosecuting authorities.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_386
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_386

Terry Jermy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to monitor levels of perfluoroalkyl substances in tap water. \p Emma Hardy: The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has provided guidance on PFAS to water companies since 2007. In 2021 a guideline value of 0.1 micrograms per litre (µg/L) was adopted for drinking water which, since August 2024 when DWI’s guidance was updated. Companies are required to monitor for 48 individual PFAS in their supplies. These were agreed with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to be robust levels with an appropriate margin to ensure our drinking water is safe to drink. Concentrations of ‘sum of 48 PFAS’ greater than 0.1 micrograms must be reported to the DWI as a water quality event and all necessary actions to reduce concentrations below this value must be taken. There is no evidence of PFAS concentrations above this value in drinking water supplies.

The DWI continue to monitor publications and advice provided by the World Health Organization and the UK’s Committee on Toxicity in relation to PFAS. It will continue to act accordingly based on the scientific evidence as it emerges, to safeguard public health from the risks from PFAS in drinking water. Work continues across government to assess levels of PFAS to safeguard current high drinking water quality and to ensure our regulations remain fit for purpose.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_387
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_387

Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help support citizen science projects on (a) flooding and (b) sewage. \p Emma Hardy: Defra has a strong history of working with citizen scientists, particularly volunteer species recorders who have provided over 70% of Government biodiversity data. The growth of citizen science across cities, the countryside, and rivers, driven by technology and social networks, has resulted in fragmented efforts and resource competition. This complex landscape often sees short-lived and difficult-to-support initiatives.

The Defra Natural Capital & Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) Programme includes specific research and development to advance Defra and stakeholder engagement with citizen science. Freshwater permeates our landscapes and cities providing a powerful medium through which we can monitor important elements of our natural capital. We have identified 112 existing freshwater citizen science methods. Much of this focuses on rivers, but we are also advancing lake and pond survey capability. Trials have already found 515 new ponds in test cities and online volunteers mapped open water across Northumberland. Freshwater methods will feature within integrated survey designs we are working to trial with stakeholders across various landscapes and cities. A key goal of NCEA research is to explore how best to support environmental citizen science to enhance both national science and public engagement with the environment.

The Environment Agency (EA) has recruited citizen science coordinators that are embedded in front-line teams. This is creating strong relationships with citizen science groups and a large collaborative effort is underway to ensure the data derived from citizen science can be added to the EA’s data.

Citizen science initiatives focused on sewage and wider catchment pressures include Riverfly, The Big River Watch, Great UK WaterBlitz, and SmartRivers. An example relevant to flooding is the Daily Rainfall Observers Network.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_388
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_388

Aphra Brandreth:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme on food security. \p Daniel Zeichner: This Government is proud to have secured the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country’s history, with £5 billion being spent to support farmers over a 2-year period.

Food security requires a long-term picture of resilience to shocks. Over 37,000 businesses are already being supported through the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) with their live agreements, with more in other schemes.

We will provide further details about the reformed SFI in summer 2025 which will support farmers, deliver for nature and target public funds fairly and effectively towards our priorities for food, farming and nature.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_389
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_389

Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what nature-based flooding solutions he plans to implement in South Cotswolds constituency. \p Emma Hardy: Gloucestershire County Council, as Lead Local Flood Authority, coordinates a natural flood management partnership which plans Nature Based Solutions (NBS) projects across the county, including a scheme upstream of Cirencester to re-naturalise The Churn.

The Environment Agency (EA) funds and works with partners on NBS projects on the Upper Bristol Avon. Upstream of Malmesbury, the EA works with Bristol Avon Rivers Trust and on the Brinkworth Brook it is working with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust on the Wiltshire Rural Runoff Project. This project includes significant landowner engagement to raise awareness of NBS and opportunities to enhance sustainable land management practices, improve river habitat and water quality.

NBS measures upstream of Malmesbury will contribute towards reducing the height of flood peaks and will benefit properties at risk of flooding. The Brinkworth Brook project includes measures that could mitigate some flooding issues in the M4 corridor but will not stop flooding during larger events.

The EA is also keeping track of the small beaver population around Malmesbury, which are likely contribute positively to NBS in the future.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_390
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_390

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress his Department has made on the implementation of 10 Point Plan for financing biodiversity; and if he plans to publish an update on implementation before the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 30) in November 2025. \p Mary Creagh: The 10 Point Plan (10PP) for Financing Biodiversity was launched in December 2022 by the former government and preceded agreement of the comprehensive Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

This government is committed to delivering on all the KMGBF targets, including those related to the mobilisation of finance for biodiversity. Most recently at the 16th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD CoP16) we published the Biodiversity Trends Dashboard to help track progress towards meeting nature finance targets. We expect to update this prior to UNFCCC COP30. We also secured the new Cali Fund which will help ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic information derived from nature - directly supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The UK government also co-sponsored the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits (IAPB), alongside France, helping to deliver a Framework for High Integrity Biodiversity Credit Markets.

Our seventh UK national report under the CBD will provide an update on our progress in delivering the KMGBF targets. This is due by February 2026.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_391
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_391

Mark Sewards:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility packaging taxation will ensure that the cost of recycling is passed to manufacturers. \p Mary Creagh: Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) implements the polluter-pays principle by obligating brands and packaging producers to pay the costs of managing household packaging waste.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_392
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_392

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of extended producer responsibility charges on the viability of brewers participation in the glass bottle market. \p Mary Creagh: In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers as a whole. This impact assessment did not split the assessment by sector.

The Government has worked closely with industry, including the brewing sector, throughout development of Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR). Feedback from stakeholders was factored into finalising the regulations, including formally consulting stakeholders on a draft of the pEPR regulations in 2023.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_393
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_393

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the repair and re-use economy. \p Mary Creagh: This Government committed in its manifesto to reducing waste by moving to a Circular Economy. Defra recognises that repair and re-use are fundamental tenets of any circular economy, and a successful circular transition will deliver increased supply chain resilience, economic productivity, and economic growth.

As we develop our Circular Economy Strategy for England, we will consider the evidence for action from right across the economy and evaluate what interventions may be needed.

Defra has published guidance on how businesses can use the waste hierarchy, which is a framework for dealing with waste, which promotes re-use. The guidance shows how it works for a range of common materials and products and what businesses and public bodies need to do. It gives top priority to preventing waste in the first place. When waste is created, it gives priority to preparing it for re-use, then recycling, then recovery, and last of all disposal (e.g. landfill).
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_394
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_394

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department engages with Client Earth. \p Mary Creagh: Defra engages with a range of stakeholders including Client Earth.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_395
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_395

Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) Wiltshire council, (b) operators of waste management and sewage facilities (c) residents and (d) the Environment Agency on the persistent poor odour in Calne. \p Emma Hardy: As the independent regulator for major industry and waste, the Environment Agency (EA) is investigating sites which fall under its regulation in the Calne area to determine whether they are potential sources of the odour currently being experienced. Investigations into other potential sources are being carried out by Wiltshire Council. The EA is sharing information and updates on its ongoing investigation into the source of odour complaints in Calne with stakeholders via briefing notes. An initial briefing note was circulated on 3 April 2025, with an update issued on 28 April 2025. Further briefings will be issued as the investigation progresses.

The briefings are being issued to members of the public who have contacted the EA to report the issue, Wiltshire Council, waste site operators, UK HSA, Local Councillors, and the honourable member for Chippenham.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_396
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_396

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is he taking to help promote access to green spaces for girls. \p Mary Creagh: The Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors for people’s health and wellbeing and is working to ensure this is safe and appropriate. This is why we have set out our ambitious manifesto commitments to create nine new national river walks and three new national forests in England, expanding access to the great outdoors. We know that particular groups, including women and girls, can disproportionately experience barriers to accessing nature, and we are committed to tackling this inequity so that everyone can benefit from spending time in green and blue spaces.

Our Green Infrastructure Planning and Design Guide offers detailed guidance on creating accessible, multifunctional green spaces that deliver a wide range of benefits. Specifically, for teenage girls, it emphasises the need for designing spaces that are not only safe and inclusive but also comfortable and welcoming.

In addition, the Government licenses and oversees the Green Flag Award scheme, which recognises well-managed, inclusive and welcoming green spaces. Parks are assessed against criteria such as safety, accessibility, environmental management and community involvement, helping to ensure high standards are maintained across thousands of parks and open spaces and that these remain inclusive and accessible for all, including women and girls.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_397
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_397

Josh Newbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department will introduce statutory guidance for the implementation of Simpler Recycling. \p Mary Creagh: We have published non-statutory guidance to assist local authorities, other waste collectors and workplaces implement the Simpler Recycling requirements. This includes guidance on:

We welcome stakeholder feedback, and we are working with our networks of local authority and waste collector stakeholders to identify and develop additional guidance where appropriate.

We are also working collaboratively with sector experts, Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), to provide further tools and guidance to support the implementation of Simpler Recycling.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_398
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_398

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Circular Economy Taskforce on reducing waste in his Department. \p Mary Creagh: On 27 March, the Secretary of State gave a speech on circular economy to leading industry practitioners, in which he announced that the Government’s upcoming Circular Economy Strategy for England will focus first on five priority sectors: agrifood; built environment; chemicals and plastics; textiles; and transport. The Taskforce has already begun extensive engagement with industry leaders, trade associations, and other key stakeholders to ensure that the Strategy reflects the needs and insights of all involved.

The Taskforce works closely with officials across its areas of interest, including waste reduction, who provide regular advice to Ministers on the Taskforce’s work and progress.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_399
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_399

Josh Newbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has considered introducing (a) performance standards and (b) other mandatory requirements for material recovery facilities to sort materials collected at kerbside under the Simpler Recycling in England policy. \p Mary Creagh: Defra is working with WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) and waste industry representatives to support MRF (Material Recovery Facility) readiness for the Simpler Recycling requirements.

We have engaged with MRF operators and local authorities through WRAP’s MRF Forum to identify challenges with MRF capacity, investment, upgrade timelines, and to work with the sector to identify interventions to support MRFs as they prepare for Simpler Recycling.

The MRF operators who are engaged with us are aware of their obligations and are working hard to upgrade their facilities to ensure they can separate the target materials as required by Simpler Recycling.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_400
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_400

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the European Chemical Agency's decision to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. \p Emma Hardy: We actively monitor measures being considered in other jurisdictions to inform possible approaches in the UK, including the European Chemical Agency’s proposals for PFAS restrictions. The Health and Safety Executive is due to publish its dossier investigating whether to restrict the use, manufacture and sale of PFAS in fire fighting foams soon, for a six-month consultation. This dossier has included extensive analysis of risks and hazards of PFAS that are relevant to other uses and sets a firm foundation for further investigation of PFAS risks in Great Britain. Other work is continuing across Government to help us assess levels of PFAS occurring in the environment, their sources and potential risks to inform future measures.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_401
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_401

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to prepare for the UK-China Environment Dialogue in 2025. \p Mary Creagh: Defra is working with China’s Ministry of Ecology and the Environment to agree the timing and scope of an Environmental Dialogue, in line with our commitment to do so within 12 months of the signing of the Environment Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two parties in October 2024.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_402
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_402

Josh Newbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to introduce a target for the recycling of fibre-based composite packaging. \p Mary Creagh: The Government continues to keep the need and timing for the introduction of a separate FBC targets under review. We will consider further once we have improved data on the tonnages of FBC placed on the marked, and the tonnage currently recycled, to establish appropriate targets.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_403
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_403

Lillian Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of differences between the EU Deforestation Regulation and UK timber regulations on timber businesses in the UK. \p Mary Creagh: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues.

The UK and the EU share the common commitment to tackling deforestation in supply chains. We recognise the need to take action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation, and we will set out our approach to addressing this in due course.
wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_404
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-06 conversation_404

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of implementing Schedule 17 of the Environment Act before the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties to UNFCCC (COP 30) in November 2025. \p Mary Creagh: The UK strongly supports global efforts to protect forests, including advocating for the international commitment to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030, while supporting livelihoods and economic development.

We will set out our approach to addressing deforestation in the UK’s supply chains in due course.