theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-07-23 conversation_397
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-23)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 59356 on Political Parties: Finance, whether political parties can accept the donation in kind of research services from an organisation where that research is ultimately funded by foreign donors. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: Political parties may only accept donations, including donations in kind of research services, from permissible sources. However, there are currently no restrictions on where donors themselves raise funds. The Commission has highlighted this weakness in the political finance regime, and recommended changes that would safeguard the system.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-23)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2025 to Question 64449 on Electoral Commission: Finance, what is the business case for increasing the budget of the Electoral Commission by over £20 million from 2027-28 to 2028-29. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The main driver is spend related to a UK General Election. The figures referenced in Question 64449 were shared with HM Treasury and our funding parliaments as an overall estimate for the Commission’s spending over the next five years, prior to the Commission’s Corporate Plan being approved by Parliament.

Each year the Commission submits a Main Estimate for Parliamentary approval, and approval by the Scottish Parliament and Senedd, with a budget request for the forthcoming year. The Commission expects its spending to increase in the run up to the next UK parliamentary general election, which must be held by August 2029; it estimates an increase of £11.6 million from 2027-28 to 2028-29 to account for this general election spending.

The key driver for these costs are the public awareness campaigns that give voters the information they need to participate with confidence, alongside additional staff for the general election period and election related research projects. The Commission has a duty to promote public awareness, including awareness of any new changes introduced by Government. Typically, most of this spending falls in the year prior to a general election, because of the scale of work and the preparation required.

Given the exact timing of the next general election is uncertain, the Commission has built general increases into its planned spending, which can be adjusted as appropriate through the annual Main Estimate process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether steps are being taken to improve the reliability of security scanners (a) in Portcullis House and (b) across the Parliamentary estate. \p Nick Smith: The security scanners (X ray machines) in Portcullis House and across the Parliamentary estate are owned by Parliament and maintained by an external company under a maintenance and service contract. The contract is managed rigorously with robust KPI targets. In support of the contract, engineers are security cleared and have regular attendance on site.

The equipment at high volume entrances such as Portcullis House is in constant use Monday through Friday, and this heavy usage will lead to occasional failures of the equipment, despite regular servicing, with daily and weekly testing. When such temporary failures occur, alternative search regimes are utilised to ensure the entrance can remain open as normal without compromising the security of the Estate. During these infrequent occasions, wait times at the affected entrance may be longer, and some visitors may be directed to an alternative search point to facilitate speedier entry.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress he has made on increasing capacity of English as a Second Language Provision (ESOL) in line with the Government’s White Paper on Immigration. \p Andrew Western: Through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), the Department for Work and Pensions supports adults aged 19+ in England who speak English as a second or additional language to access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision. ASF co-funds or fully-funds ESOL provision subject to the eligibility requirements laid out in the ASF rules. ESOL allows learners to develop the English language skills they need for everyday life, work or further learning. Overall, we are allocating £1.4 billion for a wide range of adult skills provision through the ASF in the 2025/26 academic year.

Currently, approximately 68% of the ASF is devolved to 12 Strategic Authorities and the Greater London Authority. These authorities are responsible for the provision of ASF-funded adult education for their residents, the allocation of the ASF to learning providers, and deciding how the ASF best meets the needs of their local economy. By honouring our commitments to combine and further devolve adult skills funding, we give those with local knowledge the power they need to make decisions that are best for their areas.

The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for the remaining ASF in non-devolved areas, where colleges and training providers have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their ASF allocations from the department to meet the needs of their communities. Where ASF funded provision is not available the Flexible Support Fund is sometimes used to procure ESOL provision that enables individuals to move into sustained employment, increase their earnings whilst in work, or move closer to the labour market.

Government publishes statistics on participation in ESOL provision through its Further Education and Skills publication here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/084d1d31-4477-488e-b95b-08de28d609b2
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has been made as to the impact on placement students following the changes to the apprenticeship levy. \p Andrew Western: This government is transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, which will give greater flexibility to employers and learners and support the industrial strategy.

In August, we introduced new foundation apprenticeships for young people in targeted sectors, as well as shorter duration apprenticeships. These flexibilities will help more people learn new high-quality skills at work and fuel innovation in businesses across the country.

From April 2026, we will introduce new short courses as part of the growth and skills offer with the first wave called apprenticeship units. They will be available in critical skills areas such as artificial intelligence, digital and engineering. Further details will be shared in due course.

An apprenticeship is a job with training, rather than a placement which is something that is part of some further or higher education courses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the apprentice rate for those over 21 or in their first year of their apprenticeship from £7.55 to the minimum wage for their age of £12.21. \p Andrew Western: The Government remains committed to ensuring that apprentice wages support the attraction of talented individuals into apprenticeships and remain fair for employers. The Government considers the expert and independent advice of the Low Pay Commission (LPC) when setting minimum wage rates.

Apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate if they are aged under 19 or aged 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship. In all other cases, they are entitled to the minimum wage for their age, so all apprentices who are aged 19 and over and have completed the first year of their apprenticeship are entitled to the minimum wage for their age. Many employers pay their apprentices more than the minimum and the latest data shows that the median gross hourly pay for apprentices in general in 2023 was £11.63 an hour.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Charlie Maynard:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps they are taking to increase skills and training opportunities to become HGV drivers. \p Andrew Western: The government offers a range of skills training which can be used to support the HGV sector. This includes apprenticeships such as the Urban Driver and Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) driver C + E standards, Skills Bootcamps, and sector-based work academy programmes (SWAPs).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he will assess the potential merits of allowing local authorities to roll over unspent Connect to Work funding into the following year. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Expenditure on Connect to Work is annualised in line with standard practice for managing public funds. To retain funding controls, my Department cannot automatically carry forward underspends into future years. As part of the Connect to Work Delivery Plan approval process, local areas must profile their programme activity for the entire funding period, broken down by financial year and by month within those years. This ensures that funding is aligned with planned delivery and performance milestones. My Department will have regular performance conversations with lead authorities for Connect to Work and will seek to support any area that may not be delivering against their profile and will seek to support any area that may not be delivering against their profile. This will include the opportunity to reprofile in year as part of the annual review process
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Margaret Mullane:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of silicosis among workers. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) uses the Surveillance of Work-related and Occupational Respiratory Disease (SWORD) database to monitor trends in cases of silicosis.

HSE uses SWORD data that is reported voluntarily by around 350 physicians of respiratory disease to monitor cases of silicosis arising from work activity. HSE continues to monitor the number of cases recorded on the SWORD database.

Over the period from January 2024 to October 2025 HSE has seen an increased trend in notifications of silicosis on SWORD. HSE will continue to work with trade associations, material suppliers and manufacturers of products about their legal responsibilities and will continue to carry out a range of activities to raise awareness.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Kate Osamor:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to increase take up of Pension Credit in Edmonton and Winchmore Hill constituency. \p Torsten Bell: The Government is committed to ensuring that all pensioners receive the support to which they are entitled. That is why we have been running the biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign, promoting Pension Credit to eligible pensioners and their family and friends through adverts on television and radio; on social media and on digital screens in GP surgeries and Post Offices, as well as in the press. The latest burst of the campaign began in September, and further promotional activity is planned until the end of the financial year.

We have also engaged with all councils in Great Britain, including Enfield Council, through regular Local Authority Welfare Direct bulletins on GOV.UK and targeted email communications. Councils have actively supported the campaign by promoting it on social media and distributing promotional materials, including posters and leaflets.

We are making better use of data to directly target potentially eligible households. Since February, all new Housing Benefit claimants who may be eligible have been invited to apply for Pension Credit. In September, the Department conducted a trial in partnership with Age UK and Independent Age targeting 2,000 households in England identified using HMRC and DWP data.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the impact of the 10% decrease in the number of Access to Work claims approved between March 2024 and March 2025 on the number of disabled people being supported into work. \p Sir Stephen Timms: While the number of people who were approved for any Access to Work provision was 61,670 in 2024/25, the number of customers in receipt of payment in 2024/25 increased to 74,190. As Access to Work awards are approved for up to three years, customers receiving payments in 2024/25 may have been approved for support at any point between 2021/22 and 2024/25.

In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of the Access to Work scheme. We also considered the role of employers in creating accessible and inclusive workplaces as well as how we can shape the market for aids, appliances and assistive technology, to reduce their cost and spread their adoption. We are considering responses to the consultation and will set out our plans in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department intends to respond to correspondence of 7 October 2025 from the hon. Member for Ely and East Cambridgeshire on supporting neurodivergent people into employment. \p Sir Stephen Timms: I replied to the Hon. Member on 25 November.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will break down the total £4.2 billion to flood defence spending in the Spending Review 2025 into capital and resource spending. \p Emma Hardy: As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, we are investing £4.2 billion over three years (2026/27 to 2028/29) to construct new flood and coastal erosion schemes and maintain and repair existing defences across the country.

This is £1.4 billion on average each year – a 5% increase on the current average of £1.33 billion over 2024/25 and 2025/26.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to protect swans from harm caused by catapults in Newbury constituency. \p Mary Creagh: The Government takes crimes against wildlife seriously, including those involving the use of catapults to cause harm to swans, in Newbury or anywhere else in the country.

Although catapults are not listed as prohibited weapons in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, within this legislation there are a range of offences around deliberate attempts to kill, injure or inflict harm on wild birds. The Government therefore believes sufficient legislation is already in place to protect them from targeted use of catapults.

Defra is also a principal funder of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) which helps prevent and detect wildlife crime by obtaining and disseminating intelligence, undertaking analysis which highlights local or national threats and directly assisting law enforcers in their investigations.

However, Defra recognises the misuse of catapults is causing great concern to some local communities and are working with the Home Office to find solutions to this problem with the aim of increasing protection to our wildlife from crimes involving these weapons.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to permit (a) commercial companies and (b) property developers to offer collection and reuse of non-drinkable rainwater. \p Emma Hardy: Defra are considering the recommendations set out in the Independent Water Commission including the ask for Government to work with regulators to develop a new policy and regulatory framework to drive the adoption of water re-use infrastructure in the household and non-household commercial market.

The Government recognises the benefits of water reuse within domestic properties through rainwater harvesting with the additional benefit of reduced demand on the sewerage system through attenuation of water within the system. Opportunities to harness these benefits will be considered as part of our review of Part H of the Building Regulations including the use of dual pipe systems providing both potable and treated, non-potable water which has the capacity of supplying rainwater, greywater and stormwater. The treated reused water can be used for non-drinking purposes such as toilet flushing, outdoor use and washing machines. Potable water is still supplied for human consumption, as well as other domestic uses such as showering and sinks.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of total length and number of ancient and historic rights of way not yet added to the national database; and what progress is expected to be made on recording them. \p Mary Creagh: The Government intends to repeal the 2031 cut-off date for recording historic rights of way. The legislative change to repeal the cut-off date will be enacted when parliamentary time allows. This will ensure that historic routes are not extinguished simply because an authority has not processed them in time and will give councils greater flexibility to deal with applications. It will also help prevent unrecorded public rights of way from being lost as a result of delays or backlogs.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people were prosecuted for fly tipping waste in England for each year from 2015 to date. \p Mary Creagh: Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping enforcement action, such as prosecutions, to Defra, which the department have published annually since 2012, Data for the 2024/25 reporting year is still being collected.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the annual budget was for (a) Natural England, (b) the Environment Agency, and (c) the Office for Environmental Protection in each year since 2005. \p Mary Creagh: The annual budget figures for Natural England, the Environment Agency, and the Office for Environmental Protection in each year since 2005 can be found as follows.

Natural England’s actual spend data can be found in their Annual Report and Accounts, which are published here: Natural England annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.

Environment Agency’s actual spend data can be found in their Annual Report and Accounts, which are published here: Environment Agency annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.

The Office for Environmental Protection’s actual spend data can be found in their Annual Report and Accounts, which are published here: Our reports and publications | Office for Environmental Protection.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the average value of fines issued for fly tipping offences in England was for each year from 2015 to date. \p Mary Creagh: For 2023/24, the average value of fly-tipping fixed penalty notices was £520, based on information provided by 139 councils. This is the first year such information was collected.

The average court fine was £530 in 2023/24. Data on court fines in previous years are available here.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made in developing an evidence base to consider whether decapods should have greater protection. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra has commissioned research to address a knowledge gap about how live decapods move from sea to plate. This is due to finish in 2026. In addition, a project on the welfare of decapod crustaceans across the supply chain is included in the Animal Welfare Committee’s current work plan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the cost to the public purse was of spending by (a) her Department and (b) Natural England on (i) the upland Brood Management Scheme and (ii) the Southern Reintroduction project; and how many hen harrier chicks fledged under each of those schemes. \p Mary Creagh: These programmes were created as part of the Joint Action Plan for the Recovery of the English Hen Harrier Population, put in place in 2016.

The Hen Harrier brood management trial and the Southern Reintroduction project were funded by Defra and led by Natural England as part of the Hen Harrier Action Plan. Natural England spent £80,800 over the five-year (2019-2023) brood management trial. During the trial 15 nests were brood-managed, and 58 chicks were subsequently released.

Natural England spent £572,272 on the Southern Reintroduction project between March 2021 and October 2025. No chicks fledged in this period. The decision was taken to close the Southern Reintroduction programme this year.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is paying the salary of the Second Permanent Secretary while he is on secondment to the Blavatnik School Of Government. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Nick Joicey is currently on secondment to a role at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University. As is standard for secondments Defra continues to pay Mr Joicey’s salary and Defra is being reimbursed by Oxford University for his role there.
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Stuart Andrew:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the potential economic impact of prohibiting poultry shows on (a) rural economies, (b) agricultural shows, (c) local businesses and (d) hobbyist breeders. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Regulation 6 of the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations 2006, as amended, sets out the legal basis for permitting gatherings (such as shows) of poultry or other captive birds. In England, a licence to hold a bird gathering may be granted by Defra if a veterinary risk assessment has been carried out, and if the gathering, including the movement of birds to and from it, would not significantly increase the risk of the transmission of avian influenza virus. Detailed risk assessments can be found on GOV.UK.

Any outbreak of notifiable avian disease has a significant impact on the UK poultry industry, through the trade and impacts on the bird keeper. Together, the Government and bird keepers must do everything we can to keep this disease out of kept bird flocks as there are limited effective actions that can be taken to prevent incursions of the disease through migratory wild birds or transmission between wild bird species.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with stakeholders on the potential impact of rural depopulation on land management, biodiversity and progress towards national climate targets. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Rural policy is a devolved matter. Defra regularly publishes statistics on a range of social and economic topics including rural population trends, and rural service provision in The Statistical Digest for Rural England.

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

Defra has not had specific discussions with rural stakeholders on the potential impact of rural depopulation on land management, biodiversity and progress towards national climate targets.
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Kerry McCarthy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has received recent representations on breaches of the Hunting Act 2004. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Enforcement of the Hunting Act is an operational matter for the police. Those found guilty under the Act are subject to the full force of the law.
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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to protect gene editing provisions in ongoing trade negotiations with the European Union. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Under the UK-EU Common Understanding, it is recognised that there will be areas where the UK will retain its own rules. The scope and detail of those areas are now part of ongoing negotiations. Throughout this process, we have been clear on the importance of maintaining the UK’s ability to regulate precision breeding in a way that supports innovation, gives farmers access to new tools, and upholds high standards of safety.

We continue to engage closely with stakeholders and devolved administrations to ensure that our approach reflects the best available scientific advice and maintains the UK’s position as a world leader in Agri-tech.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government will take to ensure that pet owners in Northern Ireland are not faced with increased cost or reduced access to familiar medicines following changes to veterinary medicine supply arrangements after 31 December 2025. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We appreciate that affordability and accessibility to obtain veterinary medicines for pet owners is of great importance. We also understand that online retailers may offer more affordable options. Through our extensive engagement across the supply chain, we have heard positive news from several pharmaceutical companies on their commitments not to raise prices. Also, through our engagements, we are aware of multiple companies who are either already established in Northern Ireland or are planning to set up as online retailers in Northern Ireland. This is expected to ensure medicines remain available through these online channels. We are also working to ensure that the Veterinary Medicine Internal Market Scheme operates in a way that reflects how consumers obtain medicines at present.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what direct engagement the Veterinary Medicines Directorate has undertaken with frontline veterinary practices in Northern Ireland to support practical preparedness for the end of the veterinary medicines grace period on 31 December 2025. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Our stakeholder engagement continues to be extensive. In addition to recent in person meetings in Northern Ireland and webinars planned for the end of November, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate meet monthly with wholesalers based in Northern Ireland and relevant industry bodies such as the British Veterinary Association, Northern Ireland Veterinary Association and the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practicing in Northern Ireland. Through these channels we have been able to address issues and concerns that stakeholders are facing which is reflected in the guidance that was recently updated.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that veterinary practices and farm businesses in Northern Ireland receive advance notification of changes to the availability of veterinary medicines. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Guidance was issued in a timely manner; first published in June and updated in October and November. Updated guidance included specific references to vets and Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs).

Continued access to veterinary medicines for Northern Ireland is a government priority and the department will continue to engage extensively with stakeholders across the supply chain regarding the supply of veterinary medicines beyond 2025. This includes the Veterinary Medicines Working Group, in person in Northern Ireland and through meetings with industry bodies and businesses, including vets and farming businesses. Where it concerns key industry bodies, such as the Northern Ireland Veterinary Association, we have established regular meetings into the new year.

The published guidance targets the full sector breadth, including specific information for farmers and vets. Defra will host webinars later this month and intend to provide further information on products suitable for the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme next month.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what arrangements are being put in place to ensure clear and timely public communication to farmers and pet owners in Northern Ireland on any changes to the availability or prescribing of veterinary medicines after 31 December 2025. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Government has been taking steps to support businesses and end-users in preparation ahead of 1 January. This includes communications to the farming sector and pet owners. In addition to guidance, we published a manual with specific information for pet owners and farmers. We also visited Northern Ireland in early November and met several stakeholders, and much feedback is that many businesses are in a good place for the 1 January. Planned engagement over the next month via webinars will provide further information.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure cross-departmental decision-making between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the Northern Ireland Office in the implementation of the Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme and the Veterinary Medicines Health Situations Scheme from 1 January 2026. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Cross-departmental decision-making arrangements are an internal Government matter.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how the proposed changes to veterinary medicines supply routes will impact the ability of pet owners in Northern Ireland to fill veterinary prescriptions from online veterinary pharmacies when online pharmacies delivering veterinary medicines are located in Great Britain. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We appreciate that accessibility to obtain veterinary medicines for pet owners is of great importance. Through our extensive engagements, we are aware of multiple companies who are either already established in Northern Ireland or are planning to set up as online retailers in Northern Ireland. This is expected to ensure medicines remain available through these online channels. We are also working to ensure that the Veterinary Medicine Internal Market Scheme operates in a way that reflects how consumers obtain medicines at present.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps are being taken to ensure that Northern Ireland producers are not placed at a structural disadvantage relative to counterparts in Great Britain as a result of the new veterinary medicines supply arrangements. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We appreciate that accessibility to obtain veterinary medicines for pet owners is of great importance. Through our extensive engagements, we are aware of multiple companies who are either already established in Northern Ireland or are planning to set up as online retailers in Northern Ireland. This is expected to ensure medicines remain available through these online channels. We are also working to ensure that the Veterinary Medicine Internal Market Scheme operates in a way that reflects how consumers obtain medicines at present.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_32

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to update the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 in response to the provisional recommendations of the CMA veterinary services for household pets investigation. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra has noted the CMA’s Provisional Decision Report and the recommendations it makes with regards to the veterinary sector, including reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA). Additionally, Defra acknowledges the calls from industry, other stakeholders, and the public to update the VSA and the many potential benefits of doing so.

Defra officials have been actively engaging across all areas of potential reform with key stakeholders, including the CMA, British Veterinary Association (BVA), the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), and the Vet Schools Council (VSC), to review opportunities for reform of the sector.

When the CMA’s final report is published in Spring 2026, Defra will consider any remedies with regards to VSA reform.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_33

Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate has been made of the average time to clear fly tipping by local authorities in England from 2015 to date. \p Mary Creagh: Local authorities are not required to provide data to Defra on the average time to clear fly-tipping, therefore no estimate has been made.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_34

Rebecca Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the the amount of smoke pollution caused by wildfires in the UK in (a) 2024 and (b) in 2025; and if she will make a statement. \p Emma Hardy: The estimates for emissions from wildfires in 2024 will be published in February 2026, and the estimates for 2025 will be published in February 2027.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_35

Tonia Antoniazzi:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the impairment fee under the extended producer responsibility scheme on future impairment costs. \p Mary Creagh: The impairment provision is based on the bad debt experience of Defra with charging schemes that are most similar to pEPR, whilst taking into consideration the large values of some of our Notice of Liabilities. It will be subject to regular review based on past, current and future customer payment behaviours. To minimise the impairment and provide transparency, PackUK intends to collect debt rigorously but fairly and will review the impairment provision at least quarterly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_36

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to reform water sector regulation to help tackle (a) water pollution, (b) water scarcity and (c) long-term infrastructure resilience. \p Emma Hardy: The Government will respond to the recommendations in full via a White Paper, published later this year. The White Paper will outline the Government’s vision for the future of the water sector, marking the most fundamental reset to our water system in a generation.

Following this there will be a new water reform bill, which we will introduce during this Parliament, bringing forward root and branch reform to secure better outcomes for customers, and the environment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_37

Kerry McCarthy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that trail hunting is not used as a cover for the illegal hunting of wild mammals with dogs. \p Dame Angela Eagle: This Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting in line with our manifesto commitment. Work to determine the best approach for doing so is ongoing and we will consult on how to deliver a ban in the new year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_38

James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, the total number of assessed MoD data breaches since July 2025. \p Al Carns: 201 personal data breaches were assessed between 1 July 2025 and 23 November 2025 by security personnel and subjected to an initial security risk assessment. Any further action would be taken on a proportionate basis. No data incidents between those dates were assessed as meeting the threshold for reporting to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_39

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will disclose the total figure in monetary terms that his Department will spend on day-to-day costs in the (a) current financial year and (b) next financial year. \p Luke Pollard: The MOD's day to day spending is reflected in its Resource Departmental Expenditure Limits (RDEL).

The MOD's RDEL planned settlements for 2025-26 and 2026-27 have been set out as part of the Spending Review. These were £38.6 billion for 2025-26 and £39.6 billion for 2026-27.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_40

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the statement by the Chief of the Air Staff in the foreword to the 2025 Royal International Air Tattoo programme on the number of major equipment programmes planned for the next 15 years. \p Luke Pollard: The Chief of the Air Staff's comments highlighted the critical role of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and the ongoing investment in modern ISR platforms for the RAF with cutting edge technology. The Government is taking steps to ensure we have the right blend of novel and traditional technologies, including with a £400 million UKDI fund and 10% novel tech ringfence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_41

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential for delays to orders of new investments in (a) defence equipment, (b) weaponry and (c) infrastructure in the (a) current financial year and (b) next financial year. \p Luke Pollard: As part of routine Departmental planning processes, both for in-year and future years spend, The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continually reviews balance of priorities against available funding. The MOD remains focused on delivering the priorities set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). A full ten-year plan on how the MOD will deliver the vision of the SDR will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan, which will be published later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_42

Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer to question 86550 answered on 7 November 2025, whether he will publish the dates of meetings that took place between his Department and the Home Office to enable the establishment of MILLWEC as an alternative to SACMILL. \p Luke Pollard: The Surgeon General advised the Executive Committee of the Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons (SACMILL) which includes Home Office representation, of the Public Bodies Review at a meeting in December 2024. A series of meetings were held between Ministry of Defence and Home Office officials between January 2025 and October 2025. This included representatives from Public Bodies teams and the Cabinet Office and enabled the establishment of an alternative mechanism within the Home Office.

As outlined in the previous response, the closure of SACMILL is an important step in Defence’s Arm’s length Body reform journey and the closure and standing up of MILLWEC was agreed by Ministerial write round.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_43

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether a survey or other feedback provision has been conducted on the implementation of Defence Reform. \p Luke Pollard: We have actively engaged personnel throughout the Defence Reform activity to build awareness and understanding across the Department. The July 2025 Internal Communications survey showed that 76% of respondents had some level of awareness of the reform activity. Feedback is captured through established mechanisms, including the annual People Survey and the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS). These provide comprehensive data on how personnel are responding to reform activity and wider organisational change. Results will be reviewed when published in December 2025. Listening to feedback from both military and civilian personnel remains central to ensuring the reform activity delivers its full potential in strengthening defence capability.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_44

James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many notices to quit have been issued by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to service families in Service Family Accommodation properties in the UK in each month since January 2023. \p Luke Pollard: The Defence Infrastructure Organisation does not issue Notices to Quit to Service families living in Service Family Accommodation. Instead, it issues Notices to Vacate to Service personnel.

Notices to Quit are only issued – where and when appropriate – to civilian sublet tenants, Afghan Resettlement Programme tenants, and farming tenants occupying Ministry of Defence properties and land.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_45

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has extended the deadline for signing the Army Collective Training Service contract. \p Luke Pollard: The competition for the Army's Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP) remains ongoing and is currently in the final stages. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment further.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-26 conversation_46

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Type 45 Destroyers will DragonFire be installed on in 2027. \p Luke Pollard: Initially, DragonFire, a state-of-the-art laser weapon, will enhance the capabilities of the Type 45 fleet with the first DragonFire unit being delivered in 2027.