theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many farms he has visited since 30 October 2024. \p Daniel Zeichner: Ministers visit farms and other food production premises regularly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to reduce the number of dogs permitted to travel across international borders to three per non-commercial vehicle. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government is supporting the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill. The Bill will close loopholes in the non-commercial pet travel rules that are abused by unscrupulous traders by reducing the number of dogs, cats and ferrets that can enter Great Britain in one non-commercial movement to five per vehicle or three per foot or air passenger.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_85

Ben Lake:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Equidae were recorded as leaving the UK via (a) Dover, (b) Cairnryan, (c) Holyhead, (d) Harwich and (e) other ports since the ban on live exports to slaughter and fattening was brought into force. \p Daniel Zeichner: The table below contains the number of Export Health Certificates (EHC) dispatched for the export of Equidae from 22/07/2024 to date.

Each EHC issued is for the export of one equine. The point of exit and purpose of movement are not recorded as the Export Health Certificate Online System (EHCO) does not capture that information.

Date

Number of EHCs Dispatched for the Export of Equines

2024

Jul

904

Aug

2307

Sep

2342

Oct

3334

Nov

2422

Dec

1714

Total

13023

2025

Jan

xx-xxxx-xxxx

Feb

1739

Mar

1948

Apr

1451

Total

6835

Grand Total

19858
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether new funding streams will be available to support flood prevention measures in Great Yarmouth constituency. \p Emma Hardy: Delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change, this government is investing a record £2.65 billion over two years, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, for the construction of new flood schemes, and the maintenance and repair of existing ones. With this funding, 1,000 flood schemes have been or will continue to be supported, better protecting 52,000 properties by March 2026.

This year (2025-2026): Great Yarmouth Flood Defences (Epoch 3) is receiving £1,968,000 and Great Yarmouth Flood Defence Scheme Works £730,000. The full list of schemes receiving investment this year has been published online.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support research into natural defences against unwanted vegetation in public places. \p Emma Hardy: One of the actions Defra introduced in the recently launched UK Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP) is to gather more data on pest, weed and disease management in the amateur and amenity sectors. This will allow for a better understanding of pesticide use, the sectors’ contribution to overall pesticide load on the environment, and how widespread integrated pest management (IPM) approaches are currently. IPM aims to reduce reliance on pesticides by making use of lower risk alternatives and promoting natural processes.

Last year Defra completed an evidence review to understand better the barriers to IPM uptake in the amenity sector. In the wake of this review, Defra recently funded an update to the Integrated Weed Management guide produced by Parks for London. This will be published this year and will be available online, providing access to key tools to help amenity managers control weeds effectively and sustainably.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Suella Braverman:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of increases to wastewater charges made by Southern Water. \p Emma Hardy: For too long, investment has not kept pace with the challenges of an ageing infrastructure system, a rapidly growing population and climate change. Now whilst it is never wanted, bills will therefore now need to rise to invest in our crumbling infrastructure and deliver cleaner waterways.

As the independent economic regulator, Ofwat independently scrutinise water company business plans, including Southern Water’s, and ensure the prices water companies charge their customers are fair and proportionate. Ofwat published their final determinations for Price Review 2024 on 19 December, which sets company expenditure and customer bills for 2025-2030.

The Government is committed to taking action to address water poverty and help vulnerable customers with their water bills. All water companies have measures in place for customers who struggle to pay for their water and wastewater services, including measures such as WaterSure, social tariffs, payment breaks and holidays, and debt management support.

Furthermore, we expect companies to hold themselves accountable for their public commitment to end water poverty by 2030 and will work with the sector to ensure appropriate measures are taken to this end.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Minister has made an assessment of the merits of adopting a Nature Inclusive Design as a standard requirement for offshore projects to (a) boost marine biodiversity and (b) create jobs in coastal communities. \p Emma Hardy: Defra recognises the potential for nature-inclusive design (NID) to have a positive environmental benefit when used in suitable areas of the marine environment. However, we are developing Marine Net Gain policy to deliver further positive environmental enhancement which could incorporate the use of NID and consider its wider benefits.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing higher penalties for the failure of water companies to adequately (a) monitor and (b) report on sewage spills. \p Emma Hardy: For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas.

Since 1 January 2025, water companies have been required to publish data related to discharges from all storm overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. The Secretary of State has authorised Ofwat to carry out enforcement action for this duty, in accordance with the powers conferred under sections 18 and 141DA (4) of the Water Industry Act 1991. Ofwat’s enforcement powers provide for a wide range of enforcement activity, including substantial penalties.

Ofwat is monitoring compliance with the duty to report relevant data in real time. Where it detects non-compliance, it will take appropriate enforcement action. In addition to this, the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 has introduced an equivalent duty for water companies to publish data related to discharges from all emergency overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. Once commenced, this duty will be enforced in the same way.

The Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, will make recommendations to shape further action to transform how our water system works and clean up our waterways for good. A public Call for Evidence closed on 23 April, with all interested parties invited to share their views. The review's final recommendations will be published and shared with the UK and Welsh Governments this summer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the number of sewage discharges into waterbodies in Tiverton and Minehead constituency; and what steps he is taking to ensure that companies are accountable for those spills. \p Emma Hardy: For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas.

That is why we are placing water companies under special measures through the Water (Special Measures) Act. The Act will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector.

Storm Overflows are strictly regulated by the Environment Agency (EA). Where breaches are found, EA will not hesitate to hold companies to account.

The Tiverton and Minehead constituency is served by both South West Water and Wessex Water. As part of Price Review 2024 (PR24), which runs from 2025–2030, water companies will be delivering record levels of investment. This includes South West Water delivering £764 million and Wessex Water delivering £580 million of investment on storm overflows, continuous water quality monitoring, and event duration monitoring.

Beyond the Water (Special Measures) Act, we are also carrying out a full review of the water sector. The Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, will make recommendations to shape further action to transform how our water system works and clean up our waterways for good. A public Call for Evidence closed on 23 April, with all interested parties invited to share their views. The review's final recommendations will be published and shared with the UK and Welsh Governments this summer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the steps wind energy developers are taking to incorporate nature-inclusive design as standard in offshore wind infrastructure. \p Emma Hardy: Defra recognises the potential for nature-inclusive design (NID) to have a positive environmental benefit when used in suitable areas of the marine environment. Developers must already follow the mitigation hierarchy to avoid, minimise, mitigate, and compensate for their impacts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of The Environmental Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) (England) Regulations 2023 in achieving reductions in concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in ambient air. \p Emma Hardy: The revised Environmental Improvement Plan is due to include further details on fine particulate matter targets set under the Environment Act 2021.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department issues guidance to the Environment Agency on holding meetings with hon. Members during a pre-election period. \p Emma Hardy: The Cabinet Office publishes guidance to civil servants in UK Government departments and staff and members of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) and other arm’s-length bodies (ALBs) on their role and conduct during pre-election periods. The most recent guidance was updated on 20 March 2025 ahead of the May 2025 local elections.

Environment Agency (EA) staff follow this guidance to ensure that their activities do not call into question their political impartiality.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent overseas private equity investment in Thames Water. \p Emma Hardy: There are no plans to introduce any such legislation at this time.

More broadly, the Independent Water Commission is actively considering whether reforms are needed across the water industry, including with respect to economic regulation of water companies. Within this, the Commission is considering regulation of water companies’ financial resilience, investment and competition. The Commission is expected to publish its recommendations, following which the Government expects to bring forward further actions to ensure the water industry is delivering for customers and the environment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the emissions reductions required in (a) agriculture, (b) land use and (c) waste to deliver the sixth carbon budget. \p Mary Creagh: The extent of emissions reductions required by Defra sectors in order to deliver the Government’s overall Carbon Budgets is determined by a cross-Government decision making process led by DESNZ. Underpinning this is the UKTM (UK Times Model).

This takes assumptions on the ‘baseline’ trajectory for emissions informed by the annual Emissions and Energy Projections and seeks to determine what interventions can achieve the lowest cost pathway to achieving Net Zero, accounting for the Government’s energy and growth plans.

The Carbon Budget Delivery Plan provides the specific estimates on the extent of emissions reductions required in Defra sectors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of increased water bills on Thames Water customers in (a) Tooting and (b) other areas. \p Emma Hardy: For too long, investment has not kept pace with the challenges of an ageing infrastructure system, a rapidly growing population and climate change. Bills will therefore now need to rise to invest in our crumbling infrastructure and deliver cleaner waterways.

Ofwat’s five-yearly ‘price review’ sets the price, investment and service package for water companies in England and Wales. Ofwat published their final determinations for Price Review 2024 on 19 December, which sets company expenditure and customer bills for 2025-2030. This will deliver substantial, lasting, improvements for customers and the environment through a £104bn upgrade for the water sector.

Government expects water companies to put robust support in place for customers that are struggling to pay their bills. These include bill discount schemes such as WaterSure and Social Tariffs as well as financial support measures to assist households to better manage their budgets and provide flexible payments including payment holidays, payment matching, benefit entitlement checks and money/debt advice referral arrangements.

The Government expects industry to keep the current support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers across the country are supported. Bills must remain affordable, and customers cannot be expected to pay the price for years of underperformance in the past.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Harpreet Uppal:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to improve enforcement powers against water companies that repeatedly discharge untreated sewage. \p Emma Hardy: For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas.

That is why we have placed water companies under special measures through the Water (Special Measures) Act. The Act will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. This includes new powers for Ofwat to ban unjustified bonuses, and for the Environment Agency to impose automatic penalties and recover costs for a much greater range of enforcement activities.

The Environment Agency is also increasing its regulatory officers, data analysts and enforcement specialists who deal with pollution. They are using new digital tools and data sources, including from storm overflow monitors to identify offences and take enforcement action.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to regulate water abstraction rates to sustainable levels in chalk stream catchment areas. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency takes action where water abstraction is adversely impacting the water environment.

Implementation of the Water Industry Natural Environment Programme between now and 2030 will result in an additional £170 million being invested by water companies to improve river flows in chalk streams.

In June, the Environment Agency will launch an update to the Water Resource National Framework. This update includes placing chalk streams environmental needs at the centre of long-term water resource planning decision making. Investment in national water resource infrastructure and water demand management will be needed to secure sustainable water abstraction in chalk streams.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of funding further research into the long-term health impacts of chemicals in period products. \p Emma Hardy: We work across Government, with stakeholders and with UKRI to identify the most pressing research priorities to understand the potential harms from chemicals, and opportunities to take action on them. Potential further research into the long-term health impacts of chemicals in period products would be considered in this context.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that the Environment Agency responds to requests from the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent on battery safety at Cleve Hill Solar Park. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency works closely with the department at every level to ensure that the Environment Agency maintains high standards of delivery for stakeholders and the public, including when handling correspondence. Members of Parliament are encouraged to deal directly with the Environment Agency on day-to-day operational matters.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to monitor the responsiveness of the Environment Agency to enquiries from hon. Members. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency works closely with the department at every level to ensure that the Environment Agency maintains high standards of delivery for stakeholders and the public, including when handling correspondence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of introducing mandatory nature reporting on nature. \p Emma Hardy: The government is committed to deliver for nature, taking action to meet our Environment Act targets, to restore and protect our natural world.

Annual Progress reports on the Environmental Improvement Plan and the Outcome Indicator Framework assess progress towards achieving Environment Act targets and whether the natural environment has, or particular aspects of it have, improved during the reporting period.

The 25 Year Environment Plan Outcome Indicator Framework (link: Outcome Indicator Framework for the 25 Year Environment Plan) collectively describes environmental changes as related to the 10 goals of government’s Environmental Improvement Plan. The Outcome Indicator Framework was first published in 2019 and is updated on a yearly basis showing the changes and trends over time.
wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_104
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department’s policies of the Environment Agency’s 2024 Event Duration Monitoring dataset, published in March 2025. \p Emma Hardy: For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas.

The Environment Agency published its annual Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) data on 27 March 2025, which set out details of storm overflow spills in 2024. The regulators are assessing this data and will not let companies get away with illegal activity; where breaches are found, they will not hesitate to hold companies to account.

Since 1 January 2025, water companies are required to publish data related to discharges from all storm overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 introduces a duty for water companies to publish data related to discharges from all emergency overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. This will match the pre-existing duty for storm overflows.

The Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, will make recommendations to shape further action to transform how our water system works and clean up our waterways for good. A public Call for Evidence closed on 23 April, with all interested parties invited to share their views. The review's final recommendations will be published and shared with the UK and Welsh Governments this summer.

This forms the next stage in the Government’s approach to ensuring we have a sufficiently robust and stable regulatory framework to attract the investment needed to clean up our waterways, speed up infrastructure delivery to support house building and restore public confidence in the sector.

Looking forward, the government is also committed to taking a systematic approach to improving drainage and wastewater systems. This means looking at the bigger picture – how these systems affect the environment, local communities, and other key priorities like flood prevention, economic growth, and urban development. By doing this, we can make sure policies and services work better together to deliver real benefits for people and nature.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to criminalise the failure to prevent dumping of sewage into public waterways by water companies. \p Emma Hardy: For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas.

Storm Overflows are strictly regulated by the Environment Agency (EA). Where breaches are found, EA will not hesitate to hold companies to account.

The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, signed into law on 24 February, marks the most significant increase in the water industry regulators’ enforcement powers in a decade. The Act increases criminal liability for water executives who break the law. It also delivers new powers for Ofwat to make rules to ban the payment of bonuses for water bosses where water companies fail to meet specified standards, including standards in relation to the environment, and requires water and sewerage companies to develop statutory Pollution Incident Reduction Plans, driving increased transparency and a stronger preventative approach.

Beyond this new legislation, we are also carrying out a full review of the water sector. The Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, will make recommendations to shape further action to transform how our water system works and clean up our waterways for good. A public Call for Evidence closed on 23 April, with all interested parties invited to share their views. The review's final recommendations will be published and shared with the UK and Welsh Governments this summer.

The government is also committed to taking a systematic approach to improving drainage and wastewater systems. This means looking at the bigger picture – how these systems affect the environment, local communities, and other key priorities like flood prevention, economic growth, and urban development. By doing this, we can make sure policies and services work better together to deliver real benefits for people and nature.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_106

Satvir Kaur:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help reduce (a) plastic pollution, (b) other litter and (c) fuel pollution in (i) rivers, (ii) streams and (iii) seas. \p Emma Hardy: Cleaning up England’s rivers, lakes and seas is a top Government priority. That is why we are placing water companies under special measures through the Water (Special Measures) Act. The Act will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector.

Urban diffuse pollution including highways drainage accounts for 18% of water quality failures. Highways drainage may contain polluting substances from fuel, oil and tyre wear. The Environment Agency is supporting National Highways in their mitigation of high-risk outfalls and is working with them on joint incident response strategies to minimise risk from road traffic accidents.

The Environment Agency assesses every reported pollution incident and where serious or significant pollution is suspected Officers will attend to investigate and minimise pollution. It will also investigate any serious offending and takes appropriate action under its enforcement and sanctions policy. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environment-agency-enforcement-and-sanctions-policy/environment-agency-enforcement-and-sanctions-policy

The Government is also working domestically and internationally to implement measures that will prevent plastic and other litter from reaching the environment.

Furthermore, the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers will introduce a redeemable deposit on single-use in-scope drinks containers which can be claimed back by customers when the empty container is returned. DRS will reduce litter, increase recycling rates, create high quality recyclate for producers, and promote a circular economy.

Littering is a crime that blights communities and the environment. This Government is considering what further steps are needed to help local authorities reduce litter and thus prevent it from entering and damaging our waterways and ecosystems.

Marine litter and plastic pollution are transboundary problems, which is why the UK is calling for an ambitious international agreement to end plastic pollution by 2040 and working with our closest neighbours to implement the OSPAR Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to improve (a) public access, (b) environmental protections and (c) biodiversity enhancement for (i) rivers, (ii) lakes and (iii) other inland waterways. \p Emma Hardy: The government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors including blue spaces for people’s health and wellbeing and is working to ensure this is safe and appropriate. We are currently developing policy working closely with key stakeholders to improve access to nature, in line with our ambitious manifesto commitments to create nine new national river walks and three new national forests in England. This includes access onto unregulated inland waterways, taking account of environmental protection and biodiversity enhancement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Valerie Vaz:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what Rural Payments Schemes are available to (a) farmers and (b) rural businesses in the next financial year; and how much has been paid out under those schemes in this financial year. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra operates a page on gov.uk, “Funding for farmers, growers and land managers” ( https://www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-for-farmers ). This page advises about grants and other funding currently open or opening soon and includes links to the relevant scheme or grant webpage.

The farming blog published on Wednesday 12th March set out Defra’s spend for 24/25 and 25/26 split across the Farming and Countryside Programme schemes.

Defra manages the farming budget flexibly to respond to demand, and achieve our intended outcomes for farm productivity, environment, climate and animal health and welfare.

In line with its obligations under the Agriculture Act 2020, Defra regularly publishes an annual report, setting out commitments in the previous financial year.

Separately, the Rural England Prosperity Fund funds capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure in rural areas. The REPF provided £110 million of funding to eligible local authorities between 2023 and 2025. Additional funding of up to £33 million will be available in 2025/26.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to replace the Sustainable Farming Incentive in this financial year. \p Daniel Zeichner: We will provide further details about the reformed SFI in summer 2025.
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Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he will publish the outcome of the 2024 Fairer Food Labelling Consultation. \p Daniel Zeichner: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central, Gareth Snell on 23 December 2024, PQ UIN 20692.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how the funding for the Dover Port Health Authority 2025-26 will be spent. \p Daniel Zeichner: The funding for Dover Port Health Authority for 2025-26 has been allocated. Discussions with Dover Port Health Authority on the detailed use of funding are ongoing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the funding for the Dover Port Health Authority 2025-26 covers the cost of vets. \p Daniel Zeichner: The funding allocated to Dover Port Health Authority for 2025-26 does not cover the costs of Official Veterinarians.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what tonnage of meat was seized by Dover Port Health Authority between January and March in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025. \p Daniel Zeichner: Seizure reports provided by Dover Port Health Authority are as follows:

(a)Jan-March 2023: 7.1 tonnes

(b)Jan-March 2024: 16.7 tonnes

(c)Jan-March 2025: 61.1 tonnes

Total is 84.94 tonnes (Rounded to 1 decimal place)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on when the Animal Welfare Committee will start work on its project on the welfare of decapod crustaceans in the supply chain. \p Daniel Zeichner: A project on the “welfare of decapod crustaceans across the supply chain in the UK” is included in the Animal Welfare Committee work plan (available on the AWC website).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to ban the use of (a) cages for (i) laying hens and (ii) other animals and (b) close confinement systems for (A) sows and calves and (B) other animals in farming environments. \p Daniel Zeichner: We remain firmly committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare and want to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards.

The use of cages and other close confinement systems for farmed animals is an issue which we are currently considering very carefully.
wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_116
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_116

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the funding for Dover Port Health Authority 2025-26 will be paid in instalments. \p Daniel Zeichner: The funding for Dover Port Health Authority for 2025-26 has been allocated. Discussions with Dover Port Health Authority on the detailed use of funding are ongoing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_117

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the budget is for the Farming and Countryside Programme for 2025-26 by category in Annex 1 of the Farming and Countryside Programme annual report 2023 to 2024, published on 10 September 2024. \p Daniel Zeichner: The farming blog published on Wednesday 12th March set out Defra’s spend for 24/25 and 25/26 split across the Farming and Countryside Programme schemes.

Defra manages the farming budget flexibly to respond to demand, and achieve our intended outcomes for farm productivity, environment, climate and animal health and welfare.

In line with its obligations under the Agriculture Act 2020, Defra regularly publishes an annual report, setting out commitments in the previous financial year.
wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_118
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_118

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to grant local authorities the power to issue conditional fixed penalty notices for non-compliance with microchipping regulations for dogs and cats. \p Daniel Zeichner: We will keep under review whether to grant local authorities the power to issue conditional fixed penalty notices for non-compliance with microchipping regulations for dogs and cats.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_119

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to publish best practice guidance for local authorities on enforcing the requirement for all cats and dogs to be microchipped. \p Daniel Zeichner: Under the Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023, both cats and dogs are required to be microchipped. There are no current plans to publish best practice guidance on enforcing the requirement for all cats and dogs to be microchipped and we will continue to keep this under review.

Local authorities and police have powers to enforce breaches of the Regulation. It will be for each local authority to determine on a case-by-case basis whether enforcement action is proportionate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_120

Ben Lake:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with counterparts in the Welsh Government on improving equine identification and traceability. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government recognises the importance of engaging with Devolved Governments on a regular basis. Defra officials hold regular monthly meetings with Welsh Government to discuss improvements to equine identification and traceability; there is also an open channel of communication between officials to deal with shared issues in a timely manner.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_121

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many (a) phones, (b) laptops and (c) other electronic devices have been lost by their Department since 5 July 2024. \p Stephanie Peacock: The following table includes the number of lost/stolen devices in the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) from 5 July 2024 to 24 April 2025

Breakdown of department-issued equipment type

Lost/Stolen

Mobile phones

30

Laptops

10

Other electronic devices

0

Lost and Stolen devices are not replaced on an individual basis, all assets are managed as part of a pooled resource model and replenished as part of their end to end lifecycle.

All departmental IT has device encryption enabled, at rest and is fully security encrypted, to prevent unauthorised access.

The departmental security unit, records and investigates each reported loss from the department. If appropriate, the police are invited to undertake further inquiries.

Any mobile device reported as lost is immediately deactivated and the contents deleted. The user account on any laptop reported as lost is immediately deactivated and remotely locked.

There has been no data loss or compromise resulting from these losses.
wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_122
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_122

Chris Bloore:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many youth centres were closed in England between 2010 and 2024. \p Stephanie Peacock: DCMS does not hold the data requested. Local Authorities have a statutory duty to ‘secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people’. This is funded from the Local Government settlement, which is almost £69 billion this year (FY 25/26).

This government recognises the value of youth centres and youth services, and has committed to co-producing a new National Youth Strategy. This is an opportunity to move away from one-size-fits all approaches from central government, bringing power back to young people and their communities and rebuilding a thriving and sustainable sector. We plan to publish the strategy in the summer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_123

Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to increase youth participation in (a) civil society and (b) sport. \p Stephanie Peacock: DCMS is committed to the inclusion of young people in civil society, particularly through youth social action and youth voice. DCMS funds the direct youth participation programme #iwill, which supports young people to engage in social action in their communities. DCMS also encourages participation through other funded programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh and the Uniformed Youth Fund. We are developing a National Youth Strategy and this is an opportunity to look afresh at youth participation in volunteering and civil society.

The Government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity for every child to access high-quality sport and physical activity, especially those who are less likely to be active. The majority of our funding for grassroots sport is through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England - which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year to improve opportunities for local communities to access sport, including children and young people. The Government has also confirmed funding for the School Games Organisers network up to the end of the Financial Year 25/26, which provides over 2 million opportunities for school children to engage in local and inclusive sporting competitions across 40 different sports and activities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_124

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she had made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of 3G football pitches on the environment. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government is aware of the potential impacts which 3G, or Artificial Grass Pitches (AGPs), have on the environment. The most prominent of these impacts relates to the spread of rubber infill (also known as ‘rubber crumb’) - which contains harmful microplastics - from 3G pitches, into the environment.

It is also important to note though that AGPs currently play a crucial role in getting more people active across the UK. They provide durable, safe, year-round playing surfaces which can sustain up to 80 hours of use per week - significantly more than grass pitches, helping more people to access the benefits of physical activity.

While, currently, there is no clear alternative to rubber crumb, DCMS continues to work closely with DEFRA and the wider sector to help identify a viable long-term solution. This includes the Sheffield Hub Test Site, where the Football Foundation are leading research to pilot a number of alternative infills which have a lower environmental impact, while still delivering safe, high-quality facilities for people to take part in physical activity.

Sport England is also committed to working with partners to mandate - through grant conditions - that Artificial Grass Pitches (AGPs) are recycled when reaching their end of life. To support this, Sport England continues to work with relevant industry partners to increase recycling capacity available to sports providers across the country.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_125

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to review funding criteria for sports organisations that do not comply with the legal definition of sex as biological under the Equality Act 2010. \p Stephanie Peacock: We have always been clear that, when it comes to women's sport, biology matters. We will continue to support sports to develop policies that protect fairness and safety, particularly when it is not possible to balance those factors with inclusion.

In terms of gender eligibility, National Governing Bodies set their own policies for who can participate in their sports in domestic competitions. Our Sports Councils produce guidance to provide domestic sports bodies with the framework and support to determine the right position for their sport. Our Sports Councils are consulting with legal experts to clarify whether the Supreme Court ruling affects the guidance. The outcome of this will feed into their timescale for a planned wider review of the guidance.

Alongside this, sports need to come up with approaches to ensure everyone has the opportunity to take part somehow - and I know that sporting bodies will be considering this in light of the Supreme Court decision.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_126

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what (a) religious and (b) cultural holidays are observed by their Department. \p Stephanie Peacock: The UK Civil Service only formally observes the government-set bank holidays.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_127

Sir Christopher Chope:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with the organisers of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on requiring targeted hygiene protocols. \p Stephanie Peacock: DCMS officials are in regular contact with the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company (OC).

The OC has confirmed it is developing health and medical plans for the Games as part of ongoing event planning, in line with statutory regulations. It has engaged with medical providers and public health agencies and is establishing a Medical and Public Health Working Group to develop this work with partners.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_128

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she plans to respond to Question 39497 on Veterans: Anniversaries, tabled on 19 March 2025. \p Stephanie Peacock: Answers were provided to the Hon Member on 25th April. I apologise for the delay.