theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of electric shock collars on the welfare of livestock. \p Dame Angela Eagle: All livestock are protected by comprehensive and robust animal health and welfare legislation: the Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it an offence either to cause any captive animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for the welfare needs of the animal; and The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 set down detailed requirements on how farmed livestock should be kept. Defra also has a series of statutory species-specific welfare codes, which farmers are required by law to have access to and be familiar with, which encourage high standards of husbandry.

We have considered the Animal Welfare Committee’s opinion on the welfare implications of using virtual fencing systems on livestock, where livestock are fitted with electronic collars as part of a system for containing, monitoring and moving livestock. We are taking account of the Committee’s advice and plan to revise the Code of Practice for the welfare of cattle accordingly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of breeding brachycephalic animals on animal welfare; and what steps her Department is taking to raise public awareness of health issues faced by those animals. \p Dame Angela Eagle: To provide a detailed scientific view on the range of issues faced by breeding dogs and cats, the Department commissioned two independent Opinions from the Animal Welfare Committee (AWC). One Opinion assessed the welfare implications of specialised canine reproductive practices, and one on the welfare implications of current and emergent feline breeding practices. The Government welcomes the AWC’s Opinions and is carefully considering their recommendations.

Defra also supports the work of the UK Brachycephalic Working Group which is comprised of academia, the veterinary profession and leading animal charities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Terry Jermy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people with disabilities were employed in his Department on 2 September 2025. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Information on the number of people declaring a disability by each Government department are published annually as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. Latest published data are as at 31 March 2025 and can be found at Table 29 of the statistical tables at the following web address:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2025

Information for 31 March 2026 is due for publication in July 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Robbie Moore:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to which organisations his Department has allocated discretionary grants for the 2026-27 financial year. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We have allocated discretionary grants to a wide range of organisations for 2026/27.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to hold discussions with the Animal and Plant Health Agency on their ability to respond to category five animal disease outbreaks. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency regularly discuss capacity and capability to manage disease outbreaks at a variety of governance boards including the Outbreak Readiness Board and the Disease Emergency Response Committee.

APHA has dealt with multiple disease incidents in 7 of the last 10 years, including concurrent outbreaks of bluetongue and avian influenza since 2023.

In the Public Accounts Committee hearing on 4 September, Defra acknowledged that a category 5 outbreak would pose challenges and explained that there are contracts and agreements in place that would enable draw down of additional veterinary and administrative capacity.

Outbreak structures and governance are set out in the ‘Contingency Plan for Exotic Notifiable Diseases of Animals in England’ published on GOV.UK. This is reviewed annually.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department are taking to help increase the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of vets in the public sector. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra is aware of the numerous challenges facing recruitment and retention of qualified veterinary surgeons into Government roles. The Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Food Standards Agency have been looking at ways to increase recruitment into Government and Defra has been working with the vet sector at blockers and options to support recruitment and retention.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Melanie Onn:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to meet representatives of the UK fishmeal and fish oil export sector to discuss (a) the impact of delays at EU ports and (b) potential solutions. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Ministers continue to work closely with industry to address immediate challenges to the cross-border trade between the UK and EU.

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders’ Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, aimed at reducing trade barriers to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of Agri-food Negotiations are expected to begin in the autumn.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Melanie Onn:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support UK exporters of Category 3 fishmeal and fish oil facing delays at EU Border Control Posts. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra actively supports GB exporters of Category 3 fishmeal and fish oil to navigate EU Border Control Post processes. To assist exporters, Defra has issued detailed Notes for Guidance outlining the certification process, including specific requirements that must be met to ensure compliance with EU legislation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Sadik Al-Hassan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to renew the Young Farmers Grant; and when a decision on that funding will be confirmed. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra works closely with the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC). Defra provides funding of up to £30,000 per year for specific project-based activity which supports skills development and training.

My officials continue to work very closely with the NFYFC to deliver the 2025-26 grant to ensure value for money. An assessment of future years funding remains part of future spending decisions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) drought, (b) flooding and (c) rising temperatures on the UK’s top 10 fruit and vegetable supplier countries. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The UK has a resilient food supply chain and is equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption. Our food security is built on supply from diverse sources, strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes.

Defra has commissioned research to gather evidence which explores how climate change could affect the production of fruit and vegetables in regions across the Mediterranean.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Sarah Dyke:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of farmers being unable to reliably report accidents due to poor broadband or mobile signal on safety in rural areas. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra continues to work closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) on connectivity issues facing the rural and farming communities.

DSIT’s Shared Rural Network has already delivered 4G coverage to over 95% of UK landmass, enabling rural businesses and communities to thrive.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Rosie Duffield:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of forthcoming legislation relating to IVMS licensing on small-scale shellfish fisheries. \p Dame Angela Eagle: All English under 12 metre fishing vessels have been required to have a functioning iVMS system on board since 12 May 2025. iVMS provides vessel level data on position, course, and speed for under12 m English fishing vessels including those involved in small-scale shellfish fisheries. This information will be used to support decisions on fisheries management planning, conservation efforts, statistical and scientific analysis, compliance, and law enforcement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to increase the number of cats being microchipped. \p Dame Angela Eagle: From 10 June 2024, all owned cats in England over 20 weeks of age must be microchipped and registered on a compliant database. The legislation is intended to improve pet welfare by increasing the likelihood of reuniting lost or stray pets with their keepers.

Defra works closely with stakeholders to communicate pet microchipping requirements to the public.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Rosie Duffield:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to review conflict of interest rules within the IFCA framework to ensure the industry appointed members can meaningfully contribute to decisions whilst maintaining transparency. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The statutory report on the IFCA conduct and operations was published in February along with the Government response. Ensuring transparency in decision making processes was a key improvement. Defra are working with IFCAs to action recommendations. In particular developing consistent guidance supporting industry members will develop including avoiding conflicts of interest.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Rosie Duffield:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) sustainability and (b) economic resilience of small-scale shellfish fisheries post-Brexit. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Fisheries Act 2020 enshrines in law the Government’s commitment to sustainable fishing, including to produce Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) to ensure our stocks are being fished sustainably and the marine environment is protected.

Through FMPs we are working to further develop and implement effective, evidence-based management to deliver long-term sustainability of our important shellfish fisheries.

Once the new partnership with the EU is implemented, we expect the SPS Agreement will allow exports of undepurated Class B live bivalve molluscs from GB to the EU to resume.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has plans to increase access to (a) affordable and (b) nutritious food in deprived communities through (i) subsidies, (ii) planning measures and (iii) local food programmes. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Towards a Good Food Cycle, the UK Government food strategy for England, published on 15 July, sets out the Government's plans to transform the food system. A UK government food strategy for England - GOV.UK.

The outcomes set out in the strategy include an improved food environment that supports healthier and more environmentally sustainable food sales, and access to all for affordable, healthy food, particularly those on low incomes.

The Government already supports some groups to be able to buy and eat fruit and vegetables, through policies like the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (for 4-6 year olds in state-funded schools throughout England) and Healthy Start (for pregnant women and parents/carers who have young children and are in receipt of benefits).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he expects the field trials of the Cattle BCG vaccine to conclude. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Field trials to test a cattle BCG vaccine and accompanying DIVA (Detect Infected amongst Vaccinated Animals) skin test began in June 2021. The next phase of the field trials commenced in September 2025, and we hope to be able to start using an authorised vaccine and companion diagnostic test within the next few years.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he will make a decision on the deployment of the cattle BCG vaccine. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We are continuing to work on the development of a cattle BCG vaccine and accompanying DIVA (Detect Infected amongst Vaccinated Animals) test but will only deploy the vaccine and DIVA test when we have all the right steps in place. Our aim is to deliver an effective cattle TB vaccination strategy within the next few years, helping drive down the disease burden for future generations and advance progress towards achieving Officially Tuberculosis Free status for England by 2038.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of bottom trawling on coastlines in Teignmouth. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority assesses the impacts of fishing in its district. It has byelaws in place to restrict damaging fishing activity in Marine Protected Areas. As a result of these byelaws, over 40% of the South Devon coast is closed to bottom-towed fishing gear.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to lower the threshold for the number of poultry places permitted on a farm before an environmental permit is required. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The department has no current plans to lower this threshold.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with poultry industry representatives on the potential welfare merits of upright catching. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Following the publication of the public consultation on poultry catching and handling, we engaged with poultry industry representatives to discuss the potential welfare merits and harms of different poultry catching and handling methods, including upright catching.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Rosie Duffield:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle illegal shellfish harvesting in English coastal waters. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra works closely with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs), and other organisations to make sure the appropriate arrangements to enforce fisheries regulations are in place. Given the multijurisdictional nature of shellfish harvesting, particularly in areas such as Whitstable, a coordinated approach is essential. In this region, the MMO, the local IFCA, Environmental Health officers, and the police work jointly to monitor shellfish harvesting activities. Where necessary, enforcement action is taken to uphold regulatory standards and protect marine resources.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to introduce the regulations for the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We continue to engage with stakeholders including the tourism industry and animal welfare groups to explore both legislative and non-legislative options to stop the advertising of low-welfare animal activities abroad.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Rosie Duffield:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure inshore fishing voices are equitably represented in Fisheries Management Plans and Marine Spatial Planning Decisions. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Inshore voices are considered across all fisheries management through support from regional fisheries groups, the Marine Management Organisation’s network of regional fisheries managers, meetings of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities and other routine engagement.

Marine plans should be used to guide decision makers on how to balance different interests in the sea, including fisheries. National policy statements also set out how marine activities should be considered.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Rosie Duffield:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure full and transparent consultation with the under 14m fishing fleet before mandating Remote Electronic Monitoring as a licence condition. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) in English waters is in the early stages of development, concentrating on vessels over 10 metres in length. Until 2030, we will be working with volunteers in our early adopter phases to design and test systems. We will continue to work in collaboration with industry and individual members throughout this period, ensuring their views are represented.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Claire Hazelgrove:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of mandatory microchipping for cats over 20 weeks on the proportion of pets reunited with their owners in the event of a road traffic accident. \p Dame Angela Eagle: From 10 June 2024, all owned cats in England over 20 weeks of age must be microchipped and registered on a compliant database. The legislation is intended to improve pet welfare by increasing the likelihood of reuniting lost or stray pets with their keepers.

Defra has commissioned a research project to understand the operational challenges that currently prevent some cats from being reunited with their keepers after a road traffic accident. The project will provide an evidence base to inform best practice for local authorities and is due to report later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the new iteration of the Stewardship scheme will be open to all farmers. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We have allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. All our Environmental Land Management schemes (Sustainable Farming Incentive, Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, and Landscape Recovery) will continue, and we will continue to evolve and improve them in an orderly way to make them work for farmers and nature.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 September 2025 to Question 69586 on Food Supply, which (a) supermarkets and (b) food producers he has met with to discuss mitigating the risk of shortages to key food supplies in the last 12 months. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Over the last 12 months, the Secretary of State has attended a range of events across the year with both supermarkets and food producers to discuss risks to food security and explore measures to mitigate potential shortages.

Minister of State also chairs a regular session with the food and farming trade bodies which includes British Retail Consortium, Food and Drink Federation, National Farmers' Union, and UK Hospitality - where the issues of food security and resilience are regularly discussed.

In addition, Defra officials continue to engage with stakeholders across the food supply chain to focus on specific challenges. Recent meetings with supermarkets have focused on cyber and energy resilience.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Robbie Moore:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to reopen the Sustainable Farming Incentive programme for new applications; and whether she will ensure that farmers do not go a full year without access to the programme. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Defra is working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer that will better target SFI in an orderly way towards our priorities for food, farming and nature. Further information about the reformed SFI will be provided shortly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage crop-based biomethane to support regenerative farming practices. \p Dame Angela Eagle: British farmers are world-leaders and know their own land best - carefully planning their planting to suit the weather, their soil type, and their long-term agronomic strategy. It is not Government policy to determine which crops farmers should prioritise to include in their crop rotation.

We will continue to support farmers, so they can make the right decisions for them and the productivity of their land.

The Government currently supports biomethane production through the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS). The GGSS will close for new applications in Spring 2028, and the Government is planning to consult on policy options for a future framework for biomethane during financial year 2025/26.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Jenny Riddell-Carpenter:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the highest welfare standards for greyhounds (a) during racing careers and (b) after retirement. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The welfare of racing greyhounds in England is covered by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010. The 2006 Act allows action to be taken where there is evidence of cruelty to an animal or a failure to provide for that animal’s welfare needs. This includes during greyhounds’ racing careers and after they have retired. Specific welfare standards at all greyhound racing tracks in England are also required by the 2010 Regulations, including having a vet present while dogs are running (with all greyhounds inspected by the vet before being allowed to run).

In addition to these statutory protections, the sport’s main regulatory body, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), enforces welfare standards (including those in the 2010 Regulations) at GBGB affiliated tracks, as well as at GBGB licensed trainers’ kennels. Independent, external oversight of GBGB’s regulatory work at tracks and trainers’ kennels is provided by the UK’s National Accreditation Body, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

The GBGB has also undertaken a number of welfare reforms, including publishing a long term, national welfare strategy – ‘A Good Life for Every Greyhound’. The strategy focuses not only on reducing risks of injury but also developing and implementing new management practices to improve the welfare of greyhounds throughout their lives, including after they have retired.

The Government is monitoring GBGB’s progress in delivering the strategy and should further measures be required the Government will consider options which are targeted, effective, and proportionate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of police decision-making in cases involving individuals with serious mental health conditions on the number of prosecutions for assaults against mental health nurses. \p Sarah Jones: The Home Office has not made such an assessment. The police have a duty to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry, as set out in The Code of Practice to The Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996.

However, the police are operationally independent from Government and would be best placed to make decisions on the most appropriate course of action according to the specific circumstances of a case they are investigating.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which countries have had access to UK visas restricted due to non-compliance with migrant return agreements; and what criteria were used in these decisions. \p Mike Tapp: Visa penalties, as outlined in section 70 of Nationality and Borders Act 2022 (Nationality And Borders Act 2022), may be imposed on a country which, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, does not cooperate with the UK in relation to the return of its nationals who do not have a legal right to be in the UK.

These provisions have not been used since their introduction in 2022. But we will use all levers available to ensure the removal of those with no right to remain in the UK, including visa penalties where necessary, and will do whatever it takes to secure the UK’s border.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2025 to Question 61511 on F-35 Aircraft: Israel, what information his Department holds on the re-export of UK-made F-35 components from Israeli suppliers to the global F-35 programme. \p Luke Pollard: We are clear that Israel must stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately lift restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

We have suspended export licences to Israel that could be used in military operations in Gaza.

The UK is the only producer of certain critical components, not least for the F35 global spares pool. Suspending the UK’s contribution to the F-35programme would have serious implications for NATO and international peace and security.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Dave Doogan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the cumulative value of orders his Department has placed with Scottish defence contractors for new equipment. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not centrally maintain data specifically on the country of ownership of its suppliers. Therefore, contracts awarded to Scottish suppliers have been identified using the primary supplier site postcode of the contract and matching this with a reference list of Scottish postcodes. This does not guarantee that suppliers are Scottish registered businesses or that work for the contracts are conducted in Scotland.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of applying VAT to independent school fees on boys who are neurodiverse. \p Olivia Bailey: HM Treasury published a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) on applying VAT to independent school fees. This is a comprehensive assessment of the VAT policy, including impacts on individuals and families, and equalities impacts. The TIIN is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/applying-vat-to-private-school-fees#who-is-likely-to-be-affected.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Fred Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to mandate the use of CCTV in nurseries. \p Olivia Bailey: The department continually monitors and reviews safeguarding requirements for early years settings to make sure children are kept as safe as possible.

The decision to install and use camera surveillance equipment in a nursery is a matter for individual providers to determine based on their own risk assessment and policies.

The department is currently reviewing with Ofsted how CCTV is used in early years settings and how we can support settings to use it effectively as part of their safeguarding provision.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Helen Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department encourages schools to request a debriefing from their local ambulance service after a defibrillator or CPR resuscitation attempt. \p Olivia Bailey: In 2023, the department provided defibrillators to state-funded schools in England, where existing provision was not in place.

The department recognises that individuals may need support following a resuscitation attempt. Our defibrillator guidance advises that should a rescuer require support after an incident, they may be able to request a debriefing from their local ambulance service, or they can seek support from their GP. More information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/automated-external-defibrillators-aeds-in-schools.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Fred Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing mandatory safe sleep training for all early years staff working in nurseries. \p Olivia Bailey: The early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework, which all early years providers are required to follow, includes a requirement for babies to be placed down to sleep in line with the latest government safety guidance, which can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids/.

Departmental officials recently met with The Lullaby Trust to discuss the lessons that can be learned from previous serious incidents and to ensure that children are kept as safe as possible.

The 'Early years qualification requirements and standards' document sets out the minimum qualification requirements that staff must meet to be recognised as level 2, level 3 or level 6 members of staff for the purpose of working within the EYFS staff:child ratios. Both the level 2 and level 3 criteria include knowledge of rest and sleep provision, with level 3 also including the safe use of equipment, furniture and materials with regard for sleep safety.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a national public awareness campaign on (a) the role of early years education in child development and (b) its wider economic impact. \p Olivia Bailey: Ensuring every child has the best start in life is at the heart of this government’s Plan for Change. This is why we are expanding childcare and providing parents with support and information to help their child’s development.

Children attending high quality early education for at least two years gain the equivalent of a higher grade in around seven GCSEs. For parents, particularly women, improved access to childcare enables employment, boosting family income and the wider economy. The Office for Budget Responsibility projects that by 2027/28, around 60,000 parents will enter employment as a result, with an equivalent effect from 1.5 million mothers already in work increasing their hours.

The government is introducing a new Best Start in Life awareness campaign which will support improved outcomes for children and help achieve our goal of 75% of children reaching a good level of development by 2028.

This campaign provides trusted advice for parents and carers from pregnancy through to starting school, covering healthy pregnancy, infant feeding, childcare, home learning, and school preparation which can be found here: https://www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/. Communications activity will continue throughout the autumn.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what capital funding streams are available to academy trusts for essential playground (a) repairs and (b) replacement. \p Olivia Bailey: The government has given a long-term commitment for capital investment to improve the condition of schools and colleges across England through to 2034/35. It is investing almost £3 billion per year by 2034/35 in capital maintenance and renewal, rising from £2.4 billion in 2025/26.

The department supports local authorities, academy trusts and voluntary-aided school bodies, who are responsible for keeping buildings and grounds safe and well-maintained, by providing capital funding to improve the condition of their estates.

The majority of capital funding is provided through annual School Condition Allocations to large responsible bodies, such as local authorities and large multi-academy trusts, to decide how to invest in improving the condition of their estates, including playgrounds. Small or stand-alone academy trusts and sixth form colleges bid for funding for essential condition projects through the Condition Improvement Fund.

Schools also receive a small annual capital allocation, Devolved Formula Capital, to spend on their own capital priorities, such as replacing or upgrading playground equipment.

Further details about capital funding for 2025/26 are published on GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the number of children in families subject to no recourse to public funds provisions that have received the families receiving additional support (FRAS) entitlement for eligible 2-year-olds in each of the last five years. \p Olivia Bailey: Families in receipt of additional forms of support to children in ‘no recourse to public fund’ households have been eligible for the 15-hours entitlement since September 2022.

The early years census data collects data on the number of children taking up the entitlement for families in receipt of additional forms of support, however, the department is unable to break this down by immigration status.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support adults with (a) adopted and (b) fostered children in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Josh MacAlister: The department continues to fund the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF) with £50 million in 2025/26. The ASGSF funds therapeutic support for adoptive families, including parenting courses to help new adoptive parents support their child as they join their family.

Additionally, £8.8 million is being invested in Adoption England to improve adoption support. Adoption England supports regional adoption agencies, including Adoption South East, to agree a support plan with prospective adopters when they have been matched with children, which evolves over time as the child grows and develops. Adoption South East’s support offer for adoptive families can be found here: https://www.adoptionsoutheast.org.uk/post-adoption-support.

Foster carers are able to build relationships in a short period of time that can be loving, long-standing and incredibly valued by the children for whom they care. But we are clear that in order to do so, they must be supported, valued and respected as experts on the child in their care. Standards 20 and 21 of the ‘Fostering Services: National Minimum Standards’ detail the expectations required of all fostering providers: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7abe16e5274a319e77a6a1/NMS_Fostering_Services.pdf.

The department funds Fosterline, a free-to-access independent advice and support service for current and prospective carers on a wide range of fostering issues.

Financially, foster carers benefit from qualifying care relief (QCR), a tax relief that ensures a carer’s income is not taxed unless it exceeds an overall QCR allowance. All carers should also receive the national minimum allowance each week to help cover the cost of caring for a child. Current national minimum allowance rates are accessible here: https://www.gov.uk/support-for-foster-parents/help-with-the-cost-of-fostering.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve community (a) understanding and (b) acceptance of (i) residential and (ii) support services for vulnerable children (A) in the community and (B) in the criminal justice system. \p Josh MacAlister: The Children’s Social Care National Framework acknowledges that receiving help from children’s social care can be a stigmatising experience and encourages practitioners from first interactions to tackle stigma, build strong relationships with children, young people and families, and communicate clearly and effectively.

Through the Families First Partnership Programme, we are giving children and families access to better local support services to break the cycle of late intervention and help more children and families to stay safely together. Our reforms to Family Help will embed targeted support in the heart of communities, providing a non-stigmatising access point to a range of services to address the needs of the whole family.

We are determined to address the stigma and discrimination faced by children in care and care leavers and ensure they are supported. We are prioritising extending corporate parenting responsibilities to all government departments and relevant public bodies, through measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This will ensure that policies and services take account of the challenges they face, and remove barriers and provide opportunities for them to achieve and thrive.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to improve internet access in rural areas of Newbury constituency. \p Ian Murray: According to the independent website Thinkbroadband.com, 99% of premises in the Newbury constituency can already access superfast broadband speeds (>=30 Mbps), and 90% can access a gigabit-capable broadband connection.

To improve this further, Openreach is delivering a Project Gigabit contract across West Berkshire. Approximately 1,150 homes and businesses in the Newbury constituency are currently set to benefit from this contract, with the vast majority located in rural areas. Additionally, premises in the constituency are expected to be connected by suppliers’ commercial rollout plans.

Ofcom also reports that 96% of rural areas in the Newbury constituency have 4G geographic coverage from all four mobile operators, while 5G is available outside 72% of rural premises from at least one operator. Our ambition is for all populated areas, including rural communities, to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030 and we will work closely with mobile network operators who are delivering this.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to support Openreach to provide fibre to the premises connections in (a) Alfriston Road, Berwick and (b) other rural areas in Lewes constituency. \p Ian Murray: This government is committed to delivering nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032 and we have created a regulatory environment that incentivises private investment, including from Openreach, in areas where deployment is commercially viable.

Additionally, CityFibre is delivering a Project Gigabit contract across East and West Sussex. This contract currently includes approximately 7,800 premises in the Lewes constituency, the vast majority of which are in rural areas. Premises on Alfriston Road, Berwick, are currently included within the scope of this contract.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when CityFibre will install fibre to in-scope postcodes in East Hampshire constituency; and whether this has been delayed. \p Ian Murray: As part of Project Gigabit, CityFibre is delivering a contract to bring gigabit-capable broadband to thousands of premises across Hampshire. The contract is designed to be delivered in stages and premises in the East Hampshire constituency were initially scheduled to be reached in its latter stages, which is currently due to run until 2030.

Building Digital UK (BDUK) continues to work closely with CityFibre to review the scope of the contract in consideration of suppliers’ latest commercial rollout plans and may agree changes to CityFibre’s delivery should this be required. BDUK and CityFibre will keep local communities informed of the rollout plans during each stage of contract.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Ruth Cadbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking with private companies to increase the coverage of full fibre broadband in the London Borough of Hounslow. \p Ian Murray: We have created a competition-friendly environment in areas, such as the London Borough of Hounslow, where deployment is commercially viable. We continue to engage the commercial market to ensure that the regulatory landscape best supports continued delivery of fibre broadband, including working to removing the barriers to deployment. For example, we will consult and then seek to legislate as soon as possible to address the challenges faced in securing connections in blocks of flats.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

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Ruth Cadbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of internet connectivity in the Borough of Hounslow. \p Ian Murray: We understand the Borough of Hounslow to have good internet connectivity.

According to the independent website Thinkbroadband.com, over 98% of premises in the Borough of Hounslow can access superfast broadband speeds (30 Mbps), which is in line with the UK average. Over 93% have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection (>1000 Mbps), which is above the national average of 88%.

For users accessing the internet on a mobile device, Ofcom reports that 4G is available across almost 100% of the Borough of Hounslow from all four mobile operators, while 5G (standalone and non-standalone) is available outside 97% of premises across the Borough from all four operators.