theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_184

James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the availability of Enhertu in (a) Scotland and (b) Europe compared to (c) England and (d) Wales. \p Karin Smyth: Health is a devolved matter and decisions on the availability of medicines in Scotland and Wales are a matter for their own administrations. Other European countries operate very different health systems and direct comparisons of medicine availability are very difficult.

Decisions on whether new medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service in England are made on the basis of recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) following an evaluation of a treatment’s costs and benefits. These are very difficult decisions to make, and it is important that they are made independently and on the basis of the available evidence.

The NICE has recommended Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) in advanced breast cancer for treating HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic breast cancer after one or more anti-HER 2 treatments, and for treating HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic breast cancer after two or more anti-HER2 therapies. Enhertu is now routinely funded for eligible patients in England in line with the NICE’s recommendations.

The NICE published guidance in July 2024 on the use of Enhertu for the treatment of HER-2 low metastatic and unresectable breast cancer and was unfortunately unable to recommend it for routine NHS funding. I understand that the NICE and NHS England have sought to apply as much flexibility as they can in their considerations of Enhertu for HER2-low breast cancer, and have made it clear to the companies that their pricing of the drug remains the only obstacle to access.

Ministers met with the manufacturers of Enhertu, AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, in November 2024, to encourage them to re-engage in commercial discussions with NHS England. Despite the NICE and NHS England offering unprecedented flexibilities, the companies were unable to offer Enhertu at a cost-effective price. The NICE’s guidance, published in July 2024, will therefore remain unchanged. Although the deadline for a rapid review has now passed, the NICE has reassured me that the door remains open for the companies to enter into a new NICE appraisal if they are willing to offer Enhertu at a cost-effective price.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an estimate of the number of NHS (a) operations, (b) appointments and (c) tests that took place in Birmingham between July-November (i) 2024 and (ii) 2023. \p Karin Smyth: The scope of this data is limited to elective services consistent with consultant-led referral to treatment waiting times. It excludes emergency care, maternity, and mental health services. Birmingham has four trusts excluding these services, data for which has been aggregated into the table below. The following table shows the number of elective operations, outpatient appointments, and diagnostic tests, and the total of all three combined, delivered from July to November 2024 and from July to November 2023:

Time period

Elective operations

Outpatient appointments

Diagnostic tests

Total

July to November 2024

105,253

708,569

260,143

1,073,965

July to November 2023

99,795

683,685

248,683

1,032,163

In addition, the following table shows the number elective operations, outpatient appointments, and diagnostic tests, and the total of all three combined, delivered from July to November 2023, adjusted for working days, and the number of addition appointments delivered in 2024:

Elective operations

Outpatient appointments

Diagnostic tests

Total

July to November 2023 adjusted for working days

100,719

690,015

250,986

1,041,720

Additional appointments

4,534

18,554

9,157

32,245

Note: the data excludes the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_186
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_186

Alison Bennett:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to require integrated care boards to remove requirements for (a) same sex couples and (b) single women to have privately-funded IVF cycles before they are accepted for NHS-funded IVF cycles. \p Karin Smyth: The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the National Health Service in England is subject to variation in access. Work is continuing on joint advice from the Department and NHS England about the offer around NHS-funded fertility services, including the issues for female same sex couples.

Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards and are based on the clinical needs of their local population. We expect these organisations to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England. NICE is currently reviewing these guidelines.
wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_187
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_187

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve access to clinical trials and innovative treatments for leukaemia patients. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department aims to ensure that all patients have access to cutting-edge clinical research and innovative, lifesaving treatments. The Department funded National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds research and research infrastructure, which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research, including clinical research on leukaemia.

The Department is committed to ensuring clinical trials are people-centred and more accessible, including for leukaemia patients. For example, the NIHR provides an online service called Be Part of Research, which promotes participation in health and care research by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest.
wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_188
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_188

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the annual budget is for maternity negligence compensation. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS Resolution (NHSR) manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England. NHSR reports costs in financial years, rather than calendar years. The following table shows the total payments for clinical negligence claims, where the specialty is obstetrics, as well as a breakdown of the payments, from 2019/20 and 2023/24:

Financial year

Payment for damages

NHS legal costs

Payments for claimant legal costs

Total payments

2019/20

£767,233,238

£32,367,023

£102,738,093

£902,338,354

2020/21

£723,593,887

£33,116,641

£91,491,019

£848,201,547

2021/22

£773,202,407

£31,805,729

£100,760,613

£905,768,748

2022/23

£949,118,455

£35,813,142

£100,158,967

£1,085,090,563

2023/24

£988,485,434

£37,850,663

£117,435,753

£1,143,771,850

Total

£4,201,633,420

£170,953,198

£512,584,445

£4,885,171,063

The total payments made by NHSR for clinical negligence claims in 2023/24 was £2.8 billion. This is approximately 1.6% of the NHS resource budget. There is no fixed budget for maternity claims specifically, as the financial management of clinical negligence payments depends only on the financial amount and not the claim type.
wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_189
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_189

Joy Morrissey:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve equitable access to clinical trials for brain tumour patients; and what plans his Department has to help eligible brain tumour patients to access treatments through clinical trials. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department is committed to working with the pharmaceutical industry to develop a more efficient, more competitive, and more accessible clinical research system in the United Kingdom, ensuring that all patients, including those with brain tumours, have access to cutting-edge clinical research and innovative, lifesaving treatments.

Research is crucial in tackling brain cancer, which is why the Department spends £1.5 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with cancer being one of the largest areas of investment, at over £121.8 million in 2022/23, reflecting its high priority.

The Department is committed to ensuring that clinical trials are people-centred and more accessible, including for brain tumour patients. For example, the NIHR provides an online service called Be Part of Research which promotes participation in health and care research by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest.
wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_190
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_190

Wendy Chamberlain:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that the cross-government delivery plan for ME/CFS establishes a common UK-wide approach. \p Ashley Dalton: The final delivery plan for myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, will cover the population of England only.

However, due to the United Kingdom-wide nature of this issue, we have maintained engagement with the devolved administrations during the analysis of the consultation responses on the interim delivery plan, as well as on the ongoing development of the final plan.

We will continue to work closely with those devolved administrations to ensure that policy development and learning across the UK’s nations is shared.
wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_191
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_191

Joy Morrissey:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all brain tumour centres have equitable access to (a) funding, (b) resources and (c) recognition within national frameworks. \p Ashley Dalton: The Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) is an independent organisation funded by 11 charities as well as by Government. The Centre of Excellence programme is community led, being designed and delivered by a committee of National Health Service professionals and scientists from centres across the United Kingdom. The centres that participate in the TJBCM Centre of Excellence initiative do so voluntarily.

All UK neuro-oncology centres are invited to apply for Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence status, which is the main “national framework” in neuro-oncology, beyond the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidelines that apply to all hospitals treating brain tumours. Centres that are not awarded Centre of Excellence designation can also access support from TJBCM and through the Tessa Jowell Network, so all centres and their patients nationally can benefit from this standard-setting. The TJBCM works with every centre in the UK who seeks its support.

The TJBCM welcomes applications from any centre which provides treatment and care for patients with a brain tumour who can demonstrate how they meet the Tessa Jowell Standards of Excellence, to achieve the same high standards of treatment, care, and research. The mission works with every centre in the UK who seeks its support to develop its service, both in England and the devolved nations.
wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_192
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_192

Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of infant and baby products with high sugar content. \p Ashley Dalton: Data shows that babies and young children are eating too much sugar, and that some commercial baby foods, particularly finger foods, contain added sugar or high sugar ingredients. This does not align with the recommendations from the independent Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, that in diets of children aged one to five years old, foods, including snacks that are high in free sugars, should be limited, and that commercially manufactured foods and drinks marketed specifically for infants and young children are not needed to meet nutrition requirements.

The Government is committed to raising the healthiest next generation ever. We will provide an update on the publication of voluntary industry guidelines to limit the levels of sugar, and salt, in commercially available baby food and drink in due course.
wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_193
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

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Alice Macdonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with the National Institute for Health and Care Research on research into the feasibility of pre-12-week pregnancy loss data collection. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

While miscarriage hospital stay data is collected, the majority of baby losses occur outside of healthcare settings, and it is rightly the choice of the individual who has experienced the loss to disclose this information to healthcare professionals. It is therefore not possible to gather accurate and comprehensive data on miscarriages.

The Department has not explicitly discussed the feasibility of pre-12-week pregnancy loss data collection with the NIHR, but further data is being collected to help fill the current gap. For example, the Digital Maternity Record Standard Release 2 was updated in 2024 and recommends that a code for birth outcome, including miscarriage, is recorded as well as information on previous miscarriage or pregnancy loss.

The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of maternal health, including pregnancy loss.
wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_194
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

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Alison Hume:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the average time taken to carry out postmortems by pathologists ordered by a coroner in (a) the UK and (b) North Yorkshire. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government has not made an estimate of the average time taken to carry out postmortems ordered by a coroner.
wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_195
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of (a) psychotherapy and (b) counselling professionals operating without a protected title on patients. \p Karin Smyth: Psychotherapists and counsellors are not statutorily regulated. Where a health profession is regulated by law, this normally allows for a professional’s title to be protected in law, making it a criminal offence for someone to practise or use a protected title without being registered with the relevant regulator. The Government has no current plans to extend statutory regulation to psychotherapists and or counsellors.
wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_196
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

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Dr Danny Chambers:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether prevention and public health will feature in the 10 year health plan. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_197

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what purposes NHS Blood and Transplant has used artificial intelligence in the last 12 months. \p Ashley Dalton: Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the heart of the Government’s plan to kickstart an era of economic growth, transform how we deliver public services, and boost living standards for working people across the country.

Over the last 12 months NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) has used AI as part of a number of proof of concepts to explore how AI could benefit NHSBT, however none of these are live. This includes an AI agent to answer online donor questions about donating, models to forecast donor attendance at blood collection sessions, and models to help staff collecting blood answer questions on the policy and standard operating procedures.

NHSBT can draw on a range of resources, published on the GOV.UK website, to inform AI usage. For example, the AI Playbook for the UK Government, with which NHSBT are aligning work.
wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_198
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

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Helen Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the total amount of research funding spent on lobular breast cancer research was in 2023- 2024. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department invests £1.6 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.

We are proud to have invested £29 million into the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NIHR Biological Research Centre in 2022, supporting their efforts to strengthen research into cancer, including lobular breast cancer. Wider investments into breast cancer research include a £1.3 million project to determine whether an abbreviated form of breast magnetic resonance imaging can detect breast cancers missed by screening through mammography, including lobular breast cancer.

On 4 February 2025 the Department announced that nearly 700,000 women across the country will take part in a world-leading trial to test how cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools can be used to catch breast cancer cases earlier. The Early Detection using Information Technology in Health trial is backed by £11 million of Government support via NIHR. The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including lobular breast cancer.
wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_199
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_199

Edward Argar:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the recommendations in respect of pelvic mesh made by the (a) Cumberlege report of 2020 and (b) Hughes report of 2024. \p Ashley Dalton: Seven of the nine recommendations of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review were previously accepted in full, in part, or in principle. Four of these have been successfully implemented, including:

- issuing an unreserved apology on behalf of the healthcare system;

- appointing the first ever Patient Safety Commissioner in England in respect of medicines and medical devices;

- establishing nine specialist mesh centres, which are in operation across England; and

- establishing and working with a Patient Reference Group to help develop the response to the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety (IMMDS) Review.

Work is ongoing in respect of the remaining recommendations, including working across Government to carefully consider the recommendations in the Patient Safety Commissioner’s Report and the Hughes Report, which looked into and provided advice on options for redress for those affected by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh.

The Government will be providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s Report at the earliest opportunity.
wrans/answers2025-10-10 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-10 conversation_1

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to provide funding to the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery after June 2026. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery was originally awarded over £6.9 million 2017 with further funding of £7 million awarded in 2021 to establish a Global Surgery Network. The latest funding contract ends in June 2026. We encourage members to look out for and apply for future NIHR funding opportunities to build upon their strong foundations and continue to drive an evidence-informed approach to surgery. Applications to NIHR funding schemes are subject to peer review and judged in open competition. The Department and NIHR continue to recognise the critical importance of global health research to drive the health and well-being of the poorest and most vulnerable.
wrans/answers2025-10-10 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-10 conversation_2

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to provide support to the Global Surgery Network for projects in (a) Nigeria, (b) India, (c) Mexico and (d) other countries. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery was originally awarded over £6.9 million in 2017 with further funding of £7 million awarded in 2021 to establish a Global Surgery Network. The latest funding contract ends in June 2026. We encourage members to look out for and apply for future NIHR funding opportunities to build upon their strong foundations and continue to drive an evidence-informed approach to surgery. Applications to NIHR funding schemes are subject to peer review and judged in open competition. The Department and NIHR continue to recognise the critical importance of global health research to drive the health and well-being of the poorest and most vulnerable.
wrans/answers2025-10-10 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-10)

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Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of creating a national framework that includes risk screening tools for use in clinical practice to help prevent Type 1 Diabetes and Eating Disorders (T1DE). \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: NHS England is currently funding five Type 1 Disordered Eating (T1DE) pilots, with the aim of increasing understanding of the characteristics and care needs of people with T1DE, assessing the feasibility of the service delivery model and build the evidence base for an integrated diabetes and mental health pathway.

Pilot sites are delivering a national high level service specification alongside testing local novel approaches to improving care including to awareness raising of the condition amongst both diabetes and eating disorder health care professionals.

A national evaluation is currently underway to assess the impact of the five current pilot services. NHS England will review the evaluation findings to understand further opportunities to promote awareness of T1DE amongst healthcare professionals.

NHS England works alongside its partners to support the delivery of key messages around diabetes education and awareness. This includes through a digital diabetes platform which is developing educational resources for T1DE.

No assessment has been made of the merits of creating a national framework.
wrans/answers2025-10-10 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-10 conversation_4

Maya Ellis:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that UKMDR audit fees remain affordable for UK based businesses who source medical devices from overseas manufacturers. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: In Great Britain, medical devices are regulated under the Medical Device Regulations 2002 (MDR 2002), which is available at the following link:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/618/contents/made

Manufacturers of the lowest risk medical devices can self-declare the conformity of their devices against these regulations, and manufacturers of medium and high-risk medical devices must seek third party conformity assessment from an approved body to obtain a UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking.

Fees are set by the approved body themselves and vary depending on the specific service provided.

To protect supply, the government continues to accept CE-marked medical devices on the Great Britain market until 30 June 2028 or 2030, depending on the type of device and the legislation it complies with. If a device has a valid CE marking, the manufacturer is therefore not required to also obtain a UKCA marking. We will consult further on our long-term approach to the recognition of CE-marked medical devices later this year.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is currently developing a reformed regulatory framework for medical devices, designed to protect patient safety, while improving access to innovative medical devices. This will introduce an international reliance framework, allowing the MHRA to use the expertise and decision-making of other regulatory partners to introduce a new, streamlined, route to market for certain devices with prior approval from comparable regulatory countries (Australia, Canada and the US). This will reduce unwarranted regulatory burden on manufacturers of medical devices with overseas approval.
wrans/answers2025-10-10 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-10 conversation_5

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2025 to Question 73278 on Dementia: Research, what proportion of NHS funding was spent on (a) dementia, (b) cancer, (c) stroke and (d) coronary heart disease research in each year between 2019 and 2024. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department funds and delivers health research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Funding allocated to the NIHR is separate from National Health Service funding and is not calculated as a proportion of NHS spend.

NIHR invests directly in research projects and programmes and also provides investment for research delivery within the NHS and wider health and care system, including research facilities and workforce, known as NIHR infrastructure.

The following table shows a breakdown of total NIHR spend in millions of pounds for dementia, cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular research between 2019/20 and 2023/24, across research projects, programmes and infrastructure:

Financial year

Dementia

Cancer

Stroke

Cardiovascular, including coronary heart disease

2019/20

29

138

22.2

53.1

2020/21

21.9

73.5

12.7

46.1

2021/22

30.3

98.3

20.3

56.3

2022/23

35.1

121.8

26.9

72.6

2023/24

42.8

132.8

23.9

93

Total

159.1

564.4

106

321.1

Source: NIHR

Notes:

NIHR infrastructure investment funds staff and facilities which deliver research across disciplines and disease areas simultaneously and represents approximately 40% of total NIHR funding. This component is therefore calculated as a proportionate approximation of spend based on number of studies/projects in these conditions supported by infrastructure against total infrastructure spend and therefore is an estimate only.
wrans/answers2025-10-10 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-10 conversation_6

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase awareness of the impact of polycystic ovary syndrome among NHS professionals. \p Karin Smyth: This Government recognises that women suffering with gynaecological conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome, have been failed for far too long. We acknowledge the impact these conditions have on women’s lives, relationships and participation in education and the workforce. We know that more needs to be done to support women with gynaecological conditions.

As set out in the women’s health strategy, women's health is included in the Royal College of General Practitioners curriculum for trainee general practitioners (GPs), including gynaecology. The curriculum also covers the health care needs of women across all diseases seen in primary care as it is important women are treated holistically. This ensures that all future GPs receive education on women’s health.
wrans/answers2025-10-10 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-10)

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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many pupils who did not have English as their first language had each different non-English language as their first language in each of the last 10 years. \p Georgia Gould: The department collects data where a pupil’s first language is known or believed to be other than English. Where a pupil is recorded to speak a first language known or believed to be other than English, a language is recorded. The attached document shows the number of pupils in England, by first language spoken, over the last ten years.

70939_attachment_languages (xlsx, 34.2KB)
wrans/answers2025-10-10 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-10)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many days the Union Flag was flown on her Department's main sites in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025 to date. \p Josh MacAlister: The Union Flag is flown every day at the department headquarters in London. This is the only department building with a flagpole.

This is in accordance with the Union Flag flying guidance for UK government buildings: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/designated-days-for-union-flag-flying.
wrans/answers2025-10-10 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-10)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 58732 on Members: Correspondence, for what reason a response to the correspondence has been delayed. \p Samantha Dixon: The former Deputy Prime Minister is no longer in post.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_1

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what diversity, equality and inclusion targets his Department has for staff recruitment. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra complies with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles by ensuring that appointments to the Civil Service are made on the basis of merit following a fair and open competition.

There are four strategic Defra group equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) objectives for 2024-26. One of these objectives is to attract, empower and retain diverse talent. Defra does not have set targets for EDI in relation to recruitment. Defra seeks to draw on talent across all protected characteristics as well as geographical, social and career backgrounds, providing opportunities to build a workforce which is reflective of the communities we serve.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether it is his policy to review the effectiveness of the implementation of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government currently has no plans to review the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_3

Victoria Atkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 March 2025 to Question 35691 on Dover Port Health Authority: Finance, how much funding his Department plans to provide to Dover Port Health Authority in the 2025-26 financial year. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra remains committed to agreeing an appropriate funding model with Dover PHA to help tackle illegal imports. Officials are working with Dover Port Health Authority to agree funding for 2025/26.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_4

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March to Question 36816 on Sustainable Farming Incentive: Educational Visits, whether the proposed standalone capital item for educational access will be included in the Sustainable Farming Incentive. \p Daniel Zeichner: The proposed stand-alone capital item for educational access is a separate offer from the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). To be eligible for the education access payments applicants must have an SFI or other agri-environment or woodland agreement. We expect to publish more information about the reformed SFI offer in summer 2025.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_5

Steff Aquarone:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he expects the mandatory housing order for poultry in Norfolk to be lifted. \p Daniel Zeichner: Mandatory Housing combined with stringent biosecurity measures provides greater risk reduction and together these measures have been key in mitigating the risk of spread of avian influenza and keeping the case rate down in the face of extensive wild bird infection during the recent higher risk winter periods.

The need for Avian Influenza Prevention Zones (AIPZ) is kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza. Any decisions on introduction or amendment of AIPZs, including on addition or removal of mandatory housing measures, are based on risk assessments that take full account of the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_6

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to (a) monitor and (b) reduce compliance costs for fisheries regulations. \p Daniel Zeichner: Costs of compliance for regulations are assessed through Impact Assessments when regulations are introduced according to the Better Regulation Framework. Defra regulators keep all regulations under review to understand their effectiveness. We are also mindful of the desire of the fishing industry to have bespoke regulation, appropriate for the stocks and circumstances. This can add complexity and costs, something we are considering as we develop and implement Fisheries Management Plans.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_7

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department maintains records of compliance costs for agricultural regulations. \p Daniel Zeichner: Costs of compliance for regulations are assessed through Impact Assessments when regulations are introduced according to the Better Regulation Framework. Defra regulators carry out regular monitoring and evaluation of regulations to understand their effectiveness.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_8

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department maintains accurate records of compliance costs for agricultural regulations. \p Daniel Zeichner: Costs of compliance for regulations are assessed through Impact Assessments when regulations are introduced according to the Better Regulation Framework. Defra regulators carry out regular monitoring and evaluation of regulations to understand their effectiveness.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_9

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 35439 on Forests and Rivers: Access, what the options under consideration are for the East of England’s National River Walk. \p Mary Creagh: The Government continues to be committed to enhancing access to nature. We are still in the process of considering locations for the National River Walks and further information will be announced in due course.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_10

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Questions (a) 36880, (b) 36881, (c) 36882, (d) 36883 and (e) 36884, when he plans to conclude this work; and if he will publish the results. \p Mary Creagh: To develop recommendations to address the reports’ findings, we have met with a range of stakeholders, including environmental NGOs, forestry industry representatives and local planning directors. We have also met with relevant government bodies, such as Forestry Commission and Natural England. Initial engagement is helping to shape our recommendations for next steps and we will continue to work alongside these groups to establish the most effective actions for improving the implementation of the National Planning Policy Framework protections for ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees. We have no plans to publish.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_11

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will meet with the hon. Member for West Dorset to visit the West Dorset Wildings Brit Valley Project. \p Mary Creagh: The Secretary of State’s private office handles all meeting requests. Please contact them directly to request a meeting.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_12

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2025 to Question 36460 on Litter, what steps he plans to take to support local authorities to tackle littering. \p Mary Creagh: Littering is a crime that blights communities and the environment. Local councils are usually best placed to respond to littering and related problems, in a way tailored to the community in which they occur. They have a range of enforcement tools at their disposal including fixed penalty notices and prosecution.

This Government is considering what further steps are needed to help local authorities reduce litter and keep their streets clean. Any new announcements will be made in the usual manner.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_13

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to consolidate the different types of nature designation of land. \p Mary Creagh: The Government has no plans to consolidate the different types of nature designation of land.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_14

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with international counterparts on best practices for balancing the environmental benefits of Extended Producer Responsibility with economic sustainability for affected industries. \p Mary Creagh: Defra and PackUK have engaged with multiple European and Canadian EPR schemes throughout development of pEPR, using international best practice to inform the drafting of the regulations. Many of the international EPR schemes are managed by Producer Responsibility Organisations (PRO’s). Environmental benefits are considered to be enhanced by the PRO’s having direct accountability for local recycling services infrastructure and driving investment. A PRO approach is also broadly considered to drive cost efficiency and ensure that Extended Producer Responsibility Schemes provide good value for money for obligated producers. Defra officials are currently working with devolved governments to bring forward amendments to pEPR Regulations that would enable appointment of a PRO.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_15

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential financial impact of Extended Producer Responsibility fees on the beer and pub sector. \p Mary Creagh: In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers as a whole. This impact assessment did not split the assessment by sector.

The Government has worked closely with industry, including the brewing sector, throughout development of Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR). Feedback from stakeholders was factored into finalising the regulations, including formally consulting stakeholders on a draft of the pEPR regulations in 2023.

pEPR obligates brands and packaging producers to pay the costs of managing household packaging waste. In most cases, this will not be individual pubs but the business supplying the pub with packaged goods.

My officials have recently attended a number of events organised by the brewing industry, to discuss pEPR and to listen and respond to concerns raised by their members. We have provided extensive guidance to all sectors on how to comply with their obligations under pEPR and continue to work with the brewing sector and others to further refine both the guidance and the wider scheme.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_16

Mr James Frith:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to support the horticultural sector in the peat free transition. \p Mary Creagh: This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. Defra is committed to protecting our nature-rich habitats, including peat bogs, and is looking at next steps regarding measures to ban horticultural peat including how the Department will continue to work alongside the horticultural sector to accelerate progress on the peat free transition.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_17

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of Extended Producer Responsibility fees on businesses in the UK compared to similar schemes in (a) France, (b) Germany and (c) Canada. \p Mary Creagh: In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers as a whole. This impact assessment did not compare the impact of fees to international schemes. Illustrative base fee estimates for the UK are in the same order of magnitude of other countries’ fees. However, comparisons are not straightforward because of differences in waste infrastructure and waste management approaches.
wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_18

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the average time was to complete a home once planning permission had been granted in the latest period for which data is available. \p Matthew Pennycook: The information requested is not held by the Department.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_19

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 January 2025 to Question 16552 on MHCLG: Marketing, if she will provide (a) an extract and (b) hyperlink to the details of the expenditure on the re-branding. \p Alex Norris: The costs of rebranding fell significantly below the threshold for publishing expenditure, but records indicate costs incurred amounted to £13,921.70.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_20

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has any staff permanently based in the Cabinet Office in the context of her role as Deputy Prime Minister. \p Alex Norris: The Deputy Prime Minister’s core staff and budget allocation is assigned to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The Deputy Prime Minister is also supported by staff in other Government Departments, including the Cabinet Office, where relevant.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-04 conversation_21

Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reinstating grant funding for Tell MAMA. \p Alex Norris: In 2024/25, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government made funding of £1m available for Tell MAMA.

We remain steadfast in our dedication to delivering comprehensive monitoring of anti-Muslim Hatred, and providing support for victims of it. The government has announced a new fund to provide a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hatred and support victims with applications opening on Monday 7 April 2025.

With cases of anti-Muslim hatred on the rise, up-to-date and detailed information on incidents and drivers of this hatred will play a fundamental part in supporting the government to combat Islamophobia and ensure Muslim communities feel safe and supported. We would encourage Tell MAMA to apply.