theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1683
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1683

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 13 October 2025 entitled Government of Service, HCWS939, what criteria will be used in the recruitment process for the three new independent members of the Ethics and Integrity Commission. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: I refer the Honourable Member to the recruitment advert for the Ethics and Integrity Commission Independent Member roles which was published on Monday 13 October 2025. The full details, including the essential criteria, can be found on the public appointments website at: https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/9003
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1684
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2025 to Question 71198 on Unherd: Advertising, whether the Government Communication Service SAFE framework currently permits government advertising on the websites of (a) The Sun, (b) The Daily Star, (c) Spiked and (d) Ladbible. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: SAFE framework assessments have been conducted on The Sun, The Daily Star, and Ladbible, and they have been assessed as appropriate for government advertising. No SAFE framework assessment has been conducted on Spiked.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1685
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mike Martin:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his planned timetable is for further interim payments to the estates of infected people who died after joining infected blood support schemes. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Following the publication of the Inquiry’s Additional Report, the UK Government has announced further interim payments of £210,000 for eligible estates of someone registered with an IBSS or predecessor scheme (on or before 17 April 2024) who sadly passed away.

This is in addition to the £100,000 interim payments to the estates of deceased infected beneficiaries which opened in October 2024. Since then, 600 interim payments of £100,000 have already been paid to estates.

On 26 September, the Government announced that applications for these interim payments will open on 23 October.

The Government expects the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to begin making payments to the estates of deceased infected people this year.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1686
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department had discussions with Lord Mandelson on defence procurement contracts between 10 February and 11 September 2025. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: As Ambassador to the United States, Lord Mandelson met regularly with senior officials to discuss a range of issues across the UK-US relationship, including opportunities for closer collaboration on technology partnership, AUKUS and other ways to deepen the UK-US bilateral relationship.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1687
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of bringing forward the 2029 deadline for payments under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The delivery of compensation is a matter for the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA). As of 7 October, IBCA has contacted 3,614 people to start their compensation claim, and 3,350 have started the claim process. 2,204 offers of compensation have been made, totalling over £1.6 billion, and so far 1,761 people have accepted their offers with more than £1 billion paid in compensation.

The IBCA Framework Document, published in March, sets out the timelines agreed between IBCA and Cabinet Office; namely for the bulk of infected people to be paid no later than the end of 2027 and the bulk of affected people to be paid no later than the end of 2029.

These timescales have been agreed with IBCA, to ensure that the door is kept open for those who have not yet identified themselves as being infected or affected. In my oral statement to the House on 21 July, I set out that these dates are not targets for delivery, but ‘backstops’.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1688
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to support the estates of deceased infected blood victims to access interim payments of compensation. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Following the publication of the Inquiry’s Additional Report, the UK Government has announced further interim payments of £210,000 for eligible estates of someone registered with an IBSS or predecessor scheme (on or before 17 April 2024) who sadly passed away.

This is in addition to the £100,000 interim payments to the estates of deceased infected beneficiaries which opened in October 2024. Since then, 600 interim payments of £100,000 have already been paid to estates.

On 26 September, the Government announced that applications for these interim payments will open on 23 October.

These payments will be made by the administrators of the existing Infected Blood Support Schemes, on behalf of the UK Government. The UK Government is working closely with the devolved administrations and the Infected Blood Support Schemes to make the necessary arrangements to make these payments as swiftly as possible.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1689
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on making the appointment of Ambassadors subject to the regulated public appointments process. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Heads of Mission are civil servants and as such are subject to different recruitment and appointment rules and processes to public appointees. The Cabinet Office has no plans to make such roles subject to the regulated public appointment process.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1690
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2025 to Question 79077 on Ethics and Integrity Commission, if he will set out the nature of the advice the Cabinet Office will provide to the Prime Minister before the establishment of a public inquiry; and whether that advice will be made public. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Advice will be tailored to the specifics of each case. Broadly, the Cabinet Office will provide advice on whether a proposed inquiry model and its terms of reference appear appropriate to investigate the particular matter in question. This will help ensure that the right response is taken and that we do not adopt approaches that would delay accountability to victims, survivors and their families.

In line with the longstanding approach across multiple administrations, confidential advice to Ministers will not be made public.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1691
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question HL10221 on Baroness Shafik, what Baroness Shafik's remuneration is. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: It would not be appropriate to comment on individuals. The level of remuneration and the management of relevant outside interests for this role have been agreed in line with relevant guidance and processes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the interests of the new Executive Director of Communications in 10 Downing Street. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: There is a rigorous process to ensure any potential conflicts of interest are captured, and have appropriate mitigations in place to reflect specific circumstances. Ahead of his appointment, the new Executive Director of Communications in 10 Downing Street fully complied with this process.

This is set out in the Special Adviser Code of Conduct and lists of Special Adviser interests are published annually.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1693
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 August 2025 to Question HL9337 on Ministers: Official Residences, if he will publish the internal document which states that the sponsoring department will pay the council tax bill for the Minister. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Ministers are advised on allocation of an official residence that the responsibility for payment of council tax depends on whether the property is their primary or secondary residence. This is a long-standing policy position in place for successive administrations, reflected in a parliamentary question to the then Prime Minister the Rt Hon Sir Tony Blair as follows:

“The level and responsibility for payment of council tax is determined on whether the property is the Minister's main or secondary residence. If a main residence, the responsibility for payment of the tax falls to the Minister. If the property is a secondary residence, responsibility for payment falls to the responsible Department.”

This question is available at the following link: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmhansrd/vo000605/text/00605w14.htm#00605w14.html_spmin0.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1694
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2025 to Question 70468 on Government Communication Service: Staff, what is the most recent estimate of the headcount size of the Government Communication Service, using the same methodology used by the Cabinet Office in the response to FOI IR2025/05101. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The figures cited in the parliamentary question and the FOI Internal Review of Government Communications remain the most up to date information available as the 2025 Data Collection is still undergoing validation.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1695
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to publish an updated list of Ministerial responsibilities. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: I refer the Hon Member to the response given to Question HL10390 of 26 September.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1696
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Kim Johnson:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) unallocated cases and queries, (b) cases and queries allocated but not yet in progress and (c) cases and queries in progress but not yet completed being dealt with by the Civil Service Pension Scheme administrator, MyCSP Ltd. were still in progress as of 1October 2025. \p Anna Turley: MyCSP; the Civil Service pension scheme administrator, does not record the data in the format requested. It reports to the Cabinet Office on a monthly basis. 85,503 new work items were received for the month of September. A work item reflects an individual piece of work or task. There are 67,540 outstanding items - 13,783 cases awaiting a response and 53,757 items assigned for work to be completed.

The outstanding volumes are in line with what we would expect to see based on the differing clearance targets for certain tasks, such as retirements which can take up to 4 months to process. This is what the Cabinet Office expects to see and monitors on a monthly basis.

The Cabinet Office continues to emphasise to MyCSP the importance of meeting contractual performance levels and improving member experience.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1697
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of paying council tax on the former Deputy Prime Minister's flat in Admiralty House in each of the next three months. \p Anna Turley: The council tax charges levied by Westminster City Council are available online on their website at https://www.westminster.gov.uk/council-tax/council-tax-bands-and-charges.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1698
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Carolyn Harris:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what data his Department holds on the number of UK-based distilleries that have (a) opened and (b) closed in each of the last five years. \p Josh Simons: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 10th October is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 85.5KB)
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1699
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Victoria Atkins:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many pubs have closed since 5 July 2024 in Louth and Horncastle constituency. \p Josh Simons: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th October is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 90.6KB)
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1700
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Monica Harding:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much funding he has allocated to the Women Peace and Security Agenda through the Integrated Security Fund for (a) 2025-26, (b) 2027-28 and (c) 2028-29. \p Dan Jarvis: The Integrated Security Fund (ISF) supports UK National Security and as part of that delivers on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in support of UK’s WPS National Action Plan. All projects funded through the ISF consider how their work can benefit gender and social inclusion. ISF projects use marker tools such as the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) indicators to ensure that gender issues are considered from the design stage.

In 2025-26 the Fund has a dedicated allocation for gender and national security work. Funding allocations for 2025/26 are due to be published in the autumn alongside the ISF Annual Report 2024/25 and allocations for future financial years will be announced in due course.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1701
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Monica Harding:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Women, Peace and Security Agenda remains a fund-level outcome for the UK Integrated Security Fund. \p Dan Jarvis: Supporting women and girls is a priority for this Government. The Integrated Security Fund (ISF) supports UK National Security and as a part of that delivers on Women, Peace and Security through the UK National Action Plan. The ISF addresses gender and national security threats, both domestically and internationally across the breadth of its work. All ISF programmes consider the impact of gender on their work alongside dedicated projects.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1702
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mike Martin:To ask the Solicitor General, how many times the Crown Prosecution Service has been contacted by the police wanting to charge people following investigations conducted by the National Investigation Service in the latest period for which data is available. \p Ellie Reeves: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) engaged directly with the National Investigation Service (NATIS) and therefore did not have any communication with police on these matters, unless the police were otherwise assisting NATIS on a case.

A manual count of cases shows that the CPS advised on 40 cases investigated by NATIS between June 2021 and November 2024.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1703
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Munira Wilson:To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to the Answer of 18 September 2025 to Question 76837 on Intestacy, what the value of those estates is. \p Ellie Reeves: The income realised from bona vacantia, including from deceased people’s estates, is published in the Crown’s Nominee Accounts which are laid before Parliament annually.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1704
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Claire Hanna:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 22 September 2025 to Question 76346 on Local Growth Deals: Northern Ireland, whether his Department plans to hold discussions with the (a) voluntary and (b) community sector in Northern Ireland on the design of the local growth fund in Northern Ireland. \p Hilary Benn: As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK Government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support growth across Northern Ireland, once the UK Shared Prosperity Fund ends in March 2026.

The Northern Ireland Office is working in close partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive and Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to implement and develop the new Local Growth Fund. The Government is committed to engagement with key stakeholders in Northern Ireland to help implement a package of funding that meets local needs and delivers impact. More information on the development of the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland and engagement plans will be set out soon.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1705
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether their Department has run any (a) recruitment and (b) internship schemes aimed to increase the number of people from underrepresented groups in the workforce in the last year. \p Jo Stevens: As set out in the Civil Service People Plan 2024-2027, we are committed to ensuring we attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds to create a modern Civil Service, now and for the future.

Civil Service recruitment must follow the rules set out in legislation within the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (CRaGA) 2010 which outlines the requirements to ensure that civil servants are recruited on merit, via fair and open competition.

My Department has not run any internship schemes in the last year.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1706
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, for what reason the value of the Local Growth Fund being provided to Wales was listed as £547 million on 10 October 2025 and as £633 million on 16 June 2025. \p Jo Stevens: The Local Growth Fund will invest £547 million in Wales over the next three years, more than half a billion pounds of much needed investment in Wales. This funding will drive economic growth, create jobs and raise living standards as part of the UK Government’s mission to kickstart economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity.

The Local Growth Fund at £547 million is just one element of our wider package of targeted, long-term local growth funding referred to in June, which also includes the new Pride in Place initiative. Communities across Wales will benefit from the Pride in Place Programme and Pride in Place Impact Fund, supporting projects that will build stronger communities, create thriving places, and empower local people.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1707
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ann Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on (a) the ‘Future of TV Distribution’ stakeholder forum and (b) the potential impact of its decision making on Wales. \p Jo Stevens: I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of matters. In July, the then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales met with Broadcast 2040+ to understand their perspectives on the long-term future of terrestrial TV in Wales.

The lead department on this matter, DCMS established the Future of TV Distribution stakeholder forum which takes views from a range of broadcasters active in Wales, including S4C, the BBC and ITV. The forum also benefits from the perspectives of a number of groups representing the interests of Welsh and UK-wide audiences, such as Voice of the Listener and Viewer, Digital Poverty Alliance and Silver Voices. Before any decisions are made, including in relation to Wales, close consideration will be given to how any changes would impact audiences, and especially those who rely on digital terrestrial television as their primary means of watching television.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on issuing a Scotland Act Order to permit the bringing into force of relevant sections of the Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024. \p Kirsty McNeill: Scotland Act Orders are pieces of secondary legislation made under the Scotland Act 1998 and are used to implement, update or adjust Scotland’s devolution settlement. A Section 104 order is used to make provision which is considered necessary in consequence of any provision made by or under an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

My officials are working with Scottish Government officials to determine the scope of the request for a Scotland Act Order made in consequence of the Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1709
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether Scottish (a) venison and (b) venison products are eligible for the Brand Scotland initiative; and what process exists for (i) producers and (ii) sellers to engage with the Department on this matter. \p Kirsty McNeill: The Brand Scotland programme supports Scottish industry to export to international markets across the world. This includes the food and drink industry. Available support includes conducting trade missions overseas and supporting projects to promote exports, inward investment and Scottish soft power. Scottish businesses can contact the Scotland Office, British diplomatic posts overseas and the Department of Business and Trade for more details.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has had discussions with the Scottish Government on (a) joining or (b) contributing to the work of the Retail Industry Leadership Group. \p Kirsty McNeill: The Scotland Office is not a member of the Retail Industry Leadership Group, which is co-chaired by Ministers of the Scottish Government. The Group was established by the Scottish Government in 2022. The Scotland Office maintains close contacts with industry across Scotland, including the retail sector, and champions them overseas through the Brand Scotland programme.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether weather warnings were issued ahead of the high air pollution episode expected in the South East on 10 March 2025. \p Emma Hardy: Pollution notifications were issued on Defra’s UK-Air website, via the Defra UK-Air X feed and through email alerts that individuals and organisations can subscribe to. The daily air quality forecast provided by the Met office also provided information on the expected air pollution levels for that day.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reviewing the system for forecasting air pollution episodes. \p Emma Hardy: As part of the Air Quality Information System review an evaluation of the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI), including the provision of the forecast, was carried out. This evaluation found that the forecast was accurate and provided precise representation of real-world air quality conditions at a UK regional level. Some areas for improvement were identified and Defra are discussing with the Met Office how to take these forward.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when each (a) city, (b)(b) zone and (c) agglomeration in England which exceeded the nitrogen dioxide annual mean limit value in 2023 will comply with that limit. \p Emma Hardy: Defra uses a combination of national-scale modelling and on the ground monitoring to assess nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations in England each year. Evidence shows that NO2 concentrations have reduced substantially in recent years, however a reporting zone is still considered to be exceeding the NO2 limit value if a single location remains above the limit value. The cities, agglomeration and non-agglomeration zones exceeding the NO2 limit value in 2023, and the predictions of when they will become compliant with the limit value, are based on data from Defra’s national modelling and monitoring networks, and additional local monitoring data gathered by cities and towns in England and held by the Joint Air Quality Unit.

13 cities in England exceeded the annual mean limit value for NO2 in 2023. These were:

Birmingham

London

Reading

Bradford

Manchester

Sheffield

Bristol

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Stoke-on-Trent

Coventry

Nottingham

Liverpool

Portsmouth

14 out of 31 reporting zones in England were non-compliant with the annual mean NO2 limit value in 2023. This included 1 of the 8 non-agglomeration zones (South East) and 13 of the 23 agglomeration zones. The 13 non-compliant agglomeration zones were:

Bristol Urban Area

Nottingham Urban Area

Tyneside

Coventry/Bedworth

Portsmouth Urban Area

West Midlands Urban Area

Greater London Urban Area

Reading/Wokingham Urban Area

West Yorkshire Urban Area

Greater Manchester Urban Area

Sheffield Urban Area

Liverpool Urban Area

The Potteries

Predicting when locations that are currently exceeding will comply with the limit value is inherently uncertain. We don’t hold up-to-date detailed modelled projections to predict the impact of all current policies on future NO2 concentrations, however current indicative estimates suggest the majority of locations will become compliant with the limit value within the next four years. By 2029, we estimate all zones will be compliant except Bristol Urban Area, Sheffield Urban Area, The Potteries, West Midlands Urban Area and Tyneside. These correspond to Bristol, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham, all of which we estimate will become compliant by 2032, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. We expect Newcastle-upon-Tyne will be the last city to become compliant due to a localised hotspot. There is considerable uncertainty in current estimates for when this location will become compliant, but we estimate this will be by 2045, at the latest. As the road traffic fleet continues to transition to zero emission vehicles this date is likely to come forward.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many (a) calls and (b) emails his Department received from the media on (i) 5 March 2025 prior to the publication of the report entitled Report: Air Quality Information System Review: Final Report and Recommendations and (ii) the previous seven days. \p Emma Hardy: The Air Quality Information System (AQIS) review outputs were published on the 6 March 2025. This comprehensive expert-led review has recommended changes to how the risks of air pollution are communicated to the public and Government has already started work to make air quality part of everyday conversations.

Defra did not receive any media queries about AQIS on 5 March or in the seven days leading up to that date. A notice was released on gov.uk: Better alerts to make air quality part of everyday conversation - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Mayor of London’s report entitled London-wide Ultra Low Emission Zone One Year Report, published on 7 March 2025. \p Emma Hardy: Poor air quality continues to be the biggest environmental risk to human health. Whilst responsibility for air quality and transport is devolved in London, we welcome the progress made there to address air pollution and improve people’s health. Local and devolved authorities are best placed to determine the most effective route to improving air quality in their cities. We are committed to working with them to improve the air we breathe.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect (a) wildlife and (b) plant life in heathland in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Mary Creagh: The Government is committed to taking action to recover threatened native species across England and we have set four legally binding targets to drive recovery of biodiversity. The government has also concluded a rapid review of the existing Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP23) and published a statement of the key findings on 30 January 2025. We are developing a new EIP to protect and restore our natural environment, including delivery of our statutory biodiversity targets, which will be published later this year.

Surrey County Council is the responsible authority for preparing the Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which covers Surrey Heath, and which will agree priorities for nature recovery in the area and identify and map the best locations for action to be taken to benefit nature and the wider environment. Defra has provided funding to responsible authorities to prepare their strategies, as well as dedicated advice and support from Natural England, the Environment Agency, and the Forestry Commission.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, further to his Department's policy paper, Government response to the independent review of protected site management on Dartmoor: full report, published 11 April 2024, if he will increase investment in agri-environmental funds for Dartmoor National Park. \p Mary Creagh: In response to the independent review, Defra has set up the new Dartmoor Land Use Management Group (DLUMG). The group is now working to implement the 25 recommendations attributed to it in the government response.

This Government is proud to have secured the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country’s history. We remain committed to investing £5 billion of funding in the farming budget this year and next (£2.6 billion for 24/25 and the £2.4 billion for 25/26, as previously announced). We are on track to spend all the funding that is available.

We are supporting Dartmoor and other upland areas through a range of grants and schemes. We have extended the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme with an additional £30 million of funding. We plan to launch the new Higher Tier scheme later this year, and Capital Grants will re-open in summer 2025. We continue to move forward with Landscape Recovery; and we are increasing payment rates for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement holders to recognise their ongoing commitment to delivering environmental outcome.

The budget for future years will be set in phase 2 of the Spending Review.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_8

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps he is taking to help increase the freshwater pearl mussel population. \p Mary Creagh: The Government is supporting the recovery of freshwater pearl mussel by working collaboratively with environmental organisations to restore rivers and watercourses, raising awareness about the importance of freshwater pearl mussels and encouraging community participation in their conservation. Enforcement agencies are also ensuring compliance with the nature conservation laws to protect freshwater pearl mussels from illegal harvesting and environmental damage.

As well as habitat-based actions the Environment Agency has established a captive breeding programme in Kielder, Northumberland to boost existing populations by providing a safe start to their lifecycle before they are returned to the wild at carefully chosen locations.

Finally, we are exploring opportunities to reintroduce the species to river systems from where they have been lost; Natural England and partners are planning a freshwater pearl mussel reintroduction, the “R4ever Kent Life project”, which will also help inform other reintroductions across the country.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_9

Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to improve livestock (a) registration and (b) inspection, in the context of (i) avian influenza and (ii) the recommendations in Dame Glenys Stacey's report entitled Farm Inspection and Regulation Review, published in December 2018. \p Daniel Zeichner: Since the 1 September 2024 in Scotland and 1 October 2024 in England and Wales registration has been a legal requirement for anyone owning poultry or other captive birds, with the exception of certain psittacines and passerines, even if only kept as pets. This builds on the requirement for keepers to register if they kept 50 or more poultry in Great Britain which had been in force since 2005. New online registration services have been launched to minimise the burden where possible on keepers in complying with these new requirements.

The new registration requirements address repeated recommendations from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak lessons identified reviews since at least 2016, as well as the 2018 Dame Glenys Stacey review. The requirements will aid in the prevention and control of notifiable avian disease outbreaks, by facilitating both surveillance activities and communication to bird keepers. In particular, getting biosecurity and outbreak messaging out to hard-to-reach groups including small flock keepers.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_10

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the ban on XL Bully dogs. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra is continuing to engage closely with the Police, local authorities, and rescue and rehoming organisations to monitor the impacts of the XL Bully dog ban. These measures are vital to protect the public and we expect all XL Bully owners to comply with the conditions.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_11

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funding his Department allocated to the Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund 2024 in (a) total and (b) each year. \p Daniel Zeichner: Year

Number of applications received

Number of successful applications

Funding allocated [millions]

Funding spent (to date) [millions]

2015

36

19

£12.8 in total, funded under the Rural Development Programme for England

£0.2

2016

50

30

£0.6

2017 (national round)

40

37

2017 (Northwest England flooding round)

13

12

£0.5

2018

55

38

£1.6

2019

43

39

£0.6

2020

£1.8

2021

£0.8

2022

45

41

£2.25

£0.91

2023

45

42

£3

£0.56

2024

24

18

£2.5

£0.88

Total

£20.55

£8.45
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_12

Adrian Ramsay:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce a close season for the shooting of hares. \p Mary Creagh: This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only, with the potential for relevant policy to extend and apply to Wales.

While the Government has no immediate plan to introduce a close season for hares in England, the policy remains under consideration as part of the Government’s plans to introduce the most ambitious programme for animal welfare in a generation.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_13

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the level of pollution caused by the collision between the Solong and Stena Immaculate. \p Emma Hardy: Defra is working with multiple organisations including the Centre of Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and the PREMIAM (Pollution Response in Emergencies: Marine Impact Assessment and Monitoring) to assess the impact of this incident on water pollution and the marine environment. Satellite imagery suggests no substantial chemical spills have occurred, with fuel and other substances being burnt rather than entering the ocean in substantial quantities. No air pollution has been detected on land.

Unfortunately, it seems some of the contents of one container of small plastic pellets (‘nurdles’) spilled into the North Sea during the collision and subsequent fire. This was detected at sea on Sunday 16 March. From Sunday to Tuesday, plastic nurdles were observed coming ashore along 5-10 km of beach in north Norfolk, now extending to the Lincolnshire coast. This occurrence was predicted by environmental impact modelling, preparations for recovery and containment were made, and the PREMIAM programme was activated for pollution response and marine impact assessment. The plastic nurdles are the only pollution detected so far.

The environmental impact of nurdles depends on their quantity, plastic type, and burn state, which are being assessed by teams on the ground. Toxins released when the plastic was burned during the original collision are likely to have been washed away and diluted whilst at sea. Nurdles aren't toxic but may pose risks if ingested by wildlife. A thorough clean-up operation is underway, involving drones and other specialist equipment.

Shrimp fishers in the area have also been advised to take precautions to mitigate risks their product could contain nurdles, although the risk to human health is low. MPs for the affected coastline have been briefed, and officials will continue to monitor the situation and take further steps as necessary.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_14

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the collision between the Solong and Stena Immaculate on harbour porpoises. \p Emma Hardy: Now the overall situation has stabilised, the response has moved from a Major Incident Response into the recovery phase. Both ships remain afloat and normal maritime traffic has resumed. Though the situation is stable, recovery work will continue with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency continuing to coordinate operational partners and maintaining their vigilance of the situation to ensure a safe resolution.

Defra is working with multiple organisations, including the Centre of Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and the PREMIAM (Pollution Response in Emergencies: Marine Impact Assessment and Monitoring) has been activated to assess the impact of this incident on water pollution and the marine environment. No chemical pollution from the initial fuel spill has been detected.

Pollution in the form of nurdles and burnt plastic has shown up on beaches in NW Norfolk, Lincolnshire and at sea in The Wash. Vessels have been recovering the nurdles at sea and the beach clean-up in NW Norfolk is being co-ordinated by Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, and any clean-up in Lincolnshire will be co-ordinated by the relevant local authority there. The clean-up is ongoing. There has been no sign of any other pollution.

The four Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) are working together in a Joint East Coast Recovery Management Group to lead counter-pollution activities.

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the Statutory Nature Conservation Body for the offshore area and so has been feeding into the ongoing response efforts as part of this incident. Part of this has been providing information and advice in relation to offshore sensitivities, including Marine Protected Areas and mobile species such as harbour porpoise, and potential impacts to them from this incident. The risks to harbour porpoises are being monitored as much as possible and so far, no significant impacts have been identified from this specific incident.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_15

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many farm visits he has made since his appointment; and where those farms were located. \p Daniel Zeichner: Since the Secretary of State’s appointment, he has visited:

As well as visiting 3 farms, he has spoken at 3 farming conferences, and has had 5 meetings with the NFU, 3 with the CLA and, 7 with other organisations and farming representatives.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_16

Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive on micro dairy farms. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra has closed the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for the submission of new applications, but existing agreements will continue. We now have over 37,000 live SFI agreements. Every penny in all existing SFI agreements will be paid to farmers, and outstanding eligible applications that have been submitted will be processed.

We will provide further details about the reformed SFI offer once the Spending Review has been completed.

SFI is an important offer, but it is part of a wider package. Ensuring fairness in supply chains is key for UK dairy farmers in supporting the sustainability of the sector. The Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024 came into force in July last year. These regulations improve fairness and transparency in dairy contracts, requiring clear terms on pricing, termination, and prohibiting unilateral changes.

In addition, the Dairy Export Taskforce, an industry/Government partnership, is focused on boosting export growth in the dairy sector. This included the organisation of a successful Government funded dairy showcase for international buyers in the autumn of 2024.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_17

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to changes to the Sustainable Farming Incentive, what support communications he plans to send to impacted farming businesses; and what support communications his Department plans to provide to organisations supporting vulnerable farmers. \p Daniel Zeichner: A letter from Minister Zeichner was sent to all farm businesses on 12 March advising them of the closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive to new applications. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will be writing to impacted farm businesses shortly with more information on what this means for them. The RPA teams are also taking calls from concerned farmers, and they will continue to work with farmers on new and extant agreements.

The RPA works closely with farming welfare support organisations and will continue to engage with them through existing channels.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_18

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to publish an update of the document entitled The 2011 Rural-Urban Classification for Output Areas in England, published on 13 September 2013, in the context of (a) local government reorganisation and (b) housing developments. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Office for National Statistics published the 2021 Rural Urban Classification for Output Areas and other geographies on 6 March 2025. This takes account of the 2021 Census, local Government reorganisation and development since 2011. Details can be found here with links to resources published by the Office for National Statistics.
wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-26 conversation_19

Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 7 May 2024 to Question 24202 on Lead: Health and Safety, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of the work undertaken by the Environment Agency to asses the lead ammunition restriction. \p Emma Hardy: Records show that the Environment Agency has spent approximately £425,000 on salary costs (including wages and direct overheads) for this work. This excludes wider organisational overheads (such as building maintenance and energy costs) and the Health and Safety Executive’s time and costs.