theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2025 to Question 22503 on Roads: Lighting, what information her Department holds on the potential impact of switching off lighting on stretches of (a) motorways and (b) major trunk roads on the frequency of accidents on those roads, listed by each constituency. \p Lilian Greenwood: The answer could only be provided at a disproportionate cost. The Department does not readily hold this information in the formats requested and it cannot be produced to the deadlines associated with a Parliamentary Question.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of the proposed A141 upgrade north of St Ives. \p Lilian Greenwood: The proposed A141 upgrade scheme is sponsored by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) as the Local Transport Authority. However, we understand that the current estimated capital cost of the scheme is between £225 million and £250 million.

To date, the CPCA has allocated £6 million for the development of the Outline Business Case, with £2.006 million being spent so far, funded via the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund. An additional £8.67 million has been allocated to support future business case development.
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Ruth Cadbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people are working on issues relating to fraud at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. \p Lilian Greenwood: There are 65 people employed within the Counter Fraud & Investigations team at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). This team work directly on the investigation of fraud in various areas of DVSA’s work such as the car practical and theory test, commercial vehicles and MOT.

There are other teams within DVSA that are involved in its investigative and enforcement activities such as:

traffic examiners who stop vehicles at the roadside

market surveillance teams who investigate aftermarket goods

intelligence unit staff who process and investigate information we receive on fraudulent activity.

commercial vehicle team

DVSA actively encourage and remind all colleagues to report, via the appropriate channels, any suspected fraudulent activity they encounter.

The table below shows the number of car practical tests conducted (tests which have been passed or failed) in England per calendar year, for the years 2019 to 2024. Please note, for data on conducted tests in 2024, DVSA can currently only publish data up to the end of September 2024.

Year

Car Tests Conducted

2019

1,625,579

2020

809,509

2021

1,113,735

2022

1,667,935

2023

1,831,588

2024 as of 30 September

1,479,177

The table below shows the number of people employed at DVSA for the years 2019 to 2024.

Year End

Headcount

Full Time Equivalent (FTE)

December 2019

4752

4472.26

December 2020

4733

4455.94

December 2021

4869

4597.43

December 2022

4911

4630.77

December 2023

4944

4629.97

December 2024

4881

4563.05
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to introduce measures to limit the brightness of LED car headlights. \p Lilian Greenwood: All headlamps are designed and tested to international standards to ensure they are bright enough to light the road ahead but not so bright as to dazzle other road users. The standards define the beam pattern and maximum and minimum light intensities.

However, noting increased public concern, Government has commissioned independent research to better understand the root causes of headlamp glare and develop potential countermeasures. The work is underway and is due to deliver in summer 2025. Government will consider carefully the outcome of that research to determine what action might be appropriate.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of earmarking 10% of the transport budget for encouraging (a) walking, (b) cycling and (c) other healthier transport choices. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government recognises that investment in high quality active travel infrastructure supports its economic growth, health and net zero missions by helping to revitalise high streets; enabling people to live longer, healthier lives; and helping to reduce transport emissions. The Department announced the details of almost £300 million of funding for active travel in 2024/5 and 2025/6 on 12 February. Decisions on Government funding for active travel and other transport priorities for the years 2026/27 and beyond will be a matter for the Spending Review.
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Mr Luke Charters:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of existing health and safety standards on (a) electric vehicles and (b) their batteries. \p Lilian Greenwood: All vehicles used on UK roads must comply with rigorous safety requirements. The UK is actively involved in the ongoing development of international regulations for road vehicle approval at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. These regulations consider novel risks and potential safety concerns associated with hybrid and electric vehicles.

The crashworthiness regulations have been reviewed and amended accordingly, whilst a specific regulation dealing with electrical safety of vehicles has been updated to include provisions for the mechanical and electrical testing of the battery, its fire resistance, and electrical insulation.
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Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps to encourage consumers to purchase second-hand electric vehicles. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government works closely with the automotive industry to monitor the health of the second-hand electric vehicle (EV) market and improve consumer information about EVs and charging infrastructure.

The battery forms a large part of an EV’s value, providing information about battery health will therefore help consumers make informed decisions about second-hand EVs. The Government has worked with international partners at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to develop Global Technical Regulation No. 22. This requires EV manufacturers to provide easily accessible, accurate, and comparable information on the battery’s state of health. The Government is currently analysing options for the implementation of this regulation in the UK.
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Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) assessments and (b) consultations her Department undertakes when determining locations for the installation of electric vehicle charging points. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department does not determine the locations at which electric vehicle chargepoints are installed. For those in public areas, local authorities are best placed to understand what charging infrastructure is needed and have a key role in planning and enabling the delivery of chargepoints, with particular focus on supporting those who do not have access to off-street parking. The £381m Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) fund includes capability (resource) funding for local authorities to secure dedicated in-house expertise to plan, procure and deliver local chargepoints.
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Andy McDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any harbour authority in the UK has issued a surcharge notification to a ferry operator under the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024. \p Mike Kane: We have not received any notifications from harbour authorities of surcharge notifications being issued. Given that operators have 3 months from the date of the request of an equivalence declaration to provide a declaration before a surcharge is imposed and the Act came into force on 1 December 2024, it is too early to expect any surcharge notifications to have been made.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is using AI software in responding to written parliamentary questions. \p Mike Kane: The Department for Transport is not currently using AI software in responding to written parliamentary questions.
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Andy McDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish the names of the ferry service operators that have been required to make a declaration under the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024. \p Mike Kane: The Seafarers' Wages Act and Regulations do not make provision for the publication of requests for declarations under the Act.
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Andy McDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Dover Harbour Board has requested an equivalence declaration from P&O Ferries under Section 5 of the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024. \p Mike Kane: The Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023 and Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024 do not require harbour authorities to inform the Secretary of State of requests for declarations, or of responses to requests of declarations from operators.
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Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points installed in (a) small towns and (b) rural communities; and whether she plans to take steps to ensure they are evenly distributed beyond major cities. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government is committed to accelerating the roll-out of affordable charging infrastructure so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, can make the transition to an electric vehicle. As of February 2025, the Government and industry have supported the installation of 74,334 publicly available charging devices, up 35% on this time last year. There was particularly strong growth in rural areas last year, with chargepoint numbers increasing by 45% in 2024.

The £381m Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund will support the installation of at least 100,000 local chargepoints across the country. LEVI funding allocations factored in the proportion of residents that are in rural areas. This meant local authorities in rural areas were allocated additional funding compared to urban ones.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of flight delays at Heathrow Airport on the economy in the last 12 months. \p Mike Kane: Delays at airports can impact passengers, airlines, airports and the environment. They can cause inconvenience to passengers and productivity impacts for business travellers.

UK aviation operates in the private sector. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the sector to manage demand, ensuring appropriate contingency plans to minimise any potential disruption and put the consumer first.

The information requested regarding the potential impact of flight delays at Heathrow Airport on the economy is not held centrally, and there are no current plans to make an estimate.
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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to increase competition among airlines operating in the UK. \p Mike Kane: The Government is committed to an open and competitive aviation sector, ensuring choice and value for passengers. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) are responsible for the effective operation of the aviation market for consumers.

The UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector. Airports invest in their infrastructure to attract passengers and airlines, while airlines take their own decisions on the routes and services they provide.

Prioritising UK-based shareholdings within this private market is not planned as international agreements ensure fair competition. What matters most is that companies operate safely, securely and are properly regulated.
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Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions has she had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the potential impact of living under a flight path on people's (a) health and (b) wellbeing. \p Mike Kane: My Department seeks to minimise the impact of aviation on people’s health and wellbeing, in the context of other government priorities. My officials are in regular contact on this issue with other government departments and their agencies, including the Department of Health and Social Care sponsored UK Health Security Agency.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had recent discussions with the Minister of Infrastructure in the Northern Ireland Executive on improving the (a) frequency and (b) accessibility of (i) domestic and (ii) international flights from all Belfast airports. \p Mike Kane: I have not had recent discussions about Belfast Airports specifically.  However, the question of whether to operate an air service is a commercial matter for industry.  To maximise airlines’ and airports’ commercial and operational flexibility when making such decisions, my officials negotiate international treaties - “Air Services Agreements” – that ensure a wide range of options for operations from/to all UK airports. Furthermore, aviation must be accessible so that everyone can travel with dignity and ease. The Department launched the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group in November 2024.  It brings together industry and consumer representatives, including from the Consumer Council of Northern Ireland, to identify practical and achievable actions to improve aviation accessibility.  The Group is engaging widely with industry across the UK.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of commercial protections for airline passengers. \p Mike Kane: Air passenger rights remain a priority for the Department for Transport, and continues to consider options to ensure passengers have the best possible protections whilst travelling by air.

This includes ensuring aviation is accessible for all passengers. That is why the Department launched the Aviation Accessibility Task & Finish Group. It brings together industry and consumer representatives to assess the barriers and develop practical and achievable actions to make aviation more accessible.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the powers of train conductors to tackle disruptive levels of noise on trains. \p Simon Lightwood: Train operating companies including their conductors can already use the Railway Byelaws to address disruptive levels of noise, and we have no plans to make changes to this currently. To ensure ease of travel and safety for everyone using the railway, the rules set out in Byelaws must be adhered to and enforcement action can be taken against those who do not comply with them.
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Connor Naismith:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans her Department has to ensure the Integrated Transport Strategy prioritises road safety. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Integrated National Transport Strategy will be published this year and set the long-term vision for transport in England, recognising the key role transport must play in driving growth and opportunities. The exact scope of the Strategy is being developed through a series of engagement activities that include a Call for Ideas and Regional Roadshows, but we will look at all modes to understand how transport should be designed, built and operated to better serve its users.

Improving road safety is one of my highest priorities. Too many people are killed and seriously injured in road traffic collisions, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users. The Department is developing a road safety strategy and will set out more details in due course.
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Jon Trickett:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many staff her Department has seconded from Palantir since July 2024. \p Mike Kane: The Department for Transport Central (DfTc) function has not seconded any staff from Palantir since July 2024. The Department for Transport Central (DfTc) function has not seconded any staff from Palantir since July 2024.
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Chris Bloore:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department offers (a) paid time off work and (b) other support to employees who become kinship carers. \p Mike Kane: The Department for Transport does not currently offer paid time off or support specifically for kinship carers. This is something that the department along with other government bodies is reviewing.

The department does offer support including paid and unpaid special leave for those with parental and caring responsibilities. It sponsors a Carers’ Network and a Families’ Network for staff. DfT employees have access to an Employee Assistance Programme which can help signpost them to sources of advice and support on a range of issues.
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Chris Bloore:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department offers (a) paid time off work and (b) other support to employees who become kinship carers. \p Justin Madders: Employees can apply for five days paid special leave as a friends and family carer, this can be increased to ten days in a 12-month period.

Employees also have the statutory right to take up to a week’s unpaid leave in any 12-month period, to provide or arrange care for a dependant with a long-term care need.

DBT has an Employee Assistance Programme which provides impartial and confidential advice, counselling and online resources for all employees. The department also has a Carer’s group which is a support network for carers working at DBT
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Jon Trickett:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff his Department has seconded from Palantir since July 2024. \p Justin Madders: Thank you to my Hon. Friend for his question. I can inform him that the Department for Business and Trade has hosted no secondees from Palantir.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to paragraph 94 of his Department's final stage impact assessment entitled Strengthening workers’ rights to trade union access, recognition and representation, published on 21 October 2024, whether he has made an estimate of the cost of the statutory right of facility time for trade union equality activities to (a) local government and (b) the civil service. \p Justin Madders: Equality representatives play a key role in raising awareness and promoting equal rights, as well as developing collective policies and practices that will enable organisations to realise the benefits of being an equal opportunities employer.

As the impact assessment notes the cost of equality representatives taking facility time is not likely to be significant for individual employers and could benefit business performance and worker retention. The impact assessment also identified a £0.33m benefit to public sector employers from not having to provide information on facility time.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2025 to Question 32942 on Northern Ireland: Investment, what estimate he has made of the private sector investment in addition to the fund. \p Sarah Jones: The British Business Bank periodically publishes updated milestone figures on the Nations and Regions Investment Funds. Updated figures for the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland will be published by the end of Q2, which will include private sector investment.
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Patrick Hurley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he plans to take to use the Postcode Address File to support (a) innovation, (b) small businesses and (c) the economy. \p Justin Madders: The Postcode Address File is owned by Royal Mail, not the Government. Royal Mail’s terms of access to the Postcode Address File are regulated by Ofcom, the independent regulator for postal services.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many public contracts awarded by his Department since 5 July 2024 have required suppliers to recognise trade unions as a condition of contract award. \p Justin Madders: The Department of Business and Trade uses Government standard contract templates and these do not contain a specific requirement to recognise trade unions as a condition of a contract award.
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Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether there are any requirements for civil servants to book a desk in advance in order to attend the office in person in each of (a) their Department's office workplaces and (b) the arm’s length bodies of their Department. \p Justin Madders: Desk booking systems are in use at several DBT’s offices, including its London headquarters. Except for offices at Caxton House, London, it is not compulsory for people to book a desk for them to attend the office in person.

Arms length bodies have their own individual policies and procedures relating to desk booking.
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Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with the lithium (a) extraction and (b) processing industry. \p Sarah Jones: DBT regularly engages with the lithium extraction and processing industry. I will visit Cornwall this Spring to see first-hand the progress that the UK’s leading extractive and processing projects have made. Government has supported growing the lithium value chain through the National Wealth Fund’s £24m investment in Cornish Lithium.

Domestic production of lithium will be increasingly important as demand for resilient and responsible sources of critical minerals grows. Government will work closely with industry to publish a new Critical Minerals Strategy this year. This will secure our supply chains for the long term and refine our approach to maximising domestic production.
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Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the domestic critical minerals industry. \p Sarah Jones: A secure supply of critical minerals is vital for the UK’s economic growth and security, industrial strategy, and clean energy transition. Government will work hand in hand with industry to publish a new Critical Minerals Strategy this year. The Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure our supply chains for the long term and drive forward the green industries of the future.

Government is considering policy options to secure our critical mineral supply chains and will be engaging closely with industry to realise our potential for producing critical minerals domestically. I am pleased to see the National Wealth Fund’s recognition of our domestic critical minerals industry’s growth potential, as demonstrated by their recent £28.6m equity investment into the Cornish Metals South Crofty tin mine.
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Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of purchasing wind turbines from Chinese manufacturers on the UK steel industry. \p Sarah Jones: The UK steel industry has a long-term future under this Government. This month we launched the Plan for Steel Consultation, to look at the long-term issues facing the industry. This includes assessing how domestic steel producers could fulfil more UK demand for steel in downstream industries. Britain is open for business, and this Government has committed up to £2.5 billion to the future of steel to protect our industrial heartlands, maintain jobs, and drive growth as part of our Plan for Change
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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of pausing the current government subsidies for Drax’s power generation until the Public Accounts Committee reports on its inquiry on Government support for biomass. \p Michael Shanks: The Government has agreed new Heads of Terms with Drax for short term support from 2027 to 2031. It halves the subsidy paid to Drax, strengthens the sustainability arrangements to require 100% sustainable biomass, and reduces Drax’s generation so that it only operates when absolutely necessary on the system.
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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to encourage occupational pension schemes to invest in clean energy (a) projects and (b) infrastructure. \p Kerry McCarthy: The Government is committed to working with the pensions sector to transition to net zero. DESNZ collaborates with DWP and others in Government on this.

Pension schemes in scope of DWP’s requirements must produce an annual Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures report. In the manifesto, we committed to mandate listed companies, financial institutions and pension funds to develop and implement credible transition plans that align with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement. The Government will consult in the first half of this year on how best to take this forward.

The Government is also exploring ways to unlock the investment potential of the Local Government Pensions Scheme, through asset pooling for investment into climate-related projects.
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Andy McDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the rate of earnings before interest and tax allowance in OFGEM's energy price cap methodology. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The setting of the energy price cap is a matter for the independent regulator Ofgem. The earnings before tax and interest (EBIT) allowance allows energy suppliers to make a reasonable profit that ensures long-term investment, while limiting excess profits.

The law requires Ofgem to ensure the cap level reflects the underlying efficient costs of supplying energy.
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Connor Naismith:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the consequences will be for landlords who do not raise their EPC rating to C when it is unfeasible to do so. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government is currently consulting on raising minimum energy efficiency standards to EPC C or equivalent. Current regulations already include a number of available exemptions and we are looking to ensure appropriate exemptions are in place for any new standards. The consultation also sets out proposals about maximum non-compliance fines where no valid exemption applies.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the number of off-grid properties in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire that will receive the Warm Homes local grant. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Warm Homes: Local Grant will deliver upgrades to low-income homes both on and off the gas grid. Local Authorities (LAs) in receipt of the Grant will choose which homes to prioritise for upgrades, based on local needs and resident interest.

LAs have submitted Expressions of Interest to participate in the Grant, which included non-binding indications of the proportion of off-gas grid properties to be treated. At the time of writing, LAs have not yet been allocated funding. Until allocations have been confirmed, we cannot estimate the number of off-gas grid properties that will benefit from the scheme.
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Graham Stuart:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Oral Statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero of 10 February 2025 on Biomass Generation, Official Report, columns 41-43, what steps he is taking to support the continued operation of waste wood biomass sites under the 100MW threshold beyond 2027. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is aware that the expiration of Renewables Obligation accreditation beyond 2027 may affect the commercial viability of generators from a range of technologies, including waste wood biomass generators below the 100 MW threshold.

We are continuing to assess the situation to understand the impact of the end of Renewables Obligation support on security of supply, clean power 2030 and environment.

No decisions have been made on support for waste wood biomass sites beyond 2027.
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Jon Trickett:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff his Department has seconded from Palantir since July 2024. \p Michael Shanks: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has not seconded any staff from Palantir since July 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

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Tony Vaughan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Great British Nuclear on the potential merits of developing new nuclear power generation on the site of the Dungeness Power Station. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Nuclear (GBN) acquired sites at Wylfa (Ynys Mon/ Anglesey) and Oldbury-on-Severn (Gloucestershire) in 2024, although no decisions have yet been taken on any projects to be deployed at those sites.

In terms of other potentially suitable sites, the government recently published a consultation on a refreshed planning framework for new nuclear reactors (EN-7). The proposed planning framework provides a robust set of siting criteria, and the government would welcome developer interest in identifying potentially suitable sites using the framework as EN-7 moves towards designation later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_274

Warinder Juss:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his policy is on using tidal and wave energy to achieve his net zero targets. \p Michael Shanks: The UK possesses tremendous tidal resource which could play a role in balancing the intermittency of wind and solar generation as we transition towards a carbon-neutral power sector.

Tidal stream is a home-grown industry of considerable promise, and the UK remains the world leader in tidal stream generation technologies. With around half of the world's operational deployment, the UK is on track to have over 130 MW of tidal stream capacity deployed by 2029.

Wave energy technologies have promise and the Government is closely monitoring the strides being made by the sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_275

Chris Bloore:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department offers (a) paid time off work and (b) other support to employees who become kinship carers. \p Michael Shanks: The Department does not offer paid time off work specifically for kinship care. However, the Department does offer unpaid carer’s leave and both paid and unpaid special leave for employees who have caring responsibilities for dependants, either family or friends, which can include kinship.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_276

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the contribution of the devolved Administrations to meeting the UK's net zero target. \p Kerry McCarthy: The Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change Interministerial Group (IMG) supports the UK's net zero targets by coordinating engagement and promoting collaboration between UK and devolved governments. The devolved governments have significantly contributed through initiatives in renewable energy and sustainability. The next IMG meeting, chaired by NI Ministers, will be on 6 March in Belfast.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_277

Ben Lake:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the future of terrestrial TV distribution in Wales. \p Jo Stevens: I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of matters.

DCMS, as the lead department, are seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. As part of this process, DCMS has established a stakeholder forum which will take views on this topic 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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_278

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to tackle hare coursing in rural areas. \p Mary Creagh: This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England and Wales only.

This Government recognises the importance of tackling rural crimes such as Hare Coursing.

The previous Government made changes to address illegal hare coursing through a package of measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. This broadened the circumstances in which police can investigate and bring charges for hare coursing related activity.

Enforcement of the law is a matter for the police. This is in line with their duties to keep the peace and protect communities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_279

Mr Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the recycling rates in Birmingham in 2022-23. \p Mary Creagh: The percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling or composting for Birmingham City Council in 2022-23 was 22.9 per cent.

Waste and recycling statistics including household recycling rates are published annually for all local authorities in England here.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_280

Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to provide an Answer to Question 26922 on Waste Disposal: Monitoring, tabled on 28 January 2025. \p Mary Creagh: An answer to Question 26922 was published on 27 February 2025. I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_281

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025 to Question 23782 on Domestic Waste: Disposal, whether an outsourced contract for issuing fixed penalty notices in a manner that is in breach of the Code is grounds for appeal against the issuing of a fixed penalty notice. \p Mary Creagh: There is no formal right of appeal against a fixed penalty notice. If an alleged offender does not accept their liability for the offence, there is no requirement on them to pay the fixed penalty. They may have to defend their case in court. As this is an informal process, there are no fixed grounds on which such a challenge may be made.

The Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse states that “as a guideline, a single plastic sack of rubbish should usually be considered fly-tipping rather than litter.” Advisory guidance for local authorities is available on the use of littering enforcement powers which states that fixed penalty notices should only be used for the offence for which they were created. It also explains local authorities remain responsible for the entire enforcement process, even if they choose to use a private enforcement company. Defra is currently considering whether to make this enforcement guidance statutory.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_282

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025 to Question 27559 on Domestic Waste: Recycling and Waste Disposal, whether his Department has (a) funded and (b) supported the Waste & Resources Action Programme to produce guidance on this issue. \p Mary Creagh: Yes, Defra has provided WRAP funding and support under its Collection & Packaging Reforms and Resource and Waste Strategy programmes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_283

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2025 to Question 24365 on Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: WRAP, how much funding is being provided to WRAP in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26; if he will list each of the projects, programmes and activities that WRAP has been commissioned by his Department to undertake; and what access WRAP gives his Department to its internal research and datasets. \p Mary Creagh: This information is published by WRAP in its Annual report and Accounts.

Defra’s funding for WRAP in 2025/26 is subject to internal business planning allocations . To ensure value for money, Defra has access to all WRAP strategic boards, working groups, evidence, research, and reports.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_284

Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many (a) pheasants and (b) partridges were imported for shooting in 2024. \p Mary Creagh: See the below table showing the number of Partridges and Pheasants imported into Great Britain in 2024. We cannot confirm whether the purpose of these imports was for hunting, as this is not recorded on the Import of products, animals, food and feed (IPAFF) system.

Species

Number of animals

Partridges

455,194

Pheasants

487,488

Total

942,682

This information is drawn from external IPAFF systems not directly controlled by the department.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_285

Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of 24 January 2025 on the Climate and Nature Bill, how his Department plans to improve collaboration between the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Committee on Climate Change and the special representatives on climate and nature policy. \p Mary Creagh: As part of the Government’s consideration of the Climate and Nature Bill, on 24 January 2025, I committed to strengthen relationships between the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) and the Special representative for Nature. There is already a strong working relationship between JNCC and CCC. We intend to build on this at a more strategic level and work has commenced to integrate the Special Representative for Nature into this engagement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_286

Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of 24 January 2025 in the Climate and Nature Bill debate, what steps the Government plans to take to strengthen the narrative on imported emissions. \p Mary Creagh: This Government is absolutely committed to tackling the climate and nature crises and has agreed steps to take forward the spirit and substance of the Climate and Nature Bill with the Bill’s Sponsors. An update on these steps will be set out in a Ministerial Statement by the autumn.

Information about the Carbon footprint for the UK – including UK consumption emission figures from imported goods and services - is published by Defra and is available up to 2021 : Carbon footprint for the UK and England to 2021 - GOV.UK . Figures are due to be updated in the Spring.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_287

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to implement changes to binding commitments on nature protection, in the context of assurances made during the Climate and Nature Bill Second Reading debate on 24 January 2025. \p Mary Creagh: The Government is committed to deliver for nature, taking action to meet our Environment Act targets, to restore and protect our natural world.

We will develop a new, statutory plan to protect and restore our natural environment with delivery information to help meet each of our ambitious Environment Act targets.

The Government has concluded a rapid review of the existing Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP23). We published a statement of the rapid review’s key findings on 30 January 2025, to be followed by publication of a revised EIP later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-04 conversation_288

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to improve data reporting on consumption emissions, in the context of commitments made during the Climate and Nature Bill Second Reading debate on 24 January 2025. \p Mary Creagh: This Government is absolutely committed to tackling the climate and nature crises and has agreed steps to take forward the spirit and substance of the Climate and Nature Bill with the Bill’s Sponsors. An update on these steps will be set out in a Ministerial Statement by the autumn.

Information about the Carbon footprint for the UK – including UK consumption emission figures - is published by Defra and is available up to 2021: Carbon footprint for the UK and England to 2021 - GOV.UK . Figures are due to be updated in the Spring.