theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has taken to model the level of police officer (a) attrition and (b) recruitment required to (i) maintain and (ii) increase overall frontline police numbers in the next three years. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office publishes data on police officer attrition as part of the Police Workforce Statistics, England and Wales. Attrition varies by force and in the year ending March 2024, 9,080 FTE police officers left the 43 territorial police forces in England and Wales (excluding transfers), a decrease of 112 (or 1.2%) on the previous year.

It is for Chief Constables and directly elected PCCs, and Mayors with PCC functions to put in place robust workforce plans to deliver sufficient recruitment to replace officers leaving the service to ensure officer numbers can be maintained. Through the Police Funding Settlement for 2025/26, a total of up to £376.8 million has been allocated to support the maintenance of police officer numbers in England and Wales in 2025-26. This is in addition to £200m which has been made available in 2025/26 to kick start the growth in neighbourhood policing personnel. By the end of this parliament there will be 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales, including up to 3000 additional neighbourhood officers by the end of March 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-04)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to create an offence of (a) engaging in nuisance begging, (b) arranging or facilitating begging for gain and (c) trespassing with intent to commit a criminal offence. \p Dame Diana Johnson: On 10th June, the Government announced its intention to repeal the outdated Vagrancy Act 1824. We have introduced targeted replacement measures in the Crime and Policing Bill to ensure police have the powers they need to keep communities safe, including a new criminal offence of facilitating begging for gain, and an offence of trespassing with the intention of committing a crime, both of which were previously provided for under the 1824 Act.

We know police forces make effective use of existing powers to tackle anti-social behaviour that occurs in this context, and we will update statutory guidance on the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to provide more certainty on how existing powers can be applied to anti-social behaviour where it occurs in these scenarios.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the value for money of the Police and Crime Commissioner roles. \p Dame Diana Johnson: As the directly elected representative for policing in their area, Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) have an important local role acting as the voice of the public and victims in policing, holding Chief Constables to account and leading local partnerships to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.

In her Written Ministerial Statement of 19 November 2024 (HCWS232), the Home Secretary announced her intention to present a White Paper to Parliament this year on reforms to deliver more effective and efficient policing, to rebuild public confidence and to deliver the Government’s Safer Streets mission. We will consider the role of PCCs in local accountability and preventing crime as part of wider reforms to the policing system and we will set out our plans in due course.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) retail staff and (b) police officers are aware of the new offence of assaulting a retail worker. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Through our Safer Streets Mission and wider reforms, we are determined to tackle crime and restore public confidence in policing. The Home Office has published a performance framework to monitor delivery of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, including reducing crime and improving public perceptions of crime and anti-social behaviour. The framework is published here: Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee performance framework - GOV.UK

Work being done by Opal, the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), directly supports the aims of the Safer Streets Mission.

We are providing over £7 million over the next three financial years to these organisations to help them tackle retail crime.

This includes an agreed delivery plan and Key Performance Indicators, and ongoing monitoring throughout the period of the grant. An evaluation will be undertaken to ensure the aims of the funding are delivered. This will include evaluation on how it has assisted in tackling retail crime, including serious and organised retail crime Opal is overseen by the NPCC lead for Serious Organised Acquisitive Crime, Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman,

The Crime and Policing Bill, which includes the offence of assaulting a retail worker, is progressing through Parliament and was introduced to the House of Lords on 19 June. We will continue to work with police and the retail sector through the Retail Crime Forum to ensure that, after Royal Assent, everyone is aware of the new legislation.
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Mike Reader:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to extend the proposed standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker under the Crime and Policing Bill to include retail delivery drivers. \p Dame Diana Johnson: This Government is committed to tackling retail crime. Through our Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.

Assaults against delivery drivers are already an offence (Common Assault) under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, and are covered under other legislation such as the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which also covers more serious violence, including actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm.

Section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 creates a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing cases of assault against public facing workers. It applies where an assault is committed against those providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public. This includes those delivering goods to customers and other public-facing roles.
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Paula Barker:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent estimate her Department has made of the cost of policing the supply of cannabis. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Dame Carol Black Independent Review of Drugs (2020) is the most recent estimate of the total cost of drug-related enforcement costs.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her Department's process is for sharing intelligence with licensing authorities when a foreign national taxi driver is arrested. \p Dame Diana Johnson: As set out in the Department for Transport’s Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards, all applicants for a taxi or PHV driver’s licence, irrespective of nationality, should undergo an enhanced DBS check including a check of the children’s and adults’ barred lists every six months. The enhanced check includes any police information which the chief officer believes to be relevant and ought to be disclosed.

In addition, the police may proactively share information using common law police disclosure (CLPD) powers. If there is pressing social need, CLPD allows forces to proactively provide personal data or sensitive personal data to a third party such as licensing authorities using common law powers. It is for chief officers to determine the implementation of CLPD provisions locally, in accordance with guidance published by the College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ Council.
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Sir Mark Hendrick:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding has been allocated to the police to help tackle hate crimes against people from the LGBQT+ community in (a) Lancashire, (b) Cumbria and (c) Greater Manchester. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Government is also committed to giving police the resources they need to tackle crime. That is why the Chancellor has announced a real terms increase in police spending power over the next three years. This builds on the 25/26 police funding settlement, which provides funding of up to £19.6 billion for the policing system in England and Wales and includes an additional £200 million to kickstart the first phase of putting 13,000 additional police officers and personnel into neighbourhood policing roles. As usual, more detail on force funding allocations will be set out at the provisional police settlement.

It is for Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners to make operational decisions, including how to allocate resources based on their local knowledge and experience.

We currently fund an online reporting portal to ensure victims do not have to visit a police station to report any hate crime they experience, and we also fund a National Hub which provides expert advice to police forces across the country on what they can do to tackle the increasing levels of online hate crime.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has she made of the adequacy of police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Government keeps police powers under regular review to ensure they remain effective.
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Apsana Begum:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Palestine Action members have been (a) arrested, (b) charged, (c) convicted, (d) held on remand and (e) imprisoned for (i) assault, (ii) assaulting an emergency worker, (iii) inflicting grievous bodily harm, (iv) man slaughter and (v) murder related to activity regarding protests against arms sales to Israel. \p Dan Jarvis: Data provided by police shows that, between 30 July 2020 and 27 June 2025, there have been over 400 “direct actions” claimed by or identified with Palestine Action.

Police have made 750 arrests during this period, with 555 separate individuals arrested. Offences have included criminal damage, aggravated burglary, violent disorder, assault on emergency workers, actual bodily harm and gross bodily harm.

For many relevant cases, police investigations and court proceedings are ongoing.
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Cat Eccles:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of supervised consumption sites for people with drug addictions in order to assist them in rehabilitation. \p Dame Diana Johnson: This government will continue to support preventative public health measures to support people to live longer and healthier lives and we are committed to ensuring that anyone with a drug problem can access the help and support they need.

The government has no current plans to facilitate the introduction of drug consumption rooms.
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Sojan Joseph:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to phase out (a) animal testing and (b) testing on beagles at (i) MBR Acres and (ii) other facilities. \p Dan Jarvis: This Government has made a commitment to the long-term goal of phasing out animal testing in science and research. An immediate ban is not presently feasible due to international regulatory requirements for the safety testing of chemicals and medicines. Such tests may include dogs as an appropriate model. The number of Beagles bred is largely determined by the forecast needs of the pharmaceutical industry for safe and effective medicines.

The Home Office assures that, in every research proposal, animals are replaced with non-animal alternatives wherever possible, the number of animals are reduced to the minimum necessary to achieve the result sought, and that, for those animals which must be used, procedures are refined as much as possible to minimise their suffering.

The National Centre for the 3Rs have a project to create a Virtual second species to assess potential toxicity before commencing clinical trials. This is a cutting-edge initiative to develop computational models that simulate dog biology, aiming to ultimately replace the use of dogs in drug safety testing. It brings together pharmaceutical companies and researchers to create more ethical, accurate, and efficient alternatives.

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) is engaging with stakeholders to finalise a strategy to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of alternatives to animal testing which is scheduled for publication later this year.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of overall funding allocated to Thames Valley Police; and whether she plans to review regional difference in police (a) pay and (b) allowances as part of future funding settlements. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The 2025-26 final police funding settlement provides an overall increase of up to £1.2 billion when compared to the 2024-25 settlement. Thames Valley Police will receive up to £627.4 million, an increase of up to £40.8 million from 2024-25.

The Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) and Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) make recommendations to the Government on the appropriate level of pay and allowances for police officers.

The pay review bodies gather and invite parties to submit evidence to inform their decisions. This includes both written and oral evidence from the Government, police employers and police staff associations. They weigh the evidence, consider independent research, and formulate detailed recommendations.

We are committed to the Pay Review Body process and the Government appreciates and values the independent, expert advice and contribution that the pay review bodies make.
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Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2025 to Question 52657 on Immigration: EU Nationals, whether her Department collects any data on the ethnicity of applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme. \p Seema Malhotra: A detailed breakdown of the EU Settlement Scheme statistics is available to the public via GOV.UK. Within the latest published statistics, Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK, a list of data fields sets out what data is collected, as part of the EU Settlement Scheme application.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the South East allowance for police officers in Thames Valley Police. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) and Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) make recommendations to the Government on the appropriate level of pay and allowances for police officers.

The pay review bodies gather and invite parties to submit evidence to inform their decisions. This includes both written and oral evidence from the Government, police employers and police staff associations. They weigh the evidence, consider independent research, and formulate detailed recommendations.

We are committed to the Pay Review Body process and the Government appreciates and values the independent, expert advice and contribution that the pay review bodies make.
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Sir Mark Hendrick:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many claims for compensation have been made under the Windrush Scheme from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. \p Seema Malhotra: Information on the number of people who have received documentation confirming their status and the number of people who have been granted British citizenship under the Windrush Scheme is published as part of the quarterly Transparency Data release. The latest published data, covering the period up to the end of Quarter 1 2025, is available here: Windrush Status Scheme data: Q1 2025.

Information on the number of claims received by the Windrush Compensation Scheme is published as part of the monthly Transparency Data release. The latest published data, covering the period up to the end of May 2025, is available here: Windrush Compensation Scheme data: May 2025 - GOV.UK.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 61724 on Defending Democracy Taskforce: Northern Ireland, whether she plans to hold meetings in Northern Ireland in 2025. \p Dan Jarvis: Meetings of the Taskforce are attended by Ministers and senior officials from multiple Government departments and have to date taken place in secure Government premises within the Whitehall estate.

There are currently no plans for the Taskforce to meet in Northern Ireland. However, meetings of the Taskforce are complemented by official led engagement with Devolved Governments including Northern Ireland.
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Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to support the Community Sponsorship scheme for refugees. \p Seema Malhotra: The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced a review of our existing refugee sponsorship and resettlement schemes to develop a more cost-effective and sustainable framework which will deliver better outcomes for refugees and the communities in which they live.
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Antonia Bance:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps (a) the police and (b) immigration enforcement are taking to prevent unlicensed scrap metal dealing. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Government recognises that metal theft can cause significant distress and disruption, not only in terms of financial loss to businesses but also to people’s sense of safety and security in their local communities. Police recorded metal theft offences have been falling since the introduction of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. This legislation was introduced to reverse what was then a rising trend by strengthening regulation of the metal recycling sector and making it more difficult to dispose of stolen metal.

Whilst these reductions are welcome, the Government is determined to go further. We are driving work with the National Infrastructure Crime Reduction Partnership (NICRP), which brings together industry representatives, policing and law enforcement agencies to tackle metal theft. The NICRP promotes intelligence sharing, targeted enforcement, and the implementation of crime prevention strategies across forces. To date, the Partnership has delivered training to 2,000 police officers and facilitates the sharing of data and intelligence among partners to support efforts to identify and disrupt offenders.

There is close cooperation between police, Environment Agency and other enforcement bodies in dealing with facilities such as scrap yards, as there are significant overlaps between environmental, acquisitive, and other types of crime. The Environment Agency is increasingly looking at the financial aspects of offending.

The Government is also prioritising reducing the profitability of acquisitive crime. We will continue to work with the police to better understand the disposal routes used to sell stolen goods and the Home Office will continue to work with other Government departments and online sites such as eBay, Gumtree and Meta (Facebook) to inform what more can be done to tackle the stolen goods market.

Whilst Immigration Enforcement does not have any primary responsibility in the licencing of scrap metal dealing, or in tackling unlicenced scrap metal dealing, it discharges its duties in line with the law.
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Carla Denyer:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the report by the Migration Advisory Committee entitled Family visa financial requirements review, published on 10 June 2025, if she will expedite her response to the recommendations relating to children; and what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on those recommendations. \p Seema Malhotra: The report of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is now under review and the Home Office will respond to the review in due course.
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Apsana Begum:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Written Statement of 23 June 2025 on Security, HCWS729, how many people have been (a) arrested, (b) charged, (c) convicted, (d) held on remand and (e) are serving a prison sentence for the activity listed in the Written Statement. \p Dan Jarvis: Data provided by police shows that, between 30 July 2020 and 27 June 2025, there have been over 400 “direct actions” claimed by or identified with Palestine Action. Police have made 750 arrests during this period, with 555 separate individuals arrested. Offences have included criminal damage, aggravated burglary, violent disorder, assault on emergency workers, actual bodily harm and gross bodily harm. For many relevant cases, police investigations and court proceedings are ongoing.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing Lancashire Police an uplift in support to increase capability of defending civilian defence manufacturers. \p Dan Jarvis: Defence Industry sites are protected under the National Security Act 2023 which provides police additional powers in responding to incidents at these sites.

We also maintain proactive communications with our Defence industry partners, ensuring that they are provided with up-to-date advice and guidance on the protection of their facilities and increasing vigilance of their staff to mitigate potential threats.
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Apsana Begum:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2024 to Question 19789, how many of these were (a) charged, (b) convicted, (c) held on remand and (e) imprisoned. \p Dan Jarvis: Data provided by police shows that, between 30 July 2020 and 27 June 2025, there have been over 400 “direct actions” claimed by or identified with Palestine Action. Police have made 750 arrests during this period, with 555 separate individuals arrested. Offences have included criminal damage, aggravated burglary, violent disorder, assault on emergency workers, actual bodily harm and gross bodily harm. For many relevant cases, police investigations and court proceedings are ongoing.
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Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to create a statutory definition of honour-based abuse. \p Jess Phillips: The Government is tackling ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) through its landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. Key to this is ensuring that HBA is well understood by frontline professionals, Government agencies, and impacted communities.

Currently there is a definition of HBA used by the criminal justice system, but we recognise there is more that can be done to raise the level of consistency of understanding regarding HBA in Government and across statutory services.

The Home Office is considering this alongside other measures to prevent HBA from happening, support victims and bring perpetrators to justice. More detail will be set out in our forthcoming Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been charged under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 in each year since 2021. \p Jess Phillips: The Home Office publishes information on the number of charges for modern slavery in England and Wales. The number of individuals charged or summonsed for modern slavery offences was 226 in 2021, 192 in 2022, 167 in 2023 and 209 in 2024.

More information on the latest police recorded crime data can be accessed here: Police recorded crime and outcomes open data tables - GOV.UK

Where a charge outcome has been recorded for a modern slavery crime it is not necessarily always a charge under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of encouraging police forces to establish ringfenced neighbourhood policing units with a dedicated remit to tackle (a) illegal e-scooter use, (b) public disorder, (c) low-level crime and (d) other antisocial behaviour. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Restoring neighbourhood policing is at the heart of the Government’s Plan for Change and on 10 April the Prime Minister and Home Secretary outlined further details about our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

Through the Guarantee, by July, every community will have named, and contactable officers dedicated to addressing local issues. These officers will play a vital role in preventing and responding to crime at all levels by building trust, gathering intelligence, and maintaining a visible presence in communities.

The Guarantee will also ensure that neighbourhood policing teams hold regular local beat meetings that residents and businesses can use to raise concerns and help shape local policing priorities.

Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we are strengthening the powers available to police and other relevant agencies under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to improve the tools agencies have at their disposal to tackle ASB. This includes introducing new Respect Orders to tackle the most persistent adult ASB offenders, extending the maximum exclusion period for dispersal directions from 48 to 72 hours, and increasing the upper limit for a fixed penalty notice for breaches of a Public Spaces Protection Orders or a Community Protection Notice from £100 to £500.

The Bill will also enhance the powers for the police to seize nuisance off-road bikes, and other vehicles which are being used in an anti-social manner, without having to first give a warning to the offender.

To reinforce neighbourhood policing teams, we have made £200 million available in FY 25/26 to support the first steps of delivering 13,000 more neighbourhood personnel across England and Wales, including up to 3000 additional neighbourhood officers by 31 March 2026.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of illegal migrants that entered the UK using the Northern Ireland border in each of the last five years. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office does not make estimates of the number of illegal immigrants in the UK.

Information about the number of illegal migrants in Northern Ireland or using the Northern Ireland border is not available in our published data.

Our published national data on enforcement is available at the following link and includes data on detected irregular arrivals to the UK: Immigration system statistics, year ending March 2025 - GOV.UK.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to improve the (a) accuracy and (b) speed of her Department's decision-making processes for asylum seekers. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office continues to invest in a programme of transformation and business improvement, including innovative methods to speed up asylum decision making and improve the quality and consistency of our work.

The latest quarter saw the second highest three-month period for people receiving initial decisions since comparable records began in 2002, and more than double (+116%) those in the three months before the election (April to June 2024).
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Stephen Gethins:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of using artificial intelligence to translate documents supporting (a) visa and (b) asylum applications. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Whilst the Home Office is committed to using technology and innovation to make the asylum system more efficient, the Home Office does not currently use Artificial Intelligence to translate documents submitted as evidence in asylum claims.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the number of (a) asylum seekers and (b) irregular migrants without the right to work in the UK working in the gig economy. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office does not hold an estimate of the number of people working illegally in the gig economy. The recent joint work between the Office for National Statistics and the Home Office explains the complexities - Measuring illegal migration: our current view - Office for National Statistics.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 60821 on Immigration Controls: Northern Ireland, whether Operation Gull is currently operating in Northern Ireland. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Yes, Operation Gull is an intelligence led operation and is deployed on that basis.
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Gavin Robinson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department plans to take to improve the asylum system. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Hon Member to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill introduced to Parliament on 30 January (Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill 2025 - GOV.UK.) and the Immigration White Paper published on 12 May (Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper - GOV.UK), both of which will drive forward the Government’s objectives to restore order to the asylum system, and cut costs it imposes on the taxpayer.
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Gavin Robinson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum applications were received in Northern Ireland in the last financial year. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Available data on people claiming asylum in the UK is published in table Asy_D01 of the ‘Asylum claims and initial decisions detailed datasets’. Data on asylum seekers in receipt of support by local authority is published in table Asy_D11 of the ‘Asylum support detailed datasets’.

The latest data relates to the year ending March 2025 and as at 31 March 2025. Information on how to use the datasets can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbooks.
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Gavin Robinson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to ensure that decisions on third country asylum applications are dealt with within 6 months. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We always aim to process inadmissibility decisions as promptly as possible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-04)

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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her planned timeline is for completion of the review of the Adults at Risk in Immigration Detention policy. \p Dame Angela Eagle: External engagement on the review ended in May 2025 and the Home Office is currently considering the feedback received.

Any resulting decisions will be announced in the normal way in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-04 conversation_109

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what checks her Department carries out to verify the identity documents of migrants applying for taxi licences. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Hon Member to the answer sent on the 20 May 2025 to UIN 51642.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-04 conversation_110

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is funding UK-wide research into hedgehog ecology and conservation. \p Mary Creagh: Natural England, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Forestry Commission have contributed to the first National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy. This strategy has identified several actions to facilitate and encourage data sharing on hedgehog ecology and conservation.

In addition, Natural England is co-funding the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme. The information gathered will produce insights into the factors causing hedgehog population decline, leading to the implementation of practical conservation measures to address this challenge.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-04 conversation_111

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the reclassification of the St Ives Staunch as a navigation, rather than a flooding, asset on the risk of flooding from the River Great Ouse in Huntingdon constituency. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency (EA) have assessed a range of data and evidence linked to the St Ives Staunch Sluice. This has included hydraulic modelling and real-world data from flood events. The evidence shows that the asset provides very limited flood risk benefit but is important for maintaining water levels for navigation. The change in the primary purpose of the asset reflects this information.

The EA will carry out works to the asset to support Navigation in the area, within the next two years. They have also committed to providing regular updates to keep the community informed.

The reclassification has no impact on the amount of flood risk funding that the asset is eligible for, and the community can be reassured that the current condition of the asset does not have a significant impact on the risk of property flooding.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-04 conversation_112

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the detailed criteria his Department uses to calculate avian flu compensation payments for industrial poultry units. \p Daniel Zeichner: Compensation paid for birds culled by the Government for disease control purposes is designed to promote prompt reporting of suspicion of disease and is only payable for healthy birds as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981. There is no compensation available for sick birds or birds that have died. Compensation is not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control measures, nor for eggs or poultry meat.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) makes its assessment of the disease status of the birds based on clinical inspection and veterinary judgment. The amount of compensation is established by APHA using the relevant valuation rate card (or for specialist stock by a specialist valuer). The valuation rate cards are updated by APHA five times per year (in January, March, June, September and November) to ensure rates are in line with average market values for the types of birds.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-04 conversation_113

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the devolved Administrations on coordinated approaches to monitoring badger populations. \p Mary Creagh: Chief Veterinary Officers from all four devolved administrations of the United Kingdom, along with policy officials, meet routinely to discuss shared priorities. This includes the TB Liaison Group, which provides a platform for coordination and updates on policy developments, such as monitoring badger populations. The latest badger population survey began in England in February 2025, and findings from such initiatives will be shared across administrations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-04 conversation_114

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of smoke emissions from Battery Energy Storage Systems fires on (a) the environment and (b) public health. \p Emma Hardy: The Government agrees with the need to have robust measures in place to manage the risks associated with facilities that use large numbers of lithium-ion batteries. DEFRA will consult shortly on including grid-scale BESS as an activity within environmental permitting to manage the environmental and public health risks from fires at BESS sites.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-04 conversation_115

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much his Department has spent on (a) social media promotions, (b) influencer marketing and (c) online advertising in the last 12 months. \p Daniel Zeichner: Commercial sensitivities exist around aspects of this spend which could prejudice commercial interests. All spend in these areas are subject to the standard value for money assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-04 conversation_116

Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the document entitled The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, published on 23 June 2025, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the potential impact of agri-tech on economic growth in rural areas. \p Daniel Zeichner: Ministers and officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) worked closely with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to develop the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, such as on the inclusion of agri-tech to support growth of the agri-tech sector and its impact in rural areas. Ministers and officials within Defra will continue to liaise on implementation of commitments within the plan, and more broadly on agri-tech. Agri-tech sector growth will help to diversify rural economies, reduce regional inequalities and support food security. Agri-tech businesses are located across the country and growth will also enable new high skilled jobs to be created in rural areas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-04 conversation_117

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 56077 on Farmer: Mental Health, what findings have been identified through the Farmer Opinion Tracker on mental health challenges; and how these findings are informing agricultural policy development. \p Daniel Zeichner: We listen to what farmers are telling us, reporting in our statistical series the strength of sentiment through both numbers and from the open response questions. Findings, alongside our engagement with farmers at shows and events and with representative bodies, including farming welfare charities, all contribute to a better understanding of the issues farmers are facing and how the delivery of schemes and other interventions can impact not just on businesses but also on farmers’ own personal resilience and mental health.

In the Farmer Opinion Tracker, we hear views from farmers across a range of issues relating to farming and we recognise that confidence remains low. Findings can be found on GOV.YK by searching ‘Farming Opinion Tracker’.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-04 conversation_118

Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to fund (a) rural and (b) coastal (i) infrastructure and (ii) services. \p Daniel Zeichner: This Government is committed to improving the quality of life for people living and working in coastal and rural areas, so that we can realise the full potential of rural business and communities.

In addition to funding for sustainable farming and nature recovery, the Government has confirmed investment of over £1.9 billion over four years into broadband and 4G connectivity, and £2.3 billion of Local Transport Grant funding for smaller cities, towns and rural area. This funding addresses the key blockers to growth in rural areas.

On 19 May, we launched the “Fishing & Coastal Growth Fund” that will invest £360 million over the next 12 years to support the next generation of fishermen and breathe new life into our coastal communities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-04 conversation_119

Jessica Toale:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on reducing levels of (a) long-term and (b) short-term exposure to air pollution. \p Emma Hardy: Long-term and short-term exposure to most air pollutants has reduced over the past 20 years. Significant reductions in annual average concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter have been achieved over this period. More information on these can be found in our annual Air Quality Accredited Official Statistic publication: Air quality statistics - GOV.UK/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-04 conversation_120

Andrew Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to consult young people in the development of (a) environmental policy and (b) climate-related decision-making. \p Mary Creagh: This Government recognises that young people are at the heart of environmental and climate-related decision making and actively considers their views and needs.

This year, Defra collaborated with the Department for Education, Policy Lab and environmental NGOs to invite young people and representative groups to participate in an online ‘Collective Intelligence’ debate to inform our review of the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan.

Defra also works closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, who will publish a net zero Public Participation Strategy later this year which will set out how we will empower individuals and communities to take action, whilst ensuring that policies are designed in a way that is responsive to people’s needs, including young people.

As the lead Government department for climate adaptation, we are currently developing our approach to the next National Adaptation Programme. This includes how we will engage with wider society, including with young people, about building resilience to the climate change impacts we are already experiencing.

At the international level. Defra financed the participation of two UK members of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network at COP16 in Cali Colombia in October 2024. At COP29 in 2024, we were the first national government to endorse the Universal Youth Clause in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).