theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_248
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_248

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many special advisers of the former Deputy Prime Minister have (a) left and (b) remained in government. \p Samantha Dixon: The government publishes an annual statement to Parliament setting out the numbers, names and pay bands of special advisers, the appointing minister and the overall paybill.
wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_249
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_249

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the (a) support available to fire service staff who attend traumatic callouts and (b) suicide prevention training requirements for fire service managers in North East Hampshire constituency. \p Samantha Dixon: The health and wellbeing of firefighters is of the utmost importance. The Government recognises the risks firefighters face and is grateful to them for their bravery.

As the employer of fire and rescue service personnel, Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) are ultimately responsible for the health and wellbeing of firefighters. The Government-issued National Framework directs that all FRAs should have a people strategy which sets out the mental and physical health and wellbeing support available to firefighters.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) supports good mental health in fire and rescue services as one aspect of its Health and Wellbeing Framework.

National organisations such as the Fire Fighters Charity and Mind also offer valuable support to individuals and services. Their resources can assist FRAs in developing local approaches to managing mental health risks and promoting the wellbeing of their workforce.

The health and wellbeing support provided by Fire and Rescue Services is considered by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services in the course of their work.
wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_250
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_250

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure consistency in enforcement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 across different Fire and Rescue Authorities. \p Samantha Dixon: The department works with the National Fire Chiefs Council to update national guidance and support fire and rescue services’ protection departments to enforce our fire safety laws effectively.

The department recently issued a guidance supplement updating guidance to enforcing authorities at Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: enforcement - GOV.UK.

Fire and rescue authorities are required to have regard to this guidance in their enforcement approach, however specific enforcement decisions are based on the circumstances of each case.
wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_251
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_251

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent steps his Department has taken to support residents who are unable to (a) sell or (b) remortgage their properties due to fire safety remediation works in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Samantha Dixon: Ten major banks and building societies have signed up to the industry statement on cladding. In doing so, they have committed to consider mortgage applications, even if a property has building safety issues, provided either the building has funding for works from government or the developer, or the property is protected by the leaseholder protections in the Building Safety Act, and the leaseholder has completed a ‘Leaseholder Deed of Certificate’ to evidence it.

Officials engage regularly with these lenders to make sure they fulfil their commitment to lending as set out in the statement. If the Hon Gentleman is aware of cases in the Surrey Heath constituency where there is evidence that this is not happening, I would encourage him to contact my Department and my officials can follow this up.
wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_252
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_252

Llinos Medi:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press notice entitled £214m new funding for Welsh communities to improve neighbourhoods and restore pride, published on 25 September 2025, when the capital funding for Welsh local authorities will be made available; and over what period that funding will be released. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The government has announced its flagship Pride in Place programme, supporting 244 of Great Britain’s most in need neighbourhoods with up to £20 million each over the next decade. Nine Local Authorities in Wales will benefit from the new programme. These areas will join five communities where work is already underway, taking the total to fourteen local authorities across Wales sharing £280 million. Local authorities will be invited to propose the communities within their areas to participate in the Pride in Place Programme for UK Government approval with capacity and capital funding to all places from Spring 2026.

On top of this every local authority in Wales will receive £34.5 million of capital funding through a new Pride in Place Impact Fund to improve their public spaces, including fixing broken bus shelters, reopening park toilets, more bins to help stop litter and revamping run-down leisure centres. Funding from the Pride in Place Impact Fund will go directly to Local Authorities, who will play a leading role in shaping and delivering projects in partnership with their local communities and MPs. The Pride in Place Impact Fund is a two-year programme ending in March 2027. Each Local Authority will shortly receive its first payment of £750,000 with a second to follow next year.

With support from the Wales Office, we will work in partnership with the Welsh Government to implement the new programme to complement the work of their Transforming Towns and Placemaking Initiatives.
wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_253
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_253

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what representations her Department has received from local authorities and parking operators on the use of automatic number plate recognition in municipal car parks since 4 July 2024. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 77649 on 13 October 2025.
wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_254
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_254

Llinos Medi:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what criteria were used to determine how local authorities qualified for funding under the Pride in Place programme. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: On 25 September the government announced its flagship Pride in Place Programme, supporting 244 of Great Britain’s most in need neighbourhoods with up to £20 million each over the next decade. This will serve as the cornerstone of this government’s support for communities, incorporating the existing 25 trailblazer areas announced at Spending Review and the 75 Plan for Neighbourhoods programme areas that were announced in March.

New areas across England were selected using a robust, metrics-based methodology based on deprivation (the Index of Multiple Deprivation) and community need (the Community Needs Index) to identify areas with the poorest social and economic outcomes.

The full list of areas and place selection methodology was published and is set out on gov.uk here.
wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_255
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_255

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of foreign home ownership on the availability of housing stock. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 50763 on 16 May 2025.
wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_256
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_256

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help support tenants who are unable to secure new tenancies due to private landlords failing to provide references upon request. \p Matthew Pennycook: Where a landlord has requested a reference from a previous landlord and is unable to obtain this, we encourage landlords to make use of other available referencing criteria to give them and the tenant the confidence that the tenancy is suitable. This is already common practice for tenants renting for the first time or those from abroad. Local authorities may also offer guarantee schemes or assistance with rent payments to help people on low incomes or at risk of homelessness to secure a property when they may otherwise struggle to do so. The Government has no plans to introduce a statutory duty for landlords to provide tenants references when requested.
wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_257
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_257

Calum Miller:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his timetable is for reaching a decision on the planning application made by Oxford United Football Club to build a new stadium at the Triangle, south of Kidlington. \p Matthew Pennycook: A decision not to call in the planning application for a new Oxford United stadium was issued on 15 October. The application therefore remains with Cherwell District Council for determination.
wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_258
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_258

Dan Carden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September to Question 75141 on Multiple Occupation, if his Department will undertake such an assessment. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department has no current plans to undertake such an assessment. We will keep the regulation of HMOs under review, including whether an assessment of trends in the level of HMOs and the potential impacts of these on local authorities is needed.
wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_259
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_259

Samantha Niblett:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on sites intended for building that have previously been used as dumps for fly ash. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should ensure that a site is suitable for its proposed use taking account of ground conditions and any risks arising from land instability and contamination. This includes risks arising from natural hazards or former activities such as mining, and any proposals for mitigation including land remediation (as well as potential impacts on the natural environment arising from that remediation). My Department continues to work closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on matters relating to meeting our shared ambition to deliver 1.5 million new homes in this Parliament while improving and protecting the environment.
wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_260
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_260

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of making local fire services statutory consultees for industrial lithium-ion battery storage planning permission applications. \p Matthew Pennycook: In January 2025 the government declared a moratorium on any new statutory consultees, along with a review of the existing statutory consultee arrangements to ensure they align with the government’s ambitions for growth. Further details can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510).

Planning Practice Guidance encourages developers and local planning authorities to engage with local fire and rescue services and National Fire Chiefs Council guidance in relation to battery energy storage systems.
wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_261
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-16 conversation_261

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of independence of the Property Redress Service. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department monitors the performance of Property Redress through monthly data returns and regular governance meetings. We take all complaints about their services seriously. Where they arise, we challenge the schemes if we receive suggestions that they have failed to meet the standards to which they subscribe. We are satisfied with the responses to date.

Property Redress are approved as a competent alternative dispute resolution provider under the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015. As part of this, they are subject to periodic review and required to demonstrate how their decision making remains independent.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_1

Charlie Maynard:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to support farmers to produce more home grown wheat while meeting (a) net zero targets, (b) the targets outlined in the Environment Act 2021 and (c) other environmental commitments. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government is committed to reducing emissions in the farming sector. The transition goes hand in hand with food security and farm productivity. For wheat in 2023, the UK was 96% self-sufficient. We will support farmers to adopt low carbon farming practices, increasing the carbon stored on their land while boosting profitability.

Defra’s flagship crop breeding programme, the crop Genetic Improvement Networks (GINs), funds research to develop crop varieties that are more productive; sustainable; and have greater resilience against a changing climate, including drought tolerance. The latest investment - £15 million over 5 years - covers five crop types, including wheat. The GINs have already successfully identified genetic traits to improve resilience to climate change and common pests and diseases; and the programme is working closely with breeders to incorporate these traits into UK crop varieties.

On 25 February the legislation needed to implement the Precision Breeding Act for plants in England was laid in Parliament and through a new Farming Innovation Programme thematic competition, we have announced £12.5 million to help deliver the practical benefits of precision breeding technology to farmers. This will help transform the plant breeding sector, including potentially supporting more drought resilient cereals.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_2

Charlie Maynard:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce UK reliance on imported wheat for milling. \p Daniel Zeichner: British farmers are world-leaders and know their own land best - carefully planning their planting to suit the weather, their soil type, and their long-term agronomic strategy. Harvested production of wheat in 2023 was just under 13.9 million tonnes, which represents average UK production.

Food security is built on supply from diverse sources, strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes. UK consumers have access through international trade to food products that cannot be produced here, or at least not on a year-round basis. This supplements domestic production and ensures that any disruption from risks such as adverse weather or disease does not affect the UK's overall security of supply. In 2023, domestically produced wheat accounted for 83% of the wheat used in the milling grist. Due to environmental and climate conditions the UK milling industry require a certain level of imports of high protein milling wheat year on year to meet consumer demand.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_3

Alex Easton:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to negotiate a veterinary agreement with the European Union to ensure the continued supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland beyond December 2025; and what alternative solutions are being considered to mitigate potential supply chain disruptions. \p Daniel Zeichner: Maintaining availability of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland after the end of 2025 is a priority. This Government continues to progress work on this issue as quickly as possible and we continue to engage with industry to understand their intentions for supply after the grace period and what alternative products could be available. The Government has seen positive signs that the size of the issue is reducing, as businesses are making changes to their operations. The Veterinary Medicines Working Group, including experts, industry representatives and elected representatives, has also been re-established to advise the Government on this matter.

The Government is committed to resetting our EU relationship, including by seeking to negotiate an SPS agreement. We have been clear that an SPS agreement could boost trade and deliver significant benefits on both sides. We will not be providing a running commentary on discussions with the EU and it is too early to comment on what may be in scope of an agreement.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_4

Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of food procured by the public sector in Derbyshire is from British farmers. \p Daniel Zeichner: As part of the Government’s New Deal for Farmers, it was announced that, where possible, we will back British produce, including that grown in Derbyshire. Over the next year, for the first time ever, the Government will review food currently bought in the public sector and where it is bought from. This work will start right away and be a significant first step in understanding how to capitalise on the Government’s purchasing power: informing any changes to public sector food procurement policies in due course.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_5

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with supermarkets on reducing food waste. \p Mary Creagh: No recent discussions have taken place on the subject of food waste prevention between retailers and the Secretary of State.

This Government is committed to setting a clear roadmap to a circular economy – a future where our resources are used as efficiently and productively as possible for as long as possible, and waste is reduced. We are reviewing policies to address the challenges associated with tackling food waste in the supply chain and we are working with businesses, including supermarkets, to drive down food waste and make sure food is put on the plates of those in greatest need. This includes supporting surplus food redistribution to charities and programmes to help citizens reduce their food waste.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_6

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will publish data on consumption emissions. \p Emma Hardy: Defra publish the Carbon Footprint for the UK – including UK consumption emission figures. The latest data is available up to 2021 here : Carbon footprint for the UK and England to 2021 - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_7

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an estimate of the quantity of (a) commercial forest timber and (b) waste wood products that will be needed to achieve the government’s target of 1.5million homes in this parliament; and what proportion of these products can be sourced domestically. \p Mary Creagh: We do not yet have an estimate of the required timber and waste wood required to meet the Government's housing targets. The current forecast of softwood availability for Great Britain is a total average of 25.2 million cubic metres of softwood timber per annum over 50 years (2013-16 to 2057-61) from public and private estates.

We are aiming to increase softwoods to at least 30% of total planting and bring more hardwoods to market through increased woodland management. To support this goal, the Government launched the Timber in Construction Roadmap on 27 February 2025 which sets out our vision for a sustainable, integrated industry that meets the needs of the future.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_8

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish each of the responses to the final Simpler Recycling consultation. \p Mary Creagh: In October 2023, Defra held two consultations on Simpler Recycling, and has since published consultation responses for both online, including a summary of responses:

Note, the Government has since published a policy update on Simpler Recycling (November 2024): Simpler Recycling in England: policy update - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_9

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to ban (a) three and (b) four weekly residual bin collections. \p Mary Creagh: The Government has introduced mandating weekly food waste collections.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_10

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will ensure that councils are aware of the guidance entitled Household waste bins: when and how councils may issue fixed penalties, published on 23 April 2018. \p Mary Creagh: The guidance, 'Household waste bins: when and how councils may issue fixed penalties' outlines the rules that councils must follow when issuing fixed penalties under section 46A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. We routinely point councils to this guidance when we receive relevant queries. Additionally, we are working with WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) and the sector to provide further guidance and tools to support preparation for the implementation of Simpler Recycling.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_11

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the number of British pies with protected geographic food status. \p Daniel Zeichner: This would require an application and would be subject to the normal process.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_12

Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding consumer choice in the water market for homeowners by offering alternative providers. \p Emma Hardy: Given their inherent nature, many parts of the water and wastewater value chain are subject to natural monopolies where there is limited scope for competition in the market – meaning there is a risk companies will not deliver the services their customers want or charge higher prices to increase their profits.

As monopoly service providers, it is important that water companies are held to account on poor performance and drive improvements that benefit customers and the environment. Ofwat, as the independent regulator, has the statutory duty to hold water companies to account for the delivery of affordable, secure, and resilient water services; protecting the interests of consumers whilst ensuring the companies properly carry out and finance their statutory functions.

Furthermore, the Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, was launched in October 2024 by the UK and Welsh Governments to recommend reforms to reset the water sector regulatory system. On 27 February, the Commission launched a wide-ranging Call for Evidence which is open for views from all interested parties until 23 April. The Call for Evidence covers many areas, including consumer protection, the environment and public health. The Commission will make its final recommendations to both UK and Welsh Governments this summer.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_13

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many full-time-equivalent civil servants are working on trading corporation agreements with the fishing industry. \p Daniel Zeichner: There are no civil servants working on trading corporation agreements. The Defra EU negotiations team of 12.2 full-time-equivalent civil servants works on implementing the Fisheries Heading of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), amongst other work in its portfolio. There are also many other civil servants and public servants across Defra, its agencies, and the devolved governments that are responsible for implementing aspects of the Fisheries Heading.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_14

Alberto Costa:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to assess the potential toxicity of bioplastics; and whether he plans to introduce specific toxicity testing requirements beyond existing waste management regulations. \p Mary Creagh: Chemical substances, including monomers, which are constituent components of bioplastics manufactured in or imported into the UK are subject to the requirements of our regulatory framework. This includes UK REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals), for which Defra has policy responsibility, and which requires manufacturers and importers to understand the hazards of the chemicals they are placing on the market, including their toxicity and ecotoxicology.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_15

Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of plastic grass on (a) biodiversity and (b) nature. \p Mary Creagh: This Government is committed to moving to a circular economy – a future where we keep our resources in use for longer, waste is reduced, we accelerate the path to net zero, we see investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs, our economy prospers, and nature thrives. The government is currently considering the actions that can be taken to address the challenges associated with problematic plastic products.

Defra recognises the importance of assessing the impacts of plastic grass on biodiversity and nature. As we develop our Circular Economy Strategy for England, we will consider the evidence for action from right across the economy and evaluate what interventions may be needed.

The Government is committed to delivering our legally-binding biodiversity targets on species abundance, species extinction, habitat creation and restoration. The Environment Act 2021 introduced a number of policies that will support habitat restoration. For example, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) and a strengthened biodiversity duty on public authorities will work in tandem to create or restore habitats that enable wildlife to recover and thrive, while conservation covenants will help secure habitat for the long term.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_16

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to strengthen the relationship between the (a) Joint Nature Conservation Committee and (b) Climate Change Committee and the UK Special Representative for Nature. \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.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_18

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of new legislative measures to protect the welfare of farmed fish. \p Daniel Zeichner: Current legislation already provides protection for farmed fish kept for the production of meat or other products whilst on farm and during transport. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any protected animal, including fish, or to fail to provide for the welfare needs of a protected animal, for which that person is responsible. Legislation on the protection of animals at the time of killing also requires that farmed fish are spared avoidable pain, distress or suffering during their killing and related operations.

The Animal Welfare Committee’s updated Opinion on the welfare of farmed fish at the time of killing was finalised in 2023. As a result of this a GB-wide joint government and industry working group on farmed trout has been examining the issues raised in the report to explore potential options for more detailed welfare at killing requirements. This co-design work is making good progress. The Scottish Government is also working closely with the salmon industry regarding more detailed welfare at killing requirements. We are awaiting the completion of this group’s work and we will then explore all the potential next steps, including options for creating detailed guidance and new legislation.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_19

Matt Bishop:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to mitigate the potential impact of housebuilding on air quality. \p Emma Hardy: National planning policy sets out the appropriate consideration of air quality both in individual planning decisions and when developing Local Plans. In addition, Defra are developing new guidance on how the Environment Act 2021 air quality targets should be integrated into planning decisions. We have issued interim guidance to be considered until the full guidance is published.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_20

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will take steps to enforce the responsibility of water companies to publish accessible real-time data on sewage released into (a) rivers, (b) seas and (c) other public waterways. \p Emma Hardy: Since 1 January 2025, water companies are required to publish data related to discharges from all storm overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. The Secretary of State has authorised Ofwat to carry out enforcement action for this duty, in accordance with the powers conferred under sections 18 and 141DA (4) of the Water Industry Act 1991. Ofwat’s enforcement powers provide for a wide range of enforcement activity, including substantial penalties.

Ofwat is monitoring compliance with the duty to report relevant data in real time. Where it detects non-compliance, will take appropriate enforcement action. In addition to this, the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 will introduce a matching duty for water companies to publish data related to discharges from all emergency overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. Once commenced, this duty will be enforced in the same way.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_21

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to bring forward secondary legislation to permit gene editing by the end of March 2025. \p Daniel Zeichner: On 25 February 2025, the secondary legislation needed to implement the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 for plants was laid in Parliament. If passed, the legislation will come into force in Autumn 2025.

This is a devolved matter, and the legislation is England only.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_22

Linsey Farnsworth:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to end delays in border checks for flowers and plants imported from the EU. \p Daniel Zeichner: The department does not recognise the assertation that there are routine delays. GB plant health services have significantly increased the number of plant health inspection staff to service the demand for import checks in England and Wales of EU plants and plant products and Inspector levels are being monitored to ensure these meet demand and ensure minimal trade disruption.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_23

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of promoting the adoption of AI-driven monitoring systems in agriculture. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government is committed to supporting farmers in adopting innovative technologies to improve productivity and sustainability. The Accelerating Development of Practices and Techniques (ADOPT) Fund, which will open for applications in the spring, provides funding for on-farm trials of new technologies and techniques. This can include precision agriculture tools [such as GPS-guided machinery, variable-rate application systems, and remote sensing technology].

In addition, the forthcoming round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF), to launch in Spring 2025, will support the uptake of innovative technology and equipment that is commercially available. The scheme will be open to farmers across England and a list of eligible equipment will be published within the scheme guidance ahead of its launch.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_24

Jon Trickett:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff his Department has seconded from Palantir since July 2024. \p Daniel Zeichner: We have no records of staff seconded into the Department from Palantir as such the number of staff seconded in from Palantir since July 2024 is zero.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_25

Steve Barclay:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many farmers have received funding through the Farming Resilience Fund since it was established. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Farming Resilience Fund provides free business support to farmers and land managers in England to help them through agricultural transition. It was set up to available from October 2022 and will run until March 2025.

Across all three phases of the Farming Resilience Fund, our delivery partners have provided specialist one-to-one advice to 26,088 farmers (as of 25 February).
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_26

Liam Conlon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of compensation for water supply interruption in the Guaranteed Standards Scheme. \p Emma Hardy: Strengthened protection and compensation for households and businesses was announced as part of the Government’s initial steps towards ending the crisis in the water sector. As such, the government confirmed on 17 December 2024 that water customers around the country will benefit from significantly higher payments to compensate them for water company service failures – including supply interruptions – under reforms to the Guaranteed Standards Scheme (GSS).

Following our public consultation, the Government is now bringing forward secondary legislation increasing compensation to double the previous amounts or more and introducing new standards to broaden the scope of the scheme, underscoring our commitment to hold companies to account and stand up for consumers.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_27

Bob Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to reduce imports of software and hardware for key industries from countries that may pose a risk to national security. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Our import controls and sanctions regimes play an important role in supporting the UK's foreign policy and national security objectives including by restricting the import of controlled goods from any source country and specified goods from those countries subject to UK sanctions.

The Government does not speculate on future import controls or sanctions as to do so could reduce their impact. We continue to monitor the effectiveness of our import controls and the sanctions regime.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_28

Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many and what proportion of public contracts awarded by his Department since 5 July 2024 have been awarded to (a) British SMEs and (b) companies based abroad. \p Justin Madders: The Department of Business and Trade has awarded and published 167 contracts over £10,000 ex VAT since 5 July 2024; 44 of which were to UK based SMEs, and 22 to companies based abroad.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_29

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has included diversity quotas as selection criteria for contracts awarded since 5 July 2024. \p Justin Madders: The Department has not have included diversity quotas as selection criteria for contracts awarded since 5 July 2024.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_30

Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has (a) made an assessment and (b) commissioned analysis of the potential impact of a trade deal with the US on the NHS. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: In their meeting on 27 February, the Prime Minister and President Trump agreed to work together on a trade deal focused on tech. The government is clear that we will only ever sign trade agreements that align with the UK's national interests. The NHS will never be on the table for any trade agreement.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_31

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will ensure that (a) UK legal services and (b) the use of English law are promoted overseas as part of an integrated trade policy. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK has a reputation for the rule of law and as a global centre for legal services excellence. To date, the government has ensured the inclusion of commitments which facilitate the provision of legal advisory services in UK and international law by UK lawyers in its Free Trade Agreements with the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, Australia and New Zealand.

Furthermore, the government will seek to support UK service suppliers, including those from the legal sector, via the future Trade Strategy which will reflect the government's ambition to improve UK's trade and investment with international partners.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_32
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_32

Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to include provisions in the English Devolution Bill on improving the provision of support to low-income households to access public services. \p Jim McMahon: The English Devolution Bill will deliver on the vision set out in the English Devolution White Paper, published in December 2024. This included a role for Strategic Authorities in convening partners and driving cross-cutting public service reform, including looking at areas such as multiple disadvantage. The Bill will be introduced to Parliament in this session, when parliamentary time allows.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_33

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, from what year the population data used to calculate fire service funding is taken from. \p Jim McMahon: The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement, including funding for Fire and Rescue Authorities is distributed through the Settlement Funding Assessment. This formula was introduced in 2013-14 and is based on the 2013 population projections from the 2011 census data. The formula also includes other variables that have a population measure in them such as density and sparsity which uses a mix of 2001 and 2011 census data.

The previous government committed to improving and updating the way in which local authorities are funded through the “Fair Funding Review” but this was not delivered. We will make good on this commitment and implement long-awaited reforms through a multi-year settlement in 2026-27.

As a core part of this plan, the government is committed to introducing an improved and updated approach to funding local authorities from 2026-27 and endeavours to use the most up to date data as part of the fundamental improvements we will make.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_34

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will published (a) the process and (b) her Department's timetable for determining how the new unitary councils will be awarded local business rates for retention. \p Jim McMahon: Under the Business Rates Retention System, a share of business rates is retained by local government. The distribution of business rates income between local authorities is determined by the relationship between each authority’s funding need compared with its ability to collect business rates locally. Figures known as Baseline Funding Levels and the Business Rates Baselines were set for all authorities at the outset of the system.

When reorganisation takes place, these baselines need to be recalculated for any new authorities as part of a range of changes necessary to take account of new structures within the local government finance system. The Department will engage with reorganising authorities to determine the basis for these changes.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_35

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to give local authorities in London a formal decision-making role in any future Integrated Settlement applied to the Greater London Authority. \p Jim McMahon: At Autumn Budget 2024 the Government committed to exploring how the Integrated Settlement policy could be applied for the Greater London Authority from the 2026-27 financial year onwards, taking into account the capital’s unique devolution arrangements. This work is currently taking place and the Government plans to announce further details following the conclusion of Phase 2 of the Spending Review 2025.
wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-06 conversation_36

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to establish a formal shared decision-making arrangement between the Mayor of London and local authorities. \p Jim McMahon: The Government remains committed to engaging local authorities, including London Borough Councils, and the wider local government sector on the detail of our reforms set out in the English Devolution White Paper. As part of this process, it will be important to consider London’s unique devolution settlement, including drawing on existing ways of working between the Greater London Authority and London Boroughs.