theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Dr Andrew Murrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the planning system to encourage the building of integrated retirement communities. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that local authorities should assess the size, type, and tenure of housing needed for different groups, including older people, and reflect this in their planning policies.

Plan making authorities should also set clear policies to address the housing needs of older people and, where there is an identified unmet need for specialist housing for older people, local authorities should take a positive approach to schemes that propose to meet this need, including integrated retirement communities.

The government is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market and we will continue to consider this issue as we develop our long-term housing strategy, which will be published later this year.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report including in relation to specialist accommodation for older people.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Universal Credit Bill on claimants with (a) fluctuating conditions and (b) mental health conditions. \p Sir Stephen Timms: No such assessment has been carried out. The Bill will not alter the existing Work Capability Assessment.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to eradicate destitution by 2035. \p Alison McGovern: The Government is committed to tackling poverty, including deep poverty across the UK.

The Child Poverty Taskforce is developing an ambitious child poverty strategy which we will publish in the autumn. The Strategy will look at levers across four key themes of increasing incomes, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience; and better local support especially in the early years. This will build on the reform plans underway across government and work underway in Devolved Governments.

Good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty so this will be the foundation of our approach to delivering lasting change, as reflected in the proposals in our plan for Making Work Pay and our Get Britain Working White Paper. We have also commenced reviewing Universal Credit to make sure it is doing the job we want it to do, to make work pay and tackle poverty. We have begun this work by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate for deductions from Universal Credit and announcing the first sustained above inflation rise in the basic rate of Universal Credit since it was introduced.

As a significant downpayment ahead of strategy publication, we have already taken substantive action across major drivers of child poverty through the Spending Review 2025. This includes an expansion of Free School Meals that will lift 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of the parliament, establishing a long-term Crisis and Resilience Fund supported by £1bn a year including Barnett impact, investing in local family support services, and extending the £3 bus fare cap. We also announced the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation and £13.2bn including Barnett impact across the Parliament for the Warm Homes Plan.
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Caroline Voaden:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to publish further information on the Crisis and Resilience Fund. \p Alison McGovern: We are working closely with local authorities and stakeholders on the detailed design of the fund, and we plan to issue guidance as soon as possible ahead of the new scheme starting on 1 April 2026.
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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions she has had with Hewlett Packard on the change in value of pre-1997 pension scheme members’ pensions; and what steps she is taking to support affected pensioners. \p Torsten Bell: The Department for Work and Pensions has had no discussions with Hewlett Packard on this issue. Discretionary increases in benefits above the statutory minimum and those required by scheme rules are a matter for the scheme sponsor and trustees.

Most schemes do pay some pre-1997 indexation, because of scheme rules or as a discretionary benefit. Analysis published last year by the Pensions Regulator shows that as of March 2023, only 17 per cent of members of private sector defined benefit pension schemes did not receive any pre-1997 indexation on benefits. This information can be found at: https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/document-library/research-and-analysis/data-requests#f3a5fe60511a445f91112bd7dd8a64ae

The Government’s pension reforms on the use of surpluses in defined benefit schemes will make it easier for individual schemes to make decisions that improve outcomes for both sponsoring employers and members, which could include discretionary benefit increases. These changes are being taken forward through the Pension Schemes Bill which had its second reading on Monday 7th July.
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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Birmingham Edgbaston constituency were enrolled on Pension Credit in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025 to date. \p Torsten Bell: As of November 2023, 2,586 pensioner households were in receipt of Pension Credit in Birmingham Edgbaston constituency.

The latest Pension Credit statistics were published in May 2025 and cover the period up to November 2024. These show that as of November 2024, 2,577 pensioner households were in receipt of Pension Credit in Birmingham Edgbaston constituency. This data is available via DWP Stat-Xplore.

The Pension Credit caseload statistics for 2025 are not available yet. The next iteration of Pension Credit caseload statistics will be released on 12th August 2025 as part of the DWP Benefits Statistics quarterly release. This release will cover the quarterly period up to the end of February 2025.
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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people are enrolled on Pension Credit, by (a) religion and (b) ethnic group. \p Torsten Bell: Latest caseload statistics show that as of November 2024, there were 1,391,728 pensioner households in receipt of Pension Credit. This data is available via DWP Stat-Xplore. This can be broken down into constituency and local authority level as well as by various characteristics such as age, gender and partner indicator. However, this cannot be broken down by religion or ethnic group, as this information is not collected as part of the PC claim process.
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact the Pension Schemes Bill on the savings of people in (a) Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard constituency and (b) East of England. \p Torsten Bell: The Pension Schemes Bill could mean nationally an average earner saving over their career may have around £29,000 more in their Defined Contribution pension pot at retirement. In total, around 20 million savers could benefit from the Bill and around 2 million are estimated to be in the East of England. Breakdowns by constituency are not available. See page 52-53 of the Pension Schemes Bill Impact Assessment for further details.
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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his oral contribution of 15 July 2025 during Energy Security and Net Zero Questions, when the Clean Energy Skills Plan will be published; and which industry stakeholders his Department has had discussions with on that plan. \p Sarah Jones: Later this year, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero will publish the Clean Energy Workforce Strategy. This will be a first for the UK Government, and will set out how government, industry and trade unions will come together to address skills and workforce challenges to deliver the Clean Energy Superpower Mission, including Clean Power 2030.  The Department has engaged industry and trade unions extensively throughout the development of this Strategy including a number of ministerial-led forums and bilateral meetings between a large range of organisations and the Office for Clean Energy Jobs.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the effectiveness of local authority engagement strategies with residents during the planning of solar developments in Buckinghamshire. \p Michael Shanks: The Government does not set out or monitor how individual local authorities, including Buckinghamshire, engage residents in the planning of solar developments, in recognition of their autonomy and flexibility to deliver net zero according to each local area’s varying needs and opportunities.

Nationally, Government engages with the public on solar and other low carbon technologies in the Public Attitudes Tracker, a triannual household survey tracking public awareness and attitudes relating to the Department’s policy areas.

The Government is working with GBE to develop the Local Power Plan, to turbocharge the UK’s local and community energy sector. Charles Warren Academy in Milton Keynes was one of the first schools to receive solar panels funded by GBE alongside the Department for Education.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he sought further information from (a) Sunnica and  (b) its UK registered companies on their finances before making the development consent decision for Sunnica. \p Michael Shanks: The full reasons for the Secretary of State’ planning decision on the Sunnica project are set out in the Decision Letter. Given the Secretary of State’s quasi-judicial role in taking such decisions it would not be appropriate to comment further.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether (a) he and (b) officials have had discussions with (i) Sumando Ltd and (ii) related stakeholders on Sumando Ltd's exclusion from the organogram of funding Statement No 3 when he made the development consent decision for Sunnica. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK
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Dr Jeevun Sandher:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that home-grown hydrogen fuel cell developers are supported by the (a) Modern Industrial Strategy and (b) Clean Energy Industries sector plan. \p Sarah Jones: As part of the Modern Industrial Strategy, the Government’s Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan re-iterates our commitment to driving long-term, sustainable growth in hydrogen. It provides deployment certainty with clear timelines for future deployment and clarifies how Government will capitalise on the enormous growth and jobs potential. It includes our ambition to ensure hydrogen benefits from the comprehensive public finance institution support package for clean energy industries including a £1 billion Great British Energy supply chain fund and empowering the National Wealth Fund with £27.8 billion in capital.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Great British Energy on reducing household energy bills. \p Michael Shanks: The Government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower will bring energy security, protect billpayers, create good jobs, and help to protect future generations from the cost of climate breakdown. Delivering clean power by 2030 will protect billpayers from volatile international fossil fuel markets and bring down energy bills for good

Great British Energy is a key part of this plan. It will ensure taxpayers and billpayers reap the benefits of homegrown energy by investing in and developing clean energy projects across the United Kingdom.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to (a) mitigate the effects of market dumping of and (b) reduce strategic dependency on imported photovoltaic inverters from China. \p Michael Shanks: Solar goods and services are global commodities, and it is likely that we will continue to require imports in the short to medium term.

The UK has a strong electrical manufacturing sector and there is an opportunity to scale this up through our ambitious Industrial Strategy, which has identified advanced manufacturing and clean energy industries as priority growth sectors, providing benefits for the manufacture of balance of system components, which are essential to enabling solar installations.

The Solar Roadmap also commits government to consider the case to further support companies wishing to scale up production of solar technologies and processes, including inverters.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the total area of low-grade agricultural land suitable for ground-mounted solar deployment in Buckinghamshire. \p Michael Shanks: The Department currently monitors the geographical location of solar developments through the Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD). While we currently do not hold data on the type of land used in different counties, there are plans to broaden the scope of this database to provide information on the area and types of agricultural land used by existing solar projects and those in the planning pipeline.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the capacity of the electricity grid to meet projected demand from increased uptake of electric vehicles by 2030. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is working closely with Ofgem to ensure that its price control framework supports the necessary investment in the electricity network to deliver our clean energy superpower and growth missions. This includes ensuring that the distribution network has sufficient capacity to meet projected demand from electric vehicles by 2030.

The current price control, RIIO-ED2 (2023–2028), enables forward-looking investment aligned with net zero goals and incorporates uncertainty mechanisms to allow networks to respond flexibly to rising demand. The next price control, RIIO-ED3 (2028–2033), will be informed by Regional Energy Strategic Plans to support more strategic and coordinated investment.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking with distribution network operators to help reduce grid connection delays for solar projects proposed in Buckinghamshire. \p Michael Shanks: We are working closely with Ofgem and the network companies to develop and deliver fundamental reform of the grid connections process. National Energy System Operator’s proposals for connections reform were approved by Ofgem on 15 April. These reforms will release up to 500GW of capacity from the oversubscribed connections queue. This will enable accelerated connections, including for solar projects in Buckinghamshire connecting at both transmission and distribution level, where they are ready and aligned with our strategic needs, as set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to provide up-to-date guidance on cumulative impact assessment for solar infrastructure to Buckinghamshire Council. \p Michael Shanks: Planning guidance already sets out how decision-makers should consider cumulative impacts where a number of solar projects are deployed in close proximity, and is clear that projects are designed to avoid, mitigate and where necessary compensate for this. Solar farms can usually be easily screened by hedges and other vegetation, and visual impact is carefully considered during the planning process.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has plans to publish a timeline for introducing a (a) faster and (b) more efficient route to market for Advanced Modular Reactors. \p Michael Shanks: The government will be publishing a pathway for privately-led advanced nuclear technologies shortly. The government has also stood up the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce, which has been asked to identify ways to streamline regulatory processes and frameworks. The Taskforce’s report will be published in Autumn 2025.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the number of non-domestic rooftops with solar installation potential under the revised national solar deployment targets in (a) Buckinghamshire and (b) Milton Keynes. \p Michael Shanks: No assessment has been made. However, the Government is aware of the significant potential that commercial rooftops have to play in our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower. The recently published Solar Roadmap sets out actions for government and industry to unlock this potential including developing guidance for landlords and tenants to navigate the complex lease agreements that often hold back rooftop solar deployment.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential for energy usage data collected by smart grid components to be exploited for (a) strategic and (b) military intelligence purposes by foreign state actors. \p Michael Shanks: Recognising the importance of renewable and smart energy systems for flexibility and decarbonisation, the Department is working to ensure these systems are developed in a way that is secure by design, protecting energy supply, infrastructure and consumers, as well as national security. As part of this work, Government has published two consultation packages which set out proposals for minimum security and grid stability requirements, including for organisations remotely controlling electrical load.

The Department collaborates with other government departments, agencies, Ofgem and industry partners to understand and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure, setting robust regulatory standards for cyber security through the Network and Information Systems Regulations. This includes working with regulators to ensure these regulations cover critical operators as the sector evolves.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the (a) transparency and (b) accuracy of the information provided to the Examining Authority by (i) Sunnica and (ii) its related UK registered companies during the trading period for the 12 months ending 30 April 2024. \p Michael Shanks: The full reasons for the Secretary of State’ planning decision on the Sunnica project are set out in the Decision Letter. Given the Secretary of State’s quasi-judicial role in taking such decisions it would not be appropriate to comment further.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with Sumando Ltd on the nine-month delay in submitting its 30 April 2023 financial statements to Companies House in relation to the development consent decision for Sunnica. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a coordinated shutdown of photovoltaic inverters manufactured by companies headquartered in China on UK power grid stability. \p Michael Shanks: Recognising the importance of renewable and smart energy systems for flexibility and decarbonisation, the department is working to ensure the system continues to be secure by design, and protects energy supply, infrastructure and consumers. As part of this work, Government has published two consultation packages which sets out proposals for minimum security and grid stability requirements, including for organisations remotely controlling electrical load.

Maintaining security of energy supplies is a key priority and critical energy operators are required to meet a minimum standard of cyber security and resilience, through the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018. Distributed and smaller-scale generation are key components of a smart and resilient energy system.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of levels of the UK’s supply chain’s readiness to support the (a) construction and (b) operation of advanced modular reactors; and what steps he is taking to improve domestic capabilities in this area. \p Michael Shanks: The Government recently published its Modern Industrial Strategy. The policies announced will ensure that UK is well positioned to build upon existing strengths and seize opportunities provided by new technologies.

This includes providing a pathway for privately-led advanced nuclear technologies. Great British Energy - Nuclear has been tasked with assessing proposals within a new framework, to be published shortly, with the National Wealth Fund exploring potential investment opportunities and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero exploring revenue support for viable projects.

The Government will also collaborate with the supply chain to mitigate barriers to entry, develop policies that maximise domestic opportunities, and support access to international markets to drive exports.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of prohibitions under the Electricity Act 1989 of the use of high-risk foreign vendors in licensed electricity infrastructure on energy security. \p Michael Shanks: As an open economy the UK welcomes foreign trade and investment where it supports growth, meets our regulatory requirements, and does not compromise our national security. The protection and security of the energy sector is a priority of this Government.

As well as the Electricity Act 1989, we have a range of effective measures in place which give the Government powers to balance an open investment environment to facilitate growth with protecting the parts of our economy that are the most sensitive to national security.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to provide revenue support for privately led advanced nuclear technologies as set out in the Spending Review 2025. \p Michael Shanks: As set out at the Spending Review, the government is providing a pathway for privately led advanced nuclear projects. Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBEN) has been tasked with a new role in assessing proposals within a new framework to be published shortly, the National Wealth Fund exploring potential investment opportunities, and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero exploring revenue support for viable projects.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the deployment of advanced modular reactors in the UK on the (a) economy, (b) industry and (c) environment. \p Michael Shanks: Advanced Modular Reactors could support energy-intensive industries by providing scalable, low-carbon energy to industrial consumers. These reactors could be well-suited for hard-to-decarbonise sectors, helping the UK achieve its growth mission and clean energy mission while securing thousands of good, skilled jobs.
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Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support community energy initiatives in North East Hampshire constituency. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Energy (GBE) will deliver a step change in investment in local and community energy projects, putting communities at the heart of the energy transition as owners and partners in clean energy projects across the UK.

In 2025/26, we have made £5 million available in grant funding through the GBE Community Fund to support community energy groups in helping communities develop their own clean energy projects, delivered through the Greater Southeast Local Net Zero Hub for initiatives in Northeast Hampshire. The latest application round closed on the 7th July.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his Department’s planned timeline is for reviewing the electricity licensing regime to address the use of equipment from high-risk foreign vendors. \p Michael Shanks: The protection and security of the energy sector is a priority for this Government, including manging risks from supply chains. DESNZ will continue to work closely with cross-government counterparts alongside industry to explore what further proportionate action can be taken to reduce the risks to energy infrastructure.

Ofgem and DESNZ have robust market monitoring schemes to assess electricity generation licence applications. Ofgem’s principal objective is to protect the interests of existing and future consumers, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and security of supply.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent estimate his Department has made of the economic contribution of the solar supply chain including (a) manufacturers and (b) installers in Buckinghamshire. \p Michael Shanks: No such estimate has been made by the Department.

We recognise that manufacturers and installers will contribute significantly to our clean power ambitions. The Solar Roadmap sets out actions for Government and industry aimed at maximising the opportunities arising from further commercialisation of solar technologies and components and delivering a resilient, highly skilled, well-paid solar workforce throughout the UK.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of community solar project applications in Buckinghamshire that have progressed to commissioning since 2022. \p Michael Shanks: Solar is at the heart of the Government's mission to make the United Kingdom a clean energy superpower.

In 2025/26, we have set up £5 million in grant funding through the Great British Energy Community Fund (GBE:CF), which is available to community energy groups to help communities develop their own clean energy projects, including solar-powered generation.

Since 2022, the department has funded a hydro project in the Buckinghamshire region through the Community Energy Fund. No solar projects have been funded to date. However, the Greater Southeast Hub is currently reviewing applications from the window that closed on the 7th July.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department has taken to track the proportion of solar developments in Buckinghamshire that incorporate biodiversity net gain requirements. \p Michael Shanks: Biodiversity net gain is a legal requirement under the Environment Act 2021. This means that, to acquire planning permission, biodiversity must increase by 10% compared to previous levels. This is currently only the case for projects being decided in the local planning system. Defra is consulting on mandatory biodiversity net gain for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and any changes in policy will be reflected in future updates to the National Policy Statements.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that firmware updates to photovoltaic inverters connected to the UK grid cannot be used as a vector for cyber or physical disruption. \p Michael Shanks: Maintaining security of energy supplies is a key priority and critical energy operators are required to meet a minimum standard of cyber security and resilience, through the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018.

The Department works continually with Ofgem and the National Cyber Security Centre to ensure that these regulations continue to capture all the most critical operators of energy generation systems. Distributed and smaller-scale generation are key components of a smart and resilient energy system. We are working to ensure that the system is developed in a way which is secure by design.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, which organisations received funding through the Industry Initiative component of the Warm Home Discount scheme in the last 12 months; and how much each organisation received. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Department sets the overall policy and spending targets for the scheme but the financial responsibility for delivering these initiatives lies with energy suppliers.

For more detailed information on the latest assessment of WHD delivery (2023/24), including data on industry initiatives, please visit https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/warm-home-discount-annual-report-scheme-year-13 . The data for Scheme Year 14 (2024/25) will be published in due course.
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Dr Jeevun Sandher:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he plans to take to support the home-grown hydrogen fuel cell sector in the proposed Hydrogen strategy. \p Sarah Jones: The Industrial Strategy, through the 10 Year Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, already backs hydrogen as a frontier technology. It clarifies how Government will capitalise on the enormous growth and jobs potential. The associated Action Plan gives the green light to industry investors and the supply chain. It provides a clear deployment timeline for our hydrogen allocation rounds and announces new investment rounds and policies to turbocharge growth in the sector.

Our Hydrogen Strategy, which we intend to publish in Autumn 2025, will build on this long-term infrastructure investment to realise the value of the hydrogen economy for the UK, optimising the job creation and economic benefits that brings.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-23 conversation_338

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress he has made on signing the Global Plastics Treaty. \p Emma Hardy: For too long, plastic has littered our ocean and threatened our wildlife. We urgently need an ambitious and effective international agreement to end plastic pollution by 2040.

The UK has been a leading voice in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee and as a founding member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution (HAC), the United Kingdom is committed to achieving an ambitious treaty.

Negotiations will resume in August with the aim of concluding negotiations on a new treaty. The UK is working with other countries, including allies in the High Ambition Coalition to achieve this.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-23 conversation_339

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the potential impact of climate-related events on household costs in the next five years. \p Emma Hardy: The third Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) was published in 2022 and sets out 61 climate risks and opportunities to the UK up to the year 2100. These risks cover a range of sectors that impact household costs, such as risks to our energy infrastructure, risks from flooding, and risks to agriculture and supply chains.

The Government’s fourth CCRA is due in 2027. It will be informed by the Climate Change Committee’s Independent Assessment (CCRA4-IA) Technical Report, which will consider climate risks to household finances. The Government will set out the actions it will take to address the most recent assessment of climate risks from CCRA4 in the fourth National Adaptation Programme in 2028.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-23 conversation_340

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether any dedicated Asian hornet rapid response teams have been (a) disbanded and (b) downsized since 2023. \p Mary Creagh: The response to Yellow-Legged Hornet (YLH) also known as Asian hornet is carried out by the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) National Bee Unit (NBU). The NBU do this as part of the overall programme of work that they deliver for Defra from the funding allocated to APHA. The NBU has been taking action against YLH since 2016 and has developed a fine-tuned effective response. They frequently find a nest within a day of an initial sighting being reported. Therefore, Defra has not established dedicated Asian hornet rapid response teams.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-23 conversation_341

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage the integration of rainwater harvesting systems in new housing developments. \p Emma Hardy: In June this year, the Government introduced new national standards, making clear that sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) should be designed to cope with changing climatic conditions as well as delivering wider water infrastructure benefits in the form of flood prevention and storm overflow reduction, offering reuse opportunities, reducing run off, and helping to improve water quality, amenity, and biodiversity. The standards should be used by local authorities when assessing applications for development which could affect drainage on or around the site, see paragraphs 181 and 182 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

This Government is committed to enabling homes to be water efficient as part of the statutory Water Demand Target. The target is underpinned by a commitment to lower water usage in homes, to achieve a usage of at least 122 litres per person per day by 2038, on a trajectory to 110 litres per person per day by 2050.

Defra is working with MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) to explore whether Building Regulations could be further amended to tighten water efficiency standards and enable consumers to use less water and save on their water and energy bills.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-23 conversation_342

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support his Department is offering to small independent family (a) butchers and (b) abattoirs. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government recognises the important contribution small independent family butchers and abattoirs make to the food supply chain and remains committed to maintaining a resilient and accessible meat processing sector. A strong network of local abattoirs and local butchers is vital for supporting rural economies, strengthening small-scale livestock farmers with private kill facilities and access to local markets, sustaining rare and native breeds, and providing skilled employment opportunities.

Defra continues to work closely with stakeholders representing both small abattoirs and local butchers including through the Small Abattoirs Working Group and the Small Abattoirs Task and Finish Group. These groups help both identify challenges and opportunities faced by these sectors and co-operate in developing practical solutions to improve sustainability.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-23 conversation_343

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department holds information on the number of dogs that have been transported from the UK to China for use as meat. \p Daniel Zeichner: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 18 June 2025 to Question 61081
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-23 conversation_344

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulations on greyhound welfare in the racing industry. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government regards greyhound racing as a well-regulated sport. The welfare of racing greyhounds in England is covered by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010 (the 2010 Regulations). The 2010 Regulations include a number of welfare requirements, such as requiring all greyhound tracks to have a veterinary surgeon in attendance to ensure that every greyhound is fit to run.

In addition to these statutory protections, the sport’s main regulatory body – the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) enforces welfare standards (including those in the 2010 Regulations) at GBGB affiliated tracks, as well as at GBGB licensed trainers’ kennels. Independent, external oversight of GBGB’s regulatory work at tracks and trainers’ kennels is provided by the UK’s National Accreditation Body - the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-23 conversation_345

Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timeframe is for making a decision on increasing the minimum landing size of Fal oysters. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra agreed to the proposal by the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority to increase the minimum landing size of Fal oysters on 21 July 2025. Cornwall IFCA has been informed and further engagement on this issue with relevant stakeholders will take place in the coming weeks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-23 conversation_346

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many farms have applied for grants under the Environmental Land Management Scheme in the last 12 months. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Rural Payments Agency published their Annual Report and Accounts for 2024-25 on 17 July 2025, which includes the most recent verifiable summary of Environmental Land Management scheme uptake.

Following the success of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 23 scheme, the SFI 24 Expanded Offer was launched in June 2024 where customers were invited to apply via an Expressions of Interest exercise similar to its predecessor. Once the scheme was opened to the wider public, 18,080 applications were submitted by 11 March 2025 when the scheme was closed to further applications.

12,081 livestock farmers applied for agreements worth £4.6 million for a vet to visit their farm for an Animal Health and Welfare review.

As of January 2025, there were approximately 45,000 live Countryside Stewardship agreements. This total includes over 13,500 Capital only agreements and around 31,500 Revenue agreements, of which just over 20,000 also include Capital options. This figure includes approximately 7,948 new Capital agreements received for the 2024 scheme year.

** Farm Businesses can apply for multiple Grants under the Environmental Land Management Scheme. The RPA ARA includes information up to 31 March 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-23 conversation_347

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain on (a) injury and (b) fatality rates among racing greyhounds. \p Daniel Zeichner: Each year since 2018 the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has published the sport’s annual injury, fatality and retirement statistics from GBGB affiliated tracks and trainers. This data is published online at https://www.gbgb.org.uk/welfare-care/injury-and-retirement-data/

GBGB wrote to Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 25 June with the sport’s annual injury, fatality and retirement statistics for 2024. The Greyhound Forum, of which Defra officials and GBGB are members, discussed the 2024 figures during the June 2025 meeting of the Forum.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-23 conversation_348

Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help establish a UK-wide genetic resource bank for the cryopreservation of (a) embryos and (b) semen for rare livestock breeds. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra and the devolved administrations are engaging with the UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines Committee (UKGLE) who provide independent advice on livestock genetics including breeding conservation.

Defra has recently commissioned a livestock biobank scoping study. This study will gather evidence to explore ways to conserve livestock genetics including from

embryos and semen of native breeds.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-23 conversation_349

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with (a) Blue Cross and (b) other animal welfare organisations on (i) greyhound welfare and (ii) the regulation of greyhound racing. \p Daniel Zeichner: This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation. The Department is engaging with key animal welfare stakeholders as part of the development of our overarching approach to animal welfare. We will be outlining more details on this in due course.