theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) value for money of Official Development Assistance given to women-led organisations. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Thorough assessments of both the effectiveness and value for money of programmes, including those supporting women-led and women's rights organisations, are an integral part of our programme management process.

There is strong evidence showing that women-led and women's rights organisations play a significant role in securing and advancing women's rights as well as providing humanitarian assistance, tackling climate change and promoting and protecting democracy. They provide good value for money as this type of support moves away from short term project funding towards strategic investments which have wider social and economic value which sustains long after funding ends.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he is having with international counterparts on tackling sexual violence on women in Mali. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK remains committed to addressing sexual violence against women and girls in Mali, including through our bilateral programming. In financial year 2024/25, the UK allocated £800,000 to the Women in Law and Development in Africa for survivor support and economic empowerment initiatives, £300,000 to the United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, to strengthen protection mechanisms. These programmes provide trauma support, skills training, and leadership development for women.

The UK also co-chairs the Women's Empowerment Dialogue Group in Bamako alongside the International Organisation for Migration and UN Women, working with the Government of Mali and international partners to advance gender equality and tackle sexual violence. These efforts reflect the UK's broader commitment to women's rights in the Sahel.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking with (a) the UN, (b) the African Union, (c) Arab states and (d) other multilateral groups to help tackle hunger in Sudan. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK continues to work closely with multiple multilateral organisations to tackle Sudan's grave humanitarian crisis. At last month's London Sudan Conference, which the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), the League of Arab States (LAS), and others attended, discussions focused on efforts to address spiralling humanitarian aid needs as well as how to bring about a political resolution to the conflict. At the Conference the UK pledged £120 million in new humanitarian funding, which will provide lifesaving aid for over 650,000 people. The UK is also working with both the AU and LAS to align international efforts to ensure unhindered humanitarian access.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Government of Tanzania on the arrest of (a) opposition leader Tundu Lissu and (b) foreign nationals involved in supporting democratic activism. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Our High Commission in Dar es Salaam regularly discusses issues of governance with the Government of Tanzania and has raised the case of opposition leader Tundu Lissu at senior levels, as well as the recent case of foreign national activists in Tanzania. The UK Government supports due process and the rule of law in all legal cases.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 3(d) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what criteria will be used to determine authorisations permitting the presence of non-United Kingdom, non-United States or non-Mauritian security forces, either civilian or military in the Chagos Archipelago beyond Diego Garcia as defined in paragraph 11 of Annex 1. \p Stephen Doughty: The authorisation of any non-UK, non-US or non-Mauritian security forces will be agreed jointly between the UK and Mauritius. This means that it can only happen if the UK agrees. Our approach on that will be determined by an analysis of whether the presence would risk undermining, prejudicing or otherwise interfering with the long-term, secure and effective operation of the Base.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to help enable humanitarian aid to reach people in Tawila, fleeing Zamzam camp in Sudan. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK strongly condemns the continued violence in and around El Fasher and Zamzam camp which has resulted in the deaths of nearly 500 people and has displaced over 403,000 people from the camp. In response to the deteriorating humanitarian context in El Fasher, the UK will provide £2 million in funding through the Mercy Corps-led cash consortium which will help to deliver urgent cash-based assistance to vulnerable communities. Sustained engagement and advocacy are also vital to ensure food and humanitarian supplies are not blocked from reaching regions such as Tawila. On 24 April, the Foreign Secretary issued a statement following the attacks calling for the warring parties to ensure humanitarian actors are provided with the security guarantees needed to deliver aid rapidly and safely. This followed the UN Security Council statement, released on 16 April, condemning the escalation of violence and calling for the parties to urgently implement UN Security Council Resolution 2736.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the safety of non-governmental organisations and journalists operating in Tanzania. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is committed to defending civic space and fundamental freedoms. Our High Commission regularly engages with non-governmental organisations and journalists in Tanzania. The Minister for Africa will continue to raise specific concerns with his ministerial counterparts.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the political situation in South Sudan. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The political and security situation in South Sudan is becoming increasingly unstable. We are using our diplomatic levers at our disposal to call for de-escalation of ongoing violence across the country and for President Kiir to release political detainees, including First Vice President Riek Machar from house arrest. On 27 March, we joined likeminded partners to call on President Kiir to release First Vice President Machar under house arrest and prevent further escalation. On 8 May, the UK joined a majority of UN Security Council members in voting in favour of extending the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan. On 30 May, we again joined a majority of Council members in voting in favour of the UN Arms Embargo and Sanctions Regime on South Sudan, preventing the flow of weapons to armed groups. We will continue to work with partners, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union and the UN, to urge the Government of South Sudan to implement their Peace Agreement.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to ensure (a) the safety of humanitarian workers and (b) the delivery of humanitarian aid in Sudan. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is playing a leading role in response to the crisis in Sudan, including efforts to facilitate more consistent humanitarian delivery into and across the country. During last month's London Sudan Conference, the Foreign Secretary announced a further £120 million towards the crisis which will provide life-saving aid to more than 650,000 people. Sudan remains an extremely perilous context for humanitarian personnel. Nearly 100 humanitarian aid workers have been killed since the conflict started in April 2023. To protect civilians including aid workers, the UK continues to advocate that parties to the conflict uphold international humanitarian and human rights obligations as applicable, whilst calling for the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCR), including UNSCR 2736 (2024) on El Fasher, Darfur. On 24 April, the Foreign Secretary also issued a statement following renewed attacks in El Fasher, calling for security guarantees in order to deliver aid rapidly and safely.
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Sir Desmond Swayne:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of attacks on communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt; and what steps his Department is taking to help tackle violence against religious communities in the region. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is closely monitoring recent reports of violence in Nigeria's Middle Belt. Intercommunal violence has a devastating effect on communities. The root causes are complex and frequently relate to competition over resources, historical grievances, and criminality.  We are supporting Nigeria to tackle the root causes of intercommunal conflict through our Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) programme and continue to engage in local and national peace-building efforts. The UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) is building capacity in Nigeria's security forces to tackle violence against all civilian communities, including religious communities.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to ringfence education funding in Sudan following the planned reductions in UK ODA spending. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is a major humanitarian donor to Sudan with £226.5 million provided in financial year (FY) 2024/25 and a further £120 million in support this current FY which the Foreign Secretary announced at the London Sudan Conference on 15 April. Since the start of the conflict in April 2023, millions of Sudanese civilians have benefitted from UK funded humanitarian programmes including education funding; around 90 per cent of children are out of school across Sudan. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials are now determining how funding for FY 2025/26 will be allocated and further information will be provided in due course.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what role the UK plans to play in building on Treaty of Jeddah processes. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK has consistently condemned abuses and atrocities committed by the warring parties to the conflict in Sudan. We will continue to use all levers at our disposal to promote the protection of civilians in accordance with the Jeddah Declaration. The co-chairs' statement issued at the London Sudan Conference on 15 April noted the important commitments articulated by the Jeddah Declaration. In June, the UK will for the first time join key international partners in the Sudan Consultative Group in Brussels and continue to uphold our calls for the belligerents to comply with the Jeddah Declaration.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Israeli security cabinet’s plan to capture and hold territory within the Gaza strip. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We have been clear that the UK strongly opposes the expansion of Israel's operations in Gaza. We have repeatedly stated that Palestinian territory must not be reduced in the conduct of this war or subjected to demographic change, and that there must be no forced displacement of people from Gaza. Ministers have made these views clear in their contact with Israeli counterparts, and we have also set this out in our joint statements with our partners and at the UN Security Council. On 20 May, the Foreign Secretary set out the government's latest steps in response to the situation in Gaza, including suspending negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement. He also made clear that if Israel pursues this military offensive as it has threatened, failing to ensure the unhindered provision of aid, we will take further actions in response.
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Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to (a) monitor violence against Christian communities in northern Nigeria and (b) support efforts to hold perpetrators to account. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK Government continues to monitor events in northern Nigeria closely. Terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa, target all those who do not subscribe to their extremist views, including both Christians and Muslims. These incidents are distinct from the ongoing intercommunal violence across Nigeria. We regularly raise both issues with key stakeholders in Nigeria, most recently during Lord Collins's visit to Nigeria (28-30 May), where he held discussions with the Foreign Minister, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Head of the National Centre for Counter-Terrorism, and UN partners on these issues. Additionally, through the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), the UK is working with Nigeria to tackle violence against all civilian communities, including those of different religious backgrounds and belief systems. As part of this dialogue, we previously welcomed a commitment from Nigeria on timely, effective, and human rights compliant investigations of, and prosecutions for, terrorism crimes.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 48102 on Balkans: Politics and Government, when this year's UK-hosted Berlin Process will take place. \p Stephen Doughty: The 2025 Berlin Process Summit will take place in the UK this autumn. It will be preceded by meetings in the UK of Economic, Interior and Foreign Ministers from all members of the Berlin Process, and over ten events for government and non-government participants in the Western Balkans. We are consulting partners on potential outcomes, in line with the Prime Minister's focus on migration, security and economic growth. We are working closely with the new German Government and the EU institutions, including on implementation of outstanding commitments, to increase intra-regional cooperation and bring the region closer to its European partners.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the sanctioning of UK parliamentarians by Russia on national security. \p Stephen Doughty: In April, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that a further 21 UK parliamentarians had been added to Russia's 'stop list'. This is the thirteenth round of Russian 'sanctions' targeting over 800 British nationals including Ministers, parliamentarians, and those in the private sector. We have no insight into how or why Russia sanctions specific individuals, although their sanctions often seek to reciprocate UK sanctions against Russian targets - which are imposed by the Government in response to Russia's ongoing illegal invasion of Ukraine.

These sanctions are an unjustified reaction to parliamentarians expressing their views freely. The UK remains undeterred by these measures. The Government will continue its principled support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, and continue tackling the national security threat posed by the Russian state.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 4 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps he is taking to ensure compliance with international law does not restrict (a) operational capabilities and (b) weapons deployment in Diego Garcia as defined in Article 19 of the Agreement. \p Stephen Doughty: The agreement protects the operations on Diego Garcia to ensure the security of the UK and our allies, which is why it has been welcomed by the US and other 5 Eyes partners.

The UK will ensure all operations on Diego Garcia will continue to comply with its international law obligations, as it does on all military bases and all defence operations.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 3(c) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), how the (a) joint management and (b) use of the electromagnetic spectrum in the Chagos Archipelago beyond Diego Garcia will be agreed \p Stephen Doughty: The UK has unrestricted ability to control and manage the electromagnetic spectrum for Diego Garcia and the surrounding 12 nautical miles. Decisions related to the electromagnetic spectrum beyond Diego Garcia will be taken jointly by the UK and Mauritius at the Joint Commision, which is described in Annex 3 of the Treaty. There can be no decisions without UK agreement.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 4 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether the implementation of the Agreement complies with the Treaty of Pelindaba including with respect to Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia. \p Stephen Doughty: The United Kingdom is not a Party to the Pelindaba Treaty, although it is a Party to Protocols I and II. The United Kingdom will ensure all operations on Diego Garcia will continue to comply with its obligations under applicable international law.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 10 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart on United States forces at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia prioritising the employment of suitably qualified Mauritian (i) nationals and (ii) companies as contractors. \p Stephen Doughty: The United States has welcomed the Diego Garcia Base Treaty. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that it "secures the operational capabilities of the base and key US national security interests in the region". We have worked closely with the US in securing this historic Treaty and will continue to work closely in its implementation.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 11(1)(b) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025) and the Exchange of Letters concerning Article 11 of the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago, whether beneficiaries of the trust fund established for Chagossians will include (a) British Chagossians and (b) Mauritian citizens; and if he will set out the criteria that will govern the determination of eligibility. \p Stephen Doughty: As outlined in the Explanatory Memorandum, the UK will capitalise a Trust Fund established by Mauritius for the benefit of Chagossians. The Mauritian Government will oversee the fund, but the UK will work with them to develop its details during implementation discussions. Separately, Chagossian communities in the UK will continue to benefit from projects delivered by the UK Government.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to section 21 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the period for Parliament to ratify the UK-Mauritius Treaty. \p Stephen Doughty: I refer the Rt. Honourable Member to my answer to question 47650.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether the Pelindaba Treaty will apply when sovereignty is ceded to the Government of Mauritius to (a) Diego Garcia as defined in Article 19 of the Agreement; and (b) the Chagos Archipelago beyond Diego Garcia as defined in paragraph 11(b) of Annex 1 of the Agreement. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is not a Party to the Pelindaba Treaty, although it is a Party to Protocols I and II to that Treaty. Both the UK and Mauritius have ensured that all their respective international treaty obligations are compatible with the Agreement.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 11 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025) and the Exchange of Letters concerning Article 11 of the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago, which departments will fund the payments for the economic partnership including the (a) annual payments and (b) 25-year development framework grants; and whether these funds will be classified as development aid. \p Stephen Doughty: The costs associated with the deal will be split between the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. None of the funds will be classed as development aid.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 3(b) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what equipment located in the Chagos archipelago beyond Diego Garcia requires notification to the Government of Mauritius before (a) maintenance and (b) upgrades are conducted; and what procedures will govern the (i) content and (ii) timing of such notifications. \p Stephen Doughty: There are a range of vital facilities and capabilities on the base on Diego Garcia and the surrounding area that keep Britain safe. We do not discuss these publicly for security reasons.
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Brendan O'Hara:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan) in response to the question from the hon. Member for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, during the Urgent Question on Gaza: UK Assessment of 14 May 2025, Official Report, column 353, if he will specify (a) which responsibilities under international law and (b) what type of assessments he was referring to; and on what date did his Department last conduct one of these assessments. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is fully committed to international law and respects the independence of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). It is the Government's long-standing position that any determination as to whether genocide has occurred is a matter for a competent national or international court, and not for governments or non-judicial bodies. This case is ongoing, and we await their decision.

As soon as the Foreign Secretary took office, he ordered a review into Israel's compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL), to meet the statutory obligation, set out under the UK's Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. This assessment found that there were possible breaches of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the areas of treatment of detainees and humanitarian access and relief and that there was a clear risk that UK export items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law. The Government therefore suspended all relevant licences for export to Israel on 2 September 2024, except for exports to the global F-35 programme. Our IHL assessments continue regularly, and recent assessments have maintained this position. Ultimately it is for a court to decide if a breach has occurred.
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Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the lack of Legislative Consent Motion from the Northern Ireland Assembly on the progress of the Data (Use and Access) Bill. \p Chris Bryant: We have engaged with the Northern Ireland Assembly throughout the Bill's progression.

The Northern Ireland Assembly is currently considering a Legislative Consent Memorandum laid by the Northern Ireland Executive.
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Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of 2 December 2024 from the Rt hon. Member for New Forest East on research into the accuracy of data produced by the Meteorological Office. \p Feryal Clark: The Department attaches great importance to providing timely responses to Member’s correspondence. Regrettably a processing error has severely delayed our response in this instance, for which the Department sincerely apologises. We are taking steps to correct this system to prevent further errors of this nature. We will provide a full response urgently.
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Samantha Niblett:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) the Health Innovation Network and (b) other regional networks to help (i) support health technology SMEs and (ii) increase economic growth. \p Feryal Clark: The Government continues to fund the Health Innovation Network to support health and social care teams to identify, test, and scale new solutions – including new health technologies – to major NHS challenges. Since 2018, HIN programmes have created or secured over 10,000 jobs and provided bespoke support to thousands of SME innovators, contributing >£2.6bn to UK economy with a 3:1 return on investment.

Other Government-funded regional networks include the NIHR Research Delivery Network, which enables the health and care system to attract, optimise and deliver research across England. This includes supporting the delivery of research funded by health technology SMEs.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 14 May 2025 to Question 51082 on National Landscapes: Chilterns, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing changes to the budget of Natural England in the context of the cancellation of the project to expand the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Beauty; and if she will publish the technical review completed by LUC. \p Mary Creagh: For year 2025/26 the direct funding for National Landscape designation work was not continued. Natural England is using baseline budget to fund a reduced programme of landscape designation work. Decisions on future funding for Natural England will be made as part of the 2025 multi-year Spending Review and through finance settlement processes. Natural England are considering how the evidence base which has been gathered so far through their designation work can best be shared and used.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress his Department has made on banning trophy hunting imports. \p Mary Creagh: The Government committed to banning the import of hunting trophies in its manifesto and we will deliver on this. Defra continues to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can deliver a ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern in the most effective way.
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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill on the environmental impact of disposable vapes. \p Mary Creagh: On 1 June the sale and supply of disposable vapes across the UK was banned, this will remove these harmful products from shelves and reduce the waste cause by their disposal. We will work closely with the Department of Health to ensure that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill continues to consider the environmental impacts of vaping.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the EU-UK Common Understanding, published on 19 May 2025, whether the dynamic alignment with the EU will apply to standards and regulations on the production and marketing of (a) wine and (b) other types of alcohol. \p Daniel Zeichner: Rules related to the production and marketing of wine and spirits are outside the scope of the UK-EU SPS Agreement meaning dynamic alignment with the EU will not apply in these areas. Retaining this regulatory autonomy is important for this sector and will benefit the UK economy as a whole.
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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will hold discussions with the Exmoor National Park Authority on the suitability of change of use applications for pubs on Exmoor. \p Mary Creagh: Planning permission is always required to change use of a pub, ensuring that local consideration can be given to any such proposals through the planning application process, in consultation with the local community. Defra cannot comment on individual planning cases.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

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Olivia Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the benefits of establishing a National Nature Service to oversee nature recovery work. \p Mary Creagh: No.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-05 conversation_200

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans for an extensive mapping exercise identifying the most suitable sites for renewable energy sources to be carried out as part of the Land Use Framework. \p Mary Creagh: In October 2024, the Secretary of State for The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), along with Scottish and Welsh governments, jointly commissioned the National Energy System Operator to develop a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan: the first ever spatial energy plan for Great Britain, to support a more actively planned approach to energy infrastructure across both land and sea.

The analysis underpinning the Land Use Consultation for England has fed into the development of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan’s methodology. DESNZ and Defra will continue to work closely to ensure that the SSEP and the Land Use Framework work together cohesively alongside other sector plans.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-05 conversation_201

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the merits of including traceability requirements in the UK Forest Risk Commodities regulations. \p Mary Creagh: The UK is committed to supporting the progress of traceability and transparency in global supply chains, as we appreciate they play an essential part in supporting sustainable commodity production, trade and consumption.

The UK Government recognises the need to take action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation and we will set out our approach to addressing this in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-05 conversation_202

Alex Sobel:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the next set of Greening Government Commitments will be published for the years 2025-2030. \p Mary Creagh: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 April 2025 to PQ 45716.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-05 conversation_203

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of surveillance measures in (a) detecting and (b) controlling outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) leads Government action on animal disease control and carries out routine surveillance of disease risks in the UK and globally, to help the Government anticipate future threats to animal health. Defra continue to closely monitor the global avian influenza situation as part of this work and any changes to our approach to prevention and control of avian influenza will be based on the latest available veterinary advice and scientific evidence. All bird keepers should continue to observe the high standards of biosecurity that can help prevent the incursion and spread of disease.

Current policy reflects our experience of responding to past outbreaks of exotic animal disease and is in line with international standards of best practice for disease control. Our approach to surveillance and control is assessed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as part of our application for HPAI disease freedom, which remains Defra’s objective to achieve at the earliest opportunity. Defra’s approach to avian influenza disease control are proportionate and in line with EU (in relation to trade requirements) and national law. Our aim is to limit the spread and the economic impact of this disease on the industry.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-05 conversation_204

Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to carry out a comparative assessment of the potential impact of (a) disposable, (b) reusable and (c) other environmentally-friendly period products on the environment. \p Mary Creagh: Defra has no plans to carry out a comparative assessment of the environmental impact of different types of period products.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-05 conversation_205

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support farmers in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire impacted by avian flu. \p Daniel Zeichner: There have been no confirmed cases of HPAI H5N1 in Fylde or Lancashire since the start of the outbreak.

Following the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry and other captive birds in the UK, Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) together with the Devolved Governments and their delivery agencies have stood up their well-established outbreak structures to control and eradicate disease, restore normal trade, and assist local communities’ recovery. Defra’s disease control measures seek to contain the number of animals that need to be culled, either for disease control purposes or to safeguard animal welfare. Our approach aims to reduce adverse impacts on the rural and wider economy, the public, rural communities and the environment (including impact on wildlife), whilst protecting public health and minimising the overall cost of any outbreak.

In response to the unprecedented outbreaks of avian influenza in October 2022 Defra’s approach to compensation was updated to involve earlier assessment of the number of healthy birds and swifter calculation of compensation. This allows Defra to provide earlier certainty about entitlement to compensation; better reflects the impact of outbreaks on premises; and leads to swifter payments to help stem any cash flow pressures for producers directly affected.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-05 conversation_206

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent funding he has provided to local authorities in Fylde constituency to help tackle (a) water pollution and (b) storm overflows into the Ribble Estuary. \p Emma Hardy: Water and sewerage companies are responsible for the maintenance of storm overflows and other assets.

The Water (Special Measures) Act will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry and the Independent Water Commission will make recommendations to shape and transform how our water system works and clean up our waterways for good.

As part of Price Review 2024 (PR24), which runs from 2025 to 2030, Ofwat are allowing United Utilities £2.5 billion to reduce the use of storm overflows by at least 33%. During this period, UU will be improving eight storm overflows in the Fylde constituency to reduce how often they discharge, in order to improve both river and coastal water quality.

Monitoring investigations are being undertaken in the Ribble catchment to inform future actions to improve bathing water quality at designated bathing waters on the River Ribble and Fylde coast, including St Annes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-05 conversation_207

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many confirmed cases of HPAI H5N1 have been reported in (a) Fylde, (b) Lancashire and (c) England since the start of the outbreak in November 2024. \p Daniel Zeichner: As of 18 May 2025, there have been 57 cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in England since the start of the outbreak in November. There have been no confirmed cases of HPAI H5N1 in Fylde or Lancashire since the start of the outbreak
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-05 conversation_208

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to reintroduce housing measures should avian influenza risk levels increase. \p Daniel Zeichner: During periods of increased risk of avian influenza Avian Influenza Prevention Zones (AIPZ) mandating enhanced biosecurity, with or without mandatory housing, are utilised to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring.

The risk of avian influenza remains heightened and AIPZs remain in force across Great Britain. However, following a reduction in risk levels the mandatory AIPZ housing measures which have been in force across the highest risk areas of England were lifted from 00:01 on 22 May 2025. However, mandatory housing of all poultry and other captive birds is still a legal requirement within any Protection Zone or Captive Bird Monitoring Controlled Zone in force surrounding an infected premises where avian influenza has been confirmed in poultry or other captive birds.

The need for an AIPZ is kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza, and measures are introduced in a phased and escalating manner proportionate to risk in an area. Any decisions on when to introduce or amend AIPZs including the addition or removal of mandatory housing measures either on a regional or national basis are based on risk assessments, which are published on gov.uk and contain the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice.

Housing measures are intended to reduce the risk that poultry and other captive birds will come into contact either directly or indirectly with wild birds which may be infected with avian influenza. When utilised, the enhanced biosecurity measures including housing mandated by an AIPZ have been vital in protecting flocks across the country from avian influenza.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-05 conversation_209

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his Department's policy is on genetic editing to prevent diseases in (a) plants and (b) livestock. \p Daniel Zeichner: The secondary legislation necessary to implement the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 for plants in England has successfully passed through Parliament and was passed into law on 13 May 2025. Through this enabling regulatory framework, crops with a range of beneficial traits including increased disease resistance can be developed more quickly. The Government is considering the requirements for a regulatory framework for precision bred animals as outlined in the Act.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-05 conversation_210

Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to improve the condition of Sites of Specific Scientific Interest. \p Mary Creagh: SSSIs continue to be one of the most effective tools for protecting and enhancing biodiversity and deliver a wide range of health and socio-economic benefits.

Defra is working with Natural England to improve the efficiency of SSSI monitoring and drive delivery of a prioritised programme of action to improve SSSI condition. This includes advising farmers on land management changes, working at a catchment-scale with partners to improve water quality and regulating fairly and proportionately to prevent harm and improve site condition.

In the autumn budget we also allocated £13 million to Protected Site Strategies which will develop and implement spatial restoration plans for priority sites. These strategies will put action in place to restore protected sites and manage the impact of environmental harm.

The Nature Restoration Fund in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will also allow us to take a more strategic approach to the restoration of protected sites and species, and deliver improved environmental outcomes.