Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the levels of transnational repression and other politically linked harassment taking place in the UK towards British residents and visitors with links to Bangladesh; and what steps they have taken in response.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The first duty of the government is to keep the country safe.

This Government is committed to responding to foreign interference, including those actions which amount to transnational repression. Home Office officials work closely with operational partners, the FCDO and other government departments to review the threat picture and determine how best to respond.

We continually assess potential threats in the UK, and take protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK very seriously including individuals with links to Bangladesh. Any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK will not be tolerated and will be thoroughly investigated.

We will continue to implement measures in the National Security Act 2023, which make the UK a harder target for those states which seek to conduct hostile acts.

Anyone who thinks they might be a victim should report incidents or suspicious activity to the Police.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many physician associates currently working in the NHS or in private healthcare have not passed the Physician Associate National Examination; and whether they plan to ensure that physician associates currently working have passed it before the deadline for registering with the General Medical Council in December 2026.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not hold data on how many Physician Associates (PAs) currently working in the National Health Service or in private healthcare have not passed the Physician Associate National Examination (PANE).

Statutory regulation of PAs and Anaesthesia Associates (AAs) by the General Medical Council (GMC) has begun. The GMC has made it a mandatory registration requirement for all PAs to have passed the PANE. Under the Anaesthesia Associate and Physician Associate Order, PAs and AAs must join the GMC register or cease practising by December 2026.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan for the £30 million allocated to prevention for the gambling statutory levy to be administered by a statutory body.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

As set out in the Government’s response to the consultation on the statutory levy, further consideration of the evidence is needed in order to appoint an appropriate body to lead the prevention strand of the levy system. We will confirm our decisions in due course. Prevention is a critical part of the government’s approach to tackling gambling-related harm and we need to take the time to get the policy right whilst ensuring that necessary legislation is passed to meet our commitment to having the levy in place by April 2025.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to update the Feral Wild Boar Action Plan published in 2008.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

While we have never had an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in the UK, the overall risk of an incursion of ASF is currently assessed to be medium (the event occurs regularly) and we continue to prepare for a possible outbreak. Defra’s approach to ASF is set out in the Disease control strategy for African and Classical Swine Fever in Great Britain (copy attached) and considers the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice, including the role of feral pigs and wild boar.

Preventing an outbreak of ASF in the UK is one of Defra’s key biosecurity priorities. 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. To ensure this approach is reflected in our control and mitigation strategies, Defra are undertaking a review of both the England Wildlife Health Strategy, which provides a policy framework within which Defra is able to develop and make policy decisions in relation to wildlife disease management supported by the Contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases of animals in England, and the feral wild boar action plan in relation to exotic disease control.

Defra works closely with Forestry England to actively monitor and control the population of feral wild boar in the Forest of Dean and prevent the establishment of populations in other areas managed by Forestry England. Annual assessments of the size and structure of the Forest of Dean wild boar population and progress to control the population are available on the Forestry England website. Outside of these areas primary responsibility for wild boar management lies with local communities and individual landowners. Defra work closely with stakeholder organisations to ensure communities, local authorities and landowners have access to guidance and information where needed to control populations and mitigate the impact of feral wild boar in their areas. Advice and further information on licensing and legislation relating wildlife management is available on GOV.UK (copy attached).

Defra encourages all pig keepers and members of the public to be vigilant and help protect our pig sector and wildlife from the threat of ASF. Found dead feral wild boar in England should be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (see attachment), and sightings of live wild boar can be made through the Mammal Societies Mammal Tracker app or directly through the National Biodiversity Network.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a national monitoring system for wild boars and feral pigs to support environmental goals, manage social conflicts, and increase preparedness in the event of an outbreak of African swine fever.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

While we have never had an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in the UK, the overall risk of an incursion of ASF is currently assessed to be medium (the event occurs regularly) and we continue to prepare for a possible outbreak. Defra’s approach to ASF is set out in the Disease control strategy for African and Classical Swine Fever in Great Britain (copy attached) and considers the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice, including the role of feral pigs and wild boar.

Preventing an outbreak of ASF in the UK is one of Defra’s key biosecurity priorities. 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. To ensure this approach is reflected in our control and mitigation strategies, Defra are undertaking a review of both the England Wildlife Health Strategy, which provides a policy framework within which Defra is able to develop and make policy decisions in relation to wildlife disease management supported by the Contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases of animals in England, and the feral wild boar action plan in relation to exotic disease control.

Defra works closely with Forestry England to actively monitor and control the population of feral wild boar in the Forest of Dean and prevent the establishment of populations in other areas managed by Forestry England. Annual assessments of the size and structure of the Forest of Dean wild boar population and progress to control the population are available on the Forestry England website. Outside of these areas primary responsibility for wild boar management lies with local communities and individual landowners. Defra work closely with stakeholder organisations to ensure communities, local authorities and landowners have access to guidance and information where needed to control populations and mitigate the impact of feral wild boar in their areas. Advice and further information on licensing and legislation relating wildlife management is available on GOV.UK (copy attached).

Defra encourages all pig keepers and members of the public to be vigilant and help protect our pig sector and wildlife from the threat of ASF. Found dead feral wild boar in England should be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (see attachment), and sightings of live wild boar can be made through the Mammal Societies Mammal Tracker app or directly through the National Biodiversity Network.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of funding for the Dover Port Health Authority in conjunction with UK Border Force to carry out checks for illegal personal imports of meat; and whether funding is adequate at other border points for arrivals by air and sea.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office does not hold this information in an easily accessible format; budget information is available only at overall directorate level and not at individual unit levels.

However, previous published financial figures for Border Force from 2023 to 2024 can be found at Home Office annual report and accounts: 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage free and fair elections in Bangladesh.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to supporting free, fair, participatory, and peaceful elections in Bangladesh. We support the Interim Government's efforts to establish a pathway toward an inclusive democratic future and free elections. We continue to emphasise to the Interim Government the critical importance of respecting human rights, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring access to justice - key pillars of democracy. During the Minister for the Indo-Pacific's recent visit to Dhaka, she met with political leaders where she encouraged progress towards an inclusive political settlement. Our Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme promotes the protection of civic and political space. We are providing up to £27 million under this programme.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to advocate for a ban on the presence of fossil fuel lobbyists at future United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences of the Parties.

Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The changing climate is the greatest long-term global challenge our country faces. The UNFCCC remains the most effective global forum for tackling this crisis.

The UK continues to champion a transparent, inclusive, and effective UNFCCC process that supports enhanced ambition and strengthened implementation of the Paris Agreement and COP outcomes, including the Global Stocktake agreement and the new climate finance goal agreed at COP29.

It is the joint responsibility of the UNFCCC Secretariat, their Presiding officers, and the annually nominated Presidency to uphold the rigorous standards which govern each meeting of the Conference of Parties, reflecting the importance of impartiality.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce a compensation scheme for farmers for any damages to crops by (1) beavers and (2) wild boars, or to provide other financial support for farmers whose land beavers and wild boars are living on or travelling through.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This is a devolved matter and so this reply applies to England only.

Sustainable Farming Incentive, Countryside Stewardship and Landscape Recovery offer support for farmers through payments for actions that deliver both environmental and agricultural benefits. Some actions can be used to mitigate the effects of species such as beavers and wild boar, for example by buffering of watercourses or restoration of habitats, allowing space for their activity. Beaver protection and management capital grants are available in Countryside Stewardship to protect permanent crops and trees from beaver damage, and to manage beavers and their dams where there is a risk of serious damage or flooding to crops, infrastructure, or human or animal health.

Found: (Baroness Kramer) 80 HL Deb 2 September 2024 c974-976 (Earl Russell) c 1000-1001 (Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle