Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they have taken towards achieving no antibiotic prescription without diagnostic confirmation by 2027, as recommended by the World Innovation Summit for Health, and what future plans they have towards that aim.

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

Reducing unnecessary antimicrobial prescriptions by supporting clinicians to prescribe the right antimicrobials only to those who need them is a core undertaking of the Government’s 2024 to 2029 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) national action plan (NAP). The NAP highlights the importance of accurate diagnostic testing to guide effective antibiotic use to help tackle AMR. Specifically, outcome four of the NAP commits to strengthening antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship by improved targeting of antimicrobials and diagnostic tools. Furthermore, outcome six relates to supporting the development of diagnostics for infection.

The NAP includes targets to achieve a 5% reduction in total antibiotic use in human populations by 2029 from the 2019 baseline, and to ensure 70% of antibiotics used across the human healthcare system are from the ‘Access’ category, a new United Kingdom category, by 2029. The Department continues to work with cross Government bodies, including NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency, to deliver the outcomes and commitments outlined in the NAP.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to restrict meat and plant imports from the United States of America to prevent the entry of chronic wasting disease.

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

The rules for the importation into Great Britain of meat and meat products are laid down in GB legislation. Consignments must be accompanied by animal and public health certification and enter GB through a Border Control Post where checks are carried out to ensure that import conditions have been met.

Fresh meat of cervids (deer meat) can only be imported from the USA if it complies with supplementary guarantees in the model health certificates that mitigate the risk of chronic wasting disease (CWD) incursion from fresh meat.

There are no restrictions in place on imports of plants from the USA in relation to CWD. A risk assessment carried out in 2023 indicates that the risk of transmission of CWD via plants is very low.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the use of reusable nappies, and to make suppliers of single-use nappies pay the full cost of their disposal.

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

In 2023 Defra published a Life Cycle Assessment of disposable and reusable nappies which looked at disposable and reusable nappies across 18 equally-weighted environmental impact categories (Science Search (defra.gov.uk).

The assessment showed that while disposable nappies have a slightly higher global warming potential, reusable nappies have a higher environmental impact in other ways. As there is no clear consensus on whether reusable or disposable nappies are better for the environment the Department has no plans to take policy action on nappies at this time.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to manage the NHS provision of biologic medications and other high-cost treatments, particularly to avoid inequality between patients under different integrated care boards.

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

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes evidence-based recommendations for the National Health Service in England on whether new medicines, including biologics, should be routinely funded by the NHS based on an assessment of their clinical and cost-effectiveness.

The NICE evaluates all new medicines and significant licence extensions for existing medicines, and NHS England and the integrated care boards are legally required to fund the medicines recommended in a NICE appraisal, usually within three months of final guidance. The NICE’s evaluations and the associated funding requirement ensures that patients are consistently able to benefit from clinically and cost-effective medicines wherever they live in England.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure the future of the Greener NHS programme following the abolition of NHS England.

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

Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new transformation team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to lead this transformation. As we work to return many of NHS England’s current functions to the Department, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds.

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 national monitoring system for wild boars and feral pigs.

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

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 African swine fever and other notifiable diseases. Found dead feral wild boar and feral pigs in England should be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Sightings of live feral wild boar and feral pigs can be made through the Mammal Societies Mammal Tracker app or directly through the National Biodiversity Network, the work of which is supported Natural England, Environment Agency and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Defra have no plans at this time to introduce alternative monitoring systems for live feral wild boar and feral pigs. However, Defra work closely with Forestry England to actively monitor and control the population of feral wild boar in the Forest of Dean and work closely with stakeholder organisations share intelligence and monitor the population of feral wild boar and feral pigs nationally.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the possibility of, and (2) dangers from, a 'liquidity mirage' in foreign exchange markets.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee is responsible for identifying, monitoring and addressing any risks that threaten the resilience of the UK financial system, including foreign exchange markets.

UK regulators, and the Bank of England, in conjunction with their counterparts in other jurisdictions, monitor markets, including foreign exchange markets so as to ensure that they support the UK financial system and economy.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to improve recycling infrastructure and technologies to enable the increased recovery of critical minerals and other materials.

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

This Government is committed to transitioning to a circular economy. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has convened the Circular Economy Taskforce to help us develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England, which will be supported by a series of roadmaps detailing the interventions that the government and others will make on a sector-by-sector basis. We are considering the evidence for interventions right across the economy, including interventions that would enable the increased recovery of critical minerals and other materials.

Critical minerals in particular are crucial for the Government’s ambition to kickstart economic growth and make Britain a clean energy superpower. The Department for Business and Trade plans to bring forward a Critical Minerals Strategy, which will support the aims of the forthcoming Circular Economy Strategy by driving ambitious reform to promote recycling and the retention of critical minerals within the UK economy.

Beyond critical minerals, the largest waste management companies in the UK estimates that over the next decade the forthcoming Collection and Packaging Reforms alone will stimulate £10 billion investment in recycling infrastructure and create 21,000 new jobs; whilst also enhancing UK domestic material security by reducing reliance on virgin imports of critical materials.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that reproductive health issues, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, fertility and menopause symptoms, are covered in relationships and sex education in schools in England.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

Statutory guidance on the current relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) curriculum, published on GOV.UK states that by the end of secondary education, pupils should know the facts about reproductive health, including fertility, and the potential impact of lifestyle on fertility for men and women and menopause. This guidance is attached and is also available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education. While endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome are not mentioned specifically in the statutory guidance, it is open to schools to include it as part of this education.

To support schools further, in 2020 the department developed teacher training modules which are freely available to download from GOV.UK and are attached and is also available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teaching-about-relationships-sex-and-health. This included working with Endometriosis UK when developing the ‘changing adolescent body’ module, which references endometriosis. In addition, the ‘intimate and sexual relationships, including sexual health’ module refers to endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, fertility and menopause.

The department is currently reviewing the RSHE statutory guidance. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has been clear that children’s wellbeing must be at the heart of this guidance for schools and as such we will talk to stakeholders, analyse consultation responses and consider relevant evidence before setting out next steps. This will include assessing whether amended content on reproductive health issues is needed.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of those affected by the under-occupancy charge, particularly where no alternative accommodation is offered, and what assessment they have made of the impact of that charge on regional poverty disparities, including child poverty.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

No specific assessment has been made of households in the social rented sector affected by the Removal of Spare Room Subsidy (RSRS) where alternative accommodation has not been offered, nor of the impact of the RSRS has on regional poverty disparities. The RSRS policy, sometimes known as the under-occupancy charge or bedroom tax, applies where the household is living in a social rented property with more bedrooms than the household’s bedroom entitlement.

Easements to the policy are available to support disabled people and carers, families of disabled children, foster carers, parents who adopt, parents of service personnel and people who have suffered a bereavement. Those unable to meet a shortfall in their rent due to a RSRS deduction can seek a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) from their local authority. DHPs can be paid to those entitled to Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to achieve the COP15 pledge to reduce the overall risks from pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals by at least half by 2030; and what assessment have they made of the likelihood of achieving this target.

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

The UK has published a full National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and UK National Targets that commit us to achieving all 23 targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at home, including Target 7 which features a pledge to reduce the overall risks from pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals by at least half by 2030.

In addition, the revised Environment Improvement Plan (EIP), which will be published in 2025, will set out the Government's approach to managing chemicals. The UK Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP), launched in March 2025, also sets out the Government’s strategy for managing pesticide use and minimising risks to the environment and health whilst maintaining food security.

An assessment of progress toward achieving the UK National Targets and implementation of the GBF will be set out in the UK 7th National Report, due to be published in February 2026.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made to develop a Pesticide Load Indicator for horticultural use of such chemicals, such as in orchards, and when they expect the work to be completed.

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

The UK Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP), launched in March 2025 introduces a UK domestic target to reduce the potential harm from pesticides to the environment by 10% by 2030, monitored using the UK Pesticide Load Indicator (PLI). The PLI is a UK-specific indicator designed to show the potential harm to the environment and wildlife from pesticides. The UK PLI currently covers pesticide use in the arable sector only, which accounts for around 90% of overall pesticide use in UK agriculture.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish a new Wild Boar Action Plan following the appearance of a new population in Dartmoor National Park.

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

Primary responsibility for wild boar management lies with local communities and individual landowners. Defra works 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 including wild boar is available on GOV.UK.

As part of ongoing work on contingency plans relating to wildlife disease management, Defra is undertaking a review of the Feral Wild Boar Action Plan. We will announce further details on this in due course.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impacts of life recorders, particularly in regard to privacy and security, and what plans they have to take legal, regulatory or other action in response.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

All UK organisations processing personal data must comply with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018. This applies to all technologies, including AI-based life recorders. The UK GDPR and the DPA, are risk-based and technology neutral, ensuring organisations process data lawfully, fairly, and transparently. On data security, the UK has strong safeguards, regulatory oversight, and enforcement to ensure responsible data handling. We continuously assess evolving threats to UK data and will take further action if necessary to protect national security.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had on a (1) bilateral basis, or (2) EU-wide basis, about cabotage for UK musicians who are touring in the EU.

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

We are working closely with the music industry, and engaging with the EU and EU Member States to tackle the challenges facing UK musicians and their support staff, including reduced access due to restrictions on the number and type of permitted transport movements when touring in the EU. Our aim is to identify practical solutions to ensure that UK artists can continue to perform across Europe with minimal barriers while respecting the regulatory frameworks on both sides.

On 7 April, Sir Chris Bryant attended the Informal Meeting for EU Culture Ministers in Warsaw as a guest of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This is the first time a UK minister has been invited to such a meeting since the UK’s exit from the EU. The Minister used the opportunity to forge closer, more cooperative ties with his EU counterparts, including on matters related to touring. The Minister and senior DCMS officials have previously engaged the EU on this matter bilaterally, including during an introductory call with EU Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Culture, Youth and Sport Glenn Micallef and in recent engagements with Polish, French, German, Italian, Danish and Swedish counterparts.

The UK Government remains in constructive dialogue with the EU on this and other EU reset priorities. Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds and Maroš Šefčovič have been tasked with moving discussions forward and leaders will take stock at the UK-EU Summit in May.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Benyon on 17 May 2024 (HL4375), what progress they have made on the collection of soil monitoring data from the Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment programme; and whether 2027–28 remains the target for 100 percent completion.

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

Defra’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment programme remains on track (subject to spending reviews) to complete its 5-year baseline soil sample within Financial Year 2027/28.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Douglas-Miller on 12 April 2024 (HL3653), what progress they have made on the regulation or other oversight of the sale of plant biostimulants, including consideration of their efficacy, safety and ecological impacts.

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

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

There are no specific requirements for plant biostimulants in domestic fertiliser legislation. Fertilisers are a devolved matter, and we will continue to work with the devolved governments through the Fertilisers Common Framework on fertiliser regulation.

Defra has funded a review of the evidence for the safe and effective use of plant biostimulants and methods for verifying the efficacy of plant biostimulants. This review is due to conclude November 2026. However, due to the wide variety of compounds used in biostimulants and innovation in the sector, further research and support from industry may be needed.

As part of our mission-driven Government, we are now considering how we can achieve our ambitious, measurable and long-term goals for all our farming sectors, which includes fertilisers as a key input.