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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to report to Parliament annually about species reintroduction projects underway in the UK.

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 plans to report to Parliament annually about species reintroductions projects underway in the UK. In the Environmental Improvement Plan, Defra has committed to provide opportunities for conservation translocations and reintroductions of native species where benefits to the environment and people are clear.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential to reintroduce previously native animals to the UK.

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

In the Environmental Improvement Plan [see attached], Defra committed to support conservation translocations and reintroductions of native species where benefits to the environment and people are clear. This broad policy work can include extensive work, such as by Defra and Natural England on beaver reintroductions to shape the framework for wild releases. However, most projects are delivered by external organisations and landowners, including in collaboration with our arms-length bodies.

To support best practice, Defra has published the Code for Reintroductions and other Conservation Translocations in England [see attached]. The Code sets clear expectations for projects, including demonstrating a conservation need, assessing feasibility and risks, securing permissions and meeting legal requirements, and ensuring appropriate release, monitoring and advice from Natural England where needed.

Defra continues to support the England Species Reintroduction Taskforce in their provision of evidence-led advice and guidance on existing and potential species conservation translocations in England. Current projects include clarifying the contribution of conservation translocations to species recovery targets and developing a framework to inform decisions on conservation reintroductions.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria they use when determining whether money provided in overseas aid can be counted as climate finance.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

We account for all our International Climate Finance (ICF) using internationally agreed OECD guidelines. Programmes (or elements within them) can be counted as ICF if they address the impacts or causes of climate change, and programme teams report against the Rio Markers for adaptation, mitigation, biodiversity, and desertification as appropriate to capture this.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Metropolitan Police about measures being taken to ensure the safety of participants at counter-protests to the Al-Quds march.

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

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, wrote to the Home Secretary on 9 March requesting her consent to an order under section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 to prohibit processions and counter-processions in relation to Al Quds Day.

The Home Secretary approved the order, to prevent serious public disorder. The Government’s foremost duty is the protection of its citizens, and this includes ensuring the safety of participants at the protest and counter-protests, as well as the wider public.

It is the responsibility of police to manage protests and maintain a balance between the right to protest and the need to protect the public from serious disruption or harm. Forces regularly engage with communities to understand the impact of protests.

There are no official Government figures on the number of arrests or public order incidents recorded at Al Quds Day demonstrations in London, however the Metropolitan Police publicised that in 2024 there were 10 arrests, and in 2025 there was one arrest.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what engagement they have had with representatives of the Iranian diaspora in the UK regarding protests linked to the government of Iran.

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

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, wrote to the Home Secretary on 9 March requesting her consent to an order under section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 to prohibit processions and counter-processions in relation to Al Quds Day.

The Home Secretary approved the order, to prevent serious public disorder. The Government’s foremost duty is the protection of its citizens, and this includes ensuring the safety of participants at the protest and counter-protests, as well as the wider public.

It is the responsibility of police to manage protests and maintain a balance between the right to protest and the need to protect the public from serious disruption or harm. Forces regularly engage with communities to understand the impact of protests.

There are no official Government figures on the number of arrests or public order incidents recorded at Al Quds Day demonstrations in London, however the Metropolitan Police publicised that in 2024 there were 10 arrests, and in 2025 there was one arrest.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many arrests or public order incidents have been recorded at Al-Quds Day demonstrations in London over the past ten years.

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

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, wrote to the Home Secretary on 9 March requesting her consent to an order under section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 to prohibit processions and counter-processions in relation to Al Quds Day.

The Home Secretary approved the order, to prevent serious public disorder. The Government’s foremost duty is the protection of its citizens, and this includes ensuring the safety of participants at the protest and counter-protests, as well as the wider public.

It is the responsibility of police to manage protests and maintain a balance between the right to protest and the need to protect the public from serious disruption or harm. Forces regularly engage with communities to understand the impact of protests.

There are no official Government figures on the number of arrests or public order incidents recorded at Al Quds Day demonstrations in London, however the Metropolitan Police publicised that in 2024 there were 10 arrests, and in 2025 there was one arrest.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to encourage prospective applicants to apply for funding in round 32 of the Darwin Initiative when it launches.

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

In late 2025, Defra informed prospective applicants – through the Darwin’s Initiative’s mailing lists, website and social media channels – that it expects to launch Round 32 of the Darwin Initiative in May 2026. Defra is now finalising the details for this round. When the call for applications opens, Defra will promote it across all of the Darwin Initiative’s communications channels; encourage UK Embassies and High Commissions in eligible countries to promote the opportunity to their in‑country networks; and run a webinar for prospective applicants.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what co-ordination is taking place between UK intelligence agencies and international partners to address Iranian espionage activities.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

It is the long-standing policy of the UK Government not to comment on intelligence and security matters.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria were used to determine which of the regions that were in receipt of the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund will not receive future funding.

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

Following the decision to reduce UK ODA to fund an increase in defence spending and Defra receiving a reduced ODA budget in SR25 the criteria used to determine which Biodiverse Landscapes Fund regions would not receive future funding primarily focused on project performance and delivery.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to match the current funding level of £11.6 billion for climate finance in the developing world over the past five years for the next five years; and whether they intend to maintain and protect the previously ringfenced portion of that finance for nature-based solutions.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

Over the next three years, the UK will spend around £6bn of ODA as International Climate Finance (ICF). We will balance support between mitigation and adaptation and maintain a focus on nature. By using different instruments and levers, we will aim to generate an additional £6.7bn of UK backed climate and nature positive investments and to mobilise billions more in private finance.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to review charity law to address risks arising from foreign state influence operations.

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

The Charity Commission’s recent Charity Sector Risk Assessment noted that hostile foreign states may seek to gain influence in the UK by using charities as a vehicle for promoting their worldview. The Charity Commission is alive to these threats and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited.

The Charity Commission has a range of powers at its disposal to take action against abuse of charitable status, including freezing bank accounts, directing trustees to take corrective action, or disqualifying trustees. DCMS keeps the Charity Commission’s powers and charity law under regular review and is actively seeking to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers.

The Charity Commission currently has three statutory inquiries open involving charities with alleged links to Iran: the Islamic Centre of England, Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust and Islamic Human Rights Commission Trust, as well as other non-inquiry casework.

The Charity Commission has guidance on protecting charities from abuse for extremist purposes and earlier this month published updated guidance for charities on the evolving situation in Iran.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government how many charities are currently subject to investigation by the Charity Commission because of alleged links with the Iranian regime.

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

The Charity Commission’s recent Charity Sector Risk Assessment noted that hostile foreign states may seek to gain influence in the UK by using charities as a vehicle for promoting their worldview. The Charity Commission is alive to these threats and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited.

The Charity Commission has a range of powers at its disposal to take action against abuse of charitable status, including freezing bank accounts, directing trustees to take corrective action, or disqualifying trustees. DCMS keeps the Charity Commission’s powers and charity law under regular review and is actively seeking to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers.

The Charity Commission currently has three statutory inquiries open involving charities with alleged links to Iran: the Islamic Centre of England, Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust and Islamic Human Rights Commission Trust, as well as other non-inquiry casework.

The Charity Commission has guidance on protecting charities from abuse for extremist purposes and earlier this month published updated guidance for charities on the evolving situation in Iran.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to publish guidance for charities on avoiding foreign state influence or infiltration.

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

The Charity Commission’s recent Charity Sector Risk Assessment noted that hostile foreign states may seek to gain influence in the UK by using charities as a vehicle for promoting their worldview. The Charity Commission is alive to these threats and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited.

The Charity Commission has a range of powers at its disposal to take action against abuse of charitable status, including freezing bank accounts, directing trustees to take corrective action, or disqualifying trustees. DCMS keeps the Charity Commission’s powers and charity law under regular review and is actively seeking to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers.

The Charity Commission currently has three statutory inquiries open involving charities with alleged links to Iran: the Islamic Centre of England, Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust and Islamic Human Rights Commission Trust, as well as other non-inquiry casework.

The Charity Commission has guidance on protecting charities from abuse for extremist purposes and earlier this month published updated guidance for charities on the evolving situation in Iran.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of charities as vehicles for foreign state influence operations.

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

The Charity Commission’s recent Charity Sector Risk Assessment noted that hostile foreign states may seek to gain influence in the UK by using charities as a vehicle for promoting their worldview. The Charity Commission is alive to these threats and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited.

The Charity Commission has a range of powers at its disposal to take action against abuse of charitable status, including freezing bank accounts, directing trustees to take corrective action, or disqualifying trustees. DCMS keeps the Charity Commission’s powers and charity law under regular review and is actively seeking to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers.

The Charity Commission currently has three statutory inquiries open involving charities with alleged links to Iran: the Islamic Centre of England, Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust and Islamic Human Rights Commission Trust, as well as other non-inquiry casework.

The Charity Commission has guidance on protecting charities from abuse for extremist purposes and earlier this month published updated guidance for charities on the evolving situation in Iran.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the Charity Commission has sufficient powers to suspend or remove charitable status where organisations are suspected of promoting the interests of hostile foreign governments.

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

The Charity Commission’s recent Charity Sector Risk Assessment noted that hostile foreign states may seek to gain influence in the UK by using charities as a vehicle for promoting their worldview. The Charity Commission is alive to these threats and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited.

The Charity Commission has a range of powers at its disposal to take action against abuse of charitable status, including freezing bank accounts, directing trustees to take corrective action, or disqualifying trustees. DCMS keeps the Charity Commission’s powers and charity law under regular review and is actively seeking to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers.

The Charity Commission currently has three statutory inquiries open involving charities with alleged links to Iran: the Islamic Centre of England, Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust and Islamic Human Rights Commission Trust, as well as other non-inquiry casework.

The Charity Commission has guidance on protecting charities from abuse for extremist purposes and earlier this month published updated guidance for charities on the evolving situation in Iran.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of UK-based organisations with connections to the Iranian regime.

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

We work closely with a range of partners to tackle malign state-backed influence in our society. Where there is clear evidence that Iranian-linked or aligned organisations are undertaking unacceptable activity, the Government will respond accordingly.

We have introduced a comprehensive set of additional measures aimed at countering threats posed by the Iranian regime.

The enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) requires individuals and organisations to register arrangements with specified foreign powers or entities that may pose a risk to the UK's safety and interests.

We have placed the entire Iranian State on the enhanced tier of FIRS. This means that anyone being directed to do any activity in the UK on behalf of the Iranian government faces a choice between registering with the scheme or committing a criminal offence punishable by a substantial fine or up to five years in prison.

The Government's top priority is national security, and we will continue to use all appropriate tools at our disposal to protect the UK, and its people, from any Iran-linked threats.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are considering further legislative measures to strengthen the UK's response to hostile state espionage.

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

The National Security Act 2023 overhauled and updated our espionage offences and created a suite of measures to enable our law enforcement and intelligence agencies to deter, detect and disrupt the full range of modern-day state threats.

The Government keeps all counter-espionage legislation under review to ensure it continues to allow us to tackle the growing and diversifying range of state threats that have evolved since the UK last substantively legislated on this issue.

Last year, the previous Home Secretary commissioned Jonathan Hall KC (the Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation) to conduct a review evaluating what powers under terrorism legislation could be emulated to tackle state-based security threats to the UK. Mr Hall KC recommended introducing a State Threats Proscription-style Tool that would be more effective in disrupting state-linked organisations, along with several other recommendations. The Government will legislate to take forward these recommendations, as parliamentary time allows.