Lord McInnes of Kilwinning

The Government has announced an ambitious programme for the entire UK to commemorate the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day. Communities across the UK will come together to mark the commemorations - by participating in the official programme and by organising their own events and activities.

The Government has launched a brand new collection of educational resources titled VE Day: Our Shared Story, encouraging every young person across the UK to engage with veteran testimony and experience through the year of the 80th anniversary. Schools, teachers and community youth groups are invited to download the free schools planning pack to start planning activities for young people. The material will be translated into Welsh and we are working closely with the Devolved Governments to disseminate the educational materials across all parts of the UK.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) meets regularly with representatives of the BBC on a range of matters, including how it engages listeners both in the UK and internationally.

The BBC is operationally and editorially independent of the Government, and decisions on changes to its BBC Sounds service is a matter for the BBC.

The Government recognises the BBC’s value as a UK soft power asset, and promoting British stories to audiences across the world.

Defra does not hold information on the number of XL bullies that have been seized by police forces in England and Wales. This information will be held by individual police forces.

The total amount paid under the XL Bully dog compensation scheme was £78,900.

Defra received 406 valid claims for compensation for XL Bully dogs that were euthanised. Applications to this compensation scheme closed on the 15 March 2024. We do not hold data on the total number of XL bully dogs that may have been euthanised as a result of the ban.

The total amount paid under the XL Bully dog compensation scheme was £78,900.

Defra received 406 valid claims for compensation for XL Bully dogs that were euthanised. Applications to this compensation scheme closed on the 15 March 2024. We do not hold data on the total number of XL bully dogs that may have been euthanised as a result of the ban.

Dogs aged under 12 months on the 31 January 2024 need to be neutered by the 31 December 2024. In March this year, the Government announced that there would be an extension for the youngest dogs that were aged less than 7 months on the 31 January 2024. These dogs would need to be neutered by the 30 June 2025. As these deadlines have not yet passed, we have not received and processed all neutering forms and so we do not hold data on the number of XL Bullies that have been neutered. We recommend that owners arrange for their dogs to be neutered as soon as possible to meet these deadlines.

Dogs aged under 12 months on the 31 January 2024 need to be neutered by the 31 December 2024. In March this year, the Government announced that there would be an extension for the youngest dogs that were aged less than 7 months on the 31 January 2024. These dogs would need to be neutered by the 30 June 2025. As these deadlines have not yet passed, we have not received and processed all neutering forms and so we do not hold data on the number of XL Bullies that have been neutered. We recommend that owners arrange for their dogs to be neutered as soon as possible to meet these deadlines.