Asked by: Apsana Begum (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made (a) an estimate of the projected water demand of data centres over the next ten years, and (b) an assessment of the sufficiency of UK water supplies to meet this.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is working with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, the Environment Agency and water companies to improve understanding of data centre water demand. We are building the evidence base on water use, considering its implications through national water resources planning, and supporting efficient, sustainable water use by the sector.
Asked by: Apsana Begum (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Ofwat over its regulation of Thames Water.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Thames Water has statutory and regulatory obligations to both its customers and to the environment that it must meet, and we will continue to ensure they uphold them. Defra and Ofwat engage on relevant matters as appropriate to their respective roles.
This government will not hesitate to support our regulators, including Ofwat, to drive performance improvements.
Asked by: Apsana Begum (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has made to Thames Water on its postponement of environmental improvements.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Thames Water must act in the best interest of their customers and the environment.
Ofwat, with the support of Government, have been in conversation with the London and Valley Water Consortium (a group of Thames Water’s Creditors) regarding the terms of any updated proposal.
Asked by: Apsana Begum (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had discussions with animal welfare organisations on the potential merits of prohibiting the import of eggs produced using caged systems for laying hens.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Department has had wide ranging discussions with animal welfare organisations and other stakeholders on laying hen cage reform, including conversations relating to egg imports.
As set out in the UK’s trade strategy, the Government will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage. Where necessary, the Government will be prepared to use the full range of powers at the Government’s disposal to protect the UK’s most sensitive sectors.
Asked by: Apsana Begum (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the British Veterinary Association's press release entitled British Veterinary Association calls for an end to all cages for laying hens, published on 27 April 2026, whether her Department has made an assessment of recent research evidence about the potential impact of enriched cages for laying eggs on the level of animal welfare.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Department continues to consider the latest scientific research and evidence to improve the welfare of farmed animals, including laying hens. A UK-wide consultation, on a proposed ban on keeping laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages, closed on 9 March 2026. The Government is now analysing consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.
Asked by: Apsana Begum (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the Food Strategy will support access to fresh produce in low-income inner-city communities.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Defra is developing plans to work closely with local authorities to support initiatives that help improve access to healthy and affordable food in those areas in greatest need, recognizing that the most effective solutions are often those designed and delivered locally. This will include supporting community‑led approaches such as food clubs, community kitchens, and cooking and nutrition programmes, which empower people and strengthen local food resilience.
Defra is also working across Government to develop a more strategic, long‑term approach to support food access and affordability in priority locations this Parliament. This will take a partnership approach with industry to support local initiatives, work across Government to promote funding opportunities (for example, through Pride and Place, Crisis and Resilience and the Better Futures Fund), and leverage additional private funding, working with the Office for Impact Economy.
Asked by: Apsana Begum (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects to publish the Food Strategy.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Good Food Cycle, published in July 2025, identifies for the first time the outcomes we want from the food system. It is the first part of an on-going programme to create a healthier, more affordable, sustainable and resilient food system. Defra is working across Government and in partnership key stakeholders on the delivery of the priority outcomes identified in the Good Food Cycle, and other Government priorities, over this Parliament. The near-term priorities are focused on: improving public health; increasing the affordability of good, nutritious food for those that need it most; unlocking ‘Good’ growth that delivers for the UK economy and supports wider Good Food Cycle outcomes; and to supporting our farmers and growers to secure resilient domestic production and protect UK food security. Defra has not yet made any decisions on the format of any future publication.
Asked by: Apsana Begum (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ban electronic shock collars for pets.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (England) Regulations will make it an offence to attach an electronic shock collar to a cat or dog, or to be in possession of a remote-control device capable of activating such a collar when attached to a cat or dog. The regulations have been considered in the House of Lords and will be considered by the House of Commons in due course. Parliamentary business will be announced in the usual way.
Asked by: Apsana Begum (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment their Department has made of the potential effect of the merger between Three and Vodafone on their Department's contracts with Vodafone.
Answered by Mark Spencer
As an open economy, this Government welcomes and encourages investment where it supports the Prime Minister’s goal of boosting UK growth and jobs, meets our stringent legal and regulatory requirements, and does not compromise our national security. The Government has robust powers under the National Security & Investment Act, which it introduced, to block or impose remedies on transactions that pose a national security risk.
As the hon. Member will appreciate, we cannot comment on specific acquisitions nor the applicability of the National Security and Investment regime.
It is the responsibility of Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to assess the impact on consumers and competition in the market, with input from sectoral regulators.
The Investment Security Unit works closely with the CMA on cases that are being considered for both national security and competition reasons. A memorandum of understanding has been agreed between the Investment Security Unit and the CMA to assist joint working. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/operation-of-the-national-security-and-investment-act-2021-memorandum-of-understanding/mou-between-beis-and-the-cma-on-the-operation-of-the-national-security-and-investment-act-2021
Asked by: Apsana Begum (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of lowering the threshold for statutory noise nuisance for commercial properties.
Answered by Rebecca Pow
The Government is committed to ensuring that noise is managed effectively in order to promote good health and quality of life.
We do not consider it appropriate to issue guidance on resolving noise nuisance complaints about commercial properties. Local authorities are the main enforcers of the statutory noise nuisance regime under Environmental Protection Act 1990, and decisions around resolving noise nuisance complaints are best taken by them using their knowledge of the specific context.
There is no formal threshold in place for assessing noise nuisance from commercial properties. It is not possible to have a single objective noise-based measure that is applicable to all sources of noise in all situations, as effect levels are likely to be different for different noise sources, different people and at different times. However, owners of industrial, trade and business premises are expected to use the best practicable means available to minimise noise from their premises and operations.