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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of food poverty on children's health inequalities; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including measures to increase access to affordable, nutritious food in deprived communities in the food strategy.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The UK Food Security Report (published on GOV.UK in December 2024) reported that 31% of households with children under 16 are reported to be food insecure. The food strategy will support access to affordable food, target costs that lead to food price inflation and include measures to increase access to affordable, nutritious food in deprived communities. This will support those who most need access to healthy, affordable nutrition or may cut back on food in face of other pressures.

This is alongside wider Government work, such as the Child Poverty Strategy, published in December, which sets out a decade-long mission to tackle the drivers of child poverty across the UK.

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 (a) publish targets and delivery mechanisms in the implementation of the food strategy to reduce food insecurity and improve population health and (b) set out plans to monitor and report progress to Parliament.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Good Food Cycle identifies for the first time the outcomes wanted 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. The Government is developing plans to support food strategy outcomes. It is too early to confirm any mechanisms for delivery, monitoring and reporting.

The food strategy will support access to affordable food and include measures to increase access to affordable, nutritious food in deprived communities, and aim to make more of the food that is available to buy healthier, more nutritious and more affordable.

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 the Environment Agency on it registering property owners along the tidal Thames as riparian owners where legal evidence of ownership does not exist.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Environment Agency does not register landowners in London as riparian owners. A landowner’s responsibility for a tidal flood defence arises under the Metropolis Management (Thames River Prevention of Floods) Amendment Act 1879, which requires flood defences to be created and maintained to a defined height (relative to ordnance datum) in order to protect London from flooding and inundations caused by overflows from the River Thames.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Environment Agency is permitted to register property owners along the tidal Thames as riparian owners where legal evidence of ownership does not exist.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Environment Agency does not register landowners in London as riparian owners. A landowner’s responsibility for a tidal flood defence arises under the Metropolis Management (Thames River Prevention of Floods) Amendment Act 1879, which requires flood defences to be created and maintained to a defined height (relative to ordnance datum) in order to protect London from flooding and inundations caused by overflows from the River Thames.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has been made of the risk of harm, including financial hardship, distress, or loss of income, which may arise from the Universal Credit migration process.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to ensuring that the transition to Universal Credit works as smoothly and safely as possible for all individuals, including for disabled people.

Customers moving from DWP legacy benefits or Housing Benefit continue to receive their legacy benefits for two weeks following their move to Universal Credit to smooth the transition from fortnightly to monthly payments. Customers who under Universal Credit are entitled to a lower amount of benefit will have their current cash award transitionally protected at the higher award.

To support customers to make a claim to Universal Credit, we have put in place additional support arrangements for customers that face additional challenges. This includes:

• An enhanced Support Journey for vulnerable customers who require more help, such as those moving from Employment and Support Allowance. This approach involves proactive contact, additional time to make their claim to Universal Credit, and home visits where necessary.

• Multiple support channels, including a dedicated Move to UC helpline, face-to-face assistance in Jobcentres, and independent support through Citizens Advice’s Help to Claim service.

• Accessibility measures, such as telephone claims for those unable to claim online, Video Relay Services for British Sign Language users, and alternative communication formats are also available.

• Safeguarding and specialist support, with over 150 Complex Case Coaches providing personalised assistance and working closely with local safeguarding teams where the person is particularly vulnerable.

• Reasonable adjustments, including extended deadlines and appointee arrangements for claimants unable to manage their own affairs.

These measures are part of our broader commitment to equality and inclusion, ensuring that no one is disadvantaged in accessing the support they are entitled to.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what protections are in place for claimants with disabilities during the Universal Credit migration process.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to ensuring that the transition to Universal Credit works as smoothly and safely as possible for all individuals, including for disabled people.

Customers moving from DWP legacy benefits or Housing Benefit continue to receive their legacy benefits for two weeks following their move to Universal Credit to smooth the transition from fortnightly to monthly payments. Customers who under Universal Credit are entitled to a lower amount of benefit will have their current cash award transitionally protected at the higher award.

To support customers to make a claim to Universal Credit, we have put in place additional support arrangements for customers that face additional challenges. This includes:

• An enhanced Support Journey for vulnerable customers who require more help, such as those moving from Employment and Support Allowance. This approach involves proactive contact, additional time to make their claim to Universal Credit, and home visits where necessary.

• Multiple support channels, including a dedicated Move to UC helpline, face-to-face assistance in Jobcentres, and independent support through Citizens Advice’s Help to Claim service.

• Accessibility measures, such as telephone claims for those unable to claim online, Video Relay Services for British Sign Language users, and alternative communication formats are also available.

• Safeguarding and specialist support, with over 150 Complex Case Coaches providing personalised assistance and working closely with local safeguarding teams where the person is particularly vulnerable.

• Reasonable adjustments, including extended deadlines and appointee arrangements for claimants unable to manage their own affairs.

These measures are part of our broader commitment to equality and inclusion, ensuring that no one is disadvantaged in accessing the support they are entitled to.

Found: Ben Coleman: Who is “we”? John James: “We” is NHS England.

Found: Q7 Ben Coleman: Who is “we”? John James: “We” is NHS England.

Found: Q364 Ben Coleman: Because?