Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34130 on Fossil Fuels, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the World Trade Organisation definition of fossil fuel subsidies; and if she will make it her policy to use this definition.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK follows the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) definition of a fossil fuel subsidy. The IEA defines a fossil fuel subsidy as government action that lowers the effective cost for fossil fuels paid by consumers to below world market prices.

There are other internationally used definitions for fossil fuel subsidies, including the World Trade Organization definition, which include measures that do not reduce consumer prices below world market levels. However, such definitions classify measures as support without reference to the purpose for which they were first put in place or their economic or environmental effects.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support ICBs to offer community wax removal services to people requiring them.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not have plans to intervene in locally led arrangements for the provision of ear wax removal services. Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning ear wax removal services in local areas in line with the recommendations for ear wax removal as set out in guidance produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng98/chapter/Recommendations

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the level of pollution caused by the collision between the Solong and Stena Immaculate.

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

Defra is working with multiple organisations including the Centre of Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and the PREMIAM (Pollution Response in Emergencies: Marine Impact Assessment and Monitoring) to assess the impact of this incident on water pollution and the marine environment. Satellite imagery suggests no substantial chemical spills have occurred, with fuel and other substances being burnt rather than entering the ocean in substantial quantities. No air pollution has been detected on land.

Unfortunately, it seems some of the contents of one container of small plastic pellets (‘nurdles’) spilled into the North Sea during the collision and subsequent fire. This was detected at sea on Sunday 16 March. From Sunday to Tuesday, plastic nurdles were observed coming ashore along 5-10 km of beach in north Norfolk, now extending to the Lincolnshire coast. This occurrence was predicted by environmental impact modelling, preparations for recovery and containment were made, and the PREMIAM programme was activated for pollution response and marine impact assessment. The plastic nurdles are the only pollution detected so far.

The environmental impact of nurdles depends on their quantity, plastic type, and burn state, which are being assessed by teams on the ground. Toxins released when the plastic was burned during the original collision are likely to have been washed away and diluted whilst at sea. Nurdles aren't toxic but may pose risks if ingested by wildlife. A thorough clean-up operation is underway, involving drones and other specialist equipment.

Shrimp fishers in the area have also been advised to take precautions to mitigate risks their product could contain nurdles, although the risk to human health is low. MPs for the affected coastline have been briefed, and officials will continue to monitor the situation and take further steps as necessary.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the collision between the Solong and Stena Immaculate on harbour porpoises.

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

Now the overall situation has stabilised, the response has moved from a Major Incident Response into the recovery phase. Both ships remain afloat and normal maritime traffic has resumed. Though the situation is stable, recovery work will continue with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency continuing to coordinate operational partners and maintaining their vigilance of the situation to ensure a safe resolution.

Defra is working with multiple organisations, including the Centre of Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and the PREMIAM (Pollution Response in Emergencies: Marine Impact Assessment and Monitoring) has been activated to assess the impact of this incident on water pollution and the marine environment. No chemical pollution from the initial fuel spill has been detected.

Pollution in the form of nurdles and burnt plastic has shown up on beaches in NW Norfolk, Lincolnshire and at sea in The Wash. Vessels have been recovering the nurdles at sea and the beach clean-up in NW Norfolk is being co-ordinated by Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, and any clean-up in Lincolnshire will be co-ordinated by the relevant local authority there. The clean-up is ongoing. There has been no sign of any other pollution.

The four Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) are working together in a Joint East Coast Recovery Management Group to lead counter-pollution activities.

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the Statutory Nature Conservation Body for the offshore area and so has been feeding into the ongoing response efforts as part of this incident. Part of this has been providing information and advice in relation to offshore sensitivities, including Marine Protected Areas and mobile species such as harbour porpoise, and potential impacts to them from this incident. The risks to harbour porpoises are being monitored as much as possible and so far, no significant impacts have been identified from this specific incident.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to help prevent hospital treatment in corridors.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recognises that long waits in accident and emergency departments are unacceptable and lead to worse patient outcomes. Patients should expect and receive the highest standard of service, and we are determined to tackle the issue of corridor care. NHS England published guidance in September 2024 regarding the use of temporary escalation spaces, which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/principles-for-providing-safe-and-good-quality-care-in-temporary-escalation-spaces/

In January 2025, the NHS England mandate and operational planning guidance for 2025/26 were published. These set out the priorities and actions to be taken to reform and improve urgent and emergency care services. This includes increasing the proportion of patients admitted, discharged, and transferred from an emergency department within 12 hours across 2025/26 compared to 2024/25.

We will shortly set out the further improvements and actions to be taken to support urgent and emergency care services this year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee on establishing a crime and policing working group to help tackle disability hate crime on public transport.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Ministers and officials regularly seek advice from the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee on the issues which most affect disabled people when travelling, including disability hate crime. The Department is committed to ensuring everyone, including disabled people, are and feel safe when using the transport network. We have an ambitious, evidence-based programme of work to improve personal safety on transport, working across government and with partners including the British Transport Police. We have just launched a new survey to determine the prevalence of crime and anti-social behaviour on the network which will help us to better understand the scale of the problem, who is affected and when and where these incidents take place. This will enable us to better target policy and activities to tackle these issues and make the transport network safer for everyone.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in Brazil on the four-lane highway through protected Amazon rainforest being built for the COP30 climate summit in the Brazilian city of Belém.

Answered by Kerry McCarthy - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Planning decisions in Brazil are a matter for the Brazilian government.

Brazil has commitment to achieve zero deforestation by 2030 and we welcome the focus on forests set out by the incoming COP30 President in his letter of 10 March. We will continue to work closely with the COP President and others to drive forward efforts to halt and reverse deforestation globally by 2030, and to support their preparations for the important COP30 conference in Belem.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to set a new date for cross party talks to discuss the work of the Independent Commission on social care.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Baroness Casey will be contacting all party groups to set dates with parties across the House very shortly. She will commence her commission in April 2025.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 9 August 2024 to Question HL407 on Rodenticides: Safety, to which species the Government Oversight Group is considering extending the monitoring of Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticide residues.

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

A final decision on which additional species to include in the residues monitoring programme has not yet been taken. However, the species under consideration include red kite, buzzard, sparrowhawk, peregrine falcon, red fox, otter and hedgehog.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of BPs decision to scale back investment in renewable energy and increase investment in oil and gas on their ability to be a credible partner in the transition to renewable energy.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department has made no such assessment.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the auto-clearance system on the UK’s ability to enforce (a) bans on the import of live (i) cattle, (ii) pigs and (iii) sheep and (b) restrictions on products of animal origin from (A) Germany, (B) Hungary and (C) Slovakia.

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

The auto clearance system does not impact on our ability to prohibit live animals from foot and mouth affected areas, as these commodities are specifically excluded. The auto clearance system has also been updated to exclude goods subject to Foot and Mouth Regulations from impacted countries. This means that we can enforce the bands on impacted commodities.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to update data provided to the Global Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Supply Vessels.

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

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is responsible for updating UK fishing vessel data on the Global Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Supply Vessels. The MMO last updated the record on 24 March 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many (a) products of animal origin and (b) products containing products of animal origin have entered the UK from (i) Germany, (ii) Slovakia and (iii) Hungary since imports have been restricted following outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in those countries.

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

Since the introduction of foot and mouth controls for Germany, Hungary and Slovakia, there has been an effective prohibition on the movement of impacted goods into GB. It is important to note that most products of animal origin are not prohibited from these countries, for example poultry meat. Only products from susceptible animals that have not been treated to the required level to mitigate disease risk are prohibited, for example fresh beef.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of BP’s plan to scale back renewable energy investment on achieving the UK’s 2030 target to reduce emissions by 68% compared to 1990 levels.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department has made no such assessment.

Delivering the Government’s climate goals requires us to work with many different organisations.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with BP on the company's new strategy to prioritise oil and gas production over investment in renewable energy; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of this decision on the Government's green strategy.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We have noted the changes bp is making to its strategy. Such decisions are a commercial matter for the company.

The Government is unable to assess the potential future impact of the new strategy on the UK as it relates to the company’s global business rather than being focused on activities in this country. However we welcome the significant investment bp is continuing to plan to make in low carbon projects in the UK, including in the East Coast Cluster.

Existing regulation of emissions from bp’s activities in the UK remain unchanged.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of taking steps to help prevent price differentials for different types of users of EV charging points.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is committed to accelerating the roll-out of charging infrastructure so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, can make the transition to an electric vehicle.

The Government are aware of the cost differential between those who can and cannot install a dedicated EV charger at home and continue to work with Ofgem and others on measures to keep the cost of EV charging affordable for consumers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Royal College of General Practitioners' report entitled Towards Greener Prescribing in General Practice, published in March 2025; and whether he plans to implement the recommendations of that report.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

In October 2020, the National Health Service published its Net Zero Strategy, in order to become the world’s first health system to commit to reaching net zero emissions, and NHS England is working collaboratively with a range of partners on implementation.

Recognising the importance of decarbonising general practices (GPs), NHS England collaborated with the Royal College of General Practitioners and the authors of the report Towards Greener Prescribing in General Practice, to develop a net zero hub, which includes three eLearning modules and a practice decarbonisation guide. These resources support and educate GPs in reducing carbon emissions from prescribing.  The Department will work with NHS England to consider the recommendations and findings of the Royal College of General Practitioners' report.

Greener prescribing and recycling are key enablers to support the NHS’ transition towards a more sustainable healthcare system. One key aspect of this is tackling overprescribing, including through improving repeat prescribing processes and delivering Structured Medication Reviews. Further information can be found in the updated Green Plan Guidance at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/green-plan-guidance/

The NHS has already made progress in reducing medicine emissions.  For example, optimising inhaler use by addressing Short Acting Beta Agonists overprescribing, improving inhaler technique, and working to ensure patients are on the appropriate treatment regimen and are using their inhaler at the right time. NHS England is also committed to exploring inhaler recycling and its potential benefits, and is currently supporting the implementation of an inhaler recycling pilot to assess a national scheme’s feasibility and potential benefits.

In 2021, NHS England set out its NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap. Alongside and since this announcement, many pharmaceutical companies have made commitments to decarbonise. The NHS and the Government continue to collaborate with industry across a range of actions, such as the Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing programme, and the Voluntary Pricing, Access and Growth Investment Programme.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Royal College of General Practitioners' report entitled Towards Greener Prescribing in General Practice, published in March 2025, what plans his Department has to expand medicines recycling and re-use schemes.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

In October 2020, the National Health Service published its Net Zero Strategy, in order to become the world’s first health system to commit to reaching net zero emissions, and NHS England is working collaboratively with a range of partners on implementation.

Recognising the importance of decarbonising general practices (GPs), NHS England collaborated with the Royal College of General Practitioners and the authors of the report Towards Greener Prescribing in General Practice, to develop a net zero hub, which includes three eLearning modules and a practice decarbonisation guide. These resources support and educate GPs in reducing carbon emissions from prescribing.  The Department will work with NHS England to consider the recommendations and findings of the Royal College of General Practitioners' report.

Greener prescribing and recycling are key enablers to support the NHS’ transition towards a more sustainable healthcare system. One key aspect of this is tackling overprescribing, including through improving repeat prescribing processes and delivering Structured Medication Reviews. Further information can be found in the updated Green Plan Guidance at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/green-plan-guidance/

The NHS has already made progress in reducing medicine emissions.  For example, optimising inhaler use by addressing Short Acting Beta Agonists overprescribing, improving inhaler technique, and working to ensure patients are on the appropriate treatment regimen and are using their inhaler at the right time. NHS England is also committed to exploring inhaler recycling and its potential benefits, and is currently supporting the implementation of an inhaler recycling pilot to assess a national scheme’s feasibility and potential benefits.

In 2021, NHS England set out its NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap. Alongside and since this announcement, many pharmaceutical companies have made commitments to decarbonise. The NHS and the Government continue to collaborate with industry across a range of actions, such as the Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing programme, and the Voluntary Pricing, Access and Growth Investment Programme.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the environmental impact of prescribing (a) inhalers and (b) other medicines.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

In October 2020, the National Health Service published its Net Zero Strategy, in order to become the world’s first health system to commit to reaching net zero emissions, and NHS England is working collaboratively with a range of partners on implementation.

Recognising the importance of decarbonising general practices (GPs), NHS England collaborated with the Royal College of General Practitioners and the authors of the report Towards Greener Prescribing in General Practice, to develop a net zero hub, which includes three eLearning modules and a practice decarbonisation guide. These resources support and educate GPs in reducing carbon emissions from prescribing.  The Department will work with NHS England to consider the recommendations and findings of the Royal College of General Practitioners' report.

Greener prescribing and recycling are key enablers to support the NHS’ transition towards a more sustainable healthcare system. One key aspect of this is tackling overprescribing, including through improving repeat prescribing processes and delivering Structured Medication Reviews. Further information can be found in the updated Green Plan Guidance at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/green-plan-guidance/

The NHS has already made progress in reducing medicine emissions.  For example, optimising inhaler use by addressing Short Acting Beta Agonists overprescribing, improving inhaler technique, and working to ensure patients are on the appropriate treatment regimen and are using their inhaler at the right time. NHS England is also committed to exploring inhaler recycling and its potential benefits, and is currently supporting the implementation of an inhaler recycling pilot to assess a national scheme’s feasibility and potential benefits.

In 2021, NHS England set out its NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap. Alongside and since this announcement, many pharmaceutical companies have made commitments to decarbonise. The NHS and the Government continue to collaborate with industry across a range of actions, such as the Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing programme, and the Voluntary Pricing, Access and Growth Investment Programme.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support primary care to reduce carbon emissions from prescribing.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

In October 2020, the National Health Service published its Net Zero Strategy, in order to become the world’s first health system to commit to reaching net zero emissions, and NHS England is working collaboratively with a range of partners on implementation.

Recognising the importance of decarbonising general practices (GPs), NHS England collaborated with the Royal College of General Practitioners and the authors of the report Towards Greener Prescribing in General Practice, to develop a net zero hub, which includes three eLearning modules and a practice decarbonisation guide. These resources support and educate GPs in reducing carbon emissions from prescribing.  The Department will work with NHS England to consider the recommendations and findings of the Royal College of General Practitioners' report.

Greener prescribing and recycling are key enablers to support the NHS’ transition towards a more sustainable healthcare system. One key aspect of this is tackling overprescribing, including through improving repeat prescribing processes and delivering Structured Medication Reviews. Further information can be found in the updated Green Plan Guidance at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/green-plan-guidance/

The NHS has already made progress in reducing medicine emissions.  For example, optimising inhaler use by addressing Short Acting Beta Agonists overprescribing, improving inhaler technique, and working to ensure patients are on the appropriate treatment regimen and are using their inhaler at the right time. NHS England is also committed to exploring inhaler recycling and its potential benefits, and is currently supporting the implementation of an inhaler recycling pilot to assess a national scheme’s feasibility and potential benefits.

In 2021, NHS England set out its NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap. Alongside and since this announcement, many pharmaceutical companies have made commitments to decarbonise. The NHS and the Government continue to collaborate with industry across a range of actions, such as the Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing programme, and the Voluntary Pricing, Access and Growth Investment Programme.

Securing habitat for endangered swifts and other cavity nesting birds

Chalk stream river protection

Rural bus services

75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights

International Day of the Midwife

Abduction of Ukrainian children

International Day for Mine Awareness

Protecting children from data exploitation

80th anniversary of Christian Aid

Israeli Defence Force attacks on humanitarian workers

News journalism and artificial intelligence tools

Disability hate crime

Tackling child poverty

Wealth tax and social security reform

Humanitarian response to the Myanmar earthquake

Households below average income

Scams and fraud

Libraries in state primary schools

Human rights in Balochistan (No. 2)

Access to football pitches for women and girls

Ensuring stability for Ukrainian refugees in the UK

Changes to Great Western Railway ticket offices and stations

Support for the World Health Organization

Royal Academy of Arts proposed job reductions

Benefit reforms and Personal Independence Payment consultation

Radiotherapy (No. 2)

Personal Independence Payment

Support for young disabled people after education

DARC in Wales

Bank closures

Coalfields Regeneration Trust funding

Chronic urinary tract infections and women's health

Carbon monoxide safety

Independent advisory panel on Department for Work and Pensions-related deaths

Royal Television Society and withdrawal of award to journalists in Gaza

Wellbeing benefits of outdoor education to young people

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Found: _NC2 Dame Caroline Dinenage Vikki Slade Tim Farron Mike Martin Ellie Chowns Freddie van Mierlo

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Submit Evidence (by 24 Apr 2025)

The Environmental Audit Committee is undertaking an inquiry on airport expansion and climate and nature targets. In this inquiry the Committee is seeking to:

Submit Evidence (by 26 May 2025)

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a large, complex group of about 14,000 synthetic chemicals used in a wide variety of everyday products. For example, PFAS are used to keep food from sticking to packaging or cookware, make clothes and carpets resistant to stains, and create firefighting foam that is more effective.