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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made (a) of the risks to human health and wildlife posed by microplastics and (b) the extent to which artificial grass and pitches contribute to the level of microplastics entering surface water and rivers.

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

Defra carried out a research project on intentionally added microplastics and published an Option Appraisal on 12 May 2025. This project assessed the impacts of intentionally added microplastics emissions, the risks they pose both to human health and the environment, and included a socio-economic assessment of different policy options, including restricting primary microplastics in line with the EU.

Defra welcomed the findings of the report, which provides important analysis of the UK-specific emissions of, and policy options for, intentionally added microplastics, and which recognised artificial grass sports pitches as an important source.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of Plant-Based Health Professionals' document entitled Reaping the Benefits of Plant-Rich Diets: The Ten Point Plan.

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

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in her previous role as Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, met with Plant Based Health Professionals UK and some of their partners in June 2026 to discuss the Ten-Point Plan for plant-based diets. This Government will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including Plant based Health Professionals UK as we explore opportunities to improve access to healthy and affordable diets for all.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps to protect heating oil customers from market volatility and price rises through the creation of a regulatory regime for heating oil suppliers.

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

Government is determined to fight the corner of heating oil customers. We are concerned about the issues in this sector and welcome the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) comprehensive examination of the heating oil industry, published on 15 July 2026.

We are working closely with the CMA to consider their proposals to increase consumer protections in detail. This will include considering how regulation can make the market function more effectively and protect consumers.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to protect UK packaging producers from foreign competitors with more environmentally harmful products.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK's Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) scheme and related fees apply equally to products whether they are imported or manufactured in the UK. This helps ensure a level playing field for UK packaging producers, whilst encouraging the use of packaging which is easier to recycle.

In addition, the UK promotes resource efficiency and circular economy objectives through its free trade agreements, including cooperation with partners on environmentally sustainable product design and related product information, including for packaging.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (a) what consideration has been given to the potential merits of requiring rainwater harvesting and attenuation measures in all new developments in Herefordshire and the River Wye catchment and (b) what assessment has been made of the potential contribution such measures in addressing the impacts of both flooding and drought.

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

The August 2026 update to the National Planning Policy Framework, in Policy F8, requires developments with drainage implications to use Sustainable Drainage Systems. Attenuation of flood risk is a key element of delivering sustainable development.

Herefordshire Council's Core Strategy, adopted in 2015, includes policies that address Sustainable Design (SD1) – including water conservation, and Sustainable Water Management and Water Resources (SD4). A new Local Plan is being prepared.

Rainwater harvesting and other water storage infrastructure play an essential part in both conserving water during dry weather and restricting its impact during flooding. This provides a long-term cumulative benefit.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration her Department has given to introducing a requirement for minimum juice content of 50% for the sale of cider and perry products.

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

This Government currently has no plans to change the rules governing minimum juice content in cider and perry. The current minimum juice content requirements provide flexibility for producers, support product variety and innovation, and maintain consumer choice.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what consideration his Department has given to the potential merits of implementing the recommendation from the Government Digital Sustainability Alliance's report on 'Water use in AI and Data Centres' to mandate comprehensive and location-based water reporting for data centres.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

BIST engages regularly with DEFRA and the Environment Agency to ensure data infrastructure does not compromise public water supply resilience. The Government supports efficient cooling technologies, including closed-loop systems and alternative sources such as rainwater harvesting.

AI Growth Zone applicants must provide water plans and confirmation of feasibility from the relevant water supplier. Data centre developers progressing through the NSIP regime must assess impacts on water resources through Environmental Impact Assessments, while national planning policy embeds sustainable water use and resource efficiency in decision-making.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if her department will prioritise the development and rollout of circulating tumour (ctDNA) tests for pancreatic cancer, in the context of outcomes seen in the ctDNA pilot for lung cancer.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 15 July to Question 16704.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the potential merits of embedding reflex genomic testing into the pancreatic cancer pathway.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 15 July to Question 16704.

Firefighters from the West Midlands

2026 Sustainable Farming Incentive

Deaths of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough

E1 settlement project and international law

Modern Service Framework for neurological conditions

Chinese state repression against Tibetans

Killing of Mohamed Fawaz al-Wahidi

Estate management charges

Right to independent advocacy for care home residents

Treatment of security staff employed at the National Gallery

Funding of Jodrell Bank Observatory

Cosmetic specifications for fresh produce and national food security

Miscarriage care

National strategy for fertility

Furniture poverty and access to essential household goods

Review of Personal Independence Payment

Industrial action at V&A Museum

50th Anniversary of the Grunwick Strike

Support for hospices

Air Ambulance Week 2026

National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers

Deported Chinese seafarers

56th anniversary of the election of Salvador Allende

Reported air strikes and civilian casualties in Surab, Balochistan

Multilateral funding for education

150th anniversary of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876

Baby Loss Awareness Week

Independent Office for Police Conduct findings on Norman Bettison

Found: • Dr Ellie Chowns, a Green Party MP and then her party’s spokesperson on housing, communities and