Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing (a) education, (b) training and (c) skills provision to support recruitment and retention in the food and farming supply chain.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government recognises that access to a skilled workforce is essential to the resilience and long-term success of the food and farming supply chain. The Farming Roadmap 2050 sets out a long-term vision for a productive and resilient farming sector, including support for skills, workforce development and career pathways.

Employers across agriculture, food production and processing help shape technical qualifications and apprenticeship standards, helping to ensure training reflects workforce needs. Young people and adults can access a range of routes into these sectors, including apprenticeships, T Levels, technical qualifications, further education courses and higher technical qualifications, alongside provision delivered by specialist land-based colleges.

In 2025/26, the government is investing £154 million in programme funding for land-based colleges, supporting the specialist training and facilities needed to develop the skilled workforce the food and farming sectors require.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to promote participation in technical, vocational and apprenticeship pathways relevant to careers in the food and farming supply chain.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Schools must provide pupils with at least six opportunities during years 8 to 13 to hear directly from providers of apprenticeships and technical education, helping them understand the full range of pathways available.

We fund the Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) to work with employers and sector bodies to help young people understand and access technical, vocational and apprenticeship pathways in the food and farming supply chain. CEC is partnering with the Institute of Grocery Distribution through Feeding Britain’s Future to help young people learn about careers and pathways across the food system. It also works with agricultural organisations to bring employer insight into education.

Careers hubs across England support locally led employer engagement, work experience and mentoring in agriculture and agri-tech. This helps young people understand the pathways available while supporting employers to develop future talent.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of firefighter numbers in Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service; and what estimate she has made of the number of additional firefighters required to meet current and projected operational demand in Buckinghamshire.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Decisions on firefighter resourcing, including on the location, number and staffing model for fire stations, are a matter for each local fire and rescue authority and the Chief Fire Officer. These decisions will best manage and respond to demand based on risks identified within local Community Risk Management Plans.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Health and Safety Executive guidance on workplace uniform requirements during periods of extreme heat.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance to employers on measures they can take to protect workers during periods of extreme heat. This includes considering changes to working arrangements and relaxing formal dress codes, including staff uniform policies, where appropriate. However, employers must ensure that any personal protective equipment required for the work activity continues to be worn.

HSE will be launching a public consultation on proposed changes to the Approved Code of Practice for the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, including those relating to workplace temperature and there will be an opportunity to respond in due course.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to issue guidance to employers on adapting staff uniform policies during heatwaves.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance to employers on measures they can take to protect workers during periods of extreme heat. This includes considering changes to working arrangements and relaxing formal dress codes, including staff uniform policies, where appropriate. However, employers must ensure that any personal protective equipment required for the work activity continues to be worn.

HSE will be launching a public consultation on proposed changes to the Approved Code of Practice for the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, including those relating to workplace temperature and there will be an opportunity to respond in due course.