Martin Wrigley Portrait

Martin Wrigley

Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot

2,246 (4.7%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 4th July 2024


Martin Wrigley is not a member of any APPGs
Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill
4th Dec 2024 - 12th Dec 2024


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Martin Wrigley has voted in 58 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Martin Wrigley Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op))
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
(4 debate interactions)
Feryal Clark (Labour)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
(4 debate interactions)
Louise Haigh (Labour)
(3 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
View all Martin Wrigley's debates

Newton Abbot Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petitions with highest Newton Abbot signature proportion
Petitions with most Newton Abbot signatures
Martin Wrigley has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Martin Wrigley

5th February 2025
Martin Wrigley signed this EDM as a sponsor on Thursday 6th February 2025

EWS1 forms and market disruption

Tabled by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
That this House expresses deep concern over the systemic failures of the EWS1 assessment process, which have left thousands of leaseholders in financial limbo; notes reports that Adam Kiziak, owner of Tri Fire Ltd, has been sanctioned for failing to hold adequate professional indemnity insurance, having undisclosed prohibitive exclusions, failing …
5 signatures
(Most recent: 6 Feb 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 5
5th February 2025
Martin Wrigley signed this EDM on Wednesday 5th February 2025

US proposals for Gaza

Tabled by: Calum Miller (Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock)
That this House believes that President Trump’s proposals for Gaza are dangerously irresponsible; recognises the need to uphold the rights and security of all citizens in Israel and Palestine; notes with concern that President Trump’s approach demonstrates total disregard for the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people; acknowledges the …
71 signatures
(Most recent: 13 Feb 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 61
Plaid Cymru: 4
Independent: 2
Labour: 2
Green Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
View All Martin Wrigley's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Martin Wrigley, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Martin Wrigley has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Martin Wrigley has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Martin Wrigley


A Bill to amend section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 to require company directors to balance their duty to promote the success of the company with duties in respect of the environment and the company’s employees.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 21st October 2024
Next Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 4th July 2025
Order Paper number: 1
(Certain to be Debated)

1 Bill co-sponsored by Martin Wrigley

Political Donations Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Manuela Perteghella (LD)


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
1 Other Department Questions
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help (a) support women in the workplace and (b) help tackle (i) pregnancy and (ii) maternity discrimination.

Women’s equality is at the core of this Government's missions. As part of the Employment Rights Bill, we are introducing robust measures to support and safeguard working women. This includes strengthening protections against workplace sexual harassment and requiring employers to develop gender pay gap and menopause action plans.

The Employment Rights Bill will also make it unlawful to dismiss pregnant women, mothers on Maternity Leave, and mothers who return to work for a six-month period after they return – except in specific circumstances.

The Bill will also make Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave ‘day one’ rights and ensure flexible working is the default, except where it is not reasonably feasible. These changes will provide further support for both men and women balancing work and care.

Anneliese Dodds
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of immigrants were international students in the latest period for which data is available; and what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of including international students in those figures.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 5th February is attached.

Georgia Gould
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to monitor companies responsibilities and duties to their employees.

The Director of Labour Market Enforcement oversees and assesses the work of three enforcement bodies: HMRC’s National Minimum Wage Enforcement Team, DBT’s Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS), and Home Office’s Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA). The DLME is required to report annually to both the Business Secretary and the Home Secretary on the scale and nature of labour market (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/673236dc0d90eee304badb89/uk-labour-market-enforcement-strategy_2024-25-accessible.pdf) to address it.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
4th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with his US counterpart on plans to impose tariffs on Canada.

There are ongoing discussions between Canada and the US on their relationship and interests. It is not for the UK to comment on another country’s trade relationships. The UK deeply values its strong trading ties with both the US and Canada, and we will work to build on these relationships in the future.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
3rd Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which Department is responsible for ensuring the mandatory installation of post boxes.

The government is not responsible for ensuring the mandatory installation of post boxes.

Section 29(6) of the Postal Services Act 2011 requires Ofcom, as the independent regulator, to “secure the provision of sufficient access points to meet the reasonable needs of users of the universal postal service”.

Royal Mail is currently required by Ofcom’s Designated Universal Service Provider (DUSP) condition 1.8.1 to provide a post box within half a mile, by straight line distance, of the premises of at least 98% of users of postal services.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will ensure the Post Office withdraws the five-year Transformation Plan published on 13 November 2024..

While publicly owned, Post Office Limited is a commercial business that operates at arm’s length from Government. The Post Office's transformation plan aims to put the Post Office on a more stable financial footing for the future, including by reducing costs, and to increase Postmaster remuneration. The details of the transformation plan are being examined by my Department, and the plan is subject to Government funding. The Post Office will continue to deliver on the 11,500 minimum branch requirement and geographical access criteria set by Government thereby ensuring that essential services remain within local reach of all citizens.

Longer term, Government has set out our plan to publish a Green Paper to consult with the public on the long-term future of the Post Office. This Green Paper will help inform what customers, communities and postmasters would like to see from a modern Post Office network.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
3rd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to ensure post offices cannot be closed without seeking the views of local residents.

Post Office is committed to engaging and supporting its customers and their representatives when it makes changes to the Post Office network. When proposing any branch change in the network, Post Office invites comment on access. Feedback is reviewed before Post Office makes a decision on whether to proceed with the original proposal or if mitigations are needed to any address concerns raised.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
11th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make a comparative assessment of the potential impact of (a) the Drax power station and (b) coal-fired power stations on UK carbon emissions in the last five years.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) publishes UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions statistics. They can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/final-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissions-statistics-1990-to-2023

DESNZ also publishes carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels reported by industrial sites, including those covered by the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion at the Drax site can be found here: https://naei.energysecurity.gov.uk/data/maps/emissions-point-sources, https://reports.view-emissions-trading-registry.service.gov.uk/ets-reports.html

UK reporting is consistent with international guidelines established by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which require CO2 emissions from the combustion of biomass to be accounted for in the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector of the country in which the biomass was harvested, rather than at the point of release to the atmosphere.

Kerry McCarthy
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
11th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make a comparative assessment of the potential impact of (a) the Drax power station and (b) renewable energy sources on UK carbon emissions in the last five years.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) publishes UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions statistics. They can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/final-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissions-statistics-1990-to-2023

DESNZ also publishes carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels reported by industrial sites, including those covered by the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion at the Drax site can be found here: https://naei.energysecurity.gov.uk/data/maps/emissions-point-sources, https://reports.view-emissions-trading-registry.service.gov.uk/ets-reports.html

UK reporting is consistent with international guidelines established by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which require CO2 emissions from the combustion of biomass to be accounted for in the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector of the country in which the biomass was harvested, rather than at the point of release to the atmosphere.

Kerry McCarthy
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help mitigate the potential impact of spray foam insulation previously deemed fit for purpose but later surveyed as inadequate.

Any measures fitted under government schemes must be fitted to the highest standards with issues promptly and properly rectified. Consumers are entitled to repair work by the original installer or, failing that, they can use their guarantee provided on installation. TrustMark can support them through this process.

The Government recognises that the consumer protection system that we inherited needs reform, we will press ahead with a sweeping overhaul through the Warm Homes Plan.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help support (a) elderly and (b) other vulnerable people with heating costs in winter 2024-25.

The impact of the energy crisis is still being felt by people across the country, and the Government and energy suppliers are working together to help vulnerable households this winter. In November, Energy UK, in collaboration with the Government, published a Winter 2024 Commitment which promises £500 million of industry support to billpayers this winter. It also outlines how 15 energy suppliers representing almost the entire market will continue to provide a range of financial support tailored to the needs of their customers.

In the short-term, the Government continues to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides an annual £150 rebate off energy bills for eligible low-income households. We expect around 3 million households to receive this support this winter.

The Government has also extended the Household Support Fund in England by a further year until 31 March 2026 with an extra £742 million in support, with additional funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
10th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help increase storage levels of gas.

National Gas has confirmed on 10 January that “the overall picture across Great Britain’s eight main gas storage sites remains healthy - with average levels at just over 60% across the board." We have diverse sources of gas supply, including from the North Sea, as well as the second largest LNG import capacity in Europe and three gas interconnectors. Only a small proportion of GB gas supply comes from our eight storage facilities, which primarily act as source of system flexibility, with capacity fluctuating throughout the year.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential for harm by small websites not included in the Online Harm Bill.

All user-to-user services, no matter their size and regardless of whether they are categorised, will be captured by the Online Safety Act. The illegal content duties will require all user-to-user services – including small but risky services - to risk assess for illegal content, reduce the risk that users encounter illegal content, and mitigate against their service being used to facilitate or commit certain offences. The child safety duties will apply to all services likely to be accessed by children. These services must use highly effective age assurance to protect children from the most harmful content.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to oblige generative AI developers to disclose detailed information on creative works used in AI training.

The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.

This consultation seeks views on a number of issues relating to copyright and AI. It sets a clear objective of achieving proportionate transparency from AI developers over the creative content that is used to train their models.

The consultation closes on 25 February.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of proposed AI data centres on UK (a) security and (b) defence.

The government recognises the critical role of AI and data centre infrastructure in supporting the UK’s security and defence. AI Growth Zones will help develop domestic AI capabilities, ensuring the UK can harness AI to strengthen national security and defence capabilities. The UK must also have sufficient domestic data centre capacity to support our digital economy and ensure we are not overly reliant on international markets for storing and processing sensitive data.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
13th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that generative AI does not undermine creative industries.

The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024. It seeks views on how to create clarity in this area, to promote growth and investment in both the creative industries and AI sector.

Through this consultation, the Government aims to ensure that right holders in the creative industries can control and be remunerated for the use of their work, while supporting the development of world-leading AI models in the UK.

The Government recognises that this is a complex area and welcomes all views and evidence to help shape its thinking.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
13th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what transparency obligations his Department plans to introduce on generative AI developers.

The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.

This consultation seeks views on a number of issues relating to copyright and AI, including on how to achieve proportionate levels of transparency from AI developers over their training sources.

The success of any new approach to copyright and AI will depend on stronger trust between AI developers and rights holders. That is why transparency is one of the three primary objectives underpinning the Government’s approach to this work.

The consultation closes on 25 February.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
10th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to (a) promote and (b) support the participation of young people in (i) youth charities and (ii) the voluntary sector in Devon.

This Government is committed to enabling effective youth participation in decision making at all levels. DCMS funded programmes such as the #iwill Fund, the UK Youth Parliament, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Uniformed Youth Fund support youth voice and youth social action in communities across the country.

Youth participation is at the heart of the recently announced National Youth Strategy, which will be co-produced with young people and published in the summer. It will better coordinate youth services, as well as move away from one-size-fits all approaches from central government, bringing power back to young people and their communities and rebuilding a thriving and sustainable sector.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to tackle loneliness in rural communities.

This Government is committed to improving the quality of life for people living and working in rural areas, so that we can realise the full potential of rural communities. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s current work to tackle loneliness includes supporting a range of organisations through the Tackling Loneliness Hub, an online platform for professionals working to reduce loneliness (including those based in rural areas); working to improve the evidence base around loneliness; and providing advice through the Better Health: Every Mind Matters campaign’s advice pages.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
11th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 22413 on Childcare, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of stretching 38 weeks of paid childcare to cover 52 weeks on parents.

The department does not collect data on how childcare providers deliver the entitlements. Therefore, we cannot provide detail on the numbers and proportion of childcare providers that allow parents to stretch the 38 weeks of paid childcare over 52 weeks.

Parents are able to stretch their child’s entitlement by taking fewer hours per week over more weeks of the year, although hours cannot be compressed into fewer than 38 weeks per year. This means, where possible, parents can use their funded hours of childcare all year round alongside Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit. Local authorities are able to help parents by providing details of childcare settings who offer this option.

There is no requirement for childcare providers to deliver funded hours at particular times of the day or on particular days of the week. Providers are free to choose when to deliver funded hours, as long as they comply with the terms of their arrangements with the local authority.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
11th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant of the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 22412 on Childcare: Finance, how many and what proportion of childcare providers allow parents to stretch the 38 weeks of paid childcare to cover 52 weeks.

The department does not collect data on how childcare providers deliver the entitlements. Therefore, we cannot provide detail on the numbers and proportion of childcare providers that allow parents to stretch the 38 weeks of paid childcare over 52 weeks.

Parents are able to stretch their child’s entitlement by taking fewer hours per week over more weeks of the year, although hours cannot be compressed into fewer than 38 weeks per year. This means, where possible, parents can use their funded hours of childcare all year round alongside Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit. Local authorities are able to help parents by providing details of childcare settings who offer this option.

There is no requirement for childcare providers to deliver funded hours at particular times of the day or on particular days of the week. Providers are free to choose when to deliver funded hours, as long as they comply with the terms of their arrangements with the local authority.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of the most recent long-term migration figures were accounted for by international students.

According to the latest Office for National Statistics estimates, net migration to the UK (immigration minus emigration) of international students was 262,000 in the year ending June 2024. Total net migration for the same period was 728,000, meaning international students' net migration made up 36% of total net migration.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of potential impact of the time taken for education, health and care plan applications to be processed on children in Devon.

The department wants to ensure that, where required, education, health and care (EHC) plan assessments are progressed promptly and, if needed, plans are issued as quickly as possible so that children and young people can access the support they need.

The department has been working closely with all statutory partners involved in delivering special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services in Devon since their local area SEND inspection in May 2022, which found that insufficient progress had been made against the four areas of significant weakness identified during their previous inspection in December 2018, including on the timeliness and quality of EHC plans.

In response to these findings, the department issued an improvement notice in September 2022, and an accelerated progress plan was developed with the local authority and integrated care board. In addition, the department and NHS England have both deployed SEND advisers to assist the local area and to offer advice and support. This includes analysis of EHC plans data and trends, facilitation of best practice exchange from other regions and guidance to enhance the quality of EHC plans.

The department also holds regular formal monitoring meetings with the local authority and partners as part of holding the local area to account for making the necessary improvements in services. As part of this work, there is robust monitoring of Devon’s EHC plans, including their timeliness, quality and the clearance of backlogs.

The latest monitoring meeting highlighted that the local authority and partners are taking steps to improve services, with some early impact on outcomes regarding the timeliness and quality of EHC plans. However, there remains substantial progress needed to ensure that all children and families receive the service they require and deserve, and we will continue to work closely with the local area and our support partners to closely monitor and ensure they deliver further improvements in services.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
4th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure an adequate provision of supply teachers in schools.

Supply teachers perform a valuable role and the department is grateful for their important contribution to schools across the country.

Schools and local authorities are currently responsible for the recruitment of their supply teachers and are best placed to make decisions on their approach to recruitment.

There are various approaches to providing supply teachers, such as using supply agencies.

The department, in conjunction with the Crown Commercial Service, has established the agency supply deal, which supports schools to obtain value for money when hiring agency supply teachers and other temporary school staff. More information on the agency supply deal can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deal-for-schools-hiring-supply-teachers-and-agency-workers.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
29th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support children's services in Devon.

The department has been working closely with Devon County Council since Ofsted’s inspection of children’s services in March 2020, in which services were found to be Inadequate overall and were placed in formal intervention under a Statutory Direction.

As part of the department’s intervention, it has put in place robust support for the local authority and partner agencies involved in the delivery of children’s services. This includes the appointment of a Children’s Services Commissioner, in addition to the appointment of both Hertfordshire and Essex local authorities through our Sector Led Improvement Programme. The Sector Led Improvement Programme enables the delivery of peer-to-peer support from the strongest performing local authorities to local authorities like Devon, who are working to improve their services.

The department also holds regular formal monitoring meetings with the local authority and partners as part of holding all parties to account for making the necessary improvements in services, and we will continue with our work with them and our support partners to ensure that all children and families receive the service they require and deserve.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to make it easier for parents to obtain Education, Health and Care plans.

For too long the education system has not met the needs of all children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with parents struggling to get their children the support they need and deserve.

This government knows that parents have struggled to get the right support for their children, particularly through long and difficult education, health and care (EHC) plan processes. We will work with children, young people, parents, local authorities, schools and colleges and their partners in delivering improvements so that children and young people can access the support they need.

The department wants to ensure that, where required, EHC plan assessments are progressed promptly and, if needed, plans are issued as quickly as possible so that children and young people can access the support they need.

Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to assess whether children and young people have special educational needs that require an EHC plan. EHC plans must be issued within twenty weeks of the needs assessment commencing so that children and young people can access the support they need. In 2023, there were 138,200 initial requests for an EHC plan and 90,500 assessments took place. 50.3% of new EHC plans in 2023 were issued within twenty weeks.

The department knows that local authorities have seen an increase in the number of assessment requests and that more needs to be done to ensure that local areas deliver effective and timely services. This includes better communication with schools and families.

The department continues to monitor and work closely with local authorities that have issues with EHC plan timeliness. Where there are concerns about a local authority’s capacity to make the required improvements, we help the local authority to identify the barriers and put in place an effective recovery plan. This includes, where needed, securing specialist SEND adviser support to help identify the barriers to EHC plan process timeliness and put in place practical plans for recovery.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
9th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to implement the recommendations of the report by Professor Alexis Jay entitled Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, HC 720, published on 20 October 2022.

As my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister has made clear, the government is focused on delivering the change and justice victims deserve.

On 7 January, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Home Department outlined in Parliament commitments to introduce a mandatory duty for those engaging with children to report sexual abuse and exploitation, making grooming an aggravating factor to toughen up sentencing, and introducing a new performance framework for policing.

The government is working at pace to address the recommendations in the final report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. That is happening now and the government is determined to finally deliver for victims after years of no action being taken.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
7th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to support parents and carers that require more than 38 weeks of funded pre-school care provision per year.

The government’s Plan for Change set the ambition of a record number of children starting school ready to learn, measured by the number meeting the early learning goals, and accessible, high-quality early education and childcare is a crucial part of this. The government is committed to delivering the expansion of early years entitlements to enable eligible working parents of children aged from nine months to access 30 hours of funded childcare from September 2025, boosting children’s life chances and parents work choices.

Early years early education and childcare entitlements are available for either 15 or 30 hours, over 38 weeks a year, which aligns to school terms. Early years entitlements can be stretched so parents and carers have fewer hours over more weeks, up to 52 weeks a year, but cannot be compressed into fewer than 38 weeks.

Additionally, parents can access Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) and Universal Credit. TFC can save parents up to £2,000 per year on the cost of childcare, or up to £4,000 for eligible children with disabilities. The eligibility criteria for TFC are the same as the working parent entitlement. Eligible Universal Credit claimants can claim back up to 85% of their registered childcare costs each month, regardless of the number of hours they work.

This government had a dire financial inheritance with a £22 billion black hole in the nation’s finances. Our first priority must be to fix the economic foundations of our country, and any policy changes must be affordable.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
7th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reason funding for pre-school care provision is restricted to 38 weeks per year, the same number of weeks as school term time.

The government’s Plan for Change set the ambition of a record number of children starting school ready to learn, measured by the number meeting the early learning goals, and accessible, high-quality early education and childcare is a crucial part of this. The government is committed to delivering the expansion of early years entitlements to enable eligible working parents of children aged from nine months to access 30 hours of funded childcare from September 2025, boosting children’s life chances and parents work choices.

Early years early education and childcare entitlements are available for either 15 or 30 hours, over 38 weeks a year, which aligns to school terms. Early years entitlements can be stretched so parents and carers have fewer hours over more weeks, up to 52 weeks a year, but cannot be compressed into fewer than 38 weeks.

Additionally, parents can access Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) and Universal Credit. TFC can save parents up to £2,000 per year on the cost of childcare, or up to £4,000 for eligible children with disabilities. The eligibility criteria for TFC are the same as the working parent entitlement. Eligible Universal Credit claimants can claim back up to 85% of their registered childcare costs each month, regardless of the number of hours they work.

This government had a dire financial inheritance with a £22 billion black hole in the nation’s finances. Our first priority must be to fix the economic foundations of our country, and any policy changes must be affordable.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
7th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, is she will take steps to extend funding for pre-school child care provision beyond 38 weeks a year.

The government’s Plan for Change set the ambition of a record number of children starting school ready to learn, measured by the number meeting the early learning goals, and accessible, high-quality early education and childcare is a crucial part of this. The government is committed to delivering the expansion of early years entitlements to enable eligible working parents of children aged from nine months to access 30 hours of funded childcare from September 2025, boosting children’s life chances and parents work choices.

Early years early education and childcare entitlements are available for either 15 or 30 hours, over 38 weeks a year, which aligns to school terms. Early years entitlements can be stretched so parents and carers have fewer hours over more weeks, up to 52 weeks a year, but cannot be compressed into fewer than 38 weeks.

Additionally, parents can access Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) and Universal Credit. TFC can save parents up to £2,000 per year on the cost of childcare, or up to £4,000 for eligible children with disabilities. The eligibility criteria for TFC are the same as the working parent entitlement. Eligible Universal Credit claimants can claim back up to 85% of their registered childcare costs each month, regardless of the number of hours they work.

This government had a dire financial inheritance with a £22 billion black hole in the nation’s finances. Our first priority must be to fix the economic foundations of our country, and any policy changes must be affordable.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
9th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to make funding available for the Holiday Activity and Food programme beyond 31 December 2024.

The future of the Holiday Activities and Food programme beyond 31 March 2025 is subject to the next government Spending Review taking place this autumn. We will communicate the outcome in due course.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle the decline of wild bird populations.

This Government remains committed to taking action to recover our threatened native species including wild birds. That is why, on the 30 July 2024 the Government announced a review of EIP 23 and the intention to develop a revised EIP to protect and restore the natural environment with delivery information to meet the Environment Act targets. This includes reversing the decline in species and reducing the risk of extinction.

Government actions to restore and create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042 will support a wide range of native bird species. In addition, under ELM we have a number of offers to support the management, restoration and creation of grassland habitats that support a range of bird species.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to monitor companies responsibilities and duties to the environment.

The Government makes full use of the comprehensive and wide ranging environmental regulatory framework in England.

There are many regulators involved in delivering Government environmental objectives, and the Environment Agency (EA) is the largest environmental regulator for England.

The EA regulates a wide range of industries and activities, in diverse fields such as nuclear power, waste and resources, the water industry, climate change, flood protection. Its regulation brings about significant improvements in protection of the environment, adapts to emerging challenges and supports sustainable growth.

The Government also supports voluntary environmental due diligence approaches adopted by UK businesses across their operations and supply chain relationships, in line with the OECD’s Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct. DBT also oversees the UK’s National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct, an independent unit tasked with promoting the OECD Guidelines and managing a non-judicial grievance mechanism to resolve complaints through mediation.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help the UK meet its commitments on climate change adaptation.

Defra is the lead department for domestic adaptation to climate change, responsible for coordinating requirements set out in the UK Climate Change Act 2008. This includes preparing a UK Climate Change Risk Assessment every five years, followed by a National Adaptation Programme. Defra works closely with the Cabinet Office in delivering this function.

  • Our new pilot, the “Local Authority Climate Service” tool provides Met Office climate data to local authorities based on their specific geographic areas, empowering them to take more effective decisions based on their local risk landscape.
  • Our new £15 million Defra-UKRI research programme ‘Maximising UK Adaptation to Climate Change’ (MACC) will fund world leading strategic research projects to help improve the UK’s resilience to climate change impacts.
  • The Cabinet Office and Defra jointly chair the director-level Climate Resilience Steering Board with HM Treasury and key risk owning departments.
  • Alongside delivering NAP3 we are committed to strengthening the nation’s resilience and are considering a range of options to better embed climate adaptation across the whole of government.

Defra has responsibility for around half of the 61 risks and opportunities identified in the third Climate Change Risk Assessment, with a further eleven government departments having responsibility for the remainder.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support nature-friendly farming.

The Government is supporting farmers to implement nature-friendly farming practices through a range of measures. These include habitat restoration and creation; activities to reduce the impact of invasive non-native species on sites or to address pressures on sensitive areas; improvements in water storage and management; and changes to limit emissions while maintaining agricultural profitability and increasing productivity.

These measures will be delivered through the Government’s environmental land management schemes. This Government’s vision is a sector that recognises restoring nature is not in competition with sustainable food production but is essential to it. In the Budget announced in October 2024, the Government committed £5 billion to the farming budget over two years, including £1.8 billion for environmental land management schemes in 2025/26. This is the largest ever budget directed at sustainable food production and nature’s recovery in our country’s history and enables us to keep momentum on the path to a more resilient and sustainable farming sector.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support wild bird populations in the UK.

This Government remains committed to taking action to recover our threatened native species including wild birds. That is why, on the 30 July 2024 the Government announced a review of EIP 23 and the intention to develop a revised EIP to protect and restore the natural environment with delivery information to meet the Environment Act targets. This includes reversing the decline in species and reducing the risk of extinction.

Government actions to restore and create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042 will support a wide range of native bird species. In addition, under ELM we have a number of offers to support the management, restoration and creation of grassland habitats that support a range of bird species.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help restore peatlands.

The Government recognises the importance of England’s peatlands, and in our manifesto, we committed to expanding nature-rich habitats such as peatlands. This will contribute to ensuring nature’s recovery, one of Defra’s five priorities.

We have ambitions to restore hundreds of thousands of hectares of peatlands across the country, and we are working to ensure that we have the most effective mechanisms in place to go further than we have before. Peatland restoration is currently funded via the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme, and going forwards will be primarily funded through Environmental Land Management schemes, such as the Landscape Recovery and Countryside Stewardship schemes.

Private finance will also be vital if we are to meet our peatland restoration ambitions. To support peatland restoration, the Government is implementing a range of policies that will mobilise private investment. These include working with the IUCN to attract investment via carbon credits through the Peatland Code.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take legislative steps to prohibit the retail sales of horticultural peat.

I refer the Hon. Member to the response given to PQ 4272 on 12 September 2024.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle the persecution of birds of prey.

Bird of prey persecution is a national wildlife crime priority and there are strong penalties in place for offences committed against birds of prey and other wildlife. Where any wild bird of prey is killed illegally the full force of the law should apply to proven perpetrators of the crime.

Defra supports the work of the national Bird of Prey Crime Priority Delivery Group, which brings together police, the Government and stakeholders from conservation and country sports organisations to tackle bird of prey persecution.

Furthermore, Defra is a principal funder of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), which helps prevent and detect wildlife crime (including bird of prey crime) by obtaining and disseminating intelligence, undertaking analysis which highlights local or national threats and directly assisting law enforcers in their investigations. Defra is providing £424,000 funding for NWCU in 2024-2025.

Anyone who commits an offence against a bird of prey under existing legislation such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 could face up to a six-month custodial sentence and/or an unlimited fine.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
4th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of water butts in reducing sewage overflow in Devon.

Defra have had no recent discussions with water companies about the use of water butts to prevent sewage overflow in Devon. However, as part of a well-designed sustainable drainage system (SuDS), water butts can help in reducing pressure on sewerage.

This Government is strongly committed to requiring standardised SuDS in new developments. These should be to designs that cope with changing climatic conditions as well as delivering wider water infrastructure benefits, reduce run off and help to improve water quality, amenity and biodiversity. It is also important to ensure appropriate adoption and maintenance arrangements are in place.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
4th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of combined sewerage systems in Devon on water quality.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas.

Storm overflows are safety valves within our combined sewage system to protect properties from flooding. The Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan sets stretching targets to reduce the harms from storm overflows. This ambitious plan is guiding future investment in sector.

Water companies are investing around £12 billion between 2025-2030, a record amount, to improve nearly 3,000 storm overflows across England and Wales, and reduce spills by 45% compared to 2021 levels. In Devon, a large spill reduction programme of works will be undertaken by South West Water, in the next 5 years to improve overflows in the Exe river & estuary catchments. This will see improvements to Combined Storm Overflows, pumping stations & sewage treatment works.

We are also carrying out a full review of the water sector to shape further legislation that will transform how our water system works and clean up rivers, lakes and seas for good.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
4th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of snares on animal welfare.

Defra recognises many people in this country have concerns about the use of snares on animal welfare and bans have now been brought into place in Scotland and Wales. Wildlife management is a devolved matter which means that the Scottish and Welsh Governments are free to make their own laws in relation to snaring.

Free-running snares are currently legal in England and are regulated by law. They must be checked at least once a day and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 prohibits the setting of any type of snare in places where they are likely to catch certain non-target animals. Anyone using snares also has a responsibility under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to ensure their activities do not cause wild animals or pets any unnecessary suffering.

This government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation and this included a commitment to bring an end to the use of snare traps in England. Defra is considering the most effective way to deliver this commitment and will be setting out next steps in due course.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with water companies on the use of water butts to prevent sewage overflow in Devon.

Defra have had no recent discussions with water companies about the use of water butts to prevent sewage overflow in Devon. However, as part of a well-designed sustainable drainage system (SuDS), water butts can help in reducing pressure on sewerage.

This Government is strongly committed to requiring standardised SuDS in new developments. These should be to designs that cope with changing climatic conditions as well as delivering wider water infrastructure benefits, reduce run off and help to improve water quality, amenity and biodiversity. It is also important to ensure appropriate adoption and maintenance arrangements are in place.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number and proportion of homes that use a (a) combined and (b) segregated sewerage system in Devon.

Defra does not hold the specific information on sewerage operations in different regions. It is the responsibility of the sewerage undertaker to manage its own operation, in this case South West Water.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with water companies on sewage infiltration.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas.

Regulators are working with South West Water on their Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans and will be ensuring they look at the investment needs for the issues raised relating to reducing infiltration in their sewerage system, leaks from the system, and removing surface water.

As part of its Waterfit programme, South West Water is carrying out surface water separation programmes within the catchments of Dawlish, Goodrington, Mothecombe, Millandreath & Ilfracombe, with the purpose of spill reduction and bathing water protection.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to reduce sewage infiltration in Devon.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas.

Regulators are working with South West Water on their Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans and will be ensuring they look at the investment needs for the issues raised relating to reducing infiltration in their sewerage system, leaks from the system, and removing surface water.

As part of its Waterfit programme, South West Water is carrying out surface water separation programmes within the catchments of Dawlish, Goodrington, Mothecombe, Millandreath & Ilfracombe, with the purpose of spill reduction and bathing water protection.

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