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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on incorporating (a) evidence on the maternal and neonatal risks from extreme heat and (b) measures to protect pregnant people and infants during heatwaves into the UK’s National Adaptation Programme.

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

Defra is working across Government to reset the climate adaptation framework and safeguard people, livelihoods, and the natural environment. Defra is setting stronger objectives and improving governance and monitoring, to help the Government turn evidence into action.

The Department of Health and Social Care and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)recognise there are risks to pregnant women caused by exposure to extreme high temperatures, set out in the Adverse Weather and Health Plan Equity Review and Impact Assessment 2024. This includes an assessment on stillbirth, pre-term birth and maternal health complications.

UKHSA provides a weather-health alerting system for England, which alerts the public (including specific vulnerable groups such as pregnant women) and public sector organisations to prepare for impacts of adverse weather, including high temperatures. Risks to health are communicated via heat-health alerts.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration is being given to animal welfare in the Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement being negotiated between the UK and the European Union.

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

The Government is currently negotiating a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and regulatory barriers for British producers and retailers.

The details of this are subject to negotiation, but the Government has been clear about the importance of being able to set high animal welfare standards. While those negotiations are ongoing, Defra cannot comment further however parliament will be informed when they are concluded.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what transitional measures her Department is considering to mitigate the impact of new rules that British citizens with dual nationality must enter the UK with their British passport.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

We recognise the potential impact of changing travel requirements on dual British nationals who are seeking to travel to the UK without a valid British passport. We have therefore issued temporary operational guidance to carriers, who may at their own discretion accept some expired British passports as alternative documentation. Individuals who have previously had a British passport can apply for an emergency travel document if they urgently need to enter the UK.

Beneficiaries of the EU Withdrawal Agreement may enter the UK on production of a valid EU passport or (in the case of EEA and Swiss nationals) a national identity card and their valid EUSS status.

Found: March 2026 at 10.00 am Meeting in the Speaker’s Study Present: The Speaker, in the Chair Rachel Blake

Found: Labour, Earley and Woodley) (added 21 Oct 2024) 66 of 83 (79.5%) Former members Attendance Rachel Blake