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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress he has made on UK-EU veterinary agreement negotiations.

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

The Prime Minister and President of the European Commission met on 7 November at the EPC in Budapest, where they discussed the strength of the UK-EU partnership and the need to work together to tackle the challenges facing Europe.

Defra’s approach to UK-EU relations will always respect the role of devolved governments and legislatures. The Government knows that many aspects of the Withdrawal Agreement and UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement fall within devolved competence, and there are many reserved aspects of particular importance to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps with the music industry to ensure performing artists have access to adequate mental health support.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

This government recognises the importance of ensuring that everyone has access to support and resources for their mental health and wellbeing, including creative professionals such as musicians and performers.

This government welcomes efforts by the music industry to support artists, such as the Musicians' Union's Wellbeing Support Service and Help Musicians' Music Minds Matter helpline. We would encourage more organisations across the sector to follow suit in order to foster an environment where mental health is prioritised, and artists are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally.

We are working closely with industry stakeholders as they seek to address the recommendations of the Good Work Review, a sectoral deep dive funded by DCMS into job quality and working practice. This sets out a number of priorities to improve job quality in the sector, including developing dedicated support and guidance for self-employed creators.

The arts and creative industries are also crucial to supporting peoples' health and wellbeing. As part of the Government's ‘an NHS fit for the future’ Mission, we will review the evidence and recommendations from stakeholders, including the National Centre for Creative Health. The Creative Industries Council has also established a Health and Wellbeing Forum, whose outputs we will consider.

Additionally, the Arts Council England invests £145 million annually in National Portfolio Organisations to deliver projects including creative health, and in 2022 they published a Creative Health and Wellbeing Strategy to integrate health and wellbeing into the arts sector's core outcomes.

Colin S Macleod's 1000-mile swim

Treating retail workers with kindness during the festive trading period

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Simon Hoare (Chair); Richard Baker; Markus Campbell- Savours; Charlotte

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Simon Hoare (Chair); Richard Baker; Charlotte Cane; Lauren Edwards

Submit Evidence (by 27 Jan 2025)

Following the publication of the Electoral Commission report on the general election 2024, the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee are considering the issue of the administration, process and conduct of the 2024 general election and how these could be improved for future elections.

Submit Evidence (by 7 Feb 2025)

Governments have created Public Bodies when it is felt that certain functions are best conducted outside the normal departmental structures and at some distance from direct ministerial control. There are currently around 500, though classification can be vague. They vary hugely in terms of their size, governance arrangements, and the types of roles they perform. They are ‘owned’ by their sponsoring department but subject to Cabinet Office and HM Treasury guidance. This states that that they should only be created and continue to operate as a last resort and when: