Rosie Duffield

Defra works closely with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs), and other organisations to make sure the appropriate arrangements to enforce fisheries regulations are in place. Given the multijurisdictional nature of shellfish harvesting, particularly in areas such as Whitstable, a coordinated approach is essential. In this region, the MMO, the local IFCA, Environmental Health officers, and the police work jointly to monitor shellfish harvesting activities. Where necessary, enforcement action is taken to uphold regulatory standards and protect marine resources.

Defra works closely with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs), and other organisations to make sure the appropriate arrangements to enforce fisheries regulations are in place. Given the multijurisdictional nature of shellfish harvesting, particularly in areas such as Whitstable, a coordinated approach is essential. In this region, the MMO, the local IFCA, Environmental Health officers, and the police work jointly to monitor shellfish harvesting activities. Where necessary, enforcement action is taken to uphold regulatory standards and protect marine resources.

Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) in English waters is in the early stages of development, concentrating on vessels over 10 metres in length. Until 2030, we will be working with volunteers in our early adopter phases to design and test systems. We will continue to work in collaboration with industry and individual members throughout this period, ensuring their views are represented.

Inshore voices are considered across all fisheries management through support from regional fisheries groups, the Marine Management Organisation’s network of regional fisheries managers, meetings of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities and other routine engagement.

Marine plans should be used to guide decision makers on how to balance different interests in the sea, including fisheries. National policy statements also set out how marine activities should be considered.

This Government is putting customers at the heart of the water system. While stakeholder engagement is a matter for individual water companies, customers will be able to hold water company bosses to account through powerful new customer panels that are being developed. Ministers have met with all company boards to ensure they understand the Government’s drive to transform the water sector and to hear how they plan to meet their obligations to customers and the environment.

To deliver our 30by30 commitments Defra works closely with arms-length bodies and other departments, including the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

This includes through the National Estate for Nature Group, of which the MoD, which manages extensive estates, is a member.

Natural England and other Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs) also support the MoD in managing land to enhance biodiversity, and in minimising the impacts of their operations on Marine Protected Areas. We are working across Government, including with the MoD, to publish our delivery strategy for 30by30 on land in England.

Regarding adequate support

Introduction of the I-VMS licence condition was communicated to industry in March 2025 before coming into force on 12 May 2025 for English licensed vessels. It is an interim measure to support English vessel owners be as prepared as possible for when the legislation comes into force, by ensuring vessels have a type-approved device installed and also so we can work with owners and suppliers to address any technical or logistical issues.

MMO continues to work with I-VMS device suppliers to assist industry with any issues with I-VMS devices to try and resolve them. We are aware both suppliers are currently experiencing a high volume of enquiries. Fishers are able to contact a dedicated MMO I-VMS helpline which is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, by calling 01900 508618, or email  ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk.

Regarding fair enforcement

Where MMO are informed fishers are taking steps to be compliant by arranging installation or working with suppliers to resolve issues, they will take a measured approach to any enforcement activity under the licence condition.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has two roles involved in assessments of offshore developments in two parts:

1. As the competent authority under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to approve marine licences below MHWS.

1. As a statutory consultee and interested party as part of the Planning Act 2008 for National Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).

For marine licences we undertake consultation including a public consultation as part of the assessment process. This can involve consultation with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) as our scientific advisors who provides comments on the impacts to fishing and fish and shellfish ecology. The public consultation period allows anyone to provide comments on the impacts of the development. Through the Regional Fisheries Groups (RFGs), marine licensing applications with potential to significantly impact fishing activities within 12 nautical miles are shared with the inshore fishing sector at consultation stage to improve visibility and ensure potential impacts are considered by the fishing industry.

The MMO also has a mapping system that highlights the fishing effort, fish ecology and other developments within the area of the proposed development and makes all decisions in line with the Marine Plan(s) for the area the development is in, and the applicant must submit a full assessment of their impact against the plan. All this information is used to make a decision on the impacts of the project on fisheries to make a positive determination on the project.

For NSIP projects the MMO reviews the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which includes Fish and Shellfish Ecology and Commercial Fisheries chapters. MMO provides comments on these and highlights the areas that are subject to spatial squeeze, areas including species or habitat type that may be impacted by developments. MMO also consults the Cefas as our scientific advisors who also provides comments on the impacts to fishing and fish and shellfish ecology. In addition, MMO asks developers to ensure updates to documents are made in relation to any fisheries comments from other interested parties. It is for the Secretary of State for each application to decide on the impacts of fishing and if the project needs any restrictions or additional information.

The MMO is taking further steps to ensure the data we have is used to provide detailed up to date knowledge of the potential cumulative impacts from offshore development. All data from offshore developments is being included on the marine data exchange, managed by The Crown Estate.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is responsible for the enforcement of fisheries regulations within the English sector of UK waters. Foreign flagged fishing vessels are not permitted to fish within the 0-6nm zone and access to the 6-12nm zone is restricted to those foreign vessels which have a historic track-record of access and meet certain criteria around gear types and engine power. The MMO monitors the movements of all foreign and UK fishing vessels within English waters using Vessel Monitoring System tracking data and alarms are received when a vessel is detected travelling at fishing speeds within an area where they are not permitted to fish. All alarms are investigated and enforcement action taken according to the MMO’s compliance and enforcement strategy when non-compliance is detected.

The MMO also operate two Offshore Patrol Vessels which carry out inspections at sea of fishing vessels within English waters. Inspections are targeted according to a risk-based approach incorporating considerations including vessel size, gear type, history of compliance and received intelligence. In FY 2024/2025, 368 UK vessels and 244 non-UK vessels were inspected at sea.

This Government is absolutely committed to tackling the climate and nature crises. Though there is already a well-developed legislative framework in place, the Government agreed to several actions reflecting the spirit and substance of the Climate and Nature Bill, including an annual statement on the State of Climate and Nature.

On July 14 2025 the Secretary of State for the Department of Net Zero and Energy Security, alongside Defra’s Secretary of State, delivered this first of-its-kind statement, setting out with radical transparency the scale of the crises and how the choices we make influence global action. The written statement notes further steps taken on nature restoration, consumption emissions, public participation and collaboration between the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Climate Change Committee.

This Government has restored the UK as an international leader on climate change and is reversing nature’s decline after years of neglect. In this year’s Spending Review, we secured the largest investment in clean power in a generation and record funding for nature restoration.

The Government’s climate and nature priorities and policies will be further set out this year in a revised Environmental Improvement Plan, updated delivery plan for Carbon Budgets 4-6 and our Nationally Determined Contributions, Net Zero Public Participation Strategy, Food Strategy, Farming Roadmap, and Land Use Framework.

This Government knows that there is no route to tackling climate change that does not involve nature, and no pathway to nature recovery that does not consider climate change. This is why are committed to ensuring that the UK’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions supports, rather than harms, ecosystems.

Nature recovery and preserving our ecosystems are an essential part of the Clean Energy Superpower Mission. As we unblock barriers to the deployment of clean power projects, we are committed to ensuring that, wherever possible, nature recovery is incorporated in development stages and that innovative techniques can be used to encourage nature recovery.

Nature-based solutions which deliver for both climate and nature, such as tree planting and peatland restoration, are an essential part of the story. Later this year, the Government will set out our climate and nature priorities and policies in several key documents including an updated plan covering the policies and proposals which will deliver Carbon Budgets 4-6 and a revised Environmental Improvement Plan.

This paper has been discussed at the Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance group, the cross-Government risk assessment group, where it was recognised that there are several novel viruses detected in fur farmed animals as well as other species farmed for other uses (rabbits and nutria). Further work is now taking place to analyse the risk these viruses may pose to public health as well as animal health, bearing in mind that fur farming is not permitted in the UK but that such “exotic” animals (raccoon dogs, mink, squirrels) may be kept as pets.

Raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, as well as the benefits of the MenACWY vaccine, remains a Department funding priority.

The Department, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England have been working with national and local partners across the higher education, further education, school and early years sectors on meningitis. This includes sharing a range of resources to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia/sepsis, when to seek medical attention and the vaccine offers available.

Engagement and support with key sector stakeholders will continue throughout the year with further sharing communications resources and digital content on owned channels raising awareness of signs and symptoms and encouraging uptake of the MenACWY vaccine.

UKHSA provides a range of resources and assets, co-branded with the NHS, including information leaflets about the importance of vaccination and posters about the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia. These are available in multiple languages and accessible formats, including easy read, British Sign Language, and braille, at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-public-health-resources

A collaboratively produced university vaccine communications toolkit is also available and is shared via Universities UK and the Association of Managers of Student Services in Higher Education, with further information available at the following link:

https://find-public-health-resources.service.gov.uk/University%20vaccine%20communications%20toolkit/UNI24

Raising awareness in parents, teenagers, and young adults about the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, as well as the benefits of the MenACWY vaccine, remains a priority.

The Department, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and NHS England have been working with national and local partners across the higher education, further education, school, and early years sectors on meningitis. This includes sharing a range of resources to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia/sepsis, when to seek medical attention, and the vaccine offers available.

Engagement and support with key sector stakeholders will continue in the run up to the new academic year and will include further sharing communications resources, including regional public relations and targeted stakeholder outreach in areas where universities are based, and digital content on owned channels raising awareness and encouraging students, young people, and their families to check they are up-to-date on vaccinations.

The UKHSA also provides a range of resources and assets, co-branded with the National Health Service, including information leaflets about the importance of vaccination and posters about the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia including the save a life posters and stickers for accommodation, catering, and high traffic areas. These are available in multiple languages and accessible formats, including easy read, British Sign Language, and braille, at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-public-health-resources

A collaboratively produced university vaccine communications toolkit is also available and is shared via Universities UK and the Association of Managers of Student Services in Higher Education, with further information available at the following link:

https://find-public-health-resources.service.gov.uk/University%20vaccine%20communications%20toolkit/UNI24

In developing vaccination policy, the Department has due regard to its duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty. Consideration of equality and health inequalities impacts are undertaken as part of the development, implementation, and review of vaccination programmes, including meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination programmes.

The United Kingdom has a national immunisation programme against MenB diseases where infants are offered the MenB vaccine at eight weeks, 12 weeks, and one year of age. This vaccine is offered to all UK born infants alongside routine immunisations and therefore is equitable for all infants. This vaccine is also offered to a small group of individuals at increased risk of meningococcal disease such as people without a spleen or complement deficiency.

The UK does not currently offer the vaccine to any other cohorts, but they may still be able to acquire the vaccine privately. However, this is not within the remit of NHS England or the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Should an expansion of the national programme be recommended at any point the UKHSA would, as part of the planning for implementation, undertake an assessment to ensure that the approach recommended acted to mitigate inequity in line with the principles outlined in the Immunisation Equity Strategy for any additional cohorts.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has asked the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation (JCVI) to re-examine eligibility for meningitis vaccines to assess, for example, an expanded offer to older children and/or young adults.

The JCVI will provide updated advice to the Department this summer around whether, and to what extent, a vaccine programme for older children and/or young adults would be clinically effective as well as an assessment of the cost effectiveness of such a vaccination programme.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

The Government is committed to transforming diagnostic services in England and will support the National Health Service to increase diagnostic capacity, including for audiology services for those 18 years old and under.

The National Diagnostic Waiting Times and Activity dataset includes data on the percentage of patients waiting more than six weeks for an audiology assessment, and can be found at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/diagnostics-waiting-times-and-activity/

However, this data cannot be split by adult/child, therefore the Department has not made a formal assessment of the accessibility of hearing tests for those 18 years old and under. As of January 2026, the dataset showed that 45% of patients were waiting more than six weeks for an audiology assessment.

Audiology services are not required to be registered with Care Quality Commission where the services provided do not fall under the regulated activities, as set out in the regulations. Audiology activities, such as hearing tests, hearing aid fittings, and tympanometry/routine assessments are not regulated activities. More information is available at the following link:

https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-regulation/providers/registration/scope-registration/regulated-activities/diagnostic-and-screening-procedures

When an audiologist is a practicing clinical scientist or a hearing aid dispenser, they must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.hcpc-uk.org/

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark on 10 June 2025 to Question 53884.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the United Kingdom’s fertility sector regulator, has advised that it sets out strict requirements in its Licence Conditions and Code of Practice in relation to the recruitment of donors and the information that must be given to egg donors in advance of donating at United Kingdom licensed fertility clinics, which includes information about the potential immediate or longer-term health risks. The HFEA Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors and should follow the Advertising Standards Authority codes.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not considered additional compulsory listing of health risks on adverts for egg donors.

Some immunosuppressive drugs are known to cause a structural or functional change in the foetus, known as teratogenic drugs, and so this is a critical area of concern in transplant medicine, and discussion with a patient’s transplant team is important to ensure the most appropriate immunosuppressive regime is provided for the best care of both parent and embryo.

NHS England Specialised Commissioning has not undertaken a specific impact assessment of taking immunosuppressant drugs during pregnancy on babies in utero, specifically in the context of transplant recipients. However, guidance is typically informed by a combination of clinical experience, research literature, and recommendations from broader medical bodies. The policies and practices in place in solid organ transplant centres are evidence based, and consider the safety and efficacy of the use of these drugs, including where National Institute for Health and Care Excellence evaluations have taken place.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for organ donation across the United Kingdom.

In the UK, womb donation for transplant is not included in the standard organ donation process and is therefore not part of routine deemed consent. Donations for new types of transplants are only undertaken following a special and/or additional voluntary request to a family. It is also usually done for specific research programmes where people die in very rare circumstances and where a particular kind of donation may be possible.

The Department has worked in collaboration with National Health Service hospitals like Imperial College Healthcare Trust and Oxford University Hospitals in facilitating womb transplant research and clinical trials, however, it is not yet a standard NHS treatment and there are no current plans to include womb transplants on the organ donation register.

The Law Commission consulted widely as part of the preparation for their report. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Patient Safety, Women’s Health and Mental Health will be writing to the Chairs of the Law Commissions of England, Wales, and Scotland shortly, to follow up their meeting on 5 November 2024. A Government response to the commissions’ report will be published as time allows. As such, the Department is not planning to meet women and children’s rights groups to discuss the matter at this time. We welcome future meetings on the topic at the appropriate time.

NHS England commissions gender services for children and young people in line with its interim service specification for children and young people with gender incongruence.

Children and young people are cared for holistically by specialist multi-disciplinary teams based in specialist children's hospitals. The multi-disciplinary teams include expertise in child and adolescent mental health, including family therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and neurodevelopmental conditions.

Each child or young person will have a tailored individual care plan to meet their needs. Depending on individual need, the gender service for children and young people will provide psychosocial and clinical interventions, including support for the family.

The Government and NHS England are committed to implementing the recommendations of the Cass Review in full. This includes the recommendation for a pathway to be established for individuals who wish to detransition. The formative stages of this work will involve a process of evidence gathering in the spring of 2025, focused on individuals and clinicians with experience of detransition, and professional bodies. NHS England will engage stakeholders on a proposed service specification for the new pathway, including through public consultation.

In parallel, NHS England has begun the process of forming a clinical commissioning policy for hormone medications, that will describe the approach for the management of hormone medications for individuals who choose to detransition.

Since 1 April 2024 there have been no new initiations of exogenous hormones through the NHS Children and Young People's Gender Service.

NHS England is currently undertaking a review of adult gender services, chaired by Dr David Levy. The review will examine the model of care and operating procedures of each service, and will carefully consider experiences, feedback, and outcomes from clinicians and patients, with the aim of producing an updated service specification. The review will report its findings at the earliest opportunity.