Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of levels of rehabilitation staffing for enabling the return of injured service personnel to duty in the event of a large scale conflict in Europe within a) his Department, b) the armed forces and c) the NHS.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

Defence is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces personnel receive the best possible treatment, care and rehabilitation so they are fit to fight and can fight back to fitness. Physiotherapy is a core component of Defence healthcare, directly supporting operational readiness, recovery from injury, and return to duty.

As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), it is critical the national health ecosystem—Defence, the NHS, and the private sector—has the capacity and capability to meet the Nation's needs in peacetime and during conflict.

Defence Medical Command is working closely with the NHS to strengthen medical capability, including rehabilitation and recovery services. Future workforce requirements will be informed by ongoing Defence workforce planning; no decisions have been taken on specific increases to the number of civilian physiotherapists, Regular military physiotherapists, Reserve military physiotherapists, or rehabilitation support staff.

Further, the department is working with Allies, through the NATO Medical Action Plan, focused on addressing priority challenges in workforce; including Allied Health Professionals, such as physiotherapists, and the wider Defence medical workforce.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to increase the numbers of a) civilian physiotherapists, b) regular military physiotherapists, c) reservist military physiotherapists and d) rehabilitation support staff.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

Defence is committed to ensuring our Armed Forces personnel receive the best possible treatment, care and rehabilitation so they are fit to fight and can fight back to fitness. Physiotherapy is a core component of Defence healthcare, directly supporting operational readiness, recovery from injury, and return to duty.

As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), it is critical the national health ecosystem—Defence, the NHS, and the private sector—has the capacity and capability to meet the Nation's needs in peacetime and during conflict.

Defence Medical Command is working closely with the NHS to strengthen medical capability, including rehabilitation and recovery services. Future workforce requirements will be informed by ongoing Defence workforce planning; no decisions have been taken on specific increases to the number of civilian physiotherapists, Regular military physiotherapists, Reserve military physiotherapists, or rehabilitation support staff.

Further, the department is working with Allies, through the NATO Medical Action Plan, focused on addressing priority challenges in workforce; including Allied Health Professionals, such as physiotherapists, and the wider Defence medical workforce.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, when his Department plans to publish the delivery update on implementation of the Replacing Animals in Science Strategy.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 30 June 2026 to Question UIN 14084 Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consideration she has given to the potential merits of making the adoption of validated alternatives to animal methods a binding requirement rather than a discretionary aid under Section 2A of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 already provides a binding statutory requirement to use a non-animal method where a scientifically satisfactory method or testing strategy that does not involve protected animals is reasonably and practicably available. Compliance with this requirement is considered as part of the assessment and authorisation of project licences. The Government therefore does not consider that alternatives are merely a discretionary aid, or that a further statutory mechanism is required to make their use mandatory.

Formal validation can support confidence in and regulatory acceptance of a non-animal method, but validation alone does not determine whether that method is scientifically satisfactory for every proposed use. That assessment must take account of the method’s relevance, reliability and practical availability for the particular scientific purpose.

The Government is committed to accelerating the development, validation and uptake of non-animal methods. Its November 2025 strategy, led by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and backed by £75 million, sets out measures to strengthen validation, regulatory confidence and adoption, while maintaining robust standards of scientific quality and human, animal and environmental protection

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has her Department made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory mechanism to ensure that validated non-animal models replace animal procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 already provides a binding statutory requirement to use a non-animal method where a scientifically satisfactory method or testing strategy that does not involve protected animals is reasonably and practicably available. Compliance with this requirement is considered as part of the assessment and authorisation of project licences. The Government therefore does not consider that alternatives are merely a discretionary aid, or that a further statutory mechanism is required to make their use mandatory.

Formal validation can support confidence in and regulatory acceptance of a non-animal method, but validation alone does not determine whether that method is scientifically satisfactory for every proposed use. That assessment must take account of the method’s relevance, reliability and practical availability for the particular scientific purpose.

The Government is committed to accelerating the development, validation and uptake of non-animal methods. Its November 2025 strategy, led by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and backed by £75 million, sets out measures to strengthen validation, regulatory confidence and adoption, while maintaining robust standards of scientific quality and human, animal and environmental protection

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using the UK - Faroe Islands free trade agreement to encourage his Faroese counterparts to ban dolphin hunting.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement provides an important framework for the UK Government to engage with the Faroese Government. UK officials have and will continue to raise the UK's opposition to cetacean hunting at meetings of the Joint Committee established under the Agreement, which provides a valuable forum for discussions on issues of concern. The Faroese Government is in no doubt as to the strength of feeling and opposition in the UK to cetacean hunting.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he has plans to introduce a standing agenda item on dolphin hunting at future meetings of the Joint Committee established under the UK - Faeroe Island Free Trade Agreement.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement provides an important framework for the UK Government to engage with the Faroese Government. UK officials have and will continue to raise the UK's opposition to cetacean hunting at meetings of the Joint Committee established under the Agreement, which provides a valuable forum for discussions on issues of concern, and for which the agenda is mutually agreed in advance. The Faroese Government is in no doubt as to the strength of feeling and opposition in the UK to cetacean hunting.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Cabinet Colleagues regarding introducing animal welfare conditions within the UK - Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement.

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

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. There are currently no plans to formally review the terms of the UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement (FTA). However, this Government advocates for the end of cetacean hunts in the Faroe Islands at every appropriate opportunity with Faroese counterparts. This includes via the UK-Faroe Islands FTA Joint Committee, which last met in June 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what contingency plans her Department has in place to prevent delays to animal products leaving the UK should Official Veterinarian capacity decline before certification requirements arising from current export arrangements are removed.

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

The UK is currently negotiating an SPS Agreement with the EU. These negotiations are at an advanced stage and expected to remove the requirement for Export Health Certificates.    The Agreement will have implications for Official Veterinarians undertaking export certification, including the demand for Export Health Certificate (EHC) services. Defra are working with the veterinary profession and wider industry stakeholders to monitor this capability and ensure an effective and well-managed transition.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a decline in veterinary certification capacity on the UK's ability to rebuild veterinary public health capacity quickly.

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

The UK is currently negotiating an SPS Agreement with the EU. These negotiations are at an advanced stage and expected to remove the requirement for Export Health Certificates.    The Agreement will have implications for Official Veterinarians undertaking export certification, including the demand for Export Health Certificate (EHC) services. Defra are working with the veterinary profession and wider industry stakeholders to monitor this capability and ensure an effective and well-managed transition.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to retain and redeploy veterinary public health expertise currently engaged in export certification once SPS certification requirements are reduced or removed.

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

The UK is currently negotiating an SPS Agreement with the EU. These negotiations are at an advanced stage and expected to remove the requirement for Export Health Certificates.    The Agreement will have implications for Official Veterinarians undertaking export certification, including the demand for Export Health Certificate (EHC) services. Defra are working with the veterinary profession and wider industry stakeholders to monitor this capability and ensure an effective and well-managed transition.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what contingency plans her Department has in place to ensure necessary capacity should Official Veterinarian capacity fall below the level needed to meet current export certification demand before the SPS agreement takes effect.

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

The UK is currently negotiating an SPS Agreement with the EU. These negotiations are at an advanced stage and expected to remove the requirement for Export Health Certificates.    The Agreement will have implications for Official Veterinarians undertaking export certification, including the demand for Export Health Certificate (EHC) services. Defra are working with the veterinary profession and wider industry stakeholders to monitor this capability and ensure an effective and well-managed transition.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the number of Official Veterinarians needed to maintain current export certification volumes through to the point at which dynamic alignment with the EU-UK SPS agreement takes effect.

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

The UK is currently negotiating an SPS Agreement with the EU. These negotiations are at an advanced stage and expected to remove the requirement for Export Health Certificates.    The Agreement will have implications for Official Veterinarians undertaking export certification, including the demand for Export Health Certificate (EHC) services. Defra are working with the veterinary profession and wider industry stakeholders to monitor this capability and ensure an effective and well-managed transition.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with (a) the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and (b) veterinary sector representatives on workforce planning for the transition period to dynamic alignment.

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

The UK is currently negotiating an SPS Agreement with the EU. These negotiations are at an advanced stage and expected to remove the requirement for Export Health Certificates.    The Agreement will have implications for Official Veterinarians undertaking export certification, including the demand for Export Health Certificate (EHC) services. Defra are working with the veterinary profession and wider industry stakeholders to monitor this capability and ensure an effective and well-managed transition.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the risk of experienced Official Veterinarians leaving export certification roles before any reduction in certification requirements takes effect.

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

The UK is currently negotiating an SPS Agreement with the EU. These negotiations are at an advanced stage and expected to remove the requirement for Export Health Certificates.    The Agreement will have implications for Official Veterinarians undertaking export certification, including the demand for Export Health Certificate (EHC) services. Defra are working with the veterinary profession and wider industry stakeholders to monitor this capability and ensure an effective and well-managed transition.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the number of Official Veterinarians currently undertaking export certification on a full-time basis.

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

The UK is currently negotiating an SPS Agreement with the EU. These negotiations are at an advanced stage and expected to remove the requirement for Export Health Certificates.    The Agreement will have implications for Official Veterinarians undertaking export certification, including the demand for Export Health Certificate (EHC) services. Defra are working with the veterinary profession and wider industry stakeholders to monitor this capability and ensure an effective and well-managed transition.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the implementation timeframe for dynamic alignment within the EU-UK SPS agreement on investment and retention decisions within the Official Veterinarian workforce.

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

The UK is currently negotiating an SPS Agreement with the EU. These negotiations are at an advanced stage and expected to remove the requirement for Export Health Certificates.    The Agreement will have implications for Official Veterinarians undertaking export certification, including the demand for Export Health Certificate (EHC) services. Defra are working with the veterinary profession and wider industry stakeholders to monitor this capability and ensure an effective and well-managed transition.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the potential cost to UK exporters of any disruption to certification capacity during the period before dynamic alignment with the EU-UK SPS agreement takes effect.

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

The UK is currently negotiating an SPS Agreement with the EU. These negotiations are at an advanced stage and expected to remove the requirement for Export Health Certificates.    The Agreement will have implications for Official Veterinarians undertaking export certification, including the demand for Export Health Certificate (EHC) services. Defra are working with the veterinary profession and wider industry stakeholders to monitor this capability and ensure an effective and well-managed transition.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the timetable is for implementing dynamic alignment with the EU-UK SPS agreement; and what assessment has been made of whether current certification capacity can be sustained throughout that timetable.

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

The UK is currently negotiating an SPS Agreement with the EU. These negotiations are at an advanced stage and expected to remove the requirement for Export Health Certificates.    The Agreement will have implications for Official Veterinarians undertaking export certification, including the demand for Export Health Certificate (EHC) services. Defra are working with the veterinary profession and wider industry stakeholders to monitor this capability and ensure an effective and well-managed transition.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential risks to exporters of food and animal products of any delays to export health certification ahead of removal of SPS checks.

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

The UK is currently negotiating an SPS Agreement with the EU. These negotiations are at an advanced stage and expected to remove the requirement for Export Health Certificates.    The Agreement will have implications for Official Veterinarians undertaking export certification, including the demand for Export Health Certificate (EHC) services. Defra are working with the veterinary profession and wider industry stakeholders to monitor this capability and ensure an effective and well-managed transition.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of poor air quality on clinical outcomes for people with (a) cystic fibrosis and (b) other chronic respiratory conditions.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s information on air pollution, available at the links below, which examine these and other issues in detail. For further information on the impacts of poor air quality on health, see the following three links:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/heat-summary-chapter-4-outdoor-air-pollution-and-health

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/respiratory-conditions-caused-by-airborne-allergens

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chief-medical-officers-annual-report-2022-air-pollution

And for further information on the public health advice on air pollution, see the following two links:

https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/research/aq-system-review/publications

https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/06/19/what-the-evidence-says-about-interventions-to-reduce-pollution-and-improve-lives/

The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) Cleaner Air Programme supports research and evidence gathering on the health impacts of air pollution and works alongside the independent Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants, which advises the Government on these issues. Further information can be found at the following two links:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1083447/CHaPR_AQ_Special_Edition_2206116.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/comeap-long-term-exposure-to-air-pollution-and-chronic-bronchitis

The UKHSA submitted written evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee, reference AIR005, on an inquiry about outdoor and indoor air quality targets, with further information available at the following link:

https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/121559/pdf/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to support research into interventions to protect people with (a) cystic fibrosis and (b) other respiratory conditions from the effects of poor air quality.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the Government’s information on air pollution, available at the links below, which examine these and other issues in detail. For further information on the impacts of poor air quality on health, see the following three links:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/heat-summary-chapter-4-outdoor-air-pollution-and-health

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/respiratory-conditions-caused-by-airborne-allergens

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chief-medical-officers-annual-report-2022-air-pollution

And for further information on the public health advice on air pollution, see the following two links:

https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/research/aq-system-review/publications

https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/06/19/what-the-evidence-says-about-interventions-to-reduce-pollution-and-improve-lives/

The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) Cleaner Air Programme supports research and evidence gathering on the health impacts of air pollution and works alongside the independent Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants, which advises the Government on these issues. Further information can be found at the following two links:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1083447/CHaPR_AQ_Special_Edition_2206116.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/comeap-long-term-exposure-to-air-pollution-and-chronic-bronchitis

The UKHSA submitted written evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee, reference AIR005, on an inquiry about outdoor and indoor air quality targets, with further information available at the following link:

https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/121559/pdf/

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Project 4 entitled Image Guided Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease in the Non-technical summaries for project licences granted April – June 2026 that require a retrospective assessment, published in June 2026, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the information provided by the applicant on the expected severity of procedures in informing the licensing decision; and what is meant by the classification of mice and rats as under severe in that project.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office keeps the quality and consistency of non-technical summaries published under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) under review. In May 2026, the Government accepted recommendations from the Animals in Science Committee to improve the transparency, clarity and consistency of non-technical summaries and retrospective assessments. The Government response and delivery plan are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/non-technical-summaries-and-retrospective-assessments-response-from-lord-hanson.

For Project 4, Image Guided Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease, the Home Office Regulator was satisfied that the application contained sufficient information to undertake the statutory harm-benefit analysis and inform the licensing decision. This assessment considered not only the prospective severity classification, but also the nature, duration and likelihood of the potential harms, the numbers and proportion of animals likely to be affected, the expected benefits, and the measures in place to minimise suffering.

The expected severity classifications indicate the maximum level of harm that an animal could reasonably be expected to experience under the authorised procedures; it does not mean that every mouse or rat in the procedures will experience suffering at that level. The application also sets out refinements, monitoring arrangements and humane end-points intended to prevent or minimise such harms.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that future Non-technical Summaries for project licences granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 provide consistent information on expected severity; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of detail published on expected severity to explain the harms considered during the harm-benefit analysis.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office keeps the quality and consistency of non-technical summaries published under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) under review. In May 2026, the Government accepted recommendations from the Animals in Science Committee to improve the transparency, clarity and consistency of non-technical summaries and retrospective assessments. The Government response and delivery plan are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/non-technical-summaries-and-retrospective-assessments-response-from-lord-hanson.

For Project 4, Image Guided Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease, the Home Office Regulator was satisfied that the application contained sufficient information to undertake the statutory harm-benefit analysis and inform the licensing decision. This assessment considered not only the prospective severity classification, but also the nature, duration and likelihood of the potential harms, the numbers and proportion of animals likely to be affected, the expected benefits, and the measures in place to minimise suffering.

The expected severity classifications indicate the maximum level of harm that an animal could reasonably be expected to experience under the authorised procedures; it does not mean that every mouse or rat in the procedures will experience suffering at that level. The application also sets out refinements, monitoring arrangements and humane end-points intended to prevent or minimise such harms.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a presumption of transparency in favour of routinely publishing farmed animal welfare inspection reports across all species, including terrestrial farmed animals.

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

The Government understands the importance of transparency in relation to the welfare of farmed animals. Multi Annual National Control Plan (MANCP) reports include national data on the number of farm inspections completed by APHA, the welfare scores from those inspections and any subsequent enforcement action are reported at a national level. From 2026 Local Authority inspections will also be included in this report. The government considers that this provides sufficient overview of animal welfare enforcement data.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has she made of the adequacy of parliamentary oversight of the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and whether she has considered the potential merits of holding parliamentary inquiry into the operation of the Act.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government considers that there are established and proportionate arrangements for oversight of the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The Animals in Science Committee provides independent, statutory advice to Ministers on matters relating to the Act, including the protection of animals and the sharing of good practice. Parliamentary oversight is exercised through Parliamentary Questions, debates, ministerial correspondence and scrutiny by relevant parliamentary committees, supported by the publication of annual statistics and reports from the Animals in Science Regulation Unit.

These arrangements have been strengthened through the establishment of the Animals in Science Regulation Governance Board. Operational later this year, the Board will provide external scrutiny, advice and challenge to the Home Office on the Regulator’s performance, strategy and risk. Its role is distinct from that of the Animals in Science Committee: the Committee provides independent advice on policy and the operation of the Act, while the Governance Board supports effective regulatory delivery.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of improving building standards to (a) improve indoor air quality and (b) reduce exposure to damp and mould for people with respiratory conditions, including cystic fibrosis.

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

Effective ventilation plays an important role in maintaining good indoor air quality. The Government sets standards for this mainly through Part F (Ventilation) of the Building Regulations, which applies primarily to new buildings. Approved Document F provides guidance on meeting minimum ventilation requirements, to provide fresh air for occupant health and reduce risks from pollutants, moisture, condensation and mould.

The Government has recently published updates to Approved Document F. These changes include improvements to commissioning, testing and installer competence, and revisions made in response to concerns about design flexibility, ensuring systems work as intended once homes are occupied. The changes will come into force in March 2027 for non-Higher Risk Building Work.

Indoor air quality in existing properties is addressed separately. Awaab’s Law requires social landlords to investigate and remedy damp and mould hazards within set timescales. Private landlords are already required to provide homes that are fit for human habitation, and local authorities must take enforcement action where the most dangerous hazards, including damp and mould, are identified.

From 2035, the Government is strengthening these protections by applying the new Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector for the first time.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the level of Government funding provided for (a) animal-based research and (b) research using human-specific methods in the latest year for which figures are available.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has not made an estimate of the level of funding provided for (a) animal-based research and (b) research using human-specific methods in the latest year for which figures are available. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) invests in a wide range of research, including animal research and research that supports human-specific approaches such as organ-on-a-chip technologies, cell-based assays, functional genomics and computer modelling. These activities are generally categorised within broader research programmes, and funding is not separately identified on this basis across Government.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, how much funding was provided for projects involving human-specific research methods each year between 2020-2025; and if he will publish a breakdown by funding body.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has not made an estimate of how much funding was provided for projects involving human-specific research methods in each year between 2020 and 2025, and does not hold a breakdown by funding body. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) invests in a range of research that supports human-specific approaches, including organ-on-a-chip technologies, cell-based assays, functional genomics and computer modelling. These activities are generally categorised within broader research programmes, and funding for human-specific research methods is not separately identified across Government.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Code of Practice for the Care and Accommodation of Animals Bred, Supplied or Used for Scientific Purposes, published in March 2026, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of the minimum separation age for non-human primates set out in that Code.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The minimum separation ages for non-human primates were not reassessed as part of the 2026 Code update. The Code clarified and consolidated the legal minimum standards in force since 2017; it did not change them. Licensed establishments must meet those standards and should also consider current evidence-based advice and leading practice.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that public health advice on air pollution is (a) accessible and (b) clinically relevant for (i) people with cystic fibrosis and (ii) other vulnerable groups.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The delivery profile and date of F-35A aircraft is subject to discussion between the UK and multinational Joint Program Office, but the UK anticipates taking delivery of the next batch of F-35 aircraft from the early 2030s. This will include 12 F-35As, which will allow the UK to join NATO's Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) mission.

We will continue to work closely with the US, whose nuclear weapons are allocated to the NATO DCA mission, and our other NATO Allies on the timeline for doing so.

150th anniversary of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876

Contribution of cinemas to local communities

Risk ratings for quarries near legacy mine workings

Found: Carmichael Sarah Champion Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Florence Eshalomi Helen Hayes Sir Bernard Jenkin Ruth Jones

Found: Current membership Ruth Jones (Labour; Newport West and Islwyn) (Chair) David Chadwick (Liberal Democrat

Found: Westminster London SW1A 0AA Patricia Ferguson MP Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee Ruth Jones

Found: Yours sincerely, Ruth Jones MP Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee

Found: Yours sincerely, Ruth Jones MP Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee

Found: Current membership Ruth Jones (Labour; Newport West and Islwyn) (Chair) David Chadwick (Liberal Democrat

Found: Current membership Ruth Jones (Labour; Newport West and Islwyn) (Chair) David Chadwick (Liberal Democrat

Found: following oral evidence session on 23 June 2026 Thank you for your letter of 15 July 2026 from Ruth Jones

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Ruth Jones (Chair); Ann Davies; Simon Hoare; Gerald Jones; Ben Lake

Found: William Morgan House Cardiff | Caerdydd CF10 1EP www.gov.uk/wales www.gov.uk/cymru Ruth Jones

Found: Yours sincerely, Ruth Jones MP Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee

Found: Yours sincerely, Ruth Jones MP Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee

Found: Yours sincerely, Ruth Jones MP Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee

Found: Yours sincerely, Ruth Jones MP Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee

Found: Yours sincerely, Ruth Jones MP Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee

Found: Yours sincerely, Ruth Jones MP Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Ruth Jones (Chair); Ann Davies; Simon Hoare; Gerald Jones; Llinos

Found: Yours sincerely, Ruth Jones MP Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee

Found: High Peak SK22 3EL Arts and media Committed Central Midlands Ruth Jones MP Newbridge NP11 4EX Other Committed