Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if her Department will explore basing electricity standing charges paid by the farming sector upon an annualised average instead of peak demand to prevent (a) occasional and (b) seasonal high demand from disproportionately impacting bills and the cost of food production.
Answered by Polly Billington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the importance of fair energy costs for farming and other businesses. Ofgem’s Cost Allocation and Recovery Review is considering how fixed energy-system costs, including those commonly recovered through standing charges, could be allocated across consumers, including businesses, in fairer and more efficient ways. The Government is working constructively with Ofgem to ensure that the longer-term recovery of energy-system costs is fair. Ofgem intends to consult on a direction of travel by the end of 2026.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the future longevity and scope of the Seasonal Worker Scheme will reflect the industry’s needs and future growth potential.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The 2027 annual quota for the Seasonal Worker route was published in the Seasonal Worker sponsor guidance on 8 October. It remains unchanged from 2026 with an allocation of 41,000 for the horticulture sector and 1,900 for the poultry sector in the run up to Christmas.
A 5-year extension to the Seasonal Worker route was announced 25 February 2025. This extension provided farms with the certainty they need to plan and grow their businesses with confidence. The Government has made it clear, however, that recent migration levels are unacceptable, and this isn’t a long-term solution. Overall visa numbers will need to fall over time and businesses will need to adapt.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to confirm the seasonal worker visa allocation for 2027.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The 2027 annual quota for the Seasonal Worker route was published in the Seasonal Worker sponsor guidance on 8 October. It remains unchanged from 2026 with an allocation of 41,000 for the horticulture sector and 1,900 for the poultry sector in the run up to Christmas.
A 5-year extension to the Seasonal Worker route was announced 25 February 2025. This extension provided farms with the certainty they need to plan and grow their businesses with confidence. The Government has made it clear, however, that recent migration levels are unacceptable, and this isn’t a long-term solution. Overall visa numbers will need to fall over time and businesses will need to adapt.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the revised National Planning Policy Framework will be published.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The new National Planning Policy Framework was published on 17 August 2026.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
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 close season for hares in England before the start of the 2027 breeding season.
Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy is clear we will consider how to bring forward and introduce a close season for hares. A close season should reduce the number of adult hares being shot in the breeding season, which runs from February to October, meaning that fewer leverets (infant hares) are left motherless and vulnerable to starvation and predation. This Government needs a suitable primary legislative vehicle in place to deliver this change. Defra will do its utmost to look for suitable opportunities to take this measure forward. It is unlikely this could be done before the start of the 2027 breeding season.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
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 bring forward legislation to introduce a close season for hares in England.
Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy is clear we will consider how to bring forward and introduce a close season for hares. A close season should reduce the number of adult hares being shot in the breeding season, which runs from February to October, meaning that fewer leverets (infant hares) are left motherless and vulnerable to starvation and predation. This Government needs a suitable primary legislative vehicle in place to deliver this change. Defra will do its utmost to look for suitable opportunities to take this measure forward. It is unlikely this could be done before the start of the 2027 breeding season.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether daily reservoir and river level checks conducted in response to drought conditions will be published.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Reservoirs are assets owned by water companies, and they are being monitored closely. Daily reservoir and river level checks conducted in response to drought conditions will not be published unless a water company decides to do so. Ministers are holding weekly meetings with water companies in areas of severe drought to provide MPs representing affected areas with the latest updates and an opportunity to raise questions or concerns.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what impact assessment the department has undertaken on the impact of drought conditions on farmers.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group (UKAMMG), formed by Defra and the Devolved Governments, routinely follows the events that affect the agricultural markets, including extended adverse weather.
The requested information is available on GOV.UK here.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what new measures the department is bringing in to improve water quality monitoring, as mentioned by the Minister for Water and Flooding in the Oral Statement on 16th October 2026.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In response to severe drought, Government has instructed water companies to monitor reservoir and river levels daily and strengthen water quality monitoring. The Environment Agency will increase abstraction compliance checks, undertake site-specific downstream monitoring and visual inspections, deploy fish rescue teams where needed, while local resilience forums will coordinate support.
Asked by: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat - Glastonbury and Somerton)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the department has made of the impact of drought conditions on customer water supplies; and what steps have been taken to warn the customers affected.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As of 15 October, severe drought has been declared in parts of the South West and South East. Government and regulators have strengthened their response through enhanced engagement with Local Resilience Forums, public water-saving campaigns, and increased monitoring. Water supplies remain secure while the National Drought Group coordinates action.