First elected: 4th July 2024
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
These initiatives were driven by Satvir Kaur, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Satvir Kaur has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Satvir Kaur has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Satvir Kaur has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Satvir Kaur has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
The Government has set out our expectation that employers and other duty bearers follow the clarity the Supreme Court ruling provides. Where necessary, they should take appropriate specialist legal advice.
The EHRC is consulting on its draft updated statutory Code of Practice, seeking views from affected stakeholders. We encourage people to ensure their views are heard by submitting a response to the consultation by Monday 30th June. We will consider the final draft Code once it has been submitted and engage with the EHRC to ensure it provides the further certainty and clarity service providers need, in line with the ruling.
It is crucial that trans people are safe, included and protected from discrimination. There remain strong protections in place for trans people to live free from discrimination and harassment. In addition to this, work is already underway to fulfil the commitments set out in the Government’s manifesto, advancing the rights and protections afforded to trans people including: delivering a trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, ensuring that all trans people receive appropriate and high-quality health care, and equalising all existing strands of hate crime to make them aggravated offences.
The Government has set out our expectation that employers and other duty bearers follow the clarity the Supreme Court ruling provides. Where necessary, they should take appropriate specialist legal advice.
The EHRC is consulting on its draft updated statutory Code of Practice, seeking views from affected stakeholders. We encourage people to ensure their views are heard by submitting a response to the consultation by Monday 30th June. We will consider the final draft Code once it has been submitted and engage with the EHRC to ensure it provides the further certainty and clarity service providers need, in line with the ruling.
It is crucial that trans people are safe, included and protected from discrimination. There remain strong protections in place for trans people to live free from discrimination and harassment. In addition to this, work is already underway to fulfil the commitments set out in the Government’s manifesto, advancing the rights and protections afforded to trans people including: delivering a trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, ensuring that all trans people receive appropriate and high-quality health care, and equalising all existing strands of hate crime to make them aggravated offences.
The Industrial Strategy Green Paper identified eight growth-driving sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences and Professional and Business Services.
Sector Plans for the eight growth-driving sectors will be published alongside the Industrial Strategy in Spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review. The Sector Plans will set out the specific sub-sectors of focus, identify key barriers to growth, and describe how government and industry intend to achieve long-term growth for the sector.
All sectors will benefit from wider policy reform through the Industrial Strategy’s cross-cutting policies alongside the broader Growth Mission. This will create the pro-business environment for all businesses to invest and employ, and consumers to spend with confidence.
The Government acknowledges that households have paid the price for the country’s broken energy market, with sky-high bills, suppliers collapsing, and poor customer service during a cost-of-living crisis. To address this, in December the Government launched its first comprehensive review of the energy regulator, Ofgem.
The review will establish Ofgem as a strong consumer champion, driving up standards for household and business consumers both now, and as energy use evolves with smarter and greener technology. It will ensure that consumers have confidence that Ofgem is equipped to address unacceptable outcomes for consumers. A Call for Evidence to support the review closed on 28 February 2025 and the Department is considering the responses.
Ofgem is committed to driving efficiencies through the use of technology and the introduction of improved processes and systems. These efforts are aimed at delivering better value for money while safeguarding the integrity and impact of the schemes it administers.
The Government is making support available to the industry through existing schemes such as Green Heat Network Fund, Contracts for Difference and Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. Potential projects in the Southampton Test constituency can apply if they meet the scheme eligibility criteria. The Government also continues to commission publicly available research to support the development of the industry. Research into the costs of geothermal energy is due to be published this summer and an open-access UK Geothermal Platform to support project feasibility work is in the final stages of development. Any future support is subject to spending review outcomes.
Installing solar between train tracks could be a feasible solution, particularly in urban areas where the track is electrified, as there will likely already be an adequately sized grid connection. However, there are some obstacles that may inhibit the deployment of this technology, such as the challenge of grid connections in rural areas, obstruction of track maintenance, and the cost of additional transformers required to convert electricity from solar to useable high voltage DC or AC electricity for trains. Decisions on specific locations of solar deployment ultimately rest with developers.
Accelerating the deployment of solar on commercial rooftops is at the heart of our clean energy mission.
The Government promotes commercial solar by various means, including permitted development rights and fiscal incentives.
Future Buildings Standards will be introduced later this year to ensure that all newly built commercial buildings are fit for a net zero future. We expect these standards to encourage the installation of solar panels.
The Government recognises the role community groups play in our efforts to tackle climate change. On 21 March, Government announced the Great British Energy Community Fund, which will continue the work of the Community Energy Fund to provide funding and support, from planning to strategic advice, to community energy stakeholders, helping to increase the roll-out of renewable energy projects.
Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grants are available for people living in homes without driveways, flat owners, renters, and landlords. These offer up to £350 towards the purchase and installation of a chargepoint. The Government will shortly publish guidance for local authorities on installing cross-pavement solutions for residents without off-street parking.
In addition, the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund supports local authorities in England to work with industry to transform the availability of EV charging for drivers without off-street parking, and will support the installation of tens of thousands of local chargers.
Through AI Growth Zones (AIGZs) and the AI Energy Council, we are collaborating with DESNZ, DEFRA and other relevant stakeholders to ensure our energy system is ready to support AI and that AIGZs are water efficient.
The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.
This consultation seeks views on a number of issues relating to copyright and AI, including on how to give rights holders of creative works greater control over use of their material.
Information and evidence on the impact of a rights-reservation (or “opt-out”), including the impact on digital competition, is welcomed to help shape Government’s thinking.
The consultation closes on 25 February.
Copying protected material will infringe copyright unless it is licensed, or an exception to copyright applies.
The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.
The consultation seeks views on how to give rights holders of creative works greater control over use of their material. Where rights holders reserve their rights, they can license their works for AI training, if they wish. The consultation seeks views on whether more should be done to support good licensing practice.
The consultation closes on 25 February.
The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.
One of the proposals in the consultation is for a rights-reservation, or “opt-out”, approach to the use of copyright material for AI training. The government wants to ensure that any measures are practical and effective for businesses of all sizes.
Information and evidence is welcomed from all sizes of business, to help shape the Government’s thinking.
The consultation closes on 25 February.
Copying protected material in the UK will infringe copyright unless it is licensed, or an exception to copyright applies.
The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.
The consultation seeks views on how to give rights holders of creative works greater control over use of their material, and greater transparency about when their material is used to train AI models, while supporting the development of world-leading AI models in the UK.
The consultation closes on 25 February.
Those experiencing gambling-related harm in England can access specialist treatment through specialist NHS Gambling Clinics available in every region of the country, including the Southern Gambling Service. There is also a range of support through the National Gambling Support Network.
The Government has introduced a statutory levy on gambling operators to improve and expand the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms. This will include ringfenced funding overseen by NHS England and appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales to commission the full treatment pathway, from referral and triage through to aftercare. We will continue to work with NHS England in collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh governments, as well as third sector providers, to design and deliver our approach to treatment of gambling-related harms across Great Britain.
Licensing authorities are able to set conditions on premises to mitigate risks posed by anti-social behaviour and crime. This can include imposing enhanced security requirements which take into account risks from their local area profiles. Premises licence holders must also conduct a local area risk assessment for each of their premises which includes risk mitigation around crime and anti-social behaviour. The local area risk assessment is subject to inspection by the licensing authority. There are also schemes such as Betwatch, a community-based crime prevention scheme between the Gambling Commission, the police, local council, and gambling premises, which is designed to tackle localised anti-social and criminal behaviour in and around betting shops.
Those experiencing gambling-related harm in England can access specialist treatment through specialist NHS Gambling Clinics available in every region of the country, including the Southern Gambling Service. There is also a range of support through the National Gambling Support Network.
The Government has introduced a statutory levy on gambling operators to improve and expand the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms. This will include ringfenced funding overseen by NHS England and appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales to commission the full treatment pathway, from referral and triage through to aftercare. We will continue to work with NHS England in collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh governments, as well as third sector providers, to design and deliver our approach to treatment of gambling-related harms across Great Britain.
Licensing authorities are able to set conditions on premises to mitigate risks posed by anti-social behaviour and crime. This can include imposing enhanced security requirements which take into account risks from their local area profiles. Premises licence holders must also conduct a local area risk assessment for each of their premises which includes risk mitigation around crime and anti-social behaviour. The local area risk assessment is subject to inspection by the licensing authority. There are also schemes such as Betwatch, a community-based crime prevention scheme between the Gambling Commission, the police, local council, and gambling premises, which is designed to tackle localised anti-social and criminal behaviour in and around betting shops.
This government recognises that while advertising is a legitimate advantage which licensed operators have over illegal gambling firms, increased exposure to gambling advertising can have an impact on gambling participation. Some forms of advertising can also have a disproportionate impact on particular groups, such as children and those who are already experiencing problems with their gambling.
There are existing robust rules in place to ensure that advertising and marketing, whenever it appears, is socially responsible, with a particular regard to the need to protect children, young persons and other vulnerable persons from being harmed and exploited. The Gambling Commission is also introducing new requirements for operators to allow customers to have greater control over the direct marketing they receive, and measures to ensure that incentives such as free bets are constructed in a socially responsible manner.
However, we recognise that more can be done to improve protections. We have set the gambling industry a clear task to raise standards and this work will be monitored closely.
The Government’s Industrial Strategy will support the growth of the creative industries, including publishing which contributes £11.6 billion to the economy and supports 127,000 jobs.
In Southampton, Arts Council England (ACE) supports local writers through Artful Scribe, a not-for-profit development agency. ACE has committed over £184,000 to Artful Scribe through to 2027, including those interested in magazine publishing.
Nationally, ACE invests in poetry magazines such as Poetry London (£50,000 annually) and Wasafiri (£60,506 annually), both National Portfolio Organisations. ACE support also extends to writing development agencies like New Writing South (Brighton, £126,477 annually) and Literature Works (Plymouth, £98,333 annually), which offer guidance to writers seeking opportunities in local magazine publishing.
Sustainability of local journalism is an area of particular concern for this Government, across the country and in Southampton Test. We are developing a Local Media Strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. Our vision is a thriving local media that can continue to play an invaluable role as a key channel of trustworthy information at local level, reporting on the issues that matter to communities, reflecting their contributions and perspectives, helping to foster a self-confident nation in which everyone feels that their contribution is part of an inclusive national story.
We are working across Government and with other stakeholders as the Strategy develops and will announce further details in due course.
The absence crisis is one of the government's most challenging inheritances. By working alongside school staff and parents, the department is getting absence moving in the right direction with children attending over 3 million more days of school this year compared to last, and over 100,000 fewer children persistently absent.
However, some pupils face complex barriers to attendance, such as those who have mental health conditions, or who have special educational needs and disabilities.
The department knows that pupils and learners with a strong sense of belonging, accomplishment, autonomy and good health are more likely to attend school. New research has shown, for the first time, the link between mental health and school absence. Pupils with mental health problems are seven times more likely to miss more than 15 days of school than their peers. This research can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681b676c9ef97b58cce3e518/The_relationship_between_mental_ill_health_and_absence_in_students_aged_13_to_16.pdf.
To tackle these issues, the government has made statutory the ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ guidance, which sets out a ‘support first’ approach. The department has published specific guidance for schools on mental health and attendance, accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-issues-affecting-a-pupils-attendance-guidance-for-schools. We are also committed to providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school through expanding Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs). As of April 2025, NHS-funded MHSTs cover 52%, or 5 million, of pupils and learners. An additional 900,000 pupils and learners are expected to be covered by April 2026.
The absence crisis is one of the government's most challenging inheritances. By working alongside school staff and parents, the department is getting absence moving in the right direction with children attending over 3 million more days of school this year compared to last, and over 100,000 fewer children persistently absent.
However, some pupils face complex barriers to attendance, such as those who have mental health conditions, or who have special educational needs and disabilities.
The department knows that pupils and learners with a strong sense of belonging, accomplishment, autonomy and good health are more likely to attend school. New research has shown, for the first time, the link between mental health and school absence. Pupils with mental health problems are seven times more likely to miss more than 15 days of school than their peers. This research can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681b676c9ef97b58cce3e518/The_relationship_between_mental_ill_health_and_absence_in_students_aged_13_to_16.pdf.
To tackle these issues, the government has made statutory the ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ guidance, which sets out a ‘support first’ approach. The department has published specific guidance for schools on mental health and attendance, accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-issues-affecting-a-pupils-attendance-guidance-for-schools. We are also committed to providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school through expanding Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs). As of April 2025, NHS-funded MHSTs cover 52%, or 5 million, of pupils and learners. An additional 900,000 pupils and learners are expected to be covered by April 2026.
High and rising school standards, with excellent foundations in reading, writing and mathematics, are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.
In recognition of this, the department has implemented a range of measures to support reading for pleasure. The English Hubs programme supports the teaching of phonics, early language development and reading for pleasure, with a further £23 million committed for the 2024/25 academic year to support this work. Southampton Test’s nearest English Hub is Springhill English Hub. Further information on Springhill English Hub can be found here: https://englishhubs.net/english_hubs/springhill-english-hub/.
Furthermore, the government’s reading framework provides guidance on improving the teaching of reading, to ensure that every child is not only able to read proficiently but also develops a genuine love of reading.
On 5 February, the government announced a £2 million investment to drive high and rising standards in reading and writing. Building on the success of phonics, teachers will receive additional training to help children progress from the early stages of phonics in reception and year 1 through to reading fluently by the time they leave primary school. This will be delivered through the English Hubs programme. In secondary school, teachers will be offered new training and resources this year to help them support readers at all levels and next year the department will commission further training that will be focused specifically on struggling readers in secondary school who are at risk of falling behind. The department will also publish a writing framework in the summer, which will be a first step to support schools in delivering high quality writing provision across England.
The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, which will look closely at the key challenges to attainment for young people, in line with the government’s ambition for a curriculum that delivers excellent foundations in reading, writing and mathematics.
School libraries complement public libraries in giving pupils access to a range of books and other kinds of texts, both in and out of school.
It is for individual schools to decide how best to provide and maintain a library service for their pupils, including whether to employ a qualified librarian, and we give headteachers autonomy to decide how best to spend the core schools funding that is allocated to them by the department. The Autumn Budget announced an additional £2.3 billion for schools for the 2025/26 financial year, compared to 2024/25, bringing the total core schools budget to almost £63.9 billion in 2025/26.
The government’s reading framework offers non-statutory guidance for teachers and school leaders, including helpful guidance for schools on how to organise their school library, book corner or book stock to make reading accessible and attractive to readers.
The department recently published its latest research on the cost of school uniforms, surveying parents and carers of children aged 4 to 16 attending state-funded schools in England. The research report assessed the relative changes to the cost of school uniforms since the department’s previous report in 2015. It is published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms-survey-2023.
The research found that the average total expenditure on school uniform, based on the items required in the 2023/24 academic year, was £249.58 compared with £279.51 for a similar period and adjusted for inflation in 2014/15. It was less expensive for parents or carers of children in primary schools (£217.65 for boys and £246.80 for girls) than for those with children in secondary schools (£266.14 for boys and £289.04 for girls).
Too many families still tell the department that the cost of school uniform remains a financial burden. That is why as part of the King’s Speech we have committed to legislate to limit the number of expensive branded items of uniform and PE kit that schools can require.
The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway (the Pathway) was launched in 2023 to support continual improvement in farm animal health and welfare beyond the regulatory baseline, this is a critical part of the farming reforms set out in the Agricultural Transition Plan.
Under the Pathway, eligible poultry keepers have had access to capital grants to improve flock welfare. In September 2024, the Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant provided funding contributions towards infrastructure projects to deliver excellent animal health and welfare. Additionally, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, which closed its third round on 10 July, offered grants of £1,000 to £25,000 for equipment tackling a range of health and welfare challenges.
For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas.
The Government remains committed to reducing both the frequency and duration of storm overflow spills, in line with the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan (SODRP). The SODRP will eliminate ecological harm from all storm sewage discharges by 2050.
As part of Price Review 2024 (2025-30), Southern Water is investing £1.1 billion to reduce storm overflow spills by 24% by investing in 246 spill reduction schemes. As part of this cycle, 4 investigations and asset improvements are planned across the City of Southampton and a further 6 at assets that currently overflow to Southampton Water.
The Water (Special Measures) Act is introducing independent monitoring of every sewerage outlet, with water companies required to publish real-time data for all emergency overflows. Discharges will have to be reported within an hour of the initial spill. This will match the pre-existing duty for storm overflows and create an unprecedented level of transparency, enabling the public and regulators to see where, and how often, overflows are discharging, and hold water companies to account. This will meet the Government commitment to ensure monitoring of every outlet.
Furthermore, the Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, will recommend reforms to reset the water sector. The Independent Water Commission: interim report was released on 03 June 2025. Final recommendations will be published this summer and presented to both the UK and Welsh Governments.
Cleaning up our waters, including iconic sites such as chalk streams, is a top Government priority. That is why on 23 October 2024, the Secretary of State announced the launch of an independent commission to fundamentally transform how our water system works.
Fixing the systemic issues in the water system is essential to address the multiple pressures facing chalk streams, namely over abstraction, phosphorous pollution, and physical modifications of habitats. Restoring our chalk streams to better ecological health is part of our overall programme of reforms for the water sector. Alongside this, we are continuing to direct investment to projects that will improve chalk streams. Through the Water Industry National Environment Programme, over 1000 improvement projects are planned within chalk stream catchments between 2024-2029.
Natural England is supporting the Environment Agency’s Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy. The aim of the project is to restore the Test and Itchen to a more functioning chalk stream habitat. This involves projects to improve the river habitat and reconnecting the river with its floodplain. The work undertaken to date has improved the chalk stream habitat, creating a more resilient river for the species which rely on it such as southern damselfly, invertebrates and fish species such as Atlantic salmon.
The Department recognises the value of the National Park City initiative, which aligns with our priorities to increase access to nature and green spaces for everyone. We continue to engage with the National Park City Foundation to support the initiative's ambition to make urban areas greener, healthier, and more connected to nature.
Protecting the ocean, and its biodiversity will deliver on our domestic and our international commitments, such as achieving Good Environmental Status in domestic seas and supporting the Global Biodiversity Framework target to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030. Key steps we are taking are set out in the latest UK Marine Strategy ‘programme of measures’ published on 29 January 2025. This includes information about our network of Marine Protected Areas, our Highly Protected Marine Areas, Fisheries Management Plans, actions to eliminate or minimise bycatch of sensitive marine species, and work done under the English Seabird Conservation and Recovery Pathway.
The UK also provides global leadership in marine protection, as chair of the Global Ocean Alliance and Ocean Champion of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, supporting the global target to protect at least 30% of the ocean. In addition to implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention of Biological Diversity, we are delivering conservation and management of cetaceans under the International Whaling Commission, ratifying the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, and are working with international partners to agree an ambitious treaty to end plastic pollution.
The Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors for people’s health and wellbeing and is working to ensure that this access is safe and appropriate. We are committed to increasing access to nature, and have already set out several ambitious manifesto commitments to expand opportunities for the public to enjoy the outdoors, including the creation of nine new national river walks and three new national forests in England.
We are currently developing policy to improve access to nature, working closely with other Government departments and key stakeholders. In addition, we are already delivering key initiatives aimed at increasing access to green spaces and the countryside, including:
In addition, the Government has made the decision to repeal the cut-off date for the registration of historic rights of way, preventing the loss of hundreds of miles of unregistered paths. This will ensure that these paths remain available to the public for future generations. This change will be formally enacted when parliamentary time allows.
Cleaning up our waters, including iconic sites such as chalk streams is a top government priority. That is why on 23 October 2024, the Secretary of State announced the launch of an independent commission to fundamentally transform how our water system works. Fixing the systemic issues in the water system is essential to address the multiple pressures facing chalk streams, namely over abstraction, phosphorous pollution and physical modifications of habitats.
There is significant investment and improvement work taking place within the Test and Itchen catchments. This includes extensive monitoring of environmental indicators on water quality and ecology; regulation of operators within the catchments such as water and agriculture sectors; working with the water industry on reducing reliance on harmful abstractions and ensuring compensation and mitigation while alternative sources are delivered (for example, Havant Thicket reservoir and associated schemes) and tackling diffuse water pollution. Much of this work includes contributions from a wide range of partners including wildlife trusts, rivers trusts, fisheries managers, landowners, water companies and regulators.
The Environment Agency undertakes regular sampling of the biodiversity in the Test and Itchen and publishes the results on the Environment Agency’s Ecology and Fish Data Explorer. This is freely available via the Government’s Open data website: EA Ecology & Fish Data Explorer
Cleaning up our waters, including iconic sites such as chalk streams is a top government priority. That is why on 23 October 2024, the Secretary of State announced the launch of an independent commission to fundamentally transform how our water system works. Fixing the systemic issues in the water system is essential to address the multiple pressures facing chalk streams, namely over abstraction, phosphorous pollution and physical modifications of habitats.
There is significant investment and improvement work taking place within the Test and Itchen catchments. This includes extensive monitoring of environmental indicators on water quality and ecology; regulation of operators within the catchments such as water and agriculture sectors; working with the water industry on reducing reliance on harmful abstractions and ensuring compensation and mitigation while alternative sources are delivered (for example, Havant Thicket reservoir and associated schemes) and tackling diffuse water pollution. Much of this work includes contributions from a wide range of partners including wildlife trusts, rivers trusts, fisheries managers, landowners, water companies and regulators.
The Environment Agency undertakes regular sampling of the biodiversity in the Test and Itchen and publishes the results on the Environment Agency’s Ecology and Fish Data Explorer. This is freely available via the Government’s Open data website: EA Ecology & Fish Data Explorer
Natural England is the statutory authority responsible for designating National Parks and National Landscapes/Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England.
Natural England have undertaken early exploratory work to consider possible approaches to the designation of a new National Park in England. They currently do not have a timeline for progressing this work which is subject to on-going discussions and are not considering any additional landscape designation cases at the current time.
Natural England is not responsible for National Park Cities. The National Park City Foundation (a registered charity) is the steward of the global movement supporting cities all around the world in their aspiration of becoming National Park Cities. The Foundation has provided guidance for prospective National Park Cities including how to register local campaigns and submit applications. The Foundation states that they are on course for at least twenty five global National Park Cities by 2025.
Defra supports the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) which helps prevent and detect bird of prey crime by gathering intelligence, undertaking analysis and directly assisting law enforcers. Defra also provides funding to the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme which makes enquiries into the death of wildlife that may have resulted from pesticide or rodenticide poisoning.
It is challenging to confirm whether the efforts of NWCU and partners is leading to a decrease in crimes against birds of prey as figures are not officially collected at a national level. The decision to make such offences ‘notifiable’ sits with the Home Office.
In answer to b(i), to ensure risks associated with professional use of anticoagulant rodenticides could be properly managed, the Health and Safety Executive (having policy responsibility for rodenticides) worked with the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use UK to develop an industry-led stewardship regime to promote responsible use. The stewardship scheme is overseen by Government and is currently under review.
For b(ii), it is illegal to supply rodenticides unless they are authorised, and they must only be used in accordance with the conditions of that authorisation. There are robust, multi-agency arrangements in place for taking enforcement against the misuse of rodenticides.
The levels of water pollution are unacceptable. Defra and its Arm’s Length Bodies, continue to take action to tackle agricultural pollution through a suite of regulations, advice and incentives, and advice led enforcement, in order to achieve the Environment Act 2021 target, to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment from agriculture entering the water environment by 40% by 2038.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) lies at the heart of our approach to minimise the environmental impact of pesticides. IPM is a holistic approach that promotes a range of plant protection methods and keeps the use of pesticides to levels that are ecologically and economically justified.
The UK Pesticides National Action Plan will be published next year and will set out the government’s strategy for sustainable use of pesticides.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) monitors and enforces animal welfare legislation in slaughterhouses in England and Wales. Food Standards Scotland operate in Scotland and the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs are responsible in Northern Ireland.
FSA animal welfare enforcement non-compliance data can be accessed on their website here. The FSA records non-compliances in all slaughterhouses in the same way irrespective of if the slaughterhouse receives Government funding.
My Department and I have met with the Batched on-Site Association and engaged with the Volumetric Concrete Mixer (VCM) industry through correspondence.
The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The outcome of this review was published on 18 March 2025. The following factors were considered: reduction in payload per journey, increased waste, and increased vehicle mileage.
Some VCM operators have argued that heavier VCMs could reduce overall trips and emissions, however, the increased road and bridge damage would result in more frequent repairs, offsetting these potential benefits.
As part of its consideration of the evidence, the Department for Transport also assessed the potential environmental impacts in accordance with the Environment Act 2021 which requires Ministers of the Crown to have ‘due regard’ to the environmental principles policy statement when making policy.
VCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads, but as planned, a temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle (via vehicle special orders) will end on 31 March 2028, after which VCMs must operate at the legal weight limits applicable to other heavy good vehicles. This is not a ban or change in policy.
NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time Programme on gastroenterology aims to reduce variations in care, increase early diagnosis and proactive management of Crohn’s disease and colitis, and increase access to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) specialist nurses. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has also produced a range of guidance on IBD, Crohn’s disease and colitis, to support early diagnosis and effective management of these conditions. It ensures that the care provided to people with IBD is based on the best available evidence. In the last two years, NICE has recommended four new drugs for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, namelt Upadacitinib, Risankizumab, Mirikizumab and Etrasimod.
NHS England’s National Bladder and Bowel Health Project is delivering better care for people with IBD, with a focus on developing clinical pathways. NHS England commissions specialised colorectal services nationally to support equity of access to high-quality treatment for patients with IBD requiring complex surgery. This work is supported within NHS England by the clinical leadership of the Specialised Colorectal Services Clinical Reference Group, which is made up of experts in surgery, medicine, radiology, pathology and nursing, alongside patient and public voice representatives.
To raise awareness of IBD among general practitioners and other primary care staff, the Royal College of General Practitioners has produced an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Toolkit. The toolkit outlines when to suspect IBD, the appropriate investigative tests and diagnostic tools for IBD, how to manage a flare-up of symptoms and how to support patients with IBD.
Data on the number of undiagnosed cardiovascular diseases and conditions in young people is not held centrally as these conditions are undiagnosed. The National Health Service, however, offers screening to young persons, those aged under 35 years old, where a family member has suffered from a sudden cardiac death. The charity Cardiac Risk in the Young offers subsidised cardiac screening to all young people aged between 14 and 35 years old and may hold data on the number of young people requesting screening outside of the NHS.
NHS England published in 2017 a national service specification for Inherited Cardiac Conditions (ICC), which defines the standards of care expected from organisations funded by NHS England. This specification covers young adults with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease. The aim of the ICC services is to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients with ICCs.
NHS England is currently reviewing this service specification, working with a broad range of stakeholders as part of the review, including NHS clinical experts, the Association of Inherited Cardiac Conditions, Cardiomyopathy UK, Heart Valve Voice, and the British Heart Foundation. NHS England does not have a national audit programme for ICCs, and therefore no treatment data is held centrally.
The Government is committed to tackling the biggest killers, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), and our Health Mission sets an ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by 25% within a decade. The 10-Year Health Plan, once published, will set out the Government's overarching vision for delivering the critical shift from a focus on treating illness to preventing conditions such as CVD.
Specific national strategies targeting the improvement of CVD diagnostic rates in children and young people are not featured in current public health programs. However, NHS England’s work emphasises the importance of early intervention and prevention across all age groups, and is committed to improving CVD care and outcomes through enhanced diagnostic support in the community, better personalised planning, and increased access to disease-specific rehabilitation.
Southampton City Council’s Children and Young People’s Strategy 2022-2027 outlines how they will invest in prevention, working with schools and communities to identify needs and deliver services as early as possible. The Health and Wellbeing Strategy similarly focuses on promoting healthy choices and behaviours in children to reduce CVD risk factors. The Government and NHS England will support local leaders to make the best choices to meet the needs of their local populations.
Improving early diagnosis of cancer, including lobular breast cancer, is a priority for NHS England. We will improve cancer survival rates and hit all National Health Service cancer waiting time targets, so that no patient waits longer than they should.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme offers all women in England between the ages of 50 years old and their 71st birthday the opportunity to be screened every three years for breast cancer, to help detect abnormalities and intervene early to reduce the number of lives lost to invasive breast cancer.
The Department invests £1.5 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.
We are proud to have invested £29 million into the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NIHR Biological Research Centre in 2022, supporting their efforts to strengthen research into cancer, including lobular breast cancer. Wider investments into breast cancer research include a £1.3 million project to determine whether an abbreviated form of breast magnetic resonance imaging can detect breast cancers missed by screening through mammography, including lobular breast cancer.
The NIHR funds research on cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment and care, which saves lives. NIHR funds research in response to proposals received and would welcome applications from researchers on lobular breast cancer.
NHS England has commissioned a rapid evidence review of vision based monitoring systems, which is available at the following link:
https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-024-03673-9
These insights have been used to work in partnership with people with lived experience, clinicians, and stakeholders to develop national guidance, which will be published imminently.
We support social workers through our existing initiatives such as bursaries, which is the main funding route to support students studying Higher Education Institute courses, and the Assessed Supported Year in Employment, which provides support and assessment for newly qualified social workers.
The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health as we reform the National Health Service. Evidence from the women's health strategy call for evidence in 2021 identified difficulties accessing care due to lack of recognition of symptoms from both women and healthcare professionals, and reluctance of some healthcare professionals to prescribe hormone replacement therapy for menopause symptoms.
A range of information and resources are available to help primary care professionals to support women experiencing menopause symptoms. The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has a holistic curriculum of training that all general practitioners (GPs) must cover before they are able to pass the examination to become a member of the RCGP and work independently as a GP. There is a specific section on women’s health, including menopause. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is also updating its guideline on menopause diagnosis and management.
The Department has also invested £25 million over 2023/24 and 2024/25 to support the establishment of at least one pilot women’s health hub in every integrated care system. These provide more specialist care for women in the community, and many of them also act as a point of training and support for their local GP community. Menopause care is a core service for pilot women’s health hubs.
No assessment has been made of the potential merits of removing car-parking charges for National Health Service patients and staff.
All NHS trusts that charge for hospital car parking provide free parking to in-need groups, which include NHS staff working overnight, frequent outpatient attenders, disabled people, and parents of children staying overnight in hospital.