Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to ratify the Global Oceans Treaty.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government is completely committed to ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement, also known as the "High Seas Treaty" or "Global Ocean Treaty"), which is in line with our determination to reinvigorate the UK's wider international leadership on climate and nature. Legislation will be introduced by the end of the year to enable ratification of the Agreement.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve animal welfare in the poultry industry.

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

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.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to prevent the dumping of sewage by Southern Water in Southampton Test constituency.

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

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.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Ofgem on (a) improving its accountability to consumers and (b) reducing its costs.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what estimate he has made of trends in the level of (a) water and (b) energy usage required for artificial intelligence data centres.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

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.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her Department has had with cancer charities on the cost of travel insurance for people with cancer.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Treasury Ministers and officials regularly engage with a variety of stakeholders, including other departments, representatives of the insurance industry and consumer groups, on a range of issues.

The government recognises the important role of insurance products, including travel insurance, in building the financial resilience of consumers and protecting them when things go wrong. That is why the government is determined that everyone has access to suitable insurance products at the right price.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry, including firms providing travel insurance.

Under FCA rules introduced in 2021, if a travel insurance customer is declined cover, offered cover with an exclusion, or charged a significantly higher premium based on their pre-existing medical condition, insurers are required to signpost consumers to a directory of specialist providers who may be better placed to provide cover

FCA rules also require insurers to offer products that provide fair value. This means that the price a consumer pays for a product or service must be reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive.

The FCA has robust powers to act against firms that fail to comply with its rules, and the FCA actively monitors the insurance sector. For example, today it published a review of claims handling in home and travel insurance, highlighting examples of good practices and areas where improvements need to be made.

Central South APPG
Wednesday 2nd July 2025

Found: In attendance: Richard Quigley, MP; Julian Lewis, MP; Satvir Kaur, MP; Darren Paffey, MP; Anastasia Horbachevska