Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on improving childcare provision in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

My colleague Minister Anderson regularly meets with the Northern Ireland Minister for Education on important issues, including childcare provision, and has recently facilitated discussions between the Minister and the UK Government Minister for Early Education, Stephen Morgan MP to discuss areas for greater co-operation.

I welcome the recent progress taken by the Northern Ireland Executive to provide increased childcare support. Whilst childcare in Northern Ireland is devolved, the UK Government is keen to see this work progressed so that parents are better able to balance childcare alongside their work.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of industrial livestock farming on the UK's capacity to reach its net zero targets.

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

As part of the cross-Whitehall Carbon Budget Delivery Plan 2023 (CBDP), Defra published 25 on-farm decarbonisation measures to reduce agricultural emissions and meet our Carbon Budget 4 to 6 commitments, including measures aimed at supporting livestock emissions reduction.

To support ongoing delivery and identify further opportunities for emissions reduction, Defra is actively exploring ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including through scientific research into livestock management, feed, and breeding.

Looking ahead, the Government will set Carbon Budget 7 by June 2026, in line with statutory requirements. This will outline the next phase of the UK’s net zero pathway, including future policies to further decarbonise agriculture.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of appointing an animal welfare expert to the Food Strategy board.

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

Members of the Food Strategy Advisory Board were selected as senior leaders who have a broad range of experience across the food system and reflect the diversity of the sector. Membership has been finalised. We are not looking to expand it at this time.

The Board represents just one aspect of our engagement with stakeholders across the food supply system. The food strategy will articulate the outcomes required to deliver food system change.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to ban the (a) expansion of existing and (b) building of new industrial livestock farms.

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

The Government promotes efficient, competitive farming, but does not seek to favour large, or small-scale, farming operations. Farms of all sizes have a role to play in promoting sustainable UK agriculture.

All farms must comply with comprehensive UK law on planning, animal health and welfare, veterinary medicines and environmental legislation.

Planning authorities should determine applications for livestock buildings in accordance with their development plan or the National Planning Policy Framework.

Found: Stainbank Andy McDonald Dr Simon Opher Irene Campbell Alex Sobel Sorcha Eastwood Carla Denyer Terry Jermy

Found: Stainbank Andy McDonald Dr Simon Opher Irene Campbell Alex Sobel Sorcha Eastwood Carla Denyer Terry Jermy

Found: Stainbank Andy McDonald Dr Simon Opher Irene Campbell Alex Sobel Sorcha Eastwood Carla Denyer Terry Jermy

Found: Stainbank Andy McDonald Dr Simon Opher Irene Campbell Alex Sobel Sorcha Eastwood Carla Denyer Terry Jermy

Found: Mundell Sojan Joseph Marie Goldman Jim Dickson Sarah Edwards Dr Scott Arthur Ms Diane Abbott Terry Jermy