Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
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.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to align school food procurement with the Government’s (a) horticulture strategy and (b) food security objectives.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The government’s commitment to the horticulture sector and its vital role in strengthening food security by ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply of home-grown fresh produce remains steadfast. We are taking a strategic approach to support for horticulture, recognising the specific needs of the sector. This includes developing a farming roadmap, which will set out a 25-year vision and blueprint to make our farming and food production more sustainable and profitable.
Alongside this, our food strategy will deliver clear long term outcomes that create a healthier, fairer, and more resilient food system. This will boost our food security, improve our health, ensure economic growth, and deliver environmental sustainability.
The department engages with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on a variety of topics related to food in schools, as part of the government’s wider food strategy, helping to drive change and support a healthier, more sustainable and resilient food system.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of eligible families are receiving Healthy Start in (a) England, (b) East Anglia and (c) South West Norfolk constituency.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. Monthly figures for the number of people on the digital Healthy Start scheme are published on the NHS Healthy Start website, at the following link:
https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthcare-professionals/
The NHSBSA does not hold data on the number of families receiving Healthy Start and does not currently hold data on the number of people eligible for Healthy Start. In addition, the NHSBSA does not hold data on local constituencies. The following table shows the number of people on the digital scheme in England as of 23 May 2025:
Country | Number of people on the digital scheme |
England | 328,685 |
East Anglia is not defined as specific geographical region within the Office for National Statistics’ Open Geography Portal, which the NHSBSA uses to define geographical regions. Therefore, the following table shows the number of people on digital scheme in the East of England region, which comprises of 45 local authorities, as of 23 May 2025:
Region | Number of people on digital scheme |
East of England | 30,892 |
In addition, South West Norfolk consists of two local authorities, namely Breckland, and King’s Lynn and West Norfolk. Therefore, the following table shows the number of people on the digital scheme in Breckland, and King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, as of 23 May 2025:
Local authority | Number of people on the digital scheme |
Breckland | 706 |
King's Lynn and West Norfolk | 734 |
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
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 appoint an expert in animal welfare 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.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the average number of days was that short-term rental properties were occupied between 1 October and 30 April in each of the last three years for which records exits.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the requested information.
We intend to introduce a registration scheme for short-term lets in England, one of the benefits of which will be to give local authorities access to valuable data at a local level.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many short-term rental properties have been converted to private rental properties in each of the last three years for which records exist.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the requested information.
We intend to introduce a registration scheme for short-term lets in England, one of the benefits of which will be to give local authorities access to valuable data at a local level.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Avian Influenza Prevention Zone housing measures lifted, published on 12 May 2025, when the General Licence 45 for gamebird release in and near to special protection areas in England will be reissued.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
There are currently no plans to reissue General Licence 45 for gamebird release on and near to Special Protection Areas in England. Anyone intending to release gamebirds on or near a Special Protection Area should apply to Natural England for an individual licence.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how MEES (minimum energy efficiency standards) took into account properties which are not occupied for less than half of the period between 1 October 2024 and 30 April 2025.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As of April 2020, privately rented homes in England and Wales are required to meet the minimum standard of Energy Performance Certificate E before they can be let, unless a valid exemption applies. The regulations are applicable if a property is let on an assured tenancy, regulated tenancy, or domestic agricultural tenancy, and legally required to have an EPC. There is more information and guidance on the requirement to have an EPC available on gov.uk.
For non-domestic rented buildings, minimum energy efficiency standards only apply where the property is leased on a term certain of 6 months to 99 years.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
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 secure additional funding for Internal Drainage Boards in (a) England, (b) Norfolk and (c) South West Norfolk constituency.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government recognises the important role of internal drainage boards (IDBs). We increased the IDB Fund to £91 million. This will reduce future costs and improve assets and water level management across 400,000ha of farmland and benefiting over 91,000 properties. In Norfolk 32 projects have received grants (£10.6 million), 8 of which (£2.32 million) are in South West Norfolk constituency.
The Government also announced £5 million in 2025/26 for those local authorities most impacted by IDB levies. Given local pressures, we are launching research to review IDB costs and funding, including whether any changes are needed to the funding model.
Protecting communities from the dangers of flooding is one of Defra’s top priorities. This government is investing a record £2.65 billion over two years (2024/25 and 2025/26) for the construction of new flood schemes, and the maintenance and repair of existing ones. Of this £49.6 million is being invested in Norfolk.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
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 mitigate the costs to (a) local councils and (b) landowners of internal drainage boards; and what steps he is taking to ensure that (i) South West Norfolk and (ii) Norfolk are protected from flooding.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government recognises the important role of internal drainage boards (IDBs). We increased the IDB Fund to £91 million. This will reduce future costs and improve assets and water level management across 400,000ha of farmland and benefiting over 91,000 properties. In Norfolk 32 projects have received grants (£10.6 million), 8 of which (£2.32 million) are in South West Norfolk constituency.
The Government also announced £5 million in 2025/26 for those local authorities most impacted by IDB levies. Given local pressures, we are launching research to review IDB costs and funding, including whether any changes are needed to the funding model.
Protecting communities from the dangers of flooding is one of Defra’s top priorities. This government is investing a record £2.65 billion over two years (2024/25 and 2025/26) for the construction of new flood schemes, and the maintenance and repair of existing ones. Of this £49.6 million is being invested in Norfolk.