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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many of Henry Dimbleby’s recommendations in his National Food Strategy (2021) the Government has acted upon.

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

This Government is acting on many of the issues identified by Henry Dimbleby. Through the ambitions set out in the Good Food Cycle, this Government is working towards a healthier, more affordable, sustainable and resilient food system which ensures access to safe, affordable healthy, convenient and appealing food options for everyone, with a particular focus on vulnerable and low-income households.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which public body is responsible for managing wild deer populations in built-up residential areas in England.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

No assessment has been made or is planned regarding the adequacy of the policy statement in respect of addressing deer impacts in residential or peri-urban areas in England.

It is the responsibility of the landowner or landowners of the land on which the issue occurs to arrange for management measures to be carried out. Local authorities also have a role to play regarding management of deer on public land for which they have responsibility.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of the Deer impacts policy statement for England in addressing deer impacts in residential and peri-urban areas.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

No assessment has been made or is planned regarding the adequacy of the policy statement in respect of addressing deer impacts in residential or peri-urban areas in England.

It is the responsibility of the landowner or landowners of the land on which the issue occurs to arrange for management measures to be carried out. Local authorities also have a role to play regarding management of deer on public land for which they have responsibility.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to require environmental permits for highway runoff discharges from the Strategic Road Network.

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

There are currently no plans to require environmental permits for all Strategic Road Network highway runoff discharges. Existing permitting powers would be applied where appropriate.

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 the Office for Environmental Protection's report entitled A review of Environment Agency inspections in the waste operations and installations sector in England, published 14 May 2025, what steps she is taking in response to the findings on the quality of Environment Agency waste site inspections; and by what date she plans to report back to the Office for Environmental Protection on progress.

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

The Government Response to the OEP’s report was published on 15 September and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-the-office-for-environmental-protection-review-of-environment-agency-inspections-of-waste-operations-and-installations-in-engla/government-response-to-the-office-for-environmental-protection-review-of-environment-agency-inspections-in-the-waste-operations-and-installations-sect. The response sets out how the Environment Agency and the government are continuing to strengthen the effectiveness, consistency and transparency of the EA’s inspection and compliance regime for waste operations and installations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information her Department holds on the average age of patients resident in the postcode district (a) LA2, (b) LA5, (c) LA6, (d) LA7, (e) LA8, (f) LA9, (g) LA10, (h) LA11, (i) LA12, (j) LA13, (k) LA14, (l) LA15, (m) LA16, (n) LA17, (o) LA18, (p) LA19, (q) LA20, (r) LA21, (s) LA22, (t) LA23, (u) CA10 3 and (v) CA17 4 who received radiotherapy treatment at the Rosemere Cancer Centre, Royal Preston Hospital in the first six months of 2026.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The information requested is not held by the Department.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients resident in the postcode district (a) LA2, (b) LA5, (c) LA6, (d) LA7, (e) LA8, (f) LA9, (g) LA10, (h) LA11, (i) LA12, (j) LA13, (k) LA14, (l) LA15, (m) LA16, (n) LA17, (o) LA18, (p) LA19, (q) LA20, (r) LA21, (s) LA22, (t) LA23, (u) CA10 3 and (v) CA17 4 received radiotherapy treatment at the Rosemere Cancer Centre, Royal Preston Hospital in 2025 and the first six months of 2026.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The information requested is not held by the Department.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the net additional expenditure was on SFI26 agreements.

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

Window 2 had a budget of £253 million for new agreements, representing a total of £759 million over three years. Published statistics provide information on applications, selected actions and indicative agreement values. These figures do not represent final contracted expenditure because applications remain subject to eligibility and other checks. Defra will publish further information when agreement processing has progressed, and the data have been quality assured.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to increase pension saving among farmers given that they are excluded from automatic enrolment and receive no employer contributions.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Under the Pensions Act 2008, every employer must automatically enrol all eligible workers into a qualifying workplace pension scheme and make at least a minimum contribution to their pension.

Self-employed individuals, which can include farm owners and operators, are not eligible for Automatic Enrolment because there is no employer to enrol them or make employer contributions on their behalf. While Automatic Enrolment does not apply to this group, the National Employment Savings Trust (Nest) must accept individuals who are self-employed and wish to join a pension scheme.

The Pensions Commission has been asked to explore wider steps to improve pension outcomes, including for the self-employed. The Commission published its interim report on 19 May 2026, setting out areas of focus on the longer-term challenges around retirement adequacy, especially for those at the greatest risk of Undersaving including the self-employed The Government will set out its plans following the Pensions Commission’s final report, which is due in early 2027.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the Animal and Plant Health Agency's capacity to effectively deal with disease outbreaks on farm.

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

APHA undertakes an ongoing assessment of Defra’s capacity and capability to deal with disease outbreaks on farm. APHA implemented tiered preparedness ratings in January 2025, referred to as indices (strategic, tactical, and operational, which provide an assessment of each business unit’s readiness and resilience to respond to exotic disease incursions) covering disease, pest, and invasive species threats. These indices provide a living record of response capability and capacity, ensuring that there is a continuously updated document on preparedness that evolves to reflect ongoing changes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many SBIs applied for Moorland Actions, Low Input Grassland, Herbal Leys and Winter Bird Food Mix.

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

Rural Payments Agency records show that for Window 1 and Window 2 of the SFI 2026 there were 177 farm businesses applied for moorland actions, 13,145 for low-input grassland, 5,060 for herbal leys and 5,109 for winter bird food.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what is the breakdown of ha applied for under each SFI26 action.

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

The area applied for under each Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 action is set out in the table below.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, where the £210 million difference between the value of expiring agreements, estimated at over £520 million, and the £310 million budget for Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 will be spent.

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

The estimated value of expiring agreements does not translate directly into equivalent demand for the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26). Farmers may choose different actions, levels of coverage, or alternative, better suited, schemes. SFI26 is one part of a broader farming offer. In 2026, the Government has accepted applications for £788 million of new funding opportunities for farmers, representing around £1.6 billion over the lifetime of agreements. This includes £310 million for new SFI26 agreements, alongside funding for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, ELM Capital Grants, the Farming Innovation Programme, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, and Farming in Protected Landscapes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many SFI26 applications were made in each county in England.

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

The total number of applications submitted to SFI26 across Windows 1 and 2 is set out below, using ITL3 areas as the closest available geographical breakdown to counties.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support livestock farmers affected by bluetongue with fallen stock costs.

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

Defra recognises the challenges bluetongue presents for livestock keepers and is continuing to review the support available to farmers affected by the disease. Farmers can access funded veterinary advice through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will open the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2027 in time for agreements to commence from 1 April 2027 and minimise gaps in environmental payments for farmers with schemes expiring after February 2027.

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

Defra is working to bring forward the 2027 SFI offer as early as possible and details will be published in due course. Eligible farmers who did not obtain an SFI26 agreement will have another opportunity to apply in 2027. Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier remains available through its expression-of-interest process for appropriate land and activities.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to review the voluntary agreement between the Environment Agency and National Highways on the management of highway runoff pollution.

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

The Government is committed to accelerating action on water pollution, including highway run-off. The upcoming Water Bill will drive significant reform of the water system, with implications for all relevant organisations.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether ministers or officials in his Department have met with James Purnell to discuss water policy since 4 July 2024; and if she will publish the dates and attendees of any such meetings.

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

Defra publishes quarterly ministerial transparency returns, which include details of Ministers' meetings with external individuals and organisations. These are available on GOV.UK via the Defra: ministerial overseas travel and meetings collection page: Defra ministerial transparency returns.

Please note that these transparency returns relate to ministerial meetings and do not provide a combined record of meetings attended by both Ministers and officials.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of bupropion as a treatment for depression.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the national body that provides authoritative, evidence-based guidance for healthcare professionals on the treatment of specific conditions. Bupropion does not have a United Kingdom marketing authorisation for use in the treatment of depression. NICE considered evidence on the off-label use of bupropion in the development of its guideline on the treatment and management of depression but did not make any recommendations on its use.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans her Department has to ensure the UK's international climate finance contributions are provided in the form of grants rather than loans.

Answered by Katie White - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government remains committed to spending 0.3% of Gross National Income on Official Development Assistance. Under ICF3, around 89% of climate finance was delivered through grants. We expect to continue to deliver the large majority of the UK’s ICF ODA as grants.

The Government is switching £400 million of grant funding set aside for future international climate finance projects into loans, providing more flexible ways to meet our international climate objectives. This will support Government’s intention to

invest £400m of loan finance into the Tropical Forests Forever Facility subject to the Fund’s finalisation, completion of our due diligence checks and our conditions being met. Funds that flow from the TFFF to forest countries will not have to be repaid.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, further to the Answer of 14 September 2026 to Question 27413 on water companies' finances, what the timetable is for the Government's Water White Paper commitment to consider how the regulator can work with companies and investors to prevent the accumulation of unmanageable debt; and by what date she expects proposals arising from that commitment to be published.

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

The strengthened Water Bill will make the core legislative changes needed to fundamentally reset the water system, including measures to improve the sector’s long-term financial resilience through modernised economic regulation. The Bill has been announced as a Second Session Bill and will be introduced when parliamentary time allows.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, further to the Answer of 14 September 2026 to Question 27413 on water companies' finances, what regulatory action Ofwat has taken in respect of water companies whose gearing ratio exceeds 70 per cent; and whether Ofwat has used its powers under the Water Industry Act 1991 to intervene in the management of any such company on financial resilience grounds.

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

Ofwat has used its cash lock-up provisions, which prohibit dividend payments if companies lose their investment-grade credit rating, on Thames Water, Southern Water and South East Water.

As noted in the Water White Paper, we are considering whether further measures are necessary to ensure companies do not accumulate unmanageable levels of debt.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, further to the Answer of 14 September 2026 to Question 27413 on water companies' finances, what regulatory action Ofwat has taken in respect of water companies whose gearing ratio exceeds 70 per cent; and whether Ofwat has used its powers under the Water Industry Act 1991 to intervene in the management of any such company on financial resilience grounds.

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

Ofwat has used its cash lock-up provisions, which prohibit dividend payments if companies lose their investment-grade credit rating, on Thames Water, Southern Water and South East Water.

As noted in the Water White Paper, we are considering whether further measures are necessary to ensure companies do not accumulate unmanageable levels of debt.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether pollution mitigation measures will be incorporated into the (a) National Highways Lune Gorge bridge improvement project and (b) future major road infrastructure schemes.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

A) Pollution mitigation measures to be incorporated into the National Highways Lune Gorge bridge improvement project.

The M6 Lune Gorge scheme involves the replacement of seven existing bridge decks close to the River Lune and its tributaries. National Highways has undertaken an accelerated review of drainage outfalls in the Lune Gorge area to complement the renewal works and better understand any potential water quality risks.

The review applied National Highways' standard water quality assessment tools and found no anticipated water quality risks resulting from the scheme. Therefore, no dedicated pollution mitigation measures are planned as a direct consequence of the bridge renewal works.

Regarding the construction work, pollution prevention measures have been developed to prevent deterioration of water quality, protect local ecology and minimise environmental risks.

B) Pollution mitigation measures for future major road infrastructure schemes.

The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB), available online, sets out how all current and future National Highways’ major road infrastructure schemes assess, monitor, and mitigate pollution. Examples include standards on noise, air quality, and water quality.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will ensure that the budget for Sustainable Farming Incentive 2027 is sufficient to cover expiring agreements and meet demand from farmers seeking to deliver environmental outcomes.

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

Funding decisions for SFI27 will be made within the overall farming budget, taking account of affordability, value for money, demand and the contribution schemes make to farming and environmental objectives. The Government plans to offer SFI in 2027 and is working to bring forward the offer as early as possible. Eligible farmers who did not obtain an SFI26 agreement will have another opportunity to apply in 2027.

Cancer treatment in rural areas

Stephanie Gardiner

Jack Ellerby

Dam Mire Wood Project

Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling

Application of Extended Producer Responsibility

Administration of PAPYRUS

Political donations and campaign finance regulation