Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
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 Government's document entitled Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security, published on 20 January 2026, which teams a) produced the key judgements listed on page 2, b) produced the assessments outlined on pages 9 and 10 and c) conducted the literature review and workshops mentioned on page 12.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government published the Nature Security Assessment on 20 January. It is a cross-government strategic analysis and was not produced by any single department. The assessment brings together expertise from teams across the Government, combining scientific evidence, policy analysis and national security judgment to inform long-term resilience and security planning.
This assessment builds on existing cross-government work to strengthen understanding of how biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation can affect national and global stability. It forms part of routine cross-government resilience planning and complements the National Security Strategy, National Risk Register, and Chronic Risks Analysis.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which Departments commissioned the Government's document entitled Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security, published on 20 January 2026.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government published the Nature Security Assessment on 20 January. It is a cross-government strategic analysis and was not produced by any single department. The assessment brings together expertise from teams across the Government, combining scientific evidence, policy analysis and national security judgment to inform long-term resilience and security planning.
This assessment builds on existing cross-government work to strengthen understanding of how biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation can affect national and global stability. It forms part of routine cross-government resilience planning and complements the National Security Strategy, National Risk Register, and Chronic Risks Analysis.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reduction in Overseas Development Assistance funding on the allocation of funding for Darwin Plus in 2026.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk.
Darwin Plus funding scheme | Number of projects awarded since 1 January 2024 | Lifetime value of projects |
Darwin Plus Main | 24 | £9,942,990 |
Darwin Plus Local | 94 | £4,002,814 |
Darwin Plus Strategic | 2 | £5,564,500 |
Darwin Plus People & Skills (previously named “Darwin Plus Fellowships”) | 8 | £602,180 |
Total | 128 | £20,112,484 |
At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature.
Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year.
Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding has been allocated to help deliver the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk.
Darwin Plus funding scheme | Number of projects awarded since 1 January 2024 | Lifetime value of projects |
Darwin Plus Main | 24 | £9,942,990 |
Darwin Plus Local | 94 | £4,002,814 |
Darwin Plus Strategic | 2 | £5,564,500 |
Darwin Plus People & Skills (previously named “Darwin Plus Fellowships”) | 8 | £602,180 |
Total | 128 | £20,112,484 |
At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature.
Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year.
Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what projects have been funded and for what amount since 1 January 2024 under a) the Darwin Plus Local, b) Darwin Plus Main and c) Darwin Plus Strategic funding schemes.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk.
Darwin Plus funding scheme | Number of projects awarded since 1 January 2024 | Lifetime value of projects |
Darwin Plus Main | 24 | £9,942,990 |
Darwin Plus Local | 94 | £4,002,814 |
Darwin Plus Strategic | 2 | £5,564,500 |
Darwin Plus People & Skills (previously named “Darwin Plus Fellowships”) | 8 | £602,180 |
Total | 128 | £20,112,484 |
At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature.
Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year.
Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when applications will be open for the 2026 round of Darwin Plus Main and Darwin Plus Strategic funds.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk.
Darwin Plus funding scheme | Number of projects awarded since 1 January 2024 | Lifetime value of projects |
Darwin Plus Main | 24 | £9,942,990 |
Darwin Plus Local | 94 | £4,002,814 |
Darwin Plus Strategic | 2 | £5,564,500 |
Darwin Plus People & Skills (previously named “Darwin Plus Fellowships”) | 8 | £602,180 |
Total | 128 | £20,112,484 |
At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature.
Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year.
Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total budget for Darwin Plus dedicated to the UK Overseas Territories will be in 2026.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk.
Darwin Plus funding scheme | Number of projects awarded since 1 January 2024 | Lifetime value of projects |
Darwin Plus Main | 24 | £9,942,990 |
Darwin Plus Local | 94 | £4,002,814 |
Darwin Plus Strategic | 2 | £5,564,500 |
Darwin Plus People & Skills (previously named “Darwin Plus Fellowships”) | 8 | £602,180 |
Total | 128 | £20,112,484 |
At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature.
Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year.
Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she plans to take to encourage industry to stop the practice of culling male laying hen chicks.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 January 2026 to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, PQ UIN 105878.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
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 definition of hunting in the Hunting Act 2004.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The department has made no such assessment.
Asked by: Toby Perkins (Labour - Chesterfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her polices of levels of (a) crimes committed and (b) prosecutions secured for offences under the Hunting Act 2004.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The department has made no such assessments.