Victoria Collins Portrait

Victoria Collins

Liberal Democrat - Harpenden and Berkhamsted

10,708 (19.7%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 4th July 2024

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Science, Innovation & Technology)

(since September 2024)

1 APPG membership (as of 28 Mar 2025)
Women and Enterprise
1 Former APPG membership
Energy Studies
Data (Use and Access) Bill [HL]
26th Feb 2025 - 11th Mar 2025


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Victoria Collins has voted in 123 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Victoria Collins Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Chris Bryant (Labour)
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
(8 debate interactions)
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(6 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
View all Victoria Collins's debates

Harpenden and Berkhamsted Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

We believe social media companies should be banned from letting children under 16 create social media accounts.


Latest EDMs signed by Victoria Collins

7th April 2025
Victoria Collins signed this EDM on Wednesday 23rd April 2025

British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme

Tabled by: Ann Davies (Plaid Cymru - Caerfyrddin)
That this House is deeply concerned regarding the impact of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) scandal; notes that, in the Autumn Budget, the Government released equivalent funds from the Miners’ Pension Scheme (MPS), but this welcome move to improve former miners’ pensions was not extended to the BCSSS; …
23 signatures
(Most recent: 24 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 14
Plaid Cymru: 4
Scottish National Party: 2
Liberal Democrat: 2
Conservative: 1
22nd April 2025
Victoria Collins signed this EDM on Wednesday 23rd April 2025

Introduction of the Hillsborough Law and the 36th anniversary

Tabled by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
That this House supports the urgent introduction of the Hillsborough Law to ensure justice, transparency and accountability in public inquiries and inquests; recognises the tireless campaigning of the Hillsborough families and survivors, who have fought for over three decades for the truth to be acknowledged and for meaningful reform; notes …
33 signatures
(Most recent: 25 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 32
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
View All Victoria Collins's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Victoria Collins, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Victoria Collins has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Victoria Collins

Thursday 23rd January 2025

1 Bill introduced by Victoria Collins


A Bill to make provision for the designation of rivers, streams and lakes as having protected status; to specify criteria for minimum standards that a site must meet where it has been designated as a river, stream or lake with protected status; to set minimum standards of water quality, safety, environmental management and provision of information in relation to such sites; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 10th December 2024
Next Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 16th May 2025
Order Paper number: 15
(Unlikely to be Debated - would require unanimous consent to progress)

Victoria Collins has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
21st Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of taking steps to ensure that energy meter reading technology is being upgraded in line with the latest technological developments.

The accuracy of energy meters is of benefit to both energy providers and consumers and is a requirement of the Electricity and Gas Act legislation covering energy meters. To ensure the UK is taking account of the latest technological innovations the Government participates on relevant international committees that develop internationally recognised standards for ensuring consumption via energy meters is recorded accurately. Following those standards helps industry ensure they are also meeting their legal requirements.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
27th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many people claimed statutory paternity pay in each of the last five years.

Information provided by employers to HMRC show the number of individuals in receipt of Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP). This data provides a broad indication of Paternity Leave take-up but does not include those that take unpaid paternity leave. The Parental Rights Survey found that 70% of all employee fathers took Paternity Leave.

Table 1: Individuals in receipt of SPP, 2019/20 to 2023/24 (the latest year for which full year data is available)

Year (April to March)

Total

2019-20

208,000

2020-21

176,400

2021-22

204,200

2022-23

195,300

2023-24

207,600

  1. Data is collected using HMRC Real Time Information (RTI) and is subject to revision.
  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
  3. Figures are based on the total number of individuals in a given year, irrespective of when the payment first started. Some individuals will be counted across two years.
Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
14th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to speed up compensation payments for sub-postmasters impacted by the Horizon IT System.

Government is committed to providing redress to individuals affected by the Horizon scandal as quickly as possible. Real progress is being made; as of 30 September 2024, approximately £363 million has been paid to over 2,900 claimants across the available schemes.

We however continue to seek options to speed up redress, in discussion with the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board. For example, we have recently committed to providing offers in response to fully completed claims to the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme within 40 working days in 90% of cases, in line with the commitment on the GLO scheme which we are currently meeting.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of listing air-to-air heat pumps as a cost-effective way to improve a property’s energy performance certificate rating.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a critical tool in informing consumers about the running costs of their homes, helping them reduce both energy bills and carbon emissions. The EPC model already recognises the performance of air-to-air heat pumps. The government is reviewing the building physics model and methodology underpinning EPCs to better support net zero goals, including deployment of heat pumps. Government will shortly set out a consultation with proposals for improvements to EPCs, including proposals for improving EPC metrics.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of recognising air-to-air heat pumps in energy performance certificates.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a critical tool in informing consumers about the running costs of their homes, helping them reduce both energy bills and carbon emissions. The EPC model already recognises the performance of air-to-air heat pumps. The government is reviewing the building physics model and methodology underpinning EPCs to better support net zero goals, including deployment of heat pumps. Government will shortly set out a consultation with proposals for improvements to EPCs, including proposals for improving EPC metrics.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
4th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Ofcom on increasing spectrum available to mobile operators.

I have not had any discussions with Ofcom directly on increasing the spectrum available to mobile operators, but my officials are in regular discussion with them on spectrum issues. The Government recognises the importance of ensuring access to suitable spectrum across different sectors, the opportunities this creates for growth, and that a focus on innovation and enhanced shared use of spectrum will become increasingly important to realise this.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
4th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using revenue generated by spectrum Annual Licence Fees to support improved mobile coverage.

Ofcom sets mobile spectrum fees independently to promote the optimal use of spectrum. The Government recognises the cost of these fees to the industry. Supporting investment in mobile networks is a priority and the Government continues to assess what further interventions are needed to support 5G deployment.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
13th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of AI zones on local infrastructure.

The AI Opportunities Action Plan outlines how the UK can build the cutting-edge compute infrastructure needed to lead in AI development and deployment, securing long-term economic growth and staying at the forefront of AI innovation.

AI Growth Zones will encourage the development of advanced AI data centres in areas of the country with plentiful power, such as post-industrial towns and areas with significant renewable energy capacity.

The investment in AI-enabled data centres will have a spillover effect in local communities, providing jobs, improving local infrastructure, rejuvenating areas, and driving the UK’s ambition to become a global hub for AI talent and investment.

The Growth Zones will help secure the UK’s position as a global leader in AI innovation and will deliver substantial regional and national benefits.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
12th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an estimate of how many and what proportion of (a) children, (b) adults and (c) pensioners in digital poverty in each year since 2018.

There is no single accepted definition of digital poverty, but we know that digital exclusion impacts people broadly across demographics with some, including older people, at higher risk.

According to Ofcom in 2024, 6% of UK adults did not have internet access at home. For those aged 75+, the figure is 29%. 34% of households with school-aged children did not have an appropriate device for accessing online schoolwork.

This Government is determined to remedy this by closing the digital divide and ensuring everyone has the access, skills, support and confidence to participate in our modern digital society, whatever their circumstances.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much funding the Government has allocated to media literacy initiatives since 4 July 2024; and what recent assessment he has made of the impact of those initiatives on media literacy.

The government is committed to empowering internet users with the skills to engage critically with online content and make informed decisions.

Since 2022, nearly £3 million in funding has been provided for media literacy projects. This includes £0.5 million in 2024 to scale up two programmes to provide media literacy support to teachers, children aged 11-16, and professionals working with families. That funding covers the 2024/25 financial year.

Robust evaluation and monitoring are key requirements of the grant schemes. Both organisations must evaluate the impact of their programmes over the past year by March 2025.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the potential merits of strengthening technology regulation.

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology regularly engages with international counterparts, including European partners, both bilaterally and through multilateral forums such as the G7, G20, and OECD. These discussions focus on shared opportunities and challenges posed by technological innovation, including the role of regulatory frameworks in fostering growth and innovation while ensuring security.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of AI bots on (a) community cohesion and (b) national security.

The Government recognises that the huge opportunities offered by AI also come with risks. This includes the potential to generate inauthentic content indistinguishable from human-generated content at higher scale and lower cost than previously possible. We continue to investigate the potential for transparency and detection and welcome technical innovation in this space.

The Online Safety Act requires social media platforms to swiftly remove illegal misinformation and disinformation or hateful content - including where AI-generated - as soon as they become aware of it. The Government also empowers users with the skills and knowledge to engage critically with online content through media literacy initiatives.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
27th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress his Department has made on Project Gigabit since April 2024.

Since April 2024, three new Project Gigabit contracts covering Lincolnshire and East Riding, Cheshire, and North Yorkshire have been signed.

A cross regional framework agreement with Openreach, has also been signed. The first two call-off contracts under the framework have been awarded, covering large parts of Wales and rural parts of England from Devon to Staffordshire. The first Project Gigabit procurements have also been launched in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the development of (a) a breath test to identify pancreatic cancer and (b) technologies to aid early detection of all cancers.

The project to develop a breath test to identify pancreatic cancer is funded via the NIHR i4i/OLS: Early Cancer Diagnosis Clinical Validation and Evaluation Call. This £11 million programme funds 6 projects that aim to develop technologies to aid early detection of cancer. This is one strand of the Office for Life Sciences’ (OLS) Cancer Programme, which supports the development of technologies that enable earlier, more effective cancer diagnosis and improved treatment. OLS is a joint Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) unit, ensuring both departments are involved in this work.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the impact of the sale of local authority leisure facilities on public access to sports and recreation services.

The Government recognises that leisure facilities are important to communities up and down the country. High quality, inclusive facilities help people get active. Everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, should have access to high quality facilities and opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity.

The ongoing responsibility for public leisure facilities lies at Local Authority level. Local Authorities work in partnership with operators who manage leisure services. The Government and Sport England continue to work closely with Local Authorities to monitor pressures in the sector.

Sport England’s Moving Communities service provides insight which informs local authorities in making strategic decisions about the most effective investments to benefit local communities.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to reform online gambling to tackle gambling addictions; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of limiting the practice of offering free bets to attract new players.

The Government is considering the best available evidence from a wide range of sources to inform decisions on how best to fulfil its manifesto commitment to reducing gambling-related harm.

The Gambling Commission has recently implemented a number of regulatory reforms aimed at reducing harm, such as introducing new regulations to make online games safer and financial vulnerability checks aimed at reducing cases of unaffordable losses. The Commission has also consulted on measures to ensure that incentives such as free bets are constructed in a socially responsible manner and will respond to this consultation in due course.

We will provide further updates to the House soon.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
7th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle period poverty for young girls in (a) Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency, (b) Hertfordshire and (c) England.

No-one should have to miss out on education because of their period, which is why the department provides free period products to girls and women in all state-maintained schools and 16 to 19 education organisations in England.

Since the launch of the Period Products Scheme in January 2020, 99% of secondary schools and 87% of post-16 organisations in England have placed orders through the scheme. The department publishes statistics regarding the Scheme’s operation, including take up by local authorities, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/period-products-scheme-management-information.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
7th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to fund the Adoption and Special Guardianship fund after 2025/26.

The department remains committed to supporting adoptive and kinship families, who play an essential role in providing stable and loving homes for children in need. On 1 April, it was announced that the adoption and special guardianship support fund would continue into 2025/26, with a budget of £50 million. This funding will enable eligible families to receive support in the coming year.

All decisions regarding the future of the fund past March 2026 will be made as part of the next spending review.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
21st Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help support children with special educational needs in the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

The department wants to drive a consistent and inclusive approach to supporting children and young people with SEND through early identification, effective support, high quality teaching and effective allocation of resources. The department is also working closely with experts on reforms who will play a key role in convening and engaging with the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children and families as we consider the next steps for the future of SEND reform.

The department is providing support and challenge to the Hertfordshire local area partnership. In July 2023, Ofsted’s inspection of local arrangements in Hertfordshire for children with SEND, which was published on 10 November 2023, concluded that there were widespread and/or systemic failings, leading to significant concerns about the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND, which the local area partnership must address urgently.

Since then, the department has been using a SEND expert adviser to monitor progress against Hertfordshire’s priority action plan and improvement plan. In January 2025, the department sent the local area partnership a letter following a stocktake into their progress. This letter outlines that improvements are being made at pace, including on governance arrangements and quality assurance. However, there are still areas for the local area to address, for example on the impact and sustainability of improvements. The letter can be accessed here: https://sendnews.hertfordshire.gov.uk/31-january-2025#stocktake.

The partnership has also established a SEND Improvement Board, which is independently chaired by Dame Christine Lenehan, to oversee progress and provide appropriate challenge.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
14th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to reform the funding formula used to distribute SEND funds.

The department is taking time to consider the various funding formulae that the department and local authorities use to allocate funding for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. It is important that there is a fair education funding system, that directs funding to where it is needed.

Budgets for the 2025/26 financial year have not yet been finalised, which means that high needs and schools national funding formula allocations for that year have not been published to the usual timescales. The department will publish information as soon as possible after the Budget announcement on 30 October.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
14th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve the accountability of SEND support within schools; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the complaint routes for parents.

The department welcomes the publication of the response to the Big Listen, which stated that Ofsted will consult on introducing a new inspection judgement area for inclusion across education settings. The department continues to work with Ofsted to consider how outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), or in alternative provision (AP), are better reflected in the Education Inspection and the Area SEND inspection frameworks going forwards.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission began a strengthened local inspection framework in January 2023, placing a greater emphasis on the outcomes being achieved for children and young people. This is an important tool to maintain a focus on high standards in the SEND system across all partners.

The department works to monitor, support and, where necessary, challenge local authorities, working closely with NHS England to tackle any weaknesses that sit with health partners. Where a local authority does not meet its duties, the department can take action that prioritises children’s needs and supports local areas to bring about rapid improvement.

There are several routes of redress for parents or young people who disagree with the decisions or actions of their educational setting or local authority. However, the department understands these processes can be lengthy and difficult for families to navigate. It is in everyone’s interests that routes of redress are set out clearly and that complaints are resolved at the earliest possible stage.

The department is working to support inclusive practice in mainstream schools whilst ensuring that specialist provision meets the needs of children and young people who need it.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
11th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will take steps to help reduce the potential impact of the introduction of VAT on independent school fees for children at independent schools (a) who need SEND support and (b) do not have an ECHP.

Local authorities fund pupils’ places in private schools where their needs can only be met in a private school. For example, in England, where attendance at a private school is required by a child’s education, health and care plan, local authorities will be able to reclaim the VAT on the fees from HMRC.

Where parents have chosen to send their child to private school rather than a local authority deeming it necessary, VAT will apply to fees. The department works to support local authorities to ensure that every local area has sufficient places for children that need them and works to provide appropriate support where pupils with special educational needs (SEN) require a place at a state-funded school. For most pupils with SEN, support is provided within a mainstream school.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
10th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she made of the implications for her policies of the document entitled General Election 2024: NSPCC priorities for manifestos and programmes for government, published in May 2024.

Nothing is more important than keeping children safe and the government is committed to protecting children experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, significant harm as well as tackling the underlying factors driving this. The department is interested in all reports, evidence and recommendations which can help it drive forward better outcomes for children and young people, and to that end, regularly engages the NSPCC and stakeholders across the children and families sector.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
10th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the rate of fines for parents and carers taking their children out of school during term times on encouraging school attendance.

Tackling absence is at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity. The government understands that reasons for absence are varied, which is why updated statutory attendance guidance sets out that schools, trusts and local authorities should always work together with other local partners to understand the barriers to attendance and establish strategies for removing them.

The government’s support-first approach is the right one. Penalty notices should only be used in cases where support is not appropriate, such as in cases of holidays taken in term-time, or where support has already been provided and has not been engaged with or has not worked.

Information about the rates of fixed penalty notices is published here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/parental-responsibility-measures.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
8th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) improve testing methods, (b) strengthen labelling regulations and (c) help tackle honey adulteration in other ways.

Defra carries out scientific research in partnership with the Food Standards Agency to help improve testing methods help address honey adulteration.

The Honey (England) Regulations 2015 lay down detailed specifications which honey must comply with regarding its composition and quality criteria. They mandate that honey cannot be sold in England unless the country of origin where the honey has been harvested is indicated on the label. However, for reasons of practicality special provisions apply to ‘blended’ honeys, where honey producers can opt for alternative wording indicating that the honey is a blend from more than one country.

Defra works closely with enforcement authorities, responsible for enforcing our honey laws on investigating any potential fraud issues raised, to ensure honey sold in the UK is not subject to adulteration, meets our high standards and maintains a level playing field between honey producers.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
4th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to improve the bathing standard in the (a) River Ver and (b) River Lea.

The Government is committed to improving the quality of bathing water at designated sites around the country, as an important contributor to many people’s mental and physical health. However, as these two sites are not designated bathing waters they are not covered by the Bathing Water Regulations 2013. This means that the Environment Agency does not monitor for intestinal enterococci and E. coli, the bacteria used to assess bathing water quality.

They Environment Agency manages rivers and other open water locations that are not designated as bathing waters for the purpose of protecting fish and wildlife, rather than people, so health risks from using these locations may be higher than at designated bathing waters. Anyone can become unwell when swimming in open waters. UK Health Security Agency and the Environment Agency offer advice in the ‘swim healthy’ guidance, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/swim-healthy-leaflet/swim-healthy.

More information on designated bathing waters can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bathing-waters-list-of-designated-waters-in-england.

The Environment Agency also publishes the water quality data that they hold. This information can be accessed via the following link: Open WIMS data.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to (a) improve the (i) communication and (ii) public awareness of flooding risks and (b) integrate the risk know-how framework into its (A) flood preparedness and (B) response strategies.

The Environment Agency (EA) has responsibilities to assess the risk of emergencies such as flooding. This includes putting in place emergency plans and preparations for the management of flooding, alongside arrangements to warn, inform and advise during an emergency.

In December 2024, the EA published a ‘National assessment of flood and coastal erosion risk in England 2024’ report. On 28 January 2025 the data will be available on Check your long term flood risk, Check coastal erosion risk for an area in England, Shoreline Management Plan Explorer and data.gov.uk

The EA provides the Check for flooding service, giving information on flood alerts and warnings as well as a 5-day forecast. Its flood warning system directly alerts 1.6 million properties in England who are registered to receive flood warnings.

The EA provides advice on what can be done to reduce the impacts of a flood, including preparing personal flood plans, adapting a home or business and getting insurance.

The EA does not currently use the “risk know-how framework” within the preparedness and response strategies to flooding. The EA uses the UK Government recommended model of “Integrated Emergency Management” (IEM) and has an internal incident management cycle which includes a comprehensive incident management framework.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
25th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2024 to Question 5849 on Hunting: National Parks, what was the outcome of the initial discussions held with officials from other Departments on trail hunting.

This is a devolved matter with regard to Scotland and Northern Ireland; hunting with dogs is a reserved matter with respect to Wales and therefore, the information provided relates to England and Wales only.

These discussions brought together officials with an interest in this manifesto commitment in order to consider its implications on their work. As this work is ongoing, no concrete outcomes have been determined as yet. Public announcements will be made in due course.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
25th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timetable is for banning the import of dogs with cropped ears.

The Government recently announced its support for the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by Dr Danny Chambers MP. The Bill will give the Government powers to prevent the supply of low-welfare pets to Great Britain’s pet market. We will use these powers to prohibit the bringing into Great Britain of dogs with non-exempted mutilations such as cropped ears.

We are fully supportive of this Bill and would like to see it pass through both Houses as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
14th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a right of responsible access to the countryside.

The Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors for people’s health and wellbeing and is working to ensure this is safe and appropriate. Our countryside and green spaces are a source of great national pride, but too many across the country are left without access to the great outdoors. That is why the last Labour Government expanded public access by introducing the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which provided the public a right of access to large areas of mountain, moor, heath, down, registered common land and coastal margin. 2024 marks 75 years since the pioneering post-war Labour Government passed the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, which secured public access and preserved natural beauty.

This Government will continue to increase access to nature, boosting people’s mental and physical health and leaving a legacy for generations to come. We will create nine new National River Walks, plant three new National Forests and empower communities to create new parks and green spaces in their communities with a new Community Right to Buy. We are considering our approach to improving access to nature and are committed to working with our stakeholders. We will provide a further update in due course.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
14th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a Grocery Supply Code of Practice for all (a) upstream and (b) mid-supply chain businesses.

The Groceries Supply Code of Practice covers direct suppliers to large retailers in the UK and was introduced after a competition investigation into the grocery retail sector.

Power imbalances between trading businesses can make smaller parties susceptible to unfair trading practices.

At the production end of the supply chain, powers in the Agriculture Act allow us to introduce ‘Fair Dealings’ Regulations, applying to businesses when purchasing agricultural products from farmers.  Such regulations have been introduced to cover the UK dairy sector.

We will continue to monitor the supply chain and can intervene where there is evidence of unfair behaviour.

The Government will deliver a resilient and healthy food system, with a new deal that ensures fairness in the supply chain across all sectors.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to (a) reintroduce the Kept Animals Bill and (b) introduce a ban on snares.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for South Devon on 11 October 2024, PQ 7135.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward species-specific legislative proposals to ensure farmed fish do not experience avoidable pain and suffering.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, Vikki Slade, on 9 October 2024, PQ UIN 7335.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to help protect rural communities in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency from flooding.

Protecting all communities around the country from flooding is one of the Secretary of State’s five core priorities. The new Government has established a Floods Resilience Taskforce, a key commitment that marks a new approach to preparing for flooding and working between national, regional and local Government, including the devolved administrations, and flood risk partners.

In the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency, the Environment Agency (EA) monitors river levels, working with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), to engage areas that receive flood warnings and flood alerts and review these regularly.

The EA carries out maintenance on the main rivers running through this constituency to ensure that the rivers’ conveyance can be maintained during periods of heavy rain.

Upstream of Batford, the EA recently completed a Flood Storage area at Houghton Regis to limit flows, after heavy rain, through Luton and down the River Lee catchment. An updated hydraulic model of the Upper Lee has been completed, covering the east of the constituency from Harpenden to Wheathampstead. The EA supports HCC LLFA to build resilience to surface water flooding in Harpenden town centre. The EA is also engaging with the public to offer advice and guidance on watercourse maintenance and flood-related matters to the community of Astrope.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
6th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help tackle sewage discharges by Thames Water into chalk streams in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.

There are four wastewater treatment works (WwTW) operated by Thames Water that discharge to chalk streams in the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency. Through the Water Industry National Environment Programme, improvements have been agreed for the three largest of these WwTWs, which account for over 99% of the effluent flow from these sites, including into chalk streams.

This is part of the Government’s plans to transform the entire water sector, which has already started.

In July, we announced measures including ringfencing vital funding for infrastructure investment and placing customers and the environment at the heart of water company objectives.

In September, the Government introduced the Water (Special Measures) Bill to Parliament to give regulators new powers to take tougher and faster action to crack down on water companies damaging the environment and failing their customers.

I would also refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement made by the Secretary of State on 18 July, HCWS3.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
8th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to raise the retirement age for commercial pilots.

Age limits for commercial pilots are set out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in standards and recommended practices, which the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) apply. These are under review by ICAO and the CAA remain engaged with them on reviewing the evidence base for future changes to age limits and making progress in this area when we can safely do so.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support the (a) early commencement of services and (b) reliability of bus services between (i) Tring, (ii) Aylesbury, and (iii) Hemel Hempstead.

The Government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them right across England, including in Tring, Aylesbury and Hemel Hempstead.

In addition, the Government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Hertfordshire County Council has been allocated over £12 million of this funding, and Buckinghamshire over £6 million. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, support early morning or evening services and protect crucial bus routes for local communities.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help improve bus connectivity in )a) Great Gaddesden and (b) other rural areas.

The Government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them right across England, including in Tring, Aylesbury and Hemel Hempstead.

In addition, the Government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Hertfordshire County Council has been allocated over £12 million of this funding, and Buckinghamshire over £6 million. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, support early morning or evening services and protect crucial bus routes for local communities.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to introduce (a) accountability and (b) enforcement provisions for private train companies during rail nationalisation.

During the transition of passenger services to a public sector operator, the Secretary of State for Transport will continue to hold private sector operators to account through a range of measures, using enforcement provisions where required. All operators will continue to go through an annual planning process with the Department to agree plans for changes to service specifications, performance improvements and other deliverables. If an operator’s poor performance means that contractual conditions for early termination are met, Ministers will not hesitate to take decisive action.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Oyster card scheme to stations in the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.

Transport for London (TfL) and Operators can consider and propose Oyster expansion where a positive business case can be demonstrated.

No such proposals have been put forward to the Department. However, we are expanding ticketing innovations such as Pay As You Go (PAYG) to more stations and this month we launched PAYG with contactless at Berkhamsted station to join Harpenden station which got contactless PAYG in 2019.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her decision on the application to expand Luton airport of the level of emissions from flights departing from that airport.

The statutory deadline for a decision on the application for a Development Consent Order for London Luton airport expansion is 3 April 2025. Given the Secretary of State’s role in determining the application, it would not be appropriate to comment on the application.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of ultra fine particles at Luton airport on local residents.

There are currently no legal limits for ultra fine particulate concentrations. Air quality at Luton Airport is closely monitored and is reported in its Sustainability Reports.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to update the policy paper entitled Airports National Policy Statement, published on 5 June 2018, to reflect the net zero targets set out in legislation.

The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer.

Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement in line with the requirements of the Planning Act 2008.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with the DVLA on the potential merits of accepting eye tests from certified opticians other than Specsavers for frequent license renewals where they are required.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will already consider eyesight tests carried out by opticians other than Specsavers. However, examinations carried out by Specsavers, as the DVLA’s contracted partner, ensure a consistent application of the required eyesight standards.

Eyesight tests with an opticians other than Specsavers are carried out at the individual driver’s expense and the test may not meet the appropriate specifications, meaning that the applicant may still be asked to go for a further examination at Specsavers.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 900487 on Airports: Carbon Emissions, what strict environmental standards she will use to assess airport expansions.

The assessment of applications for airport expansion will take account of all relevant law, policy and other material considerations. This includes environmental assessments undertaken as part of the planning application process.

The UK’s obligations on greenhouse gas emissions are set under the 2008 Climate Change Act. The UK also has legally binding targets to reduce emissions and concentrations of harmful pollutants, including a targeted 35% reduction in population exposure to fine particulate matter in England (PM2.5) by 2040 (compared to 2018 levels).

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of enlisting approved driving instructors to carry out practical driving tests on a temporary basis; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on (a) surge capacity and (b) the backlog in driving tests.

It is not possible to allow approved driving instructors (ADI’s) to temporarily work as driving examiners. The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) 1999 regulations require driving test examiners to meet certain criteria and pass an initial qualification and examination and prohibits a person from being an active ADI and an examiner simultaneously.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)