Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to ensure that the environmental health profession is supported through adequate (a) funding and (b) skills and training to deliver its services.

We understand that regulatory services teams, including environmental health officers, have faced significant pressures during the period of pandemic response. The Regulatory Services Task and Finish Group, which was set up by the Department in December 2020, has considered these issues in partnership with the Local Government Association and with senior colleagues from local authorities. The Group is currently finalising a set of recommendations which will aim to support the development and retention of a skilled environmental health workforce.