Written questions by Ramsay.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has established criteria to assess progress on climate adaptation.

Defra actively monitors progress against the actions in the third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) through regular internal monitoring across government. The department is developing a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework to support the implementation of NAP3. Progress on adaptation is also assessed externally: by the end of April, the Climate Change Committee will publish its next biennial report on progress in adapting to climate change. In addition, Defra working with other Government departments including the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, use the cross-government director level Climate Resilience Steering Board to ensure that climate adaptation is embedded into policy- and decision-making across government. The Board oversees strategic, cross-cutting climate adaptation and resilience issues to increase UK resilience to climate change My department is exploring how to set out stronger objectives to drive action to increase our preparedness for the impacts of climate change up to and beyond the next National Adaptation Programme in 2028.

Food and Rural Affairs, what degree of global temperature increase his Department's climate adaptation plans are intended for.

Defra is the lead department for domestic adaptation to climate change, and as such it is responsible for coordinating requirements set out in the UK Climate Change Act 2008. Defra is the owning department for about half of the 61 risks and opportunities identified in the third Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3) and works closely with the departments who own the remaining risks. The assessment of risks and opportunities in CCRA3 was based on global warming scenarios of 2ºC and 4ºC. The Government’s climate adaptation plans, as set out in the third National Adaptation Programme, follow the advice of the Climate Change Committee to plan for 2ºC. The Government remains flexible and responsive in our its approach, assessing for different scenarios. The department is exploring how to set out stronger objectives to drive action to increase our preparedness for the impacts of climate change up to and beyond the next National Adaptation Programme in 2028.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce a close season for the shooting of hares.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only, with the potential for relevant policy to extend and apply to Wales. While the Government has no immediate plan to introduce a close season for hares in England, the policy remains under consideration as part of the Government’s plans to introduce the most ambitious programme for animal welfare in a generation.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the New Economics Foundation report entitled Forecasting a better future: the case for a bucket approach to fiscal multipliers and more, published on 31 January 2025.

The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is responsible for preparing forecasts for the UK economy. This includes an assessment of the impact of Government policies, where the OBR regularly review and publish papers on their approach.The Chancellor and OBR Budget Responsibility Committee speak regularly, and there is an ongoing dialogue at official level on a range of issues. This includes the OBR’s approach to preparing forecasts for the UK economy.The OBR assesses the demand side impacts of policy using multipliers – these estimate the impact on real GDP from government policy. The OBR’s multiplier framework is described in Dynamic scoring of policy measures in OBR forecasts.The OBR also take account of how specific policies affect the supply side of the economy. This approach is set out in Forecasting potential output - the supply side of the economy.The OBR have also recently published a new framework for assessing public investment which can be found in the OBR’s Discussion Paper No. 5: Public investment and potential output. This framework was used in the Autumn Budget 2024, where the OBR judged the increase in departmental capital spending to raise potential output by 1.1 percent by 2073-74.The next OBR forecast will be published on Wednesday 26th March 2025.

With reference to the OBR fiscal multipliers table in the document entitled Dynamic scoring of policy measures in OBR forecasts, published by the Office for Budget Responsibility, published on 9 November 2023, what discussions she has had with the Office for Budget Responsibility on the basis for its assumption that most government spending never has a multiplier effect above 1.

The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is responsible for preparing forecasts for the UK economy. This includes an assessment of the impact of Government policies, where the OBR regularly review and publish papers on their approach.The Chancellor and OBR Budget Responsibility Committee speak regularly, and there is an ongoing dialogue at official level on a range of issues. This includes the OBR’s approach to preparing forecasts for the UK economy.The OBR assesses the demand side impacts of policy using multipliers – these estimate the impact on real GDP from government policy. The OBR’s multiplier framework is described in Dynamic scoring of policy measures in OBR forecasts.The OBR also take account of how specific policies affect the supply side of the economy. This approach is set out in Forecasting potential output - the supply side of the economy.The OBR have also recently published a new framework for assessing public investment which can be found in the OBR’s Discussion Paper No. 5: Public investment and potential output. This framework was used in the Autumn Budget 2024, where the OBR judged the increase in departmental capital spending to raise potential output by 1.1 percent by 2073-74.The next OBR forecast will be published on Wednesday 26th March 2025.

If he will make an estimate of the total value of trade (a) imports and (b) exports of fish and crustaceans between the UK and the Faroe Islands for financial year (i) 2023-24 and (ii) 2022-23.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman or lady Parliamentary Question of 12th March is attached.

Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timetable is for publishing the welfare standards and guidance to accompany the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024; and which stakeholders he plans to consult on the guidance before it is published.

The accompanying guidance to the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 has been developed taking into account views from the consultation undertaken in 2023 and relevant experts. The guidance will be published shortly.

If he will make an estimate of the value of trade (a) imports and (b) exports between the UK and the Faroe Islands for financial year (i) 2023-24 and (ii) 2022-23.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman or lady Parliamentary Question of 12th March is attached.

Whether he has plans to meet with the Faroese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade to discuss cetacean hunts.

The Government is strongly opposed to the hunting of whales and dolphins. The Secretary of State currently has no plans to meet with the Faroese Minster of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade. However, the Department for Business and Trade regularly engages the Faroese government on this important matter. Officials meet annually under the Joint Committee of the UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement, and UK officials highlight our strong opposition to the practice at every opportunity.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has plans to publish (a) the Elephant Welfare Group's report, (b) the Government's response to the Elephant Welfare Group's report; and what his Department's policy is on the future of elephants in UK zoos.

The Government’s policy on the keeping of elephants in zoos will be set out with the publication of the new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain. The new Standards, which will replace the current Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice, will be published shortly.

Food and Rural Affairs, which organisations will be consulted as part of the development of the Government's Food Strategy; and whether the expert panel will include representatives from the (a) sustainable food and (b) farming sectors.

As part of the development of the food strategy there will be multiple routes for stakeholders to share ideas and input into the strategy. The Food Strategy Advisory Board represents the first step in a wider stakeholder engagement plan which will continue to ensure and demonstrate the joined-up and systems-wide approach for the food strategy. The membership of the Food Strategy Advisory board was published on gov.uk on 21 March 2025 (Leading food experts join Government food strategy to restore pride in British food - GOV.UK).

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will implement an immediate moratorium on import permits for hunting trophies of (a) polar bears and (b) other endangered species.

We committed to a ban on the import of hunting trophies of endangered animals in our manifesto and we will deliver on this. We are currently engaging with a range of stakeholders in order to decide on the most effective approach.

Media and Sport, whether funding for the Scouts will be extended beyond March 2025.

DCMS is committed to continued funding for Uniformed Youth Organisations in 2025/26. Funding allocations for specific programmes will be communicated in due course.

How many women born (a) on or (b) after April 6 1950 have been impacted by the changes to pension age in Waveney Valley constituency.

As of the 2021 census, there were approximately 33,700 women who were born in 1950 or later, in the Waveney Valley constituency. Of these, approximately 6,900 were born in the 1950s. It is not possible to accurately calculate the exact number of women born after April 6, 1950.

How many people have registered for Pension Credit since the announcement of changes to the eligibility requirements for the Winter Fuel Payment in Waveney Valley constituency.

The latest statistics on Pension Credit application volumes were published on 27 February 2025. This provides an update to the Applications and Awards data, including those awarded and not awarded and also statistics on the number of outstanding Pension Credit applications. The statistics provide weekly information for the period 3 April 2023 up to 23 February 2025. Pension Credit applications and awards: February 2025 - GOV.UK. We do not hold data at regional or constituency level for applications made.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on the development of a national methane action plan.

We do not believe we need a methane action plan, as it is already covered in our existing delivery Plan for Carbon Budgets. We will publish an updated Plan that will outline the policies and proposals needed to meet Carbon Budgets 4-6 and the 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution on a pathway to net zero in due course. This will include key methane policies covering the period up to 2030 that will contribute towards the Global Methane Pledge. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero work closely together on common climate change and environmental issues including around methane.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on President Trump's proposals for the US to (a) takeover and (b) own Gaza.

The Foreign Secretary had a call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 27 January, prior to President Trump's comments on Gaza. The readout is available on gov.uk. We will continue to engage with the US Administration across the spectrum of foreign policy issues, including the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). Our priority in Gaza remains sustaining the fragile ceasefire, ensuring that all the hostages are released, increasing the supply of aid, and breaking the ongoing cycle of violence in pursuit of a permanent, sustainable peace

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of comments made by US President Trump about Gaza on the current schedule for the release of hostages under the Gaza ceasefire.

The new US administration played an integral role in negotiating the ceasefire agreement, alongside Qatar and Egypt. The Prime Minister reiterated his thanks for these efforts in his call with President Trump on 26 January. The government will continue to work with the US to sustain the fragile ceasefire, ensure that all the hostages are released, increase the supply of aid, and break the ongoing cycle of violence in pursuit of a permanent, sustainable peace. As the Foreign Secretary has emphasised, we continue to call for the immediate release of all hostages

What notice general dental practice contract holders will receive on changes to the new patient premium; and what the Government's policy is on notifying contract holders of changes to their contractual arrangements.

Any changes made to the New Patient Premium will require directions from my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. If any changes are agreed, contract holders will be notified by integrated care boards via NHS England.

Whether he plans to extend the New Patient Premium scheme.

The Government has no plans to extend the New Patient Premium scheme. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.