Written questions by Snowden.

Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to help ensure that funding provided for The Dome in Farrington will affect wider Lancashire.

The indoor cricket dome in Farington will form part of a new high-quality professional and community cricket facility which benefits the local area and offers the opportunity to connect elite cricket with grassroots cricket, expanding opportunities for players in Lancashire. As home to the Lancashire Women’s first team and Lancashire Disability team, the facility will become a Women’s Centre of Excellence for the North-West of England, as well as a hub for disability cricket, meaning increased access for more players to participate. The facility will help the Lancashire Cricket Foundation to deliver a number of their nationwide cricket programmes such as All Stars Cricket and the Dynamos Cricket programmes for young people and Super 1s programme for young people with a disability. The all-weather nature of the facility means more playing opportunities are available all year round.Work with the England and Wales Cricket Board is ongoing to monitor the impact and effectiveness of these sites and we’re keen that they benefit as wide a local area as possible.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) veterinary certification guidance, (b) trade missions and (c) inclusion in mentorship schemes on Lancashire producers.

We will continue to work with Defra colleagues to support businesses and producers where appropriate.Trade missions are promoted widely to companies in Lancashire through direct marketing and partners. Following the mission to Food & Hospitality China, in November 2024, Lancashire companies have forecast increased sales from new international business.International Trade Advisers provide support for eligible businesses that require tailored advice to grow their international sales. DBT has seven Food & Drink Export Champions in the North, one of which is based in Lancashire.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that Lancashire cheesemakers can access the benefits of the new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement on equal terms with other UK artisan exporters.

We will agree a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers. GB goods such as dairy are currently subject to 100% documentary checks and up to 30% physical checks when exported to the EU. An SPS deal will see these removed entirely.We are committed to working closely with businesses across the UK to ensure they are able to take advantage of the benefits the Agreement will provide.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) monitor and (b) help control the spread of Culicoides midges, the vectors of bluetongue virus serotype 3, in high-risk areas.

Defra’s bluetongue disease control measures aim to limit the spread of BTV infection through proportionate and evidence-based control measures, whilst balancing the burdens of controls against the benefits of slowing the spread of bluetongue and minimising the cost of any outbreak both to Government and farmers. Vector control is not an effective control measure and vaccination remains the most effective long-term approach for reducing the impacts of bluetongue disease throughout the UK. Defra has permitted the use of vaccines for BTV-3 and these vaccines are now widely available for vets to prescribe in England. The Government conducts annual targeted surveillance for BTV. This is designed to detect new serotypes of bluetongue virus, including BTV-12 that may be circulating. The annual surveillance uses diagnostic testing protocols at the bluetongue national reference laboratory, The Pirbright Institute, that can detect and differentiate between different serotypes of bluetongue virus including BTV-12.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to respond to the outbreak of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) in the UK.

Defra’s approach to bluetongue virus (BTV) considers the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice and aim to limit the spread of infection through proportionate and evidence-based control measures with the aim of slowing the spread of disease through movement controls while safe and effective vaccines were developed.   On 1st July 2025 the restricted zone for bluetongue was extended to cover all of England. Susceptible animals can now move freely within England without a specific bluetongue licence or pre-movement testing. This change was implemented because the movement controls were no longer proportionate or effective. Disease control is a devolved matter. Defra works closely with the Devolved Governments with the aim of providing, where possible, a consistent and coordinated response across the UK. Vaccination remains the most effective long-term approach for reducing the impacts of bluetongue disease throughout the UK. Defra has permitted the use of vaccines for BTV-3 and these vaccines are now available for vets to prescribe in England.

What recent discussions he has had with online retailers on the (a) environmental and (b) ethical implications of fast fashion (i) production and (ii) pricing models.

The Department engages regularly with retailers on a broad range of matters relating to the fashion industry, including its environmental and ethical implications. The UK supports voluntary due diligence approaches taken by UK businesses to respect human rights and the environment, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises. We recognise that trade policy is an important tool in a comprehensive approach to prevent, identify and eliminate forced labour in global supply chains and are considering measures that can help improve supply chain transparency and traceability. As part of the Trade Strategy, we have announced a review of our approach to ensuring responsible business conduct, focusing on the global supply chains of businesses operating in the UK.

What recent discussions he has had with fashion retailers on labour (a) rights and (b) conditions in supply chains.

The Department engages regularly with businesses across all sectors, including fashion retailers, on a range of issues including labour rights and working conditions throughout global supply chains. The UK has a strong legal framework to ensure that workers' rights are protected, both domestically and internationally. This includes the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which requires large businesses to report on the steps they have taken to tackle modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. The Department continues to work closely with the fashion retail sector to promote responsible business conduct and to support businesses in addressing labour rights challenges in complex global supply chains. This includes promoting adherence to international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

What assessment his Department has made of the performance of the national test of the UK Emergency Alert System conducted on 23 April 2023; and what lessons will be applied to the test on 7 September 2025.

The Government is committed to improving the Emergency Alerts system as it serves a crucial purpose helping to save lives in emergency situations by issuing an alert to all compatible mobile phones. There was an initial 12 month evaluation period (April 2023 - April 2024) during which the government carried out analysis on the effectiveness of the system. This analysis allowed the government to assess the benefit of emergency alerts during life-threatening emergencies. Following this evaluation lessons have been taken after each activation of emergency alerts to ensure any necessary changes or technical improvements are made to improve the system.

What support she is providing to Afghan nationals during their transition from Weeton Barracks to long-term housin; and whether this includes assistance with (a) employment, (b) language training and (c) healthcare access.

Supporting Afghans on their arrival into the UK is critical in providing a strong foundation for those rebuilding their new life in the UK.Under the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP), transitional accommodation is offered for up to 9 months, within which households will be expected to move on to their settled home.An integration tariff has been developed to provide financial support to Local Authorities (LA) supporting the resettlement of Eligible People (EP) under ARP. Further detail and a breakdown of the integration tariff is provided in the published policy guidance for the ARP.This is viewable on the following link: Afghan Resettlement Programme: policy guidance (accessible) - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce extended producer responsibility regulations for fashion retailers.

The Government has convened a Circular Economy Taskforce of experts to help develop the first ever Circular Economy Strategy for England, which it plans to publish for consultation in the coming autumn. The Circular Economy Taskforce will initially focus on six sectors that have the greatest potential to grow the economy, one of which is Textiles. The Circular Economy Taskforce recognises the importance of an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for textiles. As we develop the strategy, we will consider the evidence for action right across the economy and evaluate what interventions may be needed, including but not limited to EPR.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure the accessibility of the UK Emergency Alert System for people who are (a) visually and (b) hearing impaired.

We have ensured that the Emergency Alerts system works with voice reader software. This means that everyone who already has this and all other accessibility settings enabled on their phones should have the alert read out to them. As part of the communications campaign, we have developed a British Sign Language information video explaining the upcoming national test. We have also engaged with disability groups, including the Royal National Institute of Blind People, the Royal National Institute for Deaf People and Mencap. These charities conducted engagement campaigns to reach individuals with visual impairments to help them understand more about the alerts.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria are used to determine whether an (a) individual and (b) entity is considered an enabler of people smuggling for the purposes of sanctions.

To consider whether someone is an enabler or otherwise involved in the relevant activity, we use the criteria set out in regulation 8 of The Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons Sanctions Regulations 2025, combined with the statutory threshold of reasonable grounds to suspect and taking information from a range of sources.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to publish the list of (a) individuals and (b) entities sanctioned under the new people smuggling sanctions regime.

The UK Sanctions List is updated every time a decision is made to make, vary or revoke a designation. The list is published on gov.uk and sets out which people, entities and ships are designated or specified under regulations made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, and why. It can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-sanctions-list. The list of individuals and entities sanctioned under the Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons regime was updated on 23 July 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, what funding is available for residents to plant trees in urban areas.

Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund provides support for urban trees through grants including the Community Forest’s Trees for Climate programme and also the Trees Outside Woodland Fund. The Trees Outside Woodland Fund launched in June 2025, administered by the Tree Council and funded by Defra. It offered grants between £10,000 and £40,000 to support tree planting in urban and peri-urban areas across England. The fund was open to local authorities and registered charities with a turnover exceeding £100,000, and projects must be completed by 2 March 2026. Applications were open from 10 June to 31 October 2025. The funds are now fully allocated for this financial year.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of the outcomes of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer schemes since its launch.

Since launching in Spring, the eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers are testing a range of localised support to reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training. The eight Trailblazer areas are actively identifying and engaging at risk or disengaged young people to help them access tailored support to move into employment and training opportunities through local connections with employers and delivery partners. The findings of the local and national evaluations will inform our approach to wider roll-out of the Youth Guarantee. To further improve outcomes for young people, we have committed to continue funding the Youth Guarantee Trailblazers in 2026/27 to enable more young people to access employment, education and training opportunities.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the use of Weeton Barracks for transitional accommodation on (a) military training operations and (b) the availability of housing for service personnel and their families.

Weeton Barracks has been occupied by 1st Battalion The Lancashire Regiment since 2024. It was not used as transitional accommodation for Afghans. I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that only surplus Service Family Accommodation was allocated as part of the Afghan Relocation Programme. There has been no impact caused by the Afghan Relocation Programme on military training operations or the availability of housing for Service personnel at Weeton Barracks. The Afghan Entitled Persons (EPs) are expected to have vacated the Surplus SFA by the end of November 2025. Following the vacation of the Afghan EPs, the properties will be refurbished as required and made available for allocation to Service personnel.

Whether guidance has been issued to (a) banks and (b) financial services firms on (i) detecting and (ii) reporting transactions linked to sanctioned people smuggling networks.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has designated 25 individuals and entities under the new Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons Sanctions Regulations 2025, and previously published statutory guidance. The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), responsible for implementing and enforcing financial sanctions, has produced an extensive suite of guidance to provide industry with further clarity and support to comply with financial sanctions, such as the OFSI general guidance, threat assessment reports and FAQs.For further information view OFSI’s general guidance here, and its full suite of guidance here.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the level of ground rents on mortgage lending decisions.

The pricing and availability of mortgages, including how ground rents factor into mortgage applications, is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene. More widely, the Government remains firmly committed to its manifesto commitment to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of the volume of textile waste generated from fast fashion annually.

While we do not hold any internal estimates on fast fashion waste volumes in the UK, industry partners provide some insight. WRAP estimates that the UK generated approximately 1.45 million tonnes of post-consumer textiles in 2022, which includes clothing, household linens and more. WRAP does not isolate a proportion of this as fast fashion. However, they note that low-quality textile goods are saturating secondary markets, with the average person in the UK throwing 35 items of unwanted textiles straight into the general waste each year, demonstrating the fast turnover of clothing. Meanwhile, figures from BusinessWaste indicate that 300,000 tonnes of clothing waste enter household bins annually in the UK, with much of this likely being fast fashion.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the (a) quality and (b) efficiency of radiator systems installed in new-build homes.

Statutory guidance on the design of radiator systems in new-build homes is set out in Approved Document L Volume 1, which accompanies Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Building Regulations. This is intended to ensure that radiator systems in new homes are correctly sized, energy efficient, and equipped with appropriate controls. The most recent update to this guidance was made through the 2021 uplift to Part L, which came into effect in June 2022. The Future Homes and Buildings Standards (FHBS) consultation, which closed in March 2024, proposed further changes to Part L and the accompanying Approved Documents to improve the energy efficiency of heating systems in new-build homes. The Government intends to publish its response to the FHBS consultation in autumn this year.