Written questions by Gelderd.

How many licences have been granted for experiments using (a) dogs,(b) cats and (c) primates since 4 July 2025.

Since 4 July 2025 to the present day, no new project licences have been granted that authorise the use of dogs, cats or primates under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Communities and Local Government, what role Natural England will play under the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in ensuring improvements to nature are delivered; and what statutory powers and funding will be granted to support that role.

Natural England will be responsible for producing Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) and for delivering the conservation measures set out in them.While Natural England will generally be the delivery body for EDPs, the Bill contains provision to allow for another body to be designated to exercise functions in relation to the Nature Restoration Fund, should this be necessary.Natural England will have compulsory purchase powers to enable them to secure and implement the conservation measures needed to protect the environment. The use of Natural England’s compulsory purchase power will be subject to appropriate scrutiny and oversight and must be authorised by the Secretary of State.In order to fund the conservation measures set out in any given EDP, Natural England will apply a levy to developers whose developments are covered it, as set out in the EDP’s charging schedule.The government will ensure that appropriate resources are in place to administer the Nature Restoration Fund which will run on a cost recovery basis when fully operational. The Budget allocated £14 million to support initial deployment of the Fund.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on the (a) duties and (b) targets set in the Environment Act 2021.

The Environment Act 2021 requires Ministers to have ‘due regard’ to the policy statement on environmental principles when making policy. This is to ensure that environmental considerations are at the heart of policymaking across government.Environmental considerations in respect of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill were given due regard in line with the requirements of the Environment Act 2021.

Whether Project Reach will include enhancements to on-train Wi-Fi and mobile signal coverage for passengers travelling to and from Cornwall.

The Reach solution is focused on improving mobile signal coverage and the list of tunnels interventions includes the following locations in Devon and Cornwall: Whiteball TunnelMarley TunnelPolperro TunnelTreverin TunnelParsons TunnelWiveliscombe TunnelBuckshead Tunnel.

What steps her Department is taking to support journalism training that helps future journalists deal with AI-generated content and misinformation.

Higher education providers are independent bodies responsible for designing their own journalism qualifications. However, the quality of courses is regulated by the independent regulator the Office for Students (OfS). Courses must be up-to-date and teach students skills relevant to the subject and level of the course. Relevant skills could include, but not be limited to, cognitive skills, practical skills, transferable skills and professional competences.A course designed to lead to a particular profession should require students to demonstrate the skills necessary for success in that profession, including where specific skills are required for accreditation by a professional body.For example, the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and the Broadcast Journalism Training Council accredit courses delivered by providers in the UK. In addition, the NCTJ offers its own popular journalism diploma, which is also delivered in some further education colleges as well as other level 3 provision. It is for employers, providers and sector bodies to ensure that content meets learner and employer needs.

What estimate she has made of the number of students likely to be affected by the withdrawal of Strategic Priorities Grant funding for journalism courses in 2025–26.

The government provides funding through the Strategic Priorities Grant (SPG) on an annual basis to support teaching and students in higher education (HE). We are prioritising support for high-cost subjects that are essential to the delivery of our Industrial Strategy and for access to HE for disadvantaged groups. The removal of SPG funding for journalism courses aligns with this.We are prioritising investment in science, engineering and technology subjects. Media studies, journalism, publishing and information services are all important and valued subjects, and the government acknowledges their importance, alongside numerous other subjects that do not attract SPG high-cost subject funding, such as history, languages, economics, mathematics and law.Funding for all subjects, including journalism, will benefit from the increase in tuition fee limits in line with inflation. The maximum fee for a standard full-time undergraduate course in the 2025/26 academic year will increase by 3.1%, from £9,250 to £9,535.HE providers are autonomous bodies, independent from government, and are responsible for deciding which courses to offer.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the removal of Strategic Priorities Grant funding from journalism courses in the 2025–26 academic year on the accessibility of journalism education.

The government provides funding through the Strategic Priorities Grant (SPG) on an annual basis to support teaching and students in higher education (HE). We are prioritising support for high-cost subjects that are essential to the delivery of our Industrial Strategy and for access to HE for disadvantaged groups. The removal of SPG funding for journalism courses aligns with this.We are prioritising investment in science, engineering and technology subjects. Media studies, journalism, publishing and information services are all important and valued subjects, and the government acknowledges their importance, alongside numerous other subjects that do not attract SPG high-cost subject funding, such as history, languages, economics, mathematics and law.Funding for all subjects, including journalism, will benefit from the increase in tuition fee limits in line with inflation. The maximum fee for a standard full-time undergraduate course in the 2025/26 academic year will increase by 3.1%, from £9,250 to £9,535.HE providers are autonomous bodies, independent from government, and are responsible for deciding which courses to offer.

What the evidential basis was for the decision to remove Strategic Priorities Grant funding from journalism courses.

The government provides funding through the Strategic Priorities Grant (SPG) on an annual basis to support teaching and students in higher education (HE). We are prioritising support for high-cost subjects that are essential to the delivery of our Industrial Strategy and for access to HE for disadvantaged groups. The removal of SPG funding for journalism courses aligns with this.We are prioritising investment in science, engineering and technology subjects. Media studies, journalism, publishing and information services are all important and valued subjects, and the government acknowledges their importance, alongside numerous other subjects that do not attract SPG high-cost subject funding, such as history, languages, economics, mathematics and law.Funding for all subjects, including journalism, will benefit from the increase in tuition fee limits in line with inflation. The maximum fee for a standard full-time undergraduate course in the 2025/26 academic year will increase by 3.1%, from £9,250 to £9,535.HE providers are autonomous bodies, independent from government, and are responsible for deciding which courses to offer.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of funding pilot schemes in banking hubs to provide targeted financial education sessions for (a) women and (b) women at risk of economic abuse.

Banking hubs are a voluntary service which were developed by the financial services sector in the context of legislation to protect access to cash under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023. These hubs offer everyday counter services, allowing people and businesses to withdraw and deposit cash, pay bills and make balance enquiries. They also contain dedicated rooms where customers can see community bankers from their own bank to carry out wider banking services. While banking hubs do not focus on providing financial education sessions, they do offer the opportunity for customers to disclose additional needs and discuss support in a private space with the community banker. This may include signposting to relevant money guidance or advice services. The Government is committed to ensuring that people build financial capability and recognises that certain groups – including women and those at risk of economic abuse – may face specific barriers. To support those facing such challenges, the Government is developing a Financial Inclusion Strategy, which will have a key focus on financial education and capability. Economic abuse is a cross-cutting theme of this strategy to ensure the needs of victim-survivors are considered across wider relevant interventions to support financially excluded people.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of banking hubs on women at risk of domestic abuse.

The Government recognises that the ability to access cash and in-person banking support remains essential for many, which is why we have secured the industry’s commitment to roll out 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament, ensuring that access to face-to-face banking is protected. Over 230 hubs have been announced so far, and over 170 are already open. Banking hubs offer everyday counter services, allowing people and businesses to withdraw and deposit cash, pay bills and make balance enquiries. They also contain dedicated rooms where customers can see community bankers from their own bank to carry out wider banking services. The Government is committed to tackling domestic abuse through our mission to halve Violence Against Women and Girls within a decade. Addressing economic abuse is an integral part of this and is also being considered within the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, which will examine where industry and Government can go further to support financially excluded people, including victim-survivors of economic abuse.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of poor digital access on levels of financial exclusion among women living in rural areas.

The Government published its Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February 2025, which outlines the first five actions we are taking over the next year to boost digital inclusion in every corner of the UK, including rural areas. We recognise the financial impact digital exclusion can have on many different groups including women and men living in rural areas.These will be targeted at local initiatives for boosting digital skills and confidence, widening access to devices and connectivity, and getting support to people in their own communities so everyone can reap the benefits of technology.More widely, HM Treasury is developing a Financial Inclusion Strategy to address the barriers consumers can face in accessing the products they need. This includes a focus on digital inclusion and access to banking and the Digital Inclusion and Skills Unit in DSIT is working closely with HM Treasury to ensure appropriate coordination.The Government recognises the importance of ensuring everyone has access to the banking services they need and is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK which will provide cash access and a range of face-to-face banking services.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) his Brazilian counterpart and (b) Indigenous Brazilian representatives on (i) protecting and (ii) recognising the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities’ ahead of COP30 in Belem; and what steps he is taking to collaborate with (A) his European counterparts and (B) other donors on this issue.

On 24 June 2025, the Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and the Caribbean met Brazil's Minister for Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara. They agreed on the importance of ensuring meaningful inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) in COP processes. Sonia Guajajara has spoken publicly about the importance of COP30 as a "COP of implementation" and securing concrete benefits for IPLCs. The UK collaborates with European and international partners on this issue through multilateral funds and initiatives such as the Amazon Fund and the REDD+ Early Movers programme, which support IPLC-led forest protection and sustainable livelihoods. Through the Forest and Climate Leaders' Partnership (FCLP), which the UK co-chairs with Guyana, we are working to promote greater recognition of IPLCs as vital stewards of critical forest ecosystems.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his policies to (a) protect global forests, (b) protect and (c) recognise the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.

Globally, rates of forest loss are declining but climate change is making forests more vulnerable to threats from wildfire and pests. The UK is committed to the goals of halting and reversing deforestation and supporting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLC). Through diplomacy, partnerships and development programming, we are working to improve forest governance, sustainable trade and investment, and to mobilise finance to protect and restore the world's major tropical forest basins.At the Glasgow Climate Conference (COP26) in 2021, the UK mobilised the $1.7 billion IPLC Forest Tenure Pledge and committed £163 million to advance IPLC tenure rights. UK programmes such as the Amazon Catalyst for Forest Communities (AMCAT) and the Global Land Governance Programme, work with partner governments and IPLCs to strengthen forest governance and national land governance systems. These initiatives have contributed to policy reforms, capacity building, and land registration efforts in multiple countries.

Communities and Local Government, what progress she has made on extending the protection of the Cornish language from Part II to Part III of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages.

The government recognises the importance of protecting and celebrating the unique cultural heritage and minority languages which exist in the UK. We note the request for greater recognition and protection for the Cornish language and we continue to support Cornish language and culture through a range of measures – from our work to ensure that indigenous and minority languages - including Cornish - form part of the public service remit for television in the UK through the Media Act 2024; to funding of £500,000 for Cornish language and culture work as part of Cornwall’s Devolution Deal.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress his Department has made on meeting the good environmental status indicators set out in the report entitled Marine Strategy Part One, published in October 2019.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published a UK-wide consultation on 20 June this year, which details the latest assessment on the state of UK seas and progress toward Good Environmental Status. This follows publication of the updated UK Marine Strategy Programme of Measures in January this year, which sets out measures for achieving GES.

Food and Rural Affairs, how the proposed Nature Restoration Fund will interact with the Marine Recovery Fund.

The Marine Recovery Fund is being established as a voluntary mechanism to deliver strategic compensation for offshore wind developers. The Nature Restoration Fund will offer a new way for developers to discharge existing environmental obligations related to protected sites and species, using resources strategically to maximise positive outcomes for nature.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to merge the proposed Nature Restoration Fund with the Marine Recovery Fund.

The Marine Recovery Fund is being established as a voluntary mechanism to deliver strategic compensation for offshore wind developers. The Nature Restoration Fund will offer a new way for developers to discharge existing environmental obligations related to protected sites and species, using resources strategically to maximise positive outcomes for nature.

If she will take steps to require e-commerce platforms and payment-service providers operating in the UK to comply with UK VAT law.

All e-commerce platforms and payment-service providers operating in the UK have a legal obligation to comply with UK VAT law. HMRC uses a risk based approach and range of measures to tackle non-compliance and continues to work with businesses as part of its ongoing compliance strategy.

Whether she has considered reforming Schedule 8 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 to help increase levels of support for small businesses selling disability and assistive technology products online.

The Government recognises the vital role that disability and assistive technology products play in improving people’s lives and supporting independent living. Under the UK’s VAT regime, the zero-rate of VAT applies to certain goods supplied to disabled people for their domestic or personal use. The application of the zero-rate balances support for businesses and consumers with the need to protect the public finances.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities in rainforest countries.

We recognise the global contribution Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) make to climate change mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and inclusive and sustainable development, and support global efforts to recognise and advance their contribution.At COP26, the UK led international efforts to strengthen IPLC forest tenure, launching the IPLC Land and Forest Tenure Pledge to mobilise $1.7 billion in support of IPLC efforts by the end of 2025. This funding has supported legal reforms or land titling processes within several countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Through its own commitments, the UK has increased direct support to IPLC organisations, including backing the Tenure Facility's work in the Amazon. We are working with international partners and IPLC groups through the Forest and Climate Leaders' Partnership to shape a new pledge for COP30.Complementing these joint initiatives, the UK is directly supporting IPLC efforts through bilateral programmes including the Amazon Catalyst for Forest Communities, the Global Land Governance Programme and Forest Governance, Markets and Climate Programme. All of these include a focus on strengthening IPLC rights. The UK is advocating for IPLC to have a greater voice in climate finance notably with IPLC-led mechanisms in the Climate Investment Funds and Global Environment Fund.