Written questions by Fox.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2024, to Question 9617, on DEFRA: Buildings, how many individual desks were occupied in his Department’s HQ office in the most recent four weeks for which figures are available.

Heads of Department have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service. Office occupancy data for the period July - September has been published, with further publications to now happen on a quarterly basis. The data is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-hq-occupancy-data

Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timetable is for the publication of the UK Chemicals Strategy.

The Government is committed to protecting human health and the environment. This Government has wasted no time in announcing a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan to deliver on our legally binding targets to save nature and this includes how best to manage chemicals. Further details will be provided in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of desks were occupied in each of his Department’s offices in the most recent four weeks for which figures are available; and how many staff attended each office in person in the same period.

Heads of Department have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service. Office occupancy data for the period July - September has been published, with further publications to now happen on a quarterly basis. The data is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-hq-occupancy-data

Food and Rural Affairs, how many civil servants are assigned to work in each of his Department's offices; and how many desks are available in each office.

Attached is the data for how many Civil Servants are assigned to work in each departments office as of August 2024. Below is the data for how many desks are available in policy hubs from October 2024. The reason we have only given this data, is that all other buildings are predominantly utilised by the Environment Agency. No Data is given for CEFAS or VMD, as we don’t hold that information SitesDesks available per dayHORIZON HOUSE727MARSHAM STREET1146NEWCASTLE LANCASTER HOUSE479YORK THE KING'S POOL776

Food and Rural Affairs, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in his Department since the dissolution of the last Parliament; and on what items this was spent.

To ensure the department was ready as part of the change of Government in July 2024, renovation and improvements worth approximately £2600 (exclusive of VAT) were conducted.

Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the National Action Plan for the sustainable use of pesticides.

We intend to publish a National Action Plan in due course that reflects the Government’s priorities and ambitions to minimise the risks and impact of pesticides on human health and the environment, and to facilitate sustainable use.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of solar farms on levels of availability of agricultural land.

Solar power is crucial to achieving net zero, providing an abundant source of cleaner, cheaper energy on the mission towards 2030. The total area used for solar farms is very small, and – even in the most ambitious scenarios – solar farms will occupy less than 1% of the UK’s agricultural land.