Written questions by Ribeiro-Addy.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to review existing animal welfare legislation following the withdrawal by companies from voluntary commitments to improve chicken farming conditions.

As set out in the animal welfare strategy, the Government remains committed to supporting a move away from the use of fast-growing breeds of meat chickens. The Government welcome the fact that those supermarkets who made Better Chicken Commitment pledges have fulfilled them, but it is disappointing to hear of the decision of various restaurant groups to withdraw their commitments to improve animal welfare in this way.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to Ofwat’s correspondence to the Business and Trade Committee of 8 September 2025, what assessment her Department has made of Ofwat's conclusion that the Class A creditor consortium (the London & Valley Water consortium) does not fit the definition of the ultimate controller of Thames Water.

The classification of Ultimate Controller is a matter for Ofwat as the independent economic regulator. We are reassured that Ofwat have reviewed the matter and will continue to keep the position of Thames Water’s Ultimate Controllers under review.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of large-scale commercial events held in public parks in London on local communities, biodiversity, and long-term access to green space; and whether he plans to increase protections for such spaces.

We have made no central assessment on the impact of large-scale commercial events held in public parks in London. Whilst we recognise that open and green spaces are an essential part of local social infrastructure and must be protected for future generations, we also recognise that responsibility for funding, managing and maintaining urban parks lies mainly with local authorities. The government is committed to supporting Local Authorities in developing best practice to manage parks and green spaces. We are consulting on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), including policies on areas of high biodiversity value, and a new requirement for local plans to set standards for green infrastructure drawing on the Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework. The consultation on changes to the NPPF will remain open for responses until 10th March 2026. On protections for these spaces, last year we announced our intention to review existing protections for public recreational green spaces. We will seek to examine and understand the fragmented and outdated nature of current legislative protections, assess how these protections complement those in the planning system, and consider the lack of central records on protected land.

Food and Rural Affairs, what contingency plans her Department has in place should Thames Water enter special administration.

The Government will always act in the national interest. While the company is stable, we stand ready for all eventualities – including being ready to apply for a Special Administration Regime if necessary. A Special Administration order is a well-established mechanism to ensure the company continues to operate and customers continue to receive their water and wastewater services. The bar for entering a Special Administration is understandably high.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his polices of heat network operators issuing retrospective bills covering multiple years where no prior invoices or statements were provided.

Under the newly established heat network market framework, Ofgem Authorisation conditions limit back-billing to 12 months if no accurate bill or statement of account was previously provided.Where heat charges are ‘bundled’ into leasehold or social housing charges, the Landlord and Tenant Act (1985), which caps back-billing at 18 months, takes precedence. We are working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities to explore unbundling individual consumption of heat from service charges so that the 12-month back billing rules apply to all heat network consumers.

What protections are available for heat network consumers in respect of back-billing; and whether he plans to introduce or require limits equivalent to the 12-month back-billing protections that apply to domestic gas and electricity customers in cases where the failure to bill is attributable to the supplier.

Under the newly established heat network market framework, Ofgem Authorisation conditions limit back-billing to 12 months if no accurate bill or statement of account was previously provided. Where heat charges are ‘bundled’ into leasehold or social housing charges, the Landlord and Tenant Act (1985), takes precedence. Under these rules, landlords have 18 months to notify or demand service charge payments, once costs have been incurred. Ofgem have issued guidance, setting out their expectation that all heat network suppliers should adhere to the 12 month back-billing limit. Heat networks consumers can get help and advice from Citizens Advice and Consumer Scotland. In addition, the Energy Ombudsman provides Alternative Dispute Resolution for heat network consumers.

Whether her Department plans to require the installation of real-time cabin air quality monitoring sensors on commercial aircraft operating in the UK.

The UK has a well-established regulatory requirement for reporting events that could endanger aircraft outlined in UK Reg (EU) No 376/2014. Fume and smoke events must be reported and are subsequently analysed by specialists working in the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to inform policy. The scientific literature on toxicology of fume events is under continuous review by colleagues working in the CAA’s Medical Department. The CAA position statement on Cabin Air Quality can be found at this webpage. This includes a detailed overview of the research that has been undertaken on the topic and the conclusions of a recent study commissioned by my department and undertaken by the Committee on Toxicity (COT). This found that levels of the chemical contaminants reviewed in aircraft cabin air are unlikely to cause adverse health effects following acute or long-term exposures.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits, feasibility and cost to commercial airlines of regulations mandating the installation of enhanced air filtration systems or the use of alternative engine oils designed to reduce the risk of cabin air contamination.

The UK has a well-established regulatory requirement for reporting events that could endanger aircraft outlined in UK Reg (EU) No 376/2014. Fume and smoke events must be reported and are subsequently analysed by specialists working in the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to inform policy. The scientific literature on toxicology of fume events is under continuous review by colleagues working in the CAA’s Medical Department. The CAA position statement on Cabin Air Quality can be found at this webpage. This includes a detailed overview of the research that has been undertaken on the topic and the conclusions of a recent study commissioned by my department and undertaken by the Committee on Toxicity (COT). This found that levels of the chemical contaminants reviewed in aircraft cabin air are unlikely to cause adverse health effects following acute or long-term exposures.

What assessment he has made with the Secretary of State for the Home Department of the cost to the public purse of prosecutions brought under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 in relation to members and supporters of Palestine Action, broken down by the costs to (a) the Crown Prosecution Service, (b) the HM Courts and Tribunal Service including (i) the costs of sittings and (ii) ancillary costs including training additional magistrates to hear terrorism cases and (c) counter terrorism police to attend court; and how many court sessions have been held to hear these cases.

Between 5 July 2025 and 20 February 2026 a total of 629 defendants were received at magistrates’ courts in cases flagged as related to the Palestine Action Group. Of these, 562 have had a first hearing at a magistrates’ court, with those hearings taking place over 23 calendar days. It is not possible to identify the exact number of court sittings or to calculate the court sitting costs associated with these specific cases because multiple hearings for other offences and defendants may take place within the same court session or sitting day.It is not possible to identify the ancillary costs to HM Courts and Tribunals Service that specifically relate to these cases. Information on costs incurred by the Crown Prosecution Service and by police forces is not held by the Ministry of Justice.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure consistent reporting of fume events by airlines operating flights to and from the UK.

The UK has a well-established regulatory requirement for reporting events that could endanger aircraft outlined in UK Reg (EU) No 376/2014. Fume and smoke events must be reported and are subsequently analysed by specialists working in the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to inform policy. The scientific literature on toxicology of fume events is under continuous review by colleagues working in the CAA’s Medical Department. The CAA position statement on Cabin Air Quality can be found at this webpage. This includes a detailed overview of the research that has been undertaken on the topic and the conclusions of a recent study commissioned by my department and undertaken by the Committee on Toxicity (COT). This found that levels of the chemical contaminants reviewed in aircraft cabin air are unlikely to cause adverse health effects following acute or long-term exposures.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a licensing system for gamebird shooting to deter raptor persecution.

The Government appreciates that many people hold strong views on the issue of gamebird shooting and there is evidence to suggest a link between it and raptor persecution. It is vital that wildlife and habitats are protected and that the law is respected by those involved in the activity. While Defra has not yet made any formal assessment of the potential merits of licensing gamebird shooting in England, it will continue to work to ensure a sustainable, mutually beneficial relationship between gamebird shooting and conservation.

Whether he has considered the potential merits of aligning the apprentice minimum wage with the National Living Wage, including the potential impact on (a) recruitment, (b) retention and (c) completion rates of apprenticeships.

We remain committed to removing the discriminatory adult age band. The latest increase to the NMW of 8.5% continues to close the gap between the minimum wage for 18- to 20-year-olds and the NLW rate, moving towards a single adult rate.The Department has published an Impact Assessment providing a comprehensive analysis of the 2026 National Minimum Wage rates.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of aligning the National Minimum Wage with the National Living Wage.

We remain committed to removing the discriminatory adult age band. The latest increase to the NMW of 8.5% continues to close the gap between the minimum wage for 18- to 20-year-olds and the NLW rate, moving towards a single adult rate.The Department has published an Impact Assessment providing a comprehensive analysis of the 2026 National Minimum Wage rates.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his grey belt policy on Green Belt farmland in London.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 26509 on 5 February 2025 and UIN 67891 on 23 July 2025.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential health impacts of repeated exposure to contaminated cabin air on aircrew.

In 2024, the UK independent advisory Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) published its latest statement on aircraft cabin air quality following a request from the Department for Transport. This followed a COT statement published in 2007, and a position paper published in 2013.Overall, the latest COT statement concluded that the concentrations of the chemical contaminants (organophosphates, volatile organic compounds including as mixtures, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide) reported in aircraft cabin air are unlikely to cause adverse health effects in aircrew following acute or long-term exposures.The 2024 statement on statement on aircraft cabin air quality is available at the following link:https://cot.food.gov.uk/Statement%20on%20Aircraft%20Cabin%20Air%20Quality

Food and Rural Affairs, how many prosecutions have been brought in relation to offences involving the persecution of birds of prey in each of the last five years.

Defra does not hold official data on the number of prosecutions that have been brought in relation to offences involving the persecution of birds of prey. The Ministry of Justice does publish data on prosecutions for a wide range of offences, including offences relating to birds under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, but this is not broken down to a level to identify prosecutions for offences specifically involving birds of prey. Based on data published by the Ministry of Justice, in the last five years there have been 50 prosecutions for offences relating to birds under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Data relating to specific offences against wild birds under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 can be sourced using the Outcomes by Offences data tool on the Criminal Justice Statistics website: Criminal justice statistics - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many (a) confirmed and (b) suspected criminal incidents involving Hen Harriers have been recorded in each of the last five years.

Criminal offences against hen harriers are currently not ‘notifiable’. This means police forces are not required to record and report figures on this type of crime to the Home Office for statistical and monitoring purposes. Defra therefore holds no official statistics on the number of confirmed criminal (or suspected) incidents involving hen harriers from the last five years. Any decision to make such offences notifiable sits with the Home Office rather than Defra.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to increase enforcement action against wildlife crime linked to gamebird shooting.

The Government takes all wildlife crime seriously, including offences linked to gamebird shooting. There are strong penalties in place for offences committed against wild animals. Most of these crimes incur a penalty of an unlimited fine and/or up to a six-month custodial sentence.Defra is a principal funder of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), which helps prevent and detect wildlife crime and directly assists law enforcers in their investigations. Defra is providing 494,000 for the NWCU this year. In 2024, the NWCU launched the Hen Harrier Task Force (HTF) – a partnership designed to help tackle the illegal persecution of hen harriers, often associated with grouse shooting. Through the HTF, more efficient channels of communication, cooperation, and data sharing between partners such as Natural England, the RSPB, and the NWCU expedites the coordination of an effective enforcement response. The HTF represents a pivotal shift in combating wildlife crime; it is using innovative technology (such as tracking drones and specialised detection dogs) to overcome logistical challenges and enhance evidence collection in remote areas.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of setting the annual level of student maintenance support at a level equivalent to a year's salary paid at the National Living Wage for a 36 hour week.

The government is committed to supporting the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to go to university. However, it is essential we keep our higher education system financially sustainable.To help students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds progress and excel in higher education, we are future proofing our maintenance offer by increasing loans for living costs in line with forecast inflation every academic year. This approach ensures that students from the lowest income families receive the largest year-on-year cash increases in support and provides long term certainty on the financial support students will receive while studying.The department will also provide extra support for care leavers, who will automatically become eligible to receive the maximum rate of loan from the 2026/27 academic year.Additionally, we are reintroducing targeted, means-tested maintenance grants, providing disadvantaged students with up to £1,000 extra per year on top of existing loans for living costs from the 2028/29 academic year.

How many (a) mosques and (b) associated Muslim faith community centre have applied for the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme; and how many of them have been (i) accepted and (ii) denied.

This Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion at their chosen place of worship, and to ensuring that our streets and communities remain safe.That is why up to £39.4 million is available through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme in 2025/26. This includes additional funding announced by the Prime Minister of £10 million to further strengthen security at mosques and other Muslim community sites. The scheme provides protective security measures (such as security personnel services, CCTV, intruder alarms and secure perimeter fencing) to mosques, Muslim faith schools and associated Muslim faith community centres.To safeguard the integrity of the scheme and ensure the continued protection of vulnerable sites, the Home Office does not publish the total number of successful applications. Disclosure of this information could inadvertently reveal sensitive details about specific communities and their security needs.