Written questions by Maguire.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2025 to Question 24102 on Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances, whether his Department has conducted work into assessing the suitability of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance alternatives.

Beyond the preliminary analysis of PFAS alternatives included in the Regulatory Management Options Analysis published in April 2023, more detailed analysis is conducted as part of the preparation of a restriction dossier proposal by the Health and Safety Executive as the Agency for UK REACH. The UK REACH dossier for a restriction on PFAS in fire-fighting foams is due to be published for consultation in March 2025. Defra also supports international efforts in addressing PFAS risks. This includes support for projects undertaken by the OECD that assess availability of suitable PFAS alternatives for key sectors.

If he will publish his timetable for the third Statutory Review of the Pubs Code and the Pubs Code Adjudicator.

The next statutory review of the Pubs Code and Pubs Code Adjudicator, as required by the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 and associated regulations, will cover the period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025. The review will commence once the current review period has ended. The Secretary of State is required to publish a report of the findings of the review and lay a copy of the report before Parliament as soon as practicable after the end of the review period.

Communities and Local Government, how many public houses have been unlawfully (a) converted to another use and (b) demolished in (i) Cornwall and (ii) England since 2017.

The change of use or demolition of a public house requires planning permission.The government does not collect data on the number of public houses which have unlawfully changed use or have been demolished in Cornwall or England.We have not made any assessment of the potential merits of introducing a statutory duty on local planning authorities to remedy breaches of planning law in relation to such matters. We continue to keep the operation of the current protections for public houses under review.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to prevent the permanent conversion of public houses to other uses through the High Street Rental Auctions scheme in (a) Cornwall and (b) England.

The government champions the community value of pubs and has included a number of protections in the high street rental auction legislation. The local authority may restrict the use of the property within the lease terms. Should a change of use be approved, key infrastructure must be maintained, and the premises will revert to being a pub unless an application for change of use is made under the standard process. Therefore, even if a pub is subject to a High Street Rental Auction, its ability to become a functioning pub again can be guaranteed.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory duty on local planning authorities to remedy breaches of planning law for unlawful (a) demolition of public houses and (b) conversion of public houses to another use.

The change of use or demolition of a public house requires planning permission.The government does not collect data on the number of public houses which have unlawfully changed use or have been demolished in Cornwall or England.We have not made any assessment of the potential merits of introducing a statutory duty on local planning authorities to remedy breaches of planning law in relation to such matters. We continue to keep the operation of the current protections for public houses under review.

If he will make it his policy that no offshore energy development projects will take place in the most sensitive marine habitats.

The UK Government is committed to accelerating to net zero, delivering clean power by 2030, and to restoring nature. New energy infrastructure must be built in a way that protects the natural environment and supports nature recovery, by following a “mitigation hierarchy” to avoid damage to marine protected areas, and minimising, restoring and delivering compensation when damage cannot be avoided. The Department will work with Defra to bring together its ministerial colleagues, who share responsibilities for the marine environment and sectors, and The Crown Estate to discuss how best to consider wider demands on the seabed, including the marine environment.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of investing in the marine economy.

The Department for Business and Trade recognises the critical importance of the marine economy to the UK, facilitating around 95% of the country’s trade in goods, directly employing 227,000 people and generating over £55bn in business turnover in 2019. This sector also plays a vital role in advancing the UK’s sustainability goals - highlighted by the Department for Transport's recent announcement of a further £30m investment into the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition. My department works closely with the sector to support new investment opportunities and to help achieve sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth.

What steps he plans to take to ensure that the the creation of offshore energy does not harm marine habitats and ecosystems.

The UK Government is committed to accelerating to net zero, delivering clean power by 2030, and to restoring nature. New energy infrastructure must be built in a way that protects the natural environment and supports nature recovery, by following a “mitigation hierarchy” to avoid damage to marine protected areas, and minimising, restoring and delivering compensation when damage cannot be avoided. The Department will work with Defra to bring together its ministerial colleagues, who share responsibilities for the marine environment and sectors, and The Crown Estate to discuss how best to consider wider demands on the seabed, including the marine environment.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the UK’s marine natural capital.

Defra’s £38 million marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment programme has investigated the state of our marine natural capital assets and the environmental, societal, and economic value they hold. This is informing decisions on managing and enhancing our marine natural capital in a way that benefits both people and nature.

If she will have discussions with the Royal Household on (a) transparency and (b) accountability of money provided from the public purse.

Since 2012, the Monarch has received the Sovereign Grant to fund their official duties as Head of State and maintain the Occupied Royal Palaces. No member of the Royal family receives a private income from the Sovereign Grant or any other public funds. The rules governing the Sovereign Grant have been set by Parliament in the Sovereign Grant Act 2011. The Act provides for oversight and accountability arrangements which subject the funding for the Monarch’s official duties to the same audit scrutiny as other government expenditure. The Sovereign Grant accounts are audited by the National Audit Office and laid before Parliament every year.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to further restrict the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances where there are alternatives.

A Regulatory Management Options Analysis (RMOA), published in April 2023, made a detailed assessment of the range of hazards and risks from Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) identified in Great Britain, as well as a preliminary analysis of the availability of alternatives for a range of applications. The RMOA recommended a range of actions including the development of UK REACH Restrictions for a wide range of PFAS uses. Under the UK REACH Work Programme, we are investigating whether to restrict PFAS in firefighting foams and are progressing work to consider other measures relating to PFAS. The preparation of a UK REACH Restriction proposal requires there to be an assessment of the suitability of alternatives. Innovation of suitable PFAS alternatives is also needed and we are working to harness industry leadership in the transition away from PFAS.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the needs of sea users, in the context of food security.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, and Cabinet discussions are considered confidential. Food security is national security, and working closely with our fishing and seafood sectors to ensure they are vibrant, profitable and sustainable is key to achieving that. Nonetheless, the Government needs to assess how we can best deliver our future targets and ambitions on food security, net zero, shipping, energy security, fishing and the environment, among others. Through the Marine Spatial Prioritisation Programme, Defra is engaging across Government and with marine users to improve our understanding of future demands and identify opportunities for greater co-location.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an estimate he has made of the value of UK’s marine natural capital to coastal communities.

Coastal communities derive social and economic benefits from marine natural assets, including through recreation, heritage, jobs, and tourism. The Office for National Statistics estimated the value of UK marine natural capital assets at £211 billion for 2018.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to balance the needs of different sea users, in the context of offshore energy.

The UK Government is committed to accelerating to net zero, delivering clean power by 2030, and to restoring nature. Through the cross-government Marine Spatial Prioritisation Programme (MSPri), the Department is engaging across government and with marine users to improve its understanding of future demands and identify opportunities for greater co-location. The Department will work with Defra to bring together its ministerial colleagues, who share responsibilities for marine sectors, to discuss how best to consider wider demands on the seabed as we develop future offshore wind.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to consult with sea users on the development of offshore energy projects.

The UK Government is committed to accelerating to net zero, delivering clean power by 2030, and to restoring nature. Through the cross-government Marine Spatial Prioritisation Programme (MSPri) we are engaging across government and with marine users to improve our understanding of future demands and identify opportunities for greater co-location. The Department will work with Defra to bring together its ministerial colleagues, who share responsibilities for marine sectors, to discuss how best to consider wider demands on the seabed as we develop future offshore wind.

What steps he is taking with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) The Crown Estate to help ensure that the deployment of offshore energy does not negatively impact the marine environment.

The UK Government is committed to accelerating to net zero, delivering clean power by 2030, and to restoring nature. New energy infrastructure must be built in a way that protects the natural environment and supports nature recovery, by following a “mitigation hierarchy” to avoid damage to marine protected areas, and minimising, restoring and delivering compensation when damage cannot be avoided. The Department will work with Defra to bring together its ministerial colleagues, who share responsibilities for the marine environment and sectors, and The Crown Estate to discuss how best to consider wider demands on the seabed, including the marine environment.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of banning perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances where there are alternatives.

A Regulatory Management Options Analysis (RMOA), published in April 2023, made a detailed assessment of the range of hazards and risks from Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) identified in Great Britain, as well as a preliminary analysis of the availability of alternatives for a range of applications. The RMOA recommended a range of actions including the development of UK REACH Restrictions for a wide range of PFAS uses. Under the UK REACH Work Programme, we are investigating whether to restrict PFAS in firefighting foams and are progressing work to consider other measures relating to PFAS. The preparation of a UK REACH Restriction proposal requires there to be an assessment of the suitability of alternatives. Innovation of suitable PFAS alternatives is also needed and we are working to harness industry leadership in the transition away from PFAS.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to tackle perfluoroalkyl substances in the marine environment.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were added to the OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action in 2023. This list identifies substances considered to be a threat to the marine environment and the actions that OSPAR Contracting Parties (including the UK) should take to minimise those threats. We are also working closely with domestic regulators and key stakeholders to improve our understanding and approach to managing the risks from PFAS. This includes working with the Environment Agency (EA) to assess levels of PFAS occurring in the environment, their sources, and potential risks to inform future policy and regulatory approaches.

Whether the Cornwall Newquay Airport to London Southend Airport route operated by Eastern Airways is part of a Public Service Obligation deal.

The Cornwall Newquay Airport to London Southend Airport route planned by Eastern Airways is a commercial service that is not part of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract. The Department for Transport along with Cornwall Council continues to fund the PSO between Cornwall Newquay Airport and London Gatwick.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce new measures to tackle perfluoroalkyl substances in the marine environment.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were added to the OSPAR List of Chemicals for Priority Action in 2023. This list identifies substances considered to be a threat to the marine environment and the actions that OSPAR Contracting Parties (including the UK) should take to minimise those threats. We are also working closely with domestic regulators and key stakeholders to improve our understanding and approach to managing the risks from PFAS. This includes working with the Environment Agency (EA) to assess levels of PFAS occurring in the environment, their sources, and potential risks to inform future policy and regulatory approaches.