Written questions by McMurdock.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage producers to extend the lifespan of food, in the context of reducing (a) consumer waste and (b) costs for consumers.

Defra is working closely with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and the food industry to reduce consumer food waste. Through WRAP, Defra supports food businesses, including producers, and their work in making sure their products help consumers to waste less food at home. This includes developing best practice guidance on improving the clarity of ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ date labelling, clearer storage advice and optimised packaging design and pack sizes for fresh produce. This helps people to save money and reduce food waste by buying what they need and using what they buy.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to reduce electronic waste.

This Government is committed to transitioning to a circular economy. The UK is exposed to significant supply risks: 80% of the UK’s raw material footprint is extracted abroad, including almost all of the metal ores we use. A transition to a circular economy could improve UK resource security by protecting the UK from future global resource depletion. We have convened a Circular Economy Taskforce to help us develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England. The Strategy will be supported by a series of roadmaps detailing the interventions that the government will make on a sector-by-sector basis, supporting government’s Missions to kickstart economic growth and make Britain a clean energy superpower. We are considering the evidence for sector-specific interventions right across the economy, including in electronic waste, as we develop our Strategy. Funds generated under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 include a postcode locator guiding householders to their nearest location to safely recycle, donate or repair unwanted equipment. The Recycle Your Electricals campaign also provides advice on how to remove personal data from gadgets We have also introduced a ban on the sale and supply of Single-Use Vapes from 1 June 2025 meaning that from this date wasteful single-use vape products will no longer be available. Later this year we will introduce legislation to ensure online marketplaces and vape producers are paying their fair share towards recycling costs.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the amount of countryside available to roam.

Our countryside and green spaces are a source of great national pride and which boost public health and wellbeing, but too many across the country are left without access to the great outdoors. That is why the last Labour Government expanded public access by introducing the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which provided the public a right of access to large areas of mountain, moor, heath, down, registered common land and coastal margin in England. We will be reviewing the maps of this open access land ahead of the statutory deadline of 1st January 2031, to ensure that the public have clear information which can help them to access this land. We are continuing to increase access to nature for families to enjoy, for example through our ambitious manifesto commitments to create nine new National River Walks, plant three new National Forests, and empower communities to create new parks and green spaces in their communities with a new Community Right to Buy. In addition, the Government has made the decision to repeal the cut-off date for the registration of historic rights of way, preventing the loss of hundreds of miles of unregistered paths. This will ensure that these paths remain available to the public for future generations. This change will be formally enacted when parliamentary time allows.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential economic impact of agricultural land being converted to solar energy production on farming communities.

The Government recognises that food security is national security. We need a resilient and healthy food system that works with nature and supports British farmers and food producers. To support this commitment, the Government has launched a consultation on Land Use in England. The outcome will inform the publication of a Land Use Framework, planned for later this year, which will provide certainty and clarity to landowners and land managers as they transition towards new farming models in a way that protects the most productive agricultural land, and best secures the nation’s long term food security. The National Planning Policy Framework is also clear that where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the expansion of solar farms does not compromise domestic food security.

The Government recognises that food security is national security. We need a resilient and healthy food system that works with nature and supports British farmers and food producers. To support this commitment, the Government has launched a consultation on Land Use in England. The outcome will inform the publication of a Land Use Framework, planned for later this year, which will provide certainty and clarity to landowners and land managers as they transition towards new farming models in a way that protects the most productive agricultural land, and best secures the nation’s long term food security. The National Planning Policy Framework is also clear that where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of solar farm developments on the availability of agricultural land for food production.

The Government recognises that food security is national security. We need a resilient and healthy food system that works with nature and supports British farmers and food producers. To support this commitment, the Government has launched a consultation on Land Use in England. The outcome will inform the publication of a Land Use Framework, planned for later this year, which will provide certainty and clarity to landowners and land managers as they transition towards new farming models in a way that protects the most productive agricultural land, and best secures the nation’s long term food security. The National Planning Policy Framework is also clear that where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has plans to introduce soil management requirements for solar farm developments.

Defra has no plans to introduce soil management requirements for solar farm developments. However, Biodiversity Net Gain and other mechanisms will influence how the soil/land is managed over the lifespan of the panels after construction. When considering development proposals that affect agricultural land and soils, the Government also encourages developers and local planning authorities to refer to relevant Government policies and guidance that aim to protect all soils by managing them in a sustainable way.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of launching a review of animal testing in the UK.

The Government is committed to supporting the uptake and development of alternative methods to the use of animals in science. The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”, which is a long-term goal, and will likely take many years of scientific and technical advancement and validation to reach this point. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is leading on the delivery of this commitment. Our current approach is to support and fund the development and dissemination of techniques that replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research (the 3Rs), and to ensure that the UK has a robust regulatory system for licensing animal studies and enforcing legal standards. In line with the Government’s Manifesto commitment, DSIT is currently engaging with partners from sectors with interests in animal science and on a cross-Government level as to how we will take this commitment forward, including the publishing of a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods. The Government expects to publish this strategy later this year.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of changes in the level of annual water bills for households in England and Wales.

Under the Conservatives, our sewage system crumbled. They irresponsibly let water companies divert customers’ money to line the pockets of their bosses and shareholders. The public are right to be angry after they have been left to pay the price of Conservative failure. As the independent economic regulator, Ofwat independently scrutinises water company business plans and ensure the prices water companies charge their customers are fair and proportionate. Ofwat published their final determinations for Price Review 2024 on 19 December, which sets company expenditure and customer bills for 2025-2030. The Government is committed to taking action to address water poverty and help vulnerable customers with their water bills. All water companies have measures in place for customers who struggle to pay for their water and wastewater services, including measures such as WaterSure, social tariffs, payment breaks and holidays, and debt management support. Furthermore, we expect companies to hold themselves accountable for their public commitment to end water poverty by 2030 and will work with the sector to ensure appropriate measures are taken to this end.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to support low-income households with water bills.

Under the Conservatives, our sewage system crumbled. They irresponsibly let water companies divert customers’ money to line the pockets of their bosses and shareholders. The public are right to be angry after they have been left to pay the price of Conservative failure. This Government has ringfenced money earmarked for investment so it can never be diverted for bonuses and shareholder payouts. We will clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good The Government is committed to taking action to address water poverty and help vulnerable customers. All water companies have measures in place for people who struggle to pay for their water and wastewater services, including measures such as WaterSure, social tariffs, payment breaks and holidays, and debt management support. We expect all companies to make sure households are aware of the measures available to them and do everything they can to support all customers who are vulnerable. The Government is also improving protections for customers, with new and increased compensation for water companies to pay to customers and businesses in the event of issues like water supply outages, sewer flooding or low water pressure. Furthermore, we expect companies to hold themselves accountable for their public commitment to end water poverty by 2030 and will work with the sector to ensure appropriate measures are taken to deliver this.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 in relation to the transparency of private companies that perform public services.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. Defra will not be making the suggested assessment. The relevant provisions of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIRs) already set out the legal tests which will determine whether or not a private company performing public services is subject to its transparency requirements.

Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of British produce is being brought in (a) hospitals, (b) army bases and (c) prisons.

This data was not collected at any point by the last Government. However, the new Government wants to fix the unequal playing field for British farmers attempting to bid into the £5 billion spent each year on public sector catering contracts. As a first step, we are committed to working with industry to create a baseline, then monitor the food currently bought in the public sector and where it is bought from, as announced at the Oxford Farming Conference this week so we can ensure future support to enter this important supply chain, which would need to be consistent with our domestic and international legal obligations, is effective.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) grants and (b) subsidies available to farmers for (i) adopting new technologies and (ii) improving farm infrastructure.

Within the Farming Innovation Programme Defra has supported over 260 projects with over £130 million of Government investment awarded in contracts. Within the Farming Investment Fund schemes Defra has paid out over £164 million to date in capital grants to support farmers and horticultural businesses to invest in infrastructure and equipment. Regarding future capital grant support, Defra is currently assessing next year’s (2025) Capital Grants offer and will provide an update in early 2025. We plan to simplify and rationalise our grant funding, ensuring that grants deliver the most benefit for food security and nature. We will confirm any future grant rounds in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, (a) how many and (b) what value of grants were awarded to farmers for net zero projects in the last 12 months.

Defra group (including the core department, Natural England, the Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency) has not awarded any net zero grants to farmers. However, while there may not be specific net zero actions, much of Defra’s work and the grants awarded to farmer will contribute towards achieving net zero. Labour believes that the farming sector must have food production at its core, but that restoring nature is not in competition with sustainable food production; instead it is essential to it.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to support family-owned farms with rising business costs.

Defra’s farming budget will be £2.4 billion in 2025/26. This will include the largest ever budget directed at sustainable food production and nature’s recovery in our country’s history: £1.8 billion for Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes. This funding will deliver improvements to food security, biodiversity, carbon emissions, water quality, air quality and flood resilience. ELM schemes will remain at the centre of our offer for family-owned farms and other farmers, with the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier and Landscape Recovery all continuing. These offer funding streams for farmers to make their businesses more sustainable and resilient, including those who have been often ignored such as small, grassland, upland and tenant farmers. We will work with the sector to continue to roll out, improve and evolve these schemes, to make them work for farming and nature. This support forms part of the Government's New Deal for Farmers. The Government is also supporting family-owned farms and other farmers by protecting them from being undercut by low welfare and low standards in trade deals, by lowering energy bills for farmers by switching on GB Energy, and by using the Government’s own purchasing power to back British produce so that 50% of food brought in hospitals, army bases and prisons is locally produced or certified to high environmental standards.