Written questions by Hayes.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure the enforcement of laws prohibiting piglet thumping on pig farms.

There are strict rules to protect the welfare of animals at the time of killing. Due to serious concerns about the welfare consequences of a manual percussive blow to the head, piglet thumping is not a permitted method for stunning or killing piglets. Potential breaches of animal health and welfare legislation, such as the use of manual blunt force trauma on piglets, are taken very seriously. Any allegations of poor animal welfare are investigated by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), and appropriate action is taken. The local authority, as the appropriate enforcement agency, may initiate prosecution action for animal welfare offences where there is sufficient evidence.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the size of the hedgehog population in each of the last ten years.

As hedgehogs are widespread but scarce, there are practical challenges in estimating their number nationally. In the last 10 years, only one estimate, updated in 2024, has been made which indicated a population size estimate of 597,000 hedgehogs in England. However, confidence in the accuracy of this estimate is low. Natural England is supporting the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme, in partnership with the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, to provide a more robust national estimate of Britain’s hedgehog population. The pilot is due to be completed in May 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to improve the condition of sites of special scientific interest in Lincolnshire.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) continue to be one of the most effective tools for protecting and enhancing biodiversity and deliver a wide range of health and socio-economic benefits. Natural England has an ongoing programme to assess the condition of SSSI features and implement the actions needed to restore and maintain the condition of SSSIs, such as the Bardney Limewoods SSSI in Lincolnshire. In the autumn budget we also allocated £13 million to Protected Site Strategies which will develop and implement spatial restoration plans for priority sites, such as The Wash, an internationally important coastal and marine protected site. These strategies will put in place action to restore protected sites and manage the impact of environmental harm. The Nature Restoration Fund in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will also allow us to take a more strategic approach to the restoration of SSSIs and deliver improved environmental outcomes.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle environmental harm in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

The Environment Agency (EA) plays a vital role in protecting the environment by regulating businesses in the energy, agriculture, and waste sectors, and serving as the environmental regulator for water companies. Through water permitting, it balances the needs of public water supply, agriculture, industry, and the environment. The EA enforces environmental laws, prosecutes polluters, and responds to major incidents like pollution and waste fires as a Category 1 Responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. It advises on planning applications within its statutory remit, including in South Holland, South Kesteven, and Lincolnshire County Council areas, ensuring flood risk, climate change, and water quality are considered. The EA also works with Local Planning Authorities to embed environmental priorities in Local Plans. In Lincolnshire, the EA combines flood defence with biodiversity enhancement, tackling invasive species and restoring natural river processes in partnership with Wildlife Trusts, River Trusts, and landowners. In South Holland and The Deepings, the EA has led sustainable initiatives such as controlling Giant Hogweed and American mink, maintaining pollinator-friendly flood banks and hedgerows, and creating fish refuges at Crowland Washes. Sensitive operations at Cowbit Washes have also protected breeding avocets during flood recovery.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect local biodiversity in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

The Government is undertaking extensive work to protect and enhance biodiversity across Lincolnshire, including South Holland and the Deepings. Farmers are helping to recover nature through Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier agreements and Higher Level Stewardship agreements across the county and we are supporting Landscape Recovery Projects, including the Greater Frampton, Doddington and Boothby Wildlands schemes, to create joined-up habitats that benefit local wildlife and ecosystems. Local Planning Authorities are securing Biodiversity Net Gain in the area through development. There are two sites in Lincolnshire (one in South Holland and the Deepings) on the Natural England Biodiversity Net Gain Register, which together have committed 85ha of land to nature recovery. Private sector investment into these sites will create and enhance a mosaic of habitats including species-rich grassland, woodland, scrub and wetland.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the condition of the River Welland in Lincolnshire.

The Environment Agency (EA) inspects the River Welland every year to check for any visible problems with its structures and embankments. In 2022, they also surveyed the river to check for silt build-up and see if extra maintenance was needed. While some silt was found, it wasn’t enough to cause concern compared to other narrow parts of the river, such as bridges. The EA also reviewed how they maintain the Cradge Bank, which is part of the river. As a result, they plan to do more maintenance there to improve grass growth as healthy grass helps prevent the bank from failing.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support (a) South Holland District Council and (b) South Kesteven District Council in reducing fly tipping incidents.

Local authorities have a range of enforcement powers to help them tackle fly-tipping. These include prosecution, which can lead to a significant fine or even imprisonment, and powers to seize vehicles of suspected fly-tippers. They can also issue a fixed penalty notice of up to £1,000 to fly-tippers and £600 to householders who pass their waste to an unlicensed waste carrier, the income from which is kept by councils and must be spent on enforcement or cleaning up fly-tipping. We encourage councils to make good use of their enforcement powers and we are currently taking steps to develop statutory guidance on fly-tipping enforcement. We have also announced a review of council powers to seize and crush vehicles of suspected fly-tippers, to identify how we could help councils make better use of this tool.In our manifesto we committed to forcing fly-tippers to clean up the mess that they have created as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour. We will provide further details on this commitment in due course. In the meantime, Defra continues to chair the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group through which we work with a wide range of stakeholders, such as local authorities and the Environment Agency, to share good practice on preventing fly-tipping. Various practical tools are available from their webpage which is available at: https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/national-fly-tipping-prevention-group#.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many visits have Ministers in his Department made to farms in Lincolnshire since the announcement of proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief on 30 October 2024.

Defra ministers regularly visit farms in a range of counties and meet with farmers and the wider industry nearly every week.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the big four supermarkets on animal welfare standards on pig farms.

Defra regularly engages with supermarkets about a range of issues, but has not had any recent discussions on pig welfare standards.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in his Department.

We remain committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships across all departments as part of this Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity. This includes supporting the Government's commitment to 2,000 digital apprenticeships through its TechTrack scheme by 2030 to improve digital skills and drive improvements and efficiency in public services. Additionally, a new cross-Government Level 3 apprenticeship programme in Business Administration, the Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship, will see new apprentices kickstart their careers, across various departments, starting from January 2026. In addition, Defra has a group apprenticeship strategy with a clear ambition for year-on-year growth in enrolments. There is a focus on areas where apprenticeships can support organisational priorities, career development for existing staff and addressing key skills gaps. These include:Trailblazer groups related to Asset Management Level 4 and Geoscientist Degree Level 6. Cohorts have been recruited this year, with more planned for 2026.Development of a Soils Scientist Level 7 apprenticeship with first cohorts in 2025.Development of an Environmental Practitioner degree and an Ecology MSc which are recruited to annually. Following a successful pilot of a Data Protection and Information Governance cohort in 2023, plans for recruitment of a second cohort in early 2026 have begun.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure biodiversity net gain as part of National Grid's proposals to build pylons in the Fens as part of the Grimsby to Walpole plans.

The Government's National Policy Statements for energy infrastructure encourage projects to deliver biodiversity net gain. National Grid Electricity Transmission, the developer of Grimsby to Walpole, have committed to deliver at least 10% biodiversity net gain on their construction projects.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on long term funding solutions for the internal drainage board.

Defra officials are in regular contact with MHCLG officials regarding internal drainage boards (IDBs) and are working together, along with the IDB sector and local authorities, on a new research project. This project will review IDBs’ funding and costs, including considering whether any changes are needed to the IDB funding model. The review is expected to start this summer and will last for around a year. Once it has concluded Defra and MHCLG will consider the findings carefully.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the level of funds invested by Chinese firms in the UK water sector in the next ten years.

The Government recognises the important role of independent regulation in attracting the investment our water sector needs to deliver for both current and future consumers. We are aware there has been investment into the water sector in the UK by Chinese investors. Under Ofwat’s current processes, Ofwat are notified of acquisitions in line with water company licence conditions. Ofwat, as the independent economic regulator, protects the interests of consumers by making sure water companies carry out their statutory functions and are financially resilient as well as holding them to account on overall performance and delivery of essential services. These same standards and licence conditions apply across all water companies, regardless of whether they are owned by foreign or domestic investors.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to designate food security a critical national priority.

Food security is national security. We need a resilient and healthy food system, that works with nature and supports British farmers, fishers and food producers. Our Plan for Change sets out how we are focused on supporting our farmers, supporting rural economic growth and boosting Britain’s food security. Food supply is one of the UK's 14 Critical National Infrastructure sectors. Defra and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are joint Lead Government Departments (LGDs), with Defra leading on supply and the FSA on food safety. We work closely with the Cabinet Office and other LGDs to ensure food supply is fully incorporated as part of emergency preparedness, including consideration of dependencies on other sectors.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Rural Payments Agency has offered apprenticeships in each year since 2010.

The Civil Service is committed to using apprenticeships to break down barriers to opportunity, support skills development and deliver more effective public services.Defra Group, including the Rural Payments Agency, has developed a diverse apprenticeship programme, offering a range of apprenticeship standards from Level 3 (equivalent to A-Levels) to Level 7 (equivalent to Masters Level). The apprenticeship offer is used for both external recruitment and development of existing staff.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether OFWAT has offered apprenticeships in each year since 2010.

The Civil Service is committed to using apprenticeships to break down barriers to opportunity, support skills development and deliver more effective public services.OFWAT has made use of apprentices in its workforce since 2014 and recruitment data, where available, has been provided below:Employed as Degree Apprentices:QuantityApprenticeshipStart date End DateTraining provider2Operations (Technology & Infrastructure)Dec 2014Dec 2015South and City College1Professional economist (integrated degree), Level: 6Sep 2024Sep 2028The University of Kent2Project manager (integrated degree), Level: 6Oct 2024Sep 2027University of Exeter2Solicitor, Level: 7Mar 2025Feb 2027DAMAR Ltd1Professional economist (integrated degree), Level: 6Sep 2024Sep 2028The University of KentOfwat Employees who joined Apprenticeship Programmes:1Solicitor, Level: 7Sep 2024Aug 2027DAMAR Ltd1Assistant accountant, Level: 3 (Standard)Sep 2019Sep 2020Solihull College and University Centre1Professional accounting or taxation technician, Level: 4 (Standard)Dec 2020Mar 2022Solihull College and University Centre1Business Administrator, Level: 3 (Standard)Jun 2019Sep 2020QA Ltd1Coaching professional, Level: 5Feb 2022Aug 2022HTP Apprenticeship College Ltd In addition, OFWAT is recruiting for a September 2025 Degree Apprenticeship intake: 2 x Economist, 1 x Chartered Manager, 2 x L7 Solicitor Apprentices

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Forestry Commission has offered apprenticeships since 2010.

The Government is committed to using apprenticeships to break down barriers to opportunity, support skills development and deliver more effective public services. Forestry Commission developed the degree Level 6 Professional Forester Apprenticeship with University of Cumbria and Institute of Chartered Foresters which now has 74 students including 30 from the private or third sectors. The first cohort will finish their apprenticeship in September 2025. Forestry England run a Level 3 in-house apprenticeship (formerly a Level 2) which has had 112 delegates since 2013. An additional 16 delegates have undertaken non-forestry skills apprenticeships including mechanical engineering, finance, HR, visitor services and business support.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of granting protected geographical status for Lincolnshire sausages.

This would require an application and would be subject to the normal process.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support farmers no longer able to apply for the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

This Government is proud to have secured the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country’s history, with £5 billion being spent to support farmers over a two-year period. Following the announcement that Defra has closed SFI for the submission of new applications, outstanding eligible applications that have been submitted will be processed. SFI is an important offer, but it is part of a wider package. We remain committed to investing in agri-environment schemes. We plan to launch the new Higher Tier scheme later this year; Capital Grants will re-open in summer 2025; we continue to move forward with Landscape Recovery; and we are increasing payment rates for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement holders to recognise their ongoing commitment to delivering environmental outcome. Funding from the farming budget also supports the provision of advice within the sector. The Farming Advice Service can assist farmers to review what advice and guidance is available to meet their business needs.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many properties received Farming Recovery Payments in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire in (i) 2023 and (ii) 2024.

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) can confirm that no payments were made to properties under the Farming Recovery payments in a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire in (i) 2023 RPA can confirm that 1889 payments were made to properties under the Farming Recovery payments in a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire in (ii) 2024.