Written questions by McCarthy.

Food and Rural Affairs, which public bodies will be required to comply with the revised Government Buying Standards for food and catering services.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that public sector food procurement meets the proposed requirement for 50% of food spend to meet higher environmental and welfare standards.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress she has made on updating Government Buying Standards relating to food procurement.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has been made on introducing clearer country-of-origin and method-of-production food labelling to support higher animal welfare standards since the Government response to the Fairer Food Labelling consultation.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, when she will bring forward regulations under the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the forthcoming Circular Economy Strategy will include proposals to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility for the textiles sector.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the Answer of 10 April 2026 to Question 126120, when her Department will publish further details on the scope of its in-depth study of fostering finances.

The department plans to focus on fostering allowances, fees, as well as other financial support that carers receive, and use this to inform analysis alongside existing data on recruitment and retention.To inform this work, more data is needed about the fi...

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of reducing care home costs for elderly and disabled people.

Fee rates are set by providers of adult social care, the majority of which are in the independent sector. The Department does not have powers to set or recommend the level of fees that care homes charge. However, all businesses are required to comply with...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the availability of affordable housing for (a) care leavers and (b) young people unable to live with their families in Bristol.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that local planning authorities should assess the size, type, and tenure of housing needed for different groups, and should reflect this in their planning policies and decisions.I otherwise refer t...

Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on securing (a) affordable, (b) safe and (c) appropriate accommodation for young people leaving youth custody

There are regular discussions between cabinet colleagues, and further dialogue through the Inter-Ministerial Group on homelessness and rough sleeping. The details of these discussions are not usually disclosed.

What housing cost support is available for young apprentices living independently.

Housing costs support is available in Universal Credit for those of working age who have a liability to pay rent for the home that they live in. Renters that require further support, where they face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs, can apply fo...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential risk of speculative development in locations without an up-to-date Local Plan.

In the absence of an up-to-date Local Plan, there is a high likelihood that development will come forward on a piecemeal and speculative basis, with reduced public engagement and fewer guarantees that it will make the most of an area’s potential. It is fo...

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps are being taken to support stable governance for private investment in nature markets.

The Government is committed to scaling stable, high integrity markets to mobilise investment in nature recovery and sustainable farming. As detailed in the Summary of Responses to the consultation on Voluntary Carbon and Nature Market integrity, simple an...

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing fiscal incentives to support wildlife restoration and habitat creation.

The Government is committing more than £2.7 billion per year in sustainable farming and nature recovery from 2026‑27 until 2028‑29. This includes increasing support for nature-friendly farming through Environmental Land Management schemes from £800 millio...

Food and Rural Affairs, when the Circular Economy Growth Plan will be published.

This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy where resources are kept in use for longer and waste is designed out. This systemic change, with investment in green jobs and vital infrastructure, builds a path to economic growth, ...

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support the scaling up of innovative, low-cost technologies, including fungal filtration, to reduce pollutants such as E. coli, phosphorus and ni

Funding for Environmental Land Management Schemes will increase by 150% from £800 million in 23/24 to £2 billion by 28/29 and we are working actively to target this to help address water pollution, protect nature, and support thriving biodiversity across ...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether there will be ministerial attendance at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in August.

We remain committed to working with our international partners to tackle desertification, land degradation and drought. Details of UK representation at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP17 in Ulaanbaatar in August will be confirmed in due cou...

What her Department's timetable is for responding to the Setting up the School Support Staff Negotiating Body consultation.

The department is currently preparing the response to the public consultation on setting up the School Support Staff Negotiating Body for publication.

What discussions he has had with representatives from prisons on allowing prisoners to have virtual visits with their children through longer and high-quality video calls.

Ministry of Justice Ministers have frequent discussions with prison staff on all aspects of the prison experience. His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) encourages prisons to make the experience of those visiting prisoners the ‘best it can be’, and to seek feedback from visitors on how to improve services. Information on the quality of social visits, including feedback from stakeholders, is included in the HMPPS Families Performance Improvement Measure.Supporting consistent contact between parents in prison and their children where it is safe and appropriate, helps to mitigate the harm arising from separation caused by imprisonment.Making prison visits family‑friendly is an important element of maintaining family ties and supporting effective rehabilitation. Visiting a prison can be a daunting experience for anyone, particularly those already coping with the emotional impact of having a loved-one in custody. A welcoming visiting environment helps to reduce fear, anxiety and stigma, enabling families to feel safe and supported during what may be a stressful experience.Family‑friendly visits allow relations to interact more naturally, supporting healthy attachment and emotional wellbeing. Simple measures such as clear information, trained staff, suitable facilities and access to play or activity areas can make a significant difference to the experience. These features help visits to feel more like a normal family interaction and allow parents in custody to maintain a meaningful role in their child’s life.Prison video calling is already an established part of the prison communications offer. The provision of secure social video calls, as a supplement to letters, telephone calls and in‑person visits, supports the maintenance of family ties and reflects key recommendations made in Lord Farmer’s reviews, which highlighted the importance of strong family relationships in reducing the risk of re‑offending.

What discussions he has had with representatives from prisons on making prison visits more suitable for children and families.

Ministry of Justice Ministers have frequent discussions with prison staff on all aspects of the prison experience. His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) encourages prisons to make the experience of those visiting prisoners the ‘best it can be’, and to seek feedback from visitors on how to improve services. Information on the quality of social visits, including feedback from stakeholders, is included in the HMPPS Families Performance Improvement Measure.Supporting consistent contact between parents in prison and their children where it is safe and appropriate, helps to mitigate the harm arising from separation caused by imprisonment.Making prison visits family‑friendly is an important element of maintaining family ties and supporting effective rehabilitation. Visiting a prison can be a daunting experience for anyone, particularly those already coping with the emotional impact of having a loved-one in custody. A welcoming visiting environment helps to reduce fear, anxiety and stigma, enabling families to feel safe and supported during what may be a stressful experience.Family‑friendly visits allow relations to interact more naturally, supporting healthy attachment and emotional wellbeing. Simple measures such as clear information, trained staff, suitable facilities and access to play or activity areas can make a significant difference to the experience. These features help visits to feel more like a normal family interaction and allow parents in custody to maintain a meaningful role in their child’s life.Prison video calling is already an established part of the prison communications offer. The provision of secure social video calls, as a supplement to letters, telephone calls and in‑person visits, supports the maintenance of family ties and reflects key recommendations made in Lord Farmer’s reviews, which highlighted the importance of strong family relationships in reducing the risk of re‑offending.