Written questions by Foy.

Food and Rural Affairs, when she intends to publish the consultation on phasing out the use of fallow farming crates.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she can confirm if the forthcoming consultation on phasing out farrowing crates will be based on a transition to free farrowing systems rather than permitting the use of continued temporary crating.

Awaiting answer.

What guidance her Department issues to local authorities on the timeframe for consulting on changes to home to school transport provision and the implementation of any proposed changes.

The ‘Travel to school for children of compulsory school age’ statutory guidance makes clear that, where a local authority is proposing to make changes to their school travel policy which may affect children’s eligibility, they should consult locally for a...

What estimate he has made of the further legal costs that may be incurred by the Department in relation to ongoing litigation concerning compensation for women affected by maladministration in State Pen

Women Against State Pension Inequality Ltd (WASPI) are seeking permission from the High Court to bring a Judicial Review on our response to the Ombudsman’s report. We do not comment on live litigation.

If the Department has considered participating in Alternative Dispute Resolution or mediation in relation to the ongoing legal proceedings associated with the WASPI campaign.

Women Against State Pension Inequality Ltd (WASPI) are seeking permission from the High Court to bring a Judicial Review on our response to the Ombudsman’s report. We are not able to comment on live litigation, but full details of our decision in this cas...

What assessment he has made of the comparative cost to the public purse of compensating women affected by maladministration in State Pension Age communications.

Women Against State Pension Inequality Ltd (WASPI) are seeking permission from the High Court to bring a Judicial Review on our response to the Ombudsman’s report. We are not able to comment on live litigation, but full details of our decision in this cas...

Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provides to local planning authorities on the material weight to be afforded to emerging policies within the draft National Planning Policy Framework

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 102812 on 13 January 2026

What steps he is taking to support the physical and mental health of unpaid carers.

The Government is preparing a cross-Government action plan for unpaid carers, to improve how unpaid carers are recognised, how support is offered, and how they can be helped to reach their full potential and live fulfilling lives.Through measures in the 1...

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of financial support available to unpaid carers.

The Government is preparing a cross-Government action plan for unpaid carers, to improve how unpaid carers are recognised, how support is offered, and how they can be helped to reach their full potential and live fulfilling lives.Through measures in the 1...

What steps he is taking to improve the identification and support of unpaid carers within NHS services.

The Government is preparing a cross-Government action plan for unpaid carers, to improve how unpaid carers are recognised, how support is offered, and how they can be helped to reach their full potential and live fulfilling lives.Through measures in the 1...

Whether his Department is developing a cross-government action plan for unpaid carers.

The Government is preparing a cross-Government action plan for unpaid carers, to improve how unpaid carers are recognised, how support is offered, and how they can be helped to reach their full potential and live fulfilling lives.Through measures in the 1...

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of differing requirements imposed by insurers for key-safe equipment, installation and compliance on barriers to switching providers and levels of competiti

Insurers make decisions about the terms on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks. The Government has not made a specific assessment of domestic key safes and generally does not intervene in the commercial decisions of i...

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of lowering the the retirement age for prison officers.

We are aware of the POA campaign for a reduced prison officer pension age.We recognise the unique and challenging role that prison officers play in protecting the public and reducing reoffending and that pension age is an important issue for prison staff ...

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that local authorities maintain an (a) independent and (b) impartial process for handling complaints made against councillors.

Current legislation requires local authorities to make arrangements to investigate allegations of breaching codes of conduct. These must include the involvement of an appointed independent person. The local authority is required to seek the views of this ...

What discussions she has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on insurers’ treatment of claims where burglaries occur following (a) misuse and (b) legitimate disclosure of a key-safe code; and whether exclusions

Insurers make decisions about the terms on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks. The Government has not made a specific assessment of domestic key safes and generally does not intervene in the commercial decisions of i...

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of reinstating the right to strike for prison and custody officers.

Ministers and officials have previously met with the POA to listen to their concerns on this issue. Prison officers work in difficult environments every day, with some of the most challenging people in society. The Government recognises that the work of p...

Whether she has made an assessment of levels of consistency in underwriting standards for domestic key safes across the insurance industry and the potential impact on disabled and vulnerable policyholders.

Insurers make decisions about the terms on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks. The Government has not made a specific assessment of domestic key safes and generally does not intervene in the commercial decisions of i...

Communities and Local Government, if his Department will issue guidance to local planning authorities to help ensure consistency in how (a) draft and (b) consultative planning policies are applied to pre-applicat

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 102812 on 13 January 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with local authorities on the draft well-connected places policy and the proposed railway station connectivity assessment currently set out in

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). As part of the consultation, my Department worked with the Planning Advisory Service to organise a series of in-person and online engagement events w...

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department considers that the Community Interest company Clean Streets is part of the tobacco industry.

We are considering this matter very carefully and will write to the honourable member for the City of Durham when we are in a position to do so.