Written questions by Hudson.

Whether the funding allocated to rebuild the APHA site in Weybridge is part of the Government's commitment to spend 5% of GDP on national security by 2035.

NATO provides reporting guidelines for the 1.5% defence and security related spending. It will include investments that raise the overall resilience of our societies, such as energy security, telecommunications, and infrastructure, as well as the execution of defence plans, expanding industrial capacity and innovation and counter hybrid actions. Our National Security Strategy confirms our belief that these types of investment are vital to national security and we are pleased that this is now recognised by NATO. As set out in the Spending Review 2025, this government is making significant investment into these areas and we are confident we will meet the 1.5% target on defence and security related spending. Along with all other NATO allies, the UK will report against the new categories of defence spending at the next NATO reporting deadline.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the (a) situation and (b) safety of British nationals in Iran.

Our Embassy in Tehran, which continues to operate remotely, is closely monitoring the situation in Iran. We remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of our nationals, including those detained.However we have long advised against all travel to Iran and warned British Nationals that in an emergency the UK government will not be able to evacuate or provide face-to-face assistance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the (a) situation and (b) safety of British nationals in (i) Israel and (ii) the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Consular teams have worked round the clock to support British nationals in the region. As soon as Israeli airspace re-opened UK government charter flights left Israel carrying over 340 British nationals on six flights. In allocating seats, we prioritised those who were most vulnerable, including those with medical needs, children, and the elderly. At this time, no further flights are planned. Commercial flights are now available. This remains a fast-moving and fragile situation, and plans will be kept under constant review.

Whether she has had discussions with the Mayor of London on proposed costs for upgrades to the Central Line's fleet of trains.

Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and TfL, and decisions on capital spend and investment are for him to make, including the almost £2.2bn of funding awarded for TfL through the Government’s Spending Review. My Department and I have regular discussions about transport interests in London.

Whether she has had discussions with the Mayor of London on potential use of the £2.2billion provided in the latest multi-year settlement offer.

Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and TfL, and decisions on capital spend and investment are for him to make, including the almost £2.2bn of funding awarded for TfL through the Government’s Spending Review. My Department and I have regular discussions about transport interests in London.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many Equidae (a) were recorded as transiting across Great Britain and (b) had been declared on their paperwork as having been imported via (i) Harwich, (ii) Dover, (iii) Killingholme, (iv) Cairnryan, (v) Holyhead, (vi) Birkenhead (vii) other ports in (A) 2023, (B) 2024 and (C) 2025 to-date.

From 2023 to date, a total of 8346 Equidae were recorded as transiting across Great Britain and had been declared on their paperwork as having been imported by a UK port. The attached table shows the number of Equidae by year and port. This information is drawn from external systems not directly controlled by the department.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many Equidae were declared as transiting across Great Britain on an intra-EU certificate in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025; and how many of those were declared as originating from (i) Northern Ireland, (ii) the Republic of Ireland and (iii) other EU countries in each year.

The attached table shows the number of Equidae which were declared as originating from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and other EU countries. This information is drawn from external systems not directly controlled by the department.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many Equidae recorded as transiting across Great Britain were declared as being exported from (a) Harwich, (b) Dover, (c) Killingholme, (d) Holyhead, (e) Birkenhead and (f) other ports in (i) 2023, (ii) 2024 and (iii) 2025.

This data is available on Export Health Certificates (Live Animals and Animal Product Origins) Issued between Great Britain and European Union by APHA - data.gov.uk This dataset contains information on the number of Export Health Certificates issued for exports from GB to the European Union in respect of Live Animals and Products of Animal Origin. It does not show the number of exports for each port but shows the number of Export Health Certificates issued per commodity group by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in a calendar month.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to paragraphs 8 and 10 of the National Audit Office’s report entitled Resilience to animal diseases, published on 4 June 2025, what plans his Department has to (a) deliver an effective digital identification system for horses, (b) enforce the Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018 and (c) upgrade the Central Equine Database.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The Government recognises the importance of the equine sector to the UK economy and of improving equine identification and traceability. The SPS agreement, outlined at the UK-EU Leader’s Summit on 19 May 2025, will establish a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, aimed at facilitating the safe and efficient movement of trade. The SPS Agreement will cover sanitary rules and the regulation of live animals, including animal health conditions governing the movement and importation of Equidae. Enforcement of Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018 lies with within the responsibilities of the Local Authorities.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the National Audit Office’s report entitled Resilience to animal diseases, published on 4 June 2025, what assessment his Department has made of failing to implement the statutory digital equine ID system on the risk of (a) disease preparedness, (b) livestock traceability and (c) biosecurity measures at the border.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. Defra recognises the importance of a robust equine identification and traceability regime. The current paper-based system supports disease outbreak management, public health and biosecurity. Biosecurity is also protected by the UK’s imports requirements and imports health certificates for equines. Defra has no current plans to implement statutory digital equine identification.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the report by the National Audit Office entitled Resilience to Animal Diseases, published on 4 June 2025, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UK's preparedness to respond to a major animal disease outbreak.

Defra and APHA actively assisted the National Audit Office in the collation of the data and information used to inform their report and will carefully work through the findings and recommendations to inform a plan for improvement. The National Audit Office will monitor progress against the recommendations at approximately 6 monthly intervals and we look forward to working with them on this. We are committed to improving biosecurity and resilience to animal diseases.

Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on when the full redevelopment of the Animal and Plant Health Agency headquarters in Weybridge will be completed.

Defra is making good progress with the redevelopment of the APHA Weybridge site. Planning consent is in place, construction of interim science facilities is underway, work is proceeding on the design of the main National Biosecurity Centre and with the appointment of construction partners. The main construction works are expected to begin in 2027, be completed by 2032 with licensing and commission complete by 2034.

What information his Department holds on when the rebuilding of (a) Whipps Cross Hospital and (b) Princess Alexandra Hospital will be completed.

As set out in the New Hospital Programme Plan for Implementation, the new hospital schemes for Whipps Cross Hospital and Princess Alexandra Hospital are in Wave 2 and are expected to commence construction between 2032 and 2034. Completion dates for all schemes will be confirmed following the approval of a Full Business Case, as set out in HM Treasury Green Book and as is usual for large infrastructure projects. Further information on the New Hospital Programme Plan for Implementation is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome/new-hospital-programme-plan-for-implementation

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) Thames Water and (b) Ofwat since the withdrawal of KKR from discussions on an equity recapitalisation deal.

The Government and Ofwat – the financial regulator for the water sector – are carefully monitoring the situation at Thames Water, and Ofwat is working closely with the company to strengthen its long-term financial resilience within the context of its licence and broader statutory obligations. Thames Water is running an equity raise and has indicated that it will need a new capital structure requiring both more equity and a significant reduction in the level of debt and we are monitoring this process closely.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to prevent the collapse of Thames Water.

The Government and Ofwat – the financial regulator for the water sector – are carefully monitoring the situation at Thames Water, and Ofwat is working closely with the company to strengthen its long-term financial resilience within the context of its licence and broader statutory obligations. Thames Water is running an equity raise and has indicated that it will need a new capital structure requiring both more equity and a significant reduction in the level of debt and we are monitoring this process closely.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2024 to Question 10799 on Meat: Smuggling, how much illegal meat was seized (a) from 11 October 2024 to 31 December 2024 and (b) in 2025.

Illegal meat seized figures captured as part of Defra's African Swine Fever Programme:Between 11 October 2024 – 21 December 2024, 49,912kg seized.Between 3 January 2025 – 18 April, 72,872kg seized.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill on the environmental impact of disposable vapes.

On 1 June the sale and supply of disposable vapes across the UK was banned, this will remove these harmful products from shelves and reduce the waste cause by their disposal. We will work closely with the Department of Health to ensure that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill continues to consider the environmental impacts of vaping.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of penalties for the illegal sale of vaping products on those sales.

Trading Standards officers currently have a range of enforcement tools at their disposal to enforce age of sale restrictions and to take a proportionate approach to enforcement that reflects the severity of the offence committed. When necessary, this includes prosecuting offenders, which can result in a court imposed fine of up to £2,500, and, in the case of repeat offences, an application for a restricted premises order or restricted sale order. £200 fixed penalty notices, introduced by the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, will complement existing sanctions and support Trading Standards to crack down on retailers selling to underage people.We will complete a post-implementation review of the measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in due course.The sale and supply of single use vapes was banned on 1 June 2025. If a retailer repeatedly sells single use vapes, they can be charged with an unlimited fine, or a prison sentence of up to two years. We will work with enforcement agencies to monitor the impact and effectiveness of the ban, including the impact of the penalties.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the glass manufacturing sector on the potential impact of extended producer responsibility on glass packaging since 14 May 2025.

Officials also joined a panel for the Wine and Spirit Trade Association on 21 May, and have met with the Food and Drink Federation and the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to (a) amend and (b) pause the extended producer responsibility scheme to mitigate the impact on pubs.

The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024 came into effect on 1 January 2025, PackUK, the Scheme Administrator has been appointed, and producers have started to accrue scheme costs from the 1 April 2025. pEPR has been subject to extensive consultation and stakeholders have had ample opportunity to understand the design of the scheme. We will be consulting on potential amendments to address the issue of dual use packaging.