Written questions by Jones.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support faith-based organisations providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities impacted by recent conflict in Lebanon.

Whilst the UK does not currently directly support any faith-based organisations in Lebanon, we remain committed to supporting vulnerable Lebanese communities, including refugees, regardless of religion or nationality. The UK has played a leading role in addressing the humanitarian situation in Lebanon and provided £56 million in humanitarian aid to support thousands of people affected by the conflict in Financial Year 2024/25. This included support to both displaced and host communities, to help them meet their basic needs and support them to access essential services It also included £4.5 million to the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund, which delivers multisectoral support through a network of local and international Non-Governmental Organisations, including faith-based organisations.We recognise that post-ceasefire needs in Lebanon remain high. The UK's ongoing response will continue, including our work with international partners to tackle immediate and long-term priorities.

Innovation and Technology, what his planned timeline is for phasing out the use of animal testing for regulatory and research purposes.

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.The Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year, which will set out clear objectives and measurable milestones. Any work to phase out animal testing, including the use of dogs in regulatory scientific procedures, must be science-led and in lock step with partners including regulators, so we will not be setting interim targets or arbitrary timelines for reducing their use.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of a Ministerial position dedicated to non-animal New-Approach Methodologies.

The Labour Manifesto commits to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing” and the Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year.As the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation Lord Vallance leads on this issue. He recognises this touches on a number of Departmental responsibilities and actively collaborates with fellow Ministers in relevant Departments to work together to support the delivery of important scientific research, including the development and implementation of alternative methods to animal testing.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has held with stakeholders in the life sciences and technology sectors on the potential for artificial intelligence to support the uptake of non-animal New Approach Methodologies.

The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”. The Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year.Minister Vallance hosted a roundtable on 05.09.24 with industry representatives, including discussing the application of AI and officials have kept in regular contact with industry since then. The Government is also co-funding seven Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI), two of which focus on AI which will support developing alternative methods.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) development and (b) deployment of artificial intelligence to accelerate the transition away from the use of animals in scientific research and testing.

The Labour Manifesto commits to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”. While it is not yet possible to replace all animal use, we support the development and application of approaches that replace, reduce and refine animal use in research (the 3Rs), including via artificial intelligence. The Prime Minister launched the AI Opportunities Action Plan in January which outlined 50 actions needed to drive up the development and deployment of AI.The Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year.

What recent estimate her Department has made of the number of asylum claims made on the grounds of religious persecution from (a) Nigeria, (b) Eritrea and c) Pakistan between December 2001 and December 2024; and what steps she is taken to ensure claims are processed (i) fairly and (ii) efficiently.

We do not publish the number of asylum claims that were granted based on religious persecution. This information is not recorded in a reportable format. Information regarding initial decisions on asylum applications, by outcome, is contained within ASY_D02 tab of the Asylum applications, decisions and resettlement dataset on GOV.UK at: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).Detailed Home Office policy guidance provides a framework for considering asylum claims. All caseworkers receive extensive training to consider claims objectively and impartially, and they receive mentoring support before interviewing claimants and making such decisions. Each individual assessment is made against the background of relevant case law and the latest available country of origin information.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) zoos and (b) aquariums on the inclusion of conservation animal transfers in a future UK-EU veterinary agreement.

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders’ Summit on May 19 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Area, aimed at reducing trade barriers and facilitate the safe and efficient movement of zoo animals. With the principles and framework of a deal agreed, we will now negotiate the detail of an agreement that reduces administrative burden by streamlining SPS checks and certification, while upholding the UK’s commitment to ensure its biosecurity is protected within this future framework. We continue to work closely with zoos and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) to address challenges related to the movement of animals between the UK and the EU. This includes the availability of Export Health Certificates and to expedite requests for new EHCs, for breeding programmes where welfare concerns may arise. Ministers have actively engaged with the zoo and wildlife sector through multiple visits and discussions to understand its challenges and opportunities. This dialogue will continue as we work together to support ongoing improvements.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of (a) health certification requirements, (b) other veterinary and (c) customs requirements on cross-border movement of endangered species between the UK and the EU.

An SPS Agreement will establish a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Zone aimed at reducing trade barriers and facilitating the safe and efficient movement of terrestrial and aquatic zoo animals. Our ambition is to reach an agreement that reduces administrative burden by streamlining SPS checks and certification, while upholding the UK’s commitment to ensure its biosecurity is protected within this future framework. Defra continues to work closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) to address immediate challenges to the cross-border movement of endangered species, including the availability of Export Health Certificates and Border Control Post capacity.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that any future UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) veterinary agreement supports the vital role of (a) zoos and (b) aquariums in international conservation breeding programmes.

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders’ Summit on May 19 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, aimed at reducing trade barriers and facilitating the safe and efficient movement of terrestrial and aquatic zoo animals. With the principles and framework of a deal agreed, we will now negotiate the detail of an agreement that reduce administrative burden by streamlining SPS checks and certification, while upholding the UK’s commitment to ensure its biosecurity is protected within this future framework. We continue to work with the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) to address immediate challenges regarding EU trade– such as the availability of Export Health Certificates and Border Control Post capacity. However, our primary focus is on securing a long-term, sustainable solution through a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement with the EU.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to (a) monitor violence against Christian communities in northern Nigeria and (b) support efforts to hold perpetrators to account.

The UK Government continues to monitor events in northern Nigeria closely. Terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa, target all those who do not subscribe to their extremist views, including both Christians and Muslims. These incidents are distinct from the ongoing intercommunal violence across Nigeria. We regularly raise both issues with key stakeholders in Nigeria, most recently during Lord Collins's visit to Nigeria (28-30 May), where he held discussions with the Foreign Minister, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Head of the National Centre for Counter-Terrorism, and UN partners on these issues. Additionally, through the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), the UK is working with Nigeria to tackle violence against all civilian communities, including those of different religious backgrounds and belief systems. As part of this dialogue, we previously welcomed a commitment from Nigeria on timely, effective, and human rights compliant investigations of, and prosecutions for, terrorism crimes.

What plans he has to include tidal lagoons in the 2030-50 clean energy mix.

The UK possesses tremendous tidal resource which could play a role in balancing the intermittency of wind and solar generation as we transition towards a carbon-neutral power sector. The Government's position on tidal range generation, is that we remain open to considering well-developed proposals for harnessing the tidal range energy in the bays and estuaries around our coastlines, including lagoons and other alternatives.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the semiconductor skills package increases skills in science sectors.

The £4.75 million semiconductor skills package will increase the supply of skilled science and engineering workers. It includes school outreach in regional clusters, chip design courses for undergraduates, and a flagship semiconductor bursary scheme for 300 students starting Electronics and Electrical Engineering degrees, all of which will increase skill supply for the UK’s sector. This initiative will help key growth hubs like the South Wales Compound Semiconductor Cluster access the expertise needed to thrive and for the UK sector to achieve projected revenues of £16.7 billion by 2030.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the treatment of Christian (a) leaders and (b) communities in Nicaragua.

We share widespread international concern about the relentless suppression of human rights in Nicaragua, including in relation to freedom of religion or belief, which the UK remains committed to championing for all. We continue to urge the Nicaraguan authorities to re-establish democratic freedoms through our engagements in country and with the Nicaraguan Embassy in London, and through our public statements in international fora. We most recently raised these concerns on 28 February 2025 at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help develop supply chains for (a) compound semiconductors and (b) other critical semiconductor materials.

This Government is supporting the development of supply chains for compound semiconductors and other critical semiconductor materials as part of our work to deliver the upcoming Industrial Strategy, which includes Digital and Technologies as a priority growth-driving sector. We recently secured a £250 million investment from one of the world’s largest manufacturers of semiconductors - Vishay Technologies – into the UK’s largest semiconductor facility as part of plans to develop large-scale compound semiconductor manufacturing in the UK, supported by the government’s Automotive Transformation Fund. Investments such as this will help develop UK supply chains in this high growth area of technology.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Lethal Dose 50 test on animals.

The UK continues to lead the way in seeking the international adoption of improved test methods that replace, reduce or refine the use of animals in scientific procedures.Some authorised medicines in the UK include quality control tests which require the use of animals, conducted to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of specific medicines. These tests account for the LD50 cases still conducted.Within the UK framework, regulators follow the principles of the 3Rs - to replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in tests. This is a legal requirement for all work conducted. However, it is not presently possible to replace all of the existing animal tests with non-animal replacements.The Government invests £10m annually in the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) to accelerate the development and adoption of 3Rs approaches.Through the forthcoming alternatives strategy, the Government will seek to accelerate the validation of alternative methods and their uptake for regulatory decision making.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the US Food and Drug Administration's publication entitled Roadmap to Reducing Animal Testing in Preclinical Safety Studies, published on 10 April 2025.

It is not yet possible to replace all animal use due to the complexity of biological systems and regulatory requirements for their use. The Government has reviewed the FDA roadmap and is engaging with the MHRA on how to accelerate the science-led adoption of alternatives to the use of animals for drug development and testing. The Government will publish a strategy later this year that will support this ambition and accelerate the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods across the biosciences.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) regulatory alignment with the European Union on chemicals regulation and (b) seeking associate membership of the European Chemicals Agency at the UK-EU summit on 19 May.

This Government will work to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU across a range of areas. It is too early to discuss scope or specific areas in any greater detail.

Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps to ensure that (a) Newport West and Islwyn, (b) Welsh communities and (c) Britain has access to (i) affordable and (ii) covered tennis and padel facilities.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.Sport England provides long term investment to the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel tennis in Britain. It receives up to £10.2 million for five years to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit everyone.The Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities programme is focused on investment into sports pitches and ancillary facilities, like changing rooms and clubhouses.All future funding of sports facilities beyond 2025/26 will be considered as part of the forthcoming Spending Review.Sport policy is devolved but we continue to engage closely with partners in Wales across various areas including facilities investment.

Media and Sport, whether the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme will provide funding for (a) tennis and (b) padel facilities.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.Sport England provides long term investment to the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel tennis in Britain. It receives up to £10.2 million for five years to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit everyone.The Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities programme is focused on investment into sports pitches and ancillary facilities, like changing rooms and clubhouses.All future funding of sports facilities beyond 2025/26 will be considered as part of the forthcoming Spending Review.Sport policy is devolved but we continue to engage closely with partners in Wales across various areas including facilities investment.

Media and Sport, what plans she has to provide funding for (a) tennis and (b) padel facilities.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.Sport England provides long term investment to the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel tennis in Britain. It receives up to £10.2 million for five years to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit everyone.The Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities programme is focused on investment into sports pitches and ancillary facilities, like changing rooms and clubhouses.All future funding of sports facilities beyond 2025/26 will be considered as part of the forthcoming Spending Review.Sport policy is devolved but we continue to engage closely with partners in Wales across various areas including facilities investment.