Written questions by Jones.

Innovation and Technology, whether she has undertaken analysis of financial losses to UK consumers arising from engagement with illegal streaming services; and whether he is taking steps to mitigate those losses.

The UK Government recognises the challenges that illegal streaming services creates for intellectual property (IP) owners, creators, businesses and consumers. We work closely with law enforcement partners, rights holders, consumers, and industry to understand where and how this is taking place. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has conducted research into the scale of digital piracy, and IP infringement more broadly across multiple sectors. For example, two IPO consumer surveys published in 2025 demonstrated that digital piracy continues to be a challenge in the UK. In 2024, 29% of UK residents aged 12+ (around 17.2 million) had recently accessed online content that infringed IP rights. This activity can have a negative impact on businesses. These impacts include, but are not limited to, lost sales and the costs related to monitoring and enforcement. This information is used, along with other data we collect on online infringement (e.g., use of counterfeit goods) to help design measures that can affect consumer behaviour and provide cost-effective, targeted enforcement procedures.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the reported forced confessions and coerced statements of Baha’i followers broadcast on Iranian state media, including on the potential impact on the level of religious persecution of Baha’i followers in Iran..

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided to question 67802 on 6 August 2025.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a fee for project licence applications under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 based on the estimated number of procedures and using the funds generated to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods.

This Government has recently announced £75 million of further investment in accelerating the development, validation and uptake of non-animal alternative methods.As set out in the Replacing Animals in Science strategy, published in November 2025, the Government will create a preclinical translational models hub and a UK Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (UKCVAM).This is in addition to the current funding of the NC3Rs.

How many licences were rejected for procedures using the rabbit pyrogen test since the publication of the Replacing Animals in Science strategy.

Since the publication of the Animals in Science Strategy on 11 November the Home Office has not received any applications for licences that seek authorisation for procedures using the rabbit pyrogen test.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled PFAS Plan: building a safer future together, updated on 3 February 2026, is she will set out the expected timeline for implementing the measures relating to consumer articles.

The Government’s PFAS Plan published on 3 February 2026 sets out the Government’s approach to PFAS, including those used in consumer articles. The timeline for implementing the next steps on measures relating to consumer articles is set out in the actions table in the PFAS Plan. Action is already underway, with the joint Defra-OPSS roundtable scheduled for April 2026. This will serve as a next step in understanding the risks associated with PFAS in consumer goods and assessing potential regulatory options.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled PFAS Plan: building a safer future together, updated on 3 February 2026, is she will set out progress and next steps on the measures on consumer articles, including indicative timeframes for their delivery.

The Government’s PFAS Plan published on 3 February 2026 sets out the Government’s approach to PFAS, including those used in consumer articles. The timeline for implementing the next steps on measures relating to consumer articles is set out in the actions table in the PFAS Plan. Action is already underway, with the joint Defra-OPSS roundtable scheduled for April 2026. This will serve as a next step in understanding the risks associated with PFAS in consumer goods and assessing potential regulatory options.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs have been seized from their owners under Section 18(5) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in each of the last five years.

Defra does not collect data on the financial costs to police forces associated with waiting times for Section 20 hearings under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, nor does it hold records on the number of dogs seized under Section 18(5) of the Act, or the length of time such dogs are held in dog homes or council facilities. These matters are operational responsibilities of police forces and local authorities, and any relevant information would be held by those bodies.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has she made of the impact of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 in potentially reducing the a) financial burden on and b) kennel capacity of i) Scottish Local Authorities and ii) dog homes caring for dogs seized under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 without court order.

In Defra’s recently published Animal Welfare Strategy, this Government committed to undertake a review to ensure the appropriate tools and frameworks are in place to deliver a proportionate and robust enforcement system. This would include powers to seize or rehome animals where necessary.

Food and Rural Affairs, what conversations has she had with HM Courts and Tribunal Service regarding the potential impact of court delays on a) the welfare of dogs seized under the Animal Welfare Act, b) the Local Authorities and c) dog homes which care for them.

There have been discussions at official level between Defra and HM Courts and Tribunal Services regarding the potential impact of court delays. These discussions have included issues in relation to taking animals into possession, as well as other related matters.

Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration has she given to introducing powers for local authorities in England and Wales to rehome dogs seized under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 after 21 days without a court order, as in Scotland.

In Defra’s recently published Animal Welfare Strategy, this Government committed to undertake a review to ensure the appropriate tools and frameworks are in place to deliver a proportionate and robust enforcement system. This would include powers to seize or rehome animals where necessary.

Food and Rural Affairs, what has been the additional financial costs caused as a result of current waiting times in securing Section 20 hearings for dogs seized under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to each police force in a) financial year 2022-2023, b) financial year 2023-2024, c) financial year 2024-25.

Defra does not collect data on the financial costs to police forces associated with waiting times for Section 20 hearings under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, nor does it hold records on the number of dogs seized under Section 18(5) of the Act, or the length of time such dogs are held in dog homes or council facilities. These matters are operational responsibilities of police forces and local authorities, and any relevant information would be held by those bodies.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the financial costs to police forces of current waiting times in securing Section 20 hearings for dogs seized under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Defra does not collect data on the financial costs to police forces associated with waiting times for Section 20 hearings under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, nor does it hold records on the number of dogs seized under Section 18(5) of the Act, or the length of time such dogs are held in dog homes or council facilities. These matters are operational responsibilities of police forces and local authorities, and any relevant information would be held by those bodies.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs seized under Section 18 (5) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 were held in a a) dog home or b) council facility for longer than i) three months, ii) six months, and iii) 12 months over the last five years.

Defra does not collect data on the financial costs to police forces associated with waiting times for Section 20 hearings under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, nor does it hold records on the number of dogs seized under Section 18(5) of the Act, or the length of time such dogs are held in dog homes or council facilities. These matters are operational responsibilities of police forces and local authorities, and any relevant information would be held by those bodies.

What assessment has she made of the potential impact of proposed changes to the rules for indefinite leave to remain on the physiotherapy workforce.

Proposals for introducing an earned settlement model, as set out in the Command Paper “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement” (CP1448), were subject to a public consultation, which opened on 20 November 2025 and closed on 12 February 2026.We are now reviewing and analysing the results of this to inform the development of the final model. The consultation sought views on the impact proposed changes might have on different groups and the case for exemptions for vulnerable groupings. Implementation of the earned settlement arrangements will be subject to economic and equality impact assessments, which we have committed to publish in due course.

With reference to Department's transparency data entitled Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986: Non-technical summaries for project licences granted October – December 2025 that require a retrospective assessment, updated on 5 February 2026, what steps she is taking to ensure that projects are not duplicated in the report.

The Animals in Science Regulation Unit operates a quality checking process to minimise errors in published non-technical summaries (NTS). However, they acknowledge there was a duplication error in the February 2026 NTS publication.The Animals in Science Regulation Unit have corrected a version of the document which will be published shortly. For clarity, all NTS’ were published, the error detected was a duplication.

What conversations has she had with colleagues at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding the potential impact of court delays on the a) financial health and b) kennel capacity of i) local authorities and ii) dog homes in England and Wales due to requirements to seize animals under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The Ministry of Justice and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs work closely at official level, alongside other Departments and operational partners, on matters relating to animal welfare and the functioning of the justice system.The average waiting time for section 20 hearings in the last five years is set out in the table below. Listing is a judicial function administered by HMCTS on judicial direction. The Ministry of Justice recognises that delays in court proceedings can have wider operational and financial impacts on partner organisations, including local authorities and animal welfare providers, and continues to focus on reducing court backlogs through its court reform programme, which is why on 25 February 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister announced the Courts and Tribunals Bill, aiming to deliver faster, fairer justice for all. These reforms are designed to progress cases more quickly through the criminal courts.Magistrates Court: Average wait time for Section 20 hearing under the Animal Welfare Act 2006202183 Days202253 Days202389 Days202474 Days202582 Days

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 February to Question 109206 on breast cancer drugs, what steps he is taking to improve support and training for GPs to prescribe risk-reducing drugs to women at increased risk of breast cancer.

The Department is taking steps to ensure that women at increased risk of breast cancer are provided with the best information, support, preventative care, and testing.Through our National Cancer Plan, we will develop and deliver more proactive approaches to identifying people at risk of cancer, through symptomatic case finding, additional support for general practitioners (GPs) and genomic testing. The new and world-leading NHS National Inherited Cancer Predisposition Registry, part of the National Disease Registration Service, will help the National Health Service to deliver proactive, targeted prevention, surveillance, and earlier diagnosis for people and their families. Self-testing swabs will accelerate access to genomic tests, and those who need it will get genetic counselling, regular surveillance checks, and prophylactic treatment options. For women at increased risk of breast cancer, this means a more proactive approach and personalised support.Through our National Cancer Plan, and our wider work on improving GP services, we will offer improved support to women at increased risk of breast cancer.

What the average waiting time was for a Section 20 hearing under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in each of the last five years.

The Ministry of Justice and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs work closely at official level, alongside other Departments and operational partners, on matters relating to animal welfare and the functioning of the justice system.The average waiting time for section 20 hearings in the last five years is set out in the table below. Listing is a judicial function administered by HMCTS on judicial direction. The Ministry of Justice recognises that delays in court proceedings can have wider operational and financial impacts on partner organisations, including local authorities and animal welfare providers, and continues to focus on reducing court backlogs through its court reform programme, which is why on 25 February 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister announced the Courts and Tribunals Bill, aiming to deliver faster, fairer justice for all. These reforms are designed to progress cases more quickly through the criminal courts.Magistrates Court: Average wait time for Section 20 hearing under the Animal Welfare Act 2006202183 Days202253 Days202389 Days202474 Days202582 Days

What steps is he taking to accelerate the scheduling of Section 20 hearings for animals seized under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The Ministry of Justice and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs work closely at official level, alongside other Departments and operational partners, on matters relating to animal welfare and the functioning of the justice system.The average waiting time for section 20 hearings in the last five years is set out in the table below. Listing is a judicial function administered by HMCTS on judicial direction. The Ministry of Justice recognises that delays in court proceedings can have wider operational and financial impacts on partner organisations, including local authorities and animal welfare providers, and continues to focus on reducing court backlogs through its court reform programme, which is why on 25 February 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister announced the Courts and Tribunals Bill, aiming to deliver faster, fairer justice for all. These reforms are designed to progress cases more quickly through the criminal courts.Magistrates Court: Average wait time for Section 20 hearing under the Animal Welfare Act 2006202183 Days202253 Days202389 Days202474 Days202582 Days

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of a reduction in the number of unannounced audits by the Animals in Science Regulation Unit of establishments licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 between 2019 and 2024.

As part of a structured programme of reform, the Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) is increasing the number of veterinary and medical inspectors from an average of 14.5 in 2023 to 22 in March 2026. This provides additional specialist resource to undertake regulatory assurance activities in the future. However, the number of audits undertaken should not be equated with impact, as the quality, depth and scope of audits are key determinants in the regulatory system.ASRU deploys both announced and unannounced audits to assurance compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, and both are important tenets of the regulatory framework. Unannounced audits may be employed where there are specific concerns or potentially higher risks at an establishment. Announced audits can enable inspectors to observe scheduled procedures, speak to relevant staff and ensure that all information required is made available to form a complete assessment of compliance.