Written questions by Jones.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the effect of access to (a) accessible, (b) covered and (c) indoor sports facilities to levels of participation by disabled people in sport.

The Government recognises that high-quality, inclusive facilities help people get active. Accessible, covered and indoor sports facilities are essential to increasing participation by disabled people. In June last year, we committed £400 million to transform sports and leisure facilities over the next four years. We will ensure that this funding promotes health, wellbeing and community cohesion and helps remove the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups. We are working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, before setting out further plans on how future funding will be allocated.

Media and Sport, what consideration has she given to providing multi-year funding to support investment in covered tennis courts, and what assessment has she made of the potential impacts of such funding on increasing the availability of such facilities.

The Government will invest £15 million into new delivery models across England in 2026/27, to allow more people to participate in sports they wish to. At least £2.5 million will be invested through the LTA for covered courts in England for tennis, padel and other activities, with additional funding will also enable a wider range of sporting bodies to trial innovative funding pathways. We are working closely with the sport sector, including the Lawn Tennis Association, to learn from these pathways to develop plans for future grassroots sport funding. We are also investing £85 million across the UK via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2026/27, funding projects such as multi-sport hubs which provide communities with access to the facilities they need. We recognise the need for funding to target a range of sports across the country based on what types of facilities each community needs, ensuring that our investment in community grassroots sports facilities reaches as many people as possible. We provide the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding into grassroots sport across England, including providing £10.2 million in funding for the Lawn Tennis Association between 2022-27.

What steps she is taking to improve training for primary school teachers on how to deliver high quality PE and school sport.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity so every child can access high‑quality PE and school sport.As announced by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, the government will establish a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network to ensure all children and young people have access to high-quality PE and extracurricular sport. We expect the partnerships to improve school-to-school collaboration, increase opportunities for high-quality PE, encourage children to move more, make best use of facilities and provide teacher CPD and training.In addition, we have provided a grant of up to £300,000 a year to a consortium led by the Youth Sport Trust to deliver Inclusion 2028, providing advice, guidance and training to upskill teachers and school workforce to deliver high-quality, inclusive PE.Further details on the PE and School Sports Partnerships will be confirmed in due course.

What recent assessment she has made of the benefits of tennis-focused teaching as part of PE and sport provision; and what steps is she taking to support tennis education in schools.

Schools play a vital role in giving many pupils their first experience of playing sport, including tennis, in a structured and inclusive environment. This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity so that every child can access high-quality physical education and school sport. ​That is why, in June 2025, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister announced a new approach to PE and school sport, focused on building strong partnerships between schools, local clubs and national governing bodies of sport, such as the Lawn Tennis Association, to support greater participation and physical activity. ​National governing bodies provide valuable resources, workforce development and teacher support to help schools deliver high-quality sporting opportunities, both within the PE curriculum and through enrichment activity. The department is preparing to procure a national partner to lead the new PE and School Sport Partnerships, which will provide an opportunity to regularly assess the adequacy of support available to schools across PE and school sport, including the provision for tennis.

What assessment has she made of the potential impact of increases in fuel prices on the road haulage sector; and what steps is she taking to mitigate these.

The Department for Transport recognises growing concerns around rising fuel and transport costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East. The Department fully recognises the need to maintain the continuity of critical supply chains and is actively monitoring any potential impacts. The Department will continue to work with industry to understand the pressures and options to mitigate any risks.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has plans to help stop the breeding of cats with extreme physical traits associated with adverse health and welfare outcomes.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 March 2026 to the hon. Member for Spen Valley to PQ UIN 121026.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of reductions in Access to Work awards at renewal on blind and partially sighted customers.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Whether Access to Work staff receive specialist advice on visual impairment when assessing applications and renewals for blind and partially sighted customers.

Access to Work staff are trained to assess applications from all disability groups and individual impairments, taking account of each customer’s needs and circumstances. Staff are able to access specific support relating to individual impairments where necessary.Where specialist advice is required to inform the outcome, Access to Work staff may arrange a workplace assessment through one of its contracted providers to help identify appropriate adjustments and support to address workplace barriers.

What steps his Department taking to support delivery of the Morlais tidal stream project in Anglesey.

The UK Government supports the Morlais tidal stream project primarily through the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, our main mechanism for supporting low‑carbon electricity generation. Tidal stream projects deployed at Morlais have secured CfD contracts through recent allocation rounds, providing long‑term revenue certainty and supporting deployment from 2026 onwards. The Government has also maintained ringfenced budgets for tidal stream in successive CfD rounds, recognising the UK’s global leadership in this emerging technology. Responsibility for the Morlais site infrastructure and its development sits with the Welsh Government, which has provided equity and regional funding.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the budget for (a) tidal stream technologies and (b) other Pot 2 technologies in Allocation Round 8 above the £15 million provided in Allocation Round 7.

For Allocation Round 8 of the Contracts for Difference scheme, the Government will consider a range of factors when setting budgets and parameters for tidal stream and other technologies, including the pipeline of eligible projects, progress towards decarbonisation targets, and value for money for consumers.

What steps is his Department taking to increase the amount of tidal stream capacity procured in Allocation Round 8.

The Government will set out the design of Allocation Round 8, including parameters for all CfD eligible technologies, ahead of the round opening.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government's Animal Welfare Strategy's commitment to work with the veterinary profession to reduce tail docking will involve specific guidance for vets to ensure they are not authorising illegal mutilations.

The Department has recently engaged with the Pig Veterinary Society and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons regarding reducing the incidence of pig tail docking, and we are now carefully considering the appropriate next steps, including the possibility of developing further guidance for veterinarians.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the state of freedom of religion or belief in India; and what discussions she has had with her Indian counterpart on that topic.

We take the issues of freedom of religion and belief across the world very seriously. I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 9 March in response to Question 116730.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal Law Foundation's report entitled A Pig’s Tail: How Europe is moving beyond routine tail docking, published in April 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the levels of pig tail docking.

As the Government made clear in the Animal Welfare Strategy for England, we take the issue of pig tail docking very seriously. Working with industry and the veterinary profession to reduce the prevalence of tail docking is a priority. The Government will be carefully reviewing the Animal Law Foundation’s report as it considers the appropriate next steps.

Whether he plans to consult on the potential merits of aligning the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 with EU Regulation 2025/2509 on the safety of toys.

The Government continues to closely monitor regulatory activity in the EU and assesses EU regulations on a case-by-case basis. It is right that the Government proceeds with policy changes in GB with due consultation and scrutiny. This is balanced with the Government’s commitment to protecting the UK internal market and supporting UK exports to the EU by breaking down unnecessary barriers to trade. The Government plans to launch a Call for Evidence shortly, which will seek views on whether to implement similar requirements in GB to those of the new EU Toy Safety Regulation.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential harms posed to children by endocrine disrupting chemicals in toys.

Legalisation is clear that all toys must be safe before being placed on our market. The government is aware of the growing concerns regarding endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This is a complex scientific issue, and we will be seeking views in our upcoming call for evidence on toys.Regarding bisphenols, Bisphenol-A (BPA) is recognized as a UK Category 1B reproductive toxicant under UK REACH) and is banned in toys. Government regularly reviews the safety of substances used in consumer products and will take further action if needed to ensure only safe products are sold on our market.

What assessment he has made of the potential harms posed to children by the presence of bisphenols in children’s toys.

Legalisation is clear that all toys must be safe before being placed on our market. The government is aware of the growing concerns regarding endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This is a complex scientific issue, and we will be seeking views in our upcoming call for evidence on toys.Regarding bisphenols, Bisphenol-A (BPA) is recognized as a UK Category 1B reproductive toxicant under UK REACH) and is banned in toys. Government regularly reviews the safety of substances used in consumer products and will take further action if needed to ensure only safe products are sold on our market.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential harms posed to children by the presence of (a) perfluoroalkyl and (b) polyfluoroalkyl substances in children’s toys.

There is growing concern that widespread use of PFAS may generate risks to human health. The PFAS Plan, published on 3 February 2026, sets out the Government’s approach to minimising the harmful effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including in consumer goods, while moving to safer alternatives. The Government plans to launch a Call for Evidence shortly, which will seek views on whether to implement similar requirements in GB to those of the new EU Toy Safety Regulation. This will include possible changes to regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the withdrawal of third-party public liability insurance from the Dogs Trust Companion Club scheme, effective 1st July, whether her department is taking steps to devise and implement a workable alternative solution for owners of exempted dogs; and if her department will provide assurance that no owners of exempted dogs will be left unable to comply with existing legislation.

Defra is working to ensure owners are supported to remain compliant with the law once the current insurance product ends. Dog owners must continue to meet all existing legal requirements but do not need to take any further action at this stage.

Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to lay the Activity Regulations to give effect to the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023; and which activities she plans to prioritise.

The Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 provides a framework for the introduction of future bans on the advertising and offering for sale, in England and Northern Ireland, of low-welfare animal activities abroad. As set out in the animal welfare strategy published in December 2025, we are continuing to engage with stakeholders including the tourism industry and animal welfare groups to explore both legislative and non-legislative options to stop the advertising of low-welfare animal activities abroad and will be setting out next steps in due course.