Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce legislation to ban the keeping of laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Animal Welfare Strategy (see attached) states that ending the use of cages is a key priority for this Government. A UK-wide consultation on laying hen cage reform was launched on 12 January 2026 and closed on 9 March 2026. This consultation sought views on a proposed ban on keeping laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages. This Government is now analysing the consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to ban the import of any poultry, eggs or other poultry by-products that were produced using any type of cage system for the keeping of poultry.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government shares the public’s high regard for the UK’s environmental protections, food standards and animal welfare.

Imports into the UK must comply with UK’s existing import requirements. Products produced to different environmental and animal welfare standards can be placed on the UK market if they comply with these requirements. This has always been the case and includes products from the EU and other longstanding trading partners.

This Government will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage and any impact that may have. Where necessary, this Government will be prepared to use the full range of powers at its disposal to protect the UK’s most sensitive sectors.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the amount of value added tax paid on costs associated with the repair of church buildings in the financial years (1) 2024–25, (2) 2025–26, and (3) 2026–27; and whether the cost of value added tax will be covered by grants awarded under the Places of Worship Renewal Fund.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government does not hold data on annual VAT revenue on church repairs. This is because businesses are not required to provide figures at a product level within their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.

Regarding the newly established Places of Worship Renewal Fund (PWRF), where capital grants have been awarded, VAT on eligible works and costs can be covered by the grant funding if it cannot be reclaimed.

Found: Meeting, held at 9.45am on Wednesday 17 June 2026 Present: Baroness Alexander of Cleveden Baroness Fookes

Found: meeting Members present: Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (The Chair); Baroness Alexander of Cleveden; Baroness Fookes

Found: meeting Members present: Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (The Chair); Baroness Alexander of Cleveden; Baroness Fookes

Found: meeting Members present: Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (The Chair); Baroness Alexander of Cleveden; Baroness Fookes

Found: Letter dated 02/03/2026 from Lord Lemos to Baroness Fookes regarding a question on whether US Coastguard

The Liaison Committee will be holding a one-off evidence session to follow up on the recommendations of the Select Committee on the Social and Economic Impact of the Gambling Industry. The report of the Committee and the government response can be found on the former Committee’s website: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/406/gambling-industry-committee.