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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the animal welfare strategy, published on 22 December 2025, on domestic livestock producers; and what steps they will take to prevent third country producers from having a competitive advantage in not having to meet the standards in that strategy.

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

The Government will continue to build on existing high welfare standards in our farming sector in a measured way, while supporting the farming sector to be profitable and contribute to UK food security. The Government recognises that assessing the impacts of measures in the strategy is an important part of the process as proposals are brought forward. The Government will also continue to build on the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway to make sure farmers have access to the right advice and support.

As set out in the UK’s trade strategy, the Government will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage and, where necessary, will be prepared to use the full range of powers at the government’s disposal to protect the UK’s most sensitive sectors.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to source more oil and gas through the North Sea, given the current disruption to energy supplies caused by hostilities in the Middle East.

Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are confident that we have multiple and sufficient sources of supply.

Oil and gas are traded on international markets, therefore greater domestic production of oil and gas would not take a penny off bills.

The North Sea is a highly mature basin. Production is naturally declining and has been for the last 25 years. We no longer have the reserves available to support domestic energy demand.

The only route to energy sovereignty and energy security for Britain is our mission for clean, homegrown power that we control.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to strengthen penalties for uninsured driving following the Road Safety Strategy consultation; and what their timetable is for implementation.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Government published a consultation on motoring offences alongside the Road Safety Strategy on 7 January 2026. It is split into four sections, exploring drink and drug driving, non-seatbelt use, failure to stop and report, and introducing new penalties for certain offences and other road traffic matters, including whether the minimum penalties for driving without motor insurance should be increased.

Once the Motoring Offences Consultation concludes, we will confirm any changes to the policy on penalties for driving uninsured.

The timelines for bringing forward any changes, including those relating to uninsured driving, will then depend on legislative time.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the cost to motor insurance policyholders of compensating victims of collisions involving illegally used e-scooters and e-bikes; and what steps they are taking to address this.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Secretary of State has made no such assessment. The setting of premiums is a commercial decision for insurers, and the Government does not intervene or seek to control the market.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their timetable for bringing forward legislation to create a regulatory framework for micromobility vehicles, as committed to in the Road Safety Strategy.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

As stated in the Road Safety Strategy, the Government has made a commitment to pursue legislative reform for micromobility vehicles when parliamentary time allows.

We understand the importance of now providing a clear legislative timeline and we are working with colleagues across government to deliver this. We will provide an update when a timeline has been agreed.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, what plans they have to carry out an awareness campaign of the Highway Code for cyclists, in light of the sentencing on 11 March of an e-bike rider following the death of a pedestrian.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Like other road users, cyclists are required to comply with road traffic law in the interest of their own safety and that of other road users. Cycling on the pavement and on footpaths is an offence under Section 72 of the Highway Act 1835, other than in designated areas such as on bridleways and shared use routes.

Rule 64 of The Highway Code states that you must not cycle on a pavement.

As set out in the Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January, more work is needed to raise overall awareness of the Highway Code. We are considering options in this area, and further details will be shared in due course.

Found: ; Lord Jay of Ewelme; Lord Krebs; The Earl of Leicester; Lord Lennie; Lord Mancroft; Baroness McIntosh of Pickering