Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of role of (a) Dogs Trust’s Freedom and (b) other specialist services in supporting victim-survivors of domestic abuse who are unable to leave abusive households due to concerns about their pets.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, Defra has commissioned a research project, led by the University of Bristol, to explore the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse and to identify additional opportunities for intervention. Defra will consider the outcomes of this research once complete.
Defra committed in the Animal Welfare Strategy to work with charities to increase the awareness of fostering services available for the pets of victim-survivors to encourage them to flee from abuse. In February 2026, Baroness Hayman of Ullock visited the Cats Protection Lifeline project to discuss and promote its pet‑fostering service for victim-survivors.
The Department remains in regular discussions with organisations providing such services, including the Dogs Trust’s Freedom Project. Defra does not hold the requested data.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what data her Department holds on the number of victim-survivors of domestic abuse who delay leaving an abusive situation due to concerns for the safety or housing of their pets.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, Defra has commissioned a research project, led by the University of Bristol, to explore the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse and to identify additional opportunities for intervention. Defra will consider the outcomes of this research once complete.
Defra committed in the Animal Welfare Strategy to work with charities to increase the awareness of fostering services available for the pets of victim-survivors to encourage them to flee from abuse. In February 2026, Baroness Hayman of Ullock visited the Cats Protection Lifeline project to discuss and promote its pet‑fostering service for victim-survivors.
The Department remains in regular discussions with organisations providing such services, including the Dogs Trust’s Freedom Project. Defra does not hold the requested data.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to increase awareness of (a) links between animal abuse and pet abuse and (b) fostering services available for pet owners experiencing domestic abuse.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, Defra has commissioned a research project, led by the University of Bristol, to explore the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse and to identify additional opportunities for intervention. Defra will consider the outcomes of this research once complete.
Defra committed in the Animal Welfare Strategy to work with charities to increase the awareness of fostering services available for the pets of victim-survivors to encourage them to flee from abuse. In February 2026, Baroness Hayman of Ullock visited the Cats Protection Lifeline project to discuss and promote its pet‑fostering service for victim-survivors.
The Department remains in regular discussions with organisations providing such services, including the Dogs Trust’s Freedom Project. Defra does not hold the requested data.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what percentage of people convicted for animal cruelty have reoffended in the last five years.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
In 2023/24, the proven reoffending rate for offenders with an index offence of animal cruelty was 15.9%. This is an increase of 3 percentage points from 12.9% in 2019/20.
Proven reoffending rates, number of reoffences, number of reoffenders, and number of offenders in cohort for the index offence of animal cruelty can be found in the attached Excel table.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of (i) Torness and (ii) Hunterston hosting new nuclear.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In autumn 2025, Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) was commissioned by Department Ministers to assess Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power, including around areas that have previously hosted nuclear stations, such as Torness and Hunterston. GBE-N's study will conclude shortly.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish the most recent assessment carried out on the future potential of existing nuclear power sites in Scotland.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In autumn 2025, Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) was commissioned by Department Ministers to assess Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power, including around areas that have previously hosted nuclear stations, such as Torness and Hunterston. GBE-N's study will conclude shortly.