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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to provide an alternative source of funding for local environmental projects in the event that fines on water companies are not sufficient to meet the projected expenditure on those projects.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

In June, this Government announced that fines and penalties levied against water companies for environmental breaches will be reinvested into future local environmental projects across the country to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. These could include local environmental programmes to address pollution and improve water quality. Further details about the projects and programmes to be funded and whether alternative sources of funding will be required will be confirmed in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to take steps to strengthen the accountability of water companies for pollution other than by implementing a (a) self-monitoring and (b) fines system.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government has put in place the building blocks to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. The Water (Special Measures) Act provides the most significant increase in enforcement powers for the regulators in a decade, giving them the teeth they need to take tougher action against water companies.

The Act has introduced independent monitoring of every sewerage outlet, with water companies required to publish near real-time data (within an hour of a discharge occurring) for all emergency overflows, matching the pre-existing duty and meeting the Government commitment to ensure monitoring of every outlet.

The Act banned unfair bonuses for ten polluting water bosses this year and introduced prison sentences for executives who cover up sewage spills - closing the gaps that have allowed companies to get away with behaviours that are unacceptable.

The Independent Water Commission examined how to strengthen the regulation even further. The former Secretary of State provided an Oral Statement to Parliament in response to the final report and the Government will be taking forward a number of recommendations.

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 the accountability of water companies for pollution.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government has put in place the building blocks to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. The Water (Special Measures) Act provides the most significant increase in enforcement powers for the regulators in a decade, giving them the teeth they need to take tougher action against water companies.

The Act has introduced independent monitoring of every sewerage outlet, with water companies required to publish near real-time data (within an hour of a discharge occurring) for all emergency overflows, matching the pre-existing duty and meeting the Government commitment to ensure monitoring of every outlet.

The Act banned unfair bonuses for ten polluting water bosses this year and introduced prison sentences for executives who cover up sewage spills - closing the gaps that have allowed companies to get away with behaviours that are unacceptable.

The Independent Water Commission examined how to strengthen the regulation even further. The former Secretary of State provided an Oral Statement to Parliament in response to the final report and the Government will be taking forward a number of recommendations.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to grant the Environment Agency statutory powers to test for (a) E. coli and (b) other harmful pathogens in watercourses.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Environment Agency (EA) regularly samples and monitors for E.coli and Intestinal enterococci bacteria in watercourses that are officially designated as Bathing Waters. This information is available to the public, via the Swimfo website.

The EA may require water companies to take environmental samples for E. Coli and other faecal indicator organism bacteria during sewage pollution incidents which have potential to impact on bathing waters.

The EA also requires that water companies report faecal indicator concentration downstream of sites permitted to provide disinfection. All sites are required to report on E. Coli. Sites that are designated bathing waters are additionally required to report Intestinal Enterococci (I.E.). The EA reviews this reported data to check disinfection plants are meeting their design objectives.

The Independent Water Commission made a number of recommendations relating to Public Health. The Government will reply to these in their White Paper later this year.

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 monitor self-reports of E.coli by water companies.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Environment Agency (EA) regularly samples and monitors for E.coli and Intestinal enterococci bacteria in watercourses that are officially designated as Bathing Waters. This information is available to the public, via the Swimfo website.

The EA may require water companies to take environmental samples for E. Coli and other faecal indicator organism bacteria during sewage pollution incidents which have potential to impact on bathing waters.

The EA also requires that water companies report faecal indicator concentration downstream of sites permitted to provide disinfection. All sites are required to report on E. Coli. Sites that are designated bathing waters are additionally required to report Intestinal Enterococci (I.E.). The EA reviews this reported data to check disinfection plants are meeting their design objectives.

The Independent Water Commission made a number of recommendations relating to Public Health. The Government will reply to these in their White Paper later this year.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the level of fines that will be levied against water companies in each of the next five years.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

It is for the regulators to determine fines against water companies.

In May this year, Ofwat issued a £104.5m fine to Thames Water for breaches of rules relating to the company’s wastewater operations. A payment plan has since been confirmed, with 20% of the fine to be paid by the end of this month.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to review the regulations governing the passage of pets to and from the United Kingdom to simplify the process for owners who meet all health and documentation requirements.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government takes the importation of pets seriously and is committed to preserving the United Kingdom’s high standards of biosecurity and animal welfare.

We carefully monitor the effectiveness of our pet travel rules to ensure they safeguard our biosecurity and remain proportionate for pet owners.

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper.

Instead of getting an animal health certificate each time they travel, pet owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. We are expecting to start negotiations in the autumn, once the EU has confirmed their mandate.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of water companies' self-monitoring of (a) discharges and (b) pollution incidents.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government has put in place the building blocks to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. The Water (Special Measures) Act provides the most significant increase in enforcement powers for the regulators in a decade, giving them the teeth they need to take tougher action against water companies.

The Act has introduced independent monitoring of every sewerage outlet, with water companies required to publish near real-time data (within an hour of a discharge occurring) for all emergency overflows, matching the pre-existing duty and meeting the Government commitment to ensure monitoring of every outlet.

The Act banned unfair bonuses for ten polluting water bosses this year and introduced prison sentences for executives who cover up sewage spills - closing the gaps that have allowed companies to get away with behaviours that are unacceptable.

The Independent Water Commission examined how to strengthen the regulation even further. The former Secretary of State provided an Oral Statement to Parliament in response to the final report and Government will be taking forward a number of recommendations.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Department has made of the adequacy of the water supply to support (a) the East Rail project and (b) housing growth before the completion of the new reservoir in Bedfordshire.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Water companies are responsible for securing public water supplies, including supplies that can accommodate planned growth in water demand from both new housing and infrastructure.

Every five years water companies must prepare a water resources management plan (WRMP), and these plans must be maintained. The WRMP sets out how a company intends to achieve a secure supply of water over the next 25 years. The WRMPs published in 2024 set out how water supplies will be maintained over the coming years through demand management, leakage reduction and enhancing water supplies from river and groundwater sources in the time period before new strategic sources of water such as large reservoirs come online.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions her Department has had with (a) the Financial Conduct Authority and (b) representatives of the insurance industry on the (i) availability and (ii) affordability of home insurance policies that provide cover for domestic air-to-water heat pumps; and what steps she is taking to ensure that households adopting low-carbon heating technologies have access to adequate insurance protection.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Treasury Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors on an ongoing basis.

Insurers make commercial decisions about the terms on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks. This is usually informed by the insurer’s claims experience and other industry-wide statistics. The Government does not usually intervene in these decisions.

However, the Government is committed to ensuring that insurers treat their customers fairly and insurance companies are required to do so under the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will take steps to ensure that historic (a) NHS and (b) GP records can be reviewed to identify women who were prescribed Diethylstilbestrol between the 1940s and 1970s.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The issue of diethylstilbesterol (DES) and vaginal carcinoma in the daughters of women who took DES during pregnancy was reviewed by the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) in the early 1970s. In 1973, the CSM wrote to all doctors to inform them of the results of a study into the topic from the United States, and the absence of identified cases in the United Kingdom.

The work of the committee predates the existence of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), when medicines vigilance was only in its infancy and there were no electronic records and no systematic monitoring of prescriptions.

There has been a step change in reporting and record keeping since this time, and today's regulatory frameworks are significantly different, with much stricter post-authorisation monitoring allowing for earlier identification and action on emerging safety issues. The MHRA regulates medicines supplied in the UK. Its activity spans the whole of a medicine’s lifecycle. The MHRA keeps the safety of all medicines under continual review.

Government advice currently is that routine cervical screening is appropriate for those who believe they were exposed to DES in utero. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cervical-screening-programme-and-colposcopy-management/5-screening-and-management-of-immunosuppressed-individuals

Participation in the National Breast Screening Programme is also recommended. Pregnant women who know that they were exposed in utero to DES should inform their obstetrician and be aware of the increased risks of ectopic pregnancy and preterm labour.

The Department does not have any plans to establish a public inquiry into the historic prescribing of DES.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to establish an independent inquiry into the historic prescribing of Diethylstilbestrol.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The issue of diethylstilbesterol (DES) and vaginal carcinoma in the daughters of women who took DES during pregnancy was reviewed by the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) in the early 1970s. In 1973, the CSM wrote to all doctors to inform them of the results of a study into the topic from the United States, and the absence of identified cases in the United Kingdom.

The work of the committee predates the existence of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), when medicines vigilance was only in its infancy and there were no electronic records and no systematic monitoring of prescriptions.

There has been a step change in reporting and record keeping since this time, and today's regulatory frameworks are significantly different, with much stricter post-authorisation monitoring allowing for earlier identification and action on emerging safety issues. The MHRA regulates medicines supplied in the UK. Its activity spans the whole of a medicine’s lifecycle. The MHRA keeps the safety of all medicines under continual review.

Government advice currently is that routine cervical screening is appropriate for those who believe they were exposed to DES in utero. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cervical-screening-programme-and-colposcopy-management/5-screening-and-management-of-immunosuppressed-individuals

Participation in the National Breast Screening Programme is also recommended. Pregnant women who know that they were exposed in utero to DES should inform their obstetrician and be aware of the increased risks of ectopic pregnancy and preterm labour.

The Department does not have any plans to establish a public inquiry into the historic prescribing of DES.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of complex broadband and mobile contract negotiations on (a) older customers and (b) people with vulnerabilities.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The department has not recently made any such assessment, however, we remain committed to supporting vulnerable and older consumers. We regularly engage consumer groups, such as Citizens Advice, who have conducted relevant research.

Ofcom has introduced several measures to help customers switch provider, including requiring phone and broadband providers to warn customers when their contract is ending, and what they could save by signing up to a new deal. Ofcom accredits price comparison websites that they have assessed to work well, and provide accessible, accurate, transparent, comprehensive, and up-to-date information. Ofcom also tracks provider performance through monitoring complaints.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that broadband and mobile providers do not disadvantage existing customers compared with new customers when setting contract prices.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Government works closely with Ofcom to ensure fairness in telecoms pricing. A range of measures have been implemented, for example, since 2020 Ofcom has required providers to issue end-of–contract notifications. These alert customers when their contract/discounts are ending, encouraging to secure better deals.

Since January 2025, inflation-linked in contract prices rises were banned and providers must now state any increases upfront in pounds and pence. Contract summaries must also highlight key terms before a customer signs up. Together, these measures improve transparency and empower consumers to make informed choices about the services they buy.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment Ofcom has made of the (a) fairness and (b) transparency of in-term price increases in mobile phone and broadband contracts.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

In 2023, Ofcom reviewed inflation-linked price rises. Ofcom found that while many broadband and mobile customers were on contracts subject to inflation-linked price rises, awareness and understanding of these terms were very low. Therefore, in December 2023 Ofcom consulted on banning this practice.

As a result, since 17 January 2025 where providers apply in-contract price rises, these need to be set out in pounds and pence, at the point of sale. Providers must also set out when any changes to the monthly price will occur.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps her Department has taken to implement its policy on the reinstatement of UK-issued pet passports for travel between Great Britain and the EU; and what her planned timetable is for allowing pet owners to (a) apply for and (b) use these passports.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper.

Instead of getting an animal health certificate each time they travel, pet owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU.

We are expecting to start negotiations in the autumn, once the EU has confirmed their mandate.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of driver (a) training and (b) testing requirements for overtaking large vehicles; and if she will take steps to improve learner driver education to help prevent unsafe overtaking.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) encourages candidates preparing for their theory and practical test to understand and revise the source materials for the test, which includes The Highway Code and The Official DVSA Guide to Driving: The Essential Skills. DVSA also recommends that learner drivers practice overtaking other vehicles where road and traffic conditions provide the opportunity to do so safely when learning to drive.

Rules 162 to 169 of the Highway code cover overtaking in detail, with rule 164 specifically covering overtaking large vehicles.

The Theory test (including both the multiple choice and hazard perception parts of the theory test) and the practical driving test are designed to complement each other, ensuring new drivers have both the theoretical understanding and the practical skills needed to drive safely and responsibly.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the insurance industry on ensuring that domestic air-to-water heat pumps installed under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and other government-supported programmes are covered under standard home insurance policies; and what steps he is taking to protect homeowners from being left without cover for these systems.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Heat pumps installed under UK government schemes must be fitted by installers certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), the leading standards organisation for microgeneration technologies. MCS is undergoing major reforms, due to be introduced later this year, including a proposed requirement for a 6-year guarantee on new heat pump installations.

Government regularly engages with the heat pump industry and the Association of British Insurers to ensure no specific exclusions or impacts arise from installations. As with any retrofit work, property owners are advised to consult their home insurance provider to understand their policy and whether additional cover is needed for heating systems.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to facilitate downsizing for social housing tenants under-occupying homes.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government encourages the efficient use of existing housing stock.

When it comes to social housing, local authorities and housing associations are encouraged to support under-occupiers to transfer to smaller properties, including through mutual exchanges.

In the five-step plan for delivering a decade of renewal for social and affordable housing published on 2 July (which can be found on gov.uk here), the government set out its intention to review how effectively social housing providers use their properties, and explore ways to encourage movement within the sector through mutual exchanges (particularly where homes are overcrowded and under-occupied).

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s September 2025 report entitled Brownfield Potential: Unlocking 1.5 Million Homes; and what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities to bring such sites forward for development.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements, including the development of under-utilised land and buildings to meet the need for homes and other uses.

Through the revisions made to the NPPF on 12 December 2024 we broadened the definition of brownfield land, set a strengthened expectation that applications on brownfield land will be approved, and made clear that plans should promote an uplift in density in urban areas.

On 22 September 2024, the government published a ‘brownfield passport’ working paper inviting views on how we might further prioritise and fast-track building on previously used urban land. This included exploring the role of national policy in setting minimum density expectations for certain types of locations, to support intensification in the right places. Utilising the feedback provided, we intend to consult this year on a new suite of national policies for decision making that will give effect to these proposals.

On 18 June 2025, my Department announced £5 billion of new capital grant funding for infrastructure and land. This funding will be administered by the new National Housing Delivery Fund, through which councils will be able to secure funding for prospective projects, to contribute to the Government’s priority of delivering 1.5 million homes.

We will consider the points made by the Campaign to Protect Rural England in their September 2025 report as we continue to develop our policy in this area.

Kashmir Black Day and self-determination

Loan Charge and settlement terms offered to large companies and individuals