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 potential impact of Landfill Gas to Energy on supporting net zero goals.

Answered by Mary Creagh

Landfill gas remains the highest source of emissions in the waste sector and is a major source of methane. Through the introduction of waste policies, including landfill tax and the collection and packaging reforms, these emissions are declining, and expected to decline further through aging of the landfill population, and the ongoing diversion of biodegradable waste away from landfill.

The Environmental Permitting Regulations require for sites to take measures to capture landfill gas, which may be used for energy generation. In the UK’s most recent National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, it was estimated that 57% of landfill methane was captured in 2024, with 52% being used for energy generation. With the cessation of the Renewable Obligations Certificates for Landfill Gas to Energy Generators, Government has outlined in the Methane Action Plan that it will support increased methane capture from landfill gas sites including through exploring the implementation of a long-term methane capture scheme with suitable transitional arrangements. Defra are currently considering options for a long-term alternative for landfill gas and working closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on proposals for a potential transition scheme.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to review the Tommy’s Miscarriage Centre pilot; and whether he has a timeline for replacing the three miscarriage rule with a graded care model.

Answered by Preet Kaur Gill

While there is not an explicit timeline, we will closely review the results of Tommy's Study into the Graded Model of Miscarriage Care, as set out in the Renewed Women’s Health Strategy.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is chairing a Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce to develop a national action plan that will reform maternity and neonatal services to deliver lasting change for women, families, and their babies. They will consider all stages of maternity and neonatal care, and the plan will be published by the end of the year.

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 cost-effectiveness of unsupported flaring, in terms of cost per tonne of CO₂ equivalent abated, compared with other methane abatement measures.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The term 'unsupported flaring’ is not used by the government. Oil and gas operators are required to deliver zero routine flaring on their assets by 2030 and submit costed Emissions Reduction Action Plans to the North Sea Transition Authority. Flaring activity accounts for approximately 16% of offshore upstream oil and gas greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from flaring are primarily carbon dioxide.

In its Emissions Monitoring Report 2025, the NSTA estimated that flaring from UK oil and gas production fell by 51% between 2018 and 2024, and that absolute methane emissions from oil and gas production fell by more than 60%.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether financial and practical support will be provided to farms affected by the bluetongue outbreak.

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

Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for livestock keepers who are dealing with the impacts of this disease.

Defra, working closely with APHA, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), The Pirbright Institute and industry partners, has taken a range of actions to support the sector.

This includes, ensuring farmers receive timely information and practical guidance, implementing and maintaining control measures based on the latest scientific and veterinary advice, and increasing testing capacity. Information has been shared through regular disease alerts, social media updates, weekly communications to livestock keepers and a programme of industry webinars. The Battle Bluetongue campaign, running with industry partners since early 2025, continues to urge farmers to work with their private vet to vaccinate their animals.

With vaccination, the only viable long-term control measure, Defra is also working closely with the VMD and other partners to monitor vaccine availability and support continuity of supply. Including by working with vaccine companies to make available additional stocks to farmers over the autumn.

England and Wales have both been BTV restricted zones since November 2025. This supports farmers by allowing free movement of animals within the zones, including to market where they are not showing clinical signs of disease.

This Government also works closely with industry, veterinary professionals and farming welfare organisations to ensure that affected farmers have access to the latest welfare support. Details can be found on Wellbeing support for farmers and through the Rural Payments Agency helpline on (03000 200 301).

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what figures the Government holds on the availability of bluetongue vaccinations across a) the nation and b) Oxfordshire.

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

Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) are working closely with manufacturers and other partners to monitor availability and support continuity of supply across Great Britain, including Oxfordshire. Defra and VMS have taken proactive regulatory action to expedite the import of authorised Northern Ireland and European Union-authorised BTV-3 vaccines, helping to increase vaccine availability in Great Britain. As a result, several million additional vaccines have been made available through August and into autumn.

The industry-led Battle Bluetongue campaign, supported by the UK Government, has also been encouraging vaccine uptake and raising awareness of the benefits of vaccination since its launch in 2025.

Vaccination remains the most effective and viable long-term control measure against bluetongue. Defra continues to urge keepers of susceptible animals to speak to their private veterinarian about vaccination and to place orders as early as possible.

Alongside vaccination, Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency support disease surveillance, testing, prompt reporting of suspected cases, control measures designed to limit the spread of infection and clear guidance for livestock keepers to help reduce the spread and impact of the disease.

Farmers do not need to wait for test results to confirm BTV before accessing veterinary support for animals with disease symptoms.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what action the Government is taking to improve bluetongue vaccination supply and distribution across a) the nation and b) Oxfordshire.

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

Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) are working closely with manufacturers and other partners to monitor availability and support continuity of supply across Great Britain, including Oxfordshire. Defra and VMS have taken proactive regulatory action to expedite the import of authorised Northern Ireland and European Union-authorised BTV-3 vaccines, helping to increase vaccine availability in Great Britain. As a result, several million additional vaccines have been made available through August and into autumn.

The industry-led Battle Bluetongue campaign, supported by the UK Government, has also been encouraging vaccine uptake and raising awareness of the benefits of vaccination since its launch in 2025.

Vaccination remains the most effective and viable long-term control measure against bluetongue. Defra continues to urge keepers of susceptible animals to speak to their private veterinarian about vaccination and to place orders as early as possible.

Alongside vaccination, Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency support disease surveillance, testing, prompt reporting of suspected cases, control measures designed to limit the spread of infection and clear guidance for livestock keepers to help reduce the spread and impact of the disease.

Farmers do not need to wait for test results to confirm BTV before accessing veterinary support for animals with disease symptoms.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when farmers can expect a bluetongue vaccination will be available for farms and other affected holdings.

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

Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) are working closely with manufacturers and other partners to monitor availability and support continuity of supply across Great Britain, including Oxfordshire. Defra and VMS have taken proactive regulatory action to expedite the import of authorised Northern Ireland and European Union-authorised BTV-3 vaccines, helping to increase vaccine availability in Great Britain. As a result, several million additional vaccines have been made available through August and into autumn.

The industry-led Battle Bluetongue campaign, supported by the UK Government, has also been encouraging vaccine uptake and raising awareness of the benefits of vaccination since its launch in 2025.

Vaccination remains the most effective and viable long-term control measure against bluetongue. Defra continues to urge keepers of susceptible animals to speak to their private veterinarian about vaccination and to place orders as early as possible.

Alongside vaccination, Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency support disease surveillance, testing, prompt reporting of suspected cases, control measures designed to limit the spread of infection and clear guidance for livestock keepers to help reduce the spread and impact of the disease.

Farmers do not need to wait for test results to confirm BTV before accessing veterinary support for animals with disease symptoms.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to respond to the emails of 18th May, 8th June, 24th June and 19th August on the Child Maintenance Service, case reference OG13220, from the hon. Member for Didcot and Wantage.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Publication of Legal Advice on Local Government Reorganisation

Rough sleeping, homelessness prevention and long-term housing support

Hartley Pensions and FCA enforcement action (No. 2)

Found: present: Ruth Cadbury (Chair); Steff Aquarone; Dr Scott Arthur; Jacob Collier; Daniel Francis; Olly Glover

Found: present: Ruth Cadbury (Chair); Steff Aquarone; Dr Scott Arthur; Jacob Collier; Daniel Francis; Olly Glover

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Ruth Cadbury (Chair); Dr Scott Arthur; Daniel Francis; Olly Glover

Submit Evidence (by 16 Oct 2026)

The Transport Committee is examining how transport issues can act as a barrier to young people finding, taking up and remaining in employment or training.