Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of appointing an animal welfare expert to the Food Strategy board.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Members of the Food Strategy Advisory Board were selected as senior leaders who have a broad range of experience across the food system and reflect the diversity of the sector. Membership has been finalised. We are not looking to expand it at this time.
The Board represents just one aspect of our engagement with stakeholders across the food supply system. The food strategy will articulate the outcomes required to deliver food system change.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of industrial livestock farming on the UK's capacity to reach its net zero targets.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As part of the cross-Whitehall Carbon Budget Delivery Plan 2023 (CBDP), Defra published 25 on-farm decarbonisation measures to reduce agricultural emissions and meet our Carbon Budget 4 to 6 commitments, including measures aimed at supporting livestock emissions reduction.
To support ongoing delivery and identify further opportunities for emissions reduction, Defra is actively exploring ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including through scientific research into livestock management, feed, and breeding.
Looking ahead, the Government will set Carbon Budget 7 by June 2026, in line with statutory requirements. This will outline the next phase of the UK’s net zero pathway, including future policies to further decarbonise agriculture.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to ban the (a) expansion of existing and (b) building of new industrial livestock farms.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government promotes efficient, competitive farming, but does not seek to favour large, or small-scale, farming operations. Farms of all sizes have a role to play in promoting sustainable UK agriculture.
All farms must comply with comprehensive UK law on planning, animal health and welfare, veterinary medicines and environmental legislation.
Planning authorities should determine applications for livestock buildings in accordance with their development plan or the National Planning Policy Framework.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on improving childcare provision in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
My colleague Minister Anderson regularly meets with the Northern Ireland Minister for Education on important issues, including childcare provision, and has recently facilitated discussions between the Minister and the UK Government Minister for Early Education, Stephen Morgan MP to discuss areas for greater co-operation.
I welcome the recent progress taken by the Northern Ireland Executive to provide increased childcare support. Whilst childcare in Northern Ireland is devolved, the UK Government is keen to see this work progressed so that parents are better able to balance childcare alongside their work.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to align school food procurement with the Government’s (a) horticulture strategy and (b) food security objectives.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The government’s commitment to the horticulture sector and its vital role in strengthening food security by ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply of home-grown fresh produce remains steadfast. We are taking a strategic approach to support for horticulture, recognising the specific needs of the sector. This includes developing a farming roadmap, which will set out a 25-year vision and blueprint to make our farming and food production more sustainable and profitable.
Alongside this, our food strategy will deliver clear long term outcomes that create a healthier, fairer, and more resilient food system. This will boost our food security, improve our health, ensure economic growth, and deliver environmental sustainability.
The department engages with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on a variety of topics related to food in schools, as part of the government’s wider food strategy, helping to drive change and support a healthier, more sustainable and resilient food system.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of eligible families are receiving Healthy Start in (a) England, (b) East Anglia and (c) South West Norfolk constituency.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. Monthly figures for the number of people on the digital Healthy Start scheme are published on the NHS Healthy Start website, at the following link:
https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthcare-professionals/
The NHSBSA does not hold data on the number of families receiving Healthy Start and does not currently hold data on the number of people eligible for Healthy Start. In addition, the NHSBSA does not hold data on local constituencies. The following table shows the number of people on the digital scheme in England as of 23 May 2025:
Country | Number of people on the digital scheme |
England | 328,685 |
East Anglia is not defined as specific geographical region within the Office for National Statistics’ Open Geography Portal, which the NHSBSA uses to define geographical regions. Therefore, the following table shows the number of people on digital scheme in the East of England region, which comprises of 45 local authorities, as of 23 May 2025:
Region | Number of people on digital scheme |
East of England | 30,892 |
In addition, South West Norfolk consists of two local authorities, namely Breckland, and King’s Lynn and West Norfolk. Therefore, the following table shows the number of people on the digital scheme in Breckland, and King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, as of 23 May 2025:
Local authority | Number of people on the digital scheme |
Breckland | 706 |
King's Lynn and West Norfolk | 734 |
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will appoint an expert in animal welfare to the Food Strategy board.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Members of the Food Strategy Advisory Board were selected as senior leaders who have a broad range of experience across the food system and reflect the diversity of the sector. Membership has been finalised. We are not looking to expand it at this time.
The Board represents just one aspect of our engagement with stakeholders across the food supply system. The food strategy will articulate the outcomes required to deliver food system change.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the average number of days was that short-term rental properties were occupied between 1 October and 30 April in each of the last three years for which records exits.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the requested information.
We intend to introduce a registration scheme for short-term lets in England, one of the benefits of which will be to give local authorities access to valuable data at a local level.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many short-term rental properties have been converted to private rental properties in each of the last three years for which records exist.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department does not hold the requested information.
We intend to introduce a registration scheme for short-term lets in England, one of the benefits of which will be to give local authorities access to valuable data at a local level.
Asked by: Terry Jermy (Labour - South West Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Avian Influenza Prevention Zone housing measures lifted, published on 12 May 2025, when the General Licence 45 for gamebird release in and near to special protection areas in England will be reissued.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
There are currently no plans to reissue General Licence 45 for gamebird release on and near to Special Protection Areas in England. Anyone intending to release gamebirds on or near a Special Protection Area should apply to Natural England for an individual licence.