Tim Farron
Liberal Democrat - Westmorland and Lonsdale
21,472 (43.3%) majority - 2024 General ElectionFirst elected: 5th May 2005
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
(since September 2020)4 APPG Officer Positions (as of 1 Dec 2025)
Migration, Outdoor Learning, Radiotherapy, Volunteer Rescue Services13 APPG Memberships
Beer, Listed Properties, Adult Social Care, Autism, Child of the North, Christians in Parliament, Dark Skies, Financial Education for Young People, Gaps in Covid-19 Financial Support, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Prostate Cancer, Safeguarding in Faith Communities, Long Covid24 Former APPG Officer Positions
Cancer, Child and Youth Crime, Children who need Palliative Care, Christians in Parliament, Dark Skies, Dementia, Diagnostics, Dying Well, Eating Disorders, Eggs, Pigs and Poultry, Eritrea, Ethnic Minority Business Owners, Farming, Hill Farming, Historic Counties, Hospitality and Tourism, Listed Properties, National Parks, Night Time Economy, Religion in the Media, Safeguarding in Faith Communities, Safeguarding in Faith Settings, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, Uplands and Hill FarmingDivision Voting information
Tim Farron voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 38 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 415 Noes - 47
Tim Farron voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 54 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 243 Noes - 279
Tim Farron voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 55 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 288 Noes - 239
Tim Farron voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 59 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 117 Noes - 379
Tim Farron voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 63 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 379 Noes - 137
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
(33 debate interactions)
(19 debate interactions)
Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
(18 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(169 debate contributions)
(30 debate contributions)
(29 debate contributions)
(29 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(19,073 words contributed)
(1,478 words contributed)
(430 words contributed)
(190 words contributed)
Westmorland and Lonsdale Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
of 89,724 signatures (0.23%)
of 105,560 signatures (0.20%)
of 110,909 signatures (0.19%)
of 191,227 signatures (0.17%)
of 183,933 signatures (0.17%)
of 2,961,026 signatures (0.14%)
of 1,045,549 signatures (0.14%)
of 639,930 signatures (0.15%)
of 259,180 signatures (0.16%)
of 191,227 signatures (0.17%)
Petition Closed
Stop financial and other support for asylum seekers
Gov Responded - 23 Jun 2025 Debated on - 20 Oct 2025 View Tim Farron's petition debate contributionsclosed 4 months, 2 weeks ago
This petition is to advocate a cessation of financial and other support provided to asylum seekers by the Government. This support currently includes shelter, food, medical care (including optical and dental), and cash support.
Petition Closed
Shut the migrant hotels down now and deport illegal migrants housed there
Gov Responded - 23 Apr 2025 Debated on - 20 Oct 2025 View Tim Farron's petition debate contributionsclosed 2 months ago
The Labour Party pledged to end asylum hotels if it won power. Labour is now in power.
Petition Closed
End the Badger cull and adopt other approaches to bovine TB control
Gov Responded - 10 Jan 2025 Debated on - 13 Oct 2025 View Tim Farron's petition debate contributionsclosed 6 months ago
The Government’s TB Eradication Strategy allows the continued killing of badgers, a protected species, until the end of this Parliament, despite the Labour manifesto calling the cull “ineffective.”
We believe the badger cull is unjustified and must end.
c. 554 added daily
114,501
(Estimated)
Keep 5-year ILR terms to Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visas
Sign this petition Gov Responded - 11 Jul 2025 Debated on - 8 Sep 2025 View Tim Farron's petition debate contributionscloses in 2 weeks, 6 days
We urge the Government to exempt BN(O) visa for Hongkongers from the proposed immigration reforms. We think the current ILR terms must remain unchanged:
1. Five years of UK residency
2. B1 level English proficiency
3. Passing the Life in the UK Test
Petition Closed
Keep the 5-Year ILR pathway for existing Skilled Worker visa holders
Gov Responded - 17 Jun 2025 Debated on - 8 Sep 2025 View Tim Farron's petition debate contributionsclosed 1 week, 4 days ago
Do not apply the proposed 10-year ILR rule to existing Skilled Worker visa holders. Keep the 5-year ILR route for those already in the UK on this visa. Apply any changes only to new applicants from the date of implementation.
Latest EDMs signed by Tim Farron
Tenth anniversary of Storm Desmond
Tabled by: Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat - Westmorland and Lonsdale)That this House recognises the tenth anniversary of Storm Desmond and remembers the severe impact that it had on communities across Cumbria, which experienced unprecedented rainfall, extensive flooding, widespread disruption and significant damage to homes, businesses, farms and critical infrastructure; understands that many residents, emergency services, voluntary groups and local …
(Most recent: 4 Dec 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 15
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Buying community energy locally
Tabled by: Abtisam Mohamed (Labour - Sheffield Central)That this House recognises the many social, economic and environmental benefits that community energy schemes create; notes that the number of such schemes would grow greatly if they were enabled to sell their clean power directly to households and businesses in their communities; welcomes the Minister for Energy Security and …
(Most recent: 4 Dec 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 40
Labour: 24
Scottish National Party: 7
Green Party: 4
Plaid Cymru: 4
Conservative: 4
Independent: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Tim Farron, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Tim Farron has not been granted any Urgent Questions
1 Adjournment Debate led by Tim Farron
23 Bills introduced by Tim Farron
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to make provision for leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom to be granted to the family members of refugees and to refugees who are family members of British citizens and settled persons, to provide for legal aid to be made available for refugee family reunion cases, and for connected purposes
Wednesday 11th July 2018
A Bill to provide for parliamentary approval of trade agreements; to place a duty on the Secretary of State to consider UK agricultural, environmental and animal welfare standards when negotiating trade agreements; to require the Trade and Agriculture Commission to assess the effects of potential trade agreements on farming, the rural environment and animal welfare and to produce associated reports; to require the Secretary of State to lay such reports before Parliament; and for connected purposes.
Friday 6th May 2022
A Bill to provide for mandatory targets and timescales for the ending of sewage discharges into waterways and coastal areas; to make provision about the powers of Ofwat to monitor and enforce compliance with those targets and timescales; to require water companies to publish quarterly reports on the impact of sewage discharges on the natural environment, animal welfare and human health; to require the membership of water company boards to include at least one representative of an environmental group; and for connected purposes.
Friday 6th May 2022
A Bill to require that every child be offered at least one outdoor education experience during primary school years and at least one such experience during secondary school years; and for connected purposes.
Friday 11th July 2025
A Bill to abolish the Water Services Regulation Authority; to establish a Clean Water Authority and to make provision about its powers and duties; to make further provision about the regulation of water; and for connected purposes.
Friday 12th September 2025
A Bill to establish a Tenant Farming Commissioner; to make provision about the powers and duties of the commissioner, including powers in respect of payments under an Environmental Land Management scheme in cases where a tenant farmer has been evicted; and for connected purposes.
Tuesday 30th April 2024
A Bill to require that every child be offered at least one outdoor education experience during primary school years and at least one such experience during secondary school years; and for connected purposes.
Wednesday 17th January 2024
A Bill to establish a new model of company structure for Thames Water, to be called a public benefit corporation; to require that public benefit corporation to consider public policy benefits, including reducing leaks and sewage dumping, as well as returns for shareholders; to limit the payment of dividends until a plan is in place to cut the corporation’s debt; and to require membership of the corporation’s board to include representatives of local environment groups.
Thursday 29th June 2023
A Bill to prevent and punish the theft of dogs and to deter the unlawful importation of certain animals into Great Britain; and for connected purposes.
Tuesday 6th June 2023
A Bill to require that every child be offered at least one outdoor education experience during primary school years and at least one such experience during secondary school years; and for connected purposes.
Tuesday 20th June 2023
A Bill to provide that higher education institutions have a duty of care for their students; and for connected purposes.
Wednesday 21st June 2023
A Bill to define the term “green jobs”; to require the Secretary of State to publish a strategy for their creation, including setting targets relating to green jobs, skills, and training; to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on performance in implementing that strategy; to require the Secretary of State to publish a plan to increase take-up of National Vocational Qualification courses related to low-carbon services; to establish a Commission to advise the Government and local authorities on increasing the availability of jobs in the low-carbon economy, including in areas with high levels of deprivation, and on ensuring access to good quality green jobs across the United Kingdom; to require the Commission to consult workers, communities, non-governmental organisations, businesses, and industry representatives; to require local authorities to report to the Commission on the availability in green jobs in their areas; and for connected purposes.
Wednesday 14th December 2022
A Bill to require Parliamentary approval of coal extraction from new coal mines commissioned after November 2022; to require the Secretary of State to set targets for phasing out the extraction and use of coal and to report to Parliament on performance against those targets; to require the Secretary of State to publish a strategy for increasing the use of renewable energy sources for steel production in place of coal; and for connected purposes.
Tuesday 13th December 2022
A Bill to establish an independent regulatory body to monitor and enforce the compliance of public bodies with climate and environmental requirements and targets; to make provision for associated sanctions; to require the regulatory body to assess the environmental effects of potential trade agreements; to make provision about environmental standards, including in relation to animal welfare; and for connected purposes.
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require the Secretary of State to terminate a rail passenger services franchise agreement in certain circumstances; to repeal section 25 of the Railways Act 1993; to make provision for local franchising authorities in England; and for connected purposes.
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to make provision to improve access to radiotherapy treatment in England; to define access in terms of the time that patients are required to travel to places providing treatment; to specify 45 minutes as the maximum time patients are to travel; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision to improve access to radiotherapy treatment in England; to define access in terms of the time that patients are required to travel to places providing treatment; to specify 45 minutes as the maximum time patients are to travel; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision about the award of asylum-seeker status in the United Kingdom to certain unaccompanied children from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Eritrea displaced by conflict and present within the European Union; and for connected purposes.
Tuesday 8th December 2015
A Bill to make provision about the conditions to be met by male blood donors, including removing the restrictions relating to blood donation from men who have sexual intercourse with men; and for connected purposes.
Tuesday 9th February 2016
Tuesday 21st October 2014
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to undertake a programme of research into the costs and benefits of extending control of all aspects of Right to Buy and Right to Acquire schemes entirely to Local Authorities, including the operation and consequences of such schemes and the introduction of the right of Local Authorities to suspend them; to report to Parliament within six months of the research being completed; and for connected purposes.
Wednesday 4th February 2015
A Bill to give local planning authorities the power to determine the requirements for affordable housing contributions from sites of fewer than 10 units as part of planning obligation agreements under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990; and for connected purposes.
Tuesday 9th September 2014
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to give powers to the Secretary of State to provide for elections to be held to the governing boards of National Parks on a pilot basis; and for connected purposes.
Tuesday 1st April 2014
22 Bills co-sponsored by Tim Farron
Food Products (Market Regulation and Public Procurement) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Alistair Carmichael (LD)
Elections (Proportional Representation) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Sarah Olney (LD)
Poly and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances (Guidance) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Munira Wilson (LD)
Schools (Mental Health Professionals) (No. 2) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Munira Wilson (LD)
Primary care services (report) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Daisy Cooper (LD)
High Income Child Benefit Charge (report to Parliament) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Jim Shannon (DUP)
Carers and Care Workers Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Helen Morgan (LD)
Fire and Building Safety (Public Inquiry) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Daisy Cooper (LD)
Plastics (Wet Wipes) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Fleur Anderson (Lab)
Short and Holiday-Let Accommodation (Registration) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Karen Buck (Lab)
Vagrancy (Repeal) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Layla Moran (LD)
Dogs and Domestic Animals (Accommodation and Protection) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Andrew Rosindell (Con)
Jet Skis (Licensing) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Hywel Williams (PC)
Plastic Pollution (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Alistair Carmichael (LD)
Prime Minister (Confidence) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Tom Brake (LD)
Plastic Pollution Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Alistair Carmichael (LD)
House of Peers Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Christine Jardine (LD)
Representation of the People (Gibraltar) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Lord Mackinlay of Richborough (Con)
Registration of Marriage (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Caroline Spelman (Con)
Refugees (Family Reunion) (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Angus Brendan MacNeil (Ind)
Public Authority (Accountability) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Andy Burnham (Lab)
Transparency and Accountability (European Union) Bill 2015-16
Sponsor - Caroline Lucas (Green)
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 18th November is attached.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
On 8 May, the UK government announced a landmark economic deal with the US. The US has committed to further negotiations, and we will continue our extensive engagement with businesses from across the UK throughout these remaining negotiations.
For the first time ever, this deal will open up exclusive access for UK beef farmers to the US market. We are engaging extensively with the agricultural and food sector and will put the UK’s national interest first.
Senior officials from the Department for Business and Trade have been meeting representatives of the domestic bioethanol industry, and the Secretary of State has met with bioethanol businesses. We are committed to working with the domestic bioethanol industry about their concerns.
Secretary of State for Scotland
The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) and his office is funded via a levy charged on the regulated retailers. Under the Groceries Code Adjudicator Act 2013, the GCA may second staff from any other public bodies. GCA staff numbers, at 31 March each year, as stated in their Annual Reports and Accounts, were:
a) 2015/2016 – 5 secondees
b) 2020/2021 – 4 secondees
c) 2022/2023 – 7 secondees
d) 2023/2024 – 8 secondees
As of 26 February 2025 there are 9 secondees.
These reports are available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/gca-annual-reports-and-accounts
The Employment Rights Bill will provide a new baseline of security for all workers, including those working on a visa. These protections include day one protection from unfair dismissal, increasing protection from harassment, strengthening Statutory Sick Pay and ending exploitative zero hours contacts.
The new Fair Work Agency will help ensure new minimum standards are being upheld across the country, by increasing awareness and accessibility of workers’ rights by providing a single point of contact, as well as supporting businesses to access clearer rules, information and advice to comply with the law.
The Employment Rights Bill will provide a new baseline of security for all workers, including those working on a visa. These protections include day one protection from unfair dismissal, increasing protection from harassment, strengthening Statutory Sick Pay and ending exploitative zero hours contacts.
The new Fair Work Agency will help ensure new minimum standards are being upheld across the country, by increasing awareness and accessibility of workers’ rights by providing a single point of contact, as well as supporting businesses to access clearer rules, information and advice to comply with the law.
The government has several energy efficiency schemes offering a variety of insulation measures, including those suitable for older homes with non-cavity walls. Eligibility for these is based on factors such as the household income, vulnerability and the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of the property. Consumers can visit the government’s home retrofit tool on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency to get tailored recommendations for home improvements to make their property cheaper to heat. There is also a phoneline service available on 0900 098 7950.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government understands there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to tackle the UK’s diverse building stock, and as part of this we recognise the need to ensure older homes have the right measures for them. The government’s home retrofit tool, Find ways to save energy in your home - GOV.UK, provides tailored guidance to consumers. There is also a phoneline service on 0800 098 7950.
There are a number of government schemes offering support for home retrofits and details can be found at the GOV.UK Clean Energy Homepage.
The Warm Homes Plan, which will be published soon, will be a universal offer of support to upgrade up to 5 million homes across the country, including in Cumbria.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK government is committed to ensuring that no-one is left behind in the transition to Net Zero, supplying solutions that work for all buildings.
Therefore, research was commissioned by the Department to develop a definition for housing stock for which the presence, and combination, of attributes and contextual factors can add complexity to improving energy efficiency and utilising low carbon heating solutions.
The government is currently carefully considering the findings of the research, which can be found at: (www.gov.uk/government/publications/defining-and-identifying-complex-to-decarbonise-homes.) These will inform any future funding decisions.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ofgem’s recent investigation did not find any evidence to suggest that Drax had been issued with subsidies incorrectly. Whilst Drax complied with sustainability standards, it had failed to report data accurately. This is a serious matter and Government expects full compliance with all regulatory obligations. Drax’s subsequent £25 million redress payment underscores the robustness of the regulatory system.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
JET has been at the forefront of fusion research and innovation, and its final experiments produced a world record in energy output. However, JET is now 40 years old. An evaluation undertaken by EUROfusion in 2016 concluded that upgrades to JET did not provide value for money and it was decided to plan for the end of scientific operations. JET decommissioning will generate valuable knowledge for future fusion endeavours, alongside UK investment in new facilities. We are not aware of any instances where the decommissioning of JET has been raised by the EU Commission in discussion with UK ministers.
Opinions vary as to what constitutes ‘good’ mobile connectivity and I have raised my concerns about the reporting of connectivity with Ofcom, but according to Ofcom’s Connected Nations report (published on 5 December 2024), 4G indoor premises coverage is available from all four mobile operators in 68% of premises in your constituency, with 97% from at least one. This leaves 3% of premises (around 1,500 premises) with no 4G indoor coverage from any operator. Premises includes all buildings not just homes.
Through the Shared Rural Network, we are continuing to deliver 4G mobile connectivity to places where there is either limited or no coverage at all.
Whilst the transition from the analogue landline network to voice over internet protocol is an industry-led process, Ofcom and Government are working together with communications providers to ensure consumers and sectors are protected and prepared for the upgrade process.
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Opinions vary as to what constitutes ‘good’ mobile connectivity and I have raised my concerns about the reporting of connectivity with Ofcom, but according to Ofcom’s Connected Nations report (published on 5 December 2024), 4G indoor premises coverage is available from all four mobile operators in 68% of premises in your constituency, with 97% from at least one. This leaves 3% of premises (around 1,500 premises) with no 4G indoor coverage from any operator. Premises includes all buildings not just homes.
Through the Shared Rural Network, we are continuing to deliver 4G mobile connectivity to places where there is either limited or no coverage at all.
Whilst the transition from the analogue landline network to voice over internet protocol is an industry-led process, Ofcom and Government are working together with communications providers to ensure consumers and sectors are protected and prepared for the upgrade process.
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is determined to ensure that any and all risks incurred during the industry-led migration from the analogue landline network to voice over internet protocol are mitigated. On 18 November 2024, the Department published guidance for communication providers on how to identify and support customers when their landline migrates. This includes customers who are landline dependent, many of which live in rural communities.
The Department also published a checklist of activities that communication providers should take before migrating customers to voice over internet protocol without their active consent. We expect providers to meet the safeguards set out in this checklist to keep customers – including those in rural communities - safe throughout the migration.
Ofcom reports that 2024 saw 45% more service incidents on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) compared to 2023, resulting in a 55% increase in the number of service hours lost. Retaining the PSTN would increase the risks of outages which would have a negative impact on consumers.
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is determined to ensure that any and all risks incurred during the industry-led migration from the analogue landline network to voice over internet protocol are mitigated. On 18 November 2024, the Department published guidance for communication providers on how to identify and support customers when their landline migrates. This includes customers who are landline dependent, many of which live in rural communities.
The Department also published a checklist of activities that communication providers should take before migrating customers to voice over internet protocol without their active consent. We expect providers to meet the safeguards set out in this checklist to keep customers – including those in rural communities - safe throughout the migration.
Ofcom reports that 2024 saw 45% more service incidents on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) compared to 2023, resulting in a 55% increase in the number of service hours lost. Retaining the PSTN would increase the risks of outages which would have a negative impact on consumers.
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
A Project Gigabit contract for Cumbria has been awarded to the broadband supplier Fibrus. Discussion on the inclusion of the parishes of Warcop, Hilton, Murton and Ormside within the contract is currently underway with Fibrus, with the aim of reaching an agreement by the end of December 2024.
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government understands how important it is that everyone can access information in times of national emergency and that television has a role to play in providing such access. The Government’s project looking into the future of TV distribution is considering a range of relevant factors, including resilience. It is important that audiences continue to receive consistent levels of service regardless of how they receive their television, and ensuring that this can happen will be a priority for the project.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government’s project on the future of TV distribution is seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. This will inform any decision concerning the future of digital terrestrial television services after 2034.
As part of this process, a wide range of views are being sought from across the TV sector, audience groups and infrastructure, including through a stakeholder forum that I chair. Membership of the Stakeholder Forum includes a number of groups representing rural, older and lower income audiences, including the Rural Services Network, Silver Voices and Digital Poverty Alliance.
In addition to independent research led by Exeter University and published last year, the Government has commissioned follow up research to understand in more detail the specific preferences, motivations and barriers regarding TV viewing among a variety of groups including rural, older and low-income households.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Exams and other assessments are an essential part of ensuring that young people have acquired the knowledge and skills they need in order to succeed in further study and in later life.
We recognise that exams, like other things in life such as job interviews, have the potential to exacerbate feelings of stress amongst young people. But when pupils receive the right support, for many of them the level of stress from exams is manageable.
We encourage schools to provide safe, calm and supportive environments that help young people to understand and look after their mental health and wellbeing and develop healthy behaviours that can support them to stay well during stressful periods.
There is also a range of advice and guidance on how to beat exam stress. This includes guidance from the NHS, accessible at: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/advice-for-parents/help-your-child-beat-exam-stress/.
Additional guidance by Ofqual can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coping-with-exam-pressure-a-guide-for-students. The information provides some useful advice which pupils can use to help alleviate or lessen the anxiety they have about sitting exams.
End of key stage 2 tests and teacher assessments, often known as SATs, are an essential part of ensuring that primary school pupils master the basics of reading, writing and mathematics to prepare them to achieve and thrive at secondary school.
The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering key stages 1 to 5, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE, an expert in education policy. The panel’s interim report, published on 18 March 2025, is clear that assessments in key stage 1 and 2 are an important part of assessing children’s progress throughout primary school, and that the system of primary assessment is generally working well. The review panel is now considering where there are challenges and how to make any necessary improvements to support the attainment of all children. The panel intend to deliver their final report in autumn 2025.
The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE, an expert in education policy, including curriculum and social inequality. The Review is evaluating the existing national curriculum and statutory assessment system in England, to ensure they are fit for purpose.
The Review’s Interim Report, published in March 2025, is clear that traditional examined assessment should remain the primary means of assessment. The Review will take a subject-by-subject approach to consider assessment fitness for purpose and consider the impact of different assessment methods on teaching and learning.
The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn, and the department will take decisions on what changes to make in light of these recommendations.
The government is clear that children’s wellbeing must be at the heart of statutory guidance on teaching relationships, sex and health education and, as such, the department is looking carefully at responses to the public consultation conducted last year, considering the relevant evidence and discussing with stakeholders before setting out next steps to make sure the guidance draws from the best available evidence.
I refer the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale to the answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 26025.
The government acknowledges the significant impact of our world-leading higher education (HE) sector. As both educational and research institutions, these universities make a vital contribution to our economy, society, and to industry and innovation.
The department appreciates the impact of the increased Teachers‘ Pension Scheme employer contribution rate on some HE providers and is working with departmental officials and stakeholders across the sector to better understand the impact of this issue.
We are also reviewing options to deliver a more robust HE sector and will set out a long-term plan for reform by summer 2025.
The department is examining what provision will best meet the needs of employers and students in this important sector, which plays an important role in Cumbria.
There are 143 level 2 and level 3 qualifications in the hospitality and catering sector for 16-19 year olds that are approved for funding in 2024/2025. Catering qualifications are not due to be defunded as part of the post 16 qualifications reform.
There is a wide range of support and guidance available for employers and providers to ensure that T Level students have a high quality experience on their industry placement. This includes workshops, webinars, continuing professional development support and online guidance. Providers also receive £550 per industry placement student as part of their wider 16-19 funding allocation to support the costs of sourcing and setting up industry placements and can use their 16-19 bursary funding to support disadvantaged students to access placements.
The latest data shows that 78% of 2021 T Level starters who completed an industry placement were ‘very’ or ‘quite satisfied’ with it.
The government has launched an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering key stages 1 to 5, which will be chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review will consider the current qualification pathways available at key stage 4 and key stage 5. A call for evidence will be published in the autumn, which will set out the areas where the review group would particularly welcome input. Further information about the Review is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-curriculum-and-assessment-review.
23 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions
(View all Tim Farron's Defra questions)The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is working with our partners and other Parties within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution to update and future-proof the 2012 amended Gothenburg Protocol to further reduce the effects of transboundary air pollution.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government will continue to take the action needed to ensure everyone has cleaner air to breathe. The next review of our statutory Air Quality Strategy is due to be completed by mid-2028.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Local authorities are expected to publish their Annual Status Reports on their own websites, detailing their assessments of the air quality objectives.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the reply previously given on 16 July 2025, PQ UIN 66131.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Existing Directions under the Environment Act 1995 relating to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exceedances are revoked once the local authority area concerned has successfully demonstrated that compliance with legal limit levels for NO2 has been achieved, and that compliance will be maintained.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Local authorities are expected to publish their Annual Status Reports detailing exceedances of the air quality objectives on their own websites. Annual limit values under the Air Quality Standards Regulation 2010 are assessed separately to the Annual Status Report process.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The UK is compliant with the UK’s statutory reduction target for ammonia emissions, which has applied since 2020. The latest projections show that further action is needed to meet the UK’s ammonia reduction for 2030.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Local authorities are expected to publish the data from their locally managed nitrogen dioxide measurement networks on their websites. Data from Defra-managed networks is published annually online at UK-Air as part of the national compliance assessment.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The results of the UK’s air quality assessment for 2024 are published online on the UK-Air website (https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/).
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra has funded virtual fencing technology projects through the Farming in Protected Landscape Programme which are helping to deliver our environmental targets in Protected Landscapes.
Defra does not currently offer funding for virtual fencing technology under other schemes. We will keep the matter under review when considering future grants offers.
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra has funded virtual fencing technology projects through the Farming in Protected Landscape Programme which are helping to deliver our environmental targets in Protected Landscapes.
Defra does not currently offer funding for virtual fencing technology under other schemes. We will keep the matter under review when considering future grants offers.
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra has funded virtual fencing technology projects through the Farming in Protected Landscape Programme which are helping to deliver our environmental targets in Protected Landscapes.
Defra does not currently offer funding for virtual fencing technology under other schemes. We will keep the matter under review when considering future grants offers.
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme is due to end March 2026 and decisions on the future of the programme have not yet been made. The FiPL eligibility criteria for virtual fencing technology protects the highest standards of animal welfare and targets limited programme funding to priority environmental outcomes in Protected Landscapes. There are no plans to review the current approach.
Following the outcome of the Spending Review, we are continuing work to simplify and rationalise our grant funding from 2026 onwards, ensuring that grants are targeted towards those who need them most and where they can deliver the most benefit.
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Environment Agency (EA) monitors all designated bathing waters above the minimum monthly frequency requirement of the Bathing Water Regulations during the bathing water season. Most sites are sampled weekly, in line with the World Health Organisation’s recommendations to reduce misclassification risk. Data is published on the EA’s Swimfo bathing waters website, ensuring bathers can make informed decisions.
On 28 October 2025, the Department laid before Parliament an SI which incorporates reforms to modernise the Bathing Water Regulations. Core reform 3 comes into force 21 November, introducing the discretion to determine a different bathing season for a site where appropriate, allowing locally tailored bathing seasons that reflect their use.
We are working with the EA on a pre-implementation research project, where we will consult with stakeholders to ensure we have considered all the relevant factors. The outcome will be set out in public guidance to be published in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In the Bathing Water Regulations 2013, ‘Schedule 5, classification’ shows there are already different standards for inland waters and for coastal and transitional waters when measuring E coli and intestinal enterococci. This means there are varying classifications of water quality thresholds depending on pathogen levels in place at different locations, recognising the distinct natural characteristics and hydrodynamics that exist in different water environments.
The SI that was laid 28 October and due to come into force 21 November this year will not change this.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
On 28 October 2025, the Department laid before Parliament a Statutory Instrument which incorporates reforms to modernise the Bathing Water Regulations. Core reform 3, which is due to come into force 21 November, introduces discretion to determine a different bathing season for a site where appropriate, allowing more flexible, locally tailored bathing seasons that reflect when people use the site.
We are working with the Environment Agency (EA) on a pre-implementation research project which will consult with stakeholders to ensure we have considered all the relevant factors. The outcome of this project will be set out in public guidance that will be published in due course.
Currently, the EA samples regularly throughout the season and this will continue with any bathing site extensions under core reform 3. This data is published regularly on the EA’s Swimfo bathing waters website ensuring the public can make an informed decision before entering the water.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The purpose of the Regulations is to ensure the protection of public health through the use of monitoring and classifications. Bathing waters are one of the most visible ways in which the public interacts with the water environment and so it is critical that appropriate regulations meet the needs of water users and those involved with managing bathing water sites.
On 28 October 2025, the Department laid before Parliament an SI which incorporates reforms to modernise the Bathing Water Regulations. Coming into effect on 21 November 2025, these reforms include the scope to extend the bathing and monitoring season from 21 November 2025. We will continue to evaluate environmental and societal impacts of future reforms and engage stakeholders as we move to implementation.
Current guidelines on Environment Agency and Local Authority roles during pollution incidents, including blue-green algae, remain valid.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
On 28 October 2025, the Department laid before Parliament an SI which incorporates reforms to modernise the Bathing Water Regulations. Core reform 3, due to come into force 21 November, introduces the discretion to determine a different bathing season for a site where appropriate, enabling flexible, locally tailored bathing seasons that reflect its use.
The Environment Agency (EA) sample throughout the season, and data is published regularly on the EA’s Swimfo bathing waters website ensuring the public can make an informed decision before entering the water. Where bathing water quality is not consistently excellent the EA makes pollution risk forecasts each day using an analysis of previous samples and notifies the public through the Swimfo website and on signage at the site in this event.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Existing practices for monitoring and classification in the UK mirror the European Commission’s Bathing Water Directive which is based on the World Health Organisation’s recommendations for management of recreational waters.
Environment Agency (EA) monitoring also currently exceeds the minimum requirements of the Bathing Water Directive at all Bathing Waters.
The Government is committed to improving the quality of our coastal waters, rivers and lakes for the benefit of the environment and everyone who uses it. We are continually working to improve and modernise our bathing waters system and learn from best practice.
We laid an SI on 28 October, due to come into force on 21 November 2025 which introduces three core reforms and several technical amendments to the Bathing Water Regulations. These will bring legislation in line with modern sampling practices, allowing the EA to improve ways of working and improve delivery for the public.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Environment Agency samples the designated bathing waters in Windermere according to the Bathing Water Regulations. Applications for new bathing water designations in Lake Windermere can be made to Defra if the criteria published on GOV.UK are met.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Swimfo, the Environment Agency’s (EA) bathing water quality website, provides details on over 450 bathing waters, classifications, pollution sources, and seasonal water quality results. From May to September, Swimfo posts daily forecasts for over 170 sites where water quality may be temporarily affected by factors like rainfall or tides, helping the public make informed choices quickly.
The EA is exploring redevelopment opportunities to enhance communication and service delivery. This will include working with the public and key stakeholders to understand their needs and preferences for future developments of the system. The EA have also introduced several stabilisation measures to reduce service disruptions and will continue to enhance the resilience of Swimfo ahead of the next bathing season.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We know that local communities want to have a clear picture of water quality at popular bathing sites. The Environment Agency (EA) publishes sampling information during the bathing season on Swimfo to inform bathers of water quality and provide daily pollution risk warnings. This includes details on over 450 bathing waters, including classifications, pollution sources, and seasonal water quality results. Local Authorities use this information to provide bathing water quality information on physical signs at each bathing water.
The EA has introduced several stabilisation measures to reduce service disruptions and will continue to enhance the resilience of Swimfo ahead of the next bathing season. They are also exploring redevelopment opportunities to enhance its communication and improve its service delivery. This will include working with the public and key stakeholders to understand their needs and preferences for future developments of the system.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)