Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many project licence applications returned by the Animals in Science Regulation Unit between 1 January 2026 and 30 September 2026 were subsequently granted with (a) a reduction in the number of animals, (b) a change of species, (c) a reduction in the severity classification of procedures, and (d) the replacement of some procedures with non-animal methods.

Based on information recorded in the e‑licensing system, project licence applications were returned to applicants on 757 occasions between 1 January and 30 September 2026 for clarification, amendment or further information. This figure counts occasions on which applications were returned, rather than the number of distinct applications.

Eight project licence applications were withdrawn by applicants during this period. All eight had been submitted before 2026.

Information on changes made during assessment is held in individual application records, but is not collated centrally. The Home Office therefore does not hold a central breakdown of applications subsequently granted with reductions in animal numbers, changes of species, reductions in the severity classification of procedures, or replacement of procedures with non-animal methods.

The Government will report in due course on progress against the targets for replacing animal use set out in its Replacing Animals in Science strategy.