Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the publication entitled Animals in Science Regulation Unit annual report 2023, published on 17 December 2024, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of animals impacted by non-compliance incidents in British laboratories; and what steps her Department is taking to (a) reduce the number of non-compliance cases, (b) improve animal welfare standards in scientific research and (c) support the transition to non-animal research methods.

The Home Office Regulator takes non-compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 very seriously. The numbers of non-compliance cases vary in any given year. The total number of non-compliance cases reduced from 175 to 169 cases from 2022-23. Between these same years there was also a 48% reduction in adverse welfare cases.

All establishments licensed to breed or supply animals, or to carry out regulated procedures on animals in the United Kingdom are subject to the full requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA).

The Regulator conducts audits to assure establishments' compliance with the terms of their licences, the Code of Practice and with ASPA. Each establishment will receive an audit at least every three years if it does not hold special species and at least every year if it holds specially protected species.

The Regulator is undertaking a structured programme of reforms to most effectively deliver its purpose of protecting animals in science through maintaining compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The effect of the changes will be strengthened protections for animals; increased adherence to the principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement; an enhanced quality of service for the science sector; and increased assurance to the public of the protections the UK continues to deliver for animals in science. The programme will increase the total number of Inspectors from 17 at the end of 2023, to 22 by end of 2025.

The Government is committed to supporting non-animal alternatives and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption later this year.