Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 594 · Home Office
Pursuant to the Answer of 15 April 2026 to Question 125325 on Animal Welfare: Inspections, how many beagles were bred in the last 12 months by MBR Acres Ltd for which the latest data is available.
The Home Office does not hold data on the number of animals bred by individual establishments. Responsibility for recording such information rests with the licensed establishments themselves.Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, licensed est...
With reference to FOI 2026/03320 for what reason did her department deem it to be a) unlawful and b) unfair with respect to the withholding of the requested information regarding the number of ISIS-li
The Government’s priority is the safety and security of the UK and our citizens. This can, where appropriate, include the exercise of immigration powers, the use of domestic and international watchlists, and law enforcement partners to disrupt the travel ...
Pursuant to the Answer of 20 April 2026 to question 125523 on Hare Coursing, which policing priority covers hare coursing in the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy 202
The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy 2025-28, published in November 2025, addresses hare coursing within its policing priority to tackle illegal hunting and poaching.
What steps she is taking to update the Modern slavery strategy, published on 29 November 2014.
This government is taking forward an updated approach to tackling modern slavery through delivery, reform and integration across wider Government strategies, rather than by re-issuing an updated standalone strategy.Our March 2025 Modern Slavery Action Pla...
Pursuant to the Answer of 20 April 2026 to Auestion 125323 on Ahmed al-Sharaa, whether she discussed the repatriation of ISIS-linked individuals from the Al-Roj camp in Syria with the (a) President of Syria, (b) Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and (c) Director of the General Intelligence Service on 31 March 2026.
The details of conversations between the Home Secretary and senior international partners on matters of national security are confidential and not for release.Minister Falconer made a written ministerial statement to the house on 28 January on the situation in North-East Syria and has committed to providing further updates to the House in due course as the situation evolves.’
How many animals have died during UK preclinical testing for Botox (Botulinum toxin) used in aesthetic applications each year since 2005.
The Home Office does not collect data on the fate of animals at the end of procedures. Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, licensed establishments are responsible for keeping records which include the fate of the animals. Home Office Inspectors in the Animals in Science Regulation Unit may ask to look at these records at any time. The number of animals used in scientific procedures can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/collections/animals-in-science-statistics. This data is broken down by year and by species and type of procedure.To protect human safety there are legal requirements to test the safety and potency of medicinal products and drug substances containing botulinum toxin. The testing of this medicinal product is required by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA).In November 2025, the Government published Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, which includes an aim to apply only validated alternative methods in the pharmacopoeial potency testing of botulinum toxin by the end of 2027.
For what application are the 3 current active licences which authorise the use of the Forced Swim Test in preclinical animal testing.
The Home Office publishes annual National Statistics on the use of animals in scientific procedures in Great Britain under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.As part of these statistics, information is collected and published on techniques of special interest. In 2024, the statistics included the forced swim test as a technique of special interest for the first time and includes information on the purpose of the research. All procedures were performed for the purpose of basic research in the areas of the nervous, endocrine and sensory systems, and were either mild or moderate severity.The annual statistics for 2025 will be published this year. The published annual statistics are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/animals-in-science-statistics
With reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, what progress she has made in strengthening UK guidance on adventitious agents testing.
The Government is committed to strengthening guidance on adventitious agents testing in due course, as set out in the strategy.The use of animals in science in the UK continues to be regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which requires that animals are only used where there is no suitable validated non‑animal alternative, the minimum number of animals is used, and the most refined methods are used to minimise harm.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy, later in 2026.
What progress the Animals in Science Regulation Unit has made in its (a) Regulatory Reform programme and (b) new target operating model.
The Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) launched its new organisational design and operating model in late 2025. This included increasing the size of the inspectorate from an average of 14.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) posts in 2023 to 22 FTE in 2026, strengthening the Regulator’s ability to scrutinise, monitor and assure compliance of regulated establishments with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. ASRU has also introduced specialist roles and functions to strengthen data analysis, quality monitoring and overall regulatory performance.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy ‘Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods’, later in 2026.
Pursuant to the answer of 15 April 2026, to question 125325 on Animal Welfare: Inspections, what is the number of animals used annually by MBR Acres.
The Home Office publishes annual statistics on the use of animals in science which contain information on the number of procedures conducted, including breakdowns by species of animals. The statistics report both the total number of procedures conducted and the number of animals used for the first time in a given year. Data is collected and published on an annual basis and is not disaggregated by establishment.The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) requires establishments that breed or supply animals for use in scientific procedures to be licensed and regulated, even where no scientific procedures are carried out on site.MBR Acres Ltd is a breeding facility and does not carry out onsite testing.
With reference to the Policy paper: “Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods”, Published on 11 November 2025, what progress has she made in implementing the full recommendations of the Rawle Report.
The Home Office is working with the Animals in Science Regulation Unit, funders and wider stakeholders to progress implementation of the Rawle report recommendations. Specifically, the Animals in Science Committee, a ministerial advisory body, has been commissioned for advice on leading practice in delivery of the responsibilities of Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies (AWERBs); addressing a key finding from the Rawle report.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy, later in 2026.
With reference to her oral response to the hon. Member for Huntingdon on 5 January 2026, Official Report, column 25, by what date she will write to the hon. Member for Huntingdon.
A letter to the hon. Gentleman was sent on 28 April.
With reference to the policy paper entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, what progress she has made on improving the approval processes around animal research and ensuring animals continue to only be used where there is no available alternative.
The Home Office has two key strands of work to improve licence approval processes under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 regulatory framework. First, it is working with the Animals in Science Regulation Unit, funders and wider stakeholders to progress implementation of recommendations provided by Dr Frances Rawle relating to approvals processes to ensure that animals continue to only be used where there is no practicable alternative.Concurrently, the National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction is scheduled to provide recommendations to the Home Office to enhance the project licence application form for undertaking research involving animals. This will include advice aimed at strengthening the evaluation of replacement strategies.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy, later in 2026.
What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the maritime interdiction of Russian Shadow Fleet vessels in British waters on asylum applications from Russian service personnel.
The Home Office is working closely with other Government departments in relation to the Russian Shadow Fleet. It would not be appropriate to comment in detail on those discussions or on security matters.The Home Office monitors impacts of HMG actions, policy changes and world events on our assessment of asylum applications.
With reference to the policy paper entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, by when she expects the Animals in Science Committee to provide their advice on (a) strengthening leading practice for the regulated sector and (b) best practice for animal welfare and ethical review bodies.
The Animals in Science Committee (ASC) published its report, Strengthening leading practice in the animals in science sector, on 19th January 2026. It is available to read here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strengthening-leading-practice-in-the-animals-in-science-sector.The ASC expects to publish its report on Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies by 30th September 2026. Further information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/timescales-for-asc-commissions-letter-to-lord-hanson.
With reference to the policy paper entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, by when the Animals in Science Regulation Unit will a) complete its Regulatory Reform programme and b) implement a new target operating model.
The Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) launched its new organisational design and operating model in late 2025. This included increasing the size of the inspectorate from an average of 14.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) posts in 2023 to 22 FTE in 2026, strengthening the Regulator’s ability to scrutinise, monitor and assure compliance of regulated establishments with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. ASRU has also introduced specialist roles and functions to strengthen data analysis, quality monitoring and overall regulatory performance.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy ‘Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods’, later in 2026.
With reference to the National Police Chief's Council report entitled Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy 2025-2028, what offences are classified under bat crime.
Under the NPCC Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy 2025–2028, bat crime includes:Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.Intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat occupying a structure or place used for shelter or protection.Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection by bats.Regulation 43 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.Deliberately capture, injure, or kill a bat.Deliberately disturb a bat.Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of a bat (bats do not have to be in occupation at the time).Possess or control a bat.Transport a bat.Sell or exchange a bat.Offer for sale or exchange any bat, alive or dead, or any part of a bat.
What consideration has she given to the incorporation of the 2025-2028 Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy into the structural changes following from the Police reform white paper entitled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, CP1489.
The Home Office will continue to work closely with policing and partners to ensure that police reforms support effective delivery through neighbourhood policing, specialist capabilities and national coordination.
Pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2026 to Question 101926 on MBR Acres: Animal Welfare, what factors determine the frequency of unannounced audits.
The announced audit carried out at MBR Acres in November 2025 identified no critical or major findings, and no low‑level concerns. Three minor findings were identified and, where required, actions to address these areas were issued to the establishment. The minor findings involved a small amount of rust on a surface, small areas of floor damage in a walkway, and a small portion of loose drain cover which was dealt with immediately.ASRU conducts both announced and unannounced audits in line with the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), using a risk‑informed approach.Audit frequency is determined by a range of factors including consideration of an establishment’s compliance history, the nature and scale of licensed activities, the species and numbers of animals used, and the licence holder’s record.As a minimum, ASRU audits a third of all establishments each year and audits all establishments carrying out regulated procedures on non‑human primates annually, as required by ASPA. ASPA does not mandate whether these audits are announced or unannounced and does not mandate a specific frequency for unannounced audits.ASRU has planned to increase the number of unannounced audits as part of its work to strength regulatory oversight. ASRU has also increased its number of inspectors, enabling a greater volume of risk-based audits across the system.
Pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2026 to Question 101926 on MBR Acres: Animal Welfare, what the outcome was of the announced audit in November 2025.
The announced audit carried out at MBR Acres in November 2025 identified no critical or major findings, and no low‑level concerns. Three minor findings were identified and, where required, actions to address these areas were issued to the establishment. The minor findings involved a small amount of rust on a surface, small areas of floor damage in a walkway, and a small portion of loose drain cover which was dealt with immediately.ASRU conducts both announced and unannounced audits in line with the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), using a risk‑informed approach.Audit frequency is determined by a range of factors including consideration of an establishment’s compliance history, the nature and scale of licensed activities, the species and numbers of animals used, and the licence holder’s record.As a minimum, ASRU audits a third of all establishments each year and audits all establishments carrying out regulated procedures on non‑human primates annually, as required by ASPA. ASPA does not mandate whether these audits are announced or unannounced and does not mandate a specific frequency for unannounced audits.ASRU has planned to increase the number of unannounced audits as part of its work to strength regulatory oversight. ASRU has also increased its number of inspectors, enabling a greater volume of risk-based audits across the system.