Written questions by Hinchliff.

Whether the Jet Zero Strategy (JZS) is still used for policy-making on aviation decarbonisation, or whether it has been replaced or superseded by the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan (CBGDP).

This Government is progressing a range of measures to support the decarbonisation of the aviation sector, including supporting sustainable aviation fuels, airspace modernisation and the development of low and zero emission aerospace technologies. The Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan (CBGDP), published in October, sets out the Government’s plan for delivering Carbon Budgets 4 – 6 across the whole economy. The CBGDP complements the 2022 Jet Zero Strategy (JZS), the policy document which sets the approach for the aviation sector to achieve net zero by 2050. We regularly update our aviation modelling and assumptions used in our analysis when new evidence becomes available, including the pathways to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The modelling used in the CBGDP is taken from the latest wider modelling of aviation, including emissions, out to 2050. Further versions of updated modelling will be used to inform future publications, including analysis for Carbon Budget 7.

Regarding aviation decarbonisation, whether the CBGDP represents the latest modelling of how the Government will achieve a Net Zero pathway for the aviation sector, and supersedes the modelling underpinning the JZS.

This Government is progressing a range of measures to support the decarbonisation of the aviation sector, including supporting sustainable aviation fuels, airspace modernisation and the development of low and zero emission aerospace technologies. The Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan (CBGDP), published in October, sets out the Government’s plan for delivering Carbon Budgets 4 – 6 across the whole economy. The CBGDP complements the 2022 Jet Zero Strategy (JZS), the policy document which sets the approach for the aviation sector to achieve net zero by 2050. We regularly update our aviation modelling and assumptions used in our analysis when new evidence becomes available, including the pathways to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The modelling used in the CBGDP is taken from the latest wider modelling of aviation, including emissions, out to 2050. Further versions of updated modelling will be used to inform future publications, including analysis for Carbon Budget 7.

Communities and Local Government, if chalk streams will be added to the National Planning Policy Framework as an irreplaceable habitat.

As per the commitment I made in the House on 13 November during consideration of Lords Amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the government intend to include explicit recognition of chalk streams in the new suite of national policies for decision-making that we will consult on before the end of this year. This will ensure that chalk streams are explicitly recognised as features of high environmental value in national planning policy and that clear expectations are set for plan-makers and decision-makers in respect of managing the impacts of development on these sensitive waterbodies.

Communities and Local Government, whether any Environmental Delivery Plans are currently under consideration or development by Natural England or have been proposed by the Government.

Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) can be used only to discharge specific environmental obligations. They will set out the conservation measures that will be taken to address the impact of specified types of development on relevant environmental features – a specific protected feature of a protected site, or a specific protected species. The EDP will also set out the amount of the nature restoration levy to be paid by developers to Natural England based on what is required to pay for the measures. Alongside the levy rate payable, the EDP will set out the relevant environmental obligations that will be discharged, disapplied or modified as a result of making the payment. The EDP may also include areas within a development area where development is excluded from the EDP – for example, within the protected site itself. The EDP will also specify particular types and amounts of development that it can cover. Once the threshold for the amount of development allowed under the EDP is reached, without an amendment new development will no longer be able to rely upon the EDP. Natural England can define an amount of development in a variety of ways. An EDP must specify a start date when development can start paying into the EDP, and an end date – the point at which the overall improvement test must have been met. The end date must be no later than 10 years following the start date, so that benefits can start to be realised within a reasonable timeframe. EDPs will be able to include back-up conservation measures that could be deployed, if needed, to secure the desired environmental outcomes. That is not only important for nature, but part of ensuring that the Secretary of State can be confident that EDPs will deliver conservation measures that materially outweigh the impact of development. This shift from the status quo towards active restoration. Importantly, planning conditions can be imposed on development as a conservation measure. The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists. No provisions in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill reduce those protections. An EDP that would cause irreversible or irreparable impact to a protected site or species could not be approved by a Secretary of State, as it would fail to secure the overall improvement of the conservation status of the relevant environmental feature. Similarly, under the Bill network measures could never be used where to do so would result in the loss of an irreplaceable habitat as this would inherently not pass the overall improvement test. EDPs will define the environmental impacts they cover, such as nutrient pollution or the impact development might have on a protected species. On 24 November, during consideration of Commons Reasons and Amendments in the House of Lords, the government made clear that the first EDPs will address nutrient pollution only and that Ministers would return to the House once the first nutrients EDPs are in place to issue a statement on their progress. It will only be after the House has seen this statement that the Secretary of State will make any further EDPs on other environmental issues. Whilst Natural England may wish to undertake preparatory work in parallel on potential future EDPs, this approach would ensure that any learning from the first nutrients EDP is considered before any EDPs beyond nutrients are made and operational.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of potential impact of the proposed changes to the Protection of Badgers Act on shooting badgers.

These amendments standardise licences for development purposes under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 with those for other species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, 2017. This is intended to facilitate strategic-level Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) as provided for in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. We are legislating that licences issued under the Act to derogate from the protection afforded to badgers will be subject to strict tests required by the Bern Convention, which set a high bar. For licences under the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF), against an EDP for badgers, an overall improvement in the conservation status of badgers will be required. Killing badgers would remain exceptional and only permissible under strict conditions, such as disease control, and would not become routine for development purposes. A specific assessment of the potential impact on shooting badgers has not been undertaken as the impact of these provisions will depend on practical application by Natural England through EDPs or individual licences.

Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to distinguish between diffuse landscape issues, such as nutrient pollution, and protected sites and species in the context of environmental delivery.

Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) can be used only to discharge specific environmental obligations. They will set out the conservation measures that will be taken to address the impact of specified types of development on relevant environmental features – a specific protected feature of a protected site, or a specific protected species. The EDP will also set out the amount of the nature restoration levy to be paid by developers to Natural England based on what is required to pay for the measures. Alongside the levy rate payable, the EDP will set out the relevant environmental obligations that will be discharged, disapplied or modified as a result of making the payment. The EDP may also include areas within a development area where development is excluded from the EDP – for example, within the protected site itself. The EDP will also specify particular types and amounts of development that it can cover. Once the threshold for the amount of development allowed under the EDP is reached, without an amendment new development will no longer be able to rely upon the EDP. Natural England can define an amount of development in a variety of ways. An EDP must specify a start date when development can start paying into the EDP, and an end date – the point at which the overall improvement test must have been met. The end date must be no later than 10 years following the start date, so that benefits can start to be realised within a reasonable timeframe. EDPs will be able to include back-up conservation measures that could be deployed, if needed, to secure the desired environmental outcomes. That is not only important for nature, but part of ensuring that the Secretary of State can be confident that EDPs will deliver conservation measures that materially outweigh the impact of development. This shift from the status quo towards active restoration. Importantly, planning conditions can be imposed on development as a conservation measure. The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists. No provisions in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill reduce those protections. An EDP that would cause irreversible or irreparable impact to a protected site or species could not be approved by a Secretary of State, as it would fail to secure the overall improvement of the conservation status of the relevant environmental feature. Similarly, under the Bill network measures could never be used where to do so would result in the loss of an irreplaceable habitat as this would inherently not pass the overall improvement test. EDPs will define the environmental impacts they cover, such as nutrient pollution or the impact development might have on a protected species. On 24 November, during consideration of Commons Reasons and Amendments in the House of Lords, the government made clear that the first EDPs will address nutrient pollution only and that Ministers would return to the House once the first nutrients EDPs are in place to issue a statement on their progress. It will only be after the House has seen this statement that the Secretary of State will make any further EDPs on other environmental issues. Whilst Natural England may wish to undertake preparatory work in parallel on potential future EDPs, this approach would ensure that any learning from the first nutrients EDP is considered before any EDPs beyond nutrients are made and operational.

Communities and Local Government, whether the overall improvement test in Environmental Delivery Plans will ensure that irreplaceable habitats and species cannot be included; and whether he will publish a list of environmental features he considers to be irreplaceable.

Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) can be used only to discharge specific environmental obligations. They will set out the conservation measures that will be taken to address the impact of specified types of development on relevant environmental features – a specific protected feature of a protected site, or a specific protected species. The EDP will also set out the amount of the nature restoration levy to be paid by developers to Natural England based on what is required to pay for the measures. Alongside the levy rate payable, the EDP will set out the relevant environmental obligations that will be discharged, disapplied or modified as a result of making the payment. The EDP may also include areas within a development area where development is excluded from the EDP – for example, within the protected site itself. The EDP will also specify particular types and amounts of development that it can cover. Once the threshold for the amount of development allowed under the EDP is reached, without an amendment new development will no longer be able to rely upon the EDP. Natural England can define an amount of development in a variety of ways. An EDP must specify a start date when development can start paying into the EDP, and an end date – the point at which the overall improvement test must have been met. The end date must be no later than 10 years following the start date, so that benefits can start to be realised within a reasonable timeframe. EDPs will be able to include back-up conservation measures that could be deployed, if needed, to secure the desired environmental outcomes. That is not only important for nature, but part of ensuring that the Secretary of State can be confident that EDPs will deliver conservation measures that materially outweigh the impact of development. This shift from the status quo towards active restoration. Importantly, planning conditions can be imposed on development as a conservation measure. The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists. No provisions in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill reduce those protections. An EDP that would cause irreversible or irreparable impact to a protected site or species could not be approved by a Secretary of State, as it would fail to secure the overall improvement of the conservation status of the relevant environmental feature. Similarly, under the Bill network measures could never be used where to do so would result in the loss of an irreplaceable habitat as this would inherently not pass the overall improvement test. EDPs will define the environmental impacts they cover, such as nutrient pollution or the impact development might have on a protected species. On 24 November, during consideration of Commons Reasons and Amendments in the House of Lords, the government made clear that the first EDPs will address nutrient pollution only and that Ministers would return to the House once the first nutrients EDPs are in place to issue a statement on their progress. It will only be after the House has seen this statement that the Secretary of State will make any further EDPs on other environmental issues. Whilst Natural England may wish to undertake preparatory work in parallel on potential future EDPs, this approach would ensure that any learning from the first nutrients EDP is considered before any EDPs beyond nutrients are made and operational.

What steps she is taking to help ensure the effective prosecution of organised crime in North East Hertfordshire constituency.

The cost of organised crime is pervasive, whether this is impacting our economy or exploiting the vulnerable. This week the government has launched a crackdown on shops on our high streets, as part of Operation Machinize. These shops are fronts for serious organised crime, money laundering and illegal working, risking the future of the British High Street.Law enforcement work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to dismantle criminal networks across the UK including in Hertfordshire, and relentlessly pursue those who use dirty money for personal gain.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to Answer of 11 July to Question UIN 65893 on Water Restoration Fund, whether the reinvestment of £100 million in fines and penalties levied against water companies into projects to clean up our waters will be progressed by (a) a second round of the Water Restoration Fund and (b) by other means.

The Water Restoration Fund is now delivering on-the-ground improvements for water quality through 51 projects, directly benefiting the communities and the environment which have been harmed by water company rule-breaking. The programme runs for 3 years from FY 2025-26 until 2027-28.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for urgent pelvic ultrasounds.

We inherited a broken National Health Service, and reducing elective waiting lists is a key part of getting it back on its feet and building an NHS that is fit for the future. To that end we have committed to achieving the NHS Constitutional standard that 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by March 2029. Cutting waiting times for diagnostic tests including those for urgent pelvic issues is a crucial step in reducing the elective waiting list.In the Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor announced £600 million of capital funding to support the reduction of diagnostic waiting lists, including continued investment in new and expanded Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), new acute hospital diagnostic equipment, and investment in digital diagnostic capabilities.Abdomen or pelvic ultrasounds are one of five imaging tests for which general practitioners (GPs) can now make direct referrals, meaning patients can get the scan they need sooner at their local hospital or other NHS facility, whichever offers this service. The General Practice Direct Access Guidance advises how GPs can make the most of GP direct access especially where specific diagnostic tests are under the threshold for referral under the urgent suspected cancer referral pathway.Patients can also be referred for pelvic ultrasounds for a number of reasons, including suspected urological malignancies, and other gynaecological cancers. Improved performance on the Faster Diagnosis Standard means that 135,000 more people have had cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days between September 2024 and August 2025, compared the same months in the previous year.We have also already made excellent progress turning the commitments in the Women's Health Strategy into tangible action, including tackling gynaecology waiting lists using the private sector.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) preparing and (b) publishing a national strategy for (i) palliative and (ii) end-of-life care.

The Government is developing a Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework (MSF) for England. I refer the hon. member to the Written Ministerial Statement HCWS1087 I gave to the House on 24 November 2025.The MSF will drive improvements in the services that patients and their families receive at the end of life and enable integrated care boards to address challenges in access, quality and sustainability through the delivery of high-quality, personalised care. This will be aligned with the ambitions set out in the recently published 10-Year Health Plan.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the number of verifications of catch certificates accompanying seafood imports undertaken by UK authorities.

Defra and the Marine Management Organisation work closely with Devolved Governments, Local Authorities and Port Health Authorities to ensure illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing documentary checks are completed at the border and appropriate verifications are conducted on seafood imports to the UK . Verifications, defined under Article 17 of the UK's IUU Regulation, are formal checks beyond standard documentary reviews. Competent Authorities conduct risk-based checks, and if concerns arise, the MMO may hold consignments and carry out verifications.

What plans his Department has to support exports of UK-manufactured hydrogen and fuel cell technologies to international markets.

As a frontier sector in the Industrial Strategy, the government has committed targeted support to boost exports of world leading hydrogen technologies into new and established markets, by increasing the visibility of UK capabilities to projects and investors and unlocking greater participation in international supply chains. The Trade Strategy also commits to supporting exports through building on existing and exploring new and deeper clean energy sector agreements.Officials in my department will continue to showcase UK capabilities through our global network, increasing access to international supply chains. UK Export Finance can offer a range of support for overseas sales, aims to deliver £10bn in clean growth financing by 2029.

Whether he has had discussions with industry stakeholders on growing UK-based manufacturing of hydrogen and fuel cell equipment by 2030.

The Government announced a public finance offer for clean energy industries to crowd private investment into sustainable UK supply chains. This includes: a £1bn Clean Energy supply chain fund; £5.8bn for the National Wealth Fund to invest across this Parliament in clean industries including low-carbon hydrogen; and a £4bn British Business Bank Industrial Strategy Growth Capital scale up and start up financing package.My officials in the UK and overseas are working closely with UK-based companies to showcase the UK's leading capabilities and unlock opportunities across the hydrogen value chain both at home and overseas. I look forward to working with the industry on these shared ambitions.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that UK-manufactured hydrogen and fuel cell technologies use hydrogen production and usage schemes.

The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan sets out a clear plan to support the growth of the UK’s manufacturing base for hydrogen technologies, including deployment certainty and timelines for future Hydrogen Allocation Rounds; the launch of the first transport and storage allocation round and hydrogen to power business model; establishing the UK’s first regional hydrogen network from 2031; exploring options to expand the Contracts for Difference (CfD) Clean Industry Bonus to hydrogen; working with projects to deliver events connecting developers and suppliers; and a comprehensive public financial institution offer including the £1 billion Great British Energy supply chain fund.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK hydrogen supply chain on (a) creating skilled jobs and (b) supporting regional growth.

The hydrogen industry will create investment and jobs across the UK’s industrial heartlands. The UK is well placed to be a global leader in hydrogen supply chains, further supporting regional growth. Our forthcoming Hydrogen Strategy will include the latest jobs estimates and plans to optimise economic benefits delivered by the UK hydrogen economy. We will continue to engage with stakeholders across the hydrogen value chain; working together with industry and unions to identify actions that support the skills and workforce needs of the UK’s low carbon hydrogen economy.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of adopting a EU-style carding system to (a) warn and (b) sanction states that are not sufficiently combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

The UK’s Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Regulation (1005/2008) includes provisions that support a carding system, to warn and sanction states identified as non-cooperative in combating IUU fishing. Currently, the UK bans imports of seafood from Cambodia, Comoros and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

When HMRC plans to respond to the consultation on Reform of Air Passenger Duty for private jets, which closed on 22 January 2025.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced that APD rates would be partially adjusted in 2026-27 to help compensate for recent years of below-inflation uprating. The higher rate for private jets will therefore rise by a further 50 per cent on top of the general increase made to all APD rates. You can find the Tax Information and Impact Notice (TIIN) for the 2026/27 rates here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-air-passenger-duty-rates-from-1-april-2026/air-passenger-duty-rates-from-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2027 The TIIN sets out the environmental and revenue impacts of the changes. The Government also published a consultation on the extension of the higher rate to cover all private jets already within scope of the APD regime. At present, the higher rate only applies to larger private jets, and so many private jet passengers pay the same rates as commercial airline passengers. The consultation closed on 22 January, the Government is considering the responses and will respond in due course.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the higher rate of Air Passenger Duty by more than the proposed 50% in 2026-27 on (a) the public purse and (b) the UK's greenhouse gas emissions.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced that APD rates would be partially adjusted in 2026-27 to help compensate for recent years of below-inflation uprating. The higher rate for private jets will therefore rise by a further 50 per cent on top of the general increase made to all APD rates. You can find the Tax Information and Impact Notice (TIIN) for the 2026/27 rates here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-air-passenger-duty-rates-from-1-april-2026/air-passenger-duty-rates-from-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2027 The TIIN sets out the environmental and revenue impacts of the changes. The Government also published a consultation on the extension of the higher rate to cover all private jets already within scope of the APD regime. At present, the higher rate only applies to larger private jets, and so many private jet passengers pay the same rates as commercial airline passengers. The consultation closed on 22 January, the Government is considering the responses and will respond in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to increase nature-rich spaces by rivers to (a) reduce agricultural pollution and (b) protect and (c) enhance chalk streams.

Fixing the systemic issues in the water system is essential to addressing the multiple pressures facing chalk streams and restoring them to better ecological health. This Government has announced an ambitious programme of reforms to clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas for good: we will ensure that chalk streams benefit from this era of reform. Our Environmental Land Management schemes funding will increase by 150% to £2 billion by 2028/2029, providing incentives for farmers and land managers to farm more sustainably – six of our Landscape Recovery projects are being developed in chalk stream catchments. Additionally, we have committed to a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan which will set out how Defra will deliver our legally binding targets. The Government will develop a new, statutory plan to protect and restore our natural environment with delivery plans to meet each of our ambitious Environment Act targets.