Written questions by Cooper.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question 44560 on Luton Airport and with reference to the expiration of the period for applications for judicial review, if she will publish the modelling that underpins her assessment of the potential impact of expanding Luton Airport on economic growth.

I cannot at this stage confirm when litigation will end, however the full reasons for the Secretary of State’s decision on 3 April 2025 to grant consent to the London Luton Airport Expansion scheme are set out in her decision letter which is published on the Planning Inspectorate’s website and there is nothing outside of this to add. As an application for judicial review of the decision has been received and the matter is a live litigation case, unfortunately I am unable to provide any further comment.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of implementing the measures set out in the Street Works (Penalties for Utility Companies) Bill.

I understand that the second reading of this Bill is scheduled for 11 July. The Government will set out its position as part of that debate.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question 44558 on Luton Airport, whether her Department sought legal advice on the compatibility of its decision to expand Luton Airport with commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

The full reasons for the Secretary of State’s decision on 3 April 2025 to grant consent to the London Luton Airport Expansion scheme are set out in her decision letter which is published on the Planning Inspectorate’s website. As an application has been made for judicial review of the decision and the matter is a live litigation case, unfortunately I am unable to provide any further comment.

Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of response times to enquiries from hon. Members from Integrated Care Boards.

No assessment has been made. We encourage Members of Parliament to raise correspondence timelines directly with their respective integrated care boards.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 May to Question 51941 on Paraneoplastic Encephalomyelitis: Diagnosis, whether the NHS routinely sends blood samples to the US for analysis when testing for Paraneoplastic Encephalomyelitis.

There are a number of laboratories in England which provide blood testing for paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis, although the Department has not made a specific formal estimate of how many there are. Several National Health Service laboratories across the United Kingdom also offer diagnostic testing for paraneoplastic antibodies. In England, these laboratories include the University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, and the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.The NHS in England does not routinely send blood samples to the United States for analysis when testing for paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis. There are specialised laboratories within the UK which the NHS in England uses to conduct these tests.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 51941 on Paraneoplastic Encephalomyelitis: Diagnosis, how many laboratories provide blood testing for Paraneoplastic Encephalomyelitis.

There are a number of laboratories in England which provide blood testing for paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis, although the Department has not made a specific formal estimate of how many there are. Several National Health Service laboratories across the United Kingdom also offer diagnostic testing for paraneoplastic antibodies. In England, these laboratories include the University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, and the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.The NHS in England does not routinely send blood samples to the United States for analysis when testing for paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis. There are specialised laboratories within the UK which the NHS in England uses to conduct these tests.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing inspectors to carry out sanitary and phytosanitary checks at border control points after 5pm.

Border Control Posts (BCPs) and Control Points already operate on a range of schedules. The inspection hours are determined by the competent authorities and are based on factors such as the volume of traffic, arrival times, and the resources available at each specific point of entry.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his EU counterparts on an agreement on (a) sanitary and phytosanitary measures (b) plant health.

We have now agreed the parameters which will establish a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers.

Whether she has produced impact assessments on the potential impact of the (a) increase to employer National Insurance contributions and (b) changes to Business Property Relief on the horticulture sector.

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts. In accordance with standard practice, a TIIN for the reforms to business property relief will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.

Whether he plans to include food and drinks manufacturers in the development of the forthcoming industrial strategy.

Growth is the number one mission of the government. The UK's food and drink manufacturing sector plays a significant role in the UK economy, contributing £35.1bn to GVA in 2022. The UK presents many opportunities for investment right across the food and drink supply chain stages of product development.The Industrial Strategy, alongside Sector Plans for the growth-driving sectors, will be published in Spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review. These Sector Plans will set out the specific sub-sectors of focus, identify key barriers to growth, and describe how government and industry intend to achieve long-term growth for the sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an easement-extension of the deadline for UK Plant Passports to be affixed to retail-ready plants in the EU.

Following a review in April 2025, the Plant Health Services in Great Britain have agreed to extend an easement that allows draft UK Plant Passports to be attached in EU Member States for plants for planting intended for final users from 30th June 2025 to 31st January 2027. More information on the UK Plant Passports scheme is available on the Plant Health Portal here as well as on GOV.UK here.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his Department's (a) collection and (b) packaging reforms on levels of private sector investment in advanced recycling infrastructure.

The Government has published updated impact assessments of each of the projects within the Collection and Packaging Reforms: pEPR in 2024, DRS in 2024, and Simpler Recycling in 2024. These impact assessments do not specifically present private sector investment in advanced recycling infrastructure. However, The Environmental Services Association, alongside by the Chief Executives of the UK’s largest waste management companies, have stated that in response to the Collection and Packaging Reforms they will invest £10 billion over the next decade in the UK’s recycling infrastructure.

Food and Rural Affairs, what support he is providing to the horticulture sector to encourage young people into its workforce.

Attracting bright new talent into land-based careers and having a skilled workforce in place is vital for the future of UK food and farming. Defra works closely with The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH) which is encouraging young people and new entrants into farming in its capacity as an industry -led professional body for the farming and horticulture industry. This includes leading a cross-industry initiative to address common negative misconceptions about the sector and providing free TIAH membership for students. Furthermore, the Government has launched Skills England to ensure there is a comprehensive suite of apprenticeships, training, and technical qualifications for individuals and employers to access, which are aligned with skills gaps and what employers need. It will work with its partners to ensure that regional and national skills needs are met.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of implementing the Environmental Horticulture Group's recommendations from its report entitled Mission Green Growth: A Strategic Plan from the Environmental Horticulture Group, published in autumn 2024.

The Government appreciates and values the vital work of our agricultural sectors including the part played by environmental horticulture growers.The Department regularly meets the Environmental Horticulture Group, as well as a wide range of stakeholders and businesses to discuss specific issues facing the sector. These discussions help inform future policy development and help us understand what support the sector needs to help it thrive.In addition, we work across Government to ensure other Government departments are aware of the excellent report.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to hold a consultation on the forthcoming food strategy.

Developing a food strategy is not a job for the Government alone. We are forming a coalition with the food sector, academics and charities, citizens, and key thinkers to pool our collective ideas, influence, and effort. This includes our Food Strategy Advisory Board, four multi-stakeholder workshops in May, and ongoing sectoral and thematic conversations over the summer. We will consider whether formal consultation is appropriate at relevant points in the process.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to expedite the (a) rollout of the Authorised Operator Status (AOS) and (b) a POD+ (Place of Destination) system for the trade of high-risk plants.

The Authorised Operator Status (AOS) pilot ran for 6 months and ended in Dec 2024. The evaluation stage is complete and Ministers are considering the findings. We will update stakeholders when a decision has been made. The Place of Destination (POD) scheme ended in April 2024. It was only ever intended to be a temporary solution and Defra does not intend to re-instate it. Moving controls to Border Control Posts (BCPs) and Control Points is vital to achieving the biosecurity aims of the BTOM, by increasing the percentage of consignments we are able to inspect. BCPs are designed to handle high volumes of imported SPS goods and offer extended opening hours with staff working shifts on site to carry out reliable checks which minimise friction on traffic flow. Most BCPs can process six or more vehicles at the same time with ample space to remove or inspect products. Checks at BCPs are handled by trained staff working to standard operating procedures, ensuring inspections are undertaken safely and efficiently.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Leading food experts join Government food strategy to restore pride in British food, published on 21 March 2025, what steps he plans to take to encourage the economic growth potential of the food and drink manufacturing sector in the forthcoming Food Strategy.

The Food and drink industry is the UK's largest manufacturing sector, with the potential for even greater productivity and growth. We need a food strategy that is co-designed with the sector to give direction, stability, and clarity on innovation and investment – so that the sector can realise its potential for economic growth. This is why we are working in partnership with the sector, via the Food Strategy Advisory Board and undertaking a first phase of engagements including stakeholders from across food and drink manufacturing sector. The food strategy will also underpin growth by tackling the drivers of poor health and getting people back into work. We have a critical window of opportunity over the next five years to lay the foundations for changes that will enhance growth and improve productivity in the food sector, and deliver a healthier, more secure, more sustainable food system.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of reforming the UK/EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement to improve the ability of businesses to trade in EU countries.

The Prime Minister welcomed President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen and President of the EU Council António Costa to London for a UK-EU Summit on 19 May. At that Summit we agreed the parameters for a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers, and increasing choice in the shops. This agreement will reduce delays and paperwork at the border, make it easier and cheaper to take pets on holiday into the EU, and trade in products such as fresh sausages and burgers will be able to resume. Further information can be found at UK-EU Summit - Explainer (HTML) - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Leading food experts join Government food strategy to restore pride in British food, published on 21 March 2025, what steps he is taking to ensure the planned Food Strategy incorporates all parts of the food supply chain in its development.

Since announcing the food strategy in December 2024, we have been building a coalition with the food sector, academics, charities, civil society, citizens and key thinkers. The Food Strategy Advisory Board serves to stress test ideas and provide advice. We have hosted roundtables with academics. Our four, multi-stakeholder workshops in May include people chosen to represent a broad range of food system interests. There will be ongoing sectoral and thematic conversations through May and June, utilising existing Defra stakeholder groups. We are also working with The Food Foundation and Food Farming Countryside Commission to ensure the citizen’s voice is heard. This is just the start of the conversation, and stakeholders across the food supply chain will be engaged.

Which NHS facilities exist to carry out diagnostic testing of patients for Paraneoplastic Encephalitis.

Paraneoplastic encephalitis (PNE), also known as paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis, is diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation, blood and spinal fluid tests, and imaging studies. Currently, the main types of diagnostic testing for PNE are computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging scans, lumbar punctures, electroencephalograms, and blood and urine tests. These tests are available through both acute and non-acute settings such as hospitals and community diagnostic centres.We know that whilst hard working National Health Service staff are delivering a large number of diagnostic tests for patients, the percentage of patients receiving a diagnostic test within the constitutional standard of six weeks, with no more than 1% of patients waiting, is still not being achieved. Our Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, builds on the investments already made with an ambitious vision for the future of diagnostic testing. This will include more straight-to-test pathways, increasing and expanding community diagnostic centres, and better use of technology.