Written questions by McMurdock.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure consistent communication between (a) developers of BESS sites and (b) local fire and rescue services during the planning and approval processes.

Planning Practice Guidance encourages developers who are promoting BESS and for local planning authorities to engage with local fire and rescue services and National Fire Chiefs Council guidance. I also refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 35249 on 12 March 2025 and Question UIN 5520 on 11 October 2024.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2025 to Question 60731 on Elections: Essex, which local elections will take place on that day.

Elections are scheduled to elect Councillors to Basildon Borough Council, Brentwood Borough Council, Castle Point Borough Council, Colchester City Council, Epping Forest District Council, Essex County Council, Harlow District Council, Rochford District Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council.The government's consultation on Devolution Priority Programme areas closed on 13 April. We are now carefully considering the evidence collected to determine whether the statutory tests have been met in each of the areas, including Greater Essex.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2025 to Question 60731 on Elections: Essex, which local elections will take place on that day.

Elections are scheduled to elect Councillors to Basildon Borough Council, Brentwood Borough Council, Castle Point Borough Council, Colchester City Council, Epping Forest District Council, Essex County Council, Harlow District Council, Rochford District Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council.The government's consultation on Devolution Priority Programme areas closed on 13 April. We are now carefully considering the evidence collected to determine whether the statutory tests have been met in each of the areas, including Greater Essex.

What steps she is taking through the National Curriculum to ensure that children in school are taught (a) practical digital safety skills and (b) how to (i) block and (ii) filter harmful online content.

​​The Curriculum and Assessment Review’s interim report notes the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and trends in digital information, and it is necessary the curriculum keep pace with these changes, including renewed focus on digital and media literacy and critical thinking skills.​Currently, in the computing curriculum pupils are taught how to use technology safely, responsibly, respectfully and securely, how to keep their personal information private, how to recognise unacceptable behaviour, and where they can go for help and support.​Media literacy is currently taught through the national curriculum for citizenship at key stages 3 and 4. Primary schools can choose to teach citizenship, using non-statutory programmes of study at key stages 1 and 2. Teaching of citizenship equips pupils to identify misleading and malicious information and to counter the effects of negative and harmful news, events and information, including online.​Within the statutory guidance for relationships and health education in primary schools and relationships, sex and health education in secondary schools, pupils are taught about online safety and harms.​The department appointed a task and finish group to advise on digital, AI and technology. We will consider how best to develop and implement any of their recommendations.

Innovation and Technology, when he plans to introduce the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill.

The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill was announced at the King’s Speech. It will be introduced in this session of Parliament, as soon as parliamentary time allows.

What discussions he has had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on their new proposed safety code for small commercial vessels.

My department works closely with the Maritime Coastguard Agency on regulations, including the new proposals for small commercial vessels, to ensure that they evolve alongside technology and alternative fuels while maintaining safety. The UK is committed to supporting a robust UK maritime sector — recognising that 99% of businesses in the industry are SMEs — and is dedicated to fostering their growth. Support is available through UK Export Finance, export campaigns and through Department for Transport initiatives including UK SHORE, which has funded decarbonisation projects involving over 150 SMEs, together with the new SME support hub launched by the Ministry of Defence.

What steps his Department is taking to support small commercial vessels.

My department works closely with the Maritime Coastguard Agency on regulations, including the new proposals for small commercial vessels, to ensure that they evolve alongside technology and alternative fuels while maintaining safety. The UK is committed to supporting a robust UK maritime sector — recognising that 99% of businesses in the industry are SMEs — and is dedicated to fostering their growth. Support is available through UK Export Finance, export campaigns and through Department for Transport initiatives including UK SHORE, which has funded decarbonisation projects involving over 150 SMEs, together with the new SME support hub launched by the Ministry of Defence.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the new Maritime and Coastguard Agency proposed safety code for small vessels on microbusinesses.

My department works closely with the Maritime Coastguard Agency on regulations, including the new proposals for small commercial vessels, to ensure that they evolve alongside technology and alternative fuels while maintaining safety. The UK is committed to supporting a robust UK maritime sector — recognising that 99% of businesses in the industry are SMEs — and is dedicated to fostering their growth. Support is available through UK Export Finance, export campaigns and through Department for Transport initiatives including UK SHORE, which has funded decarbonisation projects involving over 150 SMEs, together with the new SME support hub launched by the Ministry of Defence.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 57065 on Leasehold: Ground Rent, what her planned timetable is for that proposed legislation.

The government remains firmly committed to its manifesto commitment to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents, and we will deliver this in legislation. Further details will be announced in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of custodial sentences for perpetrators of (a) animal abuse and (b) animal neglect.

Defra regularly meets the RSPCA and other stakeholders to discuss animal welfare issues affecting the sector including any trends in animal welfare offences. Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. In 2021, the maximum sentence for this offence was increased to five years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Sentencing decisions in individual cases are entirely a matter for our independent courts. The Sentencing Council have issued guidelines on animal cruelty which are available on its website at: https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/crown-court/item/animal-cruelty/.

What assessment her Department has made of the extent of potential regional disparities in academic post-16 provision.

The department publishes annually the attainment of students at the end of their 16 to 18 study in England, including for A levels and other academic level 3 qualifications. Key headline statistics are broken down by geographical areas based on school and college location.The government is committed to ensuring that the further education (FE) sector and schools are supported to achieve continuous improvement and improved outcomes for learners. The department operates a structured model of oversight and support for FE colleges, sixth form colleges and Designated Institutions, including a range of help and support available from the Further Education Commissioner.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure pupils do not have to travel out of their area to access suitable sixth-form options.

Proposed changes to mainstream sixth form provision need to improve choice and attainment for all pupils. Academies wishing to make changes to their sixth forms can do so by applying to the department to make a significant change. The distance that pupils must travel to attend sixth form as a result of any change is considered as part of that decision making process. Maintained schools must follow the statutory process for making prescribed alterations.In the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, published on 23 June, the government announced a further £375 million of capital investment in 2026/27 and 2029/30 to support post-16 capacity to accommodate additional learners entering the system. Further details on this funding will be announced in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to support (a) schools and (b) trusts to (i) establish and (ii) expand sixth forms offering academic qualifications in (A) areas with unmet demand and (B) other areas.

New or expanded school sixth form provision needs to improve choice and attainment for all pupils. Academies wishing to add sixth form places can do so by applying to the department to make a significant change, demonstrating a clear need for additional places in the area. Maintained schools must follow the statutory process for making prescribed alterations.In the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, published on 23 June 2025, the government announced a further £375 million of capital investment between 2026/27 and 2029/30 to support post-16 capacity to accommodate additional learners entering the system. Further details on this funding will be announced in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of animal (a) abuse and (b) neglect.

Defra regularly meets the RSPCA and other stakeholders to discuss animal welfare issues affecting the sector including any trends in animal welfare offences. Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. In 2021, the maximum sentence for this offence was increased to five years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Sentencing decisions in individual cases are entirely a matter for our independent courts. The Sentencing Council have issued guidelines on animal cruelty which are available on its website at: https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/crown-court/item/animal-cruelty/.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure animal shelters are (a) appropriately registered and (b) operating ethically.

Rescue and rehoming establishments in England must comply with statutory welfare requirements set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Defra engages regularly with stakeholders across the animal welfare sector, including on issues relating to rescue and rehoming practices.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of powers held by local authorities to remove travellers from unauthorised encampments on public land.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 46336 on 30 April 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of stray dogs being euthanised in the latest period for which figures are available.

The Department does not collect data on the euthanasia of stray dogs.The obligations for dealing with stray dogs are laid down in the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and the responsibility for implementing these obligations lies with each local authority.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of creating a registration system for pet dogs.

We have no plans currently to introduce a registration system for pet dogs. Since 2016, all dogs over eight weeks old must be microchipped and registered with a compliant database. A separate registration system for pet dogs is therefore not necessary.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulations on dog breeding licenses.

We know climate change presents challenges to the agricultural sector. The government is offering a New Deal for Farmers to help address this. We are providing farmers and land managers with the support needed to help restore nature, which is vital to safeguard our long-term food security and build resilience to climate change. In the recent spending review we committed to carrying on the transition towards paying to deliver public goods for the environment, with over £7 billion directed into nature’s recovery between 2026 and 2029. This includes environmental farming schemes (£5.9 billion), tree planting (£816 million) and peatland restoration (£85 million). To address the impacts of flooding on farmers and rural communities, we will be investing £4.2 billion over three years in flood defences across the country – an average of £1.4bn each year and a 5% increase compared to the current spending review period

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of granting permissions for shelters to allow the public to adopt stray dogs as a means to reduce the number being euthanised.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990, sets out a minimum hold period of seven days for stray dogs that are brought into shelters. After this time if the owner has not been identified, the dog may be rehomed or humanely euthanised. Under the Act, local authorities have powers in certain circumstances to transfer stray dogs to rehoming centres.