Written questions by Naish.

Food and Rural Affairs, when the last time was that Animal and Plant Health Agency IT systems were upgraded.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has a wide range of applications and IT systems all of which require maintenance, update, and refresh As these activities are regular and carried out independently per system, each year work is continually undertaken to assess and then either remediate, modernise or replace IT systems The level of development undertaken depends on several factors including government investment during a Spending Review period, evidence from formal IT Health Checks and an assessment of the level of risk held within the IT estate Defra has different programmes underway which invest in the APHA's IT estate, including the Legacy Application Programme and the APHA's Delivering Sustainable Futures programme. The Delivering Sustainable Futures programme seeks to enhance the APHA's IT estate by developing modern, stable, lower cost and more interoperable IT architecture.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Animal and Plant Health Agency has carried out scenario planning for potential (a) outbreaks of foot and mouth disease and (b) other significant biosecurity breaches.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) scenario modelling has been completed, and initial outputs received. A report is being drafted with the deadline being end of March. APHA is undertaking assessments in relation to other diseases including ASF. FMD scenario modelling has been carried out multiple times, for such reasons as Contingency Exercises (Exercise Rowan) and to support development of livestock traceability systems. The majority of APHA exercises are based around a plausible scenario, developed from expert opinion, and/or demonstrated incursion, and/or simulation model. Scenarios are designed to reflect plausible, whilst testing, conditions. APHA have carried out assessments of the risk of incursion of FMD from the continent and publish these via GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the capability of the Animal and Plant Health Agency IT equipment.

The APHA and Defra leadership teams have benefited from internal audits undertaken each year which look at issues including spend, governance, resilience, cyber security, and asset management. Additional insight into the need for investment in the APHA's IT capability has also come from 3 recent Government Internal Audit Agency audits on; Disaster Recovery, Cyber Security and a more targeted APHA Shadow IT Audit.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has in place to ensure that urgent biosecurity information reaches farmers quickly.

Biosecurity is a priority for this government. Urgent biosecurity information, such as alerts about animal and plant health disease incidents, any geographic restrictions in place as a result, and signposting to information on what farmers should do to maintain good biosecurity measures – are shared frequently across the sector. During the current bluetongue virus outbreak, text messages and email alerts are regularly sent to those registered via livestock keeper databases so that they are aware of their responsibilities. We have made bird registration mandatory for those with poultry or other captive birds, so that we can inform them of the biosecurity risks, for example from Avian Influenza. We maintain continued communications through our industry partners, on gov.uk, social media and, where possible, through the national and trade press, to increase awareness and action to help protect the UK from biosecurity risks.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the report by Midlands Engine entitled Energy Security White Paper, published in December 2024.

The Government welcomes this paper as a strong example of regional leadership in the energy space and the commitment of the Midlands Engine Partnership to look to align its actions with Great British energy’s priorities and functions. The Midlands is a crucial region to the UK’s clean energy transition and the paper identifies many important issues that need to be addressed, including grid connections and reform of the planning system, where we set out our approach in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.

Whether he is taking steps with the Midlands Engine to support regional (a) investment and (b) private sector collaboration.

Midlands Engine have undertaken a range of valuable work and have supported collaboration on shared growth opportunities. Moving forward, the government intends to support Mayors in collaborating at pan-regional level and creating convening bodies whose purpose, priorities and membership are decided at a regional level.At the Autumn Budget, the Government announced that it would consult on its minded to decision not to extend funding for the six pan-regional partnerships beyond the agreed allocations to the end of the 2024-25 financial year. We are currently considering the responses received and will confirm a final decision shortly.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the report by Midlands Engine entitled The nuclear industry in the Midlands, published in February 2025; and whether he is taking steps to help support nuclear-related economic growth in the (a) East Midlands and (b) West Midlands.

The Government is supporting rapid development of the nuclear fission and fusion energy sectors.For fusion this includes investing in cutting edge research capabilities and facilities, and implementing a proportionate regulatory framework to cement the UK as a global hub for fusion investment and commercialisation. This includes the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) prototype fusion energy power plant which aims to prove the viability of commercial fusion and catalyse fusion sector development.We are determined to work with these sectors to ensure they continue to be economic engines for communities across our country, including the Midlands, and the Government is grateful for the excellent work Midlands Engine has done to highlight the opportunities in these areas.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that sanctions placed on Russia by (a) the UK and (b) other countries are not being circumvented by Serbia.

Russia is making extensive efforts to circumvent sanctions in order to maintain its military machine. Our focus is on stopping these critical goods from reaching Russia and deprive Russia from generating revenue to fund the war. That includes ensuring our sanctions are as effective as possible. We are coordinating closely with G7 partners on our efforts to tackle circumvention risks across a number of priority countries including Serbia, and our support has ranged from technical assistance to diplomatic engagement at all levels.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to place sanctions on Naftna Industrija Srbije.

On 10 January the UK designated Gazprom Neft, one of Russia's energy giants. We do not comment on future designations as this could affect their impact. We keep all evidence and potential designations under review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has considered re-joining the EUFOR peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of a new security pact with the EU.

Europe's security is critical to our own and we recognise the contribution of many of the EU's military operations and missions to regional security. We see the European Union Force Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR) as vital for peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). We are open to discussions about opportunities for the UK to cooperate more closely with EU missions, considering UK engagement on a case-by-case basis. We will continue to support security and stability in BiH through our bilateral contributions in support of their Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the contribution of Midlands Engine to (a) attracting international investment and (b) supporting export growth for Midlands businesses.

Midlands Engine have undertaken a range of valuable work and have supported collaboration on shared growth opportunities. This has included launching the Midlands Engine Investment Portfolio at The UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum in May 2024 and holding a Midlands Wide Kings Awards Event to encourage more firms to export.Following the recent consultation, the Government has confirmed its decision not to extend core funding for Midland Engine and other pan-regional partnerships. We are moving to a different model of economic collaboration, where we are keen to support new models driven by mayors and their partners.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to support steps to help tackle malnutrition at the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris in March 2025; and whether he plans to maintain funding for such programmes in the official development assistance budget from 2027.

The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments.The UK worked in close partnership with France to make the recent Nutrition for Growth (N4G) summit in Paris a success. The Minister for International Development led the UK delegation. Alongside the Scaling-Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement and other partners, the Minister launched the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration.Partners have welcomed the Compact as a new initiative to drive change, and a positive signal of the UK's continued leadership on development. We will continue to support new approaches like this as we modernise our approach to international development.

If he will review the use of NHS Shared Business Services by non-NHS services for (a) payroll, (b) pension, (c) procurement, (d) tax accounting and (e) other financial services.

The NHS Shared Business Services provides corporate and back-office services, including payroll, pensions, procurement, and accounting services, to National Health Service organisations and health-related social enterprises only.

Whether his Department has plans to review allergen labelling requirements for non-prepacked foods and beverages; and whether he plans to take steps to implement the Food Standards Agency's recommendations for improving allergen information at the point of sale.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has policy responsibility for food safety, including food allergen labelling, in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and is working to improve the availability and accuracy of allergen information for non-prepacked foods, which includes foods made to order in restaurants.In December 2023, the FSA Board agreed that businesses selling non-prepacked foods, such as cafes and restaurants, should provide allergen information to consumers in writing, and that this should be supported by a conversation. Following the Board’s decision, FSA officials are working to assess the impact of different legislative options for improving the provision of allergen information for non-prepacked foods.Officials in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department of Health and Social Care are being kept closely informed on the progress of this work.In parallel, taking a steer from the Board, the FSA has created best practice guidance for businesses to provide written allergen information and support this with a conversation, which has recently been through a public consultation. This guidance, along with tools to assist businesses in following it, will be published shortly.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of consolidating dental and veterinary practices into corporate chains on (a) pricing and (b) consumer access; and whether he plans to instruct the Competition and Markets Authority to review these trends.

Under competition law, responsibility for investigating individual and market-wide competition issues, including consolidation, falls to the Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA"), the UK's competition authority. The Government has ensured that the CMA has significant powers and expertise to investigate and take action against businesses that abuse dominant positions in markets by excluding competitors or exploiting consumers.The CMA has discretion to intervene in markets that are not working well for consumers and it is currently conducting a market investigation into veterinary services for household pets.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of making private care costs tax deductible.

The Government keeps all tax reliefs under review. When considering a tax relief for private care costs, a range of factors must be taken into account, including how effective the relief would be at achieving its policy intent, how well-targeted the support would be, whether it adds complexity to the tax system, and overall cost.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of allocating 10% of the transport budget to active travel.

Investment in active travel will play a key part in delivering the Government’s economic growth, health and net zero emissions by helping to revitalise high streets, improve air quality and enable people to live longer, healthier lives. On 12 February, the Government announced the details of almost £300 million of funding for active travel in 2024/5 and 2025/6. This will help local authorities to provide high-quality and easily accessible active travel schemes across England and will enable more children to walk and cycle to school. Decisions on future funding for active travel, as well as on other areas of transport expenditure, will be taken as part of the Government’s Spending Review.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of regulating the price of liquefied petroleum gas for (a) park homes and (b) other properties that depend on that energy source.

The liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply market does not use a fixed network so there is no natural monopoly as seen for gas and electricity. The supply of domestic LPG is subject to competition law and consumer protection through a regulatory scheme under the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). More details, including a consumer guide to the operation of that regime, can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/liquefied-petroleum-gas-lpg-market-orders-and-calculator.

Food and Rural Affairs, what role he envisages community and voluntary organisations such as community gardens playing in the food system going forwards; and whether funding is available for existing community and voluntary organisations for this purpose.

The Government will be considering the role of place-based initiatives, including the role of community and voluntary organisations, as we develop our plans for a food strategy that will create a healthier, fairer and more resilient food system. The development of a food system strategy, in partnership with the food sector itself, sets out to map the system-change that is needed. It is too early to list confirmed actions or activities, and therefore funding decisions.

What research is being conducted on the (a) causes, (b) symptoms and (c) suitable treatments for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

The National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service (NCARDRS) is part of the National Disease Registration Service (NDRS) and NHS England. The NCARDRS aims to collect, curate, quality-assure, and analyse data from patients in England diagnosed and/or treated with rare conditions. Further information about the NCARDRS and the NDRS is available, respectively, at the following two links:https://digital.nhs.uk/ndrs/about/ncardrshttps://digital.nhs.uk/ndrsOver the last five financial years, the National Institute for Health and Care Research has allocated £189,109 for research on Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Research has focused on establishing evidence–based management of CRPS to improve clinical outcomes throughout the care pathway.There is a National Health Service conditions page dedicated to CRPS, detailing the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment pathway, which is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/complex-regional-pain-syndrome/NHS England’s Genomics Education Programme and GeNotes resource provides concise information to help healthcare professionals make the right decisions at each stage of a clinical pathway. GeNotes also includes resources on non-genetic rare diseases, and work continues to expand the programme's coverage.