Written questions by Robertson.

Whether his Department has held discussions with (a) foreign migrants and (b) asylum seekers on the proposed NHS 10-Year Plan.

In building our 10-Year Health Plan, we ran one of the biggest public engagement exercises the National Health Service has ever run, including a large number of consultation events including eight in-person deliberative events with the public and seven with staff, culminating in a national summit, these events were attended by over 3,700 people. A further 17,000 people attended partner-led workshops across over 600 events. As part of these events, we aimed to include the voices of all patients, including patients whose voices are seldom heard in policy development.

Whether his Department has had discussions with sex workers on the proposed NHS 10-Year Health Plan.

In building our 10-Year Health Plan, we ran one of the biggest public engagement exercises the National Health Service has ever run, including a large number of consultation events including eight in-person deliberative events with the public and seven with staff, culminating in a national summit, these events were attended by over 3,700 people. A further 17,000 people attended partner-led workshops across over 600 events. As part of these events, we aimed to include the voices of all patients, including patients whose voices are seldom heard in policy development.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2025 to Question 44040 on Packaging: Recycling and with reference to his Department's guidance entitled Simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England, updated on 21 May 2025, if he will clarify the circumstances in which the Environment Agency will issue fines for contaminated recyclable waste; and whether the level of a fine to a business will be affected by previous fines issued.

All compliance and enforcement activities are conducted in line with the Regulator’s Code and the Environment Agency’s Enforcement and Sanction Policy to ensure a proportionate, risk-based approach. When contamination of workplace recyclables is suspected, the Environment Agency’s initial intervention is usually is to provide advice and guidance, as set out in Simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England guidance updated on 21 May 2025. The Environment Agency does not possess powers to issue on the spot fines or fixed penalty notices and financial sanctions arise only via prosecution. Formal action, such as serving a compliance notice, however, is only likely to occur if advice and guidance is ignored. The level of any fine will not be adjusted on the basis of previous fines issued, as sentencing follows standard judicial criteria including the seriousness of the offence and culpability of the offender. The Government remains committed to supporting businesses in meeting their recycling obligations whilst safeguarding the quality of recyclable materials.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on the requirement for schools to serve (a) meat and (b) dairy products to children.

The Secretary of State has had no discussions with stakeholders on the requirements for schools to serve meat and dairy products to children, which is a matter for the Department for Education together with the Department of Health and Social Care. To ensure quality and nutrition in meals for the future, the Department for Education and the Department of Health and Social Care are acting quickly with experts across the sector to revise the school food standards, so every school is supported with the latest nutrition guidance.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 57180 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Internet, if she will publish her Department's Acceptable Use policy.

I will deposit a copy in the House library.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much has been spent on the Hello Lamp Post community engagement project (a) since January 2024, (b) by financial year and (c) by delivery phase.

The Government recognises the value of engaging with citizens to collect and share the latest scientific data about the environment. The Environment Agency (EA) has joined forces with Hello Lamp Post to enable residents and visitors of communities across England to interact with them about key environmental issues and risks.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will set out the procurement mechanism used by the Environment Agency to award the contract for the Environment Agency Community Engagement Platform (National) 2024 to Hello Lamp Post Limited; and if he will publish the procurement agreement.

The contract is available on contracts finder via Environment Agency Community Engagement Platform (National) 2024 - Contracts Finder.

Whether DVLA-registered mopeds can be lent to drivers with provisional licenses.

There is no requirement for the rider of a moped to be the registered keeper of the vehicle, whether they hold a provisional or full driving licence. Anyone riding or driving any vehicle must have the appropriate driving entitlement and must be insured for the purpose for which the vehicle is being used.

Which regulations govern the use of (a) motorcycles and (b) mopeds with L-plates for commercial delivery work in urban areas; and whether she plans to amend those regulations.

There are no current rules limiting commercial riding to those with a full licence. New riders are allowed to ride learner legal motorcycles, mopeds and scooters once they have passed their compulsory basic training (CBT) course. If riders do not to progress to a full licence within the two-year validity period of the CBT certificate, then they are required to complete their CBT course again. All riders are required to have a valid insurance policy to cover the type of machine and the activity they are undertaking.

What data her Department holds on the proportion of learners who pass a full category (a) AM and (b) A motorcycle test after completing compulsory basic training on a moped in the last five years.

All riders who want to take a practical motorcycle test must hold a valid compulsory basic training (CBT) certificate. The type of licence held by the rider and the machine used for the training course is noted on the CBT certificate issued to the rider. The information on the proportion of learners who pass a full category (a) AM and (b) A motorcycle test after completing compulsory basic training on a moped is not recorded or held by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).The attached Excel document shows the number of module two motorcycle tests that have been conducted in categories A, A1, A2 and Moped AM for the last five financial years. DVSA can currently only publish the data included in the attached Excel document up to the end of September 2024.

Whether (a) her Department and (b) the Metropolitan Police have made an assessment of trends in the level of mopeds with L-plates being used in criminal activities in London.

The Home Office holds data on the number of incidents of crime recorded by the police in London.The Home Office does not hold data on whether a vehicle was used as part of the incident, the type of vehicle used, or whether the vehicle had an L plate fitted at the time of the incident.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the findings in the report by Robert Gordon University entitled Striking the Balance: Building a Sustainable UK Offshore Energy Workforce, published in June 2025.

The Government has noted the report from Robert Gordon University, which provides helpful analysis on the future of the UK’s offshore energy sector. As Britain becomes a clean energy superpower, the Government is determined to create high-quality jobs to ensure a phased and responsible transition in the North Sea. This is vital for delivering the best outcomes for workers and communities, energy security, and sustainable economic growth. DESNZ will publish our Clean Energy Workforce Strategy this summer. It will set out how we intend to grow and support the talent pipeline for Clean Power 2030 and net zero by 2050.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 53757 on Beverage Containers: Recycling, whether UK-based beverage manufacturers can accept used recyclable containers of (a) their own products and (b) other manufacturers' products to offset their Extended Producer Responsibility levy.

The packaging EPR Regulations allow, in some circumstances, packaging collected by producers from consumers, and subsequently recycled, to be offset against their disposal fee obligations. These are currently limited to hard to recycle packaging (e.g. plastic film take back) which is not collected in local authority household waste kerbside collection.

What information her Department holds on the number of people who held a provisional moped licence in (a) London and (b) Great Britain in each year since 2019.

The table below provides the requested information as of 4 June 2025. Historical information is not available.LocationNumber of drivers with provisional moped entitlement (categories AM, P and Q)a) London this includes postcodes E, EC, N, NW, SE, SW, W, WC1,451,610b) Great Britain9,769,881

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Extended Producer Responsibility measures in relation to glass on the cost of a (a) bottled beer and (b) pint of beer in a pub.

In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers as a whole. This impact assessment did not split the assessment by sector. On 20 December 2024 Defra published the third version of pEPR illustrative base fees for year 1 ahead of PackUK releasing formal communications in June 2025. Base fees, to invoice producers from October 2025, are expected to be calculated in June 2025 using data reported by producers for the full year of 2024. Fees will apply to bottled beer, but not a pint of beer served in a pub as this is served without packaging. The Government has worked closely with industry, including the glass sector, throughout development of pEPR and developing the methodology for base fees. Feedback from stakeholders was factored into finalising the regulations, including formally consulting stakeholders on a draft of the pEPR regulations in 2023.

What steps he is taking to reduce the number of people with (a) a learning disability and (b) autism in mental health hospitals.

The latest National Health Service planning guidance, from 30 January 2025, includes a focus on improving mental health and learning disability care and contains the objective to deliver a minimum 10% reduction in the use of mental health inpatient care for people with a learning disability and autistic people in 2025/26.For 2025/26, there is continued funding within integrated care board (ICB) baselines for support for people with a learning disability and autistic people. ICBs should prioritise continuing to invest in reducing reliance on inpatient care for people with a learning disability and autistic people, in line with the 2025/26 NHS operating planning guidance.The Mental Health Bill has reached Committee stage in the House of Commons, following its recent passage through the House of Lords. Through the bill, we propose taking forward a package of measures to improve care and keep people out of hospitals. Subject to parliamentary agreement, statutory Dynamic Support Registers, Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews, and new duties on commissioners will help to ensure appropriate community support in the future.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 43343 on Domestic Waste: Recycling and Waste Disposal, if he will publish that guidance.

WRAP, supported by Defra, and with input from local authorities, recently published Good Practice Guidance to help local authorities deliver quality waste and recycling services to citizens in England. Further guidance topics, including on residual waste collection, are intended to be published shortly.

Which third party companies based on the Isle of Wight her Department has awarded funding to in the last three years; and which projects they have supported.

In the last three years the Department has provided maritime funding, via the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE), five Isle of Wight based companies.Ad Hoc Marine Designs Ltd for the project “Marine to Electric Power – SeNZe-Tech™ the Smart Way to Clear The Hurdles”Aluminium Marine Consultants Limited for the projects “HyCap Drive” and “Safer, Smarter Ships – Strategies and innovations for vessels using low flash point fuels”Carisbrooke Shipping Limited for the projects “Double efficient pilot fuel free ceramic hydrogen combustion engine technology for marine applications”, “Carnot High Efficiency Hydrogen Combustion Engine Demonstrator”, “Shoreside Power from Optimised Hydrogen Lifecycle”, “Novel High-Efficiency Ammonia engine Technology for Heavy Duty marine applications”, “AirWing Maximised Thrust Wind Propulsion Demonstration” and “Self-Learning Wing Trim Optimisation for AirWing Wind Propulsion System”Cowes Harbour Commission for the project “Clean Hybrid Alternative Marine Powertrain 2” andWight Shipyard Company Limited for the projects “Zero Emission Cross River Ferry” and “Zero-emission Electric Freight Vessel & Charging Infrastructure” This is separate to any funding provided directly to the Isle of Wight, by the Department, for other transport related matters.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 43345 on WRAP: Finance, if he will itemise the work programme for which WRAP received the grant in 2025-26.

The itemised work programme for which WRAP has received DEFRA funding (now finalised at £5,949,500) is summarised below: Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility Project: Ensure Local Authority payments reflect efficient packaging waste management under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme.Circular Economy Strategy: Support Defra by evaluating feedback from UK Plastics Pact, Food & Drink Pact, and Textiles 2030; provide evidence-based insights.Simpler Recycling Project: Deliver technical support and interventions, procurement support, modelling, guidance implementation planning to Local Authorities and Material Facilities Collectors.Food Waste Collections Workstream: Assist the Regulator in approving household food waste collection and bulking systems through design of interventions.Organics Sector Engagement Workstream: Assess impacts on gate fees and processing capacity based on sector feedback.Net Zero Tools Programme Provide advice, manage the Local Authority Portal, and update datasets.Recycle Now Campaign: Deliver a national citizen-facing recycling awareness campaign.Data & Insights: Support Defra with Greenhouse Gas emission factors, Recycling Tracker analysis, and publication.Voluntary Agreements: Govern the Plastics Pact, Courtauld Commitment, and Textiles 2030.Food Waste Reduction: Influence retail practices and support household food waste reduction through engagement and interventions.Food Strategy: Finalise and promote Scope 3 Protocols; support the Food Data Transparency Partnership.Water Roadmap: Coordinate governance and delivery of the UK Food & Drink Pact Water Roadmap.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 43334 on WRAP: Publications, what the (a) title and (b) date of publication is of each publication produced by the Waste and Resources Action Programme through funding from his Department.

A list of Defra funded WRAP publications for the last 3 years, including the title and date of publication is attached.