Every parliamentary written question tabled by Martin Wrigley this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1,261–1,280 of 1,723 · this parliament
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the spend on the agriculture budget (a) so far this financial year and (b) committed for 2025-26 including (i) delinked payments, (ii) agri-environment schemes and (iii) animal health and welfare, innovation and productivity grants.
The information requested can be found publicly available here.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether the funding for the new National Biosecurity Centre is being paid for out of the agricultural budget which was previously committed to go towards farmers directly as public payments for public goods.
The Government has committed to setting up a new National Biosecurity Centre to transform the Animal and Plant Health Agency animal health facility at Weybridge, investing £200 million to improve our resilience against animal disease to protect farmers and food producers. This is funded from a budget separate from the record £5 billion of funding in the farming budget for this year and next.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to support farmers through the agricultural transition following the closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
This Government is proud to have secured the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country’s history, with £5 billion being spent to support farmers over a 2-year period. Defra has closed the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for the submission of new applications, existing agreements will continue. Every penny in all existing SFI agreements will be paid to farmers, and outstanding eligible applications that have been submitted will be processed. We will provide further details about the reformed SFI offer once the Spending Review has been completed. Whilst we are developing the reformed SFI offer, other schemes will still be available. SFI is an important offer, but it is part of a wider package. We remain committed to investing in agri-environment schemes. We plan to launch the new Higher Tier scheme later this year; Capital Grants will re-open in summer 2025; we continue to move forward with Landscape Recovery; and we are increasing payment rates for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement holders to recognise their ongoing commitment to delivering environmental outcome. Funding from the farming budget also supports the provision of advice within the sector. The Farming Advice Service can assist farmers to review what advice and guidance is available to meet their business needs.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Sustainable Farming Incentive on meeting environmental targets for (a) species abundance and (b) improving water quality.
We have paused the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) ahead of reforming it. This is the third time SFI has been paused. We will confirm plans for the reformed SFI in the summer and we expect that scheme to contribute to these outcomes. There are also tens of thousands of farmers in SFI for three years, supporting those outcomes.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to support farmers, in the context of the closing of the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme.
This Government is proud to have secured the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country’s history, with £5 billion being spent to support farmers over a 2-year period. Defra has closed the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for the submission of new applications, existing agreements will continue. Every penny in all existing SFI agreements will be paid to farmers, and outstanding eligible applications that have been submitted will be processed. We will provide further details about the reformed SFI offer once the Spending Review has been completed. Whilst we are developing the reformed SFI offer, other schemes will still be available. SFI is an important offer, but it is part of a wider package. We remain committed to investing in agri-environment schemes. We plan to launch the new Higher Tier scheme later this year; Capital Grants will re-open in summer 2025; we continue to move forward with Landscape Recovery; and we are increasing payment rates for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement holders to recognise their ongoing commitment to delivering environmental outcome. Funding from the farming budget also supports the provision of advice within the sector. The Farming Advice Service can assist farmers to review what advice and guidance is available to meet their business needs.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to support farmers that were intending to apply for the Sustainable Farming incentive scheme.
This Government is proud to have secured the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country’s history, with £5 billion being spent to support farmers over a two-year period. Following the announcement that Defra has closed SFI for the submission of new applications, outstanding eligible applications that have been submitted will be processed. SFI is an important offer, but it is part of a wider package. We remain committed to investing in agri-environment schemes. We plan to launch the new Higher Tier scheme later this year; Capital Grants will re-open in summer 2025; we continue to move forward with Landscape Recovery; and we are increasing payment rates for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement holders to recognise their ongoing commitment to delivering environmental outcome. Funding from the farming budget also supports the provision of advice within the sector. The Farming Advice Service can assist farmers to review what advice and guidance is available to meet their business needs.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34688 on Parking: Private Sector, if she will list the dates of each meeting her officials have had with parking (a) trade associations and (b) consumer groups since 4 July 2024; and when the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Local Growth and Building Safety is due to meet with these organisations.
My officials have regular meetings with both parking Trade Associations and representatives for motorists. Meetings with the Trade Associations are scheduled monthly, and meetings with the motorist group are quarterly. In addition to regular meetings, my officials also have ad hoc meetings with both groups dependent on the business needs. Dates for my meetings have not been confirmed. On representations on the potential impacts of implementing a Private Parking Code of Practice on businesses and operations, in 2023 the Department published a draft Private Parking Code of Practice Impact Assessment, alongside a Call for Evidence to improve the evidence base within the draft Impact Assessment. Both are available online from https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/private-parking-code-of-practice-call-for-evidence My officials have used the responses to the Call for Evidence to review previous proposals and develop new ones on which, as per my previous answer, we intend to consult shortly. A Final Impact Assessment will be published following the consultation.
If she will make the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund permanent.
An announcement on funding for the adoption and special guardianship support fund will be made as soon as possible. All future funding decisions will be considered as part of the next spending review.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34072 on Export Controls: Russia, if he will list each export licence granted by his Department for exports of toilet and cleansing preparations to Russia since September 2023.
Between 1 September 2023 and 30 September 2024, the latest period covered by official statistics in development, no export licences were issued for goods for a) medicinal and pharmaceutical, b) organic chemicals, c) cars, or d) toilet and cleaning preparations to Russia. The Export Control Joint Unit publishes information on these types of export licences on a quarterly basis as part of the Strategic export controls: licensing statistics quarterly reports. This includes the number of licence outcomes (issued, refused, revoked) each quarter by licence type. The latest quarterly statistics in development publication covers licence information up to 30 September 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/strategic-export-controls-licensing-statistics-1-july-to-30-september-2024. Licensing decisions between 1 October and 31 December 2024 are planned to be published in May 2025 as part of the next quarterly statistics publication.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34072 on Export Controls: Russia, if he will list every export licence granted by his Department for exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical to Russia since September 2023.
Between 1 September 2023 and 30 September 2024, the latest period covered by official statistics in development, no export licences were issued for goods for a) medicinal and pharmaceutical, b) organic chemicals, c) cars, or d) toilet and cleaning preparations to Russia. The Export Control Joint Unit publishes information on these types of export licences on a quarterly basis as part of the Strategic export controls: licensing statistics quarterly reports. This includes the number of licence outcomes (issued, refused, revoked) each quarter by licence type. The latest quarterly statistics in development publication covers licence information up to 30 September 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/strategic-export-controls-licensing-statistics-1-july-to-30-september-2024. Licensing decisions between 1 October and 31 December 2024 are planned to be published in May 2025 as part of the next quarterly statistics publication.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34072 on Export Controls: Russia, if he will list every export licence granted by his Department for exports of organic chemicals to Russia since September 2023.
Between 1 September 2023 and 30 September 2024, the latest period covered by official statistics in development, no export licences were issued for goods for a) medicinal and pharmaceutical, b) organic chemicals, c) cars, or d) toilet and cleaning preparations to Russia. The Export Control Joint Unit publishes information on these types of export licences on a quarterly basis as part of the Strategic export controls: licensing statistics quarterly reports. This includes the number of licence outcomes (issued, refused, revoked) each quarter by licence type. The latest quarterly statistics in development publication covers licence information up to 30 September 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/strategic-export-controls-licensing-statistics-1-july-to-30-september-2024. Licensing decisions between 1 October and 31 December 2024 are planned to be published in May 2025 as part of the next quarterly statistics publication.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34072 on Export Controls: Russia, if he will list every export licence granted by his Department for exports of cars to Russia since September 2023.
Between 1 September 2023 and 30 September 2024, the latest period covered by official statistics in development, no export licences were issued for goods for a) medicinal and pharmaceutical, b) organic chemicals, c) cars, or d) toilet and cleaning preparations to Russia. The Export Control Joint Unit publishes information on these types of export licences on a quarterly basis as part of the Strategic export controls: licensing statistics quarterly reports. This includes the number of licence outcomes (issued, refused, revoked) each quarter by licence type. The latest quarterly statistics in development publication covers licence information up to 30 September 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/strategic-export-controls-licensing-statistics-1-july-to-30-september-2024. Licensing decisions between 1 October and 31 December 2024 are planned to be published in May 2025 as part of the next quarterly statistics publication.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 February 2025 to Question 29983 on Parking: Fees and Charges, whether her Department has received representations on the potential impact of implementing a parking code of practice on businesses.
My officials have regular meetings with both parking Trade Associations and representatives for motorists. Meetings with the Trade Associations are scheduled monthly, and meetings with the motorist group are quarterly. In addition to regular meetings, my officials also have ad hoc meetings with both groups dependent on the business needs. Dates for my meetings have not been confirmed. On representations on the potential impacts of implementing a Private Parking Code of Practice on businesses and operations, in 2023 the Department published a draft Private Parking Code of Practice Impact Assessment, alongside a Call for Evidence to improve the evidence base within the draft Impact Assessment. Both are available online from https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/private-parking-code-of-practice-call-for-evidence My officials have used the responses to the Call for Evidence to review previous proposals and develop new ones on which, as per my previous answer, we intend to consult shortly. A Final Impact Assessment will be published following the consultation.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34072 on Export Controls: Russia, if he will list each export licence granted by his Department for exports of telecoms and computer information services to Russia since September 2023.
Between 1 September 2023 and 31 December 2023, the latest period covered by statistic publications covering licensing decisions for Professional and Business Services (PBS) and Individual Financial Services, no licences were issued for insurance services, and 9 licences were issued for PBS. The PBS licences also cover IT consultancy and design services. The Russia Sanctions statutory guidance sets out specific PBS activities which DBT deems likely to be consistent with the aims of the sanctions and may consider licensing. Pensions and Travel Services are not directly caught under the Russia sanctions. The Russia Sanctions Statutory Guidance outline what goods and services are sanctioned: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/russia-sanctions-guidance. The Export Control Joint Unit publishes information on services licences linked to trade sanctions on an annual basis as part of the United Kingdom Strategic Export Controls Annual Report which includes PBS and Individual Financial Services licences. The 2023 Report is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-strategic-export-controls-annual-report-2023. The 2024 Annual Report is due to be published before Summer Recess.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34072 on Export Controls: Russia, if he will list every export licence granted by his Department for exports of insurance and pensions to Russia since September 2023.
Between 1 September 2023 and 31 December 2023, the latest period covered by statistic publications covering licensing decisions for Professional and Business Services (PBS) and Individual Financial Services, no licences were issued for insurance services, and 9 licences were issued for PBS. The PBS licences also cover IT consultancy and design services. The Russia Sanctions statutory guidance sets out specific PBS activities which DBT deems likely to be consistent with the aims of the sanctions and may consider licensing. Pensions and Travel Services are not directly caught under the Russia sanctions. The Russia Sanctions Statutory Guidance outline what goods and services are sanctioned: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/russia-sanctions-guidance. The Export Control Joint Unit publishes information on services licences linked to trade sanctions on an annual basis as part of the United Kingdom Strategic Export Controls Annual Report which includes PBS and Individual Financial Services licences. The 2023 Report is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-strategic-export-controls-annual-report-2023. The 2024 Annual Report is due to be published before Summer Recess.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34072 on Export Controls: Russia, if he will list every export licence granted by his Department for exports of insurance and pensions to Russia since September 2023.
Between 1 September 2023 and 31 December 2023, the latest period covered by statistic publications covering licensing decisions for Professional and Business Services (PBS) and Individual Financial Services, no licences were issued for insurance services, and 9 licences were issued for PBS. The PBS licences also cover IT consultancy and design services. The Russia Sanctions statutory guidance sets out specific PBS activities which DBT deems likely to be consistent with the aims of the sanctions and may consider licensing. Pensions and Travel Services are not directly caught under the Russia sanctions. The Russia Sanctions Statutory Guidance outline what goods and services are sanctioned: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/russia-sanctions-guidance. The Export Control Joint Unit publishes information on services licences linked to trade sanctions on an annual basis as part of the United Kingdom Strategic Export Controls Annual Report which includes PBS and Individual Financial Services licences. The 2023 Report is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-strategic-export-controls-annual-report-2023. The 2024 Annual Report is due to be published before Summer Recess.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 February 2025 to Question 29983 on Parking: Fees and Charges, whether her Department has received representations from businesses on the potential impact of implementing a parking code of practice on their operations.
My officials have regular meetings with both parking Trade Associations and representatives for motorists. Meetings with the Trade Associations are scheduled monthly, and meetings with the motorist group are quarterly. In addition to regular meetings, my officials also have ad hoc meetings with both groups dependent on the business needs. Dates for my meetings have not been confirmed. On representations on the potential impacts of implementing a Private Parking Code of Practice on businesses and operations, in 2023 the Department published a draft Private Parking Code of Practice Impact Assessment, alongside a Call for Evidence to improve the evidence base within the draft Impact Assessment. Both are available online from https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/private-parking-code-of-practice-call-for-evidence My officials have used the responses to the Call for Evidence to review previous proposals and develop new ones on which, as per my previous answer, we intend to consult shortly. A Final Impact Assessment will be published following the consultation.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34072 on Export Controls: Russia, if he will list every export licence granted by his Department for exports of other business services to Russia since September 2023.
Between 1 September 2023 and 31 December 2023, the latest period covered by statistic publications covering licensing decisions for Professional and Business Services (PBS) and Individual Financial Services, no licences were issued for insurance services, and 9 licences were issued for PBS. The PBS licences also cover IT consultancy and design services. The Russia Sanctions statutory guidance sets out specific PBS activities which DBT deems likely to be consistent with the aims of the sanctions and may consider licensing. Pensions and Travel Services are not directly caught under the Russia sanctions. The Russia Sanctions Statutory Guidance outline what goods and services are sanctioned: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/russia-sanctions-guidance. The Export Control Joint Unit publishes information on services licences linked to trade sanctions on an annual basis as part of the United Kingdom Strategic Export Controls Annual Report which includes PBS and Individual Financial Services licences. The 2023 Report is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-strategic-export-controls-annual-report-2023. The 2024 Annual Report is due to be published before Summer Recess.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34072 on Export Controls: Russia, if he will list every export licence granted by his Department for exports of travel services to Russia since September 2023.
Between 1 September 2023 and 31 December 2023, the latest period covered by statistic publications covering licensing decisions for Professional and Business Services (PBS) and Individual Financial Services, no licences were issued for insurance services, and 9 licences were issued for PBS. The PBS licences also cover IT consultancy and design services. The Russia Sanctions statutory guidance sets out specific PBS activities which DBT deems likely to be consistent with the aims of the sanctions and may consider licensing. Pensions and Travel Services are not directly caught under the Russia sanctions. The Russia Sanctions Statutory Guidance outline what goods and services are sanctioned: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/russia-sanctions-guidance. The Export Control Joint Unit publishes information on services licences linked to trade sanctions on an annual basis as part of the United Kingdom Strategic Export Controls Annual Report which includes PBS and Individual Financial Services licences. The 2023 Report is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-strategic-export-controls-annual-report-2023. The 2024 Annual Report is due to be published before Summer Recess.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will (a) reopen and (b) ringfence funding for the (i) Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship and (ii) Landscape Recovery scheme in Devon.
The 56 projects in Rounds 1 and 2 of the Landscape Recovery scheme will be continuing. Plans for any further rounds will be announced in due course. On 11 December 2024, we launched the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier with applications opening this summer. To support farmers, we have committed £5 billion to the farming budget over two years – more money than ever for sustainable food production.