Written questions by Lowe.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department’s policies of the Environment Agency’s 2024 Event Duration Monitoring dataset, published in March 2025.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. The Environment Agency published its annual Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) data on 27 March 2025, which set out details of storm overflow spills in 2024. The regulators are assessing this data and will not let companies get away with illegal activity; where breaches are found, they will not hesitate to hold companies to account. Since 1 January 2025, water companies are required to publish data related to discharges from all storm overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 introduces a duty for water companies to publish data related to discharges from all emergency overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. This will match the pre-existing duty for storm overflows. The Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, will make recommendations to shape further action to transform how our water system works and clean up our waterways for good. A public Call for Evidence closed on 23 April, with all interested parties invited to share their views. The review's final recommendations will be published and shared with the UK and Welsh Governments this summer. This forms the next stage in the Government’s approach to ensuring we have a sufficiently robust and stable regulatory framework to attract the investment needed to clean up our waterways, speed up infrastructure delivery to support house building and restore public confidence in the sector. Looking forward, the government is also committed to taking a systematic approach to improving drainage and wastewater systems. This means looking at the bigger picture – how these systems affect the environment, local communities, and other key priorities like flood prevention, economic growth, and urban development. By doing this, we can make sure policies and services work better together to deliver real benefits for people and nature.

What (a) religious and (b) cultural holidays are observed by their Department.

The UK Civil Service only formally observes the government-set bank holidays.

Media and Sport, what (a) religious and (b) cultural holidays are observed by their Department.

The UK Civil Service only formally observes the government-set bank holidays.

What (a) religious and (b) cultural holidays are observed by their Department.

The UK Civil Service only formally observes the government-set bank holidays.

What (a) religious and (b) cultural holidays are observed by their Department.

HM Treasury does not observe religious or cultural holidays. Staff have time off for bank holidays, some of which fall on religious holidays, as part of their leave allowance.

What (a) religious and (b) cultural holidays are observed by their Department.

The UK Civil Service formally observes only the government-set bank holidays.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) religious and (b) cultural holidays are observed by their Department.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) welcomes staff from all religions and beliefs and aims to ensure all staff are treated with dignity and respect. The FCDO's Faith Networks can nominate up to two religious holidays per religion (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism) to be observed each year. As a global workforce it is likely that British Embassies recognise additional religious and cultural holidays, which are celebrated in the country they reside in, as a mark of respect and to further understanding of the countries we operate in order to deliver better the outcomes for UK citizens.

What (a) religious and (b) cultural holidays are observed by their Department.

The UK Civil Service only formally observes the government-set bank holidays.

What (a) religious and (b) cultural holidays are observed by their Department.

The UK Civil Service only formally observes the government-set bank holidays.

What (a) religious and (b) cultural holidays are observed by their Department.

The Department is in line with the Civil Service approach in offering employees eight public bank holidays plus one privilege day each year, pro-rated for part-time workers. Of these, Good Friday, Easter Monday and Christmas Day are deemed religious holidays.

Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) religious and (b) cultural holidays are observed by their Department.

The UK Civil Service only formally observes the Government-set bank holidays.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment (a) of the potential merits of cancelling all foreign aid to Pakistan and (b) with the Secretary of State for the Home Department of the potential merits of using that funding for a national inquiry into grooming gangs.

The UK has transitioned from a traditional aid relationship with Pakistan to a mutually beneficial partnership which underpins UK national interests, including working with Pakistan to tackle irregular migration, terrorism and organised crime. Some of the technical assistance we provide through UK Official Development Assistance is integral to these efforts. The Home Secretary has commissioned a National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

How many people have more than one active appeal within the immigration tribunal system.

The information requested is not held centrally. However, it should be noted that the case management powers of the Tribunal permit the joining together of appeals brought by an individual. The Tribunal will normally identify and link cases together to ensure effective use of time and final resolution of all matters, in one hearing.

How many immigration tribunal cases have been adjourned more than once in the last year; and for what reasons.

The information requested is not held centrally.

What is the average waiting time for an immigration appeal to be heard.

General information on average waiting times for an immigration appeal in the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) is published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunals-statistics-quarterly-october-to-december-2024/tribunal-statistics-quarterly-october-to-december-2024.

How many court hours have been spent on immigration-related cases involving people with no legal right to remain in the UK in the last 12 months.

The information requested is not held centrally by HMCTS. The Home Office collect and categorise data on the numbers of people with no legal right to remain in the UK.

What percentage of immigration appeals have been pending for more than 12 months.

The percentage of open appeals pending before the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) for more than 12 months, as at 31 December 2024 can be found in the table below:No. of cases pending more than 12 monthsOverall Open Caseload% of Overall Open Caseload14,55474,96919% This government inherited a broken justice system with record and rising court backlogs. The Lord Chancellor recently announced that for 2025-26, the Ministry of Justice will provide a total budget of £2,538 million. For the Immigration and Asylum Chamber this will mean funding to support 14,400 sitting days. We expect to be able to increase this substantially with additional funding from the Home Office, taking it to near maximum capacity and helping to speed up asylum claims. This builds on the Government’s work to restore order to the immigration system so that every part – border security, case processing, appeals and returns – operates efficiently.

How many cases involving (a) failed asylum seekers and (b) people who have overstayed have reached the (i) Court of Appeal and (ii) Supreme Court since 2020.

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

What is the current backlog of outstanding cases before the First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber.

The number of appeals in the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) that have not been determined and remain outstanding, as at December 2024, is 75,000.Published statistics can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunals-statistics-quarterly-october-to-december-2024/tribunal-statistics-quarterly-october-to-december-2024.This Government inherited a broken justice system with record and rising court backlogs. The Lord Chancellor recently announced that for 2025-26, the Ministry of Justice will provide a total budget of £2,538 million. For the Immigration and Asylum Chamber this will mean funding to support 14,400 sitting days. We expect to be able to increase this substantially with additional funding from the Home Office, taking it to near maximum capacity and helping to speed up asylum claims. This builds on the Government’s work to restore order to the immigration system so that every part – border security, case processing, appeals and returns – operates efficiently.

How many recipients of legal aid in immigration cases have been convicted of criminal offences.

The requested information is not centrally held.