Written questions by Jones.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish guidance on how owners of exempted dogs will be able to remain compliant with the legal requirement to hold third-party liability insurance beyond 1 July 2026.

Defra has published guidance on our gov.uk page and contacted all registered owners to inform them that no action is required at this stage. We will share further guidance which will be published on gov.uk in early June. Defra is working to ensure owners of banned breed dogs can remain compliant with the legal requirement to hold third-party public liability insurance beyond 1 July 2026.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the effect of access to (a) accessible, (b) covered and (c) indoor sports facilities to levels of participation by disabled people in sport.

The Government recognises that high-quality, inclusive facilities help people get active. Accessible, covered and indoor sports facilities are essential to increasing participation by disabled people. In June last year, we committed £400 million to transform sports and leisure facilities over the next four years. We will ensure that this funding promotes health, wellbeing and community cohesion and helps remove the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups. We are working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, before setting out further plans on how future funding will be allocated.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has plans to help stop the breeding of cats with extreme physical traits associated with adverse health and welfare outcomes.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 March 2026 to the hon. Member for Spen Valley to PQ UIN 121026.

What assessment has she made of the potential impact of increases in fuel prices on the road haulage sector; and what steps is she taking to mitigate these.

The Department for Transport recognises growing concerns around rising fuel and transport costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East. The Department fully recognises the need to maintain the continuity of critical supply chains and is actively monitoring any potential impacts. The Department will continue to work with industry to understand the pressures and options to mitigate any risks.

Whether Access to Work staff receive specialist advice on visual impairment when assessing applications and renewals for blind and partially sighted customers.

Access to Work staff are trained to assess applications from all disability groups and individual impairments, taking account of each customer’s needs and circumstances. Staff are able to access specific support relating to individual impairments where necessary.Where specialist advice is required to inform the outcome, Access to Work staff may arrange a workplace assessment through one of its contracted providers to help identify appropriate adjustments and support to address workplace barriers.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of reductions in Access to Work awards at renewal on blind and partially sighted customers.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the budget for (a) tidal stream technologies and (b) other Pot 2 technologies in Allocation Round 8 above the £15 million provided in Allocation Round 7.

For Allocation Round 8 of the Contracts for Difference scheme, the Government will consider a range of factors when setting budgets and parameters for tidal stream and other technologies, including the pipeline of eligible projects, progress towards decarbonisation targets, and value for money for consumers.

What steps his Department taking to support delivery of the Morlais tidal stream project in Anglesey.

The UK Government supports the Morlais tidal stream project primarily through the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, our main mechanism for supporting low‑carbon electricity generation. Tidal stream projects deployed at Morlais have secured CfD contracts through recent allocation rounds, providing long‑term revenue certainty and supporting deployment from 2026 onwards. The Government has also maintained ringfenced budgets for tidal stream in successive CfD rounds, recognising the UK’s global leadership in this emerging technology. Responsibility for the Morlais site infrastructure and its development sits with the Welsh Government, which has provided equity and regional funding.

What steps is his Department taking to increase the amount of tidal stream capacity procured in Allocation Round 8.

The Government will set out the design of Allocation Round 8, including parameters for all CfD eligible technologies, ahead of the round opening.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government's Animal Welfare Strategy's commitment to work with the veterinary profession to reduce tail docking will involve specific guidance for vets to ensure they are not authorising illegal mutilations.

The Department has recently engaged with the Pig Veterinary Society and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons regarding reducing the incidence of pig tail docking, and we are now carefully considering the appropriate next steps, including the possibility of developing further guidance for veterinarians.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal Law Foundation's report entitled A Pig’s Tail: How Europe is moving beyond routine tail docking, published in April 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the levels of pig tail docking.

As the Government made clear in the Animal Welfare Strategy for England, we take the issue of pig tail docking very seriously. Working with industry and the veterinary profession to reduce the prevalence of tail docking is a priority. The Government will be carefully reviewing the Animal Law Foundation’s report as it considers the appropriate next steps.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the state of freedom of religion or belief in India; and what discussions she has had with her Indian counterpart on that topic.

We take the issues of freedom of religion and belief across the world very seriously. I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 9 March in response to Question 116730.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential harms posed to children by the presence of (a) perfluoroalkyl and (b) polyfluoroalkyl substances in children’s toys.

There is growing concern that widespread use of PFAS may generate risks to human health. The PFAS Plan, published on 3 February 2026, sets out the Government’s approach to minimising the harmful effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including in consumer goods, while moving to safer alternatives. The Government plans to launch a Call for Evidence shortly, which will seek views on whether to implement similar requirements in GB to those of the new EU Toy Safety Regulation. This will include possible changes to regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Whether he plans to consult on the potential merits of aligning the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 with EU Regulation 2025/2509 on the safety of toys.

The Government continues to closely monitor regulatory activity in the EU and assesses EU regulations on a case-by-case basis. It is right that the Government proceeds with policy changes in GB with due consultation and scrutiny. This is balanced with the Government’s commitment to protecting the UK internal market and supporting UK exports to the EU by breaking down unnecessary barriers to trade. The Government plans to launch a Call for Evidence shortly, which will seek views on whether to implement similar requirements in GB to those of the new EU Toy Safety Regulation.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential harms posed to children by endocrine disrupting chemicals in toys.

Legalisation is clear that all toys must be safe before being placed on our market. The government is aware of the growing concerns regarding endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This is a complex scientific issue, and we will be seeking views in our upcoming call for evidence on toys.Regarding bisphenols, Bisphenol-A (BPA) is recognized as a UK Category 1B reproductive toxicant under UK REACH) and is banned in toys. Government regularly reviews the safety of substances used in consumer products and will take further action if needed to ensure only safe products are sold on our market.

What assessment he has made of the potential harms posed to children by the presence of bisphenols in children’s toys.

Legalisation is clear that all toys must be safe before being placed on our market. The government is aware of the growing concerns regarding endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This is a complex scientific issue, and we will be seeking views in our upcoming call for evidence on toys.Regarding bisphenols, Bisphenol-A (BPA) is recognized as a UK Category 1B reproductive toxicant under UK REACH) and is banned in toys. Government regularly reviews the safety of substances used in consumer products and will take further action if needed to ensure only safe products are sold on our market.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the withdrawal of third-party public liability insurance from the Dogs Trust Companion Club scheme, effective 1st July, whether her department is taking steps to devise and implement a workable alternative solution for owners of exempted dogs; and if her department will provide assurance that no owners of exempted dogs will be left unable to comply with existing legislation.

Defra is working to ensure owners are supported to remain compliant with the law once the current insurance product ends. Dog owners must continue to meet all existing legal requirements but do not need to take any further action at this stage.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of the receipt of benefits designed to support disabled people with the additional costs of living with disability, such as a) PIP, b) DLA and c) AA, being within targeting criteria for energy cost support initiatives.

The Government recognises that families and businesses across the country will see the recent global events and once again be concerned about the impact on their energy bills. The Government continues to monitor the situation closely. Contingency planning is taking place for every eventuality, so that we can keep costs down for everyone and provide support for those who need it mostIn addition, DESNZ is working closely with other Government Departments on the National Data Library (NDL) energy bill support ‘Kickstarter’ project to test how public sector data can be better joined up to improve access to Government programmes. The Kickstarter project will pave the way for better targeted help, ensuring those who are struggling to pay their bills get the support they need.

Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to lay the Activity Regulations to give effect to the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023; and which activities she plans to prioritise.

The Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 provides a framework for the introduction of future bans on the advertising and offering for sale, in England and Northern Ireland, of low-welfare animal activities abroad. As set out in the animal welfare strategy published in December 2025, we are continuing to engage with stakeholders including the tourism industry and animal welfare groups to explore both legislative and non-legislative options to stop the advertising of low-welfare animal activities abroad and will be setting out next steps in due course.

What consideration he has given to the additional energy needs of disabled people who do not receive means tested benefits when evaluating potential energy bill support for households as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The Government recognises that families and businesses across the country will see the recent global events and once again be concerned about the impact on their energy bills. The Government continues to monitor the situation closely. Contingency planning is taking place for every eventuality, so that we can keep costs down for everyone and provide support for those who need it mostIn addition, DESNZ is working closely with other Government Departments on the National Data Library (NDL) energy bill support ‘Kickstarter’ project to test how public sector data can be better joined up to improve access to Government programmes. The Kickstarter project will pave the way for better targeted help, ensuring those who are struggling to pay their bills get the support they need.