Written questions by Perkins.

Food and Rural Affairs, when applications will be open for the 2026 round of Darwin Plus Main and Darwin Plus Strategic funds.

Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk. Darwin Plus funding schemeNumber of projects awarded since 1 January 2024Lifetime value of projectsDarwin Plus Main24£9,942,990Darwin Plus Local94£4,002,814Darwin Plus Strategic2£5,564,500Darwin Plus People & Skills (previously named “Darwin Plus Fellowships”)8£602,180Total128£20,112,484 At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature. Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year. Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.

Food and Rural Affairs, what projects have been funded and for what amount since 1 January 2024 under a) the Darwin Plus Local, b) Darwin Plus Main and c) Darwin Plus Strategic funding schemes.

Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk. Darwin Plus funding schemeNumber of projects awarded since 1 January 2024Lifetime value of projectsDarwin Plus Main24£9,942,990Darwin Plus Local94£4,002,814Darwin Plus Strategic2£5,564,500Darwin Plus People & Skills (previously named “Darwin Plus Fellowships”)8£602,180Total128£20,112,484 At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature. Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year. Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the total budget for Darwin Plus dedicated to the UK Overseas Territories will be in 2026.

Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk. Darwin Plus funding schemeNumber of projects awarded since 1 January 2024Lifetime value of projectsDarwin Plus Main24£9,942,990Darwin Plus Local94£4,002,814Darwin Plus Strategic2£5,564,500Darwin Plus People & Skills (previously named “Darwin Plus Fellowships”)8£602,180Total128£20,112,484 At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature. Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year. Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reduction in Overseas Development Assistance funding on the allocation of funding for Darwin Plus in 2026.

Since 1 January 2024, the Darwin Plus programme had awarded nearly 130 projects of benefit to the UK Overseas Territories with a lifetime value of over £20 million across its four funding schemes. The full details of funded Darwin Plus projects can be found on the programme website at www.darwinplus.org.uk. Darwin Plus funding schemeNumber of projects awarded since 1 January 2024Lifetime value of projectsDarwin Plus Main24£9,942,990Darwin Plus Local94£4,002,814Darwin Plus Strategic2£5,564,500Darwin Plus People & Skills (previously named “Darwin Plus Fellowships”)8£602,180Total128£20,112,484 At the Joint Ministerial Council in November, the UK Government reaffirmed its joint ambition with the UK Overseas Territories to protect their ecosystems and address the climate and nature crises. The new UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy marks a new era of collaboration and communication between the UK and Territory governments, united for nature. Defra has now confirmed internal business planning allocations to its programmes leading to March 2029. The Darwin Plus programme’s plan for spending its allocation is currently progressing through Defra’s internal assurance processes before it is approved. This plan includes spending both for projects and to support the implementation of the UK Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy and reflects the reduction in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as a result of the necessary increase in defence spending last year. Applications for Darwin Plus Local Round 6 are currently being reviewed internally and applicants will be kept informed of developments. No date has yet been confirmed for the next funding round of Darwin Plus. Defra will provide an update in due course, and information will be published on the Darwin Plus website once future rounds are scheduled to open.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she plans to take to encourage industry to stop the practice of culling male laying hen chicks.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 January 2026 to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, PQ UIN 105878.

What estimate he has made of the completion rate of apprenticeships since the introduction of end point assessment.

The apprenticeship ‘National achievement rate tables’ are published in the Apprenticeships statistics publications.Academic YearsLink2017/18 and 2018/19https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/6ec3295a-7b23-401b-7d16-08de89b19a352019/20 and 2020/21https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f46f50b3-ab4e-41ea-cd9e-08de94ac311c2021/22 and 2022/23https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/12038166-ced9-4d01-d48e-08de94ac41332023/24 and 2024/25https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/d8f3a9eb-44d8-4f4d-cda2-08de94ac311c

If he will make an estimate of the potential impact of the expiry of the Renewables Obligation scheme in April 2027 on the number of landfill gas to energy plant closures.

The Department recognises that the planned expiry of Renewables Obligation accreditation in April 2027 for many landfill gas generators, could affect their commercial viability. The Government is exploring implementation of a long-term methane capture scheme with appropriate transitional arrangements. DESNZ, with support from Defra, intend to consult on a potential transitional arrangement later this year. Any support provided will be subject to rigorous value for money and impact assessments.

What information her Department holds on which EU countries have imposed a Hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) SAF cap within their SAF mandate.

Significant analysis was undertaken during the development of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate. Government considered global production capacity and the UK’s ability to access SAF for a range of SAF conversion processes, including hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA). To ensure the SAF Mandate reflects the latest technological and commercial developments, there is continuous monitoring of trends and impacts of the Mandate. HEFA will play an important role in the global SAF sector, particularly in the early years of the Mandate. However, the HEFA cap is to encourage the development of new technology pathways so that meeting the SAF Mandate is not reliant on HEFA feedstocks, which are likely to become scarcer. We have carefully balanced setting the HEFA cap in a way that recognises the fact HEFA is the only currently commercially available type of SAF to mitigate against unintended consequences. The corresponding EU SAF Mandate does not place a cap on HEFA, however, the EU’s overarching Renewable Energy Directive does place a limit on certain feedstocks that can be used across transport uses. Officials regularly engage with European counterparts and stakeholders to understand policy developments in the EU and share learnings from SAF policy.

For what reason there is a Hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) SAF cap within the SAF mandate.

Significant analysis was undertaken during the development of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate. Government considered global production capacity and the UK’s ability to access SAF for a range of SAF conversion processes, including hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA). To ensure the SAF Mandate reflects the latest technological and commercial developments, there is continuous monitoring of trends and impacts of the Mandate. HEFA will play an important role in the global SAF sector, particularly in the early years of the Mandate. However, the HEFA cap is to encourage the development of new technology pathways so that meeting the SAF Mandate is not reliant on HEFA feedstocks, which are likely to become scarcer. We have carefully balanced setting the HEFA cap in a way that recognises the fact HEFA is the only currently commercially available type of SAF to mitigate against unintended consequences. The corresponding EU SAF Mandate does not place a cap on HEFA, however, the EU’s overarching Renewable Energy Directive does place a limit on certain feedstocks that can be used across transport uses. Officials regularly engage with European counterparts and stakeholders to understand policy developments in the EU and share learnings from SAF policy.

What conversations she has had with her European counterparts about the UK’s cap on Hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) SAF within the SAF mandate.

Significant analysis was undertaken during the development of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate. Government considered global production capacity and the UK’s ability to access SAF for a range of SAF conversion processes, including hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA). To ensure the SAF Mandate reflects the latest technological and commercial developments, there is continuous monitoring of trends and impacts of the Mandate. HEFA will play an important role in the global SAF sector, particularly in the early years of the Mandate. However, the HEFA cap is to encourage the development of new technology pathways so that meeting the SAF Mandate is not reliant on HEFA feedstocks, which are likely to become scarcer. We have carefully balanced setting the HEFA cap in a way that recognises the fact HEFA is the only currently commercially available type of SAF to mitigate against unintended consequences. The corresponding EU SAF Mandate does not place a cap on HEFA, however, the EU’s overarching Renewable Energy Directive does place a limit on certain feedstocks that can be used across transport uses. Officials regularly engage with European counterparts and stakeholders to understand policy developments in the EU and share learnings from SAF policy.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the cap on Hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on fulfilling the SAF mandate.

Significant analysis was undertaken during the development of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate. Government considered global production capacity and the UK’s ability to access SAF for a range of SAF conversion processes, including hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA). To ensure the SAF Mandate reflects the latest technological and commercial developments, there is continuous monitoring of trends and impacts of the Mandate. HEFA will play an important role in the global SAF sector, particularly in the early years of the Mandate. However, the HEFA cap is to encourage the development of new technology pathways so that meeting the SAF Mandate is not reliant on HEFA feedstocks, which are likely to become scarcer. We have carefully balanced setting the HEFA cap in a way that recognises the fact HEFA is the only currently commercially available type of SAF to mitigate against unintended consequences. The corresponding EU SAF Mandate does not place a cap on HEFA, however, the EU’s overarching Renewable Energy Directive does place a limit on certain feedstocks that can be used across transport uses. Officials regularly engage with European counterparts and stakeholders to understand policy developments in the EU and share learnings from SAF policy.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of current levels of global (a) production capacity of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and (b) demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Significant analysis was undertaken during the development of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate. Government considered global production capacity and the UK’s ability to access SAF for a range of SAF conversion processes, including hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA). To ensure the SAF Mandate reflects the latest technological and commercial developments, there is continuous monitoring of trends and impacts of the Mandate. HEFA will play an important role in the global SAF sector, particularly in the early years of the Mandate. However, the HEFA cap is to encourage the development of new technology pathways so that meeting the SAF Mandate is not reliant on HEFA feedstocks, which are likely to become scarcer. We have carefully balanced setting the HEFA cap in a way that recognises the fact HEFA is the only currently commercially available type of SAF to mitigate against unintended consequences. The corresponding EU SAF Mandate does not place a cap on HEFA, however, the EU’s overarching Renewable Energy Directive does place a limit on certain feedstocks that can be used across transport uses. Officials regularly engage with European counterparts and stakeholders to understand policy developments in the EU and share learnings from SAF policy.

Whether he plans to provide transitional support for the landfill gas to energy sector.

Government recognises the role that landfill gas generation can play in reducing methane emissions. As set out in the Methane Action Plan, we are committed to exploring the implementation of a long‑term methane capture scheme with appropriate transitional arrangements. The Department, with support from Defra, intends to consult later this year on transitional arrangements. No final decisions have yet been taken, and any proposals would be subject to consultation outcomes and value‑for‑money considerations.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the end of the Renewables Obligation scheme on methane emissions from landfills.

DESNZ has been working with Defra to consider the potential impact of the end of the Renewables Obligation for landfill gas generation, including impacts on methane emissions. Government is exploring implementation of a long‑term methane capture scheme with appropriate transitional arrangements. DESNZ, with support from Defra, intend to consult on a potential transitional arrangement later this year. Any support provided will be subject to rigorous value for money and impact assessments.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of carbon capture, utilisation and storage on safeguarding domestic foundation industries, including cement and lime, while meeting the UK’s carbon budgets.

The emissions of some foundational industries, such as refining and cement and lime, are mainly from processes that cannot be reduced by fuel switching. The CCC have said that CCS would be responsible for 62%% of emissions reductions in the cement and lime sectors by 2050. We have signed a contract with the UK’s first carbon capture-enabled cement plant at Padeswood, which located in the HyNet carbon capture cluster, to receive support under the ICC business model. This will forge a cleaner future with secure, long-term jobs for workers and businesses in the cement industry. The Peak Cluster project plans to deploy CCS to decarbonise cement and lime sites in the Peak District. This could decarbonise 35% of the UK’s cement and lime emissions, as well as create and protect 3,500 jobs.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her polices of levels of (a) crimes committed and (b) prosecutions secured for offences under the Hunting Act 2004.

The department has made no such assessments.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the definition of hunting in the Hunting Act 2004.

The department has made no such assessment.

If his Department will provide long-term funding for the JobsPlus programme.

Jobs Plus is a community-led model with strong potential to tackle inactivity and unemployment. The Department is testing the model in ten social housing neighbourhoods to generate evidence on place-based support. The pilots will be evaluated to assess their effectiveness in helping people enter and remain in work. We will carefully consider what we have learnt from these pilots as we develop our future employment support offer and make decisions on future funding.

Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of the number of a) adults and b) children, by gender, participating in i) Football ii) Rugby Union iii) Tennis iv) Cricket v) Boxing vi) Athletics vii) Rugby League viii) Golf ix) Gymnastics x) Netball xi) Basketball in 2025.

The Government tracks activity levels through Sport England’s Active Lives surveys. Two surveys run annually: Active Lives Adult, and Active Lives Children and Young People. These surveys measure the activity levels of people across England and allows the Government to collect accurate data on what and how much sport and physical activity different groups are participating in. You can find out more about the surveys on Sport England's website. The figures for the Active Lives Adult Survey covering November 2024 to November 2025 will be published by Sport England on 23 April 2026.The figures for the Active Lives Children and Young People survey who participated at least once a week in the Academic Year 2024/25 can be found in the attached PDF.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of capital investment in SME industrial units in former coalfield communities, including proposals put forward by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, on economic growth.

I recognise the excellent work of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, supporting coalfield communities across the country reach their full potential. I met with the Trust recently to hear more about this work and their future ambitions. Our Pride in Place strategy sets out how we will support the most in-need communities to deliver their local priorities. The £5.8 billion Pride in Place programme and the £150 million Pride in Place Impact Fund will support many coalfield communities. However beyond these, every part of the country benefits from our wider Pride in Place strategy to put people in control of their neighbourhoods. We are working to improve high streets through initiatives such as High Street Rental Auctions; the Community Right to Buy, giving communities the chance to take ownership of valued buildings; and streamlining the compulsory purchase process to support regeneration.