Commons
Oral Questions
Home Department
13 July 2026
2 contributions
Topical Questions
Today, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has laid statutory instruments to designate three bodies engaged in foreign power threat activity under the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026. They are the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, who have publicly claimed seven attacks at …
I extend my sincere condolences to the family following the tragic death of Hannah. The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that in line with legal confidentiality obligations, I can neither confirm nor deny whether a request for mutual legal assistance has been made or received. It would be inappropriat…
Commons
Debate
6 July 2026
7 contributions
National Security (State Threats) Bill
I beg to move, That this House agrees with Lords amendment 1.
The first duty of any Government is and will forever be to secure this country and keep all its inhabitants safe. It is a mission that has challenged us relentlessly, but it has grown and evolved in recent years. The threat posed by foreign powers will be known by all here: physical threats against …
+5 more contributions in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Cabinet Office
25 June 2026
5 contributions
National Resilience
We are delivering our resilience action plan to strengthen national resilience, and we are building a system in which Government, business and society work together to anticipate and mitigate the risks facing our country.
The national risk register includes the effects of climate change. Although the Government are working internationally on mitigation, it is also important that adaptation takes centre stage when the kinds of investment decisions my hon. Friend mentions are made. I assure her that the Government are …
+3 more contributions in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Cabinet Office
25 June 2026
3 contributions
Natural Disasters: Community Resilience
Through our resilience action plan, we are driving a whole-of-society approach to resilience, which seeks to integrate the voluntary, community and faith sectors into planning and strengthening the resilience of our critical national infrastructure. The Government are also committed to raising publi…
I recognise that the hon. Gentleman’s constituents have concerns, as do the constituents of other Cornish Members of Parliament who have talked to me. Hundreds were left without telecom services for days after Storm Goretti, which is clearly unacceptable. It is important that we work with telecoms o…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Cabinet Office
25 June 2026
3 contributions
National Resilience Planning
We are driving a step change in national resilience through our resilience action plan. Central to that is our national security risk assessment, which embeds clear accountability for lead Government Departments across all risks. We are further enhancing this co-ordination by publishing updated guid…
I will get back to the hon. Gentleman. I have to confess that I have not had my briefing on space yet.
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Debate
17 June 2026
9 contributions
National Security (State Threats) Bill
I have to commend the hon. Member for Rutland and Stamford (Alicia Kearns) for doing her homework. I wish to explain why we do not think these amendments are needed at the moment.
There are a couple of themes that run through my response to the hon. Lady’s amendments. The first is that it is not po…
Action that is prejudicial to the safety and interests of the UK is the test that we are talking about. If one were delivering humanitarian aid and had to deal with part of a state that we did not particularly approve of, that would not be prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK. It would b…
+7 more contributions in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
4 June 2026
3 contributions
Food Welfare Labelling
As set out in our welfare strategy, we are working with the farming and food industry, vets and scientists to explore how improved animal welfare labelling could improve consumer transparency, support farmers and promote better animal welfare.
I am happy to meet the rural research group to talk about these important issues, but under UK food labelling rules, food that is not of UK origin cannot be labelled with a British flag, and if the primary ingredient is not British, it cannot be labelled as such without pointing out that the primary…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
4 June 2026
4 contributions
Cost of Fertiliser
We are working across Government to respond to the pressures created by the middle east conflict. I have asked the Competition and Markets Authority to consider industry concerns about fertiliser and we have increased the frequency of official fertiliser price reporting, which is now published weekl…
May I point out that UK production of fertiliser using those processes was made reliant on America because the last Government decided to close the ammonia factory? In looking at resilience, the Chancellor has announced a business engagement exercise to consider whether targeting tariff cuts on fert…
+2 more contributions in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
4 June 2026
2 contributions
Support for Farming: Wales
The Government are taking decisive action to support our farming sector, with farmers in Wales benefiting from measures such as cutting the duty on red diesel to its lowest rate in over 20 years. I look forward to meeting Wales’s new Rural Resilience and Sustainability Minister and working closely w…
Farming is devolved, so the first port of call for Welsh farmers is the Welsh Government. As I said, I am looking forward to meeting the new Minister and will do my best to work with all the devolved Administrations, including in Wales.
Commons
Oral Questions
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
4 June 2026
3 contributions
UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement
I have engaged directly with Salmon Scotland on the UK-EU SPS agreement, and colleagues have discussed the deal with the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation. We will continue that close engagement as negotiations progress, and we are committed to supporting businesses and providing clear guidance, so th…
Now that certain democratic processes have taken place, I am looking forward to being able to come north of the border. I can assure the hon. Member that I am well aware that 65% of all UK seafood is exported to the EU, and therefore the more friction we can take away from that border crossing, the …
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
4 June 2026
3 contributions
Topical Questions
I think “robust” would probably be my summary. To help with the pressure on food prices, we are planning to cut tariffs on over 100 everyday food products such as olive oil, biscuits and chocolate, saving consumers more than a £150 million a year. We have ensured that the items selected for tariff s…
The farming and food partnership board is looking at profitability, and the sector growth plans for horticulture and poultry have already been announced. We have reduced red diesel duty, we will open the reformed SFI and will shortly publish our 25-year farming road map, our response to the Batters …
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Statutory Instrument
1 June 2026
3 contributions
Draft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2026
I beg to move,
That the Committee has considered the draft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2026.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Desmond. This is the first time that you and I have been in the same room in this context.
The draft regulatio…
I thank all those who have contributed to this short but perfectly formed debate.
The draft regulations were announced last June as part of a process that commenced under the previous Government following Brexit, when they announced a seven-year programme to transition away from the common agricult…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Statutory Instrument
1 June 2026
3 contributions
Delegated Legislation Committee
I beg to move,
That the Committee has considered the draft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2026.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Desmond. This is the first time that you and I have been in the same room in this context.
The draft regulatio…
I thank all those who have contributed to this short but perfectly formed debate.
The draft regulations were announced last June as part of a process that commenced under the previous Government following Brexit, when they announced a seven-year programme to transition away from the common agricult…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Statutory Instrument
1 June 2026
3 contributions
General Committees
I beg to move,
That the Committee has considered the draft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2026.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Desmond. This is the first time that you and I have been in the same room in this context.
The draft regulatio…
I thank all those who have contributed to this short but perfectly formed debate.
The draft regulations were announced last June as part of a process that commenced under the previous Government following Brexit, when they announced a seven-year programme to transition away from the common agricult…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Debate
15 April 2026
2 contributions
Regulation of the Marmalade Market
I thank the hon. Member for Wells and Mendip Hills (Tessa Munt) for securing this debate and providing an opportunity for me to outline the regulation of the marmalade market. As Paddington Bear wisely reminds us:
“A wise bear always keeps a marmalade sandwich in his hat in case of emergency.”
As …
There have been no changes to the amount of sugar required for marmalade to be marmalade. If the hon. Member is hinting, as I think she might be, that various nefarious producers are masquerading non-marmalade as actual marmalade in the UK sense of the word, she should probably tell me, or at least …
Commons
Oral Questions
19 March 2026
3 contributions
Topical Questions
We are committed to growing the agritech and engineering biology sectors, which are key to the industrial strategy. We are allocating £200 million to the farming innovation programme precisely for this purpose. I look forward to trying to visit my hon. Friend as soon as I am out that way.
We are well aware that events in the middle east are putting pressure on input prices. The hon. Lady mentions red diesel and fertiliser for the farming sector. I have talked to the chief executive officer of the Competition and Markets Authority. We are taking a close look at what is happening to en…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
19 March 2026
2 contributions
Good Food Cycle Strategy
The Government’s good food cycle strategy sees alternative proteins as a major opportunity, and not just for the economy but for health, sustainability and food resilience. We are backing the sector and working with the Food Standards Agency on novel food programmes to accelerate precision fermentat…
I am happy to meet my hon. Friend and congratulate the company he mentions, which is leading the way in this area. We have a major national hub for plant-based, cultivated and fermentation-based research and development, which is at the forefront of progress in this exciting new area.
Commons
Oral Questions
19 March 2026
2 contributions
Agricultural Industries: Funding
Rising input costs, including for fertiliser, have contributed to pressure on many farm businesses in recent years. We continually assess how global cost volatility affects farm productivity and the resilience of the sector.
I would love to—if the hon. Lady’s constituency was in England. Agriculture is a devolved matter, and she must therefore ask the Scottish Government.
Commons
Oral Questions
19 March 2026
3 contributions
Statutory Right to Food
The Government are taking strong action to improve access to good, nutritious food. We have extended eligibility for free school meals to half a million more children, and free, universal breakfast clubs are being introduced across the country. We are also reforming crisis support through the introd…
I certainly welcome the opportunity to discuss my hon. Friend’s work in this area. We agree on the importance of the problems that the commission is looking to resolve and look forward to seeing its final report. The Government are working across Departments to improve access to healthy and affordab…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
19 March 2026
5 contributions
Publicly Owned Markets: Food Security
The Government recognise the importance of wholesale markets for the customers and communities they serve. We have limited recent evidence, however, of the impact that public ownership of markets has on food security.
We recognise Billingsgate’s importance as a UK distribution hub for fish, and we will continue to monitor the proposed transition closely. We are engaging with the City of London Corporation on the proposed changes.
+3 more contributions in this session
Commons
Westminster Hall
10 March 2026
6 contributions
Fur: Import and Sale
Right honourable.
Will my hon. Friend give way?
+4 more contributions in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
5 February 2026
Topical Questions
Once my hon. Friend gets the letter off to us, she will certainly get a reply. The UK has a robust regulatory framework to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. DEFRA and the Marine Management Organisation work closely with the devolved Governments, local authorities and port health au…
Commons
Oral Questions
5 February 2026
3 contributions
Domestic Animals: Welfare
Our animal welfare strategy sets out major reforms to improve the lives of millions of animals across the UK. Building on Labour’s strong record of driving up standards, a key part of this work is ending puppy smuggling. The strategy cracks down on low-welfare dog breeding, raises welfare standards …
I am sorry to hear about the trauma related to my hon. Friend’s constituent. We recognise the RSPCA’s vital role in promoting animal welfare, but we do not have plans to extend statutory enforcement powers at this stage. Such powers are normally reserved for public bodies that have formal lines of a…
+1 more contribution in this session
Commons
Oral Questions
5 February 2026
6 contributions
Farming Sector Productivity
We are backing British farmers to build a profitable and sustainable future. We will put £11.8 billion into food and farming in this Parliament, including £200 million for cutting-edge innovations through the farming innovation programme. Last weekend, we announced £21.5 million backing 15 projects …
I welcome the right hon. Gentleman’s support for the Batters review, which is an important part of ensuring that the sector remains profitable. I am always listening to farmers. I have had many welcome propositions to visit farms, and I will see what I can do to fit him into the grand tour.
+4 more contributions in this session
Commons
Debate
3 February 2026
4 contributions
Fish and Chip Sector
I am yet again condemned to talk a lot about food while kept from tea, dinner, or whatever we want to call it. I also responded to a Backbench Business debate on farming and fishing, and did not get to have lunch, while everyone happily talked about food. It is a sort of torture from being in this p…
We agree about the revival of pollock fishing. Obviously, I hope Hansard is listening extremely carefully—otherwise, we are all going to get into serious trouble.
The sector was left to cope with rising costs and global shocks on its own for years, but this Government are taking a different approac…
+2 more contributions in this session