Tim Farron MP: written questions
477 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Birds: LicensingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 29 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 109519More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes made in December 2025 to Bird Gathering Licences on the viability of (a) mixed-species bird exhibitions, (b)
Answer: This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. Regulation 6 of the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations 2006, as amended, sets out the legal basis for permitting gatherings of poultry or ot...
Answered 3 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordBirds: LicensingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 29 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 109518More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department made of the risks posed by captive-bred birds at licensed gatherings prior to introducing the December 2025 amendments to Bird Gathering Licences; and wh
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the reply previously given on 30 January 2026 to the Hon Member for Stockton West, Matt Vickers to PQ UIN 107782.
Answered 3 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordEnvironment Protection: National SecurityDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 28 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 109083More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking in response to the findings of the Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security, published on 26
Answer: Nature underpins our security, prosperity, and resilience, and understanding the threats we face from biodiversity loss is essential to addressing them effectively. The UK is already taking action to strengthen resilience to environmental risks at home an...
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordRural Payments Agency: StaffDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107678More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many full-time equivalent staff worked for the rural payments agency in each year between 2019 and 2026.
Answer: The number of full‑time equivalent (FTE) staff employed by the Rural Payments Agency is published in the public domain as part of Defra’s Monthly Workforce Management Information (MWMI) reports. This information can be accessed via the following link: : D...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFoodDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107677More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to produce a white paper for a food strategy.
Answer: The food strategy is an on-going programme of work to create a healthier, more affordable, sustainable and resilient food system. The first part was the Good Food Cycle publication in July 2025, which identified for the first time the outcomes the Governm...
Answered 3 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordWaste: CrimeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107353More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what was the total Environment Agency expenditure on waste crime in each year since 2015.
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) is unable to track total expenditure on waste crime as waste crime is delivered by a range of multi-functional teams. The EA can only report on what is allocated, not what is spent. The table provided sets out the EA’s Grant in...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMedical Records: VeteransDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105192More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to take steps to allow NHS professionals to view the health records of ex-military patients from their time in military service.
Answer: The Defence Medical Services (DMS) provide primary healthcare for serving personnel. All serving personnel will have a Defence Health Record which records their healthcare through their military service, whether provided by DMS or the National Health Serv...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordM6: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104694More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of closing Junction 38 of the M6 during the Lune Gorge bridge replacement works on local businesses.
Answer: This Government, working in close partnership with National Highways, is fully committed to this project being delivered in a way that minimises disruption to road users, businesses and local communities. National Highways has undertaken assessments to un...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordM6: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104693More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he will instruct National Highways to meet with BWB Consulting and Kier in an engineer-to-engineer review of proposals for temporary slip roads at Junction 38 of the M6.
Answer: National Highways has facilitated discussions between BWB Consulting and Kier engineers, including a meeting held on 17 December 2025 to review proposals for temporary slip roads at Junction 38. A further update on temporary slip roads will be provided at...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordM6: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104692More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when any assessment by National Highways of temporary slip roads at Junction 38 of the M6 was undertaken; and whether the findings of that assessment informed the current construction programme.
Answer: National Highways first assessed the potential for temporary slip roads during the project’s optioneering stage in 2019. Further consideration took place during early design development, and the option was not taken forward at that time due to spatial con...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordM6: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104661More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether National Highways undertook a detailed assessment of the potential to construct temporary slip roads to allow Junction 38 of the M6 (northbound and southbound) to remain open for the duration of the Lun
Answer: National Highways first assessed the potential for temporary slip roads during the project’s optioneering stage in 2019. Further consideration took place during early design development, and the option was not taken forward at that time due to spatial con...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHospitality Industry: VATTreasuryTabled 9 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104471More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the costs to the exchequer of reducing VAT for hospitality businesses to (a) 15%, (b) 10%, (c) 5% and (d) 0%.
Answer: HMRC estimates that the cost of reducing the 20 per cent Standard Rate of VAT on all accommodation and food and beverage services would be as follows in 2026-27: (a) to 15%: £5 billion, (b) to 10%: £10.5 billion, (c) to 5%: £17 billion, (d) to 0%: £23.5 b...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGabapentin: ResearchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103740More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether research is being conducted into the potential association between Gabapentin use and the development of attentional amnestic disorders or other cognitive impairments.
Answer: Gabapentin is authorised to treat epilepsy and peripheral neuropathic pain, or nerve pain. The known side effects of gabapentin are outlined in the product information, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for healthcare professionals, and the Pat...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGabapentin: Side EffectsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103739More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to inform patients and healthcare professionals about the potential long-term risks of Gabapentin use.
Answer: Gabapentin is authorised to treat epilepsy and peripheral neuropathic pain, or nerve pain. The known side effects of gabapentin are outlined in the product information, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for healthcare professionals, and the Pat...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGabapentin: Side EffectsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103738More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what measures are in place to monitor patients on Gabapentin for signs of neurological or cognitive decline during treatment.
Answer: Gabapentin is authorised to treat epilepsy and peripheral neuropathic pain, or nerve pain. The known side effects of gabapentin are outlined in the product information, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for healthcare professionals, and the Pat...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGabapentin: Side EffectsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103737More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether prescribing guidelines for Gabapentin include warnings about potential risks associated with extended use.
Answer: There are a number of resources available to prescribers to advise them on the potential risks associated with extended use of gabapentin.The British National Formulary (BNF) for adults provides healthcare professionals with a range of information on the ...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGabapentin: Side EffectsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103736More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of prolonged use of Gabapentin on long-term neurological risks, including dementia and brain damage.
Answer: Gabapentin is authorised to treat epilepsy and peripheral neuropathic pain, or nerve pain. The known side effects of gabapentin are outlined in the product information, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for healthcare professionals, and the Pat...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: EmploymentDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103735More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the number of people leaving the agricultural sector.
Answer: Defra produces statistical estimates of the number of people working on commercial [see a below] agricultural holdings in England. Defra does not monitor the numbers leaving and entering the sector separately, therefore estimates show the net change in th...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Flood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103734More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of expanding flooding support eligibility for farmers.
Answer: The Government is funding environmental land management (ELM) schemes, which include measures to support farmers with managing flood risks or investing in natural flood management. The Government has committed to investing £11.8 billion in the farming bud...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Flood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103733More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funding farmers are offered for flood management.
Answer: The Government is funding environmental land management (ELM) schemes, which include measures to support farmers with managing flood risks or investing in natural flood management. The Government has committed to investing £11.8 billion in the farming bud...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFlood Control: FinanceDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103732More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of the Department's budget is allocated to work on flood defences and mitigation.
Answer: Delivering on the Plan for Change, this government is investing at least £10.5 billion until 2036 to construct new flood schemes and repair existing defences, protecting communities from the devastating impacts of climate change. The proportion of Defra G...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: FloodsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103731More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the flooding risk to farms; and what percentage of farms are at high flood risk.
Answer: Our new national flood risk assessment (NaFRA) shows that of the 85,000 square kilometres of agricultural land in England, over 11,000 square kilometres is in areas at risk of flooding from rivers and sea.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordWater SupplyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103730More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what contingency plans are in place for periods of water shortage and supply outages.
Answer: In England and Wales, The Security and Emergency Measures Direction 2022 (SEMD) is the main legislative framework specific to water companies for emergency planning. It requires water companies to ensure continuation of their water distribution functions ...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordWater SupplyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103729More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Department is taking to help tackle water scarcity.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of having enough water through the Environment Improvement Plan – ‘Goal 3: Water - We will ensure English waters are clean, resilient and plentiful.’ Within this plan, there are stretching targets to reduce demand ...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordWater Supply: InfrastructureDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103728More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Department has made of the adequacy of water infrastructure investment in each of the last five years.
Answer: There has been historic underinvestment in the water industry. Investment has not kept pace with the challenges of an ageing infrastructure system, a rapidly growing population, and climate change. We have already announced that we will create a powerful ...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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