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1716608

registered interest
date	08/05/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Farmers: Loans
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to support agricultural businesses to access finance from banks.
tabling member constituency	Penrith and The Border
tabling member printed	Dr Neil Hudson
uin	25390
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government recognises the vital role of agricultural businesses across the UK, and it is important they can access the finance they need.</p><p> </p><p>The government’s Growth Guarantee Scheme supports smaller businesses, including agricultural businesses, to access the finance they need to invest and grow. The scheme extends the support previously offered under the Recovery Loan Scheme and provides a 70% government guarantee on lending to UK small and medium-sized enterprises. The scheme supports a wide range of products provided by different lenders such as loan terms, overdrafts, asset finance, invoice finance and asset-based lending.</p><p> </p><p>The government has also supported farmers to adapt to the agricultural transition by providing them with free business advice. Advisers offered one to one consultations, farm visits and free workshops that helped support farming businesses to improve their financial viability, which will have made it easier for them to access finance.</p> answering member constituency Hitchin and Harpenden answering member printed Bim Afolami question first answered 13/05/2024 14:26:55 answering member 4639 label Biography information for Bim Afolami
tabling member	4853 label Biography information for Dr Neil Hudson

1716609

registered interest
date	08/05/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Banks: Urban Areas
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to help preserve access to banking on high streets.
tabling member constituency	Penrith and The Border
tabling member printed	Dr Neil Hudson
uin	25391
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2024 answer text <p>It is important that all customers have appropriate access to banking and cash services and the Government is monitoring this situation closely.</p><p> </p><p>Guidance from the FCA expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs, and put in place alternatives, where reasonable. Alternative options to access everyday banking services on the high street include via the Post Office or Banking Hubs. Banking Hubs are an industry initiative to enable customers of participating banks to access cash and banking services in shared facilities.</p><p> </p><p>UK Finance confirmed 225 Banking Hubs will be announced by the end of 2024. Furthermore, following my recent discussions with the UK high street banks, participating firms have also committed to improving Hubs by standardising the services available between firms, ensuring that customers do not require their own digital device to bank, trialling a ‘customer liaison service’ and trialling Saturday openings. The banks have agreed to keep services under review to ensure their effectiveness for all customers.</p> answering member constituency Hitchin and Harpenden answering member printed Bim Afolami question first answered 13/05/2024 14:25:17 answering member 4639 label Biography information for Bim Afolami
tabling member	4853 label Biography information for Dr Neil Hudson

1716610

registered interest
date	08/05/2024
answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	217
answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Journalism
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support local journalism.
tabling member constituency	Penrith and The Border
tabling member printed	Dr Neil Hudson
uin	25392
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government is committed to supporting local and regional newspapers and other news outlets as vital pillars of communities and local democracy. They play an essential role in holding power to account, keeping the public informed of local issues and providing reliable, high-quality information.</p><p>Amid an evolving media landscape and changes in consumer behaviour, we are working to support journalism and local newsrooms to ensure the sustainability of this important industry. We are introducing a new, pro-competition regime for digital markets. The regime, which aims to address the far-reaching power of the biggest tech firms, will help rebalance the relationship between publishers and the online platforms on which they increasingly rely. This will make an important contribution to the sustainability of the press.</p><p>Additionally, our support for the sector has included the delivery of a £2 million Future News Fund, the extension of a 2017 business rates relief on local newspaper office space until 2025; the publication of the Online Media Literacy Strategy; and our work through the Mid-Term Review of the BBC Charter to encourage greater collaboration and transparency from the BBC in the local news market and other markets in which it operates. The BBC also supports the sector directly, through the £8m it spends each year on the Local News Partnership, including the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.</p><p>We are also reducing regulatory burdens on commercial radio providers, and strengthening requirements on the provision of local news through the Media Bill to ensure commercial radio continues to provide high quality local journalism.</p><p>We continue to consider all possible options in the interests of promoting and sustaining news journalism.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 13/05/2024 13:46:54 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4853 label Biography information for Dr Neil Hudson

1714867

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Crime
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle drug-related offences in (a) Cumbria and (b) England.
tabling member constituency	Penrith and The Border
tabling member printed	Dr Neil Hudson
uin	24345
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2024 answer text <p>Reducing drug-related crime is a key priority of the Government’s 10-year Drugs Strategy. We are making good progress. Since April 2022, we have closed over 2,500 county lines nationally.</p><p>Through the County Lines Programme, our exporter force taskforces (Metropolitan Police Service, Merseyside, West Midlands and Greater Manchester Police) work in collaboration with importer forces, including Cumbria Police, to tackle the drug supply and exploitation associated with County Lines.</p><p>Through our County Lines Programme, we also fund the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre (NCLCC), to monitor the intelligence picture and co-ordinate the national law enforcement response. We have also established a dedicated Surge Fund to help forces tackle county lines, from which Cumbria have received investment.</p><p>Through the Drugs Strategy, we are also investing £532m into high quality drug treatment which reduces crime and reoffending. There are now 24,500 more people in treatment across England, including Cumbria.</p><p>The Government has asked every area in England to form a Combating Drugs Partnership (CDP) to work together to reduce drug-related harm and crime. Cumbria is covered by the Cumbria CDP, which has a Police Force Area wide footprint. The Senior Responsible Owner is the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Cumbria.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 08/05/2024 15:23:08 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4853 label Biography information for Dr Neil Hudson

1714868

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Nitrous Oxide: Misuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the ban on nitrous oxide canisters on levels of illegal nitrous oxide use.
tabling member constituency	Penrith and The Border
tabling member printed	Dr Neil Hudson
uin	24346
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2024 answer text <p>The government controlled nitrous oxide as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 on 8 November last year.</p><p>The government is aware of early successes by police forces in arrests and prosecutions as well as confiscating nitrous oxide canisters. It has committed to publish a review of the effect of the control of nitrous oxide under the 1971 Act.</p><p>The review will be a wide-ranging assessment of the effect of control with publication intended to be within three years of the ban coming into force.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 08/05/2024 15:24:16 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4853 label Biography information for Dr Neil Hudson

1713663

registered interest
date	24/04/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Middle East: Conflict Prevention
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent an escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
tabling member constituency	Penrith and The Border
tabling member printed	Dr Neil Hudson
uin	23633
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2024 answer text <p>We have condemned in the strongest terms Iran's direct attack against Israel on 13 April. It was unprecedented and reckless, and a dangerous escalation. The UK will continue to stand up for Israel's security and the security of all our regional partners. It is essential that we now prevent further escalation.</p> answering member constituency Wealden answering member printed Ms Nusrat Ghani question first answered 29/04/2024 13:44:07 answering member 4460 label Biography information for Ms Nusrat Ghani
tabling member	4853 label Biography information for Dr Neil Hudson

1713664

registered interest
date	24/04/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Gaza: Humanitarian Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what steps his Department is taking to help increase humanitarian aid to Gaza.
tabling member constituency	Penrith and The Border
tabling member printed	Dr Neil Hudson
uin	23634
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2024 answer text <p>We have welcomed recent commitments from Israel to increase the amount of aid getting in to Gaza, including allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid through the Port of Ashdod and the Erez crossing - steps we have long urged Israel to take. We want to see Israel fulfil these commitments swiftly and in full. The Foreign Secretary discussed this with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on 17 April.</p><p>During that visit, the Foreign Secretary urged Israel to deliver on its promises of delivering more aid into Gaza through as many routes as possible by land, sea and air.</p><p>The UK has announced a £9.7 million package of military and civilian support to set up a maritime aid corridor to Gaza, including the deployment of a Navy ship, and £3 million of additional funding for equipment to support UN and aid agencies at new and existing land crossings to get more aid into Gaza. The UK's contribution will include trucks, forklifts, generators, fuel stores and lighting towers.</p> answering member constituency Sutton Coldfield answering member printed Mr Andrew Mitchell question first answered 30/04/2024 13:47:59 answering member 1211 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Mitchell
tabling member	4853 label Biography information for Dr Neil Hudson

1713665

registered interest
date	24/04/2024
answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
answering dept id	29
answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
hansard heading	Universal Credit: Farmers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the accessibility of Universal Credit support for people working in the farming sector.
tabling member constituency	Penrith and The Border
tabling member printed	Dr Neil Hudson
uin	23635
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2024 answer text <p>Universal Credit is a 24 hour, seven days a week, digital service that allows customers to manage their own data and account online at a time which is convenient for them. Where a meeting is required, Work Coaches are able to offer multiple appointment channels, including digital, to minimise disruption to business, and ensure any meetings are as convenient as possible.</p><p> </p><p><em> </em></p><p>We are working with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) to ensure a smooth transition from Tax Credits to Universal Credit, as well as providing Transitional Protection when applicable.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bury St Edmunds answering member printed Jo Churchill question first answered 29/04/2024 11:09:28 answering member 4380 label Biography information for Jo Churchill
tabling member	4853 label Biography information for Dr Neil Hudson

1713343

registered interest
date	16/04/2024
answering body	Northern Ireland Office
answering dept id	21
answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
hansard heading	Veterinary Medicine: Northern Ireland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress he has made on ensuring the long-term availability of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland.
tabling member constituency	Penrith and The Border
tabling member printed	Dr Neil Hudson
uin	902391
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government’s priority is to secure a long-term sustainable solution on veterinary medicines. To that end, we wish to pursue such a solution through discussions with the EU, as well as preparing for safeguards in all scenarios. We have set up a Veterinary Medicines Working Group to advise the Government on solutions and are grateful for your expertise as a member of this group. The Working Group has met twice and aims to report in a timely manner by June.</p><p>In the meantime, we have put in place a grace period arrangement until the end of 2025 which supports continuity of supply to Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Wycombe answering member printed Mr Steve Baker question first answered 24/04/2024 13:02:28 answering member 4064 label Biography information for Mr Steve Baker
tabling member	4853 label Biography information for Dr Neil Hudson

1699093

registered interest
date	26/03/2024
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Animal Feed and Fertilisers: Ukraine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the war in Ukraine on the (a) supply and (b) price of (i) animal feed and (ii) fertiliser.
tabling member constituency	Penrith and The Border
tabling member printed	Dr Neil Hudson
uin	20812
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>i. The UK has a highly resilient food and animal feed supply chain which has coped well in responding to challenges in the past few years.</p><p> </p><p>Cereals and oilseeds make up a significant proportion of animal feed, most of which are internationally traded commodities. Subsequently, their supply chains are dynamic and responsive to global market developments in price and availability. These developments may be influenced by the war in Ukraine or additional factors unrelated to the conflict, such as weather conditions and currency fluctuations.Our high degree of food security is built on strong domestic production and imports from diverse sources. We recognise the essential role that domestic production plays in providing food security and resilience, which is why the government is committed to broadly maintaining the current level of food we produce domestically.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to keep the market situation under review through the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group, which monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, inputs, trade and recent developments.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>ii. In 2022, nitrogen fertiliser prices increased to two to three times their recent nominal historic levels (imported ammonium nitrate prices were £870/t), due to increased global gas prices and conflicts around the world (including but not limited to the conflict in the Ukraine) as well as strong demand driven by high crop prices.</p><p> </p><p>The AHDB publishes a GB fertiliser price time-series for the most commonly used fertiliser products to increase transparency of market prices and show trends to growers. This shows a plateauing of fertiliser prices in GB from June 2023 until now. While this is a GB price series the same situation applies to the UK as a whole. This plateau in prices is partly due to global price factors, but also regional demand has been affected by poor weather and shifts in crop choices by farmers.</p><p> </p><p>Defra is continuing to monitor fertiliser prices and supply chains through regular engagement with key manufacturers and wider stakeholders. We are also working with other government departments to coordinate intelligence, and understand supply and pricing issues.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 15/04/2024 09:50:53 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
tabling member	4853 label Biography information for Dr Neil Hudson