Campaign Responses

Primates are highly intelligent wild animals with complicated welfare needs, and require open spaces, varied diets, social contact and plenty of warmth and light. When primates are confined in tiny cages, often alone and with little stimulation, their lives are a misery.

Thank you for contacting about COVID-status certification and vaccine passports.

As we learn to live with this virus, some of life’s most important pleasures and opportunities are likely to be increasingly dependent on vaccination.

I welcome the temporary cut to VAT from 20 per cent to 5 per cent for all food and non-alcoholic drinks, which has been extended until the end of September and will be followed by a 12.5 per cent rate until 31 March 2022.

Constituents have contacted me about the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. 

As you may be aware, the Electoral Commission has sought in recent years to bring criminal offences before the courts. This is not a role that has ever been agreed by the Government or by Parliament.

We have a proud history in this country on animal welfare, but my Ministerial colleagues and I know there is more that can be done.

This country has been and always will be open and outward-looking, leading in solving the world's toughest problems and striving to be a force for good in the world.

I appreciate how many constituents have written with regard to the  about the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).

A number of constituents have contacted me about the Northern Ireland Abortion Regulations 2021. 

The Government continues to support the restrictions on neonicotinoids to protect pollinators, and emergency authorisations for pesticides are only granted in exceptional circumstances where diseases or pests cannot be controlled by any other reasonable means.

The £1 billion Building Safety Fund, alongside the £600 million in funding already provided for the removal of Grenfell-style ACM cladding, will help remove unsafe cladding on high-rise residential buildings, protecting leaseholders from remediation costs.

I imagine how challenging it must be for families caring for loved ones during this difficult time, particularly those who have needed to take on extra responsibilities.