Helen Maguire MP: written questions
4 Jul 2025–3 Jul 2026
How these years work
Our reporting years run from 4 July to 3 July, starting with the 2024 general election. They are not official parliamentary sessions. Office costs keep IPSA’s April–March financial years. Records may cover only part of a year; a missing record does not mean no work was done.
Read what this MP said, asked and contributed in Parliament.
41 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Swifts: ConservationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 10837More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is considering amending the Wildlife and Countryside Act to ensure that cavity nesting swift nesting sites are protected year round.
Answer: This Government has no plans to amend the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to provide year-round protection for nesting sites used by swifts. The current National Planning Policy Framework, published in December 2024, introduces measures to enhance and p...
Answered 25 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBirds: ConservationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 10835More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what considerations to Red Listed cavity nesting birds are being considered to protect their cavity nesting habitat from inadvertent destruction.
Answer: This Government has no plans to amend the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to provide year-round protection for nesting sites used by swifts. The current National Planning Policy Framework, published in December 2024, introduces measures to enhance and p...
Answered 25 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordPigs: SlaughterhousesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 613More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025, when she plans to begin consulting on the phasing out of the use of CO2 in animal slaughter.
Answer: As set out in this Government’s animal welfare strategy, Defra will consult on banning carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs and on possible timescales for phasing out this method. Further details will be set out later this year.
Answered 20 May 2026
Original Parliament recordPigs: SlaughterhousesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 612More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with animal welfare charities on the use of CO2 in pig slaughter.
Answer: As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy, Defra will consult on banning carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs. In developing the animal welfare strategy, Defra has held meetings with representatives of the farming sector and with animal welfar...
Answered 19 May 2026
Original Parliament recordHorticultureDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 11 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99400More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will have discussions with the horticultural sector to embed green space delivery in the Environmental Improvement Plan.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of the environmental horticulture sector in promoting people’s health and wellbeing, and its potential contribution to our environmental goals. I have met with stakeholders including the Royal Horticultural Society...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNoise: Pollution ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92827More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the current Noise Regulations in protecting (a) animals, (b) veterans and (c) other vulnerable people from harm.
Answer: Protections are in place to avoid significant noise impacts through our planning system, environmental permitting regulations, vehicle and product standards, and noise abatement legislation.
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPet Travel SchemeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 11 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89935More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with her EU counterparts on the potential introduction of multiuse pet passport for UK pets that are valid for travel to the EU.
Answer: As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will become easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an animal h...
Answered 19 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordInland WaterwaysDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89313More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will give Environment Agency a responsibility for improving (a) entry and (b) exit points for inland rivers to help support recreation.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of access to nature for people’s health and well-being. The Environment Agency currently enhances recreation where it can demonstrate value for money, by integrating safe river entry and exit points into flood and ...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRivers: WalkingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89312More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will take steps to create new river trails for multi-use access.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of supporting access to nature, including along our rivers. We are actively engaging with stakeholders to identify suitable locations for the nine new national river walks. Wherever possible, we aim to incorporate ...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordInland WaterwaysDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89311More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of expanding access rights for (a) paddling, (b) swimming and (c) other non-motorised craft on inland waters.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of access to nature for people’s health and well-being. We are considering our approach to improving access, including to unregulated inland waterways, and are committed to working with stakeholders as this develop...
Answered 17 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordAgricultureDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88149More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to increase regenerative farming.
Answer: Regenerative agriculture is based on an understanding that the health of the entire food system is intrinsically linked to soil health.Healthy soils, rich in nutrients and organic matter, abundant pollinators and clean water, are essential for sustainable...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRivers: Environment ProtectionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88148More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will set out a plan with (a) clear aims for stakeholders and (b) other steps to tackle issues facing chalk streams.
Answer: Chalk streams are embedded in our plan to reform the water industry. The Government has announced an ambitious programme of reforms to clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas for good. Subject to consultation, we will abolish Ofwat and create a new, powerful...
Answered 13 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRivers: Environment ProtectionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88147More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to improve Catchment partnerships for chalk streams.
Answer: Chalk streams are embedded in our plan to reform the water industry. The Government has announced an ambitious programme of reforms to clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas for good. Subject to consultation, we will abolish Ofwat and create a new, powerful...
Answered 13 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordThames Water: InsolvencyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85030More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing Thames Water into special administration.
Answer: There is a high bar for the use of a Special Administration Regime (SAR). The current law states that Special Administration can only be initiated if the company becomes insolvent, can no longer fulfil its statutory duties or breaches an enforcement order...
Answered 30 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordRivers: SewageDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83648More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to prevent illegal sewage dumping in chalk stream rivers.
Answer: Fixing the systemic issues in the water system is essential to addressing the multiple pressures facing chalk streams. Restoring these waterbodies to better ecological health is a core ambition of this Government’s overall programme of work to clean up ri...
Answered 27 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordFlood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83647More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce the risks of flooding.
Answer: This Government is investing at least a record £10.5 billion until 2036 – the largest flood programme in history, which is projected to better protect nearly 900,000 properties. On 14 October, following consultation, the Government announced major changes...
Answered 27 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordFood: PricesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 15 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82608More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to tackle food price inflation.
Answer: Defra regularly engages with farmers, manufacturers and retailers to monitor the drivers of food price inflation and to encourage efficiency and fairness across the food supply chain. Alongside this, the department’s food strategy is developing policies t...
Answered 22 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPollution: Environment AgencyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 15 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82607More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of pollution incidents did the Environment Agency attend in each of the last three years.
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) responds to approximately 15,000 environmental incidents every year. Environmental incidents include environment management (pollution), waterways, fisheries, and water resources incidents. For each reported incident they asses...
Answered 23 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordWater Companies: RegulationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 14 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82208More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to improve the regulation of water companies.
Answer: The Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, examined how to strengthen the regulation and delivery of water services to better support long-term water security, sustainable growth, and environmental protection. The Commission's final report...
Answered 21 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPollution ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 14 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82206More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Environment Agency increases its attendance rate at pollution incidents.
Answer: Ministers meet regularly with the Environment Agency Chair and Chief Executive to discuss performance across the Environment Agency’s remit.
Answered 21 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAgricultural Products: ImportsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80969More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the UK’s reliance on imported produce from countries facing high climate-related agricultural vulnerabilities.
Answer: To ensure a consistent supply of food, the UK relies upon a combination of strong domestic production from the UK’s agricultural and food manufacturing sectors, and a diverse range of overseas supply sources. Trade supports UK food supply resilience. This...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordFruit and Vegetables: ImportsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80968More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to diversify UK fruit and vegetable supply chains away from climate-vulnerable regions.
Answer: To ensure a consistent supply of food, the UK relies on a combination of strong domestic production from the UK’s agricultural and food manufacturing sectors, and a diverse range of overseas supply sources. Trade supports UK food supply resilience. This i...
Answered 22 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordWater: StandardsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80963More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has a set timeline for achieving Good Ecological Status for all waterbodies in England.
Answer: The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), transposed into our law through the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) 2017, has an overall goal to aim to achieve Good Ecological Status (GES) for surface water by December 2027, subj...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordRivers: PhosphorusDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80962More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to expand phosphorus reduction targets to include smaller upstream wastewater treatment works.
Answer: Phosphorus levels in treated wastewater are monitored by the Environment Agency (EA), and the discharge of phosphorus from wastewater treatment works is managed in accordance with discharge permit conditions, also enforced by the Environment Agency. The E...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordSewage: Pollution ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80961More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has considered using multi-year rolling averages to measure progress on reducing storm overflow discharges.
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) considers seasonal variations, including periods of low river flow, when setting and reviewing environmental permits for water discharge and groundwater activities under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulati...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
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4 Jul 2025–3 Jul 2026. One record per UIN and tabled date; the named department is not a measure of answer quality.
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