Written question asked by Michael Wheeler (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 July 2026 (named day). It was answered by Sarah Jones (Labour) on Monday, 6 July 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Animal Experiments: Licensing

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2026 to Question 4648, what assessment her Department has made of whether the statutory Home Office guidance used by inspectors and the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies (AWERBs) requires an update to reflect over 10 years of scientific progress since the guidance was published.

Answer: The Home Office keeps guidance related to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) under review. Regular independent advice is obtained through commissioning the independent statutory advisory body – the Animals in Science Committee (ASC). The ASC has been commissioned to provide advice on strengthening the functioning of Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies and also Named Information Officers. This advice is expected to inform future updates to guidance and regulatory standards, with a report expected later this year. The commission is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/commission-on-awerbs-and-named-information-officer.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 12389
Session: 2026-27
Related items: Animal Experiments: Licensing
Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Animal experiments Licensing Regulation Animals in Science Regulation Unit
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk