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To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many women's health hubs have been established in NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB and what services do they provide.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many women's health hubs have been established in NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB and what services do they provide.
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board currently has one women’s health hub operating, provided by Queen Square Medical Practice in Lancaster. The hub delivers a community gynaecology service, including assessment and treatment for routine gynaecological conditions and fertility work-up services.
The service provides a range of interventions and treatments, including support for abnormal uterine bleeding, prolapse, cervical polyp removal, complex intrauterine contraception procedures, vulval skin conditions and other conditions that do not require secondary care management.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the free bus travel for children in August scheme will permit travel by minors unaccompanied by an adult.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the free bus travel for children in August scheme will permit travel by minors unaccompanied by an adult.
In May, the Chancellor announced the Summer Bus Fare Offer, which will enable children aged five to 15 to travel for free on participating local buses in England throughout August to help ease cost-of-living pressures for families and to help them get out and about for less this summer.
In developing the scheme, the Department for Transport continually assesses its potential impacts. We have carefully considered operational and safety issues raised through extensive engagement with the bus sector, including bus operators, and have incorporated a number of measures to ensure the scheme is delivered in a way that is safe and operationally workable. This includes enabling operators to require that children under 11 are accompanied by a person aged 16 or over, and have discretion in applying this requirement where doing so could place a child at risk.
The Department has also been in correspondence with trade unions on the development of the Summer Bus Fare Offer and continues to engage with stakeholders, including bus operators and local authorities on its delivery.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether an impact assessment has been undertaken for the free bus travel for children in August scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether an impact assessment has been undertaken for the free bus travel for children in August scheme.
In May, the Chancellor announced the Summer Bus Fare Offer, which will enable children aged five to 15 to travel for free on participating local buses in England throughout August to help ease cost-of-living pressures for families and to help them get out and about for less this summer.
In developing the scheme, the Department for Transport continually assesses its potential impacts. We have carefully considered operational and safety issues raised through extensive engagement with the bus sector, including bus operators, and have incorporated a number of measures to ensure the scheme is delivered in a way that is safe and operationally workable. This includes enabling operators to require that children under 11 are accompanied by a person aged 16 or over, and have discretion in applying this requirement where doing so could place a child at risk.
The Department has also been in correspondence with trade unions on the development of the Summer Bus Fare Offer and continues to engage with stakeholders, including bus operators and local authorities on its delivery.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consultation with trade unions representing bus workers was undertaken (a) prior to and (b) since the announcement of the free bus travel for children in August scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consultation with trade unions representing bus workers was undertaken (a) prior to and (b) since the announcement of the free bus travel for children in August scheme.
In May, the Chancellor announced the Summer Bus Fare Offer, which will enable children aged five to 15 to travel for free on participating local buses in England throughout August to help ease cost-of-living pressures for families and to help them get out and about for less this summer.
In developing the scheme, the Department for Transport continually assesses its potential impacts. We have carefully considered operational and safety issues raised through extensive engagement with the bus sector, including bus operators, and have incorporated a number of measures to ensure the scheme is delivered in a way that is safe and operationally workable. This includes enabling operators to require that children under 11 are accompanied by a person aged 16 or over, and have discretion in applying this requirement where doing so could place a child at risk.
The Department has also been in correspondence with trade unions on the development of the Summer Bus Fare Offer and continues to engage with stakeholders, including bus operators and local authorities on its delivery.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will meet with LightAware to discuss digital exclusion for light-sensitive people.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will meet with LightAware to discuss digital exclusion for light-sensitive people.
The Government’s ambition is simple: everyone, whatever their circumstances, should be able to get connected and get online, safely and with confidence. That is why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and, in the year, since, over a million people have been supported to get online, more than 22,000 people have received a free device, and communities across the UK have benefited from the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund.
But we know some people have barriers to inclusion, including those who have visual impairments. That is why we are clear that essential public services should make their digital services accessible as well as maintain offline pathways like phone and face to face, for those that need them. We also recognise the valuable role that assistive technologies, like screen readers, can play in ensuring people with visual impairments can access essential public sector services online. We are also clear essential private sector digital services should be usable and accessible for all.
We are determined to help more people get connected and get online, safely and with confidence. My officials have offered a meeting with LightAware to discuss their concerns.
That this House regrets the decision by North Tyneside Council to close High Borrans Outdoor Education Centre in Windermere in November 2026; notes that High Borrans has provided vital outdoor learning experiences for thousands of children and young people living in urban and disadvantaged areas since 1967; recognises that it has been a place where children and young people have developed confidence, resilience, independence, teamwork, leadership skills and a lifelong appreciation of the natural environment; expresses concern that the proposed closure is part of a long term trend reflecting a shrinking of the opportunities available for young people to benefit from residential outdoor education centres; further notes the long term benefits of such experiences in fostering personal development and socio-economic skills; further recognises the importance of such opportunities to improve access and equity for those facing barriers to participation; calls on the Government to act to prevent closures of outdoor centres across the country by boosting demand and supporting the goal of offering all children and young people opportunities for residential outdoor learning as part of its emerging enrichment framework; and urges the Government to encourage North Tyneside Council to recognise the strong public support for the continued operation of this site, to consult meaningfully with the local community, to explore alternative business models, and to review its decision to close the centre.
That this House regrets the decision by North Tyneside Council to close High Borrans Outdoor Education Centre in Windermere in November 2026; notes that High Borrans has provided vital outdoor learning experiences for thousands of children and young people living in urban and disadvantaged areas since 1967; recognises that it...
That this House expresses its profound sadness at the death of Ann Widdecombe and condemns the violence that led to her death; extends its deepest condolences to her family, friends and all those who knew and admired her; recognises her distinguished record of public service, including her 23 years as Member of Parliament for Maidstone and The Weald, and her wider contribution to public life; pays tribute to her longstanding commitment to animal welfare and animal rights throughout her parliamentary career; acknowledges her reputation as a parliamentarian of conviction who never wavered in speaking her mind and standing by her principles; and believes that her contribution to this House and to public life should be commemorated through the installation of a memorial in her memory within the Palace of Westminster.
That this House expresses its profound sadness at the death of Ann Widdecombe and condemns the violence that led to her death; extends its deepest condolences to her family, friends and all those who knew and admired her; recognises her distinguished record of public service, including her 23 years as...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will consider the potential merits of requiring police forces to conduct all child strip searches at police stations.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will consider the potential merits of requiring police forces to conduct all child strip searches at police stations.
The Government welcomes the Children’s Commissioner’s report, Police powers and children – strip searching and use of force, and takes its recommendations seriously.
Strip search is one of the most intrusive powers available to the police and its use must be lawful, fair, respectful and without unlawful discrimination. We recognise that any strip search of a child can be traumatic, particularly where safeguards are not followed, and that the welfare and safeguarding of children must remain paramount. There will, however, be occasions where a strip search is necessary to prevent or detect crime, or to protect the individual, police officers or the public.
The report highlights progress, including reductions in the number of strip searches of children and improvements in data transparency, but also raises important concerns about the consistent application of safeguards, repeat searches, racial disproportionality and the use of force.
The Home Office collects and publishes data on strip searches in police custody and strip searches following stop and search as part of the Police Powers and Procedures statistical series: [Police powers and procedures England and Wales. (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales).
The Government is carefully considering the Children’s Commissioner’s findings and recommendations. We are taking forward work to strengthen safeguards for children and vulnerable people, improve accountability and oversight, and provide greater clarity and consistency for police. This work is being progressed with relevant partners across Government and policing as part of wider consideration of the legal, operational and safeguarding framework for police search powers. We will continue to engage with the Children’s Commissioner, policing partners and other stakeholders as this work progresses.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish data on a) multiple strip searches, b) the outcome, c) the reason, d) whether the outcome is linked, e) whether an officer of the opposite gender was present, and f) the search location for child strip...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish data on a) multiple strip searches, b) the outcome, c) the reason, d) whether the outcome is linked, e) whether an officer of the opposite gender was present, and f) the search location for child strip...
The Government welcomes the Children’s Commissioner’s report, Police powers and children – strip searching and use of force, and takes its recommendations seriously.
Strip search is one of the most intrusive powers available to the police and its use must be lawful, fair, respectful and without unlawful discrimination. We recognise that any strip search of a child can be traumatic, particularly where safeguards are not followed, and that the welfare and safeguarding of children must remain paramount. There will, however, be occasions where a strip search is necessary to prevent or detect crime, or to protect the individual, police officers or the public.
The report highlights progress, including reductions in the number of strip searches of children and improvements in data transparency, but also raises important concerns about the consistent application of safeguards, repeat searches, racial disproportionality and the use of force.
The Home Office collects and publishes data on strip searches in police custody and strip searches following stop and search as part of the Police Powers and Procedures statistical series: [Police powers and procedures England and Wales. (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales).
The Government is carefully considering the Children’s Commissioner’s findings and recommendations. We are taking forward work to strengthen safeguards for children and vulnerable people, improve accountability and oversight, and provide greater clarity and consistency for police. This work is being progressed with relevant partners across Government and policing as part of wider consideration of the legal, operational and safeguarding framework for police search powers. We will continue to engage with the Children’s Commissioner, policing partners and other stakeholders as this work progresses.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will consider the potential merits of requiring police forces to 1) inform the child’s legal parent or guardian prior to the strip search taking place, and 2) ensure that the parent or guardian is present to witness the...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will consider the potential merits of requiring police forces to 1) inform the child’s legal parent or guardian prior to the strip search taking place, and 2) ensure that the parent or guardian is present to witness the...
The Government welcomes the Children’s Commissioner’s report, Police powers and children – strip searching and use of force, and takes its recommendations seriously.
Strip search is one of the most intrusive powers available to the police and its use must be lawful, fair, respectful and without unlawful discrimination. We recognise that any strip search of a child can be traumatic, particularly where safeguards are not followed, and that the welfare and safeguarding of children must remain paramount. There will, however, be occasions where a strip search is necessary to prevent or detect crime, or to protect the individual, police officers or the public.
The report highlights progress, including reductions in the number of strip searches of children and improvements in data transparency, but also raises important concerns about the consistent application of safeguards, repeat searches, racial disproportionality and the use of force.
The Home Office collects and publishes data on strip searches in police custody and strip searches following stop and search as part of the Police Powers and Procedures statistical series: [Police powers and procedures England and Wales. (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales).
The Government is carefully considering the Children’s Commissioner’s findings and recommendations. We are taking forward work to strengthen safeguards for children and vulnerable people, improve accountability and oversight, and provide greater clarity and consistency for police. This work is being progressed with relevant partners across Government and policing as part of wider consideration of the legal, operational and safeguarding framework for police search powers. We will continue to engage with the Children’s Commissioner, policing partners and other stakeholders as this work progresses.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to help ensure that all police use of force against children is limited to cases preventing significant harm to themselves or others, rather than to detain children for the purposes of a search.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to help ensure that all police use of force against children is limited to cases preventing significant harm to themselves or others, rather than to detain children for the purposes of a search.
The Government welcomes the Children’s Commissioner’s report, Police powers and children – strip searching and use of force, and takes its recommendations seriously.
Strip search is one of the most intrusive powers available to the police and its use must be lawful, fair, respectful and without unlawful discrimination. We recognise that any strip search of a child can be traumatic, particularly where safeguards are not followed, and that the welfare and safeguarding of children must remain paramount. There will, however, be occasions where a strip search is necessary to prevent or detect crime, or to protect the individual, police officers or the public.
The report highlights progress, including reductions in the number of strip searches of children and improvements in data transparency, but also raises important concerns about the consistent application of safeguards, repeat searches, racial disproportionality and the use of force.
The Home Office collects and publishes data on strip searches in police custody and strip searches following stop and search as part of the Police Powers and Procedures statistical series: [Police powers and procedures England and Wales. (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales).
The Government is carefully considering the Children’s Commissioner’s findings and recommendations. We are taking forward work to strengthen safeguards for children and vulnerable people, improve accountability and oversight, and provide greater clarity and consistency for police. This work is being progressed with relevant partners across Government and policing as part of wider consideration of the legal, operational and safeguarding framework for police search powers. We will continue to engage with the Children’s Commissioner, policing partners and other stakeholders as this work progresses.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to ensure that children are only strip searched where there is an immediate risk of significant harm.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to ensure that children are only strip searched where there is an immediate risk of significant harm.
The Government welcomes the Children’s Commissioner’s report, Police powers and children – strip searching and use of force, and takes its recommendations seriously.
Strip search is one of the most intrusive powers available to the police and its use must be lawful, fair, respectful and without unlawful discrimination. We recognise that any strip search of a child can be traumatic, particularly where safeguards are not followed, and that the welfare and safeguarding of children must remain paramount. There will, however, be occasions where a strip search is necessary to prevent or detect crime, or to protect the individual, police officers or the public.
The report highlights progress, including reductions in the number of strip searches of children and improvements in data transparency, but also raises important concerns about the consistent application of safeguards, repeat searches, racial disproportionality and the use of force.
The Home Office collects and publishes data on strip searches in police custody and strip searches following stop and search as part of the Police Powers and Procedures statistical series: [Police powers and procedures England and Wales. (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales).
The Government is carefully considering the Children’s Commissioner’s findings and recommendations. We are taking forward work to strengthen safeguards for children and vulnerable people, improve accountability and oversight, and provide greater clarity and consistency for police. This work is being progressed with relevant partners across Government and policing as part of wider consideration of the legal, operational and safeguarding framework for police search powers. We will continue to engage with the Children’s Commissioner, policing partners and other stakeholders as this work progresses.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will consider the potential merits of requiring police forces to have custody healthcare practitioners conduct child strip searches rather than police officers.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will consider the potential merits of requiring police forces to have custody healthcare practitioners conduct child strip searches rather than police officers.
The Government welcomes the Children’s Commissioner’s report, Police powers and children – strip searching and use of force, and takes its recommendations seriously.
Strip search is one of the most intrusive powers available to the police and its use must be lawful, fair, respectful and without unlawful discrimination. We recognise that any strip search of a child can be traumatic, particularly where safeguards are not followed, and that the welfare and safeguarding of children must remain paramount. There will, however, be occasions where a strip search is necessary to prevent or detect crime, or to protect the individual, police officers or the public.
The report highlights progress, including reductions in the number of strip searches of children and improvements in data transparency, but also raises important concerns about the consistent application of safeguards, repeat searches, racial disproportionality and the use of force.
The Home Office collects and publishes data on strip searches in police custody and strip searches following stop and search as part of the Police Powers and Procedures statistical series: [Police powers and procedures England and Wales. (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales).
The Government is carefully considering the Children’s Commissioner’s findings and recommendations. We are taking forward work to strengthen safeguards for children and vulnerable people, improve accountability and oversight, and provide greater clarity and consistency for police. This work is being progressed with relevant partners across Government and policing as part of wider consideration of the legal, operational and safeguarding framework for police search powers. We will continue to engage with the Children’s Commissioner, policing partners and other stakeholders as this work progresses.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the extent to which the Children Commissioner’s recommendations from the report Police Powers and Children – Strip Searching and Use of Force, published on 22 April 2026 have been implemented.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the extent to which the Children Commissioner’s recommendations from the report Police Powers and Children – Strip Searching and Use of Force, published on 22 April 2026 have been implemented.
The Government welcomes the Children’s Commissioner’s report, Police powers and children – strip searching and use of force, and takes its recommendations seriously.
Strip search is one of the most intrusive powers available to the police and its use must be lawful, fair, respectful and without unlawful discrimination. We recognise that any strip search of a child can be traumatic, particularly where safeguards are not followed, and that the welfare and safeguarding of children must remain paramount. There will, however, be occasions where a strip search is necessary to prevent or detect crime, or to protect the individual, police officers or the public.
The report highlights progress, including reductions in the number of strip searches of children and improvements in data transparency, but also raises important concerns about the consistent application of safeguards, repeat searches, racial disproportionality and the use of force.
The Home Office collects and publishes data on strip searches in police custody and strip searches following stop and search as part of the Police Powers and Procedures statistical series: [Police powers and procedures England and Wales. (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales).
The Government is carefully considering the Children’s Commissioner’s findings and recommendations. We are taking forward work to strengthen safeguards for children and vulnerable people, improve accountability and oversight, and provide greater clarity and consistency for police. This work is being progressed with relevant partners across Government and policing as part of wider consideration of the legal, operational and safeguarding framework for police search powers. We will continue to engage with the Children’s Commissioner, policing partners and other stakeholders as this work progresses.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Minister for Women and Equalities regarding plans to end the use of strip search powers against minors.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Minister for Women and Equalities regarding plans to end the use of strip search powers against minors.
The Government welcomes the Children’s Commissioner’s report, Police powers and children – strip searching and use of force, and takes its recommendations seriously.
Strip search is one of the most intrusive powers available to the police and its use must be lawful, fair, respectful and without unlawful discrimination. We recognise that any strip search of a child can be traumatic, particularly where safeguards are not followed, and that the welfare and safeguarding of children must remain paramount. There will, however, be occasions where a strip search is necessary to prevent or detect crime, or to protect the individual, police officers or the public.
The report highlights progress, including reductions in the number of strip searches of children and improvements in data transparency, but also raises important concerns about the consistent application of safeguards, repeat searches, racial disproportionality and the use of force.
The Home Office collects and publishes data on strip searches in police custody and strip searches following stop and search as part of the Police Powers and Procedures statistical series: [Police powers and procedures England and Wales. (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales).
The Government is carefully considering the Children’s Commissioner’s findings and recommendations. We are taking forward work to strengthen safeguards for children and vulnerable people, improve accountability and oversight, and provide greater clarity and consistency for police. This work is being progressed with relevant partners across Government and policing as part of wider consideration of the legal, operational and safeguarding framework for police search powers. We will continue to engage with the Children’s Commissioner, policing partners and other stakeholders as this work progresses.
That this House is alarmed by the sustained decline in voter participation at UK general elections; recognises that turnout at the 2024 general election fell to 59.7%, the lowest since 2001 and a drop of 7.6% from 2019; notes that low voter turnout is also an issue in local elections and by-elections across the UK; acknowledges the precedent set by Australia, where compulsory voting was introduced in 1924, with the immediate effect of raising turnout to 91.4% at the subsequent election, with 90% turnout consistently maintained ever since; is further alarmed that fewer than 42% of teachers in England report that their school provides regular citizenship lessons, despite nearly two-thirds of the public supporting an increase in civic education; further notes that young people themselves report they are not taught about the political system and do not know how to vote or register to vote; believes UK democracy would benefit from the introduction of compulsory voting to increase democratic participation and that this should be accompanied by the introduction of a comprehensive programme of civic education; and calls on the Government to use the Representation of the People Bill to provide a much-needed refresh of the UK’s democracy to put forward proposals for compulsory voting alongside a programme of civic education in schools and for adults.
That this House is alarmed by the sustained decline in voter participation at UK general elections; recognises that turnout at the 2024 general election fell to 59.7%, the lowest since 2001 and a drop of 7.6% from 2019; notes that low voter turnout is also an issue in local elections...
That this House notes its profound concern over the impact of Israel’s illegal ingress into sovereign Palestinian territory on maternal care; highlights the findings of the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel in which a 41 percent decline in livebirths has been reported in the first half of 2025 when compared to 2022; demands that the Government officially recognises the crimes that are being perpetrated against the Palestinian people by an undemocratic and terrorist Israeli regime; thanks the important work of many surgeons who have worked and continue to work in Gaza, including Nizam Mamode, Nick Maynard, Victoria Rose and Dr Mohammed Mustafa who, alongside the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Australian Government, is desperately seeking to get a maternity hospital caring for woman and children into Gaza; calls on the Government and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to support this endeavour, recognising their moral responsibility to ensure that adequate medical and humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza.
That this House notes its profound concern over the impact of Israel’s illegal ingress into sovereign Palestinian territory on maternal care; highlights the findings of the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel in which a 41 percent decline in livebirths has...
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that all people living with Huntington’s disease have a named professional acting as a single point of contact to coordinate their care.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that all people living with Huntington’s disease have a named professional acting as a single point of contact to coordinate their care.
The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as Huntington’s Disease. Better coordination of care is a priority under the UK Rare Diseases Framework. On 26 February the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published an evidence-based new quality standard for rare diseases, which includes a named healthcare professional to coordinate care. It sets out priority areas for quality improvement and NHS England and my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, are required to have regard to quality standards as they discharge their quality improvement duties. Local National Health Service commissioners are expected to take them fully into account in the design of services that meet the needs of their local populations
The revised NHS England Specialised Neurology Services (adults) specification 2025 also outlines expectations of a system-wide approach, incorporating end-to-end pathways within an Integrated Neurology System, supporting more equitable and efficient care for people with long-term neurological diseases, including Huntington’s disease.
Dedicated care co-ordinators for Huntington’s disease are not centrally commissioned. Integrated care boards are responsible for working with their local communities to understand the needs of the local populations and make decisions about how best to commission services, including for those with Huntington’s disease.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what reports she has on the threats to life against Peyvand and Borna Naimi, two members of the Baha'i community in Iran, and if she will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what reports she has on the threats to life against Peyvand and Borna Naimi, two members of the Baha'i community in Iran, and if she will make a statement.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to Question 611 on 19 May, and I would add that we are aware of the reported cases referenced in her question and are monitoring the situation for Baha'is in Iran more widely.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of pesticides and synthetic fertiliser on the level of nature depletion.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of pesticides and synthetic fertiliser on the level of nature depletion.
In March 2025, Defra, alongside the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland Executive, published the UK Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP). The NAP includes a UK domestic target to reduce the potential environmental harm from pesticides by at least 10% by 2030, as measured by our Pesticide Load Indicator (PLI). We are committed to publishing biennial reports on the results of indicator monitoring and progress against the PLI target.
The aim of the PLI is to illustrate trends in the potential pressure on the environment arising from the use of pesticides. The PLI combines data on pesticide usage with information on pesticide properties, such as how harmful they are to different wildlife groups and the way they behave in the environment. It consists of 4 environmental fate metrics (covering behaviour in the environment such as how quickly pesticides break down) and 16 ecotoxicity metrics (covering pesticide toxicity to non-target wildlife such as bees and fish). Taking 2018 as a baseline we have seen more than a 10% decrease in most of the metrics in 2024 on arable crops.
We know that the poor application of fertilisers can have negative environmental impacts. Defra is supporting farmers to use fertilisers more efficiently including by promoting the Nutrient Management Planning Tool and promoting AHDB guidance.