May 2023

Thank you for contacting me about deep sea mining.

The UK has agreed not to support the issuing of any exploitation licences for deep-sea mining projects unless or until there is sufficient evidence about the potential impact on deep-sea ecosystems.

Thank you for contacting me about the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill. 

Thank you for contacting me about research into and treatment for dementia.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the Alzheimer’s Society’s ‘Dementia Action Week’ drop-in event due to prior commitments.

Thank you for contacting me about the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill.

Thank you for contacting me about the testing of cosmetics on animals. 

Thank you for contacting me about the prospect of the release of Robert Brown. 

Thank you for contacting me about the Equality Act and transgender rights.

Thank you for contacting me about Diabetes care.

Thank you for contacting me regarding the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The events you point to are deeply concerning, and HM Government (HMG) condemns all violence in Nigeria, irrespective of religion or group.

Thank you for contacting me about National Development Management Policies.

I recognise that many people feel strongly about reforms to our planning system and rightly so. Planning is at the heart of our communities, from the homes we live in to the schools our children go to.

Thank you for contacting me about Wealth Taxes.

Thank you for writing to me about care for people with neurological conditions.

Thank you for contacting me about Council Tax and the proposal by a lobbying group to impose a new house price tax on homes.

Thank you for contacting me about foreign aid, otherwise known as Official Development Assistance (ODA), to China.

Thank you for contacting me about baby loss and parental bereavement. 

Thank you for contacting me about the Energy Bill.

Thank you for contacting me about the quality of bathing water in the UK.

Thank you for contacting me about electronic collars (e-collars).

The UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and my ministerial colleagues and I are committed to raising these standards even higher.

Thank you for contacting me about online gambling.

Thank you for contacting me about the vaccination of children around the world.

Thank you for contacting me about protections for our historic landscapes.

Thank you for contacting me about cycling and walking.

As well as being greener, active travel helps to reduce pressure on public transport and the road network.

Thank you for contacting me about accessing Child Trust Funds (CTF) accounts belonging to young adults with learning disabilities or lacking mental capacity. 

Thank you for contacting me about assisted suicide.

Coping with terminal illness is distressing and difficult both for the patient and their families. These cases are truly moving and evoke the highest degree of compassion and emotion. 

Thank you for contacting me about access to nature.