Campaign Responses

All animals deserve to be respected and cared for at every stage of their lives. The UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world, and I am pleased that my Party's General Election manifesto included a commitment to take early steps to control the export of live farm animals for slaughter once we leave the European Union.

I know that the Government is committed to tackling every form of modern slavery, including human trafficking.

The NHS relies on a well-trained workforce to deliver the best possible care for patients. It is crucial to ensure the NHS workforce can be renewed with a regular supply of staff, including nurses.

I completely understand concerns regarding the availability of affordable homes, and it is vital that more homes are built which households on lower incomes can afford to live in. That is why I welcome the recent planning reforms which encourage more affordable housing to be built.

Please allow me to reassure you that ensuring everyone has a safe and high-quality home continues to be a top priority for the Government.

Abortion remains a highly sensitive issue, regardless of where your view lies and one where it is important that the matter is considered with due care and sensitivity. 

The safe development of shale gas will be good for jobs, good for our energy security, and help the UK to decarbonise its economy. I believe that we need a diverse energy mix, and that shale gas can play a part in that. 

Overall, local authorities must be able to make decisions based on local needs, resource priorities and the local arrangements that work best for them. While local authorities have powers of entry to inspect complaints of suspected animal cruelty and take out prosecutions where necessary, so do the Animal & Plant Health Agency and the police. I am aware that all three often work in close partnership to ensure that the welfare of animals, including horses, is protected.

I share your concern about human rights defenders in Colombia.  Over the past year, they have faced increasing levels of threats, intimidation and killings.