Policy Updates - 20/02
- Anna Turley
- 11 hours ago
- 16 min read
If you have contacted me recently regarding any policy issues, have signed your name to a campaign template or signed a petition, please know that all emails have been logged and carefully read. However, I also wanted to lay out my stance on the issues the people of Redcar care about the most. Please see here and do check back in, as I will update this blog regularly, and will aim to address as many policy queries as possible. Note - if you have written a personal email directly to me, please know it is a priority to me that I respond to these as swiftly as possible.
Amending the Public Order Act 2023
Thank you to everyone who contacted me regarding the amendments to the Public Order Act 2023 that will redefine animal testing facilities as ‘Key National Infrastructure’. Please know that the Statutory Instrument to amend the Public Order Act 2023 will not alter our commitment to phasing out animal testing and maintaining high standards of animal welfare. I know our Government has outlined the intention of the amendments, namely that they will help to safeguard animal welfare through enabling scientific establishments to continue their operations in compliance with ASPA without disruptions, which could risk their work to protect animals. The UK’s legal framework already requires that animals are only used in science where no validated alternatives exist. Our Government is accelerating efforts to develop and adopt these alternatives. Back in November, our Government published a strategy setting out a long-term vision for a world where the use of animals in science is eliminated except in exceptional circumstances, by creating a research and innovation system that drives the development and validation of alternative methods.
Recent protest activity has deliberately targeted the life sciences sector, threatening the UK’s sovereign capability to produce vaccines and therapies, and disrupting supply chains vital to research and national health protection. Peaceful protest is a fundamental part of our democratic society, and everyone in this country will always be able to freely express their views – I understand this change has been brought in to ensure police are provided powers to respond proportionately to disruptive protest activity which could be considered to undermine the nation’s health.
Animal Testing Strategy
Nobody in this country of animal lovers wants to see suffering. I recognise the urgency of the transition away from animal testing and I am determined to support meaningful change through co-ordinated, cross-government action.
I understand the animal testing plan will support work to end animal testing wherever possible, rolling out alternatives as soon as it is safe and effective to do so. This roadmap will ensure government, businesses and animal welfare groups can work together to find alternatives to animal testing faster and more effectively. Phasing out the use of animals in science and product development must be supported by reliable and effective alternative methods, so this strategy aims to create a system that drives their use. I welcome £60 million allocated to establish a hub to bring together data, technology and expertise, promoting collaboration between researchers, and to create a separate new centre to make the path to regulatory approval for new alternatives as straightforward as possible. I am also pleased that £15.9 million has been committed by the Medical Research Council (MRC), Innovate UK and the Wellcome Trust to advance promising ‘human in vitro models’ of scientific testing. However, as this strategy is implemented, I recognise some animal research will continue. I understand our Government will focus on supporting well justified and designed animal research where alternatives do not yet exist.
I believe this strategy is an important step forward for animal welfare in the UK. Through our scientific excellence, we can deliver real benefits for animal welfare and advance innovative research that improves lives. I am pleased to note the strategy has been welcomed by groups including the RSPCA and Cruelty Free International. I know we want to move fast where possible. Although it will likely take many years of scientific and technological effort to fully replace animals, a lot can be done now.
I will support our Government’s close work with experts from across the many fields involved, including regulators, academics, industry and civil society organisations, to ensure this strategy remains up to date and focused on the key issues. I am really optimistic about moving towards a future where animal testing is only ever a last resort, so please know we are not taking any steps to limit this goal.
Anti-Shooting Campaign and the Bird Shooting Industry
Britain is a proud nation of animal lovers. I know people around the country care deeply about this issue and it is important to manage our environment in a way that protects wildlife, the environment itself and the people who live in these areas.
I was delighted to see the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) act on ammunition, banning shot containing more than 1% lead and bullets with a lead content of more than 3%. Beyond some limited exemptions, these bullets will no longer be available to the public. Lead ammunition, as you may know, contributes to river pollution and impacts our majestic bird pollution. This ban on lead will help reverse this – rejuvenating pride in our countryside by protecting precious birdlife and cleaning up rivers.
I, and our Government, are committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare and want to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. I am aware Defra are carefully considering the use of cages and closed confinement systems for gamebirds.
I also understand that our Government commissioned a risk assessment looking at the impact gamebird releases have on transmission of avian flu in wild birds. This research has informed disease control measures and gamebirds are not allowed to be released in any avian flu disease control zone, or prevention zone, to protect wild birds.
Bird of prey crime is a national wildlife crime priority, and something I know Defra takes incredibly seriously. There are strong penalties in place for anyone found guilty, including unlimited fines and/or a six-month custodial sentence. I know further funding has been provided to the National Wildlife Crime Unit to prevent and detect wildlife crime.
I know this topic evokes strong emotions, from both sides of the debate. I recognise it may come as a disappointment to you, and it was disappointing to me too, but I understand the Government has no plans to ban shooting at the moment. I can assure you that the issue is being kept under close review, and the Government will continue to work to achieve a sustainable outcome for our landscapes, to recover our environment and wildlife, and to protect the interests of people and the rural economy.
Homelessness in Redcar
Thank you to everyone who contacted me about youth homelessness, and the upcoming Centrepoint event in Parliament, which I have every intention of attending. Supported housing plays an essential role in helping some of the most vulnerable members of our society to live as independently as possible. I fully recognise the importance of ensuring that the social security system properly reflects the additional costs and service charges associated with this type of accommodation.
Homelessness levels are appallingly high and too many families are living in temporary accommodation. I recognise that homelessness can have a devastating impact on those involved. I am determined that we must address this issue and deliver long term solutions. I have met with Coatham House previously, a brilliant charity that supports young people who have experienced homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, and it was really valuable to learn about just how many young people in Redcar are struggling.
I am pleased that our Government is looking at these issues carefully and is developing a new cross-government strategy. I support the approach being taken which seeks to move away from a system focused on crisis response, to taking a holistic approach to preventing homelessness in the first place. I welcome that our Government has increased funding for homelessness services by £233 million, bringing the total to nearly £1 billion. The 2025 Spending Review protected that level of investment until 2028-29 and provided £100 million of additional funding for services from the transformation fund.
As part of this investment, the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant is providing more than £185 million to local authorities across England in 2025/26. The grant gives local authorities the flexibility to determine the most suitable rough sleeping services for their areas, which includes funding accommodation that is required to meet local need.
Alongside this, I know that our Government is working to review Universal Credit. This will ensure the benefit does what it is supposed to do: make work pay and tackle poverty. Good work can significantly reduce the risk of people falling into poverty, and this forms the foundation of our Government’s approach to delivering lasting change. As well as the financial advantages of earning a salary, working can provide a sense of purpose, improved wellbeing, and greater independence.
Action is also being taken to tackle the root causes of homelessness. This includes delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation, taking a cross-government approach to deliver long-term solutions, and abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions via the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. We are also taking steps to prevent the devastating impacts drugs and drug deaths can have on the homeless community, so we are expanding access to naloxone, a life saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses and give people a second chance at life. This will be available through homeless services, outreach teams and public emergency settings, and is backed by £3.4 billion for drug and alcohol treatment services.
National Strategy on Kidney Disease
I wanted to thank everyone who contacted me about our Government developing a specific strategy to tackle kidney disease, and outline some of the steps we are taking to ensure kidney disease, and chronic kidney disease, are treated with the urgency they need.
I sympathise profoundly with those affected by kidney disease, whether facing a diagnosis themselves or supporting a loved one. I know this can be a debilitating condition, and I strongly back efforts to improve outcomes for patients.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects an estimated 7.2 million people in the UK - this is shockingly high. Many cases remain undiagnosed until symptoms become harder to manage, so earlier detection is essential. Simple measures such as routine blood-pressure checks and urine testing can identify risk much sooner, so I recognise we need to be prioritising ensuring these measures are accessible to everyone, so no one goes missed and undiagnosed.
The NHS must continue shifting from sickness to prevention. Our Government’s 10-Year Health Plan sets out this ambition, with a transformation from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and reactive treatment to proactive prevention. This includes strengthening Stop Smoking Services, expanding access to obesity medicines, widening digital prevention tools and delivering millions of free blood-pressure checks in community pharmacies. These services play a vital role in identifying people at risk of CKD and kidney disease and reducing avoidable harm.
Further work to strengthen kidney care services is ongoing, and is vital. NHS England’s renal Clinical Reference Group is accelerating improvements in diagnosis and treatment, and the Renal Services Transformation Programme is reducing unwarranted variation and expanding access to home therapies. The National Institute for Health and Care Research has invested more than £37 million in kidney-disease research over the past five years, which I am really encouraged by.
Please rest assured that I will continue to support efforts that give people with CKD earlier diagnosis, fairer access to care and the support every patient deserves.
Raising the Minimum Social Media Age to 16
I am 100% committed to ensuring children are safe when online and that they have a healthy relationship with social media. There is no option for inaction on this matter. The safety of our children must be a priority, and I have been glad to see steps taken recently that aim to tackle the pervasive issues we are seeing on social media – I was very proud recently to see Liz Kendall MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, place sanctions on X after the appalling use of Grok to create illegal sexualised images of women and children.
I was really pleased to see that we have announced a three-month consultation into children’s social media use, including exploring the option of banning it entirely for children under a certain age. It will also look at implementing a phone curfew to restrict excessive use of mobile phones and examine addictive design features such as ‘infinite scrolling’ and ‘streaks’. The results will be evidence-led and ministers have said they will speak to parents, tech companies and children and young people themselves as part of a national conversation on this issue. Our Government will respond to the consultation by this summer and I would encourage you all to submit your views, as I know this has been an issue of real concern by the numbers of emails I’ve had from constituents.
We have also completed a study into the effects of smartphone and social media use on children. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is considering its findings and will publish the results in due course. I hope this study will build on previous legislation and help to ensure our laws are delivering safer spaces online.
As you will know, the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill is currently progressing through the House of Lords. I look forward to following its progress as it returns to the House of Commons in the coming weeks.
I am really pleased to see the implementation of the Online Safety Act. It has already given the UK some of the most robust online safety laws in the world, keeping children safer and illegal content off people's screens. Since 25 July 2025, 6,000 sites have taken action to protect under-18s from harmful online content they should never be seeing. This includes pornography, suicide, self-harm, violence and hate speech. Additionally, the codes demand the most popular apps and sites protect children from seeing dangerous stunts or challenges, misogynistic, violent, hateful or abusive material, and online bullying. I am pleased that tech platforms have been made to take action to protect children and play their part in creating a better digital world.
I am determined to ensure technology enriches children’s lives, not harms them, giving every child the childhood they deserve. I will continue to monitor this serious issue as it develops, and am very happy to show my support to those who are campaigning to see stricter regulations.
Strengthening Hunting Laws
I remain committed to the ban on fox hunting, and I agree that we should see progress on this swiftly- it is a horrific, violent act and one that I remain steadfastly opposed to.
The Hunting Act 2004 bans the hunting of wild mammals with dogs. However, I understand that exemptions mean there are situations in which hunting activities can take place, and that trail hunting can be used as a smokescreen to conceal illegal hunting activity. That’s why I am pleased our Government has reiterated its promise to ban trail hunting in its Animal Welfare Strategy, which was published in December 2025. I understand your concerns regarding delays on consultation and the implementation of the ban, but please know that I will continue to be a voice pushing for stronger animal protections and I am pleased to see that we are taking the matter very seriously- I look forward to the pledged consultation on how to achieve this in the early part of this year.
Support for Kinship Care and Parental Leave
Kinship carers are remarkable people who step up when children need them to provide the most important thing in any childhood: loving relationships and a secure home. They are a critical part of our care system and the support and respect they receive should reflect this. I was proud to set up the first cross-party kinship carers taskforce in 2018, which is now an All Party Group shaping kinship care policy. It is an issue very close to my heart.
As well as failing to help families early, the care system has not been sufficiently focussed on finding children loving homes and relationships that will give them the best possible start in life, but a series of changes enacted by our Government will change that for good.
I am proud to support this Labour Government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which will enshrine the first definition of kinship care in law and will mandate local authorities to publish their kinship local offer. This will increase their accountability, ensuring all kinship families are getting the information they need about the support that is available to them.
It will also require local authorities to offer families a group decision-making meeting before applying to take a child into care. This Bill is currently making its way through the House of Lords, and I am monitoring developments closely.
In the 2024 Autumn Budget, our Government invested £44 million of funding to a Kinship Allowance pilot – the single biggest investment in kinship care to date. The pilot will provide a financial allowance for kinship carers, equivalent to the allowance for foster carers. It will begin later in the year and will support around 5,000 children in kinship care. The pilot will run in up to 10 local authorities to begin with to allow the effectiveness of the policy to be tested. I strongly support this evidence-based approach to policy making as the best route to giving kinship carers the support they need. Our Government is also funding dozens of kinship peer support groups across the country and testing family network support plans as a route to back kinship networks who could safely look after one of their kin.
On top of this, the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund provides valuable therapeutic support for children and their families to lead more stable family lives. It has so far helped over 54,000 children access the support they need, strengthened family relationships, and helped to prevent family breakdown. That is why I am glad that £50 million was provided for the fund for this year. Applications to the fund that run into the 2026/27 financial year can now be made, giving families the clarity and reassurance they need to plan for their children’s ongoing support and reassuring those in the sector that they will be able to continue delivering services. Next year, our Government will launch a public engagement process to better understand how well the fund is working to ensure that effective services are reaching children and families as efficiently as possible.
I was glad to see the new Children and Families Minister, Josh MacAlister MP, recently meet with kinship carers as part of Kinship Care Week. I was lucky to be able to pop into the last drop in held by the APPG on Kinship Care, and during the meeting, he made clear his commitment to strengthen the support available to them.
I am definitely keen to learn more about how parental leave works alongside kinship carer rights, so thank you to anyone who brought this to my attention – I would be happy to raise this with my colleagues in our Government and write to the Department for Education.
UN Tax Convention
Thank you to everyone who contacted me about the UN Tax Convention, and for the invitation to the drop-in event in Parliament to learn more. As you will know, in November 2023, the UN General Assembly Economic and Financial Committee approved a draft resolution calling for a legally binding UN Framework Convention on International Tax Co-operation. Then in November last year, it approved a further resolution adopting the terms of reference for this UN Framework Convention.
I believe it is crucial that the UK works to protect against base erosion and profit-shifting – where multinational corporations use tax avoidance strategies to shift profits to low- or no-tax locations. This means it must work with all stakeholders to ensure inclusive and effective international tax co-operation. I welcome that it has been actively engaging with negotiations over a UN Framework Convention on International Tax Co-operation.
At the same time, I believe that for a UN Tax Framework Convention to be able to make progress on international tax co-operation, it needs to have clear aims, avoid repeating work already taking place elsewhere and ensure that it seeks the broad support and participation of member states. It must also not undermine existing tax rules.
Unfortunately, I am concerned that, as the UK’s Ambassador highlighted during consideration of this issue at the UN in November, the resolution and the terms of reference for the UN Framework Convention do not provide sufficient reassurance on these issues.
I nevertheless welcome that the UK will continue to engage constructively on the UN Framework Convention in support of key principles for strengthening international tax co-operation. I can assure you that I will continue to follow developments on this issue, keeping in mind the concerns you highlight, as work on this continues at the UN.
On the issue of tax and multinationals more widely, I agree that we need to make sure global corporations pay their fair share of tax and that it is crucial we drive forward co-operation internationally to tackle aggressive tax planning by large multinationals and ensure a level playing field. That is why I welcome implementation of the OECD global minimum rate of corporate taxation.
WASPI Campaign
I understand the decision not to offer compensation to those affected by the changes to the State Pension for women born in the 1950s will will come as a disappointment to all women who have campaigned so hard for the WASPI campaign, and I can only express my apologies for the frustration I know this will cause.
I sincerely appreciate the significant challenges faced by women affected by changes to the State Pension age (SPA). Women born in the 1950s must be supported, and I know many of you are aware that I also campaigned alongside the WASPI campaign before my election.
As many people will now know, as I’ve contacted hundreds of constituents about the ongoing WASPI campaign, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman published in March 2024 the findings of its investigation into the way State Pension ages were communicated to 1950s-born women. Importantly, the investigation did not concern the principle of SPA equalisation, which successive administrations have supported, but rather the way in which this was conveyed to those affected.
I understand that back in March 2024, the PHSO published their final report which included recommendations on the Government’s communication of changes to State Pension age- it is important to be clear that the recommendations were not about the policy decisions to increase State Pension age, but rather if the handling of the changes had been appropriate. I know that many people were not happy with the initial decision to raise the State Pension age, but that is not the issue our Government have been responsible for investigating.
I know a decision was made in December 2024, but we saw new developments recently in November 2025 due to the findings of a 2007 report having not been originally presented to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. Therefore, the relevant evidence needed to be looked into, and new searches were undertaken to ensure that any decisions made were made in good faith, and with the full knowledge available to the Government.
I know our Government recognises that the 28-month delay women were subjected to in learning of the changes to their pension age were absolutely maladministration, and caused further distress.
I’ve also attached a more detailed document here which outlines the process of coming to these decisions, and I would urge you to read into it as I think it is vital in understanding that our Government has not reached this decision lightly.
Government response to Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s Investigation into Women’s State Pension age communications and associated issues - GOV.UK
I remain absolutely committed to supporting women in retirement. I am glad that this Labour Government put forward the first Minister in eight years to meet with representatives of the WASPI campaign to listen to their concerns directly. I also backed a 4.1% increase for the new State Pension, thanks to the triple lock.
I know that lessons need to be learnt from what has happened over recent decades to ensure everyone can properly plan for their retirement. Information about any future changes to the SPA must be communicated in a timely and targeted way, so please know we always want to ensure this will be prioritised.