Jenny Riddell-Carpenter

The right hon. Member raises an important point. This is about looking beyond convictions and making better use of the relevant information to help protect animals and people. The aim is to help the police build a fuller picture of risks and identify opportunities to act earlier, while ensuring information is accurate and shared lawfully and proportionately. The concerns raised in this debate underline the importance of practical action to protect animals and support victim-survivors. To address an intervention made by the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Vikki Slade) regarding sex acts against animals and the sex offenders register, for the new offence of sexual activity with an animal, the notification requirements will still apply in specified circumstances. We will write to her with further information on the specific points she raised. The animal welfare strategy for England sets out DEFRA’s commitments to help protect animals facing harm in domestic violence settings. We are working closely with the Links Group, which is doing important work to help veterinary professionals recognise signs of non-accidental injuries to animals. Alongside this, we are working to raise awareness of specialist pet fostering services that provide temporary care for the pets of victim-survivors fleeing domestic abuse. These include the Dogs Trust Freedom Project, Cats Protection Lifeline, Refuge4Pets and the Endeavour Project. Earlier this year, Baroness Hayman visited the Cats Protection centre in south London and saw at first hand the impact of the important work being done in this area. We are also working to strengthen protections for victim-survivors’ personal information held on microchip databases. Across Government, we are also looking at how stronger statutory guidance could better highlight the link between pet abuse and domestic violence. To inform future policy, DEFRA has commissioned research to look more closely at the issue and to identify additional opportunities for intervention. The research will report in 2027, and we will carefully consider the findings to help shape the next steps. Before I close, I will reference the direct, clear question from the right hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings about timings. I will ensure that the Home Office writes to him, but my understanding is that it will be coming forward with the work in early 2027. I thank the right hon. Member for securing this important debate and all those who contributed to it and who continue to engage directly with the Government. The link between animal cruelty and domestic abuse is a serious one and, as I have set out, tackling it remains a high and clear priority for the Government. Question put and agreed to.