MPs Urge Safeguards; Ministers Hold Evidence Line
High-Level Summary
The House considered two e-petitions: one on creating a register of animal abusers with automatic bans on ownership, and another on lowering the NHS breast screening age to 40 with annual scans. Members condemned animal cruelty, discussed links with domestic abuse and debated safeguards; the Minister preferred targeted disclosure and judicial discretion over a public register or automatic lifetime bans. On breast screening, MPs highlighted arguments for earlier and more frequent screening and the need to raise uptake, while the Minister pointed to ongoing evidence reviews (including AgeX and BRAID), service improvements and AI initiatives, with no immediate change to age or frequency. Both motions were agreed to, resolving that the House had considered the petitions; no divisions were held.
Detailed Summary
E-petition 759783: Public register of animal abusers and automatic ownership bans
Opening the debate, Jacob Collier said the petition seeks that “those convicted of animal abuse be prohibited from owning animals again, and that their conviction be listed on a national register”. He distinguished intentional abuse from neglect, noted that relevant “offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 are currently stored on the Police National Computer. This information may be shared with appropriate organisations”, and argued that automatic lifetime bans may be disproportionate while proposing a disclosure scheme akin to Clare’s Law.
Contributors supported stronger safeguards. Robert Jenrick said, “It should be the law of the land that if somebody has been convicted of knowingly abusing an animal”, they should not keep one again. Lee Pitcher highlighted that rescues and breeders cannot reliably check applicants—“At present, the answer seems far too uncertain”—and favoured a closed safeguarding scheme over a public list. Josh Newbury backed limited-access checks for verified organisations. Danny Chambers, a vet, urged stronger bans for deliberate abusers and alignment with domestic abuse protections, including disclosure under Clare’s Law and placing sexual abusers of animals on the sex offenders register. Several Members stressed the link with domestic abuse; one cited that “71% of domestic violence victims suffer death threats to their pets”, and a possible loophole where partners could hold animals for banned individuals was raised.
Responding, the Minister, Stephen Morgan, emphasised judicial discretion—“It is for the courts to determine the appropriate sanction”—and rejected a public register: “the risks outweigh the benefits. Targeted disclosure remains the most effective approach”. He highlighted cross-Government work recognising pets’ role in coercive control and said officials are working with the Home Office and Ministry of Justice. He agreed to take away points on recording and disclosure raised in debate. In closing, Collier judged current systems insufficient to stop re-acquisition by offenders—“the answer is no”. The motion was agreed to without division.
E-petition 742179: NHS breast screening
Irene Campbell read the petition calling to “Lower the age for when you are first called to 40 and provide funding to carry out Mammograms Annually instead of every Three Years”. She outlined the current programme (invitations every three years from ages 50 to 71), said one in three eligible women do not attend, and noted evidence work including the AgeX trial, with an initial report due in 2026 and final in 2031. Members balanced calls for earlier and more frequent screening with concerns about overdiagnosis and false positives; the Marmot review found that “for every death prevented by screening, about three women are treated for a cancer that they do not have”. Lee Pitcher cited trial findings that annual mammograms in women in their 40s can reduce deaths, “saving a life for 1,000 women screened”, and asked when the UK National Screening Committee will consider AgeX and dense-breast evidence. Inequalities in uptake and access were highlighted across contributions.
Minister Sharon Hodgson set out measures in the national cancer plan—including breast pain clinics, mobile screening units and targeted work to reach underserved groups—and referenced the BRAID study on supplementary imaging for women with dense breasts. On evidence, she said AgeX results are expected in 2027 and that three‑year intervals are based on a successful Swedish trial, with more frequent screening for high‑risk women. She also highlighted AI initiatives such as the EDITH trial to increase capacity, stated that “cancer patients are now getting diagnosed in the shortest time on record”, and urged anyone with symptoms to contact their GP rather than wait for screening. The motion was agreed to without division.