Many of my constituents have been reaching out to me with concerns about upcoming changes to regulations which would designate more animal testing facilities as part of key national infrastructure, meaning some protests at these sites may be limited.

I’d firstly like to thank every constituent who has contacted me about this issue. Every single case that has been sent has been read and is important to me. I understand that there are many concerns over potential restrictions to civil liberties, and I would like to assure you that animal welfare and the right to protest are two values that are of great importance to me.

The right to peaceful protest is the cornerstone of our democracy, and I strongly support the phasing out of animal testing.

I will always advocate in favour of the right to peaceful protest. Protest rights are something I monitor closely in my work on the Joint Committee of Human Rights, and I will continue to raise any concerns with ministers and colleagues, should they arise.

The Public Order Act was passed by the previous Government. I note that the Delegated Legislation Committee agreed to amending the Public Order Act to include life sciences sector in the list of key national infrastructure, making it a criminal offence to disrupt or interfere with the operation of life science infrastructure.

While I am committed to phasing out the use of animals in science, a balance has to be struck to protect the health of our citizens and our national health infrastructure. I believe medical supply chains have to be protected from disruption which threatens medical progress and undermines our capability to prepare for and respond to a public health emergency.

The UK’s legal framework already requires that animals are only used in science where no validated alternatives exist. The Government is accelerating efforts to develop and adopt these alternatives. I welcome the Government’s new animal testing strategy published in November 2025. 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 am also a supporter of ‘Herbie’s Law’, which would set a concrete target to mandate the replacement of animals in medical research in the UK by 2035.

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.