theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Baroness Maclean of Redditch:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the data on how many asylum claims have been granted on the basis of fear of persecution in their country of origin because of sexual orientation. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release on GOV.UK.

Data on the number of grants where sexual orientation forms part of the claim is published in table SOC_00. The latest data relates to 2023. In 2023, 2,133 claims were granted where sexual orientation formed part of the basis for the asylum claim. For further information on the data, see the notes pages of the tables.

Not all these individuals will necessarily have been granted protection on the basis of their sexual orientation. Similarly, other asylum seekers may be granted protection without referencing their sexual orientation in their claims and therefore would not be included in these figures.

Updated published data from 2023 onwards is currently unavailable due to ongoing work as immigration data transitions to a new case working system and it will be included in a future edition of the Immigration System Statistics Release.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of education, safeguarding and therapeutic services for children and young people harmed by exposure to pornography or online sexual harm. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: This Government is doing everything in its power to prevent the horrors of child sexual abuse, including online sexual harm. We are committed to delivering effective education, safeguarding and support to children and young people through a new and refreshed RSHE curriculum in schools which now focusses more on healthy relationships and preventing young people from experiencing harm, including online. We also continue to work with the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse and other organisations to support frontline professionals with the skills they need to better identify and respond to all forms of child sexual abuse. For example, the Home Office has partnered with Crimestoppers to create and deliver a targeted resource for school professionals to help them manage harmful sexual behaviours among young children, including online behaviours. We have also provided funding to the Lucy Faithfull Foundation to support Shore, an online space for under 18s who are concerned about their own or someone else’s sexual thoughts and behaviours.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Baroness Maclean of Redditch:To ask His Majesty's Government what security arrangements are in place in asylum hotels to prevent third parties such as churches and charities from entering accommodation. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: As part of its assurance processes, the Home Office conducts regular inspections and monitoring of asylum accommodation sites to ensure compliance with contractual and safety standards, including security arrangements. Feedback from local authorities and service users is also considered to inform improvements.

The Asylum Accommodation and Support Contract (AASC) Requirements gives a detailed breakdown of all the services to be undertaken by our accommodation providers and to the standards we expect.

All asylum claims, including those based on religion conversion, are carefully assessed individually in accordance with our international obligations and in line with our published guidance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the scope of the inquiry into child sexual exploitation and abuse will permit the inquiry to consider the historic background and factors behind child sexual exploitation and abuse in the United Kingdom. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Government is driving forward work to establish the National Inquiry into Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse under the Inquiries Act 2005. It will be overseen by an Independent Commission with statutory powers to compel evidence and testimony so that institutions can be held to account for current and historic failures. The inquiry will be independent of government and designed to command the confidence of victims and survivors and the wider public.

In line with the Inquiries Act, the appointed Chair will play a central role in shaping the Commission’s Terms of Reference. These will be published by the Chair once in post and subject to consultation with stakeholders, including victims and survivors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Lord McColl of Dulwich:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to prevent illegal immigrants from working in food and parcel delivery with access to private blocks of flats. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The government is changing the law through the upcoming Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. to extend the requirement for right to work checks and bring in employer sanctions, to businesses hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers in sectors like food delivery, courier services and warehousing. This will apply to all roles, including public-facing delivery services who attend private properties.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Lord Cameron of Lochiel:To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics 2023, published 4 December 2024, why they are applying the Barnett formula to the fishing and coastal growth fund when landings by Scottish vessels accounted for 63 per cent of the value of all landings by UK vessels in 2023. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Fisheries policy is devolved to the Scottish Government. The Barnett formula will therefore apply to UK Government allocations of the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, providing Devolved Governments with full discretion to allocate funding in line with local priorities and specific circumstances of their fishing and coastal communities
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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government how capital spending on flood defences will be split between physical infrastructure and nature-based solutions. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Delivering on the Plan for Change, this Government is investing at least £10.5 billion until 2036 to construct new flood schemes and repair existing defences, protecting communities from the devastating impacts of climate change. Through the largest floods programme in history, this record investment will better protect nearly 900,000 properties.

Following a public consultation over the summer, the government published a Ministerial Statement on 14 October, announcing major changes to its flood and coastal erosion funding policy. We will invest at least £300 million in natural flood management over ten years – the highest figure to date for the floods programme. These changes will support projects that not only reduce flood risk but also deliver wider benefits to communities and nature.

The new funding policy will optimise funding between building new flood projects and maintaining existing defences and will ensure that deprived communities continue to receive vital investment. We will use Government funding to unlock investment from public, private and charitable sources, making every £1 of Government investment go further
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

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Lord Banner:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to exercise their right under Article 16 of the Aarhus Convention to contest the interpretation given by the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee to Articles 3(1) and 8 of the Aarhus Convention in its findings of 3 October in Case ACCC/C/2017/150 concerning compliance by the United Kingdom. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The UK recognises the important role played by the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee in making recommendations to promote compliance with the Aarhus Convention. However, we strongly disagree with the interpretation of Convention obligations which the Committee has recommended in the draft findings referred to in the question.   We look forward to working within the mechanisms of the Convention to address this issue.
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Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 6 June (HC53886), how many domestic flights in total were travelled by the Prime Minister on official business since 5 July 2024, counting each one-way journey as one flight. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: It has been the practice of successive administrations not to publish granular information relating to the official movements of Ministers and those accompanying them within the United Kingdom for security reasons. Information about official overseas travel is published as part of the Cabinet Office transparency returns and made available on the GOV.UK website.
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Lord Cromwell:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits to (1) employers, (2) employees, and (3) the environment, of employer-based benefit schemes such as Climate Perks that encourage rail travel in place of air travel; what consideration they have given to raising public and employer awareness of those schemes; and what consideration they have given to adopting such schemes for public sector employees. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: No such assessments have been made, but this government is committed to increasing awareness of/access to 'green' friendly schemes.
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Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to Ministers' Gifts and Hospitality: Publication Guidance, published on 30 January, whether ministerial gifts and hospitality which were accepted and subsequently reimbursed or repaid to the donor by (1) the Prime Minister, (2) the Deputy Prime Minister, (3) the Chancellor of the Exchequer, are (a) included, or (b) omitted, from the Register of Ministers’ Gifts and Hospitality. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Details of gifts and hospitality received by the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer in a ministerial capacity have been declared in line with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and Cabinet Office guidance.

In line with these requirements, the Cabinet Office publishes a Register of Ministers' Gifts and Hospitality each month, which can be found, alongside the publication guidance, at the following address -

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/register-of-ministers-gifts-and-hospitality
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Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to make additional funding available to strengthen cybersecurity in the light of the rise in "highly significant" cyber-attacks reported by the National Cyber Security Centre. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Government is committed to strengthening cyber security across the UK, which is why the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provides a range of tools, guidance and support to businesses to improve their cyber security. At this year's Spending Review, the government provided a real terms uplift of £0.6bn to the Single Intelligence Account, which funds the critical cybersecurity work conducted by the NCSC, in recognition of its importance.

The Security Minister was one of the ministers who wrote to chief executives and chairs of the FTSE 350 last month asking them to make cyber security a top priority, noting the need for a collective response to this threat. The CEO of NCSC warned that cyber security is now a matter of business survival and national resilience. He urged businesses to act with urgency and make cyber resilience a board-level responsibility to defend against the escalating threat.
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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Ireland about the introduction of digital identification cards. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: We will ensure our commitments in the Good Friday Agreement, the Windsor Framework and the Common Travel Area are respected and maintained.

We will design this system to help ensure everyone who has a right to live and work in any part of the UK can do so easily and securely.

We are working with our counterparts in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and will continue to engage to ensure the system works for people on both sides of the border.
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Lord Naseby:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the cost of subsidies for the installation of heat pumps in the UK in the financial year 2024–25. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: Between April 2024 – March 2025, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme paid out 25,144 vouchers for heat pumps (air source and ground source), to the cost of ~£189 million.

Other schemes delivered by the department such as the Home Upgrade Grant and Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, do not provide a breakdown of funding costs specific to heat pump subsidies alone, as these schemes support a range of retrofit energy efficiency measures. The Government does publish data showing the average contribution costs for measures under these schemes, including for heat pumps.

This data is available at: Heat pump deployment statistics: June 2025, Home Upgrade Grant statistics: August 2025 and Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund statistics: September 2025
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Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timescale for the development of the Sizewell C nuclear plant. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: Sizewell C Ltd plan to begin operating the power plant in the mid- to late-2030s.
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Lord Naseby:To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the report by the North Sea Transition Authority Reserves and Resources as at end 2024 published 17 October, whether they plan to review their policy not to issue any new drilling licences. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: The Government has committed not to issue new oil and gas licences to explore new fields. In the ‘Building the North Sea’s Energy Future’ consultation, it sought views on how to implement that commitment.

The Government is considering evidence from a wide range of sources as part of that process, including the latest evidence from the North Sea Transition Authority.

The Government will issue a response to the consultation in due course.
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Lord Lebedev:To ask His Majesty's Government what support and resources they plan to provide to support research and development for in vitro gametogenesis, and the wider reproductive technologies industry. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The Government, through UK Research and Innovation’s Medical Research Council (MRC), supports a broad range of biomedical research, including in reproductive health, developmental biology and genetics. MRC’s applicant-led funding opportunities are open to proposals within its remit. MRC also funds large-scale, challenge-led transformative research through its Institutes and Centres of Research Excellence. All research is subject to appropriate ethical review.
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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcement on 21 October of measures aimed at accelerating innovation and cutting bureaucracy, what specific measures they are taking to support AI infrastructure development. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: This government has consistently supported the build out of AI infrastructure through supporting the growth of the data centre sector. Last year we designated data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), underscoring their strategic importance.

Shortly after the election, we reformed the National Planning Policy Framework to reference data centres and secondary legislation is underway to enable data centre developers to seek planning consent through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime in England. We are also reforming the National Grid connections process, making it easier for datacentres to secure a timely grid connection.

This Government has created AI Growth Zones - dedicated hubs designed to fast-track AI infrastructure development, support planning approvals, and unlock energy access. So far, this government has announced two of these zones, one in Culham in Oxfordshire and the other in the North East.
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Lord Rooker:To ask His Majesty's Government how much they spend on iodine fortification programmes via international aid. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not directly fund traditional iodine fortification programmes but currently supports a range of nutritionally impactful interventions, including home fortification and supplementation containing iodine. Through our support to initiatives like the Child Nutrition Fund, a platform that aims to transform how nutrition is financed and delivered, the fund intends to contribute to reaching 320 million children and women annually with essential nutrition services by 2030. FCDO is also a long-standing and significant funder of CGIAR, which drives progress on biofortified crops. With UK support, 300 million people were estimated as consuming CGIAR-supported biofortified foods by 2024.
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Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Egyptian authorities concerning the arrest of 14 religious leaders and human rights activists since 13 September; and what diplomatic steps they are taking to ensure their release. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK champions human rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, and we regularly raise human rights concerns with the Egyptian authorities where appropriate.
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Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Brazil to encourage the protection of the rights and livelihoods of indigenous and traditional peoples. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK is committed to supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) in Brazil to prevent illegal deforestation. At COP26, we helped mobilise the Forest Tenure Pledge to advance IPLC land and resource rights and we will support its next phase at COP30. We support IPLCs across the Amazon through our Official Development Assistance (ODA) programmes and initiatives. Through the Amazon Catalyst for Forest Communities (AMCAT) programme, we are working in Brazil to strengthen land tenure for IPLCs and Afro-descendants. We also support the REDD Early Movers (REM) programme in the Brazilian States, Mato Grosso and Acre, which includes dedicated support for Indigenous Territories. Additionally, we work with the Brazilian Government through the Intergovernmental Forest Tenure Group and the Forest, Climate and Land Partnership (FCLP) to advance inclusive land tenure reforms.
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Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government what diplomatic steps they have taken to protect Christian communities in Syria following reports in September of Christians from six churches in Suweida fleeing violence. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided on 26 September 2025 to Question HL10173.
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Baroness Altmann:To ask His Majesty's Government what support and guidance they are providing to non-governmental organisations and official Palestinian bodies, excluding Hamas, to help ensure the security and safety of women and children from internal violence within Gaza. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK has allocated £74 million so far this financial year to support the humanitarian response in Gaza. This includes £3 million for the United Nations Population Fund, which supports their response and early recovery under four pillars: sexual and reproductive health; sexual violence; adolescents and youths; and interagency coordination. We are also working closely with partners to support implementation of the next phase of the US-led peace plan, including establishing transitional security arrangements. Within this work, we will continue to prioritise the needs of civilians, particularly women and children.
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Lord Foulkes of Cumnock:To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether he will arrange for the Procedure and Privileges Committee to consider the case for reviewing the restrictions on scrutiny of the Sovereign and Royal Family by this House. \p Lord Gardiner of Kimble: It is a longstanding convention of the House that questions that cast reflections on the Sovereign or the Royal Family are generally regarded as inadmissible. The Procedure and Privileges Committee currently has no plans to look at this matter.
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Lord Freyberg:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 23 October (HL10981), how many people have (1) attended the independent Arts Council England review’s formal roundtables, (2) attended its formal in-person meetings, and (3) made formal submissions to it, as part of its consultation of the public and arts sector. \p Baroness Twycross: Baroness Hodge will share her findings with the government in the Autumn of 2025. When the government publishes the conclusions of the review along with the government’s response in 2026 it will include information about the methodology of the review including how many people and organisations have contributed.
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Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 21 October (HL11034), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of Baroness Shafik’s declaration of interests provided in relation to her role with the Victoria and Albert Museum in accordance the Cabinet Office guidance on direct appointments published May 2022; and what specific management or mitigation measures have been agreed with the Museum or the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in relation to those declared interests. \p Baroness Twycross: In line with the longstanding approach over multiple administrations, it is not appropriate to publish confidential declaration of interests documentation. As the Noble Lord will be aware, the process for declaring and managing any outside interests in relation to this role has been conducted robustly and in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies and other government guidance. There are mitigations in place to manage any potential issues.
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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what actions they have taken to reverse the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from their game with Aston Villa. \p Baroness Twycross: I refer the Noble Lord to the answers I gave during the debate on the Urgent Question relating to this issue, held in the House on Wednesday 22 October 2025.
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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to continue to support creative industries, including through the Music and Dance Scheme. \p Baroness Twycross: The creative industries are one of this government’s priority sectors for growth, as set out in our Industrial Strategy. The Creative Industries Sector Plan aims to make the UK the top destination for creativity and innovation by 2035. The Plan includes targeted packages for high-growth subsectors, including film, TV, video games, advertising, music, visual and performing arts. The Plan focuses on helping creative businesses access finance, export and innovate, and to develop a high quality workforce.

As part of this, the Government fully supports the arts and the skills pipeline into the creative industries, with the Department for Education providing £36.5 million for the Music and Dance Scheme this academic year.
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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reduce planning restrictions on the construction of AI data centres. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The National Planning Policy Framework sets out that planning policies should pay particular regard to facilitating development to meet the needs of a modern economy, including by identifying suitable locations for uses such as data centres.

We laid the draft Infrastructure Planning (Business or Commercial Projects) (Amendment) Regulations in Parliament on 15 October which, if approved, will enable developers of certain proposed data centres on request to ‘opt in’ to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects consenting regime. To support this change, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will prepare a new National Policy Statement for data centres which will set out the national policy for this sector and the policy framework for decision-making for data centre developments under that regime.

We are exploring whether further measures may be appropriate to support the delivery of AI infrastructure and will engage with the sector on this.
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Lord Sharpe of Epsom:To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to publish their funding plan for the implementation of the Fair Work Agency. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: The Department has received its funding allocation as part of the most recent Spending Review. Detailed funding arrangements for the implementation of the Fair Work Agency are currently being worked through.

This government is committed to ensuring that the Fair Work Agency is fully resourced and well equipped to do its job. Further information on funding plans will be published in due course
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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what contingency plans are in place to ensure UK financial stability, following the Bank of England’s warning that markets are at risk of a sharp correction tied to AI valuations and geopolitical uncertainty. \p Lord Livermore: The Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee is responsible for identifying, monitoring and taking action to remove or reduce systemic risks to the UK financial system. In the case of any disruption, the UK financial authorities have established mature coordination mechanisms to coordinate an appropriate response using the range of powers available to respond.

Alongside the UK financial regulators, HMT closely monitors markets conditions, as well as potential risks to UK financial stability.
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Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government what funding has been committed up to 2030 to provide a guaranteed job to young people on Universal Credit who are unemployed for over 18 months, as set out in 1.4.2 of their Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper (CP 1412). \p Baroness Sherlock: The government has announced that the Youth Guarantee will include a targeted backstop, where every eligible unemployed young person on Universal Credit for 18 months without earning or learning will be provided guaranteed paid work. The scheme forms part of the government’s aim to provide targeted support for young people at risk of long-term unemployment.

The jobs guarantee will be funded from within existing budgets, and we will set out further details at Budget 2025.
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Lord Naseby:To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to restricting the supply of Motability vehicles to good-quality second-hand vehicles only. \p Baroness Sherlock: Motability Foundation is independent of government and regulated by the Charity Commission so is wholly responsible for the terms and the administration of the Scheme.

The department does however work closely with Motability Foundation and is responsible for the disability benefits that provide a passport to the Motability scheme. We will continue to work with Motability Foundation to ensure the scheme provides value for money and meets the needs of disabled people.
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Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government what evidence-based assessment they have conducted of the safety of the non-regulation of unanaesthetised non-therapeutic circumcision of boys. \p Baroness Merron: The Government has no plans to make changes to the regulatory framework for unanaesthetised non-therapeutic circumcision of boys. No recent evidence-based assessment has been conducted in relation to the regulatory oversight of unanaesthetised non-therapeutic circumcision of boys.
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Lord Freyberg:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that major acquisitions in the care home sector do not reduce choice or increase costs for residents and local authorities. \p Baroness Merron: Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to shape their care market to meet the diverse needs of all people, and to develop and build local market capacity. This includes commissioning a variety of different providers and specialist services that provide genuine choice to meet the needs of local people and that offer quality and value for money.

These duties are complemented by the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) role in monitoring the financial health of the largest and most difficult to replace adult social care providers in England through the Market Oversight Scheme. The CQC continues to monitor all providers in the scheme.

Furthermore, whilst fee rates are set by providers of adult social care, all businesses are required to comply with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 by ensuring that they use fair and clear terms in their standard agreements with customers.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-05 conversation_43

Lord Booth:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 17 September (HL10437), whether they plan to include peripheral arterial disease in the upcoming Cardiovascular Diseases Modern Service Framework. \p Baroness Merron: To accelerate progress towards the Government’s ambition to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and stroke by 25% within a decade, we will publish a new cardiovascular disease (CVD) modern service framework in 2026. The CVD modern service framework will support consistent, high quality, and equitable care whilst fostering innovation across the CVD pathway.

The Department and NHS England are working together to deliver the CVD modern service framework and are engaging widely throughout its development to ensure that we prioritise ambitious, evidence-led, and clinically informed approaches to prevention, treatment, and care. A range of conditions that impact premature mortality will be considered in the development of the CVD modern service framework, including peripheral arterial disease.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-05 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-05 conversation_44

Lord Rogan:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive about potential risks to national security resulting from the shortfall in Police Service of Northern Ireland officer numbers. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland meets frequently with the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice to discuss areas of mutual interest and concern.

A well-staffed and resourced PSNI is vital to the success and stability of Northern Ireland. It is for the Northern Ireland Executive to make decisions on the allocation of funding in line with its identified priorities and for the Northern Ireland Department of Justice to allocate funding to the PSNI.

The Government is providing the Executive with a record settlement over the Spending Review period, averaging £19.3bn per year. This is the largest in the history of devolution.

In addition to this, the Government is also providing the PSNI with £113 million over three years in Additional Security Funding to help address Northern Ireland’s specific security challenges and continue keeping people safe.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-05 conversation_45

Baroness Hoey:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the interstate case Ireland v UK II has been stayed by the European Court of Human Rights pending the Supreme Court's judgment in the case Dillon and Others vs Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and whether they intend to make representations to the government of Ireland to formally withdraw that legal action. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, introduced last week, will give effect to the UK Government’s commitments in the Framework announced with the Irish Government on 19 September. This Framework reflects the principles of the Stormont House Agreement and contains sovereign commitments by both governments.

While the Interstate case is a matter for the Irish Government, we expect that the implementation of this Framework will result in the withdrawal of the case.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-28 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-28 conversation_1

Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to safeguard freedom of religion and belief in developing new or updated hate crime or anti-discrimination definitions. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: Freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental human right. People are expected to express their views concerning religion and beliefs respectfully, acting within the confines of the law when providing criticism. This government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion and we will not tolerate religious hatred in any form.

Our approach to tackling religious hatred does not and would never inhibit free speech or override fundamental rights such as the right to freedom of religion and belief. The courts recognise the right to manifest religious belief as one of fundamental importance, but it is limited by the State’s legal obligation to protect the rights and freedoms of others – this includes respect for their freedom to have religions or beliefs different to our own. Any definition of religious hatred that the Government has adopted or may choose to adopt would be non-statutory.

Operational guidance relating to speech and expression is the responsibility of the police and the Crown Prosecution Service, who develop such guidance in line with legislation that is determined by Parliament.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-28 conversation_2

Baroness Smith of Llanfaes:To ask His Majesty's Government what policy changes they are considering to maximise the use of the apprenticeship levy in police forces in Wales. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: This Government is committed to collaborating with the Devolved Governments on skills policy, to share best practice and support growth and opportunity throughout the UK.

We have allocated £2.4m as part of the police settlement for 2025/26 to reimburse the amount paid by Welsh forces in their levy contribution for police constable degree apprenticeships.

In addition, funding for Welsh forces is up to £1.0 billion in 2025-26, an increase of up to £57.4 million compared to 2024-25 (6.0% in cash terms).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-28 conversation_3

Baroness Smith of Llanfaes:To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to reviewing the funding formula for policing. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: This Government is committed to ensuring that policing has the resources it needs and the allocation of funding to police forces remains an important consideration.

The Chancellor has announced a real terms increase in police spending power over the next three years. As with previous years, decisions on police force funding allocations for 2026-27 will be set out at the forthcoming police funding settlement.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-28 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-28 conversation_4

Baroness Smith of Llanfaes:To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the police reform white paper. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Secretary is committed to publishing a Police Reform White Paper later this year. More information on the White Paper and the future of Policing in England and Wales will be shared with Parliament in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-28 conversation_5

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 6 October (HL10578), what international data and systems they have relied on when completing security checks, including biometric and criminality checks, for students coming to the UK from Gaza; and what assessment they have made of their adequacy in supporting such checks. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: Robust security checks will be undertaken on all individuals who enter the UK through this process. Biometrics will be collected as part of the visa application process and prior to travel to the UK.

The Home Office uses various tools to detect and disrupt travel by terrorists, by criminals and by individuals excluded from the UK; previously deported from the UK; or using lost, stolen or revoked documents and visas. This includes the use of domestic and international watchlists. The Home Office works with both law enforcement and wider government partners to ensure appropriate action is taken before travel or at the border when individuals of concern are identified.

It would not be appropriate to provide further detailed information about the nature and scope of security checks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-28 conversation_6

Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of adequacy of existing enforcement powers and resources available to Ofcom and law enforcement bodies to prevent the distribution and monetisation of violent, degrading or illegal pornographic content online; and what plans they have to bring forward further legislative or resourcing proposals. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: Ofcom has a suite of enforcement powers to deploy where providers fail to comply with their duties under the Online Safety Act to deal with illegal content and content harmful to children. These include powers to fine up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue. Ofcom has launched an enforcement programme to protect children encountering pornographic content.

The Independent Pornography Review published its final report on 27 February 2025. The government is grateful to Baroness Bertin for her Review. It is right that the government takes time to understand this complex yet deeply important topic.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-28 conversation_7

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to expand the advisory role of the AI Security Institute to include binding regulatory functions. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: We are hugely optimistic that AI will improve the lives of British people – but the most advanced systems pose distinct opportunities and risks. The AI Security Institute is committed to rigorous, scientific research into the most serious emerging risks from AI – including cyber and chemical-biological risks, criminal misuse, and risks from autonomous systems.

Most AI systems should be regulated at the point of use by existing regulators. A range of rules already apply, including data protection, competition, equality legislation and other sectoral regulation. However, we are committed to ensuring the UK is prepared for the changes AI will bring.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-28 conversation_8

Lord Rooker:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, what action they are taking to secure and ensure safe spaces for females. \p Baroness Smith of Basildon: The Government has always supported the protection of single-sex spaces to ensure women’s safety, privacy and dignity.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission as Britain’s independent equality watchdog has revised its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations (the Code) following a six-week consultation. The Code includes practical guidance for service providers, associations and those delivering public functions on how they should comply with the Equality Act 2010, following the Supreme Court ruling.

The Government is considering the draft updated Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the Code will be laid before Parliament. Parliament will then have 40 sitting days to consider the Code.

More widely, the Government is continuing to deliver on our commitment to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. This includes embedding domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms in five police forces under ‘Raneem’s Law’, to help improve the police response to domestic abuse; taking steps to tackle spiking including introducing a new criminal offence; widening the use of stalking protection orders; and in July announcing £53m investment over the next four years to further tackle domestic abuse.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-28 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-28 conversation_9

Lord Rooker:To ask His Majesty's Government why they have not yet laid the advice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission regarding the rules on safe spaces for women as defined by the Supreme Court. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The Government is considering the draft updated Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the Minister will lay it before Parliament. Parliament will then have a 40 day period to consider the Code.