theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_11

Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish a response to the consultation Introducing fees in the Employment Tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal; and what assessment have they made of introducing fees for employment tribunal and appeal applications. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The consultation “Introducing fees in the Employment Tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal” was published in January 2024 under the previous government. Given the consultation was conducted under a different administration, the Government does not intend to produce a response to this consultation.

The Government is currently considering its position regarding the introduction of fees for employment tribunal and appeal applications. Any such changes would be considered in the context of new employment legislation and the fees regime for all courts and tribunals.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_12

Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the cost to the Courts and Tribunal Service of the provision of language interpreters in (1) 2020–21, (2) 2021–22, (3) 2022–23, and (4) 2023–24, broken down by language those interpreters were translating from. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The total spend by HM Courts and Tribunals Service on translation and interpretation in each of the last four financial years was:

Financial Year

Spend (£)

2020-21

7,094,093

2021-22

10,788,205

2022-23

11,489,997

2023-24

12,774,105

HMCTS does not hold expenditure information disaggregated by language, or to differentiate a) translation, and b) interpretation, so the total expenditure has been provided.

These figures include cover expenditure on the interpretation of official languages of the United Kingdom, including Welsh, as well as to provide equality for those with conditions that can be defined as a disability under the Equality Act, such as sign language interpretation.

These figures do not include any translation or interpretation spend covered by Legal Aid Agency central funds as these are not included in the accounts for HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_13

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government how many criminal cases are currently awaiting trial in London and how they propose to deal with the backlog in trials. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: Open caseload and cases awaiting trial in England and Wales, and in London.

Crown – Open Caseload

Crown – Awaiting Trial

Mags – Open Caseload

Mags – Awaiting Trial

National

London

National

London

National

London

National

London

Dec 2024

74,651

16,075

60,375

13,258

309,838

57,666

73,567

13,887

Dec 2023

67,317

14,413

53,506

11,951

271,962

46,473

58,174

11,006

Dec 2022

62,670

16,218

50,848

13,671

256,674

46,743

51,779

10,884

Dec 2021

58,550

15,722

47,723

13,298

270,649

47,753

51,023

11,659

Source: Criminal court statistics quarterly: October to December 2024 - GOV.UK.

Measures to tackle the criminal courts caseload

This government inherited a record and rising crown court backlog. Justice delayed risks becoming justice denied.

For this financial year (25/26), this Government is funding a record allocation of Crown Court sitting days to deliver swifter justice for victims – 110,000 sitting days this year, 4,000 higher than the last Government funded.

As part of our commitment to bearing down on the caseload we have increased magistrates’ court sentencing powers from 6 months to 12 months’ imprisonment for single triable-either way offences. This will free up capacity in the Crown Court, ensuring it is reserved for the more serious and complex cases.

However, the scale of the challenge is beyond what increasing sitting days can achieve. This is why we have commissioned an Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, led by Sir Brian Leveson, to consider the merits of longer-term reform and the efficiency of processes in the criminal courts.

In the meantime, we are piloting dedicated Case Coordinator posts in the Crown Court to see if this can reduce ineffective hearings and trials.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_14

Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the total cost to the Courts and Tribunal Service of the provision of language interpreters whose first language was not English in (1) 2020–21, (2) 2021–22, (3) 2022–23, and (4) 2023–24. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The total spend by HM Courts and Tribunals Service on translation and interpretation in each of the last four financial years was:

Financial Year

Spend (£)

2020-21

7,094,093

2021-22

10,788,205

2022-23

11,489,997

2023-24

12,774,105

HMCTS does not hold expenditure information disaggregated to a) translation, and b) interpretation, so the total expenditure has been provided.

These figures include cover expenditure on the interpretation of official languages of the United Kingdom, including Welsh, as well as to provide equality for those with conditions that can be defined as a disability under the Equality Act, such as sign language interpretation.

These figures do not include any translation or interpretation spend covered by Legal Aid Agency central funds as these are not included in the accounts for HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_15

Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of Social Security and Child Support Tribunal hearings had a language interpreter provided to appellants whose first language was not English by the Courts and Tribunal Service in (1) 2021–22, (2) 2022–23, and (3) 2023–24. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The Ministry of Justice does not hold the information requested.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_17

Baroness Helic:To ask His Majesty's Government what information they have received from the Judicial College regarding the compulsory digital training on domestic abuse introduced for family judges, magistrates, and legal advisers in October 2021; including on (1) how many individuals have completed the training, (2) how frequently the training is delivered or refreshed, and (3) what evaluations, if any, have been conducted on its effectiveness in supporting judicial understanding of domestic abuse in the family courts. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: I refer the noble Baroness to the answer I gave to question HL7248 on 19 May: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_18

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the launch of their artificial intelligence tool 'Humphrey', how they intend to regulate the use of artificial intelligence within government departments. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: A range of existing regulation already applies to the use of AI in government departments, including data protection law and obligations under the Equality Act 2010 (including the Public Sector Equality Duty). The Information Commissioners Office and Equality & Human Rights Commission have issued guidance on how to apply these regulations in the context of AI.

In addition to regulation, there is also a range of internal policy and guidance for how government uses AI, including the AI Playbook, and mandatory transparency policy under the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_19

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what initial assessment they have made of the effectiveness of their artificial intelligence tool 'Humphrey'; and on average, how much time per day it saves users of the technology. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The ‘Humphrey’ toolkit announced in January refers to a series of prototypes developed by the Incubator for AI to enhance civil servant productivity and improve government processes.

The Incubator has released an evaluation of Consult, a tool to analyse consultation responses, used in a live consultation with the Scottish government. Evaluation showed reviewing Consult’s themes is quick, with a median time of 23s per response. By reducing analysis time, Consult freed up time to focus on the implications.

In testing, Minute, an AI transcription tool, reduced the time taken to complete minutes for a 60 minute meeting by one hour, which users reallocated to more critical tasks.

Parlex, a suite of AI tools to analyse parliamentary developments, is still in early-stage user testing.

Testing with 282 users of Redbox, a tool to provide secure access to LLMs, suggested time savings for 89% of users. For the 269 survey participants who flagged the task they used Redbox most on, the median time saving on this task was 2 hours per week.

The Incubator for AI will be publishing upcoming evaluation results on AI.GOV.UK and via the new AI Knowledge Hub.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Lord Strasburger:To ask His Majesty's Government what topics the National Security Online Information Team is tasked to monitor. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The National Security Online Information Team’s (NSOIT) agreed remit is to analyse narratives and trends from publicly available information online relating to national security and public safety, where ministers agree there is a high risk to UK audiences from mis and disinformation. This remit and the work of NSOIT is kept under review by ministers. NSOIT looks at threats posed by foreign states, risks to elections and risks arising from the use of AI and deepfakes.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_21

Lord Strasburger:To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of the social media content referred to social media platforms by the National Security Online Information Team for potential terms of service violations is removed by the platforms. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The content referred by DSIT's National Security Online Information Team (NSOIT) to social media platforms serve as examples of narratives which are assessed as likely to violate terms of service and sit within NSOIT’s ministerially agreed national security and public safety remit. It is up to platforms to decide whether the referred content violates their policies and what action, if any, to take with those referred examples: government cannot compel platforms to remove legal content. The proportion of content removed from platforms depends on independent decisions made by platforms or users as to whether they wish to remove the content.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_22

Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of potential violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in Parachinar, particularly in regard to freedom of movement and access to medical care. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK's long-term commitment to promoting human rights in Pakistan is unwavering. Our position is clear - any allegations of human rights violations must be investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently. We urge the Government of Pakistan to prioritise the protection of civilians in Parachinar, including religious minorities, and the safe and voluntary movement of people. Our High Commission in Islamabad has raised the humanitarian and security situation in Parachinar with senior government representatives.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, bilaterally or through international forums, to support humanitarian access, civilian protection and accountability in the light of reports of armed non-state actors operating in the Kurram region of Pakistan. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK urges the Government of Pakistan to prioritise the protection of civilians in Kurram, work to restore unrestricted access for humanitarian assistance, and undertake transparent investigations into attacks on civilians. It is imperative that aid organisations can deliver essential supplies and services without delay or obstruction. Our High Commission in Islamabad has raised the humanitarian and security situation in Kurram with senior government representatives.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan regarding the ongoing blockade of Parachinar. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK Government is concerned by restrictions on humanitarian access in Kurram. To ensure the rights and dignity of all people, we urge the Government of Pakistan to prioritise the restoration of full, unhindered access for humanitarian assistance. It is essential that aid organisations can deliver essential supplies and services without obstruction or delay. Our High Commission in Pakistan has raised the humanitarian and security situation in Kurram with senior government representatives.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_25

Lord Davies of Gower:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to drive private sector investment into Ukraine’s economy. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK recognises that private sector investment is critical for Ukraine's economic recovery. To de-risk investment, the UK will continue to support war risk insurance through partnerships with the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The UK is leveraging its world-class insurance industry to explore ways to make insurance in Ukraine more accessible and affordable and is supporting the Government of Ukraine-led insurance task force working with industry to address barriers to trade and investment.

British Investment International has committed to invest £30 million to support trade flows of critical goods and is actively pursuing further investments in Ukraine, up to a total of £250 million. Through the UK-Ukraine TechBridge and InnovateUkraine challenge fund we are expanding opportunities for UK and Ukrainian partnerships across multiple sectors.

The Department for Business and Trade has delivered five defence trade missions to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, supporting the development of long-term cooperation and investment, working closely with the Ministry of Defence's Taskforce HIRST. Trade Envoy Alex Sobel plays a crucial role engaging with UK and Ukrainian businesses to foster trade and industrial partnerships to support the recovery of Ukraine.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Baroness Hoey:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the African Union's report Fact-Finding Mission to Somaliland (30 April to 4 May 2005). \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK is aware of the findings of the African Union's Fact-Finding Mission to Somaliland from 2005. The UK, alongside others in the international community, including the African Union, does not recognise Somaliland's unilateral declaration of independence. We believe that the settlement of Somaliland's status is an issue for authorities in Mogadishu and Hargeisa to decide through a consultative process and dialogue.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_27

Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the recently announced support hub for small businesses on accessing the defence supply chain will be adequately resourced, appropriately led, and fully integrated into existing defence innovation structures and procurement frameworks. \p Lord Coaker: In March 2025 the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence announced new support to help SMEs access the Defence supply chain and ensure they benefit from the increase in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. An integral part of this commitment will be the launch of a new SME Support Centre which will help small businesses access the defence supply chain. The detail of how the office will operate is currently being developed by officials with input from across the Ministry of Defence, wider Government and external stakeholders, including companies outside of the existing defence sector. We are working with SMEs to ensure that they have a say in development of the services the support centre will provide.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Lord Teverson:To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to recommendations of Arijit De of the University of Manchester in his article 'Rattling the supply chains: creating a more sustainable way to do business', published on 22 April, to reduce traditional road freight and its emissions through the greater use of maritime transport. \p Baroness Gustafsson: Globalised supply chains remain a crucial part of our nation's economic growth. This government is actively working to strengthen the resilience of supply chains critical to the UK's economic security and growth, ensuring they remain secure, diverse, and sustainable in the face of global challenges. This includes work being done by the Department for Transport to encourage modal shift of freight from road to rail or water. We will consider the University of Manchester's report and its recommendations as part of our wider programme of work.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_29

The Lord Bishop of St Albans:To ask His Majesty's Government how many Government cybersecurity roles are (1) vacant, and (2) filled by contractors. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Government Security Group gathers data from cyber security teams across government through a planned workforce commission every two years. The 2023 Workforce Commission reported 251 vacancies and 295 contractors across government.

The 2025 Government Security Workforce Commission, being undertaken currently, will provide updated data on vacancy and contractor numbers.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_30

Baroness Jenkin of Kennington: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, and the statutory guidance Toilet Accommodation: Approved Document T, updated on 1 October 2024, what is the policy of (1) the Government Property Agency, and (2) the Cabinet Office, in relation to (a) the removal of legacy gender-neutral toilets on the government estates, and (b) the provision of self-contained universal toilets in addition to single-sex toilets. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Neither the Cabinet Office nor the Government Property Agency (GPA) have a specific policy in relation to (a) the removal of legacy gender-neutral toilets on the government estates, or (b) the provision of self-contained universal toilets in addition to single-sex toilets.

The GPA does have a guidance document that is used in new build or refurbishment projects across the part of the GPA estate where it is accountable for WC provision. This guidance follows the current requirements of the statutory guidance Toilet Accommodation: Approved Document T.

The Government is considering the implications of the Court’s judgment, including what this means for Government buildings.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government how many arm’s-length bodies are sponsored by more than one department; and for each such body, what is the name and sponsoring department. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: An arm’s-length body (ALB) is formally sponsored by a single department, with accountability provided through a responsible Accounting Officer. While some ALBs maintain important policy relationships with multiple government departments, this is typically governed by Memoranda of Understanding or defined in their Framework Documents. The Cabinet Office does not keep a central record of these relationships.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government how many employees of arm's-length bodies receive more than £100,000 in salaries and other benefits. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Cabinet Office does not hold the information requested. Pay for senior officials in arms-length bodies (ALBs) is set by the employing ALB and/or the sponsor department.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_33

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government why the Cabinet Office has not yet published updated lists of senior civil servants and senior officials earning £150,000 and above, which was due as of 30 September 2023; and when this information will be made available. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The previous administration did not update this list prior to the General Election. The Cabinet Office will publish a new 2025 list in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Baroness O'Neill of Bexley:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by the Minister for Housing and Planning on 10 March (HCWS510), what is their timetable for the publication of the consultation on removing statutory consultees in the planning process; and which elements of the wider reform will be delivered through primary and secondary legislation. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: We have committed to consult this Spring on the impact of removing a limited number of statutory consultees. A publication date is yet to be confirmed.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Baroness O'Neill of Bexley:To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the best value inspection of Tower Hamlets Council in 2024, what assessment was made by the Commissioners of the standards of behaviour in council meetings. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The Best Value Inspection of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets report was published on 12th November 2024. Inspectors found that “[council] meetings have, at times, been fractious, the tone has been occasionally aggressive and sometimes there has been filibustering… it is our view that this has, unfortunately, over-shadowed and impaired the quality of debate in the chamber.” (paragraph 3.42)

The Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution has appointed three Ministerial Envoys to work with the Council to address the issues found in the Inspection Report, and intends to publish their first report on the Council’s progress this summer.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Baroness O'Neill of Bexley:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to change the electoral qualification and disqualification provisions on whether Members of Parliament can (1) stand for election, and (2) continue to hold office, as (a) councillors, (b) council mayors, (c) Police and Crime Commissioners, and (d) combined authority mayors. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: I refer the noble Baroness to the response given to Question UIN 47703 on 30 April 2025. Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and Mayors who hold the PCC function are disqualified from standing for election or continuing to hold office if they become Members of Parliament. Government has laid out proposals to extend similar arrangements to Mayors of a combined authority, combined county authority or the Greater London Authority who do not hold the PCC function. There are no plans to similarly change disqualification criteria for other elected mayors or councillors.

PQ 47703 (pdf, 84.0KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compatibility of anti-Zionism with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism. \p Lord Khan of Burnley: Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society, which is why we’re taking a strong lead in tackling it in all its forms.  Sadly, we have seen how events in the Middle East are used as an excuse to stir up hatred and violence against Jewish communities.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism outlines that antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

The Definition contains several illustrative examples that demonstrate what may be considered antisemitism, depending on the overall context.

We became the first country to adopt the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism and continue to encourage other bodies to do so. Over three quarters of councils in England have now adopted the IHRA definition.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_38
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to page 15 of the report Great British Railways: The William-Shapps Plan for Rail, published on 20 May 2021 (CP 423), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the adjudication by the Delay Attribution Board regarding responsibility for delays caused by a train hitting a pheasant. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail was published by the previous administration, and we are unable to comment on the specific editorial choices or illustrative examples contained within it. The department is focused on current implementation of rail reform.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_39
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_39

Lord Truscott:To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking against noise pollution caused by motorbikes. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Department for Transport takes the impact of excessive noise on health, wellbeing and the natural environment seriously. Strict noise regulations for motorbikes are harmonised at an international level and require vehicles to demonstrate compliance before being placed on the market. Replacement silencers that are to be used on the road must also meet strict noise limits that are aligned with those of the original vehicle.

The Department published the results of roadside trials of noise camera technology last year and continues to keep a keen interest in this technology. However, it is ultimately for local authorities and the police to consider what the most appropriate enforcement routes may be within their area, based on their knowledge of the issue locally. The Department has limited means for influencing local decision making on enforcement priorities.

The police have powers to deal with noisy vehicles on a continuing basis. Under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 they can take action if they suspect a vehicle is being driven in a manner that makes excessive noise which is avoidable through reasonable driver care. In the same Regulations, exhausts and silencers are required to be maintained in good working order and not modified so as to increase noise.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Lord West of Spithead:To ask His Majesty's Government when the final investment decision for the Sizewell C plant will be made, and when the results of the small modular reactor competition will be announced. \p Baroness Curran: As confirmed at the Autum Budget, both the equity and debt raise processes are in their final stages. A final decision on whether to proceed with the project will be made at the Spending Review.

Great British Nuclear is driving forward its small modular reactor competition for UK deployment. Following a period of detailed negotiation, bidders have submitted final tenders, which Great British Nuclear is evaluating. Final decisions will be taken shortly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to invest in new energy infrastructure, and whether they intend to focus more on (1) renewable, or (2) nuclear, energy generation focus for future energy development. \p Baroness Curran: The Government will enable investment in a range of generating technologies to ensure a reliable supply of clean power to meet rising demand. For instance, the UK ’s public finance institutions deliver a range of financing tools to support government policy goals in line with their government set mandates.

The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan outlines a path where renewables and nuclear will form the backbone of a clean electricity system by 2030, supporting the UK’s Net Zero target.

The UK is expanding its nuclear power offer. Nuclear power, as one of the most reliable, secure, low-carbon sources of electricity, is and will continue to be an essential part of the energy mix on our journey to net zero by 2050.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made with their plans to develop carbon capture and storage projects. \p Baroness Curran: The East Coast Cluster reached financial close in December 2024 and the HyNet Transport and Storage Network, operated by Liverpool Bay CCS, reached financial close in April 2025, with Government signing contracts with industry to get the first CCUS projects up and running. These two clusters will help remove up to 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year and are due to start operating from 2028.

Officials have continued to engage with Track-2 clusters to understand their plans. We recognise industry will be hoping for clarity on Track-2 - and future CCUS clusters – and further details will be provided in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the total number of EU students enrolled at UK universities (1) 2014–15 and (2) 2024–25. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: In the 2014/15 academic year, across all levels and modes of study, 127,135 higher education (HE) student enrolments had an EU permanent address immediately prior to study in a UK HE provider.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency has not yet published data on the UK HE sector relating to the 2024/25 academic year, therefore information relating to enrolments in 2024/25 is not currently held by the department.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the average annual fees paid by EU students for university education in 2024–25. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is responsible for collecting and publishing data on the UK higher education (HE) sector. These data are shared with the department and include a wide range of information on students in UK HE providers.

HESA has not yet published data on the UK HE sector relating to the 2024/25 academic year, therefore information relating to tuition fees in 2024/25 is not currently held by the department.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_45

Lord Rennard:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the consequences for (1) the economies of England and Wales and (2) local economies resulting from the 6-percent levy on foreign students' tuition fees, proposed in Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The immigration white paper sets out a series of measures that will achieve a reduction in net migration, while maintaining the UK’s globally competitive offer to international students and making a significant contribution to growth by boosting our skills base.

This includes the commitment to explore the introduction of a levy on higher education (HE) provider income from international students, with proceeds to be reinvested in the domestic HE and skills system. The department will set out more details around the levy in the Autumn Budget.

Analysis of the potential impacts is based on the levy applying to English HE providers only. The department will fully consult all the devolved governments on the implementation of the international student levy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-13 conversation_1

Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimates they made of the cost of legal assistance and representation for bereaved survivors in relation to their proposals for a 'Hillsborough Law', and on what data they based any such estimate on. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The Government’s commitment in its 2024 manifesto to provide legal aid for victims of disasters or state-related deaths will support bereaved families at an incredibly difficult time following the loss of their loved ones. We are currently working on plans to deliver on this commitment and, as such, we are unable to share information on costs. The Government will announce its approach in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-13 conversation_2

Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government what support they provide to young people serving sentences of less than 12 months who are released on licence to secure affordable youth-friendly accommodation and an opportunity to find a job. \p Lord Timpson: Children returning to the community after being sentenced to time in custody are provided with the personal and structural support they need to rebuild their lives, by the youth custody establishment and their Youth Offending Teams (YOT), including support to secure suitable accommodation and education, training or employment.

Where appropriate, the establishment will use the temporary release scheme to prepare a child for return to the community. The Youth Custody Service is piloting a new policy framework in five sites, for release on temporary licence (ROTL). In the new policy, children who are eligible may now be considered and risk assessed for ROTL after five months or halfway through their sentence, whichever is earlier. This will mean for many children in YOIs they should be able to access ROTL earlier than under the previous provisions. Activities on ROTL could include visiting potential accommodation or education placement as well as providing access to potential employment opportunities.

Where children are unable to return to the family home, the YOT work with children’s social care to find a suitable placement for the child. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that there is sufficient accommodation available to meet the needs of all children they look after. This government is supporting local authorities to meet their statutory duty through a multi-year package of capital investment which includes £90 million for 2025-26 announced in the Autumn Budget. This funding will help local authorities to maintain capacity and expand provision across open and secure children's homes sectors to provide safe and suitable homes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-13 conversation_3

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of general practices which have stopped offering prescriptions for hormones for transgender patients; and what steps, if any, they are taking to ensure that these prescriptions are available to all patients within a reasonable reach of their home. \p Baroness Merron: The Department does not hold this data centrally. NHS England is currently carrying out a review of adult gender services, chaired by Dr David Levy, with the aim of producing an updated service specification. The review will examine the model of care and operating procedures of each service, and will carefully consider experiences, feedback, and outcomes from clinicians and patients. It will also look at how to overcome the challenges that some individuals face in accessing a timely prescription.

NHS England has also increased the number of adult gender dysphoria clinics in England from seven to 12, with the rollout of five new pilot adult clinics since July 2020. The rollout of these new clinics is helping to tackle long waiting times.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-13 conversation_4

Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 30 April (HL6268), how many children were hospitalised as a result of non-therapeutic male circumcision between 2015 and 2025. \p Baroness Merron: The data is not available in the format requested. Data is collected on admissions with a primary diagnosis code of routine and ritual circumcision. This data is available for 2023/24, by age group, on the NHS.UK website, in an online only format.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-13 conversation_5

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect NHS services and patients from the development of drug-resistant pathogens. \p Baroness Merron: Pathogens develop resistance to antimicrobial treatments, such as antibiotics, through inappropriate use and unintentional exposure through the environment and our food. This is driving rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and is creating a generation of ‘superbugs’ that cannot be treated with existing medicines and treatments, leading to longer hospital stays and more complex treatment pathways.

The Government’s UK 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2024 to 2029, a copy of which is attached, is committed to reducing the rate of drug-resistant infections and AMR through a series of commitments that aim to reduce the need for, and unintentional exposure to, antimicrobials. This aims to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials. The national action plan also commits to meeting specific targets to reduce drug-resistant infections by 2029, including preventing their increase in humans and any increase in gram-negative bloodstream infections from the specified 2019/20 financial year baseline.

NHS England implements its responsibilities under the national action plan through a set of workstreams, each with responsibility for a set of these commitments. The central AMR programme team within NHS England works with partners within the UK Health Security Agency and the Department to co-ordinate and ensure delivery. Regional NHS England leads work with integrated care boards to advise on, and support actions locally, to reduce infection and the need for antimicrobials.

Additional Document (pdf, 2257.6KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-13 conversation_6

Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have conducted an impact assessment of the planned 50 per cent staff cost reductions for NHS England this financial year; and if so, what are the implications for services and delivery at local and regional levels. \p Baroness Merron: Ministers and senior Department officials are working with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to jointly lead the formation of a new joint centre. It is only right that with such significant reform, we commit to carefully assessing and understanding the potential impacts, as is due process. Evidence from these ongoing assessments will inform our programme as appropriate.

The new centre will operate in a leaner, more agile, and more efficient way and will empower staff at all levels of the health system, including local and regional, to deliver better care for patients, drive productivity up, and get waiting times down. This change will set local National Health Service providers free to innovate, develop new productive ways of working, and focus on what matters most.

The Government is committed to transparency and will consider how best to ensure the public and parliamentarians are informed of the outcomes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-13 conversation_7

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with companies providing radioisotopes for cancer screening and treatment regarding the future security of supplies and options for manufacturing those isotopes in the UK; and what was the outcome of those discussions. \p Baroness Merron: The Department regularly engages with suppliers, specialist clinicians, the British Nuclear Medicine Society, industry, and the UK Radiopharmacy Group to assist in the management of supply issues for medical radioisotopes, including those used for cancer screening and treatments. The Department also works with the National Health Service and other parts of the Government to better understand future needs for medical radioisotopes.

There is no current reactor-based production of medical radioisotopes in the United Kingdom. There is an existing network of cyclotrons for the close to hospital manufacture of specific medical radioisotopes in the UK, and these are directly contracted by the NHS on a trust level.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-13 conversation_8

Lord Mackinlay of Richborough:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address any inequality in reliability of diagnosis and immediate care between (1) sepsis, and (2) stroke. \p Baroness Merron: Sepsis and stroke are time sensitive and potentially life-threatening conditions, both taken very seriously by the Government. However, they are distinct conditions and present different diagnostic and treatment challenges.

The National Optimal Stroke Imaging pathway provides a pathway to rapid intervention based on a clear diagnosis through imaging, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans. Thrombolysis and thrombectomy rates have risen, indicating effective immediate stroke care. In comparison, sepsis has no specific diagnostic test, and the signs and symptoms can vary hugely. As a result, sepsis can be challenging to diagnose.

The Government is focused on improving the recognition and early diagnosis of sepsis by healthcare professionals, including through NHS England’s online sepsis training programmes, so that unwell patients are identified promptly and started on immediate life-saving treatment. The National Early Warning Score (NEWS2), is a clinical screening tool for the recognition of acutely unwell adults, including those with sepsis. NEWS2 supports clinicians to determine the need for immediate care and is used in 99% of acute trusts and 100% of ambulance trusts in England.

Furthermore, the Department continues to fund research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, to improve our understanding of sepsis diagnosis and immediate management.