theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_34

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with the Farmer's Union of Wales regarding the likely impact of changes to inheritance tax on farming in Wales. \p Lord Livermore: Ministers from several Government departments have met with organisations including NFU Cymru and the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still ensure those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

As announced at Budget 2025, any unused £1 million allowance for the 100% rate of agricultural property relief and business property relief will be transferable between spouses and civil partners, including if the first death was before 6 April 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

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Lord Sharpe of Epsom:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are considering revising the implementation timetable of the Employment Rights Bill. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: There will be several phases of delivery following Royal Assent of the Employment Rights Bill. For many measures, Government will consult on the detail of policy and implementation. As set out in the Implementation Roadmap, we will provide more detail on these policies and our timelines for implementation following consultation, with a clear commitment that we aim to work at pace to deliver these tangible benefits to millions of working people.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

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Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have offered any advice to the Royal Household regarding Royal Warrant Holders Association regarding welfare concerns in salmon farming. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Government has not offered any advice to the Royal Household regarding animal welfare concerns and salmon farming.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

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Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government why biomedia released from wastewater treatments plants is not treated as hazardous waste. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Water companies must ensure all reasonable measures are in place to prevent the unauthorised or accidental escape of bio-media from wastewater treatment works to the environment.

The Environment Agency (EA) is working alongside the water sector on an ongoing research project, led by UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR), looking at the complex issue of the impact of microplastics generated by wastewater treatment works.

In the event of any escape of bio-media from wastewater treatment works above permitted controls or that may cause significant pollution, Water Companies must immediately report this as a pollution incident to the EA, which will investigate and take necessary enforcement action. The Secretary of State for Defra has written to Water Companies to reiterate how unacceptable the pollution incident at Camber Sands is, and to stress the positive action Water Companies must take to ensure their infrastructure is functioning correctly.

Under waste regulations and mandatory guidance in place, waste bio-media classification depends on the properties of the specific material. Where it is above the relevant thresholds for hazardous properties, then it would be classified as a hazardous waste.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

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Lord Spellar:To ask His Majesty's Government how they plan to use public procurement for the Rolls-Royce small modular reactor programme to develop UK nuclear supply chain capability. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: As announced on 13 November, the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) small modular reactor (SMR) project will be sited at Wylfa on Anglesey in North Wales, supporting around 3,000 good jobs at peak construction and thousands more across the supply chain.

Subject to final government approvals and contract signature, the project will deploy Rolls-Royce SMR technology. Ahead of contract signature, it is not possible to comment on specific SMR components or supply chain, though GBE-N's ambition is to deliver over 70% UK content across the SMR fleet.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

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Lord Spellar:To ask His Majesty's Government whether Great British Energy – Nuclear will be able to give preference to UK suppliers in public procurement processes. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: As announced on 13 November, the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) small modular reactor (SMR) project will be sited at Wylfa on Anglesey in North Wales, supporting around 3,000 good jobs at peak construction and thousands more across the supply chain.

Subject to final government approvals and contract signature, the project will deploy Rolls-Royce SMR technology. Ahead of contract signature, it is not possible to comment on specific SMR components or supply chain, though GBE-N's ambition is to deliver over 70% UK content across the SMR fleet.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with universities and other higher and further education institutions in north west Wales regarding the skills and training that the local workforce will need in order to obtain employment at the proposed nuclear facility at Wylfa. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: Great British Energy – Nuclear’ s small modular reactor project at Wylfa on Anglesey is expected to generate around 3,000 on-site jobs at peak construction, along with thousands more across the supply chain. The industry-led Nuclear Skills Plan will support this workforce growth and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders in Wales by launching a Wales Regional Skills Hub in 2026. Bangor University are also part of the Nuclear Energy Futures Centre for Doctoral Training which through the Nuclear Skills Plan we have provided funding to recruit an additional cohort of PhD students in this academic year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

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Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government what are the protective measures for veterans proposed in the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill to distinguish between veterans and those responsible for terrorist violence. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: All of the protections that the Government has announced are being introduced in order to protect and ensure fair treatment of any veteran who is asked to engage with legacy mechanisms.

Measures set out in the legislation, including the right to give evidence remotely and having regard to the welfare of witnesses, will necessarily apply to others. This will ensure, for example, that former police officers are able to avail of these measures.

Some other non-legislative measures will apply only to veterans, including the protection from cold calling and the safeguard that ensures veterans do not have to give unnecessary evidence on historical context and general operational details.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to develop a modern service framework for respiratory health. \p Baroness Merron: Modern service frameworks will define an aspirational, long-term outcome goal for a major condition and then identify the best evidenced interventions and the support for delivery. Early priorities will include cardiovascular disease, severe mental illness, and the first ever service framework for frailty and dementia.

The Government will consider other long-term conditions for future waves of modern service frameworks, including respiratory conditions. The criteria for determining other conditions for future modern service frameworks will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

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Lord Pack:To ask His Majesty's Government why the decision was made to pass the results of question 10 of the government-commissioned opinion poll of resident doctors by Savanta to The Times, while withholding the results of question 9. \p Baroness Merron: The Government holds contracts with polling companies to conduct research on public opinion. Savanta is a member of the British Polling Council and as such is required to abide by its rules. The results of polling by Savanta of resident doctors are published online and can be found on their website.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

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Lord Pickles:To ask His Majesty's Government whether Exercise Pegasus assessed the adequacy of government communication with clinically vulnerable populations during health emergencies. \p Baroness Merron: Exercise PEGASUS rigorously tested communications capabilities, which included testing communications from Government and public health bodies to clinically vulnerable populations. Officials used behavioural science insights to segment audiences based on a variety of factors, and developed tailored, accessible messaging for these groups. This will be considered in the evaluation of the exercise.

Organisations who advocate for clinically vulnerable patient groups were also engaged through focus groups, which sought perspectives on the outcomes of the exercise. These insights will contribute towards the exercise report.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

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Lord Pickles:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they considered the impact of ongoing COVID-19 circulation on shielding immunocompromised patients as part of Exercise Pegasus. \p Baroness Merron: The pandemic scenario designed in Exercise PEGASUS and given to participants was based on the emergence and spread of a novel pathogen and provided a realistic representation of its impact on the United Kingdom’s population, including those with existing conditions. The exercise included the circulation of existing pathogens such as COVID-19. Focus groups and surveys were carried out after each core exercise day to test the public reaction to the decisions taken by officials and ministers, and respondents were drawn from a broad cross-section of society, including those who were immunocompromised.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Baroness McIntosh of Pickering:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will undertake a review of the services available at rural post office branches, and what steps they will take to ensure the long-term viability of rural post offices. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: Post Offices play an important role in communities across the country, and particularly in rural areas where some branches act as a community hub. We are listening carefully to stakeholders to ensure the whole network, including these important rural branches, is sustainable.

The Government-set Access Criteria ensures that however the network changes, services remain within local reach of all citizens. Government's minimum access criteria for Post Offices mean that 99% of the UK population must be within three miles of their nearest post office outlet and 90% must be within one mile of their nearest post office outlet.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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The Lord Bishop of London:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the introduction of a universal priority services register for utility services. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The government recognises the importance of identification and support for the vulnerable in utility services. My officials in the Department for Business and Trade are engaging with regulators and other government departments to establish the best way to achieve this and encourage regulators to progress work in this important area.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of investor state dispute settlements on a country's ability to invest in its Sustainable Development Goals. \p Baroness Gustafsson: The UK is party to 81 Bilateral Investment Treaties and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership that contain Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS).

ISDS provides an independent means to resolve disputes with states where investors believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation. ISDS does not remove governments’ right to regulate in the public interest, including with respect to implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Welsh Government about monitoring high-risk toxic sites which could generate pollution in cross-border rivers. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: This Government is committed to building stronger ties and working collaboratively with the Welsh Government on shared priorities including tackling pollution, restoring nature and supporting our farmers.

Effective regulations play an important part in reducing diffuse agricultural pollution and cleaning up our waters, as well as supporting improvements to farm businesses. Both governments are working closely with regulators, local farmers and other key partners in England and Wales on these issues, for example by working with local farmers and environmental NGOs, alongside the Wye Nutrient Management Board and the Wye Catchment Partnership who are leading efforts to tackle pollution in the Wye.

Additionally, the Environment Agency also works with farmers through advice-led enforcement to improve compliance. These inspections are targeted to areas of the greatest risk, including the catchments of protected sites.

Research is ongoing to identify mechanisms for improving water quality in the Wye. This will take a collaborative “living labs” approach where data is collected on and by working farm businesses working alongside academics/researchers to assess how farmers can best manage their nutrients and reduce pressures on the River Wye. The project will be multi-disciplinary, bringing in social research and economics as well as natural science.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Baroness Scott of Needham Market:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the advantages of implementing the recommendations set out in The London Climate Resilience Review, published in July 2024, for other parts of the UK. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The London Climate Resilience Review which reported to the Mayor of London is a clear example of the importance of local assessments of climate resilience, making 50 recommendations for how London can be better prepared for our changing climate.

Nationally, we are conducting a pilot of the Adaptation Reporting Power with a number of local authority partners across the country to explore the value of extending adaptation reporting and planning to the local authority sector and the learning from this pilot will inform our approach to the next ARP strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Baroness Bryan of Partick:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with devolved authorities about the proposed reductions in welfare spending. \p Baroness Sherlock: The department works closely with all of the Devolved Governments on a range of policy matters.

We have developed proposals for reform to the system of health and disability benefits, set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper published on 18th March 2025, which is now subject to a live consultation.

The reform package is expected to save several billion. The government will publish the OBR-certified costings of individual measures on the day of the Spring Statement on 26 March. We have announced the first permanent above-inflation rise in the UC Standard Allowance benefitting millions of people.

We are working closely with the Devolved Governments on the interactions between reserved and devolved areas of responsibility as a result of these proposals.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Baroness Altmann:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress has been made in bringing together the administration of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit. \p Baroness Sherlock: We remain committed to meeting the Chancellor’s commitment to bringing together the administration of Pension Credit and pensioner Housing Benefit. We are seeking to do this in a way that best meets the needs of current and future pensioners.

The Department is working closely with local authorities and undertaking detailed policy exploration to ensure that the best approach is identified.

Alongside this work, we are improving our use of established data streams to target new pensioner Housing Benefit customers to ensure that they are prompted to claim and receive any Pension Credit to which they are entitled. As part of this initiative, we have successfully sent out 1,000 letters to citizens, encouraging them to make a claim for Pension Credit.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Baroness Browning:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in establishing the "Get Britain Working" disability panel; and whether it will include representation from people with a range of disabilities, including sight loss. \p Baroness Sherlock: This Government is committed to championing the voices of disabled people and taking an open and collaborative approach to engagement. As part of wider efforts to put disabled voices at the heart of policy, the Get Britain Working White Paper announced a commitment to establishing a panel to consult disabled people.

We are working to establish the Disability Advisory Panel and are undertaking the due process required to ensure the panel is set up in the most accessible and inclusive way. The panel will consist of people who have lived experience of disability, and it will include representation from people with a range of disabilities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Baroness Altmann:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the average processing time for Attendance Allowance. \p Baroness Sherlock: For the 2024/25 financial year to date (1 April 2024 to 31 January 2025) the average processing time for Attendance Allowance is 19 working days (with Monday to Friday being defined as working days). There is a quick application process for people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and aren't expected to live more than 12 months. These claims are fast tracked.

Attendance Allowance is currently undergoing a significant modernisation reform through the piloting of an on-line digital claim process as a part of the department’s wider Service Modernisation plans.

Please note, the Average Actual Clearance Time figures shown is unpublished management information, collected and intended for internal departmental use and has not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. It is rounded to the nearest working day.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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The Lord Bishop of London:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 3 December 2024 (HL Deb col 395GC), what steps they are taking to upgrade the legacy technology systems in order to extend the operation of the Tell Us Once scheme in the future. \p Baroness Sherlock: We undertake continuous upgrading of the system to ensure its stability and extensibility.

Currently, we are considering all the modernisation options for upgrading the Tell Us Once service, part of which includes what type of review might be necessary. It also means better understanding how the service might expand to meet the needs of wider government in future.

We will continue to work closely with government partners, third parties and citizens to ensure the Tell Us Once service meets citizens’ expectations. The most recent internal evaluations in February 2025 of customer feedback show a satisfaction score of 92% for the online service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Baroness McIntosh of Pickering:To ask His Majesty's Government when they last assessed the risks to UK critical infrastructure, and what steps they took as a result of that assessment. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The UK Government uses a Lead Government Department model for the oversight of Critical National Infrastructure security and resilience policy. Each Lead Government Department is responsible for routinely undertaking risk assessments for their sector, including assessing Critical National Infrastructure risks within the internal, classified National Security Risk Assessment.

The National Risk Register is the external version of the National Security Risk Assessment. It was most recently updated in January. All risks in the National Risk Register, including those related to Critical National Infrastructure, are kept under review to ensure that they are the most appropriate scenarios to inform emergency preparedness and resilience activity. A number of risks will be subject to reassessment over the next few months. An updated risk will be subsequently published to reflect these changes.

Policy interventions, to address Critical National Infrastructure risks, are sector specific and led by the relevant Lead Government Department.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Framework Agreement between the Cabinet Office and the Civil Service Commission, the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and the Commissioner for Public Appointments, published on 21 February, was signed off by a Minister, and if so, which Minister approved it. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: In line with Managing Public Money, The Framework Document for the Independent Offices (Civil Service Commission, Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and the Commissioner for Public Appointments) was cleared by the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office and was reviewed by Cabinet Office ministers and by the Treasury Officer of Accounts (TOA) and the Spending Team prior to publication.

The Framework Document for the Independent Offices (Civil Service Commission, Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and the Commissioner for Public Appointments) followed the clearance process set out in Managing Public Money and was reviewed by Cabinet Office ministers prior to publication in the usual way
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 28 January (HL3970), why the financial restatements in the Government Property Agency Accounts 2022–23 resulted in both an increase and a decrease in right of use assets; and whether there are any inconsistencies in the application of IFRS 16 across the head lease and sub-lease transactions. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The financial restatements of the Government Property Agency Accounts 2022/23 resulted in both an increase and a decrease in right of use assets because they related to two separate changes to lease terms for different properties at different stages of their lease lifecycle.

The surrender and grant of a new head lease in July 2022 related to a vacant property undergoing major refurbishment as part of the GPA’s Whitehall Campus Programme. The new head lease resulted in an increase to right of use assets because there was no corresponding finance sub-lease during the refurbishment. The GPA therefore retained all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the right of use asset.

The Deed of Variation in March 2023 to extend a sub-lease term by 12 years to align with the head lease resulted in the classification of the sub-lease being reassessed as a finance lease rather than an operating lease. This was because the sub-lease term now represented in excess of 75% of the expected useful economic life of the underlying right of use asset. The reclassification resulted in a decrease in right of use assets because the GPA derecognised the asset previously retained when the sub-lease was classified as an operating lease.

On that basis, we are satisfied that IFRS 16 has been applied appropriately across the head lease and sub-lease transactions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reimpose restrictions on the Central Bank of Syria. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: As the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories announced in Parliament on 13 February, we are making changes to the Syrian sanctions regulations to support the Syrian people in re-building their country and promote security and stability while maintaining sanctions for those responsible for abuses committed during the conflict. On 6 March, the Government lifted asset freezes on 24 Syrian entities, including the Central Bank of Syria, that were previously used by the Assad regime to fund the oppression of the Syrian people. We keep our sanctions under close review to ensure they are used as a responsive tool. We do not comment on future designations as to do so lessens their potential impact.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what sanctions they intend to place on the government of Syria. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: As the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories announced in Parliament on 13 February, we are making changes to the Syrian sanctions regulations to support the Syrian people in re-building their country and promote security and stability while maintaining sanctions for those responsible for abuses committed during the conflict. On 6 March, the Government lifted asset freezes on 24 Syrian entities, including the Central Bank of Syria, that were previously used by the Assad regime to fund the oppression of the Syrian people. We keep our sanctions under close review to ensure they are used as a responsive tool. We do not comment on future designations as to do so lessens their potential impact.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement by Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, that the recent funding cuts by major state donors will be a “catastrophic blow” to humanitarian assistance in Sudan; and what action they are taking to address this. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The ongoing obfuscation of relief operations by Sudan's warring parties is imperilling millions of people. More funding is required from across the international community. However, without a step change in access the already dire situation will drastically deteriorate. This year the UK will provide £226.5 million in life-saving aid towards the crisis. Since the start of the conflict more than 2.5 million people have received UK funded humanitarian aid. As I stated to Parliament on 3 March, and as the Prime Minister also said in his statement to Parliament, the UK are determined to support humanitarian aid in Sudan. The upcoming Foreign Secretary-led Sudan Conference in London we hope will re-energise efforts to coordinate international action on humanitarian access.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Baroness Deech:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the development of nuclear weapons and the installation of more advanced centrifuges by Iran, and what steps they are taking in response. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: Iran's nuclear escalation, including its recent expansion of uranium enrichment capacity, threatens international peace and security and undermines global non-proliferation. Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon. The United Nations Security Council met to discuss this issue on 12 March. The UK reiterated that we are willing to use all diplomatic options available to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon, including triggering UN snapback, if necessary.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Lord Storey:To ask His Majesty's Government whether their reduction of funding for international aid will affect the funding given to the BBC. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: HM Government highly values the BBC World Service. That is why HM Government is providing the BBC World Service with a funding uplift of £32.6 million (31 per cent) in 2025/26, taking HM Government's total contribution to £137 million.

The Prime Minister announced on 25 February a commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from April 2027, funded by reducing Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI). Delivering this reduction will require hard choices. Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used, including for the BBC World Service, will be worked through, including as part of the ongoing Spending Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 25 February (HL5027), whether the (1) Serious Fraud Office, (2) Independent Office for Police Conduct, and (3) National Crime Agency, are paid members or affiliates of Stonewall. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Independent Office for Police Conduct is a paid member of Stonewall.

The Serious Fraud Office and National Crime Agency are neither members nor affiliates of Stonewall.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

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Baroness Royall of Blaisdon:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on a register of convicted stalkers. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Government has set out an unprecedented mission to halve violence against women. Stalking is an insidious crime that leaves victims living in fear every day, which is why it is essential to ensure the police and wider criminal justice system have the tools they need to protect victims and pursue perpetrators.

Those convicted of the offence of stalking involving fear, harassment, alarm or distress and sentenced to more than 12 months' imprisonment are automatically managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), a process which involves the police, probation and prison services working together to assess and manage the risk of specified offenders. Those convicted of that offence and sentenced to fewer than 12 months' imprisonment or convicted of section 2A stalking offence can be MAPPA managed on a discretionary basis. In the MAPPA guidance, it is stressed that every stalking perpetrator should be considered for MAPPA management. We continue to consider how these systems can be strengthened.

Those managed under MAPPA have their details stored on the ViSOR database. In addition, anyone subject to a Stalking Protection Order (SPO) is subject to notification requirements. This means if the name used by or the address of the person changes during the duration of the order, they must notify the police within a 3-day period of that change. Failure to do so is a criminal offence punishable by a maximum of 12 months' imprisonment.

To ensure the effective management of stalking perpetrators we also announced six new measures on 3 December. This includes legislating in the Crime and Policing Bill to provide for the courts to issue SPOs on conviction or acquittal and introducing national standards for stalking perpetrator interventions to help improve the efficacy and consistency of such programmes.

We are also working with a new policing centre to create models such as V100 in the MET to look at the specific offender management of the most violent perpetrators in an area.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-24 conversation_21

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact that probate application delays have on the number of empty homes. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: HM Courts & Tribunals service (HMCTS) has not collected data to assess the impact that probate application delays have on the number of empty homes.

However, HMCTS has invested in additional staff and made system and process improvements to reduce waiting times and progress is being made to reduce delays. Official statistics published by the Ministry of Justice show, despite continued high levels of receipts, average waiting times are improving and was 7 weeks, from receipt of the documentation needed, for grants issued during July to September 2024. Management Information published by HMCTS, which undergoes fewer quality checks than Ministry of Justice Official Statistics, shows average waiting times currently stand at 4 weeks, from receipt of the documentation needed to grant issue, for cases completing in December 2024. This in turn is likely to have had a positive impact on the time that housing remains empty. Individual cases may take longer due to a variety of reasons such as family disputes or lack of information, leaving homes empty for extended periods.

Average waiting times for probate grants are routinely published on gov.uk via the Family Court Statistics (Family Court Statistics Quarterly - GOV.UK) and HMCTS Management Information (HMCTS management information - GOV.UK).
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-24 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-24 conversation_22

Lord Campbell of Pittenweem:To ask His Majesty's Government how many F-35 aircraft are currently in service with the Royal Air Force and how many remain to be delivered. \p Lord Coaker: I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to Question 37371 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on 18 March 2025 in the House of Commons.

F-35 Aircraft: Procurement (docx, 28.7KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-24 conversation_23

Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government what engagement they have had with military families in receipt of the Continuity of Education Allowance while monitoring the impact of VAT on independent school fees; whether they will provide details of which military family representatives Ministers have met since that policy took effect in January. \p Lord Coaker: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the unique circumstances faced by our Service personnel and that frequent mobility can disrupt children’s education. Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) helps by providing the children of Service personnel with a stable education that would not otherwise be available in the state-maintained day school sector, due to their family’s mobility.

Following the introduction of VAT on independent school fees, the MOD conducted an in-year recalculation of the rates of CEA effective 1 December 2024. The single Services will continue to monitor any impact on retention in service for those claiming CEA following the introduction of VAT. Additionally, the MOD will continue to monitor the impact through engagement with the Families Federations and feedback from Service personnel.

The Pay and Allowances Casework and Complaints Cell (PACCC) will monitor the impact on Service personnel changing schools and withdrawing from CEA. Currently, no Service Personnel have withdrawn from claiming CEA as a direct result of the introduction of VAT on independent schools
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-24 conversation_24

Baroness Bryan of Partick:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they are having with devolved authorities about the proposed increase in defence spending. \p Lord Coaker: The Government recently committed to increase defence spending to 2.5% by 2027. The Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy will inform the Government on how this will be spent. We are engaging with devolved authorities across the UK on a routine basis, including in relation to defence spending. The consultation process for the Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy has included detailed engagement with Mayoral Strategic Authorities across England. There has also been engagement with the Devolved Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and with officials from the Offices for the Nations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-24 conversation_25

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the English Devolution White Paper on 16 December 2024, what plans they have to ensure that integrated care systems operate in areas that are coterminous with Mayoral Combined Authorities. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: As set out in the English Devolution White Paper, the government recognises the benefits that aligned geographical boundaries can have for improving coordination between public services. The English Devolution White Paper therefore set out government's long-term ambition to align public service boundaries, including job centres, police, probation, fire, health services and Strategic and Local Authorities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-24 conversation_26

Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the English Devolution White Paper published December 2024, what is their policy on restructuring borough councils in Greater London. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: On 5th February the government formally invited unitary proposals from all the councils in two-tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries. No London Boroughs were included in this invitation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-24 conversation_27

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the publication on 16 December 2024 of the English Devolution White Paper, whether they intend to retain ceremonial counties for the purposes of appointing Lord Lieutenants and High Sheriffs. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: There is no intention that the priorities set out in the English Devolution White Paper will impact on the ceremonial counties or the important roles that Lord Lieutenants and High Sheriffs play as the Monarch’s representatives in those counties, and ceremonial counties will be retained. The government recognises and values the work they do in relation to civic, business, social and community life in the ceremonial counties, and will ensure that the ceremonial rights and privileges of an area will be maintained after any reorganisation of local government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-24 conversation_28

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to give guidance to local authorities on signing new commercial contracts where those local authorities are undergoing local government re-organisation and are soon to be abolished. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: It is essential that councils developing proposals for reorganisation continue to deliver their business-as-usual services and duties, which remain unchanged up until such time as the reorganisation process is complete. This duty may include signing or renewing commercial contracts that deliver or support the delivery of statutory services. Until a decision about any new councils is made and legislation is in place councils are encouraged to consider voluntary arrangements to help balance the decisions needed now to maintain service delivery and ensure value for money for council taxpayers, with those key decisions that will affect the future success of any new councils in the area. Once legislation is in place establishing new unitary councils, then the Secretary of State may put in place a direction requiring that those councils to be dissolved must seek consent of the new council as specified in the direction before entering into certain contracts or land disposals. It would however make sense for contracts which are being agreed in this period to recognise and accommodate for the changes to local government coming through.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-24 conversation_29

The Lord Bishop of St Albans:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the gambling industry’s self-regulation practices in relation to gambling advertising, sponsorship, and marketing. \p Baroness Twycross: According to GambleAware’s research in 2017, the total advertising and marketing spend by gambling companies totalled £1.5 billion, of which:

£747 million was spent on online advertising and direct marketing

£234 million on TV advertising

£149 million on social media advertising

£60 million on sponsorship

£301 million on advertising through market affiliates

£70 million on other offline advertising

There are existing robust rules in place to ensure that advertising, whenever it appears, is socially responsible, with a particular regard to the need to protect children, young persons and other vulnerable persons from being harmed and exploited. Gambling adverts cannot be targeted at children and cannot be of ‘strong appeal’ to children, for example they cannot feature Premier League footballers and celebrities popular with children.

However, we recognise that more can be done to improve protections. We have set the gambling industry a clear task to raise standards and this work will be monitored closely.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-24 conversation_30

Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 6 March (HL4299), whether the Government Art Collection has a different public interest threshold for disclosure depending on which department administers the premises in which works are displayed; and if so, why. \p Baroness Twycross: I refer the Noble Lady to my answer of 6 March 2025 (UIN HL4299). Information requests are considered on their individual merits on a case-by-case basis.