theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_40

Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government whether Network Rail has plans to install a shelter for passengers at the southern end of platform 1 of Penrith Station; and, if it has no such plans, why not. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: There are currently no plans to install a shelter at the southern end of platform 1 as most of the station is covered by existing canopies. The decision to install a shelter would require agreement from Avanti West Coast as station manager and Network Rail as station owner. The Department expects Avanti West Coast collaborate with Network Rail to identify opportunities for investment, above and beyond essential renewals for station investments, where affordable.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_41
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_41

Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 11 February (HL4485), what assessment have they made, if any, of the number of potholes in the car park of Penrith Station; and what steps they are taking, if any, to ensure that Network Rail will repair any potholes. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: No assessment has been made by officials about the number of potholes in the car park at Penrith. We understand from Avanti West Coast and Network Rail that a temporary repair of potholes has been put in place at the station front, and a re-surfacing of the road at the station is expected within the coming year. Avanti West Coast will raise with Network Rail the importance of the car park in any plans for pothole repairs.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_42

Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 21 July (HL9261), what plans they have to impose a ban on all tree and shrubbery clearance work by Network Rail from March to August inclusive to avoid disturbing songbirds during nesting season. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The government has no plans to impose a ban on tree and shrubbery clearance work by Network Rail. As stated in the previous answer (HL9261), Network Rail has processes in place for managing tree removal around nesting season. Network Rail has committed to increase biodiversity across the rail estate by 2035 but ultimately must prioritise the safe and efficient operation of the railway. Vegetation with suspected or identified nesting birds would only be removed if safety concerns were significant and following consultation with ecologists, lawyers and the British Transport Police.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_43

Lord Roberts of Llandudno:To ask His Majesty's Government how they intend to spend the £445 million of funding allocated to the country’s rail infrastructure needs; and whether they will dedicate any of this funding to the electrification of the Crewe to Holyhead railway line. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Spending Review and the 10-year Infrastructure Strategy recognises Wales’ long-term infrastructure needs and will deliver at least £445 million of rail enhancements to realise them. The detail of how this investment is to be realised will be determined by the Wales Rail Board in the coming months. The funding secured at the Spending Review includes delivery of the infrastructure changes needed to support the introduction of 50% more services across the North Wales mainline during 2026 and consideration of the future requirements of that line.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_44

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that new car prices in Northern Ireland could increase by around £4,000 compared to Great Britain by 2026 under new regulatory divergence; what steps they are taking to prevent the emergence of a divided UK car market; and what discussions they are having with relevant UK and EU partners about that issue. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: This Government is committed to meeting our obligations under the Windsor Framework relating to the approval of vehicles for the market in Northern Ireland, and to ensuring that consumers in NI are not restricted in their choice of vehicles.

Since the requirements for vehicle approval in Great Britain are derived from the EU's it makes sense to consider amendments made by the EU favourably. This government closely monitors those amendments and takes an explicit presumption in favour of alignment with them.

To this end the government will consult on proposals to align with Euro 6e emissions regulations, and is considering options for requiring the fitment of the safety technologies mandated by the EU's general safety regulation.

The government meets regularly with individual manufacturers, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and has met the National Franchise Dealers Association to understand the issues facing them, including those caused by misalignment between the GB and EU schemes.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_45

Lord Snape:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the advantages to rail freight and passenger services of the proposed Ely Area Capacity Enhancement and associated improvements to Haughley junction; and what is the benefit-cost ratio for these schemes; and what are their current cost estimates. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Ely Area Capacity Enhancement was assessed as having a Benefit Cost Ratio of 4.89 against a cost estimate of £489m at Outline Business Case stage, at the point the programme was paused in 2022.

We are focused on prioritising the schemes that will make the greatest difference for passengers and support economic growth as quickly as possible. The previous government had committed to a number of projects that were unfunded, including the EACE scheme.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_46

Lord Harper:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the increase in sales of zero-emission cars that will result from the Electric Car Grant in each of the five years from 2025. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Department estimates that tens of thousands of vehicles will be supported by the Electric Car Grant. The exact number of vehicles supported by the grant will depend on consumer uptake and the number of cars eligible for the grant.

The grant design will remain under review throughout its operation to ensure maximum value for money, and the scheme will be subject to amendment or early closure with no notice should funds become exhausted.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_47

Lord Harper:To ask His Majesty's Government what environmental criteria must be met to qualify for (1) the £3,750 and (2) the £1,500 Electric Car Grant; and how these criteria will be assessed and by whom. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: To access the grant, manufacturers must hold a validated science-based target, which means they are committed to sustainable practices. These are assessed by the independent Science Based Target Initiative.

If a manufacturer holds a science-based target, whether and how much grant funding a vehicle could receive is based on the carbon emissions from the generation of energy used to assemble the vehicle and produce its battery. These criteria are assessed by the Department for Transport.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_48

Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support local authorities to establish access panels for disabled people to contribute to transport policy making, following the model used in Scotland. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Sustrans Transforming Mobility Report highlights how paid access panels could be one means by which local transport authorities engage with disabled people to shape, review, and monitor transport policies and projects, so that accessibility is embedded from the start of projects.

This recommendation is aimed at local leaders, who know their communities and are best placed to make decisions about how they can improve local transport for disabled people. Improving accessibility is a collaborative effort, with operators, industry, and local authorities having key parts to play – alongside the support of all passengers. Breaking down barriers to opportunity is a core mission statement for this government and that is why we are developing an Integrated National Transport Strategy to enable us to better work with partners across the transport sector to deliver a network that works for all passengers.

More widely, the government is committed to improving public transport services, so they are more inclusive and enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. The Bus Services (No.2) Bill, introduced by the government on 17 December is intended to ensure networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them and includes measures which will make bus travel more accessible and inclusive. In addition, on 1 October 2024, the first phase of the Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 came into force, meaning that newer vehicles providing local services must provide audible and visible information on stops, destinations and diversions. The majority of services will need to comply by October 2026.

Ensuring the rail network is accessible is at the heart of our passenger-focused approach to improving rail services. We are committed to improving the experience for disabled passengers and have committed to publishing an accessibility roadmap to explain the actions we are taking to improve accessibility ahead of the establishment of Great British Rail.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_49

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to providing protective works for the Wapping Telephone Exchange in deciding whether to grant planning permission for the proposed Chinese embassy at the Royal Mint Court. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: An independent Inspector held a public inquiry into the proposals in question, at which interested parties were able to put forward evidence and representations.

All material planning considerations will be taken into account in reaching a decision on this case.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_50

Lord Blunkett:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 30 June (HC61433), whether the proposed restriction on installing gas boilers for newly constructed dwellings applies to the development of blended green hydrogen and natural gas for heating purposes. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The Future Homes Standard (FHS), to be introduced through the Building Regulations in autumn this year, will effectively preclude the use of gas boilers in new homes. A consultation setting out detailed technical proposals for the FHS was published in December 2023 and closed in March 2024. Hybrid and hydrogen-ready boilers would not meet the standards proposed in the consultation. We are carefully considering the feedback we received to the consultation and intend to publish the government response confirming our final position in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_51
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_51

Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government how many additional units of accommodation have been required to meet the increase in the population of the United Kingdom in the last five financial years. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Estimates vary as to the scale of delivery that is required to meet housing need, however, there is a broad consensus that to address the housing emergency we must deliver well above projections of population growth to deal with decades of undersupply. Increasing housing supply beyond current levels is integral to providing for population growth, moderating the rate of house price growth, and tackling affordability pressures. That is why we have committed to delivering 1.5m homes over this parliament.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_52
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_52

Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the deconstruction of Grenfell Tower on the mental health of children and young people affected by the tragedy or living nearby. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The government is committed to ensuring there is appropriate health and wellbeing support in schools for children, young people and the entire school population closely affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy, particularly as we prepare to carefully take down Grenfell Tower in the autumn.

We are working closely with the Department for Education, Department for Health and Social Care, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the NHS Integrated Care Board to discuss appropriate emotional and wellbeing support to local schools.

I appreciate how pressing this matter is and the department continues to work closely with local headteachers, health partners and RBKC to ensure we support children and young people throughout this sensitive period.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_53

Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the integrity of elections carried out without the requirement for photographic voter identification. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Legitimate electors should not be prevented from voting and we are committed to ensuring that everyone eligible is able and encouraged to do so. We believe it is appropriate to retain the requirement to show ID to protect our electors from the risk of personation, but the current rules are too restrictive.

Allowing the use of UK issued bank cards will improve the policy by increasing accessibility and ease for legitimate electors to prove their identity, while maintaining a proportionate and secure ID check. UK banks conduct a range of rigorous identity verification and anti-money laundering processes before opening bank accounts for their clients and issuing bank cards.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_54
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_54

Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the United States of America, including the US Embassy in London, relating to the proposed Chinese Embassy development at the Royal Mint in London. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The Government regularly engages with representatives of foreign governments, including the United States government, to discuss a broad range of issues. The details of these discussions are not made public.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_55
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_55

Baroness Hoey:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to ensure that she exercises her duties impartially in relation to unionism and Irish nationalism, particularly in respect of the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is independent of Government and has a statutory duty to ensure government and other public bodies protect the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has met the Chief Commissioner to discuss a range of issues, including the Government’s approach to legacy reform. Northern Ireland Office officials have also met representatives of the Commission to discuss legacy matters.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_56
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_56

Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate:To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to The UK's trade strategy (CP1339), published on 26 June, what progress they have made on delivering a single trade window. \p Baroness Gustafsson: The Trade Strategy sets out a range of cross-Government measures to minimise administrative burdens and frictions experienced by businesses trading internationally. We will remain focused on working across Government to implement the various measures outlined in the strategy that will help businesses across the country to export and import the goods and services that will support growth and jobs.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-28 conversation_57

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to expand the remit of the Care Quality Commission to include oversight of private medical insurers to ensure that insurer-led decisions do not impact clinical autonomy or patient safety. \p Baroness Merron: The role of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is to regulate health and adult social care providers in England, for regulated activities set out in schedule one of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

There are no plans to extend the role of the CQC to regulate private medical insurers.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_1

Lord West of Spithead:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Mauritius regarding conservation and restoration of seabird islands in the Chagos Archipelago, including regarding eradication of rats and vegetation management, as part of negotiations over the islands. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Diego Garcia base agreement will be supported by an enhanced partnership between the UK and Mauritius on conservation. This partnership will prioritise high conservation standards, with the UK supporting Mauritius' ambitions to establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) that protects the globally significant ecosystems in the Chagos Archipelago.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_2

Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Nicaragua about the additional restrictions imposed on churches during Easter Holy Week, and whether they are taking to address the human rights situation in that country, particularly with regard to the recommendations of the report The Silencing of Democracy in Nicaragua, published by three all-party parliamentary groups in April 2024. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: We share the widespread international concern about the relentless suppression of human rights in Nicaragua and are deeply concerned by reports of restrictions imposed on churches during Holy Week. I welcome the scrutiny of Parliamentary colleagues in producing 'The Silencing of Democracy in Nicaragua' report. Officials have considered the recommendations in detail and have used them to inform our approach. This includes continuing to urge Nicaragua to re-establish democratic freedoms through bilateral engagements and public statements in international fora. On 28 February 2025 at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, we raised our grave human rights concerns, including relating to freedom of religion and belief.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_3

Lord Rogan:To ask His Majesty's Government what recent steps they have taken to promote cultural exchange programmes between the United Kingdom and Northern Cyprus. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' as an independent state. Several UN Security Council Resolutions limit links between UK and the north of Cyprus. However, the UK supports appropriate measures aimed at reducing the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and has funded various local projects aimed at bringing together Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities, including art exhibitions, film festivals and wider youth engagement initiatives. The Minister for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories met representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community on his recent visit, and discussed a range of matters with Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders at the UN settlement talks on 17-18 March.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_4

Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 29 January (HL4271), what steps they have taken to ensure that humanitarian aid is received by the Rohingya in Bangladesh; when they will publish the outcomes of this funding; and whether they will make regular updates on funded projects publicly available. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK has been actively engaged in addressing the humanitarian situation of the Rohingya in Bangladesh. We are a leading donor to the Rohingya response and have provided over £420 million to support the Rohingya and host communities since 2017, including food provision, clean water, healthcare and protection services. The UK ensures that aid reaches the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, by working with international partners like the UN Refugee Agency, International Organization of Migration and World Food Programme. For detailed information on projects we fund and their outcomes, you can refer to the UK Government's Development Tracker:

https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/programme/GB-GOV-1-300554/summary
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_5

Lord Rooker:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to prioritise UK suppliers for the supply of NHS face shield stock currently out for tender. \p Baroness Merron: The Department is currently tendering for its pandemic preparedness portfolio and the procurement is being run against an existing NHS Supply Chain framework agreement.

The framework agreement only has suppliers on it which have been through a competitive tender and due diligence in line with both the legislation, at that time the Public Contract Regulations 2015, and which have been assessed against NHS Supply Chain’s minimum expectations, including sustainability, social value, and modern slavery.

NHS Supply Chain cannot discriminate against countries, except for Russia and Belarus, and this is in line with the Government’s National Procurement Policy Statement which specifically states that nothing in this statement should conflict with the Government’s international trade obligations.

In this tender, bidders were only permitted to tender products that were already awarded to the framework agreement. Furthermore, as part of the tender evaluation, for all products tendered, the technical product/conformity documentation was then reviewed again to ensure its validity, and a ‘hands on product assurance’ assessment requiring samples was undertaken.

Two suppliers on the existing NHS Supply Chain framework provided products under personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts to the Department in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which the Department was dissatisfied with. However, these contract issues have now been resolved. The products supplied under the NHS Supply Chain framework are not the same as for the Department’s PPE contracts, and any issues with future performance will be managed through the contract management process and practice already in place with NHS Supply Chain.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_6

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 10 February, what steps they are taking to reduce expenditure and staff time spent on diversity schemes in the NHS. \p Baroness Merron: Taxpayers rightly expect value for money from the funding that is spent in the National Health Service.

The NHS and the Department’s arms-length bodies are continually expected to review their expenditure with a view to finding efficiency savings and ensuring value for money for the public purse.

Equality and diversity initiatives that exist within the NHS focus on targeting health inequalities as well as addressing the abuse and discrimination that some NHS staff face in the workplace. They also help NHS organisations comply with legal requirements set out for public bodies in the Equality Act 2010, and the public sector equality duty.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_7

Lord Strathcarron:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Merron on 23 April (HL Deb col 741), what evidence is there that "There are around five times more people smoking non-cigarette tobacco, such as cigars, than a decade ago"; and what are the precise statistics for different categories of non-cigarette, including hand-made cigars, machine-made cigars, pipe tobacco and shisha, within that statement. \p Baroness Merron: Tobacco is the single most important entirely preventable cause of ill health, disability, and death in this country, and is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths in the United Kingdom each year. There is no safe level of tobacco consumption. All tobacco products are harmful.

A paper by Dr Sarah E Jackson, Dr Lion Shahab, and Dr Jamie Brown titled Trends in Exclusive Non-Cigarette Tobacco Smoking in England: A Population Survey 2013–2023 provides the evidence behind the statement on other tobacco products. The available data does not provide the precise statistics for the different categories of other tobacco products.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_8

Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the levels of (1) childhood obesity, and (2) childhood dental problems; and what assessment they have made of the role of milk in combating those health issues. \p Baroness Merron: The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) collects data on the weight status of children aged four to five years old, in Reception, and 10 to 11 years old, in Year 6. Findings from the 2023 to 2024 NCMP annual report shows that the prevalence of obesity in children in Reception is not showing signs of decreasing, and remains in line with the stable pre-pandemic level. For Year 6 children, although the prevalence has decreased, it remains higher than pre-pandemic levels and is in line with the increasing pre-pandemic trend. Obesity prevalence also varies across ethnic groups, where a child lives continues to influence their weight status and health, and there remain large and persistent inequalities between the most and least deprived areas of England.

Data from the National Dental Epidemiology Programme oral health survey of five-year-old schoolchildren in England in 2024 showed that 22.4% of five-year-old children surveyed had experienced tooth decay. The most common reason children aged five to nine years old are admitted to hospital is for tooth decay.

Plain milk and water are the safest drinks for teeth. We have published the evidence base in support of this in Delivering Better Oral Health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention, which states that only plain milk or water should be provided between meals for young children. Young children should not be given drinks sweetened with sugar or sweeteners.

In 2023, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), published its report Feeding young children aged 1 to 5 years, a comprehensive assessment of the scientific basis of recommendations for feeding young children aged up to five years old. The report found no evidence that milk consumption is related to tooth decay and some evidence that there is no link between milk consumption and body fatness. The SACN recommended that plain milk or water, in addition to breast milk, should constitute the majority of drinks given to children aged one to five years old, and that pasteurised whole and semi-skimmed cows’ milk can be given as a main drink from one years old. These recommendations have been accepted by Government.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_9

Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of people born on or after 1 January 2009 who will continue to smoke if the provisions of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill are enacted. \p Baroness Merron: Tobacco is the single most important entirely preventable cause of ill health, disability, and death in this country, and is responsible for 80,000 deaths in the United Kingdom each year. The majority of smokers start in their youth and are then addicted for life. More than four in five smokers start before the age of 20 years old.

As a result of Government action, smoking rates have declined in all ages since the 1970s, but there is still much further to go. Legislation has been an important driver of this decline, including raising the age of sale for smoking from 16 to 18 years old, which reduced prevalence in this age group by 30%.

The available data does not allow us to estimate the number of people under 18 years old that smoke and vape in England, and the data that is available is not comparable as it covers different age groups and countries. However, using the NHS Smoking Drink and Drugs survey data, we estimate that the number of 11 to 15 year olds regularly smoking in England is 42,000 in 2023. We do not have similar data for years 2022 and 2024. Using the Action on Smoking and Health GB survey data, we estimate that the number of children aged 11 to 17 years old that regularly use a vape in Great Britain, which can also be called an e-cigarette, is 169,000 in 2022, 206,000 in 2023, and 234,000 in 2024.

Our modelling of the estimated impact of the Smokefree Generation (SFG) policy on smoking rates is presented in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill Impact Assessment. In the central scenario we modelled, smoking prevalence among those aged 18 years old and over is estimated to fall from 11.6% in 2023 to 1.6% in 2056. In terms of the number of smokers, we estimate this is equivalent to approximately 700,000 smokers aged 18 years old and over in 2056 when SFG is implemented, compared to approximately 2.4 million smokers aged 18 years old and over if not implemented.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_10

Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of milk in enabling healthy development in children. \p Baroness Merron: The Government’s dietary recommendations are based on robust assessments of the scientific evidence by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and its predecessor, the Committee on Medical Aspects of Nutrition Policy. Government advice on a healthy, balanced diet is encapsulated in the United Kingdom’s national food model, The Eatwell Guide.

In 2023, the SACN published its report Feeding young children aged 1 to 5 years, a comprehensive assessment of the scientific basis of the recommendations for feeding young children aged up to five years old. The SACN found that milk is an important contributor to energy intake and intakes of calcium and other micronutrients in children aged one to five years old. The SACN also found some evidence that there is no link between milk consumption and body fatness. The SACN recommended that:

- plain milk or water, in addition to breast milk, should constitute the majority of drinks given to children aged one to five years old; and

- pasteurised whole and semi-skimmed cows’ milk can be given as a main drink from the age of one years old.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_11

Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of extra enforcement officers required in each local authority to ensure that people born on after 1 January 2009 do not purchase tobacco products if the provisions of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill are enacted. \p Baroness Merron: History shows that when we have introduced targeted tobacco control measures, the size of the illicit market has not increased and in fact continued to fall. When the age of sale was increased from 16 to 18 in 2007, prevalence in this age group reduced by 30% and the number of illicit cigarettes consumed overall fell by 25% from 10 billion in 2005/06 to 7.5 billion in 2007/08.

The Department will conduct a New Burdens Assessment to assess the impact of policies in the Bill on local authorities prior to the Bill receiving Royal Assent. At this stage, we have not made a specific assessment of the number of additional enforcement officers needed in each local authority. However, we have engaged with National Trading Standards, the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers' Board and Trading Standards regions to identify where to additional support and funding is needed to enforce the provisions in the Bill. As a result, an additional £10 million funding for Trading Standards was announced on 23 March 2025 which will bolster operations in local communities for the next year. This will fund an expected 80 more apprentice enforcement officers to tackle underage sales and prevent harmful tobacco and vape products finding their way into neighbourhood shops. We have allocated the apprenticeship funding regionally, based on smoking and vaping prevalence in the area, to target the areas where enforcement will most likely be needed.

In total, we will invest £30 million of new funding in 2025/26 for enforcement agencies including Trading Standards, Border Force and HM Revenue and Customs to tackle the illicit and underage sale of tobacco and vapes, supporting the implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_12

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the BBC Panorama programme The Truth about Baby Food Pouches which was aired on 28 April; and whether they will issue guidance to parents on baby food pouches and on healthy alternatives for babies. \p Baroness Merron: While we have not undertaken an assessment of the findings of the BBC Panorama programme which aired on 28 April, a document that looked at the baby food market was published by Public Health England in 2019. This evidence review showed that some commercial baby foods, particularly finger foods, had added sugar, or contained ingredients that are high in sugar. It also found that approximately one-third of commercial baby foods and drinks are packaged in pouches, and that messaging on how to feed these products to a baby was inconsistent across the market.

A 2023 report by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition highlighted that free sugar intakes are above recommendations, and that commercial baby food and drinks contributed to approximately 20% of free sugars intakes in children aged 12 to 18 months old. This does not align with recommendations that in diets of children aged one to five years old, foods, including snacks, that are high in free sugars should be limited, and that commercially manufactured foods and drinks are not needed to meet nutrient requirements.

It is vital that the highest standards for foods consumed by babies and infants are maintained. This is why there are regulations in place that set nutritional and compositional standards for commercial baby food. The regulations also set labelling standards to ensure consumers have clear and accurate information about the products they buy.

The Start for Life website provides trusted National Health Service guidance, videos, and simple weaning recipes to help parents introduce solid foods without the need for commercial baby foods, including pouches. The website also provides further advice and recipes for older babies and toddlers. A weekly email programme offers ongoing support to parents, and printed materials on introducing solid foods, produced by Start for Life, are shared by health visitors.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_13

Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the causes of the fall in childhood vaccination coverage rates since 2013–14. \p Baroness Merron: Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England indicates a decline in coverage for childhood vaccination programmes. The extent of these changes varies depending on the specific vaccination programme and the age group being considered.

Public concerns about the level of preschool vaccination uptake prompted the National Audit Office to investigate the reasons behind the decline. The report identified several structural issues, including fragmented program delivery, difficult access for parents, and inconsistencies in professional communication. The copy of the full report is attached.

The Government is committed to having high uptake in all our vaccination programmes, and has an established independent scientific advisory group, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which is responsible for advising United Kingdom health departments on immunisations for the prevention of infections and/or disease.

The UKHSA has also established a forum bringing together the four UK nations to review factors impacting the decline in uptake, and to identify actions and shared learning to improve access to services and to address other potential barriers.

The UKHSA conducts research to assess public confidence in national vaccination programmes. Annual surveys consistently show that confidence in vaccination remains high.

Additional Document (pdf, 1044.2KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_14

Lord Sharkey:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that the abolition of NHS England does not adversely affect the oversight of patient and public involvement in decisions on specialised services delegated to integrated care boards. \p Baroness Merron: NHS England has asked the integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners of health and care services and to reduce the duplication of responsibilities within their structure, to achieve a 50% cost reduction in their running cost allowance.

We expect ICBs to fully deliver on their commissioning responsibilities, including the responsibility to commission some of the specialised services. Furthermore, ICBs have a legal duty to involve patients and their carers and/or representatives in the planning of services, as well as proposals and decisions that have an impact on services. ICBs are required to set out how they plan to execute this duty in their joint forward plans.

NHS England provided additional guidance to ICBs, National Health Service trusts, and NHS foundation trusts on 1 April 2025, where ICBs were tasked with developing plans by the end of May setting out how they will manage their resources to deliver across their priorities.

NHS England will be working closely with ICBs to support the development of these plans, ensuring that their implementation reduces duplication and supports patient care. In his letter to ICBs, Sir Jim Mackay committed to greater transparency and moving back to a fair shares allocation policy over time.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_15

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the needs of disabled asylum seekers and refugees for healthcare, including mental healthcare; and what assessment they have made of enabling asylum seekers with relevant qualifications and cultural knowledge to provide such care. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_16

The Lord Bishop of St Albans:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of polling data on 11 April by Christians Against Poverty, The inequality of poverty, what steps they are taking to address the higher incidence of deficit household budgets among adults of ethnic minorities compared to white adults. \p Baroness Sherlock: This government is committed to tackling poverty and supporting people into good work will be the foundation of our approach. We are committed to creating a more equal society and supporting economic growth. Talent is widely distributed, and opportunity is not. We are tackling this through our Growth and Opportunity Missions and our £240 million Get Britan Working package to improve support for people who are economically inactive, unemployed or want to develop their careers. The Get Britain Working White Paper sets out details of reforms to employment support to create an inclusive labour market in which everybody, regardless of their background, can participate and progress in work. Further measures addressing inequality are included within the Equality (Race and Disability) Bill, and the Employment Rights Bill.

Alongside this, the Child Poverty Taskforce is continuing its urgent work and is exploring all available levers, including considering social security reforms, to drive forward short and long-term actions across government to reduce child poverty. Tackling poverty means helping those that need help most and these are often those with protected characteristics. In developing individual policies that contribute to the Strategy, departments do have regard to equalities impacts.

Our plan to Make Work Pay, including increases to the National Living Wage benefiting over three million workers, will help more people stay in work, make work more secure and family-friendly, and put more money in working people's pockets. Women, younger and older workers, workers with a disability, and workers from ethnic minority backgrounds are expected to benefit the most from the April 2025 increases to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage in April 2025.

The Fair Repayment Rate will mean more than a million households retain more of their award to meet essential living costs. We will also improve the adequacy of the standard allowance with the first sustained above inflation rise in the basic rate of Universal Credit since it was introduced. This increase, announced in the Pathways to Work Green Paper, will be for new and existing customers and will benefit millions of people.

To further support struggling households, we have provided funding of £742 million to extend the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 in England, plus additional funding for the Devolved Governments.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_17

Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton:To ask the Leader of the House when she expects a Written Answer to be given to the question asked by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton on 26 March (HL6184). \p Baroness Smith of Basildon: The question was answered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 6 May 2025. I apologise for the delay.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_18

Viscount Younger of Leckie:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will provide mayoral strategic authorities with clear guidance about what constitutes a suitable investment for pension funds, in accordance with regulatory requirements, when those authorities submit proposals to investment pools. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The government intends to provide guidance in due course to strategic authorities and to Local Government Pension Scheme funds and asset pools, including on working together to increase local investment.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-15 conversation_19

Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government whether local electors, who are citizens of (1) Russia, (2) Iran, or (3) China, who are on the (a) Welsh or (b) Scottish devolved local government electoral roll, but who are not eligible to be on the UK Parliamentary electoral roll, are deemed to be permissible donors in relation to making donations to UK-wide political parties and regulated donees based outside of Wales and Scotland respectively. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Electoral law ensures that only those with legitimate ties to the UK can participate in our elections. In Scotland and Wales, the right to participate in elections is provided to all individuals who are legally resident and on the electoral register. Those individuals can vote in local elections and in elections devolved to Scotland and Wales and are considered permissible donors so are able donate to any registered UK political party. It includes people of varying nationalities.

The Scottish Government has responsibility for the franchise for elections to the Scottish Parliament and local elections in Scotland. The Welsh Government has responsibility for elections to the Senedd and local elections in Wales.