theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-14)

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Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England (CP 1350), how they assessed and evaluated that "By 2035, we anticipate half of all healthcare interactions will be informed by genomic insights and other predictive analytics". \p Baroness Merron: The 10-Year Health Plan for England sets out how the National Health Service will continue leading the world in genomics as it increasingly becomes part of routine care over the next 10 years. The statement that “by 2035, we anticipate half of all healthcare interactions will be informed by genomic insights and other predictive analytics” is part of Genomics England’s shared vision with the NHS on the potential of genomics in healthcare. Routine use of pharmacogenomics in the NHS could achieve this vision, as over 98% of people carry at least one relevant pharmacogenomic variant, and in a recent study, 80% of patients in an acute setting were exposed to a medicine for which there is pharmacogenetic prescribing guidance available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-14)

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Lord Wasserman:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they collect data on how many NHS England appointments were cancelled because of a lack of sign language interpreters; and, if so, whether they will publish those data for the past five financial years. \p Baroness Merron: NHS England routinely collects data on both cancelled and missed hospital appointments, although data is not collected on the reasons why, and cannot be disaggregated to explain causes.

All National Health Service organisations and publicly funded social care providers are expected to meet the Accessible Information Standard (AIS), which details the approach to supporting the information and communication support needs of people with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss, including people using British Sign Language.

On 1 July 2025, a refreshed AIS was published. NHS England is working to support implementation of the AIS with awareness raising, communication and engagement, and a review of the current e-learning modules on the AIS.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-14)

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Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government what financial spend is planned on posts in the very senior managers category in the NHS in (1) this financial year, and (2) the following three years. \p Baroness Merron: This information is not held centrally. Spend on very senior managers (VSM) pay is locally determined by individual National Health Service organisations within their local budget positions. VSM pay arrangements are subject to the decisions of local remuneration committees, which are ordinarily based on the provisions in the VSM pay framework and the independent recommendations of the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB). Future spending on VSM pay will depend on the outcomes of SSRB recommendations, and individual NHS trusts’ decisions are dependent on their financial position at a local level.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-14)

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Lord Wasserman:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to disaggregate the indicators included in the NHS Outcomes Framework in terms of disability status and impairment type. \p Baroness Merron: There are currently no plans to disaggregate NHS Outcomes Framework indicators in terms of disability status and impairment type.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-14)

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The Lord Bishop of Gloucester:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the total level of exports of goods and services produced or sourced in the UK for activities related to the construction and growth of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in (1) 2021, (2) 2022, (3) 2023, (4) 2024, and (5) 2025. \p Lord Livermore: Whilst HMRC holds information on the country of last known destination for exported goods, it does not hold information on how the goods will be used after delivery.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-14)

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The Lord Bishop of Gloucester:To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of imports of goods and services into the UK from the Occupied Palestinian Territories originate from, or are linked to, activities related to settlements in (1) 2021, (2) 2022, (3) 2023, (4) 2024, and (5) 2025. \p Lord Livermore: The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK’s current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Government of Israel.

Where there are doubts about the origin of goods that have been declared as being of Israeli origin, HMRC will undertake checks to verify the origin of those goods to ensure fiscal compliance. HMRC does not however provide specific details regarding checks as it may serve to undermine compliance activity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Lord Rogan:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Timpson on 13 May (HL Deb col 2055), how much of the extra £1 billion for policing will be allocated to Northern Ireland. \p Lord Livermore: As set out in the 2025-26 final police funding settlement, overall funding for the policing system in England and Wales will be up to £19.6 billion, an increase of up to £1.1 billion when compared to the 2024-25 funding settlement

This funding is for England and Wales. Policing is devolved in Northern Ireland and so the Barnett formula was applied in the normal way to the Home Office DEL budget, providing Barnett consequentials to the Northern Ireland Executive.

The Northern Ireland Executive's Phase 1 Spending Review settlement is the largest in real terms of any settlement since devolution, at £18.2 billion in 2025-26, including an additional £1.5 billion through the operation of the Barnett formula.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Baroness Jenkin of Kennington:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, what discussions they have had with the Financial Conduct Authority regarding possible changes to the UK Listing Rules Sourcebook with regard to UKLR 6.6.6R(9) to (11), UKLR 6.6.14 and UKLR 6 Annex 1R. \p Lord Livermore: As the independent financial services regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority is responsible for the UK Listings Rules.

The Government regularly discusses a range of issues with the FCA.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Lord Caine:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 12 May (HL6876), whether the forthcoming review of the PIP assessment will include a specific focus group or panel comprising of individuals with fluctuating and neurological conditions, such as myasthenia gravis, to incorporate feedback from their lived experience in the review. \p Baroness Sherlock: On 12 May, the Secretary of State announced in the House of Commons the start of the first phase of the review of the PIP assessment, which will be led by the Minister for Social Security and Disability. We will work with and listen closely to stakeholders to gather views on how best to approach the review before publishing the Terms of Reference.

The review will be guided by the principle that PIP is there to support disabled people with extra costs and to enable independent living, taking account of how the nature of disability and health conditions have changed since PIP was first introduced. The work to prepare the Terms of Reference will not include a specific focus group or panel comprising individuals with fluctuating and neurological conditions, but suggestions from such individuals about what the Terms of Reference should cover would be welcome.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Lord Caine:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 9 May (HL6877), how they monitor and evaluate whether PIP assessors are appropriately applying the reliability criteria in cases involving fluctuating or invisible conditions; and how many cases have been overturned at the mandatory reconsideration or tribunal stages due to a failure to consider these criteria correctly by assessors. \p Baroness Sherlock: DWP has set standards for the quality of assessments for all health professionals (HPs) conducting Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments on behalf of the department. The department closely monitors all aspects of the process including how HPs apply the criteria set out in legislation.

PIP assessments are conducted by fully qualified, clinical professionals (Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Pharmacists) who have undergone a comprehensive training programme designed and approved by DWP. The quality of their advice is continually assured internally by the assessment suppliers and externally by the department's independent audit function.

Audit refers to a comprehensive check of the elements of the assessment, including the evidence collection, further evidence provided and the completion of the assessment report by the HP. The check is completed against a set of guidelines which ensures the criteria is applied appropriately and that a consistent approach is taken in all cases, including those involving fluctuating or invisible conditions. This ensures that assessment reports are fit for purpose, clinically justified and sound, and provide sufficient information for the department to make an informed decision on entitlement to benefit.

The department does not hold data on cases overturned at mandatory reconsideration or tribunal stages due to a failure by assessors to correctly consider reliability criteria in cases involving fluctuating or invisible conditions.

The recent Pathways to Work Green Paper has proposed that assessments should, in future, be recorded by default. It is hoped that this will give new opportunities to establish what has gone wrong when assessments are subsequently found to be incorrect, including when the fault has been a failure to assess correctly the impact of a fluctuating condition.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Lord Browne of Belmont:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have equal access to digital learning resources and technology. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The department recently launched a public consultation on narrowing the digital divide between schools and colleges, so we can bring together the sector’s expertise to embed effective technology use, harness the opportunities that technology can offer, and ensure all students have access to it.

Through the proposals and investment set out in this consultation, the department wants to set milestones to break down the barriers to opportunity to ensure every child and young person has access to the best possible education. To support this ambition, we are investing another £25 million to upgrade wireless networks in schools this year, on top of £20 million to complete delivery of fibre internet upgrades to 833 schools.

Furthermore, the Child Poverty Taskforce is progressing urgent work to publish the Child Poverty Strategy. The Strategy will tackle overall child poverty, as well as going beyond that to focus on children in the deepest poverty lacking essentials and what is needed to give every child the best start in life.

The department is also working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) on their ambitious national plans for digital inclusion. DSIT published their Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps in February 2025. This is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/digital-inclusion-action-plan-first-steps/digital-inclusion-action-plan-first-steps#chapter-6---next-steps.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Baroness Alexander of Cleveden:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they still intend to meet targets for (1) international student recruitment, and (2) education export value, set out in the International Education Strategy, published in March 2019. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department, along with the Department for Business and Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, is currently conducting a review of the international education strategy to ensure that it continues to be an effective tool in increasing the value of education exports and reflects the priorities of education stakeholders, businesses and Ministers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Baroness Alexander of Cleveden:To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the white paper published on 12 May, Restoring control over the immigration system, whether the policy priorities for the proposed levy on tuition fees for international students who attend Scottish higher education institutions will be set by the Scottish Government. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The immigration white paper sets out a series of measures that will achieve a reduction in net migration, while maintaining the UK’s globally competitive offer to international students and making a significant contribution to growth by boosting our skills base. This includes the commitment to explore the introduction of a levy on higher education (HE) provider income from international students, with proceeds to be reinvested in the domestic HE and skills system. We will set out more details around the levy in the Autumn Budget.

Analysis of the potential impacts is based on the levy applying to English HE providers only. We will fully consult all the devolved governments on the implementation of the international student levy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Lord Hay of Ballyore:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK education system remains globally competitive. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The UK remains a highly attractive study destination for international students, with four universities in the top 10 and 15 universities in the top 100, alongside a wide array of high quality institutions which offer a fulfilling and enjoyable experience to international students from around the world.

As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education made clear in her video message last year, this government welcomes international students who enrich our university campuses, forge lifelong friendships with our domestic students and become global ambassadors for the UK.

The immigration white paper, published on 12 May, confirmed that we will retain the graduate visa, but reduce its duration from two years to 18 months. This will maintain our competitive post-study offer whilst ensuring individuals on this route obtain employment in graduate level roles and contribute to the country’s skills needs more quickly. The department will issue further details on implementation of the white paper measures in due course.
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Lord Turnberg:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to meet university vice-chancellors to discuss how they are dealing with the rising incidence of antisemitism on campuses. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: My right hon. Friend, Secretary of State for Education is due to host a roundtable shortly with leading vice chancellors to discuss what more can be done collectively, and at all levels, to make our universities safe and inclusive environments for all.

Departmental officials continue to liaise closely with Universities UK and with key Jewish community stakeholders, to remain appraised of issues and how they are being handled by universities.
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Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the benefits of school uniform. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department strongly encourages schools to have a uniform as it can play a key role in promoting the ethos of a school, provide a sense of belonging and identity and setting an appropriate tone for education.

By creating a common identity amongst all pupils, regardless of background, a school uniform can act as a social leveller. If, however, the uniform is too expensive it can place a financial burden on families. This is why the department has introduced legislation to limit the number of branded items of uniform and PE kit that schools can require. The measure will help to bring down costs for parents and remove barriers from children accessing sport and other school activities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total electricity generation capacity by hydroelectric power plants in (1) England, (2) Scotland, and (3) Wales. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Electricity generation capacity for hydroelectric power plants is published in Energy Trends table 6.1, available on gov.uk.

At the end of 2024 the installed capacity for hydroelectric power plants was: (1) England 43 MW, (2) Scotland 1,668 MW and (3) Wales 168 MW.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of planning permissions that were granted for properties that ended up not being built in each of the past five years, broken down by local authority. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The Department does not hold the requested information.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Lord Berkeley:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of alternatives to the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service; when any alternatives would be operational; and what they would cost. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: This Government recognises the importance of Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) technologies for our security and prosperity. We are implementing the Government Policy Framework for Greater PNT Resilience, including developing proposals for a National Timing Centre and enhanced long-range navigation system. The Government is considering options for UK access to a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS). This work is ongoing and no decision has yet been made.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Lord Berkeley:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the costs of reinstating the UK’s membership of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The Government is considering options for UK access to a satellite-based augmentation system, following our withdrawal from the EU's European Geostationary Navigation Overlay (EGNOS) system. This work is ongoing and no decision has yet been made. The Government engages with the European Commission and European Space Agency on space programmes but has not specifically discussed access to EGNOS.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Lord Browne of Belmont:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the number of cybersecurity professionals in the United Kingdom. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Cyber Security Sectoral Analysis and the Cyber Security Labour Market Survey, published by DSIT, show the cyber sector is creating more jobs every year, while the annual shortfall of cyber professionals is reducing.

To continue this progress, we deliver the CyberFirst programme that supports 11-25 year-olds across the UK with a range of opportunities, including educational courses, events and competitions, and financial support. DSIT also funds the UK Cyber Team Competition to identify our most talented 18-25 year-olds, who then go on to receive access to advanced training and mentorship to help develop their careers.

Additionally, DSIT funds the UK Cyber Security Council as the professional authority for cyber security. This body sets the standard for the profession, making it easier to recognise excellence and expertise for employers and practitioners alike.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Lord Birt:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of additional measures that can be taken by companies and public organisations to avert ransomware attacks. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The cyber security of the UK is a priority for the government. Organisations of any size, in any sector, can use the government's Cyber Essentials scheme to protect themselves against the majority of cyber threats. 92% fewer insurance claims are made by businesses and organisations with these controls in place. Further, the new Cyber Governance Code published in April sets out how boards and directors can effectively manage digital risks. Beyond these, companies and public organisations can help protect themselves against ransomware and other cyber threats by using the wide range of free advice, training and tools available on the National Cyber Security Centre website.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-29)

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Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government under what circumstances a member of the public would not be permitted to observe a Social Security and Child Support Tribunal hearing. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The question as to whether a member of the public would not be permitted to observe a Social Security and Child Support Tribunal hearing is a matter for the judiciary, after taking all the circumstances of the case into account, and in accordance with the Tribunal’s Procedure Rules.

The Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Social Entitlement Chamber) Rules 2008 state (at rule 30):

Public and private Hearings

30.—(1) Subject to the following paragraphs, all hearings must be held in public.

F1(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The Tribunal may give a direction that a hearing, or part of it, is to be held in private.

[F2(3A) Without prejudice to paragraph (3), the Tribunal may direct that a hearing, or part of it, is to be held in private if—

(a) the Tribunal directs that the proceedings are to be conducted wholly or partly as video proceedings or audio proceedings;

(b) it is not reasonably practicable for such a hearing, or such part, to be accessed in a court or tribunal venue by persons who are not parties entitled to participate in the hearing;

(c) a media representative is not able to access the proceedings remotely while they are taking place; and

(d) such a direction is necessary to secure the proper administration of justice.]

(4) Where a hearing, or part of it, is to be held in private, the Tribunal may determine who is permitted to attend the hearing or part of it.

(5) The Tribunal may give a direction excluding from any hearing, or part of it—

(a) any person whose conduct the Tribunal considers is disrupting or is likely to disrupt the hearing;

(b) any person whose presence the Tribunal considers is likely to prevent another person from giving evidence or making submissions freely;

(c) any person who the Tribunal considers should be excluded in order to give effect to a direction under rule 14(2) (withholding information likely to cause harm); or

(d) any person where the purpose of the hearing would be defeated by the attendance of that person.

(6) The Tribunal may give a direction excluding a witness from a hearing until that witness gives evidence.

F1 Rule 30(2) omitted (27.12.2024) by virtue of The Tribunal Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2024 (S.I. 2024/1283), rules 1, 2(3)

F2 Rule 30(3A) inserted (temp.) (10.4.2020) by The Tribunal Procedure (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020 (S.I. 2020/416), rules 1(2), 4(3)
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Baroness Alexander of Cleveden:To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the technical annex of the white paper published on 12 May, Restoring control over the immigration system, how many of the five higher education institutions that it is assumed will not pass the revised basic compliance assessment are in (1) Scotland, (2) Wales, and (3) Northern Ireland. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The estimates in the technical annex are illustrative and based on data from 2023-24, or 2022-23 where the former is not available. The actual institutions which will be impacted will depend on their compliance with the criteria at the time.
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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the British Council's budget increases or is maintained in line with inflation. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The British Council plays a leading role in promoting UK values and interests through its work in arts and culture, education, and promotion of the English language. The British Council's 2023 Global Perceptions report survey demonstrates that cultural relations initiatives are connected to higher levels of trust in the UK Government. The average score for trust in the UK Government given by young people surveyed across the G20 was 54 per cent. However, for those who had participated in a UK cultural initiative, the score was 62 per cent, and where this initiative was produced by the British Council, it was 69 per cent.

The Government is committed to working with the British Council to ensure its financial sustainability. Issues related to funding are being considered in the round as part of the Spending Review process, which will allocate departmental budgets between 2026-27 and 2028-29.
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Lord Leigh of Hurley:To ask His Majesty's Government, further the answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 29 April (HL Deb col 1188), whether the question of Palestinian children’s textbooks advocating violence was raised with Prime Minister Mustafa on his visit to the UK; and if not, when it will next be raised with the Palestinian Authority. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: We have a regular dialogue with both the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Government of Israel in which we reiterate the need for both sides to prepare their populations for peaceful coexistence, including by promoting a more positive portrayal of one another to contribute to building the conditions needed for a peace. We continue to urge the Israeli and Palestinian leadership to avoid engaging in, or encouraging, any type of action and language that makes it more difficult to achieve a culture of peaceful coexistence and a negotiated solution to the conflict. Instead, we encourage promoting a more positive portrayal of one another to contribute to building the conditions needed for a peace. Our partnership with the PA includes a commitment from the Palestinian leadership to adhere to the principle of non-violence and to tackle language and actions that could incite violence or hatred. We have been clear that any incitement to hatred or violence in children's textbooks is unacceptable and has no place in education. The UK regularly raises this issue with the Palestinian Authority, including most recently at official level on the 9 May.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-12)

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Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of firms contracted to (1) the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and (2) each of its arm’s-length bodies, which are now contractually entitled to fee increases for the 2025–26 financial year in order to pay for the cost of the increase in employer National Insurance from April 2025. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: No contract held by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government explicitly provides for cost increases as a result of changes to National Insurance contribution rates as these are classed as General Change in Law. Where the contract allows for rates to be reviewed, any request by a supplier to do so would be considered by MHCLG on a case-by-case basis.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-12)

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Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of disabled people who are in receipt of a means-tested benefit but are not in receipt of personal independence payment. \p Baroness Sherlock: There are an estimated 2.0 million disabled people of working age who are in receipt of a means-tested benefit but not receipt of personal independence payment or an equivalent disability benefit, and an estimated 0.7 million of pension age.

Source: These figures are modelled estimates from DWP’s Policy Simulation Model (PSM), and therefore should not be treated as official statistics.

The PSM is tax/benefit static microsimulation model used widely throughout DWP and across Government to assess the impact of welfare policy. The PSM is based on a three-year pooled sample of the Family Resources Survey (FRS 19-20, 21-22 and 22-23). It is therefore subject to potential sampling error and respondent error. This is projected forwards to 2025/26 based on multiple assumptions about incomes for all households. The PSM corrects benefit under-reporting in the FRS by aligning the sample weights to benefit forecasts. The PSM is also calibrated to population data from the ONS and incorporates the OBRs economic forecast. The model does not yet take account of Spring Statement 2025 policy measures.

Notes: 1. Disability is defined as the Equality Act 2010 core definition, self-reported by survey respondents who report that they have a long-term physical or mental health condition, lasting or expected to last at least 12 months, that limits their daily activities either ‘a little’ or ‘a lot’.

2. Means-tested benefits includes any of the following: Universal Credit (UC), Income Support (IS), Employment Support Allowance (ESA), Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Working Tax Credit (WTC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), Housing Benefit (HB, or Northern Ireland equivalent), Council Tax Rebate (CTR, or Northern Ireland equivalent), or Pension Credit (PC).

3. Receipt of Personal Independence Payment includes other broadly equivalent disability benefits: Disability Living allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA). Eligibility for these benefits is based on different criteria from the legal definition of disability (see Note 1). The PSM does not estimate eligibility for disability benefits, relying on those who have reported it in the FRS.

4. Estimates relate to 2025/26 and are rounded to the nearest 0.1 million people.
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Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the proposal in Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper, published 28 March, for a time-limited contribution-based employment and support allowance, what estimate they have made of the number of people who will no longer be entitled to this allowance if it is time-limited for (1) six months, and (2) 12 months. \p Baroness Sherlock: Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’.

A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.

Attachment (pdf, 392.2KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-12 conversation_4

Viscount Younger of Leckie:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the (1) timeline, and (2) plan, for the merger of the National Careers Service with Jobcentre Plus; and what estimate they have made of the financial implications this merger will have on the budget of (a) the Department for Work and Pensions and (b) the Department for Education. \p Baroness Sherlock: Bringing together the National Careers Service with Jobcentre Plus in England and the creation of a new Jobs and Careers Service will form a key part of our plans to transform our employment support, as we set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper.

We will deliver this transformation using a test and learn approach, allowing us to gather evidence based on small-scale tests, iterate the service design, and scale up interventions that meet success criteria. Through this approach, lessons from our small-scale tests will be taken into consideration as part of our plans to bring the two services together.

At the Autumn Budget, the government announced £55m to take forward the first steps of building, testing and trialling the new service in 2025/26. Departmental budgets for the next Spending Review period will be outlined by the Chancellor in due course.

As a start to our commitment to better integrate employment support and careers advice in England, we have launched a data sharing agreement between the Department for Education (DfE) and DWP. This will encourage ‘join-up’ of our services and promote a more streamlined process for our customers ahead of the new service. We will continue to work closely with the DfE as we develop the new service, including careers advisers, who will be able to share their experiences, views and ideas around how we deliver careers services in the future.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-12 conversation_5

Viscount Younger of Leckie:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure careers services remain operationally effective following the merger of the National Careers Service with Jobcentre Plus. \p Baroness Sherlock: The National Careers Service provides free, up to date, impartial careers information and advice for citizens aged 13+, plus in-depth careers guidance from 19+, and can help people make informed decisions on learning, training, and work at all stages in their career.

As we set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we are reforming Jobcentre Plus, and in England bringing it together with the National Careers Service, to help get more people into work and help them get on at work, including through greater focus on skills and careers. We are starting a test and learn approach to develop the new service, ensuring that we develop a service that is locally tailored and embedded, designed to meet the different needs of local labour markets, local people and local employers.

As a start to our commitment to better integrate employment support and careers advice in England, we have launched a data sharing agreement between the Department for Education (DfE) and DWP. This will encourage ‘join-up’ of our services and promote a more streamlined process for our customers ahead of the new service. We will continue to work closely with the DfE to develop the new service, including career advisers, who will be able to share their experiences, views and ideas around how we deliver careers services in the future.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-12 conversation_6

Lord Caine:To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria are applied when assessing levels of personal independence payment awarded to those suffering from myasthenia gravis resulting in severe mobility impairment. \p Baroness Sherlock: Personal Independence Payment provides support based on the needs arising from a health condition or disability. Individuals can be impacted by their health conditions in different ways, so the assessment considers the effect on a person’s day to day life, rather than focusing solely on the health condition or impairment itself. As such, our focus is on ensuring that PIP assessors are experts in disability analysis rather than diagnosing a condition or its severity or recommending treatment options.

The PIP assessment criteria are set out in legislation. The assessment looks at how a long-term health condition or disability impacts on daily life across 12 activities, taking into account fluctuations over a 12 month period. The activities are grouped into two components, for daily living and mobility and within each activity a descriptor must be chosen to score an individual depending on how well they are able to perform the activity. Every claim to PIP is assessed against all 12 activities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-12 conversation_7

Baroness Stedman-Scott:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to deliver additional employment support to young men aged 16 to 24 years old. \p Baroness Sherlock: The steps set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper set us on a path to bring down economic inactivity levels and to take the first steps to delivering our long-term ambition of achieving an 80% employment rate. The Department understands the negative effects of unemployment can be particularly pronounced for young people and can have longstanding implications on their future earnings potential and life chances. This is why DWP have a particular focus on ensuring young people are supported into employment, whilst also recognising their needs will vary depending on where they live and their own individual circumstances.

DWP currently provides young people aged 16-24 with labour market support through an extensive range of interventions at a national and local level. This includes flexible provision driven by local need, nationwide employment programmes and support delivered by work coaches based in our Jobcentres and in local communities working alongside partners such as the Kings Trust, Local Authorities, National Careers Service/Career Wales, local colleges and Youth Trusts.

As part of our plan to Get Britain Working, we are launching a new Youth Guarantee for all young people aged 18-21 in England to ensure that they can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or help to find work. The Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education are working closely with the eight Mayoral Strategic Authorities in England set to receive grant funding to deliver the Youth Guarantee Trailblazers from Spring 2025. We will use the learning from these Trailblazers to inform the future design and development of the Youth Guarantee as it rolls-out across the rest of England.

This is alongside a new national jobs and careers service to help get more people into work, work health and skills plans for the economically inactive, and the launch of Skills England to open new opportunities for young people. We will work in partnership with organisations and businesses at the national and local level to offer exciting and engaging opportunities to young people. This could include work experience, training courses or employability programmes.

The Government is also reforming the apprenticeships offer into a more flexible growth and skills offer, aligned to the industrial strategy. The Department for Education is working to introduce new foundation apprenticeships for young people, as well as shorter duration apprenticeships, in targeted sectors. These will help more people learn new high-quality skills at work, fuel innovation in businesses across the country, and provide high-quality entry pathways for young people.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-12 conversation_8

Lord Sikka:To ask His Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of individuals who (1) were eligible to receive pension credit, and (2) received it in 2024–25. \p Baroness Sherlock: The latest available Pension Credit take-up statistics cover the financial year 2022 to 2023 and are available at: Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up: financial year ending 2023 - GOV.UK. In the financial year ending 2023, it is estimated that 1.32 million pensioner households were in receipt of Pension Credit and up to 760,000 pensioner households were entitled to Pension Credit but not receiving the benefit.

The latest available Pension Credit caseload statistics cover the period up to August 2024. At August 2024, there were 1,360,660 pensioner households in receipt of Pension Credit in Great Britain. These statistics are available via DWP Stat-Xplore.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-12 conversation_9

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to achieve the COP15 pledge to reduce the overall risks from pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals by at least half by 2030; and what assessment have they made of the likelihood of achieving this target. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The UK has published a full National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and UK National Targets that commit us to achieving all 23 targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at home, including Target 7 which features a pledge to reduce the overall risks from pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals by at least half by 2030.

In addition, the revised Environment Improvement Plan (EIP), which will be published in 2025, will set out the Government's approach to managing chemicals. The UK Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP), launched in March 2025, also sets out the Government’s strategy for managing pesticide use and minimising risks to the environment and health whilst maintaining food security.

An assessment of progress toward achieving the UK National Targets and implementation of the GBF will be set out in the UK 7th National Report, due to be published in February 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-12 conversation_10

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made to develop a Pesticide Load Indicator for horticultural use of such chemicals, such as in orchards, and when they expect the work to be completed. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The UK Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP), launched in March 2025 introduces a UK domestic target to reduce the potential harm from pesticides to the environment by 10% by 2030, monitored using the UK Pesticide Load Indicator (PLI). The PLI is a UK-specific indicator designed to show the potential harm to the environment and wildlife from pesticides. The UK PLI currently covers pesticide use in the arable sector only, which accounts for around 90% of overall pesticide use in UK agriculture.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-12 conversation_11

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish a new Wild Boar Action Plan following the appearance of a new population in Dartmoor National Park. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Primary responsibility for wild boar management lies with local communities and individual landowners. Defra works closely with stakeholder organisations to ensure communities, local authorities and landowners have access to guidance and information where needed to control populations and mitigate the impact of feral wild boar in their areas. Advice and further information on licensing and legislation relating wildlife management including wild boar is available on GOV.UK.

As part of ongoing work on contingency plans relating to wildlife disease management, Defra is undertaking a review of the Feral Wild Boar Action Plan. We will announce further details on this in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-12 conversation_12

Lord Strasburger:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the deployment of live facial recognition by South Wales Police in Cardiff in February and March, how many police officers were involved; how many civilian staff were involved; how many police person hours were used in preparation and delivery of the project; what was the total cost of the project, including contractors; and how many arrests resulted from the project, and for what offences. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: Details of the pilot schemes carried out by South Wales Police will be set out in due course as part of a wider publication by the Home Office on its approach to the use of live facial recognition technology.