theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_1

Lord Truscott:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to stop begging which is organised by criminal gangs. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: On 10th June, the Government announced its intention to repeal the outdated Vagrancy Act 1824. The Government has been clear that no one should be criminalised simply for having nowhere to live.

We have introduced targeted replacement measures in the Crime and Policing Bill to ensure police have the powers they need to keep communities safe, including a new criminal offence of facilitating begging for gain, an offence which was previously provided for under the 1824 Act.

This is intended to address organised begging, which is often facilitated by criminal gangs, and exploits vulnerable individuals.

This offence makes it unlawful for anyone to organise others to beg, for example, by driving people to places for them to beg. It will allow the police to tackle the organised crime gangs that use this exploitative technique to obtain cash for illicit activity.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_2

Lord Bailey of Paddington:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 27 October (HL10860), what consideration they have given to granting for-profit housing providers the ability to issue respect orders and housing and youth injunctions through the Crime and Policing Bill. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we are strengthening the powers available to relevant agencies under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to tackle ASB.

For-profit Social Housing Providers have grown in prominence since the 2014 Act first came into force. While it is important that all agencies have the powers they need to tackle ASB, it is also important that changes to the agencies that can use the powers in the 2014 ASB Crime and Policing Act are considered carefully, on a case-by-case basis. The addition of for-profit social housing providers as applicant agencies for Respect Orders, housing Injnuctions and Youth Inductions remains under consideration.

However, we are legislating in the Crime and Policing Bill to extend the power to issue Closure Notices to Registered Social Housing Providers, including For Profit Housing Providers. This will make it easier for Housing Providers to take swift action to prevent disruptive ASB.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_3

The Earl of Lytton:To ask His Majesty's Government which construction products and materials relating to the interior construction of buildings, if any, they have prohibited or restricted since 2017. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Combustible materials in and on the external walls of new residential buildings higher than 18 metres were banned in 2018.

The Building Regulations 2010 set functional requirements for fire safety, including the need for internal linings and structural elements to inhibit fire spread and maintain stability.

More broadly, in 2021, the Government appointed the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) as the National Regulator for Construction Products (NRCP) to regulate construction products placed on the UK market. The NRCP and local authorities have powers to enforce the law where products do not comply with the Construction Products Regulations 2013. The regulator has prohibited the supply of construction products including certain insulation, toughened glass, and plywood. Following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry's report, the Government has committed to bringing forward reforms to ensure that all construction products supplied in the UK are safe.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_4

Lord Patten:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 3 November (HL11277), whether the gardens of Leaden Hall fall within the description as part of a nationally significant setting to be protected as defined by the National Planning Policy Framework. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: As set out in the definition of ‘the setting of a heritage asset’ in the National Planning Policy Framework, its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings evolve. It is therefore for the decision maker to decide what the setting of a particular heritage asset is when considering a relevant planning application.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_5

The Earl of Lytton:To ask His Majesty's Government what standard building safety assessors use when assessing fire-safety defects other than defects of external wall systems to determine whether a defect is life-critical. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Part 4 of the Building Safety Act 2022 requires that building safety risks in Higher Risk Buildings are assessed, managed and controlled. The assessment must be suitable and sufficient and all reasonable steps must be taken to manage and control the building safety risks.

The Act does not set out specific standards that should be used. However, standards and guidance relevant to other regulatory regimes such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and BS 9792:2025 Fire Risk Assessment. Housing. Code of Practice will be relevant. Assessors can also refer to the published criteria used by the Building Safety Regulator for Building Assessment Certificate applications.

The assessment of ‘life critical fire safety defects’ does not form part of the Act. It is instead a feature of the Developers’ Remediation Contract and the Responsible Actors Scheme, which encompass a wider range of buildings.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_6

Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that the planning and funding of supported housing models are fully integrated across the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department of Health and Social Care. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The government recognises that supported housing is an important part of the delivery of social homes for people with care and support needs, including for older people and disabled working-age adults with personal care needs. My Department and the Department for Heath and Social Care coordinate closely on supported housing.

At the Spending Review, the government announced £39 billion for a new Social and Affordable Homes Programme over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36. We want to see new supply of supported housing in England through the new programme, in greater numbers and also across a diverse range of cohorts and housing types. This includes older people’s housing, specialist housing for those with complex needs, such as long-term housing for people with learning disabilities, autism or mental health issues, and transitional housing for those experiencing or at risk of rough sleeping and homelessness or from domestic abuse. Many of the Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities have also indicated supported housing amongst their local priorities in relation to the programme.

We know that supported housing can often cost more to deliver. In the new programme, while we will maintain the principle that all bids will be assessed for value for money based on their particular circumstances, flexibility on grant rates has been built in for accommodation where the level of design and adaptation results in higher costs. We would encourage providers to come forward with ambitious bids.

The commissioning of local housing-related support services is for local authorities to determine. Local authorities are best placed to plan and decide on local spending priorities that meet the needs of their local population. Through the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act, local authorities will be required to produce supported housing strategies to assess current and future need for supported housing in their area. The strategies will assist local authorities and housing providers with long-term planning and delivery to meet demand.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_7

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the number and value of UK properties held by (1) direct trust ownership, (2) UK companies held via a trust, and (3) overseas companies held via a trust \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: This information is not held by MHCLG, DBT or HM Land Registry.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_8

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to recognise the result of the upcoming general election in Myanmar; and whether they will raise the issue of that election at the United Nations General Assembly. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided on 3 November to Question HL11182.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_9

Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have for continued investment in the BBC World Service. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: I refer the Noble Lady to the answer I provided on 24 June 2025 to Question HL8298.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_10

Lord Rogan:To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the European Court of Human Rights’ recognition of the Immovable Property Commission as an effective legal remedy for property disputes in Cyprus. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The European Court of Human Rights has issued several key judgments regarding the effectiveness of the Immovable Property Commission (IPC), including most recently in June 2025 where it judged the IPC to remain a valid legal remedy to domestic property disputes in Cyprus, although also noted procedural delays. The Government monitors closely the continued effectiveness of the IPC, including through the Committee of Ministers for Human Rights at the Council of Europe.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_11

Baroness Helic:To ask His Majesty's Government how much funding has been (1) paid, and (2) pledged, to local women's organisations providing medical and psychosocial support to survivors of sexual violence in Sudan. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK is appalled at the severe impact of the conflict in Sudan on women and girls, including widespread sexual violence.

Through our leadership roles at the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council, we have championed evidence collection and accountability. On 6 October, the UK led efforts to renew the mandate of the UN Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), the only independent mechanism preserving evidence of atrocities, including conflict-related sexual violence. We also fund a specialist Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) investigator within the FFM and are deploying a UK secondee to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) Darfur investigation.

On 1 November, the Foreign Secretary announced an additional £5 million to support critical humanitarian services in Sudan, £2 million of which will be specifically allocated to bolster responses which focus on supporting the survivors of rape and sexual violence. This is in addition to the £120 million in UK funding already allocated for Sudan this year, including support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

We directly support women and girls through our programming, including the Women's Integrated Sexual Health programme which provides sexual and reproductive services to women, girls, persons living with disability and men, with UK aid delivered in camps for IDPs and elsewhere. Through our Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) programme, the UK is providing an additional £4.95 million until March 2026 to support 100,000 women and girls with a range of services to prevent and respond to FGM, child marriage and gender-based violence. This brings the total UK support delivered through this programme to £19.95 million.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_12

Lord Rogan:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish a "coalition of the willing" in support of Taiwan against Chinese aggression. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK's longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and considers the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_13

The Lord Bishop of Winchester:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of India regarding freedom of religion or belief in that country, and what other steps they are taking to support freedom of religion or belief there. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Government remains committed to promoting and protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) globally, and we continue to support civil society organisations and faith leaders who work to foster tolerance and inclusion. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy on FoRB, David Smith MP, plays an important role in championing religious freedom globally. We continue to monitor reports of religiously motivated violence and discrimination and raise concerns where appropriate, encouraging adherence to constitutional and international human rights commitments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Viscount Stansgate:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to bring legislation before Parliament to give effect to the decision of the King to remove all titles from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Following the statement made by Buckingham Palace on 30 October, the entitlement to the title of ‘Prince’ and the style of ‘Royal Highness’ has been removed by Letters Patent. The title of the Duke of York has been removed from the Roll of the Peerage and will no longer be used officially. There is therefore no need for legislation to implement the measures that have been announced.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_15

Viscount Stansgate:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to amend the Counsellors of State Act 2022. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Counsellors of State Act 2022 added two additional Members of the Royal Family to the list of those eligible to act as Counsellors of State in order to provide greater resilience in this aspect of our constitutional arrangements.

In practice, reflecting a commitment made during the passage of the Act, only working Members of the Royal Family are called upon to act as Counsellors of State.

The Government has no plans to amend the Counsellors of State Act 2022.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_16

Viscount Stansgate:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to amend the Titles Deprivation Act 1917. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Titles Deprivation Act 1917 authorised enemies of the United Kingdom to be deprived of their peerages during the First World War.

The Government has no plans to amend the Titles Deprivation Act 1917.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_17

The Earl of Clancarty:To ask His Majesty's Government what are the absolute numbers of specialist teachers in academies and maintained schools for each subject for each year from Key Stages 1 to 4 inclusive. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: ​​Data on the number of specialist teachers in state-funded secondary mainstream schools is published in the School workforce in England statistical publication. Figures for each subject for each year can be found below. This data has been available since 5 June 2025.

​Information on subjects taught is not collected from primary schools.

Headcount of qualified specialist teachers holding a qualification in a related subject by subjects taught and Key Stage, in England for 2024/25:

Subject taught

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

All subjects

156,459

166,445

All Design and Technology

8,632

6,422

All EBacc Subjects

109,096

111,201

All Modern Foreign Languages

9,349

9,351

All Sciences

32,134

31,908

Art & Design

8,913

7,062

Biology

1,270

3,878

Business Studies

539

4,029

Chemistry

1,007

2,982

Combined Arts / Humanities / Social Studies

54

28

Computer Science

3,676

3,588

Design and Technology - Combined

6,867

3,192

Design and Technology - Electronics/Systems and Control

95

94

Design and Technology - Food Technology

1,217

1,711

Design and Technology - Graphics

250

425

Design and Technology - Other

358

517

Design and Technology - Resistant Materials

362

482

Design and Technology - Textiles

416

653

Drama

4,621

3,750

Engineering

162

885

English

26,792

26,624

French

6,669

5,281

General/Combined Science

27,488

24,455

Geography

9,804

9,351

German

1,593

1,410

History

12,281

11,268

ICT

1,768

1,269

Mathematics

23,492

23,941

Media Studies

121

729

Music

4,962

4,173

Other Humanities

249

249

Other Modern Foreign Language

778

330

Other Social Studies

249

1,536

Other science

271

672

PE/Sports

18,005

17,879

Physics

745

2,060

Religious Education

5,729

5,417

Spanish

3,782

3,427

Source: School Workforce Census November 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_18

Baroness Harris of Richmond:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the definition of "nearest school" in relation to home-to-school transport provision to ensure that the phrase is interpreted consistently by local authorities. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department’s statutory guidance for local authorities provides advice on how they should determine which is a child’s nearest school. It says that where schools are within the statutory walking distance from the child’s home, local authorities should determine which is the nearest school by measuring the shortest walking route. Where the schools are beyond walking distance, local authorities may consider it more appropriate to measure the shortest road route or straight-line distance. Local authorities should make it clear in their school travel policy how they measure the distance from a child’s home to school.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_19

Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what cross-departmental discussions have taken place on adopting a joined-up approach to evidence-based parenting support; and on the merits of ensuring that the Best Start in Life Strategy is driven by evidence-based parenting programmes. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Best Start Family Hubs are key to our vision of joined-up services in the community, bringing together professionals from health and education, working with nurseries, childminders, schools, health services, libraries and local voluntary and community groups.

The department has confirmed over £500 million of funding allocated for the delivery of Best Start Family Hubs, parenting programmes and home learning environment support.

Through Best Start Family Hubs, all local authorities will deliver evidence-based interventions for families with 3 to 4 year-olds from April 2026. The department will be sharing a list of evidence-based interventions that have been developed in collaboration with expert partners and informed by sources such as the Foundations Guidebook and Nesta’s call for evidence. The list will favour evidence-based interventions that have undergone the most rigorous evaluation to reflect our ambition to support local authorities in investing in programmes most likely to have the greatest impact.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Baroness Alexander of Cleveden:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of the AI Growth Lab on economic growth. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: The Government recognises that artificial intelligence represents a defining economic opportunity for the coming decade. The OECD estimates that AI adoption could add 0.4 to 1.3 percentage points to the UK’s productivity growth- equivalent to adding £55-140 billion to UK GVA in 2030.

Lab would drive innovation and growth, super charging investment in innovative start-ups. The exact quantity of investment is uncertain, but firms participating in a previous FCA sandbox received 6.6 times more investment compared to non-participants.[1]

Early analysis indicates that lifting unnecessary legal barriers to AI in the Lab could unlock billions of pounds of GVA by 2035.

[1] Goo, J. and J. Heo (2020), “The Impact of the Regulatory Sandbox on the Fintech Industry, with a Discussion on the Relation between Regulatory Sandboxes and Open Innovation”, 6 J. Open Innov. Technol. Mark. Complex, https://www.mdpi.com/xx-xxxx-xxxx/.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need for greater pricing transparency in the mobile and broadband sector where some deals are accessible only through negotiation at the end of fixed contracts. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: I refer the Rt Honourable Lady to the answer given on 27 October 2025 to Question UIN HL10944.

People need to feel empowered when interacting with the telecoms market so they can be confident that they are getting a fair and transparent deal. DSIT’s Secretary of State wrote to Ofcom’s CEO on 31st October to ask for its assessment of telecoms consumer protections and what further action should be taken.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_22

Lord Caine:To ask His Majesty's Government how many of the ongoing prosecutions against members or former members of paramilitary organisations concern (1) dissident republican groups, (2) the Provisional Irish Republican Army, and (3) the Irish National Liberation Army. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: I have answered this question on the assumption that the Noble Lord is referring to Troubles-related prosecutions.

While ongoing prosecutions are a matter for the independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland, it is the Government’s understanding that there are now nine ongoing Troubles-related prosecutions.

Of those nine prosecutions, six fall in the republican category. The Government does not hold information regarding the specific paramilitary organisations involved in each case.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government how many Troubles-related criminal cases are pending to appear in court or currently being processed against (1) members of proscribed terrorist organisations and (2) veterans of the security forces. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: While ongoing prosecutions are a matter for the independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland, it is the Government’s understanding that there are nine ongoing Troubles-related prosecutions.

Of those nine prosecutions, six fall in the republican category, one in the loyalist category, one in the former police category and one in the military category.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Lord Caine:To ask His Majesty's Government how many prosecutions in relation to activities in Northern Ireland are outstanding of (1) former members of the Armed Forces, and (2) former members of (a) loyalist and (b) republican paramilitary organisations. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: I have answered this question on the assumption that the Noble Lord is referring to Troubles-related prosecutions.

While ongoing prosecutions are a matter for the independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland, it is the Government’s understanding that there are now nine ongoing Troubles-related prosecutions.

Of those nine prosecutions, six fall in the republican category, one in the loyalist category, one in the former police category and one in the military category.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Lord Caine:To ask His Majesty's Government how many prosecutions there have been in relation to activities in Northern Ireland of (1) soldiers, (2) former soldiers, and (3) members of (a) loyalist and (b) republican paramilitary organisations, in each year since 1998. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: I have answered this question on the assumption that the Noble Lord is referring to Troubles-related prosecutions.

This is a matter for the devolved and independent Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland. The Government, therefore, does not hold the specific information that has been requested.

We understand that, between 1 January 2012 and December 2024, 68 decisions on whether to prosecute were taken in relation to Troubles-related cases. Of these 68, there were 25 decisions to prosecute; 13 of these decisions relate to cases that fall within the republican category, 6 within the loyalist category, and 6 within the military category.

Where decisions have been taken to prosecute, there have been 6 convictions; 3 in the republican category, two in the loyalist category, and 1 in the military category, with that individual being given a suspended sentence.

We understand that figures relating to 1998-2012 are not available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Lord Beamish:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of the potential contribution to addressing regional imbalances of locating one of the proposed "always-on" munitions factories in the North East. \p Lord Coaker: It is vital we invest our defence spending across UK whenever possible to grow our economy and industrial base. As set out in our recent publication UK Defence Footprint, MoD spent £178 million in the North East in 2024 to 2025. To support economic growth, our industrial base and defence capacity, we have committed £1.5 billion in the Strategic Defence Review to move munitions production to “always on” and build six new munitions and energetics factories, taking our total munitions spend this parliament to £6 billion. The MOD is carefully considering arrangements for those factories, including their potential locations, and more detail will be set out in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that Ministry of Defence contractors that use alternative finance providers, including fintech lenders, meet procurement and financial resilience requirements. \p Lord Coaker: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) fully assess the financial status of legal entities before any new contract is awarded. Bidders must be able to demonstrate both economic and financial capacity requirements. These requirements including assets and liabilities are related and proportionate to the subject matter of the contract and are limited to determining that the bidder has the financial capacity to perform the contract.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Lord Bradshaw:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 27 October (HL11341), what credit was claimed for the potential reduction in congestion and journey times arising from the widening scheme on the south-western stretches of the M25; for what period these claims were made; and what has been the actual experience. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The widening of the south-western stretches of the M25 took place over twenty years ago, with the most recent scheme (M25 J12-15) completed in 2005. Any information available on schemes completed a long time ago will be held in the National Archives.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the negative impact on soil cohesion when trackside trees and bushes are cut back hard and the roots destroyed by poison, or root killing herbicides, by Network Rail. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: Network Rail recognises that vegetation can both support and affect the stability of railway embankments and cuttings. While roots help stabilise soil by absorbing moisture, vegetation can also increase risks such as soil drying and cracking, or rockfall.

To manage these risks, Network Rail operates in line with its vegetation and earthworks standards. Where trees are felled for safety or operational reasons, stump treatments are sometimes used to prevent regrowth, but they are never applied to retained trees or branches. In many locations, Network Rail cuts trees back to encourage regrowth, helping to maintain both biodiversity and soil stability.

Based on information provided by Network Rail, the Government’s assessment is that these measures help to minimise the risk of negative impacts on soil cohesion and support a balanced approach to safety, performance and environmental protection in managing lineside vegetation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Earl Attlee:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 16 September 2024 (HL568), what was the date and time of the notification to National Highways about the tram movement from the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in Dudley to the Metro Maintenance Centre in Wednesbury on 15 February 2024. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The notification was sent at 25/01/2024 at 18:10.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Earl Attlee:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 16 September 2024 (HL568), what was the (1) start, and (2) end, date and time included in the notification to National Highways of the movement of a tram from the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in Dudley to the Metro Maintenance Centre in Wednesbury on 15 February 2024. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The start date of the notification was 02 February 2024 at 0000. The end date of the notification was 01 March 2024 at 2359.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_32

Lord Clement-Jones:To ask His Majesty's Government why His Majesty's Revenue and Customs has not published the business case and data protection impact assessments relating to projects 341 and 476 under the debt and fraud information sharing provisions of the Digital Economy Act 2017. \p Lord Livermore: HMRC has met the Digital Economy Act (2017) Statutory Code of Practice transparency requirement by recording information on data sharing between the two departments (Home Office and HMRC) on the Register of Information sharing agreements under Part 5 of the Digital Economy Act 2017.

HMRC’s Privacy Notice makes clear that it collects information from other Government Departments to fulfil its functions, which include administration of the Child Benefit system.

Publication of the Business Case and Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) for the data sharing are not requirements under the statutory code of practice. HMRC’s general policy is not to publish Business Cases or DPIAs because details they contain may jeopardise the outcomes sought when tackling fraud.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_33

Lord Mackinlay of Richborough:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the processing time of inheritance tax queries, and what steps they are taking to reduce that waiting time to ensure that inheritance tax can be paid on time. \p Lord Livermore: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is consistently exceeding its service standards of processing over 80% of inheritance tax returns for estates within 15 working days. Once these returns have been processed, most customers will be able to pay any inheritance tax due on time and proceed to apply for probate.

The inheritance tax helpline is also meeting HMRC’s telephony service levels by handling over 85% of customer calls to advisers.

HMRC has also increased numbers deployed to wider inheritance tax work to meet the service standard.

The government announced at Autumn Budget 2024 that it is investing in digitalising the inheritance tax service from 2027-28 to provide a modern, easy-to-use system, making returns and paying tax simpler and quicker.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_34

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote fintech investment and skills development in regions outside London. \p Lord Livermore: The UK has a world-leading Fintech sector throughout the UK.

The Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy identified Fintech as a priority growth opportunity, and set out measures to support investment in the sector, including welcoming the City of London Corporation and the British Business Bank facilitating greater access to finance and commercial opportunities for fast-growing Fintech firms across the UK.

This is in addition to wider action to boost investment throughout the UK, which includes the recent Spending Review settlement which increased the British Business Bank’s total financial capacity to £25.6 billion, enabling the Bank to back tens of billions of pounds’ worth of additional lending and investment to SMEs and scale-ups.

In the Strategy, the government has also committed to supporting the development of an industry-led Skills Compact for financial services and commissioned the Financial Services Skills Commission to produce a report on how the skills system can drive growth and productivity in financial services by supporting effective adoption of AI and other disruptive technologies. Both projects are UK-wide in scope.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_35

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to strengthen data privacy and cybersecurity standards for artificial intelligence tools used in financial services. \p Lord Livermore: The UK’s data protection legislation applies to companies providing services to people in the UK, if they are processing personal data. The legislation is independently regulated by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

As noted in the Bank of England and FCA’s 2024 strategic approach to AI updates, UK data requirements also apply to financial services firms, including in their use of AI.

Cyber security is a top priority for the Government, and HM Treasury works with the financial authorities, the national technical authorities, industry and international partners to strengthen the financial sector’s resilience to threats and hazards of all origins, including cyber risks.

The financial authorities deploy a range of tools to ensure firms are resilient to the wide range of risks that they could face. This includes the regulators’ operational resilience policy, threat-led penetration testing, and sector-wide cyber stress testing. Technical advice is also provided by the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Protective Security Authority.

HM Treasury collaborates closely with financial regulators and international partners to address AI and cybersecurity challenges. For instance, we worked alongside G7 counterparts through the Cyber Expert Group to publish a joint statement highlighting both the risks and opportunities on AI and cybersecurity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_36

Lord Farmer:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will continue to place minimum expectations on those providing family hubs to support separating and separated families, including by connecting them to mediation, shared parenting programmes and programmes to reduce parental conflict. \p Baroness Sherlock: The Reducing Parental Conflict programme continues to deliver effective relationship support for parents, working with Local Authorities (LAs), family support services and a wide network of partners including voluntary and community organisations. Following the Spending Review, the Department will be making internal funding allocations ahead of the new financial year, and decisions will be communicated at the earliest opportunity.

The Programme remains a DWP initiative, though this does not mean it is kept separate from family help programmes. The 75 LAs funded under the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme are expected, as a minimum, to ensure that staff in family hubs are aware of the evidence on the impact of parental conflict, can identify it, can distinguish it from domestic abuse and provide universal level support and initial early support. This support should be available to parents who are together, separating or separated.

From April, all Local Authorities will receive funding to establish Best Start Family Hubs. Best Start Family Hubs will draw on what we know works from the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, and Sure Start to provide essential support for parents and families. Best Start Family Hubs have a vital role in connecting families to a broad range of services to ensure holistic and integrated support. The Department for Work and Pensions will work closely with the Department for Education as they review the approach to programme expectations in preparation for the roll out of Best Start Family Hubs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_37

Lord Naseby:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether speech and language therapy is consistently available from NHS hospitals to pupils attending independent schools, and what steps they are taking to ensure that it is. \p Baroness Merron: The National Health Service is free at the point of use and provides care to anyone who needs it based on clinical need. A parent or carer can speak to their general practitioner who can refer a child to local NHS children’s occupational therapy services if there is a clinical need, for instance if there are difficulties with motor skills, sensory issues, handwriting, etc. The fact that a child attends private school does not disqualify them from NHS healthcare services, as NHS services are based on clinical need, not type of school. In some cases, there have been errors in a local service offer that have led to this being corrected before.

In circumstances where the difficulty would be considered a disability, then equality duties would apply, and reasonable adjustments would be expected.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-17 conversation_38

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to expand training, support and retention initiatives for healthcare professionals delivering palliative and end-of-life care. \p Baroness Merron: The Government is committed to publishing a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it, including in palliative care and end of life care.

NHS staff told us through the 10-Year Health Plan engagement that they are crying out for change. This 10 Year Workforce Plan will set out how we will deliver that change by making sure that staff are better treated, have better training, more fulfilling roles, and hope for the future.

To ensure the health and social care workforce is equipped and well supported to deliver personalised care to people at the end of life, Health Education England, now part of NHS England, host the End of Life Care for All e-learning training programme, which includes nine modules on improving care for people at the end of life.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-13 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-13 conversation_1

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they keep records of the embassies or consulates that have not followed the convention of following local laws and process in relation to planning issues. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: MCHLG does not record such information. Responsibility for planning enforcement rests with local planning authorities.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-13 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-13 conversation_2

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government how many local authorities charge an empty homes premium on council tax in England in 2025–26, and what are the percentage rates of those premiums. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The government annually publishes data on council taxbases including their use of any council tax premiums. Data for the 2024 snapshot is available here. Data for the 2025 snapshot will be published in November.

This data sets out that 292 billing authorities made use of the long-term empty homes premium in 2024. The data also provides a breakdown for each billing authority and the various percentages of premiums they have applied.

Councils have had the power to charge a council tax premium on second homes since April this year. Data on the number of billing authorities making use of the second home premium will be published in the 2025 council taxbase statistics in November.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-13 conversation_3

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the expected cumulative increase in band D council tax in the next four years. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Council tax levels are decided by individual local authorities. The Office for Budget Responsibility has projected a continued 5% principle for the next spending review period. However, the government determines referendum principles annually with the approval of the House of Commons to give residents the final say over excessive increases.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-13 conversation_4

Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government how many homes were built in (1) England, and (2) the UK, in each of the past 15 years. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The Department publishes an annual release entitled ‘Housing supply: net additional dwellings, England’, which is the primary and most comprehensive measure of housing supply. This includes estimates of housing supply in each financial year to 2023-24; is shown in the table below; and can be found in Live Table 120 on gov.uk here.

Table 1: Trends in net additional dwellings, England, 2009-10 to 2023-24

Financial Year

Net additional dwellings

2009-10

144,870

2010-11

137,394

2011-12

140,785

2012-13

130,611

2013-14

142,494

2014-15

176,582

2015-16

195,534

2016-17

223,234

2017-18

228,170

2018-19

247,766

2019-20

248,591

2020-21

217,754

2021-22

234,462

2022-23

234,292

2023-24

221,071

Net additional dwellings in the devolved regions of the United Kingdom and aggregate figures for the UK are not held centrally by MHCLG.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-13 conversation_5

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to respond to those local authorities that have submitted interim reorganisation proposals. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: On 3 June the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution (Jim McMahon OBE MP) has updated the House to confirm that the Department had provided individual written feedback to each area on the interim plans for local government reorganisation that they submitted by 21 March 2025. Areas have been encouraged to share that feedback with MPs and the Department also published a summary of the feedback to support all areas in progressing their proposals and in the interests of transparency.