theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-19 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-19 conversation_6

The Lord Bishop of Lincoln:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report Drowning in debt, published by Christians Against Poverty in July, and in particular its findings on the impact of debt cases and associated mental ill-health on social mobility. \p Baroness Sherlock: DWP remains committed to working with anyone who is struggling with their repayment terms. The Department strives to set affordable, sustainable repayment plans, and encourages anyone unable to afford the proposed rate of repayment to contact DWP’s Debt Management at the earliest opportunity.

DWP has introduced several measures to support our most vulnerable customers including a Vulnerability Hub for DWP Debt Management colleagues to ensure that customers who are in challenging circumstances or have complex needs are supported to help them manage their debts effectively and a specially trained Advanced Customer Support team with access to a range of tools and guidance to support our most vulnerable customers. The Department can also enlist support from a DWP Visiting Officer who can visit the individual to offer tailored support and advice and where appropriate referrals can be made to external support providers. DWP also continues to work in partnership with the Money Adviser Network (MAN) who offer free professional independent and impartial money and debt advice, and customers are routinely offered a referral to this service with their consent. DWP also remains committed to HM Treasury’s Breathing Space policy, which provides those with problem debt the right to legal protections from creditor action for a period of 60 days to enable them to receive debt advice and enter an appropriate debt solution.

In addition, we have introduced our Universal Credit Act which legislates to rebalance Universal Credit by bringing in, for the first time ever, a sustained above inflation increase to the UC standard allowance for all claimants. We have also introduced a new Fair Repayment Rate, helping 1.2 million low-income households to keep more of their Universal Credit and we have extended Free School Meals to all pupils in households in receipt of Universal Credit - lifting 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of this Parliament.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Baroness Thomas of Winchester:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to expedite Access to Work applications from disabled people. \p Baroness Sherlock: We are committed to reducing waiting times for claims to the Access to Work Scheme. We have streamlined delivery practices and have increased the number of staff processing claims. We also prioritise customers starting a job in four weeks.

Despite deploying additional staff and streamlining our procedures, the number of Access to Work applications waiting to be processed is continuing to grow.

That’s why, as set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the programme to help more disabled people into work and support employers.

Reforms are essential to ensure a better service for customers, to help disabled people start and stay in work, to provide clarity in what support should be provided and to ensure we are providing value for money for the taxpayer.

We will be reviewing all aspects of the Scheme now that the consultation has closed. We are continuing to work closely with stakeholders, and in particular disabled people and their representatives, on all aspects of our proposals.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ban the use of the chemical trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide in gel nail polish, following the decision of the EU to do so. \p Lord Leong: Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) was added to the GB Mandatory Classification List (GB MCL) under the GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation in February 2025. As per the requirements of Article 15 of the UK Cosmetic Regulation, Government is taking steps to prohibit the use of TPO in cosmetic products in Great Britain. Full details of the amendments to the Cosmetic Regulation, including any transitional provisions, will be prepared in due course. The first stage will be to ensure no new cosmetic products containing TPO are placed on the market from August 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce legislation to enact the proposed ‘Hugh’s Law’ to extend entitlement to paid leave to the parents of seriously or terminally ill children. \p Lord Leong: The government has committed to a consultation on support for parents of seriously ill children in 2026, and will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders as it is developed. There are currently no plans to introduce legislation prior to this consultation as this would pre-empt the outcome.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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The Lord Bishop of Newcastle:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Rural England’s State of Rural Services 2025 report and what steps they are taking to improve access to services in rural areas. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Government welcomes the work of the Rural England CIC and Professor Martin Phillips on their fourth State of Rural Services report. This important research underlines the importance of our commitment to improve the provision of services for rural communities going forward, including healthcare and education.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they can confirm that the mandatory use of closed-circuit television cameras in slaughterhouses, which came into effect on 5 November 2018, has been implemented and complied with in full. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (England) Regulations 2018 came into force in May 2018, with a transition period of six months for implementation. Since November 2018 all slaughterhouses in England have been required to have CCTV recording in all areas where live animals are present.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) monitor and enforce animal welfare legislation in approved slaughterhouses and confirmed that all slaughterhouses in England were fully compliant with the CCTV Regulations early in 2019.

Official Veterinarians of the FSA carry out daily reviews of CCTV footage and monitor compliance with the CCTV Regulations. If non-compliances are identified, appropriate and proportionate enforcement action is taken. The FSA also carries out a rigorous programme of audits in approved slaughterhouses which include examining CCTV systems.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of reduction in funding for farming and countryside programmes as set out in the Spending Review 2025 (CP 1336). \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: We have allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. Farmers will directly benefit from an average of £2.3 billion per year - continuing the average annual farming spend over the last Parliament - supporting farm profitability through investment in research and technology and sustainable food production, at the same time as improving the quality of the water in our rivers, the air we breathe and our spaces for wildlife.

We are determined to deliver value for taxpayers’ money. We have identified efficiencies in the farming budget and opportunities to better target incentives for farmers to deliver environmental benefits. For example, rapidly winding down subsidy payments that do not provide returns on investment, and increasing investment in environmental land management schemes from £1.8 billion in 25/26 to more than £2 billion a year by 28/29.

Public funding will also help leverage more private investment into nature restoration, including through the Landscape Recovery scheme where projects will be co-funded by a blend of public and private investment. This will provide farmers with new income streams and opportunities to be rewarded for nature restoration as well as food production.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Lord Mohammed of Tinsley:To ask His Majesty's Government whether their expenditure on housing asylum seekers in hotels is increasing or decreasing. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts. The latest report records that expenditure on hotels was down almost a billion pounds in the last financial year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Baroness Hoey:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will set up an independent review of the Security Industry Authority’s prosecution of Jamie Bryson, in particular with regard to the conduct of the Security Industry Authority and the public money spent on that prosecution. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The SIA is an operationally independent arm’s length body, responsible for the service it provides, including how it manages its private prosecutions.

The organisation is already accountable to Parliament for its activities, including its financial accounts, which are audited by the National Audit Office and laid in Parliament on an annual basis.

The SIA did not bring these proceedings against Mr Bryson and was therefore not involved.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the statement of changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 836), why the period in which a pre-settled status holder can maintain their continuous residence through permitted absence has been set at 30 months in the most recent 60 months, and what was the evidential basis for this decision. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The decision was made following engagement with EU citizens and stakeholders and simplifies the requirements that pre-settled status holders must meet to maintain that status and obtain settled status.

This is a practical change that balances simplicity and flexibility for those who have already shown a commitment to the UK with the need to maintain the integrity of the EU Settlement Scheme by ensuring those applying for the first time meet the pre-existing criteria.

These changes do not widen the initial eligibility requirements for the scheme. First time applicants must meet the existing continuous residence requirements to be granted EU Settlement Scheme status. Maintaining those requirements is essential to maintaining the integrity of the scheme and the wider UK immigration system.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government how many people have had their EU Settlement Scheme status revoked for (1) lack of residency, (2) criminal activity, and (3) any other reason. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The information requested is not centrally held in an easily accessible from, and could only be collated for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what action they will take to bring forward legislation to implement the commitments set out in the G7 leaders' statement on transnational repression, published on 17 June. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The G7 leaders' statement on transnational repression marks an important milestone in collaboration with international partners. It demonstrates the G7's shared commitment to building our collective resilience.

Focus has now turned to working with partners to implement the deliverables in the statement, including a Resilience and Response Mechanism to share information on joint responses, and actively working to counter the threat through initiatives like the Canada-UK Common Good Cyber Fund

The National Security Act 2023 is the cornerstone of the UK's legislative framework for protecting the democratic integrity of the UK against foreign interference, including transnational repression.

As set out in the Act, the legislation will be kept under review to ensure we can respond effectively to the evolving threat. For example, Jonathan Hall KC's recent review of counter-terrorism powers that could be emulated to tackle state threats, makes a number of recommendations where we could further strengthen our legislation, and we have committed to taking these forward.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Sikka:To ask His Majesty's Government on what date Thames Water paid the £18.2 million fine announced by Ofwat on 19 December 2024 for violation of dividend payment rules. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Ofwat's enforcement case against Thames Water for breach of Dividend rules was concluded on 28 May 2025. Thames Water now has until 20 August 2025 to pay the fine.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Lilley:To ask His Majesty's Government whether exports of live animals (1) from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland and (2) from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland require an Intra Trade Animal Health Certificate. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: As has long been the case, such certification is required for export of bovine, ovine/caprine, porcine and poultry animals in both directions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Lilley:To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of consignments of products of animal origin are subject to sanitary and phytosanitary checks (1) when entering the UK and (2) when exported from the UK to the EU, and what these checks entail. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks on products of animal origin entering Great Britain are risk-based and focus on high and medium risk consignments, prioritising those that present the highest food safety and biosecurity risks. Port Health Authorities and relevant local authorities also have the power to inspect goods at their discretion or if they are deemed to pose a risk to biosecurity. Consignments of low-risk animal products are also subject to intelligence-led controls. The checks conducted will vary according to each individual consignment and commodity type and may range from visual inspections to lab sampling as appropriate. Defra does therefore not hold information on the precise proportion due to the dynamic nature of our biosecurity controls.

The EU determines the checks that are required for SPS goods entering the EEA at their Points of Entry. Exporters to and importers into the EU are obliged to present their goods to an appropriate Border Control Post, where the selection for checks is made. This data is held by the EU. GB imports are similarly required to present goods for checks at an appropriate BCP but clearance mechanisms are in operation to allow most of them to enter the UK without stopping at a BCP.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Leigh of Hurley:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the letter from Lord Leong dated 19 June on "Business Support for the Employment Rights Bill", whether they will provide a list of privately owned small and medium-sized enterprises which have publicly expressed for the employment provisions in the Employments Rights Bill. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Government has engaged and consulted with businesses of all sizes and will continue to do this. Many small and medium-sized enterprises support the aims of the Employment Rights Bill (the Bill) and Ministers have specifically named such businesses throughout the passage of the Bill and on other occasions in Parliament.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Sikka:To ask His Majesty's Government how many companies registered at Companies House do not have a UK resident director. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: Companies House does not currently hold this statistic. Furthermore, as country of residency is a  free-form text field there are issues with the data quality. However, the introduction of voluntary and mandatory identity verification will allow us to be able to analyse and determine the residency of company directors in the future.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 24 June (HLWS735), what assessment they have made of the administrative and financial implications for councils that will be mandated to move from a committee model to a cabinet model. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: In the statement of 24 June, we set out the Government’s intention to bring forward primary legislation when Parliamentary time allows to ensure all local authorities in England operate an executive model of governance. If Parliament agrees this legislation, councils operating the committee system will have one year following commencement of the new legislation within which to change to the leader and cabinet model. Councils which are to be abolished under local government reorganisation in their area will be exempt. This timeline gives councils which need to make the change time to prepare.

Going forward, simplifying executive governance models across the sector, and preventing the establishment of new mayoral councils, will avoid further such costs arising to local taxpayers and will provide certainty to councils as to their governance arrangements as unbudgeted costs of responding to petitions and hosting referendums will be prevented, ultimately saving councils time and taxpayers money.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-07 conversation_10

Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the sensitive information in planning applications process allows the security services to make representations to (1) the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, or (2) the Planning Inspectorate, on a called-in planning application without those representations being shared with the applicant or otherwise being made public. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Representations on planning applications will be dealt with in accordance with paragraphs 18, 19 and 20 of the published propriety guidance on planning casework decisions found here.

Planning casework decisions (pdf, 384.6KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Baroness Pinnock:To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to Guidance for Mayoral Strategic Authorities on developing Local Growth Plans, published on 11 June, whether councils and councillors will be included as stakeholders in developing local growth plans. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Yes. The guidance states that Mayoral Strategic Authorities should work with relevant stakeholders when preparing and delivering their Local Growth Plan which will include constituent councils.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations the Bank of England has made to (1) the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and (2) the Planning Inspectorate, about the planning application for the proposed Chinese Embassy at the former site of the Royal Mint; and whether representations can be made that are not publicly published. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Representations on planning applications will be dealt with in accordance with paragraphs 18, 19 and 20 of the published propriety guidance on planning casework decisions found here.

All Inquiry documents including representations to the Inquiry are publicly available on Tower Hamlets website here here.

Planning casework decisions (pdf, 384.6KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-07 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the proposals for the new Chinese Embassy at the former site of the Royal Mint will include subterranean works under the nearby telephone exchange. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given on 18 June 2025 to question UIN HL8282 .

HL8282 (pdf, 86.3KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposed development of the new Chinese Embassy at the former site of the Royal Mint on the nearby telephone exchange. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: An independent Inspector held a public inquiry which heard a range of evidence for and against the proposals in question. Decisions on planning applications are based on material planning considerations. It would not be appropriate to comment further.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of proposals to build a new Chinese Embassy in London. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: An independent Inspector held a public inquiry which heard a range of evidence for and against the proposals in question. Decisions on planning applications are based on material planning considerations. It would not be appropriate to comment further.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Baroness Grey-Thompson:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits of joining up early education, family support, health services, and community and voluntary organisations to create an integrated early years system. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Children’s early years are crucial to their development, health and life chances.

As set out in the Plan for Change, antenatal classes, health visitors, parenting support, baby and toddler groups and access to affordable, high quality early education and childcare are all vital to guiding parents, improving the home learning environment and supporting child development. Evaluations of Sure Start demonstrate significant positive impacts on a range of outcomes for children and families of providing an integrated parenting support offer, and early findings from the Evaluation Innovation Fund suggest Family Hubs are having positive impact on child development.

Through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, the department is building a joined-up system of support from pregnancy through early childhood, with over 500 hubs now open across the country. Local authorities should consider existing infrastructure and local need when deciding where to locate services. Libraries and community spaces can, and often do, form part of family hub networks.

At the Spending Review, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer committed to continuing to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme.

Departmental officials are working through the Spending Review settlement and will share more detailed plans in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for requiring alcohol producers to include clear and specific health warnings on products, and what action they propose in response to any such assessment. \p Baroness Merron: In ‘Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England’, the Government has committed to strengthen and expand on existing voluntary guidelines for alcohol labelling by introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages. A copy of the plan has been placed in the Library, due to the size of the document.

Currently, there is voluntary guidance on communicating the United Kingdom’s Chief Medical Officers' low risk drinking guideline, which recommends labels include info that to keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis, and to include a warning against drinking during pregnancy. The Department has commissioned a National Institute for Health and Care Research study on understanding the impact of alcohol calorie labelling on alcohol and calorie selection, purchasing, and consumption. This study is due to report in 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential use of artificial intelligence technologies in providing healthcare diagnostics without the involvement of doctors. \p Baroness Merron: Through the Artificial Intelligence in Health and Care Award, we have provided £113 million to test and evaluate artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in crucial areas, such as imaging and diagnostics. The Department is focusing the £21 million AI Diagnostic Fund on the deployment of technologies in key, high-demand areas such as chest X-rays and chest computed tomography scans to enable faster diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer in 12 imaging networks, which covers 67 out of a total of 137 acute and specialist trusts across all seven regions of England.

AI technologies are not designed to replace our National Health Service and care staff. Instead, they will augment human expertise by supporting healthcare staff with routine administrative tasks and clinical decision making. This will save staff time and allow them to spend more time with patients. AI diagnostic tools are to be used to support doctors, and their findings will be reviewed by clinicians before decisions are made.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of changes to the funding provided by NHS England on the planned elective care hub at St Albans City Hospital, in particular the impact on East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, and West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. \p Baroness Merron: Capital funding for the Hertfordshire and West Essex Surgical Centre at St Albans City Hospital remains in place, and building work is being supported through to completion.

Although there are no current plans for the patients of the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals Trust to use the West Essex Surgical Centre when it opens, the integrated care board intends the centre to support the Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust with their orthopaedic capacity over winter, and the centre will be used by West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals Trust patients while existing theatres at St Albans City Hospital are refurbished.

Having this high-quality new resource in the system will also give the trust the flexibility to scale up capacity in the future if needed, and will benefit patients for years to come.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the merits of extending eligibility for the respiratory syncytial virus vaccine to include people over 80 years old, clinical risk groups and immunocompromised people. \p Baroness Merron: During the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) meeting of the 5 February 2025, the Department confirmed that any extension to those aged 80 years old and over would require an analysis of both impact and cost effectiveness. JCVI stated that more on how long the vaccine protects people is needed, specifically, to determine cost effectiveness.

For those under 75 years old, the committee stated that it is important to better understand how often people in higher-risk groups become ill. They noted that more information is required on hospital admissions in these groups, and that the UK Health Security Agency plans to carry out further work on this, for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) sub-committee to review.

The JCVI met again on 4 June 2025, and RSV was discussed. Meeting minutes are usually published within six weeks on the GOV.UK website, and are only available online. The JCVI regularly reviews all vaccine programmes and will keep updating its advice as new evidence becomes available. The Department will review any future advice from the JCVI about who should be offered an RSV vaccine.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Foster of Bath:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve adherence by gambling operators to self-exclusion schemes. \p Baroness Twycross: Self-exclusion is an important tool to support customers at risk of gambling harms. As set out in the Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice, all remote and non-remote operators must have self-exclusion arrangements in place and participate in a multi-operator self-exclusion scheme. Compliance is a condition of licences and any breach may lead the Gambling Commission to review an operator’s licence.

Compliance with self-exclusion schemes, such as GAMSTOP, is very high amongst remote gambling operators. In addition, a new, voluntary exclusion scheme, GamProtect, was launched by four of the largest operators last year and is being rolled out across the remote industry. This tool provides a single customer view of the most vulnerable customers across participating operators, ensuring they can be quickly and effectively excluded from harmful gambling without self referral.

We are aware that there are concerns about adherence to self-exclusion requirements in the adult gaming centre sector. We are seeking further assurance on how the sector is addressing these concerns. We will continue to work with our stakeholders, including the Gambling Commission and the gambling sector, to strengthen player protections.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Lord Rogan:To ask His Majesty's Government how much of the £400 million investment in UK sport facilities outlined in the Spending Review will be allocated to Northern Ireland; what is the eligibility criteria; and who will make the final decisions on specific funding allocations. \p Baroness Twycross: The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the nation.

This funding builds upon the £6.66 million already invested in Northern Ireland since 2024 as part of our Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme.

We will now work closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, and then set out further plans on how future funding will be allocated across the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

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Baroness Caine of Kentish Town:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to give the role of the creative freelance champion, announced in the Creative Industries Sector Plan, published on 23 June, to a relevant minister or an external appointee. \p Baroness Twycross: The appointment process is still to be determined, though we plan for the role to go to an external appointee, not a minister. We will work with industry to develop Terms of Reference.

The Freelance Champion will be a role appointed by DCMS which will give freelancers a voice within government. We envisage that the role will help represent the interests of creative freelancers in areas such as the development of the Plan to Make Work Pay, the Small Business Commissioner, the Fair Work Agency, and the Department for Business and Trade’s Small Business Growth Forum.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-07 conversation_24

Lord Lilley:To ask His Majesty's Government whether, as part of the EU–UK Reset Agreement, they have (1) committed to linking the UK to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme 2 (ETS2), (2) agreed to discuss linking the UK to the ETS2 without commitment, or (3) decided not to link the UK to the ETS2. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: As part of the UK-EU Summit on 19th May, the UK and the EU have agreed to work towards linking the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) and EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). This will be subject to negotiations.

The Government has agreed with the EU that we will not be linking the UK to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme 2 (ETS2). EU ETS 2 is a separate scheme to the original EU ETS and covers emissions from buildings and road transport.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-07 conversation_25

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the increasing provision of unregulated financial advice, particularly through social media, financial influencers, and the use of artificial intelligence. \p Lord Livermore: The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Financial Lives Survey collects data on the sources of information that consumers are using to help with investments and pensions. The latest survey results show that 5.5% of UK adults accessed such information from social media in the year to May 2024. This proportion is higher for younger adults, rising to 9% of 18-24 year olds and 12% of 25-24 year olds. The FCA does not currently collect data on the use of artificial intelligence by consumers.

The provision of financial advice is an FCA-regulated activity and those who provide financial advice need to be authorised by the FCA and have the appropriate qualifications. The FCA can take action against firms or individuals who carry out regulated activity without authorisation. For example, the FCA recently led a global week of action against unlawful influencers resulting in over 650 take down requests on social media platforms in the UK.

The government is committed to ensuring that all consumers can access regulated and high-quality sources of advice and support. That is why together with the FCA, we are developing a new regime called targeted support. This will enable regulated financial services firms to provide more support to give people the confidence to invest and make more informed decisions about their pensions. In addition, the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is supported by the government to provide a wide range of tools and guidance to help people manage money confidently at every stage of life.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-07 conversation_26

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what explains the increase in Departmental Expenditure Limit reserves between the Spring Statement 2025 and Spending Review 2025. \p Lord Livermore: The change in the 2025 Departmental Expenditure Limit Reserves between Spring Statement 2025 and Spending Review 2025 is a result of changes to department budgets authorised by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

This includes Reserve claims paid at Main Supply Estimates, which are detailed in departments individual Main Estimates memoranda and surrenders made from department budgets back to the Reserve at the Spending Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-07 conversation_27

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what the current responsibilities of accounting officers are, and where these responsibilities are formally set out in statute, guidance, or other official publications. \p Lord Livermore: The Accounting Officer in a central government organisation is the person whom Parliament calls to account for stewardship of its resources. The standards the Accounting Officer is expected to deliver are set out in Managing Public Money, which more broadly sets out the main principles, specific requirements and good practice for dealing with public resources.

Furthermore, section 5(7) of the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 places statutory responsibility on each department’s accounting officer for;
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-07 conversation_28

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria will be used to release the £7.1 billion in unallocated Departmental Expenditure Limit reserves by 2028–29, and whether they intend that such allocations will be subject to parliamentary approval or set out in a Written Ministerial Statement. \p Lord Livermore: The £7.1bn in Departmental Expenditure Limit Reserves in 2028-29 will be allocated subject to approval from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and in line with the criteria set out in chapter 2 of the Consolidated Budgeting Guidance, the 2025-26 version of which can be found on GOV.UK.

Depending on when in the financial year the Chief Secretary agrees to allocate funding, Reserve allocations will be included in Main and Supplementary Estimates, which are voted on by Parliament. Departments will include these amounts in their Estimates memorandum.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-07 conversation_29

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what changes have been made to the duties, responsibilities or expectations of accounting officers following the publication of the "Dear Accounting Officer" letter 02/25 on 12 June, and the revised version of Managing Public Money to which it refers. \p Lord Livermore: The key themes and principles underpinning previous versions of Managing Public Money are unchanged, and likewise the core duties, responsibilities and expectations of accounting officers remain the same.

The update to Managing Public Money incorporates a number of clarifications and changes, and accounting officers should ensure these are followed as appropriate as part of their duties to ensure regularity and propriety in the use of public resources.

As set out in the Dear Accounting Officer letter DAO 02/25, the 2025 edition of Managing Public Money includes the following revisions and additions.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-07 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-07 conversation_30

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to page 39 of their policy paper Spending Review 2025: Departmental Efficiency Plans, published on 11 June, how many legacy IT systems and platforms are (1) currently operated by HMRC; and (2) scheduled for decommissioning by 2028–29 under the software as a service transition strategy. \p Lord Livermore: HMRC is in the process of finalising its implementation plan of the Spending Review 2025 following receipt of the settlement. The department is planning the sequencing and prioritisation of activity to ensure they can deliver the departments commitments, tackle technical debt and mitigate risks. This will include assessing the impact of legacy IT systems and platforms as part of the Software as a Service (SaaS) transition strategy.

HMRC is taking a phased approach to meet its efficiency target whilst balancing and maintaining operational resilience. To support this, HMRC has undertaken a detailed assessment of its digital estate, which includes over 4 million physical assets (i.e., network equipment, disk arrays, servers, laptops, desktops).

The complex IT estate HMRC operates requires careful coordination to identify systems for decommissioning or migration by 2028-29. Therefore, decommissioning and upgrading activities are being delivered through several different change programmes. The long-term delivery plan will be finalised in the autumn, at which point there will be a clearer indication of the number of IT systems which will be decommissioned by 2028-29.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-07 conversation_31

Lord Freyberg:To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what discussions he has had with further education providers, craft training bodies, and guilds, about the development of targeted apprenticeships and upskilling programmes that provide training in the skills needed for the restoration of the Palace of Westminster. \p Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Over 100 organisations and businesses, including many heritage organisations, have attended 13 R&R supplier engagement roundtables held across every UK nation and region of England. Engagement with these heritage organisations has helped to generate a relevant understanding of, and a diverse insight into, the current and future challenges associated with the conservation, rehabilitation and development of heritage buildings.

In addition, the R&R Delivery Authority is assessing the skills needs across the UK and the significant skills shortages in some areas of the construction and heritage industries, in order to target initiatives at key trades and occupations designated as likely “pinch points”.

The R&R Delivery Authority is already collaborating with the heritage and craft industry, for example by forming a London heritage skills network comprising heritage organisations, further education providers, and craft training bodies. This group will feed into a new national heritage skills network as is supported by Historic England. The network is a means to share information between heritage organisations about labour needs and sector skills shortages, as well as identifying opportunities and training interventions and other schemes, such as targeted apprenticeships and traineeships, to support the development of skills required across the sector and on the R&R Programme. The R&R Delivery Authority also sits on a historic environment steering group, which has a nationwide focus and includes a variety of heritage organisations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-07 conversation_32

Lord Freyberg:To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what plans there are to develop dedicated apprenticeship schemes, traineeships or bursaries linked to the restoration of the Palace of Westminster, particularly for endangered heritage crafts. \p Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The R&R Delivery Authority is exploring implementing a shared apprenticeship scheme across heritage client organisations. This scheme is intended to provide small and medium enterprises who may otherwise lack a breadth of work or planned projects the opportunity to engage in the upskilling of an apprentice without the need to commit to the full duration of the programme.

The R&R Programme is intending to provide new pathways into heritage skills, offering vocational training and employment opportunities while safeguarding specific endangered trades and techniques (for example, historic stained-glass window-making). The Programme will also require numerous other heritage trades where there are known skills shortages, for example upholstery, heritage plastering, and heritage carpentry/joinery.