theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_11

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government how much was paid in each of the past five financial years as constraint payments to wind farm operators to compensate them for having to turn off their wind turbines to avoid the grid being overloaded in (1) England, (2) Scotland and (3) Wales. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is responsible for operating Great Britain’s electricity system and managing constraints. NESO publishes monthly constraint costs on their website, which can be found on page 3 of the Monthly Balancing Services Summary (MBSS) dashboard. This data is split by England and Wales and Scotland.

Constraints are a natural part of operating an efficient electricity system and constraint payments are used around the world. However, government is working to reduce the level of constraints and improve energy security by accelerating the delivery of new electricity network infrastructure to increase capacity on the system.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reconfigure the electricity grid network in the UK to minimise the need to constrain electricity generation by wind turbines to prevent overload. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: Government is implementing a strategic network planning approach led by the National Energy System Operator (NESO). This includes two previous published plans, as well as the upcoming Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP), to be published by NESO in 2027. These strategic network plans take a holistic approach, with economic cost - including constraints costs - being one of the key criteria in determining the recommended transmission network design.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_13

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the existing energy storage capacity of (1) hydroelectric pump storage facilities at full capacity, (2) battery storage facilities, and (3) other methods of electricity storage; and what are the target figures for expanding each category in the next 10 years. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: Power capacity statistics for energy storage capacity in the UK can be found in the annually published Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES), in particular Table 5.16.[1] The government’s Clean Power Action Plan[2] sets out ranges for the energy storage capacity we could need by 2030, as informed by advice from the National Energy System Operator (NESO). While there are no fixed targets set for 2035, NESO regularly publishes Future Energy Scenarios which set out pathways to Net Zero in 2050 and include energy storage capacity

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/electricity-chapter-5-digest-of-united-kingdom-energy-statistics-dukes [2] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-power-2030-action-plan
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the average cost per domestic electricity consumer in the most recent year for which data are available of constraint payments made to renewable power companies. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: The National Energy System Operator (NESO) balances Great Britain’s electricity system, recovering costs through Balancing Services Use of System (BSUoS) charges. These include payments to generators to adjust output due to network constraints covering both turn-up and turn-down actions.

While Government holds aggregate data on constraint payments, it does not hold data by technology type.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_15

Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the LeDeR Annual Report 2023, published on 2 September, what the "unforeseen pressures" on the NHS were that resulted in fewer completed learning disabilities mortality reviews than expected. \p Baroness Merron: Pressure on NHS services remain high due to a combination of factors including high demand across all services; ongoing recovery efforts after the pandemic and industrial action, recruitment and retention challenges in the NHS workforce and the need to reduce running costs of Integrated Care Boards.

Integrated Care Systems are expected both to complete LeDeR reviews and to implement improvement initiatives in response to reviews to reduce health inequalities and premature and avoidable deaths of people with a learning disability and autistic people. This remains a priority despite pressures on NHS services. NHS England’s Action from Learning Report highlights improvement action being taken locally which is directly driven by LeDeR findings.

As of August 2025, 94% of all LeDeR reviews have been completed since the start of the programme in 2017.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Kamall:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 8 August (HL9651), whether the proposed Health Data Research Service will process any data from a patient who has objected to their health data being used in research via the National Data Opt-Out service. \p Baroness Merron: Keeping data safe and secure and ensuring patient and public privacy remain key principles of the Health Data Research Service (HDRS). The public will retain a right to opt out of specific uses of their data beyond their direct care, and these opt-outs will be respected with the implementation of HDRS.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they have provided to the NHS to ensure that spending on privately owned health apps does not interfere with the operation of the NHS app. \p Baroness Merron: Privately owned health apps do not interfere with the operation of the NHS App because they are separate systems that do not share data directly or integrate with the NHS App's core functionalities.

These apps offer different services and information, and some patients might use both to supplement the core functionalities of the NHS App, such as managing personal health data or accessing private healthcare providers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_18

Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government how many learning disabilities mortality reviews (1) are yet to be started, and (2) have been started but not completed. \p Baroness Merron: Learning from lives and deaths – People with a learning disability and autistic people (LeDeR) is a service improvement programme established and led by NHS England.

As of 1st September 2025, there were 3,836 LeDeR reviews for people with a learning disability and autistic people in the LeDeR system which had not been completed. Of these, 1,626 (42%) have not been started.

508 (13%) of the reviews that have not been completed are currently on hold awaiting the completion of statutory processes such as coroner’s investigations or safeguarding reviews. 2,155 (56%) of the reviews that have not been completed are for people who died in 2025.

1,842 (48%) of the reviews were received within the last 6 months. The LeDeR policy sets the expectation that reviews are completed within six months of them being notified to LeDeR, unless statutory processes prevent that being possible or family members of those bereaved have asked for the review to be delayed. As of August 2025, 94% of all LeDeR reviews have been completed since the start of the programme in 2017.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_19

Lord Foster of Bath:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to undertake a public health campaign to encourage those with suicidal thoughts to engage with mental health services, and for family and friends to not be afraid to raise the subject of suicide. \p Baroness Merron: The Suicide Prevention Strategy for England, published in 2023, identifies eight priority groups for targeted and tailored support at a national level, including people in contact with mental health services. The strategy also identifies key risk factors for suicide, providing an opportunity for effective early intervention.

The purpose of the suicide prevention strategy is to set out our aims to prevent suicide through action by the Government and other organisations. One of the key visions of the strategy is to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health, so people feel able to seek help, including through the routes that work best for them. This includes raising awareness that no suicide is inevitable.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country. This includes transforming mental health services into 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centres, improving assertive outreach, expanding talking therapies, and giving patients better access to 24/7 support directly through the NHS App.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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The Lord Bishop of Sheffield:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of current and future investment in diagnostic facilities and equipment at Goole and District Hospital. \p Baroness Merron: We are committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the National Health Service to increase diagnostic capacity, including in Lincolnshire and East Riding of Yorkshire, to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment in new capacity, including upgrading diagnostic facilities and equipment.

The Goole and District Hospital is currently providing key diagnostic services to patients across East Riding. The hospital currently offers imaging services, such as x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, as well as phlebotomy services.

NHS England work closely with each integrated care board (ICB), including the Humber and North Yorkshire ICB, to assess diagnostic capacity and prioritise investments. The ICB has invested £29.46 million of capital from the community diagnostic centre (CDC) programme to deliver seven CDCs, including the Selby Memorial CDC at the nearby Selby Memorial Hospital. This CDC offers a wide range of diagnostic tests, including x-ray, MRI, CT, electrocardiogram, non-obstetric ultrasound, Holter, and lung function tests, closer to home, and with a greater choice on where and how they are undertaken.

The 2025 Spending Review confirmed over £6 billion of additional capital investment over five years across new diagnostic, elective, and urgent care capacity. Further details and allocations, including where any new diagnostics and equipment will be located, will be set out in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Rennard:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan will include measures to recruit, train and retain mental health professionals with specialism in type 1 diabetes and eating disorders. \p Baroness Merron: The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure that the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it. To support this, the Department and NHS England will be engaging with key stakeholders to ensure that the particular needs of different patient groups and relevant health professionals are reflected in this work.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_22

Baroness Manzoor:To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are offering to NHS trusts to ensure that any future private finance initiative contracts are value for money. \p Baroness Merron: The Private Finance Initiative (PFI) programme was first established in 1992, with the final project signed in 2008. There were 126 projects signed by the National Health Service, including through NHS trusts, foundation trusts and primary care trusts, which are now held by NHS Property Services Limited (NHSPS). Some NHS organisations have multiple projects in their estates.

The private sector, through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), entered into a contract with the NHS to design, build, finance and maintain the facilities. There is no debt between the NHS and those SPVs. The annual payment (unitary charge) for these projects includes the cost of facilities management, services such as catering and cleaning in some projects, and the cost of building maintenance and lifecycle replacement in all projects.

The following table shows information from the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA)’s 2024 published data on PFIs in the health portfolio and includes PFI projects where NHS trusts or NHSPS are the contracting authority:

Number of NHS trusts with an operational PFI

96

Concluded PFI Contracts

8

Source: NISTA

Notes:

Projects end for a range of reasons, but there are no instances of legal dispute over the level of the unitary charge. The PFI Centre of Best Practice Team at the Department supports NHS trusts with operation projects where needed to ensuring value for money is maintained.

The Government announced in the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy and in the 10 Year Health Plan that we will explore the feasibility of using new public-private partnership (PPP) models for taxpayer-funded projects in very limited circumstances where they could represent value for money. This includes exploring the potential to use PPPs to deliver certain types of primary and community health infrastructure.

A decision whether to use PPPs in these very limited circumstances will be taken by Autumn Budget 2025, based on co-development of a model and business case between NISTA and the Department. The business case will test value for money. Any new model will be subject to market-testing, will build on lessons learned from past government experience and models currently in use elsewhere in the United Kingdom, and the March 2025 National Audit Office report, ‘Lessons Learned: private finance for infrastructure’, a copy of which is attached.

Additional document (pdf, 702.5KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Rennard:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve training for healthcare practitioners in recognising and managing type 1 diabetes and eating disorders, including provision for GPs. \p Baroness Merron: The standard of training for healthcare professionals is the responsibility of the independent professional regulators, who set the outcome standards expected at undergraduate level, and who approve the courses and curricula that universities write and teach in order to enable their students to meet these outcome standards.

The curricula for postgraduate medical specialty training are set by individual royal colleges and faculties. For general practice, it is set by the Royal College of General Practitioners. The General Medical Council approves the curricula and assessment systems for each training programme.

Whilst not all curricula may necessarily highlight a specific condition, they all emphasise the skills and approaches a healthcare practitioner must develop in order to ensure accurate and timely diagnoses and treatment plans for their patients, including for type 1 diabetes with disordered eating.

Employers in the health system are responsible for ensuring that their staff are trained to the required standards to deliver appropriate treatment for patients.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_24

Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government what learning disabilities mortality review report recommendations have been mandated for NHS or social care organisations to implement by NHS England or the Department of Health and Social Care in each year between 2018 and 2022. \p Baroness Merron: Learning from lives and deaths – People with a learning disability and autistic people (LeDeR) is a service improvement programme established and led by NHS England. LeDeR is a crucial source of evidence that helps to identify the key improvements needed to tackle health disparities and prevent avoidable deaths of people with a learning disability and autistic people.

The recommendations within LeDeR reports are not mandated but are intended to inform and guide action by health and social care organisations to improve the quality of care and services for patients, locally and nationally. Alongside each LeDeR report publication, NHS England publishes its Action from Learning Report which highlights local action directly driven by LeDeR findings.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Godson:To ask His Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the date by which the Crown Court backlog will return to pre-2020 levels. \p Baroness Levitt: This Government inherited a record and rising courts backlog from the Conservative administration. We are committed to creating a more stable and sustainable criminal justice system, in which victims and the public can have confidence. That is why we took immediate action, funding a record-high allocation of 110,000 Crown Court sitting days this financial year. We will invest up to £92 million more a year in criminal legal aid solicitors and have already boosted Magistrates’ sentencing powers from 6 to 12 months. However, the backlog has reached such an extent that reducing the backlog to a sustainable level will take a considerable period of time. Fundamental reform is necessary. That is why the previous Lord Chancellor asked Sir Brian Leveson to propose once-in-a-generation reform that will improve timeliness in the courts and deliver swifter justice for victims.

Part one of the Independent Review of Criminal Courts has now been published. We are considering Sir Brian’s proposals and will publish a government response in due course, then introduce legislation when parliamentary time allows. Part two of the Review, considering how the criminal courts can operate as efficiently as possible, is expected to be finalised later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Godson:To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to publish the report into the escape by Daniel Khaliffe from HMP Wandsworth. \p Lord Timpson: Following Daniel Khalife’s escape from HMP Wandsworth in September 2023, Keith Bristow QPM was appointed to conduct an independent investigation. The investigation was asked to identify shortcomings and ensure lessons are learned to help prevent incidents of this nature occurring again in future. Following the conclusion of the criminal proceedings earlier this year, we are considering carefully what information from Mr Bristow’s report, which relates to matters of prison security, can be appropriately shared.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Foster of Bath:To ask His Majesty's Government when the positions at the Prison and Probation Service of (1) Director General Chief Executive Officer, (2) Director General of Operations, and (3) Chief Operating Officer Prisons, were most recently vacant; how long those positions have been vacant or filled on an interim basis over the past three years; whether each of those vacancies has been filled internally or externally; and whether all of those vacancies have been advertised externally. \p Lord Timpson: Over three years ago, Amy Rees CB was appointed Director General CEO of HIs Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS); Phil Copple CB was appointed Director General of Operations; and Michelle Jarman-Howe CBE was appointed Chief Operating Officer for Prisons. In April 2025, Amy Rees was temporarily appointed to the role of interim Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice while a selection process for the Permanent Secretary post took place.

This necessitated a number of consequential interim appointments, on a temporary basis, in HMPPS. Phil Copple was identified through succession planning to be the interim CEO; the Chief Operating Officer for Prisons, Michelle Jarman-Howe, was identified to be the interim Director General of Operations; and the Area Executive Director for London, Sarah Coccia, was identified to be the interim Chief Operating Officer for Prisons.

In September 2025, following the appointment of a new Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Justice, Amy Rees left the Department to take up the post of Chief Executive of Homes England. The Senior Leadership Committee (SLC), a cross-Government governance board led by the Cabinet Office responsible for approving senior appointments, confirmed James McEwen, Director General and Chief Operating Officer at the Ministry of Justice, as the permanent successor to the HMPPS CEO role in a managed move. He will formally take up the post in October 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in implementing the recommendations of the review of prison officer training. \p Lord Timpson: His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) remains committed to improving prison officer training and will be implementing the recommendations from the Independent Review of Prison Officer Training.

The Department has made progress in relation to recommendations of the Independent Review, including reviewing and improving uniform policy and leveraging technology to support and recognise learner performance, whilst also looking at opportunities to improve prison learning facilities. Furthermore, efforts are underway to automate onboarding processes for new prison officers using new technologies.

Meanwhile, the Enable Programme in HMPPS is leading a full redesign of prison officer training, aiming to strengthen the training offer through more robust, evidence-based approach. The new 12-month model will support the development of the knowledge, skills, behaviours and confidence needed for the modern prison officer role.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress has been made on the roll-out of stab vests to high-risk prison staff. \p Lord Timpson: In June, the Government announced that protective body armour would be issued to frontline prison officers working in the highest risk areas of the prison estate. Delivery of this equipment began in September and is expected to be completed by the end of the month. This initiative is part of our wider commitment to enhancing safety and security across the prison estate, ensuring staff are properly equipped to carry out their duties in demanding environments.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government how many prison risk drone assessments have been carried out to date; where those assessments have taken place; and what assessment they have made of the results of that work, and the impact of those assessments on disrupting the influx of drugs into prisons. \p Lord Timpson: We are working hard to deter, detect and disrupt the use of illegal drones that deliver contraband, in order to create a safe and stable rehabilitative environment in our prisons. Our approach is multi-faceted and includes legislative measures and physical security countermeasures, as well as work across Government and with international partners.

As part of this work, we conduct drone vulnerability assessments across the prison estate to understand and mitigate risk. For operational security reasons, we cannot disclose further details surrounding these assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government how many prisons have operational enhanced gate security funded by the Security Investment Programme, and whether they will publish the names of those prisons. \p Lord Timpson: The Department is committed to taking every possible measure to strengthen prison security.

The Security Investment Programme was a £100 million investment to strengthen prison security. It was aimed at reducing crime in prisons, including the smuggling of illicit items such as drugs and other contraband.

Airport-style Enhanced Gate Security, comprising of metal detectors and X-ray baggage scanners, is used to search staff and visitors as they enter the prison. It is in use in 54 high-risk prison sites (both private and public sector), including all of the High Security prisons in the Long-Term High Security Estate. The Security Investment Programme funded Enhanced Gate Security to 42 of the total 54 high-risk prisons that have these physical countermeasures.

The following prisons have operational Enhanced Gate Security:

SIP Funded

Non-SIP Funded

Altcourse

Exeter

Northumberland

Belmarsh

Aylesbury

Featherstone

Norwich

Fosse Way

Bedford

Forest Bank

Nottingham

Five Wells

Berwyn

Garth

Onley

Frankland

Birmingham

Gartree

Peterborough

Full Sutton

Brinsford

Hewell

Ranby

Long Lartin

Bristol

High Down

Risley

Lowdham Grange

Brixton

Humber

Rochester

Manchester

Bullingdon

Lancaster Farms

Swaleside

Millsike

Cardiff

Leeds

Swansea

Wakefield

Chelmsford

Leicester

The Mount

Whitemoor

Durham

Lewes

Wandsworth

Woodhill

Elmley

Lincoln

Winchester

Erlestoke

Liverpool

Wormwood Scrubs
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government when the job of Director General Chief Executive of the Prison and Probation Service was advertised, what the format of the selection procedure was for that job, how many applicants applied, and who was on the selection panel. \p Lord Timpson: Appointments to critical Director General or Senior Civil Service Pay Band 3 roles are overseen by the Senior Leadership Committee (SLC), a cross-Government governance board led by the Cabinet Office. The SLC is responsible for approving how these senior roles are filled, ensuring consistency and rigour across Departments. The previous Director General Chief Executive of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), Amy Rees CB, was temporarily appointed to the role of interim Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice in April 2025, while a selection process for the Permanent Secretary post took place. Phil Copple CB, the appointed Director General of Operations at HMPPS, was identified through succession planning as the interim CEO of HMPPS, and his temporary appointment was subsequently confirmed by the SLC. In September 2025, Amy Rees moved to a new role as Chief Executive of Homes England. Following SLC approval, on 18 September 2025, James McEwen, Director General and Chief Operating Officer at the Ministry of Justice, was confirmed as the permanent successor to the HMPPS CEO role in a managed move. He will formally take up the post in October 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government which prisons have been visited by (1) the Director General Chief Executive, and (2) the Chief Operating Officer, of the Prison and Probation Service in the past 12 months, including the date on which those visits took place. \p Lord Timpson: The table attached provides details of prison visits undertaken by the Director General Chief Executive (DGCEO), the Director General of Operations (DGOps) and the Chief Operating Officer for Prisons (COO Prisons) of HM Prison & Probation Service during the past 12 months.

PQ_HL10300_table (xlsx, 15.2KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of reducing or removing the digital services tax. \p Lord Livermore: The UK’s Digital Services Tax is a fair and proportionate approach to taxing business activities undertaken in the UK, and it remains the UK’s intention to repeal it once an international solution is in place. As the Chancellor has previously said, we will continue to make sure that businesses pay their fair share of tax, including businesses in the digital sector.

Forecasts on tax revenues are published regularly by the Office for Budget Responsibility.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Lee of Trafford:To ask His Majesty's Government how many people are employed by the Financial Conduct Authority. \p Lord Livermore: This is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is operationally independent from Government. The FCA will respond to the Noble Lord by letter, and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House of Lords.

Employment figures for the year ending March 2025 can be found in the FCA’s Annual Report and Accounts: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/annual-reports/annual-report-2024-25.pdf
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Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the current value added tax threshold on small business growth. \p Lord Livermore: At £90,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD. This means the majority of UK businesses are kept out of the VAT system.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposal contained in the report The Impact of Changes to Inheritance Tax on Farm Estates, published by the Centre for the Analysis of Taxation in August, to apply 100 percent relief on estates up to £2 million, with no additional relief above that threshhold. \p Lord Livermore: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances and supporting public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

The report by the independent Centre for the Analysis of Taxation (CenTax) supports the Government’s analysis of these reforms, including the number of estates affected in 2026-27, and concludes that half of these estates will see an increase in their effective inheritance tax rate of less than 5 percentage points, and almost 90 per cent of these estates could pay their entire inheritance tax bill out of non-farm assets. In CenTax’s opinion, the Government’s proposed reforms improve on the current position and are expected largely to meet the Government’s objectives.
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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of potential reform of the property taxation system and the ability of any reform to make housing more affordable. \p Lord Livermore: The Government does not comment on speculation about tax changes. The Government keeps all tax policy under review and tax decisions will be made at the Budget, in the usual way.

As well as the Government’s commitment to delivering 1.5 million new homes, we are providing the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation, through confirming £39 billion for a successor to the Social and Affordable Homes Programme over 10 years from 2026-36.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_39

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of dropping consumer confidence among people aged over-65. \p Lord Livermore: The Government monitors a wide range of indicators to assess the UK’s economic performance, including measures of consumer confidence. Consumer confidence, as measured by the Growth from Knowledge (GfK), reached its highest level of the year in August 2025. Official economic forecasts and assessments of policy impacts are set out in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook documents, the most recent of which was published in March 2025.

Consumer confidence is intrinsically linked to household finances and the broader economic outlook. The Government is committed to driving growth and raising living standards and has taken steps to support those aged over 65, including protecting the Triple Lock at the Budget in October 2024, which delivered a 4.1% increase in State Pensions in April 2025, benefiting over 12 million people. The Government has also extended the £3 bus fare cap and continues to take action to reduce inflation.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_40

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to deliver a single trade window. \p Lord Livermore: The Government is committed to minimising administrative burdens and frictions experienced by businesses trading internationally. While delivery of the single trade window (STW) was paused at the end of 2024, it remains the Government’s intention to deliver an STW, and we will use the pause to further engage with key border stakeholders to better understand their needs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_41

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure fair access in the fintech sector following the selection of a provider, Etrading Software, for the UK's first consolidated bond trading tape. \p Lord Livermore: The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) consolidated tape tender process focused on the capabilities that a consolidated tape provider (CTP) would have to meet while remaining neutral about how providers would meet these standards.

The CTP is obliged to provide market data on a non-discriminatory basis and is required to offer individual and enterprise licenses for real-time and historical consolidated tape data to ensure that the widest possible set of potential users will be able to access consolidated tape data. This ensures fair access to market participants, including fintechs.

Further details can be found on the FCA website: https://www.fca.org.uk/markets/data-reporting-services-providers/bond-consolidated-tape
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_42

Lord Watson of Wyre Forest:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce proactive measures to track down the holders of the 11 unclaimed Premium Bond prizes worth £100,000 and the 19 unclaimed prizes worth £50,000. \p Lord Livermore: NS&I provides information on its website and through its call centre to help Premium Bonds holders trace unclaimed prizes and their original investment. NS&I also publishes details on unclaimed prizes every month alongside Premium Bonds winners’ details and engages with the media to encourage customers to use its prize checker and tracing services.  Premium Bonds holders with original paper Bonds such as those purchased over the counter at the Post Office, can register them online or by calling NS&I’s helpline. Holders who do not have internet access or cannot print off a form can request a form by phone or in writing.  Finally, Premium Bonds holders who have lost historic certificates, or who do not have their Bond or NS&I number, can use NS&I’s dedicated tracing service by post or online. Holders can also use MyLostAccount which can be used to trace old accounts with other providers, as well as NS&I

Premium Bonds are never lost and NS&I pays out unclaimed prizes no matter how long ago the Bonds were purchased.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_43

Baroness Maclean of Redditch:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to change the planning system in (1) London, and (2) England and Wales, to make it easier for small housebuilders to obtain planning permission. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: On 28 May 2025, the government published the Planning Reform Working Paper: Reforming Site Thresholds (which can be found on gov.uk here) which seeks views on taking a gradated approach to the system as a whole – removing and streamlining disproportionate requirements on small and medium sites, while maintaining and strengthening requirements on major development. We are currently considering the responses received to the working paper.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework, published on 12 December 2024, also strengthened the wording around small site allocation for SME housebuilders and includes measures designed to promote mixed tenure development.

Housing is a devolved matter and it is for the Welsh Government to decide what reforms to bring forward in Wales.

Planning Reform Working Paper (pdf, 315.6KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_44

Baroness Maclean of Redditch:To ask His Majesty's Government how many development consent orders they have determined since 4 July 2024. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Since 4 July 2024, the government has made 24 decisions on major infrastructure projects. 21 decisions were signed in the first year of this Parliament, which is more decisions in a single year than any previous government.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_45

Baroness Maclean of Redditch:To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish the list of sites for new towns which they commissioned the New Towns Taskforce to deliver. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The Taskforce submitted its report to the government this summer, which includes its final recommendations on potential locations for new towns. The government will take a short period to carefully consider the Taskforce's recommendations and publish both the report and its response in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_46

Baroness Hoey:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to support The National Archives to establish an economic operator within the European Union under the terms of the Windsor Framework to ensure it can sell merchandise to people in Northern Ireland. \p Lord Leong: The National Archives shop operates on a self-funding commercial basis and aims to resume sales to Northern Ireland in the future.

Some GB based businesses have faced changes due to the updated EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). We have issued guidance, will keep this under review and continue to engage businesses directly to ensure we are supporting them to trade freely within the UK and with the EU. DBT signposts businesses to verified external service providers specialising in GPSR.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_47

Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to improve the quality and consistency of sorted scrap metal to meet future demand for electric arc furnace steelmaking in the UK. \p Lord Leong: The Government recognises that the UK steel industry's shift towards electric arc furnaces will significantly elevate the importance of high-quality scrap as a material for UK steelmaking. Consequently, the Government is committed to securing an ample supply of high-quality scrap, while also ensuring the market remains fair and beneficial for all stakeholders. We are actively listening to the perspectives of all involved parties and will be exploring various options to address this issue.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-22 conversation_48

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the threat to (1) farms, (2) livestock, and (3) biodiversity, posed by the Langdale Moor wildfire. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: No such assessment has been made.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-01 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-01 conversation_1

Baroness Goudie:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the link between poor media literacy and the impact of health misinformation on public health decision-making. \p Baroness Merron: The Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact of health misinformation on public health decision making, but recognises the importance of accurate health information being available to the public and of preventing misinformation.

The Department regularly rebuts factual inaccuracies when they appear in traditional media and undertakes extensive planning, engagement, and strategic work to ensure accurate public health information is available on social media channels, to mitigate misinformation. In addition, the Department strives to ensure that all of the information it publishes is accurate, clear, and accessible to a variety of audiences, including using easy read versions.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-01 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-01 conversation_2

Baroness Grey-Thompson:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of health misinformation amplified by poor media literacy on public health decision-making. \p Baroness Merron: The Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact of health misinformation on public health decision making, but recognises the importance of accurate health information being available to the public and of preventing misinformation.

The Department regularly rebuts factual inaccuracies when they appear in traditional media and undertakes extensive planning, engagement, and strategic work to ensure accurate public health information is available on social media channels, to mitigate misinformation. In addition, the Department strives to ensure that all of the information it publishes is accurate, clear, and accessible to a variety of audiences, including using easy read versions.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-01 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-01 conversation_3

Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the link between online misinformation about health, and poor media literacy; and how they are taking this into account in public health policy. \p Baroness Merron: The Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact of health misinformation on public health decision making, but recognises the importance of accurate health information being available to the public and of preventing misinformation.

The Department regularly rebuts factual inaccuracies when they appear in traditional media and undertakes extensive planning, engagement, and strategic work to ensure accurate public health information is available on social media channels, to mitigate misinformation. In addition, the Department strives to ensure that all of the information it publishes is accurate, clear, and accessible to a variety of audiences, including using easy read versions.