theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_33

Baroness Neville-Rolfe:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have for the border target operating model for equines to commence before a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement is made with the European Union. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Zone as announced at the UK-EU Leaders Summit on May 19, 2025, to reduce delays and paperwork at the border. The movement of live animals is within scope of the agreement and will be considered as part of this. Our aim is to start the detailed negotiations as soon as possible, as we want to see businesses benefit from removing barriers to trade.

Regarding the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), we have been clear that compliance with the existing BTOM controls must continue until further notice, because the UK’s biosecurity and public health must continue to be protected. Where areas of the BTOM are yet to be delivered, we are in the process of reviewing our plans in response to the UK-EU Summit Common Understanding. We are aiming to share more detail on our approach.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_34

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential of artificial intelligence to protect the environment through models that predict adverse weather conditions; and what plans they have to invest in the development of such technologies. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given on 7 July 2025 to Question HL8736.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_35

Lord Norton of Louth:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Smith of Basildon on 19 June (HLWS717), how the Prime Minister recommending a limited number of candidates to sit as Crossbench peers will differ from the responsibility vested in the House of Lords Appointments Commission to nominate Crossbench peers. \p Baroness Smith of Basildon: As set out in the written statement, the Prime Minister will continue to ask the House of Lords Appointments Commission to make nominations for individuals to sit as Crossbench peers. The Commission invites applications from the public and assesses candidates against the criteria set out on its website.

It is established practice that the Prime Minister can recommend a limited number of individuals to sit as Crossbench peers, based on their public service, including both distinguished public servants on retirement and individuals with a proven track record of service to the public. These nominations will continue to be vetted for propriety by the House of Lords Appointments Commission.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_36

Lord Pack:To ask His Majesty's Government on what dates were the first and last payments they agreed for each of the past five sets of elections, excluding by-elections, for which returning officers received payments from the Consolidated Fund. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: This Government has not agreed any of the initial payments for the last five sets of elections funded from the Consolidated Fund. However, it will be responsible for settling the claims for both the 2024 Police and Crime Commissioner elections and the 2024 UK parliamentary general election. The timing of the final payments will depend on when responses to any queries for the last outstanding claims for each poll are submitted and payments settled.

Payments to statutorily independent Returning Officers (ROs) for UK parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner polls are made from the Consolidated Fund. An advance payment – typically 75% of the estimated cost – is issued in advance of the election, meaning ROs are not required to meet election costs upfront or wait a considerable length of time for the majority of the funding. The final payment reflects the balance due, following scrutiny and agreement of the expenses claim.

The table below sets out the dates of the first and last payments agreed for each of the last five sets of elections, based on records held by the Department. These figures relate to claims made by ROs for reimbursement of properly incurred costs.

Poll

First Payment

Last Payment

2024 UK Parliamentary GE

24/04/2024

In progress

2024 Police and Crime Commissioner

20/03/2024

In progress

2021 Police and Crime Commissioner

16/04/2021

21/05/2025

2019 UK Parliamentary GE

15/11/2019

02/02/2024

2019 European Parliamentary

21/05/2019

22/01/2021
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_37
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_37

Lord Grocott:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will list the results of the mayoral elections held on 1 May, including the turnout percentage in each mayoralty. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Elections are run by independent Returning Officers, who are responsible for publishing election results.

My Department does not have a formal role in collating and publishing information on the results of Mayoral elections.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_38
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_38

Lord Blunkett:To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they have given to local authorities about the specific democratic decision-making processes they should adopt; and under which legislation has such guidance been given. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: We have provided no current guidance to local authorities on their decision-making processes; within the governance models provided for in legislation, the precise nature of each council’s constitutional arrangements is for that council to decide.

As part of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill we intend that in future any council operating under the committee system will be required to operate with the leader and cabinet form of governance, and that leader and cabinet will be the only option, for councils currently operating with a directly elected mayor, should they determine to change governance arrangements.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_39
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_39

Lord Roberts of Llandudno:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that all people facing homelessness who seek support are seen and that every application is dealt with. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: In 2025/26 the Government is investing £1 billion in homelessness services in England, an increase of £233 million on the previous year. Local authorities can use this funding to provide a range of services to meet local need.

The Homelessness Code of Guidance sets out how local authorities in England should exercise their homelessness functions in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act, including how housing authorities must ensure their services are accessible. You can find the Code of Guidance on gov.uk here.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_40

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock:To ask His Majesty's Government whether, as part of their commitment in the most recent King’s Speech to strengthen the integrity of elections and encourage wide participation in the democratic process, they will consider introducing compulsory voting for general elections. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The government has no plans to introduce a compulsory requirement to vote.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_41
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_41

Baroness Gale:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to mark the centenary of the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928 in 2028. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: We are aware of this significant milestone and the opportunity it represents; both for celebrating women being granted equal voting rights, and inspiring women and girls to get involved in politics.

We will work across Departments to coordinate efforts to mark the occasion.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_42

Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge:To ask His Majesty's Government when the provisions in section 138 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 will come into effect. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: This Government remains committed to delivering on its commitment to criminalise the non-consensual creation of purported intimate images.

As with several other measures in the Act, the provisions in section 138 will come into effect when commenced by regulations in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_43

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Royal United Services Institute, Russia, AI and the Future of Disinformation Warfare, published on 30 June, which states that artificial intelligence is being used to spread misinformation within the United Kingdom; and how they intend to defend against this. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Government is aware of the Royal United Services Institute’s report, and takes the threat of foreign interference, including through artificial intelligence (AI), extremely seriously.

The Online Safety Act designates the Foreign Interference Offence as a priority offence, placing a legal duty on companies to tackle a range of state-linked disinformation, including AI-generated content. Companies must take systemic action to prevent users from encountering this content and minimise its presence on their services.

The Government continues to monitor these evolving threats and supports technical innovation to improve detection of AI-generated disinformation.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_44

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to the finding by the British Board of Film Classification on 23 June that 80 per cent of UK pornography users support rules to prevent online platforms from publishing or distributing pornography that depicts violence or abuse, what plans they have to introduce rules for that purpose. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: Creating a safer online world is a priority for the government. Services regulated under the Online Safety Act must take action to tackle illegal pornographic content, including extreme pornography, which is a priority offence under the Act. Children will also be protected from pornographic content through the use of highly effective age assurance.

Government departments are also undertaking detailed work to consider how best to tackle the complex set of issues raised by Baroness Bertin’s Independent Pornography Review.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_45

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of drugs and alcohol as a contributory factor in road accidents in each of the past three years, and what actions they are proposing to take as a consequence. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Department for Transport publishes statistics that show the number of personal injury road collisions, in Great Britain, reported to police using the STATS19 system which were assigned the “affected by alcohol” or “affected by drugs” road safety factors (RSFs). The number of collisions assigned these factors is shown in the table below.

2021

2022

2023

Collisions assigned “affected by alcohol”

5,095

5,355

5,020

Collisions assigned “affected by drugs”

1,827

1,908

2,078

Collisions assigned “affected by alcohol” and/or “affected by drugs”

6,201

6,572

6,437

Collisions assigned any road safety factor

67,193

70,661

68,917

All collisions, including those not assigned a road safety factor

101,087

106,004

104,258

Driving under the influence of drink and drugs is unacceptable and illegal. We are determined to combat this behaviour and ensure that all such drivers are caught and punished.

My Department is considering these offences as part of the Road Safety Strategy, and we are considering policy options to pursue change in this area.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_46

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of (1) companies leaving the London Stock Exchange, and (2) new companies listed on the stock market; and whether they intend to implement further incentives to encourage companies to be listed on the London Stock Exchange. \p Lord Livermore: The government is committed to reinvigorating our capital markets to deliver growth, supporting firms to start, scale, list and stay in the UK.

We have already delivered an ambitious set of reforms including overhauling the Prospectus regime and Listing Rules, providing more flexibility to firms and founders raising capital on UK markets.

The government has published the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy which sets out a 10-year strategy for the sector including a focus on Capital Markets.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-16 conversation_47

Lord Swire:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the report Clean Power 2030 Annex 2: Networks, connections and network access analysis, published by the National Energy System Operator on 5 November 2024, whether they plan to build an additional 600 miles of overhead cabling and pylons; and if so, whether they will publish a map detailing where those will be built. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is responsible for the strategic planning and design of the GB electricity system. NESO’s November 2024 advice on the upgrades and new projects required on the GB high voltage network to deliver clean power 2030 was reflected in the Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. A map showing these projects and some required beyond 2030 is available online at https://www.neso.energy/publications/beyond-2030/web-map
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_2

Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government which chairs of public bodies listed in a Public Appointments Order in Council are elected by their trustees; whether they have issued guidance on whether it is appropriate for such chairs to serve as the organisational representative on assessment advisory panels; and what steps are taken to prevent potential conflicts of interest where they do. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Regulated public appointments to bodies listed in Schedule 1 of the Public Appointments Order in Council follow the recruitment processes set out in the Governance Code on Public Appointments. In the majority of cases, Chairs to such bodies are recruited through open and fair competition.

There is a small group of eight museum and gallery bodies listed within Schedule 1 which do not undertake a recruitment for the role of the body’s Chair. Instead, the role of Chair is an elected position by, and from within, the existing trustees of the body (which are themselves recruited through open and fair competition). These bodies are: the British Museum; the Imperial War Museum; the National Gallery; the National Portrait Gallery; the Natural History Museum; the Royal Museums Greenwich; the Tate; and the Wallace Collection.

The Governance Code, issued by the Cabinet Office, sets out guidance on the composition of Advisory Assessment Panels, including representation from the public body concerned and considerations of potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, for the bodies just mentioned, the published list of significant appointments requires that a Senior Independent Panel Member sit on the Advisory Assessment Panels for all trustee recruitments, on the presumption that any appointed trustee might be elected to the role of Chair. Ministers must agree on the composition of all Panels.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_3

Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to Cabinet Office Government Major Projects Portfolio Data March 2024, published on 16 January, whether the Falcon IT Platform Refresh programme remains on track for completion by March 2026, and why the programme was downgraded from Amber to Red before a programme business case was submitted. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: A Cabinet Office Gateway review in February 2024 of the Falcon Programme recommended a new Programme Business Case should be submitted examining alternative options for the provision of the new OFFICIAL IT platform. Due to the need to explore new options and secure an agreed strategic direction, the programme was moved from a Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) of AMBER to RED.

A Programme Business Case (PBC) was submitted to the December 2024 Investment Committee (COIC) and approved. The Programme is forecast to complete by December 2026.

In January 2025 the Programme DCA was reviewed and moved from RED to AMBER. This was supported by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_4

Viscount Stansgate:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to publish an updated edition of the Cabinet Manual. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Government takes the function of the Cabinet Manual seriously and we will keep it under review.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_5

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to engage with the farming community in relation to the reform of agricultural property relief for Inheritance Tax. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: We actively engage with representatives from the farming industry through regular meetings and discussions, ensuring we listen to their views, understand their concerns, and take their feedback into account. The reforms to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will mean three quarters of estates will continue to pay no inheritance tax at all, while the remaining quarter will pay half the inheritance tax that most people pay, and payments can be spread over 10 years, interest-free. We are also investing £5 billion into farming over the next two years, the largest amount for sustainable food production in our country’s history, and are going further with reforms to boost profits for farmers by backing British produce and reforming planning rules on farms to support food production.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_6

Lord West of Spithead:To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of vessels transiting the Indian Ocean with armed guards have UK-licensed firearms onboard. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) is responsible for licensing Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) which provide armed security guards to protect vessels transiting the Indian Ocean High Risk Area from the threat of piracy. It also licences the vessel-based armouries which PMSCs use to store their weapons.

The licensing process for PMSCs and vessel-based armouries does not require information about where firearms originated, and therefore ECJU has no record of this information.

ECJU does not proactively monitor or record the number of vessels within the Indian Ocean.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_7

Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government how many members of staff the Competition and Markets Authority employs in the (1) advocacy, and (2) strategy, teams; and what is the total annual budget for each team. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) currently employs five full time equivalent staff in its advocacy team with a total annual budget of £0.6m.

The CMA employs 11 full time equivalent staff in its strategy team with a total annual budget of £1.1m

Full time equivalent staff numbers have been rounded to the nearest whole number.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_8

Lord West of Spithead:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks of private maritime security companies becoming non-compliant through expiry of anti-piracy licences; and what impact this would have on international shipping. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: All Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) operating in the former Indian Ocean High Risk Area (HRA) require approval under the Open General Trade Control Licence for Maritime Anti-Piracy (OGTCL MA-P). Once granted by the Export Control Joint Unit, this approval is open-ended for as long as the PMSC remains active in the maritime anti-piracy sector and abides by the terms of the OGTCL MA-P licence.

ECJU would inform His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs, which is responsible for the enforcement of the UK export licensing regime, if they became aware of any breaches of licence conditions.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_9

Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government how many members of staff the Competition and Markets Authority employed in the (1) communications, (2) competition enforcement, and (3) consumer protection teams, in each of the last six years; and what is the total annual budget for each team. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA") employs 35 staff in its Communications Team. The team was restructured, and its remit redefined, several times over the last six years, including in 2024. Therefore, the CMA does not have a readily available comparison for the previous six years. The Communications Team budget for the current financial year (2024/24) is £3.2m.

The CMA employs 131 staff in its Competition Enforcement Directorate.

The CMA employs 118 staff in its Consumer Protection and Markets Team.

Expenditure for each year from 2019-20 to 2023-24 is shown in the table below for the Competition Enforcement Directorate and Consumer Protection function. Since 2024, the latter has sat in a newly formed Consumer Protection and Markets Directorate. It would not be possible to provide directly comparable expenditure figures for 2018-19 because these were not separate reporting areas at that time.

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

Competition Enforcement

£m

16.6

15.2

13.4

12.2

13.0

Consumer Protection

£m

6.3

7.0

6.6

7.2

8.8
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_12

Baroness Barran:To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to moving to a risk-led approach to school inspection. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver. I have asked him to write to the noble Lady directly and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_13

Lord Blunkett:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have calculated how many full and part-time staff will be required to continue the current work of Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education following the transfer of responsibilities to the Department under the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department has calculated that the number of staff transferring from Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) into Skills England will ensure core IfATE functions continue. These roles will make up a portion of the total workforce of Skills England. There will be additional staff from the department supporting on Skills England’s broader remit of work.

This continuity in resource levels will support qualification and apprenticeships development, including working with employers, to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of service. A full list of IfATE staff can be found here: https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/c4b0d784-19a0-4027-84fd-4721cb83281f/organogram-of-staff-roles-and-salaries-for-ifate-september-2024.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_14

Baroness Barran:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the condition B3 continuation metric used by the Office for Students will be reviewed ahead of the rollout of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The Office for Students (OfS) strategy sets out their plans to develop a new integrated approach to quality regulation following recommendations in the OfS Public Bodies Review. It is considering how to integrate B3 student outcomes data into the system and will engage with institutions and students as it develops its new approach. It is also considering measures for student outcomes from modular provision as part of wider work to prepare for the implementation of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_15

Baroness Barran:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support Institutes of Technology in future. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department values the collaborative approach between further education, higher education and employers developed by Institutes of Technology (IoT) which has allowed them to develop and deliver a curriculum that is responsive to the needs of employers in the area they serve. The work of IoTs looks to address both immediate skills gaps and also create sustainable pathways for talent development, which are essential for economic resilience.

We will continue to work with the IoT Network as we develop our strategy for post-16 education and skills.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_18

Lord Gascoigne:To ask His Majesty's Government when Lord Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador will commence. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Prime Minister confirmed the appointment of Lord Mandelson to be the next British Ambassador to the United States of America on Friday 20 December. He started the role on 10 February 2025.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_19

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of Turkish attacks on Kurds in the Rojava region of northeastern Syria in the last six months. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: We are concerned by increased tensions in northern Syria and the impact this may have on civilians and stability in the region. Our priority is de-escalation, and we are in regular contact with both Turkey and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to this end. We are urging all sides to refrain from activity that will lead to further loss of civilian life, or damage to civilian infrastructure, to avoid further destabilisation and civilian suffering in the region. We continue to advocate for an inclusive political transition process that is representative of all Syrians, including Kurdish communities.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_20

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken (1) to address and tackle disinformation surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and (2) to challenge dehumanising language and racist tropes in conflict situations. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: We recognise that dehumanising language and hate speech can lay the ground for and justify identity-based violence in conflict. The proliferation of harmful online narratives and its impact on conflict is an emerging challenge. Partnering with specialist organisations, the FCDO is working to identify global best practices for mitigating harmful digital behaviours in conflict - including misinformation, disinformation and hate speech - and considering how action on such digital harms can be integrated into our wider approach to conflict and atrocity prevention.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_21

Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the availability of adequate insurance capacity to enable them to achieve their target of building 1.5 million houses during this Parliament. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The UK’s insurance market is competitive, with many providers offering a wide variety of insurance products. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of financial services, has a primary objective to ensure relevant markets are functioning well.

.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_22

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to issue guidance to district councils on their use of financial reserves following the publication of the English Devolution White Paper on 16 December 2024. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The Government considers reserves to be an important part of the resources available to local authorities and encourages councils to consider how they can use them while maintaining appropriate levels to support sustainability, future investment, and ability to respond to shocks.

The government is committed to introducing an improved approach to funding local authorities from 2026-27, including an updated assessment of need. The initial consultation on our principles and objectives for funding reform closed on 12 February.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_23

The Earl of Clancarty:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the planned local government reorganisation on the continuance of the funding for arts, cultural and heritage projects and facilities which is currently provided by district and borough councils. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The funding of local cultural services and organisations is a matter for individual local authorities, but the Government strongly supports their doing so, not least because of the significant economic, social, and wellbeing benefits cultural organisations deliver. The Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024–25 makes available up to £64.7 billion for local authorities — an increase in Core Spending Power of up to £4.5 billion or 7.5% in cash terms on 2023–24. This above-inflation increase demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting local authorities. The majority of this funding is not ring-fenced, so local authorities can consider how best to balance their local priorities.   As set out in the Government’s guidance on proposals for unitary local government, areas should consider issues of local identity and cultural and historic importance in working up plans that are in the best interests of the whole area.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_24

Lord Gascoigne:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the local elections which have been delayed until next year will definitely take place in May 2026. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The 2026 local elections will include those postponed from May 2025, and those already or to be scheduled for any area in 2026.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_25

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the AI skills gap, particularly regarding universities. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: Reducing the AI skills gap is critical for increasing the UK’s productivity and delivering long-term growth. DSIT regularly reviews the status of the UK’s AI labour market and has commissioned Gardiner & Theobald LLP to conduct a survey of the labour market, published later this year. We are also working with DfE and Skills England to assess the AI skills gap and map pathways to fill it.

As set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, government will further address the AI skills gap by working with universities to increase the number of AI courses, expanding educational pathways into AI, and establishing a prestigious AI talent scholarship.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_26

Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how different jurisdictions' approaches to text and data mining have affected their AI sector growth rates. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: Copyright law is territorial. Other jurisdictions vary in how they handle text and data mining, and the impact on AI sector growth is challenging to assess.

The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024. This seeks views on stakeholders’ experience of approaches internationally. The consultation closes on 25 February

Government will continue to talk to our international partners, as AI is an area of shared interest and activity.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_27

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria they will use to assess where to implement new AI Growth Zones. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The Government will lay out the formal selection process in spring. Local and regional authorities along with industry will be able to nominate themselves to host an AI Growth Zone (AIGZs).

AIGZs will be designed to ensure AI infrastructure developers have access to the power they need to rapidly scale and, are supported via streamlined planning processes.

On Monday 10 February, local and regional authorities, along with industry, were invited to come forward with potential sites suitable for hosting AI infrastructure as an early expression of interest.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_28

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that people with lived experience of self-harm and suicide are meaningfully involved in the implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The government engages regularly with social media and search services and is clear that they should be taking action now to make their services safe for users.

Under the Online Safety Act, in-scope services must prevent all users from encountering illegal suicide and self-harm content, and children from legal content which encourages, promotes or provides instructions for suicide and self-harm.

The government are committed to continuing to engage with those with lived experience and keeping online safety policy under review and will take whatever steps are needed to protect the public.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_29

Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to deliver the recommendations outlined in the Pro-innovation Regulation of Technologies Review: Digital Technologies policy paper, published on 15 March 2023. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The Pro-innovation Regulation of Technologies Digital Technologies Review published by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser set out 11 recommendations to support the UK’s regulatory approach to AI, facilitate the Government’s public services transformation programme through data access, and focus regulator efforts on innovation in transport, cyber security and space. The Government has already made progress, launching the AI and Digital Hub in April 2024 and gaining Royal Assent for the Automated Vehicles Bill in May 2024.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_30

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government when the 'Small but Risky' taskforce will sit; and how the group will address the risk posed by dangerous online platforms. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Online Safety Act’s illegal content and, where relevant, child safety duties will apply to services of all sizes. In September 2024, a public exchange of letters between the Secretary of State and Ofcom’s CEO provided more information about the supervision taskforce. The taskforce is developing and delivering a workplan focusing on high priority themes (such as terror, hate and offences against women and girls) in small but risky services. Should such services choose not to engage and there is evidence of non-compliance, Ofcom will undertake enforcement action.

Letter between Ofcom's CEO and Secretary of State (pdf, 220.3KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_31

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 30 January (HL3972), what the total value is of the five special severance payments currently pending approval by the Treasury; and whether any of these payments have already been disbursed or remain withheld pending approval. \p Baroness Merron: All five cases are pending retrospective approval. The National Audit Office, as disclosed on page 47 of the consolidated provider accounts, put a value to these cases of £180,688. Final values may change subject to the approval process.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_32
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_32

Lord Mawson:To ask His Majesty's Government how many plastic spacers for asthma inhalers (1) have been prescribed, and (2) at what cost, in each of the last five years; what guidance there is on how often such spacers need to be replaced; when such guidance was given to providers in the NHS; and what assessment they have made of the cost to the NHS of the implementation of this guidance. \p Baroness Merron: The following table shows the total number of prescription items, quantities and Net Ingredient Cost (NIC) of spacer/holding chamber devices that were dispensed in England regardless of where prescribed from January 2019 to November 2024:

Calendar Year

Total Items

Total Quantity

Total NIC (£)

2019

1,857,744

1,974,051

11,960,224.48

2020

1,437,840

1,525,746

9,091,373.81

2021

1,652,145

1,752,204

10,847,694.23

2022

1,825,426

1,944,489

12,241,335.04

2023

1,900,533

2,037,113

12,843,890.18

2024 Jan-Nov (11 months)

1,777,964

1,918,473

11,924,830.03

Total

10,451,652

11,152,076

68,909,347.77

Source: NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA)

Notes:

Information on how to look after a spacer device is included in the patient information leaflet that is provided to patients with their device. This can be found in the section on how to look after the device and includes cleaning and storage instructions as well as advice on when the device should be replaced. The general advice for the spacers available in the United Kingdom is that they should be replaced after one year.

Guidance for patients on device replacement can also be found on patient support websites such as Asthma and Lung UK which includes similar advice: ‘You should replace your spacer at least every year, especially if you use it daily, but some may need to be replaced sooner – ask your GP, nurse or pharmacist if you’re unsure.’

Guidance for healthcare professionals can be found on the Right Breath website and on the NHS clinical guidance page which recommend that all spacers should be replaced annually while the British National Formulary which provides healthcare professionals with up-to-date information about the use of medicines recommends that spacer devices should be replaced every six to 12 months.

NHS England is not aware of any additional clinical guidance it has issued, other than that contained in the product information, about replacing spacers.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_33

Baroness Grey-Thompson:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Markham on 11 May 2023 (HL7210), what progress they have made in developing and promoting to NHS trusts and integrated care systems in England an effective methodology for assessing value, including on patient experience and outcomes, and on whole system costs, rather than item price, when purchasing medical devices and consumables; and what future plans they have to do so. \p Baroness Merron: The Department is working with NHS England and the NHS Supply Chain to develop and promote a standardised methodology for National Health Service trusts and integrated care systems (ICS) to assess value when procuring medical technologies, including devices and consumables. As part of this, the Department is engaging medical technology suppliers, patient forums, as well as broader networks of financial teams, clinicians, and NHS procurement professionals.

The methodology will provide a consistent and transparent approach to assessing value, for use at both the national and local levels. This aims to shift the majority of the weighting in procurement decisions towards value over upfront cost. The guidance will include a bank of questions, model answers, and scoring criteria showing how to assess defined values consistently, such as patient experience and outcomes, and whole system costs.

The Department will be testing this guidance with the NHS at the ICS and NHS trust level over the coming months, with the ambition to refine and publish the guidance in Autumn 2025.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_34

Lord Mawson:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the average number of hours spent by doctors and nurses in statutory and mandatory training; and what is the cost to the NHS of the time they spend undertaking such training. \p Baroness Merron: The exact amount of statutory and mandatory training completed varies, depending on which organisation they work for, their role or roles, and the frequency of their movement between organisations, for instance resident doctors rotating between organisations may have to repeat some of the training.

On average, it is estimated that nationally defined statutory and mandatory training takes up to eight hours or one day per person per year and locally mandated training will add to this. This considerable investment of time has to be balanced against the fact that this training is both important, for instance safety training and emergency preparedness training, and often required by law.

In early 2024, NHS England commenced work in partnership with the Department, the Care Quality Commission, the Health Services Safety Investigations Branch, and NHS Resolution to reform statutory and mandatory training through a programme to optimise, rationalise, and redesign.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_35

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any rise in excess deaths in the 2025 autumn and winter periods due to changes to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's recommendations on eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccination, particularly among at-risk groups; and what consideration they have given to preventive measures to address any such rise. \p Baroness Merron: The Government is guided by the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisation (JCVI) on eligibility for vaccination programmes. Given the continued effectiveness of vaccines and improved treatments, for most people there is a much lower risk of severe illness compared to earlier in the pandemic.

The JCVI advises that older people and those who are immunosuppressed are the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of severe disease and death, and that vaccination every six months remains appropriate given the durability of protection afforded by the currently available vaccines. Its advice is to offer vaccination in autumn 2025 and spring 2026 to these groups, and also any individuals living in care homes for older adults, as care homes for older people are particularly high-risk settings and may include some younger individuals. This advice is available at the GOV.UK website, in an online only format. The Government is considering this advice carefully and will respond in due course.