theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_9

Lord Goodman of Wycombe:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to publish a list of all accredited national statistics produced by departments about fraud and error in public expenditure, including precise titles, responsible departments, publication frequencies, and most recent dates of publication. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Government is committed to transparency in its efforts to tackle fraud and error against the public sector.

Accredited national statistics are maintained by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), which provides independent regulation of all official statistics produced in the UK. The OSR publishes a comprehensive list of all official statistics that they have independently reviewed and accredited, including levels of total fraud and computer misuse in England and Wales.

The Public Sector Fraud Authority publishes data in relation to public sector fraud and error through its Cross-Government Fraud Landscape Report. The most recent Report, covering the period of 2021-22, set out levels of detected, prevented and recovered fraud and error, as reported by Departments and public bodies. The next Fraud Landscape Report will be published in Autumn 2025, and will cover two reporting years of 2022-23 and 2023-24.

Furthermore, the National Audit Office produced an ‘Overview of the impact of fraud and error on public funds’ in November 2024 which sets out the total impact of fraud and error on public funds for 2023-24. This overview draws on publicly available sources, including the annual report and accounts of government bodies which are publicly available on GOV.UK
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_10

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of eligible grant schemes were advertised on (1) Find a Grant, and (3) Apply for a Grant, in the past financial year; and whether they set adoption targets for each of those services. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: In the previous financial year (2024-25), 69 (64%) eligible grant schemes from central government departments were listed on Find a Grant, which translated to 409 separate grant advertisements, as some schemes are disaggregated into smaller funds. Apply for a Grant hosted 25 applications related to 9 schemes or 8% of those eligible.

Adoption targets have been set to drive uptake for both services. Find a Grant is mandated for all central government departments and arm's length bodies for eligible, competed or criteria-based grant schemes, with a target of 100% compliance. While Apply for a Grant is not mandated, it has an adoption target of 30%. The Cabinet Office is working with all departments to increase uptake of these services.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_11

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the net cash requirement for the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme in each year since 2013–14. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The net cash requirement for the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme in each year since 2013–14 is available within The Civil Superannuation Annual Report and Accounts which can be found on the Civil Service Pensions website. The information is as follows:

Year

Net cash requirement (£, millions)

2013-14

£2,197

2014–15

£1,509

2015–16

£2,245

2016-17

£2,277.8

2017-18

£2,135.4

2018-19

£2,001

2019-20

£1,200

2020-21

£1,100

2021-22

£774.2

2022-23

£846.9

2023-24

£943.8
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_12

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the service cost for the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme as a percentage of pensionable pay in each year since 2013–14 . \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Civil Superannuation Report discloses the service cost for the Scheme, but we do not calculate the pensionable pay for active members of the Scheme. The Civil Superannuation reports are in the public domain and can be accessed via the Civil Service Pensions website.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_13

Lord Booth:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 10 April (HL6032), what estimate they have made of the annual cost of the Ethics and Integrity Commission. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: We are restoring confidence in government and the highest standards in public life and have already taken steps to improve probity and transparency, including through issuing a new Ministerial Code which highlights the importance of the principles of public life, by strengthening the terms of reference for the Independent Adviser, and by introducing a new monthly Register of Gifts and Hospitality.

An update on the Ethics and Integrity Commission will be provided in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_14

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to page 19 of the Government Strategy for Grants Management 2023–2025 published in September 2023, what are (1) the current total budget, (2) staffing level, and (3) key performance indicators, for the Government Grants Managed Service; and which government departments and arm’s-length bodies currently use the Government Grants Managed Service. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The current year budget is cost-neutral to the Cabinet Office. Operational costs depend upon the value of grants which go through the pilot, as resources are flexed according to demand. Customer departments and ALBs pay for the administration of these pilot grants.

There is currently a central programme team of 7 FTE, with operations staff numbers variable, according to demand.

A monitoring and evaluation approach and plan was developed in December 2023 and agreed with the Evaluation Task Force (ETF). A set of KPIs was agreed, focused on the cost to serve of grant administration in GGMS, versus departments’ usual approaches to grant and the median baseline cost. There are also KPIs related to the identification of fraud and error through the Spotlight due diligence tool.

Eight departments, arm’s-length bodies or other public bodies are participating in the pilot: the Home Office, the Department for Transport, the Department for Science, Innovation, & Technology, the Money & Pensions Service, the Department for Education, the Northern Ireland Office, UK Space Agency and UK Atomic Energy Authority.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_15

Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the 2025–26 policy of the Cabinet Office on awarding bonuses for (1) the Senior Civil Service, and (2) lower grades of the Civil Service; and what is the maximum that can be given to any individual in any financial year. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: As has been the practice in previous administrations, the arrangements for performance-related pay for the Senior Civil Service (SCS) are published in annual SCS pay practitioner guidance. The 2025-26 guidance, including the controls on performance related pay, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-the-senior-civil-service-pay-award-202526

For grades below the SCS, departments have delegated authority to determine their own performance-related pay arrangements.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_16

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 27 May (HL7225), who authorises exemptions that allow newly created arm's-length bodies to be headquartered in London; what criteria apply to those exemptions; and which bodies have received exemptions in the past 12 months. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Places for Growth is supporting thriving civil service communities in locations across the UK. As part of that, no new ALBs will be created in London unless by exception. Cabinet Office Ministers are able to grant exemptions for new ALBs to be headquartered in London based on their workforce and operational requirements and these requests are dealt with on a case by case basis. In the last 12 months no exemptions have been issued to allow new ALBs to be based in London.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_17

Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they have issued about whether, and how, unofficial departmental meetings with trade unions about government business should be declared. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Meetings with external organisations and individuals are declared quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include official meetings with trade unions, subject to any exemptions listed in the Guidance.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_18

Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government through what mechanism and form of communication are recipients of honours informed of the awarding of their style, dignity or title; what correspondence is sent from (1) His Majesty's Government, (2) the Prime Minister, or (3) the Royal Household; and whether Members of Parliament are (a) asked, or (b) permitted, to handle such correspondence and provide it to recipients. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Honours lists are published twice a year at New Year and on the Sovereign’s Official Birthday. There are ten independent committees which assess nominations for the Prime Minister’s List.

Once the final honours list is agreed and The King’s informal approval obtained, sounding letters are sent to all those on the list asking if they are content for the Prime Minister to submit their name to The King for formal approval. Letters are sent in strict confidence from the Honours and Memorialisation Secretariat within the Cabinet Office. On occasion, phonecalls may be made to recipients prior to the letters being sent notifying them of the honour, however honours can only be accepted by recipients in writing following receipt of the official letter from the Secretariat. For the Birthday 2025 List, the sounding process began in early May.

On occasion, and following sounding and acceptance of an honour, letters of congratulation may be sent by the relevant Minister.

Following publication of the List, the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood writes to the recipient to invite them to receive their honours at an Investiture.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_19

Baroness Hamwee:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to review the legal framework governing the role of automation in public decision-making, and if not why; and what assessment they have made of whether people subject to decisions by public bodies should be informed if decisions have been taken, in whole or in part, using automated decision-making mechanisms. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The government is committed to the safe and ethical adoption of AI, including automated decision-making (ADM). We offer relevant guidance in, for example, the AI Playbook. Additionally, government has been working with the Information Commissioner’s Office to explore responsible adoption of ADM.

Given ADM-related changes in the Data (Use and Access) Act, which have widened the circumstances in which ADM can be used but only with stringent safeguards, it is not the most appropriate time for government to review the legal framework governing automation in public decision-making. We will first implement and observe the impact of our reforms.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_20

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage the development of artificial intelligence in the UK and to ensure that the sector retains a strong base in the UK. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The Prime Minister launched the AI Opportunities Action Plan in January. It sets out 50 far reaching actions needed to drive up the development and deployment of AI. Government accepted all 50 recommendations.

Progress has been made across a range of actions, including holding the first AI Energy Council meeting, signing an MOU with Anthropic, and opening the formal AI Growth Zone application process. The Spending Review 2025 will further cement the UK’s leadership in AI, driving economic growth and fostering a safer, healthier, and more prosperous society.

The Government is driving forward AI development and adoption through the AI Opportunities Action Plan - taking decisive steps to position the UK as a global AI maker, not just a taker.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_21

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need to regulate the artificial intelligence sector, and what assessment they have made of the potential risks of harm if such technology is left unregulated. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: AI is not unregulated in the UK. A range of existing rules already apply such as data protection, competition, equality legislation and other forms of sector regulation.

The vast majority of AI systems should be regulated at point of use by existing regulators. In response to the AI Action Plan, the Government committed to identifying capability needs for regulators to mitigate AI risks and drive growth. Advanced AI systems pose distinct opportunities and risks, and we are developing legislative proposals to allow us to safely realise the benefits of these systems. We will launch a public consultation in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_22

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the development of artificial intelligence growth zones across the UK, and to ensure those zones are spread throughout the country. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The AI Opportunities Action Plan set out the governments ambition to deliver AI Growth Zones (AIGZs) to accelerate the development and deployment of large-scale AI infrastructure. These zones will fast-track planning processes and unlock access to critical energy and land resources.

Following an Expressions of Interest exercise earlier this year, the government has now launched a formal qualification process to identify suitable AIGZs. The government is working closely with devolved governments and local authorities to progress potential AI Growth Zones across the country.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_23

Lord Nash:To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of the £1.3 billion in co-investment reported by UK Research and Innovation in the report Annual Report and Accounts 2023–24, published on 24 July 2024, was independently verified after project award. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: UKRI verifies co-investment commitments at several stages of the grant lifecycle. Verification processes are managed according to the terms and conditions of specific grant awards and vary depending on the size of the awards. For large co-investment commitments, UKRI engages third parties to conduct verification.

At the application stage, UKRI portfolio managers verify co-investment commitments as part of usual due diligence checks, with host research organisation also undertaking due diligence to confirm that information included in applications is accurate. For completed awards, grant holders are able to report actual co-investment values via the research outcomes process.

The co-investment figure of £1.3 billion provided in the 2023-24 UKRI Annual Report and Accounts reflects project partner contributions declared at the point of application.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_24

Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the government of Sudan used chemical weapons in 2024; and what are the implications for their Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability assessment of the situation in Sudan, and their planned response to the situation in Sudan. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The Foreign Secretary made clear in his statement on 23 May that any use of chemical weapons is unacceptable. It is imperative that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) engage constructively with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in order to facilitate a thorough and impartial investigation. We expect the SAF to abide by its obligations under the Chemical Weapon Convention not to develop, produce, possess, or use chemical weapons.

The recent US determination that the SAF have used chemical weapons does not automatically trigger an update to our Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability (JACS) assessment on Sudan. The JACS process is triggered following specialist technical advice that new or updated joint analysis is needed for a particular country; it is context-dependent.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_25

Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Nigeria about the large-scale killing targeting the Christian community in Benue State in Nigeria on 13 June. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK Government has not yet had any conversations about the violent attacks on 13 June. However, on 10 June, UK officials met with the member of the House of Representatives for a constituency in Benue State to discuss the root causes of insecurity in Benue state. In addition, the UK regularly engages with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), and the Office of Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE) on conflict in Nigeria's middle belt. During my visit to Nigeria between 28-30 May, I raised Freedom of Religion and Belief and the root causes of insecurity in discussions with Nigerian counterparts, including the Foreign Minister and Deputy Speaker.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_26

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024, what steps they are taking to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK is fully committed to international law and respects the independence of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). We continue to consider the Court's Advisory Opinion carefully, with the seriousness and rigour it deserves. The UK does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Israeli settlements, as part of Israel. Goods imported from the settlements are therefore not entitled to benefit from trade preferences under the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement. The UK also supports accurate labelling of settlement goods, so as not to mislead the consumer.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_27

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to recognise the State of Palestine. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering.  We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that has the most impact in achieving this reality and is most conducive to long-term prospects for peace. We are clear that does not need to be at the end of a process. UK bilateral recognition is the single most important action the UK can take with regard to Palestinian statehood. That is why it is important to get the timing right so that it creates genuine momentum and is not simply a symbolic gesture. We are continuing to engage all partners on advancing a two-state solution and supporting the foundations of Palestinian statehood. Any UK decision to recognise another state is the prerogative of the Crown, acting on the advice of the Government.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_28

Lord McInnes of Kilwinning:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of their policies with regard to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on Armenian Christians in Jerusalem; and whether they plan to take steps to help preserve their presence in the Old City. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK recognises that Jerusalem holds particular significance for many groups around the globe, especially the three Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. It has been the position of the UK Government since 1967 that the Occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza) are not lawfully part of the State of Israel. In line with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, we regard East Jerusalem as part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. His Majesty's Government continue to support the cultural presence and identity in East Jerusalem. Our officials at the British Consulate General in Jerusalem regularly meet with members of the Christian community and Churches in Jerusalem, including the Armenian Patriarchate, to understand the impact of issues affecting their community.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_29

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding its announcement of 29 May that 22 new Israeli settlements have been approved in the West Bank. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: We are clear that settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the prospects for peace. The Minister for the Middle East condemned the 22 new settlements announced by Israel on 29 May 2025 and we regularly urge Israel to halt settlement expansion in our diplomatic engagements. This government is committed to a two-state solution. It remains the only viable framework for a just and lasting peace.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_30

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 22 May (HL7362), whether they will publish (1) a full list of each individual grant scheme operated by the Department for Business and Trade, and (2) the total expenditure allocated under each of those schemes in the most recent financial period for which figures are available. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: DBT publishes information on grants that it delivers annually through its published annual report and accounts. There is a section included within that report on grants and subsidies which lists the grants delivered and the amounts expended for each. The 23/24 annual report is online, with the 24/25 annual report due to be published in September.

DBT Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24 (pdf, 2528.4KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_31

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have received from lenders asking for higher funding limits under the Growth Guarantee Scheme, and what plans they have to extend funding limits for lenders under the Scheme. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Government and the British Business Bank maintain constant dialogue with Growth Guarantee Scheme Delivery Partners to ensure the terms and capacity of the Scheme remain appropriate. With the announcement of resources to facilitate an additional £500 million of lending through the Scheme to businesses affected by turbulence in global trade, the British Business Bank are working with Delivery Partners on how best to allocate this additional capacity. Funding allocations for future years are subject to negotiation.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_32
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_32

Lord Goodman of Wycombe:To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the guidance List of Public Bodies for Review in 2023/24, updated on 25 April 2024, whether a reviewer has been appointed for the review of the British Business Bank; and if so, who is that reviewer, what are the terms of reference for that review, and what is the current status of that review. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: Under the Cabinet Office review framework, a self-assessment was completed by the Bank and reviewed by the Department for Business and Trade. This did not require a reviewer to be appointed nor specific terms of reference (beyond the self-assessment guidance). The broader Public Bodies Review Programme concluded on 31 March 2025.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_33

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the British Business Bank regarding the expansion of the Growth Guarantee Scheme. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Growth Guarantee Scheme plays a vital role in helping more businesses access affordable finance for growth and investment, which is why the Government provided resources to facilitate an additional £500 million of lending through the Scheme to businesses affected by turbulence in global trade. DBT and HMT officials work closely with British Business Bank counterparts to ensure the Scheme’s terms and parameters remain effective and impactful.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_34

Lord Goodman of Wycombe:To ask His Majesty's Government when the British Bank Business last underwent a board effectiveness review, and whether they will place a copy of that review in the Library of the House. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The British Business Bank reviews its board in accordance with the Cabinet Office guidance on Board Effectiveness Reviews, which includes an annual review that is externally facilitated every three years. The findings are included in BBB's Annual Report and Accounts, with a copy placed in the Library of the House. The most recent review was carried out in March 2025 and will be reported in BBB's 2025 Annual Report and Accounts, due for publication later in 2025.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_35

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 11 June (HL7370), what representations they have received from the pharmaceutical industry about tariffs imposed by the United States of America. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and other Ministers, as well as officials from my department and across government have been engaging widely with business organisations and companies from across the economy, including those in the pharmaceuticals sector.

We received a number of responses from the pharmaceuticals sector to DBT's Request for Input launched on 3 April to inform our response to US tariffs.

We will continue our extensive engagement with pharmaceutical businesses from across the UK throughout negotiations, ensuring that their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities are fully understood.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_36

Lord Goodman of Wycombe:To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to HM Treasury: 2023 COVID-19 Cost Tracker update, published 20 July 2023, what is the current status of the measure 'last resort business interventions' (ID31); whether the £30 million loan issued to Celsa Steel (UK) under that measure has been fully repaid, partially repaid, written off, or otherwise resolved; and what is the final outturn lifetime cost of that intervention. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: I can confirm that the £30m loan to Celsa Steel UK was fully repaid in 2023 with interest and in line with the Government’s terms and conditions. A written ministerial statement was made to Parliament on 23 June 2023 on the matter: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-06-26/hcws879.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_37
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_37

Lord Goodman of Wycombe:To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the transparency data COVID-19 loan guarantee schemes repayment data: March 2025, published on 6 June, what is the total fraud loss rate as a percentage of total lending for each of the COVID-19 loan guarantee schemes; and how those rates compare to the amounts flagged as suspected fraud by lenders. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The total fraud loss rate (by value) as a percentage of total lending for each of the COVID-19 loan guarantee schemes:

Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS): 3.36%

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS): 0.09%

Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS): 0% (none)

Total flagged as suspected fraud by lenders (by value) as a percentage of total lending for each of the COVID-19 loan guarantee schemes:

BBLS: 4.05%

CBILS: 0.22%

CLBILS: 0% (none)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_38
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_38

Lord Goodman of Wycombe:To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to HM Treasury: 2023 COVID-19 Cost Tracker update, published 20 July 2023, whether they will provide a breakdown of the £258 million estimated lifetime cost of the administration of the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Recovery Loan Scheme and the Future Fund (ID421), including how much of this expenditure has been incurred to date, and how they expect the remaining expenditure to be allocated. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the original £258 million estimated lifetime cost of the administration of the Covid Support Schemes. This figure was previously provided by former BEIS prior to 2023 Machinery of Government changes. An assessment of the breakdown would require exceeding the advisory cost limit or “disproportionate cost threshold” for the Department. As a result, it is also not possible to provide an estimate of the expenditure occurred to date, and the expected remaining expenditure to be allocated, based on previous modelling.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_39
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_39

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the health risks presented by artificial hair braiding products, and how they plan to reduce or eliminate those risks. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: Artificial hair braiding products are regulated by The General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR). The GPSR provides a baseline of safety, requiring that only safe products, in their normal or reasonably foreseeable use, can be sold.

To further safeguard consumer safety, Government is in the process of strengthening product safety regulation through the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill. That will provide new powers to allow us to reflect modern supply chains and create a proportionate regulatory framework to ensure UK consumers are protected from risk, regardless of product origin or where the product where the product was purchased.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_40

Lord Nash:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the digital content of the new Reception Baseline Assessment will include moving images. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The reception baseline assessment (RBA) is a short, interactive assessment of early mathematics, language, literacy and communication, administered by teachers with individual pupils. Its purpose is to provide baseline data for primary progress measures, which will show pupil progress from reception until the end of key stage 2. ​From September 2025, some digital elements will be included in the assessment, where the pupil can point or move items on a tablet or similar device. This will provide benefits including reduced workload for teachers and better support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, using the assessment’s built-in accessibility settings.

The digital elements of RBA have been in development since 2019, and subject to extensive trials with teachers and pupils using the standards and testing agency’s internationally recognised assessment development approach. This has included item validation trials in 2020, 2021 and 2023 involving 2,801 pupils across 277 schools, and a technical pre-test trial in 2022 where 2,406 assessments were completed across a nationally representative sample of 254 schools. In November and December 2024 a voluntary trial involving over 1,000 schools took place, and participating schools undertook key activities needed to administer the assessment, including completing a sample assessment with three pupils. Input from the trials and extensive review by early years experts and teachers, has helped shape the content and the digital platform to meet the needs of schools and pupils.

The revised RBA will remain interactive and play-based and retain the use of small toys and verbal responses for other questions. Pupils can respond verbally to on-screen questions if they do not wish to interact with the screen and a paper-based alternative is available where, this is more suitable for the pupil. One moving image is included in the assessment, but this can be made static by the teacher where this is more appropriate for the pupil.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_41
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_41

Lord Nash:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions the Department for Education has had with the Made Tech Group about matters other than the Reception Baseline Assessment. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The reception baseline assessment (RBA) is a short, interactive assessment of early mathematics, language, literacy and communication. Its purpose is to provide baseline data for primary progress measures.

The department appointed Made Tech Ltd in September 2024 on a four year contract to provide digital and data capabilities with the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) to continue to deliver and build its digital assessment platform, including in relation to the RBA. This followed an open procurement, in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 process, launched in spring 2024. As with all government contracts above a certain value threshold, the contract with Made Tech can be found on the contracts finder website and accessed here: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/4723159e-e752-4658-8309-b2db3552d199?origin=SearchResults&p=1.

Additionally, the department has a contract with Made Tech for Technical Architecture Services. This can be found here: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/99cb71d8-8df0-498a-b5c2-9712472f8897?origin=SearchResults&p=2.

A copy of these contracts will also be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

The department does not have a central record of all conversations with Made Tech. The department manages the relationship with Made Tech following best practice in supplier management, based on Cabinet Office guidance.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_42

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to set a target for the reduction or elimination of child poverty. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: This government is committed to tackling child poverty and earlier this month announced an expansion of free school meals eligibility to all pupils in England with a parent receiving Universal Credit. This will lift 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of the Parliament, in decisive action as a downpayment ahead of publication of the Child Poverty Strategy in the autumn.

The government will use the leading, internationally recognised measure of poverty, Relative Poverty After Housing Costs. This is the proportion of families with below 60% of the median income, after deducting housing costs.

The government will also measure the experience of children in the most severe and acute forms of poverty, which we are considering how best to measure as we develop the Strategy.

These headline metrics will be supported by a range of other metrics as part of a monitoring framework to ensure the Strategy is on track to meet its aims, which will be set out alongside the publication.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_43

Lord Addington:To ask His Majesty's Government how they would formally describe dyscalculia on a document such as an education, health and care plan. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Education, health and care (EHC) plans are developed by professionals within a child or young person’s local authority, who tailor the content to individual needs. The department does not set the specific terminology used to describe conditions such as dyscalculia, as these descriptions are determined at the local level.

However, we know that educational psychologists use dyscalculia definitions, as well as wider learning difficulties with mathematics, on EHC plans when assessing a child or young person to identify where they experience specific difficulties with numbers or mathematics. They can then recommend appropriate strategies and interventions to support the child’s learning and development.

The special educational needs and disabilities code of practice sets out that all schools should apply a ‘graduated approach’ when deciding on the provision to be made for a child or young person with special educational needs, including dyscalculia. This means identifying a child’s needs, implementing appropriate support and reviewing it regularly. Schools should involve pupils and their parents in this process, taking their views into consideration.

To improve the teaching of mathematics for all pupils in publicly-funded schools, the department funds the Maths Hubs programme. The programme covers primary, secondary and special schools and uses a mastery-based teaching approach, which aims to secure understanding of key concepts. This includes training for teachers on techniques such as avoiding cognitive overload by breaking the learning down into small manageable steps, using representations to expose mathematical structure and ensuring that learning is sequenced in a coherent manner so it makes sense to pupils.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_44

Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons for the fall in the overall number of teachers in state-funded schools in 2024–25; and how they are spending the money raised by charging VAT on independent school fees. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers is critical to the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and boost the life chances for every child. This is why the government’s Plan for Change has committed to recruiting an additional 6,500 new expert teachers in secondary and special schools, and in our colleges, over the course of this Parliament.

We are already seeing positive signs that our investment in teacher recruitment and retention is starting to deliver. The workforce has grown by 2,346 full-time equivalent teachers between 2023/24 and 2024/25, in secondary and special schools, the schools where they are needed most. This includes 1,435 more secondary school teachers and 911 more special and pupil referral unit teachers compared to last year.

There are currently 4.6 million children in primary schools, 60,000 (1.3%) fewer than last year, down by around 172,000 (3.6%) compared to the 2018/19 peak, and numbers are forecasted to fall by another 165,000 (3.7%) between 2024/25 and 2027/28.

Measures to end private school tax breaks are expected to raise around £1.8 billion per year by 2029/30.

In the 2024/25 financial year, the department spent just over £600 million to support school teacher training, recruitment and retention.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_45

Lord Foster of Bath:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions that will have been saved by 2030 by (1) the removal of the ban on onshore wind turbines, (2) the increase in offshore wind generation, (3) the increase in solar power generation, and (4) Great British Energy. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: According to the National Energy System Operator's independent analysis, plans to achieve Clean Power by 2030 will reduce emissions by over 31MtCO2 per year by 2030, compared to 2023 levels. It is not possible to disaggregate emissions savings by technology or policy as their impacts are interconnected. As such, figures tend to cover the power sector as a whole, in line with the reporting approach taken by the Climate Change Committee.

Source: https://www.neso.energy/document/xx-xxxx-xxxx/download
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_46

Lord Spellar:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of solar panels imported into the UK last year, and from which countries these solar panels were imported. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: The Department has not estimated the number of solar panels imported into the UK, however HMRC publishes the mass of solar panels imported on its data portal at www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/ots-custom-table/.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_47

Lord Spellar:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of domestic heat pumps sold in the UK last year; how many of those were produced in the UK; and how many were imported, and from which countries. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: The Heat Pump Association estimates that over 98,000 heat pumps were sold in the UK in 2024. The majority of these will be for domestic use. https://www.heatpumps.org.uk/resources/statistics/

Research commissioned by the Government in 2020 found that around two thirds of heat pumps installed in the UK were imported, the majority from the European Union

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heat-pump-manufacturing-supply-chain-research-project

The Government is supporting domestic heat pump production through the Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition, which provides grants to manufacturers to expand, repurpose, or build facilities, to help strengthen the UK supply chain and attract investment.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_48

Lord Foster of Bath:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 7 January (HL3653), what estimate they have made of the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions that will be saved through the ‘future policies or those currently under development’ referred to in that Answer. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: We will publish estimates of the emissions savings from future and developing policies by October 2025. These will cover all sectors of the economy out to the end of Carbon Budget 6 in 2037.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-23 conversation_49

Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Greater London Authority on the level of housing targets in the next edition of the London Plan. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The government meets with the Greater London Authority on a regular basis to discuss matters related to housing.

The current London Plan is not based on the standard method for assessing housing need as it was prepared before the standard method was introduced. The next London Plan will need to take account of the standard method and mandatory housing targets, as set out in the revised NPPF published on 12 December 2024.

The Mayor of London has commenced work on the next London Plan which will be submitted to the Secretary of State in due course.