theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-21 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-21 conversation_11

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the value of the film industry to the UK economy, and what proportion of this figure can be attributed to companies that are headquartered in the USA. \p Baroness Twycross: In 2023 the film, TV, video, radio and photography industry had a GVA of £21.2 billion.

In 2024 production spend on film and high-end TV reached £5.6 billion, of which £4.8 billion was inward investment, the majority of which came from US studios. The value and success of our film industry is owed to a collaborative mix of inward investment and our domestic industry. Inward investment projects stimulate growth, good jobs and training across our nations and regions.

The deep ties between the US and UK film industries provide mutual benefits to both countries. Productions are by their very nature international partnerships, which are often developed and created across different countries and locations. The UK and the US both benefit when the likes of Star Wars and Mission Impossible are partly filmed in the UK, just as we both benefit from the close working relationship between our producers, talent and crew.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Foster of Bath:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are conducting an assessment of the impact of gambling advertising independent from the gambling industry. \p Baroness Twycross: This Government has set the gambling industry the task of further raising standards to ensure gambling advertising is appropriate, responsible, and does not exacerbate harm. The Betting and Gaming Council has commissioned an advertising report which will be published in due course. We are committed to reviewing the best available evidence from a wide range of sources to inform next steps in this space. We are also working with all key stakeholders in order to ensure effective measures are in place to protect those at risk.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Foster of Bath:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of gambling advertising on children and young people. \p Baroness Twycross: This Government recognises that gambling advertising can have a disproportionate impact on particular groups, such as children and vulnerable people. This is why there are robust rules on content, tone and placement enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). Gambling operators must ensure that their advertising is not targeted at children and must not appear in media created for children or for which children make up 25% or more of the audience, including video games. Operators must also ensure that they take all reasonable steps to use data available to exclude individuals on the basis of their age or other relevant criteria. Compliance with these rules is required as part of the Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP). The ASA continues to closely monitor and enforce compliance but, if needed, can refer gambling operators’ advertising to the Gambling Commission which can and does take action.

The Department has not had any recent conversations with Apple regarding gambling advertising. However, we recognise that more can be done to improve protections. We have set the gambling industry a clear task to raise standards and this work will be monitored closely.

We are committed to ensuring video games are enjoyed safely and responsibly by everyone and that, where they contain loot boxes, appropriate protections are in place for players of all ages, including children. In 2020, the previous Government ran a call for evidence on loot boxes which found an association between purchasing loot boxes and problem gambling behaviours, although research has not established whether a causal link exists.

In response, DCMS convened a Technical Working Group of video game representatives which developed new industry-led guidance, published in July 2023, to improve player protections, including making the purchase of loot boxes unavailable to children unless enabled by a parent or guardian. The Government has urged all video games companies to adopt the guidance in full and we have commissioned independent academic research to assess its effectiveness.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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The Lord Bishop of St Albans:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the Gambling Commission complies with its obligations under the Gambling Act 2005, including taking regulatory action against operators if necessary to protect vulnerable people from harm. \p Baroness Twycross: The Gambling Commission is an independent regulator, but as the sponsoring department we have a number of channels available to assess the Commission’s delivery against its objectives and duties, including regular meetings with the Commission’s senior leadership. There are a range of regulatory interventions that the Commission is able to make, and the outcomes of this regulatory action are published on its website. Since 2016/17, the Commission has taken over 100 enforcement actions, and this has resulted in more than £207 million in fines and regulatory settlements being paid by gambling operators.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Shinkwin:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps Arts Council England is taking to protect (1) free speech within the law, and (2) the expression of gender-critical beliefs, in relation to (a) views expressed by staff within the organisation and (b) the awarding of grants. \p Baroness Twycross: Arts Council England (ACE) supports freedom of speech within the limits of the law and recognises the expression of different beliefs - including gender-critical views - as protected under the Equality Act 2010. ACE staff receive training on these matters and are guided by their Dignity at Work policy.

All ACE staff are expected to uphold the Nolan principles, including objectivity, which requires public officials to make decisions fairly, impartially, and based on the best available evidence, free from discrimination or bias. ACE also supports the rights of artists and cultural organisations to express themselves freely, including through work that is challenging, provocative, or political. ACE has published guidance aimed at supporting cultural organisations in managing complex situations that might arise from presenting challenging work, which is available on their website.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Sikka:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 8 April (HL6146), what fines have been levied against companies that have not identified all persons of significant control; and how many have been prosecuted and convicted. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: Both the company and the company director are prosecuted for offences relating to registration requirements for People with Significant Control under Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006.

The number of prosecutions under Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006 that have resulted in a conviction against a company, and the total value of fines levied as a result, for the period March 2018 to March 2025, are as follows:

Number of companies convicted

Total Value of Fines (£)

2018/19

61

£19,150.00

2019/20

68

£21,040.00

2020/21

23

£14,420.00

2021/22

56

£54,804.00

2022/23

52

£25,648.00

2023/24

31

£12,620.00

2024/25

13

£10,840.00

Total

304

£158,522.00

The number of prosecutions under Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006 that have resulted in a conviction against a director and the total value of fines levied as a result, for the period March 2018 to March 2025, are as follows:

Number of Directors Convicted

Total Value of Fines (£)

2018/19

64

£18,170.00

2019/20

94

£31,302.00

2020/21

23

£14,444.00

2021/22

58

£56,174.00

2022/23

52

£35,508.00

2023/24

32

£11,813.00

2024/25

13

£10,895.00

Total

336

£178,306.00

The data provided is from Insolvency Service management information and not from official statistics.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Baroness Penn:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the cost of making statutory paternity pay applicable from the first day of employment. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Government has not made a recent estimate of the cost of making Statutory Paternity Pay available from the first day of employment.

However, we have committed to a review of the parental leave system as a whole to ensure that it best supports all working families. Planning work is already underway.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Baroness Bousted:To ask His Majesty's Government what benefits the trade deal with India will bring to the UK. \p Baroness Gustafsson: A trade deal with India will deliver on this Government’s core mission of economic growth that raises living standards and puts money in people's pockets.

This agreement will unlock new opportunities for businesses in every corner of the UK, increase bilateral trade by £25.5bn, increase UK GDP by £4.8bn and boost wages by £2.2bn each and every year in the long run.

Through striking this deal, we are also supporting the high-growth sectors outlined in the Industrial Strategy – unlocking new opportunities for them to expand.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Allen of Kensington:To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish new rules on accessing surpluses in defined benefit pension schemes to allow companies to access £160 billion in corporate defined benefit schemes; and what assessment they have made of the potential effect the changes will have on UK growth. \p Baroness Sherlock: We have set out that pension scheme trustees should have greater flexibilities to be able to release DB scheme surplus to benefit employers and members, where it is safe to do so. We will publish the Government’s response to the “Options for Defined Benefit Schemes” consultation in the coming weeks and this will set out the detail of the DB surplus policy. A full impact assessment will be published in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-21 conversation_20

Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government how many people who underwent a Work Capability Assessment were placed in (1) the work-related activity group, (2) the support group, and (3) the fit-for-work group, for the year January to December 2024, broken down by gender. \p Baroness Sherlock: The following tables shows the volumes of Work Capability Assessments (WCAs) that were placed in (1) the work-related activity group (WRAG), (2) the support group (SG), and (3) the fit-for-work (FFW) group, for the year January to December 2024, broken down by gender.

For WCA outcomes for the health element of Universal Credit (UC), WRAG is referred to as limited capability for work, SG is referred to as limited capability for work and work-related activity, and FFW is referred to as no limited capability for work.

Volumes cover all WCA outcomes including:

- initial assessments (the first assessment of the claim),

- repeat assessments (subsequent assessments after prognosis period of previous assessment of the claim expires), and

- initial assessments for those moving over from Incapacity Benefit (IB).

ESA WCAs January to December 2024 by gender

Male

Female

Total

WRAG

11,200

9,600

20,800

SG

43,300

47,500

90,800

FFW

8,800

6,200

15,000

Source: WCA Administrative Data

UC WCAs January to November 2024 by gender

Male

Female

Total

Limited capability for work

51,600

72,000

123,700

Limited capability for work and work-related activity

222,900

265,800

488,700

No limited capability for work

48,000

50,500

98,500

Source: Stat-Xplore

Please note that in both tables, figures may not sum due to rounding.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-21 conversation_21

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the effect of the 'triple lock' pension policy on the relative and absolute pensioner poverty rates between 2011 and 2024; and what proportion of pensioner households that benefited from the triple lock were above the poverty line throughout that period. \p Baroness Sherlock: An estimate of the effect of the ‘triple lock’ pension policy on the relative and absolute pensioner poverty rates between 2011 and 2024; and proportions of pensioner households that benefitted from the triple lock and were above the poverty threshold are not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Data is available regarding the proportion of pensioner households that are above the relative and absolute poverty lines. The Households below average income (HBAI) statistics contain estimates of the number and percentage of people living in low-income households in the UK. This is published by the Department annually. The latest data covers financial year ending 2024.

In financial year ending 2011, 86% of pensioner households were above the relative poverty threshold after housing costs and 86% were above the absolute poverty threshold after housing costs.

In financial year ending 2024, 84% of pensioner households were above the relative poverty threshold after housing costs and 87% were above the absolute poverty threshold after housing costs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government how many people who currently receive the limited capability for work and work-related activity element of Universal Credit also receive Personal Independence Payment, broken down by gender. \p Baroness Sherlock: Information on the number of claimants who currently receive Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element of Universal Credit (UC) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can be found in the table below.

Table 1: number of claimants receiving LCWRA and PIP, by gender.

Gender

LCWRA and receive PIP

Male

422,782

Female

493,040

Total

915,824

Source: Stat-Xplore (Benefits Combinations – Data from May 2019 for England and Wales)

Notes:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government how many people who receive (1) the employment and support allowance, or (2) Universal Credit, are treated as having limited capability for work and work-related activity without scoring points under the Work Capability Assessment, broken down by gender. \p Baroness Sherlock: The specific information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Statistics on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Work Capability Assessment decisions, including reason for support group allocation, are published on Stat-Xplore in the section ‘ESA Work Capability Assessments’.

Statistics on Universal Credit Health caseload, including an identifier for terminally ill claimants, are published on Stat-Xplore in the section ‘Universal Credit Work Capability Assessments’.

Users can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest and, if needed, can access guidance on how to extract information.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 2 May (HL6725), how many and what proportion of (1) existing, and (2) expected inflow, recipients of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are expected to lose (a) the standard, and (b) the enhanced, PIP rate, broken down by gender. \p Baroness Sherlock: The Department does not hold the data requested.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-21 conversation_25

Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government how many and what proportion of recipients of the Personal Independence Payment daily living component scored fewer than four points on all of the descriptors on which they qualified across the ten activities, broken down by (1) gender of the recipient, (2) age of the recipient, including those of working age and over pension age, and (3) main condition type. \p Baroness Sherlock: The proportion of people in receipt of Personal Independence Payment with the Daily Living component who were awarded fewer than four points in all daily living activities is readily available as part of the Pathways to Work Evidence Pack in Chapter 2.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper).

The figures are broken down by the gender of the claimants in table 2.23, in which 39% of males and 52% of females scored fewer than four points on any daily living activity.

The figures are broken down by the age of the claimants in table 2.21. However, this table only includes statistics for working age claimants. For claimants over state pension age, 58% scored fewer than four points in all daily living activities. Claimants currently over state pension age are not routinely reviewed and will be unaffected by the proposals outlined in the Pathways to Work Green Paper.

The figures are broken down by the primary condition group of the claimants in table 2.22.

The number of people currently on PIP who did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to lose PIP. It is important to make a clear distinction between the two, not least because we do not want people to be unnecessarily fearful about their situation, when we understand many are already anxious.

No one will lose access to PIP immediately. The changes, subject to parliamentary approval, would be brought in from November 2026. After that date, no one will lose PIP without first being reassessed by a trained assessor or healthcare professional, who assesses individual needs and circumstance. Reassessments happen on average every 3 years. Someone who did not score 4 points in an activity in a previous assessment may well score 4 points in a future assessment – not least as many conditions tend to get worse, not better, over time. The OBR has taken into account expected behavioural changes in its numbers and determined that 370,000 (1 in 10) current PIP recipients may lose entitlement by 29/30 at their next award review after changes to PIP eligibility come into effect in November 2026.

Even with these reforms, the overall number of people on PIP is expected to rise by 750,000 by the end of this parliament and spending will rise from £23bn in 24/25 to £31bn in 29/30.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Bradley:To ask His Majesty's Government on how many occasions pelargonic acid vanillylamide incapacitant spray was (1) drawn, and (2) drawn and deployed, in prisons in (a) 2022, and (b) 2023, on individuals classified with the W3 Gypsy or Irish Traveller ethnicity code. \p Lord Timpson: The requested information is shown in the table below.

2022

2023

Ethnic Group

Drawn and used

Drawn not used

Total

Drawn and used

Drawn not used

Total

White: Gypsy or Irish Traveller (W3)

6

6

12

10

9

19

Pelargonic acid vanillylamide incapacitant (PAVA) spray is made available to protect staff and prisoners in the adult estate in the event of serious violence, or where there is an imminent risk of serious violence. Clear guidance has been issued to staff, to ensure it is used only where appropriate. Our hardworking prison officers are brave public servants doing exceptionally difficult jobs, this Government will do everything we can to keep them safe.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Bradley:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede on 9 May (HL6996), what progress they have made on each of the actions identified in that answer regarding the role, accessibility and quality of intermediary services. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The Ministry of Justice completed a review of registered intermediary (RI) provision in 2023 which was summarised in the 2023 Witness Intermediary Scheme (WIS) Annual Report (also attached).

We have made good progress on the recommended actions, revising the definition of the RI role in guidance and working with criminal justice organisations and professional bodies such as the Bar Council to improve understanding of how to work with RIs.

We have also streamlined the Witness Intermediary Scheme’s governance and quality assurance arrangements through the creation of a Governance and Standards Board, responsible for both the strategic direction of the Scheme and overseeing the quality of registered intermediary practise.

Demand is growing for registered intermediaries, who play an important part in enabling thousands of vulnerable victims and witnesses to give their best evidence in criminal proceedings. We remain committed to considering how intermediary services are delivered across the justice sector and exploring options for how these might be delivered in future to help inform a better understanding of current usage and future demand for intermediaries across all justice settings.

Witness Intermediary Scheme (WIS) Annual Report (pdf, 609.1KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 12 May (HL7055), which sites are being considered for the potential ten new reservoirs; and on what timescale they intend that the new reservoirs should become operational. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The following new reservoir sites (with a capacity above 10 million litres per day) have been identified in water company’s latest statutory water resources management plans, with their capacity and expected completion date provided in the table below.

Reservoirs

Water company

Daily supply (Ml/d)

Start year

Broad Oak

South East Water

12.6

2033

Cheddar 2

South West Water

13

2035

Fens

Anglian Water, Cambridge Water

87

2036

Mendips Quarry

South West Water

46

2042

River Adur offline reservoir

Southern Water

19.5

2045

South East Strategic Resource Option

Thames Water, Affinity Water, Southern Water

293

2039

South Lincs

Anglian Water

166.5

2040

North Suffolk

Essex and Suffolk Water

19.9

2040

West Midlands

Severn Trent Water

32.5

2040

In addition to the nine sites above, work is already underway on Portsmouth Water’s Havant Thicket reservoir, as set out in the company’s WRMP19. This will supply an expected 21 Ml/d, with a latest forecast completion date of 2031-32.

The one reservoir enlargement is set out below.

Reservoir enlargement

Water company

Daily supply (Ml/d)

Start year

Tittesworth

Severn Trent Water

14

2049
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Browne of Ladyton:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to implement the recommendations in the proposal from the Health and Safety Executive to restrict the use of lead ammunition. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Defra has received the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) final opinion on a proposed UK REACH Restriction on lead in ammunition and we are assessing their proposals. Given the need to work through the detail of HSE’s proposal a decision is expected in the summer, which will be taken with the consent from the Devolved Governments of Scotland and Wales.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the average temperature increase in the UK over the past 50 years; and what estimate have they made of further warming over the next 50 years. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Global average temperatures are now 1.3°C above preindustrial temperatures, based on a 20-year average, centred on present-day by including 10 years from the past and projections for 10 years into the future.

The UK Climate Projections, produced by the Met Office on behalf of government, provide information on future climate for a range of potential climate scenarios. These scenarios underpin the evidence used in the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA).

The assessment of risks and opportunities in CCRA3 was based on global warming scenarios of 2ºC and 4ºC above preindustrial temperatures being reached by 2100. The Government’s climate adaptation plans, as set out in the third National Adaptation Programme, published in 2023, follow the advice of the Climate Change Committee to plan for 2ºC. The Government remains flexible and responsive in our approach, assessing for different scenarios.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Katz on 14 May (HL Deb col 2181), which powers the Welsh Government and Senedd Cymru have over the construction and extension of reservoirs in Wales for the supply of water to English conurbations. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Both the UK Government and Welsh Government’s should act in accordance with the Intergovernmental Protocol on Water Resources, Water Supply and Water Quality in having regard to the interests of water consumers on the other side of the border in the exercise of their functions.

Planning consents for water resources infrastructure projects in Wales, such as reservoirs, are devolved to the Welsh Government. Where project proposals may affect cross-border links, applicants should work with the relevant administrations and regulatory organisations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Sikka:To ask His Majesty's Government which water companies have not been convicted of a criminal offence since privatisation. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Since the privatisation of water and sewerage companies in 1989, all ten Water and Sewerage companies which discharge into English waters have been convicted of criminal offences. In addition, since 1997, two water only companies, Bristol Water Plc and Portsmouth Water Limited have been convicted of criminal offences. Details of the enforcement action taken against water companies by regulators are available on the relevant regulator’s websites.

We will not let companies get away with illegal activity and where breaches are found, the regulators will not hesitate to hold companies to account. The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 provides the most significant increase in enforcement powers to the regulators in a decade, giving them the teeth they need to take tougher action against water companies. In addition, water company bosses could now face up to two years imprisonment where investigations by the regulators are obstructed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of male chick culling in the UK egg industry; and what steps they are taking to support producers to reduce that practice. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The legislation sets out strict requirements to protect the welfare of animals at the time of killing, including male chicks from the egg production sector.

Permitted killing methods for chicks, such as gas stunning and maceration, are based on scientific research and assessment to ensure birds are spared any avoidable pain, distress, or suffering. All laying hen hatcheries in the UK use argon gas mixtures as their stunning method.

We are firmly committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare and want to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. In recent years there has been rapid global progress in the development of technologies that allow chicks to be sexed in-ovo (within the egg). We welcome the UK egg industry’s interest in the development of day zero sexing technology.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Reay:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 24 March (HL5505), what discussions they have had with the Independent Office for Police Conduct regarding its paid membership of Stonewall. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: In order to answer Lord Jackson's question (HL5505) the Home Office asked the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) if they were paid members or affiliates of Stonewall. This is the only discussion there has been with the IOPC on this matter.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Naseby:To ask His Majesty's Government what was their total expenditure in the last financial year on the offices of the Police and Crime Commissioners. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: As the directly elected representative for policing in their area, it is for Police and Crime Commissioners to set their budget and balance it in line with their priorities, including expenditure on their offices.

The overall funding available to Police and Crime Commissioners in 2024/25 was £16.4 billion. This includes Government Grants and Council tax precept.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-21)

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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government how many full-time police officers were employed in each of the four police authority areas in Wales in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what were the corresponding figures (1) 5, and (2) 10, years previously. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office collects and publishes data on the size of the police workforce on a biannual basis as at 31 March and 30 September each year in the 'Police Workforce, England and Wales' statistical bulletin.

Data on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers employed in each police force as at 31 March is available in table H1 of the data tables accompanying the March publication and as at 30 September is available in Table 1 of the September publication data tables.

The most recently available figures are for as at 30 September 2024.

Table 1 below shows the number of FTE police officers employed in Dyfed-Powys, Gwent, North Wales and South Wales, as at March and September in 2014, 2019 and 2024. As at 30 September 2024 there were 8,093 FTE police officers employed in Wales, an increase of 1,158 FTE (16.7%) compared with 5 years prior (6,935 FTE as at 30 September 2019) and an increase of 1,295 FTE (19.0%) compared with 10 years prior (6,798 FTE as at 30 September 2014).

Table 1: FTE police officers, Wales, as at 31 March 2014, 30 September 2014, 31 March 2019, 30 September 2019, 31 March 2024, 30 September 2024

Police Force Area

31 March 2014

30 September 2014

31 March 2019

30 September 2019

31 March 2024

30 September 2024

Dyfed-Powys

1,123

1,164

1,145

1,141

1,294

1,302

Gwent

1,330

1,294

1,308

1,294

1,529

1,542

North Wales

1,464

1,495

1,458

1,505

1,720

1,721

South Wales

2,861

2,845

2,986

2,995

3,533

3,529

Total

6,778

6,798

6,898

6,935

8,076

8,093

The next release of 'Police workforce, England and Wales' statistical bulletin which will cover information on the number of police officers as at 31 March 2025 is due to be published in July 2025.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-21 conversation_37
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Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16 on 16 April, whether they plan to review records of convictions since 2010 in which biological male offenders have been recorded as female. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided to PQ UIN 45760 on 2 May 2025.
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Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, what plans they have to include biological sex of patients on medical records. \p Baroness Merron: The Department is committed to accurately recording biological sex, not just for research and insight, but also for patient safety. We have already acted on this point. On 20 March 2025, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Wes Streeting MP) instructed the National Health Service to immediately suspend applications for NHS number changes for children under 18 years old to safeguard them. It was completely wrong that children's NHS numbers can be changed if they change gender; children's safety must come first.
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Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, whether they will review any cases where a patient of the female biological sex claimed that they were assaulted or raped by a person of male biological sex and the NHS Trust denied males were present based on the gender rather than the biological sex of the alleged assailant. \p Baroness Merron: The Department cannot comment on individual cases. Due to the nature of the claims set out, the Department would expect that a police investigation would have been necessitated. As such, this would be a matter for the police and the individual National Health Service trusts to consider, where relevant.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-21 conversation_40
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Lord Allen of Kensington:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review their ISA scheme; what the rationale for any review would be; and whether improving UK economic growth would be an objective of the review. \p Lord Livermore: The Government is committed to incentivising greater savings and investment.

As set out at the Spring Statement, the Government is looking at options for reforms to Individual Savings Accounts that get the balance right between cash and equities to earn better returns for savers, boost the culture of retail investment, and support the growth mission.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-21 conversation_41
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Lord Rose of Monewden:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of labour market data released by the Office for National Statistics on 15 April showing a decline in payrolled employment; and what part the recent changes in employer National Insurance contributions played in that decline. \p Lord Livermore: The latest provisional estimates of payrolled employee numbers from HMRC Real Time Information show there were 30.3 million employees on Payrolls in April. Payrolled employee numbers fell by 33,000 on the month and 106,000 on the year in April 2025.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) provides independent economic forecasts and assesses the impact of government policy decisions. With all policies considered, the OBR's March 2025 EFO forecasts the employment level to increase from 33.6 million in 2024 to 34.8 million in 2029.
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Lord Rose of Monewden:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the decline in business confidence reported by the IoD Directors’ Economic Confidence Index and the Business Confidence Monitor of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales; and to what extent this decline has been influenced by (1) the Employment Rights Bill, (2) rises in employer National Insurance contributions, and (3) rises in business rates. \p Lord Livermore: The Government monitors a wide range of indicators to assess the UK’s economic performance. Multiple surveys and indicators are released by different data providers every month. Many of these are volatile and can move materially from month to month.

Official economic forecasts and assessments of policy impacts are set out in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook documents, the most recent of which was published in March 2025.
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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current rate of wage growth; and whether they intend to reassess the current rates at which businesses pay National Insurance contributions on employees. \p Lord Livermore: The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that in first quarter of 2025, average weekly pay (including bonuses) across the whole economy grew by 5.5% from the first quarter of 2024.
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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what was (1) the total whole-life cost, and (2) number of projects, in the Government Major Projects Portfolio in each of the past seven financial years; and what was the headcount of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority in each of those years. \p Lord Livermore: As published in the Infrastructure and Project Authority’s most recent Annual Report for 2023 to 2024, the whole-life cost followed by the number of projects on the Government Major Projects Portfolio for each of the last seven financial years is as follows:

This information is presented within the Infrastructure and Project Authority’s most recent Annual Report for 2023 to 2024.

The headcount for the Infrastructure and Projects Authority for each of the last seven years (the number of the Full-Time Equivalent staff from the 1st April each year) is as follows:
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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government how much (1) beef, and (2) ethanol products, were imported from the USA to the UK in each of the past five years. \p Lord Livermore: The data on beef and ethanol products imported from the USA to the UK is given in the attached table.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases this information monthly, as an accredited official statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics (OTS), which is available via their dedicated website (www.uktradeinfo.com). From this website, it is possible to build your own data tables based upon bespoke search criteria.

table 7399 (docx, 45.2KB)
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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government how much (1) beef, and (2) ethanol products, were imported into Northern Ireland from the USA in each of the past five years. \p Lord Livermore: The data on beef and ethanol products imported from the USA to Northern Ireland is given in the attached table.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases this information monthly, as an accredited official statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics (OTS), which is available via their dedicated website (www.uktradeinfo.com). From this website, it is possible to build your own data tables based upon bespoke search criteria.

table for HL7400 (docx, 45.9KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-21 conversation_47
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Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government how much funding they have allocated to (1) the police service, and (2) the fire and rescue service in 2025–26 to cover the cost of the rise in employers' National Insurance contributions; what methodology they used to calculate the amount allocated to each service; and what methodology they used to calculate the funding allocated to (a) standalone fire and rescue authorities, and (b) fire and rescue services that are part of a county council. \p Lord Livermore: At the Budget in October the Chancellor set aside £4.7 billion of funding for departments in order to support them with the increased costs as a result of the rise in employer national insurance contributions.

This funding has been allocated to departments, with the Barnett formula applying in the usual way, which is in line with the approach taken under the previous Government’s Health and Social Care Levy. It is for the relevant department to decide the appropriate distribution of funding amongst workforces, including police and fire services.

Updated departmental budgets for 2025/26 including allocations were published at the Spring Statement. The Government also plans to publish individual departments’ allocations as part of Main estimates.
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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of requiring independent attestation by a qualified competent professional for all Research and Development tax relief claims above a specified threshold; and what consideration they have given to introducing a requirement such as a condition of eligibility. \p Lord Livermore: The Government recognises the importance of research and development (R&D) in driving innovation, and the benefits it can bring for society. By incentivising R&D, tax reliefs can play a vital role in the Government’s mission to boost economic growth.

R&D tax reliefs are delivered as part of the Corporation Tax self-assessment process. This requires claimant companies to assess their own entitlement. HMRC has produced specific guidance to assist claimants to make that assessment. This includes discussion on the importance of being able to substantiate the advance in science and technology sought, and how that can be aided by the involvement of a qualified competent professional.

The Government is committed to responding to stakeholder feedback and enhancing the administration of R&D tax reliefs. To support this, HMRC published a consultation on 26 March to explore widening the use of advance clearances in the reliefs to help further reduce error and fraud, while also improving the customer experience and providing certainty to businesses.

The Corporate Tax Roadmap confirmed HMRC will establish an R&D expert advisory panel and HMRC launched recruitment for the panel on 6 May. The panel will work with HMRC to improve the functioning of the R&D tax reliefs system by increasing clarity of guidance for claimants and enhancing HMRC’s understanding of innovation and developments across key growth sectors which will assist in its assessment of R&D claims.

The Government will continue to consider longer term simplifications and incremental improvements to the effectiveness of the reliefs.
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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what, in the most recent year for which figures are available, was the total financial provision allocated by the Treasury under the Barnett formula to (1) Wales, (2) Scotland, and (3) Northern Ireland; and what sum per capita of those nations each figure represents. \p Lord Livermore: In 2025-26, the devolved governments are receiving over £86 billion, including an additional £6.6 billion through the operation of the Barnett formula.

The Scottish Government is receiving £47.7 billion including an additional £3.4bn through the operation of the Barnett formula. The Welsh Government is receiving £21 billion including an additional £1.7 billion through the operation of the Barnett formula. The Northern Ireland Executive is receiving £18.2 billion including an additional £1.5 billion through the operation of the Barnett formula.

This funding is made up of each devolved government’s baseline, reflecting all previous funding allocations, excluding those which were one-off or time-limited, and uplifts due to the operation of the Barnett formula for 2025-26 at Autumn Budget 2024.

The devolved governments are receiving at least 20% more per person than equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the UK. That translates into over £16 billion more in 2025-26: over £8.5 billion for Scottish Government, over £4 billion for Welsh Government and £2.5 billion the Northern Ireland Executive.