theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-08)

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Baroness Northover:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the percentage of renewable energy provided by offshore wind in (1) 2030, and (2) 2035; and what plans they have to build and install offshore wind turbines. \p Lord Whitehead: The exact amount of future renewable capacity will be determined by decisions made at future Contracts for Difference (CfD) Auction Rounds and will be influenced by the value for money offered at each round. But the Government’s current expectation is that wind generation will be the largest source of renewable electricity generation in 2030 and 2035. For 2030, this is detailed in the Clean Power Action plan.

The Government supports the building and installation of offshore wind turbines through the CfD scheme. The offshore wind budget has been announced for the latest round (Auction Round 7). This has been set at £900m for offshore wind, and £180m for floating offshore wind (2024 prices).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Lord Knight of Weymouth:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the child protection benefits of streaming services partnering with the British Board of Film Classification to ensure that content is appropriately age-rated. \p Baroness Twycross: The Government has not made an assessment of the child protection benefits of streaming services partnering with the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). Ofcom, as the independent regulator, now has a new duty introduced through the Media Act 2024 to assess audience protection measures used by video-on-demand (VoD) services, such as age ratings, to ensure they are adequate to protect audiences from harm. The Government will in due course be designating mainstream VoD services, bringing them under enhanced regulation by Ofcom. Ofcom will then consult on a new standards code for these services, similar to the Broadcasting Code. This could include the use of age ratings, if Ofcom considers it appropriate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Baroness Hoey:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the long-term future of digital terrestrial television, in particular the national resilience value of a commercially viable broadcast network. \p Baroness Twycross: The Government understands how important it is that everyone can access information in times of national emergency. Television and radio both play an important role in providing such access in a range of different emergency scenarios, including scenarios where other communications may be disrupted.

The BBC has specific requirements under its Framework Agreement in relation to broadcast security and resilience, and works closely with DCMS in ensuring its networks are able to support emergency communications.

The Government’s project looking into the future of TV distribution is considering a range of relevant factors, including the future resilience requirements for broadcast networks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Baroness Hoey:To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to make a decision about the long-term future of digital terrestrial television beyond 2034. \p Baroness Twycross: The Government has an ongoing project on the future of TV distribution that is seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. This will include assessing the advantages of hybrid television distribution models, as well as other options such as IPTV transition.

As part of this project, the Government published independent research led by Exeter University last year that included data on the use of different distribution methods by a range of different demographic groups, which included rural communities. A wide range of views are being sought from across the TV sector, audience groups and infrastructure through the Stakeholder Forum.

This includes a number of groups representing rural and UK-wide audiences, such as the Rural Services Network.

With regards to vulnerable groups, the Government has now published qualitative research that was commissioned to understand in more detail the specific preferences, motivations and barriers regarding TV viewing among groups who are currently unconnected. This research included groups who could be vulnerable. Affordability is a factor that is in scope of the Stakeholder Forum, which includes members with specific expertise on this issue; such as the Digital Poverty Alliance.

The future of DTT is secured in legislation until at least 2034. Before any decision is made in relation to the availability of services beyond this point, close consideration will be given to how any changes would impact audiences, and especially those who rely on digital terrestrial television as their primary means of watching television. The government stakeholder forum will conclude later this year and then the government will make a decision.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Baroness Hoey:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the needs of viewers in Northern Ireland are taken into account in the Future of TV Distribution Stakeholder Forum. \p Baroness Twycross: The Government’s project on the future of TV distribution is seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. As part of this process, a wide range of views are being sought. The Stakeholder Forum benefits from the perspectives of a number of groups representing the interests of Northern Irish and UK-wide audiences, such as Voice of the Listener and Viewer, Digital Poverty Alliance and Silver Voices as well as the BBC. The Government has been engaging and will continue to engage with the devolved governments alongside industry representatives from Northern Ireland to understand the unique characteristics of broadcasting in each nation well in advance of any decision being taken.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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The Lord Bishop of Leicester:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to announce a commencement order for the socio-economic duty in section 1 of the Equality Act 2010. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: I refer the Noble Lord to the answer of 5 June 2025, Official Report, PQ HC 53909.

Question:

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to enact the socioeconomic measures in the Equality Act 2010.

Answer:

The Government is committed to commencing the socio-economic duty in the Equality Act 2010. The duty will require specified public bodies, when making strategic decisions, to consider actively how their decisions might help to reduce the inequalities associated with socio-economic disadvantage.

We will work in partnership with public authorities, civil society and others in order to ensure that the implementation of the duty is as effective as possible. As part of this, we have included questions in relation to the socio-economic duty in a call for evidence on equality law, which was launched on 7 April and will be open until 30 June. This will enable public authorities and others to input into plans in relation to the socio-economic duty at an early stage.
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Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government what their position is on seeking super-injunctions to restrict reporting of public policy issues. \p Lord Hermer: The filing of an application for a super-injunction on behalf of His Majesty’s Government is recognised as a truly exceptional measure and would be justified only by the most compelling evidence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government, in relation to recent spending by Great British Energy on solar panels for use by schools and hospitals, what assessment they have made of the merits of (1) sourcing solar panels from manufacturers outside China, and (2) spending money from this scheme on creating solar panel manufacturing capacity in the United Kingdom. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: For solar projects, the Department for Education (DfE), the Department for Health & Social Care (DHSC) and their partners are procuring the solar panels in line with strict procurement controls. While these panels could come from anywhere in the world, we know that around 95% of global polysilicon, ingot and wafer production, required for the manufacture of solar panels, happens in China [1].

Whilst China has a long-established strong position in conventional solar, there are emerging opportunities in solar supply chains which the UK can capture by leaning into our strengths as a scientific and innovation superpower. Alongside Great British Energy delivering over £200m investment for local and community energy, we have several other pioneering companies developing the next generation of cutting-edge solar technologies, including perovskite and thin film. In the Solar Roadmap, we have committed to consider the case to further support companies looking to scale up the production of these parts – so that UK companies don’t just generate innovative ideas but build them as well.

[1]Based on previous estimates from the International Energy Agency (IEA): https://www.iea.org/reports/solar-pv-global-supply-chains/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Lord Hart of Tenby:To ask His Majesty's Government what actions they are taking to address international competitiveness in the oil refining sector, and to avoid further job losses, following the closure of Grangemouth Refinery and the insolvency of Lindsey Oil Refinery. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: The refining sector is a vital part of the UK’s economy, and the Government is determined to work with industry to ensure UK refineries remain internationally competitive. That is why this Government has announced an urgent review of the methodology for the Energy Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme, helping to assess future coverage for the sector.

We have also invested in carbon capture, usage and storage projects and implemented the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate, enabling the refining sector to maximise the opportunities created by the clean energy transition.

My Honourable Friend Minister Shanks met the refinery sector in June to discuss these issues and will continue to engage with the industry to address long-standing issues.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure that Chinese-made solar panels purchased by Great British Energy for use in UK schools and hospitals have not been manufactured by slave labour; whether these purchases conform with section 3(2)(e) of Great British Energy Act 2025; and who is responsible for assessing this. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: There are strict procurement controls in place for schools and hospitals to ensure as far as possible any solar panels are free from forced labour.

This includes the Procurement Act which will enable contracting authorities to reject bids and terminate contracts with suppliers which have previously committed an offence under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, or where there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the supplier has engaged in this conduct.

We take this issue extremely seriously and will also be placing reporting commitments around the procurement process on panels as part of the funding agreements.

Through Great British Energy we will help build the supply chains needed to support a new era of clean homegrown power, bringing jobs and investment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Lord Strathcarron:To ask His Majesty's Government why the cost of upgrading the electricity grid is estimated at £60 billion in the report Clean Power 2030, published on 5 November 2024 by the National Energy System Operator, and at £80 billion in the Ofgem press release on 1 July about initial investment in energy security; and whether they will update their costing. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: The £80bn cost estimate in Ofgem’s Draft Determinations for RIIO ET3, which covers 2026/27 to 2030/31, is not exclusively spending required to deliver the transmission network needed to deliver 2030 Clean Power, but also takes into account wider operational costs such as maintenance of existing assets, and includes some spend beyond 2030. Ofgem and NESO regularly review and update their cost estimates for electricity networks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce the use of asylum accommodation. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: When this Government came to office, we inherited a system where hotels were one of the primary means of providing asylum accommodation – with more than 400 in use in Autumn 2023 at a cost of almost £9 million per day – and where a 70 per cent collapse in asylum decision-making in the last months of the previous administration had driven that pressure up further.

We have taken rapid action to address that chaos, in particular by speeding up the volume of asylum decision-making so that fewer people are stuck in limbo, dependent on support from the state, and so that more failed asylum-seekers can be removed from the UK, along with foreign national offenders and others with no right to be in our country.

The number of hotels in use is now around half the peak reached under the previous Government, and we will take further action over the rest of this Parliament to end the use of asylum hotels entirely.

To support that goal, as allocated as part of the Spending Review, the Government will be investing £500 million in a new, more sustainable accommodation model, developed in consultation with local authorities. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers.

In particular, this fund will support local authorities to make available basic alternative accommodation so that it can be used on a temporary basis to house asylum seekers waiting for their cases to be processed. In the longer term, our ambition is that this investment will leave a lasting legacy of housing for local communities and reduce pressure on local housing markets.

MHCLG and the Home Office are committed to continue working closely with devolved governments and local government to co-design this new model, building on the work undertaken to date. We will be writing to local authorities shortly to update them on this new model.

This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels. These reforms will also go hand-in-hand with the wider reforms set out in the Immigration White Paper to reduce inflow to the asylum system.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton:To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to page 268 of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office annual report and accounts 2024 to 2025, published on 22 July, whether they will provide a breakdown of the proposed £46,557,000 to Nepal in 2025–26 by individual project. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK is a longstanding partner to Nepal and the UK's Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) is one part of our broad and diverse cooperation. Our Embassy in Kathmandu currently forecasts a full utilisation of its £46,557,000 bilateral ODA allocation for 2025-26. The actual spend may be influenced by factors beyond our control.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is committed to transparency and our forecast bilateral spend for 2025-26 is published through the UK Government's Development Tracker: Devtracker. A breakdown of current programme allocations, rounded to the nearest £100,000 is provided below:

Programme

£m

Development Influencing and Learning in Nepal

1.1

Evidence, Digital Innovation and Technology

0.4

Evidence for Development

0.1

Climate Smart Development for Nepal

1.8

Green Growth Nepal

3.6

Nepal in Business Programme

9.9

Resilience, Adaptation and Inclusion in Nepal Programme

5.8

Nepal Local Infrastructure Support Programme

12.5

Public Financial Management Multi Donor Trust Fund - Phase II

0.6

Rights, Inclusion, Voice and Agency Nepal

1.6

Resilient Water Sanitation and Hygiene and Emergency Preparedness Programme

0.8

Enhancing Gender Outcomes through Social Services Systems Strengthening

3.3

Security and Justice Programme 2

5.0
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Baroness Hussein-Ece:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to continue to provide the current level of funding to the Global Fund. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK remains committed to tackling global health challenges and will continue to work with all international partners towards the collective goal of a healthier, safer and more prosperous world. We have long been a strong supporter of the Global Fund and are proud to be co-hosting the 8th replenishment this year in partnership with South Africa. Over the coming months, we will work through decisions on how the Official Development Assistance budget will be used, and the impact on specific programmes, informed by internal and external consultation and impact assessments.
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Lord Jopling:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 16 July (HL9053), whether they will answer the question put. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: Please refer to my answer to HL9053 published on 16 July. We encourage all Allies to meet their North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) commitments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Baroness Hussein-Ece:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to continue promoting the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls globally, and what action they are taking to combat attacks on those rights. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK is committed to promoting and advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), working with governments, multilateral partners and civil society. We use targeted funding, technical partnership and diplomatic engagement to provide strong leadership on SRHR.

The UK has a long history as a well-respected influential global leader on SRHR and will continue to defend and champion these fundamental rights in international fora, particularly for the most marginalised. This is supported by the UK's strategic Official Development Assistance funding. For example, on World AIDS Day in 2024, the Prime Minister announced the Grassroots and Counter Rollback programme. This strengthens local and national civil society organisations' and movements' ability to expand access to SRHR and counter rollback. It focuses on neglected issues, including safe abortion, and marginalised groups whose rights and access to services are being attacked.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton:To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to page 268 of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office annual report and accounts 2024 to 2025, published on 22 July, what assessment they have made of the impact that the proposed £13,628,000 reduction in support to Nepal between 2024–25 and 2025–26 will have on the bilateral relationship between Nepal and the UK. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: Development is an essential part of the UK's global objectives and to the delivery of the Government's missions: working with partners to strengthen and stabilise countries, to tackle poverty and support growth, and to make the world safer. The UK continues to work closely with the Government of Nepal and other partners to ensure UK Official Development Assistance aligns with Nepal's national development priorities. Therefore, we have prioritised the following for our 2025-26 allocation: Nepal's inclusive economic transformation and the creation of jobs; building resilience to disasters and climate change, infrastructure development, and the strengthening of social services. We are aware that budget reductions will have an impact on Nepal and British Embassy Kathmandu is in continuing discussions with the Government of Nepal about these issues.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton:To ask His Majesty's Government which specific projects in Nepal funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in 2025–26 will directly contribute to maintaining consent to recruit members of the Brigade of Gurkhas. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK's development partnership with Nepal is built on long-standing cooperation across various sectors. We are working closely with the Government of Nepal and other stakeholders to ensure our 2025-26 budget is targeted towards Nepal's national development priorities. We acknowledge the outstanding contribution of the Gurkhas in the British Army and remain committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific and supporting economic growth and development across the region.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government whether any provisions of the Children’s Wellbeing Bill and Schools Bill will apply to the Ministry of Defence as an employer and educator. \p Lord Coaker: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) supports this Bill as we are aware of the unique challenges our personnel and their families face. While much of this Bill will not apply to schools overseas run by the MOD, we will support aspects that impact our work, primarily around safeguarding. As part of our commitment to our Service families we take the safeguarding of children particularly seriously, and we have a strong social-work service and well-trained teams supporting each branch of the military wherever they are posted, including overseas. Our teams also work very closely with the Department for Education and Devolved Administrations to ensure Service children’s wellbeing and education is supported.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the outcome of Project ATHENA 2, which was due to take place between 2022 and 2023, at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate; and whether they will place a copy of the results of the project in the Library of the House. \p Lord Coaker: It will take time to collate and review the information needed to answer the noble Lady's question. I will write to her shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
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Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government how many junior soldiers residing at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate who entered in September 2024 were care leavers. \p Lord Coaker: There are 39 Junior Soldiers registered as care leavers from the September 2024 intake.
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Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish all external contractors that worked on the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy. \p Lord Coaker: A wide variety of contractors have supported the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), with some involved in sensitive operational activities. As a result, a comprehensive list of external contractors that worked on ARAP cannot be published due to both operational risks and commercial sensitivity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-31)

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Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 21 July (HLWS867), whether the new Business Appointment Rules administered by the Civil Service Commission will apply to all special advisers, including those below Senior Civil Service Pay Band 2, or only to those previously covered by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Special Adviser Code of Conduct sets out that Special Advisers are subject to the Business Appointment Rules for civil servants. Special advisers that currently submit applications to ACOBA will, following the transfer of functions, submit applications to the Civil Service Commission. All other Special Advisers will follow their usual process as set out in the Business Appointment Rules guidance.
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Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 21 July (HLWS867), what legal mechanism will be used to require a minister to repay severance payments following a breach of the Business Appointment Rules. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Ministerial Code is clear that the Business Appointment Rules apply to former ministers after they leave office.

Ministers will also be expected to sign waivers to confirm that they will repay their severance payment in the event they are found to have seriously breached the Business Appointment Rules.
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Baroness Jenkin of Kennington:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the policy of the Government Property Agency on gender neutral toilets in government buildings outside of England where the statutory guidance Toilet Accommodation: Approved Document T, updated on 1 October 2024, does not apply. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Government Property Agency (GPA) follows the building regulations and relevant legislation of the devolved nations it is operating in.

The GPA has adopted the principles laid out in Toilet Accommodation: Approved Document T into its Workplace Design guidance.
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Lord Mendoza:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the scale of nitazene-related deaths in the next 10 years, and what steps they are taking to measure the occurrence of nitazene overdoses; and whether they plan to publish data on those overdoses. \p Baroness Merron: The number of drug related overdoses and deaths remains too high. We are committed to saving lives, including with access to high-quality treatment. A continued focus on drugs and drug-related harms is key to addressing the problem and helping deliver the Government’s Safer Streets and Health Missions.

The Government has amended the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to expand access to naloxone, a life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication. The legislation means more services and professionals are able to supply this medication, which in turn means easier access to it for people at risk, and for their loved ones.

In 2025/26, the Department is providing £310 million, additional to the Public Health Grant, to deliver the recommendations from Dame Carol Black’s independent review. We are working on announcing multi-year funding allocations for drug and alcohol treatment from 2026/27.

The Department works with local authorities to improve drug and alcohol treatment and provides monitoring, data, guidance, and targeted support. The Commissioning Quality Standard, which is available in an online only format on the GOV.UK website, provides guidance for local authorities to support them in commissioning effective drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services.

In line with standard risk assessment processes, the Government is undertaking work to estimate the potential future scale of mortality linked to synthetic opioids, including nitazenes. The Department is working with other Government departments on enhancing surveillance and early warning in response to the threat of synthetic opioids. As part of this we have established new data streams, including collecting information on deaths linked to nitazenes through laboratory testing and ambulance callouts in which the opioid antidote naloxone was administered. The first quarterly report of data from these sources is expected to be published this summer. An ad hoc report on deaths linked to synthetic opioids was published last year.

For these reasons, the Government currently has no plans to develop a new drugs strategy.
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Lord Teverson:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that queen honeybees imported into Great Britain via Northern Ireland are free from pests and diseases, in particular the small hive beetle. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: All consignments of honey bee queens imported into Northern Ireland (NI) must be accompanied by health certificates confirming that the area the bees originated from is free of certain pests, including small hive beetle, and diseases. The health certificate must be issued no more than 24 hours prior to dispatch and the certifying officer must also confirm that a pre-export inspection took place. Imports into NI are cleared by NI officials.
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Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government when funding allocations will be confirmed for outstanding Darwin Plus applications. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Defra is now working with Darwin Plus applicants to confirm and award new project grants under the programme. Applicants have been advised to expect updates over the summer. Updates will also be made available on the Darwin Plus website.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of emergency admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on NHS England's capacity and resources. \p Baroness Merron: The Department has not made such an assessment.
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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what funding has been allocated to Genomics England to continue to support the delivery of the Generation Study. \p Baroness Merron: In January 2025, the Department allocated £46 million in phase one of the Spending Review to Genomics England to support continued delivery of the Generation Study in financial year 2025/26. Funding for 2026/27 through to 2029/30 is being confirmed as part of the second phase of the Government’s Spending Review.
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Baroness Thornhill:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the recommendation of the UK Statistics Authority's Inclusive Data Taskforce that “Sex, age and ethnic group should be routinely collected and reported in all administrative data and in-service process data, including statistics collected within health and care settings and by police, courts and prisons”, why the collection of data on sex is not mandated in the Collection of Client Level Adult Social Care Data (No 3) Directions 2023. \p Baroness Merron: The 2023 Client Level Data (CLD) Directions set out the specific data that local authorities are required to collect and submit to the Department, in order for the Department to produce national data on the provision of adult social care in England. The data mandated in these directions are therefore only a small subset of all the administrative data that local authorities may collect and hold.

Meanwhile, local authorities routinely collect the data and information they consider necessary to perform their functions. The 2023 CLD Directions do not preclude local authorities from collecting any further information, including for example sex, that local authorities may consider necessary to effectively discharge their legal obligations.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-28 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-28 conversation_4

Lord Kamall:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Merron on 30 January (HL Deb col 366), when they plan to (1) begin the rollout of fracture liaison services, and (2) achieve universal coverage for fracture liaison services. \p Baroness Merron: We remain committed to rolling out fracture liaison services across every part of the country by 2030.

The Government and NHS England support the clinical case for services which help to prevent fragility fractures and support the patients who sustain them. Officials continue to work closely with NHS England to explore a range of options to provide better quality and access to these important preventative services.

In the meantime, we are investing in 14 high-tech DEXA scanners, which are expected to provide an extra 29,000 scans to ensure people with bone conditions get diagnosed earlier.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-28 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-28 conversation_5

Lord Patten:To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the number of people who have been infected by contaminated blood since 1980. \p Baroness Merron: The Department has not made an estimate of the number of patients that became infected after the year 1980, although we have estimates for infections occurring in a wider timeframe. The Department used the principle number presented by the Infected Blood Inquiry, in its Statistics Expert Reports, which has identified the infected individuals for the period between 1970 and 1991; the number of those infected because of a bleeding disorder with hepatitis C is between 2,400 and 5,000, and those infected with HIV approximately 1,250. The inquiry further estimates that those infected with hepatitis C via blood transfusion ranges between 21,300 and 38,800, and between 80 and 100 with HIV.

Since November 2017, 3,553 individuals, who were infected because of contaminated blood, are currently registered with one of the United Kingdom Infected Blood Support Schemes. However, there may be others who were infected and are still alive but have not yet come forward.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-28 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-28 conversation_6

Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government, in relation to section 63 of the Mental Health Act 1983, whether investigations ancillary to compulsory treatment (for example blood tests to determine precise or safe dosing for permitted compulsory treatment under section 63) are permitted as part of the overall compulsory treatment permitted under that section. \p Baroness Merron: Section 63 of the Mental Health Act 1983 provides that the consent of patients falling within that part of the Act is not required for medical treatment for mental disorder, where the treatment is given by the patient’s approved clinician, or under their direction. Exceptions to this are where the treatment falls under the special procedures set out in sections 57, 58 and 58A. Medical treatment for mental disorder, mentioned under section 63, may include treatment of physical conditions where it is intended to alleviate or prevent a worsening of symptoms or a manifestation of the mental disorder. For example, a blood test for an antipsychotic drug, or where the treatment is otherwise part of, or ancillary to, treatment for mental disorder.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-28 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-28 conversation_7

Lord Roberts of Llandudno:To ask His Majesty's Government how many children in Gaza have been identified as "wounded child, no surviving family". \p Lord Collins of Highbury: While we do not hold this specific information, the International Rescue Committee estimates that at least 17,000 children are estimated to be unaccompanied or separated from their parents in Gaza. The plight of children affected by the war in Gaza is deeply distressing. We continue to urge all parties to ensure that aid can safely and effectively reach those who need it in all parts of Gaza, including medical care and shelter equipment. Since the start of the conflict, we have announced £10 million in funding to UK-Med, enabling them to provide vital care to over 300,000 Gazans, including critical limb and life-saving surgeries, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation, in addition to £6m for UNICEF to provide lifesaving aid to vulnerable families in Gaza. We are the second largest donor to the 'Education Cannot Wait' fund which supports 5,000 children affected by the crisis.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-28 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-28 conversation_8

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Coaker on 5 December (HL1878) and the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office on 12 February (HC28577), whether they have decided to discontinue the review on equality, diversity and inclusion training in the Armed Forces. \p Lord Coaker: I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave him on 19 December 2024, to Question HL3228, in which I stated that following the review into Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Defence has accelerated work to restructure and consolidate its staff networks into a smaller number, is conducting an audit of our training programmes to ensure that they deliver high-quality, valuable content, and will ensure that future partnerships and consultancy spend on EDI projects have a clearer focus on return on investment.

The Ministry of Defence remains committed to making the step changes required to create a more inclusive environment, enabling everyone, irrespective of background, to deliver our Defence outputs and enhance our operational effectiveness.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-28 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-28 conversation_9

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Ministry of Defence provided briefings to Prince Andrew after he left the Royal Navy and during his tenure as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, what was the nature of such briefings, and on what date they ceased. \p Lord Coaker: A review with areas that could have been involved in supporting Prince Andrew in his role as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, has not produced records of such briefings.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-15 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-15 conversation_1

Lord Patten:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the number of civil servants working from home for three days a week or more is increasing or decreasing. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Data on Civil Service Headquarters (HQ) occupancy is collected and published quarterly on GOV.UK for all HQ buildings of Whitehall Departments, Office for Scotland, Office for Wales and Northern Ireland Office.

Data for the latest period for which data is available is copied below. No other information on occupancy data or workforce attendance is gathered centrally.

Departments manage their own arrangements for monitoring workforce attendance. Heads of departments have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service.

Cabinet Office

70 Whitehall

62%

92%

83%

Department for Business and Trade

Old Admiralty Building

76%

79%

77%

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

100 Parliament Street

69%

72%

62%

Department for Education

Sanctuary Buildings

65%

66%

70%

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

3-8 Whitehall Place/55 Whitehall

100%

97%

100%

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

2 Marsham Street

74%

59%

72%

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

22 Whitehall

88%

85%

92%

Department for Transport

Great Minster House

61%

61%

61%

Department for Work and Pensions

Caxton House

61%

61%

62%

Department of Health and Social Care

39 Victoria Street

76%

81%

72%

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

King Charles Street

65%

63%

65%

HM Revenue and Customs

100 Parliament Street

70%

68%

73%

HM Treasury

1 Horse Guards

68%

69%

68%

Home Office

2 Marsham Street

72%

74%

73%

Ministry of Defence

MOD Main Building

82%

85%

87%

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

2 Marsham Street

71%

72%

74%

Ministry of Justice

102 Petty France

81%

75%

76%

Northern Ireland Office

1 HG/Erskine House

57%

59%

59%

Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland

Dover House

61%

55%

62%

Office of the Secretary of State for Wales

Gwydyr House

66%

59%

59%
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-15 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-15 conversation_2

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government what meetings the Prime Minister's chief of staff has held with the Center for Countering Digital Hate and Hope not Hate while in post. \p Baroness Smith of Basildon: In line with longstanding process, relevant meetings are declared in the Special Advisor transparency publications. As outlined in the transparency publications, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff has not held meetings with the Center for Countering Digital Hate and Hope not Hate.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-15 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-15 conversation_3

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay:To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of Baroness Shafik's appointment as Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister, whether her duties will include providing advice on funding of (1) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (2) the Victoria and Albert Museum, and (3) other national museums. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to HL10218:

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government whether Baroness Shafik will recuse herself from matters relating to the funding of (1) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (2) the Victoria and Albert Museum, and (3) other national museums, in her role as Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister. HL10218

Answer: Baroness Shafik has been appointed to be the Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister as a Direct Ministerial Appointment. This role is therefore subject to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, which sets out requirements on political activity.

The management of relevant outside interests for this role has been agreed in line with relevant guidance and processes.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-15 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-15 conversation_4

Baroness Wolf of Dulwich:To ask His Majesty's Government how many people were employed by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in total in (1) 2015, and (2) 2025; and how many of those people were employed as (a) counsel, and (b) support staff, in each of those years. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The number of staff broken down by grade in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel is provided in the table below for both 2015 and 2025.

Grade

2015 Headcount

2025 Headcount

Permanent Secretary

1

1

Parliamentary Counsel Grades

44

46

Delegated Civil Servant Grades

13

7
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-15 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-15 conversation_5

Lord Spellar:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Coaker on 11 June (HL8373), when they now expect to announce the appointment of the National Armaments Director. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: I refer to the previous answer provided by my colleague Lord Coaker. Rupert Pearce was named as the new National Armaments Director on Tuesday 14 October 2025.