theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_42

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the concerns expressed by the National Fire Chief's Council (NFCC's) regarding the safety of the public and of firefighters; and what assessment they have made of the NFCC's analysis, published on 4 June, showing a 20 per cent increase in the number of incidents attended by the fire and rescue service over the last decade. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: I am replying as a minister in the department that now holds policy responsibility for fire and rescue. It is the government’s priority to ensure the safety of both the public and of our firefighters. We are grateful to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) for highlighting the 20 per cent increase in the number of incidents attended by the fire and rescue service over the last decade, which we recognise was drawn from the quarterly statistics published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fire-and-rescue-incident-statistics-year-ending-december-2024).

We recognise that the data covers callouts relating to fire, non-fire and false alarms. We intend to discuss this in further detail with the NFCC.

Fire and rescue incident statistics (pdf, 163.5KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect St Lucia Barracks in Omagh against arson attacks. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Ministry of Defence owns a small area of the St Lucia site (known as the historic core), and the majority of the site is owned by the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure; it is for them to comment on any further steps they are taking to protect the site.

I would urge anyone with information about these attacks to contact the PSNI.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Johnson of Marylebone:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the White Paper Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May, whether they plan to introduce primary legislation to implement the levy on international student fees. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The Immigration White Paper sets out a series of measures that will achieve a reduction in net migration, while maintaining the UK’s globally competitive offer to international students and making a significant contribution to growth by boosting our skills base.

The White Paper includes the commitment to explore the introduction of a levy on higher education (HE) provider income from international students. We will set out further details in due course, including setting out the way in which proceeds from the levy would be reinvested into our HE and skills system.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Booth:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the annual costs of the office of the School Support Negotiation Body. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Once established, costs associated with the School Support Staff Negotiating Body will be limited to small administrative costs and fees, including a salary for an independent chair. All expenditure will be subject to normal government approvals processes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had in 2025 with the higher education sector on visa restrictions placed on international students. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department regularly engages with the higher education (HE) sector to discuss range of topics including the recruitment of international students. This has recently included discussions with various HE institutions and their representative bodies on the measures set out in the Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May, and plans for their implementation.

This government will always welcome international students where they meet the requirements to study in this country. Our world class HE sector can offer a fulfilling and enjoyable experience to international students from around the world.

The Immigration White Paper sets out a series of measures that will achieve a reduction in net migration, while maintaining the UK HE sector’s globally competitive position and making a significant contribution to growth by boosting the UK’s skills base.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Cashman:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to attract international students to UK institutions who are unable to enrol at US universities due to recent US policy changes. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The UK is a highly attractive study destination for international students with 4 universities in the top 10 and 15 in the top 100, alongside a wide array of high quality institutions which can offer a fulfilling and enjoyable experience to international students from around the world.

As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has made clear in her video message last year, this government welcomes international students who enrich our university campuses, forge lifelong friendships with our domestic students and become global ambassadors for the UK.

As set out in the Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May, the department will retain our competitive post-study work offer for international students, principally through the graduate visa that will remain available for a reduced duration so that graduates move more quickly into skilled work. This will maintain our attractiveness as a study destination while ensuring individuals granted a graduate visa obtain employment in graduate level roles and contribute to the country’s skills needs. We will issue further details on implementation of the White Paper measures in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they expect to publish a white paper on special educational needs provision before the Parliamentary summer recess. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed and thrive in their education and as they move into adult life.

The department is aware of the challenges in the current SEND system, and the government is urgently considering how it needs to be reformed. However, these are complex issues which need a considered approach to deliver sustainable change.

The department is working closely with experts on reforms, including appointing a strategic advisor for SEND, who is playing a key role in convening and engaging with the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children and families.

The department has also established an expert advisory group for inclusion to improve the mainstream education outcomes and experiences for children and young people with SEND, and a Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group to provide a shared understanding of what provision and support in mainstream educational settings should look like for neurodivergent children and young people within an inclusive system.

The department is working at pace to address these challenges and will be setting out our plans to do so in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Johnson of Marylebone:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the White Paper Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May, which areas of the skills and higher education sector the levy on international student fees will be reinvested. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The Immigration White Paper sets out a series of measures that will achieve a reduction in net migration, while maintaining the UK’s globally competitive offer to international students and making a significant contribution to growth by boosting our skills base.

The White Paper includes the commitment to explore the introduction of a levy on higher education (HE) provider income from international students. We will set out further details in due course, including setting out the way in which proceeds from the levy would be reinvested into our HE and skills system.

The business models of a significant number of providers will need to change in the near future to ensure financial sustainability. All providers must continue to adapt to uncertainties and financial risks. We will publish our plans for reform of the HE system in the summer as part of the Post-16 Skills White Paper.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Baroness Pidgeon:To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with Sunderland City Council about changes to the Port of Sunderland Byelaws 1978. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Department has not recently engaged in discussion with Sunderland City Council regarding changes to the Port of Sunderland Byelaws 1978.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Swansea Council regarding the proposal to establish a car ferry between Swansea and south-west England; and what ports in England are being considered for such a project. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Department for Transport has had no discussions with Swansea Council regarding the proposal to establish a car ferry between Swansea and south-west England.

The provision of maritime transport services is predominantly left to the commercial market, meaning the Department does not, as a matter of course, get involved in discussions around options for new routes or services. The establishment of the above-mentioned car ferry service is therefore a matter for the relevant local authorities, based on their transport priorities and budgets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Shipley:To ask His Majesty's Government what is their timetable for agreeing changes to the Port of Sunderland Byelaws 1978. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Department has fully reviewed the Port of Sunderland Byelaws 1978 and is optimistic that this can be finalised and confirmed by all parties concerned in the coming weeks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that Mastercard publicises the right of Mastercard holders between June 1997 and June 2008 to claim up to £70 each in relation to fees wrongly levied against those cardholders. \p Lord Livermore: The Government believes it is important for card fees to be set at an appropriate level for all parties.

In May, the Competition Appeal Tribunal approved a settlement which would allow consumers to claim compensation in relation to historical card fees. It will be for individuals to come forward and claim compensation once further information is made available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of levels of consumer confidence and whether they plan to implement measures to increase it. \p Lord Livermore: Consumer confidence, as measured by the commonly used GfK survey, rose by 3 points in May 2025, with all sub-components recording an improvement in sentiment. The Government monitors consumer confidence alongside other relevant economic indicators for understanding developments in the UK economy.

Consumer confidence is intrinsically linked to household finances and the broader economic outlook. The Government is delivering on its commitments in the Plan for Change to raise growth and living standards. This is already delivering for working people, with three new trade deals protecting jobs, boosting investment and cutting prices, a pay rise for three million workers through the National Living Wage, and real wages rising by more since the election than in the first ten years of the previous Government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Sikka:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to require all large companies to publish a country-by-country report. \p Lord Livermore: The government does not currently plan to require large companies to publish their country-by-country reports. The government keeps tax policy under review but believes that public country-by-country reporting should apply consistently across all multinationals, and therefore an approach should be developed internationally.

More widely, the government’s ambition is to design out non-compliance in the tax system and make the tax system easier and quicker to deal with for taxpayers, delivering the modern and digital service taxpayers expect.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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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 they will publish the audit findings by the Civil Service Commission on the application of Business Appointment Rules below senior levels; and what redress will be available to applicants in the event that a department is found to have applied the rules inconsistently. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Government's policy is set out in the Written Ministerial Statement. Further details will be shared with Parliament in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the secretariat supporting (1) the Ethics and Integrity Commission, and (2) the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, will be (a) independent of the Propriety and Constitution Group, and (b) under the line management of the Director General of the Propriety and Constitution Group. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Line management for the secretariat of the Committee on Standards in Public Life - which will be established as the Ethics and Integrity Commission - and for the Independent Adviser Secretariat sits in the Propriety and Constitution Group of the Cabinet Office. There are no current plans to alter these arrangements.

The EIC, as with CSPL, will remain an independent Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body of the Cabinet Office, led by its Chair and other officeholders. The Independent Adviser remains an independent office-holder, as set out in the role's existing terms of reference.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the Civil Service committees or individuals that exercise management functions in relation to the Civil Service, including the membership of each committee; and what changes, if any, have been made to the Civil Service Governance Framework since the publication of Independent Review of Governance and Accountability in the Civil Service: The Rt Hon Lord Maude of Horsham on 13 November 2023. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Civil Service governance structures and fora were reorganised in January 2025.

Current Civil Service committees that exercise management functions in relation to the Civil Service are:

There have been a number of changes to the composition of these Civil Service boards and committees (for example due to the appointment of new permanent secretaries). Once these changes are complete the details of the new arrangements and membership will be published on Gov.uk.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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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 they will publish all individual decisions or recommendations relating to the application of the Business Appointment Rules by (1) the Civil Service Commission in respect of former civil servants and special advisers, and (2) the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards in respect of former ministers; and if not, what criteria will govern decisions on publication. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Business Appointment Rules set out the expectations on publication which will continue to apply once the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments’ functions are transferred to the Civil Service Commission and Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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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 former ministers who left office while the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments was operating will now receive retrospective advice in relation to business appointments from the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments will continue to process and provide advice on applications it receives from former ministers until its closure. Advice on applications after the Committee closes will be provided by the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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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 they intend to retain political members nominated by opposition parties on the Committee on Standards in Public Life, as under current arrangements. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Yes. This is laid out in correspondence between the Minister for the Cabinet Office and the Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, available on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/correspondence-between-the-minister-for-the- cabinet-office-and-the-chair-cspl-on-the-ethics-and-integrity-commission
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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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 appointments to the new Ethics and Integrity Commission will be made under a Public Appointments Order in Council; and which Minister will be responsible for approving those appointments. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Independent appointments to the Commission will be subject to the Public Appointments Order in Council. Cabinet Office Ministers will be responsible for the appointment of members to the Commission.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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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 Civil Service management code or Civil Service code will be amended to reflect the transfer of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments’ functions to the Civil Service Commission. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Civil Service Management Code will be updated in due course to reflect the transfer of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments' functions to the Civil Service Commission.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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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 Prime Minister has issued, or intends to issue, a direction or agreement under section 17 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 to give the Civil Service Commission new statutory functions relating to the Business Appointment Rules. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Rt. Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office and His Majesty’s Paymaster General, on behalf of the Prime Minister, exchanged letters with Baroness Stuart, the First Civil Service Commissioner, in July 2025 to confirm the Commission’s agreement to accept new functions under section 17 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010. This correspondence can be found here: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/first-civil-service-commissioner-responds-to-the-minister-for-the-cabinet-office-on-proposed-changes-to-the-role-of-the-civil-service-commission/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration has been given to the use of AI algorithms to help triage patients in primary care settings, particularly in relation to patients presenting with dermatological symptoms that can be mistaken as allergy, such as patients living with chronic spontaneous urticaria. \p Baroness Merron: Each medical school in the England sets its own undergraduate curriculum which must meet the standards set by the General Medical Council (GMC) in its Outcomes for Graduates. The GMC would expect that, in fulfilling these standards, newly qualified doctors are able to identify, treat and manage any care needs a person has, including chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and similar conditions. The training curricula for postgraduate trainee doctors is set by the relevant Royal College and must also meet the standards set by the GMC.

To support clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment, care and support of patients with CSU, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has developed an online Clinical Knowledge Summary (CKS) for the management of the condition. Patients can usually be managed with either antihistamines or steroids, but the guidance also makes clear that patients with CSU should be considered for a referral to a dermatologist where symptoms are severe, persistent, or unresponsive to first-line treatments.

The NICE CKS and Technology Appraisal is on the NICE website in an online-only format.

Skin lesion analysis tools that use an artificial intelligence (AI)-based fixed algorithm are currently being trialled in several National Health Service trusts. These AI tools have the potential to free up dermatology capacity and reduce waiting times by effectively triaging patients with skin lesions where there is a suspicion of cancer. Data from trials in 2023/2024 suggests these tools could help with diagnosing and discharging around 30% of cases from the pathway. This will allow more patients to be seen and get a diagnosis in a timely manner.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase capacity in specialist dermatology services. \p Baroness Merron: NHS England and the British Association of Dermatologists have established a specialist dermatology clinical reference group. Its objectives are to: measure and improve quality; improve value and reduce unwarranted variation; improve equity of service; and transform and provide advice and support to integrated care boards as they take on responsibility for specialised service commissioning.

In addition, NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme is working to improve capacity and waiting times through its established Further Faster programme. This programme brings together hospital trust clinicians and operational teams with the challenge of collectively going ‘further and faster’ to transform patient pathways, reduce unnecessary follow-up outpatient appointments and improve access and waiting times for patients, including dermatology patients.

A Further Faster handbook for dermatology has been produced, to share best practice and support National Health Service dermatology teams to reduce the number of Did Not Attend appointments, reduce unnecessary follow ups and, where appropriate, reduce the number of outpatient appointments by booking patients straight to tests, helping to free up capacity for patients in need of specialist dermatology services.

The GIRFT team is carrying out regular visits to and meetings with challenged departments to support them in this work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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Lord Hunt of Kings Heath:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Leng Review, published on 16 July, on the recruitment and employability of physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia. \p Baroness Merron: The principle question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician and anaesthesia associate, which we recommend should now be known as physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, are safe and effective. The review’s findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles to continue as supportive, complementary members of medical teams.

NHS England has written to National Health Service trusts, integrated care boards and primary care networks reiterating their responsibilities to their staff as employers, including providing pastoral support where required. Importantly, it has also written directly to staff most affected by the recommendations setting out where they can find support if required. Whilst decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual NHS employers at a local level, physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia will continue to play an important role in the NHS.

Our forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will look at how to get the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care and we will consider the findings of the Leng Review when developing the plan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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Lord Hunt of Kings Heath:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of accepting the recommendations of the Leng Review, published on 16 July, on the health and wellbeing of physician associates and anaesthesia associates. \p Baroness Merron: The principle question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician and anaesthesia associate, which we recommend should now be known as physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, are safe and effective. The review’s findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles to continue as supportive, complementary members of medical teams.

NHS England has written to National Health Service trusts, integrated care boards and primary care networks reiterating their responsibilities to their staff as employers, including providing pastoral support where required. Importantly, it has also written directly to staff most affected by the recommendations setting out where they can find support if required.

Whilst decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual NHS employers at a local level, physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia can play a vital role in the delivery of the shifts set out in the 10-Year Health Plan for England. Our forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will look at how to get the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care and we will consider the findings of the Leng Review when developing the plan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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Lord Hunt of Kings Heath:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with universities offering courses for physician associates and anaesthesia associates about the impact of accepting the recommendations of the Leng Review on future recruitment of students. \p Baroness Merron: In taking forward the independent review into physician associates and anaesthesia associates, which we recommend should now be known as physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, Professor Leng engaged with organisations including the Physician Associate Schools Council, and specific higher education institutions.

We will continue to engage with a broad range of stakeholders as we develop a clear implementation plan to address the Review’s 18 recommendations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 30 June (HL8647), whether they plan to include in their statistics abortions undertaken through abortion pills by post, and if so, how. \p Baroness Merron: It is a legal requirement that all abortions performed in England and Wales, including early medical abortions (EMA) at home, are notified to the Chief Medical Officers for England and Wales respectively, within 14 days of the procedure via the HSA4 abortion notification form. The HSA4 form captures information on where the EMA pills were taken, but not whether they were delivered by post or collected from the clinic.

Statistics on home use of EMA pills for residents of England and Wales are already published by the Department in the annual Abortion Statistics for England and Wales publication. These statistics are published in the main commentary and the additional data tables of the publication. From 2019 to 2022, the statistics on home use of EMA pills were derived using the place of termination information on the HSA4.

In 2022, Parliament voted to permanently approve use of one or both pills for EMA up to 10 weeks at home, following a telephone or e-consultation with a clinician for residents in England and Wales. Following this, in April 2023, new questions were added to the HSA4 form, to capture information on where the abortion medications were taken. Statistics on home use of EMA pills in future publications, from 2023 onwards, will be based on these new questions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to review further the apprenticeship levy arrangements, particularly the requirement that funds can be split equally between (1) apprenticeships, and (2) other, flexible training opportunities. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: This government is transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, which will deliver greater flexibility to employers and learners in England and support the industrial strategy.

At this stage, the government has not put targets or limits on the level of flexibility in the growth and skills offer. This will be informed by the result of Skills England’s analysis and engagement, including on where flexibilities will be most helpful for employers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

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Lord Bradley:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to revise Ofsted guidance that reportedly states that children with autism are at increased risk of being susceptible to extremism. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver. I have asked him to write to the noble Lord directly and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
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Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 21 July (HL9197 and HL9244), why the Prime Minister raised human rights issues with Saudi Arabia but not Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK and the Gulf countries have close and long-standing relationships. We benefit from a genuine and open dialogue and work together on matters of shared interest in a variety of fora. The depth of our relationships allows us to work together constructively, raising points of difference as and when they arise. The answers provided in HL9197 and HL9244 relate to statements following meetings with our Gulf partners, and included non-exhaustive summaries of the issues discussed. The United Kingdom remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. Continued progress is in the interest of the UK, the Gulf and the international community.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-06 conversation_19

Lord Cashman:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to monitor carefully the UK press this summer for any disinformation or incitement that could lead to the targeting of hotels or other accommodation housing refugees and asylum seekers. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office works closely with policing colleagues on a range of issues to ensure the protection of public order and safety.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-06 conversation_20

Lord Birt:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have held discussions with the government of China about the importation of stolen and trackable mobile phones from the UK. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: Tackling mobile phone theft is a key priority for this Government. In February, the Home Secretary brought together police, the National Crime Agency, the Mayor of London, local government representatives, leading technology companies and others to drive greater collaboration in breaking the business model of mobile phone thieves.

The Summit resulted in commitments from attendees to work in partnership, including to significantly boost the sharing of data and intelligence on mobile phone theft to build a comprehensive picture of the problem, better understand the role of organised crime networks (both in the UK and overseas), and identify the most effective means of tackling these crimes.

While we have not held discussions with the government of China about the importation of stolen mobile phones from the UK, we are continuing to engage with international partners and multilateral organisations to share information and explore further opportunities for cooperation in order to most effectively tackle mobile phone theft.

The Home Secretary will reconvene relevant stakeholders in due course to review progress made and determine next steps to ensure that the police, technology companies and the Government continue to work together to tackle this criminality.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-06 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-06 conversation_21

Baroness Jenkin of Kennington: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 the Passport Office will require passports to list only an individual's biological sex. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer I provided to PQ UIN 41234 on 31 March.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-06 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-06 conversation_22

Lord Bailey of Paddington:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to urgently resolve the police officer pay award issue over the summer. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: On 1 August, the Home Secretary announced that the Government has accepted the PRRB’s recommendations in full, including a 4.2% consolidated pay increase for police officers (up to and including the rank of Chief Superintendent), effective from 1 September 2025. This decision reflected the PRRB’s assessment of the economic context, recruitment and retention data, and the specific challenges facing the police workforce. The full PRRB report and related Government response can be found here: Police Remuneration Review Body report: 2025 England and Wales - GOV.UK

The Government is carefully considering the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) recommendations for Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and will set out its decision in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-06 conversation_23

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to take further action following the announcement on 22 July that they have shared asylum accommodation data with food delivery companies. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: We are committed to work alongside delivery firms to deepen our cooperation and, following last month’s successful roundtable, this measure is another important step to tackle illegal working hotspots and root out this criminality from our communities. For example, when this data is shared, firms will have more information to track down and suspend accounts of delivery riders working illegally.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-06 conversation_24

Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government what legal costs they have incurred in dealing with claims for asylum, including appeals, launched by those arriving in the United Kingdom through irregular and illegal means in the past three years. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: Obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-06 conversation_25

Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 17 July (HL9083), whether they will now answer the question put; namely what is the current daily cost of providing accommodation for asylum seekers other than in hotels; and how this compares with the daily cost in 2024. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-06 conversation_26

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that there are sufficient supplies of water given the increasing number of data centres being constructed; and what plans they have to require that, for every data centre constructed, work is undertaken to increase the water supply. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The Government recognises the need to ensure data centre infrastructure does not compromise the resilience of public water supplies. We are taking steps to ensure that water availability is a key consideration in planning.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that the planning system should take full account of water scarcity. Local plans and decisions should take account of the long-term implications for water supply. The Government encourages data centre developers to contact their proposed water and wastewater supplier early in the planning process. Water companies are not obliged to approve the supply of water for non-domestic uses, such as for data centres, if doing so would require unreasonable expenditure or risk their ability to meet domestic supply obligations.

Modern data centres can also employ cooling methods that use minimal water such as free cooling or advanced closed-loop systems, which only require minimal water top-up. Additionally, data centres can use non-potable or grey water for cooling purposes.

The forthcoming National Policy Statement for data centres will set out environmental criteria – including water supply considerations – for data centre proposals that are taken forward as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

With respect to the Government’s AI Growth Zone (AIGZ) plans, proposals for data centres are required to set out: (1) the volume of water required; (2) the availability of that volume and the timeline of delivery; and (3) any wider infrastructure requirements or constraints

Applications should include a confirmation of the above from the relevant water supplier. This will ensure that AIGZs are delivered where there is sufficient water capacity.

DEFRA is undertaking work to examine how the efficiency of water use in data centres can be improved, as part of the Government’s commitment to reduce the use of public water supply by 20% by 2037/38.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-06 conversation_27

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of public transparency measures concerning data access and supervision during the partnership with Google; and how they will report this to Parliament. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: All government departments must comply with UK Data Protection legislation when partnering with technology companies, as they remain the data controllers for the personal data they hold. Departments are responsible for ensuring their technology partners meet high standards in line with UK GDPR principles. Each department must appoint an adequately resourced Data Protection Officer (DPO) to assess partner compliance and advise on Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) to identify and mitigate risks.

The Government Digital Service (GDS) has published principles for securing personal data in government services, including actions departments must take to ensure compliance. These include robust commercial agreements, assigned liabilities, risk assessments, audits, monitoring, and oversight of data processing terms, along with seeking assurance from suppliers.

Additionally, the Government Security Group and GDS have introduced the Security by Design Policy, which sets out how departments should manage security risks arising from third-party technology products.

Further engagement with Parliament will be through the existing committee structures.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-06 conversation_28

Lord Snape:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the benefit-cost ratio of the railway investment schemes for which funding has not been confirmed including (1) the York Area Capacity and Performance, (2) South West Rail Resilience Programme phase 5, (3) Midland Mainline Electrification phase 3, and (4) Peckham Rye Station Congestion. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: Benefit Cost Ratios (BCRs) within the economic case are only one element of decision-making on schemes and should be considered alongside the other cases in the five case business model used in Government (strategic, economic, financial, commercial and management cases). BCRs evolve as a project is developed through different levels of maturity as well as with changing scope, costs and benefits profiles. Definitive BCRs are not available for these schemes as they are either at an early stage of development or for which existing analysis is not up to date and therefore not representative of current scheme assumptions.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-06 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-06 conversation_29

Baroness Jenkin of Kennington: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 the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency will require driving licences to list only an individual's biological sex. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: Driving licences do not currently specify the sex or gender of the licence holder and there are no plans to change this.