theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_3

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government how many hotels in Wales they have used to accommodate asylum seekers (1) previously, and (2) currently. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: For the safety and security of those we accommodate and staff, it is our longstanding policy not to disclose information about sites which may or may not be utilised by the Home Office.

As of the latest published statistics on 30 June 2025, the number of asylum seekers staying in contingency hotels in Wales was 76, compared to 53 in June 2024 and 110 in June 2023.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_4

Lord Naseby:To ask His Majesty's Government what was their total expenditure on police and crime commissioners for financial year 2024–25 and for each of the preceding 10 financial years. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office has published accredited official statistics on police funding for England and Wales, which includes funding to Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) for the period 2015-2026. The total funding for PCCs up to the financial year 2025-26 (including government funding and police precept) can be found below:

Financial Year

Total Nominal PCC funding (£ million)

2015-16

10,927

2016-17

10,998

2017-18

11,042

2018-19

11,323

2019-20

12,166

2020-21*

13,285

2021-22

13,753

2022-23**

14,625

2023-24**

15,435

2024-25**

16,564

2025-26**

17,685

Footnotes

*In 2020-21 the Home Office reimbursed all additional personal protective equipment (PPE) purchased between 27 February 2020 and 27 July 2020 and launched an Income Loss Recovery Scheme for forces to recover relevant lost income on expected sales, fees and charges against their 2020-21 budgets as a result of the pandemic. This support was provided in-year, in addition to the police funding settlement for 2020-21.

** Total funding in the table above includes in year funding for pay awards which would be different to what was announced at the time of the police funding settlements.

Due to changes in the structure of police funding and policing, it is difficult to make direct comparisons between current police funding figures prior to the financial year 2015-16. However, each year the Home Office produces a police grant report which is published and voted on by Parliament and contains grant funding allocations for the following year to be paid out under the Police Act 1996. A copy of the police grant report for the year 2014-15 is available online and in the House.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_5

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report of the Equality and Social Justice Committee of Senedd Cymru Co-operation over Conflict: Wales must act published in October, and whether they will take steps in response to its finding that there is a "tinderbox of division and discontent". \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: It is clear that there are feelings of division and frustration in this country, with people feeling the strain of economic insecurity. By recognising and addressing these concerns through some of the interventions included in the Pride in Place Strategy, we seek to improve the lives of people in this country, in the places that they live.

The Strategy announced the Government’s flagship Pride in Place programme, supporting 244 neighbourhoods with up to £20 million each over the next decade. Nine local authorities in Wales will benefit from the new programme. These areas will join five communities where work is already underway, taking the total to fourteen local authorities across Wales sharing £280 million. Local authorities will be invited to propose the communities within their areas to participate in the Pride in Place Programme for UK Government approval with capacity and capital funding to all places from Spring 2026. This funding can be used to support community cohesion interventions.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_6

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they made of advice issued by Historic England and the Twentieth Century Society relating to the listing of (1) the principal surviving buildings of the former Holborn Union Infirmary and Whittington Hospital at Archway, (2) Medlock Mill in Manchester, and (3) other buildings they have received advice on in the last year, and why they decided to go against this advice. \p Baroness Twycross: The Secretary of State is required to consult Historic England before deciding whether to designate a listed building. Decisions are informed by advice from Historic England and relevant representations from other interested parties, including the Twentieth Century Society, then made in accordance with the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the Secretary of State’s Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings (2018). The Department takes decisions on whether or not to list based on the criteria of special architectural or historic interest.

The reasoning behind the decisions in cases where there is a departure from Historic England's recommendation is detailed in decision letters to Historic England. That reasoning is then shared by Historic England alongside their notifications to interested parties of the decisions made.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_8

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to enhance data accuracy and accountability in the Office for National Statistics. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Access to accurate and impartial statistics and data is fundamental to a thriving democracy. Earlier this year, the Cabinet Office and the UK Statistics Authority commissioned a review on the performance and culture of the Office of National Statistics (ONS) after concerns were raised about the quality of our economic statistics.

The Devereux Review, the Cabinet Office and UKSA Board's official response to the Devereux Review, and the ONS’ plan for improving their economic statistics were published in June and are available on both the Cabinet Office and UK Statistics Authority websites.

Cabinet Office and HM Treasury are now working closely with ONS to progress the recommendations of the Devereux Review to enhance the quality of our data.

A new post of Permanent Secretary of the ONS has been created and filled, and a new Director General overseeing economic statistics has been appointed. The ONS is undergoing a prioritisation exercise which is focusing its resources on its core remit of producing economic, population and migration statistics. Progress is being tracked through regular meetings between Cabinet Office and the ONS.

The Cabinet Office is also clarifying the accountability and oversight arrangements of the UK Statistics Authority and ONS. The impartiality and operational autonomy of the UK Statistics Authority and ONS is essential for public trust and confidence in our official statistics, but the department must be accountable to both HM Government and Parliament for their performance and the quality of the data they produce. This relationship will be set out in a new Framework Document which will be published soon.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_9

The Earl of Clancarty:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are considering opting into the creative thinking element of the PISA test. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The testing for the current cycle of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025 study has now come to a close. The Creative Thinking domain was not offered as an option for countries and economies to participate in for the current cycle. The department will consider taking part in the options offered for the PISA study, including the Creative Thinking domain, in future PISA study cycles.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_10

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 7 October (HL10487), what change in position there has been since the same information on National Insurance numbers issued to individuals outside the United Kingdom was provided for the year beginning June 2023 in the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 17 September 2024 (HL885). \p Baroness Sherlock: HL 10487 asked specifically about the number of National Insurance Numbers issued to individuals outside the United Kingdom. That information is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

The Written Answer, HL885, provided data on the number National Insurance number allocations to adult overseas nationals entering the UK. Updated statistics covering the rolling 12 months period to June 2025 are published on the Department's Stat-Xplore tool and summarised below.

NINO Registrations To Adult Overseas Nationals Entering The UK

Nationality

Rolling year end June 2024.25

European Union

58,730

Non-European Union (Other Europe)

34,682

Asia

374,155

Rest of the World

152,748

Other / unknown

9,628

Total

629,947
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_11

Lord Cromwell:To ask His Majesty's Government what are the duties of a local authority for clearing, or paying to clear, waste illegally placed by third parties (1) within 10 metres of a public highway for which the local authority is responsible, and (2) on private land more than 10 metres from such a highway; what assessment they have made of the implications where waste is illegally left by third parties (not the landowner or occupier) beyond 10 metres from the highway; and whether they intend to take any steps as a result. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Local authorities have a duty to keep their public land clear of litter and refuse and they have enforcement powers to help them tackle fly-tipping. We encourage local authorities to investigate all incidents of fly-tipping, including those on private land, and make good use of their enforcement powers.

An assessment of the implications of waste illegally left by third parties beyond 10 metres from the highway has not been made.

Landowners are responsible for land that they own. We appreciate the difficulty and cost that fly-tipping poses to landowners and we are working with a wide range of interested parties through the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group, such as the National Farmers Union, to promote and disseminate good practice, including how to prevent fly-tipping on private land.

We have committed to forcing fly-tippers to clean up the mess they have created. We are also taking steps to develop statutory fly-tipping enforcement guidance for local authorities and are conducting a review of council powers to seize and crush vehicles of suspected fly-tippers, to identify how we could help councils make better use of this tool.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_12

Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by Citizens Advice The real cost of hidden deals, published on 26 September, in particular the finding that people experiencing financial difficulty are paying more for comparable mobile contracts than the average consumer. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: The Government was concerned that the Citizens Advice report found that people experiencing financial difficulty and those experiencing mental health problems were more likely to find negotiating their fixed telecoms deal more difficult. Officials have met Citizens Advice to understand the report’s findings in more detail.

We are committed to delivering a telecoms market which works for consumers, including clear and transparent pricing. Ofcom, the independent regulator for telecoms, has introduced requirements to make it easier for people to switch provider if they want to. Ofcom also accredits price comparison websites that meet high standards for accessibility, accuracy, and transparency.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_13

Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government why the core education offer for prisoners does not include a distinct reading curriculum. \p Lord Timpson: The core education offer in all prisons includes reading skills and their practical application. These are an integral part of literacy provision. In addition to this, prisons benefit from locally commissioned support delivered by voluntary and community sector organisations. These partners play a vital role in engaging individuals who may lack the confidence to participate in classroom-based learning, offering tailored and accessible routes into reading. Every prison now has a dedicated reading strategy, underpinned by HMPPS’s National Prison Reading Framework which supports the development and evaluation of effective reading provision.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-29 conversation_14

Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government why they have not provided additional funding to the Northern Ireland Football Fund, on the same basis as support for the redevelopment of Casement Park, to ensure parity of funding between major sports in Northern Ireland. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Northern Ireland Football Fund is an Executive initiative introduced in 2011. The Government has provided funding to grassroots clubs throughout Northern Ireland, many of which are football clubs. DCMS invests in grassroots facilities in Northern Ireland through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, and will announce further projects in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_1

Viscount Trenchard:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the external scrutiny team of the Council of the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations will be equally independent of the Ministry of Defence if the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations are converted into a non-departmental public body. \p Lord Coaker: Defence Ministers greatly value the independent reports produced by the External Scrutiny Team (EST). The future of the EST will likely be a topic for discussion once the new Armed Forces Commissioner is appointed. We would seek to retain the independence of the EST if there are any changes to the extant arrangements.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_2

Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton:To ask His Majesty's Government how many more service complaints they expect to receive following the enactment of the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill and its provision for families to submit such complaints; and what estimate they have made of the budget uplift required to deal with any such increase. \p Lord Coaker: While the Armed Forces Commissioner will absorb the functions of the existing Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces, the Bill does not make any substantive changes to the Service Complaints System. Families will not be able to access the Service Complaints system, which is specifically designed for serving personnel. The Bill focuses instead on the additional powers and functions the Commissioner will have to launch and report on investigations into general service welfare matters.

The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for service families, providing a route for families to raise concerns on matters which could form the topic of a service welfare investigation. The financial implications of establishing and maintaining the office of the Armed Forces Commissioner, with their additional functions, are estimated to be within the range of £4.5 - £5.5m per year. This is only an initial estimate and represents a significant uplift on the annual running costs of the Service Complaints Ombudsman. The 2023 expenditure for the Service Complaints Ombudsman was in the region of £1.8m.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_3

Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton:To ask His Majesty's Government how many hours per day staff in (1) the Army, (2) the Royal Navy, (3) the Royal Air Force, and (4) Strategic Command, spend dealing with a service complaint on average; and what estimate they have made of the cost of such staff time in each of the last five years. \p Lord Coaker: This information is not routinely recorded and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_4

Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard:To ask His Majesty's Government what financial commitment there is to the Reserve Forces and Cadet Associations to ensure their positive roles are enhanced. \p Lord Coaker: The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCAs) provide a vital role in supporting Defence activity. Their future funding is assured as part of the Ministry of Defence’s Annual Budget Cycle processes. Financial information for the RFCAs can be found in the published Consolidated Financial Statements in their Annual Reports and Accounts, the latest three of which were placed in the Library of the House on 22 October 2024. These documents extend to Financial Year (FY) 2022-23 and can be found as Deposited Papers at the following website: https://depositedpapers.parliament.uk/depositedpaper/2286623/details.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_5

Lord Mountevans:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, through independent reviews, of the effectiveness of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations in building links with (1) the business community and (2) the wider civic community. \p Lord Coaker: The most recent Review of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCAs) was conducted in 2019 and published on 24 March 2020, being placed in the Library of the House. This robust and impartial Review acknowledged that a key strength of the RFCAs is their extensive volunteer membership. This membership brings with it a breadth of expertise and linkages, likely drawn from across both the local business and civic communities, that enable the RFCAs to perform their functions.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_6

Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton:To ask His Majesty's Government how many extra posts have been recruited to process service complaints under Volunteer ex-Regular Reserve contracts or other reservist terms and condition of service by (1) the Army, (2) the Royal Navy, (3) the Royal Air Force, and (4) Strategic Command, in each of the last five years. \p Lord Coaker: The following information details how many extra reservist posts have been recruited by the single Services in each year in order to process Service Complaints. The data has been provided by the three Services, who manage the Service Complaints process. Service Complaints are managed by the single Services, not by Commands, and thus Strategic Command is not included.

Royal Navy

Army

Royal Air Force
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_7

Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie:To ask His Majesty's Government what assistance the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations provide for recruiting reservists and cadet instructors. \p Lord Coaker: The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCAs) offer support to recruitment in multiple ways.

The RFCAs provide media and communications support, including through the provision of small grants from regionally generated income for both Reserve and Cadet units to produce recruiting materials. The RFCA communications teams also support Cadet units with social media aimed at increasing awareness of the cadets and to encourage young people and adults to join. The results have been significant; recent social media campaigns have seen a 200% increase in expressions of interest.

The RFCAs also showcase the Reserves and Cadets with bespoke short films at Lord-Lieutenants’ Awards ceremonies, reinforced with other media around those events. Annual online Cadet Adult Recognition Awards are hugely popular – highlights are then used to advertise adult volunteering on our social media platforms. RFCAs also support County shows and other engagement opportunities that support and enable recruitment.

The RFCA’s Permanent Support Staff manage the in-flow of Cadet Force Adult Volunteers to cadet units, including some recruitment process administration, and it’s Volunteer Estate output actively supports recruitment by providing modern, well-maintained Cadet training centre or Army Reserve Centres that are attractive to potential new recruits.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_8

Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie:To ask His Majesty's Government how many county committees there are in the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations. \p Lord Coaker: The County Committees, of which there are 26, form a valuable part of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_9

Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office on 19 November 2024 (HC14117), and with reference to page 16 of the Cabinet Office Guidance on Ministers' transparency returns published in April 2024, whether TikTok is classified as a relevant media organisation for the specific reporting purposes of that guidance; and whether Ministers are required to declare all social, official and political meetings with senior media executives of TikTok in their Ministerial Quarterly Transparency Returns. \p Baroness Twycross: Updated guidance on ministers’ meetings was published on 30 January 2025 and includes details of who would be considered senior media figures for these purposes.

The relevant section of the guidance is provided below:

Senior media figures i.e., newspaper, broadcast, and other media proprietors, editors and senior executives are outlined in the table below. Meetings with media figures of equivalent seniority should also be declared in accordance with these guidelines.

a. Where ministers meet with senior media figures, the names of the attendees, their job title, and the organisation they represent should be included regardless of the purpose of the meeting.

b. Official meetings with representatives of media organisations operating below the level of senior media figures must also be declared.

Category

Proprietors

Editors

Senior Executives

Newspapers (including regional publications and online editions)

Chair/ Owner

The Editor, all Senior Editorial Staff including Political, Business, Economic Editors and Deputy Editors.

CEOs

Broadcasters (including regional broadcasters)

Chair/ Owner

All Senior Editorial Staff including Political, Business, Economic and Deputy Editors, Channel Controllers, Directors of Programming and Radio Controllers

Directors General CEOs
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_10

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Twycross on 27 January (HL3974), whether contracting authorities that fail to publish pipeline notices under section 93 of the Procurement Act 2023 are subject to financial penalties; and if not, what consideration has been given to introducing such penalties to encourage compliance. \p Baroness Twycross: The Procurement Act 2023 does not contain financial penalties for failure to publish pipeline notices. There are sufficient remedies and processes in place to manage compliance and the Cabinet Office considers it would not be good use of public funds to introduce such a measure. As per the previous answer (HL3974), Cabinet Office is establishing the Procurement Review Unit which will play a big part in procurement oversight and any non-compliance will be monitored and potentially investigated in detail.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_11

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to pages 8 and 64 of the Sourcing Playbook, published in June 2023, how many suppliers are currently classified as "public sector dependent suppliers". \p Baroness Twycross: The Cabinet Office maintains a list of public sector dependent suppliers where the suppliers have a contractual obligation to confirm their status to us. 7 suppliers have currently notified us that they are public sector dependent suppliers. The Cabinet Office does not hold a list of all public sector dependent suppliers.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_12

Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government how much of the capital allocation for the three waves of the New Hospital Programme is now guaranteed; and which of the waves are subject to future spending reviews. \p Baroness Merron: The Government has agreed a set of realistic and deliverable assumptions around the ongoing funding envelope that will enable the programme to plan sustainably for the long term and support schemes in rolling waves of investment. The exact profile of the funding will be confirmed in rolling five-year waves at regular Spending Reviews, as with all Government capital budgets in the future.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_13

Lord Kamall:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress the Department for Health and Social Care has made in (1) collecting data on the experience of young people with cancer regarding clinical trials, and (2) increasing transparency in accessing available data on young people’s experiences with cancer clinical trials. \p Baroness Merron: The research participant experience is an essential part of delivering a world-class research system with participant feedback providing research delivery teams, study sponsors and the Department with actionable data to improve accessibility of health and care studies, and increase recruitment rates and retention of participants.

The Department-funded National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has operated the Participant in Research Experience Survey (PRES) since 2015/16, which aims to offer as many research participants as possible the chance to contribute their experiences of taking part in research. PRES currently operates nationally across the NIHR Research Delivery Network portfolio and is offered to all participants in eligible cancer studies including young people.

To improve data collection on research experience, NIHR is currently exploring a national roll-out of a digital PRES which will increase ease and access for participants to provide feedback on their experience. This system will also be scalable beyond the NIHR Research Delivery Network Portfolio.

To increase transparency in accessing available data on participants’ experiences of research, the PRES dashboard can be accessed by users from across the research system with the following email address domains: nhs.uk, nhs.net, nhs.scot, dh.gsi.gov.uk, ac.uk, hscni.net, nrs.org.uk, mhra.gov.uk, gov.uk, ncri.org.uk.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_14

Baroness Altmann:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that low-paid workers in net pay workplace pension schemes can receive the same level of tax relief as they would if their employer used a relief at source scheme; and, if so, when they intend to implement them. \p Lord Livermore: Non-taxpayers who save in relief at source pension arrangements are better off than those using net pay schemes. Legislation introduced in 2023 requires HMRC to make a top-up payment to affected individuals.

The government remains committed to this policy which will see approximately one million individuals in net pay schemes offered an annual payment of around £70. This means that individuals should receive similar outcomes regardless of whether they are members of a relief at source or a net pay pension scheme.

HMRC are developing the IT solution to identify eligible individuals and make these payments. Top-up payments will be made for tax-year 2024-25 and subsequent years. The first payment for 2024-25 will be offered to eligible individuals in 2026.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-14 conversation_15

Lord Booth:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the level of growth expected during this parliament as a result of the expansion of Heathrow Airport to three runways. \p Lord Livermore: Expanding Heathrow would have significant growth benefits. These include:

• Billions invested into the economy, with the potential to create over 100,000 jobs, according to the current Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS)• Strengthening Heathrow’s status both as a global passenger hub and as the UK’s largest air freight hub by volume• Major benefits for passengers, including lower fares and reduced delays and opportunities for a greater choice of airlines and destinations

A recent report from Frontier Economics suggested a third runway could increase potential GDP by 0.43% in 2050, with 60% of the economic boost from Heathrow expansion going to areas outside London and South-East.

The government expects to see progress being made on Heathrow expansion during this parliament and will introduce a Planning and Infrastructure Bill to speed up and streamline the planning process and accelerate the delivery of major infrastructure projects.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_1

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government how many people with skills in (1) cybersecurity, and (2) artificial intelligence, have applied to settle in the UK in the past 12 months, and how many of those applications were successful. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The information requested is not available from published statistics and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_2

Lord Cameron of Lochiel:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the application of the devolution settlement with Scotland in relation to the Scottish Government's proposed fund to support international social care workers who are without sponsored employment elsewhere in the UK to relocate to work in Scotland. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The proposal to support international social workers who are without sponsored employment elsewhere in the UK to relocate to Scotland appears to be compatible with the existing immigration system and we encourage efforts to support displaced care workers find new employment.

The Home office and UK Visa and Immigration have been working with the Scottish Government to provide practical support for international social care workers who are without sponsored employment.

Health and social care policy is devolved and therefore the provision of social care, funding and workforce planning in Scotland is the responsibility of the Scottish Government.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_3

Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk of extreme left-wing terrorism in the UK, including Antifa and related groups. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The UK’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, provides a comprehensive framework for tackling all forms of terrorism and is kept under constant review to ensure our approach remains fit for purpose in response to emerging risks and challenges.

As outlined in the publication of the most recent iteration of CONTEST, in July 2023, Left Wing, Anarchist and Single-Issue Terrorism (LASIT) currently represents a significantly smaller terrorist threat to the UK than Islamist terrorism or ERWT and is not currently present in the UK at any significant scale.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_4

Lord Cameron of Lochiel:To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports that crime groups based in Birmingham, Liverpool and London have county lines operations in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, how they are working with the Scottish Government to combat county lines gang activity. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: County Lines is the most violent model of drug supply and a harmful form of child criminal exploitation. Through the County Lines Programme, we are targeting exploitative drug dealing gangs while breaking the organised crime groups behind this trade.

Between July 2024 and June 2025, law enforcement activity through the County Lines Programme taskforces has resulted in more than 2,300 deal lines closed, 6,200 arrests (including the arrest and subsequent charge of over 1,100 deal line holders), 3,200 safeguarding referrals of children and vulnerable people, and 600 knives seized.

While the majority of county lines originate from the areas covered by the Metropolitan Police Service, West Midlands Police, Merseyside Police, Greater Manchester Police and West Yorkshire Police, we recognise that this is a national issue which affects all forces, which is why we fund the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre (NCLCC) to monitor the intelligence picture and co-ordinate a national law enforcement response.

NCLCC’s most recent Strategic Assessment found that Scotland was one of the top five importing areas for county lines in 2023/24. The County Lines Programme taskforces conduct joint operations with Police Scotland and are committed to intelligence sharing and cooperation to tackle county lines. In addition, NCLCC regularly coordinates national weeks of intensive action against county lines gangs, which police forces, including Police Scotland take part in.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_5

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government how many incidents there have been of drone sightings in the vicinity of high security military establishments in the UK this year; and what steps they have taken to identify and capture those drones. \p Lord Coaker: Since 1 January 2025 there have been a total of 187 drone sightings in the vicinity of military establishments in the UK. We will not comment on the sensitivity of establishments or our specific security arrangements in relation to identifying and capturing drones, however we can assure you that we take the safety and security of our personnel, assets and operations extremely seriously. We maintain multi-layered security measures, including counter-drone capabilities which can identify and facilitate the capture of drones.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_6

Baroness Hoey:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the recent ceasefire in the war in Gaza has changed the decision of the Royal College of Defence Studies to ban Israeli soldiers next year. \p Lord Coaker: The Royal College of Defence Studies is a constituent part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), responsible for the implementation of UK Government policy.

The UK has a long history of providing assistance to other nations in the security and justice fields and continues to do so around the world. UK training courses promote British values, including human rights, democracy, and compliance with international humanitarian law.

The MOD decided to pause future Israeli participation on UK training and education courses until the situation in Gaza and the West Bank had been satisfactorily addressed. Since the ceasefire we have continued to monitor the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and we will keep this decision under review.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_7

Lord Naseby:To ask His Majesty's Government what proposals they have to encourage combined cadet force units in state schools. \p Lord Coaker: I refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave him on 27 October 2024, to Question HL10931.

Combined Cadet Forces Schools (pdf, 73.4KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_8

Lord Naseby:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to place an order for UK companies to supply first-person view drones. \p Lord Coaker: It is vital we invest our defence spending in the UK wherever possible to grow our economy and industrial base. Noting the role drones play in modern warfighting, the Strategic Defence Review announced a total of £2 billion investment in autonomy in this Parliament, taking our total investment in Defence autonomy to £4 billion. How we will spend this autonomy fund, including drones of all forms, will be decided as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_9

Lord West of Spithead:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the rules have been relaxed on Sea Cadets attending memorial and ceremonial events where alcoholic drinks will be available for adults. \p Lord Coaker: The Government has not relaxed the rules regarding Sea Cadets attending memorial and ceremonial events where alcohol is present. Safeguarding remains paramount, and existing guidance continues to ensure that cadets are appropriately supervised and that their participation in such events is managed in line with youth protection standards.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_10

Lord West of Spithead:To ask His Majesty's Government whether approval has been given for guards formed of Sea Cadets to carry rifles on the same basis as all the other cadet forces. \p Lord Coaker: The Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) operates in accordance with policies set by the Marine Society and Sea Cadet Charity. In doing so, SCC remain compliant with Ministry of Defence (MOD) regulations governing all cadet forces. Cadets aged 12 and over may participate in rifle range shooting under MOD cadet force conditions. Those under 12 are limited to prone air rifle use.

Rifles may be carried for ceremonial duties with formal approval, as part of the SCC’s structured advancement syllabus and drill training, in accordance with Sea Cadet Regulations. New armouries/secure rooms will be required in some locations to meet MOD standards for secure storage and sustainment of cadet weapon systems.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_11

Lord Lee of Trafford:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Coaker on 17 October (HL10809), whether they will now answer the question put, namely what progress they have made in providing the United Kingdom with the ability to deliver airborne nuclear weapons, and what is the projected timetable of such capability. \p Lord Coaker: Further details on the delivery of defence capabilities and timelines will be published in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. This includes details relating to the acquisition of the 12 F-35A aircraft which the UK will contribute to NATO’s dual capable aircraft nuclear mission.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_12

Lord Elliott of Mickle Fell:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Sherlock on 13 October (HL Deb col 12), whether there is academic research to evidence that the Employment Rights Bill will be a driver of productivity; and, if so, what the research shows. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: On Monday 21 October 2024, the Government published the Employment Rights Bill: economic analysis and summary impact assessment. The analysis shows that the Employment Rights Bill could have a small but direct and positive, impact on economic growth. It cites academic evidence linking stronger employment protections to improved productivity and highlights that better job security, wellbeing, and reduced undercutting of good employers may lead to a more productive workforce.

This assessment is grounded in the best available evidence developed in consultation with experts, including academics.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_13

Lord Porter of Spalding:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Aerospace Technology Institute has provided grants using public funds to (1) British Airways, (2) Airbus, (3) Polvair Plc, (4) Farnborough International, (5) Cadence Design Systems, (6) GKN Aerospace, (7) Spirit AeroSystems, and (8) Bombardier, since 2014; and if so, how many grants in each case. \p Lord Stockwood: The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) is an independent advisory organisation to government and industry and does not itself award grant funding. Grants under the ATI Programme are awarded by Innovate UK on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to support innovation in the UK aerospace sector. Details of all ATI Programme grants, including recipients and values, are published by Innovate UK and can be accessed online at: https://www.ukri.org/publications/innovate-uk-funded-projects-since-2004/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_14

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government how the responsible business conduct review will reflect the interconnection between human rights, labour rights and environmental harms as aspects of responsible business conduct, and address impacts across the full value chain, both domestically and internationally. \p Lord Stockwood: This is precisely what the review is looking at. Human rights, labour rights and environmental harms are inherently interconnected. The responsible business conduct review is considering the effectiveness of the UK’s current regime and alternative measures to support responsible business practices across UK and global value chains.

The review is focused on a range of issues related to responsible business conduct, including human rights, labour rights and environmental harms. Recognising the interconnections between these harms is a core principle of the review.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_15

Lord Spellar:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Lloyd of Effra on 20 October (HL10843), whether the Department and Minister have any oversight or responsibility for the Certification Officer and the fulfilment of their duties and responsibilities. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: The Certification Officer accounts to Parliament by making their annual report, which is laid before Parliament and published by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State has the power to remove the Certification Officer, but only where the Certification Officer has been adjudged bankrupt, convicted of a criminal offence, has demonstrated misconduct, is incapacitated, or is otherwise unable or unfit to hold the office.

However, the Certification Officer is independent in how they exercise their statutory functions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_16

Lord Porter of Spalding:To ask His Majesty's Government how much funding they have allocated to the Aerospace Technology Institute in each financial year since 2014. \p Lord Stockwood: The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) is an independent organisation that is co-funded by government and industry to support innovation and growth within the UK aerospace sector. The Government grant allocations to the ATI for each financial year since 2014 are as below. These grants are for administration and do not include the cost of grants for R&D awarded to industry and the research base.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_17

The Earl of Clancarty:To ask His Majesty's Government when the final report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review will be published. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review’s final report and recommendations will be published imminently. The government’s response will be published alongside this.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-04 conversation_18

Lord Black of Brentwood:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made an impact assessment of proposals to increase charges payable by independent schools for Ofsted inspections; and if so, whether they will publish that assessment. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department launched an 8 week consultation on 25 September 2025 on the subject of reducing the subsidy for Ofsted inspection fees. The consultation document is publicly available and sets out how Ofsted-inspected private schools will be affected by the proposed fee increases.