theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-17 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-17 conversation_18

Lord Booth:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce honorary titles for (1) spouses of female peers, and (2) same-sex spouses of male peers; and what consideration they have given to the perception of discrimination in the current practice where only female spouses of male peers are granted such titles. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Government notes this particular issue whereby spouses of female peers and same-sex spouses of male peers are not granted a courtesy title.

Whilst the Government is sympathetic to the principle, there are no plans for wider reform in this area. The Government is focused on delivering its manifesto commitments to reform of the House of Lords.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-17 conversation_19

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 28 January (HL3970), why the reclassification of the sub-lease from an operating lease to a finance lease was not reflected in the 2022–23 accounts or identified during its 2022–23 audit, given that the deed of variation was agreed in March 2023; and why it was only corrected in the 2023–24 accounts. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The reclassification of the sub-lease from an operating lease to a finance lease arose due to a correction in a sub-lease extension which was identified during 2023/24.

A lease end extension that was agreed by both parties in February 2023 was not clearly documented in the Deed of Variation, resulting in GPA’s Horizon system incorrectly recording the lease end date as 2033. As a result, this was accounted for as an operating lease as at March 2023.

The error in the lease end date was identified during 2023/24 when the Deed of Variation needed updating for occupancy and rent setting changes. At this point, the Horizon system was updated to reflect the correct lease end date of 2045. Correcting the lease end date changed the classification from an operating lease to a finance lease.

GPA has strengthened its control processes as a result of identifying this error. Unambiguous data tables are now attached to each occupancy agreement and signed off by both Property and Finance teams to: prevent future misinterpretation of lease terms, ensure the accurate uploading of lease data onto the Horizon system, and ensure that the accounting for leases accurately reflects the agreed lease terms.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government how many government reviews they have initiated since the 2024 general election; and what is their estimated cost. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Government regularly reviews its work to ensure that it is delivering the best outcomes for the people of the United Kingdom, and that its policies continue to represent the best value for the taxpayer. Individual departments are responsible for publishing any information on public reviews, consultations and investigations on gov.uk, although there will always be internal work in government departments which we would not ordinarily or routinely publish.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-17 conversation_21

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent government procurement suppliers from facing legal or regulatory action for bidding for public procurement contracts while being investigated by authorities under the Procurement Act 2023. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Procurement Act, which comes into force on 24 February 2025, will allow the Government to investigate high-risk suppliers on behalf of the entire public sector.

International debarment lists can be considered as part of a debarment investigation that determines whether an exclusion ground applies and enables a Minister of the Crown to decide whether the supplier should be placed on the debarment list.

A live debarment investigation does not prevent a supplier from bidding for public contracts or provide a basis for any further regulatory or legal action against the supplier.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the Government Commercial Function’s report Raising standards: our ambition (17 May 2024), whether they will publish the findings and recommendations of Procurement Review Unit investigations on Gov.uk; and what assessment they have made of the merits of requiring their publication by default, except where necessary to safeguard national security or sensitive commercial information. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: In accordance with Part 10, the results of any investigations, including any s.109 recommendations and progress reports submitted by the contracting authority may be published, assessed on a case by case basis. Such documents will be published on GOV.UK. Any s.109 recommendations will be issued to support the contracting authority’s compliance with the requirements of the Act and follow a lessons learned approach in order for contracting authorities to reflect on their own approach to compliance and identify areas for improvement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-17 conversation_23

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the Government Commercial Function’s report Raising standards: our ambition (17 May 2024), whether the Procurement Review Unit has powers to compel disclosure of procurement-related documents and conduct on-site audits of contracting authorities; and if not, whether they have conducted an assessment of the feasibility of amending the Procurement Act 2023 to grant such powers. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Procurement Review Unit (PRU) has been established to exercise the procurement oversight powers set out in Part 10 of the Procurement Act 2023 (the Act). Part 10 comprises three provisions (sections 108-110) which provide for the investigation of a contracting authority’s compliance with the requirements of the Act, the issuing of recommendations to a contracting authority following an investigation and the publishing of statutory guidance to all contracting authorities.

Under section 108 (procurement investigations) the PRU can formally request, via notice, that a relevant contracting authority provide documents and give assistance in connection with the investigation, as is reasonable. The contracting authority has 30 days to comply with the notice.

The conducting of on-site visits to aid investigations may fall under the scope of “give assistance” and would be by mutual agreement between the PRU and the contracting authority. The circumstances giving rise to an on-site visit would have to be proportionate and relevant to the investigation. On-site audits or visits are not currently contemplated as part of a standard PRU investigation, and nor are we considering an amendment to Part 10 of the Act to provide such powers, although the procurement oversight powers and processes will remain under review as the new regime embeds.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord Spellar:To ask His Majesty's Government what has been the cost to date for the UK Covid-19 Inquiry; and what estimate they have made of the future budget in each of the next two years. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: It is important that lessons are learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is independent of government and it is right that we allow the Chair to continue her important work. The Chair is under a statutory obligation to avoid unnecessary costs in the Inquiry’s work, and she has been clear in her intention to complete her work as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry publishes quarterly financial reports outlining the cost to date of the Inquiry. As of the end of Quarter 2 for 2024/25, the total expenditure of the Inquiry is £124.18m. New Q3 costs will be published in the usual way.

Additionally, the Cabinet Office regularly publishes government costs in responding to the Inquiry. From the start of the 2023/24 financial year to the end of Q2 2024/25, the government response costs total £64.6m.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord True:To ask His Majesty's Government which current members of the House of Lords will reach the age of 80 by 4 July 2029, listed by Party or group. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The table below shows the number of members of the House of Lords who will reach the age of 80 or above in the year 2029:

Group

Number of members

Conservatives

89

Labour

96

Crossbench

93

Liberal Democrat

38

Other

20

This information is drawn from the House of Lords Library website (House of Lords data dashboard: Current membership of the House) and is based on composition as of 27 January 2025. These figures include members who are life peers, law lords and hereditary peers, but excludes the Lords Spiritual, who are required to retire on reaching the age of 70.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office on 13 September 2024 (HC4702) and on 14 January (HC22201), whether the “last resort” test remains government policy when creating a new arm's-length body. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Yes. When establishing a new body, it is for Departments to demonstrate how the proposed body meets at least one of the “three tests”. The Cabinet Office and the Treasury have a detailed process in place for the approval of new public bodies to ensure there is sufficient due diligence to establish a clear rationale for a proposed body.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office on 16 January (HC22996), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the template form or questionnaire that Ministers are required to complete as part of the ministerial interests process set out in Part B, Chapter 3 of the Ministerial Code. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: As set out in the Ministerial Code, the List of Ministers’ Interests is published on a quarterly basis and provides details of those interests held by ministers that are judged relevant for publication by the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

Information about the process by which ministers declare interests, including details of the categories of interest declared, is available in the introduction to the List of Ministers’ Interests, which is already published.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government how many central government organisations have submitted business cases for pay flexibility under the Civil Service Pay Remit Guidance 2024–25, published on 29 July 2024; and how many have been approved. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: For 2024/2025, the Cabinet Office has received 11 business cases. Of these, two have been approved to date.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government how many government departments currently lack a strategic asset management plan; and what actions they are taking to ensure that all departments have one. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The UK Government Functional Standard for Property GovS 004 sets expectations for the management of government property - including mandating a forward-looking strategic asset management plan (SAMP).

Departments are responsible for their own asset plans, and the Office of Government Property in the Cabinet Office supports their planning as part of the assurance process for the property function. Departments are asked to share their ‘working copy’ plans each year, which provides the ‘functional centre’ with an overview of their strategic intentions to help inform the development of cross-government policy and programmes.

In 2024, all but one ministerial department produced an asset plan. By agreement, some departments did not produce a stand alone plan but are featured in the Government Property Agency’s office portfolio SAMP as its clients. The Government Chief Property Officer is currently writing to all Property Leaders in Departments reminding them of their responsibility to have an up to date strategic asset management plan.

Government Functional Standard - GovS 004: Propert (pdf, 725.0KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord Teverson:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prepare for the implementation of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on UK/EU trade from January 2026. \p Baroness Gustafsson: Following its transitional period, the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will enter its definitive regime from January 2026. UK officials have been discussing CBAM requirements with the EU and engaging affected businesses to support them in responding to new requirements.

EU CBAM implementation and guidance remains fundamentally a matter for the European Commission and National Competent Authorities. The Commission website is the most up to date source of information for businesses seeking guidance on requirements https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism_en.

Businesses experiencing EU market access issues in relation to CBAM may wish to seek additional support via the Government’s UK Export Support Service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord Rogan:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they are making in agreeing a trade deal with Canada. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Secretary of State met with his Canadian counterpart Trade Minister Mary Ng at the G7 in July last year; they discussed the paused bilateral FTA and agreed that senior officials should begin discussions to see if there could be a pathway to resuming negotiations.

Minister Alexander met with Minister Ng twice since then, including in Vancouver last November where they agreed that these discussions should continue, and they remain ongoing. Meanwhile, the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement remains in force, facilitating approximately £27 billion in bilateral trade.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord Freyberg:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of domestic construction materials production capacity, including; (1) the current proportion of construction materials used in the UK which are imported; (2) opportunities to increase domestic production; (3) strategic priorities for reducing import dependency; and (4) key materials for which domestic production could be expanded. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The government's Plan for Change milestones of 1.5 million new homes over five years and 150 decisions on major infrastructure projects by the end of the Parliament, will see a significant increase in demand for construction materials, that will provide greater certainty for construction material suppliers. Currently 75% of all construction materials used in the UK are made in the UK. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) works closely with the Construction Leadership Council's Materials Supply Chain Group on product availability, and regularly reviews opportunities to address capability and capacity gaps, including through targeted Foreign Direct Investment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government which specific provisions in (1) the free trade agreement between the UK and Australia, (2) the free trade agreement between the UK and New Zealand, and (3) the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, relate to the Windsor Framework. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: Specific provisions relating to the Windsor Framework are included in Chapter 1 of the Australia and New Zealand Free Trade Agreements, and in the Accession Protocol of the United Kingdom for CPTPP. The Windsor Framework applies to goods imports, and businesses in Northern Ireland can export goods under our Free Trade Agreements, including those with Australia, New Zealand, and CPTPP parties, in the same way that businesses anywhere in the United Kingdom can.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address sectarian divisions around the world, as part of the United Kingdom's contribution to conflict transformation. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: Recognising the UK's fundamental role as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, which has brought peace and prosperity to Northern Ireland, the UK continues to draw on the lessons and experiences of the people of Northern Ireland through working with peacebuilding organisations and arranging study tours for people from conflict affected states. Following the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Dublin, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is building closer co-operation on peacebuilding ahead of the UK-Ireland Summit.

The UK continues to invest in the Peacebuilding Fund, the UN's primary mechanism supporting prevention and peacebuilding activity in over 40 countries including Sudan, South Sudan, West Africa, and the Sahel. The UK has contributed over £175 million since the inception of the Peacebuilding Fund in 2006, including £5 million for 2024-2025.

In Lebanon, the UK's Conflict, Stability and Security Fund programme is supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Force to be able to manage and respond to internal security threats, including sectarian and inter-communal tensions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Baroness Helic:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to support measures to document the locations of reported mass graves in Gaza; and what representations they have made to, or received from, the International Commission on Missing Persons regarding the protection of such sites, conducting investigations, and facilitating the reliable identification of human remains. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: We have not made, or received, representations from the International Commission of Missing Persons. It has not been possible to send equipment to Gaza, required to conduct such investigations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Baroness Northover:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 29 January (HL4113), what were the achievements and outcomes of the female genital mutilation grants provided. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK supports local organisations through our Africa-Led movement to End Female Genital Mutilation: Phase II programme. The full list of organisations who received Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) grants during this period is available on: https://thegirlgeneration.org/eeey-grantees/. The grant mechanism was fully operational in 2024, granting to 53 organisations, with a focus on small grassroots organisations. The grants ranged from £400 to £100,000.

Evaluation assessments are taking place in March 2025 to understand the full impact of the grants. Early results show that from April 2024 to December 2024, grantee partners reached over 64,159 people through locally-led, community-based end-FGM initiatives. These included meetings with religious and community leaders, training, and support to girl champions, and school-based initiatives. Small grantee partners have made inroads into harder to reach communities. The programme has supported nine grantee partner representatives and 12 champions to participate in national, regional or global advocacy spaces. 46 grantees have also reported stronger organisational capacity, structures and systems.

In addition, the UK is funding local organisations through mechanisms such as the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women and the Equality Fund. Some of these grantees are prioritising FGM, for example, the UNTF supported International Solidarity Foundation in Somalia (2020-2023), which has increased the proportion of religious leaders who believed that all types of FGM are harmful from 52 per cent to 96 per cent.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord Moylan:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Nigeria regarding the abduction of Fr Cornelius Manzak Damulak in Abuja on 6 February; and what assessment they have made of the wider impact of kidnappings on religious communities in Nigeria. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: While the UK Government condemns all violence, including kidnaps, across Nigeria we do not routinely engage on instances of non-UK citizens being kidnapped as this is a matter for the Nigerian authorities. Kidnapping for ransom is sadly a widespread practice in Nigeria, particularly in the North-West where banditry is prevalent. Kidnappings often have financial rather than religious motives and communities of all religions and beliefs are vulnerable. With assistance from the UK National Crime Agency, a Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAKFC) has been established to support cooperation between Nigeria's security and justice agencies. This will both reduce the harm to victims and hold those responsible to account.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of remarks by Tony Blair to The Times on 1 February regarding the potential use of digital identity to help solve immigration and other problems. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: Digital right to work and right to rent checks are already in place for migrants and British or Irish citizens. For British passport, and Irish passport or passport card holders, employers and landlords can already choose to use digital identity services which are independently certified against Government standards. This can reduce business costs and enable individuals to access work and housing much faster, and more easily.

Foreign nationals can also use their eVisa to evidence their status in the UK and for identification purposes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord Roborough:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress has been made on negotiations regarding the pre-Brexit EU fishing quota in UK waters for UK fishing boats from 30 June 2026. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) was established when the UK left the EU. For fisheries, this provides full reciprocal access to exclusive economic zones, and certain access to territorial waters. This reciprocal access has a five-and-a-half-year adjustment period until June 2026. After June 2026, EU access to UK waters (and vice versa) becomes a matter for annual negotiation under the TCA, as is typical between coastal States.

We know that the EU want a new multi-year access agreement. The UK are happy to listen to what the EU have to say but we will protect the interests of the UK fishing industry and continue to fulfil our commitments to protect the marine environment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to continue funding the work of rural housing enablers in facilitating affordable housing in rural areas. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: DEFRA’s current Rural Housing Enabler programme began in 2023. It provides grant funding to ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) to deliver and manage a network of independent advisors who work with communities to develop affordable housing schemes across rural England. The advisors help identify suitable development opportunities in communities, and support site owners and community representatives to navigate the planning system and create developments that meet the needs of local people. This funding is set to continue until the end of the current spending review period. We have bid for continued funding next year, but no commitments or announcements can be made until the wider business planning process is finalised.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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The Lord Bishop of Norwich:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impacts of nitrogen pollution, and what plans they have to tackle it. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Government will be providing a detailed response covering this question in written evidence to the Lords Inquiry on Nitrogen. Nitrogen - Committees - UK Parliament.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Baroness Hodgson of Abinger:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 3 February (HL4305 and HL4306), what is their timescale to decide the next steps and respond to the ‘Fairer food labelling’ consultation, which ran from 12 March to 7 May 2024. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: A public consultation on fairer food labelling was undertaken last year by the previous Government. We are now carefully considering all responses before deciding on next steps. We recognise that this is an important matter and will respond to this consultation as soon as we are able to.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Baroness Pidgeon:To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to increasing the use of battery trains as a discontinuous electrification solution to decarbonising the railways; and what is their timescale for full-scale implementation. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Government expects battery technology to play an important role in the decarbonisation of the railway. In the UK, battery trains are already being deployed by both Transport for Wales and Merseyrail, and we are working closely with colleagues in Network Rail to identify lines that may be suitable for further battery rollout in the future. Any decision on further battery rollout will need to be made in parallel with decisions on the necessary infrastructure to enable their operation, and we will continue to support their deployment where it makes operational, economic and affordable sense.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Baroness Pidgeon:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had regarding the completion of the York railway station capacity project providing a third track between York and Skelton Junction; and what consideration they have given to providing further funding for that project. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: In December 2025 the Chancellor launched the second stage of the Spending Review. This is a zero-based Spending Review, to ensure every line of spending – including the transport infrastructure portfolio – delivers the Plan for Change and provides good value for taxpayers. We expect the Spending Review to conclude by June 2025, and will therefore be unable to comment on the status of individual projects until that point. I can confirm, however, that delivery of the scheme is not required to enable introduction of the proposed recast East Coast Main Line timetable, scheduled for December 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord Balfe:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to assess the feasibility of initiating direct flights between the United Kingdom and Northern Cyprus. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: Under the 1944 Chicago Convention, only the Republic of Cyprus may designate Ercan as an international airport and grant permission for flights. It has not done so. This means that no direct air services between the north of Cyprus and the UK can take place as it would be contrary to the UK’s obligations under the Chicago Convention.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support people with a musculoskeletal condition back into work, and whether they plan to use chiropractors to help people return people to work. \p Baroness Sherlock: Improving health and work outcomes for the over 20 million people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in the UK forms a key part of this government's missions to build an NHS fit for the future and kickstart economic growth.

Healthcare professionals play a vital prevention and early intervention role in supporting people to self-manage their musculoskeletal (MSK) condition and enabling them to get in and get on in work.

The 2025 Healthcare Professionals’ Consensus Statement for action on health and work, published 20 January 2025, commits to work over the next five years to support healthcare professionals, including allied health professionals, to engage more proactively with, and to promote ‘good work as a health outcome’ across the health and care sector. This will support patients, including with MSK conditions, to return and remain in good work.

To support people back into work, the Occupational Health Workforce Expansion Funding Scheme (launched July 2023) funded registered health professionals to undertake occupational health training and qualifications. To date, over 200 doctors and nurses have commenced training.

Government recognises the role complementary and alternative medicine treatments such as chiropractic can play in supporting people. NHS England does not currently support or commission chiropractic care in the NHS.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress has been made by the Independent Pornography Review, and when they expect the findings of that review to be published. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Independent Pornography Review assessed the effectiveness of current pornography legislation, regulation, and enforcement. This is an important area of interest for this government. The Review has now concluded. The government is assessing its findings, and the final report will be published in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage technology start-ups to scale-up and remain in the UK. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: This Government is committed to supporting the digital economy, removing barriers to inclusive economic growth, and ensuring that the UK continues to be one of the best places in the world for our great tech businesses to start, scale and stay. Programmes such as the SEIS/EIS schemes, R&D Tax Credits and various visa routes demonstrate the UK’s commitment to supporting tech companies in thriving in the UK. The Government has also announced the AI Opportunities Action Plan, and set up the Regulatory Innovation Office to reduce the burden for businesses hoping to bring new products and services to market.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-17 conversation_49

Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to remarks by the chief executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 1 February that the CQC has “lost its way” with inspections, what plans they have to set a date for a date for the CQC to provide the public with reliable and up-to-date information on inspections of care homes, hospitals and other facilities. \p Baroness Merron: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has been open about the fact they need to do much more to be the strong, effective regulator that people who use health and care services need and deserve. A key area for improvement is to ensure that the CQC can give the public up-to-date information about services.

It is undertaking rapid changes to the way they work to increase the number of assessments they undertake, to provide updated ratings. However, it is clear the CQC has a lot to do to improve its performance in how it undertakes assessments and provides ratings. The CQC has reported progress with reducing the number of completed assessments stuck in its IT system and some of these will result shortly in updated ratings. It is not feasible to say when all care homes, hospitals and other facilities will have up to date information because of the number of providers in each sector.

The public should continue to use the CQC’s existing ratings, together with other information on the CQC’s and the provider’s websites and should look out for updated ratings.

Between 2023 and March 2024, CQC rolled out a new IT system, as well as structural changes within the CQC that made it difficult for its inspectors to do their jobs. This has meant that, while they have continued to focus on protecting people from poor care, often in response to information from the public, the number of routine inspections that resulted in award ratings fell dramatically. A revised way of working was introduced in December 2024 to address these issues.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-17 conversation_50

Lord Hain:To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment has been made of the extent of asbestos in the Palace of Westminster; and the danger of anybody working in or visiting the Palace contracting asbestosis. \p Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Ensuring Parliament is safe is a key priority for the administrations of both Houses. Parliament has comprehensive procedures in place to ensure it discharges its duties under The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, mitigating the risks arising from asbestos and ensuring these are effectively controlled. It has a detailed asbestos management plan setting out competencies of duty holders and articulating how asbestos risks are mitigated on the estate.

There is a programme of management surveys conducted by experts who identify the presence of asbestos and update the Parliamentary asbestos register. These surveys inform the asbestos risk assessment which determines how asbestos containing materials are managed or removed where necessary. Detailed processes are in place to support safe invasive works including support from an asbestos analytical consultant and removal of asbestos containing materials via a licenced asbestos removal contractor.

Parliament appoints competent internal duty holders to advise on risks, and actions required to make the estate safe, and provides appropriate training and awareness to employees on risks related to asbestos.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_1

Lord Gilbert of Panteg:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to (1) the Written Statement by the former Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on 12 March 2013 (HC 5WS-6WS), and (2) the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 17 December (HL3302), whether they have made an assessment of the cost of translation to the public purse. \p Baroness Twycross: The Cabinet Office does not hold information on the total cost of translation across Government. Individual departments are responsible for determining their own translation requirements.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_2

Lord Watson of Invergowrie:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve access to higher education and employment opportunities for young carers. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Opportunity should be available to all but too many people across our country do not get the chance to succeed. The department will act to address the persistent gaps for different groups, including young carers, and break down the barriers to opportunity.

The department is committed to ensuring that all young people have equitable access to work experience opportunities, including young carers. The Youth Guarantee will ensure that every young person aged 18 to 21 who needs it is supported in accessing further learning or receives help to get a job or an apprenticeship.

The department’s ambition is to offer a guarantee of two weeks’ worth of high quality work experience to all young people over the course of their secondary education, irrespective of their background. This will open doors to a wider range of employers and businesses, giving young people greater insight into the labour market, while developing relevant skills for work. It will also help young people make informed decisions about their next steps and support their future employment prospects.

The department’s delivery partner, The Careers and Enterprise Company, is piloting the delivery of the work experience guarantee. This includes testing a ringfenced disadvantage premium to assist schools with the costs of work experience, such as transportation, and the development of a virtual work experience platform to improve the accessibility of opportunities. Piloting work began in October 2024, with end of pilot reporting in August 2025.

Higher education (HE) plays an important role in ensuring that individuals gain the skills they need to succeed in life and the department will support the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to pursue this, regardless of their background.

All HE providers registered with the Office for Students (OfS) that intend to charge higher level tuition fees are required to have an access and participation plan approved by the OfS. These plans articulate how providers will improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups. In creating their plans, providers should consider the Equality of Opportunity Risk Register, which details 12 key sector risks across the student lifecycle and the student groups most likely to experience these, including young carers.

Whilst many HE providers have demonstrated positive examples of supporting young carers, including targeted outreach and on course bursaries and mentoring, the department is keen to see the sector go further. By summer, the department will set out its plan for HE reform, and we expect providers to play an even stronger role in improving access and outcomes for all disadvantaged students, including young carers.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_3

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to revive business confidence across the United Kingdom after the budget. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: Growth is the number one mission of the government. We have taken action including: progressing planning reforms; boosting capital investment by over £100 billion over the next five years; creating the National Wealth Fund; publishing the Corporate Tax Roadmap; announcing the Business Growth Service; and setting out pension reform proposals to unlock new investment.

Our modern Industrial Strategy will be unreservedly pro-business, and our Green Paper set out our vision for a credible, 10-year plan to deliver the certainty and stability businesses need to invest across the UK. We are engaging widely, and have appointed a diverse group of the UK’s top business leaders, policy experts and trade union leaders to the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council to drive this forward.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_4

Lord Freyberg:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that small businesses are aware of their obligations under the transitional arrangements in Regulation on General Product Safety (2023/988), and whether they plan to provide specific guidance for businesses that currently only trade with Northern Ireland. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The updated GPSR largely formalises the reality of how many businesses are already operating and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact in practice. We understand that for some businesses, the regulation will require changes, and we take any concerns extremely seriously.

The Government is providing support. We have issued guidance, will keep this under review and continue to engage businesses directly to ensure we are supporting them to trade freely within the UK and with the EU. We have regular discussions with online marketplaces and businesses that sell products online on a range of issues to hear their concerns.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_5

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure brownfield land as well as empty, derelict houses and commercial buildings are used first to solve the housing crisis and protect the green belt. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Planning is a devolved matter and the information provided relates to England only.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements, including bringing back into residential use empty homes and the development of under-utilised land and buildings to meet the need for homes and other uses.

Changes we made to the National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024 broadened the definition of brownfield land, set a strengthened expectation that applications on brownfield land will be approved, and made clear that plans should promote an uplift in density in urban areas.

On 22 September 2024, we published a ‘brownfield passport’ policy paper inviting views on how we might further prioritise and fast-track building on previously used urban land.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_6

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government how many people they estimate are homeless each night in each region of the United Kingdom, and whether that number is increasing or decreasing. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: As of 30 June 2024, 123,100 households were in temporary accommodation, which is an increase of 16.3% from 30 June 2023. This is the highest on record.

The annual snapshot statistics remain our official and most robust measure of rough sleeping on a single night. The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 was 3,898 – a 27% increase on autumn 2022 and a rise for the second year in a row.

Local Authorities are required to publish homelessness data each quarter. The most recent figures for Q2 2024 are available below using tab TA1:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statutory-homelessness-in-england-april-to-june-2024/statutory-homelessness-in-england-april-to-june-2024

The most recent rough sleeping snapshot in England was published in February 2024 and covers Autumn 2023. This can be accessed by using the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/rough-sleeping-snapshot-in-england-autumn-2023/rough-sleeping-snapshot-in-england-autumn-2023

Statutory homelessness in England (pdf, 379.6KB)

Rough Sleeping snapshot (pdf, 3943.9KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_7

Lord Gilbert of Panteg:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the effect of public bodies’ translation into foreign languages on integration and community cohesion. \p Lord Khan of Burnley: Government recognises that the ability to speak English is key to helping people integrate into life in the UK, as well as supporting people to access education, employment and other opportunities. Public bodies are responsible for determining their own requirements for language services and ensuring these deliver good value for money for the taxpayer and a good service.