theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-31 conversation_13

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government how many cases of suspected fraud involving the Motability Scheme have been investigated in the past five years, and how many of those cases resulted in the removal of a vehicle or a criminal conviction. \p Baroness Sherlock: Motability Foundation is a registered charity regulated by the Charity Commission so is wholly responsible for the terms and the administration of the Motability Scheme. The Scheme is delivered by Motability Operations which is an independent commercial company under contract to the charity. Any misuse of a scheme vehicle is a matter for Motability and they will take action as appropriate.   The Department takes benefit fraud extremely seriously, as has been underlined by our campaign to warn people of the consequences of trying to defraud the benefits system. People who suspect benefit fraud can ring the National Benefit Fraud Hotline number on xx-xxxx-xxxx to report in confidence any information which would help the Department’s officials in their investigations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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The Lord Bishop of St Albans:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the United States aid freeze on Rohingya refugees. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: We are currently working to assess the implications of the US funding pause across development sectors, geographic regions and multilateral organisations. We are gathering information and working with other donor partners to share analysis of the pause.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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The Earl of Dundee:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking with international partners, including at the Council of Europe, to coordinate the delivery of a variety of international education initiatives which are at risk of financial cuts. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The difficult decision to reduce UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending to 0.3 per cent of gross national income (GNI) to fund an increase in defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 was taken by the Prime Minister to address the imperative of national security. The UK remains committed to playing a significant role in international development. We remain committed to returning to spending 0.7 per cent of GNI on ODA when fiscal circumstances allow. Impacts on future ODA budgets are currently under review as part of the wider Spending Review process and we are in discussion with our international partners on education initiatives. We are focused on ensuring that every pound is spent in the most impactful way and will carefully assess equalities impacts and potential impacts on the FCDO's supply chain. We are committed to protecting education initiatives at the Council of Europe. Most Council of Europe-led initiatives on education come from the ordinary Council of Europe budget which the UK pays into through its yearly subscription payment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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The Earl of Dundee:To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are providing internationally (1) for delivering comprehensive education programmes, comprising science, technology and humanities subjects, (2) to programmes suitable for international online learning to supplement, rather than to replace, classroom teaching, and (3) to programmes designed to be fully acceptable within the countries where they are intended to be received. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK is committed to partnerships to deliver comprehensive education programmes comprising science, technology and humanities subjects globally, including through online learning, where appropriate, and working in partnership with countries concerned. For example, the UK's Girls' Education Skills Partnership (GESP) programme provides high quality and market-relevant skills training to girls and young women aged 13 to 24 in Nigeria and Bangladesh, through which they will become entrepreneurial and employable in sectors such as information technology, manufacturing, and other STEM-related fields. The UK is committed to supporting international online learning through initiatives such as the EdTech Hub. We invest in research aimed at empowering decision-makers with evidence on the use of technology in low-and-middle-income countries, including the use of digital tools, data, and technology in schools, at the government level, and at home to improve learning outcomes. We will continue to support innovation and technology to advance learning globally where this makes sense.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Baroness Helic:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken since 1 August 2024 to ensure that all parties adhere to the terms of the Dayton Peace Agreement. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK is committed to the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) and clear that domestic actors and signatories must continue to adhere to the DPA, which has delivered 30 years of peace in BiH. We have worked through the Peace Implementation Council, and with the High Representative, to bolster domestic institutions to respond to internal and external threats to the DPA. On the international stage, we have urged leaders to use their influence positively and refrain from actions which could undermine the constitutional framework of BiH, including in senior bilateral meetings between ministers and in multilateral fora like the United Nations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Baroness Helic:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken since 1 August 2024 to fulfil the UK's role as a guarantor of the Dayton Peace Agreement to support the stability and implementation of the agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK remains committed to maintaining peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and fulfilment of its roles as a member of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC)'s Steering Board and witness to the Dayton Peace Agreement. In December 2024, we secured a strong communiqué by PIC Political Directors on the situation in BiH. In coordination with international partners and the High Representative, we have supported local actors and institutions in their robust response to Republika Srpska politicians' secessionist moves. On 10 March, the Minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty MP spoke with BiH Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic to reaffirm the UK's support for BiH, the rule of law, and the Dayton Peace Agreement. We have also supported BiH's stability through bilateral contributions, including deploying staff officers to NATO HQ Sarajevo and promoting reconciliation via local institutions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Baroness Helic:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken since 1 August 2024 to work with the Peace Implementation Council under the Dayton Peace Agreement to monitor developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK remains committed to maintaining peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), including through active support for the Dayton Peace Agreement. The UK meets regularly with other members of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC)'s Steering Board in BiH to discuss developments. On 10 March, The Minister of State for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP spoke with BiH Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic to reaffirm the UK's support for BiH, the rule of law, and the Dayton Peace Agreement. In December 2024, we secured a strong communiqué by PIC Political Directors on the situation in BiH. In response to secessionist moves by Republika Srpska politicians since August 2024, we have worked with our PIC partners and the High Representative to deliver a strong, unified message against these unconstitutional actions, and to protect BiH's institutions from attempts to undermine them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord Carlile of Berriew:To ask His Majesty's Government how many students wishing to study (1) ancient history, and (2) classical history, at university were prevented from doing so as a result of a reduction in places in each of the past three years; and what assessment they have made of the future of these subjects as university courses. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes data on student entrants across UK higher education (HE) providers. This includes data on students entering courses in different subject areas, categorised using the HE Classification of Subjects system. Counts of entrants across all subjects from 2019/20 to 2022/23 are published in Table 52 of HESA’s Student Data, which are detailed below and can also be found here: https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/table-52.

Entrants to UK higher education providers by subject of study

Subject

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

Ancient history

645

595

540

Classical studies

1,995

1,950

1,985

The department does not hold information on the number of university places available for each course. We are unable to assess the extent to which the decline in entrants was linked to the reduction of places.

English universities are independent, autonomous institutions and are therefore free to choose which courses they run. Quality is assessed by the Office for Students, the regulator of HE providers in England.
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Lord Freyberg:To ask His Majesty's Government what specific funding initiatives are currently allocated to support traditional craftsmanship and skills preservation within Stoke-on-Trent's historic pottery industry; and whether they intend to increase investment in apprenticeship programmes focused on ceramic manufacturing skills. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The craft sector has developed the level 3 craft technician apprenticeship standard, which includes a ceramicist training option. In February 2025 the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and the Heritage Crafts Association held a stakeholder engagement event for heritage craft industries promoting the benefits of apprenticeships and technical education qualifications.

The department will continue to support learners who wish to have a career in pottery and ceramic manufacturing through its technical education offer, with a range of high-quality qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities available at all levels. We recognise the crucial role that colleges and providers play in delivering the skills training and innovation needed for our current and future workforce. An example of this is T Levels in Craft and Design, giving 16 to 19-year-olds the knowledge and skills needed for entry to a range of occupations in this sector.

Local skills improvement plans (LSIPs) are an initiative funded by the department to support meeting local skills needs. The Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire LSIP, developed by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce as the designated employer representative body, includes engineering and advanced manufacturing, including ceramics, in its key sectors and priorities.

Stoke on Trent College’s accountability statement highlights how their strategic aims and objectives align to the LSIP priorities, including ceramics. It delivers ceramics and pottery throwing skills and the adult level 2 award in ceramics together with their apprenticeship provision supports local pottery manufacturing, typically via engineering apprentices for members of their technician staff.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Baroness Barran:To ask His Majesty's Government how much charitable funding for breakfast clubs will be displaced by their new scheme. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department does not collect data on the amount of charitable funding that schools currently receive for breakfast club provision. We will work in partnership with businesses and organisations as we roll out breakfast clubs to all primary schools. We encourage schools and charities to continue working together.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government how many of the 754 schools announced as early-adopters of the breakfast club scheme are currently offering breakfast club schemes, and in how many schools will this represent new provision. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The aim of the early adopter scheme is to test and learn what works in advance of national rollout on breakfast clubs to all primary schools. The schools taking part in the early adopter scheme were therefore selected to be broadly representative of the national picture. Across all primary schools, an estimated 22% have no breakfast club provision at all before school, and the remaining 78% have some provision, according to the 2022 School and College Panel. However, we know that provision is usually charged for or has limitations on the number of children who can attend. This figure will shortly be updated to reflect changes in provision since 2022.

Our new early adopter breakfast clubs are free, open to all pupils in the school, last at least 30 minutes and include food. This will save parents up to £450 per year, meaning more money in their pockets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Baroness Gale:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that a veterinary agreement with the European Union includes protections to ensure that the UK can implement mandatory animal welfare method-of-production labelling, including on imports. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Government is committed to resetting our EU relationship, including by seeking to negotiate an SPS agreement. We have been clear that an SPS agreement could boost trade and deliver significant benefits on both sides. It’s too early to discuss any specific areas in detail and we will not be providing a running commentary on discussions with the EU.

This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation.

A public consultation on proposals to improve and extend current mandatory method of production labelling was undertaken last year by the previous Government. We are now carefully considering all responses before deciding on next steps and will respond to this consultation in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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The Lord Bishop of Lincoln:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to support and incentivise farmers in England to register in environmental land management schemes. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Government is committed to delivering environmental outcomes through Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes and other schemes and grants.

We now have 37,000 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreements which are already live, covering 4.3 million hectares of land. We will announce further details of a reformed SFI offer later this year.

Our standalone ELM Capital Grants are expected to be at their highest level in 24/25 and will reopen this summer after a short pause.

We are rolling out an improved Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme later this year. We will open the rolling application window for Higher Tier in summer 2025, and we have started inviting farmers and land managers to begin the pre-application process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard:To ask His Majesty's Government whether any targets have not been met in relation to climate change policy, legislation and regulations. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Climate Change Act sets our commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 in law as well as interim ‘carbon budget’ targets which set a legal limit on net territorial emissions over 5-year periods. The UK over-achieved against the first, second and third UK-wide carbon budget targets. We are now in the fourth carbon budget (2023-2027). The UK has already halved its emissions, having cut them by around 53% between 1990 and 2023.

Looking ahead to future climate change targets, the Government will deliver an updated Carbon Budget Delivery Plan that will outline the policies and proposals needed to deliver carbon budgets 4-6 on a pathway to net zero by 2050. The Government will set Carbon Budget 7 by June 2026, in line with our statutory duties.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord McInnes of Kilwinning:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the BBC about the decision to end access to BBC Sounds for overseas listeners. \p Baroness Twycross: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) meets regularly with representatives of the BBC on a range of matters, including how it engages listeners both in the UK and internationally.

The BBC is operationally and editorially independent of the Government, and decisions on changes to its BBC Sounds service is a matter for the BBC.

The Government recognises the BBC’s value as a UK soft power asset, and promoting British stories to audiences across the world.
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Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard:To ask His Majesty's Government whether any road building schemes have been stopped because of climate change considerations. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: No DfT-sponsored road schemes in England have been stopped due to climate change considerations. Environmental considerations, including climate change impacts, are considered at key stages of the development of road schemes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency regarding the contamination risk and clearance operation following the collision between two ships in the North Sea on 10 March. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: His Majesty's Government has had regular discussions with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) throughout this incident. HM Coastguard has provided bespoke operational updates to the Department and MCA officials have attended cross-Government meetings. DfT and MCA personnel also attend daily meetings with the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SoSRep). Ministers have been kept informed throughout.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord Lipsey:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the system that sets the remuneration paid to those serving on juries. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: Jury service is an important civic duty, and we want to help jurors feel supported as they undertake this important job. The Government will keep under review all financial and accessibility support provided to jurors throughout their service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to next discuss sentencing guidelines with the Sentencing Council. \p Lord Timpson: The Lord Chancellor recently met with the Chairman of the Sentencing Council to discuss the Imposition guideline, and they had a constructive discussion. It was agreed that the Lord Chancellor would set out her position in writing, which the Sentencing Council will then consider before the guideline is due to come into effect.

Ministers will meet with Sentencing Council as needed for continued engagement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord Moynihan:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the research by Young Lives vs Cancer, The cost of waiting, whether they have considered the recommendations of the report, and if so, what action they are taking to ensure children and young people receive disability benefits immediately after their cancer diagnosis. \p Baroness Merron: The Department of Health and Social Care is committed to improving outcomes and patient experience for children and young people with cancer and we are aware that the cost of travel is an important issue for many cancer patients and their families.

NHS England and the integrated care boards are currently responsible for commissioning and ensuring the healthcare needs of local communities are met, including providing support for travel. The National Health Service runs schemes in England to provide financial assistance for travel to a hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostics tests, when referred by a doctor or other primary healthcare professional. The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) provides financial assistance to patients in England who do not have a medical need for transport, but who require assistance with the costs of travelling to receive certain NHS services.

Patients who do not qualify for the HTCS and are on a low income may be able to claim the costs from the Department for Work and Pensions through Universal Credit or Personal Independence Payment. The provision of disability benefits is also the responsibility of the Department for Work and Pensions.

The Department of Health and Social Care has not made a formal assessment of the cost to the NHS, and long-term health outcomes, of missed appointments by children and young people with cancer due to lack of support with travel costs. The Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce will explore a range of issues, including patient experience alongside clinical care, to identify improvements for children and young people with cancer and their families.

Young Lives vs Cancer is a valued stakeholder with a unique perspective on the issue of travel support for children and young people with cancer. We will continue to engage with Young Lives vs Cancer, as well as other children and young people cancer charity stakeholders as we progress this important work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan for fixed recoverable costs for claimant legal costs in dental clinical negligence claims to come into effect. \p Baroness Merron: Currently, the Government is considering the way forward on a wide range of matters, including clinical negligence costs reform, and we will announce our position in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what they estimate will be the cost to the public purse of clinical negligence by 2030; and what steps they intend to take to reduce this cost. \p Baroness Merron: As part of the written evidence to the Health and Social Care Select Committee’s inquiry into National Health Service litigation reform in 2022, following work with the Government Actuary's Department and NHS Resolution (NHSR), the Department advised that projections for the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) indicated that by 2029/30, annual cash payments for clinical negligence under the CNST could increase to £4.3 billion. The CNST, the largest clinical negligence scheme, covers all clinical negligence claims against member NHS bodies where the incident in question took place on or after 1 April 1995. The estimate does not include other smaller clinical negligence schemes run by NHSR. A copy of the Department’s full written evidence to the inquiry is attached.

The National Audit Office has announced that it is undertaking a review of clinical negligence costs this year, including an up-to-date assessment of how total cash costs may change in the future, and will publish its report in autumn 2025. Full details of the review can be found on the National Audit Office’s website, in an online only format.

HL6164 Additional Document (pdf, 1503.2KB)
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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on the men’s health strategy announced by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on 28 November 2024. \p Baroness Merron: On 28 November 2024, we announced plans for England’s first Men’s Health Strategy, to be delivered this year. The strategy will consider how to prevent and tackle the biggest health problems affecting men.

We will shortly be launching a call for evidence to seek views on what is currently working and what more needs to be done to support the health of all men.
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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government how many hospital admissions for preventable cardiovascular disease there have been in each of the past three years. \p Baroness Merron: The Department does not hold data on the number of admissions for cardiovascular disease which are preventable. However, we know that up to 70% of cardiovascular disease is preventable and linked to behavioural, metabolic, and environmental risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, living with obesity, and air pollution.

The Government is tackling the root cause of preventable heart disease and stroke through the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, implementing advertising regulations for less healthy food and drink to children on television and online, and giving councils stronger, clearer powers to block the development of new fast-food shops near schools.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Baroness Neville-Rolfe:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to find departing members of (1) NHS England, and (2) the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), roles elsewhere in the public sector; and what plans they have to prevent departing members from these organisations from taking retirement packages and then gaining re-employment in NHS England or DHSC. \p Baroness Merron: Ministers will work with the new transformation team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to lead this transformation. As we work to return many of NHS England’s current functions to the Department, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Baroness Neville-Rolfe:To ask His Majesty's Government what are the pension arrangements for departing workers from (1) NHS England, and (2) the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC); and what plans they have to limit the cost of such pensions in any restructuring of NHS England or DHSC. \p Baroness Merron: Employees have different pension arrangements depending on the length of service and the terms and conditions of employment. Ministers will work with the new transformation team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to lead this transformation. As we work to return many of NHS England’s current functions to the Department, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds.

There may be some short-term upfront costs as we undertake these changes, but these costs and more will be recouped in future years because of a smaller, leaner centre.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish a report on the implementation of the policies set out in the Joint Fisheries Statement, published on 22 November 2022. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The fisheries policy authorities are required to publish a report every three years setting out the extent to which the policies in the Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS) have been implemented, and the contribution these policies have made towards achieving the Fisheries Act 2020 objectives. The first report must cover the policies implemented in the three-year period following the publication of the JFS on 22 November 2022. We therefore expect to publish the first report in 2026.
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Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the National Cancer Plan will include measures to widen access to cancer screening programmes in deprived areas. \p Baroness Merron: Early diagnosis is a key focus of the National Cancer Plan, which will build on the shifts in care set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, to diagnose cancers earlier. Through the 10-Year Health Plan, we will make it easier for people to access cancer screening, diagnostics, and treatment in patients’ local areas, backed by the latest technology, to drive up this country’s cancer survival rates. We will increase participation in screening programmes by taking innovative approaches like self-sampling for cervical screening and digital booking.

The National Cancer Plan, to be published later this year, will include further details on how we will speed up diagnosis, as well as how we will prioritise screening programmes and improve participation, including participation from people in deprived areas.
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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the publication of the 10 Year Health Plan for England on 3 July, what additional strategies or actions they plan to take to combat musculoskeletal conditions. \p Baroness Merron: The 10-Year Health Plan will support people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions to better manage their condition and access services and support through the three shifts: from hospital to community; from analogue to digital; and from sickness to prevention. For example, the shift from hospital to community will enable people with MSK to access a range of additional services to support the management of their condition and treatment closer to home.

In line with this shift, the Government has funded NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time programme to deploy their proven Further Faster model for MSK community services.

The programme has been designed to reduce waiting times for community MSK appointments and to enhance access to quality treatment, working with integrated care board leaders to improve data and metrics and referral pathways to wider support services.

We are working together to further develop the approach to better enable integrated care systems to commission the delivery of high quality MSK services in the community, which will benefit patients now and into the future.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government how many posts paying £100,000 or more a year have been advertised or recruited in (1) NHS England, and (2) integrated care boards, since 11 March. \p Baroness Merron: Since 11 March, NHS England has advertised 25 posts and has recruited 16 where the actual pay will be over £100,000. Actual pay is the amount of an individual’s salary that NHS England pays.

We do not hold this information centrally in relation to integrated care boards.
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Baroness Jenkin of Kennington:To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance has been issued to GPs by (1) the Department of Health and Social Care, (2) its agencies, and (3) NHS England, about the practice of prescribing hormone treatments and other drugs, such as spiralactone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, to transgender individuals who are (a) older than 18 years old, and (b) younger than 18 years old. \p Baroness Merron: In 2018 NHS England issued guidance to general practitioners (GPs) about the role of primary care in responding to requests for a shared care approach to prescribing hormone treatments to adult patients when the request is from an online private provider.

For patients who are under 18 years old, the NHS stopped the routine prescription of puberty blocker treatments in March 2024, following the findings of the Cass Review into gender services. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues were subsequently restricted as part of an emergency banning order which took effect June 2024.

In August 2024, NHS England wrote to all GPs in England responsible for prescribing GnRH analogues, to clarify application of this new legislation in clinical practice-based scenarios. In December 2024, the Department announced that the order banning the use of puberty blockers for individuals younger than 18 years old would be made indefinite. A further update to NHS England’s guidance was provided to GPs that same month.

In May 2025, NHS England issued guidance that advised GPs not to support unregulated providers in prescribing hormone treatments for gender incongruence to children and young people under 18 years old.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Baroness Jenkin of Kennington:To ask His Majesty's Government whether (1) the Department of Health and Social Care, (2) its agencies, and (3) NHS England, hold information about individual GPs who are prescribing hormone treatments and other drugs, such as spiralactone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, to transgender individuals who are (a) older than 18 years old, and (b) younger than 18 years old. \p Baroness Merron: The Department does not hold this information. NHS England does hold this information on an exceptional basis when concerns are made about the prescribing practices of individual general practices, including when the concerns have been made as part of a professional standards investigation.

For patients who are under 18 years old, the NHS stopped the routine prescription of puberty blocker treatments to under 18s in March 2024, following the findings of the Cass Review into gender services. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues were subsequently restricted as part of an emergency banning order which took effect June 2024.

In August 2024, NHS England wrote to all general practitioners (GPs) in England responsible for prescribing GnRH analogues, to clarify application of this new legislation in clinical practice-based scenarios. In December 2024, the Department announced that the order banning the use of puberty blockers for individuals younger than 18 years old would be made indefinite. A further update to NHS England’s guidance was provided to GPs that same month.

In May 2025, NHS England issued guidance that advised GPs not to support unregulated providers in prescribing hormone treatments for gender incongruence to children and young people under 18 years old.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to redefining the role of physician associate. \p Baroness Merron: On 16 July, Professor Gillian Leng published her review into physician associates and anaesthesia associates, now to be renamed physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia.

Professor Leng set out 18 recommendations that will give much-needed clarity, certainty, and confidence to staff and patients. The Government is accepting these recommendations in full.

Implementing the recommendations will require organisations to work together and take action. Some actions will be implemented immediately, whilst others will require wider input, with benefits being fully realised over time. We have asked NHS England to move with immediate effect to implement those recommendations which most directly affect patient safety, including moving to the use of physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia titles and ensuring that physician assistants do not see undifferentiated patients, except within clearly defined national clinical protocols.

We will work with key partners, including NHS England, in advance of publishing a fuller response, setting out a clear implementation plan to make the required changes in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-25 conversation_8

Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on (1) the number of individuals on the NHS elective waiting list, and (2) the average waiting times, of each strike day by resident doctors. \p Baroness Merron: We know that industrial action has hugely damaging impacts on hospital care, including elective waiting times. National Health Service industrial action cost taxpayers £1.7 billion in the 2023/24 financial year. Nearly 1.5 million appointments were rescheduled due to strikes between December 2022 and July 2024.

Planning and mitigation for any prospective strikes are underway, supported by internal assessments of the possible impact based on previous industrial action.

NHS England has published data on the impact from previous industrial action on completed pathways for consultant-led elective services on the days of, and immediately surrounding, the strikes, with further information available on the NHS England website.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 18 July (HL9450), why no assessment has been made of the impact on patient safety of the wait times for each accident and emergency department in the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. \p Baroness Merron: All patients who attend accident and emergency departments, including in the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, are prioritised based on clinical need, which ensures that people are seen by the right service in a timely way.

The Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust has implemented a number of initiatives to improve patient flow and patient waiting times, including introducing a Same Day Emergency Care service which has recently been reviewed by NHS England’s Getting It Right First-Time team.

In June 2025, the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust’s accident and emergency four-hour performance was 83.5%.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Lord Black of Brentwood:To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish the terms of reference for the economic impact assessment on copyright and artificial intelligence as required by section 135 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, and what opportunities industry will have to provide input to that assessment. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: As set out in Section 135 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, the Government is required to publish an economic impact assessment within 9 months of the Act’s Royal Assent.

The Impact Assessment will cover the options laid out in the Government’s copyright and AI consultation, as well as any alternative options that are under consideration. It will assess the evidence provided by industry in their consultation responses, alongside input received through the expert stakeholder working groups.

The above scope of the IA was confirmed in parliament during debates on the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have of the number of new jobs that will be created by building data centres in the United Kingdom over the next 10 years. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: Data centres can be significant sources of employment, both during construction and to operate and maintain the data centres once completed. These include highly specialised jobs across IT, engineering, cybersecurity, and support services. Data centres also indirectly support employment in other industries, particularly in tech and AI.

My Department has not made a specific estimate of the number of jobs that will be created due to the substantial potential investment in the UK by data centre developers but is actively monitoring the sector. TechUK have estimated that by 2035 there could be 40,200 additional jobs directly employed in data centre operational roles and 18,200 additional jobs directly employed in data centre construction roles over the period 2025–35.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Lord Black of Brentwood:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 11 June (HL Deb col 1424), what process will be used to determine the terms of reference and the membership of the parliamentary working group focused on artificial intelligence and copyright. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The Government has committed to establishing a working group to engage parliamentarians in the development of policy on copyright and AI.

All parliamentarians will be invited to express their interest in joining this group, before the Government, working with relevant Select Committee chairs, finalises its plans for the group and determines the membership. Once arrangements are finalised, the Government will publish information relating to this group on GOV.UK, including any terms of reference and a list of group members.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-25 conversation_13

Lord Black of Brentwood:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 11 June (HL Deb col 1424), what process will determine the terms of reference and the membership of the artificial intelligence and copyright working groups. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: In line with debates in Parliament on the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, the Secretaries of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport convened the first of three initial meetings of the copyright and AI stakeholder working groups on 16th July.

The Government will agree the groups’ terms of reference with stakeholders and publish this, along with a list of working group members, in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Lord Black of Brentwood:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 11 June (HL Deb col 1424), how many creative and artificial intelligence sector working groups there will be, and what the focus will be of each of those groups. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The Government has committed to establishing stakeholder working groups to inform the development of policy on copyright and AI.

There will be one plenary group and two sectoral subgroups. These sub-groups will each consider potential policy solutions in the areas of (1) transparency and (2) content control tools and standards.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of people aged (1) 16, (2) 17, and (3) 18, pay income tax according to the latest available information. \p Lord Livermore: Estimates for the number of taxpayers in thousands aged 16, 17 and 18 years old for the tax year 2022 to 2023 are set out in the table below. The percentage within these age groups paying Income Tax is not available as HMRC does not hold information on the entire population.

Source: Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23

Notes on the table

1. You can find the ONS population estimates which provide an age breakdown for the UK population at the following link

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/populationestimatesforukenglandandwalesscotlandandnorthernireland

The tax year 2022 to 2023 is the latest year for which these figures are available.

2. Estimates are presented in thousands.

3. The estimates for 16- and 17-year-olds have been combined to avoid suppression due to small sample sizes.

4. The data underlying the Survey of Personal Incomes is based on a large sample of over 900,000 individuals with incomes reported to HMRC. As is the case with the published Personal Incomes Statistics, these figures are statistical estimates and will be subject to sampling variation.

5. This table only covers individuals with some liability to tax.

6. For more information about the Survey of Personal Incomes please refer to the supporting documentation. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-incomes-statistics-for-the-tax-year-2022-to-2023/personal-income-statistics-2022-to-2023-supporting-documentation