theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Sikka:To ask His Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of pensioners living below the poverty line in 2024–25. \p Baroness Sherlock: The Households below average income (HBAI) statistics contain estimates of the number and percentage of people living in low-income households in the UK. This is published by the Department annually. The latest data covers financial year ending 2024.

In financial year ending 2024, it is estimated that 1.9 million pensioners were in relative poverty after housing costs, and 1.6 million pensioners were in absolute poverty after housing costs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the £1 billion employment, health and skills support package for disabled people and those with long-term medical conditions will be available to people across the entire UK. \p Baroness Sherlock: We announced in the Pathways to Work Green Paper that we would establish a new guarantee of support for all disabled people and people with health conditions claiming out of work benefits who want help to get into or return to work. This is backed up by £1 billion of new funding across the United Kingdom, with the share of funding for devolved governments calculated in the usual way.

The UK government will respect settlements with devolved governments.

Within Great Britain, we will work closely with the Scottish and Welsh Governments to ensure all aspects of our new approach to delivering employment support partner effectively with devolved provision, including but not limited to skills, health and careers as well as Scottish and Welsh Government-funded employment support.

In Northern Ireland, health, skills, careers and all aspects of employment support are transferred matters. We will work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive, including sharing best practice with the Northern Ireland Executive’s Department for Communities about how our reforms to reduce economic inactivity and support disabled people and people with a health condition are working.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of those affected by the under-occupancy charge, particularly where no alternative accommodation is offered, and what assessment they have made of the impact of that charge on regional poverty disparities, including child poverty. \p Baroness Sherlock: No specific assessment has been made of households in the social rented sector affected by the Removal of Spare Room Subsidy (RSRS) where alternative accommodation has not been offered, nor of the impact of the RSRS has on regional poverty disparities. The RSRS policy, sometimes known as the under-occupancy charge or bedroom tax, applies where the household is living in a social rented property with more bedrooms than the household’s bedroom entitlement.

Easements to the policy are available to support disabled people and carers, families of disabled children, foster carers, parents who adopt, parents of service personnel and people who have suffered a bereavement. Those unable to meet a shortfall in their rent due to a RSRS deduction can seek a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) from their local authority. DHPs can be paid to those entitled to Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Hayward:To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker,  further to his Written Answer on 19 September 2023 (HL9892), when he was informed that there was more up to date information than he provided in that Answer, as set out in his Written Answer on 5 March 2024 (HL2638). \p Lord Gardiner of Kimble: I was recently made aware that the answer to HL9892 on 19 September 2023 used data collected from a study in 2019 which looked at the total number of vehicles accessing and leaving the Estate from both Carriage Gates and Black Rod's Garden. This data was used as it was from a study carried out by traffic consultants prior to the COVID pandemic and helped inform the implementation of the one-way system in January 2023. The study provided an average estimate of traffic movements on the Estate of circa 3,500 vehicle movements in sitting times, compared to 2,500 vehicle movements during recess periods.

Since the implementation of the one-way system in January 2023 counting has been carried out internally, and the system was refined to provide more precise figures, rather than an estimate. This data was used to answer the written question HL2638 on 5 March 2024, to give an average of 4,052 vehicles in sitting times and 2,285 in recess, based on the data collected in the 2023 calendar year. Unfortunately, it was not identified in HL2638 that this was based on 2023 figures rather than the original 2019 data.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Hayward:To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to his Written Answer on 28 March (HL5836), between December 2023 and March 2025, what was the percentage increase in cost to Parliament of providing a traffic marshal service working 12 hours a day, 5 days a week and 50 weeks a year. \p Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The cost of the provision of a marshal service at one marshal point for 12 hours a day, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year has not changed between December 2023 and March 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Hayward:To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to his Written Answer on 28 March (HL5836), what was the cost in 2023 to Parliament including VAT of a traffic marshal service working 12 hours a day, 5 days a week and 50 weeks a year. \p Lord Gardiner of Kimble: In December 2023, the cost of the provision of a marshal service at one marshal point for 12 hours a day, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year would have been approximately £75K including VAT.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Hayward:To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker, further to his Written Answer on 28 March (HL5836), what is the cost to Parliament including VAT of a traffic marshal service working 12 hours a day, 5 days a week and 50 weeks a year. \p Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Further to the Written Answer on 28 March 2025 (HL5836), the cost of the provision of a marshal service at one marshal point for 12 hours a day, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year would be approximately £75K including VAT.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Baroness Anelay of St Johns:To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether the House of Lords Administration will publish marshalled lists of amendments to bills and related documents in braille format to ensure that documents are accessible to the public and members and staff of both Houses. \p Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Public Bill Office has not previously explored providing amendment documents in braille and there are currently no provisions in the House of Lords for braille documents for bills or amendments.

The House of Lords Communications Office have previously produced non-legislative braille documents for members of the House on request, most recently in 2019. They have not had any requests for braille documents since 2019.

The amendment documents from the Public Bill Office are produced at pace with regular addition of new content, meaning that accessible electronic documents may offer the most reliable way for users to keep up with the pace of production. The Public Bill Office, in collaboration with the Parliamentary Digital Service, has prioritised work to improve the accessibilty of the Bills Webpages. Specific actions have been focused on improving accessibilty for those who use screen readers and other assistive technologies.

The House of Lords Administration will continue to review the accessibilty of its documents more generally and will keep the provision of braille documents under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government which individual infrastructure planning National Policy Statements will be updated by summer 2025, and which will be updated on a slower timetable. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The government intends to consult shortly on draft amended Energy National Policy Statements (NPSs) ENs-1, 3 and 5, and the NPS for Ports. These draft amended NPSs will also be laid in Parliament for consideration as prescribed by the Planning Act 2008. Completion of the update processes is subject to the outcome and timings of the consultation and Parliamentary timings.

Consultation on the draft new nuclear NPS EN-7, which will be applicable to nuclear power stations expected to deploy beyond 2025, closed on 3 April. Parliamentary scrutiny of the draft NPS is expected to be completed by 23 June. Depending on the completion and outcome of these processes, the Government aims to designate this new NPS before the end of the year.

Further to this, we are introducing legislation through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to make at least five-yearly reviews of all NPSs a legal requirement. This would include a transitional period in which NPSs that are currently out of date (i.e. more than 5 years old at the time of Royal Assent) will have 2 years from the bill being enacted to update their NPSs in line with the legislation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Robathan:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the inclusion of Victoria Tower Gardens on the list published by Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank, 7 most endangered heritage sites in Europe for 2025, on 18 March. \p Lord Khan of Burnley: The design for the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre was chosen because it is sensitive to the heritage and existing uses of Victoria Tower Gardens, and includes enhancements that will help all visitors, including better pathways and improved access to existing memorials.

In considering the planning application, the independent Inspector looked in detail at matters such as the impact on the Gardens and existing Memorials.  He concluded that any harms to heritage assets or open space were outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Godson:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure advice provided to ministers by the Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group is open to scrutiny by Parliament. \p Lord Khan of Burnley: The Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Working Group’s terms of reference have been published on GOV.UK.

The Terms of Reference note that the advice the Group produces will be private initially, giving the Government the time and space to consider recommendations, including what a proposed definition/s should be and the merits for adopting a definition.

It is important that government is transparent in the actions it takes to address all forms of hatred, however any independent work should also have the space to consider sensitive and complex issues in private. This is the approach the Working Group will take when considering the appropriate and sensitive language to describe, understand and define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim.

Once the Government has had time to review the advice, it will consider its next steps.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Pearson of Rannoch:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will invite the Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group in formulating its definition to protect freedom of expression in similar terms to the saving provision in section 29J of the Public Order Act 1986, so that the definition does not, for example, restrict criticism of Islam or prevent individuals from urging Muslims to cease practising Islam. \p Lord Khan of Burnley: All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable and have no place in our communities.

In the most recently published Home Office statistics the number of religious hate crimes targeting Muslims accounted for 38% of all religious hate crimes. The number of religious hate crimes targeting Jews accounted for 33%. These together make up 71%, and show government action here is urgently needed. Whilst the government has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition for antisemitism, it does not have an equivalent definition to aid its work in tackling hate directed towards Muslims.

The Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group’s objective is to develop a working definition of Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia which is reflective of a wide range of perspectives and priorities for British Muslims. Full terms of reference for the Working Group have been published on GOV.UK.

It is important that government is transparent in the actions it takes to address all forms of hatred, however any independent work should also have the space to consider sensitive and complex issues in private. This is the approach the Working Group will take when considering the appropriate and sensitive language to describe, understand and define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim.

Once the Government has had time to review the advice, it will consider its next steps.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Farmer:To ask His Majesty's Government how many Christians have been recorded as victims of Islamophobic hate crimes in the last five years. \p Lord Khan of Burnley: MHCLG has policy responsibility for racial and religiously motivated hate crime, but all hate crime data recorded by the police is collected by the Home Office.

In the year ending March 2024, there were 140,561 hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales. There was a 5% decrease compared with the previous year on total hate crimes recorded, but there was a 25% increase in religious hate crimes compared with the previous year. 38% of religious hate crimes were targeted against Muslims, a 13% rise on the previous year.

The Home Office collects and publishes official statistics on religious hate crimes which is recorded by the police in England and Wales. This is broken down by the perceived religion of the victim, but information is not collected on the actual religion/identity of the victim, so it is not possible to disaggregate the number of victims of Islamophobic hate crimes who were not Muslims.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Farmer:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the police will be expected to use the working definition of Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia once it is formulated by the Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group. \p Lord Khan of Burnley: All forms of racial and religious discrimination are completely unacceptable and have no place in our communities.

In the most recently published Home Office statistics the number of religious hate crimes targeting Muslims accounted for 38% of all religious hate crimes. The number of religious hate crimes targeting Jews accounted for 33%. These together make up 71%, and show government action here is urgently needed and whilst the government has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition for antisemitism, it does not have an equivalent definition to aid its work in tackling hate directed towards Muslims.

The Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group’s objective is to develop a working definition of Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia which is reflective of a wide range of perspectives and priorities for British Muslims. The Chair will agree a work and engagement plan with the Minister for Faith and Communities and will use this as the basis for the work of the Group.

The Group’s proposed definition will be non-statutory and will provide the government and other relevant bodies, including the police, with an understanding of unacceptable treatment and prejudice against Muslim communities.

Full terms of reference for the Working Group have been published on GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Farmer:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the independent investigation into the effectiveness of the Office for National Statistics will consider the impact of full-time remote working. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Sir Robert Devereux’s independent review of the ONS will take into account a wide range of factors relating to performance and culture in the organisation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Storey:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce legislation to provide for a duty of candour for public bodies. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Government has committed to implement a ‘Hillsborough Law’ which will place a legal duty of candour on public servants and authorities. The details of this Bill will be announced in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Patten:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 26 March (HL5733), whether it is their policy that civil servants may self-identify as having a neurodivergent condition. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: All of the demographic questions asked on HR systems are dependent on self-identification. There may be situations where additional information is required about a condition for example to support the provision of reasonable adjustments.

This will depend on the condition, but also the nature of requested adjustments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government why membership of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists is not a recognised Property Professional Accreditation within the Government Property Profession Career Framework. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Property and Built Environment has a large number of professional bodies and routes to qualification. The Government Property Profession Career Framework, which was introduced in 2020, sets the standard for accreditation across roles in the government property profession.

Departments are still able to set their own accreditation requirement where a role is particularly specialist or does not fit well in the Government Property Profession Career Framework. This means that if a department needs to recruit an Architectural Technologist, they would be able to do so.

In addition, in 2025/26 we will be reviewing the framework to ensure roles, skills and required accreditations reflect the current civil service workforce and future industry demands. We will engage with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists as part of this process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what analysis they undertook to assess the material fiscal impact of the updated social value model in the Procurement Policy Note 002, published on 13 February. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Central government uses the same tool for assessing social value that has been used since 2021, where central government buyers select evaluation criteria from the options available in the social value model.

The updates made to the social value model have streamlined the content, aligning it to the government's missions. This ensures social value reinforces policy delivery and does not add additional requirements.

When in scope contracting authorities are choosing evaluation criteria from the model they must ensure the criteria are proportionate and relevant to the contract in question. Suppliers then have the flexibility to choose solutions that suit them. The updated guidance emphasises the importance of pre-market engagement to ensure the criteria selected are appropriate for the contract.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government how ethical concerns raised by civil servants are escalated (1) within departments, and (2) to the Cabinet Office; and what factors determine when the Propriety and Ethics Team or the Cabinet Secretary are involved. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Concerns regarding the Civil Service, Ministerial or Special Adviser Codes should be escalated via line management chains, and to the Permanent Secretary’s (or Head of Department’s) office where necessary. Concerns can then be escalated to the Cabinet Office where the Department considers it necessary.

As set out in the Civil Service Code, concerns in relation to that Code can also be raised with the relevant department's nominated officers who have been appointed to advise staff on the code.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government how many full-time equivalent staff are employed in the Procurement Review Unit, and how this compares to the number of full-time equivalent roles allocated to the unit. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Procurement Review Unit has 13 permanent full time equivalent roles in the unit. The unit is supported by a flexible resource model where additional resources can be allocated to the unit as required. Currently the team is being supported by 4 flexible members of staff.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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The Lord Bishop of Winchester:To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they have issued to UK companies that operate in industries at risk of exposure to illicit minerals originating from territory occupied by M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK has sanctioned M23 and other armed groups through the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act. We support the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which aims to improve transparency and governance in the mining sector. The UK works through international mechanisms that enable businesses to operate responsibly in conflict affected and high-risk areas. The UK is also a member of the Voluntary Principles for Security and Human Rights, which promote a set of principles to guide companies in the extractives sector to maintain the safety and security of their operations to reduce the risk of human rights abuses. We expect all UK businesses to respect human rights throughout their operations, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Implementation of these frameworks supports access to justice and remedy for victims of business-related human rights abuses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the departure of Getachew Reda as interim President of Tigray, what steps they are taking to prevent the fragmentation of governance in Tigray. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: Both before and after the departure of Getachew Reda as Tigray's Interim Regional Administration President, and since the appointment of his successor Tadesse Werede, the UK has consistently engaged with the government of Ethiopia, the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front and the African Union to prevent a return to conflict, support the implementation of the peace agreement, and encourage political dialogue. The UK is urging the parties to reduce the risks of fragmentation by responsibly agreeing a way forward on the key issues, including return of Internally Displaced People and Demobilisation, Disarmament, and Reintegration (DDR). The UK is a leading contributor to the DDR process in Tigray and supports women-led organisations to influence peace and recovery efforts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Patten:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the religious freedoms in Egypt of (1) Copts, and (2) Roman Catholics. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The Egyptian Government has stated a firm commitment to protect the rights of Coptic Christians and Roman Catholics and their freedom of worship, and protections for freedom of religion are enshrined in the Egyptian constitution. There have been positive steps in recent years, including President Sisi's public commitments to uphold minority rights and freedom of religion or belief. The UK champions freedom of religion or belief for all and will continue to make clear to the Egyptian authorities the importance we attach to these issues. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 1 April (HL5876), what action they are taking in addition to issuing joint statements to prevent renewed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: We are concerned at heightened tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea and are engaging both sides at senior levels to encourage channels of communication and dialogue. This includes recent engagements by the Deputy Prime Minister during her recent visit to Ethiopia, and by myself as part of discussions on regional security with Ethiopian Ministers in recent weeks. Additionally, this week the UK's Special Envoy for the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa is visiting Asmara to meet with Eritrean Ministers and reinforce the need for calm and de-escalation.
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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the African Union in its role as a guarantor of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK continues to support the African Union-led Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in Ethiopia. The UK has provided over £155,000 to the second phase of the African Union Monitoring Verification and Compliance Mechanism, which monitors the implementation of the agreement.

We also support the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process, a key part of the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, as backed by the African Union (AU). We will continue to support the AU in its efforts to ensure lasting peace prevails.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the rising number of prisoners of conscience detained for their religious beliefs worldwide; and what assessment they have made of international law as a framework for holding governments accountable for violations of freedom of religion or belief. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK champions, and remains strongly committed to, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral organisations, our bilateral work, working with the Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith, and our programme funding, including the Rule of Law (ROLE UK) legal reform programme.

We also use our skilled global diplomatic network to engage directly with governments. Ministers and FCDO officials regularly raise specific cases of concern, and do not shy away from challenging those we believe are not meeting their obligations, whether publicly or in private. The UK continues to hold countries to account on their FoRB commitments and obligations, through our engagement with the UN's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and at the UN Human Rights Council. This work is mutually reinforcing of our wider human rights efforts, underpinning our belief that human rights are universal.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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The Lord Bishop of Leeds:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Qatar about the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and support by Rwanda for M23 rebels. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is deeply alarming. We have been clear that there can be no military solution and call for meaningful engagement in peace processes. We are in close contact with a range of partners globally on eastern DRC, including Qatar. Ministers and senior officials hold regular meetings to discuss foreign policy issues with their Qatari counterparts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Baroness Hodgson of Abinger:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to make changes to the UK Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan 2023–2027, and if so, how they plan to make those changes, who they will consult, and when they plan to make the changes. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK's fifth Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan was published in February 2023. The Government intends to build on the approach and ambition displayed in the UK's fifth Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan during this 25th anniversary year of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325.

The Government looks forward to setting out its priorities for the 25th anniversary year to the Women, Peace and Security All-Party Parliamentary Group and civil society in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports that the government of the United States of America has (1) withdrawn from the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, and (2) reduced funding to the Humanitarian Research Lab investigating the mass deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, how they are supporting efforts to ensure justice and accountability for Ukraine. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK is committed to ensuring that those responsible for atrocities committed during the conflict in Ukraine are held to account for their actions. Since the full-scale invasion we have provided over £11 million in funding to support Ukraine's domestic accountability efforts. We are supporting the work of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and the International Criminal Court to ensure allegations of war crimes are fully and fairly investigated, by independent, effective and robust legal mechanisms. We are also supporting work towards establishing a Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and have played an active role in discussions with Ukraine and close partners to progress this commitment.

The UK raises the mass deportation of Ukrainian children continually with our allies and in multilateral fora, and we are playing our full part in international efforts to reunite these children with their families. On 19 November 2024, the UK released its third sanctions package targeting those involved in Putin's attempt to deport and indoctrinate Ukrainian children. Minister Doughty met with Ukrainian organisations 'Save Ukraine' and 'Bring Kids Back UA' in London on 27 March 2025. We continue to support the vital work to identify, locate, return and reintegrate Ukrainian children through the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_41

The Earl of Dundee:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to assist non-governmental humanitarian initiatives delivering medical aid to Ukraine by (1) helping identify recipient organisations; and (2) releasing surplus medical supplies in the United Kingdom which would otherwise go to waste. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continues to support medical practitioners through funding partners in Ukraine. For example, the FCDO contributed to £320,000 of funding to the Superhumans War Trauma Centre in Ukraine last year. The clinic provides innovative rehabilitation services to people who have been impacted by war, including training surgeons on prosthetics. In addition, the Ukraine Red Cross Society, funded by UK assistance, provides specialised training at the Burns Unit in Kyiv.

Between 3 March 2022 and 31 December 2024 the UK Government matched £25 million of donations via the Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_42

Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government what provision they have made for redundancy payments for the abolition of NHS England, and the reduction in size of integrated care boards. \p Baroness Merron: We recognise that there may be some short-term upfront costs as we undertake changes to integrated care boards and the integration of NHS England and the Department, but these costs and more will be recouped in future years as a result of a smaller, leaner centre. By the end of the process, we estimate that these changes will save hundreds of millions of pounds a year, which will be reinvested in frontline services.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_43

The Lord Bishop of St Albans:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication in Environmental Research Letters on 31 March of Reconsidering the macroeconomic damage of severe warming, what assessment they have made of the finding that global warming will have a significant negative impact on the size of the global economy. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The latest Synthesis Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that it is unequivocal that human activities, principally through emissions of greenhouse gases, have warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land, and that widespread and rapid changes to the climate have occurred. The IPCC also found that projected net economic damages generally increase non-linearly with global warming levels and that economic impacts could be higher than previous estimates.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_44

Lord Truscott:To ask His Majesty's Government whether landlords will be able to let listed properties which do not reach energy performance certificate rating C in the future under current plans to reform energy performance certificate regulations. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government is consulting on proposals to increase minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. Current regulations include a number of exemptions to ensure minimal disruption to tenants and the number of homes available in the private rented sector, including exemptions for listed buildings where compliance would unacceptably alter the character or appearance of the existing building. We are looking to ensure appropriate exemptions are in place for any new standards.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_45

The Lord Bishop of St Albans:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the finding published on 27 March in Annual Fuel Poverty Statistics in England, 2025 (2024 data) that rural households have a higher rate of fuel poverty, what steps they are taking to tackle fuel poverty in rural areas. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government is currently consulting on a new fuel poverty strategy for England and has kickstarted delivery of the Warm Homes Plan, including an initial £1.8billion to support fuel poverty schemes over the next three years. Mutiple energy efficiency schemes support fuel poor households including in rural areas. The Warm Home Discount supported around 3 million eligible low-income households last winter and we recently consulted on expanding the scheme to more low income households next winter.

Our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_46

The Lord Bishop of St Albans:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) improve energy efficiency in rural homes, and (2) improve access to advanced energy solutions. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Our ambitious Warm Homes Plan will support investment in households, including rural homes, to install energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating to save families money on their bills.

The Government has committed £3.4 billion over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency. This includes the new Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG), which will provide support for low-income households living in privately owned EPC band D-G homes both on and off the gas grid in England.

We are taking steps to make heat pumps more efficient and easier to install which includes increasing funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to £295 million next financial year, removing outdated planning rules and consulting on product efficiency standards.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_47

Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the development of fusion energy and allied technologies. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Fusion supports the Government’s Plan for Change and its Missions to Kickstart Economic Growth – through innovation, highly skilled jobs, and tech transfer to adjacent sectors, and make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower.

The Government has announced a record £410m for fusion R&D to fund world leading new facilities, cutting edge research, support for the UK’s thriving industry and skill provision across the UK.

The Government is supporting rapid development of the fusion energy sector, investing in cutting-edge research capabilities and facilities, and implementing a proportionate regulatory framework to cement the UK as a global hub for fusion investment and commercialisation.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_48

Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government how many responses were received for the Alternative Routes to Market for New Nuclear Projects consultation. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero received 82 responses from across the public realm, including industry and academia. The government will respond in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_49

Lord Sikka:To ask His Majesty's Government how much uncollected tax they have written off in each of the past 10 years. \p Lord Livermore: Financial Year

Write-offs

Remissions

Total Losses

2023-24

£5,049m

£567m

£5,616m

2022-23

£3,154m

£596m

£3,750m

2021-22

£1,892m

£515m

£2,407m

2020-21

£1,517m

£445m

£1,962m

2019-20

£3,538m

£546m

£4,084m

2018-19

£3,669m

£794m

£4,463m

2017-18

£3,370m

£367m

£3,737m

2016-17

£3,564m

£303m

£3,867m

2015-16

£3,171m

£604m

£3,775m

2014-15

£3,865m

£372m

£4,237m

HMRC revenue losses are made up of remissions and write-offs. Remissions are debts capable of recovery, but HMRC has decided not to pursue the liability on the grounds of value for money. Write-offs are debts that are considered to be irrecoverable because there is no practical means for pursuing the liability.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_50

Lord Sikka:To ask His Majesty's Government which piece of legislation originally granted exemptions to the Duchy of Cornwall from paying corporation tax and capital gains tax; and what is the monetary value of these exemptions for the last 10 years. \p Lord Livermore: The Duchy of Cornwall is not liable to pay corporation tax as it is a Crown body subject to Crown exemption. This is a matter of common law.

The Prince of Wales receives the annual income generated by the Duchy of Cornwall, but is not entitled to the capital of the Duchy. While the Crown exemption applies to income received from the Duchy, the Prince of Wales pays tax voluntarily on his income received from the Duchy of Cornwall to the extent that is not used to meet official expenditure. The Prince of Wales is otherwise subject to taxation in the normal way. These arrangements are set out in The Memorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation, which is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/memorandum-of-understanding-on-royal-taxation-2023
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_51
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_51

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication on 19 February of Current PFI and PF2 projects as at 31 March 2024, why data for 273 projects does not include one or more of (1) the date of the Official Journal of the European Union, (2) the date of preferred bidder and (3) the date of financial close. \p Lord Livermore: For the 273 projects lacking information on (1) the date of the Official Journal of the European Union, (2) the date of preferred bidder, and (3) the date of financial close, this is because the relevant data has not been provided to His Majesty's Government by the responsible department or contracting authority. The data published on 19 February regarding Current PFI and PF2 projects as of 31 March 2024 is not audited by His Majesty's Treasury or the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (now NISTA, the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, as of 1 April). NISTA continues to collaborate with departments to enhance the quality and reliability of the data.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_52
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_52

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication on 21 January of the State of digital government review, whether the estimated £45 billion in annual savings and productivity benefits from full digitisation of public sector services was included in the scoring of (1) the Spring Statement 2025, or (2) the Economic and Fiscal Outlook published in March by the Office for Budget Responsibility; and if not, whether they intend to revise fiscal projections to reflect those savings. \p Lord Livermore: The figure of £45 billion in annual savings and productivity gains represents the long-term potential benefits of the digital transformation of the public sector. The ‘Blueprint for modern digital government’ sets out the vision for modern digital government in the UK, and Spending Review 2025 will set out the next steps to reforming the public services. Judgements on the economic and fiscal impacts of government policy are for the independent Office for Budget Responsibility.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-04-11 conversation_53

Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government how many applications they have received to the Duty Reimbursement Scheme in each year since the scheme was set up, and how much has been reimbursed in each year. \p Lord Livermore: The Duty Reimbursement Scheme (DRS) has been operational since 30 June 2023, allowing businesses who move goods into Northern Ireland to reclaim or remit duty provided that the goods can be shown not to have subsequently entered the EU.

As of 3 April 2025, 1407 claims have been submitted under the DRS.

Period

Claims Submitted

Amounts Repaid

30 June 2023 – 31 December 2023

92

£134,925.30

1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024

873

£1,706,950.41

1 January 2025 – 3 April 2025

442

£1,720,655.27

Businesses also have a three-year window from the date they were notified of the duty being owed to make a claim under the DRS.

HMRC has published extensive guidance and will continue to support businesses to use the scheme effectively, as well as other schemes like the Customs Duty Waiver Scheme.