theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-15 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-15 conversation_33

Baroness Altmann:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the sale of Government bonds by insurance companies who have taken over pension fund assets in exchange for annuities on (1) growth and (2) Government bond yields. \p Lord Livermore: The volume of government gilt issuance is determined by the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast for cash borrowing, adjusted for redeeming gilts, any unanticipated under/over-financing in the previous financial year, and financing via other sources (such as National Savings & Investments).

Underlying demand for the UK’s debt remains robust, with a well-diversified investor base and the Debt Management Office’s gilt sales operations continue to see strong demand.

Insurance companies have fewer incentives to invest in gilts than Defined Benefit schemes, so insurance buyouts are expected to reduce demand from the sector over the longer term. This is well understood by the market. Gilts continue to offer benefits to insurance companies, though, and there are limits to the pace at which insurers can buy out pension funds.

Historically, we have seen changes in demand patterns from across the investor base. Overall demand has however remained resilient throughout these periods of changing investor patterns as a result of our policy of supporting a strong and diversified market. More generally, gilt yields are determined by a wide range of both domestic and international factors.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-15 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Lord Harper:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency will request the use of powers to secure communications data through the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, either for anti-crime purposes or in the interests of public safety, in the light those powers being requested by and granted to Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: There are no current plans for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to secure communications data through the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-15 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-15)

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Lord Jopling:To ask the Leader of the House whether she has contacted the Permanent Secretaries at the Foreign Office, the Department for Education, and the Department for Health and Social Care to ask for explanations as to why these departments have failed to answer questions for written answer, tabled in May but still awaiting an answer in July. \p Baroness Smith of Basildon: I have personally reminded Ministers of the 10 day target for their department throughout my time as Leader. As well as this my office routinely contacts departments and Secretaries of State who have breached the target, reminding them of their duty to ensure the target is met and to ascertain the reasons why deadlines have been missed. I have not at present written to any Permanent Secretaries but I will do so if the issue persists.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-26 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-26)

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Baroness Boycott:To ask His Majesty's Government how many student learning days were lost to flooding during each of the past five academic years. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The information requested is not held centrally.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-26 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-26 conversation_2

Baroness Barran:To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 16 July (HL8638), on what date it was decided that their commitment to recruit 6,500 new expert teachers would include colleges. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department is targeting the 6,500 teachers pledge towards mainstream secondary schools and colleges, and special schools.

Regular public statements have been made on this key pledge. Examples include my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education’s letter to the education workforce on 8 July 2024, which confirmed both schools and colleges as being within scope of the pledge, and further information on the specific settings in scope were outlined in her speech on schools standards in February 2025 and in a Written Parliamentary Statement in May 2025.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-26 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-26)

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Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Child Poverty Unit will continue after the publication of the child poverty strategy. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Details of post-publication arrangements for the Child Poverty Strategy, including monitoring, evaluation and governance, will be set out when the Strategy is published in the autumn.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-08-26 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-26)

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Lord Clement-Jones:To ask His Majesty's Government how much has been spent to date of the £740 million in capital funding they announced to support inclusive education, where this funding has been allocated, and how it will be used to support inclusion in mainstream education settings. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities or who require alternative provision sits with local authorities. The department provides local authorities with capital funding to support them to meet this duty and has published allocations for £740 million in High Needs Provision Capital Allocations for the 2025/26 financial year.

Individual local authorities’ allocations are published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high-needs-provision-capital-allocations.

This funding can be used to adapt schools to be more accessible, to create specialist facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more intensive support adapted to suit the pupils’ needs and to create special school places for pupils with the most complex needs.

It is up to local authorities to determine how they prioritise their funding to address local need in the most appropriate way.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_1

Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the White Paper Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May, whether the doubling of the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain to 10 years will apply to those who are already on the existing five-year pathway. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and further details on the proposed scheme will be provided at that time.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of applications for asylum made by those who have entered the UK illegally in small boats have been successful in the past three years. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: Of the 105,754 people who arrived on a small boat between April 2022 and March 2025 and claimed asylum, 32,506 have subsequently been granted asylum or some other protection status. This data is published in Irr_D03 in the 'Irregular migration detailed datasets' as part of the 'Immigration system statistics quarterly release' on GOV.UK.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_3

Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of France about the departure of 1,195 asylum seekers in small boats on 31 May. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: As set out in the Home Secretary’s statement to the House of Commons on 2 June, the French Minister of the Interior and the French Cabinet have now agreed that their maritime rules need to change to tackle the kind of tactics seen on 31 May. We will continue to cooperate closely with our French counterparts on the action necessary to disrupt and dismantle organised immigration crime gangs.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 23 April (HL5835), whether they considered a bridging arrangement with an alternative supplier to KPMG before the extension of contract C2980; and if so, what assessment they made of value for money and risk when comparing the options of extending the contract and finding an alternative supplier. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Alternatives to a short-term contract extension were considered, and the decision to pursue a short-term extension without an increase to the contract value was taken based on this providing best value for money and other considerations (for example system changes and interoperability) and constraints associated with a short-term bridging opportunity.

At the Spending Review the Cabinet Office secured funding from the Transformation Fund to begin the long-term transformation of the civil service model for learning and development.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted:To ask His Majesty's Government how many intellectual property licences the Crown Commercial Service holds under contracts or terms of reference for (1) grants, (2) pre-procurement or proof of concept work, and (3) procurement; how many of those have sub-licensing rights; how many of those have resulted in sub-licensing; and how many of those sub-licences are for patents, and for which countries. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Crown Commercial Service holds no intellectual property licences under the specified categories.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 23 April (HL5835), whether at any stage during the life of the contract C2980 KPMG has received any contractual guarantees, exclusivity arrangements, or written assurances, including side letters or informal undertakings, relating to the continuation of work, future procurements or eligibility for subsequent frameworks. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: During the life of contract C2980 with KPMG there are no contractual guarantees relating to spend or service volumes and no exclusivity arrangements. Furthermore, there have been no written assurances, side letters or informal undertakings relating to the continuation of work, future procurements or eligibility for subsequent frameworks.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_7

Lord Booth:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 10 April (HL6032), what estimate they have made of the annual cost of "Project Seahorse". \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero is responsible for assessing the potential cost of ‘Project Seahorse’ as part of their business case development. The Cabinet Office does not centrally estimate costs for departments’ proposals.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the data Expenditure Over £25,000: April 2025 (Cabinet Office Core), published on 29 May, why the payment of £78 million to the Department for Work and Pensions (transaction number xx-xxxx-xxxx) is classified as "current grants to private sector – non-profit institutions serving households". \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) has started to make payments to claimants using the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) payment capabilities. This is to facilitate the high volume and speed at which IBCA and this government wants to make payments to compensation recipients. The Cabinet Office has to transfer funding to DWP, via a payment service request, so they can make the compensation payments on behalf of IBCA.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Baroness McIntosh of Pickering:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) funding, and (2) staff resources, available to local authorities to undertake the necessary checks on food labelling; and whether they will ensure that those resources are ring-fenced for that purpose. \p Baroness Merron: Local authorities (LAs) in the United Kingdom are competent authorities. It is for the cabinet of each authority to determine how their budget is spent based on statutory obligations, local priorities, and service demands.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) monitors the resources available to carry out food safety checks. Their report Our Food 2023 – An annual review of food standards in the UK notes that the number of Trading Standards Officers (TSOs) available in LAs to carry out food labelling checks has fallen considerably over the past decade. There were 182 fewer TSOs working in LAs across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 2023 compared to a decade ago, in 2012/13. Although the number of officers in LAs rose slightly during 2023, there was still a higher proportion of unfilled posts compared to pre-pandemic numbers. A copy of the report is attached.

The FSA has worked closely with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute and the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers to endorse a level 6 Trading Standards Practitioner apprenticeship. This has led to over 100 new people training in the first year. The FSA will continue to work across the Government and with the food sector to monitor the situation and to take appropriate action to ensure that food is safe.

Additional Document (pdf, 3568.2KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Roborough:To ask His Majesty's Government on what date they informed bioethanol companies of the details of the preferential terms for US bioethanol to be sold into the UK market under the US–UK Economic Prosperity Deal. [I] \p Baroness Gustafsson: Representatives from the Department for Business and Trade have been engaging with bioethanol companies regularly, including on 8 May, when the US–UK Economic Prosperity Deal was signed. Both the Business Secretary and senior officials from the department have met members of the bioethanol sector to listen to their concerns, with further engagement to take place. We are committed to engaging with the sector during this critical period.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_11

Lord Booth:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the annual costs of the office of the Fair Work Agency. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The government is committed to ensuring the FWA has the resources it needs to do its job. Further details around the implementation and funding will be provided in due course.

In the meantime, the published impact assessment on our plans to create the Fair Work Agency provides data on the budgets of the state enforcement bodies which will be brought together in the first phase of this important work.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Sikka:To ask His Majesty's Government how many companies registered at Companies House do not have a UK resident director. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: Companies House does not currently hold this statistic. Furthermore, as country of residency is a voluntary field there are issues with the data quality. However, the introduction of voluntary and mandatory identity verification will allow us to be able to analyse and determine the residency of company directors in the future.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_13

Lord Sikka:To ask His Majesty's Government how they sanction foreign resident directors of UK registered companies for violations of company law. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Companies Act 2006 applies equally to all UK registered companies and their officers regardless of where the directors are based.

Insolvency Service decisions to pursue an allegation of criminal misconduct by a foreign resident director of a UK registered company will assess the seriousness of the offence(s) alleged, whether there is a reasonable prospect of securing their return to the jurisdiction for any prosecution and the resources required.

Civil enforcement requires leave of the court to serve proceedings outside the jurisdiction.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_14

Lord Nash:To ask His Majesty's Government how many officials in the Department for Business and Trade hold qualifications recognised under the Government Counter Fraud Profession framework; and how many are accredited at (1) Foundation, (2) Practitioner, (3) Advanced Practitioner (4) Investigation Manager, or (5) Senior Investigation Officer level under the Counter Fraud Investigator Standard. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Public Sector Fraud Authority administers the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP), which holds records of Government officials who have achieved Practitioner member or Affiliate status under the GCFP standards.

(1) Foundation – 0

(2) Practitioner – 1

(3) Advanced Practitioner – 3

Of these:

(4) Investigation Manager - 3

(5) Senior Investigation Officer – 1

Officials are also enrolled with the PSFA for forthcoming GCFP training and qualifications with the PSFA.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Sikka:To ask His Majesty's Government what fines they have levied on P&amp;O Ferries Limited and its directors for failure to file annual audited financial statement at Companies House within the statutory prescribed time for the accounts made up to (1) 31 December 2021, (2) 31 December 2022, and (3) 31 December 2023. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: P&O Ferries Limited has incurred the following penalties for delivering overdue accounts for the reporting years specified:

31 December 2021

£1500

31 December 2022

£3000

Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2023 will incur a £3000 penalty when they are delivered.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Baroness Pidgeon:To ask His Majesty's Government, in their negotiations on the UK–US trade agreement, whether they are giving the same level of priority to vehicle safety standards as food standards. \p Baroness Gustafsson: There are no changes to vehicle safety standards in the General Terms of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal. Before placing a vehicle on the market in Great Britain, a vehicle manufacturer must demonstrate that it complies with the relevant regulatory requirements as set out in the GB Type Approval scheme. Upholding these standards remains a UK priority.

In addition, the UK-US deal does not change Britain’s high animal welfare and environmental standards. Our approach to this trade deal has ensured that agricultural imports coming into the UK meet the highest food safety standards.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Roborough:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they made of the impact of the US–UK Economic Prosperity Deal on UK farmers before it was signed. \p Baroness Gustafsson: On 8 May, we concluded a landmark economic deal with the US. For the first time ever, this deal will open up exclusive access for UK beef farmers to the US market. This is a major opportunity for British farmers to sell their high-quality British beef to a market of over 300 million people, helping farmers grow their business.

We are engaging extensively with the agricultural and food sectors and will always put the UK’s national interest first.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_18

Baroness Pidgeon:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they would allow the safety of pedestrians to be compromised by lowering vehicle safety standards in order to conclude the UK–US trade agreement. \p Baroness Gustafsson: There are no changes to vehicle safety standards in the General Terms of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal. Before placing a vehicle on the market in Great Britain, a vehicle manufacturer must demonstrate that it complies with the relevant regulatory requirements as set out in the GB Type Approval scheme. Upholding these standards remains a UK priority.

In addition, the UK-US deal does not change Britain's high animal welfare and environmental standards. Our approach to this trade deal has ensured that agricultural imports coming into the UK meet the highest food safety standards.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_19

Lord Booth:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the annual costs of the office of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council. \p Baroness Gustafsson: The Industrial Strategy Advisory Council is supported by a team of DBT civil servants, housed in the existing DBT estate. The costs of its secretariat are expected to be comparable to the secretariats of similar advisory bodies. Precise budget estimates are subject to Spending Review and business planning processes.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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The Lord Bishop of Gloucester:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the guidance to businesses trading in produce originating from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. \p Baroness Gustafsson: The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. There are clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity. Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK's current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

The overseas business risk guidance, available on gov.uk, provides information for UK operators on how goods from Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories should be labelled.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Spellar:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the cost of the Nottingham Inquiry. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The Terms of Reference of the Nottingham Inquiry were published on 22 May and like all public inquiries it must avoid unnecessary costs to public funds.

The Inquiry is responsible for presenting a preliminary budget within a reasonable timeframe to the sponsor department for approval. As the sponsor department, the Ministry of Justice will ensure that public funds are properly planned and accounted for. The Lord Chancellor will publish the full costs of the Inquiry in the usual way.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Cromwell:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to support any cases going before any international courts relating to the removal of children from Ukraine by Russia. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued warrants of arrest for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova for crimes linked to the deportation of children. It is an independent court and carries out its investigations impartially and without government interference. We are supporting the work of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and the ICC to ensure allegations of war crimes in Ukraine are fully and fairly investigated by independent and robust legal mechanisms. We welcome progress made by the ICC in its active investigation, including the arrest warrants for individuals connected to the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Cromwell:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to their Russian counterparts regarding the numbers and current locations of the children removed by Russia from Ukraine. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: We have raised this issue with Russia on multiple occasions at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which meets at ambassador-level almost every week. On 29 May, our Ambassador reiterated the need for Russia to return forcibly deported children as critical to achieving a just and lasting peace. We have supported multiple invocations of the OSCE's fact-finding mission, the Moscow Mechanism, to examine Russian human rights abuses in Ukraine. Their May 2023 report focused on Ukrainian children. We have also raised this issue with Russia at the UN Security Council, most recently on 15 May and 8 April.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Baroness Coussins:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, including through their embassies, to support environmental defenders, human rights defenders and indigenous communities who are at risk of violence due to their opposition to mining operations by companies headquartered or incorporated in the UK. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK recognises the essential role that civil society and human rights defenders play in promoting and protecting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Our Embassies and Missions support those at risk, including by monitoring cases, observing trials and raising issues with host governments. We encourage delivery partners to incorporate lived experience into programme design and delivery in an ethical and meaningful way. The UK government works to promote responsible business practices and greater value-addition in developing countries' critical minerals supply chains through several ODA-funded initiatives working with governments, investors and civil society, including support to the Extractives Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI).
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Collins of Highbury on 9 June (HL Deb col 1066), what assessment they have made of (1) reports of the discovery of 117 mass graves across Khartoum, and (2) of reports of genocide in Darfur; and what action they are taking to collect and preserve evidence to ensure that those responsible are held to account. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: We are shocked at the recent reports about the discovery of mass graves in Khartoum. The Foreign Secretary has stated that the UK will continue to use all tools available to hold those responsible for such atrocities to account. The most effective mechanism to support accountability in Sudan is the UN Human Rights Council Fact-Finding Mission. The UK led lobbying for the renewal of its mandate in October 2024, and we have already started formulating our lobbying strategy ahead of its next renewal in September.  We are also using the momentum provided by the London Sudan conference to sustain pressure on the warring parties to adhere to their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2736.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb:To ask His Majesty's Government what is their plan and timetable for ratifying the Global Ocean Treaty. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Government is completely committed to ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement, also known as the "High Seas Treaty" or "Global Ocean Treaty"), which is in line with our determination to reinvigorate the UK's wider international leadership on climate and nature. Legislation will be introduced by the end of the year to enable ratification of the BBNJ Agreement.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of rare earth elements, other mining products and logging products from Myanmar in the UK supply chain; and what steps they are taking to reduce the environmental and human rights damage associated with such extraction, in particular through diplomacy, official development assistance and other routes. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: Our Overseas Business Risk Guidance makes clear that UK businesses procuring natural resources in Myanmar should conduct thorough supply chain due diligence to ensure that their intended activities do not contravene sanctions prohibitions and restrictions and that they are not supporting the military regime or its associated businesses. The guidance also advises businesses operating in Myanmar to comply with standards of responsible business conduct, including respecting human rights. The UK has sanctioned State Owned Entities involved in extractive industries in Myanmar, namely Myanmar Mining Enterprise 1 and 2 and the Myanmar Timber Enterprise.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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Baroness Coussins:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support mining companies headquartered or incorporated in the UK in complying with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, in the light of reports of human rights abuses resulting from the mining of key minerals. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK supports voluntary human rights due diligence by UK businesses across their operations and supply relationships, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises. In mineral supply chains, the Government supports the OECD's Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains which promotes responsible operation in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. The UK is Chair of the multi-stakeholder Voluntary Principles Initiative on Security and Human Rights that guides companies on security operations while respecting human rights. Several UK headquartered and incorporated mining companies are members of the initiative.

The UK's new Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure the supply of critical minerals vital for the UK's economic growth and clean energy transition whilst promoting responsible and transparent supply chains.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

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The Lord Bishop of Gloucester:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of cases in which soldiers of the Israel Defence Forces have used Palestinians as human shields in Gaza. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: We are deeply disturbed by reports that soldiers of the Israel Defence Forces have used Palestinians as human shields in Gaza. Use of civilians as human shields is a breach of international humanitarian law. We call on the Government of Israel to fully investigate all such reports and ensure that anyone found responsible is held accountable.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_30

Baroness Coussins:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the work of the Global Tailings Management Institute. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK strongly welcomed the launch of the Global Tailings Management Institute in Johannesburg earlier this year. The Global Tailings Management Institute was established by the International Council on Mining and Metals, the United Nations Environment Programme and the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2019 to make mine tailings facilities safer. We are considering how best to support the Institute as part of our international approach under the new strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_31

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester:To ask Her Majesty's Government what level of representation they intend to send to the UN High Level Conference on the two-state solution on 17–20 June. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The two-state solution Conference has been postponed following military escalation in the region. We remain deeply committed to a two-state solution which remains the only way to guarantee security, dignity and a just and lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. We will continue to work closely with France, Saudi Arabia and others to make the conference a success when it is re-scheduled.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_32

Lord Sikka:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the annual cost of assessing and administering (1) Pension Credit, and (2) winter fuel payments. \p Baroness Sherlock: In terms of administrative costs, in 2023/24 the Department for Work and Pensions spent

(1) £30.7m on the administration of Pension Credit

(2) £3.3m on the administration of Winter Fuel payments.

Cost figures are rounded to the nearest £0.1m

The numbers quoted are estimated DWP level 1 operating costs, including both direct delivery staff and non-staff costs. Non-staff costs are only those costs incurred in local cost centres, relating to direct delivery staff in the processing and management of cases.

Please note that the data supplied is from the Departmental Activity Based Models (ABM). This data is derived from unpublished management information, which was collected for internal Departmental use only and has not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standards.

The Departmental Activity Based staffing models are a snapshot of how many people were identified as undertaking specified activities as assigned by line managers.

The data is frequently revised and changes to definitions / benefits / DWP structure effect comparisons over time. It should therefore be treated with caution and must be seen as an indication of cost, rather than the actual cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_33

Lord Hain:To ask His Majesty's Government what would be the anticipated net revenue gain from taxing the Winter Fuel Payment. \p Baroness Sherlock: On 9 June the Government announced that, from this winter 2025/26, Winter Fuel Payment eligibility will be expanded in England and Wales. Pensioners with incomes below or equal to £35,000 will benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment. This will mean that the vast majority of pensioners - over three quarters, or 9 million individuals - will benefit this parliament. We estimate that this will save around £450m per year compared to a policy of universal Winter Fuel Payments in England and Wales. Winter Fuel Payments are transferred in Northern Ireland and the policy area is devolved in Scotland. Last Autumn, the Office for Budgetary Responsibility certified that targeting Winter Fuel Payments towards pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit would save £1.65bn per year UK-wide by 2029/30, relative to universal Winter Fuel Payments in England and Wales.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_34

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the United Kingdom remains an attractive destination for foreign investment in the technology sector, particularly in artificial intelligence infrastructure. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The UK is a global leader in technology and artificial intelligence, offering world-class talent, pro-innovation regulation, and leading research institutions. To strengthen our position, we have developed a new Digital and Tech Sector Plan, which will follow publication of the Industrial Strategy, to drive growth and innovation. We are also unlocking investment through wider reforms like the Mansion House Accord, British Growth Partnership, and National Wealth Fund—mobilising over £100 billion of additional capital. Our AI Opportunities Action Plan sets out how we will build AI infrastructure, including through AI Growth Zones, ensuring the UK remains an attractive destination for AI investment and development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_35

Lord Booth:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the annual costs of the office of the National Data Library. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The National Data Library has a budget of £9.6m for FY25/26. Funding beyond this will be considered as part of the forthcoming Spending Review, with further details to follow in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_36

Lord Whitty:To ask His Majesty's Government what support they plan to offer to enhance energy efficiency in housing, office buildings and public buildings as part of the drive for net zero. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: The Government will support homes, buildings and public buildings to decarbonise. The forthcoming Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future.

The UK’s approach to decarbonising non-domestic buildings, which will be set out in October this year, will provide the long-term regulatory clarity for industry and unlock considerable UK and foreign investment in commercial buildings driving economic growth.

Support is provided to the public sector through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme until 2028.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_37

Lord Framlingham:To ask His Majesty's Government why they closed the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund; and what plans they have to ensure that there are enough trained tree surgeons and arborists to meet demand and to deal with the number of urban trees planted in the past 50 years. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Government recognises forestry skills as vital for achieving environmental targets, enhancing biodiversity, and supporting the economy through sustainable woodland management and green job creation. The Government is facing a very challenging wider fiscal context. This has meant that Defra has had to make difficult decisions about funding which has included not to continue with the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund in 2025/26. The Forestry Commission is collecting feedback from course attendees and will be working with key stakeholders throughout 2025/26 to deliver the Forestry Sector Skills Plan. There are new technical, higher technical and professional education routes being developed into the forestry sector, and work is underway to improve links with allied sectors such as arboriculture, agriculture and horticulture.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_38

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government how they plan to support plant health professionals to guard against unknown and novel pests and diseases not currently listed on the UK Plant Health Risk Register. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Pests are added to the UK Plant Health risk register based on horizon scanning for new threats to plants in the UK, carried out by Defra’s plant health Risk and Horizon Scanning Team. A variety of scientific and other sources are used and the process is dynamic, with new pests regularly added in response to information gathered during such horizon scanning. Risks of existing pests are also regularly reviewed in response to new information. The ‘Risk Register News’ section on the Risk register website can be used to check which pests have recently been added or reviewed.

A risk-based approach to import inspections is undertaken at the UK border, to protect plant health professionals and others against known threats as well as new ones. Import requirements and inspection rates are kept under continuous review and adjusted as necessary, for example in response to an upsurge of interceptions of pests or a new threat emerging.

If a pest is identified at an import inspection, or through inland surveillance, which has not been identified during the horizon scanning process described, or has not yet been regulated, Article 29 of the plant health regulation (PHR), assimilated Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, applies. This requires action to be taken against any pest which on the basis of a preliminary assessment meets the criteria to be a GB quarantine pest. Where a pest which is not present in GB is considered to meet the criteria to be a GB quarantine pest, action would be taken against plants or plant products it has been found on, most likely resulting in their destruction.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_39

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to ban bottom trawling in marine protected areas, and if so when. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: This Government is committed to protecting and restoring our ocean to good health, delivering on our commitment to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. We have recently announced a consultation on plans to ban bottom trawling in a further 41 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), covering 30,000 square kilometres of England’s waters. This is in addition to the 60% of MPAs that already have byelaws in place to protect them from damaging fishing activity, and to existing protections provided by the marine planning and licensing regimes. The consultation on these new proposals will run from 9 June to 1 September 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_40

Lord West of Spithead:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 30 May (HL7622), whether the public inquiry into the planning application for the a Chinese Embassy looked in detail at the layout, range, and vulnerability of nearby critical communication networks, their key hubs, or significant data centres. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: An independent Inspector held a public inquiry into the proposals, at which interested parties were able to put forward evidence and representations. All material planning considerations will be taken into account in reaching a decision on this case.

All Inquiry documents for this case are publicly available on Tower Hamlets website here [https://towerhamlets.app.box.com/s/68q9lv6thn0w29gt98y5godmes0rizmn].

Inquiry documents (pdf, 125.8KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-18 conversation_41

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to their press release “Government backs SME builders to get Britain building” published on 28 May, whether councillors on local authorities will be able to refer tier A planning applications to a planning application committee for consideration. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Our proposals to introduce a national scheme of delegation through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill would be mandatory for local planning authorities as defined in the Bill.

As set out in the technical consultation on reform of planning committees published on 28 May 2025, all applications in Tier A would be delegated to planning officers.

However, Question 5 asks for views on whether there should be a mechanism to bring a Tier A application to committee in exceptional circumstances and, if so, what would those circumstances be and how would the mechanism operate.

Applications in Tier B would be presumed to be delegated unless the chief planning officer (or equivalent officer in local planning authorities without a chief planning officer) and Chair of Committee agree it should go to Committee based on a gateway test.

The consultation is open for views until 23 July 2025.