theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_13

Lord McColl of Dulwich:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposal to cover the ancient Roman site at Richborough with solar panels. \p Baroness Twycross: Richborough Roman Fort is a scheduled ancient monument protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. We are not aware of any application for solar panels on the site, but are aware of an ongoing planning application in the vicinity of the ancient monument, which is for the Local Planning Authority to decide. It would not be appropriate for the government to comment on an individual planning case such as this, as it may come before Government Ministers for a decision at a later date.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_14

The Lord Bishop of St Albans:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment has been made of the potential benefits of strengthening advertising regulation in relation to children and young people. \p Baroness Twycross: The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the independent body responsible for regulating advertising in the UK and co-regulates broadcast advertising under contract with Ofcom. The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), sister organisations of the ASA, are responsible for codifying the standards for advertising in their CAP and BCAP Codes. Within these codes, specific rules are set out for advertising to children, along with rules to ensure that adverts for age-restricted products are not targeted towards those under the age of 18.

The Government continues to work with industry through the Online Advertising Taskforce to explore non-legislative measures to improve trust, transparency and accountability in the online advertising ecosystem. The Taskforce has agreed a programme of work focused on tackling illegal advertising and minimising children being served advertising for products and services illegal to sell to them. Six industry-led working groups report to the Taskforce, including an age-assurance working group which specifically looks to improve standards to reduce children’s exposure to advertising for age-restructed products. More details on its work can be found in the Online Advertising Taskforce’s Progress Report 2023 - 2024.

The Government is keen to see industry working together in the first instance but will continue to monitor the regulatory framework to see if further legislation is needed.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_15

The Lord Bishop of St Albans:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of research by Cambridge University and Fudan University showing a link between social isolation and the increased risk of heart disease, stroke and infections; and what steps they intend to take to address loneliness in the UK. \p Baroness Twycross: The Government recognises that chronic loneliness is linked to negative health outcomes, and welcomes further research in this space, including the new research by Cambridge University and Fudan University. The Government continues to be evidence led in its approach to addressing loneliness.

The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) leads on the cross-government tackling loneliness programme for England. DCMS’s current work to tackle loneliness includes supporting a range of organisations through the Tackling Loneliness Hub, an online platform for professionals working to reduce loneliness; working to improve the evidence base around loneliness; and providing advice through the Better Health: Every Mind Matters campaign’s advice pages.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_16

Lord Mawson:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of anti-depressants in treating (1) mild, (2) moderate, and (3) severe, depression. \p Baroness Merron: A number of anti-depressant products have been licenced by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). These medicines are prescription only, and must only be prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Each individual product is assessed for its efficacy and safety in a specific indication prior to the issuing of a marketing authorisation. Only when the benefit-risk analyses have been shown to be positive in relation to quality, safety, and efficacy, will a product obtain an approval.

The Product Information for each product will include not only the details of the indication, but will also include posology, or the dose recommendations, contra-indications, a list of known side-effects, and a reference to the Yellow Card Scheme, for reporting new side-effects. Safety is regularly monitored in order to detect any safety signal not recorded during the clinical trials and once the drug is available to a wider population.

Details of products approved by the MHRA, including therapeutic indications, can be found by searching ‘antidepressant’ on the MHRA website, which is available in an online only format.

The effectiveness of the product, which is measured post-authorisation, is considered by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and other learned bodies, for the development of clinical guidance.

It should be noted that non-pharmacological alternatives may also be recommended to a patient, however this a decision for the healthcare professional.

The NICE is the independent body responsible for translating evidence into authoritative guidance and best practice for the health and care system. NICE guidelines provide recommendations in terms of both the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions and services, and National Health Service organisations are expected to take them fully into account in designing services that meet the needs of their local populations.

The NICE has published guidance on the treatment and management of depression in adults which provides recommendations on the use of antidepressants and non-drug treatments for depression.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_17

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government how many fully qualified GPs have been recruited since the general election (1) under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, and (2) through any other route; and whether they have set a target for the number of full-time equivalent GPs per 1,000 population in England. \p Baroness Merron: Information on the number of recently qualified general practitioners (GPs) for which primary care networks are claiming reimbursement via the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme is currently being collated. We are working to verify the data and establish its reliability, which is necessary before any dataset can be published. Between 31 July 2024 and 30 November 2024, the headcount of fully qualified GPs increased by 831.

There is no NHS England recommendation for how many patients a GP should have assigned, or the ratio of GPs or other practice staff to patients. The demands each patient places on their GP are different and can be affected by many different factors, including rurality and patient demographics. It is necessary to consider the workforce for each practice as a whole, not only GPs but also the range of health professionals available who are able to respond to the needs of their patients.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_18

Lord Mawson:To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of adults in England currently receive prescriptions for anti-depressants. \p Baroness Merron: The Medicines Used in Mental Health statistical release includes information about prescribing in England for medicines classified within the British National Formulary section 0403, as antidepressant drugs. There were 6,873,381 total identified patients, aged 18 years old and over, in quarter two of 2024/25.

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) publishes population statistics for England on the ONS website. The estimated mid-year population for people aged 18 years old and over in England in 2023 was 45,691,677.

Based on the latest published data, the number of adults, those aged 18 years old and over, in England who received a prescription for antidepressant drugs in the quarterly period of July to September 2024 was 15% of the estimated 2023 mid-year population.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_19

Lord Mawson:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any unintended consequences of taking anti-depressants. \p Baroness Merron: Unintended consequences, such as potential side effects, associated with taking antidepressants are outlined in the Product Information provided with each pack of medicine. The safety of all medicines is kept under continuous review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and the product information is updated as needed to reflect what is known about the medicine. The product information is designed to support but not replace the clinical conversation between the prescriber and patient on the benefits and risks of pharmacological treatment.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Lord Mawson:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the cost to the NHS of anti-depressants in each of the past ten years; and how many they prescribed in each of those years. \p Baroness Merron: The Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) provides the total number of prescription items of each medicine dispensed in the community in England. The following table shows the total number of items prescribed, based on information within the PCA and using British National Formulary Section 0403 for antidepressant drugs that have been dispensed in England regardless of where prescribed, as well as their net ingredient cost (NIC), for each calendar year from 2014 to 2023, and from January to November 2024:

Calendar year

Total number of items

Total NIC

2014

57,149,109

£265,008,698.97

2015

61,021,662

£284,746,655.27

2016

64,703,639

£266,562,024.17

2017

67,530,457

£235,076,089.51

2018

70,873,979

£202,526,719.66

2019

74,814,621

£201,729,659.16

2020

78,866,866

£352,682,885.77

2021

82,620,542

£288,099,249.84

2022

85,404,864

£224,648,497.13

2023

88,469,803

£230,013,659.86

2024

84,251,563

£207,585,360.44

Total

815,707,105

£2,758,679,499.78

The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold a single cost to the National Health Service. Total NIC is the amount that would be paid using the basic price of the prescribed medicine and the quantity prescribed, before any discounts, dispensing costs, or fees. It also does not include other costs to the NHS, such as those associated with purchasing or storing these medicines. The basic price is given either in the Drug Tariff or is determined from prices published by manufacturers, wholesalers, or suppliers.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_21

Lord Farmer:To ask His Majesty's Government following their announcement on 10 January that approximately £57 million will be made available to local authorities for the continuation of Start for Life services, what plans they have, if any, (1) to produce guidance for local authorities on Start for Life services, and (2) to introduce a duty on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to report annually on the level of support available in England. \p Baroness Merron: In 2025/26, £57 million will be made available to 75 local authorities with high levels of deprivation to provide a range of Start for Life services. An updated programme guide will be published, setting out delivery expectations and guidance for local authorities providing Start for Life services.

The Government has no plans at this stage to introduce a duty on my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to report annually on the level of support available in England. Two national, independent evaluations are underway to understand the implementation and impact of the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_22

Lord Mawson:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the cost to the NHS of prescribing tablets to patients aged over 70 in each of the past ten years; and what assessment they have made of any unintended consequences of those patients combining multiple tablets. \p Baroness Merron: Prescription data is collected by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) for the operational purpose of reimbursing and remunerating dispensing contractors for the costs of supplying drugs and devices, and providing essential and advanced services, to National Health Service patients.

The following table shows the total net ingredient cost (NIC) for prescription items with an oral route of administration, dispensed to patients aged 71 years old and over, for the financial years 2015/16 to 2023/24, and from April to November 2024/25:

Financial year

Tablet

Capsule

Liquid, solution, suspension, drops

Other formulations

2015/16

£1,128,000,000

£336,000,000

£155,000,000

£35,000,000

2016/17

£1,138,000,000

£325,000,000

£156,000,000

£35,000,000

2017/18

£1,211,000,000

£273,000,000

£146,000,000

£34,000,000

2018/19

£1,252,000,000

£239,000,000

£144,000,000

£35,000,000

2019/20

£1,423,000,000

£254,000,000

£148,000,000

£38,000,000

2020/21

£1,570,000,000

£263,000,000

£158,000,000

£40,000,000

2021/22

£1,581,000,000

£250,000,000

£164,000,000

£45,000,000

2022/23

£1,723,000,000

£267,000,000

£189,000,000

£46,000,000

2023/24

£1,742,000,000

£279,000,000

£218,000,000

£49,000,000

2024/25

£1,091,000,000

£173,000,000

£190,000,000

£13,000,000

This answer is based on information extracted from the NHSBSA Data Warehouse, using all drug products where there was an indication of an oral route on the NHSBSA’s drug database.

The NHSBSA does not hold a single cost to the NHS. Total NIC is the amount that would be paid using the basic price of the prescribed medicine and the quantity prescribed, before any discounts, dispensing costs, or fees. It also does not include other costs to the NHS, such as those associated with purchasing or storing these medicines. The basic price is given either in the Drug Tariff or is determined from prices published by manufacturers, wholesalers, or suppliers. For branded medicines, the cost to the NHS will be partially offset by the statutory scheme and voluntary scheme.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency continuously monitors the safety of medicines on the United Kingdom’s market and ensures the product information, which includes the patient information leaflet supplied with each pack of medicine, reflects what is known about the medicine, and provides information to support the safe use of the medicine. This includes information about the risks to particular groups of patients such as the elderly, details of possible side effects, and if action is needed to seek medical advice and information about the risk of interactions with other medicines, and the action that is needed to minimise the risks.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Lord Farmer:To ask His Majesty's Government, following their announcement on 10 January that approximately £57 million will be made available to local authorities for the continuation of Start for Life services, what plans they have to require local authorities to publish details of the Start for Life support services available in their area on their websites. \p Baroness Merron: As a minimum, all local authorities on the programme are expected to publish their Start for Life offer digitally in a single online space, and provide a hard-copy of the local offer to parents-to-be. We can confirm that all 75 local authorities have published details of their Start for Life offer online.

In 2025/26, £57 million will be made available to 75 local authorities with high levels of deprivation to provide a range of Start for Life services. This will include £2 million to ensure that families can access and understand their local Start for Life services, and to support parents and carers in bringing their valuable insight into the service design.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_24

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of healthcare professionals using AI tools to listen to and transcribe patient notes; and whether they intend to introduce regulations to ensure the data remains confidential and is stored responsibly. \p Baroness Merron: New artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are being developed that have the potential to improve healthcare delivery and to provide significant cost savings to the National Health Service. One example is the use of automated voice to text tools, which use AI to listen to and transcribe patient notes.

Currently, there are ongoing assessments of the use of these tools in the NHS as these technologies could help ease the administrative burden faced by staff and make systems more efficient. Several NHS trusts are running trials, including a multi-site assessment of the impact of using automated transcription software. The NHS AI team is monitoring these developments and developing guidance for the responsible use of these tools. This guidance will be informed by the Government’s broader guidance on the use of generative AI in the public sector.

There are strict safeguards in place throughout the NHS to protect data. All providers of services which handle patient data must protect that data in line with the United Kingdom’s General Data Protection Regulations, and the Data Protection Act 2018, and every health organisation is required to appoint a Caldicott Guardian to advise on the protection of people’s health and care data, and ensure it is used properly. This includes where AI is used in relation to patient records.

To mitigate the likelihood and severity of any potential harm to individuals arising from the use of data in AI, the Information Commissioners Office has developed detailed AI guidance which provides an overarching view of data protection, including Data Protection Impact Assessments and UK General Data Protection Regulations. They have also produced an AI toolkit to support organisations auditing compliance of their AI-based technologies.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_25

Baroness Thornhill:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to issue guidance regarding single-sex provision in social care settings, including nursing homes and people's own homes, for adults with learning difficulties or cognitive impairment who are vulnerable and at increased risk of sexual abuse. \p Baroness Merron: Local authorities are under statutory duties to safeguard adults in their area with care and support needs from abuse and neglect. This includes making enquiries, or causing others to do so, if it believes that an adult in its area, with care and support needs, which may include learning difficulties or cognitive impairments or both, is experiencing or at risk of abuse, including sexual abuse, or neglect, and as a result of those needs is, or would be, unable to protect themselves.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered care providers are also required to adhere to the CQC fundamental standards, set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, which include that service users must be treated with dignity and respect, and must have their support provided in a way that reflects their preferences. The CQC’s guidance on this legislative framework says that when providing intimate or personal care, a provider must make every reasonable effort to make sure that they respect people's preferences about who delivers their care and treatment. This may include requesting staff of a specific sex.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_26

Lord Spellar:To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to facilitate medically qualified individuals from abroad who have been granted leave to remain in the UK having their qualifications recognised so that they can be recruited into the NHS workforce. \p Baroness Merron: All medical practitioners wishing to practise in the United Kingdom must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and hold a licence to practise. The GMC is statutorily independent of the Government and sets the standards that must be met by domestic and international applicants wishing to be added to its register. This ensures registrants are safe to practise, and that patients receive a high standard of care.

Information on the process for joining the GMC’s register and tailored support for international applicants can be found on its website.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what data they have collected on the scale of exercise-based social prescribing. \p Baroness Merron: Social prescribing is a whole population and universal approach that can work particularly well for those managing conditions, which a non-clinical intervention can support.

We do not collect data on the scale of exercise-based social prescribing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_28

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the English Devolution White Paper on 16 December 2024 (CP 1218), whether Bedford Borough Council, the London Borough of Croydon, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, the London Borough of Hackney, Leicester City Council, the London Borough of Lewisham, Mansfield District Council, Middlesbrough Borough Council, the London Borough of Newham, North Tyneside Council, Salford City Council, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, and Watford Borough Council will be permitted to retain their directly elected mayoral model. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: As set out in the English Devolution White Paper we will consider which governance models available to local authorities across the sector will best support their decision making.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_29

Lord Young of Cookham:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for establishing a youth homelessness dashboard; and what plans they have to improve data collection on this issue. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The quarterly and annual accredited homelessness statistics remain our official and most robust measure of how many young people are owed a homelessness duty.

Our homelessness statistics includes data for young people by age 16-17 and 18-24. The most recent figures for April – June 2024 are available here: Detailed_LA_202406_fix.xlsx within tab A6, and the figures for April 2023 – 31 March 2024 are available here: Detailed_LA_20232024.xlsx within tab A6.

Detailed LA 202406 (xlsx, 2277.8KB)

Detailed LA 20232024 (xlsx, 2280.3KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_30

Lord Spellar:To ask His Majesty's Government what is their latest estimate of the number of individuals in England on the parliamentary electoral register, and what percentage this represents of the number of those eligible to vote. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The Office for National Statistics publishes annual electoral statistics. Its most recent report, published in April 2024, shows that the numbers of parliamentary electors registered to vote in England stood at 38,969,669.

There are no official statistics on, or Government estimates of, the numbers eligible to vote in parliamentary elections in England but not registered. The best available estimate, produced by the Electoral Commission in 2023, is that the parliamentary register in England is 86% complete.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_31

Lord Patten:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need for Land Registry staff to work in their offices, and of the effects, if any, of staff working from home on the completion of housing transactions. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: HM Land Registry operates a hybrid working model under which all staff are expected to spend at least 60% of their time on average working in an office, in line with the guidance published by Cabinet Office.

HM Land Registry’s productivity is continuously assessed by management, looking at a variety of factors. It has continued to improve as the hybrid model has evolved over recent times. The majority of HM Land Registry’s information services, which are the most essential services for the completion of property transactions, are now automated.

HM Land Registry’s current processing times are published on GOV.UK here.

HM Land Registry's current processing times (pdf, 374.8KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_32
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Lord Storey:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of empty houses in each of the past three years. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Statistics on vacant dwellings in England, as reported for the purposes of council tax, for each of the past three years are shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1. All vacant dwellings1 and Long-Term vacant dwellings2 England, 2022 to 2024.

Date

All-Vacants

Long-Term Vacants

3 Oct 2022

676,304

248,149

2 Oct 2023

699,126

261,474

7 Oct 2024

719,470

265,061

Source: Council Tax Base (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/council-taxbase-statistics) and also published in Live Table 615 (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-dwelling-stock-including-vacants)

1 These are defined as empty properties as classified for council tax purposes and include all empty properties liable for council tax and properties that are empty but receive a council tax exemption. They do not include second homes as classified for council tax purposes.

2 These are defined as properties liable for council tax that have been empty for more than six months and that are not subject to Empty Homes Discount class D or empty due to specific flooding events.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Baroness Deech:To ask His Majesty's Government what is their definition of "Holocaust" for the purposes of the learning centre planned for Victoria Tower Gardens by the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation; and to which genocides the learning centre will seek to make reference. \p Lord Khan of Burnley: The scope and content of the Learning Centre exhibition will be developed by the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, drawing on a wide range of external advice and expertise. Further information can be found on the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation website page and in their mission statement: UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation - GOV.UK

Holocaust memorial foundation (pdf, 1309.9KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Lord Rogan:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to prevent political parties registered in Northern Ireland from receiving donations from people and organisations based in the Republic of Ireland. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The statutory framework for donations to UK political parties explicitly provides for Northern Ireland parties to receive donations from eligible people and organisations based in Ireland. These provisions are consistent with the principles set out in the Good Friday Agreement, particularly those relating to equality and respect for the different political traditions on the island of Ireland.

The Government has no plans to change these rules.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in developing a twinning programme for primary schools in Northern Ireland, as proposed in Annex B of Command Paper 1021, Safeguarding the Union, published on 31 January 2024. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Secretary of State for Education reaffirmed the Government's commitment to the development of a twinning programme, as set out in the command paper, at the last UK Education Ministers' Council hosted in Lisburn, Northern Ireland on 20 November 2024. Work is ongoing to develop and deliver the programme.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_36

Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in facilitating collaboration between the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Civil Service to support the transformation programme in Northern Ireland and improve the delivery of public services; and which government department is responsible for this work. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: This Government is committed to resetting relationships with the devolved Governments.

While public services are the responsibility of the Executive, we want to be a supportive partner. In the Northern Ireland Office, we are working to promote greater collaborative working between the UK Government and the Executive so that we can deliver improvements for the people of Northern Ireland.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_37
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_37

Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to publish the “series of papers that make the case, through sectoral analysis, for Northern Ireland’s place in the Union and ways in which to take it forward”, described in Annex B of Command Paper 1021, Safeguarding the Union, published on 31 January 2024. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: This Government is committed to implementing the Windsor Framework in good faith and to protecting Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market. We are currently considering the best way to take forward the approach referred to in Annex B of the Safeguarding the Union command paper.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_38
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Lord Watson of Invergowrie:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to mark the 25th anniversary of the lifting of the LGBT+ ban in the armed forces. \p Lord Coaker: To commemorate this historic milestone, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Fighting with Pride held events for both Serving personnel and veterans over the weekend of 12 January and have plans to host more throughout 2025.

During the weekend of 12 January, the design for the LGBT+ Armed Forces Community Memorial was announced at an evening reception. The RAF Church St Clement Danes held a service of commemoration to mark the 25th anniversary and an evening reception with Ministers and all three Service Chiefs was held. Additionally, the pride flag was proudly flown from MOD Main Building throughout the weekend.

Throughout the rest of 2025 all three Services have planned 25th Anniversary Dinners; Defence and veterans will be participating in various Pride events; and the official unveiling of the LGBT Armed Forces Community Memorial at the National Arboretum will be marked by an event.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_39
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_39

Lord Bird:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Child Poverty Taskforce will include statutory child poverty reduction targets in their forthcoming strategy. \p Baroness Sherlock: The Child Poverty Taskforce continues its urgent work to publish the Child Poverty Strategy and is exploring all available levers across government to deliver an enduring reduction in child poverty in this parliament, as part of a 10-year Strategy for lasting change.

As set out in the publication of 23 October ‘Tackling Child Poverty: Developing our Strategy’, the Taskforce is exploring a range of metrics and will make decisions alongside the publication of the strategy. This work will be guided by the leading, and internationally recognised, measure of poverty - Relative Poverty After Housing Costs (the proportion of families with below 60% of the median income after housing costs are deducted).

Our metrics must also reflect the experience of poverty in households across the UK and the urgent need to focus on those children experiencing the most severe and acute forms of poverty. The Taskforce will consider how best to measure this as the strategy develops, including through our work on the material deprivation measure following the recent review of the material deprivation survey questions carried out by the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_40

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to restrict visas for individuals implicated in alleged illegal activity who are associated with the former Bangladeshi regime of Sheikh Hasina. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office does not comment on individual cases.

The Immigration Rules provide for the refusal of entry clearance, permission to enter and permission to stay on general grounds, regardless of the category in which an individual makes an application. A person will usually be refused on general grounds if there is any evidence in their background, immigration history, criminal records or past behaviour which shows that they should not be allowed to enter or stay in the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_41

Lord Black of Brentwood:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact that the decision by Meta to end fact-checking across its online platforms will have on the implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: Meta has stated that they are not rolling out these changes for the UK market at this stage. We are in contact with the platform to understand potential implications for UK users and will monitor changes as they are operationalised.

Regardless of changes to Meta’s US policies, the UK’s Online Safety Act will oblige all social media companies to remove illegal content and content harmful to children in the UK. Failure to comply could lead to significant fines and potentially legal action. We continue to engage with Meta on the implementation of the OSA.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_42

Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government which projects to boost the UK's cyber resilience will be supported from the allocation of £1.9 million announced by the Government on 8 January. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: Cyber Local is a UK government scheme to deliver tailored support for the cyber security sector. It is part of the government’s work to make the UK more resilient against cyber threats, support economic growth and develop digital skills. £1.9 million of funding will be shared by 31 projects, details of which can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cyber-local-projects-2025. The downloadable spreadsheet indicates the project location and whether the project focuses on skills, resilience or innovation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_43

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports showing a decline in recruitment, what steps they are taking to encourage firms to continue hiring. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: Economic growth is the number one mission of this Government. In November we published our Industrial Strategy Green Paper, which set out that Sector Plans will be designed in partnership with business, devolved governments, regions and other stakeholders. Sector Plans will identify key barriers to growth and describe how Government and industry intend to achieve long-term growth and create more good jobs in every part of the country.

In addition, the Government will continue to monitor carefully the impacts of the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage on the economy. The Government's remit to the Low Pay Commission's (LPC) asked the LPC to take into account the impact on business, competitiveness, the labour market, and the wider economy when recommending rates.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_44

Lord Watson of Invergowrie:To ask His Majesty's Government when the most recent review was undertaken of the use made by local authorities of their duty under section 10(1) of the Children Act 2004 (Co-operation to improve well-being), and of the response of relevant partners listed under section 10(4)(fa) to (fd); and what conclusions were reached. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department has not undertaken a review of the use made by local authorities of their duty under section 10(1) of the Children Act 2004 (Co-operation to improve well-being), or of the response of relevant partners listed under section 10(4)(fa) to (fd).

Evidence is clear that multi-agency and multi-disciplinary support is essential to keep children safe at home with their family. The department is therefore testing stronger multi-agency approaches to support families, through the £45 million Families First for Children Pathfinder and Family Networks Pilot. This will help families overcome challenges, stay together and thrive whilst keeping children safe. This includes establishing new multi-agency child protection teams and lead child protection practitioners.

In November, the department published its ambitious, wide-ranging plans in ‘Keeping children safe, helping families thrive’, setting the wheels in motion to break the cycle of crisis intervention and rebalance the system back towards earlier help for families. In December, we introduced the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This is a landmark piece of legislation, introducing a series of measures with a focus on delivering a joined-up system to stop vulnerable children falling through cracks in services.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_45

Lord Watson of Invergowrie:To ask His Majesty's Government when regulations will next be made under sections 17 (Children and young people’s plans) and 66 (Regulations and Orders) of the Children Act 2004. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department has no immediate plans to update regulations under sections 17 and 66 of the Children Act 2004. Safeguarding partners (police, health, local authorities) are under a duty to make arrangements to work together, and with other partners locally, including education providers and childcare settings, to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children in their area. These responsibilities are set out in the 2023 statutory guidance ‘Working together to safeguard children’. The department will review the statutory guidance regularly to ensure that it continues to reflect evidence and learning from children’s social care reform and aligns with legislative changes.

In November, the department published its ambitious, wide-ranging plans for children’s social care in ‘Keeping children safe, helping families thrive’, setting the wheels in motion to break the cycle of crisis intervention and rebalance the system back towards earlier help for families. In December, the department introduced the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This is a landmark piece of legislation, introducing a series of measures with a focus on delivering a joined-up system to stop vulnerable children falling through cracks in services.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_46

Lord Watson of Invergowrie:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the proposed power in clause 43 (Academies: power to secure performance of proprietor’s duties etc) of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill includes the duty of proprietors of academies, under section 10(5) of the Children Act 2004, to co-operate with the local authority in making arrangements to improve the wellbeing of children. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Clause 43 of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill proposes a power for my right hon. Friend, Secretary of State for Education to issue a direction to secure the proper performance of a relevant duty or power by the proprietor of an academy trust. A ‘relevant duty’ is defined as ‘any duty, whether or not imposed by or under enactment, to which the proprietor of an academy trust is subject’. This includes the duty, under Section 10(5) of the Children Act 2004, to co-operate with the local authority in making arrangements to promote co-operation with a view to improving the wellbeing of children.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_47

Lord Watson of Invergowrie:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to issue guidance under sections 10(8), 10(10) and 12B(4) of the Children Act 2004. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department has no plans to issue guidance under sections 10(8), 10(10) and 12B(4) of the Children Act 2004.

Safeguarding partners (police, health, local authorities) are under a duty to make arrangements to work together and with other partners locally, including education providers and childcare settings, to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children in their area. These responsibilities are set out in the 2023 statutory guidance ‘Working together to safeguard children’. The department will review this guidance regularly to ensure that it continues to reflect evidence, learns from children’s social care reform and aligns with legislative changes.

In November, the department published its ambitious, wide-ranging plans for children’s social care reform in ‘Keeping children safe, helping families thrive’, setting the wheels in motion to break the cycle of crisis intervention and rebalance the system back towards earlier help for families. In December, the department introduced the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This is a landmark piece of legislation, introducing a series of measures with a focus on delivering a joined-up system to stop vulnerable children falling through cracks in services.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_48

Baroness Blower:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to adjust the eligibility criteria of the holiday activities and food (HAF) programme to better target support and reduce stigma for those attending HAF schemes. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The holiday activities and food (HAF) programme, although aimed at those children in receipt of benefits-related free school meals (FSM), is not exclusively for them. As set out in the HAF guidance, while the majority of funding that local authorities receive should be used for holiday club places for children in receipt of FSM, local authorities have discretion to use up to 15% of their funding to provide free or subsidised holiday club places for children who are not in receipt of benefits-related FSM, but who the local authority believe could benefit from HAF provision.

Many holiday clubs provide a mixture of HAF and paid-for places for children. Where this is the case, children funded through HAF must be provided with the same food and treated equally.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-23 conversation_49

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government how much extra (1) plastic, (2) paper, and (3) other materials, they expect to be generated following the decision not to introduce a mandatory take-back scheme for single-use cups under the extended producer responsibility framework; and, as a result of that decision, how much extra plastic and other waste they expect to end up as environmental pollutants. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: This Government does not expect there to be any significant change in the quantity of plastic, paper, or other materials generated, because of not introducing the mandatory take-back scheme for single-use cups. The scheme was expected to have a limited impact on environmental objectives, and in terms of environmental pollutants it was estimated to reduce littering of single-use cups by 2 percentage points in 10 years.

The UK Government has committed to reducing waste by moving to a circular economy. We will consider the evidence for action right across the economy and evaluate what further interventions may be needed as we develop the Circular Economy Strategy for England, working closely with the Devolved Governments.