theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-06 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-06 conversation_11

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of EEA citizens who are likely to be migrated from pre-settled to settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office is introducing a new process to automatically convert eligible pre-settled status holders to settled status, without the need for them to make a further EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application. This process reduces the burden on thousands of individuals and supports our ambition to ensure people have the right EUSS status.

To convert a pre-settled status holder to settled status, the Home Office will conduct automated checks against tax and benefit records to confirm they have been continuously resident in the UK for five years or more. Criminality checks will also be made to ensure status holders meet the existing suitability requirements of the EUSS. These automated checks are the same checks that are undertaken when a person makes an application to the EUSS and have been conducted since the scheme opened to ensure EUSS status is only granted to those who are eligible for it.

The most recent estimate of the number of people holding pre-settled status under the EUSS is 1.7 million. However, the number of pre-settled status holders who could automatically be converted to settled status under the Home Office's automation plans is contingent upon customer behaviour which is difficult to predict.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government what factors they will consider specifically in respect of (1) criminal records, (2) public safety and security, and (3) being conducive to the public good, when undertaking their assessment of which EEA citizens will be migrated from pre-settled to settled status in the next 12 months under changes to the EU Settlement Scheme. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office is introducing a new process to automatically convert eligible pre-settled status holders to settled status, without the need for them to make a further EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application. This process reduces the burden on thousands of individuals and supports our ambition to ensure people have the right EUSS status.

To convert a pre-settled status holder to settled status, the Home Office will conduct automated checks against tax and benefit records to confirm they have been continuously resident in the UK for five years or more. Criminality checks will also be made to ensure status holders meet the existing suitability requirements of the EUSS. These automated checks are the same checks that are undertaken when a person makes an application to the EUSS and have been conducted since the scheme opened to ensure EUSS status is only granted to those who are eligible for it.

The most recent estimate of the number of people holding pre-settled status under the EUSS is 1.7 million. However, the number of pre-settled status holders who could automatically be converted to settled status under the Home Office's automation plans is contingent upon customer behaviour which is difficult to predict.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-06 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government what financial provisions are made available to those who arrive to this country illegally in small boats, for clothing, food, laundry and other essentials; and whether such persons have immediate access to all NHS services. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office has a legal obligation to meet the essential living needs of asylum seekers or dependents who appear to be destitute or are likely to become destitute within a prescribed period, while their asylum claim is being considered.

Details of what is considered essential can be found in the annual asylum support rate review reports, published on gov.uk; www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-on-review-of-cash-allowance-paid-to-asylum-seekers(opens in a new tab).

Asylum seekers are not eligible for mainstream benefits.

The Home Office and its contractors work closely with the NHS, local authorities and non-governmental organisations to ensure that asylum seekers can address any necessary healthcare requirements

Further information about support asylum seekers may be entitled to can be found at: Asylum support: What you'll get - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage the growth of research in artificial intelligence technologies, particularly regarding funding for PhDs to develop these technologies. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The Government accepted the recommendations in the AI Opportunities Action Plan on skills, including working with universities to increase provision of AI courses, expanding educational pathways into AI, ensuring our lifelong skills programme is ready for AI and establishing a new prestigious AI talent scholarship to bring the brightest to the UK’s universities.

The Government actively supports AI research through research programmes, infrastructure investments, and skills and talent initiatives. The UK’s publicly funded portfolio of AI R&D investments is worth £1 billion, including investments in centres for doctoral training, the Alan Turing Institute, Bridge AI, Responsible AI UK, and the AI hubs.

UKRI has invested in two tranches of AI centres for doctoral training (£100M in 2018 and £117M in 2023) which will train a total of around 2000 AI PhDs, with around 200 graduates per year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure economic growth continues, and that businesses invest more in (1) infrastructure and (2) employees. \p Lord Livermore: Growth is the government’s top priority. In her January 29 speech, the Chancellor outlined the next steps forward in the government’s plan for growth, including a new approach to the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and support for a third runway at Heathrow.

(1)To drive business investment, we will publish a 10-year infrastructure strategy, providing a long-term framework by reducing uncertainty, streamlining planning, and unlocking private capital. The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) will oversee its implementation. The government has also committed to keeping a permanent full expensing system for plant and machinery investment, as well as the Annual Investment Allowance. This will help provide the certainty businesses need to invest.

(2)To encourage business investment in employees, the government is reforming the Apprenticeship Levy into a Growth and Skills Levy, enabling employers to fund a broader range of high-quality training. The Autumn Budget allocated £40 million to support the development of new foundation apprenticeships and shorter apprenticeships in key sectors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government how much additional funding they provided to each of the devolved authorities to cover the additional costs to public sector employers as a result of the increased rates of National Insurance. \p Lord Livermore: At the Budget, the Chancellor provided funding to the public sector to support them with the additional cost associated with changes to employer National Insurance Contributions.

The devolved governments will receive funding through the Barnett formula in the usual way in 2025-26.

Devolved government settlements are growing in real terms in 2025-26 and are the largest settlements in real terms of any since devolution. Overall, the devolved governments receive at least 20% more funding per person than equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the UK. That translates into over £16 billion more in 2025-26.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government why UK military personnel have not been exempted from VAT on school fees, in contrast to the exemption given to US military personnel in the UK. \p Lord Livermore: As part of the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), visiting NATO personnel have access to Visiting Forces Relief (VFR), for example the VAT free purchase scheme which provides relief on goods and services to US personnel in the UK. VFR is a reciprocal agreement, only available to the NATO Forces visiting another country and not to those of the Host Nation.

The Government greatly values the contribution of our serving military personnel. The Ministry of Defence has increased the funding allocated to the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) to account for the impact of any private school fee increases on the proportion of fees covered by the CEA in line with how the allowance normally operates.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Lee of Trafford:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether banks and insurance companies are discriminating against defence firms; and what steps they intend to take in response. \p Lord Livermore: HMG has been actively engaging with the defence industry, trade associations and the financial services sector regarding access to financial services for defence companies.

Decisions regarding the provision of financial services to businesses are primarily a commercial decision, where banks and insurers will need to make an assessment of the relevant risks and conduct appropriate due diligence.

In a time of increasing geopolitical instability, maintaining a robust and thriving defence sector is essential to our national security. No company should be denied access to financial services purely on the basis that they work in Defence.

This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security, and a high-growth economy are aligned. The Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, published in December 2024, recognised issues with regards to access to finance, including opening bank accounts or securing a loan. HMG is consulting with a wide range of stakeholders, including defence suppliers and financial institutions, to assess the ways in which we can reduce barriers and create a strong and resilient defence sector. We continue to invite all stakeholders to respond to the Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, either publicly or privately, by 28 February 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have received from farmers in Wales, or farming union representatives, concerning the projected impact of the removal of agricultural property relief for inheritance tax, on the viability of family farms in Wales. \p Lord Livermore: The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.

It is expected that up to 520 estates claiming agricultural property relief will be affected by these reforms. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief (or those claiming agricultural property relief and business property relief together) are expected to be unaffected.

The Government takes into account all representations, and HM Treasury officials and Ministers meet with stakeholders on a regular basis. In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what assumptions they have used in estimating the amount of revenue that will be raised as a result of VAT being levied on private education fees; and whether these assumptions take into account costs incurred as a result of pupils transferring to state schools because of the resulting increase in fees. \p Lord Livermore: The estimated revenue from the introduction of VAT on private school fees, as set out at Autumn Budget 2024, is as follows:

2024-25

2025-26

2026-27

2027-28

2028-29

2029-30

£460m

£1,505m

£1,560m

£1,610m

£1,665m

£1,725m

The assumptions and methodology used for this costing are set out in the Annex to the Summary of Responses to the Technical Note on Applying VAT to Private School Fees, published alongside the Budget.

As stated in the policy paper published at Budget, alongside the revenue raised, this policy will result in some additional costs on state schools due to pupil moves. Based on average 2024 to 2025 per-pupil spending in England, the government expects the revenue costs of pupils entering the state sector as a result of the VAT policy across the UK to steadily increase to a peak of around £270 million per annum after several years.

Overall, this means that expected revenue will substantially outweigh additional cost pressures. The funding raised by this measure will help deliver the government’s commitments relating to education and young people.

The Office for Budget Responsibility has certified the government’s costing of this policy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Baroness Goldie:To ask His Majesty's Government how many service personnel will be impacted by the decision to charge inheritance tax on death-in-service benefits for members of the Armed Forces. \p Lord Livermore: This information not available as the data does not distinguish whether a taxpayer is or was a member of the Armed Forces.

Estates of service personnel will benefit from the normal nil-rate bands, reliefs, and exemptions available. For example, the nil-rate bands mean an estate can pass on up to £1 million and the general rules mean any transfers, including the payment of death benefits, to a spouse or civil partner are exempt fully from inheritance tax. There is also a full exemption from inheritance tax when a member of the armed forces dies from a wound inflicted, accident occurring, or disease contracted on active service.

The government estimates that, out of around 213,000 estates with inheritable pension wealth in 2027 to 2028, 10,500 estates – or around 1.5% of total UK deaths - will become liable to pay Inheritance Tax where this would not previously have been the case. Around 38,500 estates will pay more Inheritance Tax than would previously have been the case. More information on the impacts of this measure was published in a technical consultation alongside the Budget.

A set of impacts for this measure will be published in a Tax Information and Impact Note alongside draft legislation in the normal way.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 28 January (HL4028), what are the (1) names or (2) job titles of the members of the Horticulture Working Group set up in relation to the implementation of the Windsor Framework. \p Baroness Twycross: The Horticulture Working Group is co-chaired by senior officials from DEFRA and the Cabinet Office, drawing on support from other officials in those departments and across Government as the focus of the agenda requires. Members of the group from outside Government include representatives of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, National Farmers’ Union, the Horticulture Trades Association and leaders of businesses which are members of this body, as well as a small number of other horticultural businesses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Moynihan:To ask His Majesty's Government how many official photographers are employed across government departments. \p Baroness Twycross: Government departments have official photographers to support Government campaigns and communicate delivery of our Plan for Change.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Baroness Boycott:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 3 December (HL Deb col 1089), what is the evidence that sustainably sourced biomass can provide a low-carbon and renewable energy source; whether that evidence has been produced by an independent organisation that does not have financial links to the biomass industry; and whether they will publish it. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Global institutions such as the IPCC, and the UK’s CCC recognise that bioenergy and BECCS can play a significant role in decarbonising economies and meeting net zero provided that appropriate policies are put in place to mitigate the use of unsustainable biomass.

The Government only supports the use of sustainable biomass and generators only receive subsidies for biomass that meets our sustainability criteria. We also plan to consult later this year on the development of a common sustainability framework which aims to enable greater consistency across sectors and to strengthen criteria in line with latest evidence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Baroness Boycott:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stating that they “do not automatically consider or assume biomass used for energy as ‘carbon neutral’, even in cases where the biomass is thought to be produced sustainably”. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: This IPCC reference relates to guidelines on reporting biomass as ‘zero’ emissions at the point of combustion. Under the IPCC Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reporting framework, removals and emissions associated with growing bioenergy crops, land-use change, fertilization, transportation, etc are recorded against the relevant sectors.

As with any energy source, biomass is not carbon neutral when considering the full supply chain, but it can be low carbon. The UK only considers biomass to be low carbon if it meets sustainability criteria, which includes requirements around sustainable harvesting and maintaining forest productivity, as well as a GHG criteria to minimise supply chain emissions. We plan to consult later this year on the development of a common sustainability framework which aims to enable greater consistency across different biomass end use sectors and to strengthen criteria in line with latest evidence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish their assessment which informed their statement under section 20 of the Environment Act 2021 that the Great British Energy Bill will not have the effect of reducing the level of environmental protection provided for by any existing environmental law. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The advice received by the Department regarding the Secretary of State’s statement under section 20 of the Environment Act 2001 is legally privileged. Therefore, this information will not be released.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reliability of renewable energy, following reports that Britain's winter wind farm output is at its lowest level since 2015. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Wind power is a variable energy source, which is why it would never be the single source of energy generation in the UK. Instead, it is used alongside other forms of energy generation to create a reliable mix. Whilst wind is variable, it is also predictable. The National Energy System Operator monitors weather data and is able to plan for higher or lower power generation from wind turbines.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government which provisions of the Great British Energy Bill would, if enacted, constitute environmental law. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Clause 3 of the Great British Energy Bill, if enacted, would be considered ‘environmental law’.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Scriven:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of jobs that could be lost due to increased National Insurance contributions in (1) hospices, (2) social care, and (3) community and primary health care. \p Baroness Merron: We have taken the necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget, enabling the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.

The employer National Insurance contributions rise will be implemented from April 2025, and NHS England has set out the approach to funding providers in planning guidance for the next financial year, a copy of which is attached.

HL4602 NHS Planning Guidance (pdf, 310.0KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Marlesford:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to check that universities in England do not reduce the intellectual, academic, and necessary linguistic qualifications required of international students admitted as undergraduates below those required of domestic applicants for similar courses. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The UK is outward looking and welcomes international students who make a positive impact on the UK’s higher education (HE) sector, our economy and society as a whole.

Applicants to undergraduate courses usually have to have a minimum level of qualification in order to be considered. Where HE providers accept international qualifications, applicants can apply to the UK National Centre for the Recognition and Evaluation of International Qualifications and Skills for a Statement of Comparability. This compares overseas qualifications to the UK qualifications and framework levels.

HE providers are autonomous bodies, independent of government. As such, they are responsible for their own admissions decisions. Government works closely with the sector to ensure that admissions remain fair and the Universities UK / Guild HE Fair Admissions Code of Practice is adhered to when HE providers make admissions decisions.

Student visa applicants must demonstrate their English language ability in order to be granted a visa. The level required depends on the level of study, and the type of course provider.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Home Department has already confirmed that the government will continue implementing measures to reduce potential for abuse on the student visa route, including reviewing how the HE sector is currently assessing English language ability.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Marlesford:To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of total admissions of undergraduates were international students in each university in England for the academic year 2024–25. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) publishes data on the number of full-time undergraduate acceptances by domicile and provider. However, around 40% of non-European Union international full-time undergraduate entrants enter outside of UCAS and this will vary by provider. The latest data covers the 2023 admissions cycle and is published here: https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-end-cycle-data-resources-2023.

UCAS data for the 2024 admissions cycle will be published on 30 January.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) publishes data covering all international undergraduate entrants. The latest HESA data covers the 2022/23 academic year and is available here: https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/students/whos-in-he.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-06)

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Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Twycross on 22 January (HLWS377), whether the annual limit of £25,000 on the amount individual places of worship can claim from the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme will apply to the building in which the work was carried out, or the body making the claim, such as a multi-parish benefice. \p Baroness Twycross: The annual limit of £25,000 applies to the individual listed place of worship.

Further details can be found here in the Written Statement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

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Baroness Northover:To ask His Majesty's Government what support they will provide to existing strategic industrial complexes as part of the delivery of the industrial strategy. \p Lord Stockwood: Regional growth is a core objective of the Industrial Strategy. We will bring forward more investible sites and support city regions and clusters to attract private investment.

The Strategy reiterates our support for existing Freeports and Investment Zones. These "Industrial Strategy Zones" have huge potential, especially in key sectors including advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, life sciences, digitally enabled creative industries and defence.

Alongside the Industrial Strategy, we published an Action Plan setting out how we will enhance all our Industrial Strategy Zones with better-targeted investment promotion, support for accessing concessionary finance, and coordinated support on skills.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

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Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the aims of the investor-state dispute settlement process are in conflict with the UN sustainable development goals. \p Lord Stockwood: Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means to resolve disputes with states where investors believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation. ISDS does not remove governments’ right to regulate in the public interest, including with respect to implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Government is aware of the interest in this important policy area and, in line with HMG’s Trade Strategy, the UK will continue to work with trading partners multilaterally, such as the OECD and the UN, to pursue opportunities to improve ISDS practice.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

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Lord Risby:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address key barriers to foreign direct investment, such as high energy&nbsp;prices&nbsp;and land acquisition costs. \p Lord Stockwood: We are taking decisive steps to remove barriers to investment, strengthening the UK’s competitiveness. To address high energy costs, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce industrial electricity prices by up to 25%, supporting thousands of manufacturers. The new Strategic Sites Accelerator, backed by over £600 million, will unlock an initial wave of sites for investment from the growth-driving sectors of the Industrial Strategy from next financial year, with the aim of scaling up the programme over time. These measures form part of a wider strategy to create a pro-investment environment that drives growth and innovation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

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Lord Foulkes of Cumnock:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Chemical Weapons (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 have been extended to British Overseas Territories through the Chemical Weapons (Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) Order 2020; and whether asset freezes are operable in those territories as a result of those regulations. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: Yes, the Chemical Weapons (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, was extended in 2020 via the Chemical Weapons (Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) Order 2020, and as such asset freezes can be applied in these jurisdictions as a result of these regulations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

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Lord Touhig:To ask His Majesty's Government whether, as part of talks seeking an end to the war in Ukraine, they plan to raise the issue of Ukrainian children living in Russian-occupied territories being detained and taken to Russia. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: I refer the Noble Lord to the answers I provided to the House on Ukraine: Forcible Removal of Children on 24 November. We remain, as ever, committed to supporting Ukrainian efforts to facilitate the return and reintegration of children deported by Russia.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

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Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the re-entry of Russia into the G8; and what assessment they have made of whether Russia should pay compensation for the damage caused since its invasion of Ukraine. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: I refer the Noble Lord to the statement the Prime Minister made in the House of Commons on 25 November 2025 [Columns 219] and to the answers provided by The Lord Privy Seal to the House of Lords on Ukraine on 26 November [Columns 1390 & 1392].
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

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Lord Robertson of Port Ellen:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to initiate international discussions to implement regulations comparable to the Geneva Conventions for the use of artificial intelligence in warfare. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK's current view is that existing International Humanitarian Law, including the Geneva Conventions, provides a robust and adaptable framework for the conduct of hostilities, including the use of AI-enabled capability. The UK believes that discussions should focus on norms of use and measures aimed at promoting the lawful design and responsible use of AI in the military domain. There are already a number of international discussions and processes examining these issues in which the UK is actively involved, and we keep these matters under regular review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

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Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the West Midlands Police relied on false intelligence when banning Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans from an Aston Villa match. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: To ensure full independent scrutiny, the Home Secretary has commissioned His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to inspect how police forces in England and Wales provide risk assessment advice to local Safety Advisory Groups and other bodies responsible for licensing high-profile public events. HMICFRS has been asked to provide an initial response on the Aston Villa v Maccabi Tel Aviv match by 31 December.

Additionally, the Home Affairs Select Committee held an evidence session on 1 December to examine the decision-making process and intelligence assessments. The government awaits the Committee’s findings.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

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Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to pause asylum accommodation evictions during the activation of a severe weather emergency protocol. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) protocols are now recognised standard operational practice in the Home Office.

Where SWEP is activated in a local authority area, if Service Users at the end of their move on period have not secured onward accommodation and are due to be evicted from asylum accommodation, Accommodation Providers will not actively pursue eviction, and this will be delayed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_10

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compatibility of the Sentencing Bill with Article 2 of the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Windsor Framework. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: We have carried out an assessment of the compatibility of the Bill with Article 2 of the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Windsor Framework.

The Government is currently appealing the scope and operation of Article 2 of the Windsor Framework before the higher Courts.

It is the Government’s view that [the Bill] is compatible with the Protocol and the Framework.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_11

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government to what extent the provisions of the Sentencing Bill which relate to the removal of foreign criminals from the United Kingdom will apply to Northern Ireland. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The current deportation regime applies in Northern Ireland as it does in the rest of the UK. It is the government’s view that deportation powers are consistent across the UK and that clause 42 will apply UK wide.

We will do everything we can to remove foreign criminals and protect the public in Northern Ireland and all other parts of the UK.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_12

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the provisions of the Sentencing Bill which relate to the removal of foreign criminals from the United Kingdom are compatible with Article 2 of the Windsor Framework. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: We have carried out an assessment of the compatibility of the provisions in the Sentencing Bill which relate to the removal of foreign criminals from the UK with Article 2 of the Windsor Framework.

The Government is currently appealing the scope and operation of Article 2 of the Windsor Framework before the higher Courts.

However, it is the Government’s view that the provisions are compatible with Article 2.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_13

Baroness Pidgeon:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase the use of pre-registration services to enable passengers to complete immigration processes before arriving at St Pancras station. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Government continues to engage with the French Ministry of the Interior and Police aux Frontieres about border control at St Pancras, including on plans for EES and ETIAS. We are working closely with Eurostar and London St Pancras Highspeed to support them in mitigating any disruption. Ultimately outbound border control, including pre-registration for EES and automation at St Pancras is a matter for the French authorities and industry.

For inbound travel to St Pancras, the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation check takes place ahead of travel to the UK, therefore this has no impact on outbound border control at St Pancras.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_14

Lord Lebedev:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the decision to stop investigating non-crime hate incidents on the rate of hate incidents in London, and what data they hold to support that assessment. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: All police forces in England and Wales continue to record non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) and retain them as intelligence, making local decisions, as appropriate on whether further investigation is appropriate. The Home Office does not collate data on NCHIs.

The College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council are currently undertaking a review of NCHIs, working closely with the Home Office. We look forward to receiving the final recommendations of the review shortly and will consider them carefully.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_15

Lord Pickles:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to assess whether students arriving in the United Kingdom from Gaza have expressed support for Hamas or any other proscribed organisation operating in the Gaza Strip. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: All visa applicants are required to provide their biographic and biometric data to enable a range of security checks to be completed, including criminality checks.

Robust security checks are being undertaken on all individuals who enter the UK through the process to support eligible students to exit Gaza. Biometrics are collected as part of the visa application process and prior to travel to the UK.

The Home Office uses various tools to detect and disrupt travel by terrorists, by criminals and by individuals excluded from the UK; previously deported from the UK; or using lost, stolen or revoked documents and visas. This includes the use of domestic and international watchlists. The Home Office works with both law enforcement and wider government partners to ensure appropriate action is taken before travel or at the border when individuals of concern are identified. It would not be appropriate to provide further information about the nature and scope of security checks.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_16

Lord Storey:To ask His Majesty's Government what level of tuition has been provided in each young offender institution in England and Wales since August. \p Lord Timpson: The Youth Education Service contract requires Shaw Trust to deliver education to each learner for at least 15 hours each week. This is in addition to the wider curriculum offer, which includes library access, gym, youth work sessions and other activities that support children’s learning and development.

Every child is assessed to determine the grade or level of tuition they should be working at or towards, from Entry Level 1 in subjects such as Mathematics and English, through to A level.

The table below shows the number of hours planned per child by education providers, and the number of hours delivered.

HMP/YOI Feltham

Average planned weekly hours

Average hours delivered

August

15.78

6.34

September

15.81

6.71

October

16.32

4.87

HMP/YOI Wetherby

Average planned weekly hours

Average hours delivered

August

19.97

10.2

September

18.46

10.96

October

20.29

11.1

HMP/YOI Werrington

Average planned weekly hours

Average hours delivered

August

15.09

8.17

September

15.55

7.64

October

15.94

9.18

HMP/YOI Parc

Average planned weekly hours

Average hours delivered

August

23.60

19.20

September

23.40

14.50

October

25.00

20.00

Planned learning sessions may not take place for a variety of reasons, including court appearances, legal visits, sickness and medical treatment. Absence of provider staff is a further cause of cancellation.

The Youth Custody Service (YCS) has developed a comprehensive improvement plan for the next three years, which aims to increase time spent out of room in purposeful activity. It is also overhauling the incentives systems to ensure it focuses on values-led behaviour. The YCS has seconded staff from HMYOI Parc to develop systems across the other YOIs and share learning from their success. We are already seeing a gradual increase in time out of room in all sites, work which the YCS will continue to build on.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_17

Lord Storey:To ask His Majesty's Government how much they have spent on each young offender institution in England and Wales in each year since October 2022. \p Lord Timpson: The following table shows total resource expenditure at each public sector young offender institution (YOI), in the Children and Young People Estate for the three years 2022-23 to 2024-25. The figures do not include expenditure on education, as this is managed collectively across establishments, and it is not therefore possible to apportion it to individual YOIs.

YOI(1)

2022-23

2023-24

2024-25

Cookham Wood(2)

15,120,726

16,205,614

6,854,616

Feltham

16,472,102

17,695,172

20,121,355

Werrington

14,135,716

14,517,650

16,897,088

Wetherby

24,491,671

26,969,686

31,683,400

Notes:

HMYOI Parc is not included. This is because it is managed under a single contract together with HMP Parc and it is not possible to disaggregate spending between the two establishments.

Cookham Wood closed as a YOI in August 2024.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_18

Lord Farmer:To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what has been the cost to the public purse to date of the passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill through the House of Lords. \p Lord Gardiner of Kimble: It is not possible to calculate the full cost of the passage of a Bill through the House of Lords as not all factors can be appropriately separated and costed. This includes staffing time which cannot be disaggregated to just the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Costs relating to the corresponding Ministerial Department of the Bill are also not included.

The two tables below provide the details of the allowances claimed by Members of the House of Lords for the Second Reading of the Bill, taken over two days on Friday 12 and Friday 19 September 2025, and the participation of Members appointed to the Select Committee on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. The costs come to £293,067 in total.

Second Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

12th Sept 2025

19th Sept 2025

No. Members Claiming Daily Rate (£371)

369

338

No. Members Claiming Reduced Rate (£185)

26

20

Total No. Members claiming the daily or reduced rate allowance

395

358

Total Allowance Claimed

£141,709.00

£129, 098.00

Select Committee on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

15th Oct 2025

22nd Oct 2025

23rd Oct 2025

29th Oct 2025

30th Oct 2025

Total

No. Members Claiming Daily Rate (£371)

12

12

12

12

12

60

No. Members Claiming Reduced Rate (£185)

0

0

0

0

0

0

No. Members claiming the daily or reduced rate allowance

12

12

12

12

12

60

Total Allowance Claimed

£4,452.00

£4,452.00

£4,452.00

£4,452.00

£4,452.00

£22,260.00

Data extending beyond 1 November 2025 is not currently available as claims must be received by the Finance Department within one month from the end of the calendar month in which the entitlement to claim arose.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-10 conversation_19

Lord Truscott:To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to implement all of the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: I refer the Noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (attached) HLWS240 which sets out further detail on implementation of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.

Following a robust defence from the government, the High Court comprehensively dismissed challenges brought to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. We warmly welcome the Court’s judgment.

The reforms that were challenged will make it easier and cheaper for leaseholders to extend their lease or buy their freehold by removing the requirement for marriage value to be paid; and capping the treatment of ground rents in the valuation calculation at 0.1% of the freehold value.

Valuation rates used to calculate the enfranchisement premium will be set by the Secretary of State in secondary legislation. We will consult on valuation rates and commence the relevant provisions as soon as possible. Primary legislation will be required to rectify a small number of specific flaws in the 2024 Act before the Act’s enfranchisement provisions are commenced.

HLWS240 (pdf, 124.0KB)