theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_1

Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support cardiovascular disease prevention through online pharmacies. \p Baroness Merron: We are committed to ensuring fewer lives are lost to the biggest killers, including cardiovascular disease. That is why we have set an ambition to reduce premature death from heart disease and stroke by 25% within a decade. Community pharmacies make an important contribution to achieving this ambition including by providing NHS blood pressure checks and the NHS New Medicine Service through which pharmacists provide extra support to patients newly prescribed medicines including for cardiovascular disease. Whilst blood pressure checks can only be provided face-to-face, the New Medicine Service can also be delivered remotely.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_2

Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to support online pharmacies and distance-selling pharmacies to provide for under-served populations. \p Baroness Merron: We are committed to rebuilding the pharmacy sector and have increased the community pharmacy contractual framework to £3.1 billion. This deal represents the largest uplift in funding of any part of the National Health Service in 2025/26, over 19% across 2024/25 and 2025/26. This funding is available to be earned by both brick-and-mortar pharmacies and distance selling pharmacies.

There are more brick-and-mortar pharmacies in the most deprived areas of the country. Patients across the country can choose to access NHS pharmaceutical services from their local pharmacy or remotely through distance selling pharmacies. All pharmacy contractors must provide NHS essential services such as dispensing and can choose to provide NHS advanced services such as Pharmacy First. Most services can be provided face-to-face or remotely.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_3

Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge:To ask His Majesty's Government how they are measuring their ambition to halve violence against women and girls in a decade; and whether this measure will include online digital violence such as image-based sexual abuse. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Government’s mission to halve Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) within a decade will be underpinned by the upcoming VAWG Strategy. Our headline measure will be the prevalence of VAWG as reported through the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW). This will be measured by a new combined measure which will provide one figure for those who have experienced domestic abuse, and/or sexual assault and/or stalking in the previous 12 months.

Our target to halve VAWG within a decade will be set against this headline prevalence measure. We will also use a suite of other sub-metrics that provide a more comprehensive picture of VAWG in society and measure the effectiveness of our interventions.

The strategy will be published shortly.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_4

Lord Campbell-Savours:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 4 June (HL7632), how many people who have been deported from the United Kingdom after (1) asylum application refusal, or (2) completion of a prison sentence, have returned to the UK (a) as illegal entrants in breach of their deportation arrangements, and (b) following completion of a sentence overseas, in the past year. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The requested data is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_5

Lord Young of Acton:To ask His Majesty's Government how many people have taken the Prevent refresher awareness course. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: As of the 31 May 2025, the Prevent Refresher Awareness course has been completed 397,236 times. The total number of completions across the four Prevent duty training courses from August 2022 to the end of May 2025 is 2.3 million.

Prevent training products are regularly updated to ensure they reflect the latest threat from terrorism and their content is kept under continuous review.

By understanding the risk, as well as how to raise a concern, those under the Prevent duty play a key role in ensuring that people who are at risk of being radicalised can be diverted away from terrorism.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_6

Lord Mendelsohn:To ask His Majesty's Government what is their formal definition of extremism; and how they share this definition with police, local authorities, schools and others in order to measure the scale of extremism in British society and provide clarity to those bodies about their responsibilities and powers to intervene. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The current definition of extremism, which was last reviewed by the previous government in March 2024, is openly available on gov.uk. The definition is designed to support and shape policy, not data collection or operational activity.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_7

Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government, following their proposal in the Immigration White Paper published on 12 May to extend the standard qualifying period for settlement from five to 10 years, what consideration they have given to increasing awareness of children’s rights to British citizenship and the capacity of parents and carers to exercise these rights. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: We will be consulting on both the earned settlement and citizenship schemes later this year and further details on the proposed schemes will be provided at that time.

This will include ensuring children who have been in the UK for some time and discover they do not have status, are fully supported to regularise their status.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_8

Lord Campbell-Savours:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 4 June (HL7632), whether breaching a deportation order constitutes a specific criminal offence; and if so, on what basis the provision of information on the number of such breaches meets the criterion for disproportionate costs. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: It is a criminal offence under section 24(A1) of the Immigration Act 1971 to knowingly enter the United Kingdom in breach of a deportation order. The offence attracts a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment.

When assessing breaches of the disproportionate cost threshold, consideration is given to the volume of case records that would need to be reviewed and the time it would take to review those cases which is calculated at a flat rate of £25 per hour.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_9

Lord Godson:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the ongoing effectiveness of the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel landmines following Finland's recent decision to withdraw from it. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: His Majesty's Government (HMG) has noted that Finland has stated its intention to withdraw. We also acknowledge its sovereign right to make this decision.

The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (also known as the Ottawa Convention) continues to play an important role in protecting civilians from harm caused by anti-personnel landmines. As a State Party to the Ottawa Convention, the UK's commitment to it remains unwavering. We promote universalisation and encourage all countries to join the Ottawa Convention and subscribe to its provisions, and we discourage States from using anti-personnel landmines. The UK continues to engage bilaterally with Finland to better understand the actions it may take following withdrawal.

HMG continues to express its commitment to the Ottawa Convention, most recently by Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, Lord Coaker, in a Written Parliamentary Question, on 23 June 2025, in the House of Lords.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_10

Lord Boateng:To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of UK aid delivered to (1) Nigeria, (2) Ghana, and (3) other Sub-Saharan African countries, was spent on (a) clinical training, and (b) strengthening health systems, in those countries in each of the past three years. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK remains committed to global health. Strong, national health systems are the foundation for all aspects of health, from essential childhood immunisation to global health security. We align investments behind the priorities of partner countries. In Nigeria, the LAFIYA-UK programme strengthens systems to improve health and nutrition services. The proportion of UK aid spent on health from the bilateral budget was 11 per cent in 2022-23 and 2023-24, and 19 per cent in 2024-25. In Ghana, our Partnership Beyond Aid and Leave No One Behind programmes have improved quality, efficiency and resilience in the health system, and the inclusion of vulnerable and marginalised groups. The proportion of UK aid spent on health from the bilateral budget was 23 per cent in 2022-23, 30 per cent in 2023-2024, and 19 per cent in 2024-2025. The UK also provides significant support to strengthening the global health workforce through multilateral investments such as the World Health Organisation, World Bank and the Global Health Initiatives, who support in-service clinical training for health workers. Our multilateral contribution on global health totalled £3.1 billion in 2021-2023 and the Department of Health and Social Care's Global Health Workforce Programme (£15 million from 2023-2026) supports the development of the health workforce in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_11

Lord Godson:To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the government of Finland on that country's recent decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel landmines. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: His Majesty's Government (HMG) has noted that Finland has stated its intention to withdraw. We also acknowledge its sovereign right to make this decision.

The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (also known as the Ottawa Convention) continues to play an important role in protecting civilians from harm caused by anti-personnel landmines. As a State Party to the Ottawa Convention, the UK's commitment to it remains unwavering. We promote universalisation and encourage all countries to join the Ottawa Convention and subscribe to its provisions, and we discourage States from using anti-personnel landmines. The UK continues to engage bilaterally with Finland to better understand the actions it may take following withdrawal.

HMG continues to express its commitment to the Ottawa Convention, most recently by Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, Lord Coaker, in a Written Parliamentary Question, on 23 June 2025, in the House of Lords.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_12

Lord Callanan:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of their agreement with the government of Mauritius about the British Indian Ocean Territory in the light of recent developments in the Middle East, and the strategic position of the British Indian Ocean Territory. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Diego Garcia military base deal is absolutely vital for our defence and intelligence, and therefore for the safety and security of the British people and our allies. All UK overseas bases are operated in accordance with our obligations under international law. This includes Diego Garcia.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_13

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on employment rates of the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies by businesses, in particular agentic AI. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: We are working to harness the benefits that AI can bring in terms of productivity gains, rising living standards, and improved worker wellbeing; while mitigating the risks. Government is planning for a range of plausible outcomes and closely monitoring the data that will help us track and prepare for these. We will continue to work closely with other government departments through the AI Opportunities Action Plan to ensure we shape AI to deliver economic prosperity for the UK.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_14

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government whether any departments or government agencies monitor the use of insecure or vulnerable container images within government IT systems; and, if so, whether they will publish the latest audit data on the number of container images in use that contain critical or high-severity vulnerabilities. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: All government departments and their Arms Length Bodies must meet the Government Cyber Security Standard, which specifies that organisations shall meet or exceed the security outcomes specified in the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF). Principle B4 of the CAF on system security requires departments to manage vulnerabilities on their systems.

His Majesty’s Government does not hold a central view of departmental or agency vulnerabilities.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_15

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to require their suppliers to use secure container images, in a manner comparable to the United States 2024 executive order on securing the software supply chains of federal government suppliers. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: In February 2025 Cabinet Office published the updated National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS). The statement requires all public sector contracting authorities in scope to mitigate supply chain and national security risks by ensuring appropriate controls are in place, such as the Cyber Essentials standard for cyber security. Contracting authorities should also follow government guidance on Tackling Security Risk in Government Supply Chains inclusive of software security risk.

In May 2025 DSIT published a voluntary Software Security Code of Practice. The Code of Practice has been developed to improve the security and resilience of software that organisations and businesses rely on. This is not mandatory for government suppliers but we strongly encourage public sector organisations to use the Code of Practice in their commercial engagements.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_16

Lord Truscott:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce digital identity documents. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: Digital identities already exist. The digital verification services provisions in the Data (Use and Access) Act look to enable people and organisations to use secure digital identities with greater confidence, they don’t create new digital identity documents.

The government plans to introduce digital versions of existing government-issued documents through the GOV.UK Wallet, a secure digital service for storing government-issued credentials on users’ smartphones. People will be able to use these documents to help prove things about themselves, such as eligibility to access services within government and more widely. The rollout begins this summer with the Veterans Card, followed by driving licences later in the year. All central government credentials are expected to be available by 2027. The GOV.UK Wallet is not, however, creating new identity documents.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_17

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Vallance of Balham on 29 April (HL Deb col 1092), on what date they plan to launch the consultation on advanced general intelligence and superintelligence models. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The Government is looking at the case for legislation which delivers on our manifesto commitment. This would better prepare the UK for AI's security risks, while also making sure our statute book is ready for the age of AI and its huge opportunities.

We are continuing to refine our proposals and will launch a public consultation later this year.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_18

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to assign regulatory oversight of artificial intelligence to an existing regulatory body or establish a new regulatory body. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: It is right that the vast majority of AI systems are regulated at point of use by our expert existing regulators. In response to the AI Action Plan, the Government committed to building the capability of regulators so they are prepared for the opportunities and risks of AI.

Alongside this, the Government is developing legislative proposals to support the safe development of the most powerful AI systems, recognising the distinct risks and opportunities these models bring. We are refining our proposals and will launch a public consultation later this year.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_19

Lord Blencathra:To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker for how many days the disabled entrance door at Peers' Entrance has been out of action; and whether he is seeking compensation from the installers of the door for its failure and the additional cost of security personnel to activate the automatic mechanism. \p Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Since it first opened in December 2024, the accessible pod at Peers’ Entrance has been out of action (requiring Peers to be diverted to an alternative accessible entry point) for 3 whole sitting days.

The resources associated with the operation of Peers’ Entrance have been met from existing departmental budgets, with no additional cost to the House or to the taxpayer.

The House Administration will need to consider corrective action or damages under the terms of our contracts for the works. These discussions are live and I am therefore not in a position to comment on the ongoing commercial and legal matters.

I know that the House Administration acknowledges the difficulties that have emerged and are urgently working on a permanent solution to resolve the ongoing issues.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_20

Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the funding of £50 million for Casement Park will allow them to secure long-term equity in the completed project. \p Lord Livermore: The UK Government has provided £50m of Capital Financial Transactions funding to redevelop Casement Park. The UK Government will continue to work with the Northern Ireland Executive; however, it is up to the Executive to take decisions on the design and implementation of the Financial Transaction, including whether to take long-term equity stake in the project. The Financial Transaction will be provided to the Executive on a net basis, it does not need to be repaid to the UK Government and the Executive can recycle any repayments indefinitely.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_21

Lord Aberdare:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Written Answer by Lord Timpson on 30 October 2024 (HL1966), what actions they have considered to compensate contractors who have not received payments due to them as a result of failures in the procurement process. \p Lord Timpson: ISG Construction Limited entered administration on 20 September 2024 and was caused by the financial health of the overall ISG group. The Ministry of Justice awards contracts in line with the relevant procurement regulations including undertaking appropriate due diligence.

Subcontractors have been made aware that the Department is not able to underwrite debt owed by ISG as a result of their administration, and that they should engage with the Joint Administrators (Ernst & Young) with regard to any claims arising from their contracts with ISG.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_22

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb:To ask His Majesty's Government how many (1) men, and (2) women, over the age of 50 received custodial sentences of 12 months or fewer for non-violent offences over the past three years. \p Lord Timpson: The Ministry of Justice publishes data on sentences for non-violent offences in England and Wales in the Outcomes by Offences data tool. The data tool can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-december-2024.

The number of over 50-year-old men and women who received custodial sentences of 12 months or less for non-violent offences can be found in the table below.

The number of people aged 50 and above who received a custodial sentence of 12 months or fewer for non-violent offences, in England and Wales (1,2,3,4,5)

Sentenced

2022

2023

2024

Male

2,650

2,900

3,630

Female

215

225

269

2,865

3,125

3,899

Source: Court Proceedings Database

Notes:

1. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

2. These figures are presented on a principal offence basis - i.e. reporting information relating to the most serious offence that a defendant was dealt with for. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.

3. These figures are presented on a principal disposal basis - i.e. reporting the most severe sentence issued for the offence.

4. The figures in the table exclude violence against the person offences but some offences that involved the use of violence can still be recorded under other offence categories.

5. The age recorded is the age at the point of sentencing.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_23

Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what air defence support, if any, they plan to provide to Israel to protect civilians and British nationals from air missile attack from Iran. \p Lord Coaker: The safety of British nationals in the region is our top priority. The UK Government is working with Israeli authorities to arrange RAF and charter flights to help those wanting to leave.

We have been clear we support Israel's need to protect its security and people. We continue to work with international partners to encourage de-escalation and promote long-term peace and security in the Middle East.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

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Lord Jack of Courance:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to pursue and support defence projects in Scotland in the light of the Scottish Government's policy of not using public money to support the manufacture of munitions. \p Lord Coaker: The UK Government, through the Strategic Defence Review, will make defence an engine for growth ensuring that our defence spending boosting prosperity, jobs and security for working people across all nations and regions. This includes in Scotland, where we are due to embark on a multi-decade, multi-billion redevelopment of HMNB Clyde, with an initial £250 million of funding over three years. We are committed to working with the Scottish Government to ensure that we have a thriving defence sector which supports Scottish jobs, skills and growth.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_25

Lord Cromwell:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to equip British soldiers with tactical drone detection capabilities; and what assessment they have made of available smartphone-based solutions. \p Lord Coaker: The British Army continues to revolutionise its fighting capabilities, improving their range, persistence, precision and mass. Learning from ongoing conflicts as well as independent first-principle thinking, the ability of our Armed Forces to counter the threat of highly developed uncrewed air systems is of vital importance. For reasons of operational security and commercial sensitivity, I am unable to disclose further details.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_26

Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton:To ask His Majesty's Government whether withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty would have any benefit in meeting recommendation 42 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025 "to increase lethality ten-fold". \p Lord Coaker: The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (also known as the Ottawa Convention) continues to play an important role in protecting civilians from harm caused by anti-personnel landmines. As a State Party to the Ottawa Convention, the UK’s commitment to it remains unwavering.

The UK’s ambition in the Strategic Defence Review to double and then triple the UK Army’s fighting power reflects a fundamental transformation in how the Army prepares for and conducts warfare. This is not simply about increasing firepower or platform numbers — it’s about reimagining how we fight.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_27

Lord Cameron of Lochiel:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to assess the existing security protocols at RAF Lossiemouth following the recent compromise in security at RAF Brize Norton. \p Lord Coaker: As per the statement made by the Minister of the Armed Forces on Monday 23 June 2025, an investigation is underway into the incident at RAF Brize Norton. Work has initially focused on Brize Norton but extends to all UK bases. The results will allow us to prioritise improvements and investment required. Further plans will be announced in due course after the completion of the review.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-02 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government how much the Department for Work and Pensions has spent in each year since 2020 under the RM6141 and RM6302 language services frameworks; and whether the department has used or maintained any separate or competing frameworks, contracts or commercial routes for the procurement of language services during the same period, and, if so, how much has been spent through them. \p Baroness Sherlock: The Framework reference RM6141 is the contract we currently have with DALanguages and the spend associated with this supplier is:

Jun 22 – May 23 £6,877,133

Jun 23 – May 24 £7,139,303

Jun 24 – May 25 £9,878,029

There are no costs from 2020, as the Framework reference for that period is different to what has been requested.

The framework RM 6302 does not begin until May 26.

DAL was selected as the supplier for DWPs interpreting requirements, in a fair and open competition. We have not used or maintained any separate or competing frameworks, contracts or commercial routes for the procurement of language services during the specified period.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_1

Baroness Penn:To ask His Majesty's Government what assumptions they used to estimate the take-up of the expansion of free childcare hours in the Spring Budget 2023 (HC 560); whether those assumptions have been subsequently revised; and if so, when and by how much. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Information regarding the assumptions of take-up of the expanded working parent entitlements and funding made available at Spring Budget 2023 can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66221ba8252f0d71cf757d2b/Spring_budget_2023_childcare_expansion_costing_note_information.pdf.

In subsequent fiscal events, this government has provided funding uplifts for the overall early years entitlements budget which includes both the new working parents entitlements and the established entitlements. The Autumn Budget 2024 announced an additional £1.8 billion of funding for the early years entitlements in 2025/26, compared to 2024/25. The spending review 2025 announced an additional £1.6 billion per year by 2028/29, compared to 2025/26, for the early years entitlements. The early years entitlements budget is demand-led, with final totals confirmed the term after the end of the financial year through the dedicated schools grant allocations.

Estimates of take-up of the expanded working parent entitlements have been updated each year using the annual official statistics release on funded early education and childcare, which reported a take up rate of 84% of the estimated number of eligible two-year-olds, 70% of the estimated number of eligible one-year-olds and 42% of the estimated number of eligible under-one-year-olds. The latest statistics can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/funded-early-education-and-childcare/2025#releaseHeadlines-tables.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_2

Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government what has been the estimated cost to the state of educating children who have entered the state sector from independent schools since January. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: HM Treasury published a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) on applying VAT to independent school fees. The TIIN estimates that accounting for the spending implications of any pupil movement into the state sector, the policy will raise £1.7 billion per annum by 2029/30.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_3

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to vet for public safety and security students and dependants from Gaza who are on expedited visas and are offered temporary leave to remain in the UK. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: As set out by the Home Secretary in her oral statement to Parliament on 1 September 2025, the Home Office has put in place systems to issue expedited visas, with biometric checks conducted prior to arrival for all the Chevening scholars from Gaza.

The Home Office is in the process of doing the same for students in Gaza who have been awarded fully funded scholarships and places at UK universities so they can start their studies in autumn this year (no later than 31 December 2025).

All visa applicants are required to provide their biographic and biometric data to enable a range security checks to be completed, including criminality checks.

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.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_4

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 12 February (HL4531), whether the management information related to the "no recourse to public funds" condition is not available on the Atlas system for each leave to remain record. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: Atlas records, as part of a leave to remain decision, whether an individual has been given a ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) condition, and every individual who has an immigration application record on Atlas has their nationality, gender and date of birth recorded as standard. Management Information reports related to the NRPF condition are not yet available, pending prioritisation of enabling work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_5

Lord Frost:To ask His Majesty's Government how many European airports allowed UK passengers to use e-gates on 19 May, and how many do so now. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: I refer the Rt. Hon Lord to the answer provided on 5th June 2025 to PQ HL7659.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_6

Lord Bailey of Paddington:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the merits of enabling councils and local authorities in England to require businesses to pay all business rates in advance. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The government has not assessed the merits of requiring businesses to pay in advance. Typically, councils will bill in ten monthly instalments, but ratepayers can request to make twelve monthly payments to help businesses spread the cost. Ratepayers can also choose to pay their bill annually, should they wish to. This supports the flow of funding to local government and contributes towards the cost of local services.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_7

Lord Randall of Uxbridge:To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to introduce legislation to ban the use of horticultural peat for amateur gardeners. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Ministers are committed to protecting our nature-rich habitats, including peat bogs and are looking at next steps for measures to end the use of peat in horticulture.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_8

Lord Randall of Uxbridge:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the amount of peat harvested to supply amateur gardeners in (1) 2022–23, and (2) 2023–24. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Sales figures for peat are collated by calendar year. Retail sales of peat for 2022 were 470,691 cubic metres, and for 2023 were 388, 969 cubic metres.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-06 conversation_9

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase resource allocation for wildlife licensing applications under the Deer Act 1991 and the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to improve interdepartmental communication between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Home Office on this matter and to streamline deer licence applications. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Defra has no current plans to increase resource allocation for wildlife licensing applications under the Deer Act 1991.

The Home Office assesses applications for the use of animals in science under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. This legislation is not the same as wildlife licensing applications.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_1

Baroness Anelay of St Johns:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in the production of an interim report on the National Youth Strategy. \p Baroness Twycross: The interim report, Today’s Youth Tomorrow’s Nation will be published shortly. To inform the report, a number of activities have been undertaken. These included a rapid evidence assessment, focus groups in each region and a national survey. In addition, findings from engagements with young people conducted by DCMS officials have been included, as well as findings from round-tables carried out by the Regional Youth Work Units.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_2

The Lord Bishop of St Albans:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to give local government new powers to prevent adult gaming centres from opening. \p Baroness Twycross: Local authorities play a crucial role in the regulation of gambling at a local level and have a range of powers in relation to gambling premises. We want local authorities to feel empowered to make decisions that are in their communities’ best interests. We will look to complement local authorities’ existing powers in relation to licensing of gambling premises, in line with the gambling white paper published in April 2023.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_3

Lord Bellingham:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to cap the prize offered by large scale commercial prize draws. \p Baroness Twycross: Large scale commercial prize draws are not regulated as a gambling product under the Gambling Act 2005. There is currently no provision in the Act to introduce a cap on the prizes offered by prize draws.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_4

Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, whether they will issue guidance to sports public bodies about the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling; and whether they plan to withdraw grants from sporting organisations that do not comply with that ruling. \p Baroness Twycross: We have always been clear that when it comes to women's sport, biology matters. Our sports bodies need to come up with policies that protect fairness and safety, whilst ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate in some form.

It is for each sport's National Governing Body to set their own policies for who can participate in domestic competitions. Our Sports Councils produce guidance to provide domestic sports bodies with the framework and support to determine the right position for their sport. Our Sports Councils are considering the implications of the Supreme Court ruling for their guidance.

A public consultation on the EHRC’s Code of Practice is now underway. We would encourage people to ensure their views are heard by submitting a response to the consultation. The Government will consider the EHRC's updated draft Code of Practice once it has been submitted and engage the EHRC to ensure it provides the certainty and clarity service providers need, in line with the Supreme Court ruling.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_5

Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, whether they plan to issue guidance to the Financial Conduct Authority to ensure that biological sex is used in pay gap analysis reports. \p Lord Livermore: The government will review and update its general policy and guidance wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_6

Lord Nash:To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of central government departments and their arm’s-length bodies submitted their financial accounts to the National Audit Office by the statutory deadline in each of the past 10 financial years. \p Lord Livermore: The Government does not hold or monitor data on when departments and their arm’s-length bodies submit their accounts to the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG).
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_7

Lord Rennard:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which tobacco industry pricing strategies undermine the objectives of the minimum excise tax and tobacco excise tax to reduce smoking prevalence. \p Lord Livermore: Like most businesses across the economy, tobacco producers and retailers are free to set prices for their products. Evidence suggests that close to 100% of tax increases, and in many cases more, is passed through to consumers through prices. How this is distributed across products is a matter for the individual firms.

The UK has some of the highest tobacco taxes in the world which have helped reduce smoking prevalence to 11.9%.

In order to protect the public health objectives of tobacco taxation the Minimum Excise Tax sets a minimum amount of duty collected on a pack of cigarettes. This discourages manufacturers from selling cheap cigarettes as it reduces the profitability of cigarettes sold at or below the trigger price of £13.59 for a pack of 20 cigarettes.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_8

Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government whether all venues where Social Security and Child Support Tribunal hearings are held are accessible. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: Social Security and Child Support Tribunal facilities provide a wide range of accessibility features such as step free building access, audio hearing capability, video hearing capability, fixed or portable hearing loops, facilities accessible by wheelchair and rooms that allow line of sight between the Judge and wheelchair user.

While not every accessibility feature is available in every tribunal hearing room, we are committed to ensuring tribunals are accessible to all users and aim to list cases at suitable venues when there are access needs. If a user has a disability that means they cannot access HMCTS information and services, they can request reasonable adjustments by phone, in person or in writing. If a user needs support in the hearing room, HMCTS will also discuss this with the judge hearing the case. Judges are committed to making sure everyone can give their best evidence, and everyone has a fair hearing.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_9

Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede on 22 April (HL Deb col 550), what is their expected timescale when they say that the publication of the proposed 'Hillsborough Law' is being taken forward “at pace”. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: Families have waited decades to get justice and we are fully committed to bringing legislation forward.

Having consulted with those groups and their representatives, it is clear more time is required to draft the best version of a Hillsborough Law. We will continue to work with those families to ensure they receive the justice they deserve.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-03 conversation_10

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in Abbasi and another v Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2025] [UKSC 15] on 16 April, what discussions they have had with the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales and other senior jurists about the use of lifelong anonymity orders and gagging orders in the Family Court under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The Government extends its deepest sympathies to parents and families affected by these difficult circumstances.

At this stage, no formal discussions have taken place with the Lady Chief Justice or other senior jurists. While we will not comment on decisions made by the independent judiciary, we accept the need for greater transparency in family courts while also – where appropriate - protecting the identities of the children and families involved.