theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-14 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-14 conversation_7

Lord Kamall:To ask His Majesty's Government what opportunities they have identified in the NHS 10 Year Plan for the expansion of the NHS Genomic Medicine Service in relation to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. \p Baroness Merron: The 10-Year Health Plan sets out how we will shift from sickness to prevention. As part of this, we will harness the combination of genomics, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence to usher in a new era for secondary prevention. The National Health Service, in partnership with Our Future Health, will trial the use of Integrated Risk Scores, which combine genomic, lifestyle, and health data, within the newly announced neighbourhood health services. Initially focused on cardiovascular disease and diabetes, the programme will expand to includes breast, bowel, and prostate cancer, with other diseases such as glaucoma, osteoporosis, and dementia under consideration. This marks a major step toward routine genetic testing in preventive care, enabling earlier and more personalised interventions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Lord Black of Brentwood:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Blake of Leeds on Thursday 16 October (HL Deb col 112GC), what options are being considered by officials in the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to ensure improved quality of and access to fracture liaison services; when the consideration of those options will be completed; and when they intend to publish a plan to implement the chosen option. \p Baroness Merron: Fracture liaison services are commissioned by integrated care boards, which are well-placed to make decisions according to local need.

Officials continue to work closely with NHS England to explore a range of options to provide better quality and access to these important preventative services.

Our 10-Year Health Plan committed to rolling out fracture liaison services across every part of the country by 2030.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take in the short, medium and long term following the decision of the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury to establish a global phase-out of mercury dental fillings. \p Baroness Merron: Following the decision made at the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury we are in the process of planning in detail the short, medium, and longer-term steps to move towards and implement a phase-out of dental amalgam in 2034.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with NHS trusts and pharmaceutical companies about the use of genomic testing to support cancer pathways. \p Baroness Merron: NHS England commissions the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (NHS GMS) to provide standardised, high quality, and equitable access to genomic medicine across the National Health Service in England. NHS England and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry have established an NHS Genomic Pharmaceutical Industry Strategic Advisory Group, to provide a framework for engagement with industry partners to support the strategic aims of the NHS GMS and system partners. This is a forum to align on priorities and identify mechanisms to support agreed improvements across the end-to-end genomics pathway, including in cancer, that will enable timely patient access to treatments and opportunities to participate in clinical trials.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to embed genetic testing in cancer treatment pathways, and whether additional funding will be available to NHS trusts for that testing. \p Baroness Merron: The NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS), commissioned by NHS England, ensures equitable access to genomic testing for cancer patients across England through seven regional GMS geographies working with Cancer Alliances and National Health Service trusts. Genomic testing is delivered by a national network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs), guided by the National Genomic Test Directory, which includes over 200 cancer indications for a range of genomic tests, including whole genome sequencing. Seven NHS GMS Alliances are funded to embed genomic medicine into clinical pathways and raise awareness among clinicians and patients. Funding for GLHs is agreed annually in line with NHS England funding allocations, with NHS England working with GLHs to drive efficiency and maximise available resources. In 2025/26, NHS England is continuing its Cancer Genomics Improvement Programme for a second year to deliver quality improvement initiatives, education, local engagement, and to establish Cellular Pathology Genomic Centres to streamline cancer genomics pathways and accelerate genomic testing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure users of artificial intelligence platforms can safely access mental health support and are protected from harmful content such as suicide and self-harm content. \p Baroness Merron: We recognise the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and the potential risks they pose, particularly when people are seeking mental health support.

The National Health Service operates within a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI, underpinned by rigorous standards for safety and effectiveness. Publicly available AI applications that are not deployed by the NHS are not regulated as medical technologies and may offer incorrect or harmful information. Users are strongly advised to be careful when using these technologies.

Regardless of whether content is created by AI or humans, the Online Safety Act places robust duties on all in-scope services to prevent users encountering illegal content including content on suicide and self-harm.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government on which clauses and amendments the Department of Health and Social Care have provided advice on legal and practical workability to the promoters of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. \p Baroness Merron: The Government has worked with the sponsors of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on a range of workability issues and has provided legal and workability advice across the entire bill. Where the Government has provided technical or legal advice to the sponsor on specific amendments, ministers have referred to this within their remarks at the Committee and Report Stage in the House of Commons. Parliamentary Counsel has provided the technical drafting for the amendments tabled by the sponsors.

All advice provided to the sponsor in relation to the bill has been to ensure coherence of the statute book, and to help to ensure the bill is workable. The Government has remained neutral on the matter of assisted dying. The Government will continue to take this approach through the bill’s passage in the House of Lords.

The Department recognises the importance of promoting openness and transparency in Government. However, it is also in the public interest that the Government can engage confidentially with the sponsors of the bill, so that the advice the Department provides in relation to the operability and soundness of the bill can be free and frank, both in relation to this bill and any future private member’s bill where the Government engages closely with the sponsor.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) on 7 April (HC40908), what communications representatives of the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation have made to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on (1) the Swanscombe Peninsula Site of Special Scientific Interest designation or (2) the presence or absence of distinguished jumping spiders within land owned by the Development Corporation for development, since 4 July 2024. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Other than a site visit to the Swanscombe Peninsula Site of Special Scientific Interest, hosted by Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC) in July 2025 and attended by officials from Defra, Natural England, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, EDC has made no communication to the Department since 4 July 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government, whether they are still advising local authorities to consider the "Traffic Advisory Leaflet 01/13: Reducing Sign Clutter", published in January 2013; and if not, whether it has been revised in an updated publication. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: "Traffic Advisory Leaflet 01/13: Reducing Sign Clutter", has been withdrawn and superseded by the updated Chapter 1 of the Traffic Signs Manual, published in 2018. Section 2.3 provides guidance on reducing sign clutter.
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Baroness Pidgeon:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will ensure that surface rail access, including the Southern Rail Link and the Western Rail Link, are non-negotiable conditions as part of the assessment of promoted schemes for Heathrow Airport. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Government recognises the vital role that surface access will play as part of any future expansion of Heathrow Airport. As part of the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), launched on 22 October 2025, we will consider the transport infrastructure required to support a third runway, including rail connectivity and mode share targets.

While it would not be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the ANPS review at this stage, I can say it will be the responsibility of any expansion promoter to set out a surface access strategy demonstrating how they will meet the requirements set out in the ANPS.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Baroness Pidgeon:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the metrics of each of the four tests that proposed schemes to expand Heathrow Airport will have to meet, and if so, when. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: On 22 October the Government formally commenced the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which provides the primary basis for decision-making on whether to grant development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. The review will reflect important changes in legislation, policy, and data and set the four tests that any proposed scheme must meet on economic growth, climate, air quality and noise.

As part of the review, the Government will develop analysis on the economic and environmental impacts of expansion at Heathrow, which will inform the four tests. We expect to publish any revisions to the ANPS for consultation by summer 2026, together with supporting assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Lord Roberts of Llandudno:To ask the Leader of the House whether audits are conducted by departments to assess the accuracy of answers given to Written Questions. \p Baroness Smith of Basildon: It is the responsibility for departmental Ministers to ensure that answers to written questions are accurate and address the question posed by the Peer. It is for each individual department to decide its approach to auditing responses. The Guide to Parliamentary Work makes clear that “in responding to questions, ministers should follow the principles of the Ministerial Code making the utmost effort to give accurate and helpful answers”.
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Lord Roberts of Llandudno:To ask the Leader of the House what monitoring process is in place to ensure that responses to Written Questions answer the question that has been asked. \p Baroness Smith of Basildon: As Leader I regularly remind Ministers of the importance of timely and accurate answers to written questions. I have met the working group of departmental Parliamentary Clerks and am scheduled to meet separately Permanent Secretaries next week to stress the importance of written questions and the need for those to be answered on time. Alongside this my office routinely contacts departments who have breached the 10 working day target.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Lord Carlile of Berriew:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to institute a review of the quality and effectiveness of services provided to children and vulnerable adults who are complainants, victims or witnesses in criminal trials. \p Baroness Levitt: The Victims’ Code is statutory guidance that sets out the minimum level of service that victims of crime should receive from the criminal justice system. Witnesses who are not victims under the Code, are covered by the Witness Charter, which sets out standards of care for witnesses in the criminal justice system.

During the trial itself, the Victims’ Code includes the right for victims to make a Victim Personal Statement, the right to be given information about the trial and on the role of a witness, and the right to be given information about the outcome of the case. Recognising that certain victims are more likely to require specialised assistance, victims who are under the age of 18 at the time of the offence, as well as victims who service providers consider vulnerable or intimidated, are eligible for Enhanced Rights under the Code. This may include being offered a referral to a specialist support service, being contacted sooner after key decisions, and being assisted with accessing relevant special measures. Witnesses under the age of 18 and other vulnerable and intimidated witnesses under the Witness Charter may also be eligible for additional support during the police investigation and at trial.

We will be consulting on a new Code in due course to make sure we get the foundations for victims right.
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Lord Truscott:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield on 30 October (HL11095), what impact assessment, if any, they have conducted for wall insulation schemes. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: Government energy efficiency schemes deliver a range of measures. The government conducts impact assessments for its energy efficiency schemes, including those covering wall insulation.

The government also publishes regular evaluation reports for our energy efficiency schemes, including schemes that have conducted wall insulation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the Arakan Army has committed human rights violations in northwestern Myanmar; and what steps they are taking bilaterally and through international mechanisms to ensure accountability for those abuses. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK remains deeply concerned by reports of human rights violations in western Myanmar. We are aware of allegations involving armed actors in the region and continue to push for accountability for such abuses, wherever they occur.

As penholder on Myanmar at the UN Security Council, we convened six Council meetings in 2024 and three so far in 2025 to spotlight the crisis, including the first open meeting in five years focused on the Rohingya. We also co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council resolution in April (2025) on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, condemning ongoing violations particularly against ethnic minorities.

The UK has provided £900,000 to the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar since 2021 to support the collection, verification, and preservation of evidence for future prosecution, and established the Myanmar Witness programme to verify open-source evidence of human rights violations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

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Lord Swire:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the remarks of Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, the national police lead on hunting, that he is "very happy" with claims of two-tier policing of hunts in favour of saboteurs, and how they intend to respond. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: National portfolio leads are a matter for the NPCC.
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Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 2 December 2024 (HC16599), whether (1) the Cabinet Office, or (2) the Government Car Service, has produced guidance for departmental private offices on the allocation of car provision to senior officials; and what criteria determine whether a senior official should be granted the use of a government car. \p Baroness Twycross: Neither the Cabinet Office nor the Government Car Service (GCS) provides guidance to departmental private offices on the allocation of cars for senior officials. Individual departments determine the criteria for the use of a government car in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.
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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government how many statutory public inquiries established under the Inquiries Act 2005 are currently still active; whether each inquiry has a target date for its completion; and whether there are financial resources ear-marked to cover the ongoing costs. \p Baroness Twycross: There are currently 10 statutory public inquiries established by HM Government under the Inquiries Act 2005 still active. Each inquiry has a sponsor department whose role includes covering ongoing costs. The duration of an inquiry is a matter for the inquiry chair, who usually has target dates for completion.
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Lord Trees:To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to lay the secondary legislation required to implement the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023, following their announcement to do so in September 2024. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

The Secretary of State has recently announced that the secondary legislation necessary to implement the Precision Breeding Act for plants in England will be laid by the end of March.

Defra is also considering the animal welfare framework outlined in the Precision Breeding Act.
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Lord Randall of Uxbridge:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the special protection areas on General Licence 45 were reassessed following the highly pathogenic avian influenza risk-level in wild birds being increased to medium (on 7 October 2024), high (on 30 October 2024) and very high (on 18 December 2024), and under what scenario the licence would be modified or revoked. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Defra regularly assesses the local risk of HPAI to internationally protected birds on Special Protected Areas subject to the General licence 45. It has not been necessary to modify or revoke the licence as no gamebirds are being released at the times stated and the biosecurity conditions of GL45 were considered sufficiently precautionary.
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The Earl of Caithness:To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish a timetable for implementing the provisions in the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

The Secretary of State has recently announced that the secondary legislation necessary to implement the Precision Breeding Act for plants in England will be laid by the end of March.

Defra is also considering the animal welfare framework outlined in the Precision Breeding Act.
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Baroness Hodgson of Abinger:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to renew the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme beyond its current expiry date of 31 March. \p Baroness Twycross: We will announce the outcomes of the Business Planning process, including for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme soon.
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Lord Booth-Smith:To ask His Majesty's Government how much they estimate the typical restaurant, café, bar or pub will pay in business rates, factoring in the retail, hospitality and leisure relief, for 2025–26 relative to 2024–25. \p Lord Livermore: Without any Government intervention, Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief would have ended entirely in April 2025, creating a cliff-edge for businesses. Instead, the Government has decided to offer a 40 per cent discount to Retail, Hospitality and Leisure properties up to a cash cap of £110,0000 per business in 2025-26 and frozen the small business multiplier.

By tapering Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief to 40%, rather than letting it end, the government has saved the average pub, with a rateable value (RV) of £16,800, over £3,300 in 2025.

At Budget, the Government also announced that from 2026-27, it intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street RHL properties. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on the most valuable properties, which includes the majority of large distribution warehouses, including warehouses used by online giants.

The rates for any new business rate multipliers will be set at Budget 2025 so that the Government can take into account the upcoming revaluation outcomes as well as the economic and fiscal context.
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Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 2 January (HL3671), on which specific dates and times have (1) Ministers and (2) officials met, online or in person, with representatives of the Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition, since 4 July 2024. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: As previously indicated, the Government has and will continue to meet with stakeholders both in favour of, or concerned by, the prospect of this legislation. Such meetings will be disclosed in due course as part of relevant Departmental transparency releases on gov.uk and more generally when we are ready to share our approach to this legislation.
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Lord Kamall:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether there are enough hospital beds and ambulances for this winter; and what steps are they taking to increase them. \p Baroness Merron: The national approach on priorities for winter planning were issued by NHS England on 16 September 2024, setting out the key steps to be taken to support the delivery of high-quality care for patients this winter. Provisions for resourcing of hospital beds and ambulances for this winter are an operational matter for the National Health Service.

The NHS is managing extra demand over the winter period, by strengthening same day emergency care, offering more falls services for older people, and with upgraded 24-hour live data centres.
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Lord Birt:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Microsoft about its suspension of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in the Hague’s email account. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: Support for international criminal justice and accountability is a fundamental element of the UK's foreign policy. The UK is a strong supporter of an effective International Criminal Court (ICC). His Majesty's Government have not had discussion with Microsoft regarding the suspension of the ICC Prosecutor's email account.
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Lord Roberts of Llandudno:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of current restrictions on aid going into Gaza. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: Israel's announcement that it will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate. 2.1 million people are in dire need of food, healthcare, water, and shelter. As the Minister for the Middle East stated on 4 June, Israel's newly introduced measures for aid delivery are inhumane, foster desperation and endanger civilians. No one should risk death or injury to feed their family. The UK will not support any mechanism that endangers civilians or politicises aid. Israel must immediately allow the United Nations and aid partners to safely deliver all types of aid at scale to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity.
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The Lord Bishop of Gloucester:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish a response to the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and when. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK is fully committed to international law and respects the independence of the International Court of Justice. We continue to consider the Court's Advisory Opinion carefully, with the seriousness and rigour it deserves.
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Lord Roberts of Llandudno:To ask His Majesty's Government what aid they provided to Gaza in May. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: On 28 April, the UK announced a package of support for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including £101 million for humanitarian aid, support for Palestinian economic development, and strengthening Palestinian Authority governance and reform. A significant portion of our Financial Year 2024/25 funding has already reached Gaza, including life-saving medical supplies. Some remains prepositioned at border crossings or in regional warehouses. Due to the complex operating environment and limited real-time data, it is difficult to quantify the volume of aid currently awaiting entry. We continue to urge Israel to immediately allow the United Nations and humanitarian Non-Governmental Organisations to operate in line with their principles.
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Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government what advice the Deputy Prime Minister received from (1) the Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, (2) the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, and (3) the Cabinet Office propriety and ethics team, regarding ministerial discussions with the Unite trade union. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: As set out in the Ministerial Code, there is an established process in place for the declaration and management of private interests held by ministers. This ensures that steps are taken to avoid or mitigate any actual or perceived conflicts of interest. Any advice given to ministers as part of this process would be in confidence.
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Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have provided guidance for Ministers who wish to engage with the Muslim Council of Britain in their ministerial capacity. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Our policy on engagement with the Muslim Council of Britain has not changed.
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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 13 May (HL6920), what estimate the Infected Blood Compensation Authority has made of the projected fraud rate for the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme; and what assumptions underpin that estimate. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: IBCA continues to work closely with the Public Sector Fraud Authority to undertake Fraud Risk Assessments and then to implement appropriate counter-fraud mitigations and controls. I refer noble Lords to my answer (HL5057) on 6 March.
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Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 16 May (HL7121), whether any independent assessments have been undertaken to verify the compliance of One Login with the 39 outcomes in the National Cyber Security Centre Cyber Assessment Framework, excluding self-assessments and reviews conducts by contracted suppliers; and whether they will place in the Library of the House the results of the most recent GovAssure review, including (1) the methodology used, and (2) the number of outcomes currently assessed as met. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: GOV.UK One Login was subject to GovAssure, the cyber security scheme run by the Cabinet Office’s Government Security Group (GSG), in Q4 2024. As part of this, we successfully completed a review of our assurance measures against the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSCs) Cyber Assessment Framework. This work is ongoing, with continued collaboration with NCSC on future mitigations. This process has multiple phases, which includes an assurance review by an independent assessor.

Copies of the final assessment will not be disclosed or placed in the Library of the House, as they are part of ongoing security measures and internal governance processes.
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Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the levels of phosphates and nitrates in England's waterways; and whether they intend to extend safety protections to people involved in water sports on those waterways. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The level of water pollution is unacceptable. That is why cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas is a priority for the government. Working with farmers and the wider industry is key to delivering against this priority.

Under the Environment Act 2021, a legally binding target was set to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment from agriculture entering the water environment by 40% by 2038.  A suite of proportionate and effective regulations, advice and incentives are in place to support delivery of this target and reduce pollution. We are focused on working with farmers to improve compliance to meet their obligations and make improvements to their businesses.

UK Health Security Agency and the Environment Agency offer advice in their ‘Swim Healthy’ guidance on swimming in open waters: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/swim-healthy-leaflet/swim-healthy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_1

Lord Clement-Jones:To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the non-technical summaries of project licences granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 between January and June, what assessment they have made of the number of animals approved to be used in procedures over the next five years under those licences. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office is committed to ensuring that the use of animals in scientific research is strictly regulated and is only permitted where no suitable alternatives are available. In parallel, the Government is committed to working towards a vision of phasing out the use of animals in science. The Government will publish a strategy that describes how it will accelerate the development and uptake of alternative methods to animal research and testing later this year.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_2

Lord Grocott:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 17 July (HL9084), how many police officers left the force in the year ending 31 March 2025, broken down by how many served (1) for less than 12 months, (2) between 12 months and 5 years, (3) between 5 years and 10 years, and (4) over 10 years. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office collects and publishes data annually on the number of police officer leavers in the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin.

Information on the length of service of leavers is available in table JL6 of the data tables accompanying the publication.

Table 1: Police officer leavers (headcount) by length of service in the year ending 31 March 2025, England and Wales.

Length of service group

Headcount of officer leavers

Proportion (%) of all leavers

Less than 1 year

930

10.3%

1 to less than 2 years

1,011

11.2%

2 to less than 3 years

637

7.1%

3 to less than 4 years

446

5.0%

4 to less than 5 years

407

4.5%

5 to less than 10 years

839

9.3%

10 to less than 15 years

372

4.1%

15 to less than 20 years

760

8.5%

20 to less than 25 years

1,235

13.7%

25 to less than 30 years

1,202

13.4%

30 years or over

1,148

12.8%

Total

8,987

100.0%

Note:

The retention of all officers, both new recruits and experienced officers remain essential to increasing public confidence in policing. This is why forces should be using strong evidence-based strategies to support retention and progression of existing officers, as well as continuing to recruit new officers using high quality recruitment processes that maintain standards.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_3

Baroness O'Loan:To ask His Majesty's Government what resources they dedicate to the implementation of the strategy to address violence against women and girls. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The scale of violence against women and girls in our country is intolerable and this Government is treating it as the national emergency that it is.

The Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy will set out the Government’s strategic direction and the concrete actions required to deliver on our ambition to halve VAWG within a decade. This has been underpinned by a robust analytical sprint and a Theory of Change, ensuring our approach is grounded in the best available evidence.

The Strategy recognises the need for a whole-system approach to tackling VAWG. We have worked collaboratively across government departments to develop policies that support this ambition and drive meaningful change.

Following the Chancellor’s announcement on 11 June, we are continuing to work through the details of government funding for tackling VAWG over the 2026–2029 Spending Review period.

We are working tirelessly across government to deliver the VAWG Strategy. It is vital that we get this right, and we are committed to publishing the Strategy as soon as possible.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_4

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce ID cards for UK citizens; and, if so, what consideration they have given to the timescale and cost. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Government is committed to making the state more efficient and easier to interact with through harnessing technology. We want to learn from countries who have digitised government services for the benefit of their citizens.

The Government will announce further details in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_5

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of their food strategy for England on 15 July, what steps they plan to take to boost domestic fruit and vegetable production. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Government is committed to our horticulture sector and the vital role it plays in strengthening food security by ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply of fresh home-grown produce.

The Good Food Cycle, published as part of our food strategy gives the food sector a blueprint for an economically successful and innovative domestic food sector, including horticulture. It will work alongside the Farming Roadmap, the Land Use Framework, the Circular Economy Strategy and the Environmental Improvement Plan to deliver a resilient and healthy food system, that works with nature and supports farmers, growers and food producers.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_6

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath:To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the outcome of the consultation on improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain for minor, medium and brownfield development. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Government is carefully considering responses to the consultation on ‘Improving the Implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain for Minor, Medium and Brownfield Development’ and will publish a Government response in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_7

Lord Bailey of Paddington:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to increase the cap on fixed penalty notices that councils can issue for fly-tipping. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: At present, we do not have plans to increase the cap on fixed penalty notices that councils can issue for fly-tipping. Councils can currently issue fixed penalty notices of up to £1000.

We have committed to forcing fly-tippers to clean up the mess they have created. This will build on the sanctions already available which also include seizing vehicles and prosecution action which can lead to a significant fine, a community sentence or even imprisonment.

We encourage councils to make good use of their enforcement powers and are taking steps to develop statutory fly-tipping enforcement guidance. We are also conducting a review of their powers to seize and crush vehicles of suspected fly-tippers, to identify how we could help councils make better use of this tool.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_8

Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that waste collected for recycling is recycled rather than exported. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy where resources are kept in use for longer and waste is designed out. The Government has convened a Circular Economy Taskforce of experts to help develop the first ever Circular Economy Strategy for England, which we plan to publish for consultation in the coming months.

The Simpler Recycling reforms will ensure that across England, people will be able to recycle the same materials, whether at home, work or school, putting an end to confusion over what can and cannot be recycled in different parts of the country.

Waste collected from households and workplaces must be collected separately from other waste for recycling or composting.

This policy will make recycling easier and ensure there is a comprehensive, consistent service across England. This will reduce confusion with recycling to improve recycling rates, ensuring there is more recycled material in the products we buy, and that the UK recycling industry will grow.

Where the UK cannot currently recycle materials economically, exports can help ensure those materials are recycled. The export of waste is subject to strict controls and exporters are required to ensure that the waste they ship is managed in an environmentally sound manner. Any UK operators found to be illegally exporting waste can face a two-year jail term and an unlimited fine.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_9

Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government what further steps they are taking to increase the speed with which businesses reduce their use of plastic packaging and eliminate unnecessary waste. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: This Government is committed to moving to a circular economy – a future where we keep our resources in use for longer, waste is reduced, we accelerate the path to net zero, we see investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs, our economy prospers, and nature thrives.

Alongside the delivery of the Collection and Packaging Reforms, this Government is currently considering further actions that can be taken to address the challenges associated with plastic packaging. As we develop our Circular Economy Strategy for England, we will consider the evidence for action from right across the economy and evaluate what interventions may be needed.

The Government also funds the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), who run the UK Plastics Pact. Pact members cover the entire plastics value chain and are responsible for the majority of plastic packaging sold through UK supermarkets, and approximately two thirds of the total plastic packaging placed on the UK market. Since 2018, members of the Pact have increased the average recycled content in their packaging from 8.5% to 26%.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-23 conversation_10

Lord Keen of Elie:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made regarding their pilot for the voluntary chemical castration of sex offenders, and whether they will provide a timeline for its implementation. \p Lord Timpson: As part of the Government’s efforts to crackdown on sex crimes, the Government has committed to extending Medication to Manage Problematic Sexual Arousal (MMPSA) to twenty prisons, ramped up from the current four in the South West.

MMPSA is a pharmaceutical intervention prescribed by clinicians to individuals, based on clinical need; medication can be given in the form of testosterone suppressing medication known as anti-androgens and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitiors (SSRIs). There is evidence of serious medium and longer-term side effects and risks associated with taking anti-androgens, which need to be carefully monitored by clinicians whilst a patient is taking them.

MMPSA is most effective when used alongside psychological interventions which includes accredited offending behaviour programmes, coordinated support such as therapy and probation supervision. This integrated approach ensures that public safety is prioritised.

The evidence of outcomes related to a reduction in psychological distress is building. To strengthen our evidence base, the Government is going further than the Independent Sentencing Review recommendation by committing to extending and expanding the existing MMPSA feasibility pilot beyond the South-West region, to two additional regions, the North East and the North West, as the first steps towards a national roll-out. We are continuing to work closely with our partners across health and justice agencies to inform our plans for implementation throughout the Autumn.

Alongside the expansion of the pilot, we are working closely with experts to ensure all future decisions are based on strong evidence which prioritises public safety, including through our collaboration with Nottingham Trent University to conduct a Randomised Controlled Trial to understand the effectiveness of SSRIs in managing problematic sexual behaviours.

We are also conducting international research to inform our approach to MMPSA. This has included hosting an expert roundtable with international representation from Sweden and Germany, and targeted engagement with countries who use this medication, as recommended in the Review. A summary of the evidence available will be deposited in the House Library.

As the evidence builds, it is right we consider ways we can increase the use of MMPSA and we will continue to explore whether we might mandate this treatment in future.