theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_46

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to implement a long-term management plan and consultation regarding beaver reintroduction and recovery; and what plans they have, if any, to provide financial support to landowners wishing to reintroduce beavers into the wild on their land. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

On 28 February 2025, Defra announced its new approach to beavers, including a commitment to developing a long-term management plan for beavers in England. We are developing our approach to this work and will engage stakeholders in due course to work together to develop a vision for managing the long-term reintroduction and recovery of beaver populations in England.

Defra has no plans to provide financial support to landowners wishing to reintroduce beavers into the wild on their land. A licence is required from Natural England to release beavers into the wild. Any project seeking a license must demonstrate that they have enough funding for the duration of the wild release project, which is usually 10 years.

Defra does offer support for living alongside beavers through Environmental Land Management (ELM) funding. ELM support and advice for land managers is available through Countryside Stewardship (Higher Tier) and capital grants. In addition, some actions in the Sustainable Farming Incentive also have a role to play in riparian management.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_47

The Lord Bishop of Norwich:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to deliver climate finance to communities in the UK most impacted by climate change. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: This Government is working hard to both understand the impacts of climate change and deliver the support needed to communities in the UK most impacted. For example, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change, this Government is investing record levels of flood protection. We are investing a record £2.65 billion over two years (2024/25 and 2025/26) for the construction of new flood schemes, and the maintenance and repair of existing ones. With this fresh funding, 1,000 flood schemes have been or will continue to be supported, better protecting 52,000 properties by March 2026.

In addition, the Government is strengthening the capability of local authorities to protect businesses and communities from the impacts of climate change through the Local Authority Climate Services (LACS). Developed through the collaborative efforts of Defra and the Met Office, the LACS provides local authorities with targeted data on climate change impacts to their local areas to help guide the decisions made in response to climate risks and support climate adaptation planning. The UK Government Emergency alerts are also in place to warn businesses and communities of dangerous weather conditions which may impact on their affairs.

The Flood Re scheme also supports local communities. Flood Re is a joint Government and industry scheme that provides reinsurance in such a way as to promote affordability and availability of insurance for UK households at high flood risk. Flood Re does not deal directly with homeowners but instead allows insurance companies to pass the flood risk element of home insurance policies over to Flood Re for a set premium based on council tax bands.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_48

Baroness Young of Old Scone:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in implementing the recommendations of the report of the Tree Council Protecting trees of high social, cultural and environmental value published in April, and in developing an action plan for and improving the legal protection of important trees. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: We are carefully considering expert recommendations laid out in the Tree Council and Forest Research report. It will be important to balance our approach with existing priorities and our statutory obligations.

We recognise the value of our most important trees and consider all ancient and veteran trees to be irreplaceable habitats. The Sycamore Gap sentencing demonstrates that our judicial system takes illegal tree felling seriously.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_49

Lord Sandhurst:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current state of the European Convention on Human Rights. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: This Government is fully committed to the protection of human rights both domestically and internationally and remains unequivocally committed to international human rights frameworks.

However, as the Lord Chancellor set out in her speech to the Council of Europe, we are encouraging a constructive dialogue between Contracting Parties to the European Convention on Human Rights on how the Convention can respond to developments in our societies and restore public confidence in the rule of law.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_50

Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government how many super-injunctions are currently in force in England and Wales. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The Government does not routinely publish or hold centralised data on the number of super-injunctions currently in force, due to the sensitive and often confidential nature of such orders.

Where such orders are made, they are typically issued by the High Court under strict judicial oversight and may include provisions that prevent disclosure of their very existence.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_51
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_51

Lord Foster of Bath:To ask His Majesty's Government what penalties have been imposed on private sector companies providing Prisoner Escort and Custody Services in the most recent 12-month period for which data are available, broken down by court building and date. \p Lord Timpson: It would not be possible to provide disaggregated data at the level of detail requested without incurring disproportionate cost.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_52
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_52

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government what are the duties of the civil servant listed in the Cabinet Office organogram published on 20 February as “Deputy Director – Meaningful Work”. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: I refer the Noble Lord to the answer on 9 June 2025 (PQ HC54763).

PQ 54763: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49766 on Cabinet Office; staff, what are the job responsibilities of the Deputy Director for Meaningful Work.

Answer: There is no Deputy Director for Meaningful Work. Meaningful work refers to work that an employee must be provided with and undertake during the redeployment process. The nature of the work should be appropriate for their grade, skills and competencies and may take place within or outside of their existing business area.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_53

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to include special advisors within the scope of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 using the powers in section 2(5) of that Act. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Government is committed to transparency and has already taken a number of steps to restore trust in politics. The Government currently has no plans to bring Special Advisers within the scope of the Lobbying Act, although it continues to keep transparency and lobbying under review.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_54
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_54

Lord Wharton of Yarm:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Prime Minister has taken financial support or benefits in kind from anyone associated with Bangladesh’s Awami League party since July 2024. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: I refer the Noble Lord to the Register of Members' Financial Interests.

Register of Members' Financial Interests (pdf, 3684.1KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_55
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_55

The Earl of Clancarty:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress is being made in the development of a youth mobility scheme between the UK and the EU; and when they expect such a scheme to be introduced. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: We have agreed that we will work towards the establishment of a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped as well as time-limited. We have also been clear that it should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes with countries like Australia and New Zealand. The exact parameters will be subject to discussion in the next phase of the negotiations.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_56
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_56

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath:To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria they will use in the review, due in 2026, to decide whether to publish retained papers relating to allegations of a security service plot against Harold Wilson. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Records relating to the above matter will be reviewed in accordance with the requirements of the Public Records Act 1958.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_57

The Lord Bishop of Norwich:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to deliver climate finance to communities around the world most impacted by climate change. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: It remains our ambition to deliver £11.6 billion of International Climate Finance between April 2021 and March 2026, of which £1.5 billion should be Adaptation and Resilience finance for 2025 to support to the most vulnerable communities who are experiencing the worst impacts of climate change. We are working with our partners to ensure that Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries - among the most climate vulnerable - are able to access the climate finance they need from the global system for adaptation and resilient growth. We are also championing locally led approaches and the meaningful engagement and involvement of marginalised people in climate resilience action.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_58

Baroness Sugg:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, following reductions to Official Development Assistance, to ensure the continuation of funding to the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health Programme. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK is proud to defend and promote universal and comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Official Development Assistance (ODA) is one of multiple levers to achieve this. Over the coming months, we will work through how the ODA budget will be used in future years, informed by internal and external consultation and consideration of equalities impact assessments ahead of making decisions on budgets for individual programmes in the autumn.

The transition to spending 0.3 per cent of Gross National Income on Official Development Assistance requires significant shifts in the shape and scale of the work we do. However, we will continue to work with international and national partners and use targeted funding, technical partnership and diplomatic engagement to provide leadership on SRHR.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_59
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_59

Lord Hampton:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on obtaining reciprocal voting rights in local elections for UK citizens in Italy; and whether these negotiations are a priority for the Government. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: We have existing bilateral agreements with Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Poland and Luxembourg, which were negotiated by the previous government. The UK is open to further, fully reciprocal bilateral voting agreements but these would be subject to the detail of future negotiations.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_60
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-07-30 conversation_60

Lord Hampton:To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they are considering to encourage political engagement among young Britons living and working in the EU. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: It is for British nationals as individuals to decide whether they wish to become politically active while living and working in the EU.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_1

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they are considering to tackle littering on roads. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the responsibility for clearing highway litter lies with the relevant local authority or with National Highways (NH), depending on the type of road. In respect of local roads, litter collection is a matter for local highway authorities, and funding for this is provided as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. In respect of the strategic road network, the Government has set a performance indicator for NH in respect of litter on its roads, and NH’s compliance with this is assessed at regular meetings with the Department’s officials, as well as by the Office of Rail and Road.

National Highways undertakes regular litter collection on motorway verges, and delivers a range of interventions to deter littering on its roads. These include installing signage; providing litter bins at service areas suitable for use by drivers of different vehicle types; social media messaging; and undertaking trials of AI enforcement cameras.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_2

Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to set targets for the key performance indicators set out in the consultation on the third cycling and walking investment strategy, published on 3 November. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: On the 3rd November the Government launched a consultation to develop the third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS3). The consultation is seeking the views of stakeholders on national vision, statutory objectives, and underlying performance indicators.   Details will be provided when the strategy is published next year.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_3

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government how many mainline railway stations in London currently have full step-free access for passengers, and what plans they have to guarantee step free access in those stations. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: Based on data from a 2023 national accessibility stations audit, there are 138 mainline railway stations in London that currently provide full step-free access for passengers. This is out of a total of 335 mainline stations within the Greater London Authority area.

The Department continues to work closely with Network Rail, train operators and local authorities to improve step-free access at stations in London. For example, a major upgrade to deliver step free access at Hither Green station is forecast to open to passengers in 2027.

Where step-free access is not available, train operators are required to provide alternative transport at no additional cost to the passenger.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_4

Baroness Pinnock:To ask His Majesty's Government whether Platform4 is required to consider the need for future railway expansion on existing railway land before allocating land for commercial or housing development. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: Network Rail are required to consider the need for future railway expansion on existing railway land before allocating land for commercial or housing development, under condition 17 of their network license (LC17). LC17 is an industry process, and most railway partners have the opportunity to respond to any current, future and integrated transport proposals.

Establishing Platform4 has not changed this process. Platform4 will continue to work with Network Rail on the LC17 process as part of their support to the development for major stations and regional schemes.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_5

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government what new measures they are proposing to effectively remove illegal immigrants as soon as they arrive in the UK \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The UK-France pilot has already been put into action meaning that anyone entering the UK on a small boat can be detained on arrival and returned to France.

On 17 November 2025 ‘Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy’ was published on .GOV.UK. This statement sets out that we will increase removals form the UK, impose visa penalties with countries who do not cooperate with us on returns, incentivise family returns, and sanctions for non-cooperation; consult on ending indefinite support for failed asylum seeking families; and explore safe third-country hubs for those who cannot quickly return to their country of origin.

We will also make changes to the appeal system to expedite returns and seek to reform the application of Articles 3 and 8 of the ECHR to remove barriers to return.

The Government is working at pace on the legislative and policy changes required and will set out timelines for implementation in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_6

Lord Godson:To ask His Majesty's Government, what assessment they have made of the US government fact sheet, President Donald J. Trump Begins Process to Designate Certain Muslim Brotherhood Chapters as Foreign Terrorist Organisations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, published on 24 November; and whether they plan to adopt a similar designation in the UK in relation to the Muslim Brotherhood. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: It is our long-standing policy not to comment on intelligence and security matters, including whether or not an organisation is under consideration for proscription.

To proscribe an organisation the Home Secretary must have a reasonable belief that it is currently concerned in terrorism, and it must be necessary and proportionate to do so. This means the organisation participates or commits; prepares for; promotes, encourages, or unlawfully glorifies; or is in some way otherwise concerned in terrorism. The Home Secretary may then exercise her discretion to proscribe an organisation and will consider all the relevant factors in deciding whether to do so.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_7

Lord Hampton:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of swimming and water safety attainment results provided by schools as part of the physical educations and sport premium expenditure reporting return, and whether they will publish that data. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department is processing the information received through the Digital Expenditure Reporting Return and will publish a summary of quality assured data in the New Year.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_8

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government which provisions of the Sentencing Bill will not apply to Northern Ireland, and why. \p Lord Timpson: The issue of justice is one that is a transferred matter under the devolution settlement. Ministry of Justice officials have engaged officials in the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to a range of Bill measures and amendments that apply in Northern Ireland. A Legislative Consent Motion is not required with respect to Northern Ireland.

Provisions that will apply to Northern Ireland include sentences with fixed licence period, deportation of foreign criminals and the Service Justice System.

The Explanatory Notes for the Bill contain a comprehensive table which outlines the parts of the Bill which apply to Northern Ireland and which do not. This is available on the Bill Page on the Parliament website.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_9

Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government whether there is capability in the Prison and Probation Service incident reporting system to categorise a prison incident as faith or ideology related; and if not, how the Prison and Probation Service collects data on prison incidents that are motivated by faith or ideology at a local and national level. \p Lord Timpson: His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service does not hold a central record of whether prison incidents are motivated by faith or ideology. If a prison identifies that an incident was motivated by such a factor, this will be managed locally. Terrorist offenders are managed through a specialist, multi-agency process, which assesses offenders in terms of their individual risk.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_10

Lord Lebedev:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to encourage people skilled in AI research not to leave the UK to work elsewhere. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: The Government is taking decisive steps to attract and retain world-class AI researchers. We have expanded the Turing AI Pioneer Fellowships to build our expertise at home. We are also funding up to 100 Spärck AI scholarships for master’s degrees at leading UK universities, as part of the wider £187 million TechFirst digital skills programme.

To draw global talent, our new Turing AI Global Fellowships offer relocation packages for leading academics. These initiatives form part of a £1 billion AI R&D portfolio, which also includes doctoral training centres and research hubs – strengthening the UK’s research base and ensuring we remain a global leader in AI innovation.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_11

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to support job creation and infrastructure development in the AI Growth Zone in South Wales. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: The Government is establishing AI Growth Zones (AIGZs) to deliver the infrastructure needed for the UK to develop and deploy advanced AI at scale.

Following the announcement of the fourth AI Growth Zone in South Wales, we are working with national and regional government, businesses and local skills providers to address key barriers to investment in the area and accelerate benefits for communities across South Wales. Our AI Growth Zone policy package unlocks £5 million for each site to invest in local benefits and capitalise on the AI economy. This additional funding can support initiatives such as expanding data centre-focused skills pathways, creating more high-skilled, high-paying jobs and strengthening the local research environment.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_12

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will put forward a candidate for the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in 2026; and if so, what the process to select that candidate will be, and how they will support that candidate. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Government is fully committed to fulfilling its obligations under the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and recognises the important role the CEDAW Committee plays in holding States Parties to account in implementing the treaty.

The UK takes a strategic approach to multilateral elections, running a small number of high priority campaigns each year. After careful consideration, the Government will not be nominating a candidate for the 2026 CEDAW Committee election due to other priorities. However, as with all UN bodies, the Government will carefully consider whether to nominate a UK representative for future vacancies which will arise to the Committee. It remains the UK’s ambition to demonstrate leadership on promoting gender equality which aligns with CEDAW’s principles.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_13

Baroness Pinnock:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning on 24 November (HC Deb col 20), whether the call in process for sites capable of accommodating 150 or more housing units near railway stations will include railway stations in rural areas. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: I refer the Noble Baroness to the Written Ministerial Statement published and attached on 18 November 2025 (HCWS1062)– noting the statement contains several discrete measures.

The Department intends to publish a consultation in due course which provides further detail on the announcement on a new Consultation Direction.

HCWS 1062 (pdf, 106.1KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_14

Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning on 21 November (HC88648), whether they have a general policy on cancelling 'article 4' directions submitted by local authorities to remove permitted development rights for (1) asylum hotels, and (2) houses in multiple occupation that are occupied by asylum seekers, by exercising the Secretary of State's powers under Schedule 3 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: We have no such policies.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_15

Baroness Pinnock:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 24 November (HL Deb cols 1154-1155), whether all land around railway stations and capable of accommodating 150 or more housing units can be categorised as brownfield sites. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: I refer the noble Lady to the Written Ministerial Statement published and attached on 18 November 2025 (HCWS1062) – noting the statement contains several discrete measures.

It will be for planning decision-makers to determine whether land around train stations meets the definition of brownfield (previously developed land) as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

Written Statement (pdf, 106.1KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_16

Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 20 November (HL Deb col 930), whether they plan to make changes to planning practice guidance and the National Planning Policy Framework to ensure that water and sewerage companies and undertakings fully engage with local plans and spatial development strategies as statutory consultees at the strategic level, rather than at the individual site level. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Government will shortly be introducing a new plan-making system to support faster preparation of plans and more frequent updates. This new system will provide a more strategic approach for water and sewerage company engagement in plan-making. Government intends to prescribe water and sewerage companies in ‘Requirement to Assist’ regulations so they will be obliged to assist with plan-making, where a plan-making authority reasonably requests it. Government also intends to list water and sewerage companies as consultation bodies for the new plan-making system, so they will be made aware of key plan-making consultations where the plan-making authority considers that they have an interest. The Requirement to Assist will also apply to the preparation of spatial development strategies. The National Planning Policy Framework and relevant planning and guidance will reflect these law changes where appropriate.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_17

Lord Norton of Louth:To ask His Majesty's Government which Acts of Parliament are scheduled for post-legislative review in 2026. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: This information is not held centrally. The Cabinet Office has written to departments reminding them of the importance of post-legislative scrutiny.

All bills that have reached Royal Assent are eligible for post-legislative scrutiny three to five years after they are enacted. However, it can be agreed between the Government Department and the relevant Commons Departmental Select Committee that a memorandum is not required.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_18

Lord Norton of Louth:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 20 November (HL11754), what study was undertaken to reach the conclusion in their response (HC637) to the report of the House of Commons Committee on Standards on the operation of the Recall of MPs Act 2015; and which of the criteria adumbrated in paragraph 40.1 and 40.2 of the "Guide to Making Legislation" apply in the decision not to undertake post-legislative scrutiny of the Act. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Government's January 2025 response to the House of Commons Committee on Standards' recommendation regarding the Recall of MPs Act 2015 was based on the operation of the Act and the six recall petitions that have taken place since the Act came into force.

These recall petitions have collectively engaged all three recall conditions, and one did not attain the 10% threshold required to recall the MP in question. Given the variety of circumstances in which the recall process has been engaged, and given the variety of outcomes, the Government believes that the 2015 Act has been tested sufficiently and proven an effective and proportionate tool in the parliamentary standards regime.

The Cabinet Office Guide to Making Legislation is clear that post-legislative scrutiny of legislation can take the form of discussion with the relevant parliamentary committee. The Government remains open to dialogue with Parliament, including the House of Commons Committee on Standards and the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, about the ongoing operation of the Recall Act.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_19

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to rejoin the EU’s Erasmus+ Programme. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: At the UK-EU Summit in May, the UK agreed to work towards association to the Erasmus+ programme on financial terms to be mutually agreed, which should ensure a fair balance as regards the contributions of and benefits to the UK. Negotiations are ongoing, and the timelines for any association are subject to further discussion.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_20

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what is their most recent estimate of the total number of positions in the home civil service; and how many of these posts fall under the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland executive respectively. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The table below shows the number of home civil servants on a headcount and FTE basis as at 30 June 2025 by UK central government departments, Scottish Government and Welsh Government. The Northern Ireland Executive is supported by the Northern Ireland Civil Service which is not part of the home civil service.

Headcount

Full-time equivalent (FTE)

UK Central Government Departments

516,005

483,980

Scottish Government

28,730

27,325

Welsh Government

5,995

5,660

Home Civil Service Total

550,730

516,950

Source: Public Sector Employment Statistics, ONS

Notes:

Numbers may not sum to total due to rounding

Figures include Diplomatic Service.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_21

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will allow representatives of political parties from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to discuss their legislative programmes with UK civil servants in the event that there is a realistic prospect of those parties entering government in their respective devolved administrations. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The approach to any discussions between opposition parties and officials of the devolved governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for those governments. The Cabinet Manual sets out that it is for the Prime Minister to authorise contact between UK Government civil servants and opposition parties ahead of a general election.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_22

Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect negotiations on the review of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement to take place. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Government is focused on negotiation and implementation of the commitments from the UK-EU Summit. We do not expect an expansive programme of work on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement review clause.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_23

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of pensioners whose incomes will be below the minimum retirement living standard in 2040. \p Baroness Sherlock: This Government is committed to delivering greater security in retirement for future retirees. The Pensions Scheme Bill will put in place bigger, better pension schemes that have the scale to deliver better returns, a strong Value for Money framework to ensure schemes are delivering these returns, and new Guided Retirements to support people to turn their savings into an income in retirement.

The Government has also revived the Pensions Commission, which is reviewing our pensions system as a whole and the retirement outcomes it delivers, with a focus on adequacy, fairness and sustainability.

DWP’s latest estimate, in July 2025, found around 13% of current working-age individuals were on track to have an income level in retirement below the Pensions UK Minimum Retirement Living Standard.

For those becoming a pensioner in the 2040s, it is estimated that 15% will fall below the Pensions UK Minimum Standard, the equivalent of around 1 million individuals.

For further detail please see:

Analysis of Future Pension Incomes 2025 - GOV.UK

analysis_of_future_pensions_incomes_data.xlsx – See table 4
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_24

Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the Spending Review 2025, what estimate they used of the amount available from council tax receipts in each year of the Spending Review in (1) England, and (2) Wales, to calculate the 1.7 per cent per year real increase in police spending power over the Spending Review period; and whether they will place a copy of the calculations and data used to produce that figure in the Library of the House. \p Lord Livermore: Police core spending power refers to the projected total police settlement funding for Counter Terrorism Police and Territorial Police. The Spending Review (SR) Phase 2 settlement projected an average 1.7% real terms increase per year in police spending power. Over the SR period, police spending power is projected to increase by an average 2.3% per year in real terms.

Police core spending power includes projected spending from additional income, including estimated funding from the police council tax precept. The final police precept level and core government funding will be set out in the annual police funding settlement in the usual way.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_25

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of legacy IT infrastructure on the ability of UK banks to adopt new financial technology and AI systems. \p Lord Livermore: The Government recognises that legacy IT infrastructure can present challenges for UK banks as they seek to adopt new financial technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems.

However, the Government believes that safe adoption of AI by the financial services sector is a major strategic opportunity, with potential to power growth across the UK. The Government and regulators are taking a ‘pro-innovation’ approach to AI regulation across the economy and in financial services.

The Government is focused on ensuring that the UK’s policy and regulatory environment is fit for purpose to seize the opportunity of our dual strengths in financial services and AI, and positioning the UK as a world leader in the safe adoption of AI in financial services.

The Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy is an important part of that effort, with the appointment of an AI Champion intended to act as a catalyst for AI adoption and innovation in financial services.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_26

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on Monday 1 December (HC Deb col 666), what discussions the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury has had with special advisers about leaks or premature media reporting relating to the Budget 2025. \p Lord Livermore: As the Chief Secretary to the Treasury said to the House of Commons on the 1 and 3 December, the Treasury puts the utmost weight on Budget security.

The Permanent Secretary engages with special advisers and Ministers throughout the Budget process.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_27

Lord Bassam of Brighton:To ask His Majesty's Government who will be responsible for collecting the new &lsquo;tourist tax&rsquo; on overnight stays in England and how revenue through the tax will be distributed. \p Lord Livermore: The power is for Mayors, and potentially other local leaders, to introduce a visitor levy to raise revenue to drive growth and invest in their areas. The precise design and scope of the power is still under development. The Government has published a consultation which will run until 18 February 2026, to ensure that the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power, including the administration process.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_28

Lord Clement-Jones:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the economic cost of the outages of Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure in October. \p Lord Livermore: The Government monitors systemic risks to UK critical national infrastructure, including resilience measures and contingency planning, including cloud providers. The Government recognises the importance of robust protections for the services essential to our society and economy. That is why we introduced the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill on 12 November. The Bill will make sure more types of essential and digital services adhere to robust cyber security practices.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_29

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of rising input costs, labour costs and taxes on small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK. \p Lord Livermore: The Government continues to monitor the business environment in the UK, including SMEs, using official data and engaging with firms and business groups to inform policy decisions.

The Government set out its overall approach for supporting SMEs in the Small Business Strategy published in July 2025 and built on this with targeted reforms to support small businesses at the Budget in November 2025.

Through our changes to Employer National Insurance Contributions, the threshold at which business start paying Employer NICs has doubled to £10,500.

We are providing support for small businesses in a number of other areas. We are introducing the toughest late payment laws in the G7. We are changing the rules to fully fund SME apprenticeships training costs for eligible people under the age of 25, providing the skills that both workers and businesses need. Through the new Business Growth Service, small businesses will be able to access support with skills training, recruitment, or accessing Start Up Loans and Export Finance.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_30

Baroness Mallalieu:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to remove any financial incentive to commit suicide before April 2026 for elderly farmers, or farmers in poor health, arising from the inheritance tax provisions in the Budget. \p Lord Livermore: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

As announced at the Budget in November 2025, any unused £1 million allowance for the 100% rate of agricultural property relief and business property relief will be transferable between spouses and civil partners, including if the first death was before 6 April 2026.

The Government encourages anyone who is concerned about their own mental health, or the mental health of those around them, to seek support. The Government takes mental health support for farmers very seriously. For example, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs supports farming welfare organisations through funding the Farmer Welfare Grant. The fund, which supports projects in England, is designed to offer tailored support to farmers and their families as well as prevent further cases of poor mental health by helping to build resilience within farming communities.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_31

Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of feedback from businesses that use the Trader Support Service. \p Lord Livermore: In 2024, the TSS had a customer satisfaction score of 89%. Traders score on information, ease of use, whether they would recommend the service and overall satisfaction. This feedback is used to make improvements to the TSS portal, communications and education materials.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_32
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_32

Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the cost of running the Trader Support Service for each of the last three financial years. \p Lord Livermore: The costs of the Trader Support Service by financial year are set out below.

Financial Year

Costs

2022/23

£114.68m

2023/24

£105.19m

2024/25

£88.15m
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-12-09 conversation_33

Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government how much they have budgeted for the operation of the Trader Support Service for the current financial year. \p Lord Livermore: The total budget for the current financial year (25/26) for operating the Trader Support Service is £76.99 million.