theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_3

Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of protests being undertaken (1) within the curtilage of the private property of elected representatives' family homes, and (2) within or on top of elected representatives' family homes; and whether they consider those protests to amount to intimidation. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Government has been clear: harassment and intimidation of elected representatives is never acceptable. Such behaviour undermines our democracy and discourages public engagement.

As Chair of the Defending Democracy Taskforce, the Security Minister is clear – as set out in the Defending Democracy Policing Protocol - that protesting at the homes of elected representatives is unacceptable and should be treated as harassment by the police. The Security Minister has also written to Chief Constables recently, encouraging them to use all powers available to them to tackle the harassment and intimidation of elected representatives.

Under the Taskforce’s renewed mandate, we are reviewing how to strengthen protections and close any legislative gaps, including in the context of protecting public office holders in their private homes. Measures such as the new aggravating factor proposed in the recently published Elections Strategy will provide clearer consequences for behaviour that crosses the line into abuse. The Government also welcomes the important work of the Speaker’s Conference and looks forward to its final recommendations.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_4

Baroness Manzoor:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of any direct or indirect costs to the NHS incurred by the provisions in the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. \p Baroness Merron: It is not possible, or appropriate at this stage, for the Government to provide a more narrowed consideration of either the policy intents, or the possible total or net costs of implementing the Bill. The Impact Assessment advises the following:

“Where sufficient information and evidence is available, illustrative figures for some impacts have been provided. These quantified elements are for the most part uncertain with wide ranges attached but should allow for some indication of the order of magnitude. The upper bound of these ranges should not be interpreted as maximum values, nor as representative of the full range of potential costs, given there are significant aspects of the Bill that have not been possible to quantify. Adding only the quantified elements of this IA together would not give a comprehensive assessment on the net impact of the Bill because significant unquantified impacts would not be accounted for in that net figure.”

A copy of the Impact Assessment is attached.

HL10656 - Impact assessment (pdf, 1528.9KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_5

Baroness Stedman-Scott:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 4 December 2024 (HL1918), what steps they are taking ensure the appropriate use of sex-specific language in the NHS, as set out in the Women's Health Strategy for England, published on 30 August 2022 (CP 736). \p Baroness Merron: The Government and the National Health Service know the importance of using accurate and factual language in relation to biological sex as part of health communications. The Department’s longstanding position is that health information should be as clear as possible, and that language should be used that appropriately reflects sex as defined as a protected characteristic in the Equality Act 2010.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_6

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to support innovators’ confidence in developing cell and gene therapies in the UK; and what plans they have to amend substances of human origin legislation to accommodate new innovations in the collection and use of substances of human origin products. \p Baroness Merron: The Substances of Human Origin (SoHO) Regulation Review Programme launched in 2024 to consider recent changes that the European Union (EU) has made to its SoHO Regulation ((EU) 2024/1938) as well as stakeholder proposals for legislation in this area. It is reviewing patient safety, the intra-United Kingdom and UK-EU supply of SoHO, innovation within the sector, and health inequalities.

A key principle of the review is to maintain compatible high levels of minimum safety and quality standards for blood, blood components, tissues and cells, human breast milk, intestinal microbiota, and blood preparations that are not used for transfusion, to support public health and the movement of SoHO.

A targeted consultation, planned to launch by the end of 2025, will give stakeholders the opportunity to share views and highlight key issues and opportunities. Once the review has concluded a decision will be made about potential changes to legislation.

In addition, recognising the transformative potential of cell and gene therapies, the Department has stood up an advanced therapies co-ordination group to create a joined-up ecosystem that will support the development, regulation, and delivery of cell and gene therapies in the UK.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_7

Lord Moylan:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Turkmenistan concerning the targeting of Christian communities including (1) the monitoring of Christian leaders and (2) the harassment of Christian converts; and what steps they are taking to ensure the promotion of religious freedom in the country. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK is committed to championing Freedom of Religion or Belief. We highlight this issue at the UN, via the G7 and as a member of the Article 18 Alliance. Our Embassy in Ashgabat has contact with representatives of different faith groups, as well as visiting UK faith representatives, to discuss issues they face in practicing their religion in Turkmenistan. In Turkmenistan's most recent UN Universal Periodic Review in 2023, the UK raised concerns about freedom of association. We continue to seek opportunities to raise concerns at the UN and other international fora, where appropriate.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_8

Lord Farmer:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the persecution of Christians in Nigeria by radical religious groups as a priority country under their freedom of religion and belief strategy; and what steps they are taking to address other root causes of intercommunal violence. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided on 23 September to Question HL10250.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_9

Lord Banner:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent comments by Baroness Manningham-Buller, former Director General of MI5, that the United Kingdom may already be at war with Russia. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The actions of the Russian State pose an acute and direct threat to the interests and national security of the UK and our allies. Russia continues to intensify its aggressive hybrid campaign, including sabotage, violence and cyber-attacks. We are working in partnership with our allies to deter and defend against the full spectrum of threats emanating from Russia.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_10

Baroness Sheehan:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of world media access to the West Bank. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: Journalists and media workers play an important role in sharing the devastating reality of war with the global public and the Government opposes all attempts to restrict press freedom and block entry to journalists during conflicts. On 21 August, the UK joined a Media Freedom Coalition statement urging Israel to allow immediate media access to independent foreign media and afford protection for journalists working in Gaza.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_11

Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice published on 24 July 2024, what steps, if any, they are taking to prevent trade or investment relations that "assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel in Palestine". \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: There is already guidance on gov.uk setting out the clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity. Goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements are not entitled to tariff and trade preferences under either the existing agreement between the UK and Israel or in our agreement with the Palestinian Authority.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_12

Baroness Primarolo:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 25 July (HL9515), what further assessment they have made of reported deaths of Palestinians trying to access distribution points for humanitarian aid. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: We were horrified by the repeated reports of civilians being killed or injured while seeking humanitarian aid near distribution points in Gaza, and we are consistently reminding our Israeli counterparts that international law requires the protection of healthcare workers, journalists and civilians. We continue to work with partners, including the UN, United States and Israel, to ensure that civilians across Gaza are protected and the safe delivery of humanitarian aid is facilitated, most recently in the Foreign Secretary's discussions at the UN General Assembly meetings in New York and in a call with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 3 October.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_13

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the finding by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory that the government of Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, what steps they intend to take to ensure that potential perpetrators are held to account. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: I refer the Noble Baroness to my answer of 7 October to question HL10739.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_14

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to persuade the government of Israel (1) to allow humanitarian access to Gaza, (2) to ensure the protection of civilian populations and humanitarian workers, and (3) to end settler violence in the West Bank. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK has repeatedly made representations to the Israeli government to ensure that humanitarian workers are protected, medical and aid workers can do their jobs safely and to clamp down on settler violence and expansion. Working with our Australian counterparts, we developed the political Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel which launched at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 21 and secured endorsement from 105 states. On 3 October, the Foreign Secretary spoke to Foreign Minister Sa'ar and pressed him on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, among other matters. We will continue our engagement and keep these issues under review.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_15

Lord Dubs:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about their refusal to allow two British MPs to enter that country. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: We are deeply concerned by the latest incident of two British MPs being denied entry to the State of Palestine by Israel. The Minister for the Middle East and officials were in contact with the MPs affected throughout. The Government has been clear with the Israeli authorities that this is no way to treat British parliamentarians.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_16

Lord Roberts of Llandudno:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of their sanctions policy in relation to Israel, following that country’s attack on Qatar on 9 September. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: On 11 September, the UK's Permanent Representative to the UN, Dame Barbara Woodward, condemned Israel's strikes on Doha as a "flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar," warning of the risk of further escalation. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have both expressed grave concern over the incident, reaffirming UK solidarity with Qatar and calling for de-escalation. Since taking office, this Government has announced three packages of sanctions in relation to Israel/Palestine. In June we imposed sanctions on Israeli Cabinet Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir, in their personal capacity for inciting violence towards Palestinians, while the previous rounds targeted individuals, illegal settler outposts and organisations perpetrating and supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_17

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel over the past four weeks to press them on the need to reconsider the effect of their policies on the health, welfare and survival of the residents of Gaza. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: We have made repeated representations to the Government of Israel over the past month on humanitarian access, protection of healthcare, and protection of civilians, including in the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary's meetings on 10th September with President Herzog.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_18

Baroness Warsi:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs funded an online disinformation campaign targeting US and Canadian audiences with Islamophobic content. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: No assessment of those reports have been made, but we keep all such matters under review.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_19

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to review the 1951 Refugee Convention; and if so, which aspects of that Convention they will review. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: I refer the Noble Lord to the answer of 7 October 2025 to question HL9967.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_20

Baroness Deech:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compatibility of the proposed recognition of a Palestinian State with the Montevideo Convention. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: Recognition of Palestinian statehood is a political decision that is compliant with international law and has already been taken by a significant majority of UN member states. Taking into consideration the criteria for statehood set out in the Montevideo Convention and other relevant factors, we considered that there was a proper basis for the recognition of the Palestinian State, which was announced on 21 September.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_21

Lord Shinkwin:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will make recognition of a Palestinian state contingent on (1) Hamas’ release of hostages, and (2) Hamas’ disarmament. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: In her statements confirming the UK's decision to recognise the State of Palestine, the Foreign Secretary has made clear that there can and will be no role for Hamas terrorists in the future governance of Gaza. She has also welcomed the unanimous declaration by the Arab League calling for Hamas to release all hostages, lay down its arms and relinquish all power in Gaza. Those goals will remain a priority for the UK Government as we work with international partners to progress efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on the two states of Israel and Palestine living securely side by side.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_22

Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government, whether their proposed recognition of a Palestinian state will apply if Gaza remains under the control of Hamas. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: In her statements confirming the UK's decision to recognise the State of Palestine, the Foreign Secretary has made clear that there can and will be no role for Hamas terrorists in the future governance of Gaza. She has also welcomed the unanimous declaration by the Arab League calling for Hamas to release all hostages, lay down its arms and relinquish all power in Gaza. Those goals will remain a priority for the UK Government as we work with international partners to progress efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on the two states of Israel and Palestine living securely side by side.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_23

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay:To ask His Majesty's Government whether Baroness Shafik has provided any advice, or been involved in discussions, about the funding of (1) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (2) the Victoria and Albert Museum, and (3) other national museums, in her capacity as Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to HL10218:

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government whether Baroness Shafik will recuse herself from matters relating to the funding of (1) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (2) the Victoria and Albert Museum, and (3) other national museums, in her role as Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister. HL10218

Answer: Baroness Shafik has been appointed to be the Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister as a Direct Ministerial Appointment. This role is therefore subject to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, which sets out requirements on political activity.

The management of relevant outside interests for this role has been agreed in line with relevant guidance and processes.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_24

Lord Blunkett:To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to publish an updated Index of Multiple Deprivation for England and Wales. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: MHCLG announced recently that the English Indices of Deprivation 2025 will be published on Thursday 30th October 2025. This has been confirmed on GOV.UK

Welsh Government lead on publishing the Indices in Wales. They recently confirmed a release date of Thursday 27th November 2025 - Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation: 2025 | GOV.WALES

Welsh index of multiple Deprivation (pdf, 111.6KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_25

Lord Rogan:To ask His Majesty's Government how much funding they have released to Northern Ireland under the Plan for Neighbourhoods; and what benefits they expect the initiative to deliver for the target areas. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: On 4 March 2025, the UK Government announced the Plan for Neighbourhoods, a £1.5 billion programme to deliver up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade into 75 communities across the UK. These 75 areas, including Coleraine and Derry~Londonderry, will now be incorporated into the Pride in Place Programme, representing the first phase of the programme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_26

Lord Banner:To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are providing to disabled war refugees from Ukraine including, but not limited to, in relation to employment opportunities. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Councils receive a tariff of £5,900 per Homes for Ukraine arrival in their area to support guests to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities. Councils can use this funding flexibly to support households as best suits the local area, this could include supporting individuals to access education and employment.

All Ukrainian guests have access to public services, including benefits to support housing, healthcare, education, and other essential services.

Guidance is available on GOV.UK in English, Ukrainian and Russian, which provides Ukrainian guests with information on finding a job, accessing benefits and healthcare provision. This also provides guidance on social care and support for carers.

We recognise that the ability to speak English is key to helping people integrate into life in the UK. The STEP programme which launched this month, will provide intensive English language lessons and employment support for up to 4,000 individuals across the Ukraine and Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) visa schemes. This builds on the success of the STEP Ukraine pilot which has supported over 13,000 Ukrainians, with an impressive 84% successfully completing the programme and 73% achieving 100% in their English language test.

The Department for Education also supports adults aged 19+ in England who do not have English as a first language to access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision via the Adult Skills Fund (ASL).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_27

Lord Bailey of Paddington:To ask His Majesty's Government how many property sales in London, broken down by borough, have been subject to stamp duty since July 2024. \p Lord Livermore: The table below contains the number of completed residential and non-residential property purchases by London borough that were subject to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) with a chargeable consideration over £40,000 from 1 July 2024 to 3 October 2025.

London Borough

Number of transactions with an SDLT liability

Total number of transactions

Barking and Dagenham

1,820

3,560

Barnet

5,750

7,750

Bexley

3,770

5,450

Brent

3,910

5,300

Bromley

5,930

7,950

Camden

4,780

5,750

City of London

1,740

1,990

Croydon

5,330

8,310

Ealing

5,000

6,890

Enfield

4,070

5,850

Greenwich

3,890

5,830

Hackney

3,950

5,230

Hammersmith and Fulham

4,430

5,170

Haringey

3,810

5,300

Harrow

2,950

4,170

Havering

4,260

6,160

Hillingdon

4,110

5,880

Hounslow

3,390

4,890

Islington

3,870

4,980

Kensington and Chelsea

3,940

4,440

Kingston upon Thames

2,940

3,810

Lambeth

5,660

7,320

Lewisham

4,100

6,200

Merton

3,610

4,660

Newham

3,580

5,400

Redbridge

3,440

4,830

Richmond upon Thames

4,210

4,910

Southwark

5,060

6,660

Sutton

3,130

4,500

Tower Hamlets

4,880

6,870

Waltham Forest

4,250

5,940

Wandsworth

7,920

9,670

Westminster

7,050

8,190
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_28

Lord Cameron of Lochiel:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Scottish Government has ever requested additional funding from them to assist with the delivery of the Reaching 100% programme. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: The Reaching 100% (R100) programme is funded primarily by the Scottish Government.

In the financial year 2016/2017, the UK Government provided £21 million from the earlier Superfast Broadband Programme to the Scottish Government to support superfast broadband coverage in Scotland. The Scottish Government used this funding to support the R100 procurements.

Following the inception of Project Gigabit in 2021, the UK Government has subsequently provided a further £31 million to support extensions in coverage and to enable delivery of gigabit-capable coverage (>1000Mbps) in place of superfast speeds (>=30Mbps).

This funding has supported the rollout of high-speed broadband to tens of thousands of premises across Scotland.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_29

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote nature-based solutions to flooding. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Government supports blue-green infrastructure, including nature-based solutions (NbS) to tackle flooding, and delivers it through various programmes including its flood and coastal erosion risk management programme and Environmental Land Management schemes.

The Government published an update on flood and coastal erosion resilience and investment on 14 October 2025 (written statement UIN HLWS955). This includes a commitment to direct at least 4% – or £300 million over ten years – towards NbS, the highest figure to date for the floods programme.

To achieve this, we’re removing barriers that have held back NbS projects. Including:

These reforms will be in place for the start of the new investment programme in April 2026 and we will review progress after three years.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_30

Baroness Helic:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress has been made towards the introduction of a statutory close season for hares in England; whether they have identified a legislative vehicle for that purpose; and when they intend to bring forward that legislation. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: A statutory close season for hares is consistent with Natural England's advice on wildlife management that controlling species in their peak breeding season should be avoided unless genuinely essential and unavoidable. Defra Ministers support the ambition to introduce a close season for hares in England.

However, the Government needs a suitable primary legislative vehicle in place to deliver this change. While I cannot therefore offer a timeframe for bringing this legislative change forward, Defra will do its utmost to identify suitable opportunities to enable the Government to introduce a close season for hares in England.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_31

Baroness Helic:To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to introducing interim measures to protect hares during their breeding season pending the introduction of a statutory close season. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: We have not considered any interim legislative measures to protect hares during their breeding season pending the introduction of a statutory close season. However, it is reasonable to assume that changes to hare coursing legislation, brought in under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, along with improved police tactics, intelligence and information sharing as well as the use of community protection notices (CPN) and criminal behaviour orders (CBO), has had an effect in terms of reducing levels of hare coursing in recent years, both within the hares’ breeding season and outside it. We are also committed to delivering our legally-binding biodiversity targets on species abundance, species extinction and habitat creation and restoration. This is helping to drive forward action to improve habitat such as open grassland which brown hares rely on to flourish.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-21 conversation_32

Baroness Gale:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure the humane slaughter of farmed fish; and whether they are they considering plans to introduce species-specific slaughter legislation for farmed fish. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Current legislation already provides protection for farmed fish kept for the production of meat or other products whilst on farm and during transport. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any protected animal, including fish, or to fail to provide for the welfare needs of a protected animal, for which that person is responsible. Legislation on the protection of animals at the time of killing also requires that farmed fish are spared avoidable pain, distress or suffering during their killing and related operations.

Since publication of the Animal Welfare Committee’s updated Opinion on the welfare of farmed fish at the time of killing a GB-wide joint government-industry working group on farmed trout has been examining the issues raised in the report. This co-design work has made good progress on exploring potential options for more detailed welfare at killing requirements. We are now exploring all the potential next steps, including options for creating detailed guidance and new legislation.

Opinion on welfare of farmed fish at slaughter (pdf, 371.2KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-21)

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The Lord Bishop of Leicester:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 22 July (HL9231), when their review on Universal Credit will be published. \p Baroness Sherlock: The Government has committed to reviewing Universal Credit to make sure it is doing the job we want it to, to make work pay and tackle poverty.

The Minister for Social Security and Disability is leading this work and is engaging with a wide range of organisations and people, including those with first-hand experience of claiming Universal Credit, those who support them and those with expertise in the system and how it works. We are hosting workshops, roundtables and focus groups and undertaking research, including a survey of 10,000 customers.

We will continue to work closely with stakeholders throughout this process and will provide an update at an appropriate time.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-31 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-31 conversation_1

Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the changes made to the Nationality: good character requirement guidance published in February are consistent with the practice of disregarding immigration breaches outside of a child's control. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: When assessing good character, it is normally appropriate to disregard immigration breaches if it is accepted this was outside of the applicant’s control. Given illegal entry is normally considered outside a child's control, most children would not be held accountable for their immigration breach. The 10 February 2025 amendments to the good character policy did not alter this position.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-31 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-31 conversation_2

Baroness Northover:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to revise the British knowledge questions on the 'Life in the UK' Test to make them more useful, relevant and familiar. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the human rights implications of data-driven policing systems that rely on geographic and personal data. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: There is a comprehensive legal framework governing the use of data by policing, such as the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984, UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Human Rights Act 1998.

The access and use of data on policing databases is reviewed and the Human Rights Act is considered and incorporated into policies relating to these datasets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord Campbell of Pittenweem:To ask His Majesty's Government how many Ajax vehicles are currently in British service and how many remain to be delivered. \p Lord Coaker: As at 19 March 2025, a total of 91 Ajax vehicles have been accepted by the Ministry of Defence. There are a further 498 platforms that remain to be delivered.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord Campbell of Pittenweem:To ask His Majesty's Government how many battalions in the Royal Regiment of Scotland are currently under-strength and by how much. \p Lord Coaker: This information is being withheld as it would prejudice the capability, security and effectiveness of UK Armed Forces, and could provide tactical advantage to hostile forces.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Baroness Browning:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the Access to Work scheme backlog. \p Baroness Sherlock: We are committed to reducing waiting times for Access to Work and are considering the best way to deliver that for customers. We have increased the number of staff processing Access to Work claims and applications from customers who are about to start a job or who are renewing are prioritised.

The Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to get Britain Working’ Green Paper was published on 18 March. Alongside the Access to Work reform proposals introduced in the Green Paper, we are considering further options to reduce the waiting time for customers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government how they expect their proposed changes to welfare payments in England to encourage more people into the workforce; and what is their estimate of the number of individuals who will enter the workforce as a result of those changes. \p Baroness Sherlock: The reform proposals set out in the Pathways to Work Green paper on 18 March 2025, mean that people will get more support into work. We will rebalance payments in Universal Credit, offer help for people to get into work as quickly as possible and deliver the first ever permanent, above inflation rise to the standard allowance of UC. As part of rebalancing spending towards work over welfare, we will invest an additional £1 billion a year by 2029/30 to shape a new package of employment, health and skills support to make the system pro-work and reduce perverse incentives.

The changes we are consulting on are intended to galvanise a cultural shift towards more inclusive and accessible workplaces. We want to ensure that we target Government support to maximise the number of people we support. Together with the wider range of measures announced in Get Britain Working, we aim to increase the overall number of people in work. As we develop the reform proposals, we want to ensure that we are maximising existing opportunities in Government and the Department to create accessible and inclusive workplaces. We will consider how any new model would work alongside existing schemes.

All our plans are based on strong evidence of how support can make a real difference to individuals and have enough of an employment impact to provide a healthy return on the investment. Crucially, there is now strong evidence about the types of support that are effective in improving employment outcomes – Work Choice, which provided intensive employment support to disabled people, had a significant and enduring impact with participants 40% more likely to still be in work after eight years had passed. More detail will be announced in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord Shinkwin:To ask His Majesty's Government which ministers have met representatives of the Business Disability Forum, whom they met, and on what dates since July 2024; and on which government bodies and advisory groups the Business Disability Forum is represented, and by whom. \p Baroness Sherlock: The Minister for Social Security and Disability, Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, met with the Business Disability Forum’s Director of Policy and Research, Angela Matthews and Director of Operations, Adrian Ward, at a roundtable event hosted by Scope on 11 September 2024. He has also met with Business Disability Forum’s CEO Diane Lightwood on multiple occasions: an introductory meeting with Disability Charities Consortium co-chairs on 17 July 2024, at the Labour Party Conference on 24 September 2024, a meeting about Disability Confident Business Leaders Group at Caxton House on 28 October 2024, Disability Charities Consortium meetings on 11 December 2024 & 12 March 2025 and the Disability Confident Business Leaders Group meeting on 4 December 2024.

The Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern MP, met Business Disability Forum’s CEO Diane Lightfoot at the introductory meeting with Disability Charities Consortium co-chairs on 5 September 2024 and at the Disability Charities Consortium meetings on 11 December 2024 and 12 March 2025. The Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports, Gareth Thomas MP, has met Business Disability Forum’s CEO Diane Lightfoot at a meeting of the Lilac Review Steering Board on 17 September 2024.

The Prime Minister met CEO Diane Lightfoot at a large reception at 10 Downing Street to celebrate Small Business Saturday on 3 December 2024. CEO Diane Lightfoot and Director of Policy and Research Angela Matthews have also been on group calls and roundtables with Ministers alongside multiple other stakeholders, for example on the recent NHS Ten Year Plan roundtable.

The Government bodies, advisory and representative groups where Business Disability Forum is represented are the Lilac Review Steering Board (Diane Lightfoot), the Disability Confident Business Leaders Group (Diane Lightfoot), Disability Charities Consortium (Diane Lightfoot & Angela Matthews), Access to Work Expert Reference Group (Diane Lightfoot & Angela Matthews), the Office for National Statistics Assembly (Angela Matthews) and the Work and Health External Advisory Group (Diane Lightfoot & Angela Matthews).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that older people can access all the benefits and allowances to which they are entitled. \p Baroness Sherlock: The Government wants all pensioners to get the support to which they are rightly entitled. That is why we have been running the biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign.

We know there are low-income pensioners who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, which provides a vital safety net by guaranteeing a minimum level of income – and will also passport them to receive other benefits (including Winter Fuel Payments, help with rent, council tax, fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75).

Our drive to increase Pension Credit take up has successfully boosted applications, with the Department receiving around 235,000 Pension Credit applications in the 30 weeks since the Winter Fuel Payment announcement and making 117,800 new Pension Credit awards over the same period.  The campaign has included adverts on Television, radio, social media such as Facebook and Instagram, on YouTube, on advertising screens, including on GP and Post Office screens as well as in the press.

We are now writing to all pensioners who make a new claim for Housing Benefit and who appear to be entitled to Pension Credit – directly targeting this group and encouraging them to make a claim. In the longer term, we will be bringing together the administration of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit, so that pensioners receive both Housing Benefit and any Pension Credit that they are entitled to.

For State Pensions, DWP sends out a letter to customers four months prior to their State Pension age, inviting a claim to State Pension. The letter signposts the customer to claim online which is the quickest and easiest way to claim and also includes the telephone number to call to make their claim to State Pension over the telephone. The customer can also request a paper claim form.

Attendance Allowance is currently undergoing a significant modernisation reform through the piloting of an on-line digital claim process as a part of the department’s wider Service Modernisation plans. This aims to provide a more streamlined alternative application method in addition to the current paper form. Online claims are currently being tested with a view to this becoming more widely available in due course.

Information and advice about entitlement to Attendance Allowance and other benefits may be available from a range of outlets including Jobcentre Plus offices, DWP and other helplines, gov.uk and other internet sites, local authorities, Citizens Advice and welfare benefit offices, Social Services, voluntary organisations, such as, Age UK and MacMillan, public libraries, health clinics, doctors' surgeries and health visitors.
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Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the annual cost of the Motability scheme in each of the past five financial years. \p Baroness Sherlock: Whilst the Department works closely with the Motability Foundation and is responsible for the disability benefits that provide a passport to the Motability Scheme, the Motability Foundation is an independent charitable organisation that is wholly responsible for the terms and administration of the Scheme, along with oversight of Motability Operations.   Motability Operation’s Annual Report and Accounts are publicly available and can be found on their website.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the proportion of personal independence payment claimants who have use of a Motability Scheme vehicle on the basis of non-physical conditions and disabilities, including depression and anxiety. \p Baroness Sherlock: Claimants who receive the enhanced rate mobility component on Personal Independence Payment are eligible to join the Motability Scheme if they choose to do so.   We do not hold figures on the numbers of vehicles provided to individuals on the basis of non-physical conditions and disabilities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure eligible people over State Pension age are aware that they may be entitled to Carer's Allowance. \p Baroness Sherlock: Information on the availability of Carer’s Allowance is widely available, including online via GOV.UK and from places such as Carers Trust and Citizens Advice. DWP continually seeks to improve the information it makes available so as to encourage people to claim Carer’s Allowance where they may be entitled.

Although there is no upper age limit to claiming Carer’s Allowance, it cannot normally be paid with the State Pension. It has been a long-held feature of the GB benefit system, under successive Governments, that where someone is entitled to two benefits for the same contingency, then whilst there may be entitlement to both benefits, only one will be paid to avoid duplication for the same need. Although entitlement to State Pension and Carer’s Allowance arise in different circumstances they are nevertheless designed for the same contingency – as an income replacement. Carer’s Allowance replaces income where the carer has given up the opportunity of full-time employment in order to care for a severely disabled person and is unable to undertake full time employment due to their caring responsibilities, while State Pension replaces income in retirement. For this reason, social security rules operate to prevent them being paid together, to avoid duplicate provision for the same need.

However, if a carer’s State Pension is less than Carer's Allowance, State Pension is paid and topped up with Carer's Allowance to the basic weekly rate of Carer's Allowance which is currently £81.90.

Where Carer’s Allowance cannot be paid, the person will keep underlying entitlement to the benefit. This gives access to the additional amount for carers in Pension Credit of £45.60 a week and potentially other means-tested support. Around 125,000 people are receiving the Carer Premium with their Pension Credit. And even if a pensioner’s income is above the limit for Pension Credit, they may still be able to receive Housing Benefit.

Social Security is a transferred matter in Northern Ireland.