theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-07 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-07 conversation_21

Lord Clement-Jones:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to issue guidance to public sector procurement authorities to mitigate the anti-competitive effects of restrictive cloud licensing practices. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: As part of the Government’s blueprint for modern digital government published in January the government has committed to streamline the procurement of cloud services. We will also continue our work to negotiate whole-of-public-sector agreements and contracting once for a limited number of high value cases, including platform services such as cloud.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-07 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-07 conversation_22

Baroness Wolf of Dulwich:To ask His Majesty's Government what the apprenticeship budget was for the Department for Education in the financial year 2023–24; what proportion was spent in total; and what proportion was spent on (1) training for apprenticeships with levy-paying employers, (2) training for apprenticeships with non-levy-paying employers, and (3) other activities. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: In the 2023/24 financial year, 99% of the revised end-of year English apprenticeships budget of £2,525 million was spent, an underspend of £16 million (£60 million was surrendered in year).

The following table provides a breakdown of total spend for the 2023/24 financial year, including the proportion of total spend on training for apprenticeships with levy paying employers and training for apprenticeships with non-levy paying employers in England. In addition, the table reflects the spend on apprenticeships that started prior to the introduction of the apprenticeships levy and new funding system, as well as non-apprenticeships participation spend, such as the cost of running digital services and marketing and communications campaigns.

Apprenticeships spend from the department’s ring-refenced apprenticeships budget

2023/24 financial year (£million)

Proportion of total spend (%)

Levy paying employers

1,760

70

Non-levy paying employers

695

28

Pre-reform apprenticeships

1

<1

Non-apprenticeships training

53

2

Total

2,509

100%

Where the department’s apprenticeships budget is underspent by the end of the financial year, funds are returned to HM Treasury in line with standard practice set out in the published consolidated budgeting guidance.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-07 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-07 conversation_23

Lord Allen of Kensington:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the study by Oxford Economics, The Economic Impact of Management Apprenticeships, published in February 2025; and what action they intend to take to support the take-up of management apprentices. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Employers are able to benefit from a number of high-quality apprenticeships to support the development of management skills, including level 5 Operations Manager and level 6 Chartered Manager (degree), and starts on these standards have increased in recent years.

There were 10,710 starts on the level 5 Operations Manager apprenticeship standard in the 2023/24 academic year, which is a 9.6% increase compared to the 2022/23 academic year, and 2,860 starts on the level 6 Chartered Manager (degree) apprenticeship standard in 2023/24, which is a 9.1% increase compared to the 2022/23 academic year.

The government is committed to spreading opportunities and economic growth supported by a strong skills system.

This government has an extremely challenging fiscal inheritance. There are tough choices that need to be taken on how funding should be prioritised in order to generate opportunities for young people that enable them to make a start in good, fulfilling careers, and the department will therefore be asking more employers to step forward and fund a significant number of level 7 apprenticeships themselves outside of the levy-funded growth and skills offer.

The department is taking advice from Skills England, who engaged with employers and stakeholders, including the Chartered Management Institute, on funding for level 7 apprenticeships, including the level 7 Senior Leader standard, over the autumn, and the department expects to make a final decision on affected apprenticeships shortly.

Learners who have started these apprenticeships will be funded through to completion.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-07 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-07 conversation_24

Lord Aberdare:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans Skills England have to ensure that the proposed Growth and Skills Levy will (1) address the skills and training needs of the woodworking and joinery sector, and (2) be fully accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises in that sector across the UK. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Employers in the construction sector, including small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), can access a wide range of government-funded training programmes including T Levels, Skills Bootcamps, Higher Technical Qualifications and apprenticeships. Employers have developed apprenticeship standards in both carpentry and joinery and craft carpentry and joinery to help meet the needs of the woodwork and joinery sector.

The department is promoting apprenticeships and training opportunities to students in schools and colleges through the Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge programme as part of the Skills for Life campaign.

To support non-levy paying employers, which are likely to be SMEs, to access apprenticeships, the government pays full training costs for young apprentices aged 16 to 21, and for apprentices aged 22 to 24 who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan, or have been in local authority care. Employers of all sizes can also benefit from £1000 payments when they take on apprentices aged 16 to 18, or apprentices aged 19 to 24 who have an EHC plan or have been in local authority care.

Employers also benefit from not being required to pay anything towards employees’ National Insurance for apprentices aged up to 25 where they earn less than £967 a week, or £50,270 a year.

The government has established Skills England to form a coherent national picture of skills gaps across all sectors and to help shape the technical education system so that it is responsive to skills needs. This will include advising on priorities for the new growth and skills offer, which will create opportunities for learners of all ages, give employers of different sizes greater flexibility to address critical skill shortages, and help drive economic growth. Skills England engaged with over 700 stakeholders over the autumn regarding the growth and skills offer and has shared their findings with the department.

The growth and skills offer will include new foundation apprenticeships for young people, as well as shorter duration apprenticeships. The minimum duration of an apprenticeship will be reduced to eight months from August 2025, down from the current minimum of 12 months. The department will ensure that the needs of smaller employers are considered as it develops the growth and skills offer.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-17 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-17 conversation_1

Lord Rogan:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to have discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive about the geographical distribution of successful applicants to the Northern Ireland Football Fund. \p Baroness Twycross: As the Northern Ireland Football Fund is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive, it is for them to decide how best to award and distribute this funding.

The Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme is delivering £3 million of investment into Northern Ireland through the Irish Football Association this financial year. As part of its delivery, there is ongoing engagement at official and Ministerial level to ensure the two funds complement each other.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-17 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-17 conversation_2

The Lord Bishop of Leicester:To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the child poverty strategy. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: This Government is determined to bring down child poverty. The Child Poverty Taskforce was established by the Prime Minister to develop an ambitious child poverty strategy to achieve this. The strategy will be published in the autumn.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-17 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-17 conversation_3

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government what meetings the Prime Minister's chief of staff has held with the Center for Countering Digital Hate and Hope not Hate while in post. \p Baroness Smith of Basildon: In line with longstanding process, relevant meetings are declared in the Special Advisor transparency publications.  The Prime Minister’s chief of staff has not held meetings with the Center for Countering Digital Hate and Hope not Hate.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-17 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-17 conversation_4

Lord Lee of Trafford:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in providing the United Kingdom with the ability to deliver airborne nuclear weapons, and what is the projected timetable of such capability. \p Lord Coaker: The United Kingdom remains committed to its obligations under NATO's nuclear deterrence framework. Further details on the delivery of defence capabilities and timelines, including those announced in the Strategic Defence Review, will be communicated in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_1

Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government what new measures they are considering (1) to reduce the time for hiring and vetting, and (2) to attract and develop more applicants with STEM skills, in order to improve socio-economic diversity in recruitment to the Civil Service fast stream summer internship programme. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Initiatives are under way to improve time to hire across the Civil Service, which include establishing and benchmarking standardised recruitment metrics and using ‘test and learns’ to find new ways to attract and recruit talent.

UK Security Vetting (UKSV) has made significant progress in improving overall times to process applications for National Security Vetting. Performance continues to track at an all time high and UKSV remains committed to continuous improvement.

Our Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme will be for undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds for 2026. The annual recruitment exercise aligns to the academic year, with vetting and recruitment conducted in time for the students summer start dates.

The Fast Stream, for which the Summer Internship is a feeder route, continues to focus on its 2022 ambition that 50% of hires to the Fast Stream will have a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) qualification. This was exceeded in 2023 and 2024.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_2

Lord Framlingham:To ask His Majesty's Government what were the running costs of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration in the first full year of operation following its establishment; what were the annual running costs for the latest year for which figures are available; and what has been the total cost since its inception. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Government does not hold information on the running costs of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration which was established in 1967 and was superseded by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) in 1973. Information on the running costs of the PHSO are set out in its published annual reports and accounts. The running costs for the years for which the PHSO holds information are as follows:

Year:

Running Costs (£ million):

2004-2005

19,203

2005-2006

22,263

2006-2007

22,679

2007-2008

24,252

2008-2009

26,056

2009-2010

33,211

2010-2011

33,038

2011-2012

33,039

2012-2013

33,204

2013-2014

34,793

2014-2015

36,809

2015-2016

30,492

2016-2017

34,646

2017-2018

29,427

2018-2019

27,201

2019-2020

29,197

2020-2021

29,486

2021-2022

32,499

2022-2023

40,543

2023-2024

42,032

2024-2025

41,513
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_3

Baroness Scott of Bybrook:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the administration of the Community Infrastructure Levy following reports that homeowners in some areas have been issued with bills of up to £70,000 for residential extensions and annexes. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations 2010 (as amended) make a number of provisions for charging authorities to grant exemptions from the levy. This includes those who extend their own homes or erect residential annexes within the grounds of their own homes. Further information is set out in the CIL guidance.

Councils are ultimately responsible for their own decisions on charging and enforcement, but we expect them to consider each case carefully. The government recognises that there are issues with how some exemptions from the levy are working in practice, and is therefore giving serious consideration to these issues as part of our commitment to making the developer contributions system as clear and effective as possible.

On routes to challenge or seek review of a CIL calculation, I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer to Question UIN 58857 on 19 June 2025.

CIL (pdf, 1824.2KB)

UIN 58857 (pdf, 80.2KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_4

Baroness Scott of Bybrook:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure greater transparency and consistency in local authority Community Infrastructure Levy review processes so that homeowners understand their rights to challenge charges. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations 2010 (as amended) make a number of provisions for charging authorities to grant exemptions from the levy. This includes those who extend their own homes or erect residential annexes within the grounds of their own homes. Further information is set out in the CIL guidance.

Councils are ultimately responsible for their own decisions on charging and enforcement, but we expect them to consider each case carefully. The government recognises that there are issues with how some exemptions from the levy are working in practice, and is therefore giving serious consideration to these issues as part of our commitment to making the developer contributions system as clear and effective as possible.

On routes to challenge or seek review of a CIL calculation, I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer to Question UIN 58857 on 19 June 2025.

CIL (pdf, 1824.2KB)

UIN 58857 (pdf, 80.2KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_5

Baroness Scott of Bybrook:To ask His Majesty's Government what options are available to individuals who believe they have been wrongly charged Community Infrastructure Levy. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations 2010 (as amended) make a number of provisions for charging authorities to grant exemptions from the levy. This includes those who extend their own homes or erect residential annexes within the grounds of their own homes. Further information is set out in the CIL guidance.

Councils are ultimately responsible for their own decisions on charging and enforcement, but we expect them to consider each case carefully. The government recognises that there are issues with how some exemptions from the levy are working in practice, and is therefore giving serious consideration to these issues as part of our commitment to making the developer contributions system as clear and effective as possible.

On routes to challenge or seek review of a CIL calculation, I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer to Question UIN 58857 on 19 June 2025.

CIL (pdf, 1824.2KB)

UIN 58857 (pdf, 80.2KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_6

Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government how many more houses will be built as a result of the Thamesmead Waterfront, Crews Hills and Chase Park new towns compared to the local housing target set for Greater London Authority in July 2024. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: On 28 September, the Government published the independent New Towns Taskforce’s report and the Government’s initial response.

The Government takes on board the Taskforce’s recommendations to consider the interaction between new towns and housing targets ahead of its fuller response. We want to ensure that the right incentives are in place to support proactive local authorities to work with us to bring new towns forward.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_7

Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they have provided on whether the status in the planning system of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) used by asylum seekers differs from that of other HMOs. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: My Department has not issued any such guidance.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_8

Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to safeguard freedom of religion and belief in the context of new or updated hate crime and anti-discrimination definitions. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental human right. People are expected to express their views concerning religion and beliefs respectfully, acting within the confines of the law when providing criticism. This government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion and we will not tolerate religious hatred in any form.

Our approach to tackling religious hatred does not and would never inhibit free speech or override fundamental rights such as the right to freedom of religion and belief. Any definition of religious hatred that the Government has adopted or may choose to adopt would be non-statutory.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_9

Lord Bailey of Paddington:To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (HL10676), how and why they reached the conclusion that the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 was "unworkable for public transport when it was passed". \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: Minimum Service Levels (MSLs) legislation was brought in under the last Government. While many public transport employers had the opportunity to use MSLs, none chose to as they deemed it either unworkable or unnecessary. This legislation does not support a positive and productive relationship between employers, employees, and their trade unions. The legislation would have also been unable to deal with the need for individual or small numbers of staff at critical operational locations. For these reasons, this Government is repealing the legislation.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_10

Lord Berkeley:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reported £243 million underspend by Network Rail as reported by the Office of Rail and Road, and what plans they have to allow Network Rail to spend some of this underspend in investment in new or upgraded rail infrastructure. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) reported in its Annual Efficiency and Finance report that Network Rail financially underperformed by £243 million during 2024/25. This represented an increase in costs driven largely by inflationary pressure, higher maintenance and poor train performance. There are arrangements in place to allow Network Rail to manage overspends and underspends across its five-year funding periods. Network Rail is working to improve its financial performance in the current financial year.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_11

Lord Bradshaw:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they consider the current methods of assessing the benefits of major railway investment schemes, such as the recent proposals by Midland Connect, to be appropriate. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The approach recommended to assess benefits from rail investment schemes is set out in the Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG), which is based on HMT’s Green Book Guidance. Together, they set out the best practice guidance on assessing and evaluating policies, programmes and projects. The guidance is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect new evidence.

The Department has been working closely with the scheme promoters of Midlands Connect proposals to ensure that the analysis of benefits is appropriate and proportionate for the state it is at.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_12

Baroness Pidgeon:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to review the MOT system to ensure it fully reflects the technological advances in modern vehicles, and, if so, to set out any timescale for such a review. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The MOT test is a vital part of the systems that keep our roads safe by ensuring drivers maintain their vehicles to a minimum standard. At the heart of the MOT are fundamental mechanical parts such as tyres, brakes, lights, and suspension.

Given the importance of the MOT the Government keeps the content under continual review, both to account for new technology and improve the service. In 2023 a call for evidence asked for views on the future of the MOT. This included areas such as electric vehicles, emissions testing, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. Officials have been collecting further evidence on these areas.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_13

Baroness Pidgeon:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with technology companies about how to improve road safety; and which technology companies they have engaged with on this issue. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads.

DfT are working to realise the potential of road safety data from a wide range of sources, from emerging vehicle technologies and connected vehicle data, to health data and more traditional datasets. By collecting and linking this data, and applying advanced analytical techniques, we aim to generate insights which support evidence-based improvements across the safe system. Our objective is to ensure that data is used for public good, strengthening safety outcomes while maintaining constructive collaboration with industry partners.

Following external analysis of the specific benefits and costs of a range of new vehicle safety technologies, the Government is exploring options for updates to our national type-approval legislation to mandate fitment of these safety technologies and vehicle design features in Great Britain. My department will set out more details in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_14

Lord Birt:To ask His Majesty's Government how many applications have been made by landlords for electric vehicle chargepoint grants and electric vehicle infrastructure grants, since the schemes were introduced; how many of these have been approved; what the total value of grants awarded has been; and how these figures compare with the estimated number of multi-dwelling residential buildings in the United Kingdom. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The EV chargepoint grant has had 2,102 applications for landlords since March 2022. This grant has seen 1,759 sockets installed with a corresponding grant value of £627,049 as of 1 July 2025.

In addition, the EV infrastructure grant has had 797 applications for landlords since March 2022. The grant has seen 2,310 sockets installed as of 1 July 2025 and has a grant value (including non-socket costs such as wiring) of £3,826,425. There are an additional 100 applications, 502 sockets installed, and £648,886 in grant value from either landlords or SMEs but which cannot be attributed to one or the other.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_15

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage local authorities to prioritise preventative road maintenance treatments over short-term pothole repairs. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: There are occasions where potholes need to be repaired quickly for safety reasons, but the Department encourages local authorities to focus on long-term preventative maintenance, which is more cost-effective than the reactive patching of potholes. To qualify for their full share of this year's £500m uplift in highways maintenance funding, local authorities had to publish transparency reports and set out how they comply with best practice including in relation to the extent to which they prioritise preventative maintenance.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_16

Lord Inglewood:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for providing regular bus connections for passengers to Oxenholme and Penrith during the forthcoming diversion of the West Coast Main Line. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: Avanti West Coast (AWC) has announced rail replacement bus services will be in operation for passengers wishing to travel to and from Lancaster, Oxenholme and Penrith during the January engineering works. Further details on this will be available on the AWC website soon.

The Department regularly discusses with AWC the provision of services for passengers, including during engineering works. The Department has not undertaken an assessment of AWCs proposed bus connections.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_17

Baroness Pidgeon:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to promote the use of automatic crash notification systems by motorists, including vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: Emergency call (eCall), an automatic crash notification system, is a legal requirement in all new cars and light vans since 2018. Whilst several aftermarket systems are available, the Government has no current plans to extend this requirement to other vehicle types.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_18

Baroness Pidgeon:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reduce the number of motorcycle deaths. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: Improving road safety is a key priority of this Government. For road users who choose to travel by motorcycle, the Department remains committed to ensuring that they are equipped with the specialist skills necessary to stay safe on the road.

Too many people are killed and seriously injured in road traffic collisions, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users. The Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. More details will be set out in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_19

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will update the catch certificate for seafood imports to mirror changes being made by the EU to its catch certificate scheme. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The UK Government is committed to preventing seafood caught from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing from entering the UK supply chain. Defra works closely with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Port Health Authorities to manage this risk. For example, the UK maintains a strict ban on seafood imports from countries that have been identified as non-cooperative in tackling IUU fishing as well as seafood caught by vessels included in the UK’s IUU vessel list identified as having engaged in IUU fishing. Controls are also in place to prevent foreign vessels accessing UK ports if suspected of engaging in IUU fishing. Furthermore, all wild-caught fish imported into the UK must be accompanied by validated catch certificates to ensure legality and traceability, and we will be updating the information required on catch certificates later next year. These changes will improve the robustness of traceability measures in place and will ensure that UK exporters can continue to re-export seafood originating from other countries to the EU. The MMO has recently launched a campaign called ‘Fish, Trace, Ship’ to highlight to industry the expected changes.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

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Baroness Gale:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure the humane slaughter of farmed fish; and whether they are 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.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_21

Baroness Goudie:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they remain committed to the UK’s participation in the Aarhus Convention. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The UK Government is committed to the effective implementation of its international obligations.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_22

Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have considered reversing the burden of proof to require Israeli exporters to demonstrate their goods are not produced in illegal settlements before being imported into the UK. \p Lord Stockwood: The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in Palestine are illegal under international law. The UK Government encourages accurate labelling of goods in order to avoid misleading consumers and promote transparency, including those goods produced in illegal settlements in Palestine. Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK’s current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel. Where there are doubts about the declared origin of goods, HMRC undertakes checks to verify the origin and ensure fiscal compliance.

It is a long-standing position that preferential treatment will be refused to Israeli goods if the production conferring originating status has taken place in a location within Palestine brought under Israeli administration since June 1967. A 2004 technical arrangement, rolled over from the EU, requires that the city, village or industrial zone and postcode where production conferring originating status has taken place appear on all proofs of preferential origin issued or made out in Israel. A change in policy to this long-standing requirement is not currently under consideration.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-16 conversation_23

Lord Blunkett:To ask His Majesty's Government, following changes in the machinery of government and responsibility for skills being placed with the Department of Work and Pensions, which department will now be responsible for the administration of, and policy development for, Skills England. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-06 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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

Lord Oates:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of press freedom and freedom of expression in Zimbabwe following the detention of the journalist Blessed Mhlanga. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK is monitoring the arrest and detention of Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga.

An official from our Embassy in Harare attended Mhlanga's bail application hearing on 28 February. We continue to call for freedom of expression, as well as the rule of law and due process, to be respected in line with Zimbabwe's constitution.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-06 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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

The Lord Bishop of Leeds:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking through Official Development Assistance to support the rights of women and girls in Iraq, including in Iraqi Kurdistan. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: Countering the rollback of and promoting the rights of women and girls is a key focus of the UK's programming and policy work in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Alongside Official Development Assistance (ODA), programmes are also delivered through the UK Integrated Security Fund (UKISF), which is funded through both ODA and non-ODA sources.

While the £2.7 million Women's Voices First programme completed in May 2024, its second phase will provide up to £5 million further over the next 3 years. This continued UKISF programme helps to strengthen grassroots Iraqi women's rights organisations and women-led organisations, advances locally led approaches, and contributes to inclusive peace and security in communities, across Federal Iraq and the KRI.

The UK is also funding the International Organisation for Migration to provide capacity building support to the General Directorate of Survivors Affairs, and to civil society organisations, to advance the Yazidi Survivors' Law and deliver mental health and psychosocial support for Yazidi and other minority survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

In addition, the UK also helps to advance family planning and sexual and reproductive health initiatives through the £14 million Demographic Transition in Iraq project.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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

Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 20 February 2025 (HL4799), whether a breakdown of the proportion of senior civil servants, broken down by pay band and department, who registered for One Big Thing 2023 is held centrally; and if so, whether they will place a copy of that data in the Library of the House. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The number of senior civil servants that registered for One Big Thing 2023, broken down by department, was collected for engagement purposes while the initiative was live. As per the privacy notice for the One Big Thing 2023 platform where data was submitted, the data was deleted 12 months after the initiative ended.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-06 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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

Baroness Freeman of Steventon:To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the risks to animal health posed by the H5N1 influenza virus, what resources they have committed to teams responsible for delivering the UK Biological Security Strategy, and how they plan to ensure that there is adequate staffing and funding to meet the strategy's objectives. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The 2023 UK Biological Security Strategy (BSS) sets out that biological threats are more likely, diverse and interconnected. The current avian influenza outbreak is an example of the risks we face from zoonotic diseases. The BSS takes a One Health and National Security approach. There are robust structures in place across government to ensure its implementation - including a lead Minister, a central team in the Cabinet Office to drive delivery, and clear departmental accountabilities. DEFRA is the lead government department for avian Influenza.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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

Lord Clement-Jones:To ask His Majesty's Government how they plan to reform cloud procurement frameworks to ensure a level playing field for small and medium-sized enterprises and challenger cloud providers. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The upcoming iteration of G-Cloud will introduce a streamlined ‘Open Framework’ under the new Procurement Act. This will simplify the existing portfolio of agreements, enhancing access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and challenger cloud providers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government when the next meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions is due to take place, and how many meetings they plan to hold each year. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Council of the Nations and Regions will meet biannually, as provided in its Terms of Reference, published on GOV.UK. The Council first met in October 2024, and will reconvene in the Spring.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-06 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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

Lord Kempsell:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have considered rationalising their efficiency efforts in a new department modelled on the Department of Government Efficiency in the USA; and whether they have any plans to learn from that body. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Departments have agreed a 2% productivity, efficiency and savings target in the first phase of the Spending Review and have been set a stretching 5% target in the second phase. This target is to be delivered via efficiencies and savings from innovative technology-driven approaches, such as Artificial Intelligence; more effectively joining up services; and a more strategic approach to government processes, including procurement.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury has also asked each department to carry out a line-by-line review of existing day-to-day budgets to identify where spending is no longer aligned with this government’s priorities or is poor value for money.

To support these efforts, the Office for Value for Money will work with departments to assess where and how to root out waste and inefficiency, including agreeing plans to deliver technical efficiencies through the Spending Review period. It will also develop recommendations for system reform, informed by lessons learned from the past, international best practice, and the views of external organisations. This will underpin a ruthless focus within government on realising benefits from every pound of public spending.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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

Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government which organisations have presented to the Child Poverty Taskforce ministerial advisory sessions; and on what topics. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Child Poverty Taskforce is drawing in evidence and expertise from all relevant departments, as is reflected in the broad membership of the Ministerial Taskforce. The Taskforce is co-chaired by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Secretary of State for Education. The Secretaries of State or their delegates from the following departments are members of the Taskforce: the Cabinet Office; the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government; HM Treasury; the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; the Department for Business and Trade; the Department for Energy and Net Zero; the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; the Department for Health and Social Care; the Wales Office; the Northern Ireland Office; and the Scotland Office.

The Taskforce has consulted external experts from a range of organisations, including local and regional government, charities, think tanks, businesses, and the public sector on a range of topics.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-06 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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

Lord Patten:To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the work of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) is an operationally independent body. My honourable friend in the other place, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who is the sponsoring Minister for IBCA, is committed to working with IBCA to monitor their performance and ensure compensation is delivered to everyone who is eligible as quickly as possible. The first payments to infected people have been made, totalling over £25 million, and in February the Government laid the second set of infected blood compensation regulations before Parliament. If approved by Parliament, these regulations will give IBCA the powers it needs to also begin payments to affected people eligible under the Scheme.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-06 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

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

Lord Moynihan:To ask His Majesty's Government whether special advisers are permitted to accept tickets and hospitality to the Oasis Live ’25 tour from (1) the music industry, (2) the events industry, (3) the secondary market ticket platforms and (4) other sources; and what disclosure policy Ministers and Special Advisers are expected to follow if they are in receipt of such tickets and hospitality. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Special advisers are bound by the provisions in the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers with regards to gifts and hospitality. Government departments publish details of hospitality received by special advisers in the course of their duties on a quarterly basis on GOV.UK.

Details of hospitality received in a ministerial capacity are published monthly by the Cabinet Office in the Register of Ministers’ Gifts and Hospitality on GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-06 conversation_11

Lord Moynihan:To ask His Majesty's Government which individual flags, apart from the Union flag and the flag of Ukraine, have been flown from 10 Downing Street since 5 July; and which occasions they marked. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Red Ensign was flown on Merchant Navy Day, the Saltire Flag was flown on St Andrew’s Day, and the St George’s Cross was flown for the UEFA European Football Championships final.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-06 conversation_12

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Infected Blood Compensation Authority has signed, or intends to sign, a memorandum of understanding with HMRC. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: There is no memorandum of understanding between the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) and HMRC in place. However, the Cabinet Office worked closely with HMRC in the development of the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, and HMRC passed regulations to exempt compensation payments from tax, as is standard for compensation schemes. The Government expects IBCA to continue to work closely with HMRC as required for the delivery of the scheme.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-06 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-06 conversation_13

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, in relation to the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, whether they completed an initial fraud impact assessment prior to the scheme’s launch; whether they have conducted a full Fraud Risk Assessment (FRA) to identify inherent fraud risks; whether they have conducted a thematic grouped fraud risk assessment to assess common fraud risks across similar compensation schemes; and whether the scheme has been incorporated into an organisational (enterprise) level FRA. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) has worked closely with the Public Sector Fraud Authority to undertake comprehensive Fraud Risk Assessments for the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. This will continue to be a key part of IBCA’s planning approach as it builds and expands its claims service.