theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-13 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-13 conversation_34

The Lord Bishop of Leicester:To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the impact of benefit sanctions on (1) the mental health of claimants, (2) levels of household debt, and (3) food bank use. \p Baroness Sherlock: We engage on an individual level with all of our claimants and are committed to tailoring support to their individual needs. This includes agreeing realistic and structured steps to encourage claimants into, or closer to, work, where appropriate. These conditionality requirements are regularly reviewed to ensure that they remain appropriate for the claimant. This would include tailoring to reflect any mental health issues the claimant raised.

When considering whether a sanction is appropriate, a Decision Maker will take the claimant’s individual circumstances, including any health conditions or disabilities and any evidence of good reason, into account before deciding whether a sanction is warranted.

The Fair Repayment Rate (FRR) was implemented on 30 April 2025; this meant the overall deductions cap was reduced from 25% to 15% of a customer’s Universal Credit Standard Allowance. Approximately 1.2 million Universal Credit households with deductions will retain more of their award, on average, £420 a year or £35 per month.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_1

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage reading in schools. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: ​​​​High and rising school standards, with excellent foundations in reading, writing and mathematics, are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.

​We know that reading for pleasure is hugely important and brings a range of benefits. There are a number of strong links with attainment. For example, the 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study report found a 34 point difference in reading performance between pupils in England who “very much” liked reading and pupils who “do not” like reading. Additionally, the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment study found that enjoyment of reading links to pupils’ reading engagement, and that reading engagement was strongly positively correlated with reading performance. There is also a strong evidence base linking reading for pleasure with other positive effects, such as expanding pupils’ knowledge about the world and about language, as well as their understanding of subject-specific academic and technical vocabulary.

​Furthermore, pupils who read regularly report heightened levels of social and emotional wellbeing. For many, reading is a form of relaxation, a place to escape everyday challenges, or a source of entertainment. Reading allows readers to adopt new perspectives, develop empathy and become more socially conscious.

​In recognition of this, the department has implemented a range of measures to support reading for pleasure. The English Hubs programme supports the teaching of phonics, early language development and reading for pleasure with a further £23 million committed for the 2024/25 academic year to support this work. Furthermore, the government’s reading framework provides guidance on improving the teaching of reading, to ensure that every child is not only able to read proficiently, but also develops a genuine love of reading.

​The current national curriculum states that teachers are expected to encourage pupils to develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information.

​The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, which will look closely at the key challenges to attainment for young people, in line with the government’s ambition for a curriculum that delivers excellent foundations in reading, writing and mathematics.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_2

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to improve foreign language teaching in schools and colleges, in particular the practical experience of speaking a foreign language in the host country, following the decision not to continue the UK's participation in the Erasmus Programme. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Having the opportunity to study a modern foreign language should be part of the broad and rich education that every child in this country deserves.

Languages provide an insight into other cultures and can open the door to travel and employment opportunities. They also broaden pupils’ horizons, helping them flourish in new environments.

The government is committed to providing enriching opportunities for students and young people to experience other countries and cultures, including through school trips and exchanges. We also recognise the difficulties that schools have faced in recent years when it comes to organising visits. The UK has agreed measures with France which make school trip travel between the UK and France easier.

The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s global programme for students to study and work abroad. Students can develop new skills, including language skills, gain international experience and boost their employability. The scheme has been helping tens of thousands of UK students to study and work abroad for four years and we have recently announced that the scheme will be running for a fifth year.

The UK has a bilateral student exchange programme with Germany, the UK German Connection (UKGC), which provides opportunities for children, young people, and a limited number of language teachers in the UK and Germany to engage in a range of activities, including seminars, exchanges, visits and study courses. UKGC seeks to support current German learners in the UK and encourage more to learn the language.

The department also has a long-standing Language Assistants Programme, delivered by the British Council, to improve modern foreign language skills through direct interaction with native speakers from around the world. This includes arranging placements in the UK for non-UK residents to assist with teaching French, Spanish, Mandarin, German and Italian (as Modern Language Assistants). In the 2024/25 academic year, there are 700 Modern Language Assistants allocated to UK schools.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_3

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of library coverage in primary schools. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: School libraries complement public libraries by giving pupils access to a range of books and other kinds of texts, both in and out of school. The national curriculum states that teachers are expected to encourage pupils to develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information. As well as the strong links between reading for pleasure and attainment, there are a number of other positive effects, including improved text comprehension and grammar, increased general knowledge, and character development.

It is for individual schools to decide how best to provide and maintain a library service for their pupils, including whether to employ a qualified librarian. Headteachers have autonomy to decide how best to spend the core schools funding that is allocated to them by the department. The Autumn Budget 2024 announced an additional £2.3 billion for schools for the 2025/26 financial year, compared to 2024/25, bringing the total core schools budget to almost £63.9 billion in 2025/26.

Given this autonomy, the department does not collect information on the number of school libraries or school librarians. ​​

​The government’s reading framework offers non-statutory guidance for teachers and school leaders, including helpful guidance for schools on how to organise their school library, book corner or book stock to make reading accessible and attractive to readers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge:To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of girl school leavers have gone on to study 'science, technology, engineering, and mathematics' subjects in higher education compared to boys in each of the past five years. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department is not able to identify the percentage of school leavers who have gone on to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects in higher education (HE) at a reasonable cost or within the required timeframes.

The department has access to Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data. HESA is responsible for collecting and publishing data on the UK HE sector. These data are shared with the department and include a wide range of information on students from the UK studying in UK higher education providers (HEPs), including their sex and subject of study. These data are only collected in relation to their HE attendance and do not cover any school data.

The department is able to supply the number of UK-domiciled students studying STEM subjects at UK HEPs broken down by sex, based on HESA data. Due to the change in subject classification from 2019/20 to 2020/21, the department is only able to provide a comparable time series from 2020/21 onwards.

These data are provided in the attached spreadsheet. There is no single official definition of which subjects make up STEM. The HESA science grouping includes subjects like medicine, nursing and agriculture that may not be included in other definitions of STEM.

HL4218_STEM_enrolments_by_sex_2020_to_2022 (xlsx, 29.2KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the country has the skills required for jobs in artificial intelligence industries. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: On 13 January, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, agreed to take forward all 50 recommendations set out by Matt Clifford in his Artificial Intelligence (AI) Opportunities Action Plan. This included recommendations on AI Skills and Talent.

In addition to the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the new Industrial Strategy will channel support to eight growth-driving sectors in which the UK excels today and will propel it forward tomorrow. Digital and Technologies has been identified as one of the eight growth-driving sectors and the department is currently consulting on the barriers to growth, including skills, in this sector.

This government is committed to ensuring both learners and employers have access to crucial digital and AI skills that have the potential to increase productivity and create new high value jobs in the UK economy. To achieve this, the department will build a responsive skills system, coordinated through Skills England, to deliver on the national, regional and local skills needs of the next decade.

​​The digital skills pipeline starts with the school system. The department funds the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) to improve the teaching of computing and increase participation in computer science at GCSE and A level across England. To support the teaching of AI, the NCCE delivers a range of courses on machine learning, ethics and teaching about AI in primary and secondary computing and also facilitates industry-led events for pupils to raise awareness of opportunities and careers in sectors such as AI.

The department already provides a range of post-16 academic and technical qualifications relevant to AI skills. Developed in partnership with employers, there are currently 34 apprenticeship standards in digital occupations, including at degree level and in areas like AI.

Learners can study three Digital T Levels which include AI content and there are 77 digital Higher Technical Qualifications approved and quality marked as providing the skills demanded in the workplace by employers, including AI skills. Skills Bootcamps are available in digital, including AI and machine learning, with the latest published data showing that the majority of Skills Bootcamps were in the digital sector, with 61% of starts in digital for the 2022/23 financial year.

The higher education (HE) system continues to be a route for those seeking the skills required for a career in AI. There are a range of high quality AI courses available and, in 2022, 46,000 students graduated from an AI-relevant HE programme in the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Baroness McIntosh of Pickering:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of withdrawing telephone landlines on elderly and vulnerable customers, and whether they have made representations to telecommunications companies in this regard. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: This is a very important issue which the government has been closely engaged with since it took office. It is important to note that landlines are not being withdrawn, but their underlying technology is being moved from Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

The switchover is an industry led programme. The Government is determined to ensure that any and all risks of the industry-led migration from PSTN to VoIP are mitigated. Communication providers and network operators signed voluntary charters in December 2023 and March 2024, ensuring their commitment to protect vulnerable consumers during the PSTN migration. On 18 November 2024, the major communication providers agreed to adhere to further safeguards set out in the non-voluntary migrations checklist before restarting non-voluntary migration of customers from PSTN to VoIP.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Lord Foster of Bath:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to trial a rights reservation mechanism, with satisfactory feedback from rightsholders, prior to proposing any copyright exception for text and data mining by artificial intelligence. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.

This consultation seeks views on proposals to introduce a text and data mining exception alongside a rights reservation mechanism and transparency measures. The Government believes these measures should progress together and could come into operation when effective, proportionate, and accessible technological solutions were in place.

The Government recognises the vital importance of right holder feedback on a rights reservation mechanism, and how it will work in practice, and will take this feedback into account as it develops its approach.

The consultation closes on 25 February.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to Cabinet Office Government Major Projects Portfolio Data for March 2024, published on 16 January, what factors have led to the budget variance of 264 per cent for the Vetting Transformation Programme. \p Baroness Twycross: The figures for March 2024 contained in the Cabinet Office Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) data predate the closure of the programme. The baseline figure of £5.5m relates to expenditure in financial year (FY) 23/24. Actual expenditure in FY 23/24 was £5.7m which represents an overspend of 3.6%. The £20m cited in the GMPP reflected the original funding for the FY.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the total number of procurement frameworks currently in use across the public sector. \p Baroness Twycross: ​Information is not centrally held by the Cabinet Office on the total number of procurement frameworks currently in use across the public sector.

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) analysis suggests there are approximately 2,275 frameworks in the public sector that compete with CCS agreements.

Under the Transforming Public Procurement reforms, there will be a requirement to register procurement frameworks on the central Transparency Platform. This will enhance transparency and provide greater visibility of frameworks in operation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Lord Mann:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total value of Personal Independence Payments by parliamentary constituency. \p Baroness Sherlock: The total value of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) by parliamentary constituency can be found (attached) in the ‘Benefit expenditure by parliamentary constituency, 2010/11 to 2023/24’ tables included in the Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2024 - GOV.UK publication.

Navigate to the ‘PIP_(PC24)’ worksheet to view PIP expenditure figures broken down by 2024 parliamentary constituencies from 2010/11 to 2023/24.

Attachment  (xlsx, 97.0KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Lord Mann:To ask His Majesty's Government what is (1) the total number of Motability Scheme recipients, and (2) the total value of payments under the Motability Scheme, by parliamentary constituency. \p Baroness Sherlock: Motability Operations state in their 2024 Annual Report and Accounts that there are approximately 815,000 customers on the Motability Scheme as of September 2024.

The information requested on the value of payments under the Motability Scheme by parliamentary constituency is not readily available. To provide this would incur a disproportionate cost. An indication of the value of payments for Great Britain can be found in the Motability Operation’s Annual Report and Accounts. In 2024, Motability Operations reported a rental revenue of £2,806m. This includes direct payments from lessees, and payments from organisations to Motability Operations on behalf of the lessees, including DWP, Social Security Scotland and Veterans UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_13

Viscount Younger of Leckie:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made an estimate of the potential impact of the £240 million funding allocated to the Department for Work and Pensions in the Autumn Budget 2024 for trialling new ways of getting people back into work on savings to the public purse in each of the next five years. \p Baroness Sherlock: £240 million was announced in the Autumn budget to help us deliver and build on labour market reforms to Get Britain Working. Measures in the White Paper will include:

We are working with trailblazers to create their local plans and we are developing an evaluation strategy to measure impacts, including savings to ensure we make the most effective interventions to Get Britain working.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of individuals eligible to make voluntary contributions for gaps in their National Insurance records for 2006–2018 who would receive more income by not doing so and instead claiming Pension Credit. \p Baroness Sherlock: No such estimate has been made. Whether an individual should or should not make voluntary National Insurance contributions will depend upon their circumstances. It is entirely a decision for the individual to make but it may not always be beneficial.

Before buying voluntary contributions, people under State Pension age can use the online Check your State Pension forecast service to get a forecast and see whether paying gaps will increase their entitlement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_15

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to review the welfare system regarding (1) the increasing number of people claiming benefits and (2) the growing costs of the benefits. \p Baroness Sherlock: The Get Britain Working White Paper focuses on building a thriving labour market, reducing economic inactivity, and increasing the number of people in work. It includes reforms to employment support, skills, and health to get more people into work and help them progress in their career. A link to the White Paper can be found here.

We are committed to reforming the system of health and disability benefits so that it promotes and enables employment among as many people as possible. The system must also work to reduce poverty for disabled people and those with health conditions and support disabled people to live independently. It is also vital to ensure that the system is financially sustainable in the long term.

We are working to develop proposals for reform and will set them out in a Green Paper in spring.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Baroness Buscombe:To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to page 138 of the Department of Work and Pensions Annual Report and Accounts 2023–24 (HC 62) published on 22 July 2024, what proportion of the total £9.4 billion debt stock held by Debt Management at the end of 2023–24 is deemed irrecoverable. \p Baroness Sherlock: Impaired debt as a proportion of the £9.4bn debt stock reported in the 23/24 Annual Report and Accounts is:

Impairment Value

£1.958bn

Impairment as a % of Debt Stock

21%
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Viscount Younger of Leckie:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to reform the fit note. \p Baroness Sherlock: As part of the £240m Get Britain Working SR package, the department will deliver eight inactivity trailblazers and three of these will be health and growth accelerators. The accelerators represent a shift by the NHS towards prevention and commitment to a role in addressing economic inactivity, including exploring the role of the fit note in this system.

The Government has no current plans to reform the fit note (Statement of Fitness for Work) in terms of the content of the form or the healthcare professionals who are legally allowed to issue them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Baroness Smith of Llanfaes:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the rate of Universal Credit for young adults living in supported accommodation. \p Baroness Sherlock: People on a low income living in supported or temporary accommodation can claim Universal Credit for help with their daily living costs and Housing Benefit for help with their housing costs.

Universal Credit awards are formed of a standard allowance, paid according to age and household unit, plus help with eligible housing costs, which can then be supplemented with additional elements and premiums for groups recognised as having additional needs, such as parents, disabled people, and carers.

Under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 the Secretary of State is required by law to review State Pension and benefit rates each year to see if they have retained their value in relation to the general level of prices or earnings. Benefit rates are reviewed each year, increasing by 6.7% in April 2024 and by a further 1.7% from April 2025, in line with inflation. Around 5.7 million Universal Credit families are forecast to benefit from uprating in financial year 2025 to 2026, with an average annual gain for a family estimated to be £150. The Government has committed to reviewing Universal Credit and we will set out further details in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Baroness Buscombe:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the Universal Credit overpayment rate for the financial years (1) 2022–23, and (2) 2023–24; and how these figures compare to the forecasted rate used in the Spring Budget 2023 and Spring Budget 2024. \p Baroness Sherlock: The Universal Credit (UC) overpayment rate was 12.7% of expenditure in the financial year 2022-23, and 12.4% of expenditure in the financial year 2023-24.

At Spring Budget 2023, the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast that the UC overpayment rate would be 12.1% in 2022/23, an underestimate of 0.6ppts from actual 2022-23 outturn (12.7%).

At Spring Budget 2024, the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast that the UC overpayment rate would be 13.2% in 2023/24, an overestimate of 0.7ppts from actual 2023-24 outturn (12.4%).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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The Lord Bishop of Gloucester:To ask His Majesty's Government what (1) practical, and (2) mental health, support is offered to parents struggling to pay child maintenance. \p Baroness Sherlock: The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to ensuring that it delivers a safe service that is sensitive to the needs of all the parents that use it. We recognise that some parents may face difficult circumstances, particularly at a time of separation.

The CMS is well prepared to respond quickly and effectively if it becomes aware that the safety of any of its customers are at risk, and caseworkers receive extensive training and follow a well-managed process with clear steps to support vulnerable clients.

Caseworkers have access to several tools and procedures to help support customers when they advise they cannot afford to pay child maintenance or are struggling with the cost of living in general and are in financial or emotional crisis.

This includes the National District Provision Toolkit and Affordability Hub which provides invaluable information to allow caseworkers to signpost to national and local support organisations for debt help and mental health assistance across the UK.

Additionally, Caseworkers can refer particularly vulnerable customers to the DWP Advanced Customer Support team for debt advice, access to benefits and mental health support or refer to the Money Advisory Service, Money Helper, an arm’s length body of DWP which provides confidential debt advice.  They also have access to the Benefit Calculator tool to check if the paying parent is entitled to any benefits.

In addition, Caseworkers can check income information is correct through Real Time Information (RTI) from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Once this has been confirmed with the paying parent, they can discuss making an interim arrangement to clear the arrears.

The government has committed to reviewing the calculation to make sure it is fit for purpose and reflects today’s trends. Any changes will be subject to extensive consultation and legislation brought forward where necessary for approval.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Lord Marlesford:To ask His Majesty's Government what are the criteria for providing from public funds to those not in employment, but not physically disabled, with a car; how many such vehicles were provided in the year to April 2024; and at what cost to the public purse. \p Baroness Sherlock: Individuals who receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) higher rate mobility component, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enhanced-rate mobility component, Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) or War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS) are eligible to join the Motability Scheme. In exchange for part or all of their mobility component they receive a leased car, wheelchair or powered chair/scooter. The Department for Work and Pensions facilitates the transfer of the DLA, PIP and AFIP to Motability. WPMS is transferred by the Ministry of Defence.

Recipients of these benefits may be employed or not and can have both physical and mental health conditions.

We do not hold figures on the numbers of vehicles provided in the year to April 2024. There is no cost to the public purse for the Motability Scheme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government how many penalty clauses have been enforced against suppliers of Government Major Projects Portfolio projects managed by the Department of Work and Pensions because of delays or cost overruns in the past three years, and what is the total financial value recovered. \p Baroness Sherlock: Penalty clauses that unduly punish a contract party are unenforceable by the courts and we do not include them in our contracts. We have contract clauses negotiated that operate in good faith that will be breached if not delivered/operated in the required way. Financial recompense will be commensurate to actual loss and agreed in the contract terms. However, we do not collect, hold centrally or report data on the enforcement of such terms.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions the Home Office and its agencies have had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, regarding the called-in planning application for the Chinese Embassy in the UK. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: We do not normally disclose details of internal discussions. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on gov.uk as part of the government’s transparency agenda.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister for State Housing, Communities and Local Government on 27 November 2024 (HC14997), which criteria from the October 2012 call-in policy were engaged when the Deputy Prime Minister called-in the application for the Chinese Embassy in the UK. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to Question UIN 14997 on 27 November 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have received from the government of China or its representatives relating to the planning application for the Chinese Embassy in the UK, and on what dates they received representations. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: MHCLG has not received any representations on this matter from the government of China or its representatives. Representations ahead of the public inquiry are dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Lord Roborough:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they expect a higher incidence of wildfires in the UK in the coming years and what plans they have to mitigate the impact of wildfires on newly established forests and woodland. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: Outdoor fires, especially wildfires, are expected by many academics to increase in frequency in the coming years as a result of climate change.

A coordinated approach is essential to mitigate the impact of climate change on people, property, habitats, livestock, natural capital and wildlife, and to plan the most effective response to incidents.

Landowners and land managers are encouraged by Defra to adopt good quality wildfire management plans and use sustainable land management practices that reduce fuel loads.

The UK Forestry Standard1 highlights the need for woodland owners to have fire prevention in contingency plans and adaptation for the risk to be assessed in forest management plans. This is supported by the UKFS Practice Guidance "Building Wildfire Resilience in Forest Management Planning" for both new woodland creation and existing woodland management.2

Each fire and rescue authority is required to plan for the foreseeable risks in their area (including wildfire), through their Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) while having regard to the views of other key local responders.

Fire and Rescue Services undertake a range of activities alongside local partners, including prevention and educational activities and the Forestry Commission also provide 'Lantra' accredited training to the forestry and land management sector on vegetation fires, with over 1,300 places delivered since 2021.3

1 The UK Forestry Standard - GOV.UK

2 Building wildfire resilience into forest management planning - Forest Research

3 Forestry Commission - Lantra Vegetation Fire Training
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Lord Gascoigne:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have discussed the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the United States with the Trump administration since President Trump took office, and whether the Prime Minister and President Trump have discussed this appointment. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump on 26 January, and the Foreign Secretary spoke to Secretary of State Rubio on 27 January. Lord Mandelson is going through the normal onboarding processes for a new Ambassador, and we expect him to take up his new post in the coming weeks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

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Lord Gascoigne:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to extend an invitation for a state visit to President Trump. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump on 26 January and congratulated him on his inauguration. The Prime Minister and President Trump discussed the importance of the close and warm ties between the UK and US and agreed to meet in-person in the near future. Any travel will be announced in the usual way.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_30

Baroness Stedman-Scott:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 22 November 2024 (HL2411), what was the cost of procuring and erecting the bisexual flags; and which Minister authorised the decision to fly them. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: In 2024, to mark Bisexual Awareness Week, the FCDO flew two bisexual flags within the grounds of its London headquarters. These flags were purchased in 2021 for £285.93 each to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the lifting of the ban on LGBT+ people serving in the Diplomatic Service. The then Permanent Under Secretary of the FCDO approved the flying of the flags on the internal courtyard flag poles.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_31

Lord Roberts of Llandudno:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of concerns expressed by United Nations experts, as set out in a press release dated 18 April 2024, that Israel is systematically destroying the education system in Gaza. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: We are alarmed by the disproportionate impact of the conflict on children in Gaza, including the severe disruption of education. Even with this welcome ceasefire, the impacts of the conflict remain devastating: we understand from the Education Cluster that all students in Gaza have not had access to school since 7 October 2023 and at least 88% of school buildings will need full or major reconstruction. Education for children is a right and is crucial for protection, health, and future prospects for peace. The UK is supporting the restoration of education services in Gaza, including through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The UK opposes the Knesset legislation preventing UNRWA from operating and urges Israel to ensure a responsible transition after its implementation on 30 January, to ensure vital UNRWA services, including education, can continue without interruption.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_32

Lord Petitgas:To ask His Majesty's Government what public support, and how much funding, have been offered to DP World in connection with their £1 billion investment to expand the London Gateway Container port announced on 14 October 2024. \p Baroness Gustafsson: His Majesty’s Government expressed strong support for the DP World investment in London Gateway at the International Investment Summit in October. No Government funding has been offered to DP World, whose investment recognises the attractiveness of the UK as a place to develop world-class infrastructure. However, DP World stands to benefit from the Thames Freeport as the owner of London Gateway port and logistics park, part of which was designated in November 2021 as a Freeport tax site. This investment is welcome and is vital to our economic growth and in helping to protect our global supply chains.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_33

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the Competition and Markets Authority supports business growth, particularly for firms seeking to acquire other businesses. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Prime Minister has been clear that the UK’s economic regulators, including the Competition and Markets Authority, “the CMA”, have a vital role to play in delivering the Government’s growth mission. The Government will soon publish a new growth focused Strategic Steer to the CMA.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_34

Lord Petitgas:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their press release of 11 January 2025 on UK–China economic and financial dialogue, how much of the £600 million planned investments were already (1) signed or (2) in advanced discussions prior to the Chancellor’s visit; and what is the breakdown of each investment with respect to the location, value and firms involved. \p Lord Livermore: There were negotiations at official level ahead the 2025 UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue. Ministerial engagement was essential to deliver the outcomes agreed.

This EFD unlocked market access for UK exporters in financial services and agri-products. These outcomes will benefit a range of UK businesses in these sectors and are worth £600 million to the UK economy and set course to unlock £1 billion in total over the next 5 years. The government published the policy outcomes document on Saturday 11 January which lists the outcomes for British businesses and the UK economy. This is available publicly on gov.uk.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_35

Lord Moynihan of Chelsea:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relative impact of the growth in money supply during COVID-19 as the root cause of inflation, as opposed to other causes such as (1) the conflict in Ukraine, and (2) the price of natural gas. \p Lord Livermore: Inflation peaked at 11.1% in October 2022 and was above target for 33 consecutive months. Inflation has now fallen close to target and is expected to remain close to target.

Monetary policy, including the stock of assets held in the Asset Purchase Facility, which influences the supply of money, is the responsibility of the independent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at the Bank of England. The Government remains committed to monetary policy independence and supporting the MPC to return inflation to target sustainably, and does not comment on the conduct or effectiveness of monetary policy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_36

Baroness Hayman:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to consult on standards for improving energy efficiency in the social housing sector. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero announced on 23 September 2024 that the Government will consult on our plans to introduce minimum energy efficiency standards for social rented homes. The Government will publish a consultation on introducing minimum energy efficiency standards for the social rented sector in due course. This could take social homes out of fuel poverty, cutting energy bills by making homes cheaper to heat. A minimum energy efficiency standard for the social rented sector would form part of the Decent Homes Standard.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_37

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether net-zero targets could negatively affect business growth, particularly in relation to the artificial intelligence sector. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Accelerating to net zero will unlock a range of benefits for businesses, including market opportunities and access to green finance. Government will work with the business community to support their transition to net zero. With the majority of global GDP covered by net zero targets, the transition represents a significant export opportunity for UK businesses.

AI is at the forefront of geopolitical competition, so developing domestic strengths can enhance UK security and prosperity, and we are committed to supporting the growth of the sector. Lowering electricity costs by investing in clean energy will support industries with high demand, such as AI.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_38

Lord Birt:To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of public sector buildings in England will have decarbonised heating by 2030. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government is committed to decarbonising a significant proportion of public sector buildings by 2030. This initiative is part of the broader effort to reduce carbon emissions and achieve net-zero targets. The Net Zero Strategy set-out the government’s commitment to halve direct emissions from public sector buildings by 2032 and an aim to further reduce them by 75% by 2037, both against a 2017 baseline.

To support this, up to £3.8 billion is being invested through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme over the financial years 2020/21 to 2027/28 to provide grants for public sector bodies in England to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_39

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger:To ask His Majesty's Government when they will respond to the ‘Fairer food labelling’ consultation, which ran from 12 March to 7 May 2024. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: A public consultation on fairer food labelling was undertaken last year by the previous Government. This sought views on proposals to improve and extend current mandatory method of production labelling. We are now carefully considering all responses before deciding on next steps and will respond to this consultation in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_40

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce mandatory labelling across meat and dairy products stating how animals were kept and, where appropriate, where animals were not stunned prior to slaughter. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: A public consultation on fairer food labelling was undertaken last year by the previous Government. This sought views on proposals to improve and extend current mandatory method of production labelling. We are now carefully considering all responses before deciding on next steps and will respond to this consultation in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-03 conversation_41

Lord Petitgas:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that their net-zero policies do not undermine (1) farming, and (2) biodiversity. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: This Government is committed to delivering net zero by 2050 and will work with farmers and others with a stake in our food system towards this. The transition to more climate-friendly practices will work hand in hand with food security and farm productivity.

We are supporting farmers to adopt low carbon farming practices, increasing the carbon stored on their land while boosting profitability. These practices can also free up land for nature-based solutions like afforestation and improve farm efficiency and diversification opportunities on low-grade land. We will closely examine how to enable innovation benefits in reaching net zero whilst considering new technologies and best practices for farming.

We are committed to continuing the rollout of Environmental Land Management schemes, including the Sustainable Farming Incentive, which are key in protecting farming and delivering our net zero targets, with co-benefits for biodiversity and climate adaptation. We will introduce a land-use framework, helping to protect both the environment, food security and livelihoods.

Climate and nature are intrinsically linked. Defra has a vital role to play in helping deliver carbon budgets and ensuring nature-based solutions are a core part of tackling climate change and averting its impacts. Nature-based solutions deliver multiple benefits for climate, biodiversity and people.