theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_15

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government how many frontline and support police officers are currently employed in Wales, and what were the corresponding figures in 2010. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office collects and publishes data annually on the primary function of police officers, as at 31 March each year, in the 'Police Workforce, England and Wales' statistical bulletin.

The functions framework was replaced in 2015 which means that police functions data for 2015 onwards are not directly comparable to data collected under the old framework. Any attempts to compare across the two frameworks should be done with caution.

Data on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers in frontline, frontline support and business support roles can be found in Table F6 of the data tables accompanying the publication. Table F6 includes data going back to 31 March 2010. Data for March 2010 to March 2014 has been estimated and therefore should be treated with caution.

Table 1 below shows the number of FTE police officers in frontline, frontline support and business support roles in Wales. As at 31 March 2010 it is estimated that there were 6,375 FTE police officers in frontline roles, 388 FTE police officers in frontline support roles and 270 FTE police officers in business support roles. As at 31 March 2024 there were 6,677 FTE police officers in frontline roles, 436 FTE police officers in frontline support roles and 372 FTE police officers in business support roles.

Table 1: FTE police officers in frontline, frontline support and business support roles, as at 31 March 2010 and 2024, Wales

Frontline

Frontline support

Business support

2010 (estimated)

6,375

388

270

2024 (actual)

6,677

436

372

Notes:

1. Frontline includes visible operational frontline roles and non-visible frontline roles

2. Figures for 2010 are estimated and are not directly comparable with figures for 2024
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_16

Lord Balfe:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 7 March (HL5231), what are the "long-standing processes on establishing geographical feature names for UK use"; and whether the Gulf of Mexico will be renamed. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (PCGN) advises HMG on policies and procedures for the representation of geographical names for places and features outside the UK, excluding those of the Antarctic. For names of international maritime features beyond any sovereignty, PCGN usually advises reflecting the common English conventional name, which for this body of water is the 'Gulf of Mexico'.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_17

Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that development assistance is not provided to regimes engaged in or permitting the killing of their citizens. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Programme Operating Framework (PrOF) sets out the mandatory rules for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) programme delivery and is published on gov.uk. The framework includes a requirement that the FCDO's programmes and projects comply with all relevant UK laws, legislation and guidance. The UK's obligations under international law, including human rights and humanitarian law, should be fulfilled, and reputational risks must also be considered.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_18

Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the (1) remit, and (2) budget, of the newly appointed UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls will work alongside the Foreign Secretary and Minister for Development, to progress the UK's foreign policy and international development objectives on women and girls. More information on the Special Envoy's responsibilities can be found at: Harriet Harman KC - GOV.UK. The UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls is an unremunerated role. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will reimburse all reasonable expenses properly and necessarily incurred in respect of the appointment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_19

Lord Green of Deddington:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that Dr Fawaz Akhras, a British citizen, is able to return to the United Kingdom. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: Any requests for assistance to help facilitate the return of British Nationals to the UK are considered with published policy, and applications may take longer during periods of high demand, or when further enquiries need to be made.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office provides information on the assistance we can provide, and to whom, in our publication: Support for British nationals abroad (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/support-for-british-nationals-abroad).
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_20

The Lord Bishop of Leeds:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support survivors of Daesh crimes in Iraq. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK strongly lobbied the Government of Iraq to pass the Yazidi Survivors' Law in March 2021. As a ground-breaking piece of legislation, this represented an important first step towards accountability and justice for survivors of Daesh violence. These survivors are predominantly minority women, who suffered from crimes such as conflict-related sexual violence and domestic servitude.

The UK is funding the General Directorate of Survivors' Affairs with £340,000 over three years (2022/23-2024/25), through the International Organization for Migration. This funding will support the law's full, and survivor-centred, implementation. It will also further develop capacity for Daesh accountability and help survivors access mental health and psychosocial support and rebuild their lives.

Furthermore, the UK will continue to work with Iraq and international partners to ensure that Daesh are held accountable for the crimes they have committed, following the closure in September 2024 of the United Nations investigative team to promote accountability for crimes committed by Daesh.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_21

The Lord Bishop of Leeds:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the threat to religious minorities in Iraq from Daesh and its affiliates. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK is disappointed that minority communities in Iraq, including Christians and Yazidis, continue to report cases of discrimination, intimidation, and harassment by armed groups. These cases can be exacerbated by their political underrepresentation, limited routes for redress, and protracted displacement.

This is why our programmes, through the UK Integrated Security Fund, tackle the key drivers of instability and aim to support a more accountable, capable, and inclusive society, through effective governance structures.

For example, in 2023, we implemented a £15,000 programme in Bashiqa, in Nineveh Province (an area still recovering from the impacts of Daesh), to improve religious tolerance and social cohesion, through initiatives focussed on arts and culture. This was implemented by The Lotus Flower, a charity supporting women and girls impacted by conflict and displacement, with funding from the UK's John Bunyan Fund for Freedom of Religion and Belief.

Reducing the threat from Daesh and preventing a Daesh resurgence remains a top priority in our relationship with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_22

The Lord Bishop of Leeds:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support people in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq who are internally displaced because of the threat posed by Daesh. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK continues to collaborate with the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and the international humanitarian community as we collectively seek durable solutions (led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) for those displaced and living in insecure conditions.

Through the International Organization for Migration, the UK is contributing to the immediate stabilisation of those who remain internally displaced by funding quick impact projects and livelihood support activities. For example, we have provided the UN funding facility for stabilisation with £32 million, to restore vital public services such as utilities and education across liberated areas of Iraq. The UK also provides funding to the office of the UN durable solutions adviser to lead the UN's strategic coordination efforts.

We will always strive to ensure that internally displaced persons in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, are protected and that their returns can be safe, dignified, and voluntary.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_23

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 17 February (HL4711), what steps they are taking to address dehumanisation in situations of conflict. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The UK is committed to protecting those most at risk in situations of conflict. Promoting compliance with International Humanitarian Law is a cornerstone of our commitment to the rule of law and the UK calls on all parties to a conflict to observe robust standards.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_24

Lord Roberts of Llandudno:To ask His Majesty's Government which countries will be affected by cutting the aid budget to 0.3 per cent by 2027. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments and value for money.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_25

Lord Booth:To ask His Majesty's Government what is their timetable for returning to the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national income for overseas aid, as set out by the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015, following their decision to cut overseas aid to 0.3 per cent of gross national income. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Government remains committed to returning to spending 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) on Official Development Assistance (ODA) when fiscal circumstances allow, in line with the International Development Act 2015.

We will return to 0.7 per cent when, on a sustainable basis, the government is not borrowing money for day-to-day spending and underlying debt is falling. The Office for Budget Responsibility's latest forecast shows that the ODA fiscal tests are not due to be met within the Parliament.

The Government will continue to monitor future forecasts closely, and each year will review and confirm, in accordance with the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015, whether a return to spending 0.7 per cent GNI on ODA is possible against the latest fiscal forecast.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_26

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the announcements regarding the reduction in Official Development Assistance, which countries or humanitarian organisations will be exempted from cuts to aid. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security and Official Development Assistance (ODA). He has been clear that the government will continue to play a key humanitarian role, including in Ukraine, in Gaza and in Sudan. Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact and value for money.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_27

Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government how they are supporting communities in Sudan though the UK Aid programme; what is the impact of this support and how many people are benefiting from it; and how will that be affected by cuts to UK development aid. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Government will continue to play a key humanitarian role, including in Ukraine, in Gaza and in Sudan.

In response to the crisis in Sudan UK aid is making a difference and saving lives. Over 600,000 people in Sudan and a further 700,000 people in neighbouring countries who have fled the conflict are now receiving life-saving aid. Between October 2023 and October 2024, UK aid has benefitted nearly 2.5 million people in Sudan.

The impact on specific programmes will be informed by the ongoing Spending Review and departmental resource allocation processes. Plans will be set out in the usual way in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_28

Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the impact of the freeze on funding for the United States Agency for International Development and cuts to UK development aid on humanitarian problems globally; and what is their assessment of the risk of starvation as a result. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: We are currently working to assess the implications of the US funding pause across development sectors, geographic regions and multilateral organisations. We are gathering information and working with other donor partners to share analysis of the pause.

The UK is reducing UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5 percent of gross national income (GNI) to 0.3 percent in 2027 to support increased spending on defence to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) from April 2027. The Prime Minister has been clear that the UK faces a period of profound change, with conflicts overseas undermining security and prosperity at home The Government will continue to play a key humanitarian role, including in Ukraine, in Gaza and in Sudan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_29

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how effectively livestock projects funded by the International Finance Corporation implement the good management practices set out in its Good Practice Note on Improving Animal Welfare in Livestock Operations, published December 2014. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Government works internationally to promote high standards of animal welfare and recognition of the overlap between animal welfare, animal health and sustainability.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has rigorous and internationally recognised standards which align to those of other jurisdictions such as the EU. The IFC assesses potential industrial livestock projects which it supports against these standards as part of its due diligence processes.

The UK will continue to engage with IFC to ensure it applies its Performance Standards to all investments, including related to livestock production, and where appropriate, provides guidance and support to clients to achieve these.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_30

The Lord Bishop of Southwark:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made representations to the government of Israel regarding the Protection of Israeli Public Officials from the Action of the International Criminal Court in The Hague against the State of Israel Bill 2024. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: We have not raised the Protection of Israeli Public Officials from the Action of the International Criminal Court in The Hague against the State of Israel Bill 2024 with the Government of Israel. We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. The UK is a State Party to the Rome Statute. This brings with it obligations that put us in a different position ­to Israel, which is not a State Party.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_31

Lord Freyberg:To ask His Majesty's Government how many meetings have been held by ministers and officials at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport between July 2024 and February 2025 specifically addressing artificial intelligence and copyright issues; what was the distribution of these meetings between representatives of (1) creative industries, (2) artificial intelligence technology companies, and (3) meetings with both sectors represented, with a breakdown of these figures by month; and whether minutes of these meetings are publicly available. \p Lord Vallance of Balham: The Government is committed to hearing a broad range of views to help inform its approach to copyright and AI.

Ministerial meetings are published according to normal transparency requirements.

The current best estimate of the number of meetings involving officials at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (including the Intellectual Property Office) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport between July 2024 and February 2025 is in the table below.

Month

Creative Industries

AI technology companies

Meetings with both sectors represented

July ‘24

3

1

August ‘24

2

2

September ‘24

6

2

October ‘24

12

3

3

November ‘24

8

6

1

December ‘24

4

5

2

January ‘25

9

12

5

February ‘25

8

8

6

This includes meetings where officials from both departments attended.

The minutes of official level meetings are not routinely published
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_32

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to implement the recommendations of the report by Baroness Bertin Creating a Safer World–the Challenge of Regulating Online Pornography (HC 592), published on 27 February. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Independent Pornography Review is a wide-ranging and thorough piece of work which assessed the effectiveness of pornography legislation, regulation, and enforcement. The Review’s final report was published on the 27th of February 2025.

This is an important yet deeply complex topic. The findings of the Review continue to be assessed by the Government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_33

Lord Freyberg:To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to introduce specific legislation addressing copyright and artificial intelligence following their consultation; what consideration they have given to incorporating copyright protections for creative works within the Data (Use and Access) Bill rather than through separate legislation; and what impact assessment they have conducted on the potential effects on creative industries of the Data (Use and Access) Bill being enacted before establishing clear copyright frameworks for artificial intelligence. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: The Government’s consultation on Copyright and AI closed on 25th February. It would be premature to legislate now: the Government is clear that no changes will be considered unless we are completely satisfied we are delivering a solution which works for creators. Our priority is to review the evidence from the consultation which will inform the Government response, including any legislative proposals.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

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Lord Teverson:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to reduce VAT on reused, refurbished and repaired goods to incentivise circular consumer practices. \p Lord Livermore: Second-hand goods may already benefit from a reduced rate of VAT under the VAT margin scheme. Sellers of eligible goods are not required to charge VAT on the full final sale price of the good, but instead on the difference between the amount paid for the item and the final sale price.

VAT is the UK’s second largest tax, forecast to raise £171 billion in 2024/25. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

The government has no plans to further reduce VAT on reused, refurbished and repaired goods.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_35

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage firms to continue to hire employees, following the changes announced in the Autumn Statement 2024. \p Lord Livermore: The Government has protected the smallest businesses from these changes by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. This means that next year, 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all, and more than half of all employers will either gain or will see no change. It means employers will be able to employ up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage without paying any employer National Insurance contributions (NICs).

Businesses will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under-21s and under-25 apprentices.

Achieving economic growth is vital. That’s why the growth mission is the central mission of the government. Through the growth mission, the Government is ensuring economic stability, increasing investment and reforming the economy. As laid out in the Plan for Change, the Government’s goal is to deliver higher living standards for people in every part of the United Kingdom and to build 1.5 million houses by the end of the Parliament.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_36

Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the RetailNI survey results published in February which show that 86 per cent of the businesses surveyed expect to cancel expansion plans following the increase in employer National Insurance contributions and minimum wage. \p Lord Livermore: Raising the revenue required to fix the public finances and rebuild public services has required difficult decisions on tax, which has meant asking some employers to contribute more.

The Government has protected the smallest employers by increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500. This means that next year, 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all and more than half of employers will see no change or will gain overall from this package.

The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates are set on the independent and expert advice of the Low Pay Commission (LPC). The LPC has representatives from business, employee, and academic communities, and through their social partnership model reaches a consensus agreement on the rates. By seeking advice from the LPC when setting the minimum wage rates, the Government is able to ensure that the right balance is struck between the needs of workers, affordability for businesses and the impact on the economy.

Wider business support is devolved in Northern Ireland and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive. The Northern Ireland Executive’s Spending Review settlement for 2025-26 is the largest in real terms of any settlement since devolution and they receive over 24% more funding per person than equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the UK, including the 2024 restoration financial package.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_37

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the recent announcement of the diversion of funds from the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget to the defence budget, whether they plan to decrease the proportion of ODA spent on in-donor refugee support. \p Lord Livermore: The Government is committed to ensuring that asylum costs fall and the Home Secretary has reduced in-donor refugee costs by taking action to reduce the asylum backlog and seeking to end the use of costly asylum hotels. We therefore anticipate further reductions to in-donor refugee costs in the next Spending Review period.

The Home Office’s Spending Review settlement will be subject to agreement with HM Treasury in the usual way.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_38

Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the reduction, expressed in pounds sterling, of the proposed cuts to the development budget; and by what amount, expressed as a penny in the pound increase, would the basic rate of income tax have to be raised to fund a deferment of these cuts for 2025–2026 while still funding the increase to the defence budget. \p Lord Livermore: The UK will step up to safeguard collective security on an enduring basis by increasing defence investment to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. Our increase in defence spending will be funded by reducing Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI. Precise allocations will be determined as part of the Spending Review process. The government has committed to not increase taxes on working people, which means it will not increase their income tax, National Insurance Contributions, or VAT.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government how many decommissioning relief deeds (DRDs) have been entered into since their introduction; how many DRDs have been triggered to date; what estimate they have made of the cost of the resulting total payments; and what estimate they have made of the potential future liability arising from all active DRDs. \p Lord Livermore: The Government lays a Written Ministerial Statement in Parliament each year updating on the progress of its Decommissioning Relief Deed (DRD) policy. The latest statement was made on 21 March 2024 covering the 2022-23 financial year and indicates 108 DRDs had been signed as of this date. The statement also reports several DRD payments, which relate to 2 DRD claims. The next statement will be laid in due course.

HM Treasury recognise a provision when an amount can be reliably measured and a DRD claim is notified or a DRD claim is pending. These provisions are set out in the Treasury’s Annual Report and Accounts (ARA). The ARA for 2023-2024 indicates a provision of £227m in relation to claims as of the 31 March 2024. The next ARA will be laid ahead of parliamentary summer recess.

The ARA does not include an estimate of the overall financial effect of DRDs because it is unquantifiable. The likelihood of economic conditions at the individual firm level, required for DRD claims to be admissible, cannot be accurately estimated due to the absence of comparable data to use in any calculation.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

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Lord Murphy of Torfaen:To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to announce the findings of the independent review of Arts Council England. \p Baroness Twycross: Baroness Hodge will share her findings with the government in the Autumn of 2025, and the government will publish the conclusions of the review along with the government’s response in 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

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The Lord Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the changes to the system for reclaiming VAT on listed places of worship on projects which have already signed a contract and where the work has begun, such as St Mary Magdalene Church in Newark. \p Baroness Twycross: Based on the Department’s analysis of previous data, 94% of applications between 2022-2024 have been under £25,000, and most of these claims were for under £5,000. We believe that the modifications were necessary and adequate given the tight fiscal challenges we inherited from the previous government.

We expect the cap will be applied to all claims received on or after 1 April 2025. We will provide published guidance on scheme applications and eligibility in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the recent announcements on the increase in defence spending, what plans they have, if any, for (1) the recruitment of additional military recruits from Wales, (2) the tendering of new contracts for supplies or services for defence purposes with business in Wales, or (3) the appropriation of additional land or buildings for defence purposes in Wales. \p Lord Coaker: Defence is proud of its strong ties in Wales, from RAF Valley and the Royal Welsh to the construction of AJAX armoured vehicles in Merthyr Tydil. As mentioned by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury last month during a visit to Newport, detail of how and where the defence budget will be invested in the future will be set out in the Strategic Defence Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

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Earl Attlee:To ask His Majesty's Government how many armoured brigades are on the establishment of the British Army. \p Lord Coaker: The British Army have two armoured brigades. These are the 12 Armoured Brigade Combat Team (12 ABCT) and the 20 Armoured Brigade Combat Team (20 ABCT).

There are currently four armoured regiments in the British Army that are equipped with the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank. They are The Queen’s Royal Hussars (QRH), The King’s Royal Hussars (KRH), The Royal Tank Regiment (RTR), and the Reserve armoured regiment, The Royal Wessex Yeomanry (RWxY).

The KRH, RTR, and RWxY are assigned to 12 ABCT and The QRH is assigned to 20 ABCT.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of decommissioned offshore oil and gas infrastructure from the UK sector of the North Sea is currently processed in UK dismantling facilities. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: This information is not held by government. External estimates suggest that 78% of the onshore dismantling of offshore oil and gas infrastructure is undertaken in the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the feasibility of introducing a rigs-to-reefs programme in the UK sector of the North Sea, and what legal or regulatory barriers exist to such a programme under domestic and international law. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The OSPAR (Oslo and Paris convention for the Protection of the Marine environment of the North-East Atlantic) Convention prohibits the dumping or leaving in place of any disused offshore Oil and Gas installation in the marine environment. To re-purpose an installation, for example as a strategic compensation measure, installations would need to be re-classified and regulated by the relevant competent authority.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_46

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential for repurposing North Sea oil and gas infrastructure for carbon capture and storage, and what financial or regulatory incentives exist to encourage operators to pursue this option instead of full decommissioning. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government’s consultation in 2019 on the ‘re-use of oil and gas assets for carbon capture, usage and storage projects’ concluded that there is the potential for significant cost savings for some CCS projects which can re-use appropriate oil and gas infrastructure.

The Government has set out how change of use relief can be issued for certain re-purposed assets. Under this regime, oil and gas companies will be relieved of their decommissioning obligations for repurposed assets if certain conditions are met. Secondary legislation to clarify this process is being developed and is expected to be introduced in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_47

Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 27 February (HL5005) is consistent with his Written Answer on 6 February (HL4366) that clause 3 of the Great British Energy Bill would, if enacted, be considered ‘environmental law’. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The answers are consistent with one another. Whilst the Great British Energy Bill is considered environmental law, it is not proposing any changes to environmental law so there is no basis for the minister to form a view on the need for advice from the Office for Environmental Protection on any matter relating to the natural environment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_48

Lord Storey:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the suggestion that money habits are set by the age of seven. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is an arm’s length body of the Department for Work and Pensions and has a statutory duty to coordinate the UK strategy for financial wellbeing. This strategy includes a goal to ensure that two million more children and young people in the UK are receiving a meaningful financial education by 2030. To support the provision of financial education, MaPS undertakes and promotes research to improve their understanding of children and young people’s financial education needs and their financial wellbeing. MaPS’ assessment of the evidence is that the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that help people to manage money and achieve good financial wellbeing begin to develop from an early age and continue to develop throughout childhood and the teenage years. MaPS’ published research can be found here: https://maps.org.uk/en/publications/research.

Financial education is currently taught through the national curriculum for mathematics at key stages 1 to 4 and citizenship at key stages 3 and 4. Together this covers personal budgeting, saving for the future, managing credit and debt and calculating interest. Primary schools are free to teach financial education within citizenship. The non-statutory primary citizenship programme of study at key stages 1 and 2 equip pupils to look after their money and realise that future wants and needs may be met through saving.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, which seeks to deliver an excellent foundation in core subjects, including mathematics, and a rich, broad and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work.

The Review group will publish an interim report in early spring setting out its interim findings and confirming the key areas for further work and publish its final report with recommendations this autumn. We will take decisions on what changes to make to the curriculum in light of these recommendations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_49

Lord Laming:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that chairs of family group conferences are fully trained. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department knows that many local authorities have an existing family group decision making (FGDM) service in place, including many who use the family group conference model. In some local authorities, independent coordinators are recruited to facilitate or ‘chair’ FGDM meetings and, in other areas, social workers are trained to deliver the service.

Through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the department is seeking to place a duty on local authorities to offer an FGDM meeting to all parents and those with parental responsibility whose children are on the edge of care, unless this is not in the best interests of the child. This will ensure that families have the opportunity to participate in planning and decision-making at this critical point.

As part of this, the department will be developing guidance about best practice in delivering FGDM. This will include guidance on how to ensure that facilitators of the FGDM process have the appropriate skills and training. We are conscious of the additional resources that local authorities will require to fulfil this measure, which may include recruiting or training extra staff. That is why this government has committed to an uplift of £13 million for the Children’s Social Care Prevention Grant for 2025/26, which will be used to support the rollout of FGDM across the country for all families on the edge of care. This money can be used to expand a local authority’s existing service, including training additional facilitators for FGDM.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_50

Lord Watson of Invergowrie:To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to announce funding for the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund beyond March. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The department will shortly be finalising business planning decisions on how its budget will be allocated for the next financial year. All decisions regarding the adoption and special guardianship support fund are being considered as part of these discussions. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_51

Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government how many Ukrainian children are currently receiving an education in primary and secondary schools. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Information about the nationality or country of birth of children in schools in England is not collected by the department.

However, ad hoc surveys of admission officers were conducted in 2022 and are available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-placements-for-children-from-outside-of-the-uk.

This shows that, between 1 September 2021 and 27 September 2022, when adjusted for non-response, there had been an estimated 22,100 applications for school places for children from Ukraine. 13,100 of these were for primary school places and 9,100 were for secondary school places.

Of these 22,100 applications, 20,500 offers had been made at that point in time. This figure is also adjusted for non-response. This represents 92% of applications. 12,300 of these were for primary school places and 8,100 were for secondary school places.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_52

Lord Storey:To ask His Majesty's Government what topics the additional lessons on Financial Education being produced by the Oak National Academy will cover. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Oak National Academy’s forthcoming financial education resources will support teachers to deliver high quality lessons that prepare children to manage money sensibly and confidently. The resources will cover key stages 1-4, incrementally building pupils’ understanding of key financial concepts, such as saving and budgeting. They will focus on real life applications of mathematics and frame learning in specific, contemporary contexts that reflect the modern world. As well as covering personal finances, the resources will help children and young people consider the important role money plays in wider society.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_53

Lord Watson of Invergowrie:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have for reviewing the National Adoption Strategy, which was last updated in July 2021. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Adoption England published a three-year strategy in 2024 that the government supports. This sets out a wide range of work to build on its work to develop adoption services across the country in partnership with those with lived experience. The full publication can be found here: https://adoptionengland.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-04/Adoption%20England%20Strategy.pdf.

The department has provided funding of £9 million in 2024/25 for Adoption England to help develop national approaches for adoption services.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_54

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 25 February (HL5027), whether any of UK Government Investments, the Crown Estate, or the Intellectual Property Office are paid members or affiliates of Stonewall. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: None of these organisations are paid members or affiliates of Stonewall.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-03-17 conversation_55

Baroness Hoey:To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker how much each lay member of the Conduct Committee is paid. \p Lord Gardiner of Kimble: Lay members of the Conduct Committee are paid £600 for each full day worked for the committee. Preparing for and attending a committee meeting is deemed to amount to a full day’s work, and the committee normally meets around once a month when the House is sitting.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-07 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-07 conversation_1

The Lord Bishop of Newcastle:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the increasing A Level attainment gap between the North East and London and what steps they are taking to reduce this gap. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: All children and young people should have every opportunity to succeed, no matter where they are from. However, we know pupil attainment varies considerably across the country and between regions. These disparities are not acceptable.

Through the Opportunity Mission, the department will improve opportunities and life chances across the country for all children and young people.

High and rising standards are key to strengthening outcomes and closing gaps for every child and young person. We are driving these improvements through new regional improvement for standards and excellence teams, the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, and our commitment to recruit an additional 6,500 new expert teachers across secondary and special schools and in our colleges, over the course of this parliament.

Despite this, there is further work to do, which is why our schools and post-16 skills white papers later this year will set out our vision for a system that drives educational excellence for all, regardless of background or where they live.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-07 conversation_2

Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have had, or are currently holding, discussions with allies about reviewing the terms of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The Government keeps all aspects of the asylum and immigration system under review, and set out its plans for reform of that system in the Immigration White paper, published in May 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-10-07 conversation_3

Baroness Primarolo:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 18 September (HL Deb col 2400), whether they will approach the relevant international court to seek a determination as to whether Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: As I told the House of Lords on 18 September, the International Court of Justice is currently considering a case brought under the Genocide Convention in respect of Israel's conduct in Gaza. This case is currently ongoing, and the UK fully respects the independence of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In the meantime, as I also made clear, our approach to genocide determination does not prevent us from taking action on the situation in the State of Palestine. We have been clear that we strongly oppose the expansion of Israel's operations in Gaza, that Israel must do much more to protect civilians, that Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change and that Israel must immediately lift its restrictions on aid.