theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-27 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-27 conversation_16

Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government what the budget for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was and is in 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 and 2024–25. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs budgets are published as Supplementary Estimates each year.

The table provided below shows the Departmental Expenditure Limits following Supplementary Estimates for the Resource and Capital Budgets, excluding Annually Managed Expenditure and Non-Budget Expenditure.

Year

Resource DEL £m's

Capital DEL £m's

Total DEL £m’s

2021-2022

£4,444.55

£1,420.23

£5,864.78

2022-2023

£4,743.14

£1,761.60

£6,504.74

2023-2024

£5,381.61

£2,112.65

£7,494.26

2024-2025

£5,694.28

£2,300.31

£7,994.59

Further details can be found by searching for the published Central Government Supply Estimates for the relevant years on GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-27)

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Baroness Hoey:To ask His Majesty's Government how many outstanding pre-Belfast Agreement 1998 Northern Ireland legacy civil claims against the Ministry of Defence are currently in progress; how much has been paid in settlements or damages in such cases in each of the previous five complete years; and how much has been incurred in legal expenses, both by the Ministry's own legal teams and as payments of claimants’ costs. \p Lord Coaker: There are currently 941 outstanding Northern Ireland legacy civil claims against the Ministry of Defence pertaining to incidents which occurred before the Belfast Agreement in 1998. The amounts paid in settlements or damages in such cases in each of the previous five financial years (FY) were:

FY 2019-20: £1,391,428.50

FY 2020-21: £665,514.00

FY 2021-22: £2,659,712.00

FY 2022-23: £3,890,281.00

FY 2023-24: £3,953,832.00

For the same five-year period, legal expenses incurred by the Ministry of Defence as payment of claimants’ costs were:

FY 2019-20: £575,193.77

FY 2020-21: £593,329.72

FY 2021-22: £784,568.20

FY 2022-23: £3,418,922.39

FY 2023-24: £2,560,995.61

For the same five-year period, legal expenses incurred by the Ministry of Defence’s own legal teams were:

FY 2019-20: £77,626.03

FY 2020-21: £78,811.07

FY 2021-22: £222,520.62

FY 2022-23: £157,161.76

FY 2023-24: £358,036.87
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-27 conversation_18

Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard:To ask His Majesty's Government what action they intend to take following the findings of Mr Justice Humphreys in the matter of an inquest into the deaths of Kevin Barry O’Donnell, Patrick Vincent, Peter Clancy and Sean O’Farrell. \p Lord Coaker: We acknowledge concerns about the coroner’s findings in the Clonoe inquest and the Ministry of Defence is reviewing the coroner’s findings carefully. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-27)

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Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to update the recommendations of the Eatwell Guide to address the health of the gut microbiome, and the environmental impacts of the food system. \p Baroness Merron: There are no plans at this time to update the Eatwell Guide, as the key messages conveyed by the guide are up to date with all current dietary recommendations. The Eatwell Guide depicts a healthy, balanced diet that is based on fruit, vegetables, and higher fibre starchy carbohydrates. The principles of the guide are promoted through the NHS.UK website and the Government’s social marketing campaign, Better Health, including Healthier Families and Start for Life.

The gut microbiome is highly complex and varies considerably among individuals. The impacts of dietary interventions targeting the gut microbiome, such as probiotics and prebiotics, are not well understood due to variability in the microbiome itself, differences in diet, and other characteristics among individuals. The evidence base is still developing, and there would need to be sufficient evidence for the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition to conduct an independent full dietary risk assessment, which would be needed before recommendations on the microbiome could be made.

Greater adherence to the Eatwell Guide has been shown to significantly improve both health, with an up to 7% reduction in mortality, and environmental outcomes, with a reduction in emissions by 30%. Given that most people in the United Kingdom do not currently follow a diet in line with Government’s dietary recommendations, moving the population to dietary intakes in line with the Eatwell Guide remains the priority and would go a significant way to meeting sustainability targets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-27)

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Baroness Scott of Needham Market:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce a goal of 100 percent compliance by 2028 with the 2021 NICE guideline on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), as part of their delivery plan for ME/CFS. \p Baroness Merron: The content of the myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), delivery plan has not yet been finalised. The responses to the 2023 interim delivery plan consultation, along with continued close engagement with stakeholders, will inform the development of the final ME/CFS delivery plan, which we aim to publish by the end of March. The plan will focus on boosting research, improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of people with this debilitating disease.

To support this, we have reconvened the ME/CFS Task and Finish Group, including senior Department and cross-Government officials, ME/CFS specialists, and representatives from NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the devolved administrations, and ME/CFS charities and organisations, in the development of the final delivery plan for ME/CFS.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-27)

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Baroness Porter of Fulwood:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact that the upcoming changes to employers National Insurance contributions will have on cancer charities; and how that impact will be factored into the development of the national cancer plan. \p Baroness Merron: The Government understands the important work being delivered by voluntary organisations and recognises the need to protect the smallest businesses and charities, which is why it has more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning more than half of businesses with National Insurance Contributions (NICs) liabilities either gain or see no change next year. Businesses and charities will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs where eligible.

We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget 2024, which has enabled the spending review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.

The National Cancer Plan will focus on how we make things better for patients through reforming the cancer sector and improving efficiency, building on the steps announced in the Elective Reform Plan. This will support more scrupulous and effective use of funds in the future. We are committed to working closely with cancer charities to shape the long-term vision for cancer. Alongside the call for evidence, we will consult with partners and patient groups to get their views and priorities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-27)

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Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to include the development of standards for the care of people with severe myalgic encephalomyelitis in their delivery plan for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. \p Baroness Merron: The content of the myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), delivery plan has not yet been finalised. The responses to the 2023 interim delivery plan consultation, along with continued close engagement with stakeholders, will inform the development of the final ME/CFS delivery plan which we aim to publish by end of March. The plan will focus on boosting research, improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of people with this debilitating disease.

To support this, we have reconvened the ME/CFS Task and Finish Group, including senior Department and cross-Government officials, ME/CFS specialists and representatives from NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the devolved administrations, and ME/CFS charities and organisations in the development of the final delivery plan for ME/CFS.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-27)

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Lord Kamall:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps the Department for Health and Social Care is taking to publish national data around delivering targets under (1) the NHS Long Term Plan, and (2) the Teenage and Young Adult Service Specifications, to enrol 50 per cent of young people with cancer into clinical trials by March 2025. \p Baroness Merron: The Department is committed to maximising our potential to lead the world in clinical trials and ensuring clinical trials are more accessible, including for children and young people. The Department does not hold data on the overall percentage of children and young people with cancer that are enrolled in clinical trials nationwide, but does collect data on participation through National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded infrastructure.

The Department funds research and research infrastructure through the NIHR. NIHR-funded infrastructure is enabling clinical trial participation for children and young people with cancer. In particular, the NIHR Clinical Research Network, now the NIHR Research Delivery Network, supported 15 cancer studies which children and young people were eligible for between 2021/22 and 2023/24, and across all these studies, 715 total participants were recruited during this timeframe.

The NIHR provides an online service called Be Part of Research which promotes participation in health and social care research by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest. This makes it easier for people to find and take part in health and care research that is relevant to them.

Through the NIHR, the Department also jointly funds the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre Paediatric Cancer Network with Cancer Research UK and the Little Princess Trust, which brings together clinicians and translational scientists to run early phase clinical trials for children and young people with cancer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the cumulative nominal and real-terms state pension expenditure savings in (1) 2025–26, and (2) 2044–45, under the uprating scenario of (a) consumer price index (CPI) only, (b) earnings only, (c) CPI or earnings ('double lock'), and (d) the existing 'triple lock'. \p Baroness Sherlock: An estimate of cumulative nominal and real-terms state pension expenditure savings in 1) 2025-26 and 2) 2044-45, under the uprating scenarios of a) consumer price index, b) earnings only, c) CPI or earnings and d) Triple Lock are not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

The Office for Budget Responsibility assume long-term annual growth rates for the following economic determinants: Consumer Price Index (2.0%), Average Earnings (3.8%) and ‘Triple Lock’ (4.4%).

Source: OBR September 2024 Fiscal risks and sustainability – charts and tables: supplementary tables, Table 1.1

The Government have made a commitment to the Triple Lock for the entirety of this Parliament which will mean annual spending on people’s State Pensions is forecast to rise by around £31 billion between 2024-25 and 2029-30.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-23 conversation_2

The Lord Bishop of St Albans:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the White Nile river remains open as a humanitarian supply corridor into Upper Nile in South Sudan. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The Government has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire, the protection of civilians, and the safety and security of aid workers in our engagement with the Government of South Sudan and other regional partners. On 27 March, alongside the Troika and other likeminded partners, we called for de-escalation following rising violence. The Minister of State for International Development raised the issue of humanitarian access when she met South Sudan's Foreign Minister on 16 April in the margins of the Sudan Conference, and our Ambassador in Juba called for a ceasefire when he met with South Sudan's President Kiir on 14 May. The UK continues to support our UN partners to advocate for access to those displaced by the current conflict and to continue to deliver a humanitarian response in Upper Nile.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of prospects for removing the UN Security Council P5 veto right in cases of genocide and other atrocity crimes. \p Lord Collins of Highbury: The veto rights of the permanent members of the UN Security Council are set out in the UN Charter. Removing those rights would require amending the Charter. As specified in Articles 108 and 109 of the Charter, any such amendments would ultimately require ratification by all the permanent members of the Security Council.

The UK Government supports responsible use of the veto. The veto is a great responsibility, which should be used to preserve global peace. The UK is a proud supporter of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) Code of Conduct, through which we have committed not to vote against - and therefore not to veto - a credible draft Security Council resolution which would end or prevent a mass atrocity. We continue to encourage other members of the Security Council, and the wider UN membership, to become signatories to the ACT Code of Conduct.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the volume of munitions North Korea has sent to Russia in its war against Ukraine; and whether they plan to engage with the International Criminal Court to ensure that the involvement of North Korea is considered as part of its investigations into crimes in Ukraine. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: Russia's increasing reliance on support from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) to help wage its illegal invasion of Ukraine demonstrates its underlying weakness. As we have said publicly, the DPRK is believed to have supplied 20,000 containers of munitions to Russia, and its artillery and mortar shells account for 60% of those used in Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. DPRK must immediately withdraw its troops and stop its provision of thousands of munitions, arms and other materiel. Together with our partners, we are taking action against those who enable Russia's war, including through sanctions.

The UK is fully committed to holding Russia to account for its illegal and barbaric actions in Ukraine. We welcome the progress the International Criminal Court (ICC) is making in its investigation, including the issuing of arrest warrants. The ICC is an independent judicial institution, and it is for the ICC Prosecutor to determine who should be prosecuted.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current human rights situation in North Korea; and how they are planning to respond to the recommendations of the APPG on North Korea's report Inquiry into Human Rights Violations in North Korea 2014-2020/1, published on 20 July 2021. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK remains deeply concerned by unacceptable reports of ongoing, widespread, and systematic human rights violations in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK). The UK remains active in many of the APPG's 2021 report recommendations and regularly calls on the DPRK government, through multilateral and bilateral channels, to address its appalling human rights record. Most recently, in April 2025, the UK co-sponsored a UN Human Right Council resolution renewing the UN Special Rapporteur mandate for a further year and requesting that the High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR) provide updates to the UN Human Right Council to include options for strengthening accountability.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to contribute to the initiative at the UN Security Council to refer the human rights situation in North Korea to the International Criminal Court. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK remains committed to working with international partners to hold the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) to account for their human rights violations. We hold regular meetings with other UN Security Council member states to identify ways in which we can improve the DPRK's human rights record. The UK also regularly cosponsors resolutions on the human rights situation in DPRK at the UN Human Rights Council and UN General Assembly Third Committee. We will continue to engage with key partners and allies to ensure the need for accountability remains at the heart of the international community's work to improve the human rights situation in the DPRK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Sarfraz:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they would support the nomination of President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his role in averting war between India and Pakistan. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The award of the Nobel Peace Prize is a matter for the Nobel committee, and not for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Storey:To ask His Majesty's Government how many government-funded projects they are currently supporting in the City of Liverpool. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: MHCLG are supporting regeneration projects across the City of Liverpool through £31m awarded as part of the Liverpool Strategic Futures Advisory Panel. The city has also received £30m of Cultural Levelling Up funding for Tate Liverpool and National Museums Liverpool.

The city is a key part of the Liverpool City Region and stands to benefit from funding secured through the region’s UKSPF allocation, devolution deal, Freeport and Investment Zone. This includes investment in new lab and office space in Paddington Village to support the city’s academic and life science strengths as well as training to support residents into high value jobs.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-23 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-23 conversation_9

Lord Randall of Uxbridge:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they consulted the Office for Environmental Protection (1) before, and (2) after, the publication of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Whilst the department did not actively consult the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), the government welcomes that the OEP share our view that the Nature Restoration Fund has the potential to secure better outcomes for nature whilst also unlocking and accelerating necessary development.

We are giving careful consideration to the advice the OEP have provided on proposed changes to environmental law contained in Part 3 of the Bill.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Jamieson:To ask His Majesty's Government what secondary legislation is currently scheduled to be laid in relation to (1) housing and (2) planning, under primary legislation passed in the previous Parliament. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The government continues to review its policy inheritance from the last government, including in relation to Housing and Planning.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Goddard of Stockport:To ask His Majesty's Government whether there are port facilities for drivers to be supported against the risk of violence from migrants hiding in their vehicles. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: Whilst all driver facilities at ports remain the responsibility of the relevant port authority, The Home Office works closely with port owners, other Government Departments and operators to support where possible. Any incidents of threatening behaviour or violence should be reported to the UK Police.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Browne of Ladyton:To ask His Majesty's Government what objectives they have for the nuclear sector in their negotiations with the United States of America regarding a transformative technology partnership mentioned in the US–UK Economic Prosperity Deal. \p Baroness Gustafsson: On 8 May the UK Government announced a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to reach an agreement with President Trump.

The US is one of our most important and longstanding international partners on civil nuclear. We welcome future opportunities to work closely with the US administration to jointly develop our nuclear industries and set global standards together.

We have had early discussions with the US Government about deepening our partnership on advanced technologies, but we are unable to comment on the scope of ongoing negotiations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of potential for trade agreements with African countries, and which sectors they are prioritising for such agreements. \p Baroness Gustafsson: The UK has nine trade agreements with 18 countries across Africa, including three association agreements covering Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia in North Africa and six development-focussed Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) in sub-Saharan Africa. UK-African agreements focus on trade in goods. In addition, the UK has a unilateral trade preference scheme, called the Developing Country Trading Scheme, which offers 37 African countries generous preferential access to the UK market, with most countries eligible for tariff-free and duty-free access on all products, excluding arms and ammunition.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-23 conversation_14

Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the new UK–USA trade agreement on the agriculture sector. \p Baroness Gustafsson: On 8 May, the UK government announced a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to reach an agreement with President Trump.

We have agreed new reciprocal market access on beef - with UK farmers given a guaranteed quota for 13,000 metric tonnes of beef exports at a very low tariff rate. Imports of hormone treated beef or chlorinated chicken remain illegal. Our approach to this trade deal has ensured that agricultural imports coming into the UK meet the highest food standards.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-23 conversation_15

Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the projected increase in value of (1) beef, and (2) ethanol products, to be imported from the USA to the UK as a result of the UK–US trade agreement. \p Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: On 8 May the UK government announced a landmark economic deal with the United States.

We have agreed new reciprocal market access on beef – with UK farmers given a guaranteed quota for 13,000 metric tonnes of beef exports at a very low tariff rate.

For ethanol, the UK is introducing a quota of 1.4bn litres for the US. We already import a significant amount of ethanol from the US, and this will lead to savings for UK consumers.

This government will continue to act in Britain’s national interest – for workers, for business and for families.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reports that foreign direct investment in the United Kingdom has declined in the past year, and what steps they are taking to reverse any decline. \p Baroness Gustafsson: The latest PwC survey of Global CEOs showed the UK is now the second most important destination for international investment after the US – beating Germany, China and India [1]. The FT Report 2025 also reaffirmed our status as the leading destination in Europe for Greenfield FDI in 2024, marking the UK’s second-highest recorded investment level.

Additionally, the Department for Business and Trade has been working at pace to develop an Industrial Strategy based on businesses’ responses to the Invest 2035 Green Paper and ongoing engagement with industry. This strategy builds on the government’s commitment to unleash the full potential of UK cities and regions by attracting investment and fostering an environment where businesses can thrive.

[1] https://www.pwc.co.uk/press-room/press-releases/research-commentary/2024/global-ceos-rank-uk-most-important-market-after-us---pwc-s-28th-.html
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the increase in volume of beef produced in the United States which will be sold in the UK as a result of the US–UK Economic Prosperity Deal. \p Baroness Gustafsson: The United States is the largest single country partner for both UK exports and imports into the UK.

On 8 May the UK government announced a landmark economic deal with the US. We agreed new reciprocal market access on beef – with UK farmers given a guaranteed quota for 13,000 metric tonnes of beef exports at a very low tariff rate. Imports of hormone treated beef will remain illegal. Our approach to this trade deal has ensured that agricultural imports coming into the UK meet the highest food standards.

This government will continue to act in Britain’s national interest – for workers, for business and for families.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-23 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how the US–UK Economic Prosperity Deal will affect the development of trade agreements with other countries. \p Baroness Gustafsson: The UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal is separate to our negotiations with other countries. We are working to improve our trading relationships with other nations alongside our work with the US. For example, the UK concluded a landmark trade deal with India on 6 May, and on 19 May the Prime Minister confirmed a new agreement with the European Union which will deliver on his core mission to grow the economy, back British jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-23 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to provide funding for a new school in Saxmundham for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities; if so, when building will start, and when the school will open. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The government is clear it wants to make sure all children with special educational needs and disabilities receive the support they need to achieve and thrive. We are committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, and ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs, restoring parents’ trust that their child will get the support they need.

Work on special and alternative provision (AP) free schools is continuing. As with all government investment, special and AP free school projects will be subject to value for money consideration through their development, in line with the government’s vision for the special educational needs system.

Projects are at different stages of development and the government is prioritising operational decisions on those that are due to open in the shorter term.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Bradley:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the annual cost of providing free prescriptions for the population of England. \p Baroness Merron: The most recent estimate of the cost of free prescriptions for the population of England is £10 billion for 2023/24. This is based on the difference between there being no prescription charge for all and requiring all patients to pay the then single charge of £9.65 per item.

These figures do not correspond to the revenue that would be raised if any exemptions were removed, because some people would buy a pre-payment certificate, and some might not follow up to get the medication.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-23 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Strasburger:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of progress made by UK-based researchers on finding methods to treat the symptoms of long Covid and to cure patients suffering from long Covid. \p Baroness Merron: The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) have dedicated funding to research into treatment options, clinical trials, and to understanding the underlying mechanisms of long COVID. The overall Government investment in long COVID research is over £57 million. Government research funders welcome applications for funding for long COVID research.

Of the research studies identified in the answer for HL5426, four are ongoing and have expected spend in this financial year, namely: STIMULATE-ICP; PHOSP-COVID; Percutaneous Auricular Nerve Stimulation for Treating Post-COVID Fatigue; and Online cognitive training for people with cognitive impairment following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The total budget for these studies is over £15 million, but spend in this financial year is not yet confirmed, as it depends on the progress of the studies.

No specific assessment has been made of the progress of United Kingdom-based researchers on finding methods to treat the symptoms of long COVID. The UK has a strong track record of developing and evaluating new treatments for COVID-19 through randomised control trials. In November 2020, the NIHR and UKRI launched their first call for research proposals on long COVID and subsequently funded the treatments for long COVID. In 2021, the NIHR funded the STIMULATE-ICP study as the largest trial for long COVID treatments at the time. This study is still ongoing, and emerging findings will be shared with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. The NIHR Innovation Observatory has undertaken a rapid horizon scan to identify repurposed medicines in clinical development for the treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as related conditions such as long COVID and fibromyalgia. The horizon scan focused on medicines with a UK licence that are in phase two or three clinical trials, with trial registration dates from 2020 onwards.

Unfortunately, no study globally has identified a cure for long COVID. The REGAIN study became the first randomised trial to show a benefit from rehabilitation for people with long COVID, and the first high quality evidence confirming the sustained clinical benefit and lack of harm from rehabilitation programmes for long COVID. The NIHR provided £1.5 million towards this trial, which combined exercise with behavioural support, to measure their effects on symptoms, health, and other outcomes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government how they plan to reflect the proposals set out in the NHS vaccination strategy in the 10 Year Health Plan. \p Baroness Merron: The Department and NHS England are working collaboratively on the development of the 10-Year Health Plan, including through independent investigation, a public engagement exercise, and wider policy development.

It is too early to say exactly what the 10-Year Health Plan will look like, but what is certain is that delivering on prevention will remain a priority as part of the plan’s three shifts to get the health service and the nation’s health thriving once again.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the rate of closure of pharmacies; and what steps they are taking to help pharmacies to remain financially viable. \p Baroness Merron: Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system, and the Government recognises the integral role they play within our communities, as an easily accessible ‘front door’ to the National Health Service, staffed by highly trained and skilled healthcare professionals.

For 2025/26, funding for the core community pharmacy contractual framework has been increased to £3.073 billion. This represents the largest uplift in funding of any part of the NHS, over 19% across 2024/25 and 2025/26.

There has been a reduction in the number of pharmacies since 2017, as there are over 1,300 fewer than in 2017, and over 550 fewer than two years ago. However, access to pharmacies in England remains good. Over 80% of the population lives within one mile of a pharmacy. In some rural areas where there is no pharmacy, general practitioners are permitted to dispense medicines to their patients. Patients can also choose to access medicines and pharmacy services through any of the over 400 NHS online pharmacies that are contractually required to deliver prescription medicines free of charge to patients.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they made on the development of value-based procurement for purchasing medical devices and consumables; and what plans will be undertaken to promote this approach, particularly in continence care. \p Baroness Merron: The Department is working with NHS England and the NHS Supply Chain to develop and promote Value Based Procurement (VBP) Standard Guidance for the National Health Service to consistently assess value when procuring medical technologies, including continence products. The Department has now developed draft VBP Standard Guidance and is testing its usability with procurement teams. The aim is to publish the guidance in early 2026.

The Department is engaging medical technology trade associations, including the Urology Trade Association, suppliers, as well as broader networks of patient forums, financial teams, clinicians, and NHS procurement professionals, to co-develop and promote this approach. Departmental officials hosted two market engagement sessions in May 2025. These were attended by over 450 suppliers, including suppliers of continence products.

In addition, because prescriptions in primary and community care are an important route of supply for incontinence consumables, the Department is building VBP principles into its plans to update Part IX Drug Tariff assessments of medical devices and consumables, where appropriate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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The Lord Bishop of St Albans:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 24 March (HL5621), what are the parameters of the task they have set the gambling industry to raise standards, and how this work will be monitored. \p Baroness Twycross: As I set out in my speech at the GambleAware Annual Conference, the industry can and should do more to work together to ensure that gambling advertising and sponsorship is appropriate, responsible and does not exacerbate harm. This includes the need for an assessment of current levels of gambling advertising across the full range of channels. The Betting and Gaming Council has commissioned an advertising report which will be published in due course. We will closely consider any findings to inform next steps.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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The Lord Bishop of St Albans:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the risk of drought in England this summer, following reports from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology that reservoir levels are 10 per cent less full than they should be. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Environment Agency has declared Prolonged Dry Weather status in Cumbria and Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, and Northeast areas. Drought plans have been activated in these areas to help mitigate any dry weather impacts. Water company reservoir levels in northern and central England are below storage levels expected for the time of year.

The National Drought Group, including the water minister, met on the 7 May to coordinate the strategic management of drought across government, regulators, water industry, and stakeholders. Frequency of these meetings have increased due to the current dry weather situation. Specific actions include:

An updated irrigation prospect report has been published to inform the agriculture community of the current water resources situation to help farmers plan their water needs for the summer. The Environment Agency has also issued some restrictions on abstraction licences to protect river flows where these are low.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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The Lord Bishop of Norwich:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish the chalk stream recovery pack. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Chalk Stream Recovery Pack was announced by the previous government, but delivery was paused due to the General Election. Restoring our chalk streams to better ecological health is part of our overall programme of reforms for the water sector.

Cleaning up our waters, including iconic sites such as chalk streams is a top government priority. That is why on 23 October 2024, the Secretary of State announced the launch of an independent commission to fundamentally transform how our water system works.

Fixing the systemic issues in the water system is essential to address the multiple pressures facing chalk streams, namely over abstraction, phosphorous pollution and physical modifications of habitats.

Alongside this, we are continuing to direct investment to projects that will improve chalk streams. Through the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), over 1000 improvement projects are planned within chalk stream catchments between 2024-2029.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Campbell-Savours:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total number of recorded cases of the illegal use of disability parking blue badges. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The Department for Transport does not hold data about the number of prosecutions for illegal badges.

The Department for Transport sets the legislation that governs the scheme and provides guidance for local authorities who are solely responsible for administrating the scheme.

Current legislation provides local authorities with the means to tackle abuse of the Blue Badge scheme locally, such as the power to retain and cancel badges found to be misused.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-23)

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Lord Campbell-Savours:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will introduce regulations to provide for a photographic image of the registered disabled person to be placed on the authorised displayed front of a disability parking blue badge. \p Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill: The legislation governing the Blue Badge scheme requires that the side of the badge bearing the photograph should not be on display. Many disabled people have concerns about personal security and would not like to have such information on view. There are no plans to change this requirement.

Blue Badges have key information which enables on-street enforcement officers to check the details of the badge and the badge holder, and to view a photograph at the roadside on a smartphone or similar device.

The Department for Transport keeps the Blue Badge scheme under review, carrying out research and working closely with local authorities aiming to improve the consistency of local enforcement to tackle fraud and misuse of the Blue Badge scheme by acting swiftly and sharing best practice.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-16 conversation_1

Lord Sarfraz:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of sexual violence towards Rohingya women and girls in Cox's Bazaar in Bangladesh. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK has been actively engaged in addressing the humanitarian situation in Cox's Bazar and closely monitoring levels of need and insecurity. We regularly engage with the Interim Government in Bangladesh about security in Rohingya refugee camps and request them to take action to improve the protection environment. In June, during Chief Adviser Yunus' visit to the UK, the then Minister for the Indo-Pacific discussed the situation of Rohingya refugees. UK funding (over £420 million since 2017) is providing community-based protection services for women and children.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-09-16 conversation_2

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the objectives of the G7 Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, what steps they are taking to ensure direct funding to indigenous peoples and forest peoples provides the flexibility needed to prevent and mitigate wildfires. \p Baroness Chapman of Darlington: Wildfires drove record-breaking levels of forest loss globally in 2024 and overtook agriculture as the leading cause of tropical primary forest loss. The G7 Kananaskis Wildfire Charter recognised the scale of the challenge posed by wildfires and resolved to support efforts to prevent and mitigate their occurrence internationally. Effective responses will be grounded in a whole of society approach, which, depending on the local context, will include governments, civil society, academia, private sector and Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs).

The UK will engage with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Global Fire Management Hub working groups, including on Community-Based Fire Management, to support the wider understanding of the challenges and requirements of IPLCs in responding to wildfires globally. The UK is also working internationally to support efforts to strengthen land and forest tenure rights and forest governance systems, including direct support to IPLC groups. For example, the Amazon Catalyst for Forest Communities (AMCAT) programme supports IPLC-led solutions by providing direct, flexible funding, recognising that local knowledge and tenure rights are critical to effective forest management and wildfire prevention.