theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_8

Lord Blunkett:To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to allowing enough time for the consultation for the proposed new combined authorities outlined in the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December, to be worked through. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: The Government will work with places to deliver a Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) to roll out devolution to an ambitious timeline, aiming to deliver new strategic authorities and elected Mayors by May 2026.

This Programme will provide a fast-track to mayoral devolution for areas ready to come together under sensible geographies which meet the criteria set out in the White Paper.

To meet these ambitious timelines, we have asked areas to express an interest by the 10th of January, so we can begin delivery at pace. For areas not on the DPP, we will continue to discuss how to extend and deepen devolution in their area to a slower timeframe.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Lord Rennard:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to use their powers under section 109 of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 to require donors to political parties to certify the original sources of donated funds, and whether they consider that this may help to address concerns about potential foreign funding influencing elections in the UK. \p Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: Effective regulation of political finance is crucial for maintaining public trust in our electoral systems and combatting the threat of foreign interference in our democracy. The Government is committed to strengthening our democracy and upholding the integrity of elections. As stated in our manifesto, we intend to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties to protect our democracy. My department is developing proposals to give effect to these commitments and will provide details to Parliament in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Viscount Waverley:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have of the impact on economic growth of adding China to the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Government is working at pace to implement the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. We have recruited a case management team and are developing the IT arrangements. We expect the scheme to commence in Summer 2025.

It would not be appropriate to comment on the scope of any specifications under the enhanced tier at this stage. Work is underway to identify which foreign powers will be placed on the enhanced tier and an impact assessment will be published alongside any regulations which specify countries on the enhanced tier of the scheme.

The proposed foreign entities to be included on the enhanced tier will be subject to formal debate and agreement by both Houses of Parliament in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Lord Pearson of Rannoch:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for banning the wearing of a burka in public. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: No such assessment has been made.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_12

Lord Pearson of Rannoch:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for monitoring mosques and madrassas. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Security Service and Counter-Terrorism Policing, which are operationally independent of government, determine their own investigative priorities. These will be informed by the risk posed by individuals or groups, and their activities. This is not based on the religious affiliation that certain premises have.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the levels of transnational repression and other politically linked harassment taking place in the UK towards British residents and visitors with links to Bangladesh; and what steps they have taken in response. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The first duty of the government is to keep the country safe.

This Government is committed to responding to foreign interference, including those actions which amount to transnational repression. Home Office officials work closely with operational partners, the FCDO and other government departments to review the threat picture and determine how best to respond.

We continually assess potential threats in the UK, and take protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK very seriously including individuals with links to Bangladesh. Any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK will not be tolerated and will be thoroughly investigated.

We will continue to implement measures in the National Security Act 2023, which make the UK a harder target for those states which seek to conduct hostile acts.

Anyone who thinks they might be a victim should report incidents or suspicious activity to the Police.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to mitigate against the impact of material switching as a result of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Once the Scheme Administrator has been established it will look at what measures may be needed to mitigate against material switching, where switching may produce perverse environmental outcomes. As pEPR places the cost of disposing of packaging back on those who place packaging on the market, the system contains intrinsic incentives against producers switching to materials which are more expensive to reprocess in the waste stream.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Lord Teverson:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their policy paper 30by30 on land in England: confirmed criteria and next steps, published on 29 October, what role they intend Local Nature Recovery Strategies to have in achieving their '30 by 30’ targets. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Delivering the UK’s 30by30 target on land in England will require a strategic approach, to address the scale of action needed, and ensure a diverse and well-connected network of 30by30 areas. Over the coming months, we will be developing a delivery strategy for 30by30, to ensure we make good on this important commitment. This will confirm the key levers that will help us to achieve this target and set out the pathway to 2030. We hope to finalise and publish this strategy  this year.

Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) are currently being prepared across England. Each LNRS will agree priorities and propose practical actions in the best locations for nature recovery and wider environmental benefits, such as water quality, flood risk management and climate mitigation. Where appropriate action is then taken, some of these areas could go on to contribute towards 30by30 where landowners/land managers are willing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Lord Cashman:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the evidence behind their decision to ban puberty blocker medication from all providers; and what meetings the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has had with the parents of trans children or teenagers, their representatives or organisations representing their concerns. \p Baroness Merron: On 11 December 2024, the Government published its response to the consultation on whether to introduce indefinite restrictions to prevent new patients aged under 18 years old from being supplied with puberty blockers for the purposes of gender incongruence and/or gender dysphoria, under the care of private or non-United Kingdom prescribers. This response included recommendations from a report by an expert clinical committee, the Commission on Human Medicines. This decision has been further informed by the evidence gathered by Baroness Cass as part of her independent review of gender identity services for children and young people, The Cass Review, which is publicly available.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has held constructive, open, and honest roundtable discussions, including with children and young people, and their parents, with lived experience of gender dysphoria and incongruence. The Government remains committed to listening to the LGBT+ community.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Lord Willis of Knaresborough:To ask His Majesty's Government how many registered nurses and registered nursing associates left the Nursing and Midwifery Council resister in each of the years from 2018 to 2023. \p Baroness Merron: The Department does not hold this information centrally. As the independent regulator of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom, and nursing associates in England, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is responsible for nurse registration. The NMC publishes annual reports on its website detailing registration data, including the number of leavers, covering the period 2018 to 2023.

The following table shows the number people leaving the NMC register by registration type and financial year:

Year

Midwife

Nurse

Nurse and midwife

Nursing associate

Total

2018/19

1,587

27,202

351

29,140

2019/20

1,439

23,757

286

8

25,490

2020/21

1,333

22,344

215

43

23,935

2021/22

1,474

25,222

305

134

27,135

2022/23

1,490

24,774

245

250

26,759

2023/24

1,432

25,203

251

282

27,168

Source: Nursing and Midwifery Council Annual Data Report.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Baroness Morgan of Huyton:To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to implementing the recommendation of the Children's Commissioner to integrate children's health and education data with a unique ID. \p Baroness Merron: The Department of Health and Social Care is working with the Department for Education on plans to implement a single unique identifier for children, and to improve data sharing across services to support children and families, as set out in the recent policy document Keeping children safe, helping families thrive. A copy of this document is attached.

Keeping children safe, helping families thrive (pdf, 839.2KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Lord Willis of Knaresborough:To ask His Majesty's Government how many registered nurses were employed by the NHS in each year from 2013 to 2023. \p Baroness Merron: The following table shows the number of full time equivalent (FTE) registered nurses, including health visitors, employed across National Health Service trusts and other core organisations in England, each year from September 2013 to September 2023:

Date

FTE nurses and health visitors

September 2013

274,627

September 2014

278,981

September 2015

281,474

September 2016

284,288

September 2017

283,853

September 2018

285,674

September 2019

291,533

September 2020

304,490

September 2021

313,836

September 2022

322,701

September 2023

341,015

Source: Hospital and Community Health Service Workforce Statistics, NHS England.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-01-07 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Lord Kamall:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the state of patient safety monitoring this winter. \p Baroness Merron: The Department works closely with NHS England to monitor a variety of metrics relevant to patient safety, including four-hour accident and emergency performance, Category 2 ambulance response times, bed occupancy, and rates of seasonal infectious disease. NHS England publishes monthly statistics that can be found on the NHS.UK website.

Additionally, during the winter period, NHS England publishes additional weekly situational reports. This data can also be found on the NHS.UK website. My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care also recently met with hospital trusts and social care organisations to reiterate the importance of maintaining patient safety over winter.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the ruling by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal on 17 December, what assessment they have made of the current levels of surveillance by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Metropolitan Police into journalists, politicians and others in Northern Ireland. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: There are a number of robust legal protections afforded to sensitive professions. These include Articles 8 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 and the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.

There have been significant changes made since the actions investigated by the Tribunal occurred, including the implementation of the Investigatory Powers Act (2016) in 2018. Oversight of the use of investigatory powers is provided by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office who ensure that their use is necessary and proportionate, and in accordance with the law.

The Northern Ireland Policing Board has asked the Chief Constable for the McCullough Report, an independent review of PSNI use of surveillance against sensitive professions, to be provided by 31 March 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the ruling by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal on 17 December into the actions of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Metropolitan Police regarding the investigation of journalists in Northern Ireland. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Government has noted the detailed Investigatory Powers Tribunal judgment in this case. The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has already accepted the Tribunal’s judgment that due consideration was not given to whether there was an overriding public interest in interfering with journalistic sources before authorising surveillance. And although officers complied with UK law and procedure at the time, a 2013 authorisation for communications data was a breach of the PSNI’s human rights obligations. The Tribunal dismissed the complaint that the police had unlawfully obtained information and communications data by non-statutory means.

The Chief Constable has stated that he will take time to consider and reflect on the judgment and along with the findings of the McCullough Review, to consider what further steps the PSNI can take. The McCullough Review is an independent review of PSNI use of surveillance against sensitive professions. The Northern Ireland Policing Board has asked for the McCullough Report to be provided by 31 March 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Lord Pearson of Rannoch:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for prohibiting the religious solemnisation of unregistered marriages to ensure that Muslim wives have the protection of divorce law. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The Marriage Act 1949 has long made provision for couples, including Muslim couples, to marry in their place of worship in a way that gives them legal rights and protections. While some couples intentionally choose to have a religious-only marriage, it is concerning that some individuals may not realise that their non-legally binding marriage lacks the legal protections that come with a legal marriage.

That is why the Government committed in its 2024 manifesto to ‘strengthen the rights and protections available to women in cohabiting couples’, including those in religious-only marriages. We will set out the next steps on delivering this manifesto commitment in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Chancellor of Exchequer has made representations to the European Union to remove trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland during her recent visit to Brussels. \p Lord Livermore: On 9 December the Chancellor visited Brussels to attend Eurogroup, a meeting of Eurozone finance ministers, discussing the mutual economic benefit of the Government's EU Reset. The full speech can be found on gov.uk.

The Government is committed to the Windsor Framework and to protecting the UK internal market. The UK Internal Market Scheme already enables businesses to move goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland without being subject to customs duties. Additional changes will be introduced in the coming months which will further simplify the movement of goods for businesses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to promote import substitution to assist with the balance of payment deficit. \p Lord Livermore: The UK has an open and trade intensive economy.

The government is delivering its growth mission by prioritising stability, investment and reform to drive prosperity across the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the negative impact of charging VAT for renovations of buildings on brownfield sites compared with greenfield sites where building of homes is zero rated for VAT. \p Lord Livermore: To stimulate the construction of new homes, the Government maintains a zero rate of VAT on new-build residential buildings. Additionally, residential renovations are subject to a reduced rate of VAT of five per cent if they meet certain conditions. These include conversions of buildings from one residential use to another, conversions from commercial to residential use, and the renovation of properties that have been empty for two or more years.

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.

Introducing further construction-related VAT reliefs would come at a significant cost to the Exchequer. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances. In July 2024, the Government published an audit of public spending, which set out £22 billion of in-year pressures. These pressures were not limited to 2024/25, with the vast majority recurring in future years.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

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Lord Foster of Bath:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the amount of UK carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in 2030 from (1) terrestrial emissions, (2) terrestrial emissions plus international aviation and shipping emissions, and (3) the emissions in both of those categories plus import emissions. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The figures below show the Government’s latest published projections for the UK’s territorial emissions in 2030 in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), first excluding and then including emissions from International Aviation and Shipping (IAS). These estimates do not take account of future policies or those currently under development, which the Government expects will lead to lower emissions than those reported below.

2030

Terrestrial emissions excluding IAS 327

Terrestrial emissions including IAS 371

The Government publishes estimates of embedded emissions from imported goods in ‘UK and England's carbon footprint to 2021’. However, projections of these emissions are not available.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Baroness Jenkin of Kennington:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timetable for publication of the review of adult gender services, and whether they will publish that review. \p Baroness Merron: We know adults questioning their gender face long waiting lists for a first appointment at NHS adult gender services.

Dr David Levy’s Review of NHS Adult Gender Dysphoria Clinics will identify areas for improvement in relation to service quality, good practice that could be shared with other clinics, and any support that should be made available to services to assist improvement.

NHS England aims to publish the Review of Adult Gender Services by the end of this year.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Lord Kamall:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve access to community minor and urgent eye conditions services in England. \p Baroness Merron: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for assessing the health needs of their local population and commissioning primary and secondary eye care services to meet them. Arrangements to meet local needs will differ across ICB geographies and could include commissioning minor and urgent eye condition services in the community.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth:To ask His Majesty's Government what investment they have made into the research and development of appropriate alternatives for mercury amalgam fillings in dentistry. \p Baroness Merron: Dental amalgam is a well-established, safe, and effective dental filling material. Current policy is to restrict and phase down the use of dental amalgam to reduce any environmental impacts. This includes regulations to ban the use of amalgam in baby teeth, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children under 15 years old, except when deemed strictly necessary for specific medical needs. This has been in place since 2018.

The cost of the National Health Service phasing out the use of mercury amalgam fillings would vary depending on the timing of a phase out and other relevant factors, such as the price of alternative restorative materials.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including dentistry. This includes a recent systematic review of the environmental and health impacts of amalgam fillings and other restorative materials. This study has been completed, and the findings will be published in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the obstacles which have prevented medicines being launched over the last five years, including terminated appraisals by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. \p Baroness Merron: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) plays a critical role in supporting patient access to clinically and cost effective new medicines and it consistently approves a very high proportion of medicines that come to England for appraisal. Over the last five years, NICE has approved 91% medicines that it appraised, with the latest figures for 2024/25 also standing at 91%.

NICE is also monitoring the proportion of appraisals that are terminated where the company does not participate in the appraisal process. The Medicines data: NICE approvals and availability in England paper, a copy of which is attached, was recently considered by the NICE board and summarised the findings of research with companies into the reasons stated by industry for terminating appraisals. The research showed that the proportion of terminations has been stable over the last five years, and that terminations reflect that not all products/indications will likely be clinically and cost effective.

The Life Sciences Sector Plan, published on 16 July, focuses on enabling world-class research and development, making the United Kingdom one of the best places in the world to start, scale, and invest in life sciences, thereby driving healthcare innovation and reform. This approach will support high-growth businesses, deliver better health outcomes, and cement the UK’s global leadership in life sciences.

It sets out our commitment to make the UK one of the top three fastest places in Europe for patient access to medicines by 2030. To achieve this, the Government will measure:

- the speed with which products are licensed and/or registered on the UK market in comparison to other European markets;

- the timeline and cost to achieving appropriate Health Technology Assessment in England; and

- the uptake and widespread adoption of products in the National Health Service in England.

Additional Document (pdf, 282.1KB)
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Lord Hunt of Kings Heath:To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to minimise inequality across different wheelchair services provided by the NHS and social care bodies, and to ensure consistent delivery of a good quality service. \p Baroness Merron: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the provision and commissioning of local wheelchairs services, based on the needs of their local population, including the offer of a personal health budget to enable a choice of wheelchair.

There are a range of providers of National Health Service wheelchair services across England. ICBs are responsible for monitoring service provision and effectively managing contracts with their commissioned providers. We expect local commissioning to be informed by the best available evidence, including guidance issued by NHS England.

NHS England is taking steps support ICBs and wheelchair providers to reduce regional variation in the quality and provision of NHS wheelchairs, and to support ICBs to reduce delays in people receiving timely intervention and wheelchair equipment. This includes publishing a Wheelchair Quality Framework on 9 April 2025, which sets out quality standards relevant to all suppliers regardless of Care Quality Commission registration status, as well as statutory requirements for ICBs. The framework is available at the NHS.UK website, in an online only format.

The Wheelchair Quality Framework aligns with the Care Quality Commission’s assessment framework and supports the aims of integrated care systems to improve outcomes in population health and health care, and to tackle inequalities in outcomes, experiences, and access. The Care Quality Commission Assessment framework is available on the Care Quality Commission’s website, in an online only format.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Lord Hunt of Kings Heath:To ask His Majesty's Government what action has been taken by the NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad to ensure that work on personalised vaccines in cancer treatment will benefit patients with brain cancer. \p Baroness Merron: The NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) is a platform that aims to accelerate the development of cancer vaccines and speed up cancer patient access to mRNA personalised cancer vaccine clinical trials. The CVLP has played a key role in accelerating trial activity in cancer research, with CVLP sites driving faster site activation and enrolment timelines. The platform is company- and clinical trial- agnostic. The CVLP would encourage any company that wishes to deliver trials via the platform, including those developing personalised cancer vaccines for brain tumours, to get in contact to explore how the platform can support their research.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Lord Hunt of Kings Heath:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to adopt the guidelines issued by the British Neuro-Oncology Society in August 2023, Guideline for Tissue Sampling of Brain Tumours, to address the variability in access to genetic testing of brain tumours. \p Baroness Merron: NHS England has produced national sample handling guidance for the whole genome sequencing (WGS) of solid tumours, including brain tumours, to standardise collection, processing, and transport. This guidance supports collaboration between neurosurgeons, pathologists, and Genomic Laboratory Hubs to maintain DNA quality and improve access to WGS. Approaches to the handling of fresh tissue have been reviewed, including the use of tissue stabilisers, to reduce some of the barriers of having to acquire, freeze, and transport the frozen tissue, which in turn will speed up processes. These measures aim to address variability and ensure equitable regional access to WGS for brain tumour patients.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Lord Hunt of Kings Heath:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the sufficiency of expertise of NHS and social care services to commission wheelchair services and ensure a high-quality provision for users. \p Baroness Merron: Oversight of wheelchair services within the National Health Service and social care is provided by national bodies, which monitor different aspects of the market, and by local authorities.

NHS England supports the integrated care boards (ICBs) to commission effective, efficient, and personalised wheelchair services. This includes taking steps support ICBs and wheelchair providers to reduce regional variation in the quality and provision of NHS wheelchairs. NHS England published a Wheelchair Quality Framework on 9 April 2025, which sets out the quality standards relevant to all suppliers regardless of Care Quality Commission registration status, and statutory requirements for ICBs. The framework is available on the NHS.UK website, in an online only format.

The Government has put in place a range of initiatives to help NHS bodies make informed choices about the products and the route through which they are bought. These include the NHS Supply Chain, a national body which is responsible for procuring and delivering the majority of equipment into the NHS. The NHS Supply Chain was set up to leverage the collective buying power of the NHS, to drive savings and provide a standardised range of clinically assured quality products at the best value.

ICBs are responsible for commissioning wheelchair services, based on the need of their local population, and for having sufficient expertise to commission high quality services. ICBs will assess the market when securing local provision. This includes monitoring service provision and effectively managing contracts with their commissioned providers.

Local authorities are responsible for providing equipment that supports daily living and independence. Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care market and to commission a range of high-quality, sustainable, and person-centred care and support services to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes encouraging a wide range of service provision to ensure that people have a choice of appropriate services and equipment that maximise independence and put the wellbeing of the people who draw on care at the centre of decisions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Lord Hunt of Kings Heath:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support and roll out whole genome sequencing, and to ensure regional equity of access to that technology. \p Baroness Merron: Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is delivered through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) via seven regional Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). All seven GLHs deliver testing based on the National Genomic Test Directory, which outlines eligibility criteria for genomic testing, including whole genome sequencing. NHS England monitors testing activity and performance through Patient Level Contract Monitoring data across all seven GLHs, enabling NHS England to identify variation and work with the GLHs to implement improvements. Seven NHS GMS Alliances also work to embed genomics into clinical pathways, raise awareness among clinicians and the public, and ensure equitable access to whole genome sequencing across all regions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_11

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will require NHS and social care services to ensure that power-assisted wheelchairs and power add-on devices are available to wheelchair users. \p Baroness Merron: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the provision and commissioning of local wheelchairs services, based on the needs of their local population, and NHS England supports ICBs to commission effective, efficient, and personalised wheelchair services. Any equipment provided will be agreed following a clinical assessment and based on the needs identified.

NHS England is taking steps to reduce regional variation in the quality and provision of National Health Service wheelchairs, including any specialist electric wheelchair provision, and to support ICBs to reduce delays in people receiving timely intervention and wheelchair equipment. These include: establishing a national wheelchair data set which looks at waiting times across the pathway to enable targeted action if improvement is required; publishing a wheelchair quality framework which sets out quality standards relevant to all suppliers; and the introduction of personal wheelchair budgets to give people greater choice in the selection of manual and electric wheelchairs.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_12

Lord Kamall:To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the minutes of the 19 September meeting of the Federated Data Platform Check and Challenge Group. \p Baroness Merron: In accordance with the NHS Federated Data Platform Check and Challenge Group’s terms of reference, NHS England aims to publish minutes within two months, to allow time for the group to check and agree the notes at their following meeting. I would therefore expect the minutes from this meeting to be available on the NHS England website by the end of November 2025.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_13

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will require NHS and social care bodies to adopt the NHS England wheelchair quality framework and the model service specification for wheelchair and posture services. \p Baroness Merron: NHS England has no plans to mandate the framework for National Health Services. Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the provision and commissioning of local wheelchairs services, based on the needs of their local population. We expect local commissioning to be informed by the best available evidence, including guidance issued by NHS England.

NHS England supports ICBs to commission effective, efficient, and personalised wheelchair services. On 9 April 2025, NHS England published a Wheelchair Quality Framework which sets out quality standards relevant to all suppliers regardless of Care Quality Commission registration status, as well as statutory requirements for ICBs. The framework is available at the NHS.UK website, in an online only format.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_14

Lord Ravensdale:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for a medical isotope production facility in North Wales, and what steps they are taking to ensure secure domestic access to medical isotopes for diagnostic and therapeutic use in the NHS. \p Baroness Merron: The Department has not made a specific assessment of the Welsh Government’s project to build a reactor for medical radioisotope manufacture.

The Department regularly engages with suppliers, specialist clinicians, the British Nuclear Medicine Society, and the UK Radiopharmacy Group to support the continued supply of medical radioisotopes for National Health Services.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_15

Lord Hampton:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the cost-effectiveness of supported lodgings compared with residential or semi-independent provision, and whether they will make dedicated funding available to expand supported lodgings capacity across local authorities. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: Supported accommodation, including supported lodgings, is a newly regulated sector and, as such, evidence of cost effectiveness is also still developing.

To support local authorities with the supported accommodation reforms, £123 million of funding was distributed between 2023 to 2025 to local authorities to offset the increased costs associated with the impact of supported accommodation regulations. The New Burdens Grant has been rolled into the Local Government Funding Scheme to ensure continued funding for the supported accommodation sector.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_16

Lord Lexden:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total sum raised so far by the introduction of VAT on independent school fees, and how many extra teachers have been recruited as a result. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: HM Treasury published a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) on applying VAT to independent school fees.

The TIIN estimates that, accounting for the spending implications of any pupil movement into the state sector, the policy is expected to raise £1.7 billion per annum by 2029/30.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_17

Lord Lexden:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have plans to change the role or functions of the Independent Schools Inspectorate. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: There are currently no plans to change the role or functions of the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_18

Lord Lexden:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total number of pupils with special needs who are being educated at independent schools which are inspected by Ofsted. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: According to the register of independent schools, there are around 30,000 pupils with identified special educational needs either with or without an education health and care plan attending independent schools inspected by Ofsted, out of a total school population of 9,032,426. This data is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2024-25.

The matter of fully funded placements in independent schools is governed by contractual agreements between the individual independent schools and the commissioning local authorities. As such, the department does not collect or hold data on the number of places in independent schools that are fully funded by local authorities.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_19

Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Levitt on 2 October (HL10681), whether they will publish the notes of the meetings with the promoters of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill and the actions taken as a result of those meetings in the Library of the House. \p Baroness Levitt: The Government does not intend to place the notes of meetings with the Sponsors of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill into the Library of the House.

As my honourable friend the Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services discussed with the House of Lords Select Committee considering the Bill on 29 October, the Government has worked with the Sponsors to ensure the Bill is workable, in order to fulfil the Government’s duty of care to the statute book, whilst remaining neutral on the matter of assisted dying.

The Ministry of Justice recognises the importance of promoting openness and transparency in Government. However, it is also in the public interest that the Government can engage confidentially with the Sponsors, so that the advice provided in relation to the operability and soundness of the Bill can be free and frank – both in relation to this Bill and any future private member’s Bill where the Government engages closely with the Sponsor.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_20

Baroness Maclean of Redditch:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to prevent those who convert to Christianity following an unsuccessful asylum appeal from avoiding deportation on the grounds of a fear of persecution in their country of origin. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: Every asylum claim admitted to the UK asylum system, including those based on religion or belief, is determined on its individual merits in accordance with our international obligations so that we do not remove anyone who faces persecution or serious harm on return to their country of origin. This is regardless of where or how a person may have entered the UK, or how they might be accommodated while in the UK.

People may become refugees ‘sur place’ due to activities they engage in or beliefs they have come to hold since leaving their country. As with all asylum claims, claims involving sur place activity are carefully considered on a case-by-case basis. This is also the process for further submissions lodged on protection grounds by failed asylum seekers.

We engage with stakeholders, including faith leaders, to ensure asylum claims based on religious persecution, including those based on religious conversion, are well considered, that those in genuine need are supported, and that there are no loopholes to claiming asylum in this country.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_21

Baroness Altmann:To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of adults (1) 70–74 years old, (2) 75–79 years old, (3) 80–84 years old, (4) over 85 years old, and (5) under 70 years old, have a smartphone. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: We know that digital exclusion is a complex issue and the evidence base is significant but fragmented. Ofcom data from 2025 reports that 95% of 16 – 74 year olds, 78% of those aged 65+ and 65% of those aged 75+ have a smartphone in their household and personal use one.

In February, we published our Digital Inclusion Action Plan – First Steps which sets out the immediate actions we are taking on digital inclusion. One of these actions was to develop robust headline indicators to monitor progress and inform future digital inclusion interventions. We will evaluate the outcomes of these actions in due course.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-11-07 conversation_22

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have conducted a risk assessment on the potential impact of superintelligent AI systems on national security. \p Baroness Lloyd of Effra: The increasing capabilities of AI may exacerbate existing risks and present new risks for which the UK needs to be prepared. There is considerable debate and uncertainty around Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Artificial Superintelligence (ASI), but the possibility of their development must be taken seriously.

The role of the AI Security Institute (AISI) is to build an evidence base on these risks, so the government is equipped to understand their security implications. AISI focuses on emerging AI risks with serious security implications, including the potential for AI to help users develop chemical and biological weapons, carry out crimes such as fraud, and the potential for loss of control presented by autonomous systems.

AISI works with a broad range of experts and companies to assess the potential risks these could pose as the technology continues to develop.