theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_1

Lord Hain:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Barnett consequential as a result of funding allocated to the new Oxford–Cambridge railway line for (1) Scotland and (2) Northern Ireland. \p Lord Livermore: At the Spending Review 2025, the Barnett formula was applied at department level using departmental comparability factors. This means that Barnett consequentials generated in relation to specific programmes cannot be determined.

The UK Government is responsible for heavy rail infrastructure across England and Wales and so directly spends money on this in Wales rather than funding the Welsh Government to do so through the Barnett formula.

This approach applies to our investment in rail in England and is consistent with the funding arrangements for all other policy areas reserved in Wales as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.

As part of the Spending Review, the Chancellor announced at least £445m for railways in Wales over ten years, including new funding for Burns Review stations, North Wales Level Crossing, Padeswood Sidings and Cardiff West Junction.

The UK Government continues to work closely with the Welsh Government, including open discussions with HM Treasury to provide clarity on changes that have an impact on their funding, and to ensure the smooth delivery of funding arrangements.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_2

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government what were the (1) employer, and (2) employee, contribution rates for each public service pension scheme in each financial year since 1999–2000; and what is the estimated service cost of each of those schemes in the current financial year. \p Lord Livermore: There are 20 public service pension schemes in the UK for NHS workers, teachers, the armed forces, the police, firefighters, the judiciary, local government workers and civil servants. Published actuarial valuations are completed every 4 years (or every 3 years in the case of the Local Government Pension Schemes in England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland) and set the employer contribution rates.

Across those schemes there will be thousands of different employer contribution rates specified during the period 1999/2000 to 2025/2026 and the Government does not hold a summary of all of the information requested. Employee contribution rates for each of the schemes are set out in scheme regulations laid before Parliament.

There are also public service pension schemes for Westminster MPs and ministers, and equivalent schemes for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which are also required to publish their employer contribution rates. The service costs of the schemes are set out in their annual accounts.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_3

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of business tax rates on small businesses; and what plans they have to adjust these rates to better support small enterprises. \p Lord Livermore: The Government has carefully considered the impact of business tax rates on businesses, within the context of the difficult fiscal inheritance and the need for businesses to help contribute to fixing the foundation and repair our crucial public services.

The Government recognises the vital role that small businesses play in supporting the economy and local communities.

At the Budget in October the Chancellor introduced a range of measures to support small businesses. These included:

Looking forward on business rates, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality & leisure properties with rateable values under £500,000, including those on the high street, from April 2026.

The Government keeps all areas of the tax system under review. Any changes to the tax system are announced as part of the annual Budget process.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_4

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the estimated net revenue and profit of the Crown Estate in the financial year 2024–25. \p Lord Livermore: The audited figures for The Crown Estate’s revenue and net revenue profit in 2024-25 will be published as part The Crown Estate’s annual report and accounts, due to be laid in Parliament before summer recess.

The latest published figures are available in The Crown Estate’s 2023-24 annual report and accounts, laid in Parliament on 23 July 2024 and available on The Crown Estate website. This sets out that the 2023-24 figures were £1.6 billion for revenue and £1.1 billion for net revenue profit.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_5

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the latest estimate of the income of the Crown Estate in the last financial year; and how much of it, if any, has been paid to the Welsh Government. \p Lord Livermore: In 2023-24, The Crown Estate returned £1.1 billion to the Consolidated Fund. Wales benefits from spending in reserved areas paid from the UK Consolidated Fund and receives Barnett funding when money from the UK Consolidated Fund is spent in England on areas which are devolved to Wales. In 2023-24, Wales received a total Departmental Expenditure Limit of £19.546 billion from the UK Government.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_6

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the latest assessment of the property value of the Crown Estate in Wales; and on what date the assessment was undertaken. \p Lord Livermore: The most recent assessment was completed by The Crown Estate in March 2024. At that time The Crown Estate’s property in Wales was valued at £473,651,170.

The Crown Estate has also committed to provide additional financial reporting in respect of its activities in Wales in its annual report and accounts for 2025-26 onwards.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_7

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the names of all the current Crown Estate Commissioners; the date on which each was appointed; and the date on which their term of service will end. \p Lord Livermore: The names of all Commissioners can be located on The Crown Estate website. They are set out below, along with the information on when they were appointed.

With the exception of Sir Robin Budenberg, all current Commissioners have been appointed on four-year terms. In general, non-executive Commissioners serve an initial four-year period and may be renewed up to a further four years. In exceptional circumstances, a non-executive Board Member may serve for a further two years and for not more than ten years in total. Executive Commissioners (currently the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer) are also generally appointed on four-year terms, but there is no limit on the number of times they may be renewed.

Sir Robin Budenberg KBE Chair Appointed - 1 August 2016 and was reappointed on 1 August 2020, and an extension to his final term agreed in February 2024. His appointment will end in July 2025.

Dan Labbad  Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner Appointed in December 2019 and reappointed to the board in January 2024

Helen Price  Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner. Appointed in January 2025

Dame Karen Jones DBE  Commissioner and Senior Independent Board Member. Appointed to the Board on 1 January 2020 and reappointed on 1 January 2024.

Juliet Davenport OBE  Commissioner Appointed in September 2020 and reappointed 1 September 2024

Clare Shine Commissioner Appointed in July 2022

Vijay Bharadia  Commissioner Appointed 1 April 2023

Anne Kavanagh  Commissioner Appointed July 2022
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_8

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government how many people are currently employed by the Crown Estate in Wales. \p Lord Livermore: I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave him on 28 March 2025 to question HL5975, reproduced below.

The Crown Estate has a dedicated Cardiff Hub serving as a base for its operations in Wales. On average three members of staff work from the Cardiff hub on a daily basis. However, this number is not representative of the total number of staff who are engaged in Wales matters or otherwise attend the Cardiff hub on a different basis. This is because staff, along with a network of managing agents and other agencies, work flexibly across Wales, Northern Ireland, and England.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_9

Lord Swire:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of their ability to assess and tax the funds raised by Romanian beggars through their begging activities. \p Lord Livermore: Under current legislation, begging is not subject to Income Tax unless it can be demonstrated that an individual is being paid to provide a service, trade or profession.

HM Revenue and Customs continuously reviews and monitors risks and threats to the tax system using data and intelligence. This focusses on identifying omitted taxable income sources and does not target specific ethnic groups. HMRC does not collect data on taxpayer ethnicity.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_10

Lord Wigley:To ask His Majesty's Government what benefit they estimate will accrue to (1) the Welsh Government, and (2) the Welsh economy, from the Crown Estate's Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5. \p Lord Livermore: Offshore Leasing Round 5, which covers areas of seabed in both English and Welsh waters, is expected to generate additional revenues that will enhance the profits The Crown Estate pays over to the UK Government, which will then support the delivery of public services across the UK, including in Wales.

The Crown Estate has designed the leasing process so developers commit to deliver social and environmental value as part of the development, including a requirement to provide an apprenticeships plan and a skills development plan. As Leasing Round 5 remains an active and competitive tender process, it is not possible at this stage to quantify those financial and wider economic, social and environmental benefits.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_11

Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the average time taken for a business to reclaim duty under the Duty Reimbursement Scheme from the date of application to receipt of money. \p Lord Livermore: As of 14 March 2025, the average processing time for a Duty Reimbursement Scheme claim is 16 days.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_12

Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the total cost of administering the Duty Reimbursement Scheme. \p Lord Livermore: HMRC has not made an estimate of the cost of administering the Duty Reimbursement Scheme. Resourcing is spread across several different teams and systems, so it is not possible to apportion the spending related to the Duty Reimbursement Scheme specifically.

HMRC has published extensive guidance on the scheme and will continue to support businesses to use it effectively.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_13

Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted:To ask His Majesty's Government how many intellectual property licences His Majesty's Revenue and Customs holds under contracts or terms of reference for (1) grants, (2) pre-procurement or proof of concept work, and (3) procurement; how many of those have sub-licensing rights; how many of those have resulted in sub-licensing; and how many of those sub-licences are for patents, and for which countries. \p Lord Livermore: HMRC does hold the information in the form requested, though could only be provided at disproportionate cost as HMRC has 566 contracts in 2024-25, and each contract has different IP licensee conditions.

After further analysis, HMRC has not identified any patents that it holds that generate income for His Majesty’s Government. Any patents or licenses held, that were created by HMRC contracting for services to support the efficient collection of taxes and discharge its customs duties, are used solely for these purposes.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_14

Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 4 June (HL7640), what additional steps they are taking to safeguard victim-survivors of domestic abuse on 'direct pay' ahead of their response to their consultation on "Child Maintenance: Improving the collection and transfer of payments". \p Baroness Sherlock: The CMS takes the issue of domestic abuse very seriously and is committed to ensuring victims and survivors of abuse get the help and support they need to use the CMS safely.

The CMS has substantially strengthened its procedures and processes to support customers who are experiencing domestic abuse. They will not be complacent and will always look at ways to go even further.

The CMS has refreshed its approach and understanding of domestic abuse to include financial and coercive control and better awareness of how abuse affects all genders.

The CMS has access to a list of resources which helps caseworkers provide signposting to supporting organisations, and a Domestic Abuse Plan which includes clear steps to follow in order to support customers who are experiencing abuse. The list of resources and Domestic Abuse Plan is regularly reviewed.

As well as the Domestic Abuse Plan, the CMS responds to cases involving domestic abuse in several ways, including by acting as an intermediary in Direct Pay cases, and providing advice on how to set up bank accounts with a centralised sort code to limit the risk of a parent’s location being traced.

The CMS has a specialist team in place who deliver targeted support to parents subject to the most challenging and complex domestic abuse.

The CMS have also substantially reduced the time it takes to move a case from Direct Pay to Collect and Pay when a receiving parent reports missed payments
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_15

Lord Cashman:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the National Audit Office report The Effectiveness of Government in Tackling Homelessness, published on 23 July 2024, what plans they have to update the housing benefit subsidy regime for temporary accommodation. \p Baroness Sherlock: DWP pays local authorities a Housing Benefit subsidy for temporary accommodation cases. There are restrictions on the amount paid, including a subsidy cap which is £500 per week in certain areas of London or £375 elsewhere.

We recognise the financial pressures which local authorities are experiencing. MHCLG are increasing funding for homelessness services this year by an extra £233 million compared to last year (2024/25).

We continue to keep the rates used for Housing Benefit subsidy under review and are working closely with MHCLG and the Inter-Ministerial Group on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping to explore the impacts of subsidy rates on local authorities.

Any future decisions on subsidy rates will be taken at the appropriate fiscal event in the context of the Government’s missions, goals on housing and the current challenging financial environment.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_16

Lord Nash:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the average administrative cost incurred by Ofgem per voucher issued under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for each financial year since its inception. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: The Government has not published the average administrative cost incurred by Ofgem per voucher issued under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

The scheme, now part of the Government’s Major Project Portfolio, will be included in the 24-25 National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) Annual Report publication, which will disclose whole life scheme costs.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_17

Lord Nash:To ask His Majesty's Government what was the total value of Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding paid out for installations subsequently found to be non-compliant with eligibility rules each year since the scheme’s inception; and how much of this funding has been successfully recovered by Ofgem. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is administered by Ofgem on behalf of the government. Given the nature of the data requested, Ofgem will write to the noble Lord and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_18

Lord Nash:To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to Ofgem's Boiler Upgrade Scheme Annual Report 2023–24, what assessment they have made of the discrepancy between (1) Ofgem's reported overall fraud and error rate of 1.18 per cent of total payments under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and (2) the 6.4 per cent non-compliance rate identified through statistical audits; what reasons they have identified for this discrepancy; and what the estimated overall non-compliance rate is for the scheme. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is administered by Ofgem on behalf of the government. Given the nature of the data requested, Ofgem will write to the noble Lord and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_19

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of high energy costs on energy-intensive sectors, and what steps they are taking to reduce energy costs for those industries. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: This Government recognises high energy prices are a key challenge for UK businesses, including those in energy-intensive sectors. We are working closely with businesses and industry to consider actions needed to support key sectors and address the challenges they currently face.

Our Clean Power 2030 target is the key to long-term sustainable price reductions. Our mission is for clean power by 2030 because clean, homegrown energy is the best way to protect billpayers and boost Britain's energy independence. We are also already bringing energy costs for UK industries closer in line with other major economies through the British Industry Supercharger. This fully exempts eligible firms from certain costs linked to renewable energy policies, particularly those exposed to the high cost of electricity. Government will always keep support under review based on the needs of industry.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_20

Baroness Alexander of Cleveden:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of extending the Warm Home Discount Scheme to all households in receipt of means-tested benefits. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: The Government recognises that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. The Department’s Warm Home Discount provides a £150 rebate off winter energy bills for eligible low-income households. On 25 February, we published a consultation on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving more eligible households £150 off their energy bills. These proposals would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million. The Warm Home Discount regulations expire in 2026, and we will want to consider all options for future bill support beyond this point.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_21

Lord Nash:To ask His Majesty's Government how many compliance breaches were identified among the ten largest installers participating in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, measured by voucher volume, since the scheme was launched. \p Lord Wilson of Sedgefield: The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is administered by Ofgem on behalf of the government. Given the nature of the data requested, Ofgem will write to the noble Lord and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_22

The Lord Bishop of Bristol:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the increase to the immigration health surcharge by 66 per cent in 2024. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office collects the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Devolved Health Administrations (DHAs). After deducting administration/collection costs, the Home Office transfers the balance to DHSC and the DHAs through the Estimates process, according to the Barnett Formula population percentages.

Information on the income raised by the IHS is published annually in the Home Office Annual report and Accounts. Note that the IHS total is made up of both amounts of Retained Income and amounts payable to the Consolidated Fund.

During the 2022-23 financial year, the IHS generated £1,706m.

During the 2023-24 financial year, the IHS generated £1,782m.

Information on the income for the 2024-25 financial year will be available once the accounts are published later this year.

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review. The Home Office undertook an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) and an Impact Assessment (IA) alongside the IHS increase.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_23

Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government how many people deported from the United Kingdom have returned illegally in the past three years. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: A deportation order requires an FNO to leave the UK and prohibits them from entering the UK while it remains in force. Anyone discovered at the border attempting to do so will be automatically denied entry or detained.

Entering in breach of a deportation order is a criminal offence under section 24(1)(a) of the 1971 Act, so if an individual who was previously deported is found again in the UK, other than at the border, they will again be liable to be detained and returned to prison.

Work is currently underway to publish more detailed information on FNOs subject to deportation.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_24

Lord Black of Brentwood:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 13 March (HL5345), and in the light of reports that Portuguese and German police are carrying out new searches, what requests they have received and what decisions they have made about the funding of Operation Grange and Metropolitan Police activities in the financial year 2025–26. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: For financial year 2025-26, the Home Office provided up to £108,000 to the Metropolitan Police Service through Special Grant funding for Operation Grange, the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

Special Grant funding is reviewed annually by the Home Office, and the Department liaises regularly with the Operation Grange investigation team to discuss progress and the use of funds.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_25

Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they are considering to support the prevention of criminal damage to agricultural equipment, such as introducing requirements for immobilisers or forensic marking. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Government is committed to safeguarding rural communities, with tougher measures to clamp down on equipment theft, anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing, and stronger laws to prevent farm theft and fly-tippers.

Our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will deliver 13,000 more neighbourhood police by the end of the Parliament, whilst also ensuring each community, including rural communities, has a named, contactable officer to turn to. We recognise the impact stolen farm machinery can have on businesses. We will implement the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, which aims to prevent the theft and re-sale of high-value equipment, particularly for use in an agricultural setting.

The Act enables the Home Secretary to make secondary legislation requiring immobilisers and forensic marking to be fitted to new All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and quad bikes to act as a deterrent to theft. The Act does not specifically aim to prevent criminal damage to agricultural equipment.

We intend to publish the Government response to a Call for Evidence on the detail of the secondary legislation shortly. This will set out what equipment the Government proposes to include in the legislation, which we hope to introduce later this year.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_26

Lord Empey:To ask His Majesty's Government what funding they will provide to meet the cost of asylum applications for those entering the UK via small boats in the current financial year. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office does not allocate funding based on the route by which asylum seekers have entered the UK.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_27

Lord Black of Brentwood:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to mark the 20th anniversary of the killing of Jean-Charles de Menezes on 22 July. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The shooting of Mr Jean-Charles de Menezes was a truly tragic incident and our thoughts will be with Mr de Menezes’ family and friends on the upcoming anniversary.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_28

Baroness Coffey:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 10 September 2024 (HL567), and with reference to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) article Economic statistics classifications and developments in public sector finances: April 2025 published on 22 May, why they do not consider Malvern Hills Trust to be a public body, and how they reconcile their Answer with the decision by the ONS to classify the Malvern Hills Trust to the local government subsector. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: It is Defra’s understanding that the Malvern Hills Trust is not a public body. This is based on the Cabinet Office’s guide to the classification of public bodies, which includes a helpful but brief definition in these terms: ‘A public body is a formally established organisation that is publicly funded to deliver a public or government service, though not as a ministerial department. The term refers to a wide range of public sector entities.’

The 1884 Private Bill that established Malvern Hills Trust also does not suggest that it would be classified as a public body.

More information on what constitutes a public body can be accessed in the Cabinet Office guide, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-bodies-reform (copy attached).

Defra does not hold information on the Office for National Statistics’ classification of the Malvern Hills Trust.

Public Bodies Guidance (pdf, 255.3KB)
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_29

Lord Teverson:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to publish a comprehensive, up to date list of fishing vessel licences, including sanctions for fisheries and labour offences, in line with principle two of the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Marine Management Organisation (MMO), acting on behalf of all UK Fisheries Authorities, publishes lists of all UK registered and licensed fishing vessels each month. This includes vessel characteristics and licence information. There is currently no requirement to publish enforcement statistics or details of sanctions relating to non-compliance with fisheries regulations and MMO does not routinely do so. It does, however, share details of specific cases where there may be a wider public interest or where it is considered appropriate to do so, and it continues to engage with the fisheries sector on compliance matters directly, through established groups and networks, and through wider-reaching awareness campaigns.

The UK Government welcomes the broad principles underpinning the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency and continues to review the steps we can take to combat illegal fishing. We welcome the ongoing engagement with the organisations who have produced the Charter.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_30

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk to (1) local job security and economic security, and (2) animal welfare, from the planned onshore salmon farm in Cleethorpes, considering the large-scale die-off of salmon at Mount Fuji in Japan in May and in Nova Scotia in November 2023. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Government supports sustainable, industry led, growth in aquaculture. To ensure sustainability, aquaculture operations must comply with extensive land use, environmental, animal health and welfare and veterinary medicines regulations. The proposal for an onshore salmon farm in Cleethorpes will be considered by the relevant regulators, as and when the relevant permissions are sought.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_31

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to their press release “Government backs SME builders to get Britain building” published on 28 May, how they plan to allocate the £10 million to local authorities to fund more specialists to speed up environmental assessments. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The funding is being allocated to all local planning authorities, county councils and combined authorities in England. The uses to which the funding can be put are broad and there is no definitive list as requirements will differ across authorities. Some of this funding may be used to help expand the capacity of ecologist and planning teams, but ultimately it is for the local authorities to determine how they spend the funding depending on local circumstances.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_32
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_32

Lord Goodman of Wycombe:To ask His Majesty's Government what was their original target number of apprenticeships supported by the Green Recovery Challenge Fund Round 1, and how many apprenticeships were completed. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Green Recovery Challenge Fund (GRCF) was an £80 million fund over two rounds to support nature recovery and conservation across England between 2020 and 2023. It was developed by the last government in response to COVID-19 and administered on behalf of Defra by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Comprehensive independent evaluation reports for both rounds are available on the NLHF website.

The GRCF was an open grant programme that sought to meet a range of objectives. While green jobs and skills was a key objective of the Fund, no target was set for the number of apprenticeships supported.

Monitoring data from grantees show that 252 apprenticeship roles were created across Round 1, accounting for 201 Full-Time Equivalents.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_33

Lord Goodman of Wycombe:To ask His Majesty's Government how many Green Recovery Challenge Fund Round 1 and 2 projects underwent independent auditing or verification of reported environmental outcomes, and how many of those audits identified discrepancies or inflated reporting by grant recipients. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The Green Recovery Challenge Fund (GRCF) was an £80 million fund over two rounds to support nature recovery and conservation across England between 2020 and 2023. It was developed by the last government in response to COVID-19 and administered on behalf of Defra by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Comprehensive independent evaluation reports for both rounds are available on the NLHF website.

NLHF does not monitor the survival of trees planted under the GRCF post project completion.

Round 1 of the GRCF was heavily over-subscribed. There was a rigorous selection process, to ensure the projects selected for grant funding represented value for money. This included having robust project plans including planting and maintenance, and possessing the necessary skills, capabilities and track record to deliver projects effectively. Projects were required to follow all relevant regulatory requirements as a condition of funding.

From data provided by grantees, we have estimated a cost per tree planted in Round 1 of approximately £5.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_34

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support local authorities in protecting vulnerable trees from pests and diseases, including valuable urban trees, such as the National Elm Collection in Brighton and Hove. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Local Authorities are responsible for the care and management of trees on their land. The Government has provided Local Authorities with a range of guidance to help them manage their trees and the pest and disease threats they may be facing. This includes Local Authority toolkits on Ash Dieback (which has been downloaded over 20,000 times), Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) and on developing a Trees and Woodland Strategy for their areas.

We also offer financial support for Local Authorities through the Tree Health Pilot to manage some pests and diseases. For example, a grant is available to Local Authorities in the OPM established area to help them manage the public health risk from this pest. The grant pays for the surveying of oak trees and the creation of OPM management plans and communications strategies. The Tree Health Pilot also provides financial support to help Local Authorities facilitate landowner action on ash dieback and to restock any trees lost to the disease.

The Government does not take statutory action against Dutch Elm Disease as it is widespread across most of Great Britain. We are aware of areas such as the Isle of Man, Edinburgh and Brighton & Hove where populations of mature elms are of local significance and survive as a result of local disease control programmes. Defra is prioritising investment in scientific research which aims to develop a more resistant and diverse elm population, to support the return of mature elms to the landscape nationwide.

The Government meets regularly meets with Local Authorities through specific groups such as the Tree Health and Safety Taskforce and the Tree Health Operations Forum, where they can raise tree health challenges and discuss how to effectively deal with these.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_36

Lord Teverson:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the remote electronic monitoring programme in delivering the programme's objectives for UK fisheries, and what steps they will take to ensure that key objectives are met in line with published timelines. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The remote electronic monitoring programme is still in the early stages of implementation. An evaluation will assess the effectiveness of the programme as well as how we met our key objectives. At this stage, the programme is too early in its testing to assess the evidence. The evaluation will report regularly throughout the programme, starting autumn 2025.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_37
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_37

Lord Teverson:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to incentivise participation in the early-adopter phase of installing remote electronic monitoring on fishing vessels in UK waters; what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of those incentives; and what plans they have, if any, to expand incentives in the future. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: Defra has carefully considered how to incentivise fishing industry participation in the early adopter phases of the remote electronic monitoring programme. The programme is still in the early stages of implementation; it is therefore too early to draw upon how we can assess the effectiveness of those incentives.

Defra funds remote electronic monitoring equipment and installation for vessels that volunteer to be early adopters. Participation also gives the fishing industry an opportunity to shape the programme alongside resolving potential operational issues as we test them. An additional benefit to industry for early participation is that it may support applications by fishing operators to the Quota Allocation Mechanism, or for sustainability certification.

A volunteer vessel has been secured for the first early adopter project – deploying REM on large pelagic trawlers. This project is now underway. We are in the process of seeking further volunteers for the second early adopter project – deploying remote electronic monitoring on demersal seines (flyseines).
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_38
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_38

Baroness Redfern:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to continue to make subsidies for sustainable farming practices available to farms of all sizes; and at what rate. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: We have moved away from the EU’s approach to subsidies to a ‘public money for public goods’ system.

We currently have a record 50,000 farm businesses and half of all farmed land now managed under our schemes – with more money being spent through these schemes than at any point.

Going forward we’ve committed an average of £2.3 billion a year to directly benefit tens of thousands of farmers, including small farmers, supporting farm profitability through investment in research and technology and sustainable food production, at the same time as improving the quality of the water in our rivers, the air we breathe and our spaces for wildlife.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_39
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_39

Lord Booth:To ask His Majesty's Government how they intend to help the fishing industry grow over the next 13 years. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: This Government supports the fishing industry and recognises its key role in food supply. As part of this support, Defra has reopened the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme on 9 June 2025, allocating around £6 million to create a sustainable and resilient seafood sector. In addition to this, the £360 million Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund will support the next generation of fishers and breathe new life into our coastal communities.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_40

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the UK’s food security remains intact, and what estimate they have made of the number animals which are physically checked when imported. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The UK has a resilient food supply chain and is equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption.

Food security is built on supply from diverse sources, strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes.

UK consumers have access through international trade to food products that cannot be produced here, or at least not on a year-round basis. This supplements domestic production and also ensures that any disruption from risks such as adverse weather or disease does not affect the UK's overall security of supply.

Defra works with industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains.

The UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, inputs, trade, and recent developments.

Our systems record by consignments and depending on species there may be multiple animals within a consignment. In 2024, the number of physical checks undertaken on live animal consignments being imported into the UK was 15,030.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_41
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_41

Lord Cromwell:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) biodiversity, and (2) the opportunities to intensify agricultural land use where other incentives are deemed uncompetitive, in upland areas relative to lowland areas. \p Baroness Hayman of Ullock: The uplands are nationally and internationally important for biodiversity, and have significant agricultural, landscape, archaeological, recreational, cultural and natural resource value. We recognise the unique challenges that upland farmers face. In order to ensure we are giving farmers in the uplands the right support, we are engaging with a wide range of bodies through our Uplands Task and Finish Group. The group is looking at the particular challenges in the uplands and how they can be addressed.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_42

Baroness Eaton:To ask His Majesty's Government how much is the 2025–26 council tax on the ministerial residence in Admiralty House. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: Admiralty House residences are valued in Council Tax Band H.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_43

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Civil Superannuation Annual Report and Accounts 2023–24, published 18 December 2024 (HC 481), what was the average pensionable pay growth across active members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme in 2023–24; how that average compared to the pay growth assumption used in the 2022–23 accounts; and whether the level of growth in 2023–24 was consistent with the Civil Service Pay Remit Guidance issued for that year. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: In the pay remit for 2023-24, departments were able to offer average awards up to 5%, consisting of up to 4.5% across the delegated grades plus 0.5% targeted for the lower pay bands. This compares to 2022-23 where departments were able to make average pay awards up to 2%, with additional flexibility to pay up to a further 1% where they could demonstrate targeting of the pay award to address specific priorities in their workforce and pay strategies.

The Civil Superannuation Report and account does not contain the average pensionable pay growth for active members of the Scheme.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_44

Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government what roles (1) the Senior Leadership Committee, (2) the Government People Group, and (3) the Permanent Secretaries Remuneration Committee, play in monitoring and approving remuneration above the Senior Civil Service pay band 4 maximum. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Senior Leadership Committee has no role in Permanent Secretary pay. The Permanent Secretary Remuneration Committee (PSRC) monitors remuneration of the Permanent Secretary group and reviews the recommendations of the Senior Salaries Review Body including the annual pay award. The Government People Group provides secretariat support.

As set out in HL8031, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury approves cases to pay on appointment over the £200,000 band maximum.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-06-17 conversation_45

Baroness Finn:To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Forty-Seventh Annual Report on Senior Salaries, published on 22 May (CP 1329), what exemptions exist that permit base pay or total remuneration for Senior Civil Servant pay band 4 roles to exceed the published maximum, and under which statutory or delegated authority those exemptions are granted. \p Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: The Cabinet Secretary seeks approval from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to permit Permanent Secretary remuneration to exceed the published maximum on appointment. This follows the HMT guidance on senior pay.