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434112

	registered interest
	date	03/12/2015
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Ministerial Policy Advisers
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the estimated annual cost of their special advisers.
	tabling member printed	Lord Rennard
	uin	HL4231
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2015 answer text <p>I refer the Noble Lord to the Written Statement made on 17 December 2015, HLWS417, which I have attached for each of reference.</p><p>The attached list of Special Advisers sets out the names of the Special Advisers in post as of December 2015, each special adviser’s pay band, and actual salary (where this is higher than the Senior Civil Service entry-level salary), together with details of the total pay bill for 2014-15 and the estimate for 2015-16. The cost has fallen from last year, and the cost represents just 0.08 per cent of the Civil Service pay bill.</p> answering member printed Lord Bridges of Headley attachment 1 file name (HLWS417) HL4231, HL4232 cWrittenStatementReport_20151217160314.pdf title Written Statement Report HLWS417 2 file name HL4231, HL4232 List of Special Advisers in post at 17 December 2015 (2).docx title List of Special Advisers grouped question UIN HL4232 question first answered 17/12/2015 17:53:29 answering member 4535 label Biography information for Lord Bridges of Headley
	tabling member	2484 label Biography information for Lord Rennard

434113

	registered interest
	date	03/12/2015
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Ministerial Policy Advisers
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to reduce the costs of government special advisers.
	tabling member printed	Lord Rennard
	uin	HL4232
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/12/2015 answer text <p>I refer the Noble Lord to the Written Statement made on 17 December 2015, HLWS417, which I have attached for each of reference.</p><p>The attached list of Special Advisers sets out the names of the Special Advisers in post as of December 2015, each special adviser’s pay band, and actual salary (where this is higher than the Senior Civil Service entry-level salary), together with details of the total pay bill for 2014-15 and the estimate for 2015-16. The cost has fallen from last year, and the cost represents just 0.08 per cent of the Civil Service pay bill.</p> answering member printed Lord Bridges of Headley attachment 1 file name (HLWS417) HL4231, HL4232 cWrittenStatementReport_20151217160314.pdf title Written Statement Report HLWS417 2 file name HL4231, HL4232 List of Special Advisers in post at 17 December 2015 (2).docx title List of Special Advisers grouped question UIN HL4231 question first answered 17/12/2015 17:53:29 answering member 4535 label Biography information for Lord Bridges of Headley
	tabling member	2484 label Biography information for Lord Rennard

1589013

	registered interest
	date	23/02/2023
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Boris Johnson
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have for taxpayer funded legal costs for former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in relation to his investigation by the House of Commons Privileges Committee to be set against any claims he should make from the Public Duty Costs Allowance.
	tabling member printed	Lord Rennard
	uin	HL5861
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2023 answer text <p>There are no such plans. There is an established precedent across multiple administrations that former Ministers may be supported with legal representation after they have left office when matters relate to their time and conduct as a Minister. The Public Duty Cost Allowance exists for a different purpose.</p><p>I refer the Noble Lord to the transcript of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee meeting on 26 January 2023, where Alex Chisholm, the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office, provided oral evidence on this matter: <a href="https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/12604/pdf/" target="_blank">https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/12604/pdf/</a> (Q299-315).</p> answering member printed Baroness Neville-Rolfe question first answered 09/03/2023 12:31:52 answering member 4284 label Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe attachment 1 file name PACAC Transcript (26.01.23).pdf title PACAC Transcript (26.01.23)
	tabling member	2484 label Biography information for Lord Rennard

61550

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2014
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Census
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to include, in their consideration of the future of the national census, the possibility of collecting data for electoral registration purposes in addition to other purposes.
	tabling member printed	Lord Rennard
	uin	HL319
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2014 answer text <p>The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Wallace of Saltaire question first answered 23/06/2014 12:50:47 answering member 1816 label Biography information for Lord Wallace of Saltaire attachment 1 file name HL319.pdf title ONS Letter to Peer
	tabling member	2484 label Biography information for Lord Rennard

937013

	registered interest
	date	09/07/2018
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Subversion: Russia
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to work with other countries to prevent Russian influence from undermining democratic principles including by (1) providing funding to influence electoral outcomes significantly, (2) establishing social media accounts which disguise their real origin, and (3) promoting fake news, including relating to the attempted murder of their opponents on British soil.
	tabling member printed	Lord Rennard
	uin	HL9350
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2018 answer text <p>We are committed to defending the UK from all forms of malign foreign state interference, whether from Russia or any other state. This includes working with international partners where appropriate. As part of our response, the UK agreed at the 2018 G7 summit in Charlevoix, Canada to work with other G7 members on defending democracy from foreign threats.</p><p> </p><p>The Electoral Commission is the independent regulatory body responsible for ensuring that elections are run effectively and in accordance with the law. There is also legislation in place to prevent foreign money being used to finance campaigning at UK elections. It is for the Electoral Commission to investigate any breaches of this legislation.</p><p> </p><p>A copy of the Charlevoix commitment is attached.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham question first answered 23/07/2018 16:58:11 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham attachment 1 file name DefendingDemocracyFromForeignThreats.pdf title Charlevoix commitment
	tabling member	2484 label Biography information for Lord Rennard

1086391

	registered interest
	date	11/03/2019
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Political Parties: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received from the Electoral Commission concerning the implementation of section 10 the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009; and what was their response.
	tabling member printed	Lord Rennard
	uin	HL14419
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2019 answer text <p>The Coalition Government took the decision not to implement the 2009 legislation, as it was not deemed to be workable</p><p><br>During the passage of the 2009 Act, the Electoral Commission raised concerns about the legislation (further to Official Report, House of Commons, 15 October 2009, Col. 998W), and in 2013, the Electoral Commission also flagged issues about the tax status declaration requirements. The Labour Government conceded that the provisions could not be commenced at that time “due to their complex nature” (as outlined in the answer of Official Report, House of Commons, 10 March 2010, Col. 5MC)</p><p><br>The UK has a robust legal framework in place that bans foreign donations.</p><p><br>There is a long-standing principle – as originally recommended by the Committee on Standards in Public Life in 1998 – that permissible donors are those on the UK electoral register, and this includes UK citizens who are registered overseas electors. Companies wishing to make donations must be UK-registered and carrying on business in the UK</p><p><br>If a British citizen is able to vote in an election for a political party, they should also be able to donate to that political party, subject to the requirements for transparency on donations. Supporting a political party is part of the democratic process, and is an expression of freedom of association</p><p><br>Since the adoption of universal suffrage, taxation has never been the basis of enfranchisement in the UK. Those who do not pay income tax, such as those earning less than the tax-free personal allowance, rightly remain entitled to vote. Similarly, full-time students are legally exempt from paying council tax, but still have the right to vote in local elections</p><p><br>More broadly, since 2010, the Government has taken action to sanction and deter those involved in offshore evasion, including creating a new criminal offence for serious offshore evasion, and introducing penalties for those who deliberately help others to evade tax offshore. The Government has introduced over 100 new measures to tackle tax avoidance, evasion and non-compliance.</p> answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham grouped question UIN HL14422 HL14423 question first answered 18/03/2019 12:45:10 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham
	tabling member	2484 label Biography information for Lord Rennard

1086392

	registered interest
	date	11/03/2019
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Elections: British Nationals Abroad
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend the 15 year limit in which UK citizens living abroad can remain on UK constituency electoral registers and make donations to political parties.
	tabling member printed	Lord Rennard
	uin	HL14420
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2019 answer text <p>The Government is supporting Glyn Davies MP’s Private Members’ Bill on overseas electors. The Overseas Electors Bill, if it receives Parliamentary approval, would fulfill our Manifesto commitment to implementing votes for life ahead of the next General Election in 2022. The Bill would scrap the arbitrary rule that prevents British citizens who have lived abroad for more than 15 years from participating in UK parliamentary elections</p><p><br>The law clearly states that donations over £500 to political parties and campaigners can only be accepted from individuals who are on the UK electoral register. The Overseas Electors Bill will not change this principle that overseas electors can donate. If a British citizen is able to vote in an election for a political party, we consider that they should also be able to donate to that political party.</p> answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham grouped question UIN HL14421 question first answered 18/03/2019 12:46:38 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham
	tabling member	2484 label Biography information for Lord Rennard

1086393

	registered interest
	date	11/03/2019
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Elections: British Nationals Abroad
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for permanently extending voting rights for UK citizens living abroad beyond the present 15 year limit, whilst not extending the 15 year limit in which they are able to remain on constituency electoral registers and make large donations to political parties.
	tabling member printed	Lord Rennard
	uin	HL14421
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2019 answer text <p>The Government is supporting Glyn Davies MP’s Private Members’ Bill on overseas electors. The Overseas Electors Bill, if it receives Parliamentary approval, would fulfill our Manifesto commitment to implementing votes for life ahead of the next General Election in 2022. The Bill would scrap the arbitrary rule that prevents British citizens who have lived abroad for more than 15 years from participating in UK parliamentary elections</p><p><br>The law clearly states that donations over £500 to political parties and campaigners can only be accepted from individuals who are on the UK electoral register. The Overseas Electors Bill will not change this principle that overseas electors can donate. If a British citizen is able to vote in an election for a political party, we consider that they should also be able to donate to that political party.</p> answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham grouped question UIN HL14420 question first answered 18/03/2019 12:46:38 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham
	tabling member	2484 label Biography information for Lord Rennard

1086395

	registered interest
	date	11/03/2019
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Political Parties: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of (1) implementing section 10 of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009, and (2) extending permanently the capacity of UK citizens living abroad to make large donations to the parties, on the financing of political parties.
	tabling member printed	Lord Rennard
	uin	HL14422
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2019 answer text <p>The Coalition Government took the decision not to implement the 2009 legislation, as it was not deemed to be workable</p><p><br>During the passage of the 2009 Act, the Electoral Commission raised concerns about the legislation (further to Official Report, House of Commons, 15 October 2009, Col. 998W), and in 2013, the Electoral Commission also flagged issues about the tax status declaration requirements. The Labour Government conceded that the provisions could not be commenced at that time “due to their complex nature” (as outlined in the answer of Official Report, House of Commons, 10 March 2010, Col. 5MC)</p><p><br>The UK has a robust legal framework in place that bans foreign donations.</p><p><br>There is a long-standing principle – as originally recommended by the Committee on Standards in Public Life in 1998 – that permissible donors are those on the UK electoral register, and this includes UK citizens who are registered overseas electors. Companies wishing to make donations must be UK-registered and carrying on business in the UK</p><p><br>If a British citizen is able to vote in an election for a political party, they should also be able to donate to that political party, subject to the requirements for transparency on donations. Supporting a political party is part of the democratic process, and is an expression of freedom of association</p><p><br>Since the adoption of universal suffrage, taxation has never been the basis of enfranchisement in the UK. Those who do not pay income tax, such as those earning less than the tax-free personal allowance, rightly remain entitled to vote. Similarly, full-time students are legally exempt from paying council tax, but still have the right to vote in local elections</p><p><br>More broadly, since 2010, the Government has taken action to sanction and deter those involved in offshore evasion, including creating a new criminal offence for serious offshore evasion, and introducing penalties for those who deliberately help others to evade tax offshore. The Government has introduced over 100 new measures to tackle tax avoidance, evasion and non-compliance.</p> answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham grouped question UIN HL14419 HL14423 question first answered 18/03/2019 12:45:10 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham
	tabling member	2484 label Biography information for Lord Rennard

1086396

	registered interest
	date	11/03/2019
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Political Parties: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to restrict donations to political parties from people living in tax havens and paying lower rates of tax than donors to political parties who pay full rates of tax.
	tabling member printed	Lord Rennard
	uin	HL14423
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2019 answer text <p>The Coalition Government took the decision not to implement the 2009 legislation, as it was not deemed to be workable</p><p><br>During the passage of the 2009 Act, the Electoral Commission raised concerns about the legislation (further to Official Report, House of Commons, 15 October 2009, Col. 998W), and in 2013, the Electoral Commission also flagged issues about the tax status declaration requirements. The Labour Government conceded that the provisions could not be commenced at that time “due to their complex nature” (as outlined in the answer of Official Report, House of Commons, 10 March 2010, Col. 5MC)</p><p><br>The UK has a robust legal framework in place that bans foreign donations.</p><p><br>There is a long-standing principle – as originally recommended by the Committee on Standards in Public Life in 1998 – that permissible donors are those on the UK electoral register, and this includes UK citizens who are registered overseas electors. Companies wishing to make donations must be UK-registered and carrying on business in the UK</p><p><br>If a British citizen is able to vote in an election for a political party, they should also be able to donate to that political party, subject to the requirements for transparency on donations. Supporting a political party is part of the democratic process, and is an expression of freedom of association</p><p><br>Since the adoption of universal suffrage, taxation has never been the basis of enfranchisement in the UK. Those who do not pay income tax, such as those earning less than the tax-free personal allowance, rightly remain entitled to vote. Similarly, full-time students are legally exempt from paying council tax, but still have the right to vote in local elections</p><p><br>More broadly, since 2010, the Government has taken action to sanction and deter those involved in offshore evasion, including creating a new criminal offence for serious offshore evasion, and introducing penalties for those who deliberately help others to evade tax offshore. The Government has introduced over 100 new measures to tackle tax avoidance, evasion and non-compliance.</p> answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham grouped question UIN HL14419 HL14422 question first answered 18/03/2019 12:45:10 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham
	tabling member	2484 label Biography information for Lord Rennard