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1130851

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2019
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	European Parliament: Elections
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many days they expected postal ballots to take to reach each recipient for the recent elections to the European Parliament.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL16218
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>The running of polls is a matter for independent Returning Officers. The Electoral Commission provides guidance and resources for Returning Officers administering European Parliamentary elections on its website.</p><p>It is for Returning Officers to contract with suppliers and service providers for the production and distribution of items like poll cards and postal votes. Delivery times would depend on a number of factors including the recipient’s location.</p> answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham grouped question UIN HL16217 HL16219 question first answered 19/06/2019 11:12:44 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

1130583

	registered interest
	date	06/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Overseas Aid
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how the Department for International Development (1) supports marginalised religious communities, and (2) evaluates the success of existing projects, without disaggregating data by religion or target religious groups.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL16127
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>The UK is firmly committed to protecting ethnic and religious minorities. Development and humanitarian assistance is provided on the basis of need, irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity. With the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, DFID supports marginalised religious communities: internationally in multilateral fora; by raising individual cases of persecution bilaterally; by highlighting discriminatory legislation and practices; and by funding targeted project work in many different countries. Where relevant, data is disaggregated by religion when projects are evaluated.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 19/06/2019 11:27:32 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1130236

	registered interest
	date	05/06/2019
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Syria: Armed Conflict
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they plan to prevent combatant forces in Idlib Province, Syria, from killing more civilians and children.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL16097
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>​We are gravely concerned by the escalation in military action by Russia and the Syrian regime in Idlib. We are appalled that civilian infrastructure has been hit, including 24 health facilities, and by reports of civilian casualties and mass displacement. We are using public statements, diplomatic relationships and international fora, including the UN Security Council, to increase the pressure on all parties to end the violence, return to the ceasefire agreed in September 2018 and abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law. Through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, the UK is supporting innovative new technology that provides civilians in Idlib with early warnings of airstrikes in order to save lives. We also continue to support international efforts to document violations of international humanitarian law being committed in Idlib.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 19/06/2019 11:25:54 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1130220

	registered interest
	date	05/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Democratic Republic of Congo: Ebola
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking with international partners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in response to the Ebola outbreak, to ensure (1) safe and dignified burials, (2) infection prevention and control, (3) community engagement and accountability, including risk communication, (4) psychosocial support, and (5) national society development.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL16081
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>The UK has supported the response to the ongoing outbreak of Ebola in the DRC from the very start. Our financial support to the WHO, other UN partners and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) covers the whole range of response activities, including safe and dignified burials, infection prevention and control, community engagement and accountability, psychosocial support – particularly to survivors, and broader health systems strengthening. The Secretary of State for International Development has approved the deployment of UK-funded experts into the UN system to help boost these activities. In addition, our funding through IFRC will help to strengthen the capacity of the National Red Cross Society which is composed of networks of local volunteers.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 19/06/2019 15:48:45 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1130847

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Local Government 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 (1) the cash reserves held by local authorities in England that are not ring-fenced; and (2) whether those reserves are necessary; and whether they intend to encourage councils to use some of those reserves to help local services.
	tabling member printed	Lord Patten
	uin	HL16214
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>Non-ringfenced revenue reserves are either earmarked, as a result of a policy decision to use them for specific purposes; or unallocated, these reserves are part of a local authority's risk management process, which would be called upon in the event of unexpected costs and emergencies. <br> <br> All local authorities are required to hold sufficient unallocated reserves to meet unforecastable financial risks. Councils are free to determine the level of reserves they hold and are accountable to their electorate for the decisions they make. No powers exist to redistribute/reclaim this resource. Reserves are funds that are spent at the discretion of the local authority.</p> answering member printed Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth question first answered 19/06/2019 15:47:23 answering member 4282 label Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
	tabling member	1137 label Biography information for Lord Patten

1130215

	registered interest
	date	05/06/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Credit: Insurance
	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 availability of credit insurance cover to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in the current trading climate.
	tabling member printed	Lord Allen of Kensington
	uin	HL16076
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>Government monitors the credit insurance landscape and credit insurers’ pricing practices, through liaison with providers, businesses, and industry bodies. We will continue to study the market and closely monitor trends.</p><p> </p><p>Government has been made aware of restrictions in credit insurance cover some small and medium-sized product-based businesses are facing in the current trading climate. Difficult trading conditions, market trends, and uncertainty have led some credit insurance providers to reassess the level of cover they are willing to offer in certain sectors. This varies by industry and firm, and is a commercial decision for insurers.</p><p> </p><p>Other financial services products are also available to support businesses in lieu of credit insurance, for example from banks.</p> answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham grouped question UIN HL16074 HL16075 question first answered 19/06/2019 16:40:31 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham
	tabling member	4304 label Biography information for Lord Allen of Kensington

1130816

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Eritrea: National Service
	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 call by the Foundation Human Rights for Eritreans for the EU to cease funding aid projects in Eritrea that involve the use of national service conscripts; and whether any UK aid is directed through those programmes.
	tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
	uin	HL16183
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government is broadly supportive of the EU’s efforts to engage with Eritrea, and to create opportunities for greater engagement between Ethiopia and Eritrea, including through increasing development assistance where possible. We share concerns about human rights, particularly regarding Eritrea’s use of national service. However, it is clear that key elements of development cooperation in Eritrea, including recent cooperation on road building, will not be taken forward without the use of national service labour. We have therefore pressed the EU for enhanced efforts to ensure safeguards are in place. The EU has confirmed that the project implementer will monitor and assess whether workers are receiving an appropriate salary, and that basic health and safety standards are applied. Alongside those immediate measures, we, and the EU, will continue to encourage reform of the Eritrean national service system.</p><p> </p><p>Around 15% of all EU development funds, including those used for projects in Eritrea, are attributable to UK ODA. We are also providing a €3m direct contribution to the Horn of Africa programmes of the EU Trust Fund for Africa, whose programming includes the EU’s €20m road building project in Eritrea.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 19/06/2019 11:29:36 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
	tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1130235

	registered interest
	date	05/06/2019
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Universal Credit: Repayments
	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 modifiying the repayment of Universal Credit advance payments in order to take into account individual circumstances such as debts related to (1) utilities, (2) Council Tax, and (3) previous loans.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL16096
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>The Department recognises the importance of safeguarding the welfare of claimants who have incurred debt. Universal Credit already has procedures and regulations in place to protect claimants from excessive deductions. The maximum rate of deductions cannot normally exceed 40 per cent of the Universal Credit standard allowance, and from October 2019 this will be reduced to 30 per cent.</p><p> </p><p>The average advance amount for new claims is around £400, which can be repaid over a period of 12 months, at a rate of £33.33 per month. Therefore, in the majority of cases, advance payment recovery is small in comparison to the whole Universal Credit award, with a current average award of £658 per month.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise that exceptional circumstances may occur to claimants that were not foreseen when the advance was taken out. Help is available for those struggling to meet the recovery rate once recovery begins and if the claimant is facing unexpected financial hardship they can ask the Department for a deferral of the repayment of any advance they have taken out. The deferral periods are up to 3 months for a new claim, benefit transfer or change of circumstances advance and up to 6 months for a Budgeting advance.</p><p> </p><p>Where a claimant has a reduction in benefit due to a Fraud Penalty or Conditionally Sanction that equals or exceeds 40% of their Universal Credit standard allowance then no advance repayment will be taken. If there is insufficient Universal Credit in payment due to reductions such as earnings, other income and capital yield to take the full amount of advances repayment, a lesser amount will be taken.</p> answering member printed Baroness Buscombe question first answered 19/06/2019 11:35:17 answering member 3349 label Biography information for Baroness Buscombe
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1130253

	registered interest
	date	05/06/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Mortgages
	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 consequences for depositor protection and financial stability from the number of lenders offering residential property mortgage loans at 95 per cent of value or higher; and what options are open to (1) them, (2) the Bank of England, and (3) the Prudential Regulation Authority, to protect depositors and ensure financial stability.
	tabling member printed	Lord Myners
	uin	HL16114
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p><em>The Financial Policy Committee (FPC) of the Bank of England was set up to identify, monitor and take action to remove or reduce systemic risks with a view to protecting and enhancing the resilience of the UK financial system as part of the new financial regulatory framework legislated for under The Financial Services Act 2012. The FPC noted in their November 2018 Financial Stability Report that the share of households with high mortgage debt-servicing ratios (DSRs) is close to historical lows. The FPC has powers of direction to place limits on the proportion of new mortgages that a bank can extend at high LTV ratios, if it judges that this is required to mitigate financial stability risks.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><em> </em><p><em>While the Bank therefore has powers to tackle these risks, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), set up by the Government in 2001, also provides a key role in ensuring financial stability and protecting depositors. The FSCS provides deposit protection of up to £85,000 per person, per authorised firm. The Financial Services Markets Act 2000 gives powers to the regulators, including the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to make the rules in which FSCS carries out its compensation function.</em></p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham question first answered 19/06/2019 16:43:39 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham
	tabling member	3869 label Biography information for Lord Myners

1130213

	registered interest
	date	05/06/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Credit: Insurance
	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 credit insurance cover available to the supply chain of product-based businesses.
	tabling member printed	Lord Allen of Kensington
	uin	HL16074
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>Government monitors the credit insurance landscape and credit insurers’ pricing practices, through liaison with providers, businesses, and industry bodies. We will continue to study the market and closely monitor trends.</p><p> </p><p>Government has been made aware of restrictions in credit insurance cover some small and medium-sized product-based businesses are facing in the current trading climate. Difficult trading conditions, market trends, and uncertainty have led some credit insurance providers to reassess the level of cover they are willing to offer in certain sectors. This varies by industry and firm, and is a commercial decision for insurers.</p><p> </p><p>Other financial services products are also available to support businesses in lieu of credit insurance, for example from banks.</p> answering member printed Lord Young of Cookham grouped question UIN HL16075 HL16076 question first answered 19/06/2019 16:40:31 answering member 57 label Biography information for Lord Young of Cookham
	tabling member	4304 label Biography information for Lord Allen of Kensington