Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1713296

	registered interest
	date	23/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Wildlife: Conservation
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of animal population decline in other countries on the UK, following the WWF’s Living Planet Report 2022 which showed that worldwide animal populations have declined by 69 per cent since 1970.
	tabling member printed	Lord Mendelsohn
	uin	HL4037
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK is susceptible to impacts from animal population decline worldwide through global impacts on food supply and the increasing emergence and transmission of diseases. For example, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Pollinators Assessment showed that 35% of global crop production volume depends on animal pollination, while the IPBES Workshop report on Biodiversity and Pandemics showed that over 30% of emerging disease events are caused by land-use change and its impacts on wildlife. Healthy ecosystems are also vital for mitigating and adapting to climate change, thus animal population declines may also exacerbate the climate impacts felt by the UK, as set out in the UK’s Climate Change Risk Assessment. The UK Government with others continues to support the work of the IPBES and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to further understand these global impacts.</p><p> </p><p>A recently published report from the Green Finance Institute, entitled ‘Assessing the Materiality of Nature-Related Financial Risks for the UK’, with direction from Defra and others, showed that about half of all UK nature-related risk comes from overseas, through supply chains and financial exposures. It showed that the combination of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation could lead to major economic shocks leading to UK Gross Domestic Product being up to 12% lower that it may otherwise have been by the 2030s (even lower when combined with climate impacts).</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 26/04/2024 13:43:36 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
	tabling member	4286 label Biography information for Lord Mendelsohn

1712650

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept id	215
	answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	hansard heading	Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Eligibility
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to publish the evidence base used to underpin the decision, announced by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in March in its Boiler Upgrade Scheme Consultation Response, that future grant applicants' compliance with Energy Performance Certificate recommendations will be optional.
	tabling member printed	Lord Stunell
	uin	HL4011
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government response to the consultation on amendments to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme sets out the responses received by industry stakeholders, including evidence to support the removal of the legal requirement to have no outstanding recommendations for cavity and loft insulation which was determined a barrier to access the scheme.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 24/04/2024 13:40:56 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	445 label Biography information for Lord Stunell

1702575

	registered interest
	date	19/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Motor Vehicles: Lighting
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will support any proposal at UNECE’s Working Party 29 in June to re-establish the Informal Working Group on (vehicle headlight) glare.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
	uin	HL3977
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK will consider any proposals at UNECE Working Party 29 on their merits based on a range of factors, including the availability and assessment of new independent evidence or justification. The UK government has committed to research headlamp glare to identify root causes and potential countermeasures, which may in due course support the establishment of a UNECE Informal Working Group to develop, amend and implement changes to the appropriate international regulations.</p> answering member printed Lord Davies of Gower question first answered 26/04/2024 11:08:59 answering member 4499 label Biography information for Lord Davies of Gower
	tabling member	4159 label Biography information for Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town

1702319

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Food: Waste
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of high levels of pollutants in food produced near waste incinerators in Europe; and whether they have any plans to conduct similar assessments in the UK.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
	uin	HL3930
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p>The Environment Agency (EA) has not made any assessment of reports on this subject and does not plan to conduct any such assessments in England.</p><p> </p><p>The impact on food produced in proximity to waste incinerators is considered as part of environmental permitting regulations. The EA is responsible for deciding whether new incinerators in England should get a permit to operate. For each permit application it receives, the EA uses the results of air quality modelling and a human health risk assessment (HHRA) to determine the impact of the proposed incinerator.</p><p> </p><p>The HHRA assesses impacts on the food chain. Impact assessments are very conservative and permit decisions are based on worst-case scenario impacts.</p><p> </p><p>The EA also consults the UK Health Security Agency and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on every permit application it receives and will not issue a permit if the proposed plant could cause significant pollution or harm to human health, including via the food chain.</p><p> </p><p>The FSA is responsible for the management of public health risks in relation to food. In general, the FSA considers that if incinerator facilities are correctly operated and monitored, with the appropriate level of emissions abatement, there should be no impact on the local area in terms of elevated levels of contaminants in soil and locally produced food. Measures are in place to manage the risk from chemical contaminants and keep levels as low as reasonably achievable through good practices and regulatory controls.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 26/04/2024 11:06:48 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1702354

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Social Services: Finance
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with local authorities about the financing of those in social care.
	tabling member printed	Lord Swire
	uin	HL3965
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p>Ministers and officials in the Department have regular conversations with representatives of local government, including the Local Government Association and the Association for Directors of Adult Social Services, regarding the costs of meeting the needs of adults who draw on care and support. The Department regularly engages with local authorities, who are responsible for assessing eligibility for financial assistance as set out in the Care Act, to understand the impact charging policy has on individuals who draw on care. The Department also regularly engages with individual local authorities to better understand their financial plans for commissioning and delivering adult social care.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 26/04/2024 11:10:33 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
	tabling member	1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire

1702353

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Health Services and Social Services
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on integrating social care and the NHS.
	tabling member printed	Lord Swire
	uin	HL3964
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2024 answer text <p>The Health and Care Act 2022 established integrated care systems, reforming how health and adult social care work together by putting partnership at the heart of planning. The Government has published guidance for integrated care partnerships (ICPs), on the statutory requirement for each ICP to publish an Integrated Care Strategy to address the health, social care, and public health needs of their system. All ICPs have now published their integrated care strategies.</p><p>The integration of health and social care is often best achieved through collaboration across smaller geographies within integrated care systems called places. Since the Health and Care Act 2022, we have seen good progress in the development of place-based arrangements to integrate health and social care. In October 2023, we published our Shared Outcomes Toolkit designed to help place-based partnerships develop shared outcomes as a powerful means of promoting integrated working and joined up care. We also issued a call for evidence as part of our review of Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006, which permits local authorities and National Health Service bodies to pool budgets, enabling joint commissioning and the commissioning of integrated services. The findings of this review will be shared in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 25/04/2024 14:16:30 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
	tabling member	1408 label Biography information for Lord Swire

1702316

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Magnetic Resonance Imagers: Helium
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure minimal usage of helium in MRI scanners in NHS facilities in the light of the global shortage of helium; and what steps they are taking to ensure all helium in scanners being replaced is reused appropriately.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
	uin	HL3927
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2024 answer text <p>Suppliers of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners are moving to a sealed helium solution, whereby the helium required to cool the magnet is approximately 0.5% of the current levels. These sealed systems will also ensure MRI scanners do not require further helium to be added during years of operational use.</p><p>Furthermore, suppliers are now replacing MRI scanners without requiring the magnet to be replaced, though this is only available for the first replacement cycle, whereby the scanner is fully replaced, but the existing magnet and helium are retained.</p><p>With regards to the Department, as set out in the recent Medical Technology Strategy: One Year On publication, the Design for Life Programme has been stood up to work with industry, the health and care sector, and academic partners to develop medical technology systems that support reuse, remanufacture, and material recovery becoming the default. This includes developing regulatory, commercial, digital, and policy environments that support this aim. The Department’s intention is to publish a roadmap later this year to articulate our relevant findings and plans moving forward.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 25/04/2024 14:24:02 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
	tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1702348

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Hospital Wards: Gender
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to direct NHS England to withdraw Annex B of its guidance Delivering same-sex accommodation, published in September 2019.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne
	uin	HL3959
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p>NHS England is updating their Delivering Same-Sex Accommodation guidance, and a revised version will be published in due course. It is imperative that National Health Service trusts respect the privacy and dignity of patients. The Government has been clear that patients should not have to share sleeping accommodation with others of the opposite sex, and should have access to segregated bathroom and toilet facilities.</p><p>As previously announced, proposals to protect the privacy, dignity, and safety of patients will be brought forward soon as part of the review of the NHS Constitution and its handbook. Any measures consulted on will be in line with the Equality Act 2010, respecting the rights of all patients in hospital settings.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 26/04/2024 13:22:14 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
	tabling member	1164 label Biography information for Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne

1702350

	registered interest
	date	18/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Environmental Land Management Schemes
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government why existing agri-environment schemes such as the Countryside Stewardship scheme are based on the claim deadline of 15 May 2023 while the Rural Payments Agency window runs up until 30 June 2024, resulting in wait times of up to 13 months for farmers and land managers to receive their payments; and whether they have any plans to change this in future.
	tabling member printed	The Earl of Sandwich
	uin	HL3961
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>Within the European Union, policies were set for seven years with limited opportunity to change, however, now that we have left the EU, we are rolling out our new environmental land management schemes and are adopting new approaches, including to our payment frequencies. We have already introduced more frequent payments in our new schemes, to make them work better for farm businesses. For example, SFI offers payments on a quarterly schedule, so that farmers start getting paid in the fourth month of their agreement, and every 3 months after that. Where possible, as we expand the offer, we will offer more frequent payments to more participants.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 24/04/2024 13:46:58 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	2109 label Biography information for The Earl of Sandwich

1701992

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Advance Pricing Agreements
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many advance transfer pricing agreements have been signed by HM Revenue and Customs in each of the past five years.
	tabling member printed	Lord Sikka
	uin	HL3907
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2024 answer text <p>HM Revenue and Customs has entered into the following number of advance pricing agreements in the past five tax years:</p><ul><li>2018 to 2019: 30</li><li>2019 to 2020: 26</li><li>2020 to 2021: 24</li><li>2021 to 2022: 20</li><li>2022 to 2023: 15</li></ul><p>This information is included in the Transfer Pricing and Diverted Profits Tax Statistics 2022 to 2023 which are publicly available and published on gov.uk[1].</p><p> </p><p>[1] <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transfer-pricing-and-diverted-profits-tax-statistics-2022-to-2023/transfer-pricing-and-diverted-profits-tax-statistics-2022-to-2023" target="_blank">Transfer Pricing and Diverted Profits Tax statistics 2022 to 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a></p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 25/04/2024 11:17:19 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	4885 label Biography information for Lord Sikka

1701995

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Business and Trade
	answering dept id	214
	answering dept short name	Business and Trade
	answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
	hansard heading	Electric Vehicles: Batteries
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many UK-based companies produce batteries for electric vehicles; and what is their collective capacity.
	tabling member printed	Lord Sikka
	uin	HL3910
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>AESC currently has a 1.9GWh facility operational in Sunderland. The UK has a further 52GWh per annum battery capacity committed – 12GWh from the AESC Gigafactory under construction in Sunderland and a further 40GWh from the planned Agratas Gigafactory. This is over half the capacity needed to meet industry demand forecasts of around 90GWh by 2030.</p> answering member printed Lord Offord of Garvel question first answered 23/04/2024 16:03:57 answering member 4931 label Biography information for Lord Offord of Garvel
	tabling member	4885 label Biography information for Lord Sikka

1701979

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Health Services: Staff
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact on the mental health and wellbeing of secondary care staff if their partnership with NHS Practitioner Health is ended after the 12-month review period.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Merron
	uin	HL3894
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>We recognise that the NHS Practitioner Health service is valued by many doctors. NHS England is reviewing the service as part of a wider review of its mental health and wellbeing offer to National Health Service staff. It was confirmed on 15 April 2024 that the service will continue to accept new patients from primary and secondary care whilst this review is undertaken over the next 12 months. NHS England will assess the impact and confirm future arrangements once the review has been completed.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 23/04/2024 16:06:17 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
	tabling member	347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron

1701999

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in allocating the Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund 2023 to 2024 for adult social care; and what are their plans for allocation in the financial year 2024–25.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Southwark
	uin	HL3914
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund (MSIF) gives an overall profile of almost £2 billion over two years. Local authorities can choose to use the funding to increase fee rates paid to adult social care providers, increase adult social care workforce capacity and retention, and reduce adult social care waiting times.</p><p>In 2023/34, a total of £927 million was made available to local authorities via MSIF, with a further £1.05 billion being made available in 2024/25. The funding has been distributed using the adult social care relative needs formula. Full local authority allocations for 2024/25 are available in the Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund Grant Determination 2024 to 2025 on GOV.UK in an online-only format.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 24/04/2024 11:45:14 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
	tabling member	4345 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Southwark

1701981

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Health Insurance: Private Sector
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what regulations are in place to ensure that the care and treatment provided by private medical insurers are the most appropriate for a specific patient.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Merron
	uin	HL3896
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>Private medical insurers purchase services from independent sector providers who are responsible for delivering healthcare.</p><p>All providers of healthcare are regulated by the Care Quality Commission and follow a set of fundamental standards of safety and quality below which care should never fall, while the General Medical Council is responsible for regulating doctors in the United Kingdom.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 23/04/2024 16:04:59 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
	tabling member	347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron

1701980

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Health Insurance: Private Sector
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to assess and mitigate the impact of private medical insurance fees on the quality and suitability of care provided to patients with private medical insurance.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Merron
	uin	HL3895
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government is determined that all insurers, including private medical insurers, treat consumers fairly and firms are required to do so under the Financial Conduct Authority’s rules.</p><p> </p><p>The FCA requires insurers to ensure their products offer fair value, meaning the price a consumer pays for a product or service must be reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive. The FCA has been clear that it will be monitoring firms to make sure they comply with this rule and will take action where necessary.</p><p> </p><p>All providers of healthcare are regulated by the Care Quality Commission and follow a set of fundamental standards of safety and quality below which care should never fall, while the General Medical Council is responsible for regulating doctors in the United Kingdom.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 24/04/2024 11:43:25 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	347 label Biography information for Baroness Merron

1701968

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Dementia: Diagnosis
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the NHS is prepared for the arrival of new diagnostic innovations for dementia.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Goudie
	uin	HL3883
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2024 answer text <p>The National Health Service is a world leader in rolling out innovative treatments and has established a dedicated national programme team which is working in partnership with other national agencies and with local health systems to prepare for the potential roll out of new treatments for use in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s disease. These plans assume that, if these new treatments are approved by the regulators, significant additional diagnostic capacity, including amyloid positron emission tomography–computed tomography, lumbar puncture and magnetic resonance imaging, will be needed both to identify patients who are most able to benefit and to provide important safety monitoring.</p><p>The national programme team is conducting preparations across the country, working alongside clinicians and local teams to identify where further funding will be required to roll out the additional tests and services needed to introduce these new and complex treatments.</p><p>NHS England is also working with partner agencies to support and inform further research into other diagnostic modalities, including blood-based biomarker and digital tests, which will help improve identification and management of Alzheimer’s disease.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 25/04/2024 14:26:03 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
	tabling member	3575 label Biography information for Baroness Goudie

1701967

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Health Services: Waiting Lists
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect updated NHS wait times to be published for 2022 and 2023.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Goudie
	uin	HL3882
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>NHS England publishes Referral to Treatment Waiting Times data for elective treatment monthly in an online-only format, including for 2022 and 2023. There are no plans to revise waiting times figures for these years.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 23/04/2024 11:39:06 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
	tabling member	3575 label Biography information for Baroness Goudie

1701969

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Fishing Vessels: Electric Vehicles
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish their response to the consultation on remote electronic fishing vessels, which ran from 17 July to 9 October 2023.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Hayman of Ullock
	uin	HL3884
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>We will be publishing responses soon and they will be available on GOV.UK.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 24/04/2024 13:44:20 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	4395 label Biography information for Baroness Hayman of Ullock

1701989

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Pharmacy: Rural Areas
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of the impact of rural pharmacy closures on access to primary care.
	tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of St Albans
	uin	HL3904
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p>It is the statutory duty of every local authority in England to undertake pharmaceutical needs assessments for their areas including those that are rural in nature, every three years, to ensure provision continues to meet their population’s needs. Integrated care boards have regard to those assessments when commissioning services and where a pharmacy closure impacts on the access to services, a new contractor can apply to open a pharmacy in the area.</p><p>Patients who struggle to access pharmacy premises can access pharmacy services remotely through any of the over 400 online pharmacies that are contractually required to deliver medicines free of charge. Alternatively, in some rural areas, doctors are permitted to dispense medication to patients.</p><p>The Pharmacy Access scheme provides additional funding to pharmacies in the areas where there are fewer pharmacies.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 26/04/2024 13:21:30 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
	tabling member	4308 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans

1701994

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Water Companies: Debts
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government why OFWAT calculate gearing levels of water companies by using a debt-to-assets ratio as opposed to a debt-to-equity ratio.
	tabling member printed	Lord Sikka
	uin	HL3909
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p>It is standard practice for regulated sectors to calculate gearing by reference to Regulator Capital Value (RCV). This is because there exists an RCV which represents costs incurred to date which can be recovered from customers in the future. This approach to calculating Regulatory Gearing is used by Ofgem and the Civil Aviation Authority and is recognised by the Rating Agencies.</p><p> </p><p>As the RCV represents the net stock of investment that has been contributed by debt and investors over time, it grows with net levels of investment. This provides the capacity against which companies may raise debt and equity to finance investment programmes.</p><p> </p><p>There is no equivalent to an RCV for companies operating in a competitive market. Gearing measured by reference to RCV is a more useful metric than standard accounting measure of gearing in a utility sector because future revenue streams are more certain than they would be for companies operating in a competitive market.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 26/04/2024 10:59:33 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	4885 label Biography information for Lord Sikka

1701611

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Drugs: Prices
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how they plan to formally engage with the wider health sector and industry partners on the next stages in the development of proposed changes to Part IX of the Drug Tariff, following the conclusion of the consultation on these proposals.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Finlay of Llandaff
	uin	HL3842
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>The consultation response on the proposed amendments to Part IX and the final impact assessment is expected to be released in May 2024, and will outline the Government’s response.</p><p>The Department believes that it is currently difficult to identify which devices are broadly comparable, and whether more expensive devices provide added value. The proposed amendments that were consulted on intend to increase meaningful choice, not to decrease choice for clinicians and patients. Comparison between products can increase awareness of different brands amongst prescribers.</p><p>These proposals support the Life Sciences Vision, and are designed to increase innovation and alignment between partners in the health and care system. The enhanced assessment process will allow comparison between products based on their merits, increasing transparency and competition, and encouraging new products and small and medium sized businesses to enter the market. The proposed introduction of environmental attributes in social value scoring increases the vision to help the National Health Service meet Net Zero.</p><p>The Department is aware that there are some very good devices in use, relied upon by clinicians and patients. Part IX will remain a list of devices available to be prescribed in the community via the FP10 prescription route. Any amendments that are taken forward will happen gradually, with review points and engagement with stakeholders, including industry, patient representatives, clinicians, and NHS organisations. The Department will share a timeline of proposed changes taken forward, in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham grouped question UIN HL3841 question first answered 22/04/2024 15:04:52 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
	tabling member	3609 label Biography information for Baroness Finlay of Llandaff

1701638

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Cost of Living
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the Financial Conduct Authority survey indicating an increase in adults across the UK struggling to pay bills due to the high cost of living, and what steps they are taking to help individuals and families facing financial difficulties.
	tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
	uin	HL3869
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The FCA’s 2024 Cost of Living survey found a reduction in the number of people finding it hard to manage higher costs of living since January 2023.</p><p> </p><p>The government has already provided support to help with the cost of living totalling £96 billion from 2022-23 to 2023-2024 – an average of £3400 per UK household.</p><p> </p><p>Further actions taken by the government in 2024-25 include: a rise in the National Living Wage (NLW) by 9.8% - ending low hourly pay for workers on the NLW, raising Local Housing Allowance to the 30<sup>th</sup> percentile of market rents, uprating working-age benefits by 6.7%, freezing fuel duty, removing Debt Relief Order fees, and doubling the Budgeting Advance Loan repayment period.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 24/04/2024 11:42:45 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1701641

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Health Professions: Mental Health
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the mental health of medical practitioners of withdrawing NHS Practitioner Health services for new applicants.
	tabling member printed	Lord Turnberg
	uin	HL3872
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>We recognise that the NHS Practitioner Health service is valued by many doctors. NHS England is reviewing the service as part of a wider review of its mental health and wellbeing offer to National Health Service staff. It was confirmed on 15 April 2024 that the service will continue to accept new patients from primary and secondary care whilst this review is undertaken over the next 12 months. NHS England will confirm future arrangements once the review has been completed.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 22/04/2024 14:47:45 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
	tabling member	2537 label Biography information for Lord Turnberg

1701603

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Bank of England: Forecasts
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the review of Bank of England forecasting led by Ben Bernanke.
	tabling member printed	Lord Allen of Kensington
	uin	HL3834
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The Bank of England has operational independence from the government to carry out its statutory responsibilities for monetary policy and financial stability. The government’s commitment to this independence remains absolute.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 24/04/2024 11:40:35 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
	tabling member	4304 label Biography information for Lord Allen of Kensington

1701626

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Respiratory Syncytial Virus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what data they are gathering on countries currently implementing immunisation programmes for infant respiratory syncytial virus regarding (1) acceptance and uptake, and (2) hospitalisations.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
	uin	HL3857
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK Health Security Agency continues to monitor international reporting. In the United States, as of 31 January 2024, maternal immunisation was 17.9%. By February 2024, 43% of infants under eight months old had received a dose of nirsevimab.</p><p>In Galicia, Spain, 92.9% of 5,357 infants born between 25 September 2023 and 4 February 2024 had nirsevimab, plus 79.7% of 5,823 in a catch-up programme. The peak of hospitalisation rate in infants under six months old was 102 per 100,000, for season 2023 to 2024 during the week starting 27 November 2023 compared to a median of 776 for seasons 2017 to 2018, 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020, peaking during the first week of January 2024.</p><p>In Luxembourg, 84% of 1,524 infants born in hospital between early October and mid-December 2023 received nirsevimab. Luxembourg observed a decrease in hospitalisation in infants under six months old of 69% between the 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024 respiratory syncytial virus seasons.</p> answering member printed Lord Markham question first answered 25/04/2024 14:17:15 answering member 4948 label Biography information for Lord Markham
	tabling member	4130 label Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick