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1698218

	registered interest
	date	22/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Department for Transport: Billing
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what is the average time a business waits for the payment of an invoice from the Department for Transport.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL3559
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2024 answer text <p>For the 23-24 Financial Year thus far, the average time a business waits for the payment of a valid invoice from the Department for Transport is 3.41 working days.</p> answering member printed Lord Davies of Gower question first answered 03/04/2024 13:58:32 answering member 4499 label Biography information for Lord Davies of Gower
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1698217

	registered interest
	date	22/03/2024
	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	Small Businesses: Billing
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to help small businesses deal with late payments.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL3558
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/04/2024 answer text <p>While the UK has a strong record of payment times, we are determined to see payment times fall to ensure that small businesses are given the best chance of succeeding. The Government set out policy actions in the Prompt Payment and Cash Flow which was published alongside the Autumn Statement in November 2023. These actions include extending Payment Performance Reporting Regulations with legislation being passed earlier this month, ensuring that large businesses are required to report their payment performance. The Review sets out other actions, including reforming the Prompt Payment Code and providing the Small Business Commissioner with broader powers.</p> answering member printed Lord Offord of Garvel question first answered 10/04/2024 11:06:05 answering member 4931 label Biography information for Lord Offord of Garvel
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1698219

	registered interest
	date	22/03/2024
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Billing
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what is the average time a business waits for the payment of an invoice from the Ministry of Defence.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL3560
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2024 answer text <p>As per Cabinet Office guidance, the Ministry of Defence aims to pay 90% of all undisputed and validated invoices for Small to Medium Enterprises within 5 days of receipt. Additionally, MoD is committed that 100% of all undisputed and validated invoices should be paid within 30 days.</p><p> </p><p>Ministry of Defence reports its supplier payment performance, invoice processing and MoD contract payments in line with statutory requirements and reports its results quarterly at GOV.UK Ministry of Defence supplier invoicing and payment information - GOV.UK (<a href="http://www.gov.uk/" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a>)</p><p> </p><p>Table below shows results for financial year 2023-2024 by quarter. Financial year runs from April 2023 to March 2024.</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><p><strong>Ministry of Defence payment performance </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2023-2024</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Financial year <br> 2023-2024</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Percentage of invoices paid <br> within 5 days<strong>[1]</strong></strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Percentage of invoices paid <br> within 30 days</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>First Quarter</p></td><td><p>94.13%</p></td><td><p>99.24%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Second Quarter</p></td><td><p>94.08%</p></td><td><p>99.29%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Third Quarter</p></td><td><p>87.35%</p></td><td><p>99.25%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>[1] This includes all suppliers not just Small to Medium Enterprises</p> answering member printed The Earl of Minto question first answered 09/04/2024 15:25:33 answering member 4952 label Biography information for The Earl of Minto
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1694824

	registered interest
	date	08/03/2024
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Africa: Sustainable Development
	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 African Union’s Agenda 2063 to deliver inclusive and sustainable development in Africa and transform it into "the global powerhouse of the future"; and what engagement they are having with partners to support the delivery of those aims.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL3154
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2024 answer text <p>On 30 October, the UK and the African Union held our inaugural High Level Dialogue, hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Africa. At the Dialogue, Minister Mitchell announced further UK funding in support of the African Union's 2063 Agenda, and for its flagship Silencing the Guns campaign. This includes £10 million in stipends to support troops in Somalia, bringing our total commitment to the AU Transition Mission in Somalia since 2022 to more than £57 million.</p><p>We are also providing £3 million through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's Tackling Deadly Diseases in African Programme, helping the Africa Centres for Disease Control and World Health Organisation address emergency preparedness and response in the continent.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 22/03/2024 11:24:34 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1694823

	registered interest
	date	08/03/2024
	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	Tidal Power: Cost Effectiveness
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of tidal turbine technology to produce energy at a cost-effective level.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL3153
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/03/2024 answer text <p>Tidal stream is a novel technology and so initial costs are high. Cost reductions are required to deliver the potential benefits cost-effectively. In 2023 DESNZ published research on ‘Levelised Costs of Electricity from Tidal Stream Energy’. It suggested there is potential for significant cost reductions, subject to deployment. 94MW of new tidal stream power was procured in Contracts for Difference Allocation Rounds 4 and 5. This will increase the UK’s installed capacity tenfold.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 22/03/2024 11:28:46 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1693095

	registered interest
	date	01/03/2024
	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	Red Sea: Piracy
	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 increased costs to British business resulting from the attacks to shipping in the Red Sea.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2951
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/03/2024 answer text <p>The Department of Business and Trade is in regular contact with key businesses and industries to understand the issues they may be facing as a result of the disturbance in the Red Sea. We have open channels of communication with key stakeholders to ensure the most effective mitigations are in place to support with any increased costs they are facing. Our Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy will help UK business build the secure and reliable supply chains vital to the UK’s economic prosperity, national security and essential services.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>For exporters affected, UK businesses can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises a digital self-serve offer and our wider network of support, including trade advisors, export champions, the Export Academy, International Markets network, and UK Export Finance.</p> answering member printed Lord Offord of Garvel question first answered 21/03/2024 12:36:18 answering member 4931 label Biography information for Lord Offord of Garvel
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1692919

	registered interest
	date	29/02/2024
	answering body	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	answering dept id	211
	answering dept short name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	answering dept sort name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	hansard heading	Building Inspectors
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of the number of building inspectors and any risk to construction due to declines in their numbers.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2901
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2024 answer text <p>I refer the Noble Lady to the answer given to Question UIN <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-02-28/16272" target="_blank">16272</a> on 5 March 2024.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 14/03/2024 15:59:06 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook attachment 1 file name PQ 16272 - Written questions and answers.pdf title 16272
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1692921

	registered interest
	date	29/02/2024
	answering body	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	answering dept id	211
	answering dept short name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	answering dept sort name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	hansard heading	Housing: Cooperatives
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are providing to the development of more cooperative housing schemes.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2903
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2024 answer text <p>The Government is committed to supporting housing co-operatives and other providers of community-led housing. The National Planning Policy Framework sets out the Government's planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied, and was most recently revised in December 2023. The National Planning Policy Framework now includes several measures that will support the diversification of the housing market, including the growth of the community-led housing sector. These new measures include:</p><ul><li>A new community-led housing exception sites policy to encourage local authorities to support the development of community-led sites that deliver affordable housing to meet local need;</li></ul><ul><li>encouragement to local planning authorities to seek opportunities to support small sites to come forward for community-led development for housing;</li></ul><ul><li>greater emphasis on the role that community-led development can have in supporting the provision of housing in rural areas; and</li></ul><ul><li>a definition of “community-led developments”, which will help planning authorities provide support for local proposals for community-led housing development;</li></ul><p>Community-based groups (or their partner organisations) who are registered as providers of social housing may apply for capital grant through the £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme (AHP).</p><p>In addition, in 2023, we provided £3 million to support a social finance fund to provide equity and loan finance for community-led housing schemes across England. This fund is expected to support the delivery of 1587 homes over ten years.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 14/03/2024 16:00:08 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1692922

	registered interest
	date	29/02/2024
	answering body	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	answering dept id	211
	answering dept short name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	answering dept sort name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	hansard heading	Elections: Disinformation
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent any negative impact on this year's local elections as a result of fake news being disseminated through (1) artificial intelligence, and (2) other means.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2904
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2024 answer text <p>The Government is committed to safeguarding the UK’s elections and already has established systems and processes in place, to protect the democratic integrity of the UK.</p><p>The Government has established the Defending Democracy Taskforce, which has a mandate to safeguard our democratic institutions and processes from the full range of threats, including digitally manipulated content. The Taskforce is an enduring government function which is ensuring we have a robust system in place to rapidly respond to any threats during election periods, including novel threats from artificial intelligence (AI).</p><p>The new digital imprints regime, introduced by the Elections Act 2022, will increase the transparency of digital political advertising, including AI-generated material.</p><p>Additionally, it is already an election offence for a person to make a false statement about a candidate which provides a reasonable check and balance against malicious smear campaigns.</p><p>The threat to democracy from artificial intelligence was discussed at the AI Safety Summit in November 2023, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to international collaboration on this shared challenge.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 14/03/2024 16:05:36 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1692920

	registered interest
	date	29/02/2024
	answering body	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	answering dept id	211
	answering dept short name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	answering dept sort name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
	hansard heading	Arms Length Management Organisations
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many arms-length management organisations there are in England.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2902
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2024 answer text <p>We do not collect this information centrally. However, the National Federation of ALMOs’ latest publicity suggests that there are currently 19 arms-length management organisations in England: <a href="https://www.almos.org.uk/about-us/our-members/" target="_blank">https://www.almos.org.uk/about-us/our-members/</a>.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Swinburne question first answered 13/03/2024 16:04:26 answering member 4985 label Biography information for Baroness Swinburne attachment 1 file name HL2902 - Our members - NFA National Federation of ALMOs.pdf title The National Federation of ALMOs'
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1692918

	registered interest
	date	29/02/2024
	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	Housing: Construction
	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 electricity grid miscalculations on housebuilding in England.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2900
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/03/2024 answer text <p>The calculation of electricity network capacity for new housing developments is a matter for housing developers and network companies. Guidance on network capacity requirements for housing developments has been published by the Independent Networks Association, whose members are responsible for the connection of around 80 percent of newbuild developments. Distribution Network Operators also offer online calculators for housebuilders to determine the network capacity they might require for their developments.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 14/03/2024 12:12:57 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1692917

	registered interest
	date	29/02/2024
	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 Supply: Microplastics
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of the amount of microplastics in tap water.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2899
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/03/2024 answer text <p>The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has published two research projects on microplastics in drinking water – one in January 2019 reviewing the potential risks from nanoparticles and microplastics and another in October 2022 looking at the removal of microplastics by drinking water treatment processes.</p><p> </p><p>The research by the DWI found that more than 99.99% of microplastic particles were removed through conventional drinking water treatment processes. As a consequence of the removal rates, microplastics were present at very low levels in drinking water. Their contribution to total daily exposure, and presenting a potential risk to human health, was likely to be low or insignificant. The World Health Organization has also recommended that routine monitoring of microplastics in drinking water was not necessary at this time.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 11/03/2024 14:55:21 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1690952

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Bus Services
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of (1) rural bus services in England, and (2) the effectiveness of the Bus Services Act 2017 in improving services.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2671
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/03/2024 answer text <p>The Government's approach to improving bus services in England, including those in rural areas, is set out in the National Bus Strategy. We have announced more than £4.5 billion of funding for buses in England outside of London since 2020, <br> including:</p><p>o The recently announced £1 billion of funding redirected from HS2 to deliver better buses across the North and the Midlands as part of Network North;</p><p>o Over £1 billion allocated in 2022 to help LTAs deliver their BSIPs;</p><p>o £300 million in ongoing funding to support and improve services until April 2025;</p><p>o Nearly £600 million to cap single bus fares at £2 from 1 January 2023 until the end of 2024; and</p><p>o £2 billion between March 2020 and June 2023 to prevent reductions to bus services following the pandemic.</p><p> </p><p>The Bus Services Act 2017 was accompanied by a suite of regulations to provide Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) outside London with powers to improve local bus services. These included enhanced partnerships (EPs) between bus operators and LTAs, and automatic franchising powers to all Mayoral Combined Authorities. 73 LTAs now have an EP in place and Greater Manchester expect to have a fully franchised bus network by March 2025. <br> <br> The Bus Services Act 2017 also focused on introducing the Bus Open Data Service (BODS). The BODS was launched in 2020, and requires all bus operators of local services in England to open up high-quality, accurate and up-to-date bus service information including timetables, fares, tickets &amp; vehicle location information. <br> <br> The Bus Services Act 2017 also amended the Equality Act 2010 to enable the Government to introduce ‘Accessible Information Regulations’ as part of its commitment to creating an inclusive transport system. These regulations were introduced in 2023, which by Autumn 2026 will require the majority of local bus and coach services to incorporate audible and visible announcements as standard. <br> <br> The Department is conducting a monitoring and evaluation exercise on the impact of the National Bus Strategy. The Bus Transformation Evaluation assesses the delivery and impact of Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) introduced by the 33 LTAs that received Phase 1 BSIP funding from the Department under the National Bus Strategy. A draft interim report is expected by summer 2024. In addition, the Department is also conducting monitoring and evaluation of the Inclusive Transport Strategy 2018, which includes an assessment of the impact of accessibility requirements introduced under the Bus Services Act 2017 to provide audible and visible information on buses. The Inclusive Transport Strategy: Evaluation Baseline Report was published in January 2022 and the final report is expected to be published later this year.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member printed Lord Davies of Gower question first answered 06/03/2024 11:56:52 answering member 4499 label Biography information for Lord Davies of Gower
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1690953

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Fisheries: Conditions of Employment
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of working conditions in the UK fishing fleet.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2672
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/02/2024 answer text <p>The Government maintains a strong interest in the living and working conditions within the fishing industry. The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Work in Fishing Convention (ILO 188) was implemented into UK law in 2018. The Government continues to monitor living and working conditions in the fishing industry through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) survey and inspection programme for fishing vessels. The Government chairs a twice-yearly tripartite working group comprising of Government, fishing vessel owner representatives and fishers’ representatives to monitor living and working conditions and the implementation of ILO 188 in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>It is now just over five years since the legislation to implement the standards of the ILO 188 Convention was made. The Government conducted a statutory review of the legislation in 2023 and the post implementation report will be published later this year.</p> answering member printed Lord Davies of Gower question first answered 29/02/2024 14:02:49 answering member 4499 label Biography information for Lord Davies of Gower
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1690954

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2024
	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	Cereals: Production
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support UK farmers to increase the production of wheat, barley, oats, and other cereals.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2673
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/02/2024 answer text <p>Our fantastic British farmers are world-leaders and carefully plan their planting to suit the weather, their soil type, and their long-term agronomic strategy.</p><p> </p><p>It is not Government policy to determine which crops farmers should prioritise to include in their crop rotation, but we will continue to support farmers, so they can make the right decisions for them and the productivity of their land.</p><p> </p><p>At the NFU conference, the Government announced a range of measures to boost productivity and resilience in the farming sector, including the largest ever grant offer for farmers in the coming financial year, expected to total £427 million. This includes doubling investment in productivity schemes, bolstering schemes such as the Improving Farming Productivity grant, the Water Management grant, the adding Value grant. Lastly the Farming Equipment and Technology fund can fund productivity items from a specified list of equipment, including eligible drills, fertiliser applicators, and grain dryers, which is due to open in the coming weeks.</p><p> </p><p>Defra’s Genetic Improvement Networks (GINs) on Wheat, Oilseed Rape and Pulses crops aim to improve the main UK crops by identifying genetic traits to improve their productivity, sustainability and resilience. Across the GINs we have already successfully identified genetic traits that have improved resilience to climate change and common pests and diseases, and we are working with breeders to incorporate these traits into elite UK crop varieties.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 29/02/2024 14:43:04 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1690955

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2024
	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	Cattle: Methane
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the reduction of methane in the cattle sector.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2674
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2024 answer text <p>Achieving the net zero target is a priority for the Government. The Net Zero Growth Plan and Environmental Improvement Plan set out a range of specific commitments to further reduce emissions from agriculture. To deliver towards these we are developing a range of measures through the Agriculture Act and our farming policy, all with the aim of enabling farmers to optimise sustainable food production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.</p><p> </p><p>Defra considers that Methane Suppressing Feed Products (MSFPs) are an essential tool to decarbonise the agriculture sector. In England, our objective is to establish a mature market for these products, encourage uptake and mandate the use of MSFPs in appropriate cattle systems as soon as feasibly possible and no later than 2030. We are committed to working with farmers and industry to achieve this goal, and in early March will convene the inaugural meeting of a Ministerial-led industry taskforce on MSFPs.</p><p> </p><p>In 2023, Defra launched the second round of the Slurry Infrastructure Grants in England, offering £74 million to farmers to improve their slurry stores. As a condition of the grant, farmers are required to cover slurry stores with impermeable covers to minimise ammonia and methane emissions. The grant can also be used for projects which aid methane recovery (the grant does not fund the methane recovery element itself).</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency has published a corresponding <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/collecting-storing-and-upgrading-biogas-from-on-farm-manure-and-slurry-rps-259/collecting-storing-and-upgrading-biogas-from-on-farm-manure-and-slurry-rps-259" target="_blank">regulatory position statement</a> (RPS 259, copy attached), which sets out a clear regulatory framework to allow methane capture from slurry under suitable circumstances.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 04/03/2024 12:24:53 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller attachment 1 file name PQ HL2674 attachment RPS 259 - GOV.UK.pdf title HL2674 Attachment - RPS 259
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1690956

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2024
	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	Agriculture: Skilled Workers
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what their latest assessment of the agriculture industry’s ability to attract skilled staff.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2675
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/02/2024 answer text <p>The Government encourages all sectors to make employment more attractive to domestic workers in the United Kingdom through offering training, careers options, wage increases and to invest in increased automation technology. Defra is working closely with industry and across the Government to make sure there is a long-term strategy for the food and farming workforce.</p><p> </p><p>In 2022, the Government commissioned an independent review of labour shortages in the food supply chain. It considered how automation, domestic labour and migrant labour can contribute to tackling labour shortages, following a survey of businesses across the food chain and a series of round-table meetings. The report was published on 30 June 2023. The government is considering the 10 recommendations from the report and will respond shortly.</p><p> </p><p>Enabling an innovative, productive and competitive food and farming industry which invests in its people and skills to drive growth is a key priority for the Government. Attracting bright new talent into agricultural and horticultural careers and having a skilled workforce in place is vital for the future of UK food and farming. By raising awareness of agriculture as an exciting and attractive career path, people will understand the opportunities available to them in the farming and land management industry.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 29/02/2024 14:42:25 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1690957

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2024
	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	Pigs: Livestock Industry
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support pig breeders in the UK.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2676
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/02/2024 answer text <p>The British pig sector is highly resilient and plays a significant role in the production of high quality pork meat. It operates in an open market and the value of commodities is established by those in the supply chain.</p><p> </p><p>Defra continues to support the pig sector through a range of measures. Outdoor pig breeders may now apply to the Sustainable Farming Incentive and may access free business planning advice from independent advisers through the Farming Resilience Fund which is open until March 2025. They are also eligible to apply for our productivity and innovation grants via the Farming Investment Fund. This includes the £200 million that is available to support livestock farmers to manage slurry through the Slurry Infrastructure grant and the Farm Equipment &amp; Technology Fund. Following feedback from the pig sector, we increased the storage capacity that pig farmers can apply for in Round 2 of the Slurry Infrastructure grant from six to eight months’ covered storage capacity.</p><p> </p><p>Pig breeders are also eligible to apply for support through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. This includes access to bespoke health and welfare advice through a fully funded vet visit and, as announced at the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) conference earlier this month, imminent access to a second round of grants toward the cost of 59 equipment and technology items supporting improvement in the health and welfare of pigs.</p><p> </p><p>At the NFU conference, the Prime Minister confirmed we will introduce a regulatory framework for contracts with producers in the pig sector later this year, following the supply chain fairness review of the UK pig supply chain that was undertaken in 2022.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 29/02/2024 14:40:58 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1688905

	registered interest
	date	14/02/2024
	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: Labelling
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve the information on food packaging to enable consumers to make informed choices.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2484
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2024 answer text <p>All food sold in the UK must comply with food labelling rules, which include the requirement for specific information to be presented in a specific way. These rules require that a food label on pre-packed foods must show:</p><p>the name of the food;</p><p>a list of ingredients;</p><p>the net quantity of the food and the quantity of certain ingredients used;</p><p>ingredients causing allergies or intolerances;</p><p>a best before or use by date;</p><p>any special storage conditions and/or conditions of use;</p><p>the name and address of the food business operator;</p><p>instructions for use where necessary, and</p><p>a nutrition declaration.</p><p>Country of origin information is already required for fresh and frozen meat of beef, sheep, goat, pigs and poultry, as well as for uncut fresh fruit and vegetables, honey, olive oil and wine. For all other prepacked food, origin is required where its omission would be misleading to consumers. For processed food, where the origin of the primary ingredient is different to that of the food itself and the origin of the food is given, an indication that the origin of the primary ingredient is different or the specific origin must also be provided.</p><p> </p><p>At the Oxford Farming Conference, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced a rapid consultation to gather views on how we can make packaging information clearer to help boost consumer confidence and ensure farmers are fairly rewarded.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 23/02/2024 14:30:11 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1688906

	registered interest
	date	14/02/2024
	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	Fly-tipping: Rural Areas
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address fly-tipping in rural areas.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2485
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2024 answer text <p>We appreciate the difficulty that fly-tipping poses to landowners. We are working with stakeholders, such as the National Farmers Union and local authorities, through the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group to share good practice, including how to prevent fly-tipping on private land.</p><p> </p><p>As part of the Government’s commitment to unleash rural opportunity, we are currently funding a post within the new National Rural Crime Unit to explore how the police’s role in tacking fly-tipping can be optimised, with a focus on rural areas.</p><p> </p><p>Across two rounds of our fly-tipping grant scheme, we have awarded nearly £1.2m to help more than 30 councils tackle fly-tipping at known hot-spots, including in rural areas, such as by installing CCTV. We are currently reviewing applications for a third round of grants, which could see a further £1m handed out in the spring to help even more councils tackle the issue.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 20/02/2024 15:01:48 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1688907

	registered interest
	date	14/02/2024
	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	Fertilisers: Sales
	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 ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate are sold securely for lawful purposes.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2486
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2024 answer text <p>The Control of Poisons and Explosives Precursors Regulations 2023 introduced new substances to the lists of regulated explosives precursors and poisons including the acquisition, importation, supply, possession and use of ammonium nitrate above 16% nitrogen. From 1 October 2023 businesses supplying ammonium nitrate above 16% nitrogen to business customers need to take additional steps to verify the legitimacy of the professional user or business. They must now obtain a form of photographic identification as well as the business name and address, a statement of the nature of their trade and their VAT registration number. This information must be recorded and retained for 18 months and available for inspection. Ammonium nitrate is listed as a regulated explosives precursor meaning a member of the public is only able to import, acquire possess or use the substance with a valid Explosives Precursors and Poisons Licence. Calcium ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate are listed as reportable explosives precursors under the Poisons Act 1972 meaning a business selling these substances must report any potential suspicious transactions within 24 hours.</p><p> </p><p>The Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS) controls the supply and distribution of AN in GB. The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) manages the development and implementation of the scheme under the supervision of the FIAS Steering Group.</p><p> </p><p>In GB, should any products contain more than 28% by weight of ammonium nitrate, then they should also meet the requirements of The Ammonium Nitrate Materials (High Nitrogen Content) Safety Regulations 2003.</p><p> </p><p>In Northern Ireland, the Control of Explosives Precursors etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 are in operation. Under these regulations, ammonium nitrate is classified as a tier 1 substance, and therefore requires a licence for supply, acquisition, possession, use or import into Northern Ireland. Individuals who hold a tier 1 substance licence must complete a record of each acquisition, supply or import into Northern Ireland. Individuals with a license have obligations towards keeping records and obtaining police consent for transactions over a certain weight or measure.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 23/02/2024 14:13:46 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1688908

	registered interest
	date	14/02/2024
	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	Pesticides: Licensing
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many users of plant protection products have registered under the Official Controls (Plant Protection Products) Regulations 2020.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2487
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2024 answer text <p>To date we have 21,682 users registered under the Official Controls (Plant Protection Products) Regulations 2020.</p><p> </p><p>The number is increasing in response to recent communication. We are considering how we can further increase uptake through engagement with industry assurance schemes.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 27/02/2024 16:49:21 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1688799

	registered interest
	date	12/02/2024
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Diplomatic Relations
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many countries have permanent diplomatic representation in the UK.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2392
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2024 answer text <p>The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes details of foreign embassies, high commissions and consulates in the UK on gov.uk, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-embassies-in-the-uk.</p><p>This page includes the London Diplomatic List (LDL), which contains details of all embassies and high commissions, as well as the names of heads of mission and other diplomatic agents appointed in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The LDL lists 169 diplomatic missions with their permanent seat in the UK. 17 countries have non-resident diplomatic representation to the UK. Nine countries are represented by an Honorary Consul.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 26/02/2024 17:30:01 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1688800

	registered interest
	date	12/02/2024
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Diplomatic Relations
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many countries the UK has permanent diplomatic representation in.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2393
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2024 answer text <p>The UK has diplomatic representation present in 160 countries recognised by the UK Government. This number periodically changes for political and operational reasons. It excludes countries in which we have closed or temporarily suspended a Post in country, which may operate elsewhere. The UK also has representation present in 15 territories, which includes 12 UK Overseas Territories.</p><p>The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) publishes a full list of locations where the UK has a diplomatic presence on GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-foreign-office-posts. This list is regularly updated.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 26/02/2024 17:41:02 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1688801

	registered interest
	date	12/02/2024
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Diplomatic Relations
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government which countries do not have permanent diplomatic representation in the UK.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
	uin	HL2394
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2024 answer text <p>The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes details of foreign embassies, high commissions and consulates in the UK on gov.uk, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-embassies-in-the-uk.</p><p>This page includes the London Diplomatic List (LDL), which contains details of all embassies and high commissions, as well as the names of heads of mission and other diplomatic agents appointed in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The LDL lists 169 diplomatic missions with their permanent seat in the UK. 17 countries have non-resident diplomatic representation to the UK. Nine countries are represented by an Honorary Consul.</p><p>Some countries do not have a UK diplomatic presence or Honorary Consul representation. The FCDO does not publish a complete list of countries without UK diplomatic representation as this information is publicly available by comparing the LDL against the official map of countries as recognised by the UN: https://www.un.org/geospatial/content/world-today.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 26/02/2024 17:28:49 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
	tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley