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1343494

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Pension Service: Standards
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking, if any, to improve the customer service provided by the Pension Service across all types of contact, including by (1) the call centres, and (2) the correspondence units.
	tabling member printed	Lord Black of Brentwood
	uin	HL1669
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2021 answer text <p>The Department is committed to delivering high quality customer service in line with Departmental Quality standards. We undertake regular checks on the quality of work undertaken by our staff including monitoring telephone calls and written correspondence.</p><p> </p><p>Feedback from customers on the quality of our service is important to us. We act on this quickly to resolve issues and address areas for improvement.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 14/07/2021 13:51:25 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	4171 label Biography information for Lord Black of Brentwood

1343495

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Pension Service: Standards
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will conduct a review of the template letters used by (1) the Pension Service, and (2) the Department for Work and Pensions, to ensure communications are as clear and comprehensible as possible.
	tabling member printed	Lord Black of Brentwood
	uin	HL1670
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2021 answer text <p>The Department is committed to making template letters clear, understandable and accessible for all customers.</p><p> </p><p>However, we have introduced improved letters for new State Pension customers and we are currently in the process of reviewing and revising Pension Credit letters. As part of these reviews, research is undertaken with a wide range of individuals - and their representatives - who will or have received these benefits. The findings from the research is then used to inform development of the letters which are tested with customers before being introduced for wider use.</p><p> </p><p>The Department’s intention is to gradually update all template letters as part of plans to modernise services. This is a long-term plan due to the complexity and volume of letters.</p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 14/07/2021 13:52:02 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	4171 label Biography information for Lord Black of Brentwood

1343496

	registered interest
	date	05/07/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Pension Service: Standards
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what use they have made of (1) focus groups, and (2) other qualitative techniques, to improve the functioning of (a) the Pension Service, and (b) the Department for Work and Pensions.
	tabling member printed	Lord Black of Brentwood
	uin	HL1671
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/07/2021 answer text <p>The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) makes extensive use of qualitative techniques to improve the functions of its services, extensive examples can be found on gov.uk by searching ‘government/ collections/ research-reports’. With specific reference to improving the functioning of Pension Service – the Department has not undertaken a stand-alone qualitative research project examining this issue in isolation.</p><p> </p><p>The Department does however undertake a regular customer experience survey with a range of DWP services, including state pension customers. The survey includes questions around being treated with respect, speed of service delivered and overall satisfaction. The latest published report can be found on the gov.uk website by searching ‘DWP claimant service and experience survey 2018 to 2019’.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Stedman-Scott question first answered 14/07/2021 13:53:21 answering member 4174 label Biography information for Baroness Stedman-Scott
	tabling member	4171 label Biography information for Lord Black of Brentwood

1169891

	registered interest
	date	09/01/2020
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Conversion Therapy
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to hold a consultation on their proposal to outlaw gay conversion therapy; and if so, when.
	tabling member printed	Lord Black of Brentwood
	uin	HL247
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/01/2020 answer text <p>Attempts to ‘cure’ somebody of their sexual orientation or gender identity, otherwise known as conversion therapies, are wrong. This Government will deliver on the LGBT Action Plan, including the commitment to end conversion therapy and we have commissioned research into the experiences of those who have been subjected to this abhorrent practice.</p><p>These are complex issues that we are approaching sensitively. We are engaging widely before bringing forward proposals, and we will set out our next steps in the coming months to ensure that the actions we take are proportionate and effective.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 13/01/2020 12:41:18 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
	tabling member	4171 label Biography information for Lord Black of Brentwood

1306678

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2021
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	LGBT+ People: Human Rights
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by the United Nations Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity Report on Conversion Therapy, published in February 2020, what assessment they have made of its findings; and what plans they have this year to take forward the recommendation to ban conversion therapy.
	tabling member printed	Lord Black of Brentwood
	uin	HL14617
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2021 answer text <p>The Government will ban conversion therapy. The ban will cover both sexual orientation and gender identity. How we ban these practices is a complex issue that we must get right. Officials continue to consult a range of organisations with diverse views. As well as this consultation, officials continue to assess the most up-to-date evidence, including that of the UN’s Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. We have also undertaken research to understand practices, experiences and impacts associated with conversion therapy and will publish this in due course. The Government is working at pace on this issue and will outline its plans shortly.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge grouped question UIN HL14618 HL14619 HL14620 question first answered 09/04/2021 09:42:43 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
	tabling member	4171 label Biography information for Lord Black of Brentwood

1306679

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2021
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	LGBT+ People: Human Rights
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association Curbing deception: a world survey of legal restriction of so-called "conversion therapies", published in 2020, what assessment they have made of its findings, especially its strategies to restrict conversion therapy practices.
	tabling member printed	Lord Black of Brentwood
	uin	HL14618
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2021 answer text <p>The Government will ban conversion therapy. The ban will cover both sexual orientation and gender identity. How we ban these practices is a complex issue that we must get right. Officials continue to consult a range of organisations with diverse views. As well as this consultation, officials continue to assess the most up-to-date evidence, including that of the UN’s Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. We have also undertaken research to understand practices, experiences and impacts associated with conversion therapy and will publish this in due course. The Government is working at pace on this issue and will outline its plans shortly.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge grouped question UIN HL14617 HL14619 HL14620 question first answered 09/04/2021 09:42:43 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
	tabling member	4171 label Biography information for Lord Black of Brentwood

1306680

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2021
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Conversion Therapy
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to include bans on attempts to change someone's gender identity with any ban on conversion therapy practices.
	tabling member printed	Lord Black of Brentwood
	uin	HL14619
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2021 answer text <p>The Government will ban conversion therapy. The ban will cover both sexual orientation and gender identity. How we ban these practices is a complex issue that we must get right. Officials continue to consult a range of organisations with diverse views. As well as this consultation, officials continue to assess the most up-to-date evidence, including that of the UN’s Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. We have also undertaken research to understand practices, experiences and impacts associated with conversion therapy and will publish this in due course. The Government is working at pace on this issue and will outline its plans shortly.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge grouped question UIN HL14617 HL14618 HL14620 question first answered 09/04/2021 09:42:43 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
	tabling member	4171 label Biography information for Lord Black of Brentwood

1306681

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2021
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Conversion Therapy
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their research on conversion therapy practices in the UK has included consultation with (1) religious organisations opposed to a ban, and (2) survivor groups and victims.
	tabling member printed	Lord Black of Brentwood
	uin	HL14620
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/04/2021 answer text <p>The Government will ban conversion therapy. The ban will cover both sexual orientation and gender identity. How we ban these practices is a complex issue that we must get right. Officials continue to consult a range of organisations with diverse views. As well as this consultation, officials continue to assess the most up-to-date evidence, including that of the UN’s Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. We have also undertaken research to understand practices, experiences and impacts associated with conversion therapy and will publish this in due course. The Government is working at pace on this issue and will outline its plans shortly.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge grouped question UIN HL14617 HL14618 HL14619 question first answered 09/04/2021 09:42:42 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
	tabling member	4171 label Biography information for Lord Black of Brentwood

1668661

	registered interest
	date	08/11/2023
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	HIV Infection: Discrimination
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are considering any proposals to protect individuals living with HIV from discrimination in various sectors, including healthcare, education, employment and housing; and, if so, what are their plans.
	tabling member printed	Lord Black of Brentwood
	uin	HL98
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/11/2023 answer text <p>The Equality Act’s definition of disability automatically covers people with HIV when they are in or seeking employment or seeking to access services, whether in the public or private sectors.</p><p> </p><p>As well as providing protection from discrimination, the Act requires employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments for people living with HIV. For example, an employer would be expected to allow such an employee reasonable time off work to visit hospital in connection with their condition. Employers and service providers who fail to meet their legal obligations can face legal action, should the disabled person opt for this.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the public sector equality duty (section 149 of the Act - 'PSED') requires public authorities, in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to:</p><ul><li><p>eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other unlawful conduct prohibited by the Act;</p></li><li><p>advance equality of opportunity between people who share and people who do not share a relevant protected characteristic; and</p></li><li><p>foster good relations between people who share and people who do not share a relevant protected characteristic.</p></li></ul><p> </p><p>A raft of guidance and codes of practice are available to help employers and service providers comply with their legal obligations under the Act. People with HIV who think they have experienced discrimination may contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS), the government helpline established to provide free bespoke advice and in-depth support to individuals with discrimination concerns. The EASS can be contacted via their website - <a href="http://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/" target="_blank">http://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/</a>, by telephone on 0808 8000082 or text phone on 0808 8000084. The EASS has the ability to intervene on an individual’s behalf with a service provider to help resolve an issue. The EASS can also advise people who wish to take their complaint further on their options.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Swinburne question first answered 22/11/2023 15:33:51 answering member 4985 label Biography information for Baroness Swinburne
	tabling member	4171 label Biography information for Lord Black of Brentwood

1149718

	registered interest
	date	14/10/2019
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Musical Instruments: Customs
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, ATA Carnets would be required for musicians who are travelling to perform in multiple EU countries for their musical instruments which are transported either (1) as hand luggage or (2) in trucks.
	tabling member printed	Lord Black of Brentwood
	uin	HL11
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/10/2019 answer text <p>In the event of the UK exiting the EU without a deal, the UK will become a single customs territory and use of an ATA Carnet will be an option for moving goods, such as exhibition stands and musical instruments, temporarily between the UK-EU.</p><p> </p><p>In general, ATA Carnets are one option when moving goods temporarily between customs territories. Their use is a commercial decision and should be considered alongside temporary admission / Returned Goods Relief procedures.</p> answering member printed The Earl of Courtown question first answered 28/10/2019 14:45:22 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
	tabling member	4171 label Biography information for Lord Black of Brentwood