The UK Government is committed to supporting the UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights and in response produced a National Action Plan. The UK attended the 9th Session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations, which discussed the merits of introducing a new instrument or framework that could elaborate on business human rights responsibilities. The UK statement, which is available on the Working Group website, outlined suggestions on provisions of the draft instrument text, including the definition of victims. We seek flexibility in the construction of the instrument and in the negotiations process and will continue to engage in future Working Group Sessions.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-11-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL111"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-11-23T17:28:26.77Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "208"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-11-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Human Rights: Business"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government to report on their participation in the negotiations on a United Nations binding treaty on business and human rights during the ninth session of the open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3575", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Goudie"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Goudie"} ], "uin" : "HL110"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1461108", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1461108/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Introducing non-means-tested benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA), into the eligibility criteria would mean that many households on lower incomes and in deeper fuel poverty would be disadvantaged.<\/p>
<\/p>
Around 62% of PIP and DLA recipients also receive one of the qualifying means-tested benefits and so would be considered low-income under the Core Group 2 criteria. Those households with high energy costs would be eligible for a rebate. Recipients of AA, a pension-age benefit, who claim Pension Credit Guarantee Credit will, in most cases, qualify for a rebate through Core Group 1.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4336", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Callanan"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Callanan"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-05-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-05-24T14:36:48.77Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-05-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Warm Home Discount Scheme"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the Warm Home Discount Scheme to help families with higher than average bills due to disabilities.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1796", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Taylor of Warwick"} ], "uin" : "HL110"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1313718", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1313718/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In order to mitigate against a rise in the number of vacant units, the Government has introduced a range of measures to protect businesses that are struggling to pay their rent due to Covid-19. The moratorium on commercial landlord\u2019s right to forfeiture for the non-payment of rent (Section 82 Coronavirus Act 2020) is extended to the end of June 2021. Landlords are also prevented from using winding up petitions and statutory demands to pursue rent debt and the use of Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR) has also been suspended, both extended until 30 June 2021.<\/p>
<\/p>
In order to help inform the Government\u2019s strategy to exit these protections, and to gather evidence on the progress of negotiations regarding rent debt between landlords and tenants, a Call for Evidence was launched on 6 April. This closed on 4 May and the Government will make an announcement on future policy ahead of 30 June 2021.<\/p>
<\/p>
We continue to reduce the financial burden on retailers by providing eligible retail, hospitality, and leisure properties in England with 100% business rates relief until 30 June 2021. This will be followed by 66% business rates relief for the period from 1 July 2021 to 31 March 2022, capped at £2 million per business for properties that were required to be closed on 5 January 2021, or £105,000 per business for other eligible properties.<\/p>
<\/p>
We have introduced reforms to the\u202fuse classes\u202fto enable more flexible use of existing buildings. These came into force on 1 September 2020. The use class reform creates a new \u2018commercial, business and service\u2019 use class which encompasses a wide range of uses which will attract people to high streets and town centres. This includes offices and other business uses, shops, cafes, gyms and any other uses which are suitable in a town centre. The new class also allows for mixed uses to reflect changing retail and business models.\u202fThese reforms will help support high streets and town centres as they seek to recover from the economic impact of Covid-19 Businesses will have greater flexibility to change use without planning permission, allowing them to adapt and diversify more quickly to meet changing circumstances.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4336", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Callanan"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Callanan"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-05-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-05-25T16:39:28.997Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-05-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Retail Trade"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the BRC's Retail Sales Monitor, published on 11 May; and what steps they are taking to reduce the shop vacancy rate.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1796", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Taylor of Warwick"} ], "uin" : "HL110"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1169254", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Wales Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1169254/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government understands the importance of ensuring that all infrastructure projects are promoted across the United Kingdom which is why we are determined to ensure we level up the UK\u2019s cities and regions and this includes Wales.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government recognises that world class connectivity is increasingly essential to people at work and at home. That is why the UK Government has allocated £69 million for the rollout of superfast broadband across Wales. At Autumn Budget we announced £200 million for the hardest to reach areas and Wales will be included in the first phase of this work. We have also recently announced that North Wales have been awarded £8 million from the Local Full Fibre Networks Challenge Fund. Furthermore, the Government have committed to progress plans for the West Wales Parkway to deliver better connectivity for commuters across south-west Wales and increase opportunities for the region.<\/p>
<\/p>
We have delivered a £50 million project to upgrade North Wales\u2019 railway, committed £125 million towards the upgrade of the Valley Lines and, subject to value for money, we are providing up to £58 million towards upgrading Cardiff Central. We will continue to look at the case for further investment in rail in Wales.<\/p>
<\/p>
We will continue to discussions with the Welsh Government looking at the case for jointly funding cross-border road schemes such as the Pant-Llanymynech bypass and the A5-A483 Shrewsbury to Wrexham.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4582", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-01-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-01-20T15:36:26.937Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "28"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-01-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Infrastructure: Wales"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to promote infrastructure projects in Wales.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4282", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth"} ], "uin" : "HL110"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1149818", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Northern Ireland Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1149818/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The bespoke mitigation arrangements for Northern Ireland were agreed by the Executive following the \u201cA Fresh Start, the Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan<\/em>\u201d.<\/p> <\/p> I understand that the present uncertainty over the future of these schemes has been a cause of considerable concern, especially for those in receipt of the top up payments.<\/p> <\/p> Neither the Northern Ireland Office nor its Ministers can instruct the Northern Ireland Civil Service in the devolved welfare space or direct spending from the NI block grant.<\/p> <\/p> We have however, following the Executive Formation Act, provided departments with additional guidance on the exercise their functions in the public interest in the absence of a restored NI Executive. And of course, we continue to work tirelessly to facilitate the restoration of locally accountable political leadership. I am grateful to the Noble Baroness for raising this matter.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4686", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Duncan of Springbank"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-11-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-11-01T12:52:39.977Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "21"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Northern Ireland"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-10-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits: Northern Ireland"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Duncan of Springbank on 8 October (HL17821) and the report of the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland Review of Welfare Mitigation Schemes, published in March, which stated that \"in the absence of a functioning Assembly it is considered that the only viable option for providing the legal authority for the Department to make a mitigation payment beyond 2020 would be for the Westminster Parliament to bring forward appropriate legislation\", what steps they are taking to bring forward such legislation.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4234", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Lister of Burtersett"}
], "uin" : "HL110"}
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