When a Defined Benefit pension scheme transfers responsibility for paying some or all of its members\u2019 benefits to an insurer, the scheme pays a premium to the insurance company, which then takes on responsibility for paying the promised benefits. This is a well-established approach used by pension scheme trustees to secure the promised pensions for members with an insurance company.<\/p>
<\/p>
Arrangements to provide pension benefits to some or all scheme members with an insurer are secure and offer long term protection for member benefits. Insurance companies are regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority and their policy holders are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.<\/p>
<\/p>
Pension Protection Fund protection is retained until the whole scheme is transferred to an insurer, and both the sponsor and the trustees are discharged. At that point the members are no longer protected by the Pension Protection Fund. This is because all benefits are now secured with an insurance company.<\/p>
<\/p>
No assessments of individual schemes are made by Government.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4147", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Sherlock"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Sherlock"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-18T13:22:48.043Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Boots: Pensions"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the sale of the Boots Pension scheme to an insurance company and (2) the effect of this sale on the protection provided to the pensions held in the Boots Pension scheme by the Pension Protection Fund.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/302", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Rooker"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Rooker"} ], "uin" : "HL905"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727918", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727918/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I would like to thank my Noble Lord for following up on the response I gave on the 31st<\/sup> July. My office has written to the Health and Safety Executive and I am awaiting a response.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4956", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Taylor of Stevenage"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Taylor of Stevenage"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-16T12:11:58.857Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "High Rise Flats: Electrical Safety"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 31 July (HL90), whether the Minister's secretary received a response to their letter from the Health and Safety Executive.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/302", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Rooker"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Rooker"}
], "uin" : "HL853"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727919", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727919/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government has no current plans to revise the arrangements for the Christmas Bonus.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p> The Christmas Bonus is an annual, tax-free, lump sum payment to pensioners and to working age people who are in receipt of certain qualifying benefits during the relevant week which is usually the first full week in December.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4147", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Sherlock"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Sherlock"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-18T12:53:45.017Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Pensioners: Christmas Bonus"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend (1) to remove the £10 Christmas bonus for qualifying pensioners, or (2) to restore it to its original value as a percentage of the basic pension.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/302", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Rooker"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Rooker"}
], "uin" : "HL854"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727920", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727920/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Estimated figures of the cost of the National Insurance Contributions (NICs) exemption for those aged over 65 are published by HM Revenue and Customs in their Structural Tax Reliefs publication.<\/p> A condensed version of the table of interest has been copied below, showing estimated costs annually from 2018-19 until 2023-24.<\/p> <\/p> Table: HMRC NICs Structural Cost Estimates by Financial Year<\/p> Financial Year NICs structural cost estimates (£ million)<\/p> 2018-19 1,300<\/p> 2019-20 1,200<\/p> 2020-21 840<\/p> 2021-22 1,200*<\/p> 2022-23 1,200*<\/p> 2023-24 1,100*<\/p> *Projected estimates based upon the 2019-20 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected in line with economic assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility\u2019s March 2023 Economic and Fiscal Outlook.<\/p> <\/p> The estimated cost of this exemption does not represent the yield if this exemption were to be abolished as other behavioural responses, including a possible increase in State Pension expenditure, would be expected to substantially reduce the yield.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4559", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Livermore"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Livermore"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-20T11:18:58.583Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "National Insurance Contributions: Older People"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the revenue they would receive if National Insurance was paid by those aged over 65 with incomes over the threshold; and what assessment they have made of requiring those with incomes above the threshold to pay it.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/302", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Rooker"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Rooker"}
], "uin" : "HL855"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722401", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722401/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) in HM Treasury is responsible for financial sanctions implementation and enforcement.<\/p> <\/p> OFSI can only issue specific licences where relevant licensing grounds exist as set out in the legislation. One such licensing ground is professional legal fees and reasonable expenses associated with the provision of legal services. This ground exists because it is important that designated persons can still access legal representation. A \u2018reasonableness\u2019 test is applied to each legal fees application which requires applicants to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate to OFSI that the legal fees and expenses are reasonable.<\/p> <\/p> OFSI releases an Annual Review each year which provides information about the number of licences issued under each regime. However, for confidentiality purposes and in order to comply with UK data protection law, OFSI does not publish details about the parties involved in individual licences granted.<\/p> <\/p> Following Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine and an increase in the scale and impact of financial sanctions, OFSI has processed a larger number licence applications than previous years. Many licence applications under the legal services licensing ground involve very complex legal cases, some with very high values, across multiple jurisdictions. The amounts agreed in respect of fees for legal services on behalf of Russian designated persons are not readily available and would involve disproportionate costs to gather at this time.<\/p> <\/p> Even where a licensing ground exists and the reasonableness test is met, OFSI will only issue licences where doing so does not undermine the intent or purpose of the Russia sanctions regime.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4559", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Livermore"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Livermore"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL234"}
, {"_value" : "HL235"}
, {"_value" : "HL237"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-29T17:01:26.16Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Sanctions: Russia"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government why the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation is allowing payments to representatives of sanctioned Russian Companies and individuals while war in Ukraine continues.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/302", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Rooker"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Rooker"}
], "uin" : "HL232"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722402", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722402/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The question of whether courts in England and Wales have jurisdiction to hear claims brought by parties from other countries are determined by the courts in accordance with common law principles and international conventions.<\/p> In English and Welsh law, the determination of the appropriate forum (where no international convention applies) to hear a dispute is the one in which the case may most suitably be tried in the interests of all the parties and the ends of justice. Matters which a court will take into account in deciding this would include whether there are any factors connecting the dispute to a particular jurisdiction.<\/p> It is open to the opposing party to challenge a claim on the basis that it should have been brought in another jurisdiction.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3154", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-08-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL236"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-08-01T15:18:38.203Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Foreign Companies: Russia"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government why Russian state-owned companies are being allowed access to UK courts to pursue litigation concerning penalties imposed by Russian courts.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/302", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Rooker"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Rooker"}
], "uin" : "HL233"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722403", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722403/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) in HM Treasury is responsible for financial sanctions implementation and enforcement.<\/p> <\/p> OFSI can only issue specific licences where relevant licensing grounds exist as set out in the legislation. One such licensing ground is professional legal fees and reasonable expenses associated with the provision of legal services. This ground exists because it is important that designated persons can still access legal representation. A \u2018reasonableness\u2019 test is applied to each legal fees application which requires applicants to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate to OFSI that the legal fees and expenses are reasonable.<\/p> <\/p> OFSI releases an Annual Review each year which provides information about the number of licences issued under each regime. However, for confidentiality purposes and in order to comply with UK data protection law, OFSI does not publish details about the parties involved in individual licences granted.<\/p> <\/p> Following Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine and an increase in the scale and impact of financial sanctions, OFSI has processed a larger number licence applications than previous years. Many licence applications under the legal services licensing ground involve very complex legal cases, some with very high values, across multiple jurisdictions. The amounts agreed in respect of fees for legal services on behalf of Russian designated persons are not readily available and would involve disproportionate costs to gather at this time.<\/p> <\/p> Even where a licensing ground exists and the reasonableness test is met, OFSI will only issue licences where doing so does not undermine the intent or purpose of the Russia sanctions regime.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4559", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Livermore"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Livermore"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL232"}
, {"_value" : "HL235"}
, {"_value" : "HL237"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-29T17:01:26.223Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Sanctions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what was the level of payment allowed by the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation between 24 February and 31 October 2022 under the \u2018access to justice\u2019 arrangements.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/302", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Rooker"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Rooker"}
], "uin" : "HL234"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722404", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722404/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) in HM Treasury is responsible for financial sanctions implementation and enforcement.<\/p> <\/p> OFSI can only issue specific licences where relevant licensing grounds exist as set out in the legislation. One such licensing ground is professional legal fees and reasonable expenses associated with the provision of legal services. This ground exists because it is important that designated persons can still access legal representation. A \u2018reasonableness\u2019 test is applied to each legal fees application which requires applicants to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate to OFSI that the legal fees and expenses are reasonable.<\/p> <\/p> OFSI releases an Annual Review each year which provides information about the number of licences issued under each regime. However, for confidentiality purposes and in order to comply with UK data protection law, OFSI does not publish details about the parties involved in individual licences granted.<\/p> <\/p> Following Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine and an increase in the scale and impact of financial sanctions, OFSI has processed a larger number licence applications than previous years. Many licence applications under the legal services licensing ground involve very complex legal cases, some with very high values, across multiple jurisdictions. The amounts agreed in respect of fees for legal services on behalf of Russian designated persons are not readily available and would involve disproportionate costs to gather at this time.<\/p> <\/p> Even where a licensing ground exists and the reasonableness test is met, OFSI will only issue licences where doing so does not undermine the intent or purpose of the Russia sanctions regime.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4559", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Livermore"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Livermore"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL232"}
, {"_value" : "HL234"}
, {"_value" : "HL237"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-29T17:01:26.267Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Sanctions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will list the UK-registered companies and partnerships that the Office of Financial Sanction Implementation assessed for legal payments between October 2023 and April 2024.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/302", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Rooker"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Rooker"}
], "uin" : "HL235"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722405", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722405/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The question of whether courts in England and Wales have jurisdiction to hear claims brought by parties from other countries are determined by the courts in accordance with common law principles and international conventions.<\/p> In English and Welsh law, the determination of the appropriate forum (where no international convention applies) to hear a dispute is the one in which the case may most suitably be tried in the interests of all the parties and the ends of justice. Matters which a court will take into account in deciding this would include whether there are any factors connecting the dispute to a particular jurisdiction.<\/p> It is open to the opposing party to challenge a claim on the basis that it should have been brought in another jurisdiction.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3154", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-08-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL233"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-08-01T15:18:38.25Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Foreign Companies: Russia"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government on what basis UK courts have had jurisdiction to hear cases started in Russian Courts between Russian companies and individuals since the start of the war in Ukraine.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/302", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Rooker"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Rooker"}
], "uin" : "HL236"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722414", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722414/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) in HM Treasury is responsible for financial sanctions implementation and enforcement.<\/p> <\/p> OFSI can only issue specific licences where relevant licensing grounds exist as set out in the legislation. One such licensing ground is professional legal fees and reasonable expenses associated with the provision of legal services. This ground exists because it is important that designated persons can still access legal representation. A \u2018reasonableness\u2019 test is applied to each legal fees application which requires applicants to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate to OFSI that the legal fees and expenses are reasonable.<\/p> <\/p> OFSI releases an Annual Review each year which provides information about the number of licences issued under each regime. However, for confidentiality purposes and in order to comply with UK data protection law, OFSI does not publish details about the parties involved in individual licences granted.<\/p> <\/p> Following Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine and an increase in the scale and impact of financial sanctions, OFSI has processed a larger number licence applications than previous years. Many licence applications under the legal services licensing ground involve very complex legal cases, some with very high values, across multiple jurisdictions. The amounts agreed in respect of fees for legal services on behalf of Russian designated persons are not readily available and would involve disproportionate costs to gather at this time.<\/p> <\/p> Even where a licensing ground exists and the reasonableness test is met, OFSI will only issue licences where doing so does not undermine the intent or purpose of the Russia sanctions regime.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4559", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Livermore"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Livermore"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL232"}
, {"_value" : "HL234"}
, {"_value" : "HL235"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-29T17:01:26.097Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Sanctions: Russia"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what is the difference between the amounts agreed by the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation in respect of fees for services and access to justice for UK legal firms on behalf of Russian individuals and companies (1) before the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and (2) since the invasion.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/302", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Rooker"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Rooker"}
], "uin" : "HL237"}
], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMember.label=Biography+information+for+Lord+Rooker&_page=1&min-date=2019-05-21", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 97, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]}
}