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1724742

registered interest
date	30/07/2024
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government when they will respond to the UN Committee for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights "List of issues in relation to the seventh periodic report of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"; and what other related actions are planned.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL485
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/08/2024 answer text <p>The Government is currently preparing its response to the United Nations Committee for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights’ List of Issues Report, in relation to the Seventh Periodic Report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and will provide it to the UN shortly. We have had regular contact with the secretariat to the Committee on the timetable for our response.</p><p>The Government will then prepare for the interactive dialogue with the Committee which is expected to take place in 2025.</p> answering member printed Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede question first answered 05/08/2024 10:21:45 answering member 3154 label Biography information for Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1722321

registered interest
date	19/07/2024
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisoners: Suicide
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what records they keep on the number of (1) suicides, and (2) attempted suicides, in prisons in England and Wales; whether, and if so where, those records are published; and how they utilise those records to track health and well-being outcomes in each prison where such records are kept.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL161
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/08/2024 answer text <p>The data on self-inflicted deaths and self-harm across the prison estates is recorded in our published Safety in Custody Statistics. The number and rates of deaths and self-harm across the estate is published quarterly in the Safety in Custody Summary Tables, the latest version of which can be found at: <a href="https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fmedia%2F669f8c04a3c2a28abb50d4c4%2FSafety-in-custody-summary-q1-2024_final_table.xlsx&amp;wdOrigin=BROWSELINK" target="_blank">Safety-in-custody-summary-q1-2024_final_table.xlsx (live.com).</a></p><p>HMPPS does not produce official statistics on suicides or attempted suicides, because it is not always known whether a person engaging in self-harming behaviour intends or intended to die by suicide. We therefore collect data on self-inflicted deaths (a term that we use to refer to any death of a person who has apparently taken his or her own life irrespective of intent) and on incidents of self-harm.</p><p>This national data informs the development of the prison safety programme, and governors use local data to understand their populations and their safety risks and to inform their safety strategies. Each prison holds a regular safety meeting that includes discussion of the local self-harm data and learning from any self-inflicted deaths that have occurred there.</p><p>Individuals assessed as at risk of suicide and self-harm are given individualised support through our case management process. This approach places a strong emphasis on having effective care plans in place to record, address and mitigate risks.</p> answering member printed Lord Timpson question first answered 01/08/2024 10:52:23 answering member 5364 label Biography information for Lord Timpson
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1625072

registered interest
date	02/05/2023
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Funerals: Fees and Charges
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 funeral services remain affordable for all.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL7574
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/05/2023 answer text <p>The Competition and Markets Authority continues to monitor the funerals market following its recent investigation, publishing annual reviews on developments in the market. The first review, published in January 2023, set out evidence that since the introduction of transparency rules (part of the Competition and Markets Authority’s <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funerals-market-investigation-order-2021" target="_blank">Funerals Market Investigation Order 2021</a>)  funeral prices are flat after many years of real-terms rises. This means that costs paid by UK consumers for funeral services are likely to be lower as a result of the Competition and Markets Authority’s intervention.</p><p>The Competition and Markets Authority will continue its work to ensure that all consumers are able to benefit from the measures introduced in the Order and it has the information required to monitor consumer outcomes.</p><p>Additionally, the Government helps with the cost of funeral services for many bereaved families through the Funeral Expenses Payment scheme and the Children’s Funeral Fund.</p> answering member printed Lord Bellamy question first answered 17/05/2023 16:09:47 answering member 4941 label Biography information for Lord Bellamy
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1613044

registered interest
date	20/04/2023
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Juries
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the findings of a study by Royal Holloway, University of London of religious bias in jury outcomes with regard to different choices of oath; and whether they have any plans to update existing rules or guidance.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL7331
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2023 answer text <p>Trial by jury is a fundamental part of our justice system, and the Government is committed to ensuring juries are as representative as possible of the public at large. Juries are selected completely at random in order to ensure that a cross-section of society is reflected in their make-up. Successive academic studies have shown that juries deliver fair and impartial results.</p><p>We continually monitor proceedings in the criminal courts to ensure fair trials for defendants. There are currently no plans to change the rules or guidance around swearing an oath or making an affirmation in court.</p> answering member printed Lord Bellamy question first answered 27/04/2023 15:50:14 answering member 4941 label Biography information for Lord Bellamy
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1256111

registered interest
date	26/11/2020
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Peers: Writs of Summons
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many writs of summons were sent to Peers in (1) 2016, (2) 2017, (3) 2018, (4) 2019, and (5) 2020; and how many of those writs were sent to Peers in (a) each region of England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales, and (d) Northern Ireland.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL10731
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/12/2020 answer text <p>The information on the number of writs of summons issued to Peers is set out below:</p><p> </p><p>(1) 2016 - 17</p><p>(2) 2017 - 823</p><p>(3) 2018 - 20</p><p>(4) 2019 - 814</p><p>(5) 2020 - 43</p><p> </p><p>Following the dissolution of Parliament for General Elections in 2017 and 2019, writs of summons were sent to all eligible Peers in the UK and Northern Ireland. In 2016, 2018 and 2020, writs of summons were only issued to newly created, or newly elected, Peers.</p><p>Information on writs issued by region is no longer held by the Crown Office, which is responsible for issuing the writs. Writs are issued to contact addresses provided by Peers to the House of Lords.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 10/12/2020 17:00:13 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1254036

registered interest
date	19/11/2020
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Legal Aid Scheme
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide extra support to legal aid practitioners to address additional (1) pressures from remote working, (2) demands from vulnerable clients, and (3) workload from domestic violence cases, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL10498
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2020 answer text <p>We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a range of challenges for the legal profession. We have been working closely with legal aid providers across the justice system throughout the pandemic and will continue to do so, monitoring any impact and understanding their concerns.</p><p>In April the Legal Aid Agency published operational guidance, including guidance on working remotely and working with clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>A range of measures have been introduced to support providers during the pandemic while maintaining access to justice for the most vulnerable in society. These include:</p><ul><li>Reducing the levels of contract administration to allow providers to focus on supporting their clients;</li><li>Expanding how domestic abuse requirements may be evidenced to make it easier for victims to access legal aid during this difficult period;</li><li>Expanding the scope and relaxing the evidence requirements for hardship payments in crown court cases – including reducing the threshold for work done to £450, rather than the previous £5,000;</li><li>Halting the pursuit of outstanding debts owed to the Legal Aid Agency;</li><li>Suspending sanctions in relation to missed deadlines for delegated function applications, substantive amendments and appeals against LAA decisions;</li><li>Publicising existing avenues of financial help for legal firms, such as the ability to apply for early payment for work already done on a case, and changing rules for payment on account for providers, benefitting cashflow in the short-term and ensuring that providers can claim the same amount of money for online hearings as they can for face-to-face hearings.</li></ul><p>HMT have introduced and recently extended a range of measures to support individuals and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the furlough scheme, Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan and Bounce Back Loan, to provide some financial stability. We encourage the professions to continue to take advantage of this support where appropriate.</p><p>We will continue to closely monitor the situation, working with providers to keep these measures under review.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 02/12/2020 12:49:07 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1222167

registered interest
date	08/07/2020
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisons: Security
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many prisons are currently using the Security Categorisation Policy Framework; and when they expect all prisons in England and Wales to be using this framework.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL6604
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2020 answer text <p>Nine establishments are using the Security Categorisation Policy Framework, all of which were involved in the live pilot of the revised procedures and use of the Digital Categorisation Service. Implementation of the framework across the adult male and young adult male estates was due to have begun in March but paused due to Covid-19. It is currently expected that implementation will start in the autumn with all male establishments using the framework by spring 2021. There are no immediate plans for implementation in the women’s estate.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 22/07/2020 13:32:23 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1201005

registered interest
date	08/06/2020
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Custodial Treatment: Protective Clothing
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what is their policy on the (1) provision, and (2) use, of facemasks in (a) prisons, and (b) juvenile detention facilities, by (i) staff, and (ii) prisoners and detainees.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL5351
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2020 answer text <p>Social distancing and hygiene are the most effective controls to reduce transmission.</p><p>Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service follows the public health advice on the use of medical face masks alongside other items of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) where close contact is sustained, essential and unavoidable.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 22/06/2020 16:20:14 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1195347

registered interest
date	12/05/2020
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Forced Marriage
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to legislate to tackle predatory marriage.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL4350
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/05/2020 answer text <p>The Government has no current legislative plans to change the existing safeguards.</p><p>A registration official has a duty to stop proceedings if they are of opinion that either of the parties to a marriage does not have the capacity to marry.</p><p>The Law Commission is currently reviewing how and where weddings take place, including the formalities and safeguarding checks required before a marriage is conducted. We will carefully consider any recommendations made in the final report.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 27/05/2020 15:19:29 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1151165

registered interest
date	21/10/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisons: Food
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of food served in English prisons is (a) organic, and (b) locally sourced; and what plans they have, if any, to increase that percentage.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL242
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2019 answer text <p>Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) purchase food commodities for prisoner and staff meals from a national food contract currently held by Bidfood UK.</p><p> </p><p>HMPPS does not require its supplier to provide figures relating to the percentage of organic and locally produced products provided to prisons through this contract. However, the contract was one of the first to adopt and implement the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)’s Plan for Public Procurement: Food &amp; Catering. Regular scrutiny and reporting of the contract shows that the level of UK sourced commodities purchased is 52% (Country of Origin) and the level of small and medium sized enterprises (SME) provision is over 60%. Bidfood UK are committed to increasing the percentage of UK sourced products.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 30/10/2019 17:36:08 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle