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1718616

registered interest
date	15/05/2024
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 Supply
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to strengthen the resilience of the UK's food supply chain, and (2) to enhance food security, in the face of external disruptions and challenges.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4718
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2024 answer text <p>The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain and is well equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption.</p><p> </p><p>Our high degree of food security is built on supply from diverse sources; strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes. We produce 60% of all the food we need, and 73% of food which we can grow or rear in the UK for all or part of the year, and these figures have changed little over the last 20 years.</p><p> </p><p>UK consumers have access through international trade to food products that cannot be produced here, or at least not on a year-round basis. This supplements domestic production, and also ensures that any disruption from risks such as adverse weather or disease does not affect the UK's overall security of supply.</p><p> </p><p>Defra has well established ways of working with the industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains.</p><p> </p><p>Recognising the importance of food security, in the Agriculture Act 2020, the Government made a commitment to produce an assessment of our food security at least once every three years. The first UK Food Security Report was produced in 2021 and the next will be published by December 2024. This report serves as an evidence base for policy work.</p><p> </p><p>Starting this year, the government is also strengthening our food security monitoring by introducing the annual Food Security Index in addition to the three-yearly UKFSR.</p><p> </p><p>Published to coincide with the second UK Farm to Fork Summit on 14 May 2024, the 2024 Food Security Index sets out how Government will track UK-wide food security on an annual basis, monitoring domestic food production, land use, input costs, and farmer productivity.</p><p> </p><p>The Index looks at shorter-term trends that change year on year, complementing the UKFSR’s comprehensive assessment and attention to longer-term trends. The 2024 Index shows that the UK farming sector is at its most productive since records began.</p><p> </p><p>A further package of measures to support farmers and grow the UK’s farming and food sector was announced by the government at the Farm to Fork Summit on 14th May 2024.</p><p> </p><p>This includes a <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fa-blueprint-to-grow-the-uk-fruit-and-vegetable-sector&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7Ca6bcce62eca54b98c7e208dc75998dde%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638514549574220446%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=EPMGmy06utGwoW2ak97LftPPf0kq62W6%2FnmT7isxfXs%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">new Blueprint for Growing the UK Fruit and Vegetable Sector</a> (see attached), setting out how industry and government can work together to increase domestic production and drive investment into this valuable sector. The plan involves ensuring the sector has access to affordable and sustainable energy and water, cutting planning red tape to make it easier and quicker to build glasshouses, and looking to double to £80 million the amount of funding given to horticulture businesses when compared to the EU legacy Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme which will be replaced from 2026 onwards.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 20/05/2024 14:32:21 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller attachment 1 file name HL4718 - A blueprint to grow the UK fruit and vegetable sector.pdf title blueprint - growing UK fruit and vegetable sector
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1718617

registered interest
date	15/05/2024
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	Infrastructure: Vacancies
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to implement strategies to mitigate the risks of labour shortages in the supply chain for infrastructure projects.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4719
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government works with the construction sector, through the Construction Skills Delivery Group, to identify and plan to meet future skills needs in the sector. We also work with the industry to support the development and adoption of digital and industrialised construction techniques, as well as robotics and autonomous systems, which will reduce the labour intensity of the sector.</p> answering member printed Lord Offord of Garvel question first answered 24/05/2024 08:27:02 answering member 4931 label Biography information for Lord Offord of Garvel
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1718618

registered interest
date	15/05/2024
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	Pay
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to reports of a discrepancy between wage growth and pay settlements, what steps they are taking to (1) ensure fair compensation for workers, and (2) address income disparities across different sectors of the economy.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4720
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>The National Living Wage is part of our wider commitment to ensuring a labour market that works for everyone, both in terms of fair pay and fair working conditions.</p><p> </p><p>On 1 April 2024, the Government increased the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 years to £11.44 an hour. We are pleased to confirm that this record cash increase of £1.02 per hour means we will hit the target for the National Living Wage to equal two-thirds of median earnings for those aged 21 and over in 2024. This will end low hourly pay for this group.</p> answering member printed Lord Offord of Garvel question first answered 23/05/2024 16:52:43 answering member 4931 label Biography information for Lord Offord of Garvel
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1718135

registered interest
date	14/05/2024
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	Sleeping Rough
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) support rough sleepers, and (2) ensure their access to support services.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4648
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2024 answer text <p>It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 24/05/2024 11:53:58 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1718136

registered interest
date	14/05/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Undocumented Migrants: Northern Ireland
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) address, and (2) mitigate, the potential implications of the recent High Court ruling in Northern Ireland which ordered the disapplication of some provisions of the Illegal Migration Act 2023.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4649
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government is considering the judgment carefully before deciding on next steps.</p><p>The Government has consistently made clear that the provisions in the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement referred to in the Windsor Framework were developed specifically against the background of Northern Ireland's unique circumstances. They do not concern and should not be brought into the complex legal debate concerning illegal migration. The Government will take all steps to defend that position, including through appeal.</p> answering member printed Lord Sharpe of Epsom question first answered 23/05/2024 16:23:21 answering member 4888 label Biography information for Lord Sharpe of Epsom
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1718137

registered interest
date	14/05/2024
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: Construction
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, following Asda's recent announcement about developing a town centre in London, what steps they are taking to support supermarket chains’ initiatives involving mixed-use developments that include housing.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4650
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2024 answer text <p>This Government strongly encourages the re-use of suitable brownfield land as set out in our National Planning Policy Framework. Making the most effective use of brownfield land, including through mixed use developments, will support the provision of the homes we need, and is key to regenerating our high streets and town centres, supporting economic growth in the hearts of our towns and cities and maximising the use of existing infrastructure.</p> answering member printed Baroness Swinburne question first answered 24/05/2024 09:17:48 answering member 4985 label Biography information for Baroness Swinburne
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1717440

registered interest
date	13/05/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Labour Market: Databases
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 potential impact of unreliable labour market data on the accuracy of inflation forecasts and other economic indicators used for policy formulation.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4605
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2024 answer text <p>Falling response rates have caused concern over the quality of Labour Force Survey (LFS) data and led to its suspension in October 2023. Following the return of the LFS in February, these figures are still volatile and, although the Office for National Statistics (ONS) expects to see improvements to survey quality following planned improvements, the estimates will continue to be badged as ‘official statistics in development’ until further review. The ONS recommends using a suite of labour market indicators alongside the LFS estimates.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 24/05/2024 09:12:26 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1717441

registered interest
date	13/05/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Stock Market
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 potential impact of the recent performance of the UK stock market on (1) investor confidence, and (2) economic recovery.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4606
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government does not comment on the day to day performance of the UK’s public markets.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 24/05/2024 09:11:03 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1717442

registered interest
date	13/05/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Economic Growth
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to leverage the positive growth momentum reported in the first quarter of 2024, particularly in sectors such as housing and recreation, to stimulate further economic expansion and job creation.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4607
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2024 answer text <p>The government continues to pursue an ambitious policy agenda to increase growth and productivity across the economy.</p><p> </p><p>Alongside wider pro-growth measures announced at recent fiscal events, the Government is taking action in relation to housing and recreation. To ensure that people can live where they want to and meet the needs of the UK’s growing, cutting-edge industries, the Spring Budget allocated over £260 million to build more homes now. The Government also set out further detail on plans to support growth in Cambridge with long-term funding at the next Spending Review, to build on the success of the UK’s third most productive city.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is also taking action to leverage growth in recreation. We have committed to the Creative Industries Sector Vision which sets out our vision for the sector to become an even greater growth engine, with a goal to support 1 million more creative jobs by 2030. At Spring Budget 2024, the Government announced a package that will provide over £1 billion in additional tax relief over the next five years.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 20/05/2024 13:56:57 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1717040

registered interest
date	09/05/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Small Businesses: Loans
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 bank loan application success rates of small and medium-sized enterprises.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4546
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government recognises the vital importance small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and is committed to supporting SMEs grow and create jobs by providing an environment in which they can thrive.</p><p> </p><p>Access to finance for small businesses is important to drive growth. The government supports that access through the Recovery Loan Scheme, which offers a 70% government guarantee on loans to SMEs</p><p>of up to £2 million. The scheme has supported over £5.3 billion of finance to SMEs since its introduction in April 2021.</p><p> </p><p>At the 2024 Spring Budget, the Government announced that the Recovery Loan Scheme would be extended to the end of March 2026, and renamed as the Growth Guarantee Scheme.</p> answering member printed Baroness Vere of Norbiton question first answered 15/05/2024 16:00:39 answering member 4580 label Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick