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1536574

registered interest
date	26/10/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Nagorno Karabakh: Land Mines
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to (1) maintain, or (2) increase, their funding for demining efforts in Nagorno–Karabakh.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2907
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/11/2022 answer text <p>The UK Government has committed £1 million following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to UNDP to support mine-action efforts in Armenia and Azerbaijan. As discussions regarding future funding are ongoing the UK Government cannot comment further at this time. We remain committed to supporting Armenia and Azerbaijan to recover from the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as to supporting international efforts to secure stability and security in the region.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/11/2022 17:20:21 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1536576

registered interest
date	26/10/2022
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Debts: Advisory Services
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that public advice services for (1) individuals, and (2) households, struggling with debt are able to meet demand.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2908
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>The Government recognises the vital role that advice services play in helping people in problem debt and vulnerable circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>To help people in problem debt, the Government continues to maintain record levels of funding for free-to-client debt advice in England, bringing the 2022-23 debt advice budget for the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) to over £90 million.</p><p> </p><p>MaPS is the single largest funder of debt advice in England. It works alongside partners across the UK to make debt advice easier and quicker to access, and to improve standards and quality across the sector.</p><p>MaPS recently concluded a debt advice commissioning exercise with the primary aim of increasing the volume of debt advice available, as well as ensuring that such advice meets clients’ needs and proactively targets vulnerable and underrepresented groups. These contracts, once signed, will be starting from 1 February 2023.</p><p> </p><p>To help people access debt advice, MaPS launched MoneyHelper in 2021, a consumer-facing service which provides free and impartial guidance for people across the UK. This includes budget planning and bill prioritiser tools, practical tips for engaging with creditors and a Debt Advice Locator Tool, which helps people find free, high-quality debt advice in their local area or via the telephone and online.</p><p> </p><p>MaPS has also developed the Money Advisor Network pilot which enables a range of organisations including Job Centre Plus, local authorities and financial service providers to refer people for free to MaPS funded debt advice. The individuals referred can either proceed immediately to debt advice, request a call-back at a more convenient time or schedule an in-person appointment.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Penn question first answered 08/11/2022 15:50:45 answering member 4726 label Biography information for Baroness Penn
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1522038

registered interest
date	13/10/2022
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	Water: Ciprofloxacin
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the environmental concentration data collected in England and Wales 2015–2018 (Hayes & Murray et al., 2022) which suggests that the antibiotic ciprofloxacin poses a significant antimicrobial selection risk, whether they have considered its exclusion from the Water Framework Directive’s Watch List and its place in the UK’s monitoring procedures.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2578
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2022 answer text <p>Ciprofloxacin has been continuously monitored on the Water Framework Directive Watch List for 4 years. Its removal is being considered as the Directive specifically states that no Watch List substances should be continuously monitored for more than 4 years.</p><p>Ciprofloxacin is currently routinely monitored in England. Ciprofloxacin has been nominated and will be reviewed under the Environment Agency's chemical prioritisation and early warning system. This system allows the Environment Agency to consider the potential risks of emerging chemicals, including to surface waters (both freshwater and saline waters), groundwater, and soils. The system allows the Environment Agency to sift and to screen any chemical substance nominated using, where available, hazard data and environmental monitoring data to prioritise whether a substance may be a possible chemical of concern in England.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 27/10/2022 12:18:07 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1522039

registered interest
date	13/10/2022
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Refugees: Ukraine
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will consider including refugees arriving under the family visa scheme within the funding of the Homes for Ukraine scheme; and whether they will remove the barriers to exchanging Ukrainian currency for sterling.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2579
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2022 answer text <p>To support those fleeing the conflict, the Government has introduced two visa schemes to welcome Ukrainian refugees to the UK: the Ukraine Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine. The Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members or extend their stay in the UK. Homes for Ukraine allows Ukrainian nationals and their family members to come to the UK if they have a named sponsor under the scheme. Further details on scheme eligibility can be found at GOV.UK. People that enter under both visa schemes support integration by providing full access to social services and welfare in the UK for up to three years.</p><p> </p><p>As each of these schemes uses different routes to support Ukrainians to find safe refuge in the UK, they were set up to be funded differently. The Ukraine Family Scheme is similar to existing family visa routes, and provision of public services from this route will be managed in the usual way. The UK-based family member is expected to provide support and accommodation for those coming to join them, who in turn benefit from the wider integration advantages in joining an existing family network.</p><p> </p><p>On the matter of exchanging Ukrainian currency for sterling, the Government has taken steps to ensure support for incoming Ukrainian nationals opening bank accounts, and Ukrainians are able to convert their currency to GBP electronically at several major banks and electronic money institutions. The industry has also taken measures to support refugees and their access to essential financial services, including commitments to waive certain fees. The Government continues to monitor the situation for Ukrainians in the UK’s financial marketplace closely.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 27/10/2022 13:05:00 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1522040

registered interest
date	13/10/2022
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Public Health and Unemployment
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent data from the Office for National Statistics regarding the UK employment rate for October 2022, which found that "UK economic inactivity rate was estimated at 21.7%, which is 0.6 percentage points higher than the previous three-month period"; and what steps they are taking to improve public health, given this is a potential contributory factor for such economic inactivity.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2580
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2022 answer text <p>The latest data indicates that the working age inactivity rate in the three months to August was 21.7%, up 0.6 percentage points on the previous three months and up 0.5 percentage points on the year. The headline employment rate for the three months to August was 75.5%, up 0.3 percentage points on the year. Demand for labour remains strong, with vacancies near record highs and significantly above pre-pandemic levels in the third quarter of 2022 (+51%). The latest data indicates that that the unemployment rate fell to 3.5% in the three months to August, the lowest rate since 1974<em>.</em></p><p> </p><p>Our Plan for Patients, which the Department of Health and Social Care introduced in Parliament on 22 September, sets out our immediate priorities to support individuals to live healthier lives and to strengthen the resilience and health of the nation. This includes moving prevention services closer to the patient, expanding mental health support in schools and increasing support for people to start, stay and succeed in employment. Alongside this, the Department of Health and Social Care is currently reviewing all of its wider priorities with a focus on improving the health of the population across the breadth of the country.</p> answering member printed Viscount Younger of Leckie question first answered 27/10/2022 12:55:38 answering member 4169 label Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1522041

registered interest
date	13/10/2022
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	Grafton Equine and Pet Cremation: Badgers
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 research undertaken by Keep the Ban regarding the handling of culled badgers at the Grafton Pet Crematorium; and what assessment they have made of the (1) human, and (2) animal, health risks as a consequence of the way handling was approached.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2581
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2022 answer text <p>Based only on the heavily edited short video clips obtained by trespassing at the Grafton Pet Crematorium premises, it is not possible for the Animal and Plant Health Agency to make a full and proper assessment of activities, or whether there were any breaches of regulations that protect human and animal health at premises which handle Animal By-Products. It will only be possible to make such assessments when Animal &amp; Plant Health Agency is able to conduct an inspection and consider all the evidence at the premises.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 27/10/2022 10:54:25 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1521530

registered interest
date	12/10/2022
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	Grouse Moors: Controlled Burning
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what measurements they plan to make of the air pollution and consequent health impacts of heather burning for grouse shooting on adjoining communities during the October 1 to April 15 season; and what steps they have taken to ensure that the law against burning on deep peat is complied with, including the compilation of maps to indicate areas that should not be burnt.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2512
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2022 answer text <p>Defra does not plan to assess the impacts of heather burning on air quality. Monitoring networks measure air quality across the country on an ongoing basis, and measurements are made available on our <a href="https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/forecasting/" target="_blank">UK-AIR website</a> (https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/forecasting/). This service provides specific health advice based on the level of pollution.</p><p> </p><p>The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021 and associated guidance sets out the very limited circumstances where burning of vegetation will be seen as a permissible activity, when conducted in the right place for the right reasons.</p><p> </p><p>An England Peat Map is being created which, when complete, will help managers understand the distribution of peat. The map will be available in 2024 and detail the extent, location and condition of peat in England, including peat depth. The map will be produced from a mix of existing peat data (including data shared by stakeholders), new field survey data, and through use of remote sensing and earth observation modelling techniques.</p><p> </p><p>Burning occurs at small scale and peat depth also varies at small scale. This makes it difficult to produce maps that are definitive and any maps available are best considered indicative. Land managers are therefore encouraged to test peat depth in locations where burning is proposed.</p><p> </p><p>If anyone believes an illegal burn has taken place they can report it directly to Natural England’s Enforcement Team, who check the locations against records of protected sites and environmental data and carry out investigatory site visits as required. Any unlicenced burning of vegetation on sites to which the Heather and Grass etc Burning (England) 2021 applies, will be investigated.</p><p> </p><p>It would be inappropriate to comment in respect of current investigations.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 27/10/2022 10:51:56 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1521531

registered interest
date	12/10/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Infectious Diseases
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take during the winter period to reduce transmission of (1) SARS-CoV-2, (2) flu viruses, and (3) other respiratory, airborne diseases, in schools; and what steps they will take to encourage pupils, teachers and other staff to remain at home rather than come into the premises and spread those illnesses.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2513
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2022 answer text <p>Most infectious diseases in education and childcare settings should be managed by following the advice set out in the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The advice can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-childcare-facilities" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-childcare-facilities</a>.</p><p>If a school suspects an incident or outbreak, they should review and reinforce existing measures including ensuring that any staff or students with relevant symptoms stays at home for up to five days as described in UKHSA’s guidance. This can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/people-with-symptoms-of-a-respiratory-infection-including-covid-19" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/people-with-symptoms-of-a-respiratory-infection-including-covid-19</a>.</p><p>The department’s emergency planning and response guidance sets out how education and childcare settings should plan for and deal with emergencies. The guidance is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings</a>.</p><p>The department will continue to review any emerging evidence, public health guidance and advice to help ensure that schools remain as safe as possible.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 24/10/2022 12:35:28 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1521532

registered interest
date	12/10/2022
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	Plastics: Pollution
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to reduce plastic pollution following the discovery of microplastics in human breast milk.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2514
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/11/2022 answer text <p>The Government is taking decisive action to reduce plastic pollution. We have introduced one of the world’s toughest bans on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products and brought in measures to restrict the supply of plastic straws, plastic drink stirrers, and plastic-stemmed cotton buds in October 2020. The use of single-use carrier bags has been reduced in the main supermarkets by over 97% with our five, now ten, pence charge.</p><p>As set out in the 2022-2023 UK REACH Work Programme available on GOV.UK, we are reviewing intentionally added microplastics and the risks they pose to human health and the environment. The results will help to inform the Government's approach to managing any risks whether through UK REACH or other routes.</p><p>The recent study that has found microplastic particles in breast milk indicates the potential for low human neonate exposure via breast milk (and the exposure of the mother). However, the small sample size in these studies mean that these results need to be taken as indicative and highlight the need for further research in this area.</p><p>In 2021, the UK Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) published an overarching statement on potential risks from exposure to microplastics ( <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcot.food.gov.uk%2FM-statementsandpositionpapers%23microplastics&amp;data=05%7C01%7CMaria.Alemao%40defra.gov.uk%7Cb4b3da3967f744c61f2f08dab821640d%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638024750789679907%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=n4OOhar%2FgGNLbQ6yHDNWdcqgBClUIcl8gXS668Vwx3o%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://cot.food.gov.uk/M-statementsandpositionpapers#microplastics(opens in a new tab)</a>). A copy is attached to this answer. The COT made a number of proposals for research priorities to aid risk assessment of microplastics, and concluded that &quot;based on the available data, it is not yet possible to perform a complete assessment for the potential risks from exposure to micro and nanoplastics via the oral and inhalation routes&quot;.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 08/11/2022 16:33:45 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon attachment 1 file name COT Microplastics Overarching Statement 2021_final_0.pdf title COT Microplastics Overarching Statement 2021
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1521533

registered interest
date	12/10/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Climate Change: Compensation
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 commitments are made for "loss and damage" payments to Global South nations at COP27; and what assessment they have made of the case for such payments given (1) the flooding in Pakistan, (2) communities in Fiji having to abandon their ancestral homes, and (3) Malawi productively using the loss and damage payment made by Scotland at COP26.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL2515
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/10/2022 answer text <p>At COP26, the UK strongly supported the establishment of a 'Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage' to discuss the arrangements for the funding of activities to avert, minimise and address loss and damage. The Santiago Network (a platform for catalysing technical assistance on loss and damage for developing countries) was also progressed through agreement on functions and funding. The UK actively participates in the Glasgow Dialogue and Santiago Network and looks forward to engaging on Loss and Damage at COP27, to build upon the progress made in Glasgow.</p><p>Information on UK action on adaptation, losses and damages is on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-action-to-support-countries-avert-minimise-and-address-the-risk-of-loss-and-damage-from-climate-change-discussion-paper).</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 27/10/2022 15:54:45 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle