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1491780

registered interest
date	21/07/2022
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Emergencies
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made on the updating of the National Resilience Strategy; when it will be published; and whether they intend to incorporate the recommendations from the Institute for Government report Managing Extreme Risks, published on 20 July.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1990
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/08/2022 answer text <p>The Integrated Review committed the Government to publishing a Resilience Strategy and in 2021 the Cabinet Office ran a Call for Evidence to inform this. The Strategy draws on a wide evidence base including international best practice; experience of recent crises; and external reports and recommendations on issues such as risk and critical national infrastructure from a range of organisations including Parliamentary Committees and formal advisory bodies.</p><p>The Strategy will be published at the earliest opportunity by the incoming administration.</p> answering member printed Lord True question first answered 01/08/2022 11:57:51 answering member 4200 label Biography information for Lord True
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1491781

registered interest
date	21/07/2022
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	School Meals: Processed Food
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps, if any, they plan to take in response to the study in the journal Nutrients, published on 21 July, which found that ultraprocessed food consisted of 82 per cent of the calories in packed school lunches and 64 per cent in school meals, with calories provided by these foods being 61 per cent of primary pupils' diets and 77 per cent of secondary pupils'.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1991
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/08/2022 answer text <p>A diet high in processed foods is often high in calories, salt, saturated fat and sugar and low in fibre, which is associated with an increased risk of developing chronic diseases. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) is delivering a range of measures to help address the exposure and consumption of food and drink products high in saturated fat, sugar or salt, including restricting the advertising and promotions of these products, and a sugar reduction and wider reformulation programme.</p><p> </p><p>Further to the work being done by OHID, the department encourages all schools to have a whole school approach to healthy eating, promoting healthy eating and providing healthy, tasty and nutritious food and drink. Compliance with the school food standards is mandatory for all maintained schools, including academies and free schools. The Requirements for School Food Regulations 2014 is available here: <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1603/contents/made" target="_blank">https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1603/contents/made</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Schools may use the school food standards as a guide when writing their packed lunch policies. For example, confectionery is banned throughout the school day and foods high in salt, sugar and fat are restricted. Schools can also confiscate items that are banned by the school rules. More information is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/searching-screening-and-confiscation" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/searching-screening-and-confiscation</a>.</p><p> </p><p>The department also wants to make it easier for parents to feel confident that they are preparing healthy, balanced lunches for their children. Further information such as recipes, tips and swap suggestions for parents are available on the Change4Life website, which is available here: <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/change4life-beta/healthier-lunchboxes" target="_blank">https://www.nhs.uk/change4life-beta/healthier-lunchboxes</a>.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 01/08/2022 13:55:26 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1490058

registered interest
date	18/07/2022
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	Local Government: Climate Change
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the findings of the report by the National Association of Local Councils, What can local councils do on climate change?, published on 25 October 2021.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1825
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2022 answer text <p>Town and parish councils have an important role in improving the well-being of their communities and helping them overcome challenges, including climate change. The Government welcomes the 2021 report by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), who we meet regularly with at a ministerial and official level.</p><p>The Levelling Up White Paper outlines the UK Government’s plans to set up a Neighbourhood Governance Review to examine the effectiveness of current arrangements and make it easier for local people and community groups to come together to set local priorities and shape the future of their neighbourhoods. As the membership body for parish councils, NALC will be a key stakeholder of this work.</p> answering member printed Lord Harrington of Watford question first answered 27/07/2022 14:39:06 answering member 4068 label Biography information for Lord Harrington of Watford
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1490059

registered interest
date	18/07/2022
answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	10
answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Internet: Abuse
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that the Online Safety Bill will protect local councillors and council employees at all levels of local government from online abuse.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1826
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2022 answer text <p>The Online Safety Bill will protect all users, including local councillors and council employees, from abuse online.</p><p>Services in scope of the Bill will need to ensure that illegal content in scope is removed swiftly and that the risk of it appearing and spreading is minimised by effective systems. Category one services must be clear how they address priority content that is harmful to adults, and enforce their terms of service consistently. Priority categories of content which are harmful to adults and children will be set out in secondary legislation and are likely to include some types of online abuse and harassment.</p><p>Ofcom will have a suite of enforcement powers available to use against companies who fail their duties. These powers include fines for companies of up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying annual global turnover, and business disruption measures.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay question first answered 27/07/2022 14:48:17 answering member 4728 label Biography information for Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1490061

registered interest
date	18/07/2022
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	South Sudan: Environment Protection
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking through (1) international diplomacy, (2) Official Development Assistance, or (3) other means, to protect the Sudd swamp in South Sudan.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1827
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/07/2022 answer text <p>The UK Government continuously monitors political, economic and environmental developments in South Sudan, including the possibility of dredging in the Sudd wetlands. UK Government officials have raised the Sudd wetlands with the Government of South Sudan where appropriate, most recently at a meeting between the UK's Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan and the South Sudanese Ambassador to the UK on 22 June.</p><p>More broadly, tackling climate change and biodiversity loss is a UK Government international priority, as identified in our Integrated Review and International Development Strategy. We are committed to using our leadership to support the protection of natural wealth in South Sudan, including through funding projects for wildlife conservation, poverty reduction and building community resilience to the impacts of climate change.</p> answering member printed Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park question first answered 28/07/2022 07:55:18 answering member 4062 label Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1489773

registered interest
date	15/07/2022
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	Developing Countries: Sustainable Development
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to undertake a second Voluntary National Review at the UN High-Level Political Forum on the sustainable development goals.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1785
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/07/2022 answer text <p>The International Development Strategy and Integrated Review reaffirm the UK's commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.</p><p>The UK brings powerful economic and political tools to our development partnerships: aid, diplomacy, trade, investment, expertise and influence. Our programme of activity at this year's High Level Political Forum demonstrated how we will use these to meet the evolving needs of our partners and support achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.</p><p>The UK's first Voluntary National Review (VNR) provided a comprehensive account of actions being taken across the UK by government and other actors. No decision has been made about a follow-up to the 2019 VNR.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/07/2022 11:57:48 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1489774

registered interest
date	15/07/2022
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	Avian Influenza: Disease Control
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase monitoring of wild bird populations in light of the influx of H5N1 avian flu infections; and what steps they are taking to protect (1) vulnerable, and (2) threatened, populations.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1786
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/07/2022 answer text <p>Defra is working with Devolved Administrations, Arm’s Length Bodies and NGOs to monitor and respond to the effect of avian influenza on wild birds. This includes providing advice on mitigation measures that can be put in place to both protect public health and the impact on wild birds where possible. However, avian influenza is a natural transmission process in wild birds and there is limited evidence that mitigation measures are effective at reducing transmission of avian influenza between wild birds.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to the existing avian influenza biosecurity stakeholder meetings that have been running since 2020 and have included ornithological NGO participation, Defra will convene a stakeholder working group to consider additional actions that can be taken to support the recovery of wild bird populations that have been significantly impacted by the disease. Defra is also engaging with OSPAR Heads of Delegation to share best practice, mitigation measures and lessons learnt from current and previous outbreaks.</p><p> </p><p>The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) operates a robust programme of wild bird surveillance across Great Britain and engages in year-round avian influenza surveillance of dead wild birds submitted via public reports and warden patrols. Between 25 October 2021 and 8 July 2022, over 3,000 wild birds have been tested. Of these, 1422 have tested positive for H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). There have been findings in 343 different locations in 61 different species in 78 different counties. A report (updated weekly) of findings of HPAI in wild birds is published on GOV.UK together with <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Favian-influenza-bird-flu-in-europe&amp;data=05%7C01%7CRichard.Pullen%40defra.gov.uk%7C481955d105ad4ae6bea208da6f110dfc%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C637944416295240616%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=z%2FrMkDnNu9VQaH17PVjfy1X52a2QbrL%2BnnRFpLPgV8Q%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">outbreak and risk assessments</a>. A copy of the 18 July assessment is attached to this answer.</p><p> </p><p>Last month a new consortium was launched, led by Defra and APHA, to fund research to look into how avian influenza viruses are emerging in wild populations and help us understand the risk posed to both domestic and wild birds.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, Defra has commissioned Natural England to assess the vulnerability of seabird species in light of the pressures they are facing, including avian influenza, and propose actions to address them.</p> answering member printed Lord Benyon question first answered 28/07/2022 13:37:00 answering member 1547 label Biography information for Lord Benyon attachment 1 file name Updated Outbreak Assessment #30 HPAI in the UK and Europe 18 July 2022.pdf title HPAI outbreak assessment 18 July 2022
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1489775

registered interest
date	15/07/2022
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	Pakistan: Females
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they (1) are implementing, or (2) plan to implement, to use (a) Official Development Assistance, or (b) other policies, to address the issues of (i) child and maternal mortality and ill health, (ii) low levels of girls' education, and (iii) other gender issues, in Balochistan.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1787
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/07/2022 answer text <p>The FCDO remains committed to targeting future aid to Pakistan's marginalised groups and have developed a Pakistan Network Gender Strategy (2022-27) to increase our focus on women and girls. We regularly raise at a senior level our concerns about the human rights situation in Pakistan, including gender equality, at a senior level with the Government of Pakistan. In February 2022, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan visited Balochistan, where he met the Chief Minister, Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, and discussed the protection of human rights.</p><p>The UK also has a proud track record of delivering effective development assistance to Pakistan. During the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK Government worked with the World Food Programme to deliver life-saving nutrition assistance for children and pregnant and lactating women in Balochistan. We also scaled up water, sanitation and hygiene interventions. The UK continues to fund education programmes in the refugee-hosting areas of Balochistan which support both Pakistani and Afghan refugee children.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/07/2022 11:57:07 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1489776

registered interest
date	15/07/2022
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	Pakistan: Human Rights
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take in response to human rights abuses in Pakistan, particularly against the people of Balochistan; and whether those plans will include the use of Magnitsky-style sanctions.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1788
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/07/2022 answer text <p>The UK is concerned about reports of human rights abuses and violations in Pakistan, including in the province of Balochistan. We regularly raise our concerns about human rights at a senior level with the Government of Pakistan. I, did so most recently on 23 June, when I met Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar. In February 2022, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan visited Balochistan, where he met the Chief Minister, Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, and discussed the protection of human rights. It is not appropriate to speculate who may be designated under the sanctions regime in the future. To do this could reduce the impact of the designations.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 29/07/2022 11:59:09 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle

1489777

registered interest
date	15/07/2022
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Economic Situation
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effects of total global debt reaching 352 per cent of Gross Domestic Product in the first quarter of this year; and what steps they will take in response.
tabling member printed	Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
uin	HL1789
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2022 answer text <p>HM Government continually monitors developments in the global economy, including public and private debt levels, interest rates and the growth outlook, among other macroeconomic indicators.</p><p> </p><p>Total global debt increased following the onset of the pandemic in 2020, reflecting a rise in public and private debt. Public debt increased as governments introduced fiscal support to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on livelihoods, whilst revenues fell in line with the broader decline in economic activity. This fiscal support helped maintain living standards and support global growth. Private debt has also increased, with government policies helping to maintain private access to credit to mitigate a more severe downturn.</p><p> </p><p>Higher global debt levels can increase financial fragilities and lower growth by reducing investment. Against a backdrop of higher debt levels, rapidly rising global interest rates and higher energy and food prices may worsen balance of payment and fiscal pressures and increase risks of debt distress, particularly for some emerging and developing economies.</p><p> </p><p>HMG works closely with major international organisations, including the IMF, World Bank, to understand how debt levels are changing, and on necessary international policy responses, including appropriate support for economies experiencing debt distress. For example, the UK has committed to channelling circa up to 20% of its allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) from the IMF’s 2021 general allocation of SDRs to those countries most in need; and is driving forward the implementation of the G20/Paris Club Common Framework for debt treatment to support eligible low-income countries with unsustainable debt.</p><p> </p><p>In the April World Economic Outlook the IMF emphasised the need for guaranteeing an orderly system for resolving debt, including the continued application of the Common Framework, where liquidity support alone is not sufficient. In the UK, public debt increased during the pandemic, in line with other countries around the world. In recognition of the risks of high debt, the UK government has already made responsible decisions which return public debt levels to a sustainable path, supported by fiscal rules which require debt to fall as a proportion of GDP over the medium-term.</p> answering member printed Baroness Penn question first answered 22/07/2022 09:55:38 answering member 4726 label Biography information for Baroness Penn
tabling member	4719 label Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle