Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label attachment file name title
tabling member	label

Search

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

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

1717042

registered interest
date	09/05/2024
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	Construction: Economic Growth
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index, published on 7 May, which showed that construction activity grew at its fastest pace in April for more than a year, what steps they are taking to ensure continued growth in commercial and civil engineering activities within the construction sector.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4548
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2024 answer text <p>The UK Government continues to work closely with the construction sector and its clients to support growth. We have published a revised National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline in the March Budget setting out the planned pipeline of investment over the next decade, and are currently working with the industry to update the Government’s Construction Playbook. Total construction new orders also increased by £1,436 million, or 15.9% in Quarter 1 2024, compared with Quarter 4 2023, which will support future growth.</p> answering member printed Lord Offord of Garvel question first answered 21/05/2024 14:55:41 answering member 4931 label Biography information for Lord Offord of Garvel
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1716674

registered interest
date	08/05/2024
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	Agriculture: Food Supply
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to a recent poll conducted by the National Farmers Union which showed that business confidence among farmers is at its lowest since 2010, what steps they are taking to support the agricultural sector to ensure food security.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4485
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>Food security is more important than ever – which is why we need to back British farmers to keep putting food on our tables while protecting the environment.</p><p> </p><p>That is why we are supporting farmers with £2.4 billion of annual spending. This includes an increase in payment rates, with the average value of a Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreement increasing by 10%. Around 50 new paid-for actions will also be added to the SFI and Countryside Stewardship (CS) schemes from summer 2024, giving farmers more choice with an offer for all farm types and locations.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally, at the NFU Conference this February, the Prime Minister announced more funding for farmers. This included the doubling of the SFI Management Payment, which supports many farmers to participate in the SFI scheme, and the planned launch of the biggest ever package of grants this year to boost productivity and resilience. This grants package, which will total £427 million, includes funding for the Improving Farming Productivity scheme to invest in things like robotics and barn-top solar; funding for a new round of the Farming Equipment and Technology fund, worth £70m; and targeted schemes to support farmers in improving the viability of their businesses, delivering environmental outcomes and supporting sustainable food production.</p><p> </p><p>Our plan will mean farmers always come first – with fair prices for goods, less bureaucracy and more funding as we continue to protect our food security. On May 14, the Prime Minister hosted the second annual Farm to Fork Summit at Downing Street, focused on how the Government will support domestic food production, boost innovation, support the sector to reach its economic potential and recruit the next generation of farming leaders. The Summit also saw publication of the first draft Food Security Index, setting out key data and trends to allow government and industry to monitor domestic food production, land use, input costs and farmer productivity on an annual basis.</p> answering member printed Lord Douglas-Miller question first answered 23/05/2024 09:55:54 answering member 5006 label Biography information for Lord Douglas-Miller
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1716675

registered interest
date	08/05/2024
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: Greater London
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that fewer Londoners are looking for houses outside London, and of the impact on (1) housing supply, and (2) affordability, in the capital; and what steps they are taking to ensure a balanced housing market.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4486
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2024 answer text <p>The primary responsibility for building homes in the capital lies with the Mayor of London. Due to insufficient numbers being delivered, the Secretary of State has directed the London Mayor to conduct a partial review of the London Plan, on industrial land and Opportunity areas, to reflect on what more can be done to accelerate residential development on these sites. We will continue to assess the rate of delivery to ensure that London has the homes it needs.</p> answering member printed Baroness Swinburne question first answered 22/05/2024 15:50:38 answering member 4985 label Biography information for Baroness Swinburne
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1716676

registered interest
date	08/05/2024
answering body	Women and Equalities
answering dept id	31
answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
hansard heading	Equal Pay: Gender
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports that the median gender pay gap narrowed to 9 per cent in 2023–24, what assessment they have made of the impact of wage pressures in different industries on the gender pay gap.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4487
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2024 answer text <p>Under this government the gender pay gap has fallen significantly, having fallen from 19.8% to 14.3% over the last decade. In 2017, we introduced world-leading regulations requiring large employers to publish the differences in average salaries and bonuses for men and women every year. This has ensured that employers are aware of their gaps and are taking steps to close them.</p><p>We know that reporting is just the first step, but do not believe that setting arbitrary targets or a timetable will help to drive the changes that we all want to see. The causes of the gender pay gap are complex, and the wider societal shifts required to close it will take time.</p><p>Detailed gender pay gap information is published annually by the ONS, and this includes sector-specific data and analysis. ONS data shows that the gender pay gap has decreased across all major occupational groups between 2022 and 2023.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran grouped question UIN HL4465 question first answered 22/05/2024 15:52:51 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1715982

registered interest
date	07/05/2024
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	Affordable Housing: Construction
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they are implementing to support housing associations to build affordable homes, following reports that high private sector debt costs are affecting development plans.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4429
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2024 answer text <p>Our £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme for 2021-26 will provide tens of thousands of homes across the country. These include homes for rent, for low cost home ownership, and specialist and supported housing.</p><p>The Government recognises that in recent years the housing sector has experienced an increase in the cost of borrowing and materials due to wider economic pressures. The Government continuously works with its delivery agencies to ensure that the Programme is delivering effectively in light of these economic challenges.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 20/05/2024 14:55:13 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1715983

registered interest
date	07/05/2024
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Cybersecurity
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, following the recent cyber-attack targeting the personal details of UK military personnel, what steps they are taking, if any, to review their current data security protocols and cyber defence strategies.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4430
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2024 answer text <p>The Cyber Resilience Strategy for Defence is already driving forward a programme of work to improve Defence’s cyber security. The Cyber Resilience Strategy was reviewed recently and remains valid. This includes adopting a Secure by Design approach to ensure security is built into our programmes from the outset and managed effectively on a through life basis.</p><p> </p><p>With regards to the recent cyber incident specifically, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has commissioned an independent review into what happened and lessons that can be learned. This will include examining Data and Information Security, the involvement with the contractor and the wider use of systems which process personal data. In addition the MOD are conducting a full review of the Information Security measures that were in place in this contract. Should the independent review suggest that further measures are necessary, the MOD will review these recommendations and implement such changes as are necessary to ensure the continued security of all MOD's data.</p> answering member printed The Earl of Minto question first answered 21/05/2024 16:24:26 answering member 4952 label Biography information for The Earl of Minto
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick

1715984

registered interest
date	07/05/2024
answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept id	215
answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
hansard heading	Carbon Budgets
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take in response to the ruling of the High Court on 3 May regarding their carbon budget delivery plan.
tabling member printed	Lord Taylor of Warwick
uin	HL4431
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government is immensely proud of its record on climate change. The Carbon Budget Delivery Plan remains Government policy and sets out over 300 policies and proposals that the Government has in place to reach its ambitious carbon budgets.</p><p> </p><p>The judgment contains no criticism of these detailed plans nor the policies themselves, which will keep the UK on track to meet net zero by 2050.</p><p>Officials are now considering the best approach to comply with the court order and the Government will publish a new report within 12 months.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 16/05/2024 11:03:59 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
tabling member	1796 label Biography information for Lord Taylor of Warwick