Since April 2021, DLUHC's Hong Kong British National (Overseas) [BN(O)] Welcome Programme has provided universal and targeted support. For the financial year (FY) 23/24, this included funding for VCSE organisations at both a national and regional level to deliver employability support.<\/p>
In 2024/25, we continue to fund local authorities across England to provide English language support, alongside a network of Welcome Hubs across the UK.<\/p>
Recent research has shown that almost half of employed BN(O)s, of all levels of skill and qualifications, report that their job does not match their skills and experience. To address this need, further VCSE grant funding is being provided in FY 24/25, for targeted employability support in England only. The deadline for grant applications was the 28 April and the successful organisation will be announced shortly.<\/p>
BN(O) visa holders can also contact their local Hong Kong BN(O) Welcome Hub (delivered by Strategic Migration Partnerships) which DLUHC funds for further information on employability support offered locally.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4553", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-21T13:41:45.287Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Immigration: Hong Kong"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the progress in ensuring immigrants from Hong Kong achieve employment commensurate with their education and skills; and what steps they are taking to assist new and recent arrivals to achieve this.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4719", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} ], "uin" : "HL4441"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1672033", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1672033/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Government is clear that it expects plan making to continue as we move towards the new system, following royal assent of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. As part of that we are closely monitoring those areas that have failed to keep plans up to date.<\/p>
We intend to publish updates to the National Planning Policy Framework later in 2023 and are carefully considering how the changes should be implemented to encourage and support different authorities to progress their plans to adoption.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4726", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Penn"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Penn"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-12-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-12-05T14:03:12.523Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-11-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Local Plans"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to publish the new National Planning Policy Framework; and what assessment they have made of the impact of any delay in its publication on the production of local plans.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4719", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} ], "uin" : "HL460"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1651486", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1651486/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government does not collect data on retrospective planning applications. We have introduced measures in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill to tighten up the retrospective planning application process, which is being considered by both Houses of Parliament. We have recently consulted on doubling the fees for retrospective planning applications and sought views on potential ways to improve developer accountability and, in particular, take account of past irresponsible behaviour in decision making. We also intend to consult on updating national planning policy to give increased weight against intentional unauthorised development so it can be dealt with more robustly in decisions.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4553", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-20T12:45:47.827Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Planning Permission"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government (1) what assessment they have made of (a) the use of retrospective planning applications following deliberate breaches of planning rules, and (b) the level of resources available to local authorities to resist such breaches, and (2) what plans they have to prohibit inappropriate developments using retrospective planning applications and to prevent resubmissions of failed applications with only marginal changes to the proposal.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4719", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} ], "uin" : "HL9199"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1646821", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1646821/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We want to make estate management companies more accountable to their freeholders for how their money is spent.<\/p>
When Parliamentary time allows, the Government intends to legislate to ensure that freehold homeowners who pay estate rent charges have the right to challenge their reasonableness and to go to the tribunal to appoint a manager to manage the provision of services.<\/p>
In addition, we will remove the statutory right for owners of rent charges to take possession or grant a lease of the property in the event of non-payment by the homeowner.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4553", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-06-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-06-29T11:46:12.637Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Owner Occupation: Rents"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what steps, if any, they are taking to assist part-owners of homes who may be unable to sell as a result of conditions of rent charges allowing repossession; and what estimate they have made of the numbers of homeowners affected.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4719", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} ], "uin" : "HL8711"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1613041", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1613041/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Depending on how stone is quarried and how far it is transported, it is likely to be a relatively low-carbon material. We are carrying out research into the impact of measuring embodied carbon and methods of reducing it across building types - including the contributions that could be made by different material choices. We will set out further announcements in due course.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4553", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Scott of Bybrook"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-05-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-05-02T12:18:36.4Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-04-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Construction: Stone"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits of stone as a relatively low-carbon building material; and what steps they are taking to promote research and development of its use.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4719", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} ], "uin" : "HL7328"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1604220", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1604220/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I refer the noble Lady to the answer given to Question UIN 165271<\/a> (attached) on 20 March 2023.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4553", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Scott of Bybrook"}
, "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1604220/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "165271.pdf"}
, "title" : "UIN 165271"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-24T14:06:04.37Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Voter Authority Certificates"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government how many people in England had applied for the Voter Authority Certificate by 1 March; how many applications had been rejected; how many Voter Authority Certificates had been issued; what estimate they have made of the number of voters that will need a Voter Authority Certificate; and what estimate they have made of the number of people who will apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4719", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"}
], "uin" : "HL6445"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1604221", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1604221/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " I refer the Noble Lady to the Commons UQ response here<\/a>, to the Cabinet Office published<\/a> survey on levels of ownership of photographic identification, and to the New Burdens funding methodology for the Elections Act 2022 available here.<\/a><\/p> Information regarding applications for Voter Authority Certificates is published<\/a> online. The rejection of an application is a matter for the relevant Electoral Registration Officer.<\/p> The Association of Electoral Administrators is providing relevant training for Returning Officers.<\/p> The Office for Students encourages higher education providers to promote electoral registration. Students can register at their home address or their term-time address or both.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4553", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Scott of Bybrook"}
, "attachment" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1604221/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "UQ - Voter Identification - Hansard - UK Parliament.pdf"}
, "title" : "UQ response"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1604221/answer/attachment/2", "fileName" : {"_value" : "Published - Voter identification_ photographic ID ownership in Great Britain - GOV.UK.pdf"}
, "title" : "Voter Identification"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1604221/answer/attachment/3", "fileName" : {"_value" : "Elections Act New Burdens funding methodology_ voter identification and accessibility - GOV.UK.pdf"}
, "title" : "New Burdens Funding"}
], "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-03-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL6447"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-03-27T15:22:40.293Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "211"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-03-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Local Government: Elections"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how successfully local authorities will be able to implement the new Voter ID legislation at the local elections in May.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4719", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"}
], "uin" : "HL6446"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1604222", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1604222/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " I refer the Noble Lady to the Commons UQ response here<\/a>, to the Cabinet Office published<\/a> survey on levels of ownership of photographic identification, and to the New Burdens funding methodology for the Elections Act 2022 available here.<\/a><\/p>