We remain a committed donor to Sudan and provided £42.6 million in humanitarian aid to support people there in 2023-2024, including £12.2 million to UNICEF for lifesaving nutrition activities. In this new financial year, UK bilateral ODA to Sudan will nearly double to £89 million. Funding for South Sudan was increased to £7.75 million, which includes £3.5 million for food security in the Maban refugees camps. The lack of humanitarian access continues to make it extremely difficult for humanitarian organisations to provide the necessary levels of assistance. On 8 March, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2724, led by the UK, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan during the month of Ramadan and underlining the urgency of humanitarian access. We condemn the fact that the warring parties have not heeded this Resolution.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1547", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Benyon"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Benyon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-04-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-04-15T10:59:52.497Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "208"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-03-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Sudan: Malnutrition"} , "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 estimate by the General Coordination of Camps for the Displaced and Refugees in Sudan that over 560 children have died from malnutrition during the last 11 months of the war in that country, and of UNICEF\u2019s prediction that 700,000 Sudanese children will suffer severe malnutrition in 2024, and what steps they are taking in response.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/738", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Alton of Liverpool"} ], "uin" : "HL3649"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1544701", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1544701/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We recruit using standard Civil Service recruitment processes and all our decision makers must meet minimum Civil Service recruitment standards. Once appointed the Home Office offers a comprehensive training programme and mentoring framework for decision makers. In relation to methods used, it should be noted that tools involving machine learning or artificial intelligence are not used in the assessment of family visa applications.<\/p>
Records for the number of staff assessing family visa applications are not maintained as far back to 2010. During that time, the department has undergone various organisational changes, and has also employed temporary staff, so we are unable to provide accurate data on the number of caseworkers who have ceased employment. However the average number of decisions made each week in respect of family visa applications do not form part of any current transparency data applications and are not published. The transparency data does, however, include a range of processing data and the latest data can be found at: Migration transparency data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).<\/p>
In relation to the records for the number of staff assessing family visa applications, they are not maintained back to 2010. Resource is also often used flexibly, so if data was available, we would be unable to provide accurate figures in respect of the amount of caseworkers engaged in considering family visa applications for each year since 2010.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4950", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Murray of Blidworth"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Murray of Blidworth"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-12-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL3646"} , {"_value" : "HL3647"} , {"_value" : "HL3648"} , {"_value" : "HL3650"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-12-06T16:48:28.72Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-11-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "UK Visas and Immigration: Recruitment"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government in respect of (1) family visa applications, (2) asylum applications, and (3) visit visa applications, for the purpose of visiting close family members, how caseworkers are recruited; and what are the essential criteria that applicants are expected to meet.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2652", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Hamwee"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Hamwee"} ], "uin" : "HL3649"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1365281", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1365281/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We are already seeing the effects of our efforts to tackle the impact the pandemic has had on our justice system.<\/p>
We allocated over a quarter of a billion pounds on recovery last financial year, making court buildings safe, rolling out new technology for remote hearings, recruiting additional staff and opening Nightingale courtrooms, including retaining 32 Nightingale courtrooms until the end of March 2022.<\/p>
<\/p>
We are now focused both on increasing capacity of the criminal courts and maximising use of existing facilities in areas where they are needed most. There is no limit on the number of days Crown Courts can sit this financial year. The department is also working closely with the judiciary to ensure we have the capacity required to maximise the number of court hearings taking place this year and to minimise disruption to cases listed for hearings.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Ministry of Justice\u2019s Spending Review settlement provides £477 million to improve waiting times for victims and to reduce Crown Court backlogs caused by the pandemic.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4901", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Wolfson of Tredegar"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-11-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-11-16T16:55:35.733Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-11-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Crown Court: Coronavirus"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of how long it will take to clear the backlog of Crown Court cases resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4130", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick"} ], "uin" : "HL3649"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1191469", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1191469/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the financial health of the largest and most difficult-to-replace adult social care providers through their Market Oversight Scheme. Under the scheme, they have a duty to notify local authorities if they consider that a provider\u2019s services are likely to be disrupted because of business failure. This allows local authorities time to step in and ensure that people continue to receive the services they need. As a minimum, all providers in the Market Oversight Scheme are required to provide the CQC with financial information on a quarterly basis. However, where the CQC perceives a greater risk to continuity of care, more regular engagement is undertaken.<\/p>
We recognise the pressures that all parts of the sector are facing, and we have provided councils with £1.6 billion funding in March to help local authorities deal with the immediate impacts of COVID-19. On top of this, on 18 April the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced an additional £1.6 billion of funding to support local authorities delivering essential frontline services.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4708", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bethell"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bethell"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-05-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL3648"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-05-12T15:36:47.223Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-04-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Care Homes: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there are any regulations or requirements placed on owners of care homes to demonstrate financial strength; and what plans they have, if any, to place limits on the level of debt such companies may be allowed to have.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4533", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Altmann"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Altmann"} ], "uin" : "HL3649"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/795998", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/795998/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Office for Students currently exists in shadow form and will be legally constituted on 1 January 2018. In appointing the Chair his current interests were disclosed and discussed in terms of how they affect his tenure as Chair. He attended a Pre-Appointment Hearing before the Education Select Committee who endorsed his appointment. In making public appointments it is not usual practice to determine the future employment of public appointees.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4169", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Viscount Younger of Leckie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-12-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-12-11T13:08:22.417Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2017-11-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Office for Students: Business Interests"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the contract of the Chair of the Office for Students forbids him from accepting remuneration or employment from a university in England after his term of office.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3743", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Adonis"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Adonis"} ], "uin" : "HL3649"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/647952", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/647952/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Flood defence projects are prioritised based on the economic benefits they could achieve in terms of the flood damages they would avoid and the number of homes that would be better protected from flooding or coastal erosion.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Environment Agency's Long Term Investment Scenarios report represents the best currently available projections of potential long term costs to manage flood and coastal risk under a range of scenarios reflecting future uncertainties.<\/p>
<\/p>
The latest report confirms that current Government investment plans to 2020, together with forecast local contributions, are in line with the level the Environment Agency\u2019s assessment indicates is necessary to reduce overall flood risk.<\/p>
<\/p>
The report it available on the GOV.UK website.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4161", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Gardiner of Kimble"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-12-13T14:38:23.193Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2016-11-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Flood Control"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what assessment they have made of the prioritisation of projects designed to address drainage, water level and flood risks; and what is their estimate of the costs of funding a programme to address these risks.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/384", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness McIntosh of Pickering"} ], "uin" : "HL3649"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/428926", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/428926/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government welcomes ukactive\u2019s report. It makes an important contribution to the debate on physical activity and builds on the framework for action set out by Public Health England last year in \u201cEverybody Active Every Day\u201d.<\/p>
<\/em><\/p> The Government recognises the health, economic and social benefits to individuals, communities and the nation of increasing physical activity levels. Since 2011, the Government has invested over £450 million in the PE and Sport Primary Premium in order to improve PE and sport. A further £46.5 million has been invested in School Games in order to provide all children, regardless of their ability, with a chance to participate in competitive sport. In addition £13 million has been invested in Change4life sports clubs which targets the least active children and helps them get more active.<\/p> We are also committed to raising awareness among the public and health professionals of the benefits of physical activity. We have worked with experts to translate the Chief Medical Officers\u2019 (CMOs) guidelines on physical activity into easy messages in the form of an infographic which health professionals can now use with their patients when they discuss physical activity. The UK\u2019s CMOs have now asked the experts to carry out a similar piece of work on physical activity for children and young people. In addition, Public Health England\u2019s Change4Life campaign continues to support families to make healthy choices, including being active.<\/p> <\/em><\/p> Further action to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour will be taken via the Government\u2019s new strategy for sport to be published shortly.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/127", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Prior of Brampton"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Prior of Brampton"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-12-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-12-01T12:08:56.47Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-11-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Exercise"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government, in the light of a recent report by UKactive that lack of exercise is estimated to cause 37,000 deaths annually and cost the UK economy £20 billion a year, what steps they are taking to reduce levels of inactivity.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/457", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Pendry"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Pendry"}
], "uin" : "HL3649"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/169662", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Culture Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/169662/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Metropolitan Police's 2013 report "Ticket Crime" highlights that many of the methods that touts use to acquire tickets are already illegal, as is the act of fraudulently selling fake or non-existent tickets.<\/p> <\/p> I will continue to discuss the secondary ticket market with ministerial colleagues and the relevant stakeholders, this includes discussion of options that will help consumers to make informed ticket purchases in a safe and secure environment.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4161", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Gardiner of Kimble"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-12-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-12-18T14:53:13.977Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-12-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Tickets"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the Metropolitan Police in their February 2013 Report \"Ticket Crime\", and in particular the suggestion that \"the lack of legislation outlawing the unauthorised resale of tickets and the absence of regulation of the primary and secondary markets encourages unscrupulous practices, a lack of transparency and fraud\".", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4224", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Heyhoe Flint"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Heyhoe Flint"}
], "uin" : "HL3649"}
], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 8, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]}
}