We already have strong insight into unacceptable behaviours and their impact within the Armed Forces from the Parliamentary Inquiry led by Sarah Atherton MP in 2021, together with the Wigston Review in 2019, and the review led by former non-executive Director Danuta Gray. Our responses to the House of Commons Defence Committee\u2019s Women in the Armed Forces Inquiry in particular set out the significant work that has been carried out to implement their recommendations and build continuous improvement into our approach to policy, culture and behaviours. However, we recognise there is more to do, particularly for our civilian women. We are taking forward a detailed action plan to build on our current work, amplifying the voices of our women and further embedding the change they rightly demand of us.<\/p>
The action plan includes support from two Non-Executive Directors, and senior colleagues from other Government Departments. It will also draw on wider national security cultural inquiry work and the experience of partner organisations, for example considering their approach to independent ethics counsellors, as a source of external advice and support. The Department has no current plans to commission an independent investigation.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4952", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Earl of Minto"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "The Earl of Minto"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-12-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL631"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-12-11T16:32:13.827Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-11-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Ministry of Defence: Hate Crime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to commission an independent investigation into the culture of sexism and misogyny at the Ministry of Defence, as called for by the FDA trade union.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4308", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Lord Bishop of St Albans"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "The Lord Bishop of St Albans"} ], "uin" : "HL632"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1467981", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1467981/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
This a:gender \u2018inclusion workshop\u2019 is not recognised as civil service training. The Government Skills and Curriculum Unit (GSCU) manages the design and quality assurance process for all government training, provided within the new Campus for skills, and defined by the new curriculum.<\/p>
<\/p>
The five strands of the curriculum outline the knowledge and skills required to be effective in any role in the Civil Service, and as such the training and development provided in the Campus. This sets the standards for training provided centrally for all Civil Servants, alongside the responsibilities of Government Professions to determine the qualifications and capabilities for specialist and technical skills.<\/p>
<\/p>
The a:gender workshop is not advertised as training, attendance at the workshops was voluntary.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4200", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord True"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord True"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-06-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL627"} , {"_value" : "HL628"} , {"_value" : "HL629"} , {"_value" : "HL630"} , {"_value" : "HL631"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-06-15T17:01:45.773Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "53"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-06-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Civil Service: Equality"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will withdraw their support for the civil service 'inclusion workshops' run by A:gender.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2024", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hunt of Kings Heath"} ], "uin" : "HL632"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1328406", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1328406/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Our thoughts continue to be with Ella's family and friends. We are carefully considering the Prevention of Future Deaths Report published by the Coroner on 21 April and we will respond in due course.<\/p>
We know that air pollution is the single greatest environmental risk to human health, and although air pollution has reduced significantly over the last decade, there is more to do. In 2019, we published our Clean Air Strategy which recognised the need for comprehensive action on air pollution for the primary and crucial purpose of protecting people's health.<\/p>
Our landmark Environment Bill delivers key aspects of our Strategy. The Bill establishes a legally binding duty to set at least two new air quality targets, through the environmental targets framework. We recognise the need to take action to reduce people's exposure to PM 2.5 <\/sub>and in proposing a dual target approach, we are putting health at the centre of our target setting. This approach will ensure action is taken at pollution hotspots and continuous improvement will be driven across the country. We will take into account WHO guidance when setting these targets<\/p> Defra makes air pollution information available through a range of channels, such as the UK-Air website and more recently working with Global Action Plan to deliver the Clean Air Hub. We also provide information to a network of charities (e.g. the Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Partnership, British Heart Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, British Thoracic Society and others) when air pollution levels are forecast to be elevated to ensure information reaches the most vulnerable.<\/p> The Department for Health and Social Care continues to engage with organisations such as Health Education England and the Royal Colleges to ensure that healthcare professionals are equipped to provide information and advice to those vulnerable to the health impacts of air pollution. The Chief Medical Officer has also discussed this matter with the Royal Colleges during a recent meeting. This will allow patients and their carers to take steps to reduce their exposure to air pollution and give them greater power to manage their condition.<\/p> The NHS Long Term Plan committed to improve asthma outcomes for children and young people. The Children and Young People's Transformation Programme has asked local systems to prioritise local improvements in asthma care. This will include supporting clinicians to discuss the short and long-term adverse effects of air pollution in children with asthma and any mitigation strategies.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4062", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-06-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-06-10T16:13:14.493Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-05-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Air Pollution"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the coroner\u2019s reports relating to the death of Ella Kissi-Debrah and the prevention of future deaths, published on 20 April, whether they have accepted the recommendation that the UK\u2019s legal limit for particulate pollution should be halved to bring it in line with WHO guidelines; and what steps they have taken (1) to improve public warnings on air pollution levels, and (2) to improve awareness among medical staff of the need to provide more information to patients on the health impacts of air pollution.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4230", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Randerson"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Randerson"}
], "uin" : "HL632"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1175422", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1175422/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Government is committed to meeting net zero emissions by 2050, and this includes emissions from domestic shipping. The Clean Maritime Plan, published in July 2019, is one of the first national action plans on shipping decarbonisation globally. The Plan sets out the ambition that by 2025 all new vessels ordered for the UK are designed with zero emission capability. By 2035 we expect the UK has built a number of clean maritime clusters that focus on zero emission innovation and infrastructure.<\/p> <\/p> Internationally, the UK is fully committed to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Initial Strategy on the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships. This Strategy contains the ambition to peak GHG emissions from international shipping as soon as possible and to reduce the total annual GHG emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 whilst pursuing efforts towards phasing them out. The UK is a leading voice at the IMO and this year will be calling for measures to be adopted through the IMO as soon as possible to ensure the targets of the Strategy are delivered.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4580", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Vere of Norbiton"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-02-04T14:07:27.803Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Shipping: Carbon Emissions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "Her Majesty's Government what is their target for reducing carbon emissions from shipping in UK waters; and what actions, if any, they plan to take to reduce carbon emissions from shipping globally.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2543", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hunt of Chesterton"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hunt of Chesterton"}
], "uin" : "HL632"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/749947", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/749947/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " In April 2016 (the nearest available data point to the 2016 EU Referendum) there were 10,500 Service personnel stationed overseas and in April 2017 (the closest data point to the 2017 General Election) there were 9,200. However, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold information to indicate the numbers or percentage of these personnel who were registered to vote or who actually voted. With regard to postal votes, the MOD does not hold data which would give an accurate analysis of the number of ballot papers submitted by Service personnel, as the voter packs processed by the Department also include the dependents of Service personnel, MOD civilian personnel based abroad and the dependents of civilian personnel. In addition, some personnel may have chosen alternative methods of returning their ballot papers.<\/p> Registration is a personal matter and personnel are free to decide whether, where and how they register to vote. The MOD works closely with the Electoral Commission to promote awareness among its people of the importance of registering to vote and of the options for doing so. Voter registration campaigns are run yearly within the MOD and the Department has seen a steady rise in the number of Armed Forces personnel who have declared they have registered. The latest version of the Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS, 2017) indicates that 96 per cent of Officers and 81 per cent of Other Ranks who completed the AFCAS were registered to vote. Table B22.1 of the AFCAS provides figures on voter registration by Service and by year from 2013. The Surveys can be found on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/armed-forces-continuous-attitude-survey-index<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2000", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Earl Howe"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Earl Howe"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-07-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL631"}
, {"_value" : "HL633"}
, {"_value" : "HL634"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-07-19T15:26:32.56Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-07-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Shipping: Exhaust Emissions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of members of the armed forces posted abroad who (1) register to vote, and (2) cast their votes in elections and referendums.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4202", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lexden"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Lexden"}
], "uin" : "HL632"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/524599", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/524599/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The existing Electronic Communications Code is already enshrined in primary legislation, it is currently set out at Schedule 2 of the Telecommunications Act 2003.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4284", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Neville-Rolfe"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Neville-Rolfe"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-06-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-06-27T12:22:41.223Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2016-06-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Elections: Armed Forces"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether the planned new Electronic Communications Code will be a statutory code.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4304", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Allen of Kensington"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Allen of Kensington"}
], "uin" : "HL632"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/383724", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/383724/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We are concerned by the continuing detention of Ms Farghadani, apparently for drawing satirical cartoons and describing her ill-treatment in prison. Our non-resident Chargé d\u2019affaires discussed freedom of expression in Iran when he met the Iranian Foreign Ministry\u2019s Director General for Human Rights in May 2015. We have not raised the detention of Ms Farghadani specifically.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-06-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-06-24T15:53:45.793Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-06-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Iran"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what representations they have made to the government of Iran concerning the case of Atena Farghadani.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4303", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Kennedy of Cradley"}
], "uin" : "HL632"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/64128", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/64128/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The latest available information on the industry distribution of PAYE income tax deducted from pay is published here:<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>