Baroness Goldie: The Defence AI Strategy (published on 15 June 2022), set out our clear commitment to use AI safely, lawfully and ethically in line with the standards, values and norms of the society we serve. This is critical to promote confidence and trust among our people, our partners and the general public. We will deliver this commitment through a range of robust people, process and technology...
Victoria Prentis: Farming in England is going through the biggest change in a generation. These unprecedented times mean that it is all the more important that the Government's approach to working with the farming sector changes too. Defra is continuing to improve its policies and services, making them more effective, fairer, flexible, accessible and more workable for farmers. The Government has announced a...
Baroness Penn: The Government understands that people across the UK are worried about the rising cost of living and are seeing their disposable incomes decrease as they spend more on the essentials. The Government has the ability and resolve to reduce inflation using three tools – independent monetary policy, responsible management of the public finances and supply side reform. These tools will boost...
Sadiq Khan: The Home Secretary and I have agreed that Sir Mark Rowley [QPM] is the best person to lead the MPS as the new Commissioner [of Police of the Metropolis] at this extremely challenging time. A series of appalling scandals alongside failing performance have not only exposed deep cultural problems within the MPS but have contributed to a crisis of confidence in London’s police service. It is...
Elly Baker: Thank you, Mr Mayor, for that comprehensive response. Hopefully, welcome to the portion of the meeting where we actually ask some more substantive questions. It is really pleasing to hear you outline how safety continues to be a priority, but I would like to ask about a couple of specific areas. Having appropriate numbers of staff on hand at Tube stations is crucial for personal safety, for...
Victoria Prentis: The UK's food supply is highly resilient. 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. Agricultural commodity prices are closely linked to global gas prices....
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist: The proportion of households living in the private rented sector (PRS) has remained relatively stable over the past decade. The English Housing Survey shows that in 2012-13, the PRS accounted for 18% of households in England. In 2015-16, this increased slightly to 20%, decreasing slightly to 19% in 2019-20, and remaining stable at 19% households in 2020-21. Most people want to buy their own...
Amanda Milling: Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for South and Central Asia, North Africa, UN & the Commonwealth, met Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib on 6 July. Lord Ahmad underlined the need for swift government formation and economic reforms. The UK Government is clear that the Lebanese Government must deliver economic reforms, which are the only way to rebuild the confidence of the...
Baroness Goldie: Her Majesty's Government recognises the possible humanitarian and environmental consequences which could result from the use of nuclear weapons. We hope never to have to use them, but to deliver effective deterrence in all circumstances; and we remain fully committed to the long-term goal of a world without nuclear weapons. We take our responsibilities as a nuclear weapon state, including...
Sadiq Khan: It is important that Londoners have confidence in the competency, training, and skills of those working on their homes. Achieving net zero carbon across existing buildings by 2030 will require rapid growth and upskilling and I am supporting the retrofit sector through my GLA Green Academy Programme, Green Skills Hubs and wider Employment and Skills activity. There is already an established...
Sadiq Khan: The new power allowing Transport for London (TfL) to enforce non-compliance of Mandatory Cycle Lanes will help improve safety and the confidence of people cycling. This will support the growth in cycling we’ve seen since the start of the pandemic and help meet the Vision Zero goal of eliminating death and serious injury on the road network. TfL taking on the responsibility for compliance...
Will Quince: The relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance includes content on drugs, as a supplement to drug education which is part of the national curriculum for science in key stages 2 and 3. The guidance sets out that in both primary and secondary school, pupils should be taught the facts about legal and illegal harmful substances and associated risks, including smoking,...
Andrea Jenkyns: ...are the best and fairest form of assessment for students to show what they know and can do. In 2022, students have taken exams and assessments in A levels, T Levels, and other post-16 qualifications for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. These examinations took place with adaptations to reflect the disruption young people have faced to their education throughout...
Leo Docherty: On 19 July 2022 the Ministry of Defence (MOD) published a series of new policies as part of our commitment to deal with unacceptable behaviour: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ministry-of-defence-policies-to- tackle-unacceptable-behaviour Among these new policies includes measures aimed at tackling victim blaming. The policy 'Zero Tolerance to Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour: A Victim/Survivor...
Richard Fuller: The Bank of England’s independent Monetary Policy Committee is responsible for the operation of monetary policy, including decisions on Bank Rate and quantitative easing. The separation of fiscal and monetary policy is a key feature of the UK’s economic framework, so the Government does not comment on the conduct or effectiveness of monetary policy. Since the MPC were given independence...
Brendan Clarke-Smith: ...has committed to offer all state schools and colleges a grant to train a senior mental health lead by 2025. Over 8,000 schools and colleges, have taken up the offer so far and we have recently confirmed £10 million in grants this financial year, to offer training to two thirds of schools and colleges by March 2023. The department has accelerated the delivery of a new training module for...
Lord True: ...resources must not be used to support leadership campaign activity. As at all times, the Civil Service must serve the Government in a way which maintains political impartiality and retains the confidence of Ministers, while at the same time ensuring it will be able to establish the same relationship with those who may go on to lead the Government. Special advisers are exempt from the...
Lord True: ...resources must not be used to support leadership campaign activity. As at all times, the Civil Service must serve the Government in a way which maintains political impartiality and retains the confidence of Ministers, while at the same time ensuring it will be able to establish the same relationship with those who may go on to lead the Government. Special advisers are exempt from the...
Baroness Williams of Trafford: My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Lister of Burtersett, for securing this debate and all noble Lords who have contributed to it. It is a very important topic and I am very happy to set out the Government’s position. In response to the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Dubs, I am happy to engage in future debates on this important issue. Before I come on to discuss the specific...
Robert Largan: ...time available to outline some of the many challenges that this House and the next Prime Minister must face when we return from the summer recess. The No.1 issue facing the country is inflation, which hit 9.4% in June—the highest in 40 years—and is expected to climb even further. It strips away the value of the pound in our pocket, hitting every aspect of our economy. People’s...