Memorandum of Understanding between the ICO and the Government
(2 days, 6 hours ago)
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The Minister for Security (Dan Jarvis)
This Government are today publishing a memorandum of understanding between the Information Commissioner’s Office and HMG.
It is essential that we have strong public trust in the Government’s protection of sensitive personal information. This memorandum of understanding sets out a shared understanding of how Government and the ICO will work towards better Government data security and use.
The memorandum of understanding will help ensure that the measures we have in place to protect sensitive data are robust and support this Government’s ambition to use new technologies to transform public services, create a modern digital Government, and drive economic growth.
I have placed a copy of the memorandum of understanding between the Information Commissioner’s Office and HM Government in the Library of each House. The memorandum of understanding will also be published on gov.uk.
[HCWS1228]
SSEN Transmission Orkney Link
(2 days, 6 hours ago)
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The Minister for Energy (Michael Shanks)
I wish to inform the House that the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero intends to undertake a contingent liability under the statutory spending authority under section 50 of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020. It is a bespoke, time-limited, capped policy indemnity offered by the UK Government to SSEN Transmission to satisfy the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s permit requirements for SSENT’s Orkney transmission link project, under the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018. Upgrading and expanding the grid is critical to the Government’s clean power mission and growth objectives. The project was granted initial regulatory approval by Ofgem in 2019, and final regulatory approval in 2023, and was awarded a marine licence by the Scottish Government in 2020, which was extended in 2022 and 2024. This indemnity will enable the project to proceed, and avoid potential delays, by satisfying a regulatory requirement, subject to SSENT obtaining the necessary permits, ensuring long-overdue progress in connecting Orkney to the GB transmission grid. This critical grid infrastructure will unlock significant clean power capacity that Orkney possesses—including community renewable projects—and bolster security of supply for the islands, helping support a stronger local economy and delivering a more efficient grid for GB consumers which is fit for the future.
It is normal practice when a Government Department proposes to undertake a contingent liability that is novel, contentious or repercussive to present Parliament with a minute, in line with “Managing Public Money”. In line with this guidance, the liability will not be entered into until 14 parliamentary sitting days have elapsed following the laying of the minute.
The indemnity covers the extremely unlikely scenario where SEPA determines that an intervention is required, by virtue of SSENT’s construction activity resulting in a statistically significant increase in irradiated particles washed up onshore from disturbing irradiated particles on the seabed, and that the required intervention is beyond the scope of the Nuclear Restoration Services’ existing particle monitoring and recovery programme. The indemnity is time-limited for 20 years. Due to the extremely remote probability of this risk materialising, it is highly unlikely that this full cost would crystalise. HM Treasury has approved this proposal.
A departmental minute has today been laid before Parliament setting out full details of this contingent liability. In accordance with “Managing Public Money”, the liability will not be entered into until 14 parliamentary sitting days have elapsed following the laying of the minute. Subject to satisfaction of the relevant conditions precedent, the Orkney indemnity will become live as soon as practicable after 14 parliamentary sitting days have elapsed following the laying of the minute.
[HCWS1227]
Farming: Profitability and Sustainability
(2 days, 6 hours ago)
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The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Reynolds)
Farmers are at the heart of our national life—for what they produce, the communities they sustain, and the landscapes and heritage they protect.
Since becoming Secretary of State, I have seen first hand the resilience farmers show in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather and volatile markets, their innovation in finding new ways to farm productively and sustainably in a changing climate, and their determination to build businesses that they can pass on to the next generation.
Today, at the Oxford farming conference, I have announced a package of measures that show that we are serious about partnership with the farming sector, that we are committed to giving farmers clarity and stability, and that we are backing farmers to grow their businesses with confidence and resilience.
We recognise that when British farming thrives, consumers benefit through affordable, high-quality food on their tables. We are ensuring that modern British agriculture is productive, profitable and sustainable.
This was a key theme in the recommendations from Baroness Batters’ farming profitability review. In response to the review, we are establishing the farming and food partnership board, which will give farmers and food businesses a seat at the table when policy is developed. This is part of our ongoing commitment to work in partnership with farmers to make decisions that stand for the long term—not just for the life of one Parliament, but for the future of British farming.
At the heart of this partnership is listening. I have listened to farmers and stakeholders about their concerns on proposed changes to inheritance tax. That is why we are increasing the inheritance tax threshold for agricultural and business property relief from £1 million to £2.5 million. This means that couples can now pass on up to £5 million without paying inheritance tax on their assets. That is on top of the existing allowances such as the nil rate band. Around 85% of estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those also claiming business property relief, will pay no more inheritance tax in 2026-27. The reforms will still ensure that the wealthiest estates do not receive unlimited relief.
Today’s package of announcements include:
An update on the sustainable farming incentive—This includes our plans to simplify the scheme and make it more focused, with fewer actions and less complexity. Previously, 90% of SFI spending went on fewer than 40 of the 102 actions available. A quarter of SFI money goes to just 4% of farms. This is not fair. We will improve fairness and accessibility, including by initially opening the scheme to small farms and those without an existing agreement. We are committing to greater stability following lessons learned from last year, including regular updates on uptake. These reforms will also help us to meet our ambitious environmental improvement plan target to double the number of farms delivering for wildlife, while recognising that food production is the core of farmer’s businesses. SFI needs to work alongside food production, not displace it, so we will also review how much land can be put into certain actions and review payment rates for others.
£30 million Government investment in the Farmer Collaboration Fund, funding peer-to-peer networks and advice—We are developing a new approach that will provide funding for existing and new farmer groups and networks. It will help those groups to connect with experts and create strong partnerships on everything from environmental action to business growth.
A long-term transformation of England’s upland areas—Our uplands provide over 70% of our drinking water, support rural livelihoods and are home to precious wildlife and beautiful landscapes; and they produce food in some of the most challenging conditions anywhere in the country. For too long, upland communities have faced a perfect storm of economic fragility, social isolation and environmental pressures. We want to change that. Over the last year, we have started working with social entrepreneur Dr Hilary Cottam on a new approach—an approach where we get out on the ground and talk directly to upland communities. This has been the beginning of what is a long-term partnership, starting with communities in Dartmoor, then Cumbria. Working with Hilary, our next step will be to develop a place-based approach for what these communities need, co-designing solutions to specific problems—for example, by developing a common understanding of how land can be best used for food production and the public good. Together, we will look at pooling public, private and third sector resources, laying the foundations for new income streams, and creating the skills and networks that let communities lead their own transformation.
Extending the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme for another three years, with £30 million in funding next year—This locally led programme has farmers and FiPL advisers working side-by-side to deliver projects tailored to their landscapes. This extension means farmers in our most precious landscapes can continue delivering for nature, climate and their communities.
We will continue to work alongside farmers to deliver these changes through our new farming and food partnership board, through peer-to-peer networks, through community-led change, and through engagement on the detailed changes to SFI.
We will provide the certainty farmers need to plan, giving clear timelines and a clear way forward with the farming roadmap later this year.
And we will deliver growth built on strong foundations: profitable farming and a thriving environment—not as a trade-off, but as two sides of the same coin.
[HCWS1230]
Murder and Manslaughter Abroad: Family Information Guide (England and Wales)
(2 days, 6 hours ago)
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Davies-Jones)
I am today announcing the publication of the family information guide for families bereaved by murder and manslaughter abroad.
I recognise how deeply distressing and traumatic such events are, and the Government are committed to ensuring that such victims can access the help that they need. This guidance sets out the support available from agencies and specialist services in England or Wales.
Until now, there has been no single, victim-oriented guide, which has often led to challenges for families in understanding what is available to them. This new guidance consolidates existing information as to the services available to support families, and signposts support in a way that is clear and accessible. Through this guidance, we aim to improve awareness of the support available, offering reassurance to families at a difficult time.
The guidance sets out:
What families can expect in the immediate aftermath of a death abroad, including initial contact and support from agencies in England and Wales;
The ongoing support available to family members to help them through this difficult time and which meets their individual needs. This includes access to emotional support, legal guidance, financial assistance and referrals to specialist services.
The roles and responsibilities of agencies and support services with which families may engage, in order to ensure families understand who is involved, what each agency does and how they can help.
Clear information on how to access services and what to expect at each stage of the process.
I am grateful for the commitment of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Home Office and the National Police Chiefs’ Council in preparing this guidance.
I also wish to thank the Victims Commissioner’s Office and the charity Murdered Abroad for their invaluable support in making this guidance as helpful as possible for victims, and for their continued commitment to improving services for bereaved families.
I pay tribute to the late Baroness Newlove, whose advocacy for families bereaved by murder and manslaughter abroad was instrumental in shaping this guidance.
The guidance will be available online, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/murder-and-manslaughter-abroad-family-information-guide
[HCWS1229]
Pavement Parking: Consultation Response
(2 days, 6 hours ago)
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood)
This statement provides the House with an update on steps the Government are taking to tackle pavement parking. In short, we are giving local authorities the powers they need to address pavement parking more effectively, while ensuring consistency, clarity, and fairness for all road users.
I am today announcing the publication of the Government response to the 2020 public consultation, “Pavement parking: options for change”. The response demonstrates our commitment to improving transport users’ experience, ensuring that our roads and pavements are safe, reliable, and inclusive.
The Government are taking forward a new, devolved approach to pavement parking, reflecting our commitment to decisions being made closer to the communities they affect. Local leaders know their communities best, so they are in the strongest position to meet local needs effectively. Our overarching objective to make pavements accessible and safe remains unchanged, but rather than introducing a “one size fits all” national prohibition, which was one of the consultation options, we will instead enable local transport authorities to prohibit pavement parking across their areas at the next legislative opportunity.
In strategic authority areas outside London, the power will be vested in the SA as the local transport authority. In non-SA areas, the power will be vested in the LTA, which is either the unitary authority or county council. This will support more responsive and inclusive transport planning in the interests of local communities.
In the meantime, secondary legislation will be introduced in 2026 to enable local authorities to enforce against unnecessary obstruction of the pavement. This provides a practical and proportionate interim solution, allowing councils to act where pavement parking is observed by uniformed civil enforcement officers. This power will sit alongside existing traffic regulation order making powers, enabling councils to enforce pavement parking restrictions both where TROs are in place and in other areas where obstruction occurs. The Department will issue statutory guidance to support local authorities in using this power.
Taken together, these steps will give local authorities the powers they need to address pavement parking effectively and fairly in their areas, and I commend the Government response to the House.
[HCWS1226]