Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are planning to tackle trophy hunting trips to kill wild animals.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

While there are no plans to prohibit trophy hunting trips, this Government committed to a ban on the import of hunting trophies of animals of conservation concern in its manifesto and we will deliver on this.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to facilitate US-based academics and researchers who may wish to consider relocating to the UK's higher education sector.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The government recognises and values the US as a key partner in R&D and look forward to continuing our collaboration on shared priorities to drive economic growth and technological advancement. Both the UK and US are committed to facilitating the exchange of talent and students to enhance R&D capabilities.

The government is committed to ensuring the UK is the top destination for globally mobile research talent based anywhere in the world. The UK boasts a world-leading science base, supported by top universities and research institutions, and has an ambitious funding offer through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the National Academies, which offer prestigious fellowships and professorships.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in helping to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Sudan.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

As penholder on Sudan at the UN Security Council, the UK continues to call out atrocities committed in Sudan and press for a peaceful end to the conflict. On 15 April, the Foreign Secretary gathered Foreign Ministers and high-level representatives from 21 countries and multilateral bodies at the London Sudan Conference. Discussions focussed on how to make progress on shared goals of ending the conflict, protecting civilians and scaling-up the delivery of humanitarian aid. Participants agreed on the need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. As detailed in the co-chairs' statement, this is not the end but the start of a process; the UK remains committed to working with the international community to bring an end to the conflict in Sudan and secure a peaceful future for the Sudanese people.

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of an interim update on 25 April by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), An interim update on the practical implications of the UK Supreme Court judgment, what discussions they have had with the EHRC regarding the two-week consultation period.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) are currently updating their Code of Practice to reflect the ruling. It is for the EHRC to ensure that any consultation process is appropriate and meaningfully engages with varied stakeholders. We are engaging with them on this and expect them to consult widely and broadly, listening to diverse voices.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the technical annex of the white paper published on 12 May, Restoring control over the immigration system, how many of the 22 higher education institutions that it is assumed will not meet at least one of the criteria set out in the paper are in (1) Scotland, (2) Wales, and (3) Northern Ireland.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The estimates in the technical annex are illustrative and based on data from 2023-24, or 2022-23 where the former is not available. The actual institutions which will be impacted will depend on their compliance with the criteria at the time.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the technical annex of the white paper published on 12 May, Restoring control over the immigration system, how many of the five higher education institutions that it is assumed will not pass the revised basic compliance assessment are in (1) Scotland, (2) Wales, and (3) Northern Ireland.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The estimates in the technical annex are illustrative and based on data from 2023-24, or 2022-23 where the former is not available. The actual institutions which will be impacted will depend on their compliance with the criteria at the time.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they still intend to meet targets for (1) international student recruitment, and (2) education export value, set out in the International Education Strategy, published in March 2019.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

The department, along with the Department for Business and Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, is currently conducting a review of the international education strategy to ensure that it continues to be an effective tool in increasing the value of education exports and reflects the priorities of education stakeholders, businesses and Ministers.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the white paper published on 12 May, Restoring control over the immigration system, whether the policy priorities for the proposed levy on tuition fees for international students who attend Scottish higher education institutions will be set by the Scottish Government.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

The immigration white paper sets out a series of measures that will achieve a reduction in net migration, while maintaining the UK’s globally competitive offer to international students and making a significant contribution to growth by boosting our skills base. This includes the commitment to explore the introduction of a levy on higher education (HE) provider income from international students, with proceeds to be reinvested in the domestic HE and skills system. We will set out more details around the levy in the Autumn Budget.

Analysis of the potential impacts is based on the levy applying to English HE providers only. We will fully consult all the devolved governments on the implementation of the international student levy.

University APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Education: Exports and Overseas Students The Baroness Alexander of Cleveden FRSE (Labour): To ask His

University APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Source Higher Education: Research The Baroness Alexander of Cleveden FRSE (Labour): To ask His Majesty's