1 APPG membership (as of 20 Nov 2024)
Respiratory Health35 Former APPG memberships
Access to Justice, Agroecology for Sustainable Food and Farming, Aid Match, Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance, Apprenticeships, Communities of Inquiry across the Generations, Compassionate Politics, Customer Service, Democracy and Human Rights in the Gulf, Drones and Modern Conflict, Electoral Reform, Environment, Fair Value in the Food Supply Chain, Fruit, Vegetables and Horticulture, Gardening and Horticulture, Governance and Inclusive Leadership, Gypsies, Travellers and Roma, Hong Kong, Households in Temporary Accommodation, Human Microbiome, Immigration Detention, International Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Legal Aid, Metaverse and Web 3.0, Modern Conflict, National Trust, Small and Micro Business, Social Science and Policy, Temporary Accommodation, Universal Credit, Wetlands, Woods and Trees, Working at Height, Youth EmploymentDivision Voting information
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(4 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(6 debate contributions)
(5 debate contributions)
(5 debate contributions)
(5 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(2,376 words contributed)
(1,734 words contributed)
(1,700 words contributed)
(1,435 words contributed)
Lords initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
2 Bills introduced by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
A Bill to restrict the use of biocides (substances with antimicrobial properties) in consumer products; add biocides to the list of substances which cosmetic products, personal care products, and treated articles must not contain except subject to restrictions; require the Secretary of State to monitor the impact of biocides in these products on antibiotic resistance; grant the Secretary of State, and require the use of, powers to reduce the use of biocides which cause antibiotic resistance; prohibit marketing that makes misleading claims about products containing biocides compared to soap and water or alcohol based sanitisers; and for connected purposes.
Wednesday 11th September 2024
A Bill to make provision about elections to, and membership of, the House of Lords; and for connected purposes
Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)6 Department for Business and Trade Questions
(View all Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle's DBT questions)The UK Government assessed the economic and environmental impacts of the UK-Australia FTA within the independently scrutinised impact assessment published in December 2021 when the FTA was signed. The UK-Australia FTA contains an ambitious environment chapter which affirms our shared commitment to the Paris Agreement and to strengthen cooperation on a range of environmental issues.
This Government will continually assess the impacts of our free trade agreements, including those negotiated under the previous government, as they are being implemented. We will look to maximise their benefit for businesses, support economic growth and also to understand their impacts more broadly.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Costs limits in Aarhus Convention claims are regulated by Part 46 of the Civil Procedure Rules. An ‘Aarhus Convention claim’ is defined in rule 46.24. The interpretation of rule 46.24 is the subject of an ongoing appeal before the Court of Appeal. Therefore, the Government is unable to comment on this matter at this time.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is clear on the need to prevent environmental harms and human and labour rights abuses in both private and public sector supply chains and will take an evidence-based approach as we assess the best ways to achieve this. The Department for Business and Trade regularly engages with stakeholders in business and civil society on these issues, as do other Government departments. We will consult with stakeholders as we consider any further action.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government does not currently have plans to convene a cross-departmental unit on business and human rights. The Department for Business and Trade works closely with teams in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Home Office and other departments to prevent and address corporate human rights abuses, including through the Modern Slavery Act, supporting the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises, and through operating the UK National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government has noted the EU’s adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and has been in regular contact with the European Commission on this issue through the Trade Specialised Committee on Level Playing Field. The Directive will apply to UK companies with a turnover generated in the EU of more than €450 million.
The Government will assess the best ways to prevent environmental harms, modern slavery and human and labour rights abuses in both private and public sector supply chains including effective due diligence rules.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
2 Department for Energy Security & Net Zero Questions
(View all Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle's DESNZ questions)The Government will comply with the Court Order and lay before Parliament a report on its carbon budget strategy by the Court Order deadline.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In Spring 2025, we will deliver an updated Carbon Budget Delivery plan out to the end of CB6 in 2037. This will outline the policies and proposals needed to deliver carbon budgets 4-6 on a pathway to net zero. Appropriate environmental assessments will be carried out on relevant policies to deliver this plan in the usual way, as well as project-level Environmental Impact Assessments to support applications for new energy infrastructure as part of the normal planning processes under planning and environmental legislation.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2 Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Questions
(View all Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle's DCMS questions)The Government is committed to strengthening protections to ensure that people can continue to enjoy gambling, without the risks that can ensue from harmful gambling. We are acutely aware of the impact harmful gambling can have on individuals and their families. We are committed to reviewing the best available evidence from a wide range of sources and working with all stakeholders in order to support the industry and ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk, and we have noted the Lancet Public Health Commission’s report. We will provide further updates to the House soon.
The Gambling Commission’s Gambling Survey of Great Britain collects official statistics on gambling behaviour in Great Britain including participation rates of bet in play and participation rates and Problem Gambling Survey Index scores for online instant win games (online and in person), betting on sports and racing (online and in person) and fruit and slots games (online and in person).
The Gambling Commission is responsible for the implementation of a number of the regulatory reforms set out in the white paper, such as introducing new regulations to make online games safer. This has included introducing a limit on spin speeds for online slots games in 2021, with additional rules coming into force from January 2025 to reduce the speed and intensity of online products.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is committed to strengthening protections to ensure that people can continue to enjoy gambling, without the risks that can ensue from harmful gambling. We are acutely aware of the impact harmful gambling can have on individuals and their families. We are committed to reviewing the best available evidence from a wide range of sources and working with all stakeholders in order to support the industry and ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk, and we have noted the Lancet Public Health Commission’s report. We will provide further updates to the House soon.
The Gambling Commission’s Gambling Survey of Great Britain collects official statistics on gambling behaviour in Great Britain including participation rates of bet in play and participation rates and Problem Gambling Survey Index scores for online instant win games (online and in person), betting on sports and racing (online and in person) and fruit and slots games (online and in person).
The Gambling Commission is responsible for the implementation of a number of the regulatory reforms set out in the white paper, such as introducing new regulations to make online games safer. This has included introducing a limit on spin speeds for online slots games in 2021, with additional rules coming into force from January 2025 to reduce the speed and intensity of online products.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has been clear that children’s wellbeing must be at the heart of RSHE guidance for schools. Over the autumn, the government will look carefully at the consultation responses, discuss with stakeholders, and consider the relevant evidence, including the published Cass Review. Next steps will then be set out.
Minister of State (Education)
The government has not met with the Movement for an Adoption Apology and there is no meeting scheduled.
My hon. Friend, the Minister for Children and Families, shares the deepest sympathy with everyone affected by historic forced adoption. The practice was abhorrent and should never have taken place.
The department will look to learn from the approach of the devolved nations and explore what more can be done to support those impacted.
The department is also currently funding the Adoption England project, Improving Adoption Services for Adults (IASA), which is designed to maintain relationships and provide better access to support for adopted adults.
Minister of State (Education)
The government recognises the value that the humanities play both economically and culturally. However, universities are autonomous institutions and are therefore responsible for deciding which courses to offer.
There has been a slight decrease (1,170 or -0.3%) in the number of students studying arts and humanities courses between 2019/20 and 2021/22. For the 2024/25 financial year, the Office for Students (OfS) has maintained funding for world-leading small and specialist providers at £58 million. This funding was increased by £5 million in the 2022/23 financial year, and earlier, by £10 million in the 2021/22 financial year. Details of providers’ allocations for the 2024/25 academic year will be announced by the OfS in the summer.
Minister of State (Education)
The department’s intention is to deliver better life chances for all, including by improving services for the most vulnerable children and families. The 2023 data on children looked after showed that children from black and mixed ethnic groups are more likely to become looked after compared to the general 0-17 population (making up 7% and 10% of the looked after population respectively, compared to 6% and 7% of the general child population).
| Children Look After (2023) | 0-17 year old population (2021 census) |
Other Ethnic Group | 5% | 3% |
Black or Black British | 7% | 6% |
Asian or Asian British | 5% | 12% |
Mixed | 10% | 7% |
White | 71% | 73% |
Unknown | 1% |
The department knows that there is a strong evidence base for early intervention to support families before they reach crisis point. The department is currently testing the impact of multi-disciplinary targeted support provided at the earliest opportunity to help families overcome challenges sooner, so that they can stay together and thrive.
The department is also committed to supporting more children from all backgrounds to remain with family through kinship care and are considering how best to support both kinship carers and the children in their care.
The Family Network Pilot is currently testing the impact of providing flexible funding for extended family networks through Family Network Support Packages (FNSP). The pilot will look at how FNSPs can unlock barriers and enable family networks to play a more active role in providing loving, stable homes for children through financial and other practical means. The pilot aims to help keep families together and children out of care, where this is in the best interests of the child. The pilot launched in four local authority areas, Brighton and Hove, Gateshead, Sunderland and Telford and Wrekin, and recently launched in a further three areas, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hartlepool and Staffordshire. The pilot will end in March 2025.
Minister of State (Education)
26 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions
(View all Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle's Defra questions)Preventing an outbreak of African swine fever in the UK remains one of Defra’s key biosecurity priorities. UK safeguard measures are in place prohibiting live pigs, wild boar, or pork products from affected European Union (EU) areas from entering Great Britain. Enforcement is carried out by Border Force and Port Health Authority officers at seaports and airports.
Under the enhanced safeguard measures introduced in September, travellers are no longer allowed to bring pork products into Great Britain unless they are produced and packaged to the EU’s commercial standards and weigh no more than two kilograms.
Defra and its agencies continuously review the spread of African swine fever and are ready to introduce further biosecurity restrictions should these be deemed necessary in response to new scientific and risk data. Risk assessments can be found on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/animal-diseases-international-monitoring.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The UK Government is committed to the effective implementation of its international obligations under the Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters.
The submission of the UK’s final Progress Report has been delayed to allow the new Government time to consider the recommendations in decision VII/8s, endorsed at the 2021 Meeting of the Parties.
We look forward to responding in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
On 30 August, the Government announced the start of work on a comprehensive new strategy for England, to drive down bovine tuberculosis (TB) rates to save cattle and farmers' livelihoods and end the badger cull by the end of this parliament. This will be under-taken in co-design with farmers, vets, scientists and conservationists, ensuring the new strategy marks a significant step-change in approach to tackling this devastating disease.
The published policy guidance as introduced by the previous Government requires Natural England to set a minimum and maximum number of badgers to be removed for bovine TB disease control purposes. These numbers are published annually on GOV.UK and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bovine-tb-authorisation-for-badger-control-in-2024.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government does not have any plans to revise the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act, 2023. Currently, there are no associated implementing regulations, but my department will lay before parliament the secondary legislation required to unlock the benefits of the Precision Breeding Act as soon as parliamentary time allows.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Lawyers advised throughout the development of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023. This included how the act related to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. As stated in the Legal background section of the explanatory notes to the Act, “The UK Government considers that the Cartagena Protocol does not apply to organisms produced using modern biotechnologies if those organisms could have occurred naturally or been produced by traditional methods.” If Precision Bred plants were traded, they would have to comply with the labelling requirements of the importing country.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We have no plans to introduce biosecurity measures for all research trials involving gene-edited plants. These plants only contain genetic sequence that could arise through traditional breeding. However, unlike equivalent trials for traditionally bred plants, Defra asks for confirmation that the person with overall responsibility for them will put in place appropriate measures, as necessary, to minimise the possibility of material from the plants entering the human food or animal feed systems.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
These plants only contain genetic sequence that could arise through traditional breeding. However, unlike equivalent trials for traditionally bred plants, Defra asks for confirmation that the person with overall responsibility for them will put in place appropriate measures, as necessary, to minimise the possibility of material from the plants entering the human food or animal feed systems.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government has published Planning Practice Guidance, which details what applicants seeking planning permission for battery energy storage systems can do to ensure they consider any potential risks. By law, planning applications are determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Each application is judged on its own individual merit and the weight given to these considerations is a matter for the local planning authority as the decision taker in the first instance. Planning Practice Guidance encourages battery storage developers and local planning authorities to engage with Local Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) before submitting and determining planning application, so that issues of the siting and location of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are dealt with before the application is made.
Spatial planning will play an important role in the delivery of the Government’s growth and clean energy missions. The Land Use Framework will work hand-in-hand with the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan, which will support a more actively planned approach to energy infrastructure across England, Scotland and Wales, identifying appropriate areas for power generation and storage infrastructure including batteries.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Waste is a devolved policy, and the devolved administrations have their own arrangements for household and business recycling and waste collections. There are currently no plans for blister packs to be included in the list of materials to be collected at kerbside through Simpler Recycling reforms.
Modulation of pEPR fees, which will be introduced in from year 2 of the scheme, will be used to disincentivise packaging formats that are not readily recyclable.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
While we recognise the importance of sanitary and phytosanitary checks on certain imports, this Government is also committed to reducing unnecessary barriers to trade and cutting red tape by striking a fair balance between business and biosecurity.
As such we are reviewing the current border controls brought into place on 30 April under the previous Government.
Information about the common user charge can be found on here. We will publish further information in due course on the charge.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Monitoring and enforcing the border controls introduced under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) is undertaken collaboratively between bodies including Defra, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Border Force and HMRC.
Our checks are intelligence-led and based on biosecurity risk: It would be inappropriate for us to set out operational details such as the exact inspection details from 30 April.
Checking details, such as time taken to review consignments, could be used by bad actors looking for exploitable elements of the border to facilitate illegal imports
Furthermore, this information is also commercially sensitive. HMG does not wish to impact trader choice of route as details of checks completed may advantage/disadvantage other ports as traders may BCP shop to find what appears on paper to be the “fastest route”.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The impact of the Border Target Operating Model to cut flower trade is expected to be minimal.
A limited group of European Union (EU) cut flowers (such as chrysanthemum and carnations and orchids), are medium risk goods; all other EU cut flowers are low risk and will not be subject to border checks.
EU Medium risk cut flowers have been subject to prenotification since 1 January 2022 and EU Medium risk cut flowers have required a Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) since 31 January 2024, and inspections at the border since 30 April 2024.
EU Plants for planting are already classified as high-risk goods, and subject to inspection at place of destination. There is no change regarding the need for inspections, just a change of location of these inspections to Border Control Posts or Control Points.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is in the process of reviewing the F-gas Regulation, including consideration for reducing the use of SF6 in the power sector.
Alternative technologies to the use of SF6 in the power sector are being developed, with some already available and being deployed. As the review of the F-gas Regulation progresses, we will review the need for any future action within the F-gas regulatory regime to support the transition.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government remains committed to securing the long-term future of the hen harrier as a breeding bird in England. This currently includes the implementation of the six actions set out in the Hen Harrier Action Plan. Changes to this approach in the future would require ministerial review.
No brood management of hen harriers was carried out this year. Natural England is currently reviewing and analysing the data gathered under the hen harrier brood management trial, a process which will be concluded later this year. These findings will play a critical role in assessing the effectiveness of brood management as a conservation technique.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
HFC-23 emissions in the UK are reported annually in the National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory submitted to the UNFCCC and have been assessed to be insignificant (~0.0MtCO2e) for all reported years since 2010. Since 2012, HFC-23 emissions have represented less than 0.1% of the UK’s territorial HFC emissions.
As a donor country to the Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund, the UK provides financial support for developing countries to comply with their Kigali Amendment obligations, including those regarding HFC-23.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is currently reviewing its pesticide policies.
A pesticide may only be placed on the market in GB if the product has been authorised by our expert regulator, the Health and Safety Executive, following a thorough scientific risk assessment that concludes all safety standards are met. Pesticides that pose unacceptable risks are not authorised.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is currently studying the existing information surrounding the long-term viability and health of badger populations and considering commissioning research to fill any information gaps. It is important to this Government that any policy is informed by adequate scientific research and information.
We are currently considering the findings of the published Torgerson et al paper, which is a reanalysis of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial carried out in the 2000s.
The Government included a commitment in their election manifesto to work with farmers and scientists towards a package that can create bovine TB free status, including rolling out vaccinations, herd management and biosecurity to protect farmers' livelihoods. This Government will end badger culling.
More details of the Government’s approach to tackle bovine TB and to end badger culling will be set out in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government has no current plans to introduce a legal definition to specifically cover the use of the term ‘sourdough’. The UK maintains high food standards including on requirements relating to food labelling and information. Existing legislation ensures the labelling and marketing of food, including sourdough products, does not intentionally mislead consumers.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Farming and food production are at the heart of the Government’s agenda and an important part of our mission-driven government approach.
In partnership with the sector, we are considering a number of ways to achieve our ambitious, measurable and long-term goals for the sector. This includes building on our long-standing R&D investment in crop breeding. In July 2024, Defra awarded a further £15 million over the next five years to fund five crop Genetic Improvement Networks. This includes £9 million for horticulture (soft fruit; vegetables; and pulse crops).
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This government will create a circular economy that: uses our resources as efficiently and productively as possible, minimises environmental impacts, accelerates Net Zero, supports economic growth, and delivers green jobs.
We are reviewing the suite of packaging reforms – including the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers – working with the devolved governments and industry to determine the next steps for the Deposit Return Scheme. I will be happy to update the House in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We publish several indicators of invertebrate abundance every year. Generally, the population trends of our native insect species show a mixed picture which varies between species and habitats. For example, the indicator for the overall abundance of butterflies in England has shown little or no change between 1976 and 2022 and while the index for farmland species has remained stable the abundance of woodland butterflies has declined steeply since 1990.
Insect decline is driven by various factors including habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, introduction of new species and diseases, light pollution, pesticides and other aspects of agricultural intensification. It is difficult to attribute specific drivers to individual declines in insect species. However, land use change and habitat loss are likely to be the main contributors to insect decline within the UK.
Insects underpin food webs in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems so, alongside other factors such as habitat loss, changes in insect populations are likely to be contributing to declines in insectivorous species including bats, birds and amphibians.
This Government has set out its intention to deliver for nature, taking action to meet our Environment Act targets, and working in partnership with civil society, communities and business to restore and protect our natural world. For example, the Government will change existing policies to prevent the use of deadly neonicotinoid pesticides that threaten bees.
To inform delivery of the targets, Natural England’s ‘Threatened Species Recovery Actions’ project has already identified the targeted actions needed to for the conservation and recovery of 240 insect species. Assessment of a further 300 insect species is underway. Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme is key to delivering many of these recovery actions. Example projects include creating flight corridors and increasing food plants for the pearl bordered fritillary butterfly, woodland enhancement for the grizzled skipper butterfly and the reintroduction of one of our rarest grasshoppers, the large marsh grasshopper.
Additionally, we will change existing policies to prevent the use of those neonicotinoid pesticides that threaten our vital pollinators.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government supports species reintroductions where there are clear benefits for nature, people and the environment. All reintroductions in England are expected to follow the Code for Reintroductions and other Conservation Translocations. We will continue to work with Natural England to develop our approach to beaver reintroductions in England.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) established a new multilateral benefit sharing mechanism, including a global fund, to share benefits derived from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources. The details of the mechanism are to be finalised at COP16.
The mechanism presents opportunities for science and business, as well as for the conservation of biodiversity.
The UK is taking a leading role in the negotiations, both as a co-chair of the international process, and as a negotiating Party. We are working closely with the private sector to ensure their views are represented and have commissioned independent research on the impacts of different approaches. We are working closely across the multiple international forums where DSI is being addressed.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government’s priority is to reach an agreement on an ambitious legally binding treaty covering the full life cycle of plastics by the end of 2024.
As a member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution we support binding provisions to restrain and reduce the production and consumption of primary plastic polymers to sustainable levels.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The government has no current plans to reopen investigations into the tragic death of Zane Gbangbola. If there is a belief that the evidence was not considered properly during the original inquest, or that there is new evidence available then there is a legal process via the Attorney General that should be followed. Due consideration of the merits of an inquiry will be made at the appropriate time if, and when these legal processes have been exhausted.
Under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, each local authority has a duty to inspect its area to identify and require remediation of contaminated land, including historic landfills. A risk-based approach is used to define contaminated land, with regulators required to intervene in cases where land poses an unacceptable risk to human health, property or the environment.
Risks of significant harm to human health are already considered by regulators within the existing regulations. The current risk-based approach ensures the sites that do pose the greatest risk to people and the environment are prioritised and appropriately managed.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Train and station operators are required by their operating licences to establish and comply with an Accessible Travel Policy (ATP) which must be approved by the Office of Rail and Road. An ATP sets out, among other things, the arrangements and assistance that an operator will provide to protect the interests of disabled people using its services and to facilitate such use.
The guidance states that operators must set out their policies regarding the carriage of mobility scooters and other mobility aids for mobility-impaired people on their trains. Operators must make the reasoning behind their policies clear, particularly with regard to any policy excluding the carriage of some or all mobility scooters and mobility aids.
We would expect all customers purchasing a ticket that require assistance to complete their journey to be directed to the Passenger Assist Scheme.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
6 Department for Work and Pensions Questions
(View all Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle's DWP questions)The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been advised that a database which collects voluntary information from around 350 physicians on Surveillance of Work-related and Occupational Respiratory Diseases (known as SWORD) has recorded eighteen cases of silicosis where a respiratory physician has attributed the cause to working engineered stone. HSE is aware of one death.
HSE is working with industry stakeholders to establish practical guidelines to ensure workers are protected, meeting recently with manufacturers of stone products to discuss the range of possible actions for working with engineered stone. Further workshops with other stakeholders in the supply chain are proposed, aimed at determining the best focus for inspections targeting engineered stone, whilst HSE also investigates reported ill-health and concerns about inadequate risk management.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) continues to inspect industries associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and to respond to concerns about risk management reported to HSE.
Adequate control measures for protecting workers from the risks of exposure to RCS are legally required under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), including water suppression, equipment enclosure, extraction and personal protective equipment, such as respirator masks. COSHH also requires workers to be trained to effectively implement such controls.
HSE works proactively with key stakeholders, trade associations and other industry bodies to raise awareness of the risks of exposure to RCS and to provide information and guidance on adequate control measures. This includes developing targeted communications to ensure that those at risk of exposure to silica dust from working with stone (including engineered stone) understand and are using the controls which can prevent exposure.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The active substances difenacoum, bromadiolone, brodifacoum, flocoumafen and difethialone, collectively referred to as Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs), are approved under the GB Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR) (assimilated Regulation (EU) No 528/2012) for use in pest control products against rodents.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the body responsible for the regulation of biocidal products, such as rodenticides, and undertakes rigorous scientific evaluation of biocidal products and active substances before allowing them to be placed on the market.
Risk assessments carried out by regulators, including HSE, have shown that SGARs present a higher risk to non-target species than would normally be acceptable. However, it is recognised that alternative methods of rodent control may have limitations or may not always be suitable to tackle rodent infestations. Under GB BPR products with unacceptable levels of risk may still be authorised if it can be shown that the negative impact on society of not allowing their use would outweigh the risks of using them, as is the case with SGARs.
An industry led stewardship scheme is in place in the UK for professional use of SGARs, with the key aim being to reduce the exposure of non-target wildlife to SGARs. Stewardship is overseen by a Government Oversight Group (GOG) led by HSE with representatives of other government stakeholders. The GOG receives annual reports on the residues of SGARs that are detected in barn owls (the sentinel species for rodenticide stewardship). The GOG keeps the rodenticide stewardship scheme under review, and one of the areas under consideration is extending the monitoring of SGAR residues to other species.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the body responsible for the regulation of biocidal products, such as aluminium phosphide. Aluminium phosphide is approved under the GB Biocidal Products Regulation (assimilated Regulation (EU) No 528/2012) for use in pest control products against rodents and other vertebrates.
These products are restricted to professional users holding specific accredited qualifications in the use of such products. These products are permitted only for a very limited number of uses and with strict control measures in place.
Approval was granted following a detailed scientific assessment of the potential risks from the use of this chemical, which showed that there are no unacceptable risks to people, animals or the wider environment when products are used correctly in accordance with the restrictions and control measures placed on the products.
Biocides are subject to periodic reviews to ensure risk assessments remain up to date. Aluminium phosphide is currently undergoing this process, and if the review identifies that any changes are required, suitable regulatory action will be taken by HSE to implement these.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Weekly rental liabilities do not map directly onto the monthly assessment cycle of Universal Credit. This creates budgeting complexities for customers as they will be required to make only four payments of rent in some months but five payments in others. This problem exists in all years, not just those with 53 Mondays. The Government will consider this issue as part of its wider work on Universal Credit.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
3 Department of Health and Social Care Questions
(View all Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle's DHSC questions)The Government is committed to strengthening protections to ensure that people can continue to enjoy gambling without the risks that can ensue from harmful gambling. The Suicide Prevention Strategy for England 2023-2028, published September 2023, sets out a commitment to address common risk factors linked to suicide, including gambling, by providing early intervention and tailored support. The Department of Health and Social Care is continuing to work across Government to progress this.
Along with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, we are committed to reviewing the best available evidence from a wide range of sources and working with all stakeholders in order to support the industry and ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk.
In addition, the Gambling Commission has strengthened the requirement on gambling operators to inform the commission about deaths by suicide among customers. The licensee must notify the commission, as soon as reasonably practicable, if it knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a person who has gambled with it has died by suicide, whether or not such suicide is known or suspected to be associated with gambling.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
New artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are being developed that have the potential to improve healthcare delivery and to provide significant cost savings to the National Health Service. These technologies could help ease the administrative burden faced by staff and make systems more efficient. One example is the use of transcription tools such as automated voice to text tools.
Several NHS trusts are running trials, including a multi-site assessment of the impact of using automated transcription software. The NHS AI team is monitoring these developments and developing guidance for the responsible use of these tools. This guidance will be informed by the Government’s broader guidance on the use of Generative AI in the public sector.
The NHS operates within a comprehensive regulatory framework. The Department has provided £9.3 million of funding to ensure the regulatory pathway is clear for both developers and adopters. Through this funding, the Department has supported the launch of regulatory projects such as the AI and Digital Regulation Service, bringing together information, advice, and guidance, from multiple healthcare regulators to support adopters and developers of AI to easily understand what regulatory and evaluation pathways need to be followed before an AI tool can be safety deployed across health and care.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is currently considering what steps may need to be taken in relation to the safety of the non-surgical cosmetics sector. The Government will set out its position at the earliest opportunity.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)