Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how the proposed alcohol duty system will impact on their ability to cover the costs of alcohol to (1) the NHS, and (2) on society.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Government intends to move to a new system that taxes all products in reference to their alcohol content for the first time. This will help to target problem drinking by taxing higher-strength products associated with alcohol-related harm a higher rate of duty.
The Government is continuing to engage with interested stakeholders, including public health professionals, on these reforms. A consultation was launched in October and stakeholders are encouraged to respond before the deadline of 30 January 2022. A tax information and impact note will be published following the consultation when the policy is final, or near final, in the usual way.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their proposed timescale for the consultation on requiring calorie labelling for alcoholic drinks.
Answered by Lord Kamall
We have committed to consult on our intention to introduce calorie labelling on pre-packaged alcohol and alcohol sold in on-trade businesses such as pubs and restaurants in due course. The consultation will include further details about the proposed timescale for implementation of the policy.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish a "labour consultative or advisory body, or similar mechanism, for members of the public, including representatives of labour and business organisations, to provide views on" matters in the UK–Australia Trade Agreement, as provided for in Article 21.15 of that Agreement.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
We recognise the importance of the involvement and monitoring of labour-related issues by UK stakeholders on this agreement.
That is why this deal establishes a committee for cooperation, and UK stakeholders will have the opportunity for consultation and active engagement. The provisions agreed allow for businesses and other labour organisations to support the effective implementation of the agreement. We are currently considering options for how this can be best achieved.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of alcohol marketing on alcohol consumption.
Answered by Lord Kamall
The Government’s evidence review on the public health burden of alcohol in 2016 found evidence that exposure to alcohol marketing can increase the risk that children will start to drink alcohol, or if they already drink, can increase the risk that they will consume greater quantities. There is evidence to show exposure to alcohol advertising can induce physiological cravings to drink, but not necessarily relapse, among ex-dependent drinkers. However, this was from a single study and more research is needed to fully understand the impact. We continue to monitor the emerging evidence in this area.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential benefits of restricting alcohol marketing to reduce alcohol-related harm.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The government is committed to working with industry to address concerns over any irresponsible promotions, advertising, and marketing relating to alcohol, particularly to ensure that children and young people are suitably protected from harm.
Material in the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) Codes relating to the advertising and marketing of alcohol products is exceptionally robust, recognising the social imperative of ensuring that alcohol advertising is responsible and in particular that children and young people are suitably protected. If new evidence emerges that clearly highlights major problems with the existing Codes, then the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has a duty to revisit the Codes and take appropriate action.
Furthermore, the government continues to work with the Portman Group, the social responsibility body and regulator for alcohol labelling, packaging, and promotion in the UK. It operates its Codes of Practice to ensure that alcohol is marketed in a socially responsible way, only to those aged 18 and over, and in a way that does not appeal particularly to those who are vulnerable. The Codes are widely supported by the industry, with over 150 signatories including producers, importers, wholesalers, retailers, and trade associations.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Institute of Alcohol Studies report Alcohol marketing during the 2020 Six Nations Championship: A frequency analysis, published in September, what plans they have to protect children and vulnerable populations from exposure to alcohol marketing (1) during sporting events, (2) on television and online, and (3) in public spaces.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The UK advertising industry has some of the strictest alcohol regulations in the world. The Advertising Standards Authority uses its codes of practice for advertising to stipulate that alcohol must not be directed at people under 18 or contain anything likely to appeal to them by reflecting youth culture.
Anybody cast for an advertisement for alcohol must be, and look, 25 years of age or over. Consumption of alcohol must not be linked to increased popularity, sexual success, confidence, sporting achievements or mental performance. Anything which portrays drinking alcohol as a competitive challenge or as having therapeutic qualities is banned, as is anything that promotes binge drinking or suggests that alcohol can solve one’s problems.
If new evidence emerges that clearly highlights major problems with the existing Codes, then the Advertising Standards Authority has a duty to revisit the Codes and take appropriate action.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to implement the recommendations of the report of the working group on the Regulation of Property Agents, published on 18 July 2019.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Government is committed to promoting fairness and transparency for homeowners and renters and making sure that consumers are protected from abuse and poor service. This commitment includes raising professionalism and standards amongst property agents, protecting consumers while defending the reputation of good agents from the actions of rogue operatives. We therefore welcome the ongoing work being undertaken by the industry itself to raise professionalism and standards across the sector.
The Government is considering the recommendations in the report received from the working group on the regulation of property agents. We welcome the work of the Noble Baroness as the Chair of the independent steering group on codes of practice for property agents, and we will continue to work with industry on improving best practice.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take as a result of the European Commission's rejection of the UK's application to join the Lugano Convention.
Answered by Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
The Government is aware of the European Commission’s notification that it is not in a position to give its consent to UK accession to the Lugano Convention 2007. However, we understand that member states have not yet been given an opportunity to formally vote on that position.
We are committed to ensuring cross-border legal disputes can be resolved smoothly, in the interests of families, consumers and businesses both in the UK and across Europe. We maintain that we meet the criteria for accession – it is open to countries outside the EU; all non-EU parties to Lugano support UK membership.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel on 15 July (HL1644), which regulators covered by the Professional Qualifications Bill do not already have the powers to enter into recognition agreements with counterparts from other countries.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
The Professional Qualifications Bill will allow the relevant national authority to enable regulators to enter into regulator recognition agreements with their overseas counterparts. Such arrangements are led by regulators.
The existing powers available to regulators differ depending upon the relevant underpinning legislation. Some regulators may need additional powers to enter into recognition agreements, if regulators choose to do so. This will complement existing legislation. Some examples of regulators in this position include:
This list is not exhaustive, as not all government departments and regulators have assessed whether or not they deem that they have the powers to enter into regulator recognition agreements. We would expect engagement to be carried out with the relevant regulator before any regulations were laid to provide these additional powers.
The Government will continue to engage with regulators on the Professional Qualifications Bill, including on whether they may benefit from additional powers to enter into regulator recognition agreements.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) new powers, and (2) opportunities for regulatory autonomy, will be available to regulators following the passage of the Professional Qualifications Bill.
Answered by Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
The Professional Qualifications Bill will ensure that regulators can determine whether individuals with overseas qualifications can practise in the UK, where this will enable demand for the services of a profession to be met.
The Bill also contains a power which will enable an appropriate national authority to authorise regulators to enter into recognition agreements with counterparts from other countries where they do not already have the power to do so. Recognition agreements, agreed by regulators, will ensure that UK professionals are able to seize the opportunities of international trade.
It is the Government’s intention that the Bill will not interfere with regulators’ autonomy to determine independently which overseas qualified professionals can practise in the UK.