Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by Baroness Hodgson of Abinger, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
A Bill to support women in UK-sponsored and supported conflict prevention, peace processes, mediation and diplomatic delegations; to ensure systematic gender consideration and responsiveness in UK foreign and defence policy; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to support women in UK sponsored and supported conflict prevention, peace processes, mediation and diplomatic delegations; to ensure systematic gender consideration and responsiveness in UK foreign and defence policy; and for connected purposes.
Baroness Hodgson of Abinger has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
The Office for Equality and Opportunity does not have a policy approach that recognises species dysphoria.
The portrait of Queen Elizabeth I was temporarily removed as part of a refresh of GAC artworks across 10 and 11 Downing Street for our 125th Anniversary on 5 December 2024. The portrait will be reinstalled in 11 Downing Street on Friday 22 November as part of the Chancellor's display of works 'of or by women'.
The Department engages with the British Footwear Association (BFA). The BFA attended a roundtable on 24 April 2024 and are due to attend a roundtable with the Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports on 15 October 2024, where there will be an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the footwear manufacturing sector in the broader context of consumer goods including fashion, textiles, and furniture. The CEO of the BFA attended a Luxury Steering Group with officials to discuss trade promotion opportunities on 18 September 2024.
The Government will introduce a new Industrial Strategy to drive long-term sustainable, inclusive and secure growth - through securing investment into crucial sectors of the economy.
The Government is committed to delivering the Plan to Make Work Pay in full. Ministers are identifying the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for the commitments in the Plan, including an Employment Rights Bill that will be introduced to Parliament within 100 days of taking office. Work is already underway to identify and deliver measures through non-legislative and secondary legislative routes. We are already delivering on our commitments, including changing the remit of the Low Pay Commission to reflect living standards for the first time.
The data for solar deployment since July is not yet available; this information is due to be published imminently, as part of the Renewable Energy Planning Database.
The Government does not currently categorise the data based on land type. However, work is underway to expand the database to include this feature.
The Department has internal software tools that it uses to model the performance of a specific wind turbine located in a defined location since the comparative energy conversion efficiency depends on the turbine design and the available wind resource rather than if a turbine is used offshore or onshore. The maximum energy conversion efficiency is theoretically 59.26% (The Betz Limit), but practical turbines have efficiency factors around the 40% range.
This is an independent review which is ongoing, and as such responses have not been directed to the Department.
As per the Terms of Reference, final reporting will be submitted by the end of August 2024. Upon receipt, the government will consider the report.
As a new administration, we are exploring policy options to support skills development, including safeguarding endangered craftsmanship. We are working closely with the Department for Education and engage with the heritage and skills sectors regularly in order to understand and address skills gaps. The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports traditional craft skills and training, including funding projects that train people in traditional crafts and skills. They also run a Heritage Crafts programme which offers bursaries to help people train in heritage crafts or develop their skills.
The UK ratified the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in March 2024, pledging to take measures to ‘safeguard’ living heritage, including craft. Discussions about how living heritage is safeguarded, and by who, will take place as the Convention is implemented.
The first, ‘Stabilisation’ stage of works is now expected to complete in Spring 2025 and will ensure that the Bridge can safely remain open to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic on a permanent basis. The schedule for the ‘Strengthening’ works is under development by the Borough.
Hammersmith Bridge is expected to be reopened following the completion of the second, ‘Strengthening’ stage of works.
The table below shows the number of vehicles currently licensed in England.
Cars | 28,153,927 |
HGVs | 420,543 |
Motorbikes | 1,204,083 |
Other categories of vehicles | 4,682,394 |
Total | 34,460,947 |
The Government recognises the need to address the problems caused by unregulated e-bike hire schemes and illegal e-scooters. Ministers are carefully considering next steps and potential solutions. It is a matter for the police to decide what action is appropriate to deal with those who ride e-scooters illegally on the public highway.
No recent assessment of the economic impact is available. However, employment rate by individual age from age 50 to 75 is published in the ‘economic labour market status of individuals aged 50 and over, trends over time: 2024’ statistical report: Economic labour market status of individuals aged 50 and over, trends over time: September 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Table 19 shows the employment rate in 2024 for those aged 66, for example, was 30.1%, an increase of 5.3 percentage points since 2019.
The white paper will set out reforms to employment support to help tackle the elevated level of economic inactivity, support people into good work, and create an inclusive labour market in which everybody can participate and progress in work. These reforms are driven by a long-term ambition to reach an 80% employment rate and to reduce the UK’s inactivity rate back to pre-pandemic levels.
We are transforming how we support people into work, help those on low pay increase their earnings and create a workforce fit for the future. Through bringing together Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service in England, we will have a greater focus on skills and careers, improving links between employability and career provision to support our number one mission of growing the economy whilst breaking down barriers to opportunity.
DWP already offers employment support for eligible over 50s in its Jobcentres, including a tailored service with a Midlife MOT to support people to assess their health, wealth and skills. DWP also works with employers and other stakeholders to promote the benefits of a multi-generational workforce and to adopt practices that support older workers.
Sudan's displacement crisis is the largest in the world. 11 million people have been forcibly displaced and over 900,000 refugees and returnees have arrived in Chad. The UK recognises the severity of the crisis and has provided £55.8m to support the response in Eastern Chad since the outbreak of the conflict in April 2023. We have also played a significant role in drawing international attention to the conflict, notably through the Duchess of Edinburgh's visit to Adre, Eastern Chad, in October this year, where she met with refugees crossing the border.
The Government supports the approach and ambition of the UK's 5th Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan and intends to build on this ambition during the 25th anniversary year, advancing implementation and focusing on new priorities. Although Chad is not currently a National Action Plan focus country, we continue to dedicate time and resource to delivering our strategic objectives in non-focus countries. Since 2018, the UK has dedicated over £2.9 million to the Women's Integrated Sexual Health programme in Chad. The UK continues to provide support to the response in Eastern Chad, providing £55.8 million since the outbreak of the conflict in April 2023.
The UK Government is committed to equality and opportunity for all, with a particular focus on those most likely to be marginalised and discriminated against, including on the grounds of their age. We are open in principle to the idea of a multilateral instrument dedicated to the human rights of older people and will continue to play a constructive role in discussions on this issue at the UN and other relevant fora.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not made any planning applications to fly flags that do not have deemed consent in 2024.
We are continuing to review our policy on Afghanistan. Our overall priorities are to protect UK national security interests, support the most vulnerable Afghans through our humanitarian response and defend human rights, especially those of women and girls.
The State of Afghanistan decided to close the Afghan Embassy in London and dismiss its staff. This decision was not made by the UK Government. UK policy towards Afghanistan has not changed, especially regarding women and girls. In line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Afghanistan is responsible for the appointment and termination of staff at its embassies. We recognise the closure of the embassy is likely to create challenges for Afghans in the UK who require consular services.
The FCDO recommends against all travel to Afghanistan.
The State of Afghanistan decided to close the Afghan Embassy in London and dismiss its staff. This decision was not made by the UK Government. UK policy towards Afghanistan has not changed, especially regarding women and girls. In line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Afghanistan is responsible for the appointment and termination of staff at its embassies. We recognise the closure of the embassy is likely to create challenges for Afghans in the UK who require consular services.
The FCDO recommends against all travel to Afghanistan.
We have repeatedly condemned Taliban restrictions on women and girls' rights, including through UN Security Council and Human Rights Council resolutions. As the Foreign Secretary said on 24 August, the exclusion of women from all aspects of public life is another tragic setback for Afghanistan. We are discussing with international partners ways to hold them accountable. More broadly, officials regularly press the Taliban to reverse their inhuman restrictions, both bilaterally and with international partners.
The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) Strategy, launched in 2022, sets out the UK's approach to tackling conflict related sexual violence (CRSV). It covers the period 2022-2025. Decisions on exact future strategies will be taken by ministers in due course.
Empowering women and girls and preventing the conflicts that disproportionately impact on them is a key priority for this new government. We are working to prevent and respond to CRSV, including as vice chair of the International Alliance on PSVI and by providing medical, psychosocial, and legal support to thousands of survivors around the world.
The UK remains committed to advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
The Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds was appointed on 8 July 2024 as Minister of State for Development at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and will assume responsibility for WPS. She is also Minister for Women and Equalities at the Department for Education. The Minister will attend Cabinet.
The Ministry of Defence lead on WPS will be the Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, who will be supported by the Minister for the House of Lords, Lord Coaker.
The current set of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) envoys is presently under review. FCDO Ministers will take decisions on envoys in due course, and appointments of any new envoys will be announced publicly.
The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) Strategy, launched in 2022, sets out the UK's approach to tackling conflict related sexual violence (CRSV). It covers the period 2022-2025. Discussions on exact future strategies will be taken by ministers in due course.
Empowering women and girls and preventing the conflicts that disproportionately impact on them is a key priority for this new government. We are working to prevent and respond to CRSV, including as vice chair of the International Alliance on PSVI and by providing medical, psychosocial, and legal support to thousands of survivors around the world.
There are a number of VAT reliefs on construction work to properties already for residential use. For instance, a reduced rate of VAT at five per cent applies to residential renovations, subject to certain conditions. These include conversions of buildings from one residential use to another, conversions from commercial to residential use, and the renovation of properties that have been empty for two years or more prior to the renovation work.
The Government also maintains a zero rate of VAT on new-build residential or qualifying buildings to encourage the construction of new homes.
VAT is the UK's second largest tax forecast to raise £176 billion in 2024/25. A vital source of revenue that helps to fund public services.
The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the policy making process.
As the Housing and Planning Minister said in his written statement on 12 November ‘We want exemplary development to be the norm not the exception so that more communities feel the benefits of new development and welcome it. As we act to boost housing supply, we are therefore determined to take steps to improve the design and quality of the homes and neighbourhoods being built.’
The National Design Guide and National Model Design Code set out ten characteristics of well-designed places and how to achieve good design in the planning system. The department intends to update this guidance in Spring 2025 and will test this with urban design experts and practitioners from local authorities and the private sector. We also intend to establish quarterly Steering Boards on design and placemaking, ensuring that our work is guided by those with relevant professional and practical expertise.
We will continue to bolster design skills and capacity through the £46 million package of capacity and capability support provided to local planning authorities. This will be used to fund the recruitment and training of 300 graduate and apprentice planners, along with the £1 million funding to Public Practice for the recruitment of planners, architects and urban designers. Together, this framework provides a clear basis for the delivery of more high-quality, well-designed homes.
My department intends to update the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code in Spring 2025, and we will continue to bolster design skills and capacity through the £46 million package of capacity and capability support provided to local planning authorities. This will be used to fund the recruitment and training of 300 graduate and apprentice planners, along with £1 million of funding to Public Practice for the recruitment of planners, architects and urban designers.
Together, this framework provides a clear basis for the delivery of more high-quality, well-designed homes.
Additionally, our commitment to recruit 300 additional planners, taken alongside wider planning policy changes, will help us to deliver the housing and economic growth this country desperately needs.
We are also developing a wider programme of support, working with partners across the planning sector, to ensure that local planning authorities have the skills, including around design, both now and in the future.
His Majesty’s Government is committed to keeping the Party Wall Act under continuous review.
Government officials maintain records of correspondence on the Party Wall Act from parliamentarians and members of the public alike, noting any recommendations concerning the efficacy and application of the act to ensure that any necessary changes can be carefully considered and effectively addressed. No date or decision has been made to review the party wall act. If and when the act is reviewed it would require an open public consultation.
His Majesty’s Government is committed to keeping the Party Wall Act under continuous review.
Government officials maintain records of correspondence on the Party Wall Act from parliamentarians and members of the public alike, noting any recommendations concerning the efficacy and application of the act to ensure that any necessary changes can be carefully considered and effectively addressed. No date or decision has been made to review the party wall act. If and when the act is reviewed it would require an open public consultation.
His Majesty’s Government is committed to keeping the Party Wall Act under continuous review.
Government officials maintain records of correspondence on the Party Wall Act from parliamentarians and members of the public alike, noting any recommendations concerning the efficacy and application of the act to ensure that any necessary changes can be carefully considered and effectively addressed. No date or decision has been made to review the party wall act. If and when the act is reviewed it would require an open public consultation.
Immigration is one of a number of factors that impacts assessments of housing demand and future housing supply. The Government's commitment to build 1.5 million homes over the course of parliament is intended to provide the homes the country needs. If a person's immigration status does not allow them recourse to public funds then they are not eligible for an allocation of social housing. This includes asylum seekers.
On 31 March 2024 there were 117,450 households in Temporary Accommodation in England.
The proposed local housing need figures for each local authority in England are set out in the 'Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other changes to the planning system' consultation documents.
To support our commitment to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation, we are also proposing reforms to the NPPF that are designed to support the delivery of affordable housing, including ensuring that councils can prioritise the types of affordable homes their communities need. These can be found at gov.uk.
The Government is committed to building 1.5m homes over the next parliament and that development must look to brownfield first, prioritising previously used land wherever possible. We proposed a set of targeted changes in our consultation on reforms to the NPPF to support this, alongside proposals to release low-quality grey belt land within the Green Belt to meet housing and other development needs
It is for local authorities, in consultation with their communities, to set out the most appropriate strategy to meet their housing needs.
I refer the noble Lady to the answer given to Question UIN 5689 on 11 October 2024.
His Majesties Government is committed to keeping the Act under continuous review. In addition, we will be engaging with stakeholders and the public to gather insights and explore ways to improve its implementation. This collaborative approach will ensure that any necessary changes are carefully considered and effectively addressed.
The Government wants to create good quality, well-designed, and sustainable homes and places that we are all proud of. That is why the National Planning Policy Framework and our national design guidance highlight the benefits of good design and the role that it can play in improving health and well-being, accessibility and inclusion, and establishing a strong sense of place.
I would like to assure the Noble Baroness that creating beautiful homes and beautiful places is still encouraged by the Framework, including as part of the social objective of the planning system; one of the three overarching objectives for achieving sustainable development.
We have been clear that development must look to brownfield first, prioritising previously used land wherever possible. To support this, we propose a set of targeted changes in our consultation on reforms to the NPPF, published 30 July. These changes include an expanded definition of previously developed land, and changes to make clear that the default answer to brownfield development should be ‘yes’.
National planning policy also expects local councils to support efforts to identify and bring back into residential use empty homes and other suitable buildings.
We have been clear that development must look to brownfield first, prioritising previously used land wherever possible. To support this, we propose a set of targeted changes in our consultation on reforms to the NPPF, published 30 July. These changes include an expanded definition of previously developed land, and changes to make clear that the default answer to brownfield development should be ‘yes’.
National planning policy also expects local councils to support efforts to identify and bring back into residential use empty homes and other suitable buildings.
We have been clear that development must look to brownfield first, prioritising previously used land wherever possible. To support this, we propose a set of targeted changes in our consultation on reforms to the NPPF, published 30 July. These changes include an expanded definition of previously developed land, and changes to make clear that the default answer to brownfield development should be ‘yes’.
National planning policy also expects local councils to support efforts to identify and bring back into residential use empty homes and other suitable buildings.
Future standards next year will set our new homes and buildings on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuels and ensures they are fit for a net zero future. This will support our ambition that the 1.5 million homes we will build over the course of this parliament will be high quality, well designed and sustainable. That is why the Deputy Prime Minister and I are clear that rooftop solar and other renewable technology should play an important role, where appropriate, as part of the future standards for homes and buildings.
The Environment Improvement Plan 2023 recognised that water efficiency could be supported through Building Regulations, planning and voluntary schemes. The Government will review this position in the coming months and recognises that new work might need to consider technical challenges of water capture and avoidance of cross-contamination between rainwater and potable water supplies.
We welcome research into ways to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment through safe, innovative products. Building Regulations are outcome based and do not prescribe specific materials. This gives housebuilders the freedom to use the most appropriate materials and technologies for their projects, which allows them to quickly capitalise on innovation.