Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they made of advice issued by Historic England and the Twentieth Century Society relating to the listing of (1) the principal surviving buildings of the former Holborn Union Infirmary and Whittington Hospital at Archway, (2) Medlock Mill in Manchester, and (3) other buildings they have received advice on in the last year, and why they decided to go against this advice.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Secretary of State is required to consult Historic England before deciding whether to designate a listed building. Decisions are informed by advice from Historic England and relevant representations from other interested parties, including the Twentieth Century Society, then made in accordance with the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the Secretary of State’s Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings (2018). The Department takes decisions on whether or not to list based on the criteria of special architectural or historic interest.
The reasoning behind the decisions in cases where there is a departure from Historic England's recommendation is detailed in decision letters to Historic England. That reasoning is then shared by Historic England alongside their notifications to interested parties of the decisions made.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the preservation of buildings of historic interest remains a Government priority.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This government remains committed to the preservation of buildings of historic interest.
For example, this year we announced nearly £20 million new capital funding to support heritage through the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund and Heritage Revival Fund, and over the last 12 months around 150 buildings were added to the National Heritage List for England.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to revising upwardly the 1850 cut-off date for listed buildings being subject to greater selection, as per the general principles of listing relating to age and rarity.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings set the criteria used to determine whether a building is of special architectural or historic interest. Currently, the Principles of Selection state that “from 1850 to 1945, because of the greatly increased number of buildings erected and the much larger numbers that have survived, progressively greater selection is necessary”. We do not currently have plans to revise this but continue to keep the Principles of Selection under review.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have had discussions with the England and Wales Cricket Board on whether the Afghanistan team should participate in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK Government condemns the appalling erosion of women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan. Sport operates independently of government, and Afghanistan’s participation in the ICC Champion’s Trophy is a matter for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and International Cricket Council (ICC).
My officials are in ongoing contact with the ECB on the wider issue of support for the Afghanistan women’s cricket team. We welcome the recent announcement of the Global Refugee Cricket Fund to help support Afghanistan women’s cricket. We strongly urge the ICC to ensure a safe return to competition for the Afghanistan women’s team in some capacity as soon as possible.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 14 January (HL3735), when they will announce the outcome of the Business Planning process, in particular for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
On the 22nd of January, I was pleased to announce that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme would continue from March 2025 to March 2026 with a budget of £23m. Further details can be found here in the Written Statement.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to renew the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme beyond its current expiry date of 31 March.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We will announce the outcomes of the Business Planning process, including for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme soon.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Heritage Crafts "Red List of Endangered Crafts"; and what plans they have, if any, to support any of those listed to prevent extinction of those skills within the United Kingdom.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why covered arenas in riding schools have been included in the same category as indoor gyms and sports halls when prohibiting their reopening following their closure as part of the restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)
The Government has published guidance on GOV.UK on the phased return of sport and recreation, in line with the latest medical advice. The guidance for the public on outdoor sport and recreation has recently been updated to clarify that equestrian covered arenas can be used, provided social distancing guidelines can be followed. These facilities are not considered ‘indoor’ for the purposes of this guidance as they are large, open and well-ventilated structures. The guidance can be found here:
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will lift the restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of covered arenas in riding schools.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)
The Government has published guidance on GOV.UK on the phased return of sport and recreation, in line with the latest medical advice. The guidance for the public on outdoor sport and recreation has recently been updated to clarify that equestrian covered arenas can be used, provided social distancing guidelines can be followed. These facilities are not considered ‘indoor’ for the purposes of this guidance as they are large, open and well-ventilated structures. The guidance can be found here:
Asked by: Baroness Hodgson of Abinger (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the ongoing restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of covered arenas in riding schools; and (2) the risk that riding schools will be at risk of closure if those restrictions remain in place over the summer months.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)
The Government has published guidance on GOV.UK on the phased return of sport and recreation, in line with the latest medical advice. The guidance for the public on outdoor sport and recreation has recently been updated to clarify that equestrian covered arenas can be used, provided social distancing guidelines can be followed. These facilities are not considered ‘indoor’ for the purposes of this guidance as they are large, open and well-ventilated structures. The guidance can be found here: