Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many acres of farmland have had solar panels put on them since July.

Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

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.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will include in their forthcoming "Get Britain Working" White Paper plans to (1) support older people to be economically active; (2) support older people to volunteer; and (3) address existing barriers for older people in the workplace, including ageism and health-related barriers.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

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.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, what expert guidance they intend to seek in defining the criteria for well-designed buildings and places.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

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.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to strengthen the capacity of local planning authorities in the light of their commitment to recruit 300 additional planning officers by 2026, and in order to increase access to qualified design expertise.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

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.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the economic contribution of economically active people over the state pension age in the UK.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

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.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 23 September (HL1035), whether a portrait of the Queen Elizabeth I was removed from 10 Downing Street, and if so, whether they considered the public sector equality duty.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

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'.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are providing aid to the government of Chad to help, and ensure the security of, refugees arriving in that country from Sudan; to support the local host community; and to prevent an outbreak of conflict.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

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.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to make Chad one of the focus countries for the UK’s UN Security Council 1325 National Action Plan.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

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.