Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what the policy of the Office for Equality and Opportunity is on recognising species dysphoria.

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

The Office for Equality and Opportunity does not have a policy approach that recognises species dysphoria.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, in relation to the 1.5 million houses they plan to build in the next 5 years, whether asylum seekers will have priority for the new housing over those already on housing lists and currently residing in the UK.

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

I refer the noble Lady to the answer given to Question UIN 5689 on 11 October 2024.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, of the 1.5 million houses they plan to build in the next 5 years, what percentage will go to (1) people now residing in the UK, (2) people who will be coming to live in the UK from overseas; and of those people coming from overseas, how many will be (a) foreign citizens with leave to remain, (b) asylum seekers, and (c) illegal migrants.

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

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.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, in relation to the 1.5 million houses they plan to build in the next 5 years, (1) how many people are homeless in the UK at present, and (2) whether they have mapped where the housing is needed.

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

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.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government how many of the 1.5 million houses they plan to be built over the next five years they estimate will be built on brownfield sites, and how many on green belt redesignated as grey belt.

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

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.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government how many homes they predict will be created by repurposing existing buildings during the next five years.

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

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.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what planning applications the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have made to fly flags that do not have deemed consent.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not made any planning applications to fly flags that do not have deemed consent in 2024.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 23 October (HL1457), whether their first principle when considering changes to the Party Wall Act 1996 will be "do no harm".

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

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.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 23 October (HL1457), when they expect to make a decision on changes to be made in relation to the Party Wall Act 1996.

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

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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 26 September (HL1120), whether the second strengthening stage of works on Hammersmith Bridge has started; and if not, when it will (1) start, and (2) be completed.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

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.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 23 October (HL1457), what steps they are taking to keep the Party Wall Act 1996 under continuous review; who they are engaging with to do so; which stakeholders will they be engaging with; and what steps they will take to ensure that there is adequate engagement with the public.

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

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.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will support, and help with the creation of, a United Nations convention on the rights of older persons.

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

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.

Found: 5 November 2024 The Women, Peace and Security Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness

Found: 5 November 2024 The Women, Peace and Security Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness