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

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the difference in qualification requirements between property managers in the (1) private, and (2) social, housing sectors since the passing of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.

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

The Social Housing (Regulation) Act introduced a power for the Regulator of Social Housing to set a Competence and Conduct Standard for the social rented sector. The previous Government consulted in February 2024 on a set of proposals which would require senior housing managers and executives to gain a suitable qualification in housing management. This Government committed in September to introducing a Competence and Conduct Standard. We are currently considering responses received to the consultation, and will set out our next steps in the coming months.

For homes outside the social housing sectors, the Government announced in a Written Ministerial Statement on 21 November 2024 that it will strengthen regulation of managing agents to drive up the standard of their service. As a minimum, this should include mandatory professional qualifications which set a new basic standard that managing agents will be required to meet. We will consult on this next year.

As this work progresses, we will continue to consider how to ensure appropriate competency requirements are applied across the housing management sector.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury on 5 November (HCWS188), what is the status of the Home Office's Cerberus Project in relation to using safety and security declarations to target Border Force activity.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Safety & Security declarations are a key dataset that will enhance Home Office capability to protect the border. We have already undertaken a discovery exercise on the operationalisation of this data for the purposes of detecting high risk movements of goods. On the basis of that discovery our approach in 2025 will be to:

• Use the existing HMRC Safety & Security Great Britain (S&S GB) system to risk assess EU traffic using the new EU S&S data. This will commence as soon as data is available on 31 January 2025.
• Build new risking capability to exploit the data within our CERBERUS Border Risking Data Analytics system. This work will commence in Q4 24-25 and continue throughout the SR period. It will ensure that we make the best use of S&S data by fusing it with wider border data and intelligence. Our 2025 priority is the roll off (RoRo) ferry mode where we see the greatest threat and largest operational dividend.

The Home Office already uses Rest of the World S&S data to risk RoW traffic.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the 2025 UK Border Strategy, published on 17 December 2020, whether they intend to publish a report in 2024 setting out progress against that strategy; and whether they will list the metrics that are being used to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of the border.

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

The 2025 Border Strategy was produced by the previous government. This Government is working to secure the UK’s borders, while reducing trade friction as part of the reset of our relationship with the European Union. The government will continue to provide updates in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury on 5 November (HCWS188), what assessment they have made of legislative barriers preventing Home Office and HMRC disclosing information collected via safety and security declarations to law enforcement partners; and what steps they are taking to remove such barriers.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC regularly discloses information to the Home Office for customs and immigration purposes, which the Home Office may disclose onwards (with consent as required by legislation) to law enforcement partners. This allows for the effective delivery of those functions.

HMRC is also permitted to share safety and security information with law enforcement partners when that information is directly requested.

HMRC and the Home Office are working together to ensure safety and security information is available to those who need it.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury on 5 November (HCWS188), what assessment they have made of whether (1) Deloitte, and (2) IBM, have met the requirements of their Single Trade Window contract with HMRC; and what is the status of the formal dispute resolution process between HMRC and Deloitte.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Following the decision to pause work on the Single Trade Window, HMRC is working with its delivery partner to assess the impact of this decision on existing contracts, including an assessment of delivery to date. There is no formal dispute resolution process running.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury on 5 November (HCWS188), what are the specific reasons for the pause in delivery of the UK Single Trade Window programme.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has paused delivery of the Single Trade Window (STW) as part of the allocation of overall SR25 funding, due to the challenging wider fiscal context. We will provide a further update on the STW as part of the next phase of the Spending Review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of (1) the cost of the increase in National Insurance contributions for employers, and (2) the savings from the increase in employment allowance for the smallest businesses, on small and medium-sized enterprises.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

A Tax Information and Impact Note was published on 13 November alongside the legislation when it was introduced to Parliament.

The latest forecasts for tax revenues were published alongside the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) October Economic and Fiscal Outlook. These forecasts are based on economic determinants, including wage growth and employment levels.

The government has protected the smallest businesses from the impact of the increase to employer National Insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500, which means that 865,000 employers will pay no employer NICs at all next year.

More than half of employers see no change or gain overall from this package and eligible employers will be able to employ up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage and pay no employer NICs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of (1) the cost of the increase in National Insurance contributions for employers, and (2) the savings from the increase in employment allowance for the smallest businesses, on the hospitality sector.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

A Tax Information and Impact Note was published on 13 November alongside the legislation when it was introduced to Parliament.

The latest forecasts for tax revenues were published alongside the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) October Economic and Fiscal Outlook. These forecasts are based on economic determinants, including wage growth and employment levels.

The government has protected the smallest businesses from the impact of the increase to employer National Insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500, which means that 865,000 employers will pay no employer NICs at all next year.

More than half of employers see no change or gain overall from this package and eligible employers will be able to employ up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage and pay no employer NICs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of (1) the cost of the increase in National Insurance contributions for employers, and (2) the savings from the increase in employment allowance for the smallest businesses, on the retail sector.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

A Tax Information and Impact Note was published on 13 November alongside the legislation when it was introduced to Parliament.

The latest forecasts for tax revenues were published alongside the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) October Economic and Fiscal Outlook. These forecasts are based on economic determinants, including wage growth and employment levels.

The government has protected the smallest businesses from the impact of the increase to employer National Insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500, which means that 865,000 employers will pay no employer NICs at all next year.

More than half of employers see no change or gain overall from this package and eligible employers will be able to employ up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage and pay no employer NICs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of (1) the cost of the increase in National Insurance contributions for employers, and (2) the savings from the increase in employment allowance for the smallest businesses, on pharmacies.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

A Tax Information and Impact Note was published on 13 November alongside the legislation when it was introduced to Parliament.

The latest forecasts for tax revenues were published alongside the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) October Economic and Fiscal Outlook. These forecasts are based on economic determinants, including wage growth and employment levels.

The government has protected the smallest businesses from the impact of the increase to employer National Insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500, which means that 865,000 employers will pay no employer NICs at all next year.

More than half of employers see no change or gain overall from this package and eligible employers will be able to employ up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage and pay no employer NICs.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Basildon on 21 October (HL1278), what is the most recent estimate of how many days a week Office for National Statistics (ONS) staff attend the office on average, expressed as percentage of staff attending their assigned workplace over an average working week, or closest equivalent metric; and what plans ONS has to increase that average attendance rate.

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

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

Please see the letter attached from the National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority.

The Baroness Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG

House of Lords

London

SW1A 0PW

1 November 2024

Dear Baroness Neville-Rolfe,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Basildon on 21 October (HL1278), what is the most recent estimate of how many days a week Office for National Statistics (ONS) staff attend the office on average, expressed as percentage of staff attending their assigned workplace over an average working week, or closest equivalent metric; and what plans ONS has to increase that average attendance rate (HL2117).

The ONS collects attendance data for each of our sites on a weekly basis. Table 1 shows the average daily number of individuals as a percentage against our headcount who have attended each office in the last four weeks for which data are available. Individuals who attend regularly will appear in this data on each day they attend an office.

It should be noted that, while our general office attendance expectation is 40% of working time in line with our estate’s capacity, this is currently set at 20% in Manchester and Darlington and has only recently been increased to 40% in Edinburgh. Additional flexibilities have been extended to colleagues where genuinely required, including a period of further adjustment which ended in October.

In addition, PCS has entered into formal dispute with the ONS in relation to these attendance expectations, taking action short of strike in the form of non-compliance with the requirements. There are currently 1161 PCS members employed by the ONS.

The ONS remains committed to office attendance and various initiatives are underway to increase the diversity and value of in-person interactions. Following our announcement in November 2023, we launched events scheduled throughout 2024 with a greater focus on in-person events. This has included an increase in the number of face-to-face ‘in conversation with the National Statistician’ events, leadership events with the Grade 6 and Grade 7 community, and the start of new site-focused events that aim to bring colleagues together and create a better community across our office locations.

With our extended flexibility provisions period ending, we would naturally expect to see some increase in office attendance. However, as trade unions have achieved a mandate to prolong action short of a strike this could continue to impact office attendance for a further period.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

Table 1: Average daily ONS office location attendance as a rounded percentage by week, from week beginning 16 September 2024[1].

Source: Office for National Statistics

[1]Where figures are less than 5% or not available, the specific number has been suppressed to protect the confidentiality of colleagues in line with our data policy.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 20 November (HL2246), whether they intend to discontinue the British Empire Medal.

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

There are no plans to discontinue the British Empire Medal.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the proposed eight consolidated Local Government Pension Scheme megafunds, announced in the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech, will be able to invest overseas; and what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposals on UK infrastructure.

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

On 14 November, we published a consultation on proposals to strengthen Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) pooling arrangements, including by mandating pooling of all LGPS assets and minimum standards for LGPS asset pools, in line with international best practice. The consultation does not include proposals to consolidate or merge LGPS funds. LGPS administering authorities would remain responsible for setting a high-level investment strategy, with the implementation of that strategy delegated to their asset pool.

The government believes that completing the consolidation of LGPS assets will enable delivery of the full benefits of scale and support UK growth, including through greater capacity and expertise to invest in alternative asset classes such as UK infrastructure. LGPS members’ pensions and benefits are not affected by the proposals as they are protected and guaranteed in statute and are not affected by the performance of investments.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria will be used to decide how 86 Local Government Pension Scheme funds will be consolidated, as announced in the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech; and how the interests of pensioners will be protected when doing so.

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

On 14 November, we published a consultation on proposals to strengthen Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) pooling arrangements, including by mandating pooling of all LGPS assets and minimum standards for LGPS asset pools, in line with international best practice. The consultation does not include proposals to consolidate or merge LGPS funds. LGPS administering authorities would remain responsible for setting a high-level investment strategy, with the implementation of that strategy delegated to their asset pool.

The government believes that completing the consolidation of LGPS assets will enable delivery of the full benefits of scale and support UK growth, including through greater capacity and expertise to invest in alternative asset classes such as UK infrastructure. LGPS members’ pensions and benefits are not affected by the proposals as they are protected and guaranteed in statute and are not affected by the performance of investments.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to request an updated Financial Stability Report from the Financial Policy Committee which would assess the cost of servicing the UK’s Government debt following the Autumn 2024 Budget.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the Government took tough decisions on tax, spending and welfare to repair the public finances and restore Britain’s economic stability. The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts borrowing to fall every year of the forecast, from 4.5% of GDP in 2024-25 to 2.1% of GDP in 2029-30. The Government has confirmed robust fiscal rules to put the public finances on a sustainable path.

The Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee (FPC) is the UK’s macroprudential authority. Twice per year, the FPC publishes a Financial Stability Report (FSR) setting out its view on the stability of the UK financial system and what it is doing to remove or reduce any risks to it. The latest FSR, published on 29 November 2024, covers developments since June.

Found: Letter dated 02/12/2024 from Lord Livermore to Baroness Neville-Rolfe regarding gilt yields, as discussed