Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Portrait

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Labour - Life peer

Became Member: 16th October 2019


Food, Diet and Obesity Committee
24th Jan 2024 - 28th Mar 2025
Windsor Framework Sub-Committee
14th Apr 2021 - 30th May 2024
Common Frameworks Scrutiny Committee
17th Sep 2020 - 31st Dec 2023
Food, Poverty, Health and Environment Committee
30th Jan 2020 - 23rd Jun 2020
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
8th Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Shadow SDLP Spokesperson (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
6th May 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Shadow SDLP Spokesperson (Energy and Climate Change)
6th May 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
23rd Jan 2012 - 30th Mar 2015


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick has voted in 89 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Baroness Merron (Labour)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
(21 debate interactions)
Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour)
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
(13 debate interactions)
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Labour)
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
(12 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(16 debate contributions)
Department for Business and Trade
(10 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(7 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Crown Estate Act 2025
(1,687 words contributed)
Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024-26
(627 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


1 Bill introduced by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick


A Bill to regulate and limit the practice of bottom trawling in marine protected areas; and for connected purposes.

Lords - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 30th July 2024
(Read Debate)

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
3rd Apr 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the tariffs imposed on the United Kingdom and European Union by the United States of America with regard to the Windsor Framework.

We continue to closely monitor the impact on Northern Ireland of any tariffs. This government will always act in the best interests of all UK businesses which of course includes those in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom customs territory and internal market. Northern Ireland exporters will face 10% US tariffs like exporters elsewhere in the UK.

Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
25th Feb 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to ensure that the principles of the Windsor Framework are not compromised as a result of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

We intend to apply UK CBAM across the UK including in NI. The EU's CBAM could only apply in Northern Ireland with the agreement of the UK and in line with the democratic safeguards of the Windsor Framework. The UK will continue to work with international partners, including the EU, to ensure our approach is implemented in a way that works for businesses.

Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
20th Nov 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide training on evaluation techniques and methodologies to Civil Servants; and to what extent this training will take into account practices from outside Government.

In 2021, the National Audit Office published a report on evaluating government spending. The report highlighted several challenges regarding the Civil Service’s capacity to evaluate government policies, including a skills gap in evaluation.

It is the responsibility of individual government departments and professions to ensure that they have the capacity and capability to evaluate their policies and programmes, and to address any capability gaps they may have.

To support departments, the Cabinet Office is taking steps to improve the skills of analysts and policy officials across the Civil Service. For example, the Evaluation Task Force has created the Evaluation Academy to address a cross-government skills gap and build evaluation capacity in the analytical profession. The Evaluation Academy comprises 10 modules including process, impact and value-for-money evaluation that are aligned to the Magenta Book, the government’s guidance on evaluation. The Academy has been run for two consecutive years and has already led to more than 2,000 civil servants receiving training on evaluation topics and methods. The Evaluation Task Force has also provided advice on evaluation methods for 382 government programmes worth a total value of £202 billion.

Additionally, the Government Skills Campus project is building and rolling out a new Civil Service wide digital platform which will log the skills of all civil servants, including evaluation skills. This will create a Civil Service-wide skills dataset allowing for even more data-driven workforce planning and targeted action on capability gaps. Roll out begins in 2025.

Baroness Twycross
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
20th Nov 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Civil Service capacity needed to provide robust evaluation of Government policies; and how they will address any identified gaps.

In 2021, the National Audit Office published a report on evaluating government spending. The report highlighted several challenges regarding the Civil Service’s capacity to evaluate government policies, including a skills gap in evaluation.

It is the responsibility of individual government departments and professions to ensure that they have the capacity and capability to evaluate their policies and programmes, and to address any capability gaps they may have.

To support departments, the Cabinet Office is taking steps to improve the skills of analysts and policy officials across the Civil Service. For example, the Evaluation Task Force has created the Evaluation Academy to address a cross-government skills gap and build evaluation capacity in the analytical profession. The Evaluation Academy comprises 10 modules including process, impact and value-for-money evaluation that are aligned to the Magenta Book, the government’s guidance on evaluation. The Academy has been run for two consecutive years and has already led to more than 2,000 civil servants receiving training on evaluation topics and methods. The Evaluation Task Force has also provided advice on evaluation methods for 382 government programmes worth a total value of £202 billion.

Additionally, the Government Skills Campus project is building and rolling out a new Civil Service wide digital platform which will log the skills of all civil servants, including evaluation skills. This will create a Civil Service-wide skills dataset allowing for even more data-driven workforce planning and targeted action on capability gaps. Roll out begins in 2025.

Baroness Twycross
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
18th Nov 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what main issues emerged from their stakeholder engagement on the implementation of the Windsor Framework.

This Government is committed to the faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework and stakeholder engagement is an important aspect of this. When agreeing the Windsor Framework both the UK and EU made commitments to implement enhanced engagement mechanisms, allowing stakeholders the routes to share their views on the implementation of the Framework.

Since the Political Declaration was published on 27 February 2023 the government has continuously engaged with relevant stakeholders to discuss the Windsor Framework and to ensure businesses are able to realise its benefits. We established the Joint Consultative Working Group (JCWG) sub-groups and the UK-EU joint engagement programme which meet regularly, with the most recent engagements taking place in October. This was referenced in the last UK-EU Joint Statement, following the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework on 22 October.

Outside of these joint UK-EU engagements the UK government regularly engages with people and businesses in Northern Ireland. The Minister for the Cabinet Office has met with the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland to discuss the Windsor Framework. He also recently attended a roundtable at Queen’s University Belfast with businesses and civic society representatives to discuss Windsor Framework implementation. Likewise, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regularly engages with NI stakeholders and hosted a roundtable in Belfast for the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group to discuss the Windsor Framework on October 31.

UK government departments continuously engage with stakeholders to discuss the technical aspects of the Windsor Framework arrangements and this government is committed to continuing this engagement further.

Baroness Twycross
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
24th Jul 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive regarding public consultation in advance of the Democratic Consent Vote in respect of the Windsor Framework, due to take place in the Northern Ireland Assembly by the end of 2024.

The Government is committed to supporting the Northern Ireland Executive as appropriate in consulting with businesses, civil society groups, and representative organisations. There is regular contact between the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive on a range of issues and further detail will be provided in due course.

Baroness Twycross
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
12th Mar 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the information provided by the UK Export Support Service is sufficient to prepare UK businesses who may be impacted by the European Union carbon border adjustment mechanism.

The Export Support Service continues to inform UK businesses of upcoming EU regulations and their impact to their trading activities through a range of channels. This includes the "Unlock Europe" webinar series hosted by the Export Academy, which will have a session on CBAM on 23 April. We are tracking forthcoming EU regulations which will impact UK exporters and are in dialogue with business representative organisations to understand how we can best support businesses to understand and prepare for changes which may impact them.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
20th Nov 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the late submission of regulatory impact assessments for legislative proposals.

Since the General Election, the Cabinet Office, with the support of the Department for Business & Trade, has written to departments to remind them of their responsibility to consider in their legislative plans the general requirement to make regulatory impact assessments available when bringing forward relevant legislation to Parliament. The Department for Business & Trade provides training and advice to officials across government to support their departments’ compliance with this and the wider requirements of the Guide to Making Legislation and Better Regulation Framework Guidance. The government supports the Regulatory Policy Committee in holding departments to account for their compliance with the framework; this includes publishing statements of lateness when regulatory provisions reach Parliament without a regulatory impact assessment or opinion from the committee where they require one.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
11th Nov 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the new right to flexible working in the Employment Rights Bill will include a requirement for additional consideration of requests from those who are pregnant.

The Government understands that the availability of flexible working can be important for those who are pregnant and in work. It can be equally as important for a number of other groups, including new parents, those with other caring responsibilities and those managing a disability or long term health condition. That is why, through the Employment Rights Bill, the Government is making flexible working the default for all employees, except where not reasonably feasible.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
14th Oct 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to develop policies around pregnancy loss as part of the new rules governing bereavement leave entitlement.

The Employment Rights Bill establishes a new right to Bereavement Leave for employees to take protected time off to grieve. We will consult stakeholders on aspects of the design.

The Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act 2024 enabled a ‘day one’ paternity leave entitlement for employees who become the primary carer for their newborn after the death of their partner. Regulations will then provide them with leave for up to one year after the child’s birth or adoption placement. This entitlement will have minimal impact on business and no impact on the Exchequer.

Acas maintain guidance for employers on bereavement including miscarriage.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
14th Oct 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will take steps to ensure that the new bereavement leave entitlement under the Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act 2024 includes leave for pregnancy loss.

The Employment Rights Bill establishes a new right to Bereavement Leave for employees to take protected time off to grieve. We will consult stakeholders on aspects of the design.

The Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act 2024 enabled a ‘day one’ paternity leave entitlement for employees who become the primary carer for their newborn after the death of their partner. Regulations will then provide them with leave for up to one year after the child’s birth or adoption placement. This entitlement will have minimal impact on business and no impact on the Exchequer.

Acas maintain guidance for employers on bereavement including miscarriage.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the purpose of the UK’s arms export licensing criteria, and whether these criteria apply the precautionary principle over arms sales to prevent UK arms from being used in atrocities.

The purpose of the UK’s arms export licensing criteria is to ensure that the Government’s decisions on export licences are informed by a set of criteria which promote global security and facilitate responsible exports. The Criteria enable the Government to operate one of the most robust and transparent export control regimes in the world. We consider all new licence applications against the Criteria and will refuse any which are inconsistent with them. Specifically, Criteria 2c states that the Government will not issue or maintain export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of International Humanitarian Law.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the current value of licensed UK arms exports to Israel, both direct and via third party states, and including through open licences.

The maximum value of UK SIELs (Standard Individual Export Licences) issued for direct export to Israel was £24.9 million in 2023.

The maximum value of UK SIELs where Israel was listed as an ultimate end-user, alongside multiple other destinations was £134.9 million in 2023. It is not possible to ascertain what proportion of that amount is attributable to Israel alone.

We do not hold data on value of any other licence type, including open licences. Data on the value of SIELs to Israel in 2024 has not yet been published.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
23rd Apr 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to removing current policy levies from electricity bills (1) to alleviate affordability concerns for vulnerable customers, and (2) to incentivise electrification.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past.

We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we delivered the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households last winter. In February, we published a consultation on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount which would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme and supporting a total of 6 million households. The consultation has now closed and the Department is evaluating the responses.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
23rd Apr 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to remove (1) legacy renewables policy costs, and (2) climate change levy payments, from energy bills for non-domestic consumers.

The Government is committed to ensuring that energy bills for non-domestic customers are affordable.

Legacy renewable policy costs, such as the Renewables Obligation (RO) and Feed-in Tariff (FiT) schemes, are now closed to new applicants but have brought forward the successful renewable electricity sector that we see today in the UK. This, in turn, is supporting our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 so we can reduce our reliance on international gas markets.

By driving investment in renewables, they have significantly lowered the cost of renewable electricity production over time, leading to a more affordable and sustainable energy future.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to meet Energy UK to discuss the recommendations made in the report How to cut bills: a crisis we can't afford to ignore, published on 11 March.

Ministers in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have regular meetings with Energy UK on a range of important issues, including the cost of energy bills.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
12th Mar 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to discuss linking the respective emissions trading schemes of the UK and the European Union at the UK–EU leaders' summit on 19 May.

The Government has committed to improving the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU, and tackle unnecessary barriers to trade. Under the terms of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), the UK Government and EU agreed to cooperate on carbon pricing and give serious consideration to linking respective emissions trading schemes (ETSs). Ahead of the UK-EU Summit on the 19th May, the UK Government is actively considering the case for linking ETSs. This does not prejudge the outcome of any potential discussions with the EU on ETS linking.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
12th Mar 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the impending European Union carbon border adjustment mechanism on clean energy investment on the island of Ireland.

The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is in an implementation period and applies to exports of electricity to the EU but not electricity for the UK market. The EU Commission has said that it intends to finalise the regulation via legislation ahead of the CBAM entering its definitive period.

The UK will continue to engage closely with the EU as it finalises the CBAM and will continue to raise the need for clarity on the practical implementation of the CBAM for trade in electricity, given the challenges involved.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
25th Feb 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to discuss linking the respective emissions trading schemes of the UK and EU at the UK-EU Leaders Summit on 19 May 2025.

Under the terms of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), the UK Government and EU agreed to give serious consideration to linking our respective carbon pricing schemes and to cooperate on carbon pricing. As part of our reset with the EU the Government continues to explore all options to improve trade and investment.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
25th Feb 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on clean energy investment in Northern Ireland of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is in an implementation period and applies to exports of electricity to the EU but not electricity for the UK market. The EU Commission has said that it intends to finalise the regulation via legislation ahead of the CBAM entering its definitive period.

The UK will continue to engage closely with the EU as it finalises the CBAM and will continue to raise the need for clarity on the practical implementation of the CBAM for trade in electricity, given the challenges involved.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Apr 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to implement the recommendations of the Independent Pornography Review to address the availability of violent online pornography.

The Government published the final report of the Independent Pornography Review on 27 February. The Review found violent pornography is common and easily available online. It is right that the government takes time to understand this complex, deeply important topic. A further update will be provided in due course.

The Online Safety Act requires services publishing or hosting user-generated pornographic content to prevent children from accessing it using highly effective age assurance. Extreme pornography is a priority offence under the Act, requiring services to proactively mitigate and remove this illegal content on their platforms.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
23rd Apr 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact that poor media literacy skills have on (1) young people's employability and (2) employers' concerns about workplace readiness.

According to the Essential Digital Skills Framework, media literacy-related skills, including understanding online risks, are essential for work. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has worked with FutureDotNow to analyse the benefits of essential digital skills for earnings and employability, with findings being published shortly.

The Digital Inclusion Action Plan outlines steps towards delivering digital inclusion and media literacy for everyone in the UK. The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review is also considering how young people will acquire the digital skills needed for future life, with the interim report highlighting the need for a renewed focus on media literacy.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
3rd Mar 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to implement the recommendations of the report by Baroness Bertin Creating a Safer World–the Challenge of Regulating Online Pornography (HC 592), published on 27 February.

The Independent Pornography Review is a wide-ranging and thorough piece of work which assessed the effectiveness of pornography legislation, regulation, and enforcement. The Review’s final report was published on the 27th of February 2025.

This is an important yet deeply complex topic. The findings of the Review continue to be assessed by the Government.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
26th Feb 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect the Independent Pornography Review conducted by Baroness Bertin to be completed and published.

The Independent Pornography Review assessed the effectiveness of current pornography legislation, regulation and enforcement. The Review has now concluded, and the report was published on Thursday 27 of February 2025. It is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/creating-a-safer-world-the-challenge-of-regulating-online-pornography.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
10th Feb 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that people with lived experience of self-harm and suicide are meaningfully involved in the implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023.

The government engages regularly with social media and search services and is clear that they should be taking action now to make their services safe for users.

Under the Online Safety Act, in-scope services must prevent all users from encountering illegal suicide and self-harm content, and children from legal content which encourages, promotes or provides instructions for suicide and self-harm.

The government are committed to continuing to engage with those with lived experience and keeping online safety policy under review and will take whatever steps are needed to protect the public.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
10th Feb 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government when the 'Small but Risky' taskforce will sit; and how the group will address the risk posed by dangerous online platforms.

The Online Safety Act’s illegal content and, where relevant, child safety duties will apply to services of all sizes. In September 2024, a public exchange of letters between the Secretary of State and Ofcom’s CEO provided more information about the supervision taskforce. The taskforce is developing and delivering a workplan focusing on high priority themes (such as terror, hate and offences against women and girls) in small but risky services. Should such services choose not to engage and there is evidence of non-compliance, Ofcom will undertake enforcement action.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
10th Feb 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to address the risks posed by small, high-risk online platforms.

The Online Safety Act’s illegal content and, where relevant, child safety duties will apply to services of all sizes. In September 2024, a public exchange of letters between the Secretary of State and Ofcom’s CEO provided more information about the supervision taskforce. The taskforce is developing and delivering a workplan focusing on high priority themes (such as terror, hate and offences against women and girls) in small but risky services. Should such services choose not to engage and there is evidence of non-compliance, Ofcom will undertake enforcement action.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
21st Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the particular role of (1) Telegram, and (2) any small, high-harm platforms, in inciting the riots in Southport between 30 July and 5 August 2024.

The government is clear all social media platforms have a responsibility to keep their users safe and not facilitate those seeking to sow division in our communities. This is why we are working at pace to implement the Online Safety Act.

During last summer’s unrest, the government focused on working with the platforms with the largest reach in the UK. This included referring content contributing to that disorder for platforms to assess and act on in line with their terms of service. We recognise however that the way platforms are used continues to evolve and so keep our approach under review.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
9th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish their Independent Pornography Review.

The work of the Independent Pornography Review is ongoing and is an important area of interest to this government.

The Review is expected to finalise by early 2025, with publication of the report following shortly after this.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
30th Oct 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of catfishing on users of social media platforms.

The impact of ‘catfishing’ can be devastating for victims. Under the Online Safety Act all in-scope services will need to protect users from illegal content and criminal behaviour, including communications offences such as the false communications offence.

In addition, those services that are likely to be accessed by children will need to take steps to protect child users from content which is harmful. Ofcom will have robust powers enforce to against companies who do not comply with their duties

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
30th Oct 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to hold social media platforms to account for enabling offences involving catfishing; and how they plan to ensure that social media platforms protect children.

The impact of ‘catfishing’ can be devastating for victims. Under the Online Safety Act all in-scope services will need to protect users from illegal content and criminal behaviour, including communications offences such as the false communications offence.

In addition, those services that are likely to be accessed by children will need to take steps to protect child users from content which is harmful. Ofcom will have robust powers enforce to against companies who do not comply with their duties

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
28th Oct 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in determining the eligible entity criteria and procedural requirements for the Online Safety Act 2023's super-complaints function; and when they will introduce the regulations to bring it into effect.

The government consulted on the eligible entity criteria and procedural requirements for the super-complaints’ regime under the Online Safety Act 2023 earlier this year. We are carefully considering responses to the consultation to inform secondary legislation, which we intend to lay in spring next year.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
8th Oct 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that misogyny and the language of gender-based violence is regulated and removed from online platforms.

The Online Safety Act requires all services in scope of the regime to proactively tackle and prevent users from being exposed to the most harmful illegal content, much of which disproportionately affects women and girls. Illegal content includes harassment, stalking, and controlling or coercive behaviour. Under the Act, services over the designated threshold will also need to remove certain types of legal content, such as content that is abusive on the basis of sex or gender, where it is prohibited in their terms of service. Companies will need to have effective, accessible mechanisms in place for users to be able to report abuse and receive an appropriate response from the platform.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
8th Oct 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will make an assessment of proposals to use tax deterrents for social media service providers as a measure to address harmful speech, as proposed by Dr Mihaela Popa-Wyatt from the University of Manchester.

The Online Safety Act gives online platforms new duties to protect users; this includes taking action against illegal content, such as harassment, and protecting children from harmful content. Ofcom is the regulator for this regime. It will have strong enforcement powers where providers fail to comply with their duties. It will be able to impose significant fines and, where appropriate, business disruption measures on non-compliant platforms. It can fine companies up to £18 million or 10% of their qualifying worldwide annual revenue.

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
23rd Apr 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to bridge the digital divide by providing access to media literacy education.

I refer my noble Friend to the answer of 01 May 2025 to Question 47185.

Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
20th Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage reading in schools.

​​​​High and rising school standards, with excellent foundations in reading, writing and mathematics, are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.

​We know that reading for pleasure is hugely important and brings a range of benefits. There are a number of strong links with attainment. For example, the 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study report found a 34 point difference in reading performance between pupils in England who “very much” liked reading and pupils who “do not” like reading. Additionally, the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment study found that enjoyment of reading links to pupils’ reading engagement, and that reading engagement was strongly positively correlated with reading performance. There is also a strong evidence base linking reading for pleasure with other positive effects, such as expanding pupils’ knowledge about the world and about language, as well as their understanding of subject-specific academic and technical vocabulary.

​Furthermore, pupils who read regularly report heightened levels of social and emotional wellbeing. For many, reading is a form of relaxation, a place to escape everyday challenges, or a source of entertainment. Reading allows readers to adopt new perspectives, develop empathy and become more socially conscious.

​In recognition of this, the department has implemented a range of measures to support reading for pleasure. The English Hubs programme supports the teaching of phonics, early language development and reading for pleasure with a further £23 million committed for the 2024/25 academic year to support this work. Furthermore, the government’s reading framework provides guidance on improving the teaching of reading, to ensure that every child is not only able to read proficiently, but also develops a genuine love of reading.

​The current national curriculum states that teachers are expected to encourage pupils to develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information.

​The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, which will look closely at the key challenges to attainment for young people, in line with the government’s ambition for a curriculum that delivers excellent foundations in reading, writing and mathematics.

Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
20th Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of library coverage in primary schools.

School libraries complement public libraries by giving pupils access to a range of books and other kinds of texts, both in and out of school. The national curriculum states that teachers are expected to encourage pupils to develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information. As well as the strong links between reading for pleasure and attainment, there are a number of other positive effects, including improved text comprehension and grammar, increased general knowledge, and character development.

It is for individual schools to decide how best to provide and maintain a library service for their pupils, including whether to employ a qualified librarian. Headteachers have autonomy to decide how best to spend the core schools funding that is allocated to them by the department. The Autumn Budget 2024 announced an additional £2.3 billion for schools for the 2025/26 financial year, compared to 2024/25, bringing the total core schools budget to almost £63.9 billion in 2025/26.

Given this autonomy, the department does not collect information on the number of school libraries or school librarians. ​​

​The government’s reading framework offers non-statutory guidance for teachers and school leaders, including helpful guidance for schools on how to organise their school library, book corner or book stock to make reading accessible and attractive to readers.

Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
20th Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to monitor library provision in primary schools.

School libraries complement public libraries by giving pupils access to a range of books and other kinds of texts, both in and out of school. The national curriculum states that teachers are expected to encourage pupils to develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information. As well as the strong links between reading for pleasure and attainment, there are a number of other positive effects, including improved text comprehension and grammar, increased general knowledge, and character development.

It is for individual schools to decide how best to provide and maintain a library service for their pupils, including whether to employ a qualified librarian. Headteachers have autonomy to decide how best to spend the core schools funding that is allocated to them by the department. The Autumn Budget 2024 announced an additional £2.3 billion for schools for the 2025/26 financial year, compared to 2024/25, bringing the total core schools budget to almost £63.9 billion in 2025/26.

Given this autonomy, the department does not collect information on the number of school libraries or school librarians. ​​

​The government’s reading framework offers non-statutory guidance for teachers and school leaders, including helpful guidance for schools on how to organise their school library, book corner or book stock to make reading accessible and attractive to readers.

Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
17th Oct 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide certainty to schools and local authorities about the future of the Holiday Activities and Food Programme after the scheme ends in March 2025.

The future of the Holiday Activities and Food programme beyond the 31 March 2025 is subject to the next government Spending Review taking place this autumn and the department will communicate the outcome of that process in due course.

Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
7th Oct 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to address holiday hunger after the Holidays Activities and Food Programme ends in March 2025.

The future of the Holiday Activities and Food programme beyond 31 March 2025 is subject to the next government Spending Review taking place this autumn and the outcome of the review will be communicated in due course.

Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
8th May 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria they use to assess the effectiveness of the delivery of the Border Target Operating Model.

The Border Target Operating Model was introduced in 2024 to safeguard biosecurity, minimise risks to public health, animal health, the environment and protect the United Kingdom’s reputation as a responsible international trading nation. It strikes an appropriate balance between supporting business, by avoiding unnecessary regulatory burdens in the process of moving goods into Great Britain, while focussing controls on consignments proven to cause the most significant biosecurity risk.

Defra continues to monitor the effectiveness and impact of the controls and engages regularly with border stakeholders to reflect.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
8th May 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to engage with the logistics sector to develop criteria to assess the effectiveness of the delivery of the Border Target Operating Model.

The model was developed following extensive engagement with businesses (including the logistics sector) across the UK, points of entry, enforcement agencies and with the Scottish and Welsh Devolved Governments.

Defra continues to have regular engagement with border stakeholders to discuss and review the BTOM.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th May 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of shipments were checked under the Border Target Operating Model in (1) January, (2) February, (3) March, and (4) April, 2025.

HMRC provides drivers with the Inspection Location Service (ILS), which allows drivers access to identify whether their consignments have been selected for an inspection. The portal is linked to the Goods Movement Vehicle Service (GMVS) whereby a driver can enter their Goods Movement Reference (GMR) and they will be shown the inspection status for their consignment. If the driver does not use GMVS, Imports of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS) will provide an initial risk assessment telling the importer/agent if their consignment needs SPS checks when they submit their import notification. If the consignment does need checks, the importer/agent and haulier will also receive a text and email message 2 hours before the drivers estimated time of arrival in GB. The message will conform what the driver needs to do. Additionally, the notifier can check their IPAFFS dashboard for updates on whether their consignment will be checked.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th May 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the UK’s readiness for implementing under the Border Target Operating Model (1) the reclassification of fruit and vegetables from 1 July, and (2) the introduction of checks on EU goods arriving from the Republic of Ireland via the West Coast ports.

GB plant health services have increased the number of plant health inspection staff to service the demand for import checks in England and Wales of EU plants and plant products. Inspector levels are being monitored to ensure these meet demand and deliver checks in line with the set Service Level Agreement (SLA) and ensure minimal trade disruption. BCPs are designed to handle high volumes of imported SPS goods with inspectors working shifts to carry out reliable checks which minimise friction on traffic flow. Checks at BCPs are handled by trained staff ensuring inspections are undertaken safely and efficiently. The Government will provide an update in Summer 2025 on the implementation timelines for further controls on EU goods arriving in GB from Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th May 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to publish a timetable for scaling up physical checks to achieve the full physical checking regime under the Border Target Operating Model.

The Government will provide an update in Summer 2025 on the implementation timelines for further controls on EU goods arriving in GB from Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Importers should continue to follow the guidance available on GOV.UK for the latest information.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)