Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government when the communiqué for the Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs meeting held on 5 February will be published on gov.uk.

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

The communiqué was published on 5 March 2026 at Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs communiqués - GOV.UK.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what diagnostic and performance data will be collected by services as part of the modern service framework for frailty and dementia, and whether this data will be reported publicly.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In developing the Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia, we are engaging with a wide group of partners to understand what should be included to ensure the best outcomes for people living with frailty and dementia.

As part of this exercise, we will consider what interventions and performance data should be supported to improve care for those living with dementia and frailty. We are considering all options to help reduce variation and to improve care, including reviewing metrics, data, and targets.

We are working to develop the content of the framework as soon as possible and we will keep partners updated on progress and timings as this work unfolds.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what measures will be included in the modern service framework for frailty and dementia to address current waiting times, and whether this will include a specific target for referral-to-treatment waiting times.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In developing the Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia, we are engaging with a wide group of partners to understand what should be included to ensure the best outcomes for people living with frailty and dementia.

As part of this exercise, we will consider what interventions should be supported to improve diagnosis waiting times, which we know are too long in many areas. We are considering all options to help reduce variation, including reviewing metrics and targets.

We are working to develop the content of the framework as soon as possible and we will keep partners updated on progress and timings as this work unfolds.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure transparency and accountability in evaluation of the modern service framework.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In developing the Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia, we are engaging with a wide group of partners to understand what should be included to ensure the best outcomes for people living with dementia and frailty.

We are working to develop the content of the framework as soon as possible and we will keep partners updated on progress and timings as this work unfolds. We will also consider how best to evaluate the implementation of the modern service framework.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of libraries in the delivery of the National Year of Reading.

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

On 2 March DCMS announced £150,000 for public libraries to support the National Year of Reading. Funding will be delivered by The Reading Agency in support of the Go All In campaign to reconnect people with reading for pleasure.

The £150,000 fund is expected to support projects across 72 library authority areas which are disadvantaged by high deprivation, weak social infrastructure and low library engagement with the aim of encouraging greater library use and new members.

Public libraries are central to the success of the National Year of Reading’s campaign to engage people of all ages with reading across the UK. The Reading Agency has been appointed to work with sector partners to deliver and support public library engagement. The Summer Reading Challenge in 2026, and World Book Night, the annual celebration of reading for adults on 23 April 2026, will be key moments for libraries during the National Year of Reading 2026. Throughout the year, The Reading Agency will provide public libraries with resources, toolkits, and print and digital materials to support their work and boost engagement.

Within Northern Ireland, the Department of Communities funds the public library service and it is administered by the Northern Ireland Library Authority, known as Libraries NI. The National Year of Reading in Northern Ireland was launched on 2 February at Stormont with a roundtable event that brought together primary school pupils, authors, government officials, community groups, charities and businesses to explore how the initiative can help more of the nation’s children, young people and adults to rediscover reading through the things they already love. Libraries NI is actively celebrating and participating in the National Year of Reading programmes with various activities and events at their library branches throughout the year.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how they are supporting stronger protection of civilians and improved humanitarian access in Sudan, particularly in the areas most affected by conflict.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the statement made by the Foreign Secretary on 19 February before the UN Security Council on Sudan. She highlighted the continued work the UK is doing as the third largest bilateral donor to Sudan, on securing humanitarian access across Sudan and on protecting civilians and humanitarian operations, as well as holding to account those who are perpetrating or profiting from the appalling atrocities committed in Sudan. I will continue to keep the House updated on the actions the UK is taking alongside our international partners to secure a ceasefire in Sudan, and support the humanitarian needs of its people, including the millions currently suffering from food insecurity and starvation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what additional humanitarian measures they are considering in response to worsening food insecurity across Sudan.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the statement made by the Foreign Secretary on 19 February before the UN Security Council on Sudan. She highlighted the continued work the UK is doing as the third largest bilateral donor to Sudan, on securing humanitarian access across Sudan and on protecting civilians and humanitarian operations, as well as holding to account those who are perpetrating or profiting from the appalling atrocities committed in Sudan. I will continue to keep the House updated on the actions the UK is taking alongside our international partners to secure a ceasefire in Sudan, and support the humanitarian needs of its people, including the millions currently suffering from food insecurity and starvation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what they are doing to ensure that nutrition remains a properly funded priority within their development portfolio for the people of Sudan.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the statement made by the Foreign Secretary on 19 February before the UN Security Council on Sudan. She highlighted the continued work the UK is doing as the third largest bilateral donor to Sudan, on securing humanitarian access across Sudan and on protecting civilians and humanitarian operations, as well as holding to account those who are perpetrating or profiting from the appalling atrocities committed in Sudan. I will continue to keep the House updated on the actions the UK is taking alongside our international partners to secure a ceasefire in Sudan, and support the humanitarian needs of its people, including the millions currently suffering from food insecurity and starvation.

Found: interests to declare Lord Randall of Uxbridge No relevant interests to declare Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Found: Q7 Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: Thank you, Chair.

Found: Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee; Baroness Goudie; Baroness Ludford; Baroness O’Loan; Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick