Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reform 'save as you earn' and 'share incentive' plans.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government fully understands the importance of enabling employees to share in the fruits of a company’s success, and for businesses to reward and retain employees effectively. The UK share schemes are popular, generous and world leading.

A call for evidence on Save As You Earn (SAYE) and the Share Incentive Plan (SIP) ran from June to August 2023. It sought views on whether the schemes are meeting their policy objectives and opportunities to improve and simplify them.

The Government is considering the responses to the call for evidence, and is grateful to those who took the time to respond.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

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.

Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

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.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any increases in Israel of (1) incitement to violence, (2) glorifying the killing of Palestinian civilians, and (3) anti-Palestinian racism; and what representations they have made to the government of Israel in this regard.

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

The Government strongly opposes all forms of racism and is committed to promoting tolerant society for people of all ethnicities, religions and nationalities. We recognise that dehumanising language and hate speech can lay the ground for and justify identity-based violence in conflict. The Government will challenge those who undermine the prospects of a two-state solution or use hateful rhetoric. The UK strongly condemns inciteful remarks, such as those made by Israel's National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, which seek to inflame tensions and harm the viability of a two-state solution. In October 2024, the Government introduced sanctions targeting 3 settler outposts and 4 organisations that have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

The Government has been engaging with the British Palestinian community, including through a PM-led roundtable with members of the Palestinian community in the UK to mark the one-year anniversary of the conflict. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials work closely with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to understand the impact of international events domestically in the UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the government of Israel has promoted (1) anti-Palestinian racism, and (2) disinformation to dehumanise Palestinians; and what representations they have made to the government in this regard.

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

The Government strongly opposes all forms of racism and is committed to promoting tolerant society for people of all ethnicities, religions and nationalities. We recognise that dehumanising language and hate speech can lay the ground for and justify identity-based violence in conflict. The Government will challenge those who undermine the prospects of a two-state solution or use hateful rhetoric. The UK strongly condemns inciteful remarks, such as those made by Israel's National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, which seek to inflame tensions and harm the viability of a two-state solution. In October 2024, the Government introduced sanctions targeting 3 settler outposts and 4 organisations that have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

The Government has been engaging with the British Palestinian community, including through a PM-led roundtable with members of the Palestinian community in the UK to mark the one-year anniversary of the conflict. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials work closely with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to understand the impact of international events domestically in the UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the role of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on policy for tackling (1) anti-Palestinian racism, and (2) the dehumanisation of Palestinians.

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

The Government strongly opposes all forms of racism and is committed to promoting tolerant society for people of all ethnicities, religions and nationalities. We recognise that dehumanising language and hate speech can lay the ground for and justify identity-based violence in conflict. The Government will challenge those who undermine the prospects of a two-state solution or use hateful rhetoric. The UK strongly condemns inciteful remarks, such as those made by Israel's National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, which seek to inflame tensions and harm the viability of a two-state solution. In October 2024, the Government introduced sanctions targeting 3 settler outposts and 4 organisations that have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

The Government has been engaging with the British Palestinian community, including through a PM-led roundtable with members of the Palestinian community in the UK to mark the one-year anniversary of the conflict. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials work closely with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to understand the impact of international events domestically in the UK.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will convene a cross-government working group on tackling anti-Palestinian racism.

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

The Government strongly opposes all forms of racism and is committed to promoting tolerant society for people of all ethnicities, religions and nationalities. We recognise that dehumanising language and hate speech can lay the ground for and justify identity-based violence in conflict. The Government will challenge those who undermine the prospects of a two-state solution or use hateful rhetoric. The UK strongly condemns inciteful remarks, such as those made by Israel's National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, which seek to inflame tensions and harm the viability of a two-state solution. In October 2024, the Government introduced sanctions targeting 3 settler outposts and 4 organisations that have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

The Government has been engaging with the British Palestinian community, including through a PM-led roundtable with members of the Palestinian community in the UK to mark the one-year anniversary of the conflict. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials work closely with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to understand the impact of international events domestically in the UK.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

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.

Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

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.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

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.

Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

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.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

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.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to bridge the digital divide by providing access to media literacy education.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

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

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have raised any formal complaint with the government of Israel over the response on social media of the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 26 April describing comments by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East about aid workers as a blood libel against Israel.

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

Gaza is the deadliest place to be a humanitarian in the world and it is appalling that over 400 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023. Israel's admission of responsibility for the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) strike on 19 March is an important step. As I said on social media, Israel must thoroughly investigate all attacks that have harmed aid workers, and we expect that those responsible are held to account in a meaningful way.

Steps must be taken to ensure this stops happening. The UK expects accountability when aid workers are killed, wherever it happens.

We will continue to make both private and public representations to the Government of Israel to ensure that humanitarian workers are protected and able to do their jobs safely.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the role of the Home Office on policy for tackling (1) anti-Palestinian racism, and (2) the dehumanisation of Palestinians.

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

I refer the Nobel Lady to the Answer provided on 18 February 2025 to PQ HL4710.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by Incisive Health, Getting upstream: creating an early intervention service for cancer, published on 5 May.

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

We have received Inclusive Health’s report on creating an early intervention service for cancer, and we are currently considering this. We have received over 11,000 responses to our call for evidence for the National Cancer Plan from individuals, professionals, and organisations who have shared their views on how we can do more to achieve our ambition. These submissions will be used to inform our plan to improve cancer care.

The plan will include further details on how we will speed up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately bringing this country’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government which department is responsible for policy on tackling (1) anti-Palestinian racism, and (2) the dehumanisation of Palestinians.

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

The Government strongly opposes all forms of racism and is committed to promoting tolerant society for people of all ethnicities, religions and nationalities. We recognise that dehumanising language and hate speech can lay the ground for and justify identity-based violence in conflict. The Government will challenge those who undermine the prospects of a two-state solution or use hateful rhetoric. The UK strongly condemns inciteful remarks, such as those made by Israel's National Security Minister Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Smotrich, which seek to inflame tensions and harm the viability of a two-state solution. In October, the Government introduced sanctions targeting 3 settler outposts and 4 organisations that have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. The Government has been engaging with the British Palestinian community, including through a PM-led roundtable with members of the Palestinian community in the UK to mark the one-year anniversary of the conflict. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials work closely with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to understand the impact of international events domestically in the UK.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to provide funding to tackle anti-Palestinian racism in the United Kingdom.

Answered by Lord Khan of Burnley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN HL6958 on 9 May 2025.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase coverage rates for the childhood flu vaccination programme.

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

The Government is working to improve the uptake of our vaccination programmes, including children’s flu uptake.

The Department is working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England to take steps to promote uptake by providing diverse delivery methods to make getting vaccinated easier, increasing outreach efforts to under-served groups, and raising awareness of the dangers of vaccine preventable diseases, including flu. Paid for marketing campaigns to support the uptake of childhood flu and other vaccinations have been run over the past year, with evaluation showing positive results.

Along with this work, the Department is also looking at how it can go further, exploring new ways to boost uptake by supplementing the general practice offer already based in communities through health visitors.

The UKHSA has continued to undertake annual surveys of parents to develop an understanding of how knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes towards immunisation, vaccine safety, and disease severity influence vaccine uptake decision-making.

It is important that children are vaccinated for flu, as it is the best way to help protect them from flu, which can cause serious harm. The children’s flu vaccination also helps prevent flu transmission in the community.

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Found: Addington; Baroness Browning; Lord Crisp; Baroness Goudie; Lord Hope of Craighead; Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Found: Addington; Baroness Browning; Lord Crisp; Baroness Goudie; Lord Hope of Craighead; Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Found: Baroness Goudie; Lord Hain; Lord Lexden; Lord McInnes of Kilwinning; Baroness O’Loan; Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

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