Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 17 September (HC4655), what instruction has been given to Departments by (1) 10 Downing Street, and (2) the Cabinet Office, since the general election on removing non-executive directors from Government Departments, including the removal of Conservative-affiliated individuals.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

The principle and processes for making regulated public appointments are set out in the Governance Code on Public Appointments. No instructions have been given from 10 Downing Street or the Cabinet Office on removing non-executives from Government Departments.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance the Cabinet Office public appointments team has provided on practices relating to the removal of regulated public appointees from office; and whether associated guidance has been produced further to the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

The Commissioner for Public Appointments has no direct role in the decision making of individual public appointments, including their removal from office. The Commissioner’s functions, as set out in the Public Appointments Order in Council and the Governance Code on Public Appointments, is to provide independent assurance that public appointments are made in accordance with the Principles of Public Appointments and the processes set out in the Code.

The principle and processes for making regulated public appointments are set out in the Governance Code. The Cabinet Office has not issued specific guidance relating to the termination of individuals’ appointments.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what remit the Commissioner for Public Appointments has over the removal of regulated public appointees from office.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

The Commissioner for Public Appointments has no direct role in the decision making of individual public appointments, including their removal from office. The Commissioner’s functions, as set out in the Public Appointments Order in Council and the Governance Code on Public Appointments, is to provide independent assurance that public appointments are made in accordance with the Principles of Public Appointments and the processes set out in the Code.

The principle and processes for making regulated public appointments are set out in the Governance Code. The Cabinet Office has not issued specific guidance relating to the termination of individuals’ appointments.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government for what policy reasons the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has removed non-executive directors since the general election.

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

It is normal practice for incoming Secretaries of State to make decisions on their departmental boards, considering the skills and experience that the membership brings. Individuals who have been dismissed from the Defra Board since 4 July 2024 have received reasons in writing in line with their terms of appointment.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 28 October (HL1473), whether the political affiliation of non-executive directors was a consideration in their decision to remove non-executive directors since the general election.

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

I refer the noble Lady to the reply previously given on 28 October 2024 to question HL1473.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Autumn Budget statement, what assessment they have made of the concerns raised by the Tenant Farmers Association on 30 October regarding the impact of changes to inheritance tax on tenant farm families; and whether they plan to meet the Tenant Farmers Association to discuss this further.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief on gov.uk. Around 500 estates across the UK are expected to be affected each year from 2026-27.

In accordance with standard practice, a Tax Information and Impact Note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.