Baroness Scott of Needham Market Portrait

Baroness Scott of Needham Market

Liberal Democrat - Life peer

Became Member: 11th May 2000


Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee)
19th Jul 2017 - 19th Jan 2022
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 Committee
29th Jun 2017 - 13th Mar 2018
Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee)
25th May 2016 - 27th Apr 2017
Select Committee on Charities
25th May 2016 - 26th Mar 2017
European Union Committee
16th May 2012 - 12th May 2016
EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee
12th Jun 2015 - 12th May 2016
Draft House of Lords Reform Bill (Joint Committee)
6th Jul 2011 - 26th Mar 2012
Leader's Group on Members Leaving the House (L)
1st Jul 2010 - 13th Jan 2011
Party Chair, Liberal Democrats
1st Jan 2009 - 31st Dec 2010
Communications and Digital Committee
23rd Apr 2007 - 8th Apr 2010
Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee
30th Nov 2004 - 30th Oct 2007
Liaison Committee (Lords)
20th Nov 2002 - 18th Nov 2006
Draft Corruption Bill (Joint Committee)
24th Mar 2003 - 31st Jul 2003


There are no upcoming events identified
Division Votes
Monday 27th November 2023
Immigration (Age Assessments) Regulations 2023
voted Aye - in line with the party majority
One of 54 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 164 Noes - 75
Speeches
Thursday 30th November 2023
Battery and Hydrogen-powered Aircraft
I thank the Minister for that reply. Are the Government giving any consideration to using public service obligation flights as …
Written Answers
Tuesday 21st November 2023
Railways: North of England
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Northern Powerhouse rail proposals, whether the proposed new route alignment between Bradford …
Early Day Motions
None available
Bills
None available
MP Financial Interests
None available

Division Voting information

During the current Parliamentary Session, Baroness Scott of Needham Market has voted in 375 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Baroness Scott of Needham Market Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 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
Lord Greenhalgh (Conservative)
(17 debate interactions)
Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Conservative)
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
(12 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Legislation Debates
Agriculture Act 2020
(4,946 words contributed)
Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023
(3,558 words contributed)
Environment Act 2021
(1,683 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Baroness Scott of Needham Market's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Baroness Scott of Needham Market, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


Baroness Scott of Needham Market has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Baroness Scott of Needham Market has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


69 Written Questions in the current parliament

(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
28th Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Census planned in England and Wales for 21 March 2021 will still take place in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2021 Census will take place as planned in England and Wales on 21 March 2021. We regret the timing of the decision from Scottish Government.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
29th Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the rule requiring statutory instruments to be laid before Parliament at least 21 days before coming into force remains applicable as a default position even during the COVID-19 pandemic; and whether any departure from that rule needs to be justified by reference to specific necessity and not a general disapplication.

The 21-day rule is a long-standing convention that gives Parliament adequate time to scrutinise secondary legislation subject to the negative procedure before it comes into force. It also protects those affected by changes in the law by giving them time to prepare. The Government is committed to complying with this important convention as far as possible, and continues to apply it, in the usual way, during the COVID-19 period.

Many SIs laid as part of the Government’s response to COVID-19 have not adhered to the convention in order to enable the swift implementation of the necessary emergency legislation. In line with standard procedure, this is being determined on a case-by-case basis, with the default position being that the 21-day rule is complied with wherever possible. If an SI does need to be laid fewer than 21 days before it comes into force, then justification must be set out in the Explanatory Memorandum to explain why the urgent action is needed and what the impact of delaying the legislation would be.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
2nd Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Callanan on 1 December (HL3482), whether they can provide a breakdown of the £194 million grant by (1) hydrogen fuel cells, (2) other electric battery technologies, (3) hydrogen combustion, (4) synthetic liquid fuels, and (5) biofuels.

A breakdown of ATI Programme R&D grants awarded, by individual project, are set out in the table below. Co-funded R&D project supported through the ATI Programme typically involve a range of collaborators including industry partners, universities and research organisations (the ATI Programme has an average of 4 partners per project). Further project information and descriptions can be found on UKRI’s Gateway to Research (gtr.ukri.org) and the ATI website (ati.org.uk)

ACCEL (Rolls-Royce) – battery-electric powertrain

£3.4m

AEDD (Vertical Aerospace) – diagnostic charge device for aircraft batteries

£1.2m

AEMTA (Safran) – electro-mechanical systems for moving electrical motors and machines

£3.1m

AEPEC (Safran) – electrical power systems

£10.8m

AEROBAT (Rolls-Royce) – battery modules for all-electric propulsion systems

£7.3m

AeroMC (Safran) – electric and hybrid propulsion and power controls

£14.9m

E-HAV1 (Hybrid Air Vehicles) – electric propulsion system technologies

£1.1m

EMPAS (QinetiQ) – electric motors for jet engines

£1.2m

Feasibility Analysis and Modelling of MgB2 Superconducting Electrical Power Machines (Epoch Wires) – electric machines for future aircraft

£0.25m

FRESSON (Cranfield Aerospace Solutions) – electric (hydrogen fuel cell) propulsion system

£9.6m

H2GEAR (GKN Aerospace) – Liquid hydrogen (fuel cell) propulsion system

£27.2m

HEPBAS (Electroflight) – electric drivetrain and battery systems

£0.4m

HEPBAS (Electroflight) – electric propulsion battery systems

£0.35m

HIDASP (MicroLink Devices) – solar fuel cells for electric aircraft

£3.0m

HYFLY (Airbus) – airframe integration for hybrid electric demonstrator

£14m

HYFLYER (ZeroAvia) – hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system

£2.7m

HYFLYER 2 (ZeroAvia) – hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion system

£12.3m

IDP (Vertical Aerospace) – key technologies for battery-electric flying taxi

£11.9m

INCEPTION (Blue Bear) – all electric propulsion module using batteries and fuel cells

£2.9m

IPCCA (Collins) – architecture for motor drive electronics

£2.4m

IPPA (Airbus) – identify key technologies enabling more electrical aircraft

£4.2m

LACS (Blue Dolphin UK)

£0.32m

LAMPS (Collins Aerospace) – power electronics and motors

£1.3m

MEGAFLIGHT (Rolls-Royce) – propulsion system for hybrid electric demonstrator

£17.2m

SMPP (Safran) – electrical systems for more electric aircraft

£12.2m

SREEV (Advanced Innovative Engineering) – Hybrid power units for UAVs

£0.53m

UTOPEA (Evolito/YASA) – electric motors and power electronics

£5.5m

ZEST-1 (Airbus) – initial steps towards large hydrogen-powered aircraft

£19.5m

ZIP (Airbus) – key technologies for high altitude satellites

£3.6m

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
16th Nov 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what financial assistance they have given to (1) businesses, or (2) academic institutions, in connection with low carbon aviation in the form of (a) grants, (b) loans, (c) guarantees or indemnities, (d) acquisitions of shares or securities, (e) undertakings or assets, or (f) incurring expenditure, for the benefit of the body assisted in the creation of (i) hydrogen fuel cells, (ii) other electric battery technologies, (iii) hydrogen combustion, (iv) synthetic liquid fuels, and (v) biofuels.

The Government co-invests in mid-stage R&D, with industry, to develop new ultra-efficient and zero-carbon aircraft technologies through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme. Since 2013, the ATI Programme has committed R&D grants to 29 industry-led collaborative projects on new forms of propulsion or fuels totalling £194m. Industry will co-invest £178m alongside these grants. The R&D projects cover a range of technologies but are primarily focused on aircraft propulsion systems involving hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, and electric motors and machines. Each project involves a range of collaborators including industry partners, universities and research organisations. Grants through the ATI Programme have also been provided to develop aircraft gas turbine engines, which have included work packages to test synthetic fuels or biofuels. We have not been able to isolate the cost of this element of research within large projects, so have not included it in the figures set out above.

In order to explore the potential for zero-carbon emission flight, the Government also provided a £15m grant to the ATI-led FlyZero project. This in-depth research study, which was completed in March 2022, found green liquid hydrogen offers the greatest potential to power future zero-carbon emission aircraft.

To kickstart a domestic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry, the Government has made £227m available, since 2014, to support the development of advanced fuel plants. This includes investing in 8 SAF plants through the Green Fuels, Green Skies competition and more recently launching the £165m Advanced Fuels Fund. The Government has separately committed £12m to establish a UK SAF Clearing House to support the testing and certification of new SAF and £1m to run the first-ever passenger aircraft flight powered by 100% SAF, between the UK and the US, through the Net Zero Transatlantic Flight Fund. These investments are coupled with the £400m UK Government partnership with Breakthrough Energy Catalyst into emerging climate technologies, including SAF.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
27th Jan 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Brexit on the UK's membership of the European Committee for Standardization; what discussions they have had with the British Standards Institution on the issue; and what were the outcomes of any such discussions.

The European standards organisations (CEN, CENELEC and ETSI) are not EU bodies and the British Standards Institution (BSI) is independent from government. We are in regular contact with BSI and are supportive of the steps that they, as the UK’s national standards body, are taking to maintain the high level of influence of UK experts in the European standards organisations, as set out in the Memorandum of Understanding between Government and BSI.

BSI have informed the Department of their intention to retain their membership of the European standards organisations in line with the wishes of UK stakeholders.

14th Jan 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what role they envisage for the voluntary and community sector in the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The government values the role of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector in the UK; particularly its invaluable role in tackling some of the most entrenched societal challenges in the country.

The Office for Civil Society, within DCMS, is engaging with colleagues across government, in particular MHCLG and DWP, on the development of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Our ambition is to ensure that the sector does not face unnecessary barriers in accessing future funding.

Officials will continue to engage with the sector as this work progresses and will communicate relevant updates.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
20th Jun 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, in deciding to reinstate a deadline for recording historic rights of way, what engagement took place between Ministers and organisations representing landowners and land managers.

Ministers had no engagement with the Country Land and Business Association and the National Farmers Union regarding the decision to reinstate the deadline for the recording of historic rights of way.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
30th Mar 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Benyon on 29 March (HL6810), whether they will provide additional funding for local highway authorities to address (1) the backlog of 4,000 applications for historic rights of way, and (2) the 41,000 miles of potentially unrecorded routes discovered by the Ramblers and its volunteers.

The final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2023/24 makes available up to £59.7 billion for local government in England, the majority of which is un-ringfenced in recognition of local authorities being best placed to understand local priorities and allocate funding accordingly.

The Government is committed to implementing the rights of way reforms package which will reduce bureaucracy and speed up the process for new rights of way to be added to the legal record for everyone to enjoy. The reforms will streamline processes for recording rights of way with landowners, local authorities and users benefitting from a faster, less expensive, less confrontational and less bureaucratic process.

Local authorities will have powers to reject weakly evidenced applications, ignore irrelevant objections and agree appropriate modifications directly with landowners. Local authorities will have powers to correct obvious administrative errors on the definitive map via a significantly shortened process.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
30th Mar 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Benyon on 29 March (HL6810), what steps they are taking to ensure that the backlog of 4,000 applications for historic rights of way are assessed in a timely manner; and what discussions the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has had with the Department for Levelling-up, Housing and Communities about the funding required by local authorities to consider those applications.

The final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2023/24 makes available up to £59.7 billion for local government in England, the majority of which is un-ringfenced in recognition of local authorities being best placed to understand local priorities and allocate funding accordingly.

The Government is committed to implementing the rights of way reforms package which will reduce bureaucracy and speed up the process for new rights of way to be added to the legal record for everyone to enjoy. The reforms will streamline processes for recording rights of way with landowners, local authorities and users benefitting from a faster, less expensive, less confrontational and less bureaucratic process.

Local authorities will have powers to reject weakly evidenced applications, ignore irrelevant objections and agree appropriate modifications directly with landowners. Local authorities will have powers to correct obvious administrative errors on the definitive map via a significantly shortened process.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
23rd Mar 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will provide additional funding for local highway authorities to address (1) the backlog of 4,000 applications for historic rights of way, and (2) the 41,000 miles of potentially unrecorded routes discovered by the Ramblers and its volunteers.

Funding for local authorities is a matter for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
23rd Mar 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on their commitment to ensure that everyone in England is 15 minutes' walk from green and blue spaces of their decision to re-impose a deadline for recording historic rights of way.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone in England can access green and blue spaces within a 15-minute walk as outlined in our Environmental Improvement Plan. The rights of way reforms package will reduce bureaucracy and speed up the process for new rights of way to be added to the legal record for everyone to enjoy.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
18th Oct 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Benyon on 24 May 2021 (HL Deb col 814), whether future Environmental Land Management schemes will include options for farmers and land managers to receive financial assistance for improving public access to the countryside.

HM Government is a great supporter of the health and wellbeing benefits that access to the countryside can bring. As articulated in the 25 Year Environment Plan, public access to the countryside provides a huge range of benefits, including improving physical and mental health and supporting local communities and economies. HM Government supports educational activities that aim to provide access onto farms for the wider public and school children through grants available in Countryside Stewardship. This includes funding farmers for hosting school pupils and care farming clients to engage with farming and the environment, as well as funding for training to enable an agreement holder to carry out enhanced educational experiences.

We are considering how best to maintain investment in public access as part of our future schemes. The teams responsible for developing the options for future schemes have been engaging with the quarterly Access and Engagement with Nature Stakeholder Forum, and will continue to do so. In addition to the quarterly forum, Defra officials will be holding an engagement session dedicated to the discussion of Environmental Land Management with public access stakeholders in November.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
18th Oct 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Benyon on 24 May 2021 (HL Deb col 814), what steps they have taken to engage with public access stakeholders in the design of Environmental Land Management policy.

HM Government is a great supporter of the health and wellbeing benefits that access to the countryside can bring. As articulated in the 25 Year Environment Plan, public access to the countryside provides a huge range of benefits, including improving physical and mental health and supporting local communities and economies. HM Government supports educational activities that aim to provide access onto farms for the wider public and school children through grants available in Countryside Stewardship. This includes funding farmers for hosting school pupils and care farming clients to engage with farming and the environment, as well as funding for training to enable an agreement holder to carry out enhanced educational experiences.

We are considering how best to maintain investment in public access as part of our future schemes. The teams responsible for developing the options for future schemes have been engaging with the quarterly Access and Engagement with Nature Stakeholder Forum, and will continue to do so. In addition to the quarterly forum, Defra officials will be holding an engagement session dedicated to the discussion of Environmental Land Management with public access stakeholders in November.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
28th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether financial assistance provided to farmers and land managers through environmental land management schemes will be conditional on recipients fulfilling legal obligations on a similar basis to the existing cross compliance rules; and if so, whether such obligations will include keeping existing rights of way open and accessible.

Footpath networks are of high importance when considering how the public can access and enjoy the treasured landscapes.

Clear arrangements are already in place through the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to allow for the establishment, recording and appeal of rights of way to agreed standards, and local authorities hold the responsibility for their maintenance. Local authorities are required to keep a Rights of Way Improvement Plan to plan improvements to the existing rights of way network in their area.

Local Access Forums (LAF) advise local authorities and other organisations about making improvements to public access for outdoor recreation and sustainable travel. LAFs can set their own priorities depending on local issues, so engagement is typically with their local authority rather than central government.

Additionally, access to rivers and other waterways is managed by navigation authorities.

The Agricultural Transition Plan was published in November 2020 and the Government published an update in June 2021. Further information on the Environmental Land Management Schemes will be published later this year.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
28th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Benyon on 27 May (HL Deb., col. 1098), what assessment they have made of the role of (1) Local Access Forums, and (2) Rights of Way Improvement plans, in helping to identify deficiencies in the footpath network that could be addressed through environmental land management schemes.

Footpath networks are of high importance when considering how the public can access and enjoy the treasured landscapes.

Clear arrangements are already in place through the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to allow for the establishment, recording and appeal of rights of way to agreed standards, and local authorities hold the responsibility for their maintenance. Local authorities are required to keep a Rights of Way Improvement Plan to plan improvements to the existing rights of way network in their area.

Local Access Forums (LAF) advise local authorities and other organisations about making improvements to public access for outdoor recreation and sustainable travel. LAFs can set their own priorities depending on local issues, so engagement is typically with their local authority rather than central government.

Additionally, access to rivers and other waterways is managed by navigation authorities.

The Agricultural Transition Plan was published in November 2020 and the Government published an update in June 2021. Further information on the Environmental Land Management Schemes will be published later this year.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
28th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 7 July 2020 (HL Deb., col. 1102), when they will publish details outlining the ways in which new environmental land management schemes will deliver improvements in public access to (1) water bodies, and (2) waterways.

Footpath networks are of high importance when considering how the public can access and enjoy the treasured landscapes.

Clear arrangements are already in place through the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to allow for the establishment, recording and appeal of rights of way to agreed standards, and local authorities hold the responsibility for their maintenance. Local authorities are required to keep a Rights of Way Improvement Plan to plan improvements to the existing rights of way network in their area.

Local Access Forums (LAF) advise local authorities and other organisations about making improvements to public access for outdoor recreation and sustainable travel. LAFs can set their own priorities depending on local issues, so engagement is typically with their local authority rather than central government.

Additionally, access to rivers and other waterways is managed by navigation authorities.

The Agricultural Transition Plan was published in November 2020 and the Government published an update in June 2021. Further information on the Environmental Land Management Schemes will be published later this year.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
28th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Benyon on 27 May (HL Deb., col. 1097), when they will publish details of how new environmental land management schemes will increase access to footpaths.

Footpath networks are of high importance when considering how the public can access and enjoy the treasured landscapes.

Clear arrangements are already in place through the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to allow for the establishment, recording and appeal of rights of way to agreed standards, and local authorities hold the responsibility for their maintenance. Local authorities are required to keep a Rights of Way Improvement Plan to plan improvements to the existing rights of way network in their area.

Local Access Forums (LAF) advise local authorities and other organisations about making improvements to public access for outdoor recreation and sustainable travel. LAFs can set their own priorities depending on local issues, so engagement is typically with their local authority rather than central government.

Additionally, access to rivers and other waterways is managed by navigation authorities.

The Agricultural Transition Plan was published in November 2020 and the Government published an update in June 2021. Further information on the Environmental Land Management Schemes will be published later this year.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
7th Jun 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government on what date the Motor Vehicle Stakeholder Working Group last met to discuss Traffic Protection Orders on Green Lanes; and further to the recommendation in the report by the Select Committee on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 The Countryside at a crossroads, (Session 2017–19, HL Paper 99), published on 22 March 2018, what plans they have to bring proposals forward on this issue.

The last meeting of the Motor Vehicle Stakeholder Working Group (MSWG) was on 2 May 2018. In the meeting it was agreed to use the group’s feedback to inform a consultation and discussion with order-making authorities regarding their current working practices around Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), recreational vehicle management and ways to achieve the group’s recommendations such as new guidance. It was further agreed that parallel processes in other departments would be considered and so input was provided to the Department of Transport’s own review of TRO’s in 2019 labelled the ‘TRO Discovery Project’, which resulted in new guidance for surfaced highways.

Order-making authorities were surveyed in 2019 but there were insufficient responses to proceed further. Natural England was to carry out a more targeted survey in 2020, which due to the competing demands of the coronavirus pandemic and other priorities was delayed, although the intention remains to re-survey the authorities in due course.

We will consider seeking feedback from the MSWG once the survey has been completed and results are available.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
7th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Northern Powerhouse rail proposals, what proportion of the proposed new route alignment between Huddersfield and Manchester will involve tunnelling.

The government is working closely with Network Rail to develop and programme the delivery of specific schemes announced by Network North. Further development work will confirm the preferred route between Bradford, Huddersfield and Manchester. Options that have been considered to date do not involve tunnelling between Bradford and Huddersfield. Information will be shared once this work is more mature.

Lord Davies of Gower
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Northern Powerhouse rail proposals, whether the proposed new route alignment between Bradford and Huddersfield involves tunnelling; and, if so, what proportion of the route will be tunnelled.

The government is working closely with Network Rail to develop and programme the delivery of specific schemes announced by Network North. Further development work will confirm the preferred route between Bradford, Huddersfield and Manchester. Options that have been considered to date do not involve tunnelling between Bradford and Huddersfield. Information will be shared once this work is more mature.

Lord Davies of Gower
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Northern Powerhouse rail proposals, whether the new Bradford railway station will replace Bradford Interchange and Bradford Forster Square, or just Bradford Interchange.

It is the government’s current intention that the new station at Bradford, would likely replace Bradford Interchange to provide improved transport links to Bradford City Centre. This investment will support Bradford to unlock further economic potential, supporting wider regeneration in the city.

The government is working closely with Network Rail and Bradford City Council to assess potential station options and locations. Further information will be shared when this work is more mature.

Lord Davies of Gower
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
16th Nov 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what evidence they used in the development of the Jet Zero strategy; and in gathering any such evidence, what assessment they made of the risk that sustainable aviation fuels may not have a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions in the medium term.

The Jet Zero Strategy was developed considering a wide range of evidence including over 1,500 responses to the Jet Zero Consultation, launched in July 2021, and the Jet Zero: Further Technical Consultation which was published in March 2022. We received consultation responses from members of the public, and a broad spectrum of organisations including from the aviation and aerospace industries, NGOs and environmental groups.

Alongside consultation responses, we considered external evidence produced domestically and internationally, including from the UK Climate Change Committee, the World Economic Forum, the International Council on Clean Transportation, the European Union, the United States and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

This evidence informed policy development, as well as the modelling of four scenarios each with a different mix of technologies to illustrate alternative pathways for reaching net zero aviation by 2050. Within these scenarios, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) account for up to 10% emissions reductions in 2030, and up to 32% in 2040, demonstrating the potential impact of SAF in the medium-term. The range of scenarios modelled aims to reflect the range of potential outcomes, recognising the current early stages of development of new fuels and technologies.

To support the development of a UK SAF industry, through the Jet Zero Strategy we committed to putting a SAF mandate in place with a target of at least 10% SAF in the UK jet fuel mix by 2030; and having at least five UK SAF plants under construction, supported through our £165 million advanced fuel competition.

The nascent nature of decarbonisation technologies means that we do not yet know the optimal technological mix for achieving Jet Zero. We have therefore committed to reviewing our approach every five years and adapting our Strategy if necessary.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
16th Nov 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the combustion of synthetic fuels or biofuels of similar chemical composition to fossil kerosene has the same net radiative forcing effect as burning fossil kerosene when used as aviation fuel.

Aviation has climate impacts from both CO2 emissions and other (non-CO2) emissions, that need to be addressed. The impact of CO2 emissions can be quantified, while scientific evidence suggests that non-CO2 impacts from aviation currently represent two thirds of the net effective radiative forcing (ERF). However, this is not a fixed number and is scenario dependent, and there are large uncertainties that exist over the magnitude of non-CO2 impacts on the climate.

Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) can deliver significant greenhouse emission savings. Scientific evidence suggests that SAF could also have a positive impact in reducing non-CO2 emission impacts. Recent research indicates that SAF can produce 50-70% fewer soot particles, which could reduce the overall warming effect of contrails.

Through the Jet Zero Strategy, we aim to address non-CO2 emissions by better developing our understanding of their impacts and potential mitigations.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Greenhalgh on 19 April (HL Deb, col 1639), what assessment they have made of the need to review the (1) National Policy Statement for Ports, and (2) National Policy Statement for National Networks, to bring them into line with (a) domestic, and (b) international, (i) climate, and (ii) biodiversity, targets.

As noted in the Freeports Bidding Prospectus, Government intends to review the National Policy Statement for Ports in 2021. In deciding when to review the NPS, due consideration will be given to the impact of changes in policy of both climate and biodiversity targets.

The case for reviewing the National Networks National Policy Statement remains under active consideration as part of the Secretary of State’s duties under the Planning Act 2008. Developments in domestic environmental policy and our international commitments, are assessed against the three considerations the Secretary of State must take into account in deciding whether to review an NPS set out in section 6 of the Act.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Greenhalgh on 19 April (HL Deb, col 1639), what assessment they have made of the need to review the Airports National Policy Statement to bring it into line with domestic and international climate targets.

On 16 December 2020, the Supreme Court overturned the earlier Court of Appeal decision and declared that the Airports National Policy Statement is lawful. We are carefully considering the Court’s judgement.

The Government have always been clear that Heathrow expansion is a private sector project which must meet strict criteria on air quality, noise and climate change, as well as being privately financed, affordable, and delivered in the best interest of consumers.

In the coming months, we will launch a consultation setting out the steps to reach net zero aviation emissions by 2050.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Feb 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements, if any, are being made to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to seafarers; and what steps, if any, are being taken to deliver such a vaccination programme through the International Maritime Organization.

While the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends prioritisation for vaccination rest on medical grounds, rather than occupation alone, the Government is considering the vital role of seafarers in the movement of trade in and out of the UK.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
8th Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, and with whom, about the potential role of hydrogen in decarbonising the maritime sector.

My officials have regularly engaged with the UK maritime industry and academia on this matter, particularly since the launch of the Clean Maritime Council, which was established in 2018 to ensure strong collaboration between Government, industry and academia on maritime decarbonisation.

The Council underpinned the publication of the Clean Maritime Plan, which was published in July 2019 and made a number of recommendations relating to alternative fuel technologies, including hydrogen.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
8th Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they (1) have provided, and (2) intend to provide, to the maritime sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The maritime sector plays a vital role in the UK economy and continues to provide vital freight and key worker services throughout the pandemic. However, it has faced significant disruption and challenges, as have many parts of the economy. To support businesses and employees, HMG has responded with an unprecedented £330 billion of financial measures. In addition, the Department provided bespoke financial support to ensure that critical lifeline and freight services continued to operate through the most challenging period.

My Department is working closely with the maritime sector on their restart plans. This includes identifying the support that will need to be provided to enable the safe resumption and continued increase of services and operations. We are also working with the sector on a longer-term Maritime Recovery Plan which will build on Maritime 2050 published in January 2019. Given the changes that COVID-19 has caused, we are considering where new recommendations could be made in addition to Maritime 2050, or existing recommendations accelerated, to help the maritime sector recover from COVID-19 and continue to grow.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
8th Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support private investment in the UK maritime industry.

The maritime sector plays a key role in the UK economy, responsible for up to 95% of our imports and exports. As much of the UK maritime sector is privately owned, our world-leading companies are well placed to seek investment opportunities through commercial means.

Nevertheless, my Department, along with our colleagues across government, work closely with all parts of the UK maritime sector to identify the support they need to support their success and growth. In particular, the Department for International Trade works closely with the industry to promote the UK as an inward investment destination for the global maritime community.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
8th Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of decarbonisation of the maritime industry on the number of new jobs created in that sector.

In 2019, the Department published the Clean Maritime Plan, which noted the potential for clean economic growth in the UK as a result of the transition to zero emission shipping.

Alongside the Plan, the Department published an assessment of the potential economic opportunities from low and zero emission shipping. While this does not estimate the number of potential new jobs that could be created through the decarbonisation of the maritime sector, it identifies a large potential global market for the elements of alternative maritime fuel production technologies in which the UK has a particular competitive advantage (for example, upfront design), which could result in economic benefits to the UK of around £360–£510 million per year by the middle of the century.

Maritime UK has published its views that investment in maritime decarbonisation could in future create more than 15 thousand jobs as well as tens of thousands of jobs when considering the wider supply chain. Industry research estimates that in 2017 the UK maritime sector as a whole directly supported more than 220 thousand jobs for UK employees.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
19th Dec 2019
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Abellio Greater Anglia about the service disruptions to rural routes within their franchise area.

The Department has been in regular and frequent contact with both Greater Anglia and Network Rail since the start of the disruption on the rural routes within the Greater Anglia franchise area. Signalling problems on those routes caused cancellations and disruption for passengers whilst additional safety checks took place and the issue was investigated. We have raised with the rail industry the need to resolve this matter as swiftly as possible.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
24th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the steps taken to deliver the commitment contained in the National Disability Strategy, published on 28 July 2021, to see "more disabled people becoming elected representatives".

In January 2022, the High Court declared that the National Disability Strategy was unlawful because the UK Disability Survey, which informed it, was held to be a voluntary consultation that failed to comply with the legal requirements on public consultations.

We are disappointed by, and strongly disagree with, the High Court’s finding, and the Secretary of State has been granted permission to appeal the Court's declaration. In order to ensure compliance with the Court’s declaration, we are obliged to pause a limited number of policies which are referred to in the Strategy or are directly connected with it.

The policy ‘Cabinet Office will consider how we can best support those standing for public office and those who hold public office’ was one of the policies we were obliged to pause.

Viscount Younger of Leckie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
13th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Department for Work and Pensions classifies ME/CFS as a musculoskeletal disease for the purposes of statistics and for the guidance and training of their health professionals, rather than as a neurological disease.

Assessment of entitlement to benefit does not depend on the condition itself, the underlying cause or how the condition is classified, but on the disabling effects of the condition(s) present.

The condition insight reports for Personal Independence Payment Health Professionals state that ME/CFS is classified as a neurological disorder; the guidance for CHDA Health Professionals who conduct Work Capability Assessments make no reference to the classification of ME/CFS.

The issue of classification for coding and statistical purposes has recently been brought to our attention. In light of this we are currently exploring moving ME/CFS from the musculoskeletal to neurological section for coding purposes.

19th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many applications have been received for the Kickstart Scheme; how many have been approved; and how many individual participants this includes.

As of 18th March 2021 there have been over 15,000 applications received for Kickstart Scheme, we have approved over 150,000 jobs and over 6,000 young people have started their placements.

As of the 12th March 2021, there had been over 900 unique gateway applications approved and over 1,200 unique employer bids accepted on the Kickstart Scheme.

Although care is taken when processing and analysing Kickstart applications, referrals and starts, the data collected might be subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system which has been developed quickly. The management information presented here has not been subjected to the usual standard of quality assurance associated with official statistics, but is provided in the interests of transparency.

28th Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide a COVID-19 booster programme for the general population in light of new Omicron variants.

On 21 February 2022, the Government accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to offer an additional booster dose in spring 2022 to those most vulnerable as a precautionary measure. An additional dose has been offered to all residents in care homes for older adults, individuals aged 12 years old and over who are immunosuppressed and all adults aged 75 years old and over.

On 19 May 2022, the JCVI provided interim advice on an autumn COVID-19 booster programme, which stated that an additional dose should be provided to residents in a care home for older adults and staff; frontline health and social care workers; all those aged 65 years old and over; and adults aged 16 to 64 years old in a clinical risk group. The JCVI continues to review the vaccination of other patient groups and details on the definitions of clinical risk groups. The JCVI will issue further advice if necessary.

12th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they expect general practitioners to use their clinical judgement in including patients with existing diseases in Group 6 for COVID-19 vaccinations if they consider them to be at risk of exacerbation of their underlying disease should they become infected with COVID-19.

Clinicians, including general practitioners (GPs) are able to use their clinical judgement to categorise patients as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) because they consider them to be at very high risk of serious illness from COVID-19. Those categorised as CEV are in priority group four of phase one of the vaccination programme. Those who are not categorised as CEV but have underlying conditions that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises have increased clinical risk from COVID-19 are in priority group six. Within the broad set of clinical conditions within priority group six, GPs and other clinicians are able to add individuals to this group. They are able to use clinical judgement to take into account the risk of COVID-19 exacerbating any underlying disease that a patient may have, as well as the risk of serious illness from the virus itself.

16th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether patients presenting with 'long-COVID' symptoms following (1) diagnosed, or (2) undiagnosed COVID-19, are recommended to participate in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme for medically unexplained symptoms.

Integrating working between mental health and physical health services is an important principle of the treatment and rehabilitation of people with ‘long’ COVID-19. The National Health Service is supporting the establishment of assessment clinics in England for patients with long COVID-19 symptoms who were diagnosed with the virus or who were undiagnosed but suspected of having had COVID-19. This will include specialist physical, cognitive or psychological assessment.

Following assessment, people with persistent mental health problems that involve depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder should be considered for a referral to an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service. Where appropriate, people can be referred to IAPT for long term conditions and medically unexplained symptoms service where they exist.

16th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government under which SNOMED code patients with 'long COVID-19' symptoms are categorised.

The SNOMED-CT codes are as follows:

- Acute COVID-19 infection (1325171000000109)

- Ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 (1325181000000106)

- Post-COVID-19 syndrome (1325161000000102)

16th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they recommend graded exercise therapy for patients with post COVID-19 symptoms.

On 18 December 2021 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network published a guideline on the management of the long term effects of COVID-19. A copy of COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing the long-term effects of COVID-19 is attached. In developing the guideline, an expert panel undertook an evidence review into self-pacing and graded forms of exercise.

The panel considered the careful self-pacing of exercise to be an important element of self-management. However, they concluded that in the absence of evidence relating to people with ongoing symptoms from COVID-19, it could not make specific recommendations. A copy of COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing the long-term effects of COVID-19 (NG188). Evidence review 5: interventions is attached. COVID-19 is a new disease and therefore it is not yet clear what the physical, psychological and rehabilitation needs will be for those experiencing long term effects of the virus.

14th Dec 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government why Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is not listed on the topics covered by the NHS Clinical Knowledge summary; who authorised the decision to combine CFS with “Tiredness/fatigue in adults”; and when that change was made.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Clinical Knowledge Summary Tiredness/fatigue in adults was published in October 2009 and there has been no change in the way it is titled over the subsequent period. NICE advises that the inclusion of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) within the tiredness/fatigue topic is to ensure that clinicians will consider CFS as a potential diagnosis as early as possible in the course of care of a person presenting with symptoms of tiredness and fatigue.

In 2007 NICE published the guideline, Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy): diagnosis and management. This is currently being updated and a draft guideline is out for consultation with the final guidance expected in April 2021. The CFS diagnosis and management sections in the Clinical Knowledge Summary on Tiredness/Fatigue are kept in line with NICE guidance on CFS and will be updated following publication of the new guidance if necessary.

22nd Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to reports of the increased risk of serious COVID-19 related illness in the over 60s, what work they are conducting to assess the increased risk of over 60s working in the care system, and in particular, those who have come out of retirement to support services during the pandemic.[T]

We are very grateful to all those working in social care for their incredible commitment to caring for others at this difficult time; we are especially thankful to those who have returned to work or come out of retirement to support services to deliver the best possible care.

We expect every employer to ensure that each employee is undertaking a role that is appropriate to their skills, experience, and personal circumstances. This is the case whether the employee is a permanent member of staff, or somebody who has returned to the sector to help care for and support people during the pandemic. Where, because of their own circumstances, an employee needs to shield themselves, then a social care employer is able to place these staff on furlough.

2nd Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to imposing sanctions against the government of Belarus and associated individuals.

The Government has been clear that we do not accept the results of the fraudulent Presidential elections in Belarus. We have strongly condemned the shocking scenes of violence by the authorities in Belarus towards peaceful protestors. The Belarusian authorities must be held to account. We support the imposition of sanctions and are working with international partners to sanction those responsible for the flaws that rendered the election unfair and the scenes of violence and reports of mistreatment.

22nd Mar 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposed Protect Duty on parish and town councils in England; and what new funding they intend to provide to local authorities to support their compliance with that legislation.

Martyn’s Law, formerly known as the Protect Duty, will be published as a draft Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny this Spring. The Home Office is acutely conscious that this Bill must be proportionate, ensuring not to place undue burdens on local authorities, including parish and town councils, whilst balancing against the threat the UK faces from terrorism.

Alongside the draft Bill, the Home Office will publish an impact assessment. A further, updated, impact assessment will be completed prior to any formal introduction of the Bill. The Home Office will also undertake a new burdens assessment and assess any requirements arising from it.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
21st Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what alternatives are available for registering a birth where the local registrar has closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and how the 42-day legal deadline will be dealt with in such circumstances.

Information for a birth registration is legally required to be given in person by a qualified informant before a registrar. The General Register Office for England and Wales (GRO) has advised that birth registration appointments should, where possible, be deferred while the current measures to slow the spread of Covid-19 are in place. Where there is an urgent need for a birth to be registered, GRO and Local Authority registrars are considering how this can be achieved on a case-by-case basis within public health guidance and local authority policy.

The requirement for births to be registered within 42-days of the date of birth is not currently being enforced. Longer term planning to ensure all births are registered will be aligned to public health guidance.

Baroness Williams of Trafford
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
12th Jun 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what was the overall costs of parish polls which were held in (1) 2018–19, (2) 2019–20, (3) 2020–21, (4) 2021–22, and (5) 2022–23.

The Government acknowledge that town and parish councils have a significant role in improving the quality of life and wellbeing of their communities and creating places where people are proud to live.

The Government will provide an update on its plans to modernise parish polls in due course. The Department does not hold information about the overall cost of parish polls as these are local matters.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
12th Jun 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce the reforms to parish polls, as proposed in 2017 following public consultation, (1) to extend the hours during which the poll takes place, and (2) to ensure that (a) the request was supported by the majority of electors present at the relevant meeting, (b) that the subject matter of the poll was discussed at the relevant meeting and directly affects those who live and/or work in the community served by the parish, (c) that the parish council is capable of making a decision on the subject matter of the poll, and (d) that no further poll on the subject matter be held within 12 months.

The Government acknowledge that town and parish councils have a significant role in improving the quality of life and wellbeing of their communities and creating places where people are proud to live.

The Government will provide an update on its plans to modernise parish polls in due course. The Department does not hold information about the overall cost of parish polls as these are local matters.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
24th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the commitment contained in the National Disability Strategy, published on 28 July 2021, to "support a new scheme from April 2022 to support those seeking to become candidates and once they have been elected to public office", what discussions they have had with the National Association of Local Councils on the (1) design, (2) delivery, and (3) evaluation, of the scheme.

In 2022/23, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) funded the Local Government Association (LGA) to run:

  • a campaign to attract more people with disabilities to stand for council elections;
  • a coaching programme for disabled councillors to support them as resilient and confident leaders of their communities; and
  • a bespoke leadership development programme for disabled councillors. This was created in collaboration with Disability Rights UK.

The LGA promoted the disability support work via media articles, social media, the LGA website, bulletins, newsletters, case studies, their own network of regional team networks, and disability charities.

35 disabled councillors received support – all were county, district, London Borough, Metropolitan Borough or unitary councillors. 13 people accessed the bespoke leadership development programme. 22 people accessed the coaching offer.

The campaign to attract more people to stand for election offered advice and support to encourage disabled members of the public to stand rather than working with specific candidates.

This work was one element of a wider sector support programme DLUHC funded the LGA to run: https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/sector-support-offer-2022-23. As the programme is aimed at principal authorities, NALC, who represent the interests of town and parish councils, were not directly involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of the disability support work.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
24th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the commitment contained in the National Disability Strategy, published on 28 July 2021, to "support a new scheme from April 2022 to support those seeking to become candidates and once they have been elected to public office", (1) what support was provided, (2) how that new scheme was promoted, and (3) what was the total number of candidates who received support, to become (a) a parish or town councillor, and (b) a county, district, London Borough, Metropolitan Borough or unitary councillor; and what was the total number of candidates who received support once they were elected as (i) a parish or town councillor, and (ii) a county, district, London Borough, Metropolitan Borough or unitary councillor.

In 2022/23, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) funded the Local Government Association (LGA) to run:

  • a campaign to attract more people with disabilities to stand for council elections;
  • a coaching programme for disabled councillors to support them as resilient and confident leaders of their communities; and
  • a bespoke leadership development programme for disabled councillors. This was created in collaboration with Disability Rights UK.

The LGA promoted the disability support work via media articles, social media, the LGA website, bulletins, newsletters, case studies, their own network of regional team networks, and disability charities.

35 disabled councillors received support – all were county, district, London Borough, Metropolitan Borough or unitary councillors. 13 people accessed the bespoke leadership development programme. 22 people accessed the coaching offer.

The campaign to attract more people to stand for election offered advice and support to encourage disabled members of the public to stand rather than working with specific candidates.

This work was one element of a wider sector support programme DLUHC funded the LGA to run: https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/sector-support-offer-2022-23. As the programme is aimed at principal authorities, NALC, who represent the interests of town and parish councils, were not directly involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of the disability support work.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
22nd Mar 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the threshold made under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 below which smaller authorities are exempt from routine external audit and are instead subject to the Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities.

The Government has committed to review the threshold for audit requirements relating to smaller authorities as part of the Redmond Review and is considering these requirements within the context of its broader programme of work on local audit.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
27th Feb 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the consent regime for the installation of solar panels on Listed Buildings.

In the Government's British Energy Security Strategy, published last year, we committed to reviewing the practical planning barriers that households can face when installing energy efficiency measures, including in conservation areas and listed buildings. An announcement on the outcome of the review will be made in due course.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
5th Sep 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Greenhalgh on 9 November (HL3455), when they now expect to respond to the proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 made by Weymouth Town Council in December 2019 for the dependent carer's allowance to be extended to parish and town councils.

The Government is keen to ensure that local communities are well represented in local authorities, and that all levels of local government are supported to create thriving local democracies.

We are considering this matter and will respond to Weymouth Town Council's proposal in due course.

19th Jul 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for (1) ministers, and (2) officials, to visit parish and town councils to improve their understanding of the councils’ work and challenges.

Ministers and officials regularly visit communities across the UK, to hear from a range of voices from all tiers of government, the public and private sectors, and community and voluntary groups

In the Levelling Up White Paper the UK Government committed to a Review of Neighbourhood Governance, including the role and functions of parish councils. This will look at how to make it easier for local people to come together to set local priorities and shape the future of their neighbourhoods. As part of this work, we will want to hear from a range of parish councils about their work and the challenges they face.

19th Jul 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what sector support funding for local government improvement they have provided through a grant directly to (1) the Local Government Association, and (2) the National Association of Local Councils, in the financial years (a) 2019–20, (b) 2020–21, (c) 2021–22, and (d) 2022–23.

DLUHC granted the Local Government Association £19.2 million in 2019-20, £19.2 million in 2020-21, £18.8 million in 2021-22 and £18 million in 2022-23, to deliver local government sector support programmes.

No sector support grants for local government improvement were provided by DLUHC to the National Association of Local Councils during this period.

The Levelling Up White Paper outlines the UK Government's commitment to establish a Neighbourhood Governance Review. This will explore the current effectiveness of neighbourhood governance models and how they can be strengthened, including the role of town and parish councils.

19th Jul 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to work with the National Association of Local Councils (1) to raise public awareness of parish and town council elections in 2023, and (2) to encourage more people to stand for election to improve the diversity of councillors.

Elections are essential for good local democracy. Parish and town council elections are delivered by the principal local authorities for their areas, who will communicate with local electorates on forthcoming elections as they consider appropriate. They are supported in this by the independent Electoral Commission, who, as well as running national awareness campaigns, produce resources and materials to improve public understanding of all elections, available for use by local authorities


As part of a forthcoming Review of Neighbourhood Governance announced in the Levelling Up White Paper, we will be reviewing the effectiveness of current neighbourhood governance including parish and town councils. Through the review, we want to make it easier for people to participate and shape the future of their neighbourhoods.

19th Jul 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to launch the review of neighbourhood governance referred to on page 215 of their Levelling Up the United Kingdom white paper, published on 2 February.

As set out in the Levelling Up White Paper, the UK Government is committed to making it easier for local people to come together to set local priorities and improve their places. The Review of Neighbourhood Governance in England will examine the effectiveness of current arrangements including the role and functions of parish councils, and how to make them quicker and easier to establish. As part of the review, we will engage with communities and representative bodies. Further detail on plans for the review will be made available in due course.

26th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of  the role of town councils in the (1) preparation, (2) governance, and (3) delivery, of applications successful in securing the Towns Fund.

Local authorities of all tiers, including town councils, are vital to the success of the Towns Fund and play a key role in delivery. This includes being members of Town Deal Boards, shaping Town Investment Plans and delivering projects to make a real and tangible difference to local people.

The nature of the role of local authorities in delivering the Towns Fund will also be subject of the process and impact evaluations which will run throughout the length of the Towns Fund programme.

26th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government which new parish and town councils were established as a result of a community governance review for each year between 2010–11 and 2020–21.

The community governance review process enables a principal council to carry out a review of the local arrangements in its area and make changes, which could include the abolition or restructuring of local parish councils. The Government encourages all communities wishing to establish a parish council to petition their local authority to that effect, regardless of where they live.

This is the information we hold on new parish councils created each year between 2016-2017 to 2020-2021 as a result of a community governance review. Records of new parishes created through a community governance review prior to 2016 are not held in this format.

  • 2016-17: Sherfield Park Parish Council; Norton and Cuckney Parish Council; Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council; Bingley Town Council; Finham Parish Council; Hathersage Parish Council; Asterby, Goulceby and Ranby Parish Council; Pannal with Burn Bridge Parish Council; East Hunsbury Parish Council; Exton and Horn Parish Council; Aston Tirrold and Aston Upthorpe Parish Council.

  • 2017-18: South Trumpington Parish Meeting; Macclesfield Town Council; West Hill Parish Council; Batchworth Parish Council; Aldcliffe-with-Stodday Parish Council; Lowestoft Town Council; Oulton Broad Parish Council; Central Swindon North Parish Council; South Swindon Parish Council; West Swindon Parish Council; St Andrews Parish Council; Blunsdon Parish Council; Nythe, Eldene and Liden Parish Council.

  • 2018-19: N/A

  • 2019-20: Oulton Parish Council; Heybridge Basin Parish Council; Shipley Town Council.

  • 2020 – 21: North Boyatt Wood Parish Council; Northstowe Town Council.
26th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to respond to the proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 made by Weymouth Town Council in December 2019 for the dependent carer’s allowance to be extended to parish and town councils.

The Government is committed to expanding democratic engagement, and practical solutions to remove barriers to participation in local democracy are always appreciated. The Department will respond to Weymouth Town Council’s proposal in due course.

21st Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Greenhalgh on 19 April (HL Deb, col 1639), what discussions have been held by (1) ministers, and (2) civil servants, about the role of planning policy in helping the UK to meet legally binding (a) domestic, and (b) international, (i) climate, and (ii) biodiversity, targets.

Ministers are regularly involved in cross-Government discussions about domestic and international climate and biodiversity targets, and how to meet them. Civil servants across departments and arm’s-length bodies also meet regularly to discuss these issues and the relationship between planning policy and meeting our environmental goals. This involves targets such as net zero emissions by 2050 and delivering biodiversity net gain.

Tackling climate change is a top priority for the Government, and in the Planning for the Future White Paper, we committed to ensuring the planning system supports our efforts to combat climate change and maximises environmental benefits. Our response to the White Paper will be published in due course.

Civil servants from across Government engage with stakeholders including the Local Government Association and local authorities to ensure that planning policy can support our domestic and international climate and biodiversity targets. This includes discussions between ministers, stakeholders and officials as to how planning policy can be a vehicle for achieving our biodiversity targets.

3rd Dec 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what financial support they have provided specifically to parish and town councils during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The way in which Parish and Town councils have responded to the challenges of the pandemic is testament to the unique position they occupy within our local government family.

Total support committed to councils, businesses and communities since the start of the pandemic is over £30 billion, including over £10 billion for local authorities, £6 billion of which is un-ringfenced recognising that local authorities are best placed to decide how to meet the major Covid-19 service pressures in their local area, in conversation with local partners.

Whilst the Government does not have the necessary powers to pay Parish and Town councils directly, we have written to principal authorities encouraging them to discuss the funding support for parish councils from within the support we have provided them.

Therefore, Parish and Town councils should liaise with the relevant principal authorities on how this money is allocated in their area.

3rd Dec 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their announcement on 22 October of a £100 million package of support for public leisure services, whether this fund can be used to support leisure centres which are operated by parish and town councils.

We fully recognise that the facilities that will be supported by this package of Covid-19 support funding will play a vital role in maintaining the health and wellbeing of the nation, and the contribution they play in building community cohesion and participation in sport. This is in addition to the existing Sales, Fees and Charges scheme established by the Government which supports leisure centres run directly by local councils and which will be extended into the first three months of 2021-22.

My colleagues in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport are engaging with the sector to fully understand the challenges faced and are designing their £100 million leisure services scheme accordingly.

3rd Dec 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage people to stand for election to parish and town councils in May 2021; and what financial support they are providing (1) to the Local Government Association, and (2) to the National Association of Local Councils, to support initiatives to encourage people to stand for election at the local elections in May 2021.

The Government continues to provide funding to the Local Government Association to support sector improvements in a wide range of areas including improving local leadership and resilience. As the Government does not have powers to offer direct financial support to parish and town councils, they are not eligible for this support. However, the Government continues to encourage local government at all levels to work to encourage greater participation in our democracy.

22nd Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether parish and town councils are eligible bodies for, and can therefore apply to, the (1) Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, (2) Small Business Grant Fund, and (3) Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund.

The?Small Business Grant Fund and the?Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund have?been designed to support smaller?and rural businesses?and?some of the sectors which have been hit hardest by the measures taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

It is not expected that parish and town councils would be eligible to receive a grant as they are not businesses. Where parish and town councils have set up organisations, including trusts, that meet the grant criteria, they may be eligible and parish and town councils should liaise with their relevant local authorities to determine whether this is the case.

22nd Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions have been held with the National Association of Local Councils about (1) the role parish and town councils and parish meetings are playing to support communities during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) the impact of the pandemic on the operation of parish and town councils and parish meetings including (a) local audit timescales, (b) holding meetings, and (c) the services they provide; and (3) the financial impact of the pandemic on the finances of parish and town councils and parish meetings including (a) additional expenditure, (b) lost revenue income, and (c) borrowing repayments to the Public Works Loan Board.

We are very grateful to local authorities for all that they are doing to support their communities and the most vulnerable. Parish councils have played an important role in many areas and I thank them for their work.

We regularly engage with the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) about a wide range of issues and will continue to do so. We have sought to grant additional flexibilities to local government at the current time, to recognise the role they are playing in the response to Covid-19. For example, parish councils are included in the regulations enabling council meetings to be held remotely, including remote access by members of the public, although parish meetings are not. We are continuing to explore how else we may support parish councils to assist their local communities in these unprecedented times.


However, the government does not fund parish councils; they are funded through a precept on the council tax paid by residents of the parish. There are no plans to change this. If parish and town councils are under financial pressure caused by Covid-19, I would encourage them to engage with the relevant principal authority on the £3.2bn of additional government funding allocated to councils to support the response.

22nd Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide parish and town councils with funding to enable them to support communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whilst we applaud the assistance that many parish councils are providing to their local communities in the current crisis, Government does not financially support parish councils. They are funded through a precept collected from within the overall council tax paid by the residents of the parish. There are no plans to change the funding arrangements for such councils.

On Saturday 18 April the Local Government Secretary announced an additional £1.6 billion of funding to support principal councils delivering essential frontline services, taking the total to £3.2 billion. Parish and Town Councils should liaise with the relevant principal authorities on how this money is allocated in their area.