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Written Question
Elections: Proof of Identity
Monday 12th August 2024

Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Khan of Burnley on 23 July (HL Deb col 486), when the review of voter ID will be completed; and when they expect to publish their proposals.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Electoral Commission is the independent electoral regulator and will be reporting on the administration of the May local elections and the recent General Election. We anticipate publication of their initial findings on voter ID in September and their full election report later in the year.

The Elections Act 2022 included a requirement for the Secretary of State to publish an evaluation of the implementation and impact of the Voter ID policy on the next local and next two UK Parliamentary General Elections. Work has already begun on the evaluation of the July 2024 election, and we will publish in due course.

Both of these reports will inform the wider work officials are doing to thoroughly review voter ID.


Written Question
Voting Rights: Young People
Monday 12th August 2024

Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Khan of Burnley on 23 July (HL Deb col 485), when they intend to extend the voting franchise to 16 and 17 year-olds, and what plans they have to encourage young people to participate in the electoral system.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

This Government will lower the voting age to 16 during this Parliament. This measure will strengthen our democracy and empower young people to participate in it, and we will develop plans for outreach and engagement with the newly enfranchised to encourage them to make the most of their new rights.


Written Question
Administration of Justice and Police: Wales
Friday 24th May 2024

Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Welsh Government about devolving justice and policing.

Answered by Baroness Swinburne

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.


Written Question
Broadcasting: Wales
Friday 24th May 2024

Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Welsh Government about devolving broadcasting and communication.

Answered by Baroness Swinburne

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.


Written Question
Parking: Private Sector
Friday 24th May 2024

Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have received from Welsh Ministers and the Welsh Language Commissioner in relation to the Private Parking Code of Practice to be published under the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

Answered by Baroness Swinburne

The proposed Private Parking Code of Practice will not set out any stipulations regarding the use of the Welsh language. The proposed Code of Practice will provide a single set of standards for the parking industry that will deliver fairness for motorists across Wales, as well as in England and Scotland.

The Government recently conducted a Call for Evidence to help ensure that our forthcoming consultation on capping parking charges and debt recovery fees is as well as informed as possible. Some members of the Welsh Parliament provided contributions to this Call for Evidence and their submissions were reviewed as part of our analysis of the Call for Evidence responses.


Written Question
Parking: Private Sector
Friday 24th May 2024

Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the latest version of the Private Parking Code of Practice due to be issued shortly will include requirements on the use of the Welsh language in relation to Wales.

Answered by Baroness Swinburne

The proposed Private Parking Code of Practice will not set out any stipulations regarding the use of the Welsh language. The proposed Code of Practice will provide a single set of standards for the parking industry that will deliver fairness for motorists across Wales, as well as in England and Scotland.

The Government recently conducted a Call for Evidence to help ensure that our forthcoming consultation on capping parking charges and debt recovery fees is as well as informed as possible. Some members of the Welsh Parliament provided contributions to this Call for Evidence and their submissions were reviewed as part of our analysis of the Call for Evidence responses.