Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government how much public money is being spent on steelmaking in Scunthorpe.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We will report regularly to Parliament on the use of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act and I updated the House with latest information in a Written Ministerial Statement on 20 May 2025.
All funding required for the Scunthorpe site will be drawn from existing budgets, within the spending envelope set out by the government at Spring Statement 2025. As the Prime Minister and Chancellor have made clear, the UK's fiscal rules remain non-negotiable.
To date, we have provided approximately £100m for working capital. This covers items such as raw materials, salaries, and addressing unpaid bills, including for SMEs in the supply chain. This does not take into account future revenue. The Department for Business & Trade’s accounts for 2025/26 will reflect the financial support that the department has given to British Steel.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of wildfires on (1) the stability of different landscapes, and (2) slope stability.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra has not made an assessment of the impact of wildfires on (1) the stability of different landscapes, and (2) slope stability.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede on 24 April (HL6663), what religious and non-religious groups they are aware of that wish to conduct legally recognised marriages in England and Wales and are unable to do so.
Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer the Noble Lady to the answer I gave on 24 April to question HL6663. The Law Commission concluded in its 2022 report on weddings law that there are a number of inconsistencies and complexities within the current legal framework for weddings. Examples given by the Law Commission include the fact that Jewish and Quaker weddings may take place in any location, whereas weddings conducted by other religious groups (save the Church of England), including Muslims, Hindus and Catholics, must take place in a registered building.
The Law Commission therefore recommended a scheme that could place all weddings on a level playing field.
Given the points raised by the Law Commission, it is right that we take the time to consider the issues. We will set out our position on weddings reform in the coming months.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they had with devolved governments ahead of the Chancellor's meeting with Treasury counterparts in the United States.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Chancellor attended the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings between 22nd and 25th April 2025.
During this time, she met with the US Treasury Secretary, as part of a typical programme of engagement with her finance minister counterparts, and the US was among other bilateral meetings.
When meeting the US Treasury Secretary, the Chancellor discussed matters of reserved policy for which she is responsible.
The UK government, including the Chancellor, regularly engage with counterparts from other nations to progress matters of national interest.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the financial implications for the devolved authorities of the decision to abolish NHS England.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The budgets of devolved nations are primarily funded through block grants from the Government, with annual changes determined by the Barnett formula, which aims to allocate funding based on population and the extent of devolved services.
Any saving from the decision to bring NHS England and the Department together to form a joint centre will be reinvested in frontline services within the National Health Service. The formation of a new joint centre will not impact on the Barnett formula, and the finances of the devolved nations.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede on 8 April (HL6586), what religious and non-religious groups they are aware of that wish to conduct legally recognised marriages in England and Wales and are unable to do so.
Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
As I mentioned in my previous answer on 08 April, the Law Commission’s 2022 report on weddings law made 57 recommendations for the wholesale reform of weddings law, including recommendations that would enable non-religious belief groups, such as humanists, to conduct legally binding weddings. The Government is aware that humanists wish to conduct legally binding weddings, which they have long been campaigning for, and we are grateful for the contributions that humanists make to our society.
The Law Commission also concluded that weddings law is not working for couples belonging to many different groups, and that it is unfair and inconsistent. It is the Law Commission’s view that their recommendations would create equitable rules for all groups, including religious groups; reduce the number of religious only (non-legally binding) weddings, which can leave vulnerable people without rights on separation; and provide greater choice for couples, lowering the cost of weddings and making them more accessible to all.
Marriage will always be one of our most important institutions and we have a duty to consider any changes to our marriage law carefully. As a new Government, it is right that we take the time to consider this issue, and we will set out our position on weddings reform in the coming months.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish a timeline for subsequent House of Lords reform after the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill has concluded.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Alongside the passage of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill, the government has been engaged in a dialogue with the House on how we can best implement the Government’s other manifesto commitments. I look forward to continuing that dialogue and considering how to approach it in a more structured way.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they will review the right of Church of England bishops to sit in the House of Lords.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is supportive of the inclusion of individuals from all backgrounds in the House of Lords and believes the second chamber is enriched by members who bring diverse experience. This includes the Lords Spiritual.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what data they collect on wildfires.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office collects data on incidents attended by Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs), including outdoor fires. However, "wildfires" is not a category recognised in the current system.
We are reviewing the incident records system, and the data it collects, and considering which categories to record in the future. Adding new categories, including wildfires, will be considered as part of this work.
Asked by: Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the UK Youth Poll 2025.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are co-producing the National Youth Strategy in partnership with young people and cross-sector experts. As part of this, we have launched a national survey to ask young people about their needs and priorities. This will build on the findings from the UK Youth Poll 2025, providing further insights on young people's issues including democracy, financial security and employment.