Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Twycross on 22 January (HLWS377), whether the annual limit of £25,000 on the amount individual places of worship can claim from the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme will apply to the building in which the work was carried out, or the body making the claim, such as a multi-parish benefice.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The annual limit of £25,000 applies to the individual listed place of worship.

Further details can be found here in the Written Statement.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 28 January (HL4028), what are the (1) names or (2) job titles of the members of the Horticulture Working Group set up in relation to the implementation of the Windsor Framework.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Horticulture Working Group is co-chaired by senior officials from DEFRA and the Cabinet Office, drawing on support from other officials in those departments and across Government as the focus of the agenda requires. Members of the group from outside Government include representatives of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, National Farmers’ Union, the Horticulture Trades Association and leaders of businesses which are members of this body, as well as a small number of other horticultural businesses.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 20 January 2025 (HL3881), how is the position that (1) the government committee advises the Sovereign directly, and (2) the view of the Prime Minister’s principal private secretary carries equal weight to all other members on the government committee, compatible with the established constitutional position that the Prime Minister is the principal adviser to the Sovereign and the leader of His Majesty’s Government.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (HD Committee) was established by King George VI to provide objective advice to the Sovereign on the operation of the honours system.

The Sovereign is the fount of all honour and the honours system itself operates under the Royal Prerogative. The HD Committee is an advisory body only. The Committee’s advice does not carry the weight that is accorded to ministerial advice; nor does it have the power to take decisions as Ministers do. The Committee has historically recognised the need to reflect the position of the Government and the membership of the Prime Minister’s Principal Private Secretary ensures the Prime Minister's views can be properly represented.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 20 January 2025 (HL3924), what stage has been reached in each of the active infringement proceedings against the UK; and on what date each was commenced

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The list of active infringement proceedings against the United Kingdom is set out below:

1. INFR(2020)2202 - Incorrect transposition of the Free Movement Directive by the United Kingdom commenced on 14/05/2020 and has been referred to the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU).

2. INFR(2011)2054 - Comprehensive sickness insurance requirement and treatment of extended family members with prior residence in the UK commenced on 16/06/2011 and has been referred to the CJEU.

3. INFR(2016)2150 - Termination of the Intra-EU Bilateral Investment Treaties commenced on 14/05/2020 and has been referred to the CJEU.

4. INFR(2022)2059 - Non-provision by the United Kingdom of external trade statistics in respect of Northern Ireland, as required by the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland commenced on 15/06/2022 and remains at the formal notice stage.

5. INFR(2021)2039 - Non-compliance with EU law requirements concerning the movement of agri-food, parcels and pet travel commenced on 15/03/2021 and remains at the reasoned opinion stage.

6. INFR(2022)2060 - Incorrect implementation by the UK of EU's sanitary and phytosanitary rules, as required by the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland to the Withdrawal Agreement commenced on 15/06/2022 and remains at the formal notice stage.

7. INFR(2022)2064 - Failure of the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland to implement the Import One Stop Shop for distance sales of imported goods commenced on 22/07/2022 and remains at the formal notice stage.

8. INFR(2022)2062 - Incorrect implementation of the EU customs legislation by the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland commenced on 22/07/2022 and remains at the formal notice stage.

Infractions 4-8 above relate to the Northern Ireland Protocol and were opened before the UK and EU subsequently agreed the Windsor Framework.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 6 January (HL3528), whether the Charity Commission has completed reviews of "its handling of the case, and communication with complainants", as recommended by the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman on 18 May 2024; if not, when they expect the reviews to be completed; and whether the reviews will be published.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Charity Commission has completed its reviews and informed the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman of the outcome. Any publication of the reviews is a matter for the Commission and the Ombudsman to determine.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 14 January (HL3735), when they will announce the outcome of the Business Planning process, in particular for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

On the 22nd of January, I was pleased to announce that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme would continue from March 2025 to March 2026 with a budget of £23m. Further details can be found here in the Written Statement.

Found: Letter dated 23/01/2025 from Baroness Twycross to Lord Foster of Bath regarding issues raised following

Found: Letter dated 23/01/2025 from Baroness Twycross to Lord Wigley regarding the number of sites on the Heritage