Asked by: Baroness Watkins of Tavistock (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to raising the Rent a Room Scheme tax-free limit from £7,500 to account for rises in energy costs, council tax, and interest rates since the limit was last raised in 2016.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Rent a Room Scheme has been a feature of the income tax system since 1992.The current threshold provides an income tax exemption on income of up to £7,500 for individuals who let furnished accommodation in their only or main residence. This reduces and simplifies the tax and administration burden for those affected and has taken some taxpayers out of self-assessment entirely.
At present, the Government believes that the Rent a Room Scheme threshold is set at an appropriate level.
Asked by: Baroness Watkins of Tavistock (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have plans to regulate the marketing and advertising of tobacco-free nicotine pouches.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
Whilst the use of nicotine pouches is currently low among adults, it is increasingly popular with younger male audiences. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug, and we have a duty to protect children and young people from potential harms.
In October 2023, the Government and the devolved administrations launched the smokefree generation and youth vaping consultation which considered whether consumer nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches, should come under a similar regulatory framework as nicotine vapes.
We have now published our response, which outlines measures to regulate the promotion and marketing of nicotine pouches, by restricting the flavours, packaging, and where nicotine pouches can be displayed in store. We have also committed to bring forward regulations to introduce an age of sale for these products of 18 years old or above. We will introduce the legislation as soon as possible.
Asked by: Baroness Watkins of Tavistock (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of people with terminal illness (1) who have committed, and (2) who have attempted, suicide in each of the past three years.
Answered by Lord Bethell
No such estimate has been made.
Asked by: Baroness Watkins of Tavistock (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to enable women undergoing early medical abortion to take the second part of the medication, misoprostol, at home if they so wish.
Answered by Lord O'Shaughnessy
Abortions must be performed under the legal framework set by the 1967 Abortion Act. The Government’s priority is to ensure women who require abortion services have access to safe, high quality care.
Asked by: Baroness Watkins of Tavistock (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
Her Majesty's Government what change in funding in England for continued professional development for Registered Nurses took place in 2016/17; and what steps they are taking to address the situation.
Answered by Lord O'Shaughnessy
The Department does not hold this information centrally.
Responsibility for ongoing post registration Professional Development lies with individual employers.