Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government how inheritance tax will apply to small self-administered pension schemes that hold pooled assets which qualify for agricultural property relief, but which are likely to have multiple beneficiaries.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, from 6 April 2027 most unused pension funds and death benefits will be included within the value of a person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes.

The nature of the assets held by a pension scheme is not taken into account for inheritance tax purposes. This is the existing policy on the treatment of assets held by a pension scheme.

Comprehensive guidance will be published on these changes ahead of coming into effect.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government how inheritance tax will apply to self-invested personal pension schemes that include assets which qualify for agricultural property relief.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, from 6 April 2027 most unused pension funds and death benefits will be included within the value of a person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes.

The nature of the assets held by a pension scheme is not taken into account for inheritance tax purposes. This is the existing policy on the treatment of assets held by a pension scheme.

Comprehensive guidance will be published on these changes ahead of coming into effect.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they made to the President of China regarding that country's sanctions on nine UK citizens, including parliamentarians, at the recent G20 Summit in Brazil.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

China's retaliatory sanctions, including against Parliamentarians and UK citizens, are unwarranted and unacceptable. The Prime Minister raised this issue during his meeting with President Xi at the G20 summit in Brazil on 18 November. The Foreign Secretary has similarly raised sanctions at every meeting he has had with his counterpart Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to respond to the consultation on proposed reforms to England’s National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to Question UIN 7852 on 14 October 2024.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the rental property market of the requirement for all rental properties to have a minimum energy performance certificate rating of 'C' by 2030.

Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is consulting on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The consultation will include proposals for rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030. The consultation will be accompanied with the Department’s assessment of the potential cost and benefits.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the case for permitted development rights for listed properties to be extended to the installation of solar panels not visible from street level.

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

We have no such plans at present. However, we will keep the matter under review as we develop our planning policy on heritage matters.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow the owners of listed buildings to install electric vehicle chargers within the curtilage of their property without the need for listed property or planning permission.

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

We have no such plans at present. However, we will keep the matter under review as we develop our planning policy on heritage matters.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have monitored unauthorised alterations to listed buildings since the removal of the zero rating of VAT in 2012.

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

The Government does not monitor unauthorised alterations to listed buildings. This is a matter for individual local planning authorities.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to fund and promote the training of apprentices in (1) thatching, (2) stonemasonry, (3) lead work and (4) use of lime mortars, as well as to grow and improve other skills in the heritage sector.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Education)

High-quality apprenticeships, including the level 2 Stonemason apprenticeship standard, are available to support employers and learners in the heritage sector to develop the skills they need.

To support more high-quality apprenticeship opportunities, the department pays full training costs for young apprentices aged 16 to 21 at small employers and it pays £1,000 to employers when they take on apprentices aged 16 to 18, or aged 19 to 24 who are care leavers or have an education, health and care plan.

The department also continue to promote apprenticeships through its ‘Skills for Life’ campaign.