Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have considered replacing the census with in-depth sampling in the light of ongoing issues at the Office for National Statistics.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)

On 15 July 2025 HM Government confirmed its commitment to hold a mandatory, questionnaire based census in England and Wales in 2031. The Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive have confirmed their commitment to hold tradition censuses in their nations at the same time.

HM Government reached this decision after the UK Statistics Authority conducted extensive research and consultation into alternative options and concluded that a traditional census best met the needs of the UK’s government, local authorities, businesses, charities and citizens. Their reasoning is set out in their detailed recommendation, which was also published on 15 July 2025.

The Government remains committed to delivering the census in 2031 and is working closely with the ONS to ensure the programme’s success.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking towards the use of 3D printing for maintenance and repair in all three branches of the armed services.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The National Armaments Director Group are accelerating Defence adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) through Project TAMPA, working with industry, including Defence primes and small and medium enterprises, to improve supply chain resilience and platform availability. UK Defence Innovation is funding a 2-year sprint to accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing. This will support coherence across the Military Commands, facilitate regulatory compliance and adoption of safe and secure practices in alignment with the Defence Advanced Manufacturing Strategy.

The Royal Navy (RN) are employing additive manufacturing across multiple shore locations and selected vessels to produce spare parts as part of ongoing innovation efforts. This technology has primarily been utilised for low-complexity, non-critical but important components, allowing the RN to build experience and confidence in its application. HMNB Clyde, the home of the Submarine Service, have AM capabilities to support in-service submarines through obsolescence and supply limitations. Multiple components were additively manufactured for HMS ANSON using Australian sovereign AM capabilities during her recent maintenance period at HMAS Stirling.

The Army Equipment Support Publication for Land Systems Expedient Repair outlines the process for applying AM across the Army in the delivery of maintenance and repair. The Army have a permanent capability deployed in Estonia on Op CABRIT, and have recently placed capability in Cyprus, with forward locations supported by a network of advanced manufacturing nodes across the UK.

Since 2020 the RAF have delivered multiple AM parts to front line platforms, helping to return aircraft to availability months earlier. This year, the RAF will release a strategy outlining their ambition by 2030 to make AM business‑as‑usual within the supply chain for both on‑ and off‑aircraft components.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in implementing the recommendations of the Fingleton review.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham

This Government is taking forward all of the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce’s recommendations and has published an implementation plan. Delivery is already under way, including establishing a lead regulator model and taking forward reforms to cut duplication and improve proportionality.

Our reforms focus on outcomes over process, accelerating nuclear deployment while maintaining the UK’s robust safety and environmental standards.

Delivery is overseen by a cross sector Nuclear Regulatory Implementation Panel, ensuring accountability and pace. I will chair this Panel with the first meeting scheduled for 30 June.

The Government response commits to completing implementation by the end of 2027, supporting faster, more cost-effective delivery of new nuclear projects.

Found: Lord Spellar Rt Hon.

Found: The Chair: This all connects very nicely with the next question from Lord Spellar.

Found: Apologies and notices Apologies were received from Lord Oates, Lord Peach and Lord Spellar. 2.

Found: Lord Spellar Rt Hon.

Found: ; Lord Marland; Baroness Northover; Lord Oates; Baroness Paul of Shepherd’s Bush; Lord Peach; Lord Spellar

Found: ; Lord Marland; Baroness Northover; Lord Oates; Baroness Paul of Shepherd’s Bush; Lord Peach; Lord Spellar

Found: Lord Spellar Rt Hon.

Found: Baroness Mobarik; Baroness Northover; Lord Oates; Baroness Paul of Shepherd’s Bush; Lord Peach; Lord Spellar

Found: Baroness Mobarik; Baroness Northover; Lord Oates; Baroness Paul of Shepherd’s Bush; Lord Peach; Lord Spellar

Found: Lord Spellar Rt Hon.

Found: Baroness Mobarik; Baroness Northover; Lord Oates; Baroness Paul of Shepherd’s Bush; Lord Peach; Lord Spellar

Found: Baroness Mobarik; Baroness Northover; Lord Oates; Baroness Paul of Shepherd’s Bush; Lord Peach; Lord Spellar