Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of cases of bluetongue in Hertfordshire.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra acted quickly to contain bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) when the first case this season was detected on 26 August, implementing zones with movement controls on susceptible livestock to prevent spread. Disease control restrictions have been adapted in response to new findings and there is now a single restricted zone (RZ) covering the east coast and some inland areas in England, including Hertfordshire where there have been 3 cases to date.
The movement of susceptible animals from the RZ to live elsewhere in England requires a specific licence and is subject to free pre-movement and post-movement testing. This helps to prevent the possible establishment of new pockets of disease from undetected spread via animal movements. Some animals were humanely culled to prevent establishment at the outset and infected animals in cases found in free areas outside the restricted zone have also been humanely culled.
Defra has permitted the use of vaccines for BTV-3 which are now available for vets to prescribe in England.
Defra and APHA continue surveillance and epidemiological assessments, remaining vigilant for any changes, and are working closely with key industry stakeholders to review how we approach controls for BTV-3 for the coming winter months, in 2025 and beyond.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any shortfalls in the funding of the World Food Programme in Somalia, and of any impact of such shortfalls on the Programme's ability to provide assistance to those who need it in that country.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The food security and livelihood component of the UN's Somalia appeal, which includes World Food Programme (WFP) operations, is less than 45 per cent funded. Vulnerable communities are bearing the brunt of this funding shortfall with 17 per cent of Somalis facing food insecurity. The UK remains a key humanitarian donor, including to the WFP. Last year in Somalia the UK reached 1.4 million people with humanitarian assistance including nearly 370,000 people with food aid. This year the UK will allocate £38 million in life-saving humanitarian aid. The UK continues to leverage its leadership role in Somalia to mobilise funding from across the international community to address critical needs and support longer-term resilience.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that the Environment Agency is able to monitor and investigate illegal sewage discharges.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is working closely with the water industry regulators, including the Environment Agency (EA), to ensure they are properly equipped to carry out investigation and enforcement action against illegal sewage discharges.
The EA is recruiting up to 500 additional staff for inspections, enforcement and stronger regulation by March next year. This will enable them to increase compliance checks, quadruple the number of water company inspections and conduct more in-depth and independent audits to get to the root-cause of incidents.
The Water (Special Measures) Bill will introduce a requirement for water companies to publish information on discharges from emergency overflows in near real-time (within an hour of a discharge occurring). This data will be independently scrutinised by the regulators, supporting investigations into possible permit breaches, and will fulfil the government’s commitment to ensure independent monitoring of every outlet.
An independent commission on the water sector regulatory system was recently announced, in conjunction with the Welsh Government. The commission will make a set of recommendations which will include ensuring that water industry regulators are effective, have a clear purpose and are empowered to hold water companies to account.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding in The Lancet Public Health Commission on gambling, published on 24 October, that the harms to health and wellbeing that result from gambling are more substantial than previously understood.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is committed to reducing gambling-related harm, and recognises the far-reaching negative impact gambling can have not only individuals who gamble, but also on those close to them and wider society.
We are committed to reviewing the best available evidence from a wide range of sources, and we have noted the Lancet Public Health Commission’s report.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of warnings by US-based group International Christian Concern on 28 October that China’s pledge of support for Iran could intensify the persecution of Christians in both China and Iran.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The conditions for freedom of religion or belief in both China and Iran are restrictive, particularly for Christians, who face persecution. This Government stands firm in its advocacy of human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief. The Foreign Secretary has raised human rights in every meeting with his Chinese counterpart Foreign Minister Wang Yi, including during his recent visit to China on 18 October. We have also repeatedly expressed concern at the ongoing incarceration and sentencing of members of Christian churches for practicing their faith in Iran. More broadly, this Government will champion freedom of religion or belief for members of all faiths worldwide. We will work to uphold this freedom through our positions at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora, and through bilateral engagement.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the interim government of Bangladesh following reports by Amnesty International on 24 October that Bangladeshi border authorities have forcibly returned Rohingya people fleeing violence.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is at the forefront of international efforts to support Rohingya refugees and the communities which host them. In Bangladesh, this includes engaging with the UN and non-governmental organisations to address protection risks, including reports of Rohingya being forcibly returned. In October, the Foreign Secretary discussed the situation of Rohingya refugees with Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser when they met during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The UK will continue to promote the rights of Rohingya refugees, including in our discussions with the Interim Government of Bangladesh.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to introduce a statutory right to pay for goods and services in cash; and if so, whether this would be subject to financial limits.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups. UK Finance estimates around 1.5 million people pay mainly or solely with cash, many of these on low or fixed incomes. It is vital that cash remains a viable method of payment for those who rely on it.
The Financial Conduct Authority has recently assumed regulatory responsibility for protecting access to cash, and its new rules went live on 18 September. The rules require the UK’s largest banks and building societies to assess the impact of a closure of a relevant cash withdrawal or deposit facility and put in place a new service if necessary.
Whilst it is for each business to decide on the forms of payment it chooses to accept, the Government welcomes the work of the regulators to monitor cash acceptance. For example, research published by the Financial Conduct Authority found that 98 per cent of small businesses surveyed would never turn customers away if they needed to pay in cash. The new rules by the Financial Conduct Authority will also support businesses to accept cash by ensuring they have reasonable access to deposit facilities.
Many banking customers also benefit from the ease and convenience of online or mobile banking and payments. The Government recognises that promoting digital inclusion is essential to building the skills and confidence people need to participate in a modern digital economy and is considering barriers to this. In addition, the Government is committed to championing sufficient in person banking for all as a priority, including those who are reliant on cash.
This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. These hubs provide individuals who need face-to-face support with critical cash and banking services, including support with using digital banking.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support people who rely solely on cash (1) to access cash, and (2) to access digital banking alternatives to cash.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups. UK Finance estimates around 1.5 million people pay mainly or solely with cash, many of these on low or fixed incomes. It is vital that cash remains a viable method of payment for those who rely on it.
The Financial Conduct Authority has recently assumed regulatory responsibility for protecting access to cash, and its new rules went live on 18 September. The rules require the UK’s largest banks and building societies to assess the impact of a closure of a relevant cash withdrawal or deposit facility and put in place a new service if necessary.
Whilst it is for each business to decide on the forms of payment it chooses to accept, the Government welcomes the work of the regulators to monitor cash acceptance. For example, research published by the Financial Conduct Authority found that 98 per cent of small businesses surveyed would never turn customers away if they needed to pay in cash. The new rules by the Financial Conduct Authority will also support businesses to accept cash by ensuring they have reasonable access to deposit facilities.
Many banking customers also benefit from the ease and convenience of online or mobile banking and payments. The Government recognises that promoting digital inclusion is essential to building the skills and confidence people need to participate in a modern digital economy and is considering barriers to this. In addition, the Government is committed to championing sufficient in person banking for all as a priority, including those who are reliant on cash.
This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. These hubs provide individuals who need face-to-face support with critical cash and banking services, including support with using digital banking.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many referrals were made to NHS gambling clinics in (1) 2022, (2) 2023, and (3) 2024.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Data on referrals to National Health Service gambling clinics for treatment is collected by financial year. In 2021/22, there were 1013 referrals, while in 2022/23, there were 1389, and in 2023/24, there were 2,284.
Data for the first two quarters of the 2024/25 financial year will be available soon.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect creative industries from the unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI; and what assessment they have made of the risk this poses to the livelihoods of the people behind these works.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government supports growth in both the creative industries and the AI sector, recognising the value of human-centred creativity.
This is a complex topic, and we want to take the time to hear stakeholder views and carefully consider the issues and their impacts – including the use of creative works to train generative AI.
The Minister for AI and Digital Government and the Minister for Creative Industries, Arts, and Tourism held roundtables with the creative and AI sectors in September.
DSIT and DCMS continue to engage with stakeholders to inform and develop our approach.