Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what changes are to be introduced from June in relation to the unrestricted transportation or accompaniment of domestic animals within the Common Travel Area; and what further requirements or registration procedures will be imposed from this summer.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme will launch on 4 June. This allows for the smooth and straightforward movement of pet dogs (including assistance dogs), cats and ferrets from Great Britain to Northern Ireland while ensuring that any pet movements into EU Member States, including Ireland, remain subject to relevant EU law requirements. The Scheme removes the need for costly health treatments and single use certificates. Instead, pet owners from Great Britain can register for a single, lifelong pet travel document, which confirms that the pet is microchipped and will not move into the European Union. Further information can be found here - Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad: Travelling to Northern Ireland - GOV.UK.

Pet owners in Northern Ireland will not face any requirements beyond the need for their pet to be microchipped.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 9 April (HL6031), whether the Cabinet Office has issued guidance in respect of departmental headcount reduction to ensure that outsourced services match the cost reduction and efficiency gains imposed on in-house services.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

There are numerous government arms-length bodies and agencies that spend public money, including to deliver services on behalf of government departments. These bodies have specified budgets and are accountable to the relevant government department. Financial planning for these bodies is therefore part of each department’s spending review process.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 9 April (HL6031), whether they have issued guidance to departments to avoid headcount and expenditure reductions arising not from internal efficiency and increased productivity, but from outsourcing activities.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

There are numerous government arms-length bodies and agencies that spend public money, including to deliver services on behalf of government departments. These bodies have specified budgets and are accountable to the relevant government department. Financial planning for these bodies is therefore part of each department’s spending review process.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they have issued to integrated care boards in England about (1) the projected reduction in headcount as a result of the abolition of NHS England, and (2) the balance between maintaining staff (a) at the 'place' level and, (b) in the integrated care board administration.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England has asked the integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners of health and care services and to reduce the duplication of responsibilities within their structure to achieve a 50% cost reduction in their running cost allowance. NHS England provided additional guidance to ICBs, National Health Service trusts, and NHS foundation trusts on 1 April 2025, where ICBs were tasked with developing plans by the end of May setting out how they will manage their resources to deliver across their priorities.

The Government understands the importance of communities and places, which is why NHS England will be working closely with the ICBs to support the development of these plans, ensuring that their implementation reduces duplication and supports patient care.

We continue to analyse and assess impacts of all kinds and will work collaboratively across both organisations to put in place plans to ensure the continuity of services and patient safety.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to announce the full membership of the board of Skills England.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

The government announced the executive and non-executive leadership team of Skills England on 11 February. The chair of the board is Phil Smith, former chief executive officer (CEO) of Cisco UK and Ireland, and the vice chair is Sir David Bell, vice chancellor of the University of Sunderland. Sarah Maclean and Tessa Griffiths jointly serve as CEOs of Skills England, and Gemma Marsh is deputy CEO.

The government has also been recruiting additional non-executive board members for Skills England. The department received a large number of high-calibre applicants, who have undergone a rigorous selection process to ensure a diverse Board with the necessary skills and experience to support and challenge Skills England in its vital work. The full membership of the Board will be announced in due course.

Found: Baroness Sal Brinton, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, Lord Shinkwin, and Lord Blunkett Oral Evidence

Found: Lord Blunkett: I am David Blunkett.

Found: Lord Blunkett: I am David Blunkett.

Found: This was undoubtedly the thinking underlying the recent letter in The Times from Lord Blunkett, the

Found: Of these, 30 were government amendments, and six were tabled by Lord Blunkett (Lab), which the government

Found: After Clause 44 LORD BLUNKETT BARONESS BLOWER LORD WATSON OF INVERGOWRIE 435_ After Clause 44, insert

Found: LORD BLUNKETT 69AA★_ After Clause 4, insert the following new Clause— “Consultation on registration

Found: Of these, 30 were government amendments, and six were tabled by Lord Blunkett (Lab), which the government

Found: school without need for a warrant. 157 Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill After Clause 44 LORD BLUNKETT

Found: After Clause 44 LORD BLUNKETT 435★_ After Clause 44, insert the following new Clause— “School inspections