Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what directions and support they give to Local Housing Authorities in order for asylum seekers to be housed; and whether asylum seekers take priority over local people on housing waiting lists.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Home Office is responsible for delivering asylum policy and ensuring eligible destitute asylum seekers are accommodated.
Eligibility for social housing in England is tightly controlled. If a person's immigration status does not allow them recourse to public funds then they are not eligible for an allocation of social housing. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.
Where foreign nationals are eligible, they will have their housing needs considered on the same basis as other eligible applicants in accordance with the local council’s housing allocation scheme. People who are homeless, in overcrowded housing or who need to move for medical reasons are prioritised.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) serviceability, and (2) availability, of the Astute class submarines.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
I refer the noble Lord to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Mr Pollard), in the House of Commons on 8 June 2026 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty) in response to Question 4887.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-05-29/4887
I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that I cannot provide the specific details requested as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of any relevant forces.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what financial cuts or efficiencies the Ministry of Defence has been asked to make in the financial years 2026-27 and 2027-28.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have asked the government of Greece to provide naval protection to UK interests in Cyprus in the absence of Royal Naval vessels in the Mediterranean.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Government has not asked the government of Greece to provide naval protection to UK interests on the island of Cyprus.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have entered into any arrangement with the government of the Republic of Ireland with regard to providing naval protection to the seas off Ireland.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
On 13 March 2026 the Secretary of State for Defence, and the Irish Minister for Defence announced the signing of the refreshed UK-Ireland Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The refreshed MoU will see the UK Armed Forces and the Irish Defence Forces strengthen their maritime security cooperation to better protect critical undersea infrastructure and develop improved response mechanisms to maritime security incidents. This will strengthen UK-Ireland naval cooperation however UK does not provide defence cover for Ireland. Matters relating to Ireland’s defence remain for the Irish Government.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of conflicts between protesters in Manchester following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, including reports of men on horseback wearing armbands and threatening individuals.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
This government upholds the democratic right that people must be free to peacefully express their views, but they must do so within the bounds of the law.
Where the activity of protestors breaks the law, the police have the government’s backing to use their powers to respond.
It would not be appropriate for Ministers to intervene in those operational decisions, but we continue to work closely with policing to ensure they have the right capabilities and support in place to keep the public safe and uphold the law.
The Home Secretary launched an independent review of public order and hate crime legislation on 5 October 2025 led by Lord Ken Macdonald of River Glaven KC. The review will ensure police powers remain fit for purpose, are used consistently, and strike the right balance between protecting the public and upholding the right to lawful protest. It is expected to report in the spring.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the accuracy of economic predictions submitted to them by the Office of Budget Responsibility.
Answered by Lord Livermore
Economic forecasts, including assessments of the impact of policy decisions, are the responsibility of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
The OBR is required to produce a Forecast Evaluation Report (FER) each year under the Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act (2011). The OBR is required to explain the reasons for divergence between its forecasts and subsequent outturns, to support future forecast improvements.
The latest Forecast Evaluation Report was published in July 2025 and can be found on their website.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the figures for economic growth in the last 12 months and how does that outcome compare with their economic growth objectives.
Answered by Lord Livermore
In 2025, UK GDP grew by 1.3%, which was the fastest rate of economic growth among the European G7. GDP per capita strongly accelerated, growing by 1.0% in 2025 after no growth in 2024 and a 1.0% fall in 2023. GDP per capita is now 0.9% above pre-election levels, whereas it declined by 0.2% in the previous Parliament.Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to establishing a unit to promote import substitution; and what assessment they have made of the potential for such a unit to improve the UK's balance of payments.
Answered by Lord Stockwood
Our modern Industrial Strategy is a 10‑year plan to back the UK's strengths and realise our potential, creating a connected, high‑skilled, and economically growing country. We are also establishing a new Supply Chain Centre to analyse key inputs for priority sectors, assess future demand and identify where action is needed to increase our economic resilience - such as building domestic capability, diversifying supply routes and forming strategic international partnerships to ensure resilient and competitive supply chains. We will announce more details in due course.
Asked by: Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the UK's current trade deficit with China; and what they forecast this deficit will be in each of the next three years.
Answered by Lord Stockwood
In the 12 months to September 2025, the UK ran a £43.5bn total trade deficit with China. The UK's goods and services trade balances were -£52.9bn and £9.4bn respectively. Over the same period, the UK ran an overall total trade deficit of £29.9bn with the world. [ONS UK total trade all countries Q3 2025]
Neither the UK government or the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the official forecaster for the UK economy, forecasts bilateral trade balances.