1 APPG membership (as of 20 Nov 2024)
Gambling Reform5 Former APPG memberships
Gambling Related Harm, Intellectual Property, Media, Publishing, TaiwanDivision Voting information
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
(8 debate interactions)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
(3 debate interactions)
(2 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(18 debate contributions)
(9 debate contributions)
(2 debate contributions)
(2 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(8,190 words contributed)
(1,395 words contributed)
(825 words contributed)
Lords initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Lord Foster of Bath, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
5 Bills introduced by Lord Foster of Bath
A Bill to require an electrical safety certificate to be provided to a prospective purchaser of domestic premises in specified circumstances; and for connected purposes
A bill to require the Secretary of State to ensure that domestic properties have a minimum energy performance rating of C on an Energy Performance Certificate; to make provision regarding performance and insulation of new heating systems in existing properties; and for connected purposes
A Bill to make provision to increase the energy performance of buildings; and for connected purposes
A Bill to make provision for a national strategy for cost-effective and efficient use of energy; and for connected purposes.
Tuesday 14th June 2016
A Bill to give all football clubs the freedom to build, or maintain existing, safe standing sections in their stadia if they choose; to establish minimum safety criteria that must be met for standing sections in football stadia; and for connected purposes.
Tuesday 7th December 2010
Lord Foster of Bath has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
Latest 32 Written Questions
(View all written questions)9 Department for Energy Security & Net Zero Questions
(View all Lord Foster of Bath's DESNZ questions)The fifth carbon budget was set in 2016, when the UK’s legal target was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% on 1990 levels. The Climate Change Act 2008 was amended in 2019 to strengthen the 2050 target to net zero. The UK's 2030 nationally determined contribution to reduce emissions by at least 68% on 1990 levels was set in 2020 to align with the trajectory to achieve net zero by 2050.
The Government will publish a report setting out its plan to meet carbon budgets in due course. This will set out the policies and proposals needed to meet Carbon Budgets 4-6 and the 2030 and 2035 NDC targets.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK’s 2030 and 2035 nationally determined contributions are fair and ambitious contributions to global action on climate change, in line with the Paris Agreement temperature goal. NDCs are international communications of ambition required to be communicated under the Paris Agreement, a treaty under international law. Alongside our international commitments, the UK was the first country to introduce a legally binding, long-term emissions reduction target under the Climate Change Act 2008. This framework includes the UK’s legislated 2050 net zero target, which the Climate Change Committee has confirmed is consistent with the trajectories of the UK’s 2030 and 2035 NDCs.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The UK’s 2030 nationally determined contribution – to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% on 1990s levels – is a fair and ambitious contribution to global action on climate change, in line with the Paris Agreement temperature goal. NDCs are international communications of ambition under the Paris Agreement, submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Alongside our international commitments, the UK was the first country to introduce a legally binding, long-term emissions reduction target under the Climate Change Act 2008. This framework includes the UK’s legislated 2050 net zero target, which the Climate Change Committee has confirmed is consistent with the trajectory of the UK’s 2030 NDC.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government will lay a report before Parliament next year, setting out its plans for meeting UK emissions targets up to the end of carbon budget 6 in 2037 - this will set out the forecast emissions savings associated with specific policies and proposals.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
UK’s current and next carbon budgets are set on a territorial basis as follows:
- Carbon Budget 4 (2023-2027) limits UK net territorial greenhouse gas emissions to 1,950 MtCO2e over the period.
- Carbon Budget 5 (2028-2032) limits UK net territorial greenhouse gas emissions to 1,725 MtCO2e over the period.
Carbon Budget 6 (2033-2037) includes emissions from international aviation and shipping and is set at 965 MtCO2e over the period.
The Carbon Budget levels have been set in line with advice from the independent Climate Change Committee.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Climate Change Act made the UK the first country to introduce a legally binding, long-term emissions reduction target. This sets our commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 in law. As advised by the UK’s Committee on Climate Change in June 2019 and December 2020, this target aligns with the published pathways from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for meeting the Paris Agreement’s long-term temperature goal of 1.5°C.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Paris Agreement holds governments to account for their obligations through transparency and review mechanisms, which can result in reputational damage and international pressure for non-compliance. These mechanisms include the NDC Synthesis Report, which identifies progress made globally against Parties’ Nationally Determined Contributions; the Enhanced Transparency Framework, which requires Parties to report transparently on action taken and progress made; and the Global Stocktake, which requires Parties to periodically take stock of the implementation of their mitigation commitments. Additionally, Parties must provide information necessary to track progress in implementing and achieving their NDCs and participate in the facilitative multilateral consideration of progress, which involves a technical expert review. The Paris Agreement also has a mechanism to facilitate the implementation of and promote compliance with the Agreement. This is supported by an expert Committee which is non-adversarial and non-punitive.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Climate Change Act made the UK the first country to introduce a legally binding, long-term emissions reduction target. This sets our commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 in law.
We are committed to our targets, and by setting carbon budgets 12 years ahead, we have given both business and the public certainty on carbon budgets. This has also provided a clear framework for the private sector to invest and innovate.
There is strong public support for climate action from Government. We will continue to work with all stakeholders including businesses, local authorities, civil society and investors to meet our net zero targets.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
4 Department for Science, Innovation & Technology Questions
(View all Lord Foster of Bath's DSIT questions)The Online Safety Act (OSA) applies to search services and online platforms that allow users to interact with each other or to post content online. Under the OSA’s child safety duties, from Summer 2025, relevant services will need to conduct risk assessments and take steps to protect child users.
Gambling policy is a matter for DCMS. In addition, the Online Advertising Taskforce supports the aims of DCMS to improve transparency and accountability in the online advertising supply chain. It will deliver work to address illegal advertising and minimise children being served advertising for products and services illegal to sell to them.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Online Safety Act (OSA) applies to search services and online platforms that allow users to interact with each other or to post content online. Under the OSA’s child safety duties, from Summer 2025, relevant services will need to conduct risk assessments and take steps to protect child users.
Gambling policy is a matter for DCMS. In addition, the Online Advertising Taskforce supports the aims of DCMS to improve transparency and accountability in the online advertising supply chain. It will deliver work to address illegal advertising and minimise children being served advertising for products and services illegal to sell to them.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Online Safety Act (OSA) applies to search services and online platforms that allow users to interact with each other or to post content online. Under the OSA’s child safety duties, from Summer 2025, relevant services will need to conduct risk assessments and take steps to protect child users.
Gambling policy is a matter for DCMS. In addition, the Online Advertising Taskforce supports the aims of DCMS to improve transparency and accountability in the online advertising supply chain. It will deliver work to address illegal advertising and minimise children being served advertising for products and services illegal to sell to them.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Online Safety Act (OSA) applies to search services and online platforms that allow users to interact with each other or to post content online. Under the OSA’s child safety duties, from Summer 2025, relevant services will need to conduct risk assessments and take steps to protect child users.
Gambling policy is a matter for DCMS. In addition, the Online Advertising Taskforce supports the aims of DCMS to improve transparency and accountability in the online advertising supply chain. It will deliver work to address illegal advertising and minimise children being served advertising for products and services illegal to sell to them.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
6 Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Questions
(View all Lord Foster of Bath's DCMS questions)We are committed to ensuring that purchases of loot boxes should not be available to children and young people unless and until they are enabled by a parent or guardian; and that all players should have access to and be aware of spending controls and transparent information to support safe and responsible gaming.
The previous Government convened a Technical Working Group (TWG) of video game developers, which produced new industry-led guidance on consumer protections, published in July 2023. The TWG has prepared a report on industry implementation of the measures, which we urge all video games companies to adopt in full. In addition, we have commissioned independent academic research to assess the effectiveness of the new guidance and will consider whether further action is required when this research is complete.
The Advertising Standards Authority and the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) are responsible for setting and enforcing the UK Advertising Codes and are independent of the government. The Department meets regularly with representatives of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) on a range of matters. The ASA’s rulings on breaches of loot box advertising code requirements are available at: https://www.asa.org.uk/codes-and-rulings/rulings.html.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Protecting children and young people from being harmed or exploited by gambling is a core Gambling Commission objective, and a priority for the Government. To prevent children and young people from experiencing gambling-related harm later in life, since 2020, children have been taught about the risks relating to gambling as part of the statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum in England.
The government is introducing a statutory levy to be paid by gambling operators raising funding for research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harms. We recognise that more may need to be done to improve the education of children and young people around the risks and harms associated with gambling. The levy will play an important part in the Government’s wider aim to have a better informed and protected public when it comes to gambling harms.
As I set out last week, I have set the gambling industry a clear task to further raise standards to ensure that levels of gambling advertising does not exacerbate harm, and this work will be monitored closely.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is committed to strengthening protections to ensure that people can continue to enjoy gambling as a pastime without the harms that can ensue from harmful gambling. We are acutely aware of the impact harmful gambling can have on individuals and their families. We are committed to reviewing the best available evidence from a wide range of sources and working with all stakeholders in order to support the sector and ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
My Department meets regularly with representatives of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) on a range of matters.
The ASA and the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) are responsible for setting and enforcing the UK Advertising Codes and are independent of the government. The ASA’s rulings on breaches of loot box advertising code requirements are available at https://www.asa.org.uk/codes-and-rulings/rulings.html
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are in the early stages of the new Government and are still considering the full range of gambling policy. However, the Government recognises the impact harmful gambling can have on individuals and their families and, as stated in its manifesto, the Government is committed to strengthening the protections for those at risk. We will consider the best available evidence from a wide range of sources to inform decisions on how best to fulfil its manifesto commitment to reducing gambling-related harm.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
DfT and Home Office have allocated £9m and £1.5m respectively to help enable the implementation of EES at Eurostar, Eurotunnel, and Port of Dover in a manner which minimises the risk of disruption. In addition, the Government is working closely with the relevant operators, the French and the European Commission to ensure implementation is optimised.
DfT continues to review contingency planning and traffic management in Kent in response to the additional risks to border throughput which EES poses, with additional contingency measures being planned in conjunction with Kent and Medway Resilience Forum to manage impacts to drivers and local communities in the event of any disruption.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The UK has seven gambling duties, which apply to different forms of gambling at different rates. For instance, bingo duty is charged at 10% of gross gambling yield, and Remote Gaming Duty is 21% of gross gambling yield.
No formal assessment of the UK’s taxation of the gambling sector, compared to foreign jurisdictions, has been made. Any such assessment would need to consider the varying regulatory frameworks of other countries, as well as their specific duties and rates. HM Treasury and HMRC make regular informal assessments of the UK's gambling regime in international comparison.
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government keeps all tax avoidance risks, including UK licensed gambling companies, under review as part of routine tax compliance monitoring.
The UK has seven separate gambling duties and, in total, the gambling industry paid £3.4bn a year in duty in 2023/24.
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
We permit the use of national identity cards for French schoolchildren (aged 18 and under) travelling on organised trips and waive UK visa requirements for their classmates who are visa nationals. Their responsible adults must be in possession of a fully completed and authenticated form listing the participants in the trip. French schools can access the form online from gov.uk. More information and a link to the form can be found at: Visit the UK as part of a French school trip - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
In advance of the ETA scheme opening to applications from European nationals next year, the Government has considered the implications of the scheme on French school groups visiting the UK, and has agreed that children aged 18 and under travelling as part of a French school group will be temporarily exempted from the ETA requirement until a group solution is developed. This will allow EU, EEA and Swiss children to continue to use their identity cards on organised French school trips to the UK.
At the Leaders’ Summit in Paris on 10 March 2023, as part of an overall agreement on migration reached with France, the UK committed to ease the travel of school groups to the UK by making changes to documentary requirements for school children on organised trips from France.
Minister of State (Home Office)
No date has yet been set for the further rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme, including to European nationals. We expect to make an announcement very shortly and will work with ports and carriers on coordinated communications to those affected.
Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office has engaged regularly with the European Union, the Government of France, Eurostar, Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover about the introduction of both the European Union (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) and the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
We currently expect the EU to implement EES in November. Further details will be announced shortly about the remainder of the ETA roll out, including when the scheme will apply to EU nationals. We are working with ports and carriers on coordinated communications to the travelling public.
Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office has engaged regularly with the European Union, the Government of France, Eurostar, Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover about the introduction of both the European Union (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) and the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
We currently expect the EU to implement EES in November. Further details will be announced shortly about the remainder of the ETA roll out, including when the scheme will apply to EU nationals. We are working with ports and carriers on coordinated communications to the travelling public.
Minister of State (Home Office)
4 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Questions
(View all Lord Foster of Bath's MHCLG questions)Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their homes, regardless of tenure or agreement type.
Non-permanent structures separate from the land, such as mobile homes and houseboats, are legally defined as chattels rather than buildings. They are not subject to the legal framework in the Building Regulations which covers electrical installation work. They are, however, subject to consumer protection legislation in the same way as any other consumer goods. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA), goods should be as described, of a satisfactory quality, and fit for a particular purpose when they are purchased. The CRA 2015 applies to contracts entered into after the 1st October 2015 when the Act came into force.
As most non-traditional homes are owner-occupied there is no legal requirement for the owner to have the electrics checked in their property on a regular basis, though we would recommend they do so.
On mobile home sites, the owner must ensure they comply with the conditions of their licence provided by the local authority, to ensure that proper health, safety and amenity standards are maintained.
The Government has no plans to introduce any specific schemes relating to electrical safety in non-traditional homes at this time.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their homes, regardless of tenure or agreement type.
Non-permanent structures separate from the land, such as mobile homes and houseboats, are legally defined as chattels rather than buildings. They are not subject to the legal framework in the Building Regulations which covers electrical installation work. They are, however, subject to consumer protection legislation in the same way as any other consumer goods. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA), goods should be as described, of a satisfactory quality, and fit for a particular purpose when they are purchased. The CRA 2015 applies to contracts entered into after the 1st October 2015 when the Act came into force.
As most non-traditional homes are owner-occupied there is no legal requirement for the owner to have the electrics checked in their property on a regular basis, though we would recommend they do so.
On mobile home sites, the owner must ensure they comply with the conditions of their licence provided by the local authority, to ensure that proper health, safety and amenity standards are maintained.
The Government has no plans to introduce any specific schemes relating to electrical safety in non-traditional homes at this time.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their homes, regardless of tenure or agreement type.
Non-permanent structures separate from the land, such as mobile homes and houseboats, are legally defined as chattels rather than buildings. They are not subject to the legal framework in the Building Regulations which covers electrical installation work. They are, however, subject to consumer protection legislation in the same way as any other consumer goods. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA), goods should be as described, of a satisfactory quality, and fit for a particular purpose when they are purchased. The CRA 2015 applies to contracts entered into after the 1st October 2015 when the Act came into force.
As most non-traditional homes are owner-occupied there is no legal requirement for the owner to have the electrics checked in their property on a regular basis, though we would recommend they do so.
On mobile home sites, the owner must ensure they comply with the conditions of their licence provided by the local authority, to ensure that proper health, safety and amenity standards are maintained.
The Government has no plans to introduce any specific schemes relating to electrical safety in non-traditional homes at this time.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This government is committed to raising standards so that social housing tenants live in decent homes, are treated with fairness and respect and have issues resolved quickly.
A consultation on electrical safety in the social rented sector was carried out between June 2022 and August 2022 by the previous government. This government is considering the responses to the consultation and will set out next steps shortly.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)