Asked by: Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they propose to help the poorest pensioners who will lose their winter fuel allowance.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Over the next five years we expect over 12 million pensioners are likely to see their State Pensions increase by thousands of pounds as a result of our commitment to the Triple Lock.
We are providing support for pensioners through our Warm Homes Plan which will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating – upgrading millions of homes over this Parliament. Our long-term plan will protect billpayers permanently, reduce fuel poverty, and get the UK back on track to meet our climate goals.
The Household Support Fund is also being extended for a further six months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025. An additional £421 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF in England, plus funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual.
The Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales provides eligible low-income households across Great Britain with a £150 rebate on their electricity bill. This winter, we expect over three million households, including over one million pensioners, to benefit under the scheme.
We know there are low-income pensioners who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payment alongside other benefits – hundreds of pounds that could really help them. We will ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need.
Asked by: Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the proposals from (1) Age UK, and (2) Martin Lewis, to mitigate the losses faced by the poorest pensioners who will lose their winter fuel allowance.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Over the course of this Parliament we expect over 12 million pensioners are likely to see their new State Pensions increase by £1700 as a result of our commitment to the Triple Lock.
We are also providing support through our Warm Homes Plan which pensioners will benefit from. This will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating – upgrading millions of homes over this Parliament. Our long-term plan will protect billpayers permanently, reduce fuel poverty, and get the UK back on track to meet our climate goals.
The Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales provides eligible low-income households across Great Britain with a £150 rebate on their electricity bill. This winter, we expect over three million households, including over one million pensioners, to benefit under the scheme.
The Household Support Fund is also being extended for a further six months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025. An additional £421 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF in England, plus funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual.
With regards to the suggestion that Winter Fuel Payments are paid to pensioners according to their council tax band, this would not be possible as my Department does not hold data on people’s council tax banding. Additionally council tax band is not always an accurate reflection of someone’s income.
We know there are low-income pensioners who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payment alongside other benefits – hundreds of pounds that could really help them. We will ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need.
Asked by: Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the decision of the Scottish First Minister to invite a foreign head of government to a meeting where no official of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is present.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Following a meeting between the Scottish First Minister and the Turkish President, which took place without an FCDO official being present, the Foreign Secretary wrote to Scottish Cabinet Secretary Robertson. He made it clear that the Scottish Government must respect the relevant protocols for the overseas visits of devolved Government Ministers, for continued FCDO facilitation. We remain open to discussing a constructive way forward, but the UK's foreign policy must be communicated consistently and coherently to our international partners.
Asked by: Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the gift aid review launched in their policy paper Summary of tax administration and maintenance: Spring 2023, published on 27 April, how many meetings they have had with charities in the past six months as part of that review.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
As part of the Government’s review of the administration of Gift Aid processes, and to fully understand the current Gift Aid Service and associated processes and challenges, HMRC has conducted in-depth research interviews with officials responsible for Gift Aid from 17 charities across the country, ranging in size from micro to large. These represented charities across a range of different sectors and included some that claim Gift Aid, don’t claim or partially claim, to help understand the reasons, challenges and needs.
HMRC also conducted internal user research with members of its charities operations team to understand the challenges and to inform its research with charity officials.
Prior to the announcement, HMRC met with 6 charity officials responsible for Gift Aid at their respective charities to test changes to the charities online service. This followed research conducted with 5 charities in November 2022.
In total, there have been 28 research sessions with distinct, individual charities, and two sector meetings. 18 of these meetings have been in the past 6 months, with the remaining 12 having happened in the past 12 months.
This review of existing processes and research into challenges and possible improvements is still ongoing.
Asked by: Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the gift aid review launched in their policy paper Summary of tax administration and maintenance: Spring 2023, published on 27 April, what progress they have made so far in that review.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Government is undertaking a review of the administration of Gift Aid. It is considering areas for improvements suggested by representatives of charities. Since the announcement HMRC has undertaken analysis of its systems that administer Gift Aid and also undertaken research on charities use of Gift Aid. HMRC has not completed this review of existing processes and research into challenges and possible improvements.
HMRC works closely and regularly with representatives from across the charity sector reviewing Gift Aid, as well as raising awareness amongst donors. It places a high priority on this collaborative work and is always interested in ideas to improve the administration, take-up and awareness of Gift Aid.
Asked by: Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to investigate whether Scottish Government spending on overseas embassies is appropriate.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
International relations is a matter reserved to the UK Government (UKG), but the UKG recognises that the devolved governments have legitimate interest in international activities which affect delivery of devolved objectives. The Scottish Government currently operates eight overseas offices and has an office in London. Most overseas offices are physically co-located with the UK Mission. As the UKG highlighted in its evidence to the Scottish Affairs Select Committee, there are a wide range of positive examples of engagement and co-operation between FCDO and Scottish Government staff based at UK Missions, delivering for Scotland and the UK.
Asked by: Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to investigate whether Scottish Government spending on independence campaigning is appropriate.
Answered by Baroness Penn
The Government is concerned by the First Minister’s decision to appoint a Minister for Independence. This decision is out of step with the real priorities of the public, which include continuing to tackle the cost of living, growing Scotland’s economy, tackling NHS waiting lists, ensuring energy security and improving transport links.
The Government is committed to uphold the reputation and impartiality of the civil service in Scotland and appreciates that this is a matter for the Scottish Government Permanent Secretary who has been asked to consider this matter.
Asked by: Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks of the Cabinet Secretary in evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution on 18 July, what action they have taken to review the position of the Scottish Minister for Independence and the team of civil servants who currently support him.
Answered by Lord Evans of Rainow
I am aware that the Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, has stated that he is considering this matter.
All civil servants must abide by the Civil Service Code and the law, and that applies to civil servants working for the Scottish Government.
People expect their Governments to be fully focused on the issues which matter most to them: driving down inflation, growing our economy and maintaining the UK’s energy security by making Britain more energy independent.
Asked by: Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps, if any, they intend to take to review whether any money allocated to the Scottish Government for a particular purpose has been spent on a different area without agreement with His Majesty's Government.
Answered by Baroness Penn
The Treasury are in regular contact with each of the devolved administrations to discuss the funding arrangements set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.
It is for the Scottish Government to decide how to spend their Barnett-based block grant in areas of devolved responsibility. However, ringfenced funding provided by the UK Government can only be spent for the purposes it was given and any underspends must be returned to HM Treasury.
The devolved administrations provide regular updates to HM Treasury on their spending through existing reporting channels. This includes spending against ringfenced funding.
Asked by: Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with international partners about the creation of a global safe sports entity and framework for the elimination of all forms of violence, abuse and harassment against athletes.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government has not held any discussions with international partners about this specific suggestion, but remains committed to the aim of eliminating all forms of violence against, and abuse and harassment of, athletes. The safety, wellbeing, and welfare of everyone taking part in sport is paramount. We will continue to work with domestic and international partners to promote safe sport for all participants, for example through our engagement in international fora such as the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport, the Council of Europe, and UNESCO.