Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the press release New PM says government can bring back hope to Britain, and launches drive to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity, published on 20 July, whether additional funding has been allocated to the MHCLG budget over and above (1) its existing spending review settlement, and (2) planned homelessness funding; what is the profile of the announced £340 million funding in each individual year; and whether any other programmes have been reprofiled or deprioritised to finance the rough sleeping programme.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Spending Review 2025 set MHCLG’s departmental budgets until 2028-29 for resource spending and 2029-30 for capital investment. No additional funding has been allocated to MHCLG beyond that settlement for this announcement. We have already provided record levels of funding to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. The £340 million is from within existing MHCLG budgets that had not yet been committed to specific spending plans. This means that the announcement does not require the reprofiling or reprioritisation of programmes already underway. The profile of the £340 million will be finalised in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of page 57 of the Annual Report and Accounts of HM Treasury: Year to the 31 March 2026, published on 15 July, how many copies of the book “Can't we just print more money”, are currently owned by HM Treasury.

Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury does not hold a copy of this book.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the statement in paragraph 3.53 and footnote 54 in the report by the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR), Fiscal risks and sustainability – July 2026, published on 7 July, on what basis the OBR stated that HM Treasury confirmed to the OBR their policy on increasing the state pension age to 68 in 2037-39; whether they intend to raise the state pension age to 68 in 2037-39 rather than as set out in current legislation; and whether they will publish the communications between HM Treasury and the OBR which informed this statement.

Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The legislated timetable for the State Pension age to rise to 68 is between 2044 and 2046. The previous government publicly committed to raising the State Pension age to 68 between 2037 and 2039, and the OBR has reflected that position since 2018

In July 2025, the government announced the launch of the third review of the State Pension age, which is required by legislation. This statutory review is considering whether the rules around pensionable age are appropriate, taking into account latest life expectancy data and other relevant factors and evidence. This review is ongoing. The Government cannot pre-empt the outcome of the State Pension age Review.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much funding will be provided (1) from re-allocated or re-profiled budgets, and (2) as new additional funding, to deliver the new Prime Minister’s pledge to build more council housing; and whether funding will be de-allocated from (a) other types of affordable housing tenure or (b) other MHCLG budgets.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation, and we have already taken decisive action to support councils to play their part in achieving this ambition, including launching our £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme, providing long-term certainty via our ten-year social housing rent policy, and Right to Buy reform. The new Prime Minister has also pledged to deliver the biggest council housebuilding programme since the post-war period. We will set out details on how we intend to achieve this in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Housing and planning on 20 October 2025 (HC78220), whether they remain opposed to rent controls.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has no plans to introduce rent controls in the private rented sector.

Rent inflation in England has been easing since the end of 2024. Average rents in England increased by 3.4% in the 12 months to June, down from a peak of 9.2% in November 2024. In England, annual rent inflation was lowest in London, at 2.2%.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their policy on whether ministers in the Department for Business and Trade attend their department to undertake ministerial duties during periods of strike action by civil servants or contractors.

Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

Decisions about ministerial attendance at departmental offices are a matter for individual ministers, taking account of their official duties, operational requirements and the effective conduct of government business.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 6 February (HC109545) and to the Government press release New PM cuts tax on household electricity bills to give breathing space on cost of living, published on 21 July, whether the digital ID scheme was funded or unfunded; and what plans they have to publish itemised departmental savings that were previously identified from existing budgets through reprioritisation within the existing spending review settlement.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Office for Budget Responsibility estimated that the Digital ID programme could cost £1.8 billion over three years. Cancellation of the programme removes a future cost pressure on public finances. In relation to the reduction in electricity VAT, funding can be reallocated between years and the future of VAT on electricity will be set out at the Budget, where any further decisions will be funded.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Minister of State in the Cabinet Office (Minister without Portfolio) on 19 March (HCWS1422), whether they will publish the outline business case for the Manchester Digital Campus.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

As of 11 June 2025, Publishing Business Cases, Guidance for Departments states all projects and programmes on the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) are required to publish a Summary Business Case or the Full Business Case. It has been confirmed with the Head of Green Book and Major Projects Unit that this applies to the Manchester Digital Campus.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 9 December 2025 (HC96190), and in light of the announcement by the Prime Minister's Office of 21 July New PM cuts tax on household electricity bills to give breathing space on cost of living, what was the evidential basis for the statement that the Digital ID programme was to cost £1.8 billion over the next three years.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Office for Budget Responsibility estimated that the Digital ID programme could cost £1.8 billion over three years.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office on 15 July (HC7421), whether there has been any expenditure on social media influencers in relation to Digital ID.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Digital ID consultation campaign included expenditure on influencers.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office on 9 December (HC96190), what public funds had been (1) spent, and (2) committed without the ability to cancel or refund the payments, on digital ID prior to their announcement of the cancellation of the programme.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Office for Budget Responsibility estimated that the Digital ID programme could cost £1.8 billion over three years. Cancellation of the programme removes a future cost pressure on public finances. In relation to the proposal on reduction in electricity VAT, alluded to in the question, funding can be reallocated between years and the future of VAT on electricity will be set out at the Budget, where any further decisions will be funded.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timetable for the publication of the Prime Minister's ten-year plan; whether it will be a white or green paper; and whether they will consult on the proposals contained therein.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Details of the 10-year plan will be made available in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what specific roles in the diplomatic service the Office of the Prime Minister considered facilitating for Lord Doyle.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

I refer the Noble Lord to the answers given on this matter by the former Prime Minister on 22 April 2026 at Prime Minister's Questions, Official Report, Column 314, copied below:

"Matthew Doyle worked for many years in public service for me as Prime Minister and other Ministers. When people leave roles in any organisation, there are often conversations about other roles that they want to apply for, but nothing came of this."

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Leong on 1 September (HL2203), does the Minister for Small Business and Enterprise physically attend departmental offices to undertake ministerial duties during periods of strike action by departmental civil servants or contractors.

Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to UIN HL2203 on 29 July 2026.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Pitt-Watson on 1 September (HL2691), what was the cost of obtaining the photographic licence to illustrate the HM Treasury accounts with the image of the Can’t we just print more money books; and whether HM Treasury endorses the book’s substantive recommendation on not printing more money as a tool of fiscal and monetary policy.

Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The image was selected from HM Government's approved image library because it was relevant to the subject matter discussed in the Annual Report and Accounts. In particular, it related to quantitative easing and the Bank of England Asset Purchase Facility Fund Limited (BEAPFF), which is associated with the most material elements of HM Treasury's accounts. The Government agrees that increasing the money supply cannot by itself increase the economy's productive capacity or sustainably raise living standards. The Government's monetary policy framework is based on the objective of maintaining low and stable inflation through an operationally independent Bank of England.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Livermore on 9 July 2026 (HL1393), what plans they have to trail policies in the 2026 Budget to the media ahead of any formal statements to Parliament.

Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

There are occasions where the Government will trail and/or announce policy ahead of a Budget to provide context and help the public understand major fiscal events.

Consistent with the Macpherson Principles, the Civil Service Code, The Ministerial Code and the Special Advisers’ Code, any such communications are tightly controlled, respect Parliament, and protect market-sensitive information.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the Financial Conduct Authority letter Sponsorship Arrangements Between Football Clubs and Unauthorised Firms published in June 2026, whether the Financial Conduct Authority intends to review sponsorship or arrangements between crypto-currency firms, and (1) political parties, and (2) politicians.

Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Protecting the integrity of our democratic and electoral processes is a priority for this Government.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not intend to undertake such a review. The FCA has taken steps to address the risks associated with football club sponsorship arrangements involving unauthorised cryptoasset firms. Oversight of sponsorship arrangements involving political parties or politicians falls under electoral law and is a matter for the Government and the independent Electoral Commission.

The Government is bringing forward a number of policy reforms on political finance as part of the Representation of the People Bill. These include reforms to rules around political donations, as well as new rules relating to political donations in the form of cryptoassets, donations from companies and LLPs, and a cap on donations from overseas electors.   

In March 2026, alongside the publication of the independent Rycroft Review into countering foreign financial interference and influence in UK politics, the Government announced a moratorium on political donations made via cryptoassets. This includes political donations which take the form of sponsorships.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government on what date the National Cyber Security Centre received the report by APCO Worldwide commissioned by Labour Together codenamed Project Cannon.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) works with organisations in confidence to help manage and mitigate cyber security risks. It does not routinely disclose operational details relating to specific incidents or reports and therefore cannot comment on the details requested.