Asked by: Lord Inglewood (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how aware organisations purchasing telecommunications services are of provider obligations under the Telecommunications Security Act 2021.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 (TSA) established a robust security framework for UK public telecoms networks and services, placing new legal duties on public telecoms providers to identify and mitigate security risks. The framework is designed to ensure that security is embedded within the networks and services, so those using them can have confidence in their security.
DSIT works with Ofcom and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure providers are aware of their obligations. Ofcom produces annual security reports for the Secretary of State on providers’ compliance with their obligations in the Act, and their progress against the guidance measures set out in the accompanying Telecommunications Security Code of Practice. These measures have staggered implementation timeframes based on factors such as their complexity and cost.
The first report was published on GOV.UK in January 2025, and is available to organisations purchasing telecommunications services. The report helps the Government monitor compliance approaches across the sector, including progress against guidance measures in the Code of Practice as they fall due.
Asked by: Lord Inglewood (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the guidance available for organisations purchasing telecommunications services about the due diligence they should undertake.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is committed to ensuring the security and resilience of the UK’s telecommunications networks and services, including supporting informed purchasing decisions by businesses and other organisations.
The Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 (TSA) amended the Communications Act 2003 to establish a robust security framework for UK public telecoms networks and services. Ofcom provides guidance to businesses purchasing telecommunications services and enforces protections for business customers through the General Conditions of Entitlement, which all telecommunications operators must meet to provide services in the UK.
The Government will continue to keep the security of telecoms networks under review.
Asked by: Lord Inglewood (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of security risks resulting from critical public services provided with telecommunications by organisations that are not in the scope of the Telecommunications Security Act 2021, and which are instead regulated by other countries.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is committed to ensuring the security and resilience of the UK’s telecommunications networks and services. This includes regular assessment of security and resilience risks relating to such networks and services.
The Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 (TSA) amended the Communications Act 2003 to establish a robust security framework for UK public telecoms networks and services, placing new legal duties on public telecoms providers to identify and mitigate security risks.
Some essential services may use private telecoms networks outside the scope of the TSA. However, under the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations 2018, operators of essential services are required to manage risks to those services resulting from their use of such networks. In addition, the National Security and Investment Act 2021 includes powers to scrutinise and, if necessary, intervene in foreign acquisitions or investments in the UK telecoms sector that may pose national security risks.
The UK government also works closely to promote the adoption of appropriate and proportionate telecoms security regulations by other countries.
Asked by: Lord Inglewood (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, as part of the upcoming BBC Charter review, whether they will take steps to ensure that the BBC treats all complaints regarding its productions equally.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The principle of BBC First - where the BBC has the opportunity to try and resolve complaints about its content before consideration by Ofcom - was formalised by the BBC’s current Charter. The Framework Agreement then sets out considerations the BBC should take into account as part of its complaints procedures, including that complaints must be considered and resolved effectively.
If a complainant is not satisfied by the BBC’s initial response to their complaint, they have the option to escalate it for consideration by the independent regulator, Ofcom. The Framework Agreement requires Ofcom’s timely and effective handling of complaints referred on to it.
The forthcoming Charter Review will look at how the BBC can remain independent and accountable to the public it serves and continue to provide trusted and truthful news to combat an era of growing disinformation.
Asked by: Lord Inglewood (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Ofcom to ensure that all complaints regarding BBC productions are treated equally.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The principle of BBC First - where the BBC has the opportunity to try and resolve complaints about its content before consideration by Ofcom - was formalised by the BBC’s current Charter. The Framework Agreement then sets out considerations the BBC should take into account as part of its complaints procedures, including that complaints must be considered and resolved effectively.
If a complainant is not satisfied by the BBC’s initial response to their complaint, they have the option to escalate it for consideration by the independent regulator, Ofcom. The Framework Agreement requires Ofcom’s timely and effective handling of complaints referred on to it.
The forthcoming Charter Review will look at how the BBC can remain independent and accountable to the public it serves and continue to provide trusted and truthful news to combat an era of growing disinformation.
Asked by: Lord Inglewood (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for providing regular bus connections for passengers to Oxenholme and Penrith during the forthcoming diversion of the West Coast Main Line.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Avanti West Coast (AWC) has announced rail replacement bus services will be in operation for passengers wishing to travel to and from Lancaster, Oxenholme and Penrith during the January engineering works. Further details on this will be available on the AWC website soon.
The Department regularly discusses with AWC the provision of services for passengers, including during engineering works. The Department has not undertaken an assessment of AWCs proposed bus connections.
Asked by: Lord Inglewood (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many people were employed by Historic England in (1) 2015, (2) 2020 and (3) 2025.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The average full time equivalent staff number employed by Historic England in (1) 2015/16 was 878, (2) 2019/20 was 828 and (3) 2024/25 was 982.
Asked by: Lord Inglewood (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of incorporating lessons learned from the recent US bombing of Iran in the planned design of the repositories for the long-term storage of high-level nuclear waste.
Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The geological disposal facility will isolate and secure radioactive waste against credible threats, in accordance with regulatory requirements. The design of the facility will incorporate international learning, to contain the waste in engineered vaults at a depth of hundreds of metres, so that no harmful quantity of radioactivity reaches the surface environment. The independent Office for Nuclear Regulation is responsible for assessing the safety and approving security arrangements for the facility, and for securing compliance with those arrangements once a nuclear site licence has been granted.
Asked by: Lord Inglewood (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the percentages of total delays on the West Coast Main Line caused by (1) mechanical failure, (2) infrastructure failure, and (3) staff problems.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) publishes data on train delays, which can be publicly accessed through their data portal. The ORR also reports the causes of these delays by operator. Given that multiple operators provide services on the West Coast Main Line, it is not possible to isolate the causes of delays occurring specifically on this route.
However, data on the delay causes for Avanti West Coast, the primary operator of intercity services on the West Coast Main Line, for the last 12 months for which data is available is set out in the attached document.
(1) Mechanical failure - 18% of Avanti West Coast delay minutes were attributed to ‘Fleet’, either the TOC’s own or that of another operator.
(2) Infrastructure failure - 64% of Avanti West Coast delay minutes were attributed to ‘Network Rail’ including track, and network Management.
(3) Staff Problems - 8% of Avanti West Coast delay minutes were attributed to ‘Traincrew’ either the TOC’s own or that of another operator.
Asked by: Lord Inglewood (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the percentage annual increase in construction costs in central London in each of the last ten years.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
The Government does not collect data on annual increases in construction costs at local level. At national level, ONS data shows that the overall cost of construction, which takes into account materials, labour and overheads, has increased by 24% between December 2019 and December 2024. In addition, data published by DBT show that the cost of construction materials has increased by 37.1% between January 2020 and January 2025. Construction wage rates correspond to activity in the sector. ONS statistics show that the annual growth for regular pay in the construction sector was 6.6% in the year to December 2024.