Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Estonia regarding the potential implications of amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act passed by the Parliament of Estonia for the religious freedom, minority rights and civil liberties of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK Government has seen no evidence that suggests the Estonian Government is seeking to limit the practice of religious freedom. Instead, the revised wording of the proposed legal amendment aims to prevent hostile influence from reaching congregation members through the administrative ties of a religious organisation. We have therefore had no ministerial communication with the Government of Estonia on the subject. The UK is committed to promoting the freedom of religious belief for all and we work closely with international partners, including through the Article 18 Alliance, of which Estonia is a member, to champion freedom of religious belief around the world.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to safeguard value for money in public expenditure in respect of monies disbursed through the Towns Fund to Peterborough City Council for the construction of climbing wall facilities at Gunwade Lake.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Peterborough City Council (PCC) as the accountable body for the Peterborough Town Deal has responsibility for ensuring that specific projects, such as the Activity Centre project at Gunwade Lake, represent good value for money, in line with the conditions of their grant funding allocation.

MHCLG undertake regular monitoring of the delivery progress of the Town Deal which is used to inform any future payments.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to withdraw the report Group-based child sexual exploitation: characteristics of offending, published by the Home Office on 15 December 2020; and if so, when.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

On Monday 16 June 2025 the Home Secretary set out the Government’s response to Baroness Casey’s National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation in England and Wales, accepting all 12 recommendations it made.

That includes making it a requirement for the police to collect ethnicity and nationality data in every case of child sexual exploitation and abuse. We will announce further details on this measure in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Baroness Casey Review, when they expect to issue guidance to police forces about mandatory collection and collation of crime and ethnicity data.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

On Monday 16 June 2025 the Home Secretary set out the Government’s response to Baroness Casey’s National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation in England and Wales, accepting all 12 recommendations it made.

That includes making it a requirement for the police to collect ethnicity and nationality data in every case of child sexual exploitation and abuse. We will announce further details on this measure in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the statement of changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 836), why the period in which a pre-settled status holder can maintain their continuous residence through permitted absence has been set at 30 months in the most recent 60 months, and what was the evidential basis for this decision.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The decision was made following engagement with EU citizens and stakeholders and simplifies the requirements that pre-settled status holders must meet to maintain that status and obtain settled status.

This is a practical change that balances simplicity and flexibility for those who have already shown a commitment to the UK with the need to maintain the integrity of the EU Settlement Scheme by ensuring those applying for the first time meet the pre-existing criteria.

These changes do not widen the initial eligibility requirements for the scheme. First time applicants must meet the existing continuous residence requirements to be granted EU Settlement Scheme status. Maintaining those requirements is essential to maintaining the integrity of the scheme and the wider UK immigration system.

Found: Lord Jackson of Peterborough: You may very well be saved by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage.

Found: LORD JACKSON OF PETERBOROUGH 141_ After Clause 41, insert the following new Clause— “Collection of

Found: LORD JACKSON OF PETERBOROUGH 141_ After Clause 41, insert the following new Clause— “Collection of

Found: LORD JACKSON OF PETERBOROUGH 485_ After Clause 62, insert the following new Clause— “Parental complaints