Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with European countries in which large inflatable dinghies used to transport illegal immigrants to the UK are manufactured or marketed.

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

We are committed to working closely with European partners to disrupt the people-smuggling networks that facilitate illegal migration to the UK.

This includes working with partners to target and intercept vessels and equipment used to enable crossings, promoting the use of product safety regulations to seize and destroy unsafe equipment, and supporting additional legislative and enforcement measures where necessary.

This cooperation is delivering tangible results, including the recent seizure of 25 inflatable boats in Bulgaria and over 30 in Germany.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what work they have done to assess the feasibility of introducing some form of military service for young UK citizens.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence already provides a range of opportunities for young people to experience military service. In response to the Strategic Defence Review 2025, Defence introduced the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme (“Gap Year”) to provide a new route into Service, through a shorter commitment that may appeal to more of society. This is an attractive voluntary employment scheme aimed at young people aged 18 to 25, including those who may never previously have considered a career in the Armed Forces, as well as those who are interested but unsure about committing to a longer period of service. Participants undertake a shorter period of paid military training and service, that promotes teamwork and problem solving, while gaining experience and insight into Service life. On completion, they may choose to continue into Regular or Reserve service through a streamlined transition route, or they may leave to pursue a civilian career with skills that set them up for life.

Alongside this, the Armed Forces undertake extensive engagement with schools, colleges, universities and community organisations across the United Kingdom. This includes careers engagement, leadership and skills development activities, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) outreach programmes. Through this combination of military experience, engagement, education, skills development and voluntary service opportunities, Defence is already helping more young people understand the role of the Armed Forces, experience Service life, develop valuable skills, and explore opportunities to contribute to national security and public service.

This Government has no current plans for compulsory military service. Since 1963, it has been the policy of successive Governments that the best way of providing for the defence of our country is by maintaining professional Armed Forces which are manned by volunteers.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on UK citizens of the closure of bank branches.

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

The Government is aware of the public’s concerns around access to banking services, which are currently not protected in legislation. Whilst there is evidence on a local level of individuals being affected by the closure of bank branches, the Government needs robust evidence from across the UK.  

That is why the Government commissioned an independent Review into Access to Banking Services, to assess whether changes to access to in-person banking services are causing consumer detriment, the scale of any detriment, and who and where it affects.

Alongside the Review, the Financial Services and Markets Bill includes a power to allow the Government to take action in future to protect access to banking services, should this be necessary. This power ensures the Government can act swiftly and proportionately, including through future regulation, if the evidence from the Review supports intervention.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to develop a new incentive for first time buyers to save for their first home.

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

At Autumn Budget 2025, the Government announced its intention to introduce a new First Time Buyer ISA(FTB ISA) to support people saving for their first home. On 23 June the Government published a consultation on the implementation of the FTB ISA, seeking views from industry and other stakeholders on its design and delivery. The consultation closed on 18 August 2026 and the Government is carefully considering the responses received.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to reintroducing dog licences.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government has no plans at this time to reintroduce a dog licensing scheme, as mandatory microchipping already provides a national registration framework for linking dogs to their keepers.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what specific help has been offered to Nepal following the recent floods.

Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is providing up to £5 million to support the most urgent humanitarian needs in Nepal, announced on 27 August by the Prime Minister. The funding will support the Government of Nepal's response efforts through a combination of UN, Red Cross and NGO interventions, alongside local and international responders providing emergency assistance. This includes £750,000 through the Red Cross movement for emergency assistance such as clean water, shelter and medical support; £1 million through Start Fund Nepal to help local organisations deliver lifesaving aid; £3 million through the UN to meet urgent humanitarian needs including shelter, WASH and Protection; and up to £250,000 to deploy UK humanitarian experts to strengthen coordination and the effective delivery of assistance. The UK has also deployed specialist humanitarian experts to Nepal to support and coordinate the response efforts. Following the floods, I visited Nepal to meet with the Nepalese government, UN and other agencies.

Found: Proposal 11: Letter from Baroness Neate and Baroness Pitkeathley 29 Proposal 12: Letter from Lord Naseby