Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage active pensioners to work beyond retirement age.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Now that the default retirement age has been abolished, most people can work for as long as they want to and are able. Our concept of ageing in the workforce and retirement must move with the times as the population demographics change and we have an increasingly older workforce. We know that work helps people to play active and fulfilling roles in society while building financial security for retirement. The Department is committed to supporting older workers through a wide-ranging strategy that promotes inclusion, flexibility, and progression. This includes promoting age-inclusive practices, supporting workplace health, policy and service reform and removing age related barriers to employment. The Department has also signed up to and actively promotes the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge, encouraging employers to adopt flexible working, age-positive hiring, and career development.

Most people do not pay National Insurance contributions once they reach State Pension age, even if they continue working and individuals can continue to receive their State Pension in full, regardless of how much they earn from employment or self-employment. This can make employment more financially attractive for older workers.

By removing financial disincentives and promoting flexible working opportunities, the Government aims to ensure that those who wish to work longer can do so in a way that suits their circumstances.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of degree level apprenticeships within the civil service.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

This government remains committed to apprenticeships as one pathway to break down barriers to opportunity. It is for individual departments to identify the need and assess effectiveness of apprenticeships, including degree apprenticeships, within their workforce and development plans.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 23 September (HL10307), what assessment they have made of the protection afforded by the National Planning Policy Framework to the landscape views of Salisbury Cathedral from the water meadows of the River Avon.

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

The settings of heritage assets are protected through national planning policy. Any harm to, or loss of, the significance of a designated heritage asset, including from development within its setting, requires clear and convincing justification. Substantial harm to or loss of assets of the highest significance, including Grade I listed buildings such as Salisbury Cathedral, should be wholly exceptional.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government which English counties, if any, do not have native wild otters.

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

Published evidence shows European otters are present in every county in England.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 22 October (HL10990), whether "the settings of Heritage Assets" may include views from a distance, and whether the word "assets" by definition alone includes a setting.

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

The ‘setting of a heritage asset’ is defined in the glossary of the National Planning Policy Framework. National planning policy seeks to protect the significance of a heritage asset which is defined as deriving not only from a heritage asset’s physical presence, but also from its setting.

Found: Lord Patten, what is your take?

Found: Isabel Hilton OBE, Lord Patten of Barnes, and MI6 Oral Evidence