Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the ability of the Valuation Office Agency's automated valuation model to carry out the work needed to the requisite level of accuracy in time for the introduction of the high value council tax surcharge.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency are developing their approach to the targeted revaluation and will set out more details in due course, following the outcome of the Government's consultation.

When valuing domestic properties, the VOA uses modern technology and industry standard techniques combined with freely available information including sales data, property attribute details and government records.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of flood defences in York.

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

Since 2016, the Environment Agency has invested £125 million of government funding on a major upgrade of the engineered defences through York, including walls and flood gates and improvements to the Foss Barrier and pumping station. The defences are designed to protect properties from a flood with a 1% probability of happening in any given year, allowing for the effects of climate change until 2039. Further climate change predictions indicate upper catchment flood alleviation measures will be required to offer York the same standard of protection past 2039.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government by what date they estimate the army will have "increased lethality ten-fold", as called for in the Strategic Defence Review.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given by the Minister for the Armed forces to Question 79389 on 17 October 2025 in the House of Commons, which remains extant in that the Army ​will deliver a tenfold increase in lethality by 2035.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the army's ability to carry out large-scale land exercises.

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

The Army is confident in its ability to deliver large-scale land exercises and remains committed to the continuous improvement and development of its capabilities.

The scale and complexity of training exercises are being increased, including a transition from single battlegroup exercises to brigade level events. These exercises incorporate both live and virtual elements, ensuring integrated training that enhances operational readiness.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) availability, and (2) fighting capability, of the army's armoured vehicles.

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

The Army continually assesses capabilities to ensure we can meet NATO and wider operational requirements. The Army's capability and modernisation are driven by the Strategic Defence Review's direction to move to warfighting readiness, developing an Army that is more lethal, agile, and a globally engaged integrated force. This includes the aim to deliver a modernised, lethal division by 2030, capable of operating in complex environments.

Found: I do not think Lord Patten would have had any expectation that we would be having these conversations