Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 18 November (HL11324), how many reports they have received via the HSA4 abortion notification form of women who have died within 14 days of taking at-home abortion medication prescribed by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service in each of the past four years.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is unable to provide this information as to do so would risk identifying individuals due to the small numbers involved.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to develop a sustainable funding solution for internal drainage board levies; and whether the funding support provided to councils will be further increased in the financial settlement.

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

The Government supports and values the vital work internal drainage boards (IDBs) undertake in managing water levels and reducing flood risk, benefitting communities, businesses and farmers.

The Government’s £91m IDB Fund is supporting greater flood resilience for farmers and rural communities. IDBs are delivering projects that are already benefiting over 400,000 hectares of farmland and over 200,000 properties.

In recognition of IDB cost increases and the impact on local authority special levies, the government announced on 20 November 2025 as part of the 2026/27 Local Government Finance Settlement Policy Statement, that it will provide £5 million in funding for the local authorities most impacted by IDB levies. This follows the £5 million grant awarded in 2025/26. Allocations for the 2026/27 IDB levy support grant will be announced in due course.

However, we recognise the need to ensure IDBs are set up for the longer term. In response to rising financial pressures on IDBs, and the farmers and local authorities who fund their work, Defra and MHCLG have commissioned a research project into IDB funding and costs. This is focussed on financial efficiency, value for money, and the broader benefits which IDBs deliver for local communities. It will include examination of whether any changes are needed to their funding model. The research project was launched in early September and will close in summer 2026.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the financial pressures on local councils arising from internal drainage board levies in areas where they have increased in recent years.

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

The government supports and values the vital work internal drainage boards (IDBs) undertake in managing water levels and reducing flood risk, benefitting communities, businesses and farmers.

In recognition of IDB cost increases and the impact on local authority special levies, the government announced as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement Policy Statement, that it will provide £5 million in funding for the local authorities most impacted by IDB levies in 2026/27. This follows the £5 million grant awarded in 2025/26. As in previous years, allocations for the 2026/27 IDB levy support grant will be announced in due course once IDB levy data has been received towards the end of the financial year.

We recognise the need to ensure IDBs are set up for the longer term. Defra and MHCLG have commissioned a research project into IDB funding and costs, which launched in early September and will close in summer 2026.

Found: relevant interest declared Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer Shareholder, Bradford and Sons Lord Porter of Spalding

Found: Faulkner of Worcester; Viscount Hanworth; Lord Mawson; Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer; Lord Porter of Spalding

Found: Lord Cameron of Dillington; Lord Faulkner of Worcester; Viscount Hanworth; Baroness Janke; Lord Porter of Spalding

Found: : Lord Gascoigne (The Chair); Baroness Andrews; Lord Faulkner of Worcester; Lord Mawson; Lord Porter of Spalding

Found: Worcester; Viscount Hanworth; Baroness Janke; Lord Mawson; Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer; Lord Porter of Spalding