Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their commitment to move to First Past the Post for future Metro Mayoral elections, when they consulted (1) the directly elected Metro Mayors in England, and (2) the areas they serve, about the proposal; and what the response was from each Metro Mayor.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The change to the electoral system for metro mayors was a manifesto commitment. First Past the Post is the world's most widely used electoral system, and this change will further strengthen the accountability of elected mayors and PCCs to their electorate, making it easier for voters to express a clear choice.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of people who will apply for a photo voter ID card even if they already hold the accepted forms of photo ID to vote.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Cabinet Office published research on photographic identification in May 2021, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/voter-identification-photographic-id-ownership-in-great-britain.
This report contains information on levels of ownership of photographic identification and attitudes towards applying for voter cards.
As the report makes clear, the vast majority of electors already possess one of the relevant forms of identification. This list will be set out clearly on poll cards to assist electors. Furthermore, the Electoral Commission will deliver comprehensive, targeted communications and guidance across the electorate to ensure awareness of the new voter identification requirements and processes. This will ensure electors have appropriate identification or have applied for a Voter Card ahead of electoral events and minimise the number of people applying for a voter card unnecessarily.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of people who do not hold the accepted forms of photo ID to vote and will therefore require a photo voter ID card; and how many of those (1) have a disability, (2) live abroad, and (3) are aged over 70.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Cabinet Office published research on photographic identification in May 2021, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/voter-identification-photographic-id-ownership-in-great-britain.
This report contains information on levels of ownership of photographic identification and attitudes towards applying for voter cards.
As the report makes clear, the vast majority of electors already possess one of the relevant forms of identification. This list will be set out clearly on poll cards to assist electors. Furthermore, the Electoral Commission will deliver comprehensive, targeted communications and guidance across the electorate to ensure awareness of the new voter identification requirements and processes. This will ensure electors have appropriate identification or have applied for a Voter Card ahead of electoral events and minimise the number of people applying for a voter card unnecessarily.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what, if any, decision or guidance the Electoral Commission has made or published in the last four years they disagree with; and in each case, why they disagree with it.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Electoral Commission are operationally independent of Government and governed by their Electoral Commissioners. They are accountable to Parliament through the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission. It would therefore not be appropriate for the Government to provide its views in relation to specific enforcement decisions by the Electoral Commission.
The Government will continue to work closely with the Electoral Commission, and others, to protect the integrity, security and effectiveness of referendums and elections.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of personation attempts at polling stations that would be deterred if mandatory photo ID was implemented to vote at elections; and when that assessment took place.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
Levels of turnout fluctuate year-on-year as a result of a range of factors, even between the same types of elections. A variety of disparate factors play a part in whether someone chooses to vote in any particular election, from the appeal of candidates standing, to an elector’s personal circumstances on the day. Based on the independent Electoral Commission’s evaluations of the 2018 and 2019 voter ID pilots, there is no indication that any consistent demographic was adversely affected by the use of voter ID. The evaluation shows that the pilots were a success and the overwhelming majority of people cast their vote without a problem
Personation in polling stations is very difficult to identify and prove as, by definition, it is a crime of deception. Therefore, it is difficult to identify a precise number of likely future attempts at personation. But it is by no means a victimless crime. In 2013, the Electoral Commission found that it is often the most vulnerable who find themselves targeted, so it is right that we stamp out any potential for it to take place in elections
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effects of requiring voters to show photo ID to vote in elections on voter turnout; when that assessment was carried out; and what effects on voter turnout the assessment showed for (1) the overall voting age population, (2) unemployed people, (3) people who rent their home from a local authority, (4) people who rent those home from a housing association, (5) people with a disability, (6) people who identify as transexual, and (7) people from a Black, Asian or Minority ethnic heritage.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
Levels of turnout fluctuate year-on-year as a result of a range of factors, even between the same types of elections. A variety of disparate factors play a part in whether someone chooses to vote in any particular election, from the appeal of candidates standing, to an elector’s personal circumstances on the day. Based on the independent Electoral Commission’s evaluations of the 2018 and 2019 voter ID pilots, there is no indication that any consistent demographic was adversely affected by the use of voter ID. The evaluation shows that the pilots were a success and the overwhelming majority of people cast their vote without a problem
Personation in polling stations is very difficult to identify and prove as, by definition, it is a crime of deception. Therefore, it is difficult to identify a precise number of likely future attempts at personation. But it is by no means a victimless crime. In 2013, the Electoral Commission found that it is often the most vulnerable who find themselves targeted, so it is right that we stamp out any potential for it to take place in elections
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of people who would be registered to vote if automatic voter registration was introduced compared to the current electoral roll; and what assessment they have made of the effect automatic voter registration would have on (1) people under 30 years old; (2) people over 65 years old; (3) people from a Black, Asian or Minority ethnic heritage; and (4) people from a socio-economic groups (a) C2, (b) D and (c) E.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Government has made no estimate of the impact of automatic voter registration on the numbers registered to vote, nor any assessment of the effect of automatic voter registration on specific groups.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what further information they need in order to confirm (1) Sheffield City Region’s borrowing plans announced in March 2021, and (2) the debt cap agreed by the Treasury and Sheffield City Region.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
South Yorkshire Combined Authority formally signed off their agreed debt cap with HM Treasury on 15 November 2021. The next step is for the required secondary legislation empowering the combined authority to borrow to be prepared and laid before Parliament in due course.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of (1) how many COVID-19 Secure Marshals they expect to be operating in England by 1 November, (2) how much they will cost, and (3) how they will be funded.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
We are encouraging the introduction of COVID-Secure Marshals to help support our high streets and public spaces. We will be setting out further details in due course.
The Government has provided local authorities with £3.7 billion in?un-ringfenced?funding to support them in responding to the pandemic, as well as further funding for adult social care and to support local outbreak planning. We will continue to work closely with councils, and?any local authority concerned about its financial position should contact MHCLG.
Asked by: Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Sheffield City Region Devolution Deal has not been completed; and when they expect that deal to be finalised.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Sheffield City Region leaders agreed on 27 January that they would launch on 3 February the statutorily required consultation which is the next step towards implementing the Sheffield City Region Devolution Deal. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the statutory tests being met, and to the necessary Order being consented to by the South Yorkshire councils and approved by Parliament, the people of South Yorkshire will from this year be able to benefit from the Deal, including from the £30 million annual investment funds.