Lord Sikka Alert Sample


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View the Parallel Parliament page for Lord Sikka

Information between 6th May 2025 - 26th May 2025

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Calendar
Tuesday 3rd June 2025
Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)

Oral questions - Main Chamber
Subject: Harms associated with ultra-processed food
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Thursday 15th May 2025
Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)

Oral questions - Main Chamber
Subject: Addressing the reported increase in shoplifting by pensioners
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Division Votes
12 May 2025 - Data (Use and Access) Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Sikka voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 137 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 164 Noes - 152
12 May 2025 - Data (Use and Access) Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Sikka voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 145 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 200 Noes - 183
12 May 2025 - Data (Use and Access) Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Sikka voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 144 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 289 Noes - 168
12 May 2025 - Data (Use and Access) Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Sikka voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 120 Labour No votes vs 8 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 272 Noes - 125
19 May 2025 - Data (Use and Access) Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Sikka voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 18 Labour Aye votes vs 114 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 289 Noes - 118


Speeches
Lord Sikka speeches from: NHS and Care Volunteer Responders Service
Lord Sikka contributed 1 speech (60 words)
Tuesday 20th May 2025 - Lords Chamber
Department of Health and Social Care
Lord Sikka speeches from: Pensioners: Shoplifting
Lord Sikka contributed 2 speeches (109 words)
Thursday 15th May 2025 - Lords Chamber
Home Office
Lord Sikka speeches from: Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill
Lord Sikka contributed 2 speeches (1,751 words)
2nd reading
Thursday 15th May 2025 - Lords Chamber
Department for Work and Pensions
Lord Sikka speeches from: Uncollected Financial Penalties
Lord Sikka contributed 1 speech (53 words)
Tuesday 13th May 2025 - Lords Chamber
Ministry of Justice
Lord Sikka speeches from: Schools: Mobile Phones
Lord Sikka contributed 1 speech (44 words)
Monday 12th May 2025 - Lords Chamber
Department for International Development
Lord Sikka speeches from: Energy Grid Resilience
Lord Sikka contributed 1 speech (75 words)
Tuesday 6th May 2025 - Lords Chamber
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero


Written Answers
Pakistan: Development Aid
Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)
Monday 12th May 2025

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will suspend aid to Pakistan following terrorist attacks in India on 22 April.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK condemns terrorism in all forms and our thoughts are with those affected by the Pahalgam terror attack, their loved ones and the people of India. Until all the facts are established, we must not speculate on the nature of the attack. The UK has transitioned from a traditional aid relationship with Pakistan to a mutually beneficial partnership which underpins UK national interests, including in keeping us safe from irregular migration, terror threats and organised crime. Some of the technical assistance we provide through UK Official Development Assistance is integral to these efforts.

Capital Gains Tax: Tax Allowances
Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)
Tuesday 13th May 2025

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what additional tax revenues would be raised by abolishing the allowance for Capital Gains Tax.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

To produce an estimate for the tax revenues raised from the abolition of the Annual Exempt Amount (AEA) on Capital Gains Tax (CGT) would require a disproportionate cost.

Estimates for the tax relief afforded by the AEA can be found in HMRC’s structural tax relief publication [1] . Please note that these estimates do not represent the gain to the Exchequer should the relief be abolished as they do not explicitly model additional behavioural responses or wider economic impacts that could result from changes to the relief. The latest published estimates also reflect the AEA being £12,300 for individuals in 2022/23, compared to the current AEA of £3,000.

You may also be interested in HMRC’s direct effects of illustrative tax changes publication [2] which includes estimates for an illustrative change to the AEA. Please note that these estimates are non-linear and asymmetrical. For example, doubling or halving the AEA estimates will not accurately predict the change in revenue for a proportionate change in the AEA.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/minor-tax-expenditures-and-structural-reliefs/structural-tax-relief-statistics-december-2024

[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/direct-effects-of-illustrative-tax-changes/direct-effects-of-illustrative-tax-changes-bulletin-january-2025

Homelessness
Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 14th May 2025

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the impact assessment of the Spring Statement's announcement of health and disability benefit reforms, which estimates an additional 250,000 people will be in relative poverty after housing costs in 2029–30, what assessment they have made of the likely increase in homelessness.

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

No assessment has been made. The figure quoted does not take account of additional employment arising from the enhancements to employment support announced in the Green Paper, about which the Office for Budget Responsibility has announced that it will produce an impact assessment in the autumn. It also does not take account of any measures to be announced in the forthcoming Child Poverty strategy.

Further information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, in addition to the information published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’(opens in a new tab).

A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.

Pakistani High Commission: Demonstrations
Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 14th May 2025

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they intend to take following the emergence of a video appearing to show throat-slit gestures made by an individual at the Pakistan High Commission in London.

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

Should a protest contravene the law and criminality take place on a protest, the police have the powers to respond. The use of these powers and the management of demonstrations are an operational matter for the police. We are aware of reports of a video being circulated on social media and understand that the Metropolitan Police is investigating. It would not be appropriate to offer further comment at this stage.

Post Office: Audit
Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 14th May 2025

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have held discussions with the Financial Reporting Council to ensure that the Post Office auditors complied with section 498(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2006.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Regulation of auditors is the responsibility of the Financial Reporting Council. The Financial Reporting Council announced on 16 April that it had commenced an investigation into the statutory audits of Post Office Limited for the financial years ending 2015 to 2018, with particular reference to matters related to the Horizon IT system.

Investment Income: Tax Allowances
Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 14th May 2025

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the additional tax revenues that would be raised if the tax-free allowance for dividends was abolished.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC publishes estimates of the direct effects of illustrative tax changes, including changes to the dividend allowance, which are available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/direct-effects-of-illustrative-tax-changes

The additional revenue gained from abolishing the dividend allowance may not be completely scalable to the published ready reckoner because the distribution of dividend income may not be uniform and therefore scalable. Furthermore, the assumed behavioural responses may not be scalable either.

Nuclear Reactors: Thorium
Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)
Monday 19th May 2025

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what investment they have made or intend to make in thorium-based nuclear energy technology.

Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

There are currently no funded projects specifically for thorium-based nuclear technologies. Potential for future investment will be subject to the Spending Review and the scope of future R&D schemes.

Bank Services: Small Businesses
Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)
Monday 19th May 2025

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of bank branch closures on small businesses.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and businesses, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority.

That is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 150 are already open.

Cash Access UK, who oversee the rollout of banking hubs, reported from their research in Brixham (Devon) and Rochford (Essex), in October 2024 that spend on the high street is 71% higher amongst those who have visited the banking hub. Almost half (47%) of businesses surveyed said they have experienced an increase in footfall thanks to the banking hub.

In addition, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers, including business customers, fairly. Where firms fall short of expectations, the FCA may ask for closures to be paused or other options to be put in place.

Trade Agreements: India
Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)
Monday 19th May 2025

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish the trade agreement between the UK and India; and whether they plan to seek Parliament’s approval prior to ratification.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

A summary document of the trade agreement between the UK and India is already on the Gov.uk website. This Government plans to publish the full agreement when the deal is signed, which will then be subject to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010. The Act provides Parliament with the opportunity to scrutinise new trade agreements that are subject to ratification and, if it wishes, to resolve against them.

Additionally, any changes to UK legislation will need to be scrutinised and passed by Parliament in the usual way.

British Overseas Territories: Companies
Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)
Tuesday 20th May 2025

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure all UK Overseas Territories approve laws allowing access to company ownership data to those with a legitimate interest, as they committed to do by April 2025.

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

At the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in November 2024, the Falkland Islands and Saint Helena committed to implement fully public registers by April 2025. The British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Anguilla and Turks and Caicos Islands agreed to implement registers of beneficial ownership, accessible to those with a legitimate interest, by June 2025. It remains our expectation that the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies will ultimately implement fully public registers, such as those that are already in place in Gibraltar and Montserrat.

Every Territory is making progress towards these commitments and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials are in regular contact with counterparts in the Overseas Territories on their proposals for registers to ensure they meet the agreement made at JMC. The Cayman Islands has introduced an accessible beneficial ownership register. Officials are working together to ensure that this system offers the best possible level of transparency and accessibility.

The Minister of State, Stephen Doughty MP continues to raise this directly with elected leaders across the Overseas Territories including a recent conference call with all leaders and representatives - and has recently spoken to and written to the Premiers of a number of territories individually on this issue, and offered further assistance to the small number who remain off track from meeting their commitments.

Water Companies: Convictions
Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 21st May 2025

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

To ask His Majesty's Government which water companies have not been convicted of a criminal offence since privatisation.

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

Since the privatisation of water and sewerage companies in 1989, all ten Water and Sewerage companies which discharge into English waters have been convicted of criminal offences. In addition, since 1997, two water only companies, Bristol Water Plc and Portsmouth Water Limited have been convicted of criminal offences. Details of the enforcement action taken against water companies by regulators are available on the relevant regulator’s websites.

We will not let companies get away with illegal activity and where breaches are found, the regulators will not hesitate to hold companies to account. The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 provides the most significant increase in enforcement powers to the regulators in a decade, giving them the teeth they need to take tougher action against water companies. In addition, water company bosses could now face up to two years imprisonment where investigations by the regulators are obstructed.

Companies: Ownership
Asked by: Lord Sikka (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 21st May 2025

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 8 April (HL6146), what fines have been levied against companies that have not identified all persons of significant control; and how many have been prosecuted and convicted.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Both the company and the company director are prosecuted for offences relating to registration requirements for People with Significant Control under Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006.

The number of prosecutions under Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006 that have resulted in a conviction against a company, and the total value of fines levied as a result, for the period March 2018 to March 2025, are as follows:

Number of companies convicted

Total Value of Fines (£)

2018/19

61

£19,150.00

2019/20

68

£21,040.00

2020/21

23

£14,420.00

2021/22

56

£54,804.00

2022/23

52

£25,648.00

2023/24

31

£12,620.00

2024/25

13

£10,840.00

Total

304

£158,522.00

The number of prosecutions under Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006 that have resulted in a conviction against a director and the total value of fines levied as a result, for the period March 2018 to March 2025, are as follows:

Number of Directors Convicted

Total Value of Fines (£)

2018/19

64

£18,170.00

2019/20

94

£31,302.00

2020/21

23

£14,444.00

2021/22

58

£56,174.00

2022/23

52

£35,508.00

2023/24

32

£11,813.00

2024/25

13

£10,895.00

Total

336

£178,306.00

The data provided is from Insolvency Service management information and not from official statistics.




Lord Sikka mentioned

Parliamentary Debates
Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill
45 speeches (27,722 words)
2nd reading
Thursday 15th May 2025 - Lords Chamber
Department for Work and Pensions
Mentions:
1: Lord Palmer of Childs Hill (LD - Life peer) The noble Lord, Lord Sikka, referred to this. - Link to Speech
2: Baroness Sherlock (Lab - Life peer) Lady Fox, to a degree, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Garnier, my noble friends Lord Davies and Lord Sikka - Link to Speech
3: Baroness Sherlock (Lab - Life peer) can be appealed on a point of law.On driving licences, I take the point made by my noble friend Lord Sikka - Link to Speech



Select Committee Documents
Wednesday 14th May 2025
Written Evidence - Project for the Registration of Children as British Citizens
ROL0093 - Rule of Law

Rule of Law - Constitution Committee

Found: .30 Purpose and legitimacy of the state and its institutions 18.In a debate on the Rule of Law, Lord Sikka

Tuesday 13th May 2025
Oral Evidence - Thames Water, Thames Water, and Thames Water

Reforming the water sector - Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Found: Recently, a peer and accountant, Lord Sikka, told the Lords that KKR’s business model is, “Profiteering



Bill Documents
May. 16 2025
HL Bill 96 Running list of amendments – 16 May 2025
Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill 2024-26
Amendment Paper

Found: Clause 92 LORD DAVIES OF BRIXTON LORD SIKKA _ The above-named Lords give notice of their intention