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.

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.

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.

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 - Minister of State (Development)

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.

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.

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:

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:

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

Found: It was tabled again (49) at Report stage by Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb and Lord Sikka but again not

Found: LORD SIKKA 76_ Clause 72, page 40, line 12, at end insert— “(6) P is liable for all errors arising

Found: LORD SIKKA 70_ Schedule 2, page 71, line 7, at end insert “, and subject to a review by the Treasury

Found: LORD SIKKA 70_ Schedule 2, page 71, line 7, at end insert “, and subject to a review by the Treasury

Found: Schedule 2 LORD SIKKA 69_ Schedule 2, page 71, line 2, at end insert “, subject to a review by the

Found: LORD SIKKA 89A★_ Schedule 3, page 88, line 23, leave out “by one or more individuals” and insert “solely

Found: Schedule 2 LORD SIKKA 69_ Schedule 2, page 71, line 2, at end insert “, subject to a review by the

Found: Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill 8 Schedule 2 LORD SIKKA ★_ Schedule 2, page 71,

Found: Clause 92 LORD DAVIES OF BRIXTON LORD SIKKA BARONESS BENNETT OF MANOR CASTLE _ The above-named Lords

Found: Clause 92 LORD DAVIES OF BRIXTON LORD SIKKA BARONESS BENNETT OF MANOR CASTLE _ The above-named Lords

Found: powers. 5 Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill Clause 92 LORD DAVIES OF BRIXTON LORD SIKKA

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

Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: taxation” Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle 9 Principles for a fairer and more equitable tax system Lord Sikka