Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether their reduction of funding for international aid will affect the funding given to the BBC.

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

HM Government highly values the BBC World Service. That is why HM Government is providing the BBC World Service with a funding uplift of £32.6 million (31 per cent) in 2025/26, taking HM Government's total contribution to £137 million.

The Prime Minister announced on 25 February a commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from April 2027, funded by reducing Official Development Assistance (ODA) from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI). Delivering this reduction will require hard choices. Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used, including for the BBC World Service, will be worked through, including as part of the ongoing Spending Review.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Office for Students-registered theological colleges’ compliance with academic freedom and freedom of speech.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

As the independent regulator, it is the role of the Office for Students to monitor and assess registered providers’ compliance with all of its conditions of registration, including those relating to freedom of speech and academic freedom, and to take regulatory action where they have been breached. This includes theological colleges.

All higher education (HE) providers have longstanding duties to secure freedom of speech and academic freedom within the law which they must comply with. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education will shortly be making regulations to commence the expanded duties on HE providers in the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. This will include new duties to promote freedom of speech and academic freedom, to put in place a free speech code of practice and a ban on non-disclosure agreements.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of requirements for local government officers to declare and publish any direct pecuniary interests they may have, particularly in relation to planning and awarding of contracts; and what guidance they have issued regarding good practice.

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

Local authorities are independent bodies and each is responsible for setting its own policies on declaration of pecuniary interests by its officers. This includes complying with the relevant legislation and ensuring appropriate governance and due diligence procedures are in place. It is for the sector to consider what best practice guidance might be required and there is no role for central government in issuing it.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce legislation to provide for a duty of candour for public bodies.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government has committed to implement a ‘Hillsborough Law’ which will place a legal duty of candour on public servants and authorities. The details of this Bill will be announced in due course.

Found: Richmond; Lord Knight of Weymouth; The Lord Bishop of Leeds; Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge; Lord Storey

Found: Richmond; Lord Knight of Weymouth; The Lord Bishop of Leeds; Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge; Lord Storey

Found: Baroness Healy of Primrose Hill; The Bishop of Leeds; Lord Mitchell; Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge; Lord Storey

Found: Amendment 14 was tabled by Lord Thurlow. 10 Lords Amendment 15 was tabled by Baroness Barran and Lord Storey