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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to strengthen the resilience of the UK's food supply chain, and (2) to enhance food security, in the face of external disruptions and challenges.

Answered by Lord Douglas-Miller

The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain and is well equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption.

Our high degree of food security is built on supply from diverse sources; strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes. We produce 60% of all the food we need, and 73% of food which we can grow or rear in the UK for all or part of the year, and these figures have changed little over the last 20 years.

UK consumers have access through international trade to food products that cannot be produced here, or at least not on a year-round basis. This supplements domestic production, and also ensures that any disruption from risks such as adverse weather or disease does not affect the UK's overall security of supply.

Defra has well established ways of working with the industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains.

Recognising the importance of food security, in the Agriculture Act 2020, the Government made a commitment to produce an assessment of our food security at least once every three years. The first UK Food Security Report was produced in 2021 and the next will be published by December 2024. This report serves as an evidence base for policy work.

Starting this year, the government is also strengthening our food security monitoring by introducing the annual Food Security Index in addition to the three-yearly UKFSR.

Published to coincide with the second UK Farm to Fork Summit on 14 May 2024, the 2024 Food Security Index sets out how Government will track UK-wide food security on an annual basis, monitoring domestic food production, land use, input costs, and farmer productivity.

The Index looks at shorter-term trends that change year on year, complementing the UKFSR’s comprehensive assessment and attention to longer-term trends. The 2024 Index shows that the UK farming sector is at its most productive since records began.

A further package of measures to support farmers and grow the UK’s farming and food sector was announced by the government at the Farm to Fork Summit on 14th May 2024.

This includes a new Blueprint for Growing the UK Fruit and Vegetable Sector (see attached), setting out how industry and government can work together to increase domestic production and drive investment into this valuable sector. The plan involves ensuring the sector has access to affordable and sustainable energy and water, cutting planning red tape to make it easier and quicker to build glasshouses, and looking to double to £80 million the amount of funding given to horticulture businesses when compared to the EU legacy Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme which will be replaced from 2026 onwards.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they are implementing to support housing associations to build affordable homes, following reports that high private sector debt costs are affecting development plans.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

Our £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme for 2021-26 will provide tens of thousands of homes across the country. These include homes for rent, for low cost home ownership, and specialist and supported housing.

The Government recognises that in recent years the housing sector has experienced an increase in the cost of borrowing and materials due to wider economic pressures. The Government continuously works with its delivery agencies to ensure that the Programme is delivering effectively in light of these economic challenges.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to leverage the positive growth momentum reported in the first quarter of 2024, particularly in sectors such as housing and recreation, to stimulate further economic expansion and job creation.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton

The government continues to pursue an ambitious policy agenda to increase growth and productivity across the economy.

Alongside wider pro-growth measures announced at recent fiscal events, the Government is taking action in relation to housing and recreation. To ensure that people can live where they want to and meet the needs of the UK’s growing, cutting-edge industries, the Spring Budget allocated over £260 million to build more homes now. The Government also set out further detail on plans to support growth in Cambridge with long-term funding at the next Spending Review, to build on the success of the UK’s third most productive city.

The Government is also taking action to leverage growth in recreation. We have committed to the Creative Industries Sector Vision which sets out our vision for the sector to become an even greater growth engine, with a goal to support 1 million more creative jobs by 2030. At Spring Budget 2024, the Government announced a package that will provide over £1 billion in additional tax relief over the next five years.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the recent cyber-attack targeting the personal details of UK military personnel, what steps they are taking, if any, to review their current data security protocols and cyber defence strategies.

Answered by Earl of Minto

The Cyber Resilience Strategy for Defence is already driving forward a programme of work to improve Defence’s cyber security. The Cyber Resilience Strategy was reviewed recently and remains valid. This includes adopting a Secure by Design approach to ensure security is built into our programmes from the outset and managed effectively on a through life basis.

With regards to the recent cyber incident specifically, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has commissioned an independent review into what happened and lessons that can be learned. This will include examining Data and Information Security, the involvement with the contractor and the wider use of systems which process personal data. In addition the MOD are conducting a full review of the Information Security measures that were in place in this contract. Should the independent review suggest that further measures are necessary, the MOD will review these recommendations and implement such changes as are necessary to ensure the continued security of all MOD's data.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index, published on 7 May, which showed that construction activity grew at its fastest pace in April for more than a year, what steps they are taking to ensure continued growth in commercial and civil engineering activities within the construction sector.

Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel

The UK Government continues to work closely with the construction sector and its clients to support growth. We have published a revised National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline in the March Budget setting out the planned pipeline of investment over the next decade, and are currently working with the industry to update the Government’s Construction Playbook. Total construction new orders also increased by £1,436 million, or 15.9% in Quarter 1 2024, compared with Quarter 4 2023, which will support future growth.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that fewer Londoners are looking for houses outside London, and of the impact on (1) housing supply, and (2) affordability, in the capital; and what steps they are taking to ensure a balanced housing market.

Answered by Baroness Swinburne

The primary responsibility for building homes in the capital lies with the Mayor of London. Due to insufficient numbers being delivered, the Secretary of State has directed the London Mayor to conduct a partial review of the London Plan, on industrial land and Opportunity areas, to reflect on what more can be done to accelerate residential development on these sites. We will continue to assess the rate of delivery to ensure that London has the homes it needs.

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports that the median gender pay gap narrowed to 9 per cent in 2023–24, what assessment they have made of the impact of wage pressures in different industries on the gender pay gap.

Answered by Baroness Barran

Under this government the gender pay gap has fallen significantly, having fallen from 19.8% to 14.3% over the last decade. In 2017, we introduced world-leading regulations requiring large employers to publish the differences in average salaries and bonuses for men and women every year. This has ensured that employers are aware of their gaps and are taking steps to close them.

We know that reporting is just the first step, but do not believe that setting arbitrary targets or a timetable will help to drive the changes that we all want to see. The causes of the gender pay gap are complex, and the wider societal shifts required to close it will take time.

Detailed gender pay gap information is published annually by the ONS, and this includes sector-specific data and analysis. ONS data shows that the gender pay gap has decreased across all major occupational groups between 2022 and 2023.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to a recent poll conducted by the National Farmers Union which showed that business confidence among farmers is at its lowest since 2010, what steps they are taking to support the agricultural sector to ensure food security.

Answered by Lord Douglas-Miller

Food security is more important than ever – which is why we need to back British farmers to keep putting food on our tables while protecting the environment.

That is why we are supporting farmers with £2.4 billion of annual spending. This includes an increase in payment rates, with the average value of a Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreement increasing by 10%. Around 50 new paid-for actions will also be added to the SFI and Countryside Stewardship (CS) schemes from summer 2024, giving farmers more choice with an offer for all farm types and locations.

Additionally, at the NFU Conference this February, the Prime Minister announced more funding for farmers. This included the doubling of the SFI Management Payment, which supports many farmers to participate in the SFI scheme, and the planned launch of the biggest ever package of grants this year to boost productivity and resilience. This grants package, which will total £427 million, includes funding for the Improving Farming Productivity scheme to invest in things like robotics and barn-top solar; funding for a new round of the Farming Equipment and Technology fund, worth £70m; and targeted schemes to support farmers in improving the viability of their businesses, delivering environmental outcomes and supporting sustainable food production.

Our plan will mean farmers always come first – with fair prices for goods, less bureaucracy and more funding as we continue to protect our food security. On May 14, the Prime Minister hosted the second annual Farm to Fork Summit at Downing Street, focused on how the Government will support domestic food production, boost innovation, support the sector to reach its economic potential and recruit the next generation of farming leaders. The Summit also saw publication of the first draft Food Security Index, setting out key data and trends to allow government and industry to monitor domestic food production, land use, input costs and farmer productivity on an annual basis.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to introduce additional incentives encouraging electric vehicle adoption among consumers.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales

Government grants have been in place for over a decade to help reduce the up-front purchase price of electric vehicles, with over £1.8 billion in grant funding provided since 2011. Grants remain available for vans, trucks, wheelchair accessible vehicles and taxis. Favourable tax benefits also remain in place to support the transition to EVs.

As stated in the Plan for Drivers, the Government will also continue to support the uptake of zero emission vehicles, by addressing common misconceptions and showing how they can be a practical option for most drivers.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) attract, and (2) retain, top AI professionals in the UK.

Answered by Viscount Camrose

Government is committed to ensuring there is a sustainable pipeline of skills workers. Since 2018 we have invested £290 million in AI skills and talent initiatives. This includes the funding of AI and Data Science Conversion Courses scholarships for underrepresented groups.

The AI Futures programme helps attract top early to mid-career AI talent from around the world to the UK, including through a grants scheme which supports universities and SMEs to meet relocation costs of exceptional AI researchers and engineers.

We also help UK tech companies access world-class talent through the Global Talent Visa and the Scaleup Worker Visa.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they are considering implementing to (1) monitor, and (2) evaluate the progress of the post-Brexit border strategy, and what steps they are taking to share new information with affected companies and organisations across the UK.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Progress against delivery of the 2025 UK Border Strategy can be seen through publication and subsequent implementation of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). This has enabled us to bring together policy and process improvements through better use of technology and data, most notably with the development of a Single Trade Window.

We have continued to explore innovation at the border through our Ecosystem of Trust Pilots. The BTOM also outlines our plans for improving border processes for exporters. The Government will continue to monitor progress on specific BTOM policies in line with Magenta Book guidance on evaluation.

The Government worked extensively with traders to ensure current and future changes at the border are clear and that they have ample time to prepare. Engagement with businesses has been extensive, including: 10,000 participants registering for Government-led events before final BTOM publication; regular contact with around 30,000 importers to provide up-to-date information; the delivery of over 50 webinars to thousands of businesses; engagement with major supermarkets and their suppliers to provide training, and communication to 150k businesses in the UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support businesses in understanding and navigating the changes to visa eligibility rules, particularly in sectors heavily reliant on international talent.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office regularly engages with a range of stakeholders across the labour, education and legal sector to ensure they understand any changes that the department are making to the immigration system.

The Government is encouraging all sectors to adapt and make employment more attractive to UK domestic workers through offering training, career options, wage increases and to invest in increased automation technology.

We keep all our immigration policies under constant review to ensure they best serve the UK and reflect the public’s priorities, including filling skills gaps and growing the economy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the proposed new police powers concerning protests (1) maintain public order and, (2) protect the right to peaceful protest; and what steps they are taking to address concerns of potential misuse of those new powers against specific groups or causes.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Due to the announcement of a general election by the Prime Minister on 22^nd May 2024 and the prospective dissolution of Parliament, the Criminal Justice Bill will not be progressed in this Parliamentary session.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to reports of a discrepancy between wage growth and pay settlements, what steps they are taking to (1) ensure fair compensation for workers, and (2) address income disparities across different sectors of the economy.

Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel

The National Living Wage is part of our wider commitment to ensuring a labour market that works for everyone, both in terms of fair pay and fair working conditions.

On 1 April 2024, the Government increased the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 years to £11.44 an hour. We are pleased to confirm that this record cash increase of £1.02 per hour means we will hit the target for the National Living Wage to equal two-thirds of median earnings for those aged 21 and over in 2024. This will end low hourly pay for this group.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) address, and (2) mitigate, the potential implications of the recent High Court ruling in Northern Ireland which ordered the disapplication of some provisions of the Illegal Migration Act 2023.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government is considering the judgment carefully before deciding on next steps.

The Government has consistently made clear that the provisions in the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement referred to in the Windsor Framework were developed specifically against the background of Northern Ireland's unique circumstances. They do not concern and should not be brought into the complex legal debate concerning illegal migration. The Government will take all steps to defend that position, including through appeal.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the recent parasitic outbreak in drinking water in Devon, what assessment they have made of (1) the proposed compensation for affected consumers, and (2) the impact on consumer confidence.

Answered by Lord Douglas-Miller

The Guaranteed Standards Scheme sets minimum statutory standards of service for customers of water and sewerage companies, and where a company fails to meet any of these standards it is required to make a specified payment to the affected customer. Several companies also offer enhanced Customer Services Promises in addition to the statutory requirements, including compensation payments for additional standards.

In relation to the incident in Devon, the Secretary of State appreciated the considerable concern and disruption to the local community. He raised those concerns directly with the Chief Executive. South West Water increased its standard payment within its Customer Service Promise for a boil water notice to £115. Some customers will receive £265 which represents financial compensation equivalent to over 50% of South West Water’s average annual bill per household, according to Ofwat’s bill estimates.

Excellent customer experience is important to maintain consumer trust and confidence in the water sector. We expect water companies to take that seriously, to respond to events appropriately in a timely manner and to deliver better services to their customers.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government, what steps they are taking to address (1) concerns raised by landlords about potential below-market rents, and (2) any impact on property valuations, as a result of the proposed high street rental auction scheme.

Answered by Baroness Swinburne

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the fluctuations in mortgage rates, what steps they are taking to ensure guidance and support is available to help homebuyers when deciding their mortgage options.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton

Those looking to take out a mortgage or remortgage are encouraged to shop around and speak to a broker to find the best possible product for them. Homeowners and prospective homeowners may also find it helpful to contact MoneyHelper, which has been set up by the Government to support consumers with comprehensive guidance for every stage of their financial lives.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) support rough sleepers, and (2) ensure their access to support services.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to align the UK's carbon border tax with the EU's mechanism to ensure that the UK steel industry is not adversely affected by the delayed implementation.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton

A Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a novel mechanism yet to be fully implemented anywhere in the world.

Implementation of the UK CBAM by 2027 will allow government to consult fully with those affected throughout the design and implementation phases. It will also give those affected in the UK and overseas more time to prepare for the changes and put appropriate processes in place with their supply chains to enable them to comply.

The effective EU CBAM charge will be introduced gradually from 2026 to 2034 to match their phase out of free allowances for sectors covered by the CBAM, including iron & steel. In 2026, only a relatively small amount of the emissions embodied in CBAM goods will face the EU CBAM charge when they are imported to the EU.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) address, and (2) mitigate, the ongoing increased cost-of-living.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton

Over the last two years, the government has provided support to households to help with the cost of living worth over £90 billion.

This year, this government has raised working age benefits by 6.7%, supporting 5.5 million households on Universal Credit, with an average gain of £470 this year. The government has also frozen fuel duty and raised the Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30^th percentile of local market rates.

The government believes that the best way of boosting living standards is by supporting people into work. The government has introduced other policies that will support over 200,000 additional people into work by 2028/29, according to the independent Office for Budget Responsibility. The government has also raised the National Living Wage (NLW) by 9.8%, ending low hourly pay for those on the NLW.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the competitive landscape of the UK's postal and parcel delivery market (1) remains fair, and (2) does not lead to monopolistic practices post-takeover.

Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel

Ofcom’s duties, as the independent regulator for postal services, include furthering the interests of citizens and consumers, where appropriate by promoting competition.

Ofcom’s regulatory framework supports competition by imposing minimal intervention in competitive areas of the postal market, for example, in relation to parcel services. Ofcom also requires Royal Mail, as the designated universal service provider, to allow access to its network for the provision of certain bulk letter and large letter services and impose a number of safeguards to protect postal operators reliant on this access.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following Asda's recent announcement about developing a town centre in London, what steps they are taking to support supermarket chains’ initiatives involving mixed-use developments that include housing.

Answered by Baroness Swinburne

This Government strongly encourages the re-use of suitable brownfield land as set out in our National Planning Policy Framework. Making the most effective use of brownfield land, including through mixed use developments, will support the provision of the homes we need, and is key to regenerating our high streets and town centres, supporting economic growth in the hearts of our towns and cities and maximising the use of existing infrastructure.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) address, and (2) mitigate, any potential risks associated with falling interest rates; and what assessment they have made of the impact on (a) inflation, (b) consumer spending, (c) and financial market stability.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton

Monetary policy is the responsibility of the independent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), so the Government rightly doesn’t comment on the conduct of monetary policy. The Government fully supports the MPC as it acts to return inflation to target.

The Financial Policy Committee (FPC) is responsible for identifying, monitoring and addressing systemic risks to the UK financial system. Its assessment of the resilience of the system is regularly communicated through the Financial Policy Summary and Record (published quarterly), and Financial Stability Report (published biannually).

The Government constantly monitors the UK economy’s performance and considers its impact on households and businesses.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of unreliable labour market data on the accuracy of inflation forecasts and other economic indicators used for policy formulation.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton

Falling response rates have caused concern over the quality of Labour Force Survey (LFS) data and led to its suspension in October 2023. Following the return of the LFS in February, these figures are still volatile and, although the Office for National Statistics (ONS) expects to see improvements to survey quality following planned improvements, the estimates will continue to be badged as ‘official statistics in development’ until further review. The ONS recommends using a suite of labour market indicators alongside the LFS estimates.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of the recent performance of the UK stock market on (1) investor confidence, and (2) economic recovery.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton

The Government does not comment on the day to day performance of the UK’s public markets.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to implement strategies to mitigate the risks of labour shortages in the supply chain for infrastructure projects.

Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel

The Government works with the construction sector, through the Construction Skills Delivery Group, to identify and plan to meet future skills needs in the sector. We also work with the industry to support the development and adoption of digital and industrialised construction techniques, as well as robotics and autonomous systems, which will reduce the labour intensity of the sector.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of hybrid working models in the Civil Service; and what steps they are taking to adapt policies to balance the benefits of both remote and in-office work.

Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

Work is ongoing to update policies and practices to ensure we maximise the benefits of both remote and face to face working, including investing in our estate to ensure we provide a positive workplace experience with the right technology and facilities and enhancing our line managers capabilities to manage effectively in a hybrid working environment.

The Civil Service has had a hybrid working model for some years now, and it is applying this flexibly to help balance business and personal requirements. Hybrid working is part of the Civil Service approach to flexible working as set out in the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy: 2022-2025, which recognises the importance of flexibility in the ways of working and location as key to increasing innovation, performance and engagement as well as attracting diverse talent and representing the UK as a whole.

Carrying out tasks in the right place allows us to maximise efficiency and helps us to identify parts of the estate that are not optimally configured or can be released at the earliest opportunity, with appropriate lease breaks.

Hybrid working is important in making a success of the government’s Places for Growth Programme, including the creation of the non-London headquarters announced by ministers over the last year. The Treasury, for example, is positioning the new economic campus in Darlington as a full second headquarters with senior policy roles currently performed in Whitehall. Without hybrid meetings combining colleagues online and others ‘in the room’ this model cannot work.