Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the continued acceptance of personal cheques by banks.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Cheques remain an important part of the UK’s payments landscape. While there has been a decline in overall cheque volumes, they continue to be used by many individuals, businesses, charities and other voluntary organisations. Cheques can be deposited through a range of different channels, including at local bank branches, shared Banking Hubs and the Post Office.

To secure the future of cheque usage in the UK, HM Treasury introduced legislative measures in 2015 to allow banks and building societies to introduce ‘cheque imaging’. Cheque imaging allows a digital image of a cheque to be sent for clearing, rather than the paper cheque itself, and has also enabled people to pay in cheques via their smartphone or tablet.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the value for money of existing tax-payer funded energy efficiency schemes.

Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The government regularly assesses the value for money of its energy efficiency schemes through published impact assessments.

For example, the government has published an Impact Assessment (which is attached) for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) from 2022/23 to 2024/25 which projected a net present social value of £310m demonstrating strong economic and social benefits. Similar assessments are undertaken for other schemes, to ensure effective use of public funds.

These evaluations consider costs, benefits, and delivery performance to maximise outcomes for households and taxpayers.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield on 30 October (HL11095), what impact assessment, if any, they have conducted for wall insulation schemes.

Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Government energy efficiency schemes deliver a range of measures. The government conducts impact assessments for its energy efficiency schemes, including those covering wall insulation.

The government also publishes regular evaluation reports for our energy efficiency schemes, including schemes that have conducted wall insulation.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any potential abuses of the Motability Scheme, and what consideration they have given to reforms that might better target those in need.

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

The Department is responsible for the disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), that provides a passport to the Motability scheme.

The Department takes benefit fraud extremely seriously. Whilst Motability is independent of government, the Department meets with Motability regularly to discuss the scheme, including how it is taking action against any misuse.

The PIP mobility element is in scope of the Timms Review, which aims to ensure PIP is fair and fit for the future.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to stop begging which is organised by criminal gangs.

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

On 10th June, the Government announced its intention to repeal the outdated Vagrancy Act 1824. The Government has been clear that no one should be criminalised simply for having nowhere to live.

We have introduced targeted replacement measures in the Crime and Policing Bill to ensure police have the powers they need to keep communities safe, including a new criminal offence of facilitating begging for gain, an offence which was previously provided for under the 1824 Act.

This is intended to address organised begging, which is often facilitated by criminal gangs, and exploits vulnerable individuals.

This offence makes it unlawful for anyone to organise others to beg, for example, by driving people to places for them to beg. It will allow the police to tackle the organised crime gangs that use this exploitative technique to obtain cash for illicit activity.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are considering ending the role of the Bank of England in setting interest rates.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Monetary policy is the responsibility of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at the Bank of England. Operationally independent monetary policy is a vital part of the government’s macroeconomic policy framework, supporting the UK’s resilience to risks and reflecting best practice across the world and all G7 countries. The government is fully committed to the operational independence of the MPC.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the overthrow of President Assad, whether they have plans to return Syrian refugees to Syria.

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

When a refugee applies for settlement protection, a safe return review is carried out to determine and confirm that the need for protection is continuing. This applies to nationals of any country, including those from Syria. If there are, for example, significant improvements in country conditions or changes in personal circumstances that mean someone no longer needs protection, they may be expected to return to their country of origin or to apply to stay in the UK under other provisions of the Immigration Rules.

All asylum and human rights claims are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with our international obligations. No one who is found to be at risk of persecution or serious harm will be expected to return to their country of origin if it is unsafe.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan for motorbikes to be zero-emission by 2030.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Decarbonising transport is critical to ensuring that the UK meets its net zero commitment by 2050. All road vehicles have a part to play in this, including motorcycles. The Government recognises that transitioning some motorcycles to zero emission equivalents is challenging but welcomes the increasing zero emission sales we have seen in certain segments of the market. We will set out any plans to decarbonise motorcycles in due course.