Lord Wallace of Saltaire Portrait

Lord Wallace of Saltaire

Liberal Democrat - Life peer

Became Member: 19th December 1995

Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)

(since July 2017)

3 APPG memberships (as of 24 Jan 2024)
Data Analytics, Slovenia, Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire
1 Former APPG membership
UK-EU Relations
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
1st Jun 2015 - 28th Oct 2016
Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
13th Oct 2010 - 7th May 2015
Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office)
5th Sep 2011 - 7th May 2015
Ecclesiastical Committee (Joint Committee)
25th Mar 1998 - 8th Apr 2010
European Union Committee
3rd Jun 1997 - 7th Nov 2002


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Lord Wallace of Saltaire has voted in 484 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Lord Wallace of Saltaire Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lord True (Conservative)
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
(121 debate interactions)
Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative)
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
(61 debate interactions)
Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
(33 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(232 debate contributions)
Home Office
(56 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(39 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Elections Act 2022
(16,507 words contributed)
National Security Act 2023
(13,737 words contributed)
Procurement Act 2023
(8,409 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Lord Wallace of Saltaire's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Lord Wallace of Saltaire, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


2 Bills introduced by Lord Wallace of Saltaire

Introduced: 11th September 2014

This Bill received Royal Assent on 26th March 2015 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 10th May 2012

To make provision about the registration of electors and the administration and conduct of elections.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 31st January 2013 and was enacted into law.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 48 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
18th Dec 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their current estimate of the number of UK dual nationals; whether those estimates include a breakdown of the countries in which they are currently resident; and how many are resident in the other state in which they also hold citizenship.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

Please see the letter attached from the National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority.

The Rt Hon. the Lord Wallace of Saltaire

House of Lords

London

SW1A 0PW

20 December 2023

Dear Lord Wallace,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking for the current estimate of the number of UK dual nationals; whether those estimates include a breakdown of the countries in which they are currently resident; and how many are resident in the other state in which they also hold citizenship (HL1310).

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) conducted the 2021 Census in England and Wales.

In order to answer your question, the ONS examined census ‘passports held’ data. Table 1 shows the number of dual passport holders resident in England and Wales.

Table 1: Number of dual passport holders resident in England and Wales

Dual passport (UK + another passport)

E92000001 England

1,209,980

W92000004 Wales

26,343

Source: Census 2021 (21 March 2021)

For similar data for Northern Ireland and Scotland, please contact the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency [1] (NISRA) and National Records of Scotland [2] (NRS) respectively.

As the Census collected data only from people currently resident in England and Wales at the time of collection, the ONS have no data identifying dual passport holding citizens residing outside England and Wales. This means we are unable to answer the second and third aspects of your question.

As the ONS continues its programme of transforming population and migration statistics, we will explore how to provide additional detail to meet user needs. This will include the possibility of obtaining an estimate of dual citizenship using administrative data as part of that programme.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

[1] https://www.nisra.gov.uk/

[2] https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
3rd May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government how many times in the past year outside speakers invited to Civil Service events have had their invitations withdrawn after having their social media accounts vetted; and what criteria were used for such vetting.

We do not centrally collate information on the number of people who are identified as unsuitable for speaking at Government events.

Civil Service Human Resources who sit within the Cabinet Office developed guidance for all Cross-Government Diversity networks. This requires the networks to carry out checks on external speakers prior to inviting them to participate in Civil Service events.

We are aware that some departments (including Cabinet Office) and agencies have adapted this guidance to apply to departmental Diversity Networks and learning events. We do not have a record of how many departments have adapted the guidance or whether they record information on speakers.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
5th Sep 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made as to whether Freedom of Information principles require the release of the responsibilities and names of all senior civil servants.

The guidance for departments to publish their SCS transparency data remains in place, and all departments have published at least once since 1st April 2022.

Each department publishes its departmental organograms on data.gov.uk as part of the Government’s commitment to transparency. In order to do so, departments individually collect and present data including names, grades, job titles, and annual pay ranges from Permanent Secretary through to SCS2. Information for those at SCS1 is anonymised.

The decision to only publish names for SCS2 and above dates back to 2010, and was made on the grounds of proportionality and reasonable expectations of privacy. The guidance for publication of SCS transparency data was reconfirmed in 2017, and has been reviewed regularly to ensure that it is still appropriate and provides the information that the public might reasonably need.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
5th Sep 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government why they have ceased publishing the responsibilities and names of all senior civil servants, including those at the SCS1 grade, in all departments of central government.

The guidance for departments to publish their SCS transparency data remains in place, and all departments have published at least once since 1st April 2022.

Each department publishes its departmental organograms on data.gov.uk as part of the Government’s commitment to transparency. In order to do so, departments individually collect and present data including names, grades, job titles, and annual pay ranges from Permanent Secretary through to SCS2. Information for those at SCS1 is anonymised.

The decision to only publish names for SCS2 and above dates back to 2010, and was made on the grounds of proportionality and reasonable expectations of privacy. The guidance for publication of SCS transparency data was reconfirmed in 2017, and has been reviewed regularly to ensure that it is still appropriate and provides the information that the public might reasonably need.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
21st Feb 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plagiarism detection software government employees have access to; whether this software is used to review government publications before release; and what penalties are applied to staff found to have submitted plagiarised work for publication.

Individual departments are responsible for their own software procurements. As such, a list of plagiarism software available to government employees is not held centrally by Cabinet Office.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
28th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what conditions are written into contracts between (1) government departments, (2) agencies, and outside contractors, regarding contributions by such contractors to (a) political parties, and (b) partisan think tanks.

This information is not held centrally.

Procurement Policy Note 04/21 sets out guidance for all central government departments and their agencies to prevent, identify, record and remedy conflicts of interest. The framework includes the relevant processes, procedures, and appropriate checks and balances to effectively manage conflicts of interest in a commercial context.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
9th Jun 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to finance the cost of extending overseas voting rights (1) directly, or (2) from fees attached to registration, or (3) by any other means.

The new burdens doctrine will cover any additional registration costs for the registration of newly enfranchised overseas electors. UK Parliamentary election costs are paid from the Consolidated Fund. Overseas electors are only eligible to vote in UK general elections.


In Budget 2021, for the coming year, the Government has provided an additional £2.5 million towards removing the arbitrary limit preventing British citizens who live overseas from voting after 15 years.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
16th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is their policy for contracts with private companies to prohibit those companies from making contributions to (1) political parties, and (2) think tanks by (a) those companies, and (b) their subcontractors; and if so, in what circumstances such a policy is altered.

The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 require contracting authorities to take appropriate measures to effectively prevent, identify and remedy conflicts of interest arising in the conduct of procurement procedures so as to avoid any distortion of competition and to ensure equal treatment of all economic operators.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
28th Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the current distribution of electoral registration by overseas voters broken down by constituency.

The Government does not hold data on the number of overseas voters, or their distribution by constituency or current country of residence. Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) maintain a register for their own local area, including the number of overseas electors registered in their area.

In its report on the 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election, published on 21 April 2020, the Electoral Commission noted that just over 230,000 people were registered as overseas electors at the time of the general election. The Office for National Statistics also publishes electoral statistics bulletins with some information on overseas electors.

The Government does not hold information on the proportion of EROs that retain complete constituency electoral registers. There is no statutory requirement for EROs to retain previous electoral registers. EROs do however currently keep registers for 15 years to enable them to check the eligibility of those applying to be overseas electors.

The Government is committed to removing the 15 year limit on overseas electors and we will do so in a way that is workable for both voters and electoral administrators.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
28th Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of Electoral Registration Officers in (1) England, (2) Scotland, (3) Wales, and (4) Northern Ireland, retain complete constituency electoral registers for all periods since (a) 1945, (b) 1970, and (c) 1990.

The Government does not hold data on the number of overseas voters, or their distribution by constituency or current country of residence. Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) maintain a register for their own local area, including the number of overseas electors registered in their area.

In its report on the 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election, published on 21 April 2020, the Electoral Commission noted that just over 230,000 people were registered as overseas electors at the time of the general election. The Office for National Statistics also publishes electoral statistics bulletins with some information on overseas electors.

The Government does not hold information on the proportion of EROs that retain complete constituency electoral registers. There is no statutory requirement for EROs to retain previous electoral registers. EROs do however currently keep registers for 15 years to enable them to check the eligibility of those applying to be overseas electors.

The Government is committed to removing the 15 year limit on overseas electors and we will do so in a way that is workable for both voters and electoral administrators.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
28th Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the distribution of registered overseas voters by their current country of residence.

The Government does not hold data on the number of overseas voters, or their distribution by constituency or current country of residence. Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) maintain a register for their own local area, including the number of overseas electors registered in their area.

In its report on the 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election, published on 21 April 2020, the Electoral Commission noted that just over 230,000 people were registered as overseas electors at the time of the general election. The Office for National Statistics also publishes electoral statistics bulletins with some information on overseas electors.

The Government does not hold information on the proportion of EROs that retain complete constituency electoral registers. There is no statutory requirement for EROs to retain previous electoral registers. EROs do however currently keep registers for 15 years to enable them to check the eligibility of those applying to be overseas electors.

The Government is committed to removing the 15 year limit on overseas electors and we will do so in a way that is workable for both voters and electoral administrators.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
28th Apr 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what the total number of overseas voters on the UK electoral roll was in (1) 2001, (2) 2005, (3) 2010, (4) 2015, and (5) 2017; and what is their current estimate of the total number of overseas registrations.

The Government does not hold data on the number of overseas voters, or their distribution by constituency or current country of residence. Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) maintain a register for their own local area, including the number of overseas electors registered in their area.

In its report on the 2019 UK Parliamentary General Election, published on 21 April 2020, the Electoral Commission noted that just over 230,000 people were registered as overseas electors at the time of the general election. The Office for National Statistics also publishes electoral statistics bulletins with some information on overseas electors.

The Government does not hold information on the proportion of EROs that retain complete constituency electoral registers. There is no statutory requirement for EROs to retain previous electoral registers. EROs do however currently keep registers for 15 years to enable them to check the eligibility of those applying to be overseas electors.

The Government is committed to removing the 15 year limit on overseas electors and we will do so in a way that is workable for both voters and electoral administrators.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
16th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the breakdown of UK citizens living abroad by their country of residence; and what estimate they have made of the proportion of UK citizens who hold dual nationalities.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
16th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of UK citizens who are dual nationals; of those, how many are estimated to be living in the UK; and what are the ten countries estimated to host the largest numbers of UK citizens with dual nationality living abroad.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
16th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the total number of UK citizens resident outside the UK (1) who are eligible to vote in UK parliamentary elections under the present rule which bars British citizens who have lived abroad for more than 15 years from voting, and (2) who would be eligible following the extension of the right to vote to all adult UK citizens resident abroad.

Approximately 1.4 million British citizens living overseas have been registered to vote in the UK in the past 15 years and are therefore eligible to register to vote in UK parliamentary elections as overseas electors.

There are no official statistics on the number of adult British citizens resident abroad. We estimate, however, that there are a total of 4.9 million British citizens overseas who have previously lived in the UK and are of voting age.

The Government is considering the appropriate legislative vehicle to deliver votes for life, which is a manifesto commitment, and we will make an announcement on our intentions in due course.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
10th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what studies they have commissioned on the potential contribution that the harnessing of hydropower from rivers may make to the UK's energy requirements.

Hydropower accounts for almost 2% of total electricity generation in the UK with a capacity of almost 2GW. Studies in Scotland, England and Wales indicate that there is a maximum remaining technical potential of around 1.5GW for small-scale hydro across these countries, with the majority in Scotland. Economic and environmental constraints mean that in practice the viable remaining resource is less than 1GW or 1% of total electricity generation capacity.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
10th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to support further micro-hydropower schemes on rivers within the UK as part of a transition to renewable energy.

Meeting net zero is likely to lead to electricity demand doubling by 2050 as other sectors are electrified which will require a generation mix based primarily on renewables. The government acknowledges the valuable contribution of hydropower to the UK energy mix over many decades, including at times when other renewables do not generate. Most hydro capacity was installed during the last century in Scotland, with a smaller amount in Wales and England. Most of these installations are still operating.

Government schemes have supported hydro over many years. Hydro is a mature technology and sites for large projects have generally been exhausted, leaving only smaller schemes to be developed. It should be noted that projections from the comprehensive review for small hydro deployment were met five years early. Introduced last year, the Smart Export Guarantee gives small scale low-carbon electricity generators, such as hydro, the right to be paid for the renewable electricity they export to the grid.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
12th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to section 191(5) of the Data Protection Act 2018, which other persons may the Secretary of State “consider it appropriate to consult” before preparing the Framework for Data Processing by Government document and laying it before Parliament.

The Data Protection Act 2018 gives the Secretary of State a discretionary power to publish a Framework for Data Processing by Government, which contains guidance about the processing of personal data in connection with the exercise of government functions. The Act requires the Secretary of State to consult the Information Commissioner and other persons he considers appropriate when developing the Framework, and to lay the final version in Parliament before it comes into effect. A laying date has not been set and no decisions have been taken about the nature of any further consultation.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
12th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, and if so, when, they will lay before Parliament the Framework for Data Processing by Government document, as provided for in section 191 of the Data Protection Act 2018.

The Data Protection Act 2018 gives the Secretary of State a discretionary power to publish a Framework for Data Processing by Government, which contains guidance about the processing of personal data in connection with the exercise of government functions. The Act requires the Secretary of State to consult the Information Commissioner and other persons he considers appropriate when developing the Framework, and to lay the final version in Parliament before it comes into effect. A laying date has not been set and no decisions have been taken about the nature of any further consultation.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
15th Jun 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultations they held with higher education institutions in England before they decided to extend the provision of home fees for students from the Crown Dependencies to all higher education institutions.

We have updated our regulations to grant home fee status for those students from the Crown Dependencies who meet the residency requirements, and who come to England solely for the purposes of higher or further education study from the 2021/22 academic year. This underpins our strong commitment to the UK’s relationship with the Crown Dependencies.

Students from the Crown Dependencies make an important contribution to our universities, and it is testament to the appeal and success of our higher education sector that so many students from the Crown Dependencies choose to come and study here.

This decision was communicated to the respective governments of the Crown Dependencies, to the Office for Students, and on GOV.UK in January 2021, before regulations were made in February 2021, and came into force in March 2021.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
15th Jun 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the governments of the Crown Dependencies on the allocation of costs for the extension of home fees to all students and institutions in England before that decision was announced.

We have updated our regulations to grant home fee status for those students from the Crown Dependencies who meet the residency requirements, and who come to England solely for the purposes of higher or further education study from the 2021/22 academic year. This underpins our strong commitment to the UK’s relationship with the Crown Dependencies.

Students from the Crown Dependencies make an important contribution to our universities, and it is testament to the appeal and success of our higher education sector that so many students from the Crown Dependencies choose to come and study here.

This decision was communicated to the respective governments of the Crown Dependencies, to the Office for Students, and on GOV.UK in January 2021, before regulations were made in February 2021, and came into force in March 2021.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
28th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what financial arrangements, if any, they have agreed with the Crown Dependencies in recognition of the (1) availability, and (2) use, of NHS facilities by residents of such Dependencies who do not pay tax in the UK.

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

18th Dec 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what consular support they offer to UK dual nationals resident in other states of which they also hold citizenship.

Where a dual British national is living or travelling in the country of their other nationality, we would not normally provide consular support or get involved in dealings between them and the authorities of that country. We may make an exception if we consider that the individual is vulnerable because of their specific circumstances, and there are special humanitarian or human rights reasons. The policy is set out here [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/who-the-fcdo-can-support-abroad%23dual-nationals].

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
29th Nov 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to publish a full list of the passengers on board British Airways Flight 149, which departed London on 1 August 1990.

All of the records which the FCDO identified in its holdings relating to events surrounding the landing of Flight BA149 in Kuwait in August 1990 were released by The National Archives on 23 November subject to any legal exemptions. Further information about the FCDO's record release programme is available at www.gov.uk/archive-records

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
19th May 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether (1) companies, or (2) persons, subject to UK sanctions are also banned from initiating actions in UK courts.

The measures that may be imposed within the UK's independent sanctions framework include financial sanctions, immigration sanctions (travel bans), trade sanctions, and aircraft and shipping sanctions. Persons or entities designated under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 are not banned from initiating action in UK courts. Designated persons may seek an administrative review of their designation as set out in Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Act and apply for judicial reviews of decisions in accordance with Chapter 4 of Part 1 of the Act. Guidance on how to challenge UK sanctions is on GOV.UK.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
22nd Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what contribution each of the Overseas Territories makes to the UK Exchequer in return for the UK Government (1) ensuring their security, and (2) representing their interests abroad.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. The Minister will write directly to the Member with a response shortly.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
16th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the total number of UK citizens resident outside the UK; and whether they are confident in the accuracy of that estimate.

We do not register British nationals abroad, and do not therefore have numbers of British nationals in each country.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
18th Jan 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many UK residents claimed non-domiciled status in returns to HMRC over the past five to 10 years; and whether the number of UK residents claiming non-domiciled status increased or decreased during this period.

The number of UK residents who claimed non-domiciled status in returns to HMRC is provided in the table below. Figures are provided for the last ten years, up to 2018-19, the most recent year for which figures are available. The decrease seen between 2015-16 and 2017-18 is explained by the deemed domicile rules introduced in April 2017.

Tax year

UK resident non domiciled individuals

2009-10

82,700

2010-11

81,000

2011-12

80,200

2012-13

82,000

2013-14

84,300

2014-15

86,500

2015-16

85,200

2016-17p

76,500

2017-18p

64,400

2018-19p

64,000

p = Figures for the most recent years are provisional and are subject to revision due to late filing of tax returns.

Further statistics and commentary are provided in the HMRC publication “Statistics on non-domiciled taxpayers in the UK” which is available on GOV.UK[1].

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-on-non-domiciled-taxpayers-in-the-uk

18th Jan 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many UK residents claimed non-domiciled status in returns to HMRC in the most recent tax year for which figures are available.

The number of UK residents who claimed non-domiciled status in returns to HMRC is provided in the table below. Figures are provided for the last ten years, up to 2018-19, the most recent year for which figures are available. The decrease seen between 2015-16 and 2017-18 is explained by the deemed domicile rules introduced in April 2017.

Tax year

UK resident non domiciled individuals

2009-10

82,700

2010-11

81,000

2011-12

80,200

2012-13

82,000

2013-14

84,300

2014-15

86,500

2015-16

85,200

2016-17p

76,500

2017-18p

64,400

2018-19p

64,000

p = Figures for the most recent years are provisional and are subject to revision due to late filing of tax returns.

Further statistics and commentary are provided in the HMRC publication “Statistics on non-domiciled taxpayers in the UK” which is available on GOV.UK[1].

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-on-non-domiciled-taxpayers-in-the-uk

28th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what financial arrangements, if any, they have agreed with the Crown Dependencies in recognition of the assistance that UK police and intelligence services provide to such Dependencies.

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

Baroness Williams of Trafford
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
12th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government how they calculate the fees for (1) British citizenship, and (2) long-term residence in the UK, applications; and whether those fees are used (a) only to cover the direct expenses incurred from such applications, and (b) to defray the overall Home Office budget.

All immigration and nationality fees are set taking account of the criteria set out at Section 68(9) of the Immigration Act 2014:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/22/section/68

These criteria include the cost of processing the application; the benefits and entitlements provided by a successful application; and, the wider cost of running the Border, Immigration and Citizenship (BIC) System.

Fees from immigration products and services contribute to funding a sustainable BIC System and ultimately reduce the reliance on tax-payer funding. The Home Office keeps fees for immigration and nationality applications under review and ensures they are within the parameters agreed with Parliament.

12th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many applicants for (1) British citizenship, and (2) long-term residence in the UK, took the Life in the UK test in (a) Welsh, and (b) Scots Gaelic, in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

In the last 3 years, there has been one Life in the UK test taken in Welsh, and no tests have been taken in Scots Gaelic.

The test taken in Welsh was a customer applying for British Citizenship.

1st Nov 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many times (1) personnel, and (2) equipment, of the Jersey Territorial Army have been mobilised in support of UK military operations since 1991.

Since 1991 Jersey Field Squadron RE (M) have been mobilised eleven* times in support of UK military operations. All these mobilisations involved both personnel and equipment.

As Jersey's contribution to the UK Defence, the Field Squadron deploys trained reservists to support the Regular Army both on exercises and operations in UK and overseas and have served in both Iraq and Afghanistan as well as supporting Defence’s contribution to the cross Government operations during the COVID 19 pandemic.

*This figure has been drawn from records held on computer systems that have been migrated over the time period, and therefore reflects the current data available.

18th Jan 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government which countries have agreed to contribute in (1) naval, or (2) logistical support, terms to the UK’s planned deployment of a Royal Navy carrier strike group to the Indo-Pacific region in 2021.

This will be a UK sovereign deployment but importantly it provides the opportunity to work with NATO allies and our global partners. On 19 January we were pleased to announce that the UK and US Governments have signed a Joint Declaration which allows a United States Navy destroyer and a detachment of United States Marine Corps F-35B fast jets to accompany the task group, together with their supporting personnel. Detailed planning continues and we will make a statement to the House in due course.

21st Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that the number of voters turned away from polling stations at the elections in May 2023 is recorded and published.

The Government is working closely with the Electoral Commission and local authorities to introduce voter identification at elections from May 2023.

The Electoral Commission is a body independent of the Government and is accountable to the UK Parliament. Funding of its duties including public awareness raising campaigns is a matter for the Speaker's Committee of the House of Commons.

The Voter Authority Certificate Application Service will go live on 16 January 2023 and updates on applications will be provided in due course.

Data will be collected by Returning Officers, including on incidences of electors not providing acceptable voter identification in polling stations, to inform the Electoral Commission and DLUHC evaluations of polls in May and the two future UK Parliamentary General Elections.

The department has an extensive change network including local authorities, Valuation Joint Boards, and electoral organisations which is supporting the implementation of voter identification in May 2023 and beyond.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
21st Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government when the website for people to apply for a free voter ID will be available to use.

The Government is working closely with the Electoral Commission and local authorities to introduce voter identification at elections from May 2023.

The Electoral Commission is a body independent of the Government and is accountable to the UK Parliament. Funding of its duties including public awareness raising campaigns is a matter for the Speaker's Committee of the House of Commons.

The Voter Authority Certificate Application Service will go live on 16 January 2023 and updates on applications will be provided in due course.

Data will be collected by Returning Officers, including on incidences of electors not providing acceptable voter identification in polling stations, to inform the Electoral Commission and DLUHC evaluations of polls in May and the two future UK Parliamentary General Elections.

The department has an extensive change network including local authorities, Valuation Joint Boards, and electoral organisations which is supporting the implementation of voter identification in May 2023 and beyond.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
21st Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Electoral Commission about when the publicity campaign for the Voter ID website will commence.

The Government is working closely with the Electoral Commission and local authorities to introduce voter identification at elections from May 2023.

The Electoral Commission is a body independent of the Government and is accountable to the UK Parliament. Funding of its duties including public awareness raising campaigns is a matter for the Speaker's Committee of the House of Commons.

The Voter Authority Certificate Application Service will go live on 16 January 2023 and updates on applications will be provided in due course.

Data will be collected by Returning Officers, including on incidences of electors not providing acceptable voter identification in polling stations, to inform the Electoral Commission and DLUHC evaluations of polls in May and the two future UK Parliamentary General Elections.

The department has an extensive change network including local authorities, Valuation Joint Boards, and electoral organisations which is supporting the implementation of voter identification in May 2023 and beyond.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
21st Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide extra funding to the Electoral Commission to enable a bigger publicity campaign to be run over a shorter timescale to highlight the requirement to present photo voter ID.

The Government is working closely with the Electoral Commission and local authorities to introduce voter identification at elections from May 2023.

The Electoral Commission is a body independent of the Government and is accountable to the UK Parliament. Funding of its duties including public awareness raising campaigns is a matter for the Speaker's Committee of the House of Commons.

The Voter Authority Certificate Application Service will go live on 16 January 2023 and updates on applications will be provided in due course.

Data will be collected by Returning Officers, including on incidences of electors not providing acceptable voter identification in polling stations, to inform the Electoral Commission and DLUHC evaluations of polls in May and the two future UK Parliamentary General Elections.

The department has an extensive change network including local authorities, Valuation Joint Boards, and electoral organisations which is supporting the implementation of voter identification in May 2023 and beyond.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
21st Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government whether there will be publicly available statistics showing how many people have applied for an ID on the Voter ID website.

The Government is working closely with the Electoral Commission and local authorities to introduce voter identification at elections from May 2023.

The Electoral Commission is a body independent of the Government and is accountable to the UK Parliament. Funding of its duties including public awareness raising campaigns is a matter for the Speaker's Committee of the House of Commons.

The Voter Authority Certificate Application Service will go live on 16 January 2023 and updates on applications will be provided in due course.

Data will be collected by Returning Officers, including on incidences of electors not providing acceptable voter identification in polling stations, to inform the Electoral Commission and DLUHC evaluations of polls in May and the two future UK Parliamentary General Elections.

The department has an extensive change network including local authorities, Valuation Joint Boards, and electoral organisations which is supporting the implementation of voter identification in May 2023 and beyond.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
5th Jan 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish the draft secondary legislation consequent to enactment of the Elections Bill, requested by the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, before the Bill receives its second reading in the House of Lords.

Electoral law is complex and it is vital that we get the detail right. We are working at pace on the secondary legislation and will share further detail with Parliament as soon we are in a position to.

1st Nov 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the sum of all the contributions made by the Crown Dependencies to the UK since April 2015.

The UK is constitutionally responsible for the defence and international relations of the Crown Dependencies (CDs), in recognition of which the CDs make voluntary contributions to the UK Government, either financially (directly and indirectly) or by providing military personnel. As these are general contributions in recognition of the UK’s overall responsibilities, and as it is in the interests of the UK to represent the whole British family internationally, these contributions are not intended to reflect the exact cost of either defending the Crown Dependencies or representing them internationally.

The Isle of Man makes a direct monetary contribution to the Consolidated Fund at HM Treasury. The Isle of Man’s payments are broken down in Table 1 below.

Table 1

Financial year

Isle of Man direct monetary contribution

2020-21

£3,236,233.76

2019-20

£3,177,762.92

2018-19

£3,121,881.25

2017-18

£3,076,351.25

2016-17

£3,032,381.72

2015-16

£2,981,692.94

The Bailiwick of Jersey’s contribution is to maintain an Army Reserve Unit (the Jersey Field Squadron, part of the Royal Engineers) on the island. Jersey pays the UK Ministry of Defence’s costs associated with the Jersey Field Squadron and meets the on-island costs directly. Jersey’s total contribution can be found in Table 2 below.

Table 2

Year

Bailiwick of Jersey contributions

2020

£1,532,678.00

2019

£1,514,701.00

2018

£1,063,833.00

2017

£1,065,461.00

2016

£1,252,121.00

2015

£1,069,039.00

The Bailiwick of Guernsey makes part of its contribution in the form of payment of passport fees, which are passed to the UK Ministry of Justice (MoJ), these are subsequently paid over to the Consolidated Fund at HM Treasury. Guernsey also accepts ownership of the breakwater in Alderney and is responsible for its repair, management and maintenance. Guernsey’s contributions can be found in Table 3 below.

Table 3

Financial year

Bailiwick of Guernsey passport fees

Year

Bailiwick of Guernsey Alderney breakwater costs

2020-21

£287,812.00 *

2020

£521,750.00

2019-20

£546,778.00

2019

£482,351.00

2018-19

£513,442.00

2018

£515,633.00

2017-18

£460,437.04

2017

£302,702.00

2016-17

£453,353.15

2016

£473,930.00

2015-16

£463,624.80

2015

£442,154.00

*Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the issue of passport fees from the Bailiwick of Guernsey in respect of 2020 was delayed and therefore receipted in 2021-22. £287,812.00 was received in June 2021 in respect of January 2020 to December 2020 and this amount will be reported in the MoJ Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2022. The 2020-21 figure for Guernsey passport fees is lower than previous years, as Guernsey received a reduced number of passport applications due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

1st Nov 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Guernsey still declares its contribution to the maintenance of the Alderney breakwater as their contribution to UK defence; and whether Guernsey makes other contributions to UK defence.

The UK is constitutionally responsible for the defence and international relations of the Crown Dependencies (CDs), in recognition of which the CDs make voluntary contributions to the UK Government, either financially (directly and indirectly) or by providing military personnel. As these are general contributions in recognition of the UK’s overall responsibilities, and as it is in the interests of the UK to represent the whole British family internationally, these contributions are not intended to reflect the exact cost of either defending the Crown Dependencies or representing them internationally.

The Isle of Man makes a direct monetary contribution to the Consolidated Fund at HM Treasury. The Isle of Man’s payments are broken down in Table 1 below.

Table 1

Financial year

Isle of Man direct monetary contribution

2020-21

£3,236,233.76

2019-20

£3,177,762.92

2018-19

£3,121,881.25

2017-18

£3,076,351.25

2016-17

£3,032,381.72

2015-16

£2,981,692.94

The Bailiwick of Jersey’s contribution is to maintain an Army Reserve Unit (the Jersey Field Squadron, part of the Royal Engineers) on the island. Jersey pays the UK Ministry of Defence’s costs associated with the Jersey Field Squadron and meets the on-island costs directly. Jersey’s total contribution can be found in Table 2 below.

Table 2

Year

Bailiwick of Jersey contributions

2020

£1,532,678.00

2019

£1,514,701.00

2018

£1,063,833.00

2017

£1,065,461.00

2016

£1,252,121.00

2015

£1,069,039.00

The Bailiwick of Guernsey makes part of its contribution in the form of payment of passport fees, which are passed to the UK Ministry of Justice (MoJ), these are subsequently paid over to the Consolidated Fund at HM Treasury. Guernsey also accepts ownership of the breakwater in Alderney and is responsible for its repair, management and maintenance. Guernsey’s contributions can be found in Table 3 below.

Table 3

Financial year

Bailiwick of Guernsey passport fees

Year

Bailiwick of Guernsey Alderney breakwater costs

2020-21

£287,812.00 *

2020

£521,750.00

2019-20

£546,778.00

2019

£482,351.00

2018-19

£513,442.00

2018

£515,633.00

2017-18

£460,437.04

2017

£302,702.00

2016-17

£453,353.15

2016

£473,930.00

2015-16

£463,624.80

2015

£442,154.00

*Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the issue of passport fees from the Bailiwick of Guernsey in respect of 2020 was delayed and therefore receipted in 2021-22. £287,812.00 was received in June 2021 in respect of January 2020 to December 2020 and this amount will be reported in the MoJ Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2022. The 2020-21 figure for Guernsey passport fees is lower than previous years, as Guernsey received a reduced number of passport applications due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

1st Nov 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Crown Dependencies last made financial contributions to the UK; and what were the amounts transferred.

The UK is constitutionally responsible for the defence and international relations of the Crown Dependencies (CDs), in recognition of which the CDs make voluntary contributions to the UK Government, either financially (directly and indirectly) or by providing military personnel. As these are general contributions in recognition of the UK’s overall responsibilities, and as it is in the interests of the UK to represent the whole British family internationally, these contributions are not intended to reflect the exact cost of either defending the Crown Dependencies or representing them internationally.

The Isle of Man makes a direct monetary contribution to the Consolidated Fund at HM Treasury. The Isle of Man’s payments are broken down in Table 1 below.

Table 1

Financial year

Isle of Man direct monetary contribution

2020-21

£3,236,233.76

2019-20

£3,177,762.92

2018-19

£3,121,881.25

2017-18

£3,076,351.25

2016-17

£3,032,381.72

2015-16

£2,981,692.94

The Bailiwick of Jersey’s contribution is to maintain an Army Reserve Unit (the Jersey Field Squadron, part of the Royal Engineers) on the island. Jersey pays the UK Ministry of Defence’s costs associated with the Jersey Field Squadron and meets the on-island costs directly. Jersey’s total contribution can be found in Table 2 below.

Table 2

Year

Bailiwick of Jersey contributions

2020

£1,532,678.00

2019

£1,514,701.00

2018

£1,063,833.00

2017

£1,065,461.00

2016

£1,252,121.00

2015

£1,069,039.00

The Bailiwick of Guernsey makes part of its contribution in the form of payment of passport fees, which are passed to the UK Ministry of Justice (MoJ), these are subsequently paid over to the Consolidated Fund at HM Treasury. Guernsey also accepts ownership of the breakwater in Alderney and is responsible for its repair, management and maintenance. Guernsey’s contributions can be found in Table 3 below.

Table 3

Financial year

Bailiwick of Guernsey passport fees

Year

Bailiwick of Guernsey Alderney breakwater costs

2020-21

£287,812.00 *

2020

£521,750.00

2019-20

£546,778.00

2019

£482,351.00

2018-19

£513,442.00

2018

£515,633.00

2017-18

£460,437.04

2017

£302,702.00

2016-17

£453,353.15

2016

£473,930.00

2015-16

£463,624.80

2015

£442,154.00

*Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the issue of passport fees from the Bailiwick of Guernsey in respect of 2020 was delayed and therefore receipted in 2021-22. £287,812.00 was received in June 2021 in respect of January 2020 to December 2020 and this amount will be reported in the MoJ Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2022. The 2020-21 figure for Guernsey passport fees is lower than previous years, as Guernsey received a reduced number of passport applications due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

28th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government how the (1) financial, and (2) other, contributions made by the Crown Dependencies to the UK in return for UK provision of (a) defence, (b) security, (c) international representation, and (d) other services, are reported to Parliament.

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

22nd Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they last negotiated with each of the three Crown Dependencies the (1) financial, and (2) other, contributions they should make in return for the UK Government (a) ensuring their security, and (b) representing their interests abroad.

The Crown Dependencies are self-governing jurisdictions and do not receive funding from the UK Exchequer. The UK is constitutionally responsible for their defence and international relations, in recognition of which the Crown Dependencies make contributions to the UK Government, either financially (directly and indirectly) or by providing personnel. These contributions are based on longstanding arrangements with the Crown Dependencies that were last amended in 1987 for the Bailiwick of Guernsey, 1994 for the Isle of Man and 1988 for the Bailiwick of Jersey.

The Crown Dependencies’ contributions have not recently been reviewed and there are no plans to review them in the near future.