Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many young people are currently homeless in the UK; what action they are taking to tackle youth homelessness; and whether they plan to create a national strategy to end youth homelessness as advocated by the PlanForThe136k coalition.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The most recent homelessness statistics for England (April to June 2023) are available at: Homelessness statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
This Government is committed to tackling all forms of homelessness including youth homelessness.
The Government's 'Ending Rough Sleeping for Good' Strategy, published in 2022 and backed by £2 billion over three years, recognises young people face particular challenges. The strategy confirmed a £200 million investment in the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP) which will deliver homes for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping, including young people. In addition, £2.4 million of Rough Sleeping Initiative funding for 2022-2025 supports youth services in local areas.
The department will continue to work with local authorities and partners in the voluntary and community sector and private sector to tackle youth homelessness.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assistance they intend to provide to the British Library to aid (1) its recovery from the ransomware attack on 31 October 2023, and (2) the continuation of its research services; and what additional measures they have put in place to assist British institutions to (a) improve overall resilience, and (b) defend against cyberattacks.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The National Cyber Security Centre and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have been working closely with the British Library since the cyber-attack it sustained in October 2023. DCMS formed an incident response team, providing security guidance, recommendations and support to the British Library, and officials from the Department continue to work with their counterparts at the British Library.
The British Library is working hard to restore its services and began a phased return of key services on 15 January 2024.
Despite the cyber attack, the British Library’s buildings have remained open and well-used throughout, and it has maintained some key services including reading room access for personal study and some limited collection item ordering, exhibitions, learning events, business support, and onsite retail. In the immediate aftermath essential services such as WiFi and event ticket sales were quickly re-established.
On 15 January, the British Library restored a searchable online version of its main catalogue, comprising records of printed books, journals, maps, music scores and rare books.
The Government Cyber Security Strategy sets out our plan significantly to harden the Government’s critical functions against cyber attacks by 2025, with all Government organisations across the public sector being resilient to known vulnerabilities no later than 2030. We are working closely with publicly-funded institutions to enhance their overall cyber-resilience and to ensure that these targets are met.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to (1) improve the mental and physical health of asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge, following the death of Leonard Farruku on 12 December 2023; and (2) ensure that the process of assessing living conditions on the Bibby Stockholm is sufficiently transparent.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
This tragic incident is subject to an ongoing investigation by the police and Coroner and therefore we cannot comment upon this or other individual cases. It is right that the facts surrounding this are established in the appropriate legal manner.
The welfare of asylum seekers is always a priority. The Home Office ensures that accommodation provided is adequate and meets the regulatory standards. We assess individuals' suitability to reside at Portland before moving them on board, and each person's suitability is assessed at regular intervals. If anyone is no longer suitable for any reason, they will be moved to alternative accommodation.
Accommodation providers ensure that guidance and training provided to staff regarding the identification and management of vulnerable asylum seekers with specific needs, or at-risk asylum seekers, is kept up to date and aligns with best practice and safeguarding processes.
The medical facility on the barge is staffed 5 days a week to provide an onsite primary healthcare service. The medical team has previous experience of working with asylum seekers, and refer anyone they are concerned about to the relevant specialist health providers, and discuss (in line with GDPR requirements), their advice with staff.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the security situation in Iraq following the US military strike in Baghdad on 4 January, which the Pentagon reported killed a senior commander of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba; and what discussions they have had with the governments of Iraq and the US following the denunciation of the strike by the Iraqi government.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We continually monitor the security situation in Iraq, working closely with our fellow members of the Global Coalition and the Government of Iraq. The US drone strike in Baghdad on January 4 which killed Abu Taqwa, a leader of the Iran Aligned Militia Group Harakat al-Nujaba, was announced as an act of self-defence by the US. The ongoing safety and protection of Coalition Forces members in Iraq remains paramount. The UK highlights the Government of Iraq's commitment to protect these forces. Lord Ahmad spoke with Minister Hussein on 4 January, and we frequently engage at official level.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the findings of the European Union Election Observation Mission to Guatemala 2023 with regard to the conduct of the general election on 25 June 2023 and presidential run-off on 20 August 2023, and (2) the political and security situation in Guatemala, following efforts to discredit the election of President Bernardo Arévalo, who took office on 14 January.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK welcomes the inauguration of Guatemalan President Arévalo. It is positive that the choice of the people of Guatemala has been respected. The Rt Hon. Lord Benyon attended the inauguration on 14 January. Minister Rutley and His Majesty the King have both issued statements of support for the President confirming that we will stand with those seeking to safeguard democracy and rule of law.
The British Embassy in Guatemala City continues to monitor the political and security situation closely. The UK shares concerns with the EU regarding the conduct of the electoral process prior to election day but agrees with the EU and OAS statements that there were no elements within the voting or counting processes which cast doubt on the electoral results presented by the Guatemalan Electoral Tribunal.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking, together with international partners, to prevent an expansion of hostilities between the government of Israel and Hezbollah, following recent airstrikes in Lebanon which killed Saleh al-Arouri, deputy chair of Hamas’s political bureau, and the Hezbollah senior commander, Wissam al-Tawil.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We remain in close contact with key international and regional partners, including to urge all sides to avoid further escalation in Lebanon; the situation is fragile and an escalation in violence, including on Lebanon's southern boundary with Israel, is not in anyone's interests. The UK is committed to its longstanding support to the Lebanese Armed Forces which helps maintain Lebanon's security.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the levels of tension between the governments of Taiwan and China following the presidential elections that took place in Taiwan on 13 January.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The elections that took place on 13 January are testament to Taiwan's vibrant democracy. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. We have restated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait alongside our G7 partners.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many children under the age of 18 were treated by NHS England for vaping-related disorders in (1) 2021, (2) 2022, and (3) 2023; and what assessment they have made of the need to reduce vaping by the under-18s, including measures to make vapes available only on prescription.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England recently published data on vaping related disorders as either the primary or secondary diagnosis. Data shows 46 people 19 years old and under were admitted for a vaping related disorder in 2022/23, down from 54 in 2021/22. Due to the size of the data, a copy of the full data set is attached.
On 12 October 2023, we launched a public consultation, seeking views on creating the first smokefree generation, our plans to crack down on youth vaping by reducing the appeal, availability and affordability of vapes to our children, and options to ensure the law is enforced. The consultation closed on 6 December 2023, and we will respond in the coming weeks ahead of the introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
There are no medicinally licensed vaping products approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. As such, the Government is not currently considering making vaping products prescription-only.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their understanding of the political, security and humanitarian situation in Sudan following the indefinite suspension on 5 December of peace talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which had been taking place in Jeddah; and what steps they are taking, together with international partners, to persuade both sides in the conflict to return to negotiations.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK condemns the ongoing hostilities in Sudan in the strongest terms. The human cost of the conflict is high, with atrocities being committed, a serious lack of humanitarian access and disregard for civilian life. The Jeddah talks, hosted by the United States and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, have now ended following ongoing disagreements between the warring parties. Alongside our international partners, we continue to support mediation efforts, such as those of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and urge both warring parties to engage constructively to secure a ceasefires and improvements in humanitarian access.
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the current political and humanitarian situation in Niger following the military coup in July.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Since the 26 July coup in Niger, the UK has supported efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to urge a return to civilian rule. With partners, we have encouraged Niger's National Council for Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP) to engage with ECOWAS negotiators on agreeing a democratic transition timeline. This is a pre-requisite for the lifting of ECOWAS sanctions, which risk worsening an already dire economic and humanitarian situation. Before the coup 4.3 million people needed humanitarian assistance in Niger and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) assess an additional 7.3 million people could be now pushed into food insecurity. The UK has urged all parties to facilitate the transit of humanitarian goods into Niger.