Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish a response to the consultation Introducing fees in the Employment Tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal; and what assessment have they made of introducing fees for employment tribunal and appeal applications.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The consultation “Introducing fees in the Employment Tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal” was published in January 2024 under the previous government. Given the consultation was conducted under a different administration, the Government does not intend to produce a response to this consultation.

The Government is currently considering its position regarding the introduction of fees for employment tribunal and appeal applications. Any such changes would be considered in the context of new employment legislation and the fees regime for all courts and tribunals.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent agreement, if any, they have had with the European Union about the issue of Northern Ireland veterinary medicine.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

After the summit with the EU on 19 May, the UK and the EU committed to negotiating an SPS Agreement, which will facilitate the smooth flow of agrifood and plants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, protecting the UK’s internal market, reducing costs for businesses, and improving consumer choice. While we do not expect this Agreement to cover veterinary medicinal products, this remains a priority for Government and we remain committed to safeguarding supply to protect animal health and welfare in Northern Ireland. Officials continue to engage regularly with the EU, and the Government will be setting out its approach on this in due course.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the European Court of Human Rights will have more involvement in matters of the United Kingdom following the UK–EU reset agreement announced on 19 May.

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

There will be no increased involvement for the European Court of Human Rights in the United Kingdom resulting from the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit held on 19 May.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 14 January (HC22186), whether the Ministerial Code permits Ministers to depart from international law when it is in the UK national interest.

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

Paragraph 1.6 of the Ministerial Code states that "The Ministerial Code should be read against the background of the overarching duty on ministers to comply with the law, including international law and treaty obligations, and to protect the integrity of public life."

As set out in Chapter 2 of the Ministerial Code, Ministers are personally responsible for deciding how to act and conduct themselves in the light of the Code and for justifying their actions and conduct to Parliament and the public. The Prime Minister is the ultimate judge of the standards of behaviour expected of a minister.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the costs of the UK–EU security and defence partnership announced on 19 May.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership is an important agreement that will enable enhanced dialogue and cooperation on key issues including Ukraine, the Western Balkans, space, hybrid, maritime security and resilience of critical infrastructure, and military mobility. It also complements our relationship as a leading member of the Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization, the cornerstone of the UK's defence. There are no costs directly associated with the partnership. As we implement the partnership and take forward key areas of collaboration, I will ensure that any commitment - whether financial or non-financial - provides value to the UK taxpayer and delivers the UK's defence and security objectives.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 14 January (HC22186) and Attorney General's speech to the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Council on 30 January, what guidance they have given on whether Ministers can (1) derogate from or (2) disregard rulings of the European Court of Human Rights where such issues are against (a) UK national interest or (b) the stated view of the UK Parliament.

Answered by Lord Hermer - Attorney General

The Law Officers’ Convention applies to advice which may or may not have been given by, or requested of, the Law Officers. The Convention applies to your question.

It can be found at paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May: “By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 6 November 2024]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.”

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of 'environmental, social and governance' corporate reporting requirements.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government is currently conducting a review of the UK's non-financial reporting regime, which includes requirements for companies to report on various matters relating to governance, environment and wider society. The Government intends to consult on proposals to reform the UK's non-financial reporting framework later this year.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets on 26 July 2024 (HC675), what new corporate reporting requirements they intend to introduce; and whether they intend to introduce new net-zero or 'environmental, social and governance' reporting requirements.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government is keen to ensure the UK's corporate reporting requirements support economic growth by providing the information that investors need to allocate capital effectively, while helping users of reporting understand how business activities align with the UK's net zero and environmental goals. The Government will shortly publish a consultation covering the endorsement of UK versions of International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Standards.

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government why their Equality (Race and Disability) Bill: mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting consultation (CP 1288) did not contain a question on the costs to employers of the new measures.

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

The public consultation seeks views on the proposed approach to implementing mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting (delivering on the government’s manifesto commitment) in order to inform the drafting of the legislation.

We are separately engaging with a wide range of organisations, including employers, and gathering evidence in a more systematic manner on the likely costs and benefits of the proposed reporting requirements. This work will inform the impact assessment that will be published alongside the draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill.