Baroness Young of Old Scone Portrait

Baroness Young of Old Scone

Labour - Life peer

Became Member: 4th November 1997


Environment and Climate Change Committee
14th Apr 2021 - 31st Jan 2024
Land Use in England Committee
19th Jan 2022 - 28th Nov 2022
Science and Technology Committee (Lords)
25th May 2016 - 28th Jan 2021
Rural Economy Committee
17th May 2018 - 26th Mar 2019
National Policy for the Built Environment Committee
8th Jul 2015 - 11th Feb 2016


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Baroness Young of Old Scone has voted in 458 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Baroness Young of Old Scone 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 Callanan (Conservative)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
(24 debate interactions)
Lord Bethell (Conservative)
(12 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Legislation Debates
Environment Act 2021
(15,537 words contributed)
Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023
(11,978 words contributed)
Agriculture Act 2020
(11,008 words contributed)
Fisheries Act 2020
(5,959 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Baroness Young of Old Scone's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Baroness Young of Old Scone, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


1 Bill introduced by Baroness Young of Old Scone


A Bill to promote the protection and stewardship of heritage trees in England; and for connected purposes.

Lords - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 5th December 2023

Baroness Young of Old Scone has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 23 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
10th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the announcement in Autumn Budget 2017, published on 22 November 2017, that “the Department for Transport, the Department of Health, the Department for Education, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Defence will adopt a presumption in favour of offsite construction by 2019 across suitable capital programmes”, how often offsite options have been (1) offered as part of the decision on a contract, (2) agreed, and (3) rejected, by each such Department.

The requested contractual information is not held centrally by the Cabinet Office as these contracts are awarded by departments and their delivery bodies.

Since the announcement of the presumption in favour of off-site construction, the government has continued to drive the agenda of modernising construction by working with the Department for Transport, the Department of Health, the Department for Education, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Defence, as well as publishing documents such as The Construction Sector Deal and Transforming Infrastructure Performance, which outlines the government’s plan to improve the delivery and performance of infrastructure and boost construction sector productivity.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
10th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what reports by (1) the Department for Transport, (2) the Department of Health, (3) the Department for Education, (4) the Ministry of Justice, (5) the Ministry of Defence, and (6) the Government, have been made on the implementation and progress towards their policy of those Departments adopting a presumption in favour of offsite construction by 2019; and whether any such reports have been published.

The requested contractual information is not held centrally by the Cabinet Office as these contracts are awarded by departments and their delivery bodies.

Since the announcement of the presumption in favour of off-site construction, the government has continued to drive the agenda of modernising construction by working with the Department for Transport, the Department of Health, the Department for Education, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Defence, as well as publishing documents such as The Construction Sector Deal and Transforming Infrastructure Performance, which outlines the government’s plan to improve the delivery and performance of infrastructure and boost construction sector productivity.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
10th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the total value of the offsite construction contracts which have been awarded by (1) the Department for Transport, (2) the Department of Health, (3) the Department for Education, (4) the Ministry of Justice, and (5) the Ministry of Defence, in (a) 2017, (b) 2018, and (c) 2019.

The requested contractual information is not held centrally by the Cabinet Office as these contracts are awarded by departments and their delivery bodies.

Since the announcement of the presumption in favour of off-site construction, the government has continued to drive the agenda of modernising construction by working with the Department for Transport, the Department of Health, the Department for Education, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Defence, as well as publishing documents such as The Construction Sector Deal and Transforming Infrastructure Performance, which outlines the government’s plan to improve the delivery and performance of infrastructure and boost construction sector productivity.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
17th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of households eligible for Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding have not yet made an application.

The Department estimated there were around 930,000 households who were potentially eligible for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Figures published on GOV.UK on 11th May show that, as of 3rd May, there were a total of 169,770 applications for the scheme in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Take-up figures for the scheme will be updated on 15th June 2023.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
17th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to extend the application period for Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding beyond 31 May to account for social housing providers who are supporting their residents through the application process.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding launched on 27 February providing 3 months for eligible applicants to apply before the scheduled 31 May deadline. The government does not currently propose to extend the application period. Throughout the scheme we have engaged with social housing partners, providing them with information to help support their residents through the application process.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
17th May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proportion of households eligible for Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding who have been wrongly denied the funding on the basis that they have received the £400 via their electricity supplier.

The Department has not made any assessment of the proportion of households eligible for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding who have wrongly been denied funding on the basis that they have received the £400 via their electricity supplier. If individuals believe this to be the case, they can request a review of their application by calling the contact centre on 0808 175 3287 (0808 175 3894 for Northern Ireland).

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
4th Dec 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will, in line with previous commitments, publish a land use framework for England in 2023.

The Land Use Framework will be published in due course. The Framework will build on the insight from the House of Lords Land Use in England Committee’s inquiry and support delivery of the full range of Government commitments through multifunctional, resilient and productive landscapes.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
13th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that those veterinary medicines at risk of being discontinued in Northern Ireland will continue to be available after the end of the 'grace period' for implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland; and what discussions they are holding with the EU in relation to (1) short term, and (2) long term, solutions to the challenges of availability of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland.

On 19 December 2022, the European Commission issued an announcement which provides for a three-year extension to the grace period for veterinary medicines until 31 December 2025. These arrangements will mean that the current processes for moving veterinary medicines between Great Britain and Northern Ireland will continue to be administered as they have been up to this point.

We welcome this extension to the veterinary medicine grace period from the Commission and are looking forward to further discussions on veterinary medicines in the New Year. We will continue to work for a long-term, sustainable solution to the supply of veterinary medicines.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
9th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to maintain the requirements of (1) Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions 1: Establishment of buffer strips along watercourses, (2) Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions 4: Providing minimum soil cover, and (3) Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions 5: Minimising soil erosion, as set out in The guide to cross compliance in England 2021, published on 18 December 2020, as legal requirements for all farmers and land managers (a) during, and (b) following the end of, their proposed plans set out in The Path to Sustainable Farming: An Agricultural Transition Plan 2021 to 2024, published on 30 November 2020.

We currently have regulations which protect water courses under the farming rules for water. Farming rules for water require land managers to leave unfertilised zones adjacent to watercourses and boreholes and to assess the pollution risk of fertilisers and manures they apply.

The farming rules for water require land managers to take action to prevent soil loss caused by agricultural or horticultural activity. This does not require land managers to take the same specific action as in cross compliance but provide a generalised provision that has the same policy aim as GAECs 4 and 5. Additionally, the farming rules for water require farmers to manage livestock so as to prevent pollution.

We are committed to maintaining standards and have domestic legislation which protects the environment, animal health and welfare, and plant health. We will continue to review this as necessary. We will look to use the most effective mechanism to deliver against environmental goals. It may be that another, non-regulatory mechanism is the most effective means to ensure that standards currently in cross compliance are maintained.

9th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to maintain the requirements of Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions 7a: Boundaries, as set out in The guide to cross compliance in England 2021, published on 18 December 2020, as a legal requirement for all farmers and land managers (1) during, and (2) after the end of, their proposed plans set out in the The Path to Sustainable Farming: An Agricultural Transition Plan 2021 to 2024, published on 30 November 2020.

Hedgerows and field boundaries are the very essence of our British countryside. They provide vital resources for mammals, birds and inspect species. As well as being an important habitat in their own right, they act as wildlife corridors allowing dispersal between isolated habitats. Many are also important historical and cultural landscape features.

We are committed to maintaining standards and have domestic legislation which protects the environment, animal health and welfare, and plant health. We will continue to review this as necessary. We will look to use the most effective mechanism to deliver against environmental goals. It may be that another, non-regulatory mechanism is the most effective means to ensure that standards currently in cross compliance are maintained.

9th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to use public funding in the new Environmental Land Management scheme for England to fund measures required by the cross-compliance rules for claiming rural payments.

Cross compliance and the rules they enforce are still in place and will continue to operate for the time being. Whilst farmers continue to receive a basic payment scheme payment or are part of most agri-environment schemes they will be subject to the cross-compliance rules.

The rules within cross compliance are mostly in domestic legislation and will continue to apply as we move away from CAP schemes.

We are working with stakeholders and end users to determine the specific land management actions that will be paid for under our new schemes that will pay farmers to improve the environment, improve animal health and welfare, and reduce carbon emissions. The Agricultural Transition Plan set out examples of the types of actions that we envisage paying for under the schemes. We have also recently published more details on the first phase of piloting the Sustainable Farming Incentive, including the actions we will pay farmers to take to manage their land in an environmentally sustainable way.

12th May 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the results of the Darwin Plus projects whose initial applications were submitted between May and July 2019 will be announced; and whether the allocation of the funds to projects will be in line with the results of the consultation on ‘Safeguarding the environment in British Overseas Territories’ which concluded on 26 July 2019.

The successful projects for the recent round of Darwin Plus will be announced shortly.

I was encouraged that we received a strong response to the Call for Evidence on ‘Safeguarding the environment in British Overseas Territories', with 51 responses received from the Overseas Territories, NGOs and other interested parties. This was an important evidence gathering-exercise designed to inform the Government’s preparations for the next spending review. The summary of responses was published on 31 March 2020, after the application and assessment of Darwin Plus applications was completed. The findings of the Call for Evidence will be used to inform future funding for environmental support in the Overseas Territories.

7th Jan 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether either the proposed (1) Nature for Climate Fund or (2) Blue Planet Fund will be open to UK Overseas Territories.

The Government is committed to supporting the unique biodiversity of the Overseas Territories, which contain over 90% of the UK family’s total endemic species.

A summary of responses to 2019’s call for evidence on safeguarding the environment in the British Overseas Territories will be published shortly. This will be used to inform decisions on future public funding and support, which to date has supported important conservation work in marine, terrestrial and freshwater environments in the Territories. In addition, last year the UK announced an extension to the Blue Belt Programme (BBP) until 2021, with a further £7 million to provide ongoing support for protection of the diverse marine ecosystems present around the Overseas Territories.

The ocean supports the livelihoods of one in every ten people, including some of the poorest and most vulnerable worldwide. Recognising the link between ocean health and its effect on the development prospects of the most disadvantaged communities, this Government will establish a £500 million Blue Planet Fund (BPF).

Financed from the Official Development Assistance Budget, the BPF will help ODA-eligible countries. The fund seeks to protect their marine resources from key human-generated stressors including plastic pollution, overfishing and habitat loss. This new financing will build on the success of the BBP, embracing the wider ocean’s role in mitigating and adapting to climate change.

The scope of the Nature for Climate Fund is under development, but as set out in our manifesto, the Fund will help to drive a step change in tree planting, peatland restoration and nature recovery in England.

21st Feb 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will lay before Parliament the annual report by HS2 Ltd on the scheme's impact on ancient woodland.

The annual report on HS2’s impact on ancient woodland was published on 23 February 2022. This report has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Feb 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish the annual report by HS2 Ltd on the scheme's impact on ancient woodland as soon as it is received.

The annual report on HS2’s impact on ancient woodland was published on 23 February 2022. This report has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Feb 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to receive the annual report by HS2 Ltd on the scheme's impact on ancient woodland, due on 11 February, as required by the High Speed Rail (West Midlands–Crewe) Act 2021.

The annual report on HS2’s impact on ancient woodland was published on 23 February 2022. This report has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
22nd Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people they expect will be encouraged to have a further COVID-19 booster vaccination in each age group by Spring 2023.

The Government continues to be guided by the advice of the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) regarding the deployment of COVID-19 vaccinations across the UK. On 19 May 2022, the JCVI published interim advice on an autumn COVID-19 vaccination booster programme. The primary objective of the programme is to offer protection against severe COVID-19 disease, specifically hospitalisation and death.

The interim advice from the JCVI is that an additional COVID-19 booster vaccine should be offered in autumn 2022 to residents in a care home for older adults and staff; frontline health and social care workers; all those aged 65 years old and over; and adults aged 16-64 years old who are in a clinical risk group.

The JCVI continues to review the definitions of clinical risk groups and the need for any further COVID-19 vaccination of other patient groups. Further information on the number of people eligible for the autumn COVID-19 booster programme will be subject to the final advice from the JCVI, which is expected autumn 2022.

22nd Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what priorities they have adopted for the COVID-19 vaccination programme from autumn 2022 to spring 2023.

The Government continues to be guided by the advice of the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) regarding the deployment of COVID-19 vaccinations across the UK. On 19 May 2022, the JCVI published interim advice on an autumn COVID-19 vaccination booster programme. The primary objective of the programme is to offer protection against severe COVID-19 disease, specifically hospitalisation and death.

The interim advice from the JCVI is that an additional COVID-19 booster vaccine should be offered in autumn 2022 to residents in a care home for older adults and staff; frontline health and social care workers; all those aged 65 years old and over; and adults aged 16-64 years old who are in a clinical risk group.

The JCVI continues to review the definitions of clinical risk groups and the need for any further COVID-19 vaccination of other patient groups. Further information on the number of people eligible for the autumn COVID-19 booster programme will be subject to the final advice from the JCVI, which is expected autumn 2022.

22nd Jun 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination programme will be centrally or locally coordinated.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme will continue to be centrally coordinated. Whilst it is expected that the programme will continue to be managed at national, regional and local levels, the National Health Service is working with providers, local authorities, voluntary and community sector leaders and communities on the delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations. This includes maximising uptake and coverage, ensuring flexibility to respond to local needs and promoting better understanding of the benefits of vaccination and public health prevention initiatives.

8th Feb 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide denominator information (1) by priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination, and (2) by ethnic group, to local public health directors and their staff; if they plan to provide such information, when they will do so; and what assessment they have made of the potential for such information to enable local conversations about how to improve uptake between local public health directors and those communities with poorer uptake of COVID-19 vaccination.

We are committed to ensuring that local authorities and Directors of Public Health have the data they need to understand uptake in their local areas and tailor efforts to reach those who have not yet taken up the offer of a vaccine appointment.

Data on number of COVID-19 vaccinations given is being shared with Directors of Public Health at both a Middle Layer Super Output Area level and a lower tier local authority level. This includes both data by age cohort and ethnic group. Directors of Public Health also receive vaccination uptake and denominator information for age cohorts and priority groups, by ethnicity and deprivation index at sustainability transformation partnership and Lower Layer Super Output Area level. This provides information on vaccine uptake that enables local conversations about designing and improving operational delivery locally.

8th Feb 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to lift the embargo on sharing local COVID-19 vaccination uptake data (1) by priority group, and (2) by ethnic group, with primary care networks and clinical commissioning groups; and what assessment they have made of whether sharing this data would increase the effectiveness of local vaccination efforts.

There is no embargo on sharing local COVID-19 vaccination data. This data is published weekly online by NHS England and NHS Improvement.

We are also collecting and monitoring uptake data to drive and improve the national deployment plan, as well as sharing data to support local uptake action and decision-making.