Lord Gilbert of Panteg Portrait

Lord Gilbert of Panteg

Conservative - Life peer

Became Member: 30th September 2015


Draft Online Safety Bill (Joint Committee)
22nd Jul 2021 - 30th May 2024
Fraud Act 2006 and Digital Fraud Committee
19th Jan 2022 - 31st Oct 2022
Communications and Digital Committee
13th Sep 2016 - 19th Jan 2022
Communications and Digital Committee
6th Nov 2017 - 19th Jan 2022


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Lord Gilbert of Panteg has voted in 40 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Lord Gilbert of Panteg Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 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
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Legislation Debates
Lord Gilbert of Panteg has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
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Lords initiatives

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


2 Bills introduced by Lord Gilbert of Panteg


A Bill to require the Secretary of State to introduce a National Defence Medal; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 11th November 2014

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to make provisions to require owners of park home sites to undergo a fit and proper person test; to introduce a national licensing scheme for individual owners of park home sites; and for connected purposes

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 10th January 2012

Lord Gilbert of Panteg has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 14 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
19th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to (1) the Written Statement by the former Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on 12 March 2013 (HC 5WS-6WS), and (2) the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 17 December (HL3302), whether they have made an assessment of the cost of translation to the public purse.

The Cabinet Office does not hold information on the total cost of translation across Government. Individual departments are responsible for determining their own translation requirements.

Baroness Twycross
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
19th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Twycross on 17 December (HL3302), what records the Crown Commercial Service holds on which public bodies have taken out contracts for translation services using the framework agreement on translation into foreign languages.

The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) collects information from suppliers for public bodies that have taken out contracts for translation services under its Language Services agreement (RM6141) only. These records contain the names of the public sector bodies (contracting authority) and their spend through the framework, an aggregate of £5,402,890 from 10 May 2021 to 10 December 2024.

Public bodies that have used the CCS commercial agreement RM6141 Language Services include: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Bridgend County Borough Council, British Library, British Transport Police, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Department for Transport, Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and Social Care, Environment Agency, Equality and Human Rights Commission, High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd, HM Revenue & Customs, Intellectual Property Office, London Borough of Brent Council, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, London Borough of Lambeth Council, London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, National Crime Agency, NHS England, NHS England - East of England, NHS England Sustainable Improvement Team, NHS Improvement, NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Unit, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Office for National Statistics, Office for Nuclear Regulation, Oxfordshire County Council, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Serious Fraud Office, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, The Pensions Regulator, Transport for London, UK Health Security Agency, Westminster City Council and Wokingham Borough Council.

Information on individual contracts should be publicly available on Contracts Finder at the following link: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk

Baroness Twycross
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
19th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Twycross on (1) 3 December (HL2738), and (2) 17 December (HL3301), why the Written Answer of 3 December stated that no guidance on translation had been issued by the Cabinet Office but the Written Answer of 17 December stated the Guidance on Diversity and Inclusion and Impartiality for Civil Servants, published on 14 May, remains in force; and whether they will now correct the official record.

No specific guidance has been directly issued by the Cabinet Office on the topic of reducing spending by the civil service on translation into foreign languages. The Guidance on Diversity and Inclusion and Impartiality Requirements for Civil Servants signposts to another department's guidance that was issued in 2013.

Baroness Twycross
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
9th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 3 December 2024 (HL2738), what is the aggregate value of the Crown Commercial Service framework agreement on translation into foreign languages.

The aggregated value of spend on translation via the Crown Commercial Services language services framework (RM6141) is £5,402,890. (correct as of 10/12/2024).

Baroness Twycross
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
9th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 3 December (HL2738), whether the guidance against unnecessary translation of documents into foreign languages in paragraph 44 of Guidance on Diversity and Inclusion and Impartiality Requirements for Civil Servants remains Civil Service policy.

The current version of this guidance published on 14 May 2024 remains in place.

Baroness Twycross
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
12th Jun 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to invite UK-based civil society organisations and those representing the interests of children to attend their international summit on generative AI in education to be held in 2026.

The UK will host a high-level international summit on generative artificial intelligence (AI) in education in 2026. This initiative reinforces the UK’s commitment to international collaboration and to ensuring AI benefits all learners, everywhere.

Planning for the summit is underway, and the department is currently considering the format and attendees. Further information will be made available in due course.

Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
12th Jun 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of generative AI in schools and its impact on (1) children's education and long-term skills, and (2) children’s safety and well-being.

The department recognises the transformative potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in education and is taking a measured, evidence-led approach to its adoption. In January 2025, the department published updated guidance on the safe and effective use of generative AI in schools, including product safety expectations that prioritise child-centred design and safeguarding.

Secondly, to assess the impact of AI on children’s education and long-term skills, the department is investing over £1 million in a test-and-learn pilot with schools, colleges, and educational technology (EdTech) firms. This EdTech Impact Testbed Pilot is designed to evaluate how AI tools affect staff workload, pupil outcomes, and inclusivity. The department is also funding Ofsted to research how early adopter schools are using AI to support teaching and learning, with findings due in June 2025.

Additionally, the EdTech Evidence Board pilot launched in partnership with the Chartered College of Teaching is developing criteria to assess the effectiveness of EdTech tools. This will support schools in making evidence-based decisions about AI adoption.

Finally, to ensure safety and well-being, the department has published free training materials for educators and continues to work with regulators and the sector to ensure AI tools are safe, effective, and inclusive.

Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
12th Jun 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the speech made by the Secretary of State for Education at the Education World Forum on 19 May regarding funding to test the effectiveness of EdTech products in schools, what consultations they have held with civil society and other relevant organisations representing the interests of children as part of this work.

The department has announced over £1 million in funding to test the effectiveness of education technology (EdTech) products in schools and colleges. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to harness artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools to improve staff workload, pupil outcomes, and inclusivity. This work is based on findings from the department’s 2023 call for evidence on AI in education, which gathered views from educators, academics and civil society organisations on technology and AI in the classroom.

As part of this work, the department has launched an open expression of interest for schools, colleges and EdTech companies to participate in the EdTech Impact Testbed Pilot. The department is working with the Open Innovation Team to engage the education sector and gather insights on what works. This includes collaboration with educators and EdTech firms to ensure the tools tested are relevant and impactful.

The department is also currently undertaking deliberative engagement with pupils, parents and teachers to explore the use of pupil work to train AI. We are putting children, teachers and parents at the centre of work to explore responsible governance structures.

Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
21st Nov 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve English language proficiency amongst those with English as a second language.

Schools are allocated funding through the English as an additional language factor in the national funding formula which they can draw on to support pupils. This directs funding to schools (worth £590 per eligible primary pupil and £1,585 per eligible secondary pupil) based on the number of pupils on roll who are classed as having a first language other than English and who have started in the state-funded education system in England in the last three years. Schools are responsible for ensuring that all pupils can access the full curriculum and have flexibility in how they spend their overall budgets to put appropriate support provision in place. No recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of this approach for pupils with a first language other than English. However, the government will keep the matter under review.

In addition, the government supports adults aged 19 and over in England who are non-native speakers to access English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) provision, funded through the adult skills fund (ASF). Currently, approximately 60% of the ASF is devolved to nine Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and delegated to the Mayor of London acting through the Greater London Authority. These authorities are responsible for the provision of adult education and allocation of the ASF in their local areas. The Education and Skills Funding Agency is responsible for the remaining ASF in non-devolved areas where colleges and training providers have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their ASF to meet the needs of their communities.

In non-devolved skills areas, individuals aged 19 and over, including refugees, those granted humanitarian protection and asylum seekers, can be fully funded or co-funded to study ESOL depending on their employment status and salary, and provided they meet the residency criteria set out in the ASF Funding and Performance Management Rules.

Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
19th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the effect of public bodies’ translation into foreign languages on integration and community cohesion.

Government recognises that the ability to speak English is key to helping people integrate into life in the UK, as well as supporting people to access education, employment and other opportunities. Public bodies are responsible for determining their own requirements for language services and ensuring these deliver good value for money for the taxpayer and a good service.

Lord Khan of Burnley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
19th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 17 December (HL3301), what steps the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government is taking to discourage local authorities from translating into foreign languages, in line with the Guidance on Diversity and Inclusion and Impartiality for Civil Servants, published on 14 May, and the associated guidance in 2013.

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to Question UIN HL2739 on 4 December 2024.

Lord Khan of Burnley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
21st Nov 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to improve integration in communities by supporting English language proficiency.

As independent bodies who take their own decisions, local authorities are responsible for assessing the need and value for money in delivering any translation services for their residents.

Government recognises that the ability to speak English is key to helping people integrate into life in the UK, as well as supporting people to access education, employment and other opportunities.

We continue to support English language provision in various ways, including through providing £11.5 million for English language courses and employment support for up to 12,500 Ukrainians across the UK through the ‘STEP Ukraine’ programme. Other cohorts supported with similar English Language provision include Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) and Afghans arriving in the UK through HMG-led relocation schemes.

More generally, the Department for Education supports adults aged 19+ in England who do not have English as a first language to access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision, via the Adult Skills Fund.

Lord Khan of Burnley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
21st Nov 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support local authorities to reduce spending on translation into foreign languages, and whether they have issued any guidance to local authorities on this.

As independent bodies who take their own decisions, local authorities are responsible for assessing the need and value for money in delivering any translation services for their residents.

Government recognises that the ability to speak English is key to helping people integrate into life in the UK, as well as supporting people to access education, employment and other opportunities.

We continue to support English language provision in various ways, including through providing £11.5 million for English language courses and employment support for up to 12,500 Ukrainians across the UK through the ‘STEP Ukraine’ programme. Other cohorts supported with similar English Language provision include Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) and Afghans arriving in the UK through HMG-led relocation schemes.

More generally, the Department for Education supports adults aged 19+ in England who do not have English as a first language to access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision, via the Adult Skills Fund.

Lord Khan of Burnley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)