Asked by: Mike Amesbury (Labour - Weaver Vale)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Building Safety Remediation: monthly data release - March 2024, published on 18 April 2024, whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the pace of building assessments conducted by (a) Bellway, (b) Crest Nicholson and (c) Taylor Wimpey.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
In our most recent publication, the department provided guidance that a building is only defined as requiring remediation if a work assessment has been completed. We understand there may be other buildings requiring remediation, and we are urgently requesting that buildings complete these work assessments. Should they determine work is required, future statistical releases will reflect that.
We expect developers to remediate the buildings for which they are contractually responsible as quickly as reasonably practicable, in line with the terms of the developer remediation contract. The time it may reasonably take to assess buildings will vary depending on factors including when third parties grant the developer access to the building and how the developer prioritises work to assess buildings across its portfolio, taking into account the relative safety risk likely to be associated with each building.
The department meets with developers regularly and closely monitors the performance of each developer against its contractual obligations, including progress on assessments. The developer remediation contract and the Government’s statutory Responsible Actors Scheme mean that developers face significant consequences if they fail to comply with their contractual obligations.
Asked by: Mike Amesbury (Labour - Weaver Vale)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to his Department's Building Safety Remediation: monthly data release, updated on 18 April 2024, for what reason London Square Development (Holdings) Limited has no start dates planned for the remediation of its buildings.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
In our most recent publication, the department provided guidance that a building is only defined as requiring remediation if a work assessment has been completed. We understand there may be other buildings requiring remediation, and we are urgently requesting that buildings complete these work assessments. Should they determine work is required, future statistical releases will reflect that.
We expect developers to remediate the buildings for which they are contractually responsible as quickly as reasonably practicable, in line with the terms of the developer remediation contract. The time it may reasonably take to assess buildings will vary depending on factors including when third parties grant the developer access to the building and how the developer prioritises work to assess buildings across its portfolio, taking into account the relative safety risk likely to be associated with each building.
The department meets with developers regularly and closely monitors the performance of each developer against its contractual obligations, including progress on assessments. The developer remediation contract and the Government’s statutory Responsible Actors Scheme mean that developers face significant consequences if they fail to comply with their contractual obligations.
Asked by: Dan Carden (Labour - Liverpool, Walton)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the report by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism entitled Thousands of care workers risk deportation after employers breach rules, published on 11 May 2024.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
The Government will carefully consider the evidence put forward by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. The Home Office does not tolerate exploitation in the labour market and our systems are designed to ensure exploitative employers are unable to sponsor migrant workers. Any decision to revoke an employer’s licence will only be done in circumstances where they have failed to meet the obligations and duties such as ensuring workers are being paid the correct salary and given guaranteed work.
We are working hard across government and with the sector to support care workers who wish to seek alternative employment with a Home Office approved sponsor and remain in the UK.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to address the challenges of integrating advanced technologies into the UK's defence capabilities.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Integrated Review Refresh, Defence Command Paper Refresh, and recent Defending Britain paper have all outlined changes the MOD is making to promote greater pull-through of integrating advanced technologies into deployable capabilities. The Integration Design Authority (IDA) will traffic-light proposals for new equipment (including advanced technologies), introduce new checks and balances to avoid previous procurement challenges, speed up frontline delivery and bring down costs.
The Integrated Procurement Model (IPM) announced in February 2024 is a fundamental shift in the way the MOD acquires defence capability. Taken together, these changes will drive increased pace in the delivery of military capability to UK Armed Forces and promote effective integration of technology into deployable capability so that we stay ahead of our adversaries.
Asked by: Baroness Mobarik (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the comments made in 2004 by the then Prime Minister on the need to “end the isolation of northern Cyprus”; and what progress they have made towards lifting sanctions on trade and travel to that region.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. Several UN Security Council Resolutions also limit links between UK and the north of Cyprus. Within these constraints we support measures to reduce the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and regularly engage the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce on this issue. We continue to support a just and lasting Cyprus Settlement as the best means of resolving the difficulties caused by the division of the island.
Asked by: Margaret Hodge (Labour - Barking)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how funds received by HM Courts and Tribunals Service through the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme have been spent in each year since 2017.
Answered by Mike Freer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
Confiscation orders are the principal means by which the Government carries out its policy to deprive criminals of the proceeds of their crime. They are used with the intent to disrupt and deter criminality. Receipts from confiscation orders, excluding any compensation amounts, are paid to the Home Office by agreement with HM Treasury. The Home Office remains the lead department on confiscation orders, and each financial year distributes a proportion of the funds it collected to partner agencies (including the Ministry of Justice). This funding is provided by the Home Office to respective partner agencies with a primary purpose of investing in asset recovery capabilities.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what reassurances they have sought from the government of Israel regarding their cooperation with the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services investigation into the allegations made against UNRWA.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the events that took place on 7 October in Israel are appalling, which is why we took decisive action to pause future funding to the organisation.
The Prime Minister has been clear that the UK will set out its position on future funding to UNRWA following careful consideration of Catherine Colonna's final report, UNRWA's response and the ongoing UN Office for Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) investigation into these allegations.
We continue to urge Israel and all parties with relevant information to cooperate fully with the OIOS investigation.
Asked by: Baroness Janke (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government on the basis of what evidence they have continued to suspend funding to UNRWA despite other allies, including Germany, having restored funding to the agency.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the events that took place on 7 October in Israel are appalling, which is why we took decisive action to pause future funding to the organisation.
The Prime Minister has been clear that the UK will set out its position on future funding to UNRWA following careful consideration of Catherine Colonna's final report, UNRWA's response and the ongoing UN Office for Internal Oversight Services investigation into these allegations.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what initiatives are currently in place to ensure military veterans receive timely access to (1) physical rehabilitation, and (2) mental health, services, particularly those suffering post-traumatic stress disorder after combat.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Medical Services (DMS) provides healthcare to Serving Armed Forces Personnel, to ensure that they are medically fit, mentally and physically, to undertake their duties. To overcome injuries, comprehensive rehabilitation services are provided to Service Personnel, through a network of Primary Care Rehabilitation Facilities, Regional Rehabilitation Units and the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall.
All Service Personnel have access to mental health support throughout their career, including medical and non-medical services. The Trauma Risk Management process (TRiM) is a Tri-Service endorsed strategy for providing support to Armed Forces Personnel involved in a traumatic event, whether on Operations or in any other circumstance. For Armed Forces Personnel requiring mental healthcare, including for post-traumatic stress disorder, the DMS provides a responsive, flexible, accessible, and comprehensive treatment service.
The MOD is not responsible for the provision of healthcare, including mental healthcare, for veterans in the UK. Where personnel leaving the Armed Forces have an enduring need for medical care, the DMS works in partnership with the NHS in England and the Devolved Administrations. Personnel who have been assessed and diagnosed with a mental health need are able to access MOD Departments of Community Mental Health for up to six months after discharge to provide continuity of care during the transition period until appropriate handover to other services can be completed as required.
The Defence Recovery Capability is a MOD-owned capability designed to deliver programmed, command-led and coordinated support to wounded, injured and sick Serving Personnel. Each person who comes under the Defence Recovery Capability will get a tailored Individual Recovery Plan which enables them to focus on either their return to duty or transition to civilian life.
The Veterans Welfare Service and Defence Transition Service deliver additional support to Service Leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the Armed Forces, including facilitating access to NHS services.
Asked by: Baroness Mobarik (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any information on the number of UK merchant ships that docked at (1) Gazimağusa, and (2) Berbera, seaports in each year since 2010; and why their policies towards both unrecognised countries differ in terms of their international investment.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
No UK flagged vessels have docked at Famagusta (Gazimagusa) since 2018. One vessel docked five times at Berbera over the same period. We do not hold data before 2018. The situations in the north of Cyprus and Somaliland are different and require different approaches. The UK supports measures to promote economic development in both, whilst respecting UN Security Council Resolutions that limit links between the UK and the north of Cyprus.