Lords Chamber
14:35
14:36
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
Question standing in my name on
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the Order Paper. My Lords, the United Kingdom is deeply concerned by the deeply concerned by the deteriorating political and security situation in South Sudan. This is why we, alongside our like minded international, continue to urge for an immediate de-escalation of current tensions and for a return to an inclusive political dialogue. The transitional government of South Sudan must
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the Order Paper. My Lords, the United Kingdom is deeply concerned by the deeply concerned by the deteriorating political and security situation in South Sudan. This is why we, alongside our like minded international, continue to urge for an immediate de-escalation of current tensions and for a return to an inclusive political dialogue. The transitional government of South Sudan must
14:36
Lord Harries of Pentregarth (Crossbench)
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Lord Harries of Pentregarth (Crossbench)
government of South Sudan must engage with regional efforts towards de-escalation, led by Egad
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and the African Union, of which the United Kingdom is in support. I thank the Minister for her
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I thank the Minister for her reply. The devastating civil war in Sudan left 400,000 dead, and nearly Sudan left 400,000 dead, and nearly half the population displaced. The 2018 peace agreement was based upon 2018 peace agreement was based upon power sharing between Salva Kiir, largely supported by the Dinka people, and Riek Machar, largely supported by the by the Nuer. But in November, the president sacked in November, the president sacked his vice president and sacked a number of his supporters in the Cabinet.
What international
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and the African Union, of which the United Kingdom is in support. I thank the Minister for her
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I thank the Minister for her reply. The devastating civil war in Sudan left 400,000 dead, and nearly Sudan left 400,000 dead, and nearly half the population displaced. The 2018 peace agreement was based upon 2018 peace agreement was based upon power sharing between Salva Kiir, largely supported by the Dinka people, and Riek Machar, largely supported by the by the Nuer. But in November, the president sacked in November, the president sacked his vice president and sacked a number of his supporters in the Cabinet.
What international
14:37
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
Cabinet. What international pressure has been brought to bear in order to reinstate the vice president in his position, so that the Civil War may not break out again?
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Well, I think the noble Lord is completely right in that when he says that the political instability in South Sudan does not in any way help us achieve the lasting peace that we need or the implementation of the power sharing agreement, but we continue to work closely alongside international partners alongside international partners and with our team in Juba to make sure that any processes there might be around the situation that he be around the situation that he identified are done properly, but that we continue to make the case
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Well, I think the noble Lord is completely right in that when he says that the political instability in South Sudan does not in any way help us achieve the lasting peace that we need or the implementation of the power sharing agreement, but we continue to work closely alongside international partners alongside international partners and with our team in Juba to make sure that any processes there might be around the situation that he be around the situation that he identified are done properly, but that we continue to make the case
14:38
Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat)
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Lord Oates (Liberal Democrat)
that we continue to make the case for stability and for the inclusive politics that, in the end, is going to be the key to a peaceful future
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for South Sudan. I declare my interest as chief executive of United Against Malnutrition and Hunger. In his November 3rd report, the secretary general of the UN warned that without humanitarian access being restored to all areas, the South restored to all areas, the South Sudan risked a full scale food and nutrition crisis. Could the Minister update the House on Minister update the House on whether any progress has been made on humanitarian access, and what discussions they have had with the
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for South Sudan. I declare my interest as chief executive of United Against Malnutrition and Hunger. In his November 3rd report, the secretary general of the UN warned that without humanitarian access being restored to all areas, the South restored to all areas, the South Sudan risked a full scale food and nutrition crisis. Could the Minister update the House on Minister update the House on whether any progress has been made on humanitarian access, and what discussions they have had with the
14:38
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
discussions they have had with the South Sudan government, other warring parties and other influential actors such as the
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Vatican, the Anglican Church and other EU governments. Yeah. Well, it's certainly true that
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Well, it's certainly true that access for humanitarians is incredibly challenging and we are sadly, devastatingly seeing some of sadly, devastatingly seeing some of the dynamics of the conflict in Sudan actually show themselves in South Sudan as well. The UK has spent 100 million in the last year, spent 100 million in the last year, and we've spent, I think, over £1 billion now since the peace agreement on exactly the kind of agreement on exactly the kind of work that he's talking about.
While access is undoubtedly challenging, access is undoubtedly challenging, we will continue to work alongside others to try and get the help where it is desperately needed. And indeed, our support for the UN peacekeeping mission will be vital peacekeeping mission will be vital in securing this access.
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Vatican, the Anglican Church and other EU governments. Yeah. Well, it's certainly true that
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Well, it's certainly true that access for humanitarians is incredibly challenging and we are sadly, devastatingly seeing some of sadly, devastatingly seeing some of the dynamics of the conflict in Sudan actually show themselves in South Sudan as well. The UK has spent 100 million in the last year, spent 100 million in the last year, and we've spent, I think, over £1 billion now since the peace agreement on exactly the kind of agreement on exactly the kind of work that he's talking about.
While access is undoubtedly challenging, access is undoubtedly challenging, we will continue to work alongside others to try and get the help where it is desperately needed. And indeed, our support for the UN peacekeeping mission will be vital peacekeeping mission will be vital in securing this access.
14:39
Baroness Uddin (Non-affiliated)
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Baroness Uddin (Non-affiliated)
My Lord, my Lord, we had a wonderful debate, I think very productive debate last week on Sudan. And these issues will continue to impact the people of South Sudan and Sudan. Will the Minister ensure that in any work that Britain is doing, that we are never again accused of interfering in what the people of Sudan are able to do in any democratic processes? What is our government doing to ensure that the government is talking to the regional partners, and especially the African Union, and especially the African Union, as well as OIC? I mean, this this.
14:40
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
Really does matter, and it is good that there is regional leadership to help, to try and improve the situation. There is no lasting answer to this that does not involve regional and national leadership, which is why we're insistent that the the humanitarian work, the peacekeeping work goes alongside the work on democracy and inclusivity, that, in the end, is going to be what makes the peace in South Sudan and the the power sharing agreement. We need to return to that fully and to make sure that this situation can be improved, because in the end, it is the people of South Sudan who the people of South Sudan who really do suffer the worst of this.
14:41
Lord Singh of Wimbledon (Crossbench)
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Lord Singh of Wimbledon (Crossbench)
What would the noble Lady, the Minister, agree that if we really want to help people in places like South Sudan escape horrendous conflict and suffering, we need to do something about the runaway arms trade in which arms are sold to friendly countries, and then those go on to other countries for crude economic gain. An example is that India, the land of Mahatma Gandhi, sells arms to Russia. Russia, in turn sells arms to Pakistan.
Again, turn sells arms to Pakistan. Again, with the possible possibility of conflict. Thank you. conflict. Thank you.
Again, turn sells arms to Pakistan. Again, with the possible possibility of conflict. Thank you. conflict. Thank you.
14:42
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
We have a very strict regime here about arms sales, and that would include measures that would prevent diversion and rule against diversion. But also we keep these things incredibly closely monitored. Noble Lords will know that there is a UN embargo when it comes to South Sudan. And we support this. And I can commit to noble Lords that we will continue to work to make sure that our regime is tightly managed that our regime is tightly managed and robust as it can be.
14:42
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative)
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Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative)
Well, one of the major concerns both in Sudan and South Sudan is the continuing prevailing nature of sexual violence in conflict. The government has previous, as the noble Lady has acknowledged several times, has a long and strong standing record on this. With the recent challenges faced on the development budget, what assurance can the Minister provide that that can the Minister provide that that will remain a priority in a focus, particularly in both Sudan and South Sudan?
14:42
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
Yeah.
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It's vital that it does. And I can commit to the noble Lord that it will do. And we have the amazing services of Baroness Harman to support us and to hold us to account and to offer that internal challenge. And I'm every confidence that she will be able to do that. We have to have specific programming on violence against women and girls, but we also need women and girls, but we also need to mainstream this approach throughout everything we do, so that the needs of women are met
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It's vital that it does. And I can commit to the noble Lord that it will do. And we have the amazing services of Baroness Harman to support us and to hold us to account and to offer that internal challenge. And I'm every confidence that she will be able to do that. We have to have specific programming on violence against women and girls, but we also need women and girls, but we also need to mainstream this approach throughout everything we do, so that the needs of women are met
14:43
14:43
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
nurturing democracy often requires a strong civil society. And I wonder what our government is doing wonder what our government is doing to nurture civil society and to strengthen it in South Sudan. I strengthen it in South Sudan. I think this is essential. And yes, we do work through the United Nations and other large organisations, but it's important that especially when you have that especially when you have communities that are difficult to reach or contacts that are difficult sometimes to gain access for larger organisations, that smaller civil society groups and smaller civil society groups and mutual aid groups are empowered and supported by us in the international community, because not only do we are we able to reach more people this way, but actually you build a capability and a network and a strength there, and a set of skills that can do enormous good for years into the future.
Perhaps after the international activity has reduced.
Perhaps after the international activity has reduced.
14:44
The Earl of Courtown (Conservative)
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The Earl of Courtown (Conservative)
My Lords, as the noble Baroness Minister said earlier, political stability and inclusive politics are really important for the future of Sudan to improve the dreadful situation we find ourselves in there. The previous foreign Secretary advised all Britons or encouraged all Britons to leave Sudan if it's safe for them to do so. I was wondering if the noble Baroness could tell me what the her department have made an assessment of how many Britons remain in South Sudan at the moment, and have begun planning on any necessary support planning on any necessary support should the situation deteriorate.
14:45
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
Well, I mean, thankfully we do live in a free country and our citizens, sometimes in their wisdom, find themselves into in situations where, despite the best efforts of the advice given by the Foreign Office and decide to go anyway. So we don't hold numbers of how many British citizens are in any particular place. But we will, of course, make sure that the consular support is needed would be available to any British citizen as available to any British citizen as as anyone can expect, wherever they happen to be in the world.
14:45
Lord Hain (Labour)
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Lord Hain (Labour)
My Lords, Lord.
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I ask the Minister what discussions are taking place in the United Arab Emirates government
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I ask the Minister what discussions are taking place in the United Arab Emirates government
14:46
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
about its role in both Sudan and South Sudan, which is quite malevolent. Excuse me?
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Well, we continue to encourage all those with any influence over all those with any influence over any of the warring parties in Sudan or the the government or the or the the government or the opposition in South Sudan to make sure that that that influence, whether it's financial or whether whether it's financial or whether it comes in the form of weapons, is used in a way that encourages
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Well, we continue to encourage all those with any influence over all those with any influence over any of the warring parties in Sudan or the the government or the or the the government or the opposition in South Sudan to make sure that that that influence, whether it's financial or whether whether it's financial or whether it comes in the form of weapons, is used in a way that encourages
14:46
14:46
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
Second question. Lord Fowler. My Lords, I beg leave to ask the question. Standing in my name on
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the Order Paper. My Lords, the global response to HIV and Aids has seen outstanding achievements, with infections up to 40% lower globally than in 2010. 40% lower globally than in 2010. But despite this, our work is not done. The UK government remains done. The UK government remains firmly committed to eliminating Aids as a public health threat, and we are proud to continue our we are proud to continue our support to the organisations at the forefront of the HIV response, including the Global Fund to Fight
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the Order Paper. My Lords, the global response to HIV and Aids has seen outstanding achievements, with infections up to 40% lower globally than in 2010. 40% lower globally than in 2010. But despite this, our work is not done. The UK government remains done. The UK government remains firmly committed to eliminating Aids as a public health threat, and we are proud to continue our we are proud to continue our support to the organisations at the forefront of the HIV response, including the Global Fund to Fight
14:47
Lord Fowler (Crossbench)
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Lord Fowler (Crossbench)
including the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, whose eighth replenishment we co-hosted alongside South Africa
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and UNAids. My Lord, I thank the Minister
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My Lord, I thank the Minister for that reply. On world Aids day, as it is today, we acknowledge the radical reduction that there has been in deaths from Aids and last been in deaths from Aids and last years, with deaths reducing worldwide from 1.4 million a year worldwide from 1.4 million a year in 2010 to the present total of in 2010 to the present total of around six 30,000. I would hope that we will also acknowledge the that we will also acknowledge the terrible irony that in spite of this success, and in spite of the breakthrough with new drugs, nations led regrettably by the United States, but also including others like Britain, are cutting their overseas budget.
Surely we will not be forgiven if we reject the exceptional opportunity we have the exceptional opportunity we have now to eradicate Aids as a public health threat just as quickly as is humanly possible.
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and UNAids. My Lord, I thank the Minister
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My Lord, I thank the Minister for that reply. On world Aids day, as it is today, we acknowledge the radical reduction that there has been in deaths from Aids and last been in deaths from Aids and last years, with deaths reducing worldwide from 1.4 million a year worldwide from 1.4 million a year in 2010 to the present total of in 2010 to the present total of around six 30,000. I would hope that we will also acknowledge the that we will also acknowledge the terrible irony that in spite of this success, and in spite of the breakthrough with new drugs, nations led regrettably by the United States, but also including others like Britain, are cutting their overseas budget.
Surely we will not be forgiven if we reject the exceptional opportunity we have the exceptional opportunity we have now to eradicate Aids as a public health threat just as quickly as is humanly possible.
14:48
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
Well, we would not be forgiven, but that is not what we are doing. We are. We are, I think now the third biggest contributor to the Global Fund, which is the world's leading mechanism for fighting Aids, TB and malaria. And we have continued to fund UNAids. We work through Unitaid and we work with the Robert Carr Foundation as well. So the UK is doing everything that it can internationally and domestically to fight HIV and Aids, and we mustn't forget the work that we're doing to fight against the rollback of LGBT rights, which do so much which the absence of which do so much harm to the prevention and destigmatization, which leads to people unable to access their treatment.
So I respect the incredible work that the noble has. Noble Lord has done over very many years, and I look forward to continue to being held to account by him on this vital issue. by him on this vital issue.
So I respect the incredible work that the noble has. Noble Lord has done over very many years, and I look forward to continue to being held to account by him on this vital issue. by him on this vital issue.
14:49
Lord Cashman (Non-affiliated)
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Lord Cashman (Non-affiliated)
My Lords, I refer to my register of interest, in particular as a patron of the Terrence Higgins Trust. Today, on this world Aids day, we remember those some friends that we lost to HIV related illnesses and how very different the world might have been had they survived those dark times. So today I ask the noble Lady, the Minister, domestically, what provisions will the government undertake to ensure that people living with HIV who subsequently go into residential social care, do not face stigma and discrimination because of their HIV discrimination because of their HIV status or associated status? Yeah.
14:50
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
I think that would be a fascinating question to put to my colleague, the health Minister. But I think the the issue he raises is, is really important because it speaks to this point about stigmatisation and about awareness and about the amazing fact which 20 or 30 years ago, would not have been able to be said, that so many people now live incredibly long, fulfilling, healthy lives. Many friends that I have have have HIV and they they, I'm sure, will one day be looking at the prospect of being in some.
They might not want to talk about this, but being in some kind of care facility. But it is vital that that stage of their life can be lived with, with dignity and is fulfilling a way as possible. And there is no reason whatsoever that their HIV status should be an impediment to that. And the government will work to do And the government will work to do whatever it needs to do to make sure that that is the case.
They might not want to talk about this, but being in some kind of care facility. But it is vital that that stage of their life can be lived with, with dignity and is fulfilling a way as possible. And there is no reason whatsoever that their HIV status should be an impediment to that. And the government will work to do And the government will work to do whatever it needs to do to make sure that that is the case.
14:51
Baroness Barker (Liberal Democrat)
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Baroness Barker (Liberal Democrat)
It's the decision of the United States government to end almost without notice, funding to most many multilateral programmes for HIV and Aids has destroyed medical and scientific research networks across the world, particularly in Africa. And they can't be rebuilt. The government, our government has agreed to fund the to need to fund the global fund for which we are most grateful, but it is important that we continue to fund unit aids. And Robert, so that the emerging technologies for prevention and treatment can be scaled up quickly.
Will the government commit to maintaining that intervention? maintaining that intervention?
Will the government commit to maintaining that intervention? maintaining that intervention?
14:51
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
We absolutely can commit to continuing to funding those organisations. I can't give you numbers against those at the moment. We're working through the specifics and allocations at the moment, but she makes a really strong case. I hear it, and I think the fact that hear it, and I think the fact that we are backing Global Fund, to the extent that we are, shows the government's intentions on this issue. issue.
14:52
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Conservative)
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Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Conservative)
I Lord Mackenzie junior. Scotland. I are acutely aware of the wonderful work which Lord Fowler did in leading a campaign in those days. It was an absolute death sentence, and one of the reasons that we need to think very carefully about the support that's provided now is it's not just about drugs, it's also about education. It's about tackling prejudice, particularly in those countries who are most vulnerable and most effective. So could I join with him in urging her to continue that work in supporting those people who are spreading, spreading education against the prejudice and encouraging people to be made aware of the treatments which are of the treatments which are possible for this dreadful, dreadful disease which still kills dreadful disease which still kills so many people in our world.
14:53
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
I think that was a point very, very well made, and I thank him for for making it. I think that the rollback of rights and the the absence of education sometimes is, I'm told by my very good friends at Terrence Higgins that this is as big a problem to them as many other issues that we face. Our network around the world works hard on this as well. And on the issue of rights, I mean, I've never seen such pride in an ambassador's face when they tell me they've conducted a wedding, a same sex wedding, and they're in the ambassador's house in in a capital city.
Where in a country where this is not permitted more generally, they're very proud of that. And I think that things like that. And I think that things like that speak to the UK's unwavering support for this agenda. And that's something that I don't think you will ever see diminish. will ever see diminish.
Where in a country where this is not permitted more generally, they're very proud of that. And I think that things like that. And I think that things like that speak to the UK's unwavering support for this agenda. And that's something that I don't think you will ever see diminish. will ever see diminish.
14:54
The Lord Bishop of Manchester (Bishops)
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The Lord Bishop of Manchester (Bishops)
My Lord, it's one of the most tragic consequences of Aids remains children who lose both their parents at a very young age, often ending up in orphanages. And we were just talking in the house last week about some of the challenges of orphanages. I wonder what the lady can tell us about the government's plan to support government's plan to support children who've been left orphaned as a result of Aids.
14:54
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
Well, it is a.
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It is a tragedy, as he says. And the former foreign secretary, David Lammy, felt personally, incredibly Lammy, felt personally, incredibly strongly about this. And he had an initiative to to support the the initiative to to support the the care of orphan children in family settings. And he was working with many governments around the world many governments around the world to do this. And I think this is something from my last conversation I had with him about it that he
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It is a tragedy, as he says. And the former foreign secretary, David Lammy, felt personally, incredibly Lammy, felt personally, incredibly strongly about this. And he had an initiative to to support the the initiative to to support the the care of orphan children in family settings. And he was working with many governments around the world many governments around the world to do this. And I think this is something from my last conversation I had with him about it that he
14:54
Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative)
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Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative)
I had with him about it that he tends to to maintain and to continue to champion as Deputy Prime Minister.
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On world Aids day. Would the noble Lady join me in paying tribute to all those worldwide who tribute to all those worldwide who care for people with HIV, who often have very complex health needs, doctors and nurses and health professionals who work at very professionals who work at very special places like the Ian Charleson Day Centre at the Royal Free Hospital, used to Minister to
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On world Aids day. Would the noble Lady join me in paying tribute to all those worldwide who tribute to all those worldwide who care for people with HIV, who often have very complex health needs, doctors and nurses and health professionals who work at very professionals who work at very special places like the Ian Charleson Day Centre at the Royal Free Hospital, used to Minister to
14:55
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
Free Hospital, used to Minister to the dying and now they care for the living. Are we not in their debt?
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No, we really are. And I think what he says is absolutely right. And we should pay tribute to those And we should pay tribute to those who care and those who innovate, and the scientists who finding new, and the scientists who finding new, new treatments that are making such a difference. And it really is a joy to know not just that so many joy to know not just that so many of our friends and those we love will live long, happy lives, but also that they're happy to share
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No, we really are. And I think what he says is absolutely right. And we should pay tribute to those And we should pay tribute to those who care and those who innovate, and the scientists who finding new, and the scientists who finding new, new treatments that are making such a difference. And it really is a joy to know not just that so many joy to know not just that so many of our friends and those we love will live long, happy lives, but also that they're happy to share
14:55
The Earl of Courtown (Conservative)
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The Earl of Courtown (Conservative)
also that they're happy to share this and to talk about it openly, which is something, again, that I just don't think you would have seen in the past. But it's such a wonderful improvement that we do now.
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I'd like to congratulate, as I'm
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I'd like to congratulate, as I'm sure the whole House do, Lord Fowler he's done over many, many years domestically. I understand that 5% domestically. I understand that 5% of people living with HIV don't know their status. So what this actually means as a whole actually means as a whole throughout the whole world, how many people don't know with
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I'd like to congratulate, as I'm
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I'd like to congratulate, as I'm sure the whole House do, Lord Fowler he's done over many, many years domestically. I understand that 5% domestically. I understand that 5% of people living with HIV don't know their status. So what this actually means as a whole actually means as a whole throughout the whole world, how many people don't know with
14:56
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development) (Labour)
many people don't know with medication available and not great expense, can the noble Baroness, the Minister, say what internationally and nationally we're doing to try and make people more aware of their status so they
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can get this very useful treatment? That's such an important point. And noble Lords will have heard the And noble Lords will have heard the announcement from my. My friend was treating the health secretary this treating the health secretary this morning about opt out testing, which addresses exactly the issue that the noble Lord refers to. But that the noble Lord refers to. But internationally, this is a real problem. But a lot of this goes problem. But a lot of this goes hand in hand with the issue we've already discussed around stigmatisation, and that's something that we'll work with partner governments, but all
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can get this very useful treatment? That's such an important point. And noble Lords will have heard the And noble Lords will have heard the announcement from my. My friend was treating the health secretary this treating the health secretary this morning about opt out testing, which addresses exactly the issue that the noble Lord refers to. But that the noble Lord refers to. But internationally, this is a real problem. But a lot of this goes problem. But a lot of this goes hand in hand with the issue we've already discussed around stigmatisation, and that's something that we'll work with partner governments, but all
14:57
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Labour)
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Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Labour)
Leave to ask the question. Standing in my name on the Order
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Paper. Lord Brady with you. My Lords. In the Spending Review, the
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In the Spending Review, the government allocated £616 million for Active Travel England from 2026. To 2030.
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To 2030. To support local authorities. To build and. Maintain walking and cycling
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Maintain walking and cycling infrastructure revenue. Funding details will follow very soon. This is in addition to the almost £300 is in addition to the almost £300 million for 20 2526 we announced in February, which included £30 million
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Paper. Lord Brady with you. My Lords. In the Spending Review, the
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In the Spending Review, the government allocated £616 million for Active Travel England from 2026. To 2030.
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To 2030. To support local authorities. To build and. Maintain walking and cycling
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Maintain walking and cycling infrastructure revenue. Funding details will follow very soon. This is in addition to the almost £300 is in addition to the almost £300 million for 20 2526 we announced in February, which included £30 million
14:57
Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat)
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Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat)
February, which included £30 million to the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, formerly Sustrans, to deliver improvements to the National Cycle
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Network. I welcome the answer from the noble Lord, the Minister, but can I noble Lord, the Minister, but can I push him? As part of the government's strategy development to mandate public rights of way for to mandate public rights of way for walking, wheeling and cycling alongside new railway lines, as well as improving existing railway
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Network. I welcome the answer from the noble Lord, the Minister, but can I noble Lord, the Minister, but can I push him? As part of the government's strategy development to mandate public rights of way for to mandate public rights of way for walking, wheeling and cycling alongside new railway lines, as well as improving existing railway
14:58
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Labour)
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Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Labour)
well as improving existing railway active travel routes, transforming more disused railway lines into public rights of way.
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Yeah. Local highway authorities are responsible for public rights of responsible for public rights of way and are required to keep a rights of way improvement plan, where opportunities exist to bring historical routes into use for walking, wheeling or cycling, local authorities must decide how to authorities must decide how to integrate them into their active travel networks. The government's announced its intention to remove announced its intention to remove the 2031 cut off date for recording unregistered historic rights of way, so routes can continue to be identified, protected and enjoyed.
And I think the noble Baroness will
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Yeah. Local highway authorities are responsible for public rights of responsible for public rights of way and are required to keep a rights of way improvement plan, where opportunities exist to bring historical routes into use for walking, wheeling or cycling, local authorities must decide how to authorities must decide how to integrate them into their active travel networks. The government's announced its intention to remove announced its intention to remove the 2031 cut off date for recording unregistered historic rights of way, so routes can continue to be identified, protected and enjoyed.
And I think the noble Baroness will
14:58
14:59
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Labour)
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Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Labour)
55% of cyclists are. Women in this country. It's half that 25%. So what is the government doing to encourage more women to enjoy the
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benefits of cycling? I hesitate to speak in front of
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I hesitate to speak in front of such a well-known cyclist as the as the as the noble Lord. The answer to that question is, is to make cycling both more convenient and safer. And there are a whole range safer. And there are a whole range of measures, including the ones set out in the two previous answers, in order to make cycling a more general feature. Of course, safety is particularly in issue, which is is particularly in issue, which is why the investment needed in making a dedicated cycle paths and cycling a dedicated cycle paths and cycling on the highway are both important, and there are a whole range of measures, many of which will no doubt come up in the next eight minutes about safety, about highway code and all those things in order code and all those things in order to do what the noble Lord is absolutely right about, which is to absolutely right about, which is to get a much better gender balance in cycling.
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benefits of cycling? I hesitate to speak in front of
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I hesitate to speak in front of such a well-known cyclist as the as the as the noble Lord. The answer to that question is, is to make cycling both more convenient and safer. And there are a whole range safer. And there are a whole range of measures, including the ones set out in the two previous answers, in order to make cycling a more general feature. Of course, safety is particularly in issue, which is is particularly in issue, which is why the investment needed in making a dedicated cycle paths and cycling a dedicated cycle paths and cycling on the highway are both important, and there are a whole range of measures, many of which will no doubt come up in the next eight minutes about safety, about highway code and all those things in order code and all those things in order to do what the noble Lord is absolutely right about, which is to absolutely right about, which is to get a much better gender balance in cycling.
15:00
15:00
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Labour)
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Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Labour)
My noble friend will know that that that this isn't the first time at all that this subject has been raised in this House, and there are a variety of actions that need to be taken, including enforcement, which is, of course, the responsibility of chief police officers. But he will also note that in the new Crime and Policing Bill, intended to tackle the rare instances where a cyclist behaviour is so dangerous or careless that it results in the death or serious injury of another road user, that the government is proposing new provisions in order to treat that with the appropriate seriousness, user.
user.
user.
15:01
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Labour)
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Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Labour)
All too frequently, the noble Baroness wants to answer my question. She's she's very she's very, really very welcome. The the the question about permitted development rights I, I think is a blind alley, though I'll take some advice and write to the noble Baroness about it. The what we're talking about is making this easy and and economical to do. And I think that the, the previous answer to the question demonstrates that the government is putting money into this activity for local transport authorities and also giving the opportunity for them to develop their plans.
I'll, I'll take some advice and see whether take some advice and see whether the noble Baroness suggestion is about.
I'll, I'll take some advice and see whether take some advice and see whether the noble Baroness suggestion is about.
15:02
Lord Hampton (Crossbench)
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Lord Hampton (Crossbench)
Well, thanks.
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To. Increase the number. crossbenches.
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crossbenches. I wonder if the noble Lord, the Minister, could update us on the
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To. Increase the number. crossbenches.
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crossbenches. I wonder if the noble Lord, the Minister, could update us on the
15:02
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Labour)
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Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Labour)
Minister, could update us on the review on floating bus stops, which are truly democratic and in fact
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they're lethal for everybody. Well, the noble Lord was active on this subject during the passage of the Bus Services Act, and I'm delighted to tell him that my delighted to tell him that my colleague in the other place, the Minister for Buses and Roads, has now written to every local now written to every local transport authority in in England about floating bus stops. I committed in this house to pause whilst on on the particularly difficult design of ones that difficult design of ones that require passengers to board or alight directly from or into a cycle track.
My colleague has now cycle track. My colleague has now written to all the local authorities saying there should be a pause on design whilst we work through with interested parties. What a what a better and more satisfactory design is.
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they're lethal for everybody. Well, the noble Lord was active on this subject during the passage of the Bus Services Act, and I'm delighted to tell him that my delighted to tell him that my colleague in the other place, the Minister for Buses and Roads, has now written to every local now written to every local transport authority in in England about floating bus stops. I committed in this house to pause whilst on on the particularly difficult design of ones that difficult design of ones that require passengers to board or alight directly from or into a cycle track.
My colleague has now cycle track. My colleague has now written to all the local authorities saying there should be a pause on design whilst we work through with interested parties. What a what a better and more satisfactory design is.
15:03
Lord Moylan (Conservative)
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Lord Moylan (Conservative)
Lord Lord Hampton, at this time of year, the thoughts of many of us turn away from active travel and move more towards the bus. Many, much cycle infrastructure that has been installed has actually inhibited bus journeys and has contributed to deteriorating journey time. Does the noble Lord think that the powers given to be devolved to local authorities in the English devolution Bill on transport are going to make this situation better or worse? And why? situation better or worse? And why?
15:04
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Labour)
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Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, Minister of State (Department for Transport) (Labour)
Well, the noble Lord certainly knows about that, because during his time working for the erstwhile Mayor of London, the mayor of London, and he incidentally directed me as the Commissioner of Transport to probably take out more road space than anybody's ever done in London for the benefit of cyclists. And it certainly is the case that on some occasions that design has has reduced bus bus service speeds with detrimental effect to overall journey times. The answer to this is to give local transport authorities both the powers and the money to do the job correctly and the training, and one of the things that, again, has been mentioned here before is the is the additional money for training for