Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville

The import, acquisition, supply and delivery of Russian oil and oil products into the UK has been banned since 5 December 2022. The ban uses the well-established non-preferential rules of origin under which products are regarded as originating from a country if there has been substantial, and economically justified, processing in that jurisdiction.

All importers of oil and oil products into the UK must provide proof of origin to demonstrate that goods are not of Russian origin to enforcement authorities.

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is one type of biofuel that offers a lower carbon alternative to fossil diesel. As sustainable biomass is a limited resource, the Government will prioritise its use in sectors that offer the greatest opportunity to reduce emissions, and where there are fewest options to decarbonise through alternative low carbon technologies.

HVO used in transport has been eligible for support under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) scheme for more than a decade. In 2021, 63 million litres of HVO was supplied under the RTFO in the UK.

The Government has consulted on a business model to provide revenue support needed to stimulate investment in hydrogen projects. The Government is currently analysing stakeholder responses to the consultation and aims to publish a response in the first quarter of 2022 with a view to finalising the business model later in the year.

The Hydrogen Strategy makes clear the government wants to position UK companies at the forefront of the growing global hydrogen market, and analysis suggests that around a quarter of new UK jobs in the hydrogen sector by 2030 could be driven by exports. UK companies are already leading the way by exporting fuel cell and electrolyser technologies and engineering services, and we want to expand on this to capture economic benefits. BEIS, DIT, UK Export Finance and others are working to identify high value opportunities for UK companies and to promote them globally. We will set out more on our approach in a Hydrogen Sector Development Action Plan in 2022.

The Hydrogen Strategy makes clear the government wants to position UK companies at the forefront of the growing global hydrogen market, and analysis suggests that around a quarter of new UK jobs in the hydrogen sector by 2030 could be driven by exports. UK companies are already leading the way by exporting fuel cell and electrolyser technologies and engineering services, and we want to expand on this to capture economic benefits. BEIS, DIT, UK Export Finance and others are working to identify high value opportunities for UK companies and to promote them globally. We will set out more on our approach in a Hydrogen Sector Development Action Plan in 2022.

My Rt Hon. Friend Minister Hands clearly has hydrogen within his portfolio. The appointment of Ministers is a matter for my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

We are considering the report by NERA Economic Consulting carefully, along with the large amount of evidence we have received in connection with our Review. We aim to publish a white paper by the end of the year, setting out our conclusions and next steps for the Gambling Act Review.

The Gambling Commission received over 13,000 responses to its consultation and call for evidence on Remote Customer Interaction (including on issues to do with affordability) and has published an interim update on its website outlining next steps. It intends to publish a full report this summer.

The government remains in close contact with the Commission as its work progresses and the Commission is sharing key evidence with the Department on affordability and other topics where it could be relevant to our Review of the Gambling Act 2005. We are considering all evidence submitted to our Review, and any proposed changes will be led by that evidence.

It is not normal practice for central government to fund new memorials.

Many organisations – public and private – are able (subject to the relevant permissions) to propose, fund, develop and deliver memorials marking a variety of incidents and historical moments in a way that they are best-placed to deem appropriate and sensitive.

Many successful memorials are created by a wide-range of authorities and organisations and this allows each memorial to respond sensitively to the particular circumstances that it seeks to commemorate.

Government has introduced a number of support measures to support the tourism and outdoor events sector through COVID-19, which travelling fairground businesses can access. We introduced a substantial, UK-wide cut in VAT for many tourism and hospitality activities, including admission to circuses and fairs, until the end of March.

In response to the current national restrictions, the Chancellor has confirmed how the government will support businesses and individuals during this period - including through the extension of various government-backed loans and the extended furlough and self-employed support schemes.

Further to this, the Additional Restrictions Grant discretionary fund will allow Local Authorities to help businesses more broadly. It supports businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes, such as the Local Restrictions Support Grant, or where additional funding is needed.

From 2 December, as set out in the COVID Winter Plan we will return to a tiered approach to COVID-19 restrictions in England. Funfairs and fairgrounds - which will be permitted to reopen in all three tiers as they were prior to this period of national restrictions - will need to go through the normal process of requesting permission and any relevant licences from the relevant authority and have the relevant health and safety protocols in place, including a Covid-19 risk assessment. Local Authorities are responsible for deciding whether to permit outdoor events in their area. Decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis, with consideration given to both the risks and the mitigations in place.

In the government's Covid-19 Secure guidance for the Visitor Economy, we have provided guidance for Local Authorities on how to assess applications for outdoor events and how Local Authorities should support event organisers to hold outdoor events safely. We will continue to work closely with Local Authorities and the sector to get outdoor events running safely and successfully once they are permitted.

Government has introduced a number of support measures to support the tourism and outdoor events sector through COVID-19, which travelling fairground businesses can access. We introduced a substantial, UK-wide cut in VAT for many tourism and hospitality activities, including admission to circuses and fairs, until the end of March.

In response to the current national restrictions, the Chancellor has confirmed how the government will support businesses and individuals during this period - including through the extension of various government-backed loans and the extended furlough and self-employed support schemes.

Further to this, the Additional Restrictions Grant discretionary fund will allow Local Authorities to help businesses more broadly. It supports businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes, such as the Local Restrictions Support Grant, or where additional funding is needed.

From 2 December, as set out in the COVID Winter Plan we will return to a tiered approach to COVID-19 restrictions in England. Funfairs and fairgrounds - which will be permitted to reopen in all three tiers as they were prior to this period of national restrictions - will need to go through the normal process of requesting permission and any relevant licences from the relevant authority and have the relevant health and safety protocols in place, including a Covid-19 risk assessment. Local Authorities are responsible for deciding whether to permit outdoor events in their area. Decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis, with consideration given to both the risks and the mitigations in place.

In the government's Covid-19 Secure guidance for the Visitor Economy, we have provided guidance for Local Authorities on how to assess applications for outdoor events and how Local Authorities should support event organisers to hold outdoor events safely. We will continue to work closely with Local Authorities and the sector to get outdoor events running safely and successfully once they are permitted.

In the Environmental Improvement Plan (published 31 January 2023) and the Net Zero Growth Plan (published 30 March 2023) the Government has set out how its environment land management schemes will contribute to environmental targets and reducing carbon emissions.

The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), Countryside Stewardship and Landscape Recovery are key interventions through which the Government will support farmers and land managers to deliver for the environment and to reduce carbon emissions. A detailed programme of monitoring and modelling supports the design of these interventions and their respective contributions to a range of objectives.

It is estimated that across the SFI, Countryside Stewardship and Landscape Recovery there will be significant contribution to Defra’s effort share to reduce carbon emissions through agricultural decarbonisation, tree planting, peatland restoration and other on farm changes. These interventions will also support the commitment to create or restore 500,000ha of habitat outside of protected areas to improve species abundance and halt species decline, this includes a commitment to support bespoke species recovery in key sites. Additionally, the interventions will ensure land is delivering for nature and new habitat created will be of sufficient quality to be protected, we have committed to ensuring that sites of special scientific interest are brought up to or remain in favourable condition.

As the environment land management schemes continue to be implemented the Government is undertaking ongoing research and analysis to quantify and refine the impacts these interventions are making.

In the Net Zero Growth Plan (published 30 March 2023) and the Environmental Improvement Plan (published 31 January 2023) the Government has set out how its environment land management schemes will contribute to the reduction in carbon emissions and delivering against the ambitious environmental goals.

The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), Countryside Stewardship and Landscape Recovery are key interventions through which the government will support farmers and land managers to deliver on ambitions. A detailed programme of monitoring and modelling supports the design of these interventions and their respective contributions to a range of objectives for the environment and climate.

The SFI will reduce the requirement for fertilisers by incentivising herbal lays or legume mixes. Countryside Stewardship and Landscape Recovery are anticipated to provide large carbon sequestration opportunities through tree planting, peatland restoration and agroforestry as well as continuing to offer capital grants that improve slurry storage all of which will deliver for the fifth carbon budget.

The SFI, Countryside Stewardship and Landscape Recovery are designed to support delivering the goals within the Environmental Improvement Plan. As set out in March 2023, this will include contributions to thriving plants and wildlife, clean air, clean and plentiful water, using resources from nature sustainably, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and enhancing beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment.

As the environment land management schemes continue to be implemented the Government is undertaking ongoing research and analysis to quantify and refine the impacts these interventions are making and how they are delivering against the goals of the Environment Improvement Plan.

Defra are aware of concerns over people without suitable qualifications calling themselves veterinary nurses. There are over 19,000 veterinary nurses registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons with appropriate qualifications, although no assessment has been made about the impact of unqualified persons using this title. The protection of the tile “veterinary nurse” is being considered along with other proposals for veterinary legislative reform.

The practice of non-exempted mutilations such as cropping dogs' ears is abhorrent and has rightly been banned in the UK for 15 years.

This Government is committed to eradicating the illegal cropping of dogs ears, not just addressing the practice's promotion on social media. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is already an offence in England and Wales to carry out a non-exempted mutilation e.g. where it is not carried out for medical purposes, including the cropping of a dog's ears. Now that The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 has come into force, anyone convicted of such an offence, faces being sent to prison for up to 5 years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both.

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was reintroduced to the House of Commons in May. The Bill includes powers to introduce new restrictions on pet travel and on the commercial import of pets on welfare grounds, via secondary legislation. This power will allow us to prioritise the welfare of dogs by prohibiting the importation and non-commercial movement of dogs into Great Britain that have been subject to low welfare practices, such as ear cropping or tail docking, in line with our domestic legislation on these practices.

In August 2021, HM Government launched an 8-week consultation on our proposed restrictions to the commercial and non-commercial movement of pets into Great Britain. We are currently analysing the responses to the consultation and will publish a summary in due course. This will allow us to take onboard the views of the public and interested groups in order to shape our future policy.

The department maintains a national communications campaign (Petfished) to raise awareness of issues associated with low-welfare and illegal supply of pets. This includes providing clear signposting on where responsible breeders and rehoming centres can be found and encouraging prospective buyers to research the seller thoroughly before they visit and decide to purchase. The campaign provides a list of red flags for buyers to look out for when searching for a pet online. More information can be found here: https://getyourpetsafely.campaign.gov.uk/.

We have also endorsed The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) which was created to combat growing concerns about the irresponsible advertising of pets for sale, rehoming and exchange and backed a set of Minimum Standards that PAAG developed which several of the UK's largest classified websites have agreed to meet.

The practice of non-exempted mutilations such as cropping dogs' ears is abhorrent and has rightly been banned in the UK for 15 years.

This Government is committed to eradicating the illegal cropping of dogs ears, not just addressing the practice's promotion on social media. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is already an offence in England and Wales to carry out a non-exempted mutilation e.g. where it is not carried out for medical purposes, including the cropping of a dog's ears. Now that The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 has come into force, anyone convicted of such an offence, faces being sent to prison for up to 5 years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both.

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was reintroduced to the House of Commons in May. The Bill includes powers to introduce new restrictions on pet travel and on the commercial import of pets on welfare grounds, via secondary legislation. This power will allow us to prioritise the welfare of dogs by prohibiting the importation and non-commercial movement of dogs into Great Britain that have been subject to low welfare practices, such as ear cropping or tail docking, in line with our domestic legislation on these practices.

In August 2021, HM Government launched an 8-week consultation on our proposed restrictions to the commercial and non-commercial movement of pets into Great Britain. We are currently analysing the responses to the consultation and will publish a summary in due course. This will allow us to take onboard the views of the public and interested groups in order to shape our future policy.

The department maintains a national communications campaign (Petfished) to raise awareness of issues associated with low-welfare and illegal supply of pets. This includes providing clear signposting on where responsible breeders and rehoming centres can be found and encouraging prospective buyers to research the seller thoroughly before they visit and decide to purchase. The campaign provides a list of red flags for buyers to look out for when searching for a pet online. More information can be found here: https://getyourpetsafely.campaign.gov.uk/.

We have also endorsed The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) which was created to combat growing concerns about the irresponsible advertising of pets for sale, rehoming and exchange and backed a set of Minimum Standards that PAAG developed which several of the UK's largest classified websites have agreed to meet.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) currently has a limited number of staff who are focused on dealing with applications from those who are directly involved in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The quickest and easiest way to renew a driving licence is to use the DVLA’s online service. We are aware that some drivers may face difficulties using that service and those customers should submit a paper application in the normal way. However, paper applications will take longer to process in the current circumstances. The DVLA is considering options to help drivers stay mobile and more information will be made available at the appropriate time.

There are no current plans for the appointment of a new committee to consider these matters. The Liaison Committee runs regular exercises to invite proposals from members for special inquiry committee topics, and I would encourage anyone with particular suggestions for new committee activity to make them in this context.

The Lord Speaker’s committee on the Size of the House published its first report in October 2017, and has since published updates in 2018 and 2019. It is anticipated that this committee will reconvene soon to consider further the size of the membership of the House.

NHS England has invested in senior clinical leadership in gastroenterology as a workstream in the national Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme as one of its priority workstreams, which includes coeliac disease.

To support healthcare professionals in the diagnosis and management of coeliac disease, and improve the diagnostic pathway nationally, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced guidance on the recognition, assessment and management of coeliac disease [NG20]. A copy of the guidance is attached.

NICE guidelines represent best practice, and healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, and service commissioners are expected to take them fully into account. Guidelines published by NICE are not mandatory and do not replace the judgement of clinicians in determining the most appropriate treatment for individual patients.

To assist with increasing the visibility of coeliac disease, NICE promotes guidance via its website, newsletters and other media. It also publishes information for the public, which explains the care people with coeliac disease should receive as set out in the NICE guideline.

Information for the public on coeliac disease is also published by the National Health Service and is available on its website in an online-only format.

NHS England has invested in senior clinical leadership in gastroenterology as a workstream in the national Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme as one of its priority workstreams, which includes coeliac disease.

To support healthcare professionals in the diagnosis and management of coeliac disease, and improve the diagnostic pathway nationally, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced guidance on the recognition, assessment and management of coeliac disease [NG20]. A copy of the guidance is attached.

NICE guidelines represent best practice, and healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, and service commissioners are expected to take them fully into account. Guidelines published by NICE are not mandatory and do not replace the judgement of clinicians in determining the most appropriate treatment for individual patients.

To assist with increasing the visibility of coeliac disease, NICE promotes guidance via its website, newsletters and other media. It also publishes information for the public, which explains the care people with coeliac disease should receive as set out in the NICE guideline.

Information for the public on coeliac disease is also published by the National Health Service and is available on its website in an online-only format.

The Government has made no assessment of the diagnostic pathway for coeliac disease. It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including the diagnosis of coeliac disease.

To support healthcare professionals in the diagnosis and management of coeliac disease, and improve the diagnostic pathway nationally, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced guidance on the recognition, assessment and management of coeliac disease [NG20].

NICE guidelines represent best practice and health professionals, including general practitioners, and service commissioners are expected to take them fully into account. Guidelines published by NICE are not mandatory and do not replace the judgement of clinicians in determining the most appropriate treatment for individual patients.

To assist with increasing the visibility of coeliac disease, NICE promotes guidance via its website, newsletters, and other media. It also publishes information for the public, which explains the care people with coeliac should receive as set out in the NICE guideline.

Information for the public on coeliac disease is also published by the National Health Service and is available on the NHS.UK website in an online-only format.

The Government has made no assessment of the diagnostic pathway for coeliac disease. It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including the diagnosis of coeliac disease.

To support healthcare professionals in the diagnosis and management of coeliac disease, and improve the diagnostic pathway nationally, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced guidance on the recognition, assessment and management of coeliac disease [NG20].

NICE guidelines represent best practice and health professionals, including general practitioners, and service commissioners are expected to take them fully into account. Guidelines published by NICE are not mandatory and do not replace the judgement of clinicians in determining the most appropriate treatment for individual patients.

To assist with increasing the visibility of coeliac disease, NICE promotes guidance via its website, newsletters, and other media. It also publishes information for the public, which explains the care people with coeliac should receive as set out in the NICE guideline.

Information for the public on coeliac disease is also published by the National Health Service and is available on the NHS.UK website in an online-only format.

Since 2018, the Government has committed over £100 million for research and innovation support to tackle the broad range of issues that arise from plastic waste. This includes funding research into the health impacts of plastic through UK Research and Innovation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research. Whilst it is not typical to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions, both funders welcome funding applications for research into the health impacts of plastic.

Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is taxed at the same rate as diesel and required to be marked if used for an allowed purpose. The Government is aware that other countries use tax incentives to increase the uptake of HVO, but differences between tax systems make direct comparison difficult.

The UK Government encourages the use of HVO through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), which incentivises the use of low carbon fuels and reduces emissions from fuel supplied for use in transport and non-road mobile machinery. The RTFO has been highly successful in supporting a market for renewable fuel since its introduction in 2008.

In addition, the forthcoming Biomass Strategy will review the amount of sustainable biomass available to the UK, including liquid biofuels such as HVO, and how this could be best used across the economy to achieve our net zero target. It is important to ensure that biomass is prioritised within the economy where it offers the greatest opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in ‘hard to abate’ sectors where there are fewer options to decarbonise through alternative low carbon technologies.

The Government keeps all taxes under review.

The Government is committed to promoting fairness and transparency for homeowners and ensuring that consumers are protected from abuse and poor service. We are taking forward a comprehensive programme of reform to end unfair practices in the leasehold market. In January we announced reforms to the valuation process and length of lease extensions, in response to Law Commission recommendations.

The Law Commission’s report on enfranchisement includes recommendations relating to the qualifying criteria for enfranchisement and lease extensions, including the applicability of these to community led housing. We will bring forward a response to these and the other remaining Law Commission recommendations in due course.

The Government has not made any systematic assessment of the role played by community land trusts (CLTs) specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic, but recognises that CLTs make a valuable contribution in organising and delivering support of various kinds for members of the community in need. For example, CLTs are able to support small, local construction companies and local supply chains, and help sustain local economies by providing homes that are affordable at local income levels.

Since 2016, the Government has supported CLTs (and other forms of community-led housing organisations) through the Community Housing Fund. Through the support provided by Homes England outside London, the Community Housing Fund has succeeded in building up a delivery pipeline of over 10,000 homes that can be delivered relatively quickly once capital funding is made available.

The Community Housing Fund closed at the end of March. Ministers are considering all budgets in the round and allocations for 2020/21 will be confirmed at Main Estimates in the next few weeks. Allocations for future years will be considered at the forthcoming Spending Review. Some community-led housing schemes will be able to obtain capital funding from the Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme, also delivered by Homes England.