Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the strategy Replacing animals in science, published on 11 November 2025, whether they plan to establish a national platform to catalogue and share non-animal methods and expertise used in research and regulatory testing.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) Gateway on F1000Research is an established platform to accelerate the dissemination of detailed non-animal methodologies, data notes, and software tools to improve animal welfare and reduce animal use in science. In the ‘Replacing animals in science’ strategy published in November 2025 we commit to increasing the scope of the gateway so that by the end of 2026 it is available to all researchers developing alternative methods.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to implement a national screening programme of children for exposure to lead (1) in general, or (2) in cases where there is a reason to suspect exposure; and what action they plan to take to identify and remove or seal off sources of lead contamination.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is advised on all screening matters by the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific advisory committee which is made up of leading medical and screening experts. Where the committee is confident that there is robust evidence that demonstrates that to offer screening provides more good than harm, they recommend a screening programme.

The UK NSC made a recommendation not to screen children for lead poisoning in 2018. This is because:

- the number of children affected in the United Kingdom is currently not known;

- the test was not reliable enough; and

- treatments in children with mild symptoms have not been proven and may also be harmful.

In 2024 a proposal was submitted to the UK NSC via its open call, to review the decision made in 2018 for screening children for lead poisoning. The UK NSC is planning to undertake an evidence map, which is the first step in the evidence review process.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises that exposure to lead should be as low as reasonably practicable. The UKHSA support partners in identifying the pathway and source of lead and advises on appropriate public health interventions to aid in reducing exposure. Interventions include interruption of lead exposure pathways by source identification and remediation or abatement, behavioural interventions, and consideration of whether others may be at risk of exposure. The UKHSA is also involved in raising awareness as many healthcare professionals are unaware that lead still poses a risk in the UK and elsewhere.

The remit of the UKHSA in relation to lead contamination is advisory and does not extend to undertaking any remedial measures.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, and what data they have collected, on the rate of the development of long covid among children and adults of working age.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The most recent data from the Winter COVID-19 Infection Study, a joint study carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the UK Health Security Agency, show that, for the period 6 February 2024 to 7 March 2024, an estimated 1,140,000 people, or 1.9% of the population, in private households in England and Scotland, reported experiencing long COVID symptoms more than twelve weeks after a COVID-19 infection. This includes 66,000 people aged three to 17 years old, and 840,000 people aged 18 to 64 years old.

Data for the four-week period ending 5 March 2023 from the Prevalence of ongoing symptoms following coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in the UK ONS dataset shows that the estimated number of people living in private households in the United Kingdom with self-reported long COVID who first had, or suspected they had, COVID-19 at least 12 weeks previously, was 1.7 million. This includes 59,000 people aged from two to 16 years old, and 1.5 million people aged 17 to 69 years old.

Data for the four-week period ending 5 March 2022 from the Prevalence of ongoing symptoms following coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in the UK ONS dataset shows that the estimated number of people living in UK private households with self-reported long COVID who first had, or suspected they had, COVID-19 at least 12 weeks previously, was 1.2 million. This includes 99,000 people aged from two to 16 years old, and one million people aged 17 to 69 years old.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the strategy Replacing animals in science, published on 11 November 2025, what steps they are taking to reduce and replace the use of animals in basic research; what measurable targets and timetable they have set for doing so; and what steps they will take to report on progress.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Transparent targets and milestones and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the delivery of the Replacing Animals in Science Strategy will be published later in 2026. Any work to phase out animal testing must be science-led, in lock step with partners, so we will not be setting arbitrary timelines for overall reduction, but we will publish timelines for specific actions.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Waste Management article Comprehensive study of physicochemical and environmental properties of Air pollution control residues from UK energy-from-waste facilities, by Ximena Chamorro Bolaños, published on 15 March, what plans they have to tighten controls on air pollution control residues from energy-from-waste plants.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The treatment, recovery and disposal of air pollution control residues (APCR) from energy-from-waste plants is regulated by the Environment Agency in England. APCR is classified as a hazardous waste and must be sent to an appropriately permitted facility for treatment, recovery or disposal (including prior treatment where relevant to meet the waste acceptance criteria for a landfill site). The Government believes the current robust controls for the management of APCR to be sufficient to protect human health and the environment. Hazardous waste should be managed by waste producers and handlers in accordance with the waste hierarchy, which prioritises prevention, preparation for reuse and recycling over recovery and disposal.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Collins of Highbury on 16 March (HL Deb col 668), how they will improve the oversight of compliance with the Prevent Duty as a measure to tackle extremism on college and university campuses in the light of the recommendation to reform the Prevent Strategy in Report of the Independent Commission on UK Counter-Terrorism Law, Policy and Practice, published November 2025.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Office for Students is updating its Prevent monitoring framework in line with the 2023 Prevent statutory guidance. It will publish a new framework and guidance in September, which will come into force at the start of 2027, where they will make greater use of Prevent review meetings to target areas of concern and gather more detailed evidence where necessary.

The department will, where required, use its enforcement powers under section 30 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, including issuing directions enforceable by court order, to secure full compliance with the Prevent duty.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Welsh Government about the continuation of the Taith programme in conjunction with the return of the UK to the Erasmus+ scheme.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Any decision on the continuation of the Taith programme following the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027 rests with the Welsh Government.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to ensure that the UK Cruise Growth Plan, published on 16 September 2025, does not increase (1) the levels of air pollution and other factors that damage public health in port cities, (2) environmental impacts on the sea, and (3) the climate impact of the cruise industry.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Whilst the UK Cruise Growth Plan is focused on boosting the cruise industry’s economic impact, it sits alongside the Government’s Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, through which we will work together with the cruise industry on shared ambitions and policy development.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide training or other safety provisions for British Merchant Navy crews to deal with GPS jamming and spoofing; and what measures they are taking to ensure the safety of British waters in the face of those risks.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

UK seafarers are trained to use back up navigation systems, including celestial navigation for deep sea voyages and radar and visual fixing techniques in coastal waters, along with all other standard navigational aids. Training on recognising and responding to GPS jamming and spoofing is also an integral part of the competency requirements for those working toward a UK Certificate of Competency.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian impact of the USA's oil blockade of Cuba; what representations they have made to the government of the United States about that impact; and what assessment they have made of the right of Cuban people to self-determination.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK continues to follow developments in Cuba closely, including the impact of the 29 January US executive order. The UK has maintained a consistent and long-standing position on the US embargo, voting for the annual UN resolution calling for its end every year since 1996. Consistent with the International Covenants on human rights, the UK recognises the right of self-determination of all peoples, including the people of Cuba.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Land Use Framework, published on 18 March, what funding and resources they plan to provide a National Soil Map of England and Wales; and what steps they will take to ensure that that map is open source and freely available.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

As committed to in the newly published Land Use Framework, Cranfield University and Defra have reached an agreement to develop an open access portal of soil and related environmental data for England and Wales, including the National Soil Map of England and Wales (NATMAP).

The agreement will see a new system launch in Spring 2026, derived from Cranfield’s LandIS (Land Information System), which will give free access to the extensive data. LandIS is a substantial environmental information system operated by Cranfield University, designed to contain soil and soil-related information for England and Wales. It is one of the largest systems of its kind in Europe and is recognised as the definitive source of national soils information in the UK.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to establishing land-based missile defences for major population centres and critical infrastructure in Great Britain; what estimate they have made of the cost of any such provision; and whether they have considered how a supply of requisite ordnance might be secured.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

His Majesty’s Government continually monitors and assesses the threats to the United Kingdom. A range of air and missile defence capabilities are under consideration within the Defence Investment Plan.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to ensure that supply chains of products and services reaching the UK from Myanmar, including rare earth mining, garment and manufacturing, logistics and infrastructure, do not include products sourced from forced or slave labour and involving other human rights violations in Myanmar.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer given on 18 June 2025 to question HL8153.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the safety of Myanmar nationals deported back to their country; and whether it is their current policy to do so.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government keeps the situation in Myanmar under close review. The UK does not remove individuals where there is a real risk of persecution or serious harm, and all cases are considered on their individual merits.

We only seek to return those whose asylum claims have been unsuccessful, or who otherwise have no lawful right to remain in the UK. By definition, they do not need protection and are not at risk on return. Furthermore, we only seek to return those who have no lawful right to remain in the UK.

Returns are only conducted when it is safe and practical to do so.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support efforts to strengthen unity, co-ordination and local governance among Myanmar’s pro-democracy forces and ethnic groups.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The UK engages with a range of opposition and civil society stakeholders, including the National Unity Government, to support voices among pro‑democracy actors. Around two-thirds of our assistance in Myanmar is delivered through local organisations, including faith groups, education providers and community‑led structures, helping to strengthen local governance capabilities and community resilience. We continue to use our role at the UN and our discussions with regional partners to encourage a unified, inclusive dialogue towards a peaceful and democratic future for Myanmar.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk of delivery robots to pedestrian and road safety; and what consideration they have given to making provision for local council control over deployment of those robots.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

As with any new technology, there are potential risks with pavement delivery devices and safety remains our priority.

There is currently no specific legislation for delivery robots, but the Government has committed to pursuing legislative reform for micromobility vehicles when parliamentary time allows by creating a ‘Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle’ category, which could be used to regulate pavement robots in future.

If they were to be regulated, we recognise the need for local leaders to have control over pavement robot deployment. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill introduced in July 2025 includes powers to require licensing of micromobility schemes, and this specifically covers pavement robots in its definition of “non-passenger vehicles”.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what their policy is towards applicants for student visas from Myanmar; and whether they intend to continue to provide opportunities for Myanmar students to study in the UK.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

There is currently an unsustainable strain on our asylum system. Nationals of Myanmar present some of the highest proportions of asylum claims to visas issued on the Student route.

We have needed to act to reduce the strain on the asylum system, in order to ensure that the system remains fair, credible, and sustainable. Our decision to introduce a visa brake on the Student visa route for nationals of Myanmar, and for three other nationalities, was data-driven, with the number of asylum claims on this route in the year ending September 2025 reaching 1,650% of their 2021 levels.

The brake will be kept under regular review. It is not intended to be permanent. It will, however, only be released once the government considers it appropriate to do so.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the transparency standards of the governance and financial reporting arrangements of the City of London Corporation compared to that of other local authorities.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Common Council of the City of London, in its capacity as a local authority, is required to adhere to the publication requirements of the Local Government Transparency Code 2015, along with all other local authorities as defined in paragraph 14 of the Transparency Code. The Transparency Code requires local authorities to publish details of financial transactions such as all spend over £500 and procurements over £5000, and assets held such as land and housing. It does not contain requirements relating to any specialist commercial activity conducted by the City of London Corporation. The government does not monitor compliance with the requirements of the Transparency Code, as the intention of the legislation is that local voters will hold local authorities to account for their performance.

The Common Council of the City of London is also required to produce an annual Statement of Accounts in accordance with proper practices as set out in statute and the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom, published by CIPFA. The Statement of Accounts must meet the requirements of reporting set out in the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. Authorities are responsible for ensuring that their financial reporting meets the required standards, however, Government expects authorities to demonstrate best practice in transparency.