Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to implement the recommendations in the report by the Ethics and Integrity Commission, Lobbying, Business Appointment Rules and Disclosure, published on 9 July.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government thanks the Ethics and Integrity Commission for its thorough and considered work on these important issues.
As set out in the review’s terms of reference, we will now carefully consider the report’s findings and present the Government’s response to Parliament in due course thereafter.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, if any, with (1) the African Union, and (2) the Arab League, about contemporary chattel slavery.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The UK is committed to playing its part in eradicating all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking. We continue to work with partners through a range of multilateral bodies including the United Nations and Alliance 8.7 to grow the international consensus and encourage joint action to tackle these issues, as well as engaging with the African Union and the Arab League.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in light of the recent case involving Chinese dissident Hong Qi, they have reviewed the guidance given to Hong Kongers in the United Kingdom on reporting incidents of transnational repression; and whether they continue to advise that such incidents should be reported via the 101 non-emergency police service.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government agrees that guidance on transnational repression (TNR) must remain responsive to the evolving nature of the threat. To that end, content is kept under regular review, informed by operational insights and ongoing engagement with civil society organisations and trusted networks.
We have recently updated GOV.UK guidance on TNR for individuals. Alongside this, the National Security Protective Authority launched guidance on 8 May. These documents provide practical advice for individuals who believe they may be at risk of TNR, including steps to help keep them safe both physically and online.
The Government continues to advise that anyone who believes they are a victim of state‑directed activity should report incidents or suspicious activity to the police via established channels, including 101, at a local police station, or 999 in emergencies. These routes are well recognised, available 24/7, and ensure that reports are triaged by trained professionals and referred to specialist teams where appropriate. Language support, including translation services, is embedded within these mechanisms, and work is ongoing to ensure interpreters understand the nature of TNR and support accurate referrals.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the sentencing of six former Apple Daily journalists in Hong Kong, who were sentenced to prison terms of up to ten years; and what representations they have made to the authorities in Hong Kong and China regarding press freedom and the protection of journalists.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The Government has been clear in its opposition to China's imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong and the continued erosion of rights and freedoms, including the deliberate targeting of opposition voices. Ministers across government have consistently raised these concerns with the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities. We continue to call for the repeal of the National Security Law and for an end to the prosecution of all individuals charged under it.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect UK residents who have had bounties placed on their heads by the Hong Kong police.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
As my colleague, the Minister for the Indo-Pacific, said on 4 March in response to Question HC112773, this Government will not tolerate any attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm their critics overseas. We have raised our concerns regarding the Hong Kong Police's use of arrest warrants and bounties directly with the Hong Kong authorities, and officials engage frequently with like-minded international partners about these issues. Further, as the former Minister for Security set out on 4 March 2025, we have received assurances from counter-terror policing that the appropriate measures are in place for the individuals in question, and we regularly assess potential threats to the UK and use all available levers to counter them. Where we identify individuals at heightened risk, we are front footed in deploying protective security guidance and other measures as appropriate. The former Minister for Security also noted that anyone acting to coerce individuals in the UK is liable to prosecution under the National Security Act 2023.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need for annual milestones for the rollout of Fracture Liaison Services to all areas of England by 2030; and whether any such milestones have been set.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Our 10-Year Health Plan committed to rolling out Fracture Liaison Services across every part of the country by 2030.
Integrated care boards (ICBs) remain well placed to make decisions according to local need.
The Renewed Women’s Health Strategy sets an expectation that ICBs prioritise community-based models when commissioning new fracture prevention services.
The Government has not set annual milestones for the rollout of Fracture Liaison Services.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to (1) introduce compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70 and (2) prepare optometrists to undertake such tests.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
A public consultation on introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers was launched on 7 January and closed on 11 May.
The Department for Transport is currently analysing the responses, and the government response will be published once that is complete.
The logistical arrangements for carrying out any potential new eyesight tests formed part of the consultation. No decisions will be made until the responses to the consultation have been carefully considered.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether, as the Private Rented Sector Database introduced in the Renters' Rights Act 2025 is rolled out regionally, provision has been made for inspections to take place to verify the information provided by landlords.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
We are working closely with local councils to support them in using the information that will be provided by the Private Rented Sector Database in their enforcement activities. Through guidance we will encourage local councils to verify the information recorded on the Database and carry out enforcement action as appropriate during the regional rollout.
The Database will collect a range of information which will be confirmed through secondary legislation. We are continuing to explore which key performance indicators will help us to assess whether the Database is meeting its objectives.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what baseline information will be collected at the start of the rollout of the Private Rented Sector Database to ensure an assessment can be made of its effectiveness in ensuring a decent standard of provision for renters.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
We are working closely with local councils to support them in using the information that will be provided by the Private Rented Sector Database in their enforcement activities. Through guidance we will encourage local councils to verify the information recorded on the Database and carry out enforcement action as appropriate during the regional rollout.
The Database will collect a range of information which will be confirmed through secondary legislation. We are continuing to explore which key performance indicators will help us to assess whether the Database is meeting its objectives.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether landlords will be required to pay for three yearly inspections by the relevant local authority to ensure compliance with the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
We have allocated the £41.12 million new burdens funding for 2026-27 to support the enforcement of measures in the Renters’ Rights Act, based broadly on private rented sector stock levels per local housing authority, with a small proportion allocated to local weights and measures authorities, typically the local trading standards department, to cover their additional responsibilities in enforcing the rent in advance measure. New burdens funding for 2026-27 follows new burdens funding of £18.2 million to local housing authorities in 2025-26 allocated according to the level private rented sector stock in each authority. We are committed to providing funding support for new burdens throughout this spending period.
The Renters' Rights Act places a new duty on local housing authorities to take enforcement action where they suspect non-compliance. Whilst local authorities are best placed to decide the most effective way to enforce the measures in the Act, we expect councils to take a proactive approach to enforcement. Our aim is to establish a sustainable funding system for enforcement over the long term based on future Private Rented Sector Database fee revenues.