Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration the independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics will give to the adequacy of existing safeguards, including the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme and lobbying rules, in relation to paid political influence activity carried out in the UK on behalf of foreign authorities and organisations whose senior leadership is subject to UK sanctions.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
It is, and always will be, an absolute priority for this Government to protect our democratic and electoral processes. The Rycroft review will involve an in-depth assessment of current financial and bribery related rules and safeguards that regulate political parties and political finance. The terms of reference for the review can be found here: Independent review: countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics: Terms of Reference - GOV.UK
The outcome of the review will, where relevant, inform the elections and democracy bill that we have pledged to bring forward during this Parliament. However, given the review’s independence, we cannot pre-empt specifics of the ground it will cover, nor the recommendations it will make. It is right that the review is independent of Government and independent of any political party. We will be looking to mitigate the risk of foreign financial interference in UK politics from any actors and individuals who might wish to undermine our democracy.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government how much funding they have provided to the organisation Remembering Srebrenica in each financial year since its establishment; and what plans they have to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the genocide that was committed there.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government has provided funding for the Remembering Srebrenica programme as outlined in the table below:
Financial year | Amount awarded |
2013/14 | £170,000 |
2014/15 | £467,500 |
2015/16 | £332,500 |
2016/17 | £400,000 |
2017/18 | £400,000 |
2018/19 | £400,000 |
2019/20 | £400,000 |
2020/21 | £400,000 |
2021/22 | £250,000 |
2022/23 | £200,000 |
2023/24 | £150,000* |
*For the current financial year, £75,000 has been issued so far, with the final £75,000 tranche of funding expected to be released in March. This is subject to progress against key milestones as set out in Remembering Srebrenica’s workplan.
Regarding the 30th anniversary of the genocide, it is important that such a significant anniversary is appropriately commemorated, including by the UK Government.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what specific steps they took to provide additional support for domestic violence shelters during the period when restrictions were in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Government has made £10 million available specifically for domestic abuse charitable safe accommodation providers, including refuges, in support of this critical provision during the COVID-19 outbreak.
To date, £8.76 million of this funding has already been allocated to 122 successful charity bids across the country, providing almost 1,600 bedspaces.
Additionally, Government issued guidance to domestic abuse safe accommodation providers in support of their service delivery during these unprecedented times. It ensured front-line domestic abuse support workers were included in the key workers list, and that domestic abuse refuges are included in the Local Resilience Forums list to enable them to request urgent PPE supplies.