Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what input they have given to the United Nations Development Programme's Sinjar Investment and Development Plan to be launched on 25 September; whether they intend to contribute funding or technical support to its implementation; and what discussions they have had with the governments of Iraq, Germany, or United Nations Development Programme regarding UK participation in financing the Sinjar Investment and Development Plan.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is in regular contact with the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government and the United Nations on recovery and development in Sinjar and the rights of Yazidis.
We are aware of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Sinjar Investment and Development Plan and await further details on its implementation and financing. Currently, through the British Embassy Baghdad's Building Peace and Stability in Iraq (BPSI) programme, the UK is supporting durable solutions in conflict-affected areas, including Sinjar, with a focus on livelihoods, social cohesion and support to displaced and returning communities. BPSI has also provided targeted support to Yazidi survivors and beneficiaries of the Yazidi Survivors Law. Through our Embassy in Baghdad and Consulate in Erbil, the UK continues to promote freedom of religion or belief and monitor conditions for the dignified return of displaced Yazidis.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the United Nations Development Programme's Sinjar Investment and Development Plan includes a costed strategy for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of the estimated 200,000 people from Sinjar and its surrounding areas still displaced and living in camps and informal settlements, including Yazidi communities.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is in regular contact with the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government and the United Nations on recovery and development in Sinjar and the rights of Yazidis.
We are aware of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Sinjar Investment and Development Plan and await further details on its implementation and financing. Currently, through the British Embassy Baghdad's Building Peace and Stability in Iraq (BPSI) programme, the UK is supporting durable solutions in conflict-affected areas, including Sinjar, with a focus on livelihoods, social cohesion and support to displaced and returning communities. BPSI has also provided targeted support to Yazidi survivors and beneficiaries of the Yazidi Survivors Law. Through our Embassy in Baghdad and Consulate in Erbil, the UK continues to promote freedom of religion or belief and monitor conditions for the dignified return of displaced Yazidis.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Iraq regarding freedom of religion or belief protections for Yazidi and other minority communities returning to Sinjar under the United Nations Development Programme’s new framework.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is in regular contact with the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government and the United Nations on recovery and development in Sinjar and the rights of Yazidis.
We are aware of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Sinjar Investment and Development Plan and await further details on its implementation and financing. Currently, through the British Embassy Baghdad's Building Peace and Stability in Iraq (BPSI) programme, the UK is supporting durable solutions in conflict-affected areas, including Sinjar, with a focus on livelihoods, social cohesion and support to displaced and returning communities. BPSI has also provided targeted support to Yazidi survivors and beneficiaries of the Yazidi Survivors Law. Through our Embassy in Baghdad and Consulate in Erbil, the UK continues to promote freedom of religion or belief and monitor conditions for the dignified return of displaced Yazidis.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of reintegration and psychosocial support provisions for returning Yazidi communities under the new plan by the United Nations Development Programme.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is in regular contact with the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government and the United Nations on recovery and development in Sinjar and the rights of Yazidis.
We are aware of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Sinjar Investment and Development Plan and await further details on its implementation and financing. Currently, through the British Embassy Baghdad's Building Peace and Stability in Iraq (BPSI) programme, the UK is supporting durable solutions in conflict-affected areas, including Sinjar, with a focus on livelihoods, social cohesion and support to displaced and returning communities. BPSI has also provided targeted support to Yazidi survivors and beneficiaries of the Yazidi Survivors Law. Through our Embassy in Baghdad and Consulate in Erbil, the UK continues to promote freedom of religion or belief and monitor conditions for the dignified return of displaced Yazidis.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what mechanism they intend to use to monitor implementation of the Sinjar Investment and Development Plan and report on progress toward Yazidi return, given the UK's prior support for stabilization efforts including the funding facility for stabilisation.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Through our Embassy in Baghdad and Consulate in Erbil, the UK is in regular contact with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government regarding the rights of religious minorities, including the Yazidis. Responsibility for reconstruction and return lies with the Government of Iraq.
Through diplomatic engagement and programmes such as the British Embassy Baghdad's Building Peace and Stability in Iraq programme, we continue to promote FoRB, support social cohesion and durable solutions for displaced communities, and monitor conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of displaced Yazidis.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their freedom of religion or belief strategy for Iraq; and whether the strategy includes specific benchmarks that are tied to Sinjar's reconstruction and minority return.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Through our Embassy in Baghdad and Consulate in Erbil, the UK is in regular contact with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government regarding the rights of religious minorities, including the Yazidis. Responsibility for reconstruction and return lies with the Government of Iraq.
Through diplomatic engagement and programmes such as the British Embassy Baghdad's Building Peace and Stability in Iraq programme, we continue to promote FoRB, support social cohesion and durable solutions for displaced communities, and monitor conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of displaced Yazidis.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 15 June (HL505), what progress the Health and Safety Executive have made with their consultation; whether they have ensured women of fertile age are included in the consultees; and when they expect to publish their decision regarding any changes to the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/2672).
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently consulted widely on proposed changes to the lead in blood exposure levels in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002. The consultation concluded on 7 June 2026, and included consideration of the impact on different categories of workers including women of reproductive capacity and the operability of any proposed changes.
HSE will continue its analysis and engagement to better understand the impact of the proposed levels in the coming months, prior to making any further recommendations for reform. Since early 2025, HSE has been engaging with a range of businesses especially the heritage sector, which employs a high proportion of women, about possible changes to CLAW to inform this work.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of current regulations on permitted levels of lead in the blood of employees on (1) those working in the heritage arts and craft sector, and (2) stained glass artists.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
In response to an assessment of the latest available scientific and medical data dealing with exposure to lead and the impact of the current permitted levels in the blood of employees, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently consulted on proposed changes to the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002. This gathered evidence to assess the impact of revised exposure levels on the working environment, including the heritage workforce and stained glass artists. To ensure the historic sector is fully considered, HSE engaged with heritage organisations like Historic England and the Institute of Conservation (ICON) stained glass group, and will discuss proposals with DWP and DCMS before finalising reforms.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 15 June (HL504), what plans they have to provide further support to those working in the heritage arts and craft sector.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Heritage skills, such as in stained glass, are an important part of our country’s heritage. The Government is investing significantly in apprenticeships through the Growth and Skills Levy, and in arts and heritage capital projects during this Parliament with nearly £200m of new funding over four years to support heritage.
This capital investment will support the pipeline of heritage construction projects and provide training and career opportunities in heritage skills. The Heritage Minister convened skills roundtables with the sector to encourage and support their commitment to building a sustainable skills pipeline.
DCMS is in discussions with Skills England, the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions to consider how the Growth and Skills Levy continues to support heritage-specific occupations.
Stained glass painting and making has been submitted to the UK’s new living heritage inventory, which if approved will provide formal recognition and aid in safeguarding this traditional skill.
Asked by: Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 15 June (HL505), what plans they have to provide further support to stained glass artists.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Heritage skills, such as in stained glass, are an important part of our country’s heritage. The Government is investing significantly in apprenticeships through the Growth and Skills Levy, and in arts and heritage capital projects during this Parliament with nearly £200m of new funding over four years to support heritage.
This capital investment will support the pipeline of heritage construction projects and provide training and career opportunities in heritage skills. The Heritage Minister convened skills roundtables with the sector to encourage and support their commitment to building a sustainable skills pipeline.
DCMS is in discussions with Skills England, the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions to consider how the Growth and Skills Levy continues to support heritage-specific occupations.
Stained glass painting and making has been submitted to the UK’s new living heritage inventory, which if approved will provide formal recognition and aid in safeguarding this traditional skill.