Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to tackle increasing levels of mobile phone theft.

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

On 6 February the Home Secretary brought together law enforcement and leading tech companies to drive greater collaboration in breaking the business model of mobile phone thieves.

The Summit resulted in clear commitments from attendees to work in partnership, including to significantly boost the sharing of data and intelligence on mobile phone theft to build a comprehensive picture of the problem and better understand the role of organised crime networks.

To aid police investigations and recovery of stolen goods, our Crime and Policing Bill also includes a measure to give police the power to enter and search premises for stolen property that has been electronically geolocation tracked to those premises, where it is not reasonably practicable to obtain a warrant.

Through our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee we will place thousands of additional police officers and police community support officers in neighbourhood policing roles to provide a more visible and effective response, including in response to the activities of mobile phone thieves operating in our communities.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Metropolitan Police's decision to cut 1,700 staff upon the implementation of the Crime and Policing Bill; and what steps they are taking to mitigate the impact of these cuts.

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

The Metropolitan Police will receive up to £3.8 billion of funding in 2025-26. This is a £262.1 million increase when compared with the 2024-25 settlement, equating to a 7.4% cash increase and 4.9% real terms increase.

The Home Office is currently working closely with the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, to further understand the force’s recruitment and budget challenges, and ensure that the force is taking every step available to prevent further reductions in headcount and increase officer numbers.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of housing associations offering lifetime tenancies to social housing tenants on the housing market.

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

The majority of housing association tenants are lifetime tenants with assured tenancies, and therefore already enjoy a high security of tenure.

The Renters' Rights Bill will abolish fixed term assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies. This change will enhance the security and stability for the minority of tenants with private registered providers who currently lack assured (lifetime) tenancies. Landlords will also benefit from clear and expanded possession grounds to evict tenants in circumstances where that is justified and reasonable.

The government published its Impact Assessment for the Renters’ Rights Bill on 22 November 2024, following scrutiny from the Regulatory Policy Committee. The Impact Assessment received a ‘green’ rating, indicating it is ‘fit for purpose’.

The impact assessment can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of abolishing assured fixed-term tenancies through the Renters’ Rights Bill; and whether they have (1) considered the possibility that the availability of long-term rental properties may decrease and (2) that tenants may decide under the new legislation, if enacted, to sign a tenancy agreement then immediately serve notice.

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

The Renters’ Rights Bill will remove fixed term assured tenancies, to strengthen tenants’ rights and provide them with more flexibility.

Good landlords have nothing to fear from the reforms. The sector has doubled in size since the early 2000s and there is no evidence of an exodus since reform has been proposed.

Tenants are unlikely to end tenancies unless they absolutely have to. Moving house is expensive and disruptive. Where tenants do end tenancies, they will be required to provide landlords with two months’ notice, to give time to find new tenants.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the regulation of American-style candy shops in the United Kingdom particularly in relation to (1) their links with criminal activity, including money laundering, (2) the prosperity of high streets, and (3) public health.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

This Government is committed to supporting vibrant high streets that contribute to a thriving everyday economy, growth and community cohesion. Illegitimate businesses can undercut and undermine legitimate ones that are seeking to contribute to their high street and local economy.

Money laundering through cash-based high street businesses is a known issue that government continues to focus on. While businesses such as candy shops are not regulated under the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs), they interact with MLRs regulated businesses such as banks, who are required to undertake customer due diligence, and under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) must submit reports to the National Crime Agency if they suspect money laundering.

The government works closely with law enforcement and regulators to monitor trends in criminal behaviour – and how these may relate to changes in the make-up of our high streets – to ensure resources are deployed towards the most significant threats.

Supporting people to stay healthier for longer is at the heart of the Government’s Health Mission. We are committed to tackling the obstacles driving obesity. We have already laid secondary legislation to restrict advertisements of less healthy food and drink to children on TV and online, announced changes to the planning framework for fast food near schools and we are taking steps to ensure the Soft Drinks Industry Levy remains effective and fit-for-purpose. We are also committed to banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16s.

Found: 10.45 am Watch the meeting Members present: Lord Gascoigne (The Chair); Baroness Andrews; Lord Bailey of Paddington

Found: 10.45 am Watch the meeting Members present: Lord Gascoigne (The Chair); Baroness Andrews; Lord Bailey of Paddington

Found: Lord Bailey of Paddington: No, it would not, just to be clear.

Found: 10.45 am Watch the meeting Members present: Lord Gascoigne (The Chair); Baroness Andrews; Lord Bailey of Paddington

Found: No relevant interest declared Miller of Chilthorne Domer No relevant interest declared Lord Bailey of Paddington

Found: 10.50 am Watch the meeting Members present: Lord Gascoigne (The Chair); Baroness Andrews; Lord Bailey of Paddington