Lord Hay of Ballyore Portrait

Lord Hay of Ballyore

Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer

Became Member: 16th December 2014


Lord Hay of Ballyore is not a member of any APPGs
Lord Hay of Ballyore has no previous appointments


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Lord Hay of Ballyore has voted in 236 divisions, and 7 times against the majority of their Party.

24 Mar 2021 - Financial Services Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Hay of Ballyore voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Democratic Unionist Party No votes vs 3 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 296 Noes - 255
17 Mar 2021 - Fire Safety Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Hay of Ballyore voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes vs 4 Democratic Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 326 Noes - 248
9 Dec 2020 - United Kingdom Internal Market Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Hay of Ballyore voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Democratic Unionist Party No votes vs 4 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 313 Noes - 236
5 Oct 2020 - Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Hay of Ballyore voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 1 Democratic Unionist Party No votes vs 3 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 152 Noes - 166
13 Apr 2021 - Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Hay of Ballyore voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Democratic Unionist Party No votes vs 4 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 300 Noes - 225
10 Jun 2021 - Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2021 - View Vote Context
Lord Hay of Ballyore voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes vs 1 Democratic Unionist Party No votes
Tally: Ayes - 104 Noes - 241
21 Oct 2021 - Skills and Post-16 Education Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Hay of Ballyore voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Democratic Unionist Party No votes vs 3 Democratic Unionist Party Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 166 Noes - 150
View All Lord Hay of Ballyore Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Viscount Younger of Leckie (Conservative)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
(4 debate interactions)
Lord Caine (Conservative)
Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
(4 debate interactions)
Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Conservative)
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
(3 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Northern Ireland Office
(16 debate contributions)
Home Office
(3 debate contributions)
Department for Transport
(2 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Lord Hay of Ballyore's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Lord Hay of Ballyore, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


Lord Hay of Ballyore has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Lord Hay of Ballyore has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
26th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union as it relates to the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland; and whether this role affects the sovereignty of the UK.

Implementation of the Protocol has led to considerable disruption in the movement of goods and clear diversion of trade. Traders of all sizes have faced additional burdens, supply chains have been disrupted, and costs increased. At least 200 companies in Great Britain are no longer servicing the Northern Ireland market.

We welcome the EU’s recognition that there are serious problems with the Protocol which need to be solved. We are currently engaged in a process of technical discussions with the European Commission in order fully to understand their proposals. However, it’s clear there is still a substantial gap between our two positions.

Governance is critical to ensuring that we have a balanced settlement that is durable in the long term. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) sits at the apex of a system in which EU laws are imposed on NI without consent. Addressing these problems is essential in order to ensure that any agreement can be supported by all communities in Northern Ireland.

We would prefer to settle these issues consensually and reach a positive outcome through negotiations. However, we have been clear that if an agreement cannot be reached Article 16 is a legitimate safeguard provision, the conditions for the use of which have been met.

26th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether plans they have, if any, to trigger Article 16 of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland unilaterally in order (1) to protect the Great Britain to Northern Ireland supply chain, and (2) to restore the integrity of the UK Single Market.

Implementation of the Protocol has led to considerable disruption in the movement of goods and clear diversion of trade. Traders of all sizes have faced additional burdens, supply chains have been disrupted, and costs increased. At least 200 companies in Great Britain are no longer servicing the Northern Ireland market.

We welcome the EU’s recognition that there are serious problems with the Protocol which need to be solved. We are currently engaged in a process of technical discussions with the European Commission in order fully to understand their proposals. However, it’s clear there is still a substantial gap between our two positions.

Governance is critical to ensuring that we have a balanced settlement that is durable in the long term. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) sits at the apex of a system in which EU laws are imposed on NI without consent. Addressing these problems is essential in order to ensure that any agreement can be supported by all communities in Northern Ireland.

We would prefer to settle these issues consensually and reach a positive outcome through negotiations. However, we have been clear that if an agreement cannot be reached Article 16 is a legitimate safeguard provision, the conditions for the use of which have been met.

26th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the EU's response of 13 October to their request to alter the text of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.

Implementation of the Protocol has led to considerable disruption in the movement of goods and clear diversion of trade. Traders of all sizes have faced additional burdens, supply chains have been disrupted, and costs increased. At least 200 companies in Great Britain are no longer servicing the Northern Ireland market.

We welcome the EU’s recognition that there are serious problems with the Protocol which need to be solved. We are currently engaged in a process of technical discussions with the European Commission in order fully to understand their proposals. However, it’s clear there is still a substantial gap between our two positions.

Governance is critical to ensuring that we have a balanced settlement that is durable in the long term. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) sits at the apex of a system in which EU laws are imposed on NI without consent. Addressing these problems is essential in order to ensure that any agreement can be supported by all communities in Northern Ireland.

We would prefer to settle these issues consensually and reach a positive outcome through negotiations. However, we have been clear that if an agreement cannot be reached Article 16 is a legitimate safeguard provision, the conditions for the use of which have been met.

26th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) scale, and (2) cause, of trade difficulties at UK ports since the introduction of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.

Implementation of the Protocol has led to considerable disruption in the movement of goods and clear diversion of trade. Traders of all sizes have faced additional burdens, supply chains have been disrupted, and costs increased. At least 200 companies in Great Britain are no longer servicing the Northern Ireland market.

We welcome the EU’s recognition that there are serious problems with the Protocol which need to be solved. We are currently engaged in a process of technical discussions with the European Commission in order fully to understand their proposals. However, it’s clear there is still a substantial gap between our two positions.

Governance is critical to ensuring that we have a balanced settlement that is durable in the long term. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) sits at the apex of a system in which EU laws are imposed on NI without consent. Addressing these problems is essential in order to ensure that any agreement can be supported by all communities in Northern Ireland.

We would prefer to settle these issues consensually and reach a positive outcome through negotiations. However, we have been clear that if an agreement cannot be reached Article 16 is a legitimate safeguard provision, the conditions for the use of which have been met.

26th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the EU's negotiating strategy on outstanding issues regarding arrangements under the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.

Implementation of the Protocol has led to considerable disruption in the movement of goods and clear diversion of trade. Traders of all sizes have faced additional burdens, supply chains have been disrupted, and costs increased. At least 200 companies in Great Britain are no longer servicing the Northern Ireland market.

We welcome the EU’s recognition that there are serious problems with the Protocol which need to be solved. We are currently engaged in a process of technical discussions with the European Commission in order fully to understand their proposals. However, it’s clear there is still a substantial gap between our two positions.

Governance is critical to ensuring that we have a balanced settlement that is durable in the long term. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) sits at the apex of a system in which EU laws are imposed on NI without consent. Addressing these problems is essential in order to ensure that any agreement can be supported by all communities in Northern Ireland.

We would prefer to settle these issues consensually and reach a positive outcome through negotiations. However, we have been clear that if an agreement cannot be reached Article 16 is a legitimate safeguard provision, the conditions for the use of which have been met.

21st Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Northern lreland's place in the United Kingdom since the introduction of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland’s integral place in the United Kingdom has, and will, remain unaffected as a result of the UK leaving the EU. The Protocol itself is clear that Northern Ireland remains an integral part of the UK’s internal market and customs territory, and guarantees unfettered access for NI businesses to the rest of the UK.

12th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of homeless veterans in England in each year since 2018.

Homelessness data relating to veterans is currently available through H-CLIC (Homelessness Case Level Information Collection). In the financial years of 2018/19 and 2019/20, less than 1% of households who were owed a homelessness duty were assessed as having a support need as a result of serving in the Armed Forces (1,820 out of 269,510 and 1,920 out of 289,800 respectively).

The Government has taken a number of measures to ensure that veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness, are provided with appropriate support. In June 2020, the Government published new statutory guidance for local authorities to improve access to social housing for the Armed Forces and veterans community. The Homelessness Reduction Act includes a statutory duty for members of the Armed Forces, who it is believed may be at risk of homelessness after discharge, to be referred to a local housing authority. The MOD, through Veterans UK, also delivers a Defence Transition Service which provides service leavers with enhanced support, and the Veterans Welfare Service.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
23rd Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of mental health support services provided for armed forces veterans.

All of NHS England’s commissioned services for veterans are evidence based, having been developed and delivered from intensive engagement with experts, members of the armed forces community and service charities. NHS England and NHS Improvement assesses need based on a variety of published data, research output and consultation and engagement exercises. As a result of these assessments, the Government and NHS England recently announced Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, which will ensure veterans know where to go for help. Op COURAGE combines three bespoke veterans’ mental health services to provide a complete mental health care pathway for veterans, with individuals benefiting from personalised care plans, ensuring they can access support and treatment both in and out of hours.

For veteran specific mental health services, in 2020-2021 NHS England provided £16.5m, which will be increased to £17.8m for 2021-2022.

Service charities are supported by the Government through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, which benefits from £10m annually, and in both years an additional £10m has been allocated to support veterans’ mental health needs. During 2020, the COVID-19 Impact Fund has provided nearly £6m in grants to over 100 Armed Forces charities across the United Kingdom. Of the charities awarded funding, 68% of grants sampled supported members of the Armed Forces and veterans’ community for mental health and crisis support, and 77% for easing isolation and loneliness.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
26th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of what checks will be required at Northern Ireland ports to comply with the Northern Ireland Protocol from 1 January 2021.

Following the statement made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 9 December, updates will be made to the House shortly setting out further detail on all Northern Ireland Protocol issues. Extensive guidance has also been published on gov.uk.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
6th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive about the negotiations in relation to a UK–EU trade deal.

The UK Government is in close contact with officials and ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive regarding a UK-EU trade deal.

The Paymaster General has regular calls with Northern Ireland Executive Ministers, including both the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and other devolved administration counterparts, to discuss progress with the EU negotiations.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster chaired a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) on 16 July to discuss the negotiations with devolved administration counterparts. Both the First Minister and deputy First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive attended.

At official level, UK Government officials continue to work alongside their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive, and other devolved nations.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
27th Jun 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what actions they are taking to strengthen the UK's cybersecurity capabilities; and how they plan to address emerging threats such as cyber espionage.

The Government is investing £2.6 billion in the National Cyber Strategy to protect and promote the UK online and improve our national cyber security capabilities. This includes work to increase the number of skilled cyber security professionals and programmes to help UK cyber security businesses grow, develop and innovate. Our regional cyber growth programme is supporting the cyber security sector in all regions and nations of the UK, and includes support for the Belfast cyber security cluster and an £18.9 million investment in Northern Ireland’s cyber security and AI ecosystem. We are also investing to improve cyber security capability in government, law enforcement and across government and agencies.

Countering new and existing threats is a key pillar of the National Cyber Strategy. This work ranges from detecting, disrupting and deterring our cyber adversaries, through to improving cyber resilience in critical national infrastructure and organisations across the economy. Improvements in cyber resilience helps defend against espionage, as well as the widespread threat from cyber criminals and other malicious actors.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current support available for the aviation sector and its supply chain.

Through the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, industry and Government are co-investing in the development of cutting-edge aircraft technology to grow UK’s share of the global aerospace market.

The 2021 Spending Review increased government’s commitment to aerospace R&D by 50% to £685 million across the Spending Review Period, extending the programme to 2031. By 2025, government and industry will invest almost £4 billion in developing new ultra-efficient and zero emission aircraft technologies.

We have supported industry investment in supply chain competitiveness through our ‘Sharing in Growth’, SC21 Competitiveness & Growth, and NATEP programmes, which have benefited from over £140m public funding, leveraging additional private investment.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
20th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what date those entitled to support under the Northern Ireland Energy Support Scheme will receive payment.

On 19 December 2022 the Government announced that all households in Northern Ireland will receive support with their energy bills this winter through a single payment of £600. This is made up of £400 of the Energy Bills Support Scheme and £200 of the Alternative Fuel Payment. This will be delivered through electricity suppliers, with payments starting in January.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
16th Nov 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure that payments due to Northern Ireland consumers under the Energy Bills Support Scheme will be made before Christmas.

Households in Northern Ireland will receive a £400 discount on their energy bills through the Northern Ireland Energy Bills Support Scheme (NI EBSS) this winter. The Government is working intensively with electricity suppliers to deliver a solution and to provide the support as soon as possible.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
25th Oct 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to strengthen the UK's energy security through an increase in domestic gas production.

The Government plans to strengthen energy resilience and manage declining domestic gas production through the North Sea Transition Authority’s launch of the 33rd licensing round on 7 October 2022. Applications for the 33rd round will be open until 12 January 2023 and the first licence awards should follow in the second quarter of 2023.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
5th Jul 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the UK’s energy security.

Energy security is a top priority for this Government, which is taking the necessary steps to ensure security of supply this winter.

The Government’s British Energy Security Strategy, published on 7 April, sets out ambitious measures to deliver secure, clean and affordable energy for the long term.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
5th Jul 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase the affordability of energy for elderly people during the winter; and what steps they plan to take to make energy bills more affordable for elderly people.

The Government provides a range of support to eligible UK pensioners such as the Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments.

In recognition that households across the UK are struggling to make their incomes stretch to cover the rising cost of living, the Government announced on 26 May a £15 billion package of cost-of-living support, in addition to the £22 billion already announced. As part of the Energy Bills Support Scheme package, pensioners in receipt of Winter Fuel Payments, will receive an extra £300 this year, in addition to a £400 rebate on all energy bills, from October and a £150 Council Tax rebate for households, including pensioners, living in bands A-D in England.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
9th Mar 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential of shale gas as a domestic energy source.

According to data published by the Oil and Gas Authority in 2021 (based on 2020 data) and set out on the North Sea Transition Authority’s website, oil reserves and resources in the UK Continental Shelf stand at 7.9 billion barrels of oil equivalent, as well as 560 billion cubic metres of gas, based on ‘probable’, ‘proven’ and ‘contingent’ reserves and resources. It is not possible to say with certainty how much of this could or will be extracted, as this will be driven by a range of commercial and regulatory factors, however UK oil and gas production is expected to decline over time in line with the natural decline of the UK Continental Shelf basin coupled with a decrease in domestic demand for natural gas. The Oil and Gas Authority has published a report titled “UK Oil and Gas Reserves and Resources Report 2021” on their website which includes further information on UK reserves and resources.

As set out on the British Geological Society’s website, estimates of the total gas-in-place for the Bowland Shale Formation and Hodder Mudstone Formation vary. Initial estimates were between 822 and 2281 trillion cubic feet (tcf). However, other estimates have suggested the total gas-in-place volume could be considerably less, around 140 tcf.

The Government has been clear that shale gas development must be safe and sustainable – both for local communities and the environment. On the basis of the current scientific evidence, the Government has confirmed that it will take a presumption against issuing any further Hydraulic Fracturing Consents, which are required before hydraulic fracturing operations can take place. Even if the current moratorium were lifted, development would also need to secure environmental permitting and planning consents, and it would take some years of exploration and development before commercial quantities of gas could be produced.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
9th Mar 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the amount of (1) North Sea (a) oil, and (b) gas, and (2) shale gas, in the UK; and under what circumstances they would exploit such resources.

According to data published by the Oil and Gas Authority in 2021 (based on 2020 data) and set out on the North Sea Transition Authority’s website, oil reserves and resources in the UK Continental Shelf stand at 7.9 billion barrels of oil equivalent, as well as 560 billion cubic metres of gas, based on ‘probable’, ‘proven’ and ‘contingent’ reserves and resources. It is not possible to say with certainty how much of this could or will be extracted, as this will be driven by a range of commercial and regulatory factors, however UK oil and gas production is expected to decline over time in line with the natural decline of the UK Continental Shelf basin coupled with a decrease in domestic demand for natural gas. The Oil and Gas Authority has published a report titled “UK Oil and Gas Reserves and Resources Report 2021” on their website which includes further information on UK reserves and resources.

As set out on the British Geological Society’s website, estimates of the total gas-in-place for the Bowland Shale Formation and Hodder Mudstone Formation vary. Initial estimates were between 822 and 2281 trillion cubic feet (tcf). However, other estimates have suggested the total gas-in-place volume could be considerably less, around 140 tcf.

The Government has been clear that shale gas development must be safe and sustainable – both for local communities and the environment. On the basis of the current scientific evidence, the Government has confirmed that it will take a presumption against issuing any further Hydraulic Fracturing Consents, which are required before hydraulic fracturing operations can take place. Even if the current moratorium were lifted, development would also need to secure environmental permitting and planning consents, and it would take some years of exploration and development before commercial quantities of gas could be produced.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
9th Mar 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the article by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation New measures won't protect poorest families from new energy price cap, published on 3 February; and in particular, the finding that "single adult households on low incomes will spend a shocking 43 per cent on average of their income after housing costs on energy bills".

The Government is providing a package of support worth £9.1 billion in 2022-23 which includes a £150 Council Tax rebate for bands A-D, £144 million discretionary funding for local authorities and a £200 energy bill reduction which will help over 28 million households. This is in addition to the support Government will continue to provide through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, which this winter is providing over 2 million households a £140 rebate off their energy bill. The Government has announced that it would be increasing to £150 and help an extra 780,000 households next winter. Further, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments help ensure the most vulnerable are better able to heat their homes over the colder months.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
12th Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the manufacturing industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the Covid-19 outbreak, we have engaged closely with manufacturing industry through sector roundtables and by talking directly to businesses. This has helped shape the Government’s unprecedented package of support which has included loan schemes, grant funding, tax deferrals and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all of which is designed to be accessible to businesses in most sectors including manufacturing.

We are also investing £147 million through a Manufacturing Made Smarter Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund programme and have invested £730 million in the seven High Value Manufacturing Catapult centres, supporting manufacturers in bringing new technologies to market.

We recently announced £8 million in new Government funding to help manufacturing SMEs increase productivity, competitiveness and drive up efficiency by adopting industrial digital technology, building on the success of our Made Smarter North West Pilot.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
9th Feb 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to assist small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government has introduced an unprecedented and comprehensive package of business support measures to help as many individuals and businesses as possible during this difficult period.

As part of the Local Restrictions Support Grant (closed) (LRSG), business premises that are required by law to close during the current period of national restrictions since 5th January can access grants of up to £4,500 per 6 weeks of closure.

In addition to the LRSG, each closed business will be eligible for a one-off payment of up to £9,000 to help them through Spring.

Local Authorities in England have been allocated a further £500m in discretionary funding to support businesses that are significantly impacted by the restrictions even though not required to close. This is in addition to £1.1bn already allocated in November 2020. Local Authorities have discretion to use this funding to support businesses in the way they see fit.

Between March and September 2020, small businesses were supported through the Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF), the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF) and the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (LADGF).  As of 30th September, more than £11.6 billion has been dispersed to more than a million business premises across the three schemes. These schemes are now closed.

Devolved Administrations have received funding according to the Barnett formula to develop and administer grant schemes to support small businesses.

In addition to grant support, the Government has announced further measures which build on the existing business support package, including extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until the end of April 2021, extension of the Coronavirus Loan Guarantee schemes until 31 March 2021, and introduction of Pay As You Grow measures, meaning businesses now have the option to repay their Bounce Back Loans over a period of up to ten years.

As off 24 January 2021, BBLS has seen 1,471,001 loans approved worth £44.74 billion, and CBILS has seen 87,529 loans approved worth £20.84 billion.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Dec 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the lockdown restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic on the small business sector over the Christmas period.

The Government is working closely with Local Authorities in England to support the implementation of grants to support businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic and monitor the distribution of grant funds.

Where local authorities are in Tier 3 (Very High) funding will continue to be provided to support those businesses required to close, through the Local Restriction Support Grant (Closed), a grant up to £1,500 every 14 days.

Alongside those businesses who have been mandated to close, funding will also be provided to support those business who have had their trade adversely affected by restrictions. The Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open) provides further discretionary funding to Local Authorities whilst in Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions so they can support businesses that are impacted but not required to close.

The Additional Restrictions Grant was provided to Local Authorities as a one-off lump sum discretionary scheme, providing support to businesses severely impacted by restrictions as well as wider business support.

The Christmas support payment for ‘wet-led’ pubs is a one-off grant payment of £1,000 for wet-led pubs in Tier 2 and 3 who have had their trade effected due to localised restrictions during the Christmas period.

Local Restrictions Support Grant (Sector) will provide funding of grants of up to £1,500 every 14 days for businesses mandated to close on a sector basis, such as nightclubs.

This is in conjunction with the extension of the application deadline to the 31 January 2021 for three Coronavirus business interruption loan schemes – the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme.

Eligible businesses will be able to ‘top up’ existing Bounce Back Loans should they need additional finance.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
5th Dec 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the services available to address gambling addiction in the UK; and how they plan to further support those affected.

His Majesty’s Government recognises that, while millions of people gamble without experiencing problems, for some it becomes an addiction with serious consequences. The Gambling White Paper, published in April this year, outlines a balanced and proportionate package of measures in response.

The White Paper committed to introducing a statutory levy charged to gambling operators to raise trusted, ring-fenced funding for research into, and the prevention and treatment of, gambling-related harms. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has since launched a public consultation on the structure, distribution, and governance of the levy, which closes on 14 December.

We propose that the levy provides sustainable funding for HM Government to develop a co-ordinated approach to prevention at local, regional, and national levels. It will provide investment for organisations, including in the third sector, for harm-prevention activities across Great Britain. This will facilitate more upstream interventions in the prevention of gambling-related harms, and will raise awareness of harms and support pathways.

In England, the NHS Long-term Plan committed to expanding the geographical coverage of NHS services in England for people with serious gambling problems through the creation of 15 specialist gambling clinics by 2023/24, with £15 million of funding over this same period. Twelve of the 15 planned clinics are now open, with representation across every part of England. The three remaining clinics – in Liverpool, Blackpool, and Sheffield – will open by the end of the year.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
5th Dec 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent steps have been taken to (1) raise awareness of the risks, and (2) promote responsible practices, in relation to online gambling, particularly among vulnerable groups such as young people and individuals with mental health challenges.

His Majesty’s Government recognises that, while millions of people gamble online without experiencing problems, for some it becomes an addiction with serious consequences. It is particularly important to take steps to protect vulnerable groups, including young people, from risks associated with online gambling.

In April the Department for Culture, Media and Sport published a White Paper following our review of the Gambling Act 2005. The White Paper outlined a series of measures to tackle practices and products which can drive harm and to ensure that people who are at risk of gambling harm and addiction are protected. These include new, frictionless financial risk checks, a stake limit for online slots games, improvements to customer-led tools, and tougher restrictions on bonuses and direct marketing. These measures will be complemented by strengthened informational messaging about the risks associated with gambling. The White Paper also contained a commitment to introduce a new statutory levy paid by operators to fund research, prevention, and treatment. In July the Gambling Commission also published a vulnerability statement, outlining its approach to identifying, supporting, and protecting consumers who are in vulnerable situations.

We are working with the Gambling Commission and others to bring the measures from the White Paper into force as quickly as possible, and have already published consultations on a number of important proposals so that we can finalise details ahead of their implementation.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
27th Jun 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent steps they have taken to address the issue of problem online gambling; and what measures they plan to implement to protect vulnerable individuals online.

His Majesty’s Government recognises that, while millions of people gamble online without experiencing problems, for some it becomes an addiction with serious consequences. It is particularly important to take steps to protect vulnerable people, including young people, from risks associated with problem online gambling.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport recently published a White Paper following our review of the Gambling Act 2005. This White Paper outlines a range of proportionate measures to tackle practices and products which can drive harm and ensure that people who are at risk of gambling harm and addiction are protected. These include new player protection checks, a stake limit for online slots games, improvements to consumer redress, and a statutory levy on operators to fund research, education and treatment.

We will work with the Gambling Commission and others to bring these measures into force at the earliest possible opportunity. Where further consultations are necessary, our aim is to publish them as quickly as possible.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
25th Oct 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent steps they have taken to promote the digital economy in Northern Ireland.

In 2021, His Majesty’s Government and the Northern Ireland Executive signed the first ever City Deal for Northern Ireland. The Belfast Region City Deal unlocks £1 billion of transformative joint investment which will deliver more than 20 highly ambitious projects and programmes, create up to 20,000 new and better jobs, and help make the region a global centre of innovation.

Northern Ireland has 86% gigabit-capable coverage*, the best connectivity out of all the home nations of the UK, which will likely improve with the £5 billion investment in Project Gigabit. Additionally, our work with the Department for the Economy on Project Stratum has improved broadband connectivity for 50% of target premises as of September. The Northern Ireland Gigabit Open Market Review is scheduled to launch in early Autumn 2022.

BDUK has worked with the Department for Economy and the Local Authorities on Full Fibre Northern Ireland to deliver connectivity to over 887 buildings with investment of over £24 million from His Majesty’s Government. Connectivity upgrades to 199 buildings were achieved by Belfast City Council with a grant of £9.3 million.

His Majesty’s Government is committed to investing in the skills of people of Northern Ireland and promoting Northern Ireland’s potential as a leader in innovative technologies. The Cyber Explorers scheme supports 11–14 year-olds to boost their understanding and interest in a career in cyber. In addition, Cyber Runway provides business skills, product development, connections and mentoring to UK cyber companies at three stages of the business lifecycle: Launch, Grow and Scale. Cyber Runway is delivered in partnership with the Centre for Secure Information Technologies in Belfast and an event will be held in the city in November 2023 to support the local economy.

DCMS is supporting businesses across the UK through investment. The £12 million Digital Growth Grant will support companies across the UK to access finance and business advice through tailored growth programmes and events. In addition, the £2.6 billion UKSPF fund encourages areas across the UK to consider interventions to support and grow their local tech ecosystems.

The creative industries are also major players in the digital economy, with inward investment reaching nearly £1 billion in 2020. To help support these businesses, DCMS is providing nearly £50 million in support for the creative industries across the UK, including the £8 million UK Games Fund (UKGF) and £21 million UK Global Screen Fund that will promote investment in innovative creative businesses. The UKGF provides grant support to early-game stage games development companies across the UK, including in Northern Ireland.

Furthermore, the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Creative Clusters Programme supports local businesses in the Northern Ireland screen sector to innovate and drive investment. It is called Future Screens Northern Ireland and is run by a consortium of higher education institutes, industry partners, and public organisations.

*(ThinkBroadband, August 2022)

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
23rd Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the support from large technology companies for tackling online problem gambling.

The government launched its Review of the Gambling Act 2005 on 8 December with the publication of a Call for Evidence. As part of the wide scope of that Review, we have called for evidence on the case for greater controls on the design of online gambling products, including pre-release testing.

We welcome steps taken by technology companies to support people who are experiencing problem gambling. This includes Google’s recently announced plans to allow its users to opt out of gambling advertising.

According to the 2016 Combined Health Survey, the rate of problem gambling among those who had gambled online during the past year was 3.5%. The 2018 Health Survey for England found a problem gambling rate of 4.2% among past-year online gamblers.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the BBC about free television licences for people aged over 75.

The government meets with the BBC on regular occasions to discuss a wide range of issues, including the over 75 concession. The Government has consistently made clear its disappointment with the BBC's decision to restrict the over 75 licence fee concession to only those in receipt of pension credit. We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe they should be funded by the BBC.

The BBC remains responsible for the administration of the concession and it will be responsible for setting out what those affected will need to do. It must look urgently at how it can use its substantial licence fee income to support older people and deliver for UK audiences of all ages.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
27th Jun 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent steps they have taken to improve the quality and accessibility of social care services for children.

On 2 February 2023 the department published ‘Stable Homes, Built on Love’, an implementation strategy and consultation, setting out plans to reform children’s social care. This strategy sets out how we will help families overcome challenges, keep children safe, and make sure children in care have stable loving homes, long-term loving relationships, and opportunities for a good life.

As of 1 April 2023, there are 153 local authorities responsible for ensuring and overseeing the effective delivery of social care services for children. Since the introduction of our Improvement and Intervention programme in 2017, which aimed to reduce the number of local authorities rated Inadequate by Ofsted, the number of Inadequate local authorities has dropped from 20% to 8.5%, and the number of Good and Outstanding local authorities has risen from 36% to 59%. This programme specifically offers support to areas with early signs of failure and intervenes when failure has already taken place.

Over the next two years, through ‘Stable Homes, Built on Love’, the department will address urgent issues in children’s social care, and lay the foundations for wider-reaching reform across the whole system.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
21st Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Ofsted ratings on the ability of a school to (1) attract, and (2) recruit, teaching staff.

The department does not hold data to assess the impact of Ofsted ratings on the ability of a school to attract and recruit teachers. However, the number of teachers remains high, with over 453,000 working in schools across the country, which is over 12,000 more than in 2010. This academic year (2020/21), we have provisionally recruited over 41,000 new trainee teachers – 23% more than last year (2019/20). The proportion of schools now rated by Ofsted as Good or Outstanding has also risen from 68% in 2010 to 86% in 2020.

We are moving forward with implementation of the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy which the government published in January 2019. This includes commitments to reduce teacher workload, improve continuing professional development, and provide greater opportunities for flexible working.

Whilst delivering on these commitments will support all schools, we recognise that some schools and local areas face greater challenges with recruitment and retention than others. To supplement the national strategy, we are delivering targeted programmes to support recruitment and retention in challenging areas, including funding a range of regionally targeted initiatives.

The government is also committed to supporting leadership development for schools in challenging contexts so that all pupils receive equal access to excellent teaching. Over £40 million of scholarships funding has been made available between 2017 and 2020 to support teachers and leaders in the areas of the greatest need to take up a National Professional Qualification (NPQ). This funding has successfully supported many more people to access NPQ courses than originally intended, including those in some of our most challenging schools.

23rd Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent steps they have taken to raise educational standards in schools across the United Kingdom.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response will outline the education reforms for England.

Since 2010, this government has been committed to raising educational standards in all schools across the country to ensure that all young people leave school with the knowledge, qualifications, and skills they need to succeed in life. The proportion of schools now rated by Ofsted as Good or Outstanding has risen from 68% in 2010 to 86% in 2020.

We know that the COVID-19 outbreak poses great challenges to the education system. That is why in June 2020, the Department announced a £1 billion catch-up package, which includes £350 million for the National Tutoring Programme. This will increase access to high-quality tuition for the most disadvantaged young people, helping to accelerate their academic progress and tackle the attainment gap between them and their peers. More recently, in February 2021, we committed a further £700 million of funding for the 2021/22 academic year. This package includes a new one off £302 million Recovery Premium for state primary and secondary schools, building on the Pupil Premium, to further support pupils who need it. The devolved administrations are receiving additional funding through the Barnett formula in the usual way. This funding enables the devolved administrations to deliver support where programmes do not apply across the whole of the UK.

16th Jan 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK is actively enforcing its fishing rights.

As an independent coastal state, the UK has full responsibility over how it ensures compliance in its fisheries. All fishing vessels in UK waters are required to fish in accordance with UK laws and the conditions of their licences. As control and enforcement is a devolved matter, Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive work together to share information and ensure a coordinated approach to monitoring, compliance and enforcement across UK waters.

Lord Douglas-Miller
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
29th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK is actively enforcing its fishing rights.

As an independent coastal state, the UK has full responsibility over how it ensures compliance in its fisheries. All fishing vessels in UK waters are required to fish in accordance with UK laws and the conditions of their licences. As control and enforcement is a devolved matter, Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive work together to share information and ensure a coordinated approach to monitoring, compliance and enforcement across UK waters.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
26th Oct 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with representatives of (1) haulage companies, and (2) other organisations involved in the goods supply chain, about recent disruptions to the UK supply networks.

Over recent months the Government, predominantly through the Department for Transport and Defra, has had a sustained dialogue with haulage companies and other organisations involved in the goods supply chain, as well as ministers and officials in the Devolved Administrations. This has included ministerial and industry roundtables, industry summits and tailored workshops.

Through this dialogue, we have been able to strengthen communication between government and industry and discuss issues and solutions, on a range of matters that have the potential to cause disruption to UK supply networks, especially with regard to the supply of food. This includes logistics issues at ports of entry for goods entering the UK, labour shortages across the supply chain (particularly lorry drivers), and the domestic supply of carbon dioxide.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
29th Jun 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential bilateral fisheries agreement between the UK and Norway.

The Government's assessment following the conclusions of all fisheries negotiations for 2021 was delivered in a written ministerial statement to both Houses on 10 June.

The UK looks forward to bilateral discussions with Norway this autumn with a view to concluding fisheries arrangements for 2022. We will develop our negotiation priorities based on the scientific advice and will be engaging stakeholders over the coming months.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
9th Jun 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their most recent assessment of the proportion of goods consignments from the rest of the United Kingdom to Northern Ireland that contain agri-food products.

In 2018, external purchases of all goods (including agrifood) into Northern Ireland totalled approximately £17 billion. Of that total, £10.4 billion (approximately 60%) came from Great Britain.

At present, the Government estimates that agrifood trade from Great Britain to Northern Ireland totals approximately £2.5–£3.4 billion per annum.

These two metrics cannot be directly compared, but the Government believes that by value, the proportion of goods consignments from the rest of the United Kingdom to Northern Ireland that contain agri-food products could range from approximately one quarter to one third.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
12th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) the Netherlands, (2) Sweden, and (3) Iceland, about future access to British fishing stocks.

Negotiations are ongoing for a fisheries framework agreement with the EU. To date there have been no direct discussions with the Netherlands or Sweden around future access to British fishing stocks.

In the negotiations, we have been clear throughout that we want a simple, separate fisheries framework agreement which reflects our rights under international law and which provides for annual negotiations over access and fishing opportunities. Any access negotiated with the EU will only cover the UK's exclusive economic zone and not the 0-12nm zone. This remains the case.

On 11 November, the UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iceland to enhance cooperation on fisheries matters. The MoU, which will come into effect on 1 January 2021, establishes a UK-Iceland Fisheries Dialogue whereby both countries can share best practice and cooperate on a range of issues, including product innovation and the traceability and marketing of seafood products. This MoU does not provide for fishing opportunities or access to either party's waters.

27th Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many fishing vessels, registered in England, are currently in operation in the UK.

As of 1 October 2020, Marine Management Organisation statistics show that there are 2,613 English registered and licenced fishing vessels.

5th Jul 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of jobs in the Republic of Ireland dependent on trade with the UK in June.

Experimental estimates published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report around 207,000 workers in the Republic of Ireland were supported by exports to the UK in 2018 (latest year for which estimates are available).

More timely estimates for June 2022 or estimates for employment supported by total trade between the Republic of Ireland and the UK (exports plus imports), are not available.

Source: OECD Trade in Employment (2021 ed.) database, https://www.oecd.org/sti/ind/trade-in-employment.htm

Viscount Younger of Leckie
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
29th Jun 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many fatalities there were in each of the last three years on (1) motorways, (2) dual carriageways, and (3) single carriageways.

The number of fatal casualties in reported accidents on motorways, dual carriageways, and single carriageways in Great Britain for each year since 2017 can be found in the table below.

Fatal casualties in reported road accidents by road type, GB: 2017-2020

2017

2018

2019

2020 1

Motorway2

99

107

105

83

Dual carriageway3

268

282

252

*

Single carriageway3

1366

1332

1330

*

Source: DfT, STATS19

1 The number of fatalities on motorways in 2020 is provisional. Data for 2020 fatalities on dual carriageways and single carriageways is due to be published in September 2021.

2 Includes motorways and A(M) roads.

3 Excluding motorways and A(M) roads.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
29th Jun 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many accidents involving private leisure craft were caused by the consumption of alcohol in the last three years.

There is no obligation for leisure craft owners to report accidents directly to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) so the data provided to answer this question cannot be considered complete.

Further, unless the accident was fully investigated, it is only possible to state that alcohol was a factor in the accident, not that it was causal.

In the last three years, the MAIB have been notified of eight accidents where alcohol was a factor, none of these accidents required a full investigation.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
21st Apr 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of current support available for (1) the aviation sector, and (2) its supply chain.

The Government recognises the challenging circumstances facing the aviation industry as a result of Covid-19 and businesses across the sector can draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor. We continue to take a flexible approach and keep all impacts and policies under review.

In total, we estimate that by the end of April 2021 the air transport sector (airlines, airports and related services) will have benefited from around £7 billion of Government support since the start of the pandemic. This includes support through loan guarantees, support for exporters, the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. The extension of Government-backed loans and furlough payments announced at the budget build on this and will help ensure this vital and vibrant part of the UK economy is ready to bounce back in the wake of the pandemic.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Dec 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what resources they have made available to support Belfast International Airport during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The aviation sector is vital to our future as a global trading nation, playing a critical role in local economies, including in Northern Ireland. The national measures taken in response to COVID-19 have been unprecedented, enabling airlines, airports and ground handlers to benefit from a very significant amount of taxpayer support. This includes, but is not limited to, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and financing facilities. The Government is also working on a strategic framework for the medium and long-term recovery of the aviation sector in the form of a recovery plan.

Airport policy is devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive (NIE). NIE has provided business rates relief to airports in Northern Ireland worth £2.2 million. NIE are continuing to consider appropriate support for airports in Northern Ireland.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
1st Dec 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the lockdown restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic on the airline industry over the Christmas period.

The Government is in regular contact with the aviation sector to understand their passenger forecasts and financial projections, including regarding the impact of COVID-19 over the Christmas period. Airlines are putting in appropriate operations to meet any increase in demand over Christmas, during which the Government have has agreed to lift travel restrictions from 23 – 27 December.

Firms can also continue to draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor, including schemes to raise capital, tax deferrals, and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).

The Government announced on 5 November that the CJRS will be extended until March 2021 and furloughed employees will continue to receive 80% of their current salary. This will continue to protect jobs across in the UK in the difficult winter months.

The national restrictions as a result of the pandemic have not changed the way we engage regularly with the sector. We continue an open dialogue as we work towards our shared ambition of getting aviation up and running again in a safe and secure way.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)