Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to protect critical national infrastructure from security threats.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK Government works closely with Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) owners and operators through the Lead Government Department (LGD) model to build resilience against security threats.

Each LGD is responsible for routinely undertaking risk assessments for their sector, including assessing CNI risks within the internal, classified National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA). All NSRA risks are kept under review to ensure that they are the most appropriate scenarios to inform industry and government’s emergency preparedness and resilience activity, and reflect the evolving risk landscape. The external-facing National Risk Register, which mirrors the NSRA, was last updated in January 2025 and will be updated regularly to address changes to the risk landscape.

Alongside the LGD’s active engagement with industry, the National Technical Authorities (National Cyber Security Centre and National Protective Security Authority) also provide advice on best practice for CNI security and resilience.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK education system remains globally competitive.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

The UK remains a highly attractive study destination for international students, with four universities in the top 10 and 15 universities in the top 100, alongside a wide array of high quality institutions which offer a fulfilling and enjoyable experience to international students from around the world.

As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education made clear in her video message last year, this government welcomes international students who enrich our university campuses, forge lifelong friendships with our domestic students and become global ambassadors for the UK.

The immigration white paper, published on 12 May, confirmed that we will retain the graduate visa, but reduce its duration from two years to 18 months. This will maintain our competitive post-study offer whilst ensuring individuals on this route obtain employment in graduate level roles and contribute to the country’s skills needs more quickly. The department will issue further details on implementation of the white paper measures in due course.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of EU laws that apply to Northern Ireland; and whether they have any plans to address their continued application to Northern Ireland.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal

The legal texts of the Windsor Framework are available online and set out the rules that are applicable. The Government submits Explanatory Memoranda to Parliament and the NI Assembly about proposed changes to those regulations to facilitate scrutiny, which can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/explanatory-memoranda-on-eu-documents

The Government remains committed to implementing the Windsor Framework and protecting the UK internal market.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to bring forward additional financial assistance and practical support to fishing fleet and processors across the UK.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

On 19 May 2025, we announced the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund. This new fund will invest £360 million over the next 12 years in the fisheries and seafood sector, and coastal communities, to support the next generation of fishermen and our coastal communities.

We will work with the industry to target investment where it matters most. For example, considering investment in new technology and equipment to modernise our fishing fleet, delivering training and investing in skills to back the next generation of fishers, and promoting the seafood sector to export our high-quality produce across the world.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their timeline for implementing the sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with the EU.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Prime Minister welcomed President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen and President of the EU Council António Costa to London for a UK-EU Summit on 19 May.

At that Summit we have agreed the parameters for a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement making agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers.

We will start talks straight away and want to remove barriers as soon as possible.

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