Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to tax state pensions.
Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
It has always been the case that pension income, from private pensions and the State Pension, is taxable. Under the previous Government, 8.3 million pensioners, the vast majority, paid income tax.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to curb inflation and assist consumers.
Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The independent Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England has primary responsibility for maintaining price stability and returning inflation sustainably to the 2% target. The Government primarily supports the Bank to control inflation through fiscal discipline, controlling borrowing and reducing long term pressures on our public finances. Last year, borrowing fell by 1ppt to its lowest level for six years at 4.2% GDP.
We know that people across the country are struggling with the cost of living and are worried about events in the Middle East and what that means for consumer prices in the UK. In March, the Government announced a £50 million support package for families struggling with high heating oil costs as a result of the conflict – with £17 million dedicated to consumers in Northern Ireland specifically. The Government has been working with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that protections are fit for purpose for Northern Irish households, who are particularly reliant on heating oil.
Since July, the Government has taken action to reduce energy bills by removing VAT from household electricity from October 1. This will take around £45 off the yearly Ofgem price cap in October, benefitting millions of households this winter. To ensure that households in Northern Ireland (NI) receive the same support as quickly as the rest of the UK, the NI Executive will receive comparable funding to enable it to support NI Households with the cost of living. The VAT cut on domestic electricity comes on top of the £150 removed from bills at the last Budget, when the OBR estimated that Government policy at Budget 2025 would bring down inflation by 0.4ppt in 2026-27. The 5p cut and freeze to fuel duty has also been extended to the end of the year.
The Government is monitoring the situation in the Middle East carefully. We are committed to helping people across the UK and providing breathing space with everyday costs.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide assistance to families under pressure due to rising bank mortgages.
Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the pressure facing mortgage borrowers across the United Kingdom. Earlier this year, Ministers met with the six largest mortgage lenders alongside UK Finance to discuss the outlook for mortgage rates following the latest global developments. At that meeting, these lenders committed to proactively contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate deals were due to end during 2026, setting out options well before payments change.
Lenders across the industry also reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortgage Charter. The Mortgage Charter is a voluntary agreement that covers 90% of the mortgage market and provides flexibilities to help borrowers manage their repayments over a short period. This includes permitting eligible borrowers to switch temporarily to interest-only payments, or extend their mortgage term, for six months, after which they can switch back without a new affordability check or affecting their credit score.
Financial Conduct Authority rules also provide significant protections for all borrowers, including ensuring all customers are treated fairly. Any borrower who is concerned about making their repayments should contact their lender. Seeking support and engaging with lenders to discuss options will not affect a borrower’s credit score in any way, and earlier engagement will mean that lenders can offer more support.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what measures they are taking against those within the NHS who subject patients, nurses, and doctors to anti-Jewish abuse.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave on 25 August in response to Question HL1796, which, for ease of reference, is reproduced below.
In October 2025, Lord John Mann was asked to undertake an urgent review into how the health system, including National Health Service employers and United Kingdom health professional regulators, are dealing with incidents of antisemitism and other forms of racism.
On 4 June 2026, the Government published Lord Mann’s review, alongside a Government response, which, accepted all recommendations for the Department and NHS England, subject to consultation where appropriate. We are taking action to deliver these recommendations, to help protect all patients and staff from hatred and discrimination.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase energy security and lower energy costs; and what assessment they have made as to the potential impact of the conflict in the Middle East on domestic energy bills.
Answered by Lord Whitehead
The events in the Middle East underline the risks of continued dependence on fossil fuels and the importance of accelerating our transition to clean energy. That is why we are driving further and faster for clean homegrown power that we control to protect the British people and bring down bills for good.
The Government acted at last year’s Budget by taking on average £150 of costs off energy bills and we have also extended the Warm Home Discount to cover around 6 million households. We will continue to monitor the situation ahead of the winter and plan for all contingencies.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether any key target been removed from the Modern Service Framework for Dementia and Frailty, due for publication later this year.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
No target has been removed from the Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia. The framework is still in development, and we are still considering all options to help improve dementia diagnosis and care, including reviewing targets, metrics, and data.
We are engaging with a wide group of partners to understand what should be included to ensure the best outcomes for people living with frailty and dementia. As part of this exercise, we will develop a list of best evidenced interventions following analysis of the evidence and wider research.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support (1) farmers in relation to increased costs deriving from the Iran war, and (2) the long-term financial sustainability of farm businesses.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is actively monitoring developments in the Middle East and the impacts on food and farming sectors. Measures have been taken to improve market transparency, promote advice, tools and guidance, and we have consulted on temporary suspension of tariffs for certain fertilisers and modernisation of fertiliser regulations.
The ongoing pressure on fertiliser underlines the need to shift to a more resilient farming system with reduced reliance on such inputs. In England, the Farming Roadmap shows how improving nutrient management and input efficiency will help farmers to reduce reliance on artificial fertilisers, cut input costs and boost resilience.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have held concerning the replacement of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, and with whom.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government continues to engage with a wide range of interested parties at ministerial and official level. This includes regular and recent discussions with victims groups, groups representing veterans, human rights organisations, elected representatives, and others including academics.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their most recent assessment of the security threat in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Despite the recent disorder, and the security incidents in Belfast, Lurgan and Dunmurry, the Northern Ireland Related Terrorism (NIRT) in Northern Ireland threat level remains SUBSTANTIAL, following its reduction in March 2024.
The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre keeps the Threat Level from Northern Ireland Related Terrorism in Northern Ireland under constant review and formally reviews it twice a year.
I wish to recognise the tremendous efforts of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and security partners, who work day-in, day-out to keep our communities safe.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with representatives of the logistics industry on the cost of trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Captain of the King's Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard (HM Household) (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland meets regularly with the logistics sector and businesses trading between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including through the Northern Ireland Business Stakeholders Group.
Working with the EU and fast parcel operators, we have ensured that from 1 July the vast majority of low-value imports will not face EU duties when moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, cutting costs and protecting GB-NI trade.