Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current prevalence of COVID-19 in England; and whether this rate is increasing or decreasing.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
There are early signs of a fall in prevalence in all regions of England and in Scotland, with the largest decline being observed in London. Data from the Winter Coronavirus Infection Survey estimates that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in England on 3 January 2024 was 3.2%. This is a decrease from 4.6% of the population in England estimated to have SARS-CoV-2 on 20 December 2023.
It is not unexpected for surveillance data to show a temporary change in the transmission rates of respiratory infections over the Christmas period. The UK Health Security Agency and the Office for National Statistics will continue to monitor the data closely to confirm whether this drop in prevalence will be sustained.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the safety of the Christian Aramaean communities on the Israel–Lebanon border.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is actively monitoring the Blue Line boundary between Israel and Lebanon, and engaging closely with partners across the region. We are a strong supporter of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and call for places of worship to be respected. Israel and Lebanon have made clear their commitment to freedom of religion, and we encourage both Governments to do all that they can to uphold the values of equality for all enshrined in their laws. Our Embassies in Tel Aviv and Beirut, and our Consulate General in Jerusalem regularly raise issues of religious freedom with the Israeli and Lebanese Governments.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the otter population is growing or declining; and what assessment they have made of the current otter population level.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The results from the 2023 national otter surveys are expected to be published mid-2024.The results from the 2010 surveys show a varied picture: in England, the otter population was estimated at 2800 and probably increasing; in Scotland, the population was estimated at 8000 and possibly declining. Survey results from Wales in 2018 showed the population is in decline.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the cost of providing advice to English local authorities seeking to avoid bankruptcies in 2023.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Examples of significant financial failure in local government are thankfully rare, however if a council is unable to set or maintain a balanced budget or unlawful expenditure has occurred it may be required to issue a Section 114 (s114) notice.
In 2022, three councils issued s114 notices: the London Borough of Croydon, Northumberland County Council and Woking Borough Council. The London Borough of Croydon issued a first s114 in January 2022 due to unlawful expenditure and a second in November 2022 due to being unable to maintain a balanced budget. Northumberland County Council's s114 notice was issued due to unlawful expenditure and Thurrock Council's was issued due to being unable to maintain a balanced budget.
In 2023, a further three councils issued s114 notices, all due to being unable to set or maintain a balanced budget. These were: Woking Borough Council, Birmingham City Council and Nottingham City Council.
We do not hold an estimate for the cost of providing advice to local authorities seeking to avoid issuing a s114 notice. Issuing a Section 114 notice is a local decision and one that Government has no role in.
The Government monitors the financial health of councils on a regular basis using a range of data as well as through extensive direct engagement. We stand ready to speak to any council that has concerns about its ability to manage its finances or faces pressures it has not planned for.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government which English local authorities filed section 114 notices of bankruptcy in (1) 2022, and (2) 2023.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Examples of significant financial failure in local government are thankfully rare, however if a council is unable to set or maintain a balanced budget or unlawful expenditure has occurred it may be required to issue a Section 114 (s114) notice.
In 2022, three councils issued s114 notices: the London Borough of Croydon, Northumberland County Council and Woking Borough Council. The London Borough of Croydon issued a first s114 in January 2022 due to unlawful expenditure and a second in November 2022 due to being unable to maintain a balanced budget. Northumberland County Council's s114 notice was issued due to unlawful expenditure and Thurrock Council's was issued due to being unable to maintain a balanced budget.
In 2023, a further three councils issued s114 notices, all due to being unable to set or maintain a balanced budget. These were: Woking Borough Council, Birmingham City Council and Nottingham City Council.
We do not hold an estimate for the cost of providing advice to local authorities seeking to avoid issuing a s114 notice. Issuing a Section 114 notice is a local decision and one that Government has no role in.
The Government monitors the financial health of councils on a regular basis using a range of data as well as through extensive direct engagement. We stand ready to speak to any council that has concerns about its ability to manage its finances or faces pressures it has not planned for.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the ability of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company to continue its role as sole strategic provider of seaborn passenger traffic between the islands and mainland in the case of any sale.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport strongly supports the reliable and accessible provision of lifeline transport services to the Isles of Scilly, as we acknowledge their importance to the Isles’ communities.
It would be inappropriate for the Government to comment on private commercial issues concerning the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the financial stability of Somerset Council.
Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)
I would like to assure my noble Friend that the Government monitors the financial health of local authorities on a regular basis using a wide range of data as well as through extensive direct engagement with councils.
We are aware of the recent concerns relating to Somerset council with regards its financial position. While individual councils are responsible for managing their budgets, the Department has been clear that we are willing to have discussions with any council that has concerns about its ability to manage its finances or faces pressures it has not planned for.
For 2023/24, the final Local Government Finance Settlement made available up to £59.7 billion for local government in England, an increase in Core Spending Power of up to £5.1 billion or 9.4% in cash terms on 2022/23.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of their progress in completing the project to create a dual carriage way on the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The A303 Sparkford to Ilchester Dualling scheme started construction in September 2021. National Highways is now planning to Open for Traffic in Winter 2024/2025.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the tourism industry in the Falkland Islands and its territorial waters.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
As a self-governing Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom, management of the tourism industry is the prerogative of the Falkland Islands Government and their local elected leaders. According to statistics published by the Falkland Islands Tourism Board, there were over 60,000 tourists arriving on the Falkland Islands, drawn by the Territory's many attractions, including its unique wildlife and history. The UK Government's provision of sufficient COVID-19 vaccines to the Falkland Islands to protect the whole community helped support the Falkland Islanders safe reopening of the islands for leisure travel and we continue to support Falkland Islanders in representing their home overseas, for example at Expo Prado in Montevideo in September 2023.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how they define the terms (1) ‘terrorist’ and (2) ‘terrorism’.
Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.