Lord Shipley Portrait

Lord Shipley

Liberal Democrat - Life peer

Became Member: 14th July 2010


Youth Unemployment Committee
28th Jan 2021 - 16th Nov 2021
EU Internal Market Sub-Committee
2nd Jul 2019 - 23rd Apr 2020
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Housing)
20th Jul 2017 - 22nd Jul 2019
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Communities, Decentralisation and the Northern Powerhouse)
1st Jun 2015 - 3rd Dec 2015
Economic Affairs Committee
24th Nov 2010 - 30th Mar 2015


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Lord Shipley has voted in 516 divisions, and 1 time against the majority of their Party.

16 Mar 2022 - Health and Care Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Shipley voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 18 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 33 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 145 Noes - 179
View All Lord Shipley 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
Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Conservative)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
(25 debate interactions)
Lord Greenhalgh (Conservative)
(24 debate interactions)
Baroness Penn (Conservative)
Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)
(22 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Education
(42 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(28 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(22 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023
(14,396 words contributed)
Schools Bill [HL] 2022-23
(7,546 words contributed)
Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023
(5,368 words contributed)
Fire Safety Bill 2019-21
(3,272 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Lord Shipley's debates

Lords initiatives

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


1 Bill introduced by Lord Shipley


A bill to empower local authorities to introduce Workplace Parking Levies with immediate effect and to impose penalty charges for moving traffic contraventions

Lords - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 29th January 2020
(Read Debate)

Lord Shipley has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 49 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
2 Other Department Questions
24th Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) the University of Sunderland, (2) Sunderland Culture, and (3) Sunderland City Council, about (a) the structural problems affecting the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, and (b) the future location of that venue.

Arts Council England, an arm’s-length body of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, advises that the University of Sunderland has, in recent years, undertaken work to address structural issues in the building housing the National Glass Centre. A specialist external review, commissioned by the University, concluded that a multi-million-pound investment would be required to address these issues if the National Glass Centre were to remain at its current location. As a result, and considering value for money, the University’s Board of Governors decided to identify an alternative location. The University is now exploring a variety of options with key partners including Sunderland Culture (which has been offered public funding as part of Arts Council England’s national portfolio) and Sunderland City Council to establish suitable sites. Culture House is one of the sites being discussed.

Arts Council England will continue to engage with both Sunderland Culture and the University of Sunderland as plans for the relocation continue to be developed.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
24th Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the structural problems affecting the National Glass Centre in Sunderland.

Arts Council England, an arm’s-length body of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, advises that the University of Sunderland has, in recent years, undertaken work to address structural issues in the building housing the National Glass Centre. A specialist external review, commissioned by the University, concluded that a multi-million-pound investment would be required to address these issues if the National Glass Centre were to remain at its current location. As a result, and considering value for money, the University’s Board of Governors decided to identify an alternative location. The University is now exploring a variety of options with key partners including Sunderland Culture (which has been offered public funding as part of Arts Council England’s national portfolio) and Sunderland City Council to establish suitable sites. Culture House is one of the sites being discussed.

Arts Council England will continue to engage with both Sunderland Culture and the University of Sunderland as plans for the relocation continue to be developed.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
7th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the geographical distribution by region or nation of members of the House of Lords.

The Government does not hold residency information for those nominated to the House of Lords. That is a matter for each individual.

The Prime Minister is responsible for peerage nominations and will take a range of factors into consideration when making recommendations to the Sovereign.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
7th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government in what county or region was the primary residence of individuals recommended for a Life Peerage by the Prime Minister in each year since 2019.

The Government does not hold residency information for those nominated to the House of Lords. That is a matter for each individual.

The Prime Minister is responsible for peerage nominations and will take a range of factors into consideration when making recommendations to the Sovereign.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
1st Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government, what steps they are taking to support consumers who cannot monitor their energy consumption via their smart meter as a result of a failure to connect with a data hub.

Energy suppliers are required by licence conditions to take all reasonable steps to ensure their customers’ smart meters are fully functional and provide customers with complete and accurate information. Energy suppliers must also offer an In-Home Display (IHD) at the point of installation and provide a replacement or repair for any faulty IHD within the first year of installing a consumer’s smart meters.

The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is responsible for regulating energy suppliers against their licence obligations.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
10th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the introduction of compulsory product registration of white goods at point of sale.

The Government encourages consumers to register their domestic appliances and is taking proactive steps to increase the rates of product registration in the UK. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has undertaken research to survey over 4,000 consumers to understand their attitudes to product safety, including product registration.

In January 2020, OPSS began a product registration research trial with the aim of increasing product registration rates by applying behavioural principles. The trial will monitor the rates of product registration and the data collected will be used to develop further initiatives to increase product registration by consumers. The Government keeps all options under review and is keen to ensure that any activity to increase the rate of product registration is evidence based and proportionate.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
10th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to improving the safety of white goods that are sold second hand.

The law requires that only safe products may be placed on the market, whether they are new or second hand. Electrical products placed on the market must comply with the legal safety requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (or of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 if they were placed on the market before December 2016).

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is rolling out training to front line Trading Standards Officers on the safety of second-hand electrical goods later this year. In addition, OPSS will be publishing good practice guidance on the responsibilities for those who sell second-hand electrical goods. The Chief Executive of OPSS has also written to the Charity Retailers Association, urging them to ensure electrical products sold in charity shops are safe. The Association covers almost 9,000 charity and second-hand shops in the UK.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
10th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to improving the traceability of white goods.

The Government recognises the value of being able to identify a product following a product safety incident. Under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, before placing electrical equipment on the market, a manufacturer must ensure that it bears a type, batch or serial number to allow for its identification.

Research commissioned by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has identified a number of potential systems for the indelible marking of white goods. OPSS will further explore with key stakeholders the barriers which are currently preventing industry from implementing such a system.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
10th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to requiring manufacturers to fit white goods with a standardised rating plate in an identical position on all such goods for the purpose of easy product identification.

The Government recognises the value of being able to identify a product following a product safety incident. Under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, before placing electrical equipment on the market, a manufacturer must ensure that it bears a type, batch or serial number to allow for its identification.

Research commissioned by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has identified a number of potential systems for the indelible marking of white goods. OPSS will further explore with key stakeholders the barriers which are currently preventing industry from implementing such a system.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Feb 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to commemorate the bicentenary of the opening of George Stephenson's railway between Hetton Colliery and the River Wear in 2022.

The Government currently has no plans to commemorate the bicentenary of the Hetton Colliery Railway.

Stephenson played a key role in Britain’s position as a pioneer of railway development. If an organisation were to bring forward proposals for such a commemoration, our heritage bodies would be happy to discuss these and to provide expertise as needed. Historic England is supporting the nearby Stockton and Darlington Railway, of which the Hetton Colliery Railway was the forerunner, as part of its Heritage Action Zone programme from 2018-2023. This is likely to increase interest in this area.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
31st Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to incorporate farm stage food waste into food waste reduction targets; and if so, when.

The Government is committed to meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3 target. This target calls for a 50% reduction in food waste per capita at the retail and consumer levels and a reduction in food losses by 2030. This international goal has been made into a national target as part of the Government-funded Courtauld Commitment 2030. There are no plans at both SDG and Courtauld levels for targets for on-farm food waste reduction.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
31st Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that consideration of food waste on farms is included in financial planning and subsidy development.

The Government supports a productive and efficient farming sector that can prevent waste occurring in the first place. For instance, we are supporting investment in productivity-enhancing equipment, technology and infrastructure through the Farming Investment Fund. This provides grants to farmers, foresters and growers (including contractors to these sectors) that will help their businesses to prosper through improving their productivity whilst enhancing the environment.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
31st Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Benyon on 19 January (HL4205) which noted a need for additional data on farm stage food waste, what plans they have to include farms in the mandatory reporting of food waste policy.

Defra consulted between June and September 2022 on options to improve food waste reporting, including consideration of a mandatory approach for food businesses. We received 3,851 responses to the consultation and the Government response will be published in 2023. This response will set out the Government’s plans in relation to improving food waste reporting, including food businesses in scope if a mandatory approach were to be taken forward.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
25th Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government why the expert panel appointed to investigate the cause of mass marine deaths between the River Tees and the River Esk did not take evidence from scientists who considered that the cause was industrial toxins, rather than natural algal toxins.

The Crustacean Mortality Expert Panel (CMEP) actively sought data and input from external scientists (including scientists from Universities) who have investigated this issue and did consider the evidence they provided. The scientists were invited to submit any evidence they thought relevant throughout the review period, including on industrial toxins. This evidence was shared with the independent expert panel to consider as part of their assessment and formed an active part of their consideration. The CMEP followed up with questions and communication via written correspondence.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
25th Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what evidence they have to suggest that the cause of mass marine deaths between the River Tees and the River Esk was the result of a new pathogen, given the presence of high levels of pyridine in dead crustaceans.

The Crustacean Mortality Expert Panel were unable to identify a clear and convincing single cause for the unusual crustacean mortality but considered a novel pathogen or disease to be, as likely as not (33 to 66% probability), the cause of the mass mortalities reported in the north-east of England in autumn 2021. This likelihood is based on key observations including mortality over a sustained period and along 70 km of coastline, the unusual twitching of dying crabs and the deaths being predominantly crabs rather than other species.

The panel concluded it was very unlikely that pyridine or another toxic pollutant caused the crab deaths, given there could not be sources of any significant volume of pyridine during the period of the crab deaths. Seawater measurements (by the Environment Agency and by York University) could not detect levels of pyridine sufficient to cause mortality during this period. Environment Agency tests for pyridine in crab tissue in the affected north-east coastal region as well from Penzance, Cornwall, and the Norfolk Wash indicated that pyridine can be found in crab tissue in most samples regardless of location. Sediment levels of pyridine from dredged material and other toxic chemicals found in sediments were significantly lower than the levels which would cause crab mortality.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
25th Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish all the evidence (1) received by, and (2) considered by, the expert panel appointed to investigate the cause of mass marine deaths between the River Tees and the River Esk.

Details of all the evidence received and considered by the panel have been published alongside the report in the document ‘Evidence gathered for the assessment of unusual crustacean mortality in the north-east of England in 2021 and 2022’ which is available on the gov.uk website. Where possible, the panel has published the evidence considered. Where this has not been possible either a link has been provided to where the data has already been published or details of the organisation which owns the evidence have been provided.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
25th Jan 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government why permission to check deep sediment samples for (1) pyridine, and (2) other dangerous substances, at dredging and digging locations on the River Tees has been refused.

The MMO have not yet received a request for a licence or for advice to sample in the relevant area. Sampling of sediment from the seabed does not necessarily require a Marine Licence from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) if certain criteria are met. Information on when a licence from MMO may be required for sediment sampling can he found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/marine-licensing-sediment-analysis-and-sample-plans.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
9th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the World Wildlife Fund’s estimate that around seven billion meals' worth of food are disposed of as waste each year by UK farmers who cannot recruit enough workers to pick crops.

The recent estimate of 3.3 million tonnes in WWF's Hidden Waste Report is consistent with the range of estimates the Defra funded Waste and Resource Action Programme (WRAP) have reported previously.

WWF have reported that 2.9 million tonnes of edible food goes to waste on farms each year, which would equate to 6.9 billion meals if it is assumed that a 'meal' equates to 420g. In this context 'edible food' is used as a technical term to distinguish the proportion of any item of food which was intended for human consumption as distinct from the 'associated inedible parts' (e.g. shells, bones). It does not mean that the 2.9 million tonnes of waste were fit and ready for human consumption i.e. not requiring further processing. At a national scale, there is insufficient data to understand how much of the food wasted on farm was fit for consumption when it was wasted.


The WWF reported waste on farm is not caused solely by a lack of labour, this is the total estimated amount of edible food waste on farm. There are many causes of food waste on farm including the weather, fluctuations in supply and demand and failure to meet quality specifications This year the NFU have reported the results of a members' survey which suggests that 40% of UK farms experienced crop waste due to labour shortages. Other than this, the government is not aware of any quantified data linking volumes of waste to specific causes.

More can be done to reduce food waste in the primary production stage. Conversations with industry have suggested that a potentially significant cause of food waste on farm are unfair business practices at the point of first sale, where unreasonably late cancellations or late specification changes, among others, can lead to produce being left unharvested or rotting in the field. We have taken powers to clamp down on these kinds of unfair contractual practices through the 'fair dealings' powers contained in the Agriculture Act 2020 and intend to work with stakeholders to explore how these powers could be exercised to address such concerns.


Defra is aware of the impact that labour shortages are having in the horticulture sector and we continue to work closely with industry to monitor the situation and to help our world-leading farmers and growers access the labour they need. To inform future decisions on labour across the sector, Defra recently launched an independent review into labour shortages in the food supply chain, it will report in spring 2023.


The Seasonal Worker visa route was specifically designed to support the UK horticulture sector where growers typically require higher volumes of labour, for relatively short-term periods of time, in line with seasonal production peaks. On Friday 16 December, the government announced that an allocation of 45,000 visas will be made available to businesses in the horticulture sector to recruit foreign workers for up to six months to work in both the edible and ornamental sectors. This is an uplift of 15,000 visas compared to the allocation at the start of 2022. A further 10,000 visas will be available should there be demand and contingent on sponsors and growers continuing to improve worker welfare standards. This announcement will provide clarity to businesses, who are seeking to plan for 2023 harvests.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
1st Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of current legislation protecting animal (1) welfare, and (2) rights; and whether they plan further legislation in respect of animal welfare in the current session.

The Government's Action Plan for Animal Welfare was published in May 2021 and can be found at: Action Plan for Animal Welfare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). A copy is attached to this answer.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
10th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many staff were employed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in each of the past three years to respond to requests for the personal details of motorists by private car park operators.

It is not possible to say how many staff are employed specifically to process requests from private car park operators. The staff involved deal with these requests as part of their role alongside a variety of other duties.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
10th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what checks are made by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency on the fitness of the operators of private car parks to issue valid fines.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will only release vehicle keeper information to private parking companies that are members of an appropriate accredited trade association (ATA). The ATAs carry out checks on parking companies before allowing them to become members. This ensures that the company is legitimate and is monitored for compliance with the ATA’s code of practice that promotes fair treatment for motorists.

The DVLA carries out comprehensive auditing of companies, involving remote and also on-site audits in conjunction with the Government Internal Audit Agency. This ensures that keeper information is used appropriately. Any issues are investigated and action taken where necessary. This can include the suspension of the facility to request vehicle keeper information from the DVLA.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
13th Feb 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the transformative investments to the A1 north of Newcastle proposed by the Prime Minister in his statement on Transport Infrastructure on 11 February; and when they will be implemented.

We have already started on improvements to the A1 North of Ellingham. Junction improvements at Fenham le Moor, Outchester, Adderstone Mains, Newstead Crossroads and Old Mousen have been completed. Work is currently underway on other junctions along this section of the A1 and work will be completed by March 2020.

We are also committed to dualling the A1 between Alnwick and Ellingham and Morpeth and Felton, as well as creating new junctions at Highlaws, Fenrother, West Moor and Charlton Mires. Construction will begin on this scheme in 2021 and both sections will be open for traffic by 2023/24.

The schemes will improve performance and safety for the travelling public on the A1.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Feb 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether funding announced by the Department for Transport on 28 January to assess the feasibility of re-opening railway lines will include a study into re-opening the Leamside line between Sunderland, Washington, Houghton-le-Spring and Pelaw.

As part of its Continuous Modular Strategic Planning work on long term strategy for the rail network, Network Rail is assessing what is required to make sure that the rail network between York and Newcastle meets the needs of passengers and freight users in the coming decades. This study is considering the potential role of reinstatement of the Leamside line in meeting those needs, including for local connectivity through extension of the Tyne and Wear local conventional rail or Metro network. It will make recommendations for further option development.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Feb 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential merits of extending the Tyne and Wear Metro to Doxford International Business Park in Sunderland.

As part of its Continuous Modular Strategic Planning work on long term strategy for the rail network, Network Rail is assessing what is required to make sure that the rail network between York and Newcastle meets the needs of passengers and freight users in the coming decades. This study is considering the potential role of reinstatement of the Leamside line in meeting those needs, including for local connectivity through extension of the Tyne and Wear local conventional rail or Metro network. It will make recommendations for further option development.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
20th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of delayed deliveries in homecare medicines services on patients, including on the extent of harms.

NHS England cannot provide relevant information to this question without creation of new data and analysis derived from manual clinical review or other processes. Arrangements for future reporting are being worked on and NHS England is undertaking a piece of work to understand the issues in homecare, so as to inform future improvement actions. A project by the National Homecare Medicines Committee to review the national Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set is already underway with consultation due later this summer and final documents expected for approval in December 2023. Publication of performance against the KPIs is part of this project.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
20th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of patients who have (1) been hospitalised, and (2) sought alternative treatment, due to delays in homecare medicines delivery; and what assessment they have made of the cost of this to the NHS.

NHS England cannot provide relevant information to these questions without creation of new data and analysis derived from manual clinical review or other processes. Arrangements for future reporting are being worked on and NHS England is undertaking a piece of work to understand the issues in homecare, so as to inform future improvement actions. A project by the National Homecare Medicines Committee to review the national Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set is already underway with consultation due later this summer and final documents expected for approval in December 2023. Publication of performance against the KPIs is part of this project.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
20th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the national average for reports of duty of candour events as a percentage of active patients for NHS trusts.

NHS England cannot provide relevant information to these questions without creation of new data and analysis derived from manual clinical review or other processes. Arrangements for future reporting are being worked on and NHS England is undertaking a piece of work to understand the issues in homecare, so as to inform future improvement actions. A project by the National Homecare Medicines Committee to review the national Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set is already underway with consultation due later this summer and final documents expected for approval in December 2023. Publication of performance against the KPIs is part of this project.

To monitor industry trends, the home care providers association, the National Clinical Homecare Association, aggregates all providers’ KPIs and they have provided written evidence to the House of Lords Public Services Committee as part of their current investigation into the Homecare Medicines service which has been published. This includes data on patient safety incidents and duty of candour reports, of which a copy is attached.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
20th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of (1) patient safety incidents, and (2) duty of candour events, that have occurred in relation to homecare medicines services in each of the past five years.

NHS England cannot provide relevant information to these questions without creation of new data and analysis derived from manual clinical review or other processes. Arrangements for future reporting are being worked on and NHS England is undertaking a piece of work to understand the issues in homecare, so as to inform future improvement actions. A project by the National Homecare Medicines Committee to review the national Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set is already underway with consultation due later this summer and final documents expected for approval in December 2023. Publication of performance against the KPIs is part of this project.

To monitor industry trends, the home care providers association, the National Clinical Homecare Association, aggregates all providers’ KPIs and they have provided written evidence to the House of Lords Public Services Committee as part of their current investigation into the Homecare Medicines service which has been published. This includes data on patient safety incidents and duty of candour reports, of which a copy is attached.

Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Feb 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how the reforms in the Health and Care Bill will meet the needs of Inclusion Health populations.

The Health and Care Bill proposes integrated care boards and requires the creation of integrated care partnerships (ICPs) in each local system area. ICPs will bring together the National Health Service, local authorities and wider representatives, as appropriate to address the health, public health and social care needs of people in their areas. We expect that this would include addressing the needs of inclusion health groups. This and other measures contained in the Bill will enable more integrated care for patients and service users, including inclusion health groups.

10th Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many tests for COVID-19 have been completed per 100,000 people in each local authority area in England to date.

To provide a more comprehensive response to a number of outstanding Written Questions, this has been answered by an information factsheet Testing – note for House of Lords which is attached, due to the size of the data. A copy has also been placed in the Library.

10th Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what they currently estimate the percentage of (1) false negative, and (2) false positive, tests for COVID-19 to be.

To provide a more comprehensive response to a number of outstanding Written Questions, this has been answered by an information factsheet Testing – note for House of Lords which is attached, due to the size of the data. A copy has also been placed in the Library

24th Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to mirror the provision by the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive of business rates relief for one year during the COVID-19 pandemic to airports; and why airports in England and Wales have not yet been included in that scheme.

Business rates and any reliefs are devolved in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published guidance for local authorities in England on eligible properties. As set out in the guidance, support is targeted at premises that are wholly or mainly being used as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues; for assembly and leisure; or as hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation. It is for local authorities to determine eligibility for reliefs, having regard to guidance issued by the Government.

A range of further measures to support all businesses, including those not eligible for the business rates holiday, such as airports, has also been made available.

16th Oct 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to amend temporary event notice regulations to enable the banning of sexual entertainment venues by local authorities in England and Wales.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
25th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government how many new homes have been built so far during the current Parliament; how many are conversions from offices and retail and are not newly built; and how many are suitable for family occupation with a garden or play space as part of the property.

The Department publishes an annual release entitled 'Housing supply: Net Additional Dwellings, England', which includes estimates of the components of housing supply, in each year since 2006-07, in Table 120 at this link: live-tables-on net supply of housing.

Data on dwellings suitable for family occupation with a garden or play space are not centrally collected.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
1st Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government how many new homes to let at Social Rent in England (1) were completed in each of the last three years, and (2) are expected to be completed during the forthcoming year.

The number of new social rent homes delivered by local authority since 1991-92, including acquisitions of existing stock, can be found in Live Table 1006C, published (attached) at the following link.

The number of starts on site for new social rent homes since 2015-16 can be found in Live Table 1006S, via the same link. We are monitoring delivery of our housing programmes closely. We are working with our delivery partners, and the Sector to help support delivery.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
1st Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of how many children are expected to be in temporary accommodation over the forthcoming Christmas period.

The latest statutory homelessness statistics for April to June 2022 can be found (attached) here . This includes data on the number of households in temporary accommodation in England, including the number of children.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
17th May 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they plan to give to the promotion of municipal bonds to enable residents to invest in local initiatives to reduce the impact of climate change.

DLUHC has consulted with DCMS following their work on municipal bonds for community investment.

In 2019 the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport sponsored independent research (attached) into the concept of crowdfunding as a way for people to invest in Local Authority projects in their communities. The report, entitled Financing for Society: Crowdfunding Public Infrastructure, was published by the University of Leeds and included case studies about the use of community municipal bonds for projects including those aimed at tackling climate change. DCMS has no current plans for further promotion of this financing mechanism.

10th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to establish a regulatory framework for the audits of local authorities; and whether any such plans would include the appointment of a regulator to assess and advise on such audit reports.

The Government published its response to the Redmond Review of local authority financial reporting and external audit on 17 December 2020. The current regulatory framework for local audit was one of the matters considered by the review. We are giving close consideration to Sir Tony Redmond’s finding that the local audit framework is too fragmented and are committed to exploring the full range of options as to how the recommendations relating to system leadership can best be achieved and will update on this further later in the Spring.

25th Feb 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824.

This is a complex issue and that is why a review is the right course of action and we are looking at all options.

Work is ongoing and the Government will update on its findings in due course.

15th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the current number of rough sleepers in England not accommodated in hotels or similar accommodation.

Almost 15,000 vulnerable people have been housed in emergency accommodation, including hotels, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to enable them to isolate and stop the virus spreading. This includes people coming in directly from the streets, people previously housed in shared night shelters and people who have become vulnerable to rough sleeping during the pandemic.

The Government and local authorities have worked closely together to make accommodation available to significant number of people during this challenging time. The reasons behind people sleeping rough are complex, and some people may make decisions to refuse an offer of accommodation or leave accommodation that has been offered to them.

Management information on those accommodated is collected from over 300 local authorities nationally. Local authorities hold the most up to date information regarding the number of people they are currently assisting.?We are continuing to work with local authorities?to understand the work they are doing to help the most vulnerable in our society.

15th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many rough sleepers in England were reported in their latest count of rough sleepers; and when that count was conducted.

The most recent national rough sleeping data is the?autumn 2019 annual statistics, which showed a total figure of 4,266 rough sleepers on any given night.

The number of people sleeping rough in the 2019 annual snapshot is 9% lower compared with the previous year and 10% lower compared with 2017.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 15,000 vulnerable people have been housed in?emergency?accommodation in order to prevent any risk of them sleeping rough during the pandemic.

15th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many rough sleepers in England were allocated accommodation in a hotel or similar accommodation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department has been working intensively with local areas to support rough sleepers, those in shared sleeping spaces such as shelters and those at risk of rough sleeping, into secure accommodation as part of the Everyone In programme.

On 3 June, the Government published the management information that supports the announcements from the Secretary of State and Dame Louise Casey that nearly 15,000 vulnerable people had?been accommodated by local authorities in response to COVID-19.?This information can be (attached) found here.

10th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government why a fine levied in a private car park can be more than one levied in a car park operated by a local authority.

At present the private parking industry is self-regulating.

Parking on private land is primarily managed through contract law. The signage on a site is the terms and conditions of a contract. When a motorist gets a ticket from a private company, in law this is an invoice for breach of contract. This creates a debt against the motorist that is enforceable through the courts.

Fines issued by private parking companies are currently capped at £100 by the codes of practice which the International Parking Community and British Parking Association hold their members to.

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act will create a Code of Practice with a single set of rules which applies across the private parking sector. It will ensure that the obligations for enforcement and appeal processes are fair, consistent, and proportionate. The issue of fines will also be looked at as part of the development of the Code.

Local authority parking is governed by different legislation to private car parks. The Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions (Guidelines on Levels of Charges) (England) Order 2007 sets guidelines on parking charges by enforcement authorities outside Greater London. Local authorities are not meant to raise revenue on managing parking and under Section 55 of the Road Traffic Management Act (RTRA) 1984, any excess revenue raised must be reinvested in the local transport budget.

The Parking Places (Variation of Charges) Act 2017 will also provide flexibility around allowing local authorities to lower parking charges for seasonal or one-off events, as well as creating a duty to consult residents on plans to increase charges. We are currently working on enacting the legislation and will provide further announcements in due course.

10th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of motorists who have received invalid fines caused by malfunctioning equipment in private car parks in each of the last three years.

We have not made an estimate of the number of motorists who have received invalid fines caused by malfunctioning equipment in private car parks. However, this is an issue which the new Parking Code of Practice should help to address.

At present the private parking industry is self-regulating. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act, will lead to the creation of an independent Code of Practice for private parking companies and a “one-stop-shop” for private sector parking appeals.

The Code of Practice will create consistency for consumers, by having a single set of rules which applies across the private parking sector. It will ensure that the obligations for enforcement and appeal processes are fair, consistent, and proportionate. Those operators who do not meet the standards set out in the code of practice will not be able to access DVLA data and will be unable to pursue motorists for parking charges.

The Government is currently considering the content of the Code and what the obligations by private parking companies to motorists should be and will consult with stakeholders, including industry, motorists and consumer groups later this year.

10th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the increase in the number of fines levied by private car park operators in the past ten years.

Government does not hold figures on fines levied by private car park operators.

At present, the private parking industry is self-regulating. However, the Parking (Code of Practice) Act will lead to the creation of an independent Code of Practice for private parking companies and a “one-stop-shop” for private sector parking appeals.

The Code will be developed in consultation with stakeholders but Government fully expects the Code to cover such areas as the clear display of terms and conditions for consumers, grace periods to allow motorists time to pay and leave the car park, professional standards of behaviour expected of parking operators and a fair process for appealing parking charges.