Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the threats facing religious personnel in Khartoum and surrounding regions, following the reported killing of a Catholic priest; and what representations they have made to call for an urgent ceasefire, the protection of clergy, and unhindered humanitarian access in that region.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK strongly condemns the reported killing of Catholic priest, Father Luka Jomo, in El Fasher, North Darfur, and also condemns the reported bombing of churches which killed and injured multiple people. We will continue to recognise the issue of Christian persecution globally, alongside the persecution of other individuals on the basis of their religion or belief. Our Special Envoy for freedom of religion or belief, David Smith, made a statement at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 4 March, highlighting our concerns regarding the coercion of non-Muslims in Sudan to change their beliefs through denial of work, food aid, and education. On 15 April, following the London Sudan Conference, the co-chairs' statement called on relevant parties to enact an immediate ceasefire, and allow and facilitate rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to all areas of need through all necessary routes in adherence with their obligations under international humanitarian law. On 27 June, during an open briefing at the UN Security Council, the UK echoed the UN's calls for humanitarian pauses in Sudan, emphasising the need for aid to reach those most in need.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the hospitality sector’s contribution to social productivity and inclusive economic growth across the UK.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We recognise the vital role hospitality businesses play in driving economic growth and strengthening community cohesion across the country.
We plan to introduce permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000, We have reduced alcohol duty on qualifying draught beer products, saving the sector over £85 million annually. We’ve introduced a Hospitality Support Scheme to co-fund projects aligned with Department for Business & Trade and Sector Council priorities, such as supporting initiatives like Pub is The Hub to encourage local investment. We have also launched a licensing taskforce to cut red tape and remove barriers to business growth.
DBT ministers are pleased to be working with the Hospitality Sector Council on strategic issues facing the sectors. The next Council meeting in July will be addressing the topic of the sector’s social and economic contribution.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the economic and social contribution of hospitality businesses in towns and city centres.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We recognise the vital role hospitality businesses play in driving economic growth and strengthening community cohesion across the country.
We plan to introduce permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000, We have reduced alcohol duty on qualifying draught beer products, saving the sector over £85 million annually. We’ve introduced a Hospitality Support Scheme to co-fund projects aligned with Department for Business & Trade and Sector Council priorities, such as supporting initiatives like Pub is The Hub to encourage local investment. We have also launched a licensing taskforce to cut red tape and remove barriers to business growth.
DBT ministers are pleased to be working with the Hospitality Sector Council on strategic issues facing the sectors. The next Council meeting in July will be addressing the topic of the sector’s social and economic contribution.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to exempt hospitality businesses from the business rates surcharge as part of a review of support for high street sectors.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
We are creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street and supports investment.
To deliver our manifesto pledge, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000 from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that RHL businesses benefit from much-needed certainty and support.
This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we intend to apply a higher multiplier from 2026-27 on the most valuable properties - those with rateable values of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but cover the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants. The final design of the new higher multiplier, including the rate, will be set at Budget 2025.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many times the working group with the Northern Ireland Executive established by the Government under paragraph 157 of the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper has met; and to which ministers it reports.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Windsor Framework Working Group committed to in paragraph 157 of the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper has met formally three times. It is jointly run by the Cabinet Office and the Executive Office in Northern Ireland. My Rt. Hon. friend Nick Thomas-Symonds MP is the responsible Minister in the Cabinet Office.