Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what evidence they have received about the impact of the loss of the Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre following its sale.

Answered by Viscount Camrose - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)

The decision to sell the Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre was made by VMIC UK Ltd's Board of Directors. The facility was subsequently sold to Catalent. Once completed, it is intended that the facility will be capable of producing a range of therapeutics and vaccines.

Officials regularly engage with industry stakeholders to understand the wider landscape and implications for vaccine development and manufacturing in the UK and will continue to do so.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote volunteering in support of public services.

Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)

HM Government is committed to enabling people to volunteer in all manner of ways, including in support of public services. Volunteers play important roles alongside staff as magistrates, in schools, and in the NHS, for instance. Each public service area is responsible for its own volunteer management and for developing its strategic involvement of volunteers.

The Government is currently taking several steps to promote volunteering in support of public services. For example, the Department for Education continues to support the recruitment of school governors. The ‘Inspiring Governance’ programme recruits volunteers from business to become school governors and to serve on the local governing bodies of academy trusts. Since the programme began in 2016, it has placed 6,782 volunteers in governance roles. The Government has also invested over £1 million to support the recruitment of magistrates from a diverse range of backgrounds. A revised recruitment process has been introduced making use of best practice to ensure that it is fairer, more inclusive, and more accessible. These changes have been supported by a new marketing campaign designed to raise the profile of the magistracy, particularly among under-represented groups of society.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the suitability of the RAF base at Wethersfield in Essex as a site for housing migrants.

Answered by Lord Murray of Blidworth

The United Kingdom has a legal obligation to provide asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute with accommodation and other support whilst their claim for asylum is being considered.

Work across government was undertaken to identify and secure more appropriate, cost-effective accommodation options around the country. The site will provide basic, and functional accommodation whilst asylum seekers await a decision on their claim.

The Home Office, supported by the MoD, is working on proposals which will see the current MoD Wethersfield site providing suitable accommodation for single adult male asylum seekers.

The site at MoD Wethersfield is designed to be as self-sufficient as possible, helping to minimise the impact on local communities and services. This includes 24/7 security to reduce the need for police patrols, on-site catering, healthcare and transport provision for those housed on site.

The safety and security of the local communities, those resident on the sites and the sites themselves are of the utmost importance. We are working closely with local police forces and other stakeholders to ensure appropriate security arrangements are in place.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage people to quit smoking.

Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is taking a range of steps to help people quit smoking. We know the single best thing a smoker can do for their health is to quit smoking. We continue to provide funding to local authority stop smoking services via the Public Health Grant. This dedicated, personalised support is vital to help people quit smoking for good. In October, we held our successful Stoptober campaign. Since its inception in 2012, this campaign has helped more than 2.1 million people quit smoking.

The Department also works closely with the National Health Service on smoking cessation. As part of the Long-Term Plan, the NHS is committed to delivering tobacco treatment services to all inpatients, pregnant women and people accessing long-term mental health and learning disability services.

The Government remains committed to our ambition for England to be Smokefree by 2030 and we will set out further action to achieve this very soon.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to combat anti-Muslim behaviour and prejudice.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This Government will not tolerate Anti-Muslim hate crime in any form. We have supported Tell MAMA (Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks) with nearly £5 million between 2016 and 2023 to monitor and combat anti-Muslim hatred and support Muslim victims of hate crime.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the state of devolution in England; and what plans they have to publish any such an assessment.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We want to see every part of England reap the benefits of devolution and have made significant progress with the six new deals announced in 2022. The Government is in discussions with places to identify potential candidates for new devolution deals in 2023 and we will set out more detail in due course.

This Government is committed to not just extending the benefits of devolution to new parts of England, but to deepening existing devolution settlements. As the Chancellor set out at the Autumn Statement, the government will deliver the Levelling Up White Paper commitment to sign new 'trailblazer' devolution deals with Greater Manchester and the West Midlands Combined Authorities by early 2023. The government is in discussion with the mayors of these areas to devolve powers to deliver levelling up in areas such as skills, transport and housing. These 'trailblazer' deals will act as a blueprint for other areas to follow.

This Government has set itself a mission that by 2030, every part of England that wants one will have a devolution deal. The Levelling Up White Paper made clear that devolution is essential for Levelling Up. For too long, decisions impacting many communities of England have been taken in Whitehall. Devolution is about giving local areas more flexibility, freedom and accountability to deliver. Before 2010 the only significant devolution in England had been in London. Now, strong mayors in our major cities are acting as agents of economic growth. Levelling up requires strong and dynamic local leadership, that can understand how complex issues come together in a place; tailor policy to local priorities; attract investment; and seize each area's opportunities.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have plans to transfer additional powers to combined authorities in 2023; and if so, what powers to which authorities.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We want to see every part of England reap the benefits of devolution and have made significant progress with the six new deals announced in 2022. The Government is in discussions with places to identify potential candidates for new devolution deals in 2023 and we will set out more detail in due course.

This Government is committed to not just extending the benefits of devolution to new parts of England, but to deepening existing devolution settlements. As the Chancellor set out at the Autumn Statement, the government will deliver the Levelling Up White Paper commitment to sign new 'trailblazer' devolution deals with Greater Manchester and the West Midlands Combined Authorities by early 2023. The government is in discussion with the mayors of these areas to devolve powers to deliver levelling up in areas such as skills, transport and housing. These 'trailblazer' deals will act as a blueprint for other areas to follow.

This Government has set itself a mission that by 2030, every part of England that wants one will have a devolution deal. The Levelling Up White Paper made clear that devolution is essential for Levelling Up. For too long, decisions impacting many communities of England have been taken in Whitehall. Devolution is about giving local areas more flexibility, freedom and accountability to deliver. Before 2010 the only significant devolution in England had been in London. Now, strong mayors in our major cities are acting as agents of economic growth. Levelling up requires strong and dynamic local leadership, that can understand how complex issues come together in a place; tailor policy to local priorities; attract investment; and seize each area's opportunities.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what further devolution deals they expect to conclude in 2023.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We want to see every part of England reap the benefits of devolution and have made significant progress with the six new deals announced in 2022. The Government is in discussions with places to identify potential candidates for new devolution deals in 2023 and we will set out more detail in due course.

This Government is committed to not just extending the benefits of devolution to new parts of England, but to deepening existing devolution settlements. As the Chancellor set out at the Autumn Statement, the government will deliver the Levelling Up White Paper commitment to sign new 'trailblazer' devolution deals with Greater Manchester and the West Midlands Combined Authorities by early 2023. The government is in discussion with the mayors of these areas to devolve powers to deliver levelling up in areas such as skills, transport and housing. These 'trailblazer' deals will act as a blueprint for other areas to follow.

This Government has set itself a mission that by 2030, every part of England that wants one will have a devolution deal. The Levelling Up White Paper made clear that devolution is essential for Levelling Up. For too long, decisions impacting many communities of England have been taken in Whitehall. Devolution is about giving local areas more flexibility, freedom and accountability to deliver. Before 2010 the only significant devolution in England had been in London. Now, strong mayors in our major cities are acting as agents of economic growth. Levelling up requires strong and dynamic local leadership, that can understand how complex issues come together in a place; tailor policy to local priorities; attract investment; and seize each area's opportunities.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to combat antisemitism.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to Question (attached) UIN 117512 on 16 January 2023.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to celebrate Windrush Day in 2023.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has committed £3.75 million in funding to date toward honouring the Windrush legacy. This includes £2.75 million across five years of the Windrush Day Grant Scheme, and £1 million allocated to the National Windrush Monument.

HM Government is fully committed to ensuring that National Windrush Day celebratory events in 2023 mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of MV Empire Windrush at the Port of Tilbury.

We have already announced that the funding pot offered by the 2023 Windrush Day Grant Scheme has increased from £500,000 to £750,000. This is the largest sum yet to be offered by the scheme. For the first time, projects operating in Northern Ireland were also given the opportunity to apply for funding.

Details of this year's grant scheme can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/windrush-75-windrush-day-grant-scheme-2023/windrush-75-windrush-day-grant-scheme-2023-guidance-for-applicants

DLUHC has also committed £50,000 toward developing educational materials, which will be made available via HM Government's National Windrush Monument website. These will ensure that the contributions of the Windrush generation and their descendants are recognised across the UK.

I can also confirm that officials have been asked to explore further what else we can do ahead of the summer.

Found: the meeting Members present: Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top (The Chair); Lord Bichard; Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: the meeting Members present: Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top (The Chair); Lord Bichard; Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: the meeting Members present: Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top (The Chair); Lord Bichard; Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: the meeting Members present: Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top (The Chair); Lord Bichard; Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: the meeting Members present: Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top (The Chair); Lord Bichard; Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: the meeting Members present: Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top (The Chair); Lord Bichard; Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: the meeting Members present: Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top (The Chair); Lord Bichard; Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: present: Lord Young of Cookham (The Chair); Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top; Lord Bichard; Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: present: Lord Young of Cookham (The Chair); Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top; Lord Bichard; Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: the meeting Members present: Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top (The Chair); Lord Bichard; Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: the meeting Members present: Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top (The Chair); Lord Bichard; Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: present: Lord Young of Cookham (The Chair); Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top; Lord Bichard; Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: BARONESS WHITAKER LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH BARONESS BAKEWELL OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE 101_ Clause

Found: BARONESS WHITAKER LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH BARONESS BAKEWELL OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE 101_ Clause

Found: BARONESS WHITAKER LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH BARONESS BAKEWELL OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE 101_ Clause

Found: BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS YOUNG OF OLD SCONE EARL RUSSELL LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH 116_ After Clause

Found: Mental Health Bill [HL] 20 BARONESS WHITAKER LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH BARONESS BENNETT OF MANOR CASTLE

Found: 13 Great British Energy Bill BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS YOUNG OF OLD SCONE EARL RUSSELL LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH

Found: BARONESS WHITAKER LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH BARONESS BENNETT OF MANOR CASTLE 63_ Clause 20, page

Found: BARONESS WHITAKER LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH _ Clause 20, page 30, line 5, at end insert “and provide

Found: BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS YOUNG OF OLD SCONE EARL RUSSELL LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH 116_ After Clause

Found: BARONESS WHITAKER LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH _ Clause 20, page 30, line 5, at end insert “and provide

Found: 82 HL Deb 2 September 2024 c976 (Earl Russell) c978 (Baroness Young of Old Scone) c981 (Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: 27 Great British Energy Bill BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS YOUNG OF OLD SCONE EARL RUSSELL LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH

Found: Lord Wallace of Saltaire (c379) ; Lord Fowler (c388); Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (c411); Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS SHEEHAN LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH BARONESS BLACKSTONE 478_ After

Found: BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS SHEEHAN LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH BARONESS BLACKSTONE 478_ After

Found: BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS SHEEHAN LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH BARONESS BLACKSTONE 478_ After

Found: Before Clause 200 BARONESS HAYMAN LORD FOSTER OF BATH LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH LORD WHITTY

Found: Before Clause 200 BARONESS HAYMAN LORD FOSTER OF BATH LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH LORD WHITTY

Found: BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS SHEEHAN LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH BARONESS BLACKSTONE 478_ After

Found: Before Clause 200 BARONESS HAYMAN LORD FOSTER OF BATH LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH LORD WHITTY

Found: Before Clause 200 BARONESS HAYMAN LORD FOSTER OF BATH LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH LORD WHITTY

Found: Energy Bill [HL] 26 Before Clause 200 BARONESS HAYMAN LORD FOSTER OF BATH LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH

Found: Devolution Bill. 201 Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS SHEEHAN LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH

Found: procedure. 25 Energy Bill [HL] Before Clause 200 BARONESS HAYMAN LORD FOSTER OF BATH LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH

Found: Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill 208 BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS SHEEHAN LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH

Found: Energy Bill [HL] 24 Before Clause 200 BARONESS HAYMAN LORD FOSTER OF BATH LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH

Found: Energy Bill [HL] 24 Before Clause 200 BARONESS HAYMAN LORD FOSTER OF BATH LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH