HOUSE OF LORDS WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND WRITTEN ANSWERS - NET
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Session 2021-22 Wednesday
No. 124 2 March 2022
PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES
(HANSARD)
HOUSE OF LORDS
WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND
WRITTEN ANSWERS
Written Statements ................................................ 1
Written Answers ..................................................... 3[I] indicates that the member concerned has a relevant registered interest. The full register of interests can be found at
http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-interests/register-of-lords-interests/
Members who want a printed copy of Written Answers and Written Statements should notify the Printed Paper Office.
This printed edition is a reproduction of the original text of Answers and Statements, which can be found on the internet
at http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/.
Ministers and others who make Statements or answer Questions are referred to only by name, not their ministerial or
other title. The current list of ministerial and other responsibilities is as follows.
Minister Responsibilities
Baroness Evans of Bowes Park Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
Earl Howe Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Lord Ashton of Hyde Chief Whip
Baroness Barran Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education
Lord Benyon Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Whip
Waldrist
Lord Caine Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office
Lord Callanan Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy
Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen Whip
Earl of Courtown Deputy Chief Whip
Baroness Goldie Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office
Lord Greenhalgh Minister of State, Home Office and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Lord Grimstone of Boscobel Minister of State, Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Department
for International Trade
Lord Kamall Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Care
Lord Offord of Garvel Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scotland Office
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Baroness Penn Whip
Baroness Scott of Bybrook Whip
Lord Sharpe of Epsom Whip
Baroness Stedman-Scott Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
and Department for Work and Pensions
Lord Stewart of Dirleton Advocate-General for Scotland
Lord True Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Baroness Vere of Norbiton Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport
Baroness Williams of Trafford Minister of State, Home Office
Lord Wolfson of Tredegar Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice
Viscount Younger of Leckie Whip
© Parliamentary Copyright House of Lords 2022
This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence,
which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/Written Statements 2 March 2022 Page 1
I am pleased to announce the next stage of the review of
Written Statements post-16 qualifications in England. It is vital in a fast-
moving and high-tech economy that education closes the
Wednesday, 2 March 2022
gap between what people study and the needs of
employers. Priorities change rapidly and we need an
education system that is dynamic and forward-looking. It
Bulb Energy Ltd: Letter of Credit must deliver the skills we will need in the future to
[HLWS637] strengthen the economy, not only as we emerge from the
Coronavirus pandemic but as we move forward in the
Lord Callanan: My Right Honourable friend the
21st century.
Minister of State for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate
Change (Greg Hands) has today made the following We set out our plans for the reform of level 3
statement: qualifications in July 2021, and we are now consulting on
proposals to reform level 2, level 1 and entry level
Today I will lay before Parliament a Departmental
qualifications. The current landscape at level 2 and below
Minute describing a contingent liability arising from the
is complex, with over 8,000 qualifications approved for
issuance of a letter of credit for the Energy Administrators
funding for students aged 16 and above. Whilst many of
acting in the Special Administration Regime for Bulb
these qualifications are likely to be excellent, it is not a
Energy Limited (‘Bulb’). This letter of credit replaces a
consistent picture. It is hard to tell which ones are high
previous one provided in December, announced within a
quality and will lead to good outcomes. Improving the
Written Ministerial Statement on the 06 January, which
quality of qualifications at these levels will contribute to
has now expired.
levelling up our country and building back better.
It is normal practice when a Government Department
We recognise the diversity of the cohort studying at
proposes to undertake a contingent liability of £300,000
level 2 and below. Individuals who take these
and above, for which there is no specific statutory
qualifications will have very different backgrounds,
authority, for the Department concerned to present
achievements, needs, aspirations and motivations. They
Parliament with a minute giving particulars of the liability
are also more likely to be taken post-16 by students from
created and explaining the circumstances.
disadvantaged backgrounds or with special educational
I regret that, due to negotiations with the counterparty needs or disabilities. These students can have complex
only just concluding, I have not been able to follow the needs ranging from emotional, behavioural and mental
usual notification timelines to allow consideration of health issues; physical disabilities; cognitive or
these issues in advance of issuing the letter of credit. developmental conditions; and others including hearing
Bulb entered the Energy Supply Company Special impairments and sensory issues. It is more vital than ever
Administration Regime on 24 November 2021. Energy that these students can benefit from high-quality provision
Administrators were appointed by court to achieve the that provides the support they need to unlock their
statutory objective of continuing energy supplies at the potential and benefit from great progression opportunities.
lowest reasonable practicable cost until such time as it Our proposed landscape will serve all students better.
becomes unnecessary for the special administration to Our proposals aim to streamline and improve the
remain in force for that purpose. quality of qualifications at level 2 and below for both 16
My Department has agreed to provide a facility to the to 19 year olds and adults. At the end of 2020, 21% of 16-
Energy Administrators, with a letter of credit issued, with year-olds were in full-time education studying at level 2
my approval, to guarantee such contract, code, licence, or and below[1]. These qualifications are also important for
other document obligations of the company consistent adults, who in 2018/19 accounted for around 57% of
with the special administration’s statutory objective. I will ESFA funded enrolments at these levels[2]. We want to
update the House if any letters of credit are drawn against. ensure that all qualifications that receive public funding in
The legal basis for a letter of credit is section 165 of the future are high quality, have a clear purpose, and will lead
Energy Act 2004, as applied and modified by section 96 to strong progression outcomes, with every student
of the Energy Act 2011. having a range of options leading either into employment
or further study (or, for a small minority of students,
HM Treasury has approved the arrangements in
independent living).
principle.
The proposals I am setting out today are open for
consultation until 27th April. They have been developed
following an extensive call for evidence which ran from
Level 2 and Below Qualifications Update November 2020 to February 2021. I am very grateful to
[HLWS638] those who engaged positively with, and responded to, this
Baroness Barran: My Honourable Friend, The exercise.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Skills (Alex As previously set out, GCSEs, Functional Skills
Burghart) has made the following Written Ministerial Qualifications (FSQs) and Essential Digital Skills
Statement: Qualifications (EDSQs) are not in scope of this
consultation.Page 2 2 March 2022 Written Statements Proposals – Level 2 specifically seeking views from employers about the We propose that qualifications at level 2 should prepare value and recognition of these qualifications. students for further study or training at level 3 where Consultation response on basic digital skills possible, including T Levels (through the T Level We consulted in the Call for Evidence on proposals to Transition Programme), other level 3 technical remove public funding approval from basic digital skills qualifications and apprenticeships. With employers at the qualifications at level 2 (ICT User and ICT Functional heart of their design and by aligning to employer-led Skills qualifications). We are publishing our response standards, some level 2 qualifications will also provide a alongside the consultation, which confirms and sets out great opportunity to move directly into skilled jobs in our decision to remove public funding approval from all some sectors. level 2 ICT User qualifications and all level 2 ICT For 16-19 year olds studying at level 2 who are aiming Functional Skills qualifications. to get a job at level 2, we propose a two-year study I look forward to further engagement with the sector on programme to prepare them for the world of work. these reforms. In response to this consultation, I will set Proposals – Level 1 and below out the next steps for implementing reforms at level 2 and We propose the focus of study for most learners at level below. 1 and below should be progression onto a qualification at Update on level 3 implementation level 2 or above that provides entry into a skilled In July 2021 we set out our plans for the reform of level occupation, or progression to a work-based pathway such 3 qualifications. In November, recognising the need to as supported internships, traineeships and apprenticeships. allow sufficient time for awarding organisations and Basic skills qualifications in English, maths and digital providers to prepare, we announced an extra year for the will continue to be vital for many of these students. reforms to be implemented. To support this, we are also Proposals – Personal, Social and Employability moving the pathfinder for approving qualifications in the Qualifications Digital route into the first full cycle of approvals for other We recognise that some students will leave education technical qualifications. The pathfinder would have seen with their highest achievement being level 1 or entry the introduction of reformed qualifications in the Digital level, and for a small minority their main aim will be route for 2024, ahead of our other reforms. These independent living. Personal, social and employability approvals processes will now be merged and first delivery provision is an integral part of study for many of these of reformed qualifications will be from 2025. students, and we propose to set national standards and [1] https://explore-education- core content for these qualifications to be designed statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/ac2c9345- against. Aligning these qualifications with national 145c-46d0-aabc-055e9f92936b. standards will ensure greater consistency and confidence [2] DfE, (2020), ‘Qualifications at level 3 and below; in their quality. As part of the consultation we are Contextual information on enrolments and students’.
Written Answers 2 March 2022 Page 3
airline are entirely responsible for making these
Written Answers judgments, based on the conditions that exist at any
particular time.
Wednesday, 2 March 2022
Aircraft and airlines have operational limitations that
stipulate maximum winds (including crosswind
Africa: Military Coups
components and associated gusts) that are acceptable.
Asked by The Marquess of Lothian Crew are trained for approaches in such adverse weather
conditions and will abort any landing where they believe
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
continuing the approach will be unsafe or if the wind
they have made of the causes underlying the increase in
limits are exceeded. The Civil Aviation Authority’s
military takeovers in Africa in the past year, in
ongoing review of standards suggests that the limitations
particular in (1) Chad, (2) Guinea, (3) Sudan, (4) Mali,
and training, together with pilot performance, meant that
and (5) Burkina Faso; and what steps they intend to
safety barriers were maintained during storm Eunice.
take in response through their (a) foreign, and (b) aid,
policies. [HL6275]
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: We are Armed Forces: Housing
concerned by the deteriorating situation across the Sahel Asked by Lord German
and the impact on regional security. We joined the
Economic Community of West African States To ask Her Majesty's Government how many housing
(ECOWAS), the African Union, and international partners units will be managed under the Armed Forces Future
to condemn the coups in Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali. Defence Infrastructure Services Contract which
We call for the return to democratic, civilian and commences on 1 April. [HL6242]
constitutional rule without delay. In a meeting with Baroness Goldie: As of 22 February 2022, it is
ECOWAS President, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, on 22 anticipated that a total of 46,687 Service Family
February, the Minister for Africa set out the UK's Accommodation (SFA) will be managed under the Future
continued support for ECOWAS' mediation efforts. In Defence Infrastructure Services Accommodation
Chad, we condemned the killing of President Idriss Deby contracts.
in April 2021, and are working with the African Union to
support a return to civilian and constitutional rule.
We also condemned the actions of the Sudanese BBC: Northern Ireland
military in October 2021 and issued statements alongside Asked by Baroness Hoey
Troika (UK, Norway, US) and quad (UK, US, Saudi
Arabia, UAE) partners. We urge all political actors to To ask Her Majesty's Government how individuals in
engage in UN-facilitated dialogue to end the crisis and Northern Ireland can express their views on the BBC’s
engage with all parties to demonstrate support for the output pending the appointment of the BBC Member
democratic transition. for Northern Ireland to the BBC Board. [HL6253]
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: The best way for
Air Traffic Control: Storms audiences in Northern Ireland, and in all parts of the UK,
Asked by Baroness Healy of Primrose Hill to express their views on the BBC’s output is to contact
the BBC directly. This is not affected by the current
To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what vacancy of a Board member for Northern Ireland.
assessment they have made, if any, of the decision by The BBC’s website sets out the routes through which
Air Traffic Controllers at Luton Airport to continue members of the public can contact the BBC to raise issues
flights into the airport during a red storm warning or complaints, or provide feedback. More information can
across London and the South-East and (2) what plans be found on the BBC website.
they have, if any, to issue new guidance to Air Traffic
Controllers to ensure the safety of passengers on flights
happening during storm periods. [HL6343] Government Departments: CCTV
Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Air traffic control Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
services in the UK are highly regulated. The effects of
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many
strong winds, and other weather events which may have a
surveillance technology cameras in government
potential impact on passenger flights, are well understood
departments have facial recognition software;
and reviewed on a regular basis. Information relating to
and whether they have made any assessment of the cost
weather (wind speed & direction/snow and ice/visibility
of removing Hikivision and other Chinese-made
etc.) is constantly available to pilots planning an approach
surveillance technology cameras from government
to land at an airport. This provides them with the
buildings. [HL6407]
necessary information on which they can base their
judgement as to whether it is safe to continue with the Lord True: As has been the case under successive
approach or not. The commander of the aircraft and the administrations, it is not government policy to commentPage 4 2 March 2022 Written Answers
on the security arrangements of government buildings. History of the Joint Intelligence Committee will be
Specific details regarding the capability and use of published in due course.
security systems by government departments are withheld
on national security grounds.
Royal Family
Government Departments: Cost Asked by Lord Berkeley
Effectiveness To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the role of
Asked by Lord Rogan Counsellors of State; who are the present holders of this
office; under what legislation they operate; and how the
To ask Her Majesty's Government which minister is current office holders can be changed. [HL6224]
responsible for efficiency and transformation, following
the resignation of Lord Agnew of Oulton on 24 Lord True: Section 6 of the Regency Act 1937
January. [HL6308] provides for a power to delegate Royal functions to
Counsellors of State in the event of the Sovereign being
Lord True: The Rt Hon Jacob Rees-Mogg MP was either overseas, or intended to be overseas, or in the event
appointed Minister for Brexit Opportunities and of illness (stopping short of incapacity).
Government Efficiency, in the Cabinet Office, on 8 The Regency Act itself specifies that the Counsellors of
February. He will be responsible for realising the State shall be the wife or husband of the Sovereign (if the
opportunities arising from Brexit and increasing the Sovereign is married), and the four persons who are next
efficiency of government. in the line of succession to the Crown.
A full list of ministerial responsibilities will be Changes to the list of those who can be appointed as
published in due course. Counsellors of State would require amending the Regency
Act.
Government Departments: Disclosure of
Information
Zimbabwe: Politics and Government
Asked by Lord Storey
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
they have made of the consequences of not storing To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment
information centrally on Non-Disclosure Agreements they have made of reports of violence and intimidation
agreed across Government; and what plans they have, if of opposition politicians, their supporters, and trade
any, to make such information centrally available. unions, ahead of parliamentary and local by-elections in
[HL6432]
Zimbabwe on 26 March; and what steps they are taking
in response. [HL6214]
Lord True: Full information on the use of Non-
Disclosure Agreements is held by individual departments. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK remains
However, in line with the requirements set out in the concerned by the human rights situation in Zimbabwe.
Cabinet Office guidance on the use of confidentiality This includes a lack of accountability for human rights
clauses in the Civil Service, departments are required to violations, including those responsible for the death of
seek Cabinet Office Ministerial approval before using protestors in August 2018 and January 2019, at the hands
certain confidentiality clauses in a settlement agreement of the security forces. We are also aware of recent reports
and to report certain information centrally on an annual of police brutality and efforts to frustrate the opposition's
basis. This is to ensure that such clauses are not used to right to free assembly. While the UK welcomes steps to
prevent staff from raising or discussing allegations of legislate for an Independent Complaints Commission, the
bullying, harassment or discrimination, which the test will be its ability to act independently and effectively.
Government has made clear is unacceptable. We have been clear that we want to see the Government
There are no plans to publish the data collected of Zimbabwe meet its international and domestic
centrally as much of this information is sensitive and obligations by respecting the rule of law and safeguarding
publishing it would not satisfy UK GDPR requirements. human rights. The Minister for Africa emphasised these
messages when she spoke to President Mnangagwa on 1
November 2021 at COP26. Alongside significant
History: Publications development assistance to help ordinary Zimbabweans,
Asked by Lord Lexden we continue to support civil society organisations focused
on human rights. On 1 February 2021, the UK imposed
To ask Her Majesty's Government what work they are sanctions on four security officials responsible for some
undertaking under their Official History Programme; of Zimbabwe's worst human rights violations under the
and when they intend to publish it. [HL6355] current regime. Our sanctions do not target, and seek to
Lord True: Volumes 4 and 5 of the Official History of avoid impact on, the wider economy and people of
the Criminal Justice system and volume 2 of the Official Zimbabwe.Index to Statements and Answers Written Statements ................................................. 1 Bulb Energy Ltd: Letter of Credit ........................ 1 Level 2 and Below Qualifications Update ............ 1 Written Answers ..................................................... 3 Africa: Military Coups ......................................... 3 Air Traffic Control: Storms .................................. 3 Armed Forces: Housing........................................ 3 BBC: Northern Ireland ......................................... 3 Government Departments: CCTV ........................ 3 Government Departments: Cost Effectiveness ..... 4 Government Departments: Disclosure of Information ........................................................... 4 History: Publications ............................................ 4 Royal Family ........................................................ 4 Zimbabwe: Politics and Government ................... 4
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