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My Lords, is the Minister able to tell us whether the Government are supporting the women’s institute’s splendid initiative on microplastics, which is a campaign to ensure that special filters are fitted to all washing machines to avoid the reproduction of these microplastic elements?
My Lords, is the Minister able to tell us whether the Government are supporting the women’s institute’s splendid initiative on microplastics, which is a campaign to ensure that special filters are fitted to all washing machines to avoid the reproduction of these microplastic elements?
The noble Baroness has taught me something: I was not aware of that campaign. The women’s institute is a splendid organisation, and I am very glad that she has drawn my attention to that. We are really keen to work in this area and to look at alternative ways, as I have just said, to reduce microplastics in particular, which obviously leach into the water system through clothes in washing machines. I will look into this further and I thank her for drawing it to my attention.
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the average time taken to process applications for indefinite leave to remain under the European Communities Association Agreement Ankara Agreement from the date the application is submitted.
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the average time taken to process applications for indefinite leave to remain under the European Communities Association Agreement Ankara Agreement from the date the application is submitted.
There is a 6-month service standard for this route. The below links show published data on Home Office performance.
In thanking the Minister for her reply, may I press a little on the wider region and ask whether this advice and possible support will be given to British nationals in the overseas territories in the Caribbean, for example? Further, does the FCDO have any plans to close our embassy in Venezuela, as I understand other European countries have already done?
In thanking the Minister for her reply, may I press a little on the wider region and ask whether this advice and possible support will be given to British nationals in the overseas territories in the Caribbean, for example? Further, does the FCDO have any plans to close our embassy in Venezuela, as I understand other European countries have already done?
Our obligations to those in overseas territories are very different, and they are clearly prioritised in circumstances when disasters kick in. We have very limited diplomatic relations with Venezuela; at the moment, we have a chargé in Caracas. At this stage, we do not plan to withdraw that, but we are keeping a very close eye. I have spoken to the team there on many occasions, and what they are doing is still of value and their safety is assured. As long as this is the case, I do not see us withdrawing it immediately. Clearly, given the changing situation, we are keeping it under review.
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they intend to take to enable the UK to join the European Environment Agency and the European Environment Information and Observation Network at the earliest opportunity.
To ask His Majesty's Government what action they intend to take to enable the UK to join the European Environment Agency and the European Environment Information and Observation Network at the earliest opportunity.
Having left the EU, the UK is no longer a member of the European Environment Agency (EEA) or the European Environment Information and Observation Network (EIONET).
We have continued to co-operate with the EEA EU partners as appropriate, with a driving focus on delivering security and prosperity for the British people.
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to confirm to providers operating within the Dance and Drama Awards scheme what their specific budgets for the academic year 2025–26 will be.
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to confirm to providers operating within the Dance and Drama Awards scheme what their specific budgets for the academic year 2025–26 will be.
The department will shortly confirm final budgets for the 2025/26 academic year and is in touch with providers concerning this.
To ask His Majesty's Government what arrangements are in place for Colombian nationals applying for visas to the United Kingdom following the reintroduction of a visa requirement on 26 November 2024.
To ask His Majesty's Government what arrangements are in place for Colombian nationals applying for visas to the United Kingdom following the reintroduction of a visa requirement on 26 November 2024.
Colombian nationals who wish to apply for a visa for the UK are able to submit their application and upload their supporting documents online before attending an appointment to provide their biometrics at a Visa Application Centre. Customers can apply for a UK visit visa from any country/territory. Those applying via other routes (e.g. study, work, settlement) may be required to apply in the country/territory in which they are currently living. In Colombia, there are 3 Visa Application Centres operated by VFS Global on behalf of UK Visas and Immigration. These are located in Bogotá and Medellín, which are currently open 5 days per week, and Cali, which is open 2 days per week. Once concluded, the customer may either collect their passport in person or have it shipped directly to them by courier.
The reintroduction of the visit visa requirement on 26 November 2024 was accompanied by a 28-day transition period, which allowed Colombian nationals with confirmed travel bookings made before 15.00 on 26 November 2024 to enter the UK visa-free if their scheduled arrival was before 15.00 on 24 December 2024. A transition period was also implemented for Colombian nationals transiting the UK to an onward destination.
My Lords, does the Minister not agree that this choice should not be limited to music and drama, and that dance should be included?
My Lords, does the Minister not agree that this choice should not be limited to music and drama, and that dance should be included?
I thank the noble Baroness and I completely agree.
My Lords, in the 10 years when I was very happily a member of the delegation to the Council of Europe, one of the most important functions that we had was to appoint the judges to the European Court of Human Rights. Can the Minister tell us whether the Government are giving any advice to the delegation in this respect?
My Lords, in the 10 years when I was very happily a member of the delegation to the Council of Europe, one of the most important functions that we had was to appoint the judges to the European Court of Human Rights. Can the Minister tell us whether the Government are giving any advice to the delegation in this respect?
We have not as yet, because, as noble Lords will know, the delegation has only very recently been identified. The noble Baroness is right to say that that is one of the key functions of the parliamentary assembly, and we will look at who will be the best person both for the Council of Europe and the priority that the UK places on the important role of the European Court of Human Rights. We will take the appropriate action when the time comes.
My Lords, given that the present Government of Venezuela have stated that they have always laid claim to this part of Guyana as part of their territory, can my noble friend say whether he or the FCDO has any record of such claims? I must say that it was news to me.
My Lords, given that the present Government of Venezuela have stated that they have always laid claim to this part of Guyana as part of their territory, can my noble friend say whether he or the FCDO has any record of such claims? I must say that it was news to me.
My Lords, recognising the important role of my noble friend over many years when it comes to the Caribbean and South America—indeed, we had an enlightened debate only last week on the very issue of South America—the UK’s position has been clear and that is why it is important that the UN restates it. Coming back to the point raised by the noble Lord, Lord Bruce, we should come together with multilateral organisations, particularly within the Commonwealth, to underline our strong support for Guyana’s position.
Lords motion to take note of the United Kingdom’s relationship with the countries of Latin America, and the political trends and economic developments in those countries. Agreed to on question.
Lords motion to take note of the United Kingdom’s relationship with the countries of Latin America, and the political trends and economic developments in those countries. Agreed to on question.
My Lords, given that only 54% of the world’s population are using safely managed sanitation services, as we have heard, what priority are the Government giving to our UK water companies to export their expertise and services, either through overseas development projects or via normal commercial channels?
My Lords, given that only 54% of the world’s population are using safely managed sanitation services, as we have heard, what priority are the Government giving to our UK water companies to export their expertise and services, either through overseas development projects or via normal commercial channels?
My noble friend makes a very important point. We have a lot of partnerships. For example, since 2020 with Unilever we have supported 14,800 healthcare facilities with critical WASH supplies and services. We have trained nearly half a million health and other key workers on hygiene practices to help tackle the threat of Covid in 37 countries. I am afraid I cannot think offhand of such a partnership with one of our water companies, but I know that partnerships are core to how we approach this issue.
Does my noble friend not agree that it is not only a decline in the manufacture of medicines but a decline in the manufacture of medical devices that we see at present? As far as I can make out, most medical devices are imported from China. Will the Government consider looking at a market
such as Costa Rica, a country which has as its largest export medical devices, as a friendly and democratic country that we could do business with?
Does my noble friend not agree that it is not only a decline in the manufacture of medicines but a decline in the manufacture of medical devices that we see at present? As far as I can make out, most medical devices are imported from China. Will the Government consider looking at a market
such as Costa Rica, a country which has as its largest export medical devices, as a friendly and democratic country that we could do business with?
My noble friend has great expertise in the economies of Latin America and South America. I will ensure that the example of Costa Rica is being heeded in the department.
My Lords, in drawing attention to Latin America, I refer to my interests in the register. I believe that Chile was the first country, if not in the world then certainly in Latin America, to sign up to a new free trade agreement post Brexit. It was basically a rollover agreement. Given that the Government are negotiating a new trade agreement with Mexico, can my noble friend say whether the same is intended for Chile?
My Lords, in drawing attention to Latin America, I refer to my interests in the register. I believe that Chile was the first country, if not in the world then certainly in Latin America, to sign up to a new free trade agreement post Brexit. It was basically a rollover agreement. Given that the Government are negotiating a new trade agreement with Mexico, can my noble friend say whether the same is intended for Chile?
I greatly appreciate my noble friend raising that question—and her debate last night—and encouraging attention on central America. I thank her for the work she does as our trade envoy to those countries. Chile is a very important country for trade with the UK. I am very pleased to say that I attended, along with Minister Rutley, a Chile financial services conference only three days ago. Clearly, we have a number of free trade agreements to enact and
an extremely busy schedule. When the opportunity comes for us to expand further on the incredible list I have already presented to the House, I have no doubt that countries such as Chile will be under consideration.
Lords question for short debate on what plans they have to improve trade and investment relations with countries in Central America.
Lords question for short debate on what plans they have to improve trade and investment relations with countries in Central America.
My Lords, I declare an interest as the honorary president of BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association, whose members have grave concerns about the Oak proposals, and
who are mainly highly motivated and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises. Has my noble friend had time to read today's Times Educational Supplement, which points out that four out of 10 of all lessons on Oak started by pupils are not finished, with the worst take-up in disadvantaged areas? Can she comment on that? Could not the funding allocated to Oak be better spent working with tools on solutions that they know work best for their pupils?
My Lords, I declare an interest as the honorary president of BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association, whose members have grave concerns about the Oak proposals, and
who are mainly highly motivated and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises. Has my noble friend had time to read today's Times Educational Supplement, which points out that four out of 10 of all lessons on Oak started by pupils are not finished, with the worst take-up in disadvantaged areas? Can she comment on that? Could not the funding allocated to Oak be better spent working with tools on solutions that they know work best for their pupils?
I will look at the numbers to which my noble friend refers. I wonder whether she is referring to lessons delivered by Oak during the pandemic, when they were online and children were working from home. Obviously, the resources that the department is funding Oak to develop in future will be for teachers to deliver in the classroom—although it also provides a back-up and support in the event, God forbid, of another pandemic.
My Lords, given that English is the most spoken language in the world and that Spanish, as a first language, is the second most spoken language, will my noble friend reassure me that priority will always be given to the teaching of Spanish?
My Lords, given that English is the most spoken language in the world and that Spanish, as a first language, is the second most spoken language, will my noble friend reassure me that priority will always be given to the teaching of Spanish?
I thank my noble friend for her question. I am sure she will be pleased, as I am, to note that Spanish is now the second most popular modern foreign language at GCSE with almost 110,000 entries in the academic year 2020-21.
My Lords, may I draw attention to Latin America in this context? By that I mean not only the ancient cultures in Latin America, of which there are many, but the links with the slave trade and the important support for the independence movements there; these have created huge goodwill, very relevant to our trade and other efforts to improve relations with the countries of Latin America.
My Lords, may I draw attention to Latin America in this context? By that I mean not only the ancient cultures in Latin America, of which there are many, but the links with the slave trade and the important support for the independence movements there; these have created huge goodwill, very relevant to our trade and other efforts to improve relations with the countries of Latin America.
My noble friend’s question reflects the fact that, when we talk about diversity in the teaching of history, there are many different stories and parts of the world that pupils can learn about, along with how they relate to the history of this country. That is why the national curriculum and the
model history curriculum provide a framework in which teachers can then use their expertise to ensure that pupils gain an understanding and the knowledge that they need to take the study of history forward.
My Lords, in welcoming the Government’s plans, which my noble friend has outlined, may I ask him to clarify whether these extend only or mainly to the English-speaking Caribbean, or to other countries such as Cuba, the Dominican Republic or Haiti?
My Lords, in welcoming the Government’s plans, which my noble friend has outlined, may I ask him to clarify whether these extend only or mainly to the English-speaking Caribbean, or to other countries such as Cuba, the Dominican Republic or Haiti?
Obviously, the UK has a particularly strong and valued relationship with those English-speaking countries with which we share a very close history, but our involvement and interest in the region goes beyond them. For example, the Prime Minister had meetings yesterday with a number of leaders of Caribbean countries, not all of them English-speaking. We have many issues in common, not least the question of China but also climate change, which is regarded by most Caribbean countries as literally existential.
To ask Her Majesty's Government why relations with Latin America is not listed on the printed list of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ministerial responsibilities; and why relations with Latin America is not the responsibility of a Minister of State.
To ask Her Majesty's Government why relations with Latin America is not listed on the printed list of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ministerial responsibilities; and why relations with Latin America is not the responsibility of a Minister of State.
Latin America is an important partner for the UK's global ambitions, with many countries aligned with our values, and we maintain a strong diplomatic relationship with countries around the region. The latest list of Ministerial responsibilities was published in November 2021, and lists Wendy Morton MP as FCDO Parliamentary Undersecretary of State (Minister for Europe and the Americas). Responsibilities included the Americas, the Caribbean, and Small Island Developing States. In December 2021, Minister Ford took over responsibility for Latin America. The current page on www.Gov.uk/government/ministers lists this as FCDO Parliamentary Undersecretary of State (Minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean). I am already engaging with Ambassadors from the region, and plan to visit next month.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact on religious gatherings of the provisions relating to public order offences in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact on religious gatherings of the provisions relating to public order offences in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
A policy equality statement for the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill was published in September 2021 which covers the public order measures introduced in the Bill. This can be found on GOV.UK.
The public order measures in the Bill will improve the police’s ability to manage highly-disruptive protests, enable the police to balance the rights of protesters and the rights of others to go about their daily business, and to dedicate their resources to keeping the public safe.