My Lords, I start by reflecting upon the sad news that the Lord Speaker has just imparted to the House. Lord Mackay was a hugely respected figure across all parties. He was a giant in the law. I am sure we all join in sending our condolences to his family.

National security is the first duty of government, and we are committed to protecting Britain alongside upholding the international rule of law as part of a strong NATO alliance. I have met many NATO ministerial colleagues as part of my role, including the former US Attorney-General Pam Bondi, the acting US Attorney-General Todd Blanche, the Attorney-General of Canada Sean Fraser, the Minister of Justice in Spain Felix Bolaños and the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Kravik. I will continue to meet NATO counterparts, if requested, to strengthen our alliances and build on our shared values that have kept this country safe for more than 70 years.

My Lords, the Prime Minister has been very clear that there is no excuse for hate speech. Performers making threats or inciting violence should not be given a platform at any event. The Culture Secretary has confirmed that she will be having conversations with the BBC and festival organisers to ensure that action is taken to prevent this happening again. There is also robust legislation in place to deal with threatening, abusive, harassing behaviour and incitement to hatred. The Government will support the police in taking strong action against these abhorrent crimes wherever they occur.

All of our contract opportunities are publicly available through Contracts Finder and/or Find A Tender Service and are available to any economic operator that is able to meet the requirements of the procurement in compliance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or The Procurement Regulations 2024, as applicable.

The government’s priority is to ensure funding is directed where it is needed most to deliver our objective to further understand and reduce gambling-related harms. That is why we have appointed UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and NHS England, together with appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales, as lead commissioning bodies for research, prevention and treatment. Decisions on how levy funds are spent within research, prevention and treatment lie with commissioning leads. We are also establishing robust governance structures to ensure the core aims of the levy are met and we expect to publish an Annual Levy Report each year setting out the use of the levy and impact against objectives.

The levy will be charged at a set rate for all holders of a Gambling Commission licence, ranging from 1.1% to 0.1% of Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) and is expected to raise around £90 million to £100 million per year.

The Gambling Act 2005 is clear that all gambling activity licensed by the Gambling Commission is in scope of the levy, including society lotteries. However, to minimise disruption, these operators will be charged the levy at the lowest rate of 0.1%, in recognition of the low rates of harm associated with participation in society lotteries and the important benefits they bring to good cause fundraising. This 0.1% will be charged as a proportion of proceeds retained after good causes. Under the terms of the fourth licence, the National Lottery operator, Allwyn, is already required to make a £1.6 million annual contribution to socially responsible purposes such as research and treatment. Commercial prize draws are not regulated as a gambling product under the Gambling Act.

The government’s priority is to ensure funding is directed where it is needed most to deliver our objective to further understand and reduce gambling-related harms. That is why we have appointed UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and NHS England, together with appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales, as lead commissioning bodies for research, prevention and treatment. Decisions on how levy funds are spent within research, prevention and treatment lie with commissioning leads. We are also establishing robust governance structures to ensure the core aims of the levy are met and we expect to publish an Annual Levy Report each year setting out the use of the levy and impact against objectives.

The levy will be charged at a set rate for all holders of a Gambling Commission licence, ranging from 1.1% to 0.1% of Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) and is expected to raise around £90 million to £100 million per year.

The Gambling Act 2005 is clear that all gambling activity licensed by the Gambling Commission is in scope of the levy, including society lotteries. However, to minimise disruption, these operators will be charged the levy at the lowest rate of 0.1%, in recognition of the low rates of harm associated with participation in society lotteries and the important benefits they bring to good cause fundraising. This 0.1% will be charged as a proportion of proceeds retained after good causes. Under the terms of the fourth licence, the National Lottery operator, Allwyn, is already required to make a £1.6 million annual contribution to socially responsible purposes such as research and treatment. Commercial prize draws are not regulated as a gambling product under the Gambling Act.

The government’s priority is to ensure funding is directed where it is needed most to deliver our objective to further understand and reduce gambling-related harms. That is why we have appointed UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and NHS England, together with appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales, as lead commissioning bodies for research, prevention and treatment. Decisions on how levy funds are spent within research, prevention and treatment lie with commissioning leads. We are also establishing robust governance structures to ensure the core aims of the levy are met and we expect to publish an Annual Levy Report each year setting out the use of the levy and impact against objectives.

The levy will be charged at a set rate for all holders of a Gambling Commission licence, ranging from 1.1% to 0.1% of Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) and is expected to raise around £90 million to £100 million per year.

The Gambling Act 2005 is clear that all gambling activity licensed by the Gambling Commission is in scope of the levy, including society lotteries. However, to minimise disruption, these operators will be charged the levy at the lowest rate of 0.1%, in recognition of the low rates of harm associated with participation in society lotteries and the important benefits they bring to good cause fundraising. This 0.1% will be charged as a proportion of proceeds retained after good causes. Under the terms of the fourth licence, the National Lottery operator, Allwyn, is already required to make a £1.6 million annual contribution to socially responsible purposes such as research and treatment. Commercial prize draws are not regulated as a gambling product under the Gambling Act.

The government’s priority is to ensure funding is directed where it is needed most to deliver our objective to further understand and reduce gambling-related harms. That is why we have appointed UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and NHS England, together with appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales, as lead commissioning bodies for research, prevention and treatment. Decisions on how levy funds are spent within research, prevention and treatment lie with commissioning leads. We are also establishing robust governance structures to ensure the core aims of the levy are met and we expect to publish an Annual Levy Report each year setting out the use of the levy and impact against objectives.

The levy will be charged at a set rate for all holders of a Gambling Commission licence, ranging from 1.1% to 0.1% of Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) and is expected to raise around £90 million to £100 million per year.

The Gambling Act 2005 is clear that all gambling activity licensed by the Gambling Commission is in scope of the levy, including society lotteries. However, to minimise disruption, these operators will be charged the levy at the lowest rate of 0.1%, in recognition of the low rates of harm associated with participation in society lotteries and the important benefits they bring to good cause fundraising. This 0.1% will be charged as a proportion of proceeds retained after good causes. Under the terms of the fourth licence, the National Lottery operator, Allwyn, is already required to make a £1.6 million annual contribution to socially responsible purposes such as research and treatment. Commercial prize draws are not regulated as a gambling product under the Gambling Act.

Large scale commercial prize draws are not regulated as a gambling product under the Gambling Act 2005. There is currently no provision in the Act to introduce a cap on the prizes offered by prize draws.

My Lords, this deal protects UK and US national security interests by ensuring the long-term effective operations of the base. However, given the importance of the base to the US, it is right that the new Administration have the chance to consider the full agreement. We look forward to discussing the deal with them, which will include sharing the full detail of what has been agreed, including the detailed protections that we have secured for the base.

My Lords, as was expected and as is understandable, the range of reactions to our suspension of some export licences to Israel illustrates the depth of feeling about the conflict. Our licensing criteria state that the Government will not issue export licences if there is a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law. We have concluded that there is a clear risk. Our priority remains achieving a ceasefire in Gaza with hostages released, civilians protected and aid flooding in.

My Lords, the Government are steadfast in their commitment to protecting our Jewish communities, which is why we have committed further funding of £72 million for the Jewish community protective security grant to continue the vital work done in protecting Jewish communities until 2028. The JCPS grant is managed by the Community Security Trust, which I had the privilege of visiting a couple of weeks ago and which provides protective security measures at Jewish schools, colleges, nurseries and some other Jewish community sites, as well as a number of synagogues.

My Lords, our Zimbabwe sanctions hold to account four individuals and one entity responsible for serious human rights abuses. They do not target the people or economy of Zimbabwe. We note the US’s recent steps and continue to engage closely with our US partners. We continue to keep all sanctions, designations and regimes under review and do not comment on any future sanctions plans.

My Lords, I declare my interest as a serving Army reservist. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence has ordered a review of all equality, diversity and inclusivity policies to ensure that all those who are willing and able to serve our nation can do so freely in an environment that is welcoming to all, with no policy distracting from or hindering defence’s priority of defending our nation and being able to fight our enemies in a more dangerous age.

My Lords, the UK and the nations of the Caribbean have strong and enduring relationships based on mutual respect, trust and shared values. Through increased ministerial engagement and the UK’s diplomatic network in the Caribbean, the Government continue to develop modern partnerships across the region that deliver on our priorities, including the rules-based international system, climate change, advocacy for small island developing states, development, trade and security.

My Lords, the UK is committed to supporting Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s ongoing aggression. With our allies, we are working to provide more lethal defensive equipment to help the armed forces of Ukraine. The Government continue to identify and pursue options to meet the requests and requirements of the armed forces of Ukraine, including by actively co-operating with our global partners. We will continue to rapidly assess a range of equipment types to meet those needs.

Before I begin, may I pay tribute to you, Mr Speaker, on what I believe is—I am not sure—your penultimate day in the Chair? As I have said before, despite the odd disagreement in my past life as Government Chief Whip, your energy, drive and commitment to this role has been without parallel. I hope you will indulge me if I also pay tribute to two other departing Members with a strong interest in Northern Ireland: first, the hon. Member for Ealing North (Stephen Pound), who has served his constituents with good grace for over 20 years and clearly cares deeply about Northern Ireland and its people; and secondly, my ministerial colleague my right hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd), who has been in indispensable to me since I took over this role. He has been critical in driving forward preparations for Northern Ireland’s exit from the EU, and also in his tireless work for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. I would also like to wish all colleagues who are leaving Parliament my best wishes; as Chief Whip, I saw at first hand how tough this period of political history has been for all colleagues.

The UK Government are fully committed to the covenant. A veterans strategy was published last year and a consultation event held in Belfast in conjunction with the veterans support office. I am now working closely with colleagues to develop a comprehensive response to that consultation so that we can ensure that every veteran receives the support they need and the recognition they deserve.

I take the performance of the railway very seriously and think that trains should run on time, which is why I have changed the industry’s performance standard from trains being five or even 10 minutes late to their being on time to the minute.

The government is committed to nationwide rollout of future proof, gigabit-capable broadband as soon as possible. Improving mobile coverage in rural areas is also a priority. We are committed to extending geographic mobile coverage to 95% of the UK and we are considering all of the options available to facilitate this.

We have committed an extra £14 billion to schools in England over the next three years. This will bring the schools budget to £52.2 billion in 2022-23. This will allow funding increases for all schools. In particular, every secondary school will receive a minimum of at least £5,000 per pupil next year, with every primary school getting a minimum of at least £4,000 from 2021-22. This is the largest cash boost in a generation and has only been possible because of our balanced approach to the public finances and careful stewardship of the economy since 2010.