The Powers of Attorney Act 2023 has not yet been commenced. The Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) are working to finalise the design of the modernised service this Act facilitates, including how this will be translated into legislation. This is a significant transformation for OPG, and it is important that we take the appropriate time to get the new service design right to enable an enhanced process to make and register a Lasting Power of Attorney for users. We remain fully committed to modernising the process to make it easier and more secure, whilst securing OPG's long term financial sustainability.

My Lords, we recognise Jodrell Bank’s historic and continuing importance to UK science. Science and Technology Facilities Council—STFC—funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network remains in place until March 2028 but will not continue beyond the current agreement, following an evidence-based prioritisation process in response to rising cost pressures. We firmly support decisions that protect world-leading scientific research and ensure the long-term sustainability of the UK’s research portfolio. This is not a withdrawal from radio astronomy. The UK is investing £327 million in the Square Kilometre Array observatory to 2030, headquartered at Jodrell Bank.

The Prime Minister decided that the Government should update the Cabinet Manual prior to his Written Ministerial Statement (HLWS81) on 2 June 2026.

The results from Cambridge and the DIOSynVax programme, primarily funded by the Government through Innovate UK, is a good example of how the Government are taking AI’s potential in vaccine technology seriously. AI’s most credible contribution to vaccine development is in the design stage, including predicting antigen structure and binding and predicting how pathogens evade immunity. Our £137 million AI for science strategy is funding some key enablers for AI use in drug discovery, including in medical research and engineering biology.

The Government recognises the importance of the mathematical sciences. While delivery plans and funding allocations are prepared, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has made no additional commitments beyond existing planned investments, as set out in the response to HL14784.

The Assessment of priority skills to 2030 report shows the proportion of employed learners that enter priority occupations across the ten priority sectors (eight industrial strategy sectors, adult social care, and construction). This assessment shows that 57% of learners with a degree (level 6) in mathematical sciences enter these priority occupations.

Iran’s reckless actions in the Strait of Hormuz are having damaging consequences for the global economy and putting the lives of those aboard civilian vessels in danger. As the Prime Minister said, we are working with our allies and partners on a viable collective plan to return freedom of navigation to the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impacts. That is not a simple task, but the Strait of Hormuz needs to be reopened to ensure stability in the market.

My Lords, the space economy is a top priority for the Government, who have announced a £2.8 billion investment over the spending review for the UK Space Agency, including a £1.7 billion commitment at the last European Space Agency Ministerial Council. We are strategically investing to support sector growth through a new outcomes-based, targeted approach. Through a one-government philosophy, we will grow the space economy by focusing investment on enabling businesses to commercialise and scale.

The Government takes the function of the Cabinet Manual seriously and we will keep it under review.

For information relating to the use of “His Majesty’s Government”, I refer the Noble Viscount to Question HC112168:

Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister, as the King's principal adviser, (a) was consulted on and (b) approved the decision to change the HM Government identity to the UK Government; and whether the Prime Minister was advised by Tim Allan in this regard when Mr Allan was Executive Director of Communications. 112168

Answer: There are no plans to discontinue the use of “HM Government”.

Please refer to https://www.communications.gov.uk/guidance/marketing/branding-guidelines/ for guidance on logo use. There are no plans to publish the revised guidance held by the Government Digital Service and the Government Communication Service.

Communications teams are advised to use "UK Government" rather than departmental names and logos for announcements, to provide clarity to the public. This does not affect the use of "His Majesty's Government", which continues on relevant official communications and records.

"UK Government" has long been the term used for the government in public-facing communications. All governments have regularly reviewed and updated government branding guidance to ensure that communications with the public are clear.

This guidance was developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders and in accordance with standard protocols in Summer 2025.

The Department recognises the mathematical sciences is a key element for the advancement of all areas of science and technology. In 2025-2026, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) committed £25 million to core mathematical sciences, alongside wider support through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), including, Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in mathematical sciences and related areas.

UKRI’s current corporate plan for 2025-2027, published on 25th November 2025, includes the launch of new doctoral training awards to target priority areas, including £1 million for mathematical sciences through EPSRC.

The Government plan to publish a single UKRI Delivery Plan, which will provide an update on UKRI’s plans for the 2026-27 financial year.

The Department recognises the mathematical sciences is a key element for the advancement of all areas of science and technology. In 2025-2026, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) committed £25 million to core mathematical sciences, alongside wider support through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), including, Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in mathematical sciences and related areas.

UKRI’s current corporate plan for 2025-2027, published on 25th November 2025, includes the launch of new doctoral training awards to target priority areas, including £1 million for mathematical sciences through EPSRC.

The Government plan to publish a single UKRI Delivery Plan, which will provide an update on UKRI’s plans for the 2026-27 financial year.

The Department recognises the mathematical sciences is a key element for the advancement of all areas of science and technology. In 2025-2026, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) committed £25 million to core mathematical sciences, alongside wider support through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), including, Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in mathematical sciences and related areas.

UKRI’s current corporate plan for 2025-2027, published on 25th November 2025, includes the launch of new doctoral training awards to target priority areas, including £1 million for mathematical sciences through EPSRC.

The Government plan to publish a single UKRI Delivery Plan, which will provide an update on UKRI’s plans for the 2026-27 financial year.

Yes, the Parliament Acts apply to private members bills.

My Lords, the December 2025 timetable has provided more than 60,000 extra seats across the east coast main line each week, with faster services between London and Edinburgh and a third train per hour between London and Newcastle. Network Rail is leading development of a long-term strategy for the route, which will incorporate this Government’s plan for Northern Powerhouse Rail, which was announced last week, and the commitment to develop a business case for opportunities provided by the Leamside line.

My Lords, the Government recognise that space debris is a risk to critical national infrastructure due to our reliance on space services, including for communications, climate monitoring, navigation and timing. A summary of the national risk assessment is set out in the UK’s National Risk Register 2025. We invest in space situational awareness, in-orbit servicing and active debris removal missions. We work with international partners through the European Space Agency and the United Nations to address the risk.

Following the statement made by Buckingham Palace on 30 October, the entitlement to the title of ‘Prince’ and the style of ‘Royal Highness’ has been removed by Letters Patent. The title of the Duke of York has been removed from the Roll of the Peerage and will no longer be used officially. There is therefore no need for legislation to implement the measures that have been announced.

The Titles Deprivation Act 1917 authorised enemies of the United Kingdom to be deprived of their peerages during the First World War.

The Government has no plans to amend the Titles Deprivation Act 1917.

The Counsellors of State Act 2022 added two additional Members of the Royal Family to the list of those eligible to act as Counsellors of State in order to provide greater resilience in this aspect of our constitutional arrangements.

In practice, reflecting a commitment made during the passage of the Act, only working Members of the Royal Family are called upon to act as Counsellors of State.

The Government has no plans to amend the Counsellors of State Act 2022.

Minister Hardy holds responsibility for issues involving light pollution.