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Daily Report Monday, 20 July 2020

This report shows written answers and statements provided on 20 July 2020 and the

information is correct at the time of publication (06:47 P.M., 20 July 2020). For the latest

information on written questions and answers, ministerial corrections, and written statements,

please visit: http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/

CONTENTS

ANSWERS 8

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND

INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 8

Business: Coronavirus 8

Companies: Coronavirus 8

Construction Talent Retention

Scheme 9

Construction: North Wales 9

Department for Business,

Energy and Industrial Strategy:

Apprentices 10

Digital Markets Taskforce 10

Economic Situation:

Coronavirus 11

Energy: Meters 11

Flexible Working: Coronavirus 12

Fuel Poverty: Kent 12

Future Fund 13

Hospitality Industry:

Coronavirus 13

Housing: Insulation 14

Labelling 14

Manufacturing Industries:

Government Assistance 14

Nottingham University:

Coronavirus 15

Nuclear Fusion: Research 15

Package Holidays 16

Parental Leave and Parental

Pay: Coronavirus 16

Personal Care Services:

Coronavirus 17

Personal Care Services:


Small Businesses: EU Grants

and Loans 18

Social Rented Housing:

Canterbury 18

Social Rented Housing:

Energy 18

Tide: Bounce Back Loan

Scheme 19

Vaccination: Research 19

CABINET OFFICE 19

Agriculture: North Wales 19

Animal Housing: Cats and

Dogs 20

Cabinet Office: Cybercrime

and Digital Technology 20

Economic Situation: United

Kingdom 20

UK Relations with EU: Clinical

Trails and Drugs 21

UK Trade with EU: Northern

Ireland 21

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

Waheed Saleem 22

DEFENCE 22

Armed Forces: Civil

Proceedings 22

Ministry of Defence:

Apprentices 22

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND

SPORT 23

Broadband: Costs 23

Dance: Coronavirus 24

Data Protection 25

Huawei: Equipment 25

ICT: Huawei 26

Internet: Education 26

Internet: Pornography 27

Leisure and Tourism: Bus

Services 29

Music: Coronavirus 29

Outdoor Recreation:

Coronavirus 30

Telecommunications: Russia 31

EDUCATION 31

After School Clubs:

Coronavirus 31

Department for Education:

Energy 32

Disability and Special

Educational Needs: Young

People 32

Disabled Students'

Allowances: Wirral 33

Erasmus+ Programme 33

Free School Meals: Voucher

Schemes 34

GCE A-Level: Ethnic Groups 34

GCSE 36

Higher Education: Coronavirus 36

Members: Correspondence 38

Parents: Advisory Services 38

Schools: Coronavirus 38

Schools: Discrimination 39

Special Educational Needs:

Young People 40

Sports: Coronavirus 40

Students: Coronavirus 41

Teachers: Coronavirus 42

Teachers: Ethnic Groups 42

Universities: Coronavirus 43

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND

RURAL AFFAIRS 44

Agriculture: Seasonal Workers 44

Air Pollution: Pollution Control 45

Air Pollution: Schools 45

Animal Products and

Livestock: UK Trade with EU 46

Animal Products: Imports 46

Animal Welfare: Coronavirus 47

Coastal Erosion and Flood

Control: Finance 47

Dangerous Dogs 47

Department for Environment,

Food and Rural Affairs: Air

Pollution 48

Flood Control: Oxfordshire 48

Giant Hogweed 49

Nature Conservation 49

Recycling 50

Sewage: Standards 51

UN Convention on Biological

Diversity 51

Water Companies: Pay 52

Water: Standards 52

FOREIGN AND

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 53

Anoosheh Ashoori 53

Bahrain: Capital Punishment 53

British Nationals Abroad:

Coronavirus 55

British Nationals Abroad: EU

Countries 55

Colombia: Coronavirus 56

Colombia: Politics and

Government 56

Foreign, Commonwealth and

Development Office:

Departmental Responsibilities 57

India: British Nationals Abroad 58

India: Human Rights 58

Integrated Security, Defence,

Development and Foreign

Policy Review 58

Middle East 59

Middle East: Peace

Negotiations 59

Nepal: Diplomatic Relations 59

Nigeria: Armed Conflict 60

Saudi Arabia: Arms Trade 60

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 61

Cardiovascular System:

Diseases 61

Clinical Trials: Standards 61

Contact Tracing: Hospitality

Industry 62

Coronavirus: Screening 63

Disability: Coronavirus 63

Eating Disorders: Children and

Young People 64

Exercise Cygnus 64

Gender Recognition: West

Midlands 64

Health Professions: Vetting 65

Hospices: Coronavirus 65

Hospitals: Coronavirus 66

Hyperactivity: Mental Health

Services 66

Ipswich Hospital: Surgery 67

LGBT People: Coronavirus 68

Mental Health Services:

Children and Young People 68

Mental Health Services:

Coronavirus 68

Mental Health Services: LGBT

People 69

Mental Health Services: Young

People 69

NHS: Hearing Impaired 70

Protective Clothing: Hearing

Impaired 70

Public Health: Finance 70

Serco 71

Serco: Contact Tracing 71

Social Services: Disability 72

Stem Cells: Transplant

Surgery 72

Surgical Mesh Implants 73

HOME OFFICE 73

Coronavirus: Quarantine 73

Domestic Abuse: Immigrants 73

Factories: Leicester 75

Home Office: Apprentices 76

Home Office: Overseas Aid 76

Immigration 77

Immigration: EEA Nationals 77

Immigration: EU Nationals 78

Immigration: Social Services 78

Law and Order: Protective

Clothing 79

Migrant Workers: Self-

employed 79

Migrant Workers: Shipping 80

Modern Slavery Act 2015

Independent Review 81

Offences against Children:

Coronavirus 81

Prevent Independent Review 82

Proscribed Organisations 83

Public Spaces Protection

Orders 83

Slavery 84

Slavery: Manufacturing

Industries 85

Slavery: Victim Support

Schemes 86

Stalking: Registration 86

Stop and Search: Ethnic

Groups 87

Visas: Coronavirus 88

Visas: Travel Restrictions 88

Visas: Turkey 88

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 89

[Subject Heading to be

Assigned] 89

Affordable Housing:

Construction 91

Council Tax: Coronavirus 92

First Time Buyers:


Firstport and A2dominion 93

Help to Buy Scheme:

Coronavirus 93

Homelessness: LGBT People 94

Housing: Construction 95

Landlords: Licensing 95

Local Government Finance:

Coronavirus 95

Local Government:

Coronavirus 96

Materials Handling Equipment:

Industrial Accidents 97

Planning Permission 98

Private Rented Housing:

Coronavirus 99

Property Development 100

Rough Sleeping: Coronavirus 101

Sleeping Rough 101

Sleeping Rough: Coronavirus 101

Temporary accommodation:

Coronavirus 102

Vulnerable Adults:

Coronavirus 103

INTERNATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT 104

Agriculture: Antibiotics 104

British Indian Ocean Territory:

English Language 105

Department for International

Development: Public

Expenditure 105


Trade: Annual Reports 105


Trade: Public Expenditure 106

Developing Countries:

International Assistance 106

Developing Countries:

Sustainable Development 106

Equality: Females 107

Females: Equality 107

Israel: Palestinians 108

Non-governmental

Organisations: Overseas Aid 108

Overseas Aid 108

Overseas Aid: Cost

Effectiveness 109

UNRWA: Finance 109

Yemen: Humanitarian Aid 110

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 110

Comprehensive and

Progressive Agreement for

Trans-pacific Partnership 110


Trade: Apprentices 111

Developing Countries: Dispute

Resolution 111

Foreign Investment in UK:

North East 112

Iron and Steel: Imports 112

Liquefied Natural Gas:

Mozambique 113

Saudi Arabia: Human Rights 114

Trade Agreements 114

Trade Agreements: Dispute

Resolution 115

Trade and Agriculture

Commission: Public

Appointments 115

JUSTICE 116

Court of Protection 116

Courts 116

Courts: Costs 116

Courts: Working Hours 117

Crime: Young People 117

Female Genital Mutilation

Protection Orders 118

ICT 119

Magistrates' Courts: Costs 119

Prison Visitors: Coronavirus 120

Wills: Registration 120

LEADER OF THE HOUSE 121

Coronavirus: Disease Control 121

PRIME MINISTER 146

Care Homes 146

TRANSPORT 147

Aircraft 147

Airports: Coronavirus 147

Aviation: Exhaust Emissions 148

Bus Service Operators Grant:

Hydrogen 148

Buses: Hydrogen 148

Department for Transport:

Apprentices 148

High Speed Two: Directors 149

Jet Skis: Wales 150

Large Goods Vehicles:

Coronavirus 150

Public Transport: Coronavirus 150

Public Transport: Information

Services 151

Railway Stations: Visual

Impairment 152

Railways: Coronavirus 152

Railways: Exhaust Emissions 154

Railways: Season Tickets 154

Railways: Technology 154

Roads: Capital Investment 155

Rolling Stock: Procurement 155

Taxis: Coronavirus 156

Transport: Coronavirus 156

Travel: Coronavirus 157

TREASURY 157

Animal Housing: VAT 157

Blood Cancer: Coronavirus 157

Catering: VAT 158

Charities: Tax Allowances 158

Coronavirus Job Retention

Scheme 158

Coronavirus Job Retention

Scheme: Travel 160

Coronavirus: Protective

Clothing 161

Customs: Contracts 161

Customs: Kent 161

Cycling and Walking 161

Economic Growth: Carbon

Emissions 162

Employment 162

Employment: Coronavirus 163

Food: VAT 163

Fuels: Excise Duties 164

Income Tax 164

Kickstart Scheme 165

Killing Kittens: Finance 165

Local Government Finance:

Coronavirus 166

Offshore Industry: Income 166

Personal Care Services: VAT 166

Retail Trade: Government

Assistance 167

Revenue and Customs:

Cleaning Services 168

Self-employed: Coronavirus 168

Self-employment Income

Support Scheme 168

Soft Drinks: Taxation 169

Treasury: Correspondence 170

WALES 170

Agriculture: Coronavirus 170

Manufacturing Industries:

Coronavirus 171

Mass Media: Employment 171

Tourism: Coronavirus 172

Welsh Water 172

WORK AND PENSIONS 173

Habitual Residence Test 173

Jobcentres: Staff 174

Kickstart Scheme 175

Materials Handling Equipment:

Industrial Accidents 176

Personal Independence

Payment 177

Social Security Benefits:

Medical Assessments 178

Universal Credit 179

Universal Credit: Disability 180

Universal Credit: Terminal

Illnesses 180

WRITTEN STATEMENTS 181

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND

INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 181

Business update 181

Contingencies Fund Advance 181

Unified Patent Court 182

DEFENCE 183

Service Complaints

Ombudsman's Annual Report

2019 183

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND

SPORT 183

Community Match Challenge 183

EDUCATION 184

School Funding Update 184

FOREIGN AND

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 186

Report on Regulations Made

under Section 32 of the

Sanctions and Anti-Money

Laundering Act 2018 186

The UK’s future relationship

with the EEA EFTA states

(Iceland, Liechtenstein and

Norway) and Switzerland 187

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 188

Building Safety update 188

TRANSPORT 191

Crossrail Annual Update 191

Transport for London

Extraordinary funding and

financing update 194

Transport Update 195

TREASURY 196

Public service pensions,

survivor benefits for opposite–

sex widowers and surviving

male civil partners. 196

Notes:

Questions marked thus [R] indicate that a relevant interest has been declared.

Questions with identification numbers of 900000 or greater indicate that the question was originally tabled as an

oral question and has since been unstarred.

ANSWERS

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Business: Coronavirus

Scott Benton: [73123]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will

provide further business support grants to businesses in (a) Blackpool and (b) the UK that

do not know when they can reopen as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Paul Scully:

The Government has announced an unprecedented package of support for

businesses to help with their ongoing business costs in recognition of the disruption

caused by Covid-19. This package of support includes the Small Business Grant

Fund (SBGF) and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF). In

addition, on 1 May, the Government announced that up to £617 million is being made

available to Local Authorities in England to allow them to provide discretionary grants.

These funds have supported many thousands of small businesses with their ongoing

business costs in recognition of the disruption caused by Covid-19.  As of 13 July,

local authorities have made grant payments to over 872,520 business premises,

totalling £10.7 billion, under the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and the Retail,

Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund (RHLGF). As of 13 July, Blackpool Council have

made payments to 3,860 business premises, totalling £43,835,000, under the SBGF

and the RHLGF.

Officials are keeping in close contact with Local Authorities to understand how the

schemes are rolling out and advising ministers on any additional support which could

be offered to help businesses and support local economies.

Companies: Coronavirus

Stella Creasy: [74551]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to

the Answer of 13 July 2020 to Question 70388 on Companies: Coronavirus, what steps

the Government plans to take to monitor whether companies borrowing through the

Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Scheme are (a) engaged in trading activity in

the UK at the Initial Drawdown Date and (b) using that finance facility to support their

trading activity in the UK.

Paul Scully:

The Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Scheme (CLBILS) guidance makes it

clear that the British Business Bank is not responsible for monitoring or verifying the

use of any money advanced by accredited lenders to borrowers.

It is the lenders responsibility to ensure that CLBILS facilities comply with the CLBILS

eligibility criteria, which include (amongst others):

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-07-13/73123


• That the relevant Applicant or Applicant’s Group is or will be engaged in Trading

Activity in the United Kingdom at the Initial Drawdown Date

• That the Proposed Scheme Facility will be used for an Eligible Purpose (which may

include the refinancing of an existing Borrowing Facility used for an Eligible

Purpose) and to support trading in the United Kingdom.

If the facility was not eligible at the offer date then the lender would not be able to

claim against the guarantee. The British Business Bank retains the rights to request

information from accredited lenders in order to verify whether a facility was eligible on

the offer date.

Lenders undergo a review to test a sample of CLBILS facilities to ensure that

processes are being followed in accordance with the agreement.

Construction Talent Retention Scheme

Wes Streeting: [74677]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference

to paragraph 2.47 of the Plan for Jobs, published July 2020, how much funding he has

allocated to the Construction Talent Retention Scheme.

Nadhim Zahawi:

The Construction Talent Retention Scheme will support the redeployment of staff that

are at risk of redundancy across the construction sector, while also enabling

temporary employee loans between businesses. The Scheme will give displaced

workers from other sectors a route to find new employment in construction.

This not-for-profit Scheme will be funded by the Department until the end of the

current financial year, with £1.164 million having been secured. The construction

industry will provide funding to support the Scheme post-March 2021.

Construction: North Wales

Simon Baynes: [71918]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support

he is providing to small builders in North Wales.

Nadhim Zahawi:

Whilst policy relating to construction is a devolved matter, my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr

Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a £330 billion support package of

Government-backed and guaranteed loans so as to help businesses to access

finance, including those in Wales.

Measures include the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS),

which enables small and medium-sized enterprises, with a turnover of up to £45

million, to access vital financial support. This is available to businesses in Wales via

high street banks and the Development Bank of Wales. The Chancellor has extended

the CBILS so that all viable businesses affected by COVID-19, and not just those

unable to secure regular commercial financing, will now be eligible should they need



finance to keep operating during this difficult time. In addition, we announced the

Bounce Back Loans Scheme, which provides loans of up to £50,000 to benefit small

businesses with a 100% Government-backed guarantee for lenders.

The Welsh Government has announced a new £500 million Welsh fund which will

support firms of all sizes, including social enterprises.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Apprentices

Robert Halfon: [74507]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his

Department is taking to reach the public sector apprenticeship target.

Nadhim Zahawi:

The Department gives full regard to the public sector apprenticeship target. The

Department, and each of the Executive Agencies that contributes to the Department’s

target, have apprenticeship plans that focus on their specific capability needs and

skills.

Together, we are promoting apprenticeships as a means of recruiting new and

diverse talent. This includes exploring which roles are suitable for apprentices, and

broadening our reach by advertising apprentice vacancies on the Government’s

‘Recruit an Apprentice’ service. The Department also promotes and encourages

apprenticeships as a route for existing staff to build capability and develop new skills.

The Department, our Executive Agencies, and our wider public sector Partner

Organisations, share our ideas and experience of delivering against the

apprenticeship agenda, to build our apprentice numbers.

The Department offers a wide range of apprenticeships from Level 3 to Level 7. This

week, our Permanent Secretary held a virtual “Meet and Greet” with apprentices,

celebrating the great work that they do for the Department. We also celebrate the

work of our apprentices and promote further use of apprenticeships through an

annual Apprenticeship Awards ceremony.

Digital Markets Taskforce

Chi Onwurah: [72903]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the

membership of the Digital Markets Taskforce is; how often the taskforce meets; and

whether the minutes of those meetings are published.

Paul Scully:

The Digital Markets Taskforce (the taskforce) was set up alongside the Budget in

2020. It will provide advice to the Government on the potential design and

implementation of pro-competitive measures for digital platform markets.

The taskforce is a team based in the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and is

led by a senior CMA official. It is independent of the Government and is made up of

officials from:



• the CMA

• the Office of Communications (Ofcom)

• the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

The work of the taskforce is ongoing and therefore there are no substantive meetings

from which minutes should be published. The taskforce will provide written advice to

the Government before the end of the year.

Economic Situation: Coronavirus

Tracy Brabin: [74705]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his

Department conducts equality impact assessments when making decisions on reopening

sections of the economy as covid-19 restrictions are eased.

Paul Scully:

Our work continues to be led by the science, so we do not put lives at risk.

The Department has considered how decisions on reopening sections of the

economy may affect people who are protected under the Equality Act, in fulfilment of

its duty under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Our guidance emphasises that employers have a duty under UK law to protect the

health and safety of their employees and other people who might be affected by their

business. This includes considering the risks that COVID-19 represents. Nothing in

this guidance affects employers’ existing responsibilities under employment and

equalities legislation.

Energy: Meters

Olivia Blake: [73999]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what

assessment he has made of the effect of Ofgem’s consultation entitled, Review of smart

metering costs in the default tariff cap: May 2020 statutory consultation on the number of

smart meters energy suppliers that can be installed; and how many Engineers would be

required to undertake that work.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

It is Ofgem’s legal duty to determine the methodology for calculating the price cap. In

setting the cap, Ofgem’s duty is, among other things, to have regard to the need to

ensure that suppliers who operate efficiently are able to finance activities authorised

by their supply licence, such as smart meter installations.


To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he

is taking to ensure that energy suppliers have adequate funding to support his

Department’s ambition to install a smart meter in every (a) home and (b) small business.






assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of any reduction by Ofgem

in the smart metering programme allowances under the default tariff cap on the (a) pace

of the roll-out and (b) number of workers undertaking that work.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

Since 2013, energy suppliers have been required to take all reasonable steps to

install smart meters in homes and small businesses. How they plan for, manage and

fund the activity needed to meet this obligation is a matter for individual energy

suppliers.

It is Ofgem’s legal duty to determine the methodology for calculating the price cap. In

setting the cap Ofgem’s duty is, among other things, to have regard to the need to

ensure that suppliers who operate efficiently are able to finance activities authorised

by their supply licence, such as smart meter installations.

Flexible Working: Coronavirus

Stuart Anderson: [72263]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his

Department is taking to encourage businesses to allow flexible working during the covid-

19 outbreak.

Paul Scully:

Since Covid-19 measures were introduced many more people have been working

from home with many businesses rapidly adapting to remote working, using new

technology and finding new ways of working. The Government is keen to do more to

promote flexible working in all its forms.

All employees with 26 weeks’ continuous service with their employer have the right to

request Flexible Working. In our manifesto we said that, subject to consultation, we

would introduce measures to make flexible working the default.

Fuel Poverty: Kent

Rosie Duffield: [74708]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many

households in (a) Kent and Medway and (b) Canterbury district council area are affected

by fuel poverty.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The latest sub-national fuel poverty statistics for 2018 show a) 68,000 households in

Kent and Medway estimated as fuel poor, and b) 6,600 households in Canterbury.

These figures are derived from Fuel Poverty Sub-regional tables at

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/sub-regional-fuel-poverty-data-2020.




https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/sub-regional-fuel-poverty-data-2020

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/sub-regional-fuel-poverty-data-2020

Future Fund

Sarah Champion: [74606]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will

publish the criteria for allocating funding from the Future Fund.

Paul Scully:

The eligibility criteria for the allocating of the Future Fund loans, and indeed all

coronavirus loan schemes is freely available on the British Business Bank website:

https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavirus-business-

interruption-loan-schemes/future-fund/.

Hospitality Industry: Coronavirus

Julian Sturdy: [72892]


discussions his Department is having with the events and weddings sector on the effect

on that industry of covid-19 lockdown restrictions on gathering size.

Paul Scully:

Ministers and officials from this Department are currently discussing COVID-19

secure guidance, and the effect of the COVID-19 restrictions, with representatives

from the weddings industry.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport continues to engage with

business events stakeholders to monitor the ongoing impact on exhibitions and

events businesses.

Naz Shah: [74643]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he

has made to ensure that (a) banqueting halls and (b) wedding venues can reopen to

serve food and entertainment whilst adhering to covid-19 guidelines; and whether the

Government has made an assessment of the potential merits of allocating additional

funding from the public purse to businesses in those sectors where adherence to those

guidelines is not possible.

Paul Scully:

The Government has provided an unprecedented package of financial support to help

businesses across the country during the COVID-19 outbreak, including those in the

weddings industry.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister has announced that from 1 August celebratory

meals or receptions of up to 30 people for weddings and civil partnerships will be

allowed to take place. Over time, we will assess whether gatherings of this type for

other purposes can be made possible and when larger wedding receptions can take

place.


https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-schemes/future-fund/





We continue to advise against live entertainment performances at weddings, due to

the risks of people singing or shouting over loud music, which create risks of

transmission.

Housing: Insulation

Duncan Baker: [74753]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether (a)

wood fibre and (b) other sustainable insulation materials are permitted to be used for

home insulation purposes under the terms of the Government's Green Deal scheme.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

Under the Green Deal Framework (Disclosure, Acknowledgment, Redress etc.)

Regulations 2012, installers are required to comply with the Green Deal Code of

Practice. This does not proscribe any materials but requires that products and

systems installed must comply with all legislation relevant to the testing, performance,

certification and quality of the product or system. Installers must be certified by a

UKAS-accredited Certification Body as meeting the Publicly Available Specification

(PAS) 2030 for the measures they install.

Labelling

Dr Julian Lewis: [74415]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he

is taking with Cabinet colleagues to bring forward (a) regulations and (b) legislative

proposals to ensure that products offered for sale (i) online and (ii) in other markets are

adequately labelled with their principal country of origin to enable shoppers to (A) buy

British and (B) avoid purchasing from countries of which they disapprove.

Paul Scully:

Aside from certain specified products (e.g. food), there is no requirement for goods to

be labelled with their country of origin. We have no plans to introduce such a

requirement. The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 bans

traders from using misleading statements about the geographical or commercial

origin of products.

Manufacturing Industries: Government Assistance

Lucy Powell: [73840]


discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on launching the Brunel

challenge to support UK manufacturers in the (a) aerospace sector and (b) other high

value manufacturing sectors.

Nadhim Zahawi:

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave my Hon. Friend the Member for Filton

and Bradley Stoke on 13 July 2020 to Question 71029.




The Government recognises the value of British engineering capability and

innovation. That is why we have already invested nearly £2 billion in the Aerospace

Technology Institute Programme, providing advice on market opportunities and

technology. We have also committed with industry around £1 billion through the

Advanced Propulsion Centre, to research, develop, and commercialise the next

generation of low carbon technologies to keep the UK at the cutting edge of low

carbon automotive innovations. We are also supporting the innovation of digital

design through the £147 million Manufacturing Made Smarter Challenge.

At the last Budget, we set out plans for public investment in research and

development to reach £22 billion each year by 2024/25, which is a record increase in

spending.

As part of the upcoming Spending Review we will consider proposals for this

investment, of which the Brunel Challenge and slingshot is one of many.

Nottingham University: Coronavirus



assessment he has made of the length of time it has taken Nottingham University's

Scancell COVID-19 Vaccine group to receive Government funding in comparison to

similar groups in (a) Oxford and (b) Imperial universities.

Amanda Solloway:

No such assessment has been made on the length of time taken. The government

understands the urgency of the response to COVID-19 and set up a rapid response

R&D fund, to accelerate research proposals into the disease. All applications to the

UKRI-DHSC rapid response call are assessed on their own merits and awards made

so far can be found at:

https://mrc.ukri.org/funding/browse/ukri-nihr-covid-19/ukri-nihr-covid-19-rolling-

call/?_ga=2.186583657.1164498350.1594986614-294529872.1594986614.

The funding calls and processes for Scancell, Oxford and Imperial have different

requirements and are of different scales, therefore the timings required to make a

proper and fair assessment should not be compared.

Nuclear Fusion: Research

Charlotte Nichols: [73124]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support

his Department is providing to research on the use of dense plasma focus technology for

nuclear fusion; and if he will make a statement.

Amanda Solloway:

UK Research and Innovation supports research into fusion across the UK through its

grants, with over £2.5 million going into dense plasma focus related research in the


https://mrc.ukri.org/funding/browse/ukri-nihr-covid-19/ukri-nihr-covid-19-rolling-call/?_ga=2.186583657.1164498350.1594986614-294529872.1594986614




period 2017-21. The Government is interested in and is supporting research into all

approaches to fusion.

The Government champions and supports the role of the private sector in developing

innovative technologies for clean energy generation, including fusion energy. We

have recently announced £184 million for development of fusion related technology

facilities, managed by the UK Atomic Energy Authority. We encourage private sector

companies working in fusion and related fields to explore potential opportunities for

collaboration with the UK Atomic Energy Authority and how they can benefit from

these national assets.

Package Holidays

Christine Jardine: [73944]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he is

taking steps to ensure that online travel operators will meet ABTA's 31 July 2020 deadline

to issue cash refunds to customers for cancelled holidays; and what steps he plans to

take to ensure compliance with the package holiday travel regulations by operators that

do not issue cash refunds.

Paul Scully:

Consumers are entitled to a full refund if a package holiday is cancelled due to

unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, which should be issued within 14

days. The Government is clear that these refunds must be paid when asked for by

the consumer.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued guidance to explain to

consumers and business the circumstances when refunds are due as a consequence

of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 outbreak. The CMA has a programme of

work to ensure refunds arising from the Covid-19 outbreak are paid. If the CMA finds

evidence that companies are failing to comply with the law, the CMA will take

appropriate enforcement action, which could include taking a firm to court if it does

not address its concerns. The CMA has also set up a Covid-19 taskforce for

consumers to register complaints, available through: https://www.coronavirus-

business-complaint.service.gov.uk/.

Parental Leave and Parental Pay: Coronavirus

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: [72851]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take

steps to introduce neonatal (a) leave and (b) pay for families affected by covid-19.

Paul Scully:

We recognise that parents of sick and premature babies are in an extremely difficult

and distressing position and that Covid-19 has made it difficult for some parents to

spend time with their children. The social distancing measures that we put in place

have, however, been necessary to save lives – including those of new parents and

their babies – and protect the NHS.


https://www.coronavirus-business-complaint.service.gov.uk/




As announced in the Queen’s Speech, we intend to bring forward an Employment Bill

which will include measures to allow parents of children who have spent time in

neonatal care to take additional paid leave (subject to qualifying criteria). We intend

to legislate as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Personal Care Services: Coronavirus

Dan Jarvis: [73836]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans his

Department has to review the date for resuming facial treatments in beauty salons as the

covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Paul Scully:

In my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s announcement on 17 July, close contact

services including treatments to the face are allowed to resume as of 1 August, as

long as they operate in a COVID-secure way.


To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when covid-

19 restrictions will be lifted to allow beauty salons to carry out facial procedures.

Paul Scully:

In my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s announcement on 17 July, close contact

services including treatments to the face are allowed to resume as of 1 August, as

long as they operate in a COVID-secure way.

Personal Care Services: Government Assistance


To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he

has to provide support to the aesthetic industry.

Paul Scully:

Our approach to allowing businesses to resume activity is guided by the scientific and

medical advice, and every step is weighed against the evidence, remembering that

the more we open-up the more vigilant we will need to be. Making any changes

depends on us continuing to meet the five tests, and the fifth test is informed by the

Chief Scientific Adviser and Chief Medical Officer’s opinion.

Where a business such as those in the aesthetic industries provides a mix of

services, only those services that do not involve work in the highest risk zone –

around the face – should be made available to clients. There is a much higher risk of

transmission of the virus face-to-face and in very close proximity, such as facial

treatments and make up services.

The Government has introduced an unprecedented package of support for

businesses which are facing difficulty as a result of the pandemic, including loan

schemes, grant funding and wage packages. Businesses from most sectors including




the aesthetic industry are able to access this support, provided they meet the

eligibility criteria for the schemes for which they are applying.

Small Businesses: EU Grants and Loans

Kevin Hollinrake: [74670]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he

plans to bring forward changes to the Undertaking in Difficulty rules.

Paul Scully:

Although the UK has left the EU, under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement the

EU State aid rules continue to apply in the UK until the end of the Transition Period.

The rules are an exclusive competence of the European Commission and it is not

within the power of the United Kingdom or any EU Member State to unilaterally vary

or suspend them.

The Government has announced that following the end of the Transition Period, a

new domestic subsidy control regime will replace the EU State aid rules. The

treatment of firms in difficulty will be considered as part of the work to develop the

new regime, which will also take into account, amongst other factors, the

arrangements agreed under the Northern Ireland Protocol. Announcements on the

new regime will be made in due course.

Social Rented Housing: Canterbury

Rosie Duffield: [74710]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many

social housing properties in Canterbury district council area have an EPC energy

efficiency rating of (a) F and (b) G.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

Estimates for the total number of homes by tenure and EPC energy efficiency rating

for England are made using the English Housing Survey. Due to small sample sizes,

these estimates cannot be made for local authorities.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-housing-survey-2018-energy-report

Social Rented Housing: Energy


To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference

to paragraph 2.54 of the July 2020 Plan for Jobs CP 261, what estimate he has made of

the number of homes that will benefit from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The Summer Economic Update announced £50m to demonstrate innovative

approaches to retrofitting social housing at scale, accelerating the delivery of the

Social Housing Decarbonisation. This will mean warmer and more energy efficient

homes and could reduce annual energy bills by hundreds of pounds for some of the




poorest households, as well as lowering carbon emissions. The Programme will be

UK wide and will upgrade thousands of poor energy performing social homes, with

high levels of energy efficiency (e.g. floor / wall insulation) and low carbon heating

(where appropriate).

Tide: Bounce Back Loan Scheme

Margaret Ferrier: [74631]


discussions he has had with Tide on its decision to suspend lending under the Bounce

Back Loan scheme.

Paul Scully:

The British Business Bank is in regular discussions with Tide and all parties are

working to resolve the current situation.

Vaccination: Research


To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to

the Answer of 22 June 2020 to Question 59764 on Vaccination: Research, what progress

the Vaccine Taskforce has made in accelerating vaccine development outside of Oxford

and London.

Amanda Solloway:

The Government is taking a portfolio-based approach that monitors the landscape of

coronavirus vaccine development, both here in the UK and internationally. Our

approach is to develop vaccine candidates across the main potential technologies,

including adenoviral vaccines, mRNA and nucleic acid vaccines, adjuvanted protein

vaccines and other approaches, including whole inactivated viral vaccines. We

cannot comment on negotiations with industry at present because of commercial

confidentiality, but will be announcing developments in due course.

CABINET OFFICE

Agriculture: North Wales

Simon Baynes: [71178]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to ensure

business readiness in the agricultural sector in northern Wales at the end of the transition

period.

Penny Mordaunt:

The Government is working to support agricultural businesses right across the

country in getting ready for the end of the UK transition period. Further details of our

actions and the steps which businesses in northern Wales and across the UK need to

take can be found on gov.uk/transition.




Animal Housing: Cats and Dogs

Sir Mike Penning: [72182]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to include kennels and

catteries in the Standard Industrial Classification codes within the Accommodation and

Food Service Activities sector.

Chloe Smith:

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have

therefore asked the Authority to respond.

Attachments:

1. UKSA response [PQ72182 (1).pdf]

Cabinet Office: Cybercrime and Digital Technology


To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much funding his Department has

allocated to (a) digital skills and (b) cyber skills; and to whom that funding has been

allocated.

Penny Mordaunt:

Government Digital Service (GDS) leads the Government’s Digital, Data and

Technology (DDaT) function. The GDS Academy provides training.

Regarding cyber skills, I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to PQs 53531

and 52225 on 09 June 2020. Details of funding are published in the Cabinet Office

annual reports.

Economic Situation: United Kingdom

Paul Girvan: [73050]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will meet the hon. Member for South

Antrim and investors to discuss (a) strengthening the Union and (b) working together to

ensure that the economy recovers in all four nations of the UK.

Chloe Smith:

As set out in our Manifesto, this Government is fully committed to strengthening the

bonds between our four great nations. This includes providing unprecedented

economic support, £160 billion to protect people’s jobs, incomes and businesses

across every part of the UK, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ministers are always willing to meet with fellow Members to discuss how we can work

in the most effective way possible, to realise fully all the associated benefits of being

a United Kingdom. Our officials will be in touch with your office to arrange details.



https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-06-02/53531/




UK Relations with EU: Clinical Trails and Drugs

Paul Blomfield: [69524]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK-

EU future relationship enables UK participation in EU-funded multinational (a) clinical

trials and (b) research collaborations on (i) covid-19 treatments and (ii) other medicines

after the end of the transition period.


To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK-

EU future relationship does not introduce delays to the movement of goods and people in

relation to the (a) supply of medicines and (b) maintenance of vital machinery and

equipment in the event of a future pandemic after the end of the transition period.


To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK

maintains access the EU’s RescEU stockpile of (a) ventilators (b) protective masks and

(c) other related equipment after the end of the transition period.

Penny Mordaunt:

The Government is committed to ensuring the UK remains a global leader in life

sciences and continues to collaborate with European and other countries on scientific

research. At the end of the UK transition period, clinical trials will continue to be

approved at a national level, working to international standards as they are now. The

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) along with partners

in the UK healthcare system, has taken steps to ensure that all trials, including

multinational trials, can continue. The UK is collaborating extensively with

international partners in the research effort against COVID-19 and we will continue to

do so after the end of the UK transition period.

The UK’s approach to the future relationship negotiations sets out our ambition to

reach an agreement that would facilitate trade in medicinal products. However, any

responsible Government has a duty to prepare for all scenarios and have robust

contingency plans in place. We continue to hold stockpiles to cope with a range of

scenarios.

We are doing everything we can to ensure our health and social care staff have the

equipment they need to tackle Covid-19 virus. Sourcing sufficient PPE is an

international challenge and we are working with many international partners,

including the EU. In terms of ventilators, as a result of the Ventilator Challenge the

NHS has significantly increased supply.

UK Trade with EU: Northern Ireland

Louise Haigh: [74667]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the document entitled, The

UK's Approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol, CP226, what estimate he has made of





the potential cost to the public purse of the reimbursement of tariffs for goods imported

into Northern Ireland that remain in the UK customs territory.

Penny Mordaunt:

Zero cost to the public purse.

Waheed Saleem

Gary Sambrook: [48637]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an assessment of the

suitability of Waheed Saleem for the post of deputy Police and Crime Commissioner; and

whether Waheed Saleem is a member of the Community and Voluntary Service Honours

Committee.

Chloe Smith:

The appointment of deputy Police and Crime Commissioners is a matter for

democratically elected Police and Crime Commissioners. All public office holders are

subject to the Nolan Principles of Public Office.

Details of the Honours Committee are available on GOV.UK.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Civil Proceedings

Jamie Stone: [73939]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) personal injury claims and (b)

claims under the Human Rights Act 1998 were brought against his Department in each of

the last five years; what proportion of those claims related to overseas operations; and

how many of those claims were brought (i) less than three years, (ii) between three or six

years or (iii) six or more years after the date of loss.

Johnny Mercer:

The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate

cost. To locate, retrieve and extract the information requested would involve wide-

ranging searches of a number of databases and liaison with the Government Legal

Department.

Ministry of Defence: Apprentices


To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to reach

the public sector apprenticeship target.

Johnny Mercer:

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is proud to be one of the largest deliverers of

apprenticeships in the UK, with over 20,000 personnel engaged on a nationally

recognised apprenticeship programme at any one time and over 90 per cent of our

non-commissioned military recruits offered an apprenticeship relating to their trade.




Public sector bodies with 250 or more staff have a target to employ an average of at

least 2.3 % of their staff as new apprentice starts over the period 1 April 2017 to 31

March 2021. The Armed Forces are exceeding this target with an average of 8.3% of

employees starting an apprenticeship in 2017-2019.

The MOD's Civil Service (CS) is contributing towards the CS public sector target. The

MOD CS has achieved a total of 2.1% of its total workforce as apprentices against

the legislative target for the public sector of 2.3% by March 2021, to date. This has

increased from 1.6% in 2019/20. We committed to enrolling 50,000 apprenticeships

between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2020 and we exceeded that target in November

2018, over a year ahead of schedule.

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Broadband: Costs


To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the

Government is taking to support people who have been told by BT OpenReach that the

costs for broadband for their properties under the Universal Service Obligation will be

£10,00 or more.

Matt Warman:

As the independent regulator, Ofcom is responsible for ensuring that both of the

designated Universal Service Providers, BT and KCOM, comply with the conditions

that the regulator has placed upon them. Ofcom expects that quotes should explain

the nature of the costs involved and include a clear explanation of the work required

to deliver the specific connection. Ofcom has previously estimated that the

combination of commercially available services and the USO will reach 99.8% of

premises in the UK.

If a customer believes that the cost of installing their broadband connection has been

calculated incorrectly they can refer their complaint to the Ombudsman Service, free

of charge.

The government is committed to delivering gigabit capable connectivity across the

UK as soon as possible. As part of the 2020 Budget, the government committed to

invest a further £5 billion to help support the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband in

the hardest to reach parts of the country, including to premises without a broadband

service that meets the broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) specification.

PCT Checked PS Checked Spad Checked Ministerial Approval The government is

working to have the new £5bn delivery programme up and running as soon as

possible, and intends to start procuring the first contracts next year. We will publish

more information in due course.

In the meantime, households with poor broadband connections in rural areas may be

able to benefit from the government’s existing Gigabit Voucher Scheme, which


provides vouchers worth £1,500 per home and up to £3,500 for each small to

medium-sized business (SME) to support the cost of installing faster and more

reliable gigabit connections. Communities can also combine vouchers to further

reduce the costs of installation.

Dance: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent

discussions he has had with representatives from dance industry organisations to enable

(a) competitive dancing and (b) commercial dance lessons to restart in (i) Blackpool and

(ii) the rest of the UK.

Caroline Dinenage:

The Secretary of State and DCMS are committed to supporting the cultural sector to

reopen as soon as it is safe to do so, and ensure appropriate support and guidance is

provided.

To that end, DCMS has established the Cultural Renewal Taskforce and the

Entertainment and Events working group which will be focusing on ensuring that

COVID-19 secure guidelines are developed in line with the phasing ambitions and

public health directions, building on the existing guidance and providing intelligence

and sector-specific expert input.

These groups specifically include representatives for the dance sector, such as One

Dance UK. Full details of the Taskforce can be found at

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/culture-secretary-announces-cultural-renewal-

taskforce, and the Entertainment and Events Working Group can be found at

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/cultural-renewal-taskforce-and-supporting-

working-groups#entertainment-and-events-members.

Furthermore, on 2 July, the Secretary of State met with Shirley Ballas to discuss the

specific challenges faced by those within the ballroom dance sector with respect to

safe reopening.

As the Prime Minister confirmed in his announcement on 23 June, providers who run

community activities, holiday clubs, after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school

provision for children – such as commercial dance lessons for children – can operate

over the summer holiday, with safety measures in place. Providers of these settings

have been able to open since 4 July, provided that they follow the protective

measures set out by government.

Protective measures guidance can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protective-measures-for-holiday-or-after-

school-clubs-and-other-out-of-school-settings-for-children-during-the-coronavirus-

covid-19-outbreak

Providers who offer indoor sports activities (including dance lessons) for children

should also refer to the guidance for Keeping workers / volunteers and customers


https://www.gov.uk/government/news/culture-secretary-announces-cultural-renewal-taskforce



https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/cultural-renewal-taskforce-and-supporting-working-groups#entertainment-and-events-members



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protective-measures-for-holiday-or-after-school-clubs-and-other-out-of-school-settings-for-children-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak




safe during COVID-19 for providers of grassroots sports and gym / leisure facilities.

As announced on the 9 July, indoor gyms, sports courts and fitness and dance

studios will be able to open from 25 July and cannot be used for holiday clubs and

activities for children until that point.

Dame Diana Johnson: [71698]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his

Department has made of the different roles and facilities of (a) dance studios and (b)

dance schools accredited by OFQAL in guidance issued on the covid-19 outbreak.

Caroline Dinenage:

Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and

children to be active. As announced on 9 July, from 11 July, outdoor swimming pools

will be able to open and from 25 July indoor gyms, dance studios, leisure centres

(including sports halls) and swimming pools in England should be able to reopen.

These facilities will be able to offer on-site services to customers, provided they are

COVID-secure and follow Government guidance.

The updated guidance can be found at the GOV.UK website and includes advice for

providers of pool, gym and leisure facilities on cleaning, social distancing, and

protection for staff to help venues get back up and running safely.

Data Protection

Ian Murray: [73791]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he plans to

publish the National Data Strategy for the UK in 2020.

Mr John Whittingdale:

This government is committed to delivering an ambitious, pro-growth National Data

Strategy. In the global recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, data will be more vital than

ever, underpinning our future resilience and future economy. We aim to publish the

strategy in 2020.

Huawei: Equipment

Stephen Kinnock: [73856]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is

taking to update the House on the purchase of Huawei equipment between July 2020 and

the implementation of the ban on buying new Huawei equipment in January 2021.

Matt Warman:

The Secretary of State set out in his statement to the House on ‘UK

Telecommunications’ on 14 July that the Government will bring forward the Telecoms

Security Bill in the Autumn. During the passage of the Bill, the Government will

update Parliament on progress made with respect to telecoms security and high risk

vendors.




The Secretary of State also confirmed that he would report regularly to Parliament to

update Members on the progress of the measures outlined in his statement. This

includes monthly appearances in the House for DCMS questions.

ICT: Huawei


To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether the

Government has made an assessment of the potential risks to national security of use of

Huawei’s (a) smart phone, (b) tablet and (c) other consumer devices operations in the

UK.

Matt Warman:

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) conducts world-leading security analysis

into the risks and threats faced by the UK telecoms sector, including consumer

devices.

In light of US sanctions against Huawei, the NCSC published explanatory guidance

regarding their advice to the government on the ongoing security of Huawei’s

telecoms equipment: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/huawei-advice-what-you-

need-to-know.

This included information for Huawei customers detailing the potential impacts on

customers in the UK.

The NCSC’s security analysis is subject to constant review as the risks and threats

change.

Internet: Education


To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he

has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Education and (b) representatives from

telecommunication companies on whitelisting educational websites for children from

lower income households.



has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Education and (b) telecommunication

companies on improving digital access to online education resources, such as the Oak

Academy, for children from low income households.



has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Education and (b) telecommunication

companies on reducing the cost of mobile data for families and children accessing online

education resources, such as the Oak Academy.


https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/huawei-advice-what-you-need-to-know






Matt Warman:

It is essential that all children, regardless of their family circumstances, have the

opportunity to continue to access high quality education throughout the COVID19

pandemic. Let me reassure you that the Government recognises the importance of

both ensuring broadband connectivity and supporting children’s access to online

learning during this time. My Department is working closely with the Department for

Education to ensure vulnerable children have access to online educational resources.

Furthermore my Department has previously agreed measures with telecoms

providers to support vulnerable consumers more generally. These measures will also

indirectly benefit children’s education. For example, as part of the voluntary

commitments, the major telecoms providers committed to remove all data allowance

caps on all current fixed broadband services.

The Department for Education has worked with major telecoms companies to zero

rate (otherwise known as whitelisting) the Hungry Little Minds and EdenRed school

meal voucher website. Zero-rating is a helpful way to provide families with support to

access critical resources where the majority of content is held on one website. Most

educational resources including Oak Academy, however, use content that is hosted

elsewhere (such as on Youtube or Vimeo) meaning that they will still incur data

charges.

The Department for Education is therefore working with the major

telecommunications companies to improve internet connectivity for disadvantaged

and vulnerable families more widely than selected websites. For families who rely on

a mobile internet connection, mobile network operators are working to provide access

to free additional data offering them more flexibility to access the resources that they

need the most. The Department for Education has also delivered or dispatched over

200,000 laptops and tablets and over 47,000 4G wireless routers to local authorities

and academy trusts who are best placed to prioritise children and young people who

need devices.

The Department for Education has also launched a service to provide children and

young people free access to BT wifi hotspots. 10,000 families will initially be able to

access the scheme. This offer is currently being piloted and will be rolled out across

England in the coming months. The Department for Education is currently working

with BT to expand this offer to allow more children to access the internet through their

network of BT wifi hotspots.

Internet: Pornography

Fiona Bruce: [74496]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment the

Government has made of the effect on child safety in respect of exposure to

pornographic websites of its decision to delay the introduction of statutory age verification

for such websites by bringing forward further legislation rather than implementing Part 3

of the Digital Economy Act 2017.




Government made of the (a) potential number of additional viewing incidences by

children in of online pornography and (b) effect on child wellbeing of such viewing in its

decision to delay the requirement for statutory age verification checks by bringing forward

new legislative proposals rather than implementing Part 3 of the Digital Economy Act

2017.



Government make of the child safety implications of delaying the provision of statutory

age verification by bringing forward new legislative proposals rather than implementing

Part 3 of the Digital Economy Act 2017.


To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his

Department has made of the length of time it will take to introduce age verification for

pornographic websites through an alternative option instead of implementing Part 3 of the

Digital Economy Act 2017.



had with children's charities ahead of the decision to delay the introduction of statutory

age verification for pornographic websites by bringing forward new legislative proposals

rather than implementing Part 3 of the Digital Economy Act 2017.

Caroline Dinenage:

The government is committed to ensuring children are protected from accessing

inappropriate content online. As we announced on 16 October last year, the

government has decided that the policy objective of protecting children online from

age inappropriate content can be best delivered through our wider online harms

proposals. Our Online Harms proposals will deliver a higher level of protection for

children and we expect companies to use a proportionate range of tools, including

age assurance and age verification technologies, to prevent children accessing age-

inappropriate content such as online pornography. This approach will achieve a more

consistent and comprehensive approach to harmful content across different sites and

go further than the Digital Economy Act’s focus on online pornography on commercial

adult sites.

We will publish a Full Government Response to the Online Harms White Paper

consultation later this year. We will follow the full Government Response with

legislation, which we are working on at pace, and will be introduced when

parliamentary time allows.

The British Board of Film Classification, while designated as the age verification

regulator under the Digital Economy Act, commissioned research on children’s

access to pornographic content online. The research, published in early 2020,





explored young people’s interactions with, and attitudes towards, online pornography

and age verification. We will continue to develop our evidence base on online harms

ahead of the implementation of the new online harms regulatory framework.

As a result of Covid-19 lockdown measures we expect more people, including

children, to be spending more time online. Although it is too early to confidently

analyse patterns from this period, there is universal concern about child online safety.

We are working closely with technology companies, law enforcement and civil society

to monitor trends, and to support users to understand and manage the risks and

benefits of being online during this period.

Ministers and officials have regular meetings and discussions with a wide range of

stakeholders, including children’s charities, on a variety of issues. We engaged with a

number of children’s charities on our proposals to protect children through the new

online harms regulatory framework, as part of our wider public consultation on the

Online Harms White Paper last year. Details of Ministerial meetings are published

quarterly on the Gov.uk website.

Leisure and Tourism: Bus Services

Grahame Morris: [71730]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will have

discussions with the (a) Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) Secretary of State for

Transport on the importance of coach operators in supporting the UK leisure and tourism

sector.

Nigel Huddleston:

Coach tour operators play a vital role in the UK tourism sector, connecting

holidaymakers with our country’s vibrant seaside resorts and areas of natural beauty.

We recognise that these remain extremely difficult conditions for tourism businesses,

and we are alert to the specific pressures that coach tour operators face.

My officials and I regularly speak with the Association of British Travel Agents

through the Visitor Economy Working Group, as well as the Coach Tourism

Association through the Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group.

I will continue to engage with my colleagues in the Treasury and the Department for

Transport on the importance of all aspects of the tourism sector, including coach

operators.

Music: Coronavirus

Alberto Costa: [66903]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what support his

Department will provide to independent music venues during the covid-19 outbreak.

Caroline Dinenage:

On Sunday 5 July 2020, the Secretary of State announced a major £1.57 billion

support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus

https://www.gov.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/



pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range

of cultural and creative sectors.

We continue to speak with HM Treasury colleagues to ensure that the full spectrum

of government support reaches the UK's world-leading music industry. Our recovery

work for this sector is being delivered via the ministerially-chaired Events and

Entertainment Working Group, which was established to support the Secretary of

State’s Cultural Renewal Taskforce. The Music Venue Trust is an active and valued

member of the Working Group, the focus of which is to produce sector-led guidance

for the safe reopening of a range of creative industries sectors, including live music

venues.

Outdoor Recreation: Coronavirus

Tim Loughton: [74416]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions

officials in his Department have had with organisers of commercial metal-detecting rallies

in relation to (a) public safety and (b) protection of archaeology as the covid-19 lockdown

restrictions are eased.


To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance his

Department has issued to organisers of commercial metal-detecting rallies in relation to

the protection of in-situ archaeology as social distancing rules are relaxed as the covid-19

lockdown restrictions are eased.


To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what in-situ (a) hoards

and (b) other archaeological finds found on metal-detecting rallies and club events have

been excavated without archaeological support in 2020; what assessment his

Department has made of the level of loss to knowledge of those excavations.


To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what requirements are

placed on organisers of commercial rallies to (a) report Treasure, (b) follow best practice,

(c) ensure that in-situ archaeology is protected and (d) ensure that archaeological finds

made on their events are lawfully exported.

Caroline Dinenage:

Guidance for both individual metal detectorists and organisers of events operating

during the covid-19 lockdown was published on the gov.uk page Guidance on

searching for archaeological finds in England during COVID-19 on 9 July 2020. The

guidance points organisers to directions on operating inside and outside events and

also advises organisers and finders what to do if they discover a new archaeological

site. The page also directs finders and organisers to the National Council for Metal

Detecting guidance on best practice when detecting.





Rallies and club events are legally permitted and take place on private property with

the landowner’s consent, The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport does

not currently monitor or record activities at these events.

Responsibility for reporting possible treasure finds and arranging for an export licence

lies with the finder and owner of the cultural object. Guidance on reporting treasure

and applying for an export licence during the present situation is included on the

gov.uk pages Guidance on searching for archaeological finds in England during

COVID-19 and Export art, antiques and cultural goods: special rules. Anyone not

reporting a potential treasure find or not obtaining an export licence where necessary

can be subject to legal sanctions.

Telecommunications: Russia


To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment has

he made of the level of threat posed by Russia to the integrity and security of the UK's

communications networks.

Matt Warman:

The government’s approach to securing the UK’s telecommunications networks is

underpinned by world-leading security analysis from the National Cyber Security

Centre (NCSC). This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the risks

and threats faced by the UK telecoms sector, and is informed by, inter alia, details of

previous attacks on the UK telecoms networks, and the NCSC’s knowledge of global

attacks on telecoms systems, regardless of the attacker. The NCSC’s security

analysis is subject to constant review as the risks and threats change, and their

advice to the government is updated accordingly.

The Telecoms Security Bill will ensure we have the powers we need to drive up

security standards and control the presence of High Risk Vendors. The new security

framework will be one of the strongest regimes for telecoms security in the world,

which will look to address the vulnerabilities exploited by cyber attackers, including

those from Russia.

EDUCATION

After School Clubs: Coronavirus

Tulip Siddiq: [73922]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak,

whether out-of-school clubs not based on school premises will be permitted to (a) operate

and (b) look after children from different schools from September 2020.

Nick Gibb:

As of 4 July, those offering out-of-school activities to children, including those not

based on school premises, have been able to open for both indoor and outdoor

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-on-searching-for-archaeological-finds-in-england-during-covid-19



https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-art-antiques-and-cultural-goods-special-rules

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-art-antiques-and-cultural-goods-special-rules



provision with safety measures in place. The Department has published guidance for

providers of these activities on the measures they should put in place to ensure they

are operating as safely as possible, which can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-

protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-

implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings.

Out-of-school provision will continue to be permitted to operate during the autumn,

and we will provide further guidance on the protective measures they should put in

place in the autumn as soon as possible.

Department for Education: Energy

Sir Edward Davey: [59350]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much energy his departmental buildings

have used in (a) each of the last five years and (b) 2020 to date.

Nick Gibb:

The information on energy used by the Department for Education for the years 2015-

16 to 2018-19 is available in the attached table. Information for 2019-20 is not

available.

Attachments:

1. 59350_PDF [59350_table.pdf]

Disability and Special Educational Needs: Young People

Munira Wilson: [73973]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Children’s Services

Development Group’s report entitled Destination Unknown: Improving transitions for care

leavers and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, published

February 2020, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the

recommendations of that report on supporting vulnerable young people to successfully

move into adulthood.


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the

adequacy of the support available to young people with special educational needs and

disabilities to ensure they make a successful transition into adulthood; and whether he

will include an assessment of that support in his Department's review of support for

children with special educational needs.

Vicky Ford:

It is a priority for the department to improve the outcomes of care leavers and young

people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The SEND Code of

Practice explicitly states that all children and young people with SEND should be

prepared for adulthood and that this preparation should start early. For those with an

education, health and care plan, there must be a focus from year 9 onwards on this




preparation as part of their plan’s annual review. Planning for the transition to

adulthood should result in clear outcomes being agreed that are ambitious and

stretching.

The SEND Review is considering how the support system operates to prepare

children and young people for adulthood, including employment.

Since launching the cross-government Care Leaver Strategy, we have implemented

a wide range of measures to improve care leavers’ outcomes, including ones which

address the concerns highlighted by the Children’s Services Development Group’s

report.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has established a

ministerial board, co-chaired by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of

Lancaster. The board met for the first time on 13 July and brought together ministers

from across the government to consider what more their departments can do to

support care leavers. The next meeting of the board will be in the early autumn.

Disabled Students' Allowances: Wirral

Ms Angela Eagle: [73718]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many students are in receipt of assistive

(a) hardware and (b) software technology through the Disabled Students' Allowance in (i)

Wirral and (ii) Wallasey.

Michelle Donelan:

The Student Loans Company does not distinguish between hardware and software

within Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA). These would both be grouped under the

DSA equipment allowance. Therefore, it is not possible to separately identify the

number of students who are in receipt of assistive hardware and assistive software

technology through the DSA.

The number of students who were in receipt of assistive technology through the DSA

equipment allowance in the 2018-19 academic year are:

i. 92 students whose home address is registered as Wirral; and

ii. 35 students whose home address is registered as Wallasey.

Figures are not yet available for the 2019-20 academic year.

Erasmus+ Programme

Emma Hardy: [73947]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answers of 12 June 2020 to

Questions 56134 and 56135 on Erasmus+ programme, what progress her Department

has made on the development of a domestic alternative to Erasmus+.

Emma Hardy: [73948]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answers of 12 June 2020 to

Questions 56134 and 56135 on the Erasmus+ Programme, what steps he has taken to




consult on the development of a domestic alternative to Erasmus+ scheme; and with

whom he has held those consultations with.

Vicky Ford:

In the event that the UK does not participate in the next Erasmus+ programme (2021-

27), departmental officials have been preparing a UK-wide domestic alternative

scheme should we need to have a contingency measure. As this scheme is still being

developed and negotiations with the EU on UK participation in the Erasmus+

programme are ongoing, it is too early to set out the exact details of the scheme.

However, I have discussed the development of the domestic alternative with my

ministerial counterparts in the devolved administrations and hosted a roundtable in

March with a range of higher education and further education stakeholders including

representative and mission groups and Vice-Chancellors.

Departmental officials have also been engaging with officials in the devolved

administrations as well as sector bodies and institutions through a series of

roundtables and interviews so far, speaking to representatives from across the

education sector in all 4 nations to understand their views and ensure that this

scheme can deliver a world-leading exchange programme.

Free School Meals: Voucher Schemes


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of

the amount of profit made by Edenred through its delivery of the free school meals

voucher scheme since the start of that scheme.

Vicky Ford:

The department made an award of a contract to Edenred pursuant to Regulation

32(2)(c) Public Contracts Regulations 2015 to provide extremely urgent deliverables

as part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The contract was let as a direct

award using the terms of an existing Crown Commercial Service framework. The

department do not comment on the commercial arrangements of third parties but can

confirm that we are only paying for the face value of goods delivered, which in this

case is vouchers.

GCE A-Level: Ethnic Groups

Helen Hayes: [74685]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made

of the difference between (a) predicted and (b) achieved A-level grades by ethnicity in

each year since 2015.



of the adequacy of published data collection on achieved grades against predicted

grades for (a) GCSEs and (b) A-Levels by demographic group; and what steps his




Department is taking to improve such data collection increase transparency to combat

unconscious bias.


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions his Department has had

with UCAS on the publication of historic data tables of achieved grades against predicted

grades by demographic group.


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions his Department has

had with UCAS on the (a) role of unconscious bias in predicted A-Level grades and (b)

potential effect of unconscious bias in those grades on trends in admissions statistics in

relation to (i) socio-economic background, (ii) race, (iii) gender and (iv) disability.

Michelle Donelan:

The data that has been collected by UCAS on the relationship between predicted and

achieved grades relates only to those who apply to higher education using UCAS.

There is no published data on predictions for GCSEs.

UCAS published a report on the factors that are associated with the differences in

predicted and achieved A level attainment in 2016 examining the predictions and

results for 600,000 English 18 year old applicants between 2010 and 2015 with three

or more A levels.

The report is available here: www.ucas.com/file/71796/download?token=D4uuSzur.

Black applicants were proportionally 19% more likely to be overpredicted compared

with White applicants. Disadvantaged applicants (measured using POLAR) were 5%

more likely to be overpredicted compared with the most advantaged applicants.

We have not had discussions with UCAS about historic data tables of achieved

grades against predicted grades by demographic group. UCAS have published data

on the differences in predicted and achieved A level points for 18 year old UK

applicants with at least three predicted A level grades. The data is available from

2010 and by gender, domicile, disadvantage and ethnicity.

In the 2019 application cycle, of UK 18 year old applicants with at least three

predicted A levels who were accepted onto a place, 79% of predicted grades were

overpredicted and 8% underpredicted.

The data is available here: www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-

statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-sector-level-end-cycle-data-resources-

2019

We have had no recent discussions with UCAS about the potential role of

unconscious bias in predicted A level grades, as this would not be a matter they

could control. We have had extensive discussions with Ofqual about this matter and

Ofqual publications set out how it has been taken into account in the development of

the calculated grades being awarded this summer.



http://www.ucas.com/file/71796/download?token=D4uuSzur

http://www.ucas.com/file/71796/download?token=D4uuSzur

http://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-sector-level-end-cycle-data-resources-2019




GCSE

Stephen Morgan: [74718]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has he made of the effect

on the mental well-being of home-schooled children of those children being unable to

receive predicted grades for GCSE’s.

Vicky Ford:

We appreciate that many private candidates will be concerned about their GCSE

results. We know that the COVID-19 outbreak is likely to affect the mental health and

wellbeing of children and young people, including in the longer term.

We have been working with health partners such as Public Health England and

Health Education England to provide resources and guidance to support and promote

the mental health of children and young people during the COVID-19 outbreak. We

have signposted resources on supporting and promoting mental wellbeing in the list

of resources to help children who are learning at home. The government has also

provided additional funding to mental health charities to adapt, expand and reach out

to those children who are most vulnerable. The list of resources is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-

resources#mental-wellbeing.

The Ofqual guidance for teachers, students, parents and carers explains the options

available for private candidates to be awarded grades this year. Ofqual has asked

organisations that represent further education providers to consider steps that they

could take when making admissions decisions this summer for any private

candidates who do not receive a grade. We understand that institutions will consider

a range of other evidence and information for these students to allow them to

progress wherever possible. The Ofqual guidance is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/awarding-qualifications-in-summer-2020.

There will be an opportunity for students to sit exams in the autumn term, if they feel

their calculated grade does not reflect their ability.

Higher Education: Coronavirus

Dave Doogan: [74728]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to

support the higher education sector in England during the covid-19 outbreak; and what

consequential effect that support has on the Scottish higher education sector.

Michelle Donelan:

On 4 May 2020, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education,

announced a package of measures to protect students and higher education

providers in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This package was designed to

stabilise university finances, including tuition fee income resulting from admissions,

and to support our world-class higher education system to continue to deliver for all

students and the wider economy. Details of the package can be found at:


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-online-education-resources#mental-wellbeing



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/awarding-qualifications-in-summer-2020

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/awarding-qualifications-in-summer-2020


https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-support-package-for-universities-

and-students.

Furthermore, building on the stabilisation package and access to business support

schemes, the government has also announced a further package of support to

research within universities, including universities across Scotland. This includes

£280 million of government funding as well as a package of low-interest loans with

long pay-back periods, supplemented by a small amount of government grants. In

sharing responsibility for the future of science and research with our world-leading

university system, the government will cover up to 80% of a university’s income

losses from international students for the academic year 2020/21, up to the value of

their non-publicly funded research activity.

On 16 July, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced the

higher education restructuring regime, of which details can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-restructuring-regime.

This will be deployed as a last resort, if a decision has been made to support a

provider in England facing severe financial difficulties related to the COVID-19

outbreak, when other steps to preserve a provider’s viability and mitigate the risks of

provider failure have not proved sufficient.

The UK government has invited ministers in the the Scottish government, the Welsh

government and the Northern Ireland Executive to opt into the regime on behalf of

higher education providers in their respective territories. Throughout the development

of the higher education stabilisation package, we have shared our approach and

thinking with the devolved administrations through regular engagement at a

ministerial and official level.

There are several elements to the higher education stabilisation package which are

applicable in Scotland, including temporary student number controls which apply to

English-domiciled students studying at higher education providers in all devolved

administrations; Clearing Plus, which applies to all UK higher education providers

using UCAS; the International Education Strategy, including communications to

prospective international students; and the Ministerial Taskforce on university

research sustainability, which includes representation from the Scottish government.

This is in addition to the UK-wide government support schemes such as the

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CIBLS) and the Coronavirus Job

Retention Scheme (CJRS).

Education in the United Kingdom is a devolved matter, so England, Wales, Scotland,

and Northern Ireland each have their own education system. The UK government is

responsible for England, whilst the Scottish government, the Welsh government and

the Northern Ireland Executive are responsible for Scotland, Wales and Northern

Ireland, respectively.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-restructuring-regime


Members: Correspondence

Mr John Baron: [72169]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to respond to the

correspondence of 2 April, 1 May, 28 May and 25 June 2020 from the hon. Member for

Basildon and Billericay on Sunnymede Pre-school.

Nick Gibb:

A response has been sent to the letters dated 2 April, 1 May, 28 May and 25 June

2020, from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay. A response was sent via

email to the hon. Member on 16 July 2020.

Parents: Advisory Services

Layla Moran: [74720]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department taken to ensure

greater accessibility to support and guidance for parents with children under five years

old.

Vicky Ford:

It is vitally important that we do all we can to help parents to support their children’s

learning at home during the COVID-19 outbreak.

We know that the Home Learning Environment is crucial for child development. There

are a wealth of resources available for parents which can be accessed through the

government’s Hungry Little Minds website which can be found at:

https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/.

We are working with our partners to ensure that we give parents the best support we

can to help their children’s learning at home. We have also published guidance for

parents about how to support their child’s development at home during the COVID-19

outbreak which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-children-aged-2-

to-4-to-learn-at-home-during-coronavirus-covid-19.

Guidance for parents and carers on the opening of early years settings is available

here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-

know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-

covid-19-outbreak.

Schools: Coronavirus

Fleur Anderson: [73983]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2020 to

Question 70510 on Schools: Coronavirus, if he will make emergency funding available to

schools that have been affected financially by the covid-19 outbreak.



https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/

https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-children-aged-2-to-4-to-learn-at-home-during-coronavirus-covid-19



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak





Nick Gibb:

We are providing additional funding to schools, on top of existing budgets, to cover

unavoidable costs incurred between March and July due to the COVID-19 outbreak

that cannot be met from their existing resources.

Schools are eligible to claim for: increased premises related costs associated with

keeping schools open over the Easter and summer half term holidays; support for

free school meals for eligible children who are not in school, where schools are not

using the national voucher scheme; and additional cleaning costs required due to

confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases, over and above the cost of existing

cleaning arrangements. Schools are able to claim online until 21 July, and a second

claims window will run in the autumn.

Where schools have members of staff delivering services funded from self-generated

income, we have advised that they should first look to redeploy these staff or use

existing budgets to absorb the cost. After having looked at all other options, schools

have been able to consider using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Schools will continue to receive their budgets for the coming year, as usual,

regardless of any periods of partial or complete closure. That will ensure that they are

able to continue to pay their staff, and meet their other regular financial commitments.

Schools: Discrimination

Abena Oppong-Asare: [74777]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will issue guidance to schools (a)

recommending that the six thinking hats technique is not used in schools and (b) noting

the potential effect of identifying a black hat on unconscious negative bias relating to the

use of the word black.

Nick Gibb:

All state-funded schools in England have a duty to teach a broad and balanced

curriculum that prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences

of later life. Under the Equality Act 2010, schools must also not discriminate against a

pupil in a number of respects because of a characteristic protected by the Act.

The Department trusts teachers to choose curriculum resources that are appropriate

for their pupils and to ensure that how they deliver the curriculum does not

discriminate. The Department has already published guidance to help schools fulfil

their duties under the Act, which can be found at:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools. This

includes advice on the Public Sector Equality Duty, which requires public bodies,

including state-funded schools, to have due regard to the need to: foster good

relations across all protected characteristics; advance equality of opportunity for

people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it; and

eliminate discrimination and other conduct prohibited by the Act. Additionally, the

Independent Schools Standards requires independent schools to encourage respect

for others, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the Act.


http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools

Special Educational Needs: Young People


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of 19 to 25 year-old students

with an education, health and care plan were provided with a further education place in

the academic years (a) 2016-17, (b) 2017-18, (c) 2018-19 and (d) 2019-20.

Vicky Ford:

The number of 19 to 25 year olds with an education, health and care (EHC) plan

participating in further education at any point in the given academic year is presented

in the table attached. This is collected in the individualised learner record. The

proportion of all 19 to 25 year olds with EHC plans is not available as comparable

age bands are not available.

The number of young people aged 16-19 and 20-25 with an EHC plan is available in

the ‘Education, health and care plans’ publication at: https://explore-education-

statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-health-and-care-plans.

Figures presented are as at January in the academic year.

Attachments:

1. 73975_table [73975_FE_EHCP.pdf]

Sports: Coronavirus

Dan Jarvis: [74588]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that

schools and venues with shared sports facilities are able to reopen safely as covid-19

lockdown restrictions are eased.

Nick Gibb:

As announced on the 9 July, indoor gyms, tennis courts and fitness and dance

studios will be able to reopen from 25 July. This includes facilities shared with

schools.

Out-of-school settings which run community activities, holiday clubs, after-school

clubs, tuition and other out-of-school provision for children can operate over the

summer holiday, with safety measures in place. Providers of these settings have

been able to open from 4 July, provided that they follow the protective measures set

out by Government.

Out-of-school settings should check the latest government guidelines (

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-

close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance ) on which businesses and

venues can open and for which purposes as some premises may only be able to

open for certain limited purposes. Out-of-school provision cannot use indoor gyms,

tennis courts and fitness and dance studios until they reopen on 25 July.

Protective measures guidance for out-of-school settings, to enable them to operate

as safely as possible, can be found here:


https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-health-and-care-plans




https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protective-measures-for-holiday-or-after-

school-clubs-and-other-out-of-school-settings-for-children-during-the-coronavirus-

covid-19-outbreak.

Providers who offer indoor sports activities for children should also refer to the

guidance on Keeping workers / volunteers and customers safe during COVID-19 for

providers of grassroots sports and gym / leisure facilities.

Guidance to support schools to deliver safe physical education lessons, sport and

physical activity is included within the guidance for full opening (

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-

coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools ). Schools have the flexibility

to decide how physical education, sport and physical activity will be provided whilst

following the measures in their system of controls. The Association for Physical

Education has published guidance ( https://www.afpe.org.uk/physical-education/wp-

content/uploads/COVID-19-Interpreting-the-Government-Guidance-in-a-PESSPA-

Context-FINAL.pdf ) for the education-based workforce and Youth Sport Trust has

published resources ( https://www.youthsporttrust.org/coronavirus-support-schools )

on the principles of teaching PE in response to COVID-19.

Students: Coronavirus

Mr Virendra Sharma: [74481]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to help protect older and

more vulnerable students at greater risk from covid-19 infection when attending reopened

further education colleges in September 2020.

Gillian Keegan:

The guidance published on the 2 July and updated on 15 July sets how Further

Education colleges can reopen safely for all learners, including those that are older or

vulnerable, in September 2020. It has been developed in close consultation with the

sector and medical experts from Public Health England. It sets out in detail the steps

colleges should take to protect their staff and learners with a requirement to

undertake full health and safety COVID-19 risk assessments and implement the

September reopening protective measures. These risk assessments must consider

groups that are most at risk, including learners with protected characteristics. The

guidance also provides advice on supporting young vulnerable learners and

recognises that young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

may need careful preparation for a return to full time attendance.

We have also produced guidance for specialist education settings including special

post-16 institutions. This sets out the actions special education setting leaders should

take to minimise the risk of transmission in their setting, highlighting additional or

different considerations for special education settings.

We are doing everything we can to make sure colleges and other providers are as

safe as possible for learners and staff, and will continue to work closely with the

country’s best scientific and medical experts to ensure that is the case. We will keep





https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/providers-of-grassroots-sport-and-gym-leisure-facilities



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools



https://www.afpe.org.uk/physical-education/wp-content/uploads/COVID-19-Interpreting-the-Government-Guidance-in-a-PESSPA-Context-FINAL.pdf




https://www.youthsporttrust.org/coronavirus-support-schools

https://www.youthsporttrust.org/coronavirus-support-schools


guidance under review as we continue to monitor the situation over the summer and

we will adjust and adapt our approach as necessary if more evidence becomes

available to us.

The guidance is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-

further-education-provision/what-fe-colleges-and-providers-will-need-to-do-from-the-

start-of-the-2020-autumn-term.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-full-opening-special-

schools-and-other-specialist-settings/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-

other-specialist-settings.

Teachers: Coronavirus

Rachael Maskell: [73897]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether teachers will be given access to

weekly covid-19 diagnostic testing from September 2020.


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether teachers will be given access to

covid-19 antibody tests from September 2020.

Daisy Cooper: [73969]


of the potential merits of providing anti-body tests to all staff working in schools.

Nick Gibb:

Testing for COVID-19 is most effective for those who are experiencing symptoms.

The test is less likely to pick up a positive case in someone who is not displaying

symptoms, meaning that there is a risk of providing false reassurance. Routine

asymptomatic testing is in place in environments where the risk of transmission is

higher, such as hospitals and adult care homes. There are no plans to extend this to

schools. As essential workers, teachers and all staff working in education or childcare

have priority access to a test if they display symptoms of COVID-19.

In order to determine the role that antibody tests could play in the response to the

outbreak, we need a greater understanding of how the immune system responds to

the virus. For example, it is not currently known how long an antibody response to the

virus lasts, nor whether having antibodies means a person cannot be re-infected or

transmit the virus to others. The Government will make decisions about any

expansion of antibody testing based on the science as it becomes clear.

Teachers: Ethnic Groups

Ms Harriet Harman: [74421]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to recruit

more teachers from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-further-education-provision/what-fe-colleges-and-providers-will-need-to-do-from-the-start-of-the-2020-autumn-term




https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings/guidance-for-full-opening-special-schools-and-other-specialist-settings








Nick Gibb:

In October 2018, the Department set out its commitment to increasing the diversity of

the teaching workforce across all protected characteristics when it launched the

Statement of Intent.

This commitment to increasing teacher diversity was made alongside 10 co-

signatories from the sector (including unions and grassroots organisations) who set

out their own individual commitments.

The Department has been making progress against its commitments, including:

• Providing £2m of funding to nationwide Equality and Diversity regional ‘hubs’ to

support aspiring leaders into headship. The hubs focus on providing coaching and

mentoring to increase representation across all protected characteristics in senior

leadership roles.

• Reflecting the importance of diversity in the Department’s Recruitment and

Retention Strategy published in January 2019 to ensure people from all

backgrounds are supported and that barriers to their progression are removed.

• Ensuring that recruitment for National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) is

representative through key performance indicators

• Continuing to engage with signatories of the statement, including through holding a

roundtable to gather progress updates and showcase best practice in July 2019.

We have made significant progress in improving the diversity of postgraduate initial

teacher training participants. Those belonging to a BAME group (i.e. any non-White

ethnicity) made up 19% of all postgraduate entrants in 2019/20, up from 18% last

year and 14% in 2015/16.

Universities: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the

implications for his policies of the Institute for Fiscal Studies report entitled, Will

universities need a bailout to survive the COVID-19 crisis, published 6 July 2020; and if

he will make a statement.

Vicky Ford:

The government recognises that the COVID-19 outbreak has brought significant

financial challenges to the higher education (HE) sector, with losses of income across

teaching, research, commercial and other activities, as published in the Institute for

Fiscal Studies report on 6 July 2020. The government has already provided

significant support to help providers through the financial challenges that COVID-19

has brought upon the sector. The HE package that we announced on 4 May, with its

reprofiling of public funding and measures on admissions, has acted to stabilise the

situation in England.

In June, we announced further UK-wide support in the form of the Department for

Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s research stabilisation package. Alongside


this, eligible HE providers can apply for the range of business support measures that

the government has put in place to support our whole economy.

We recognise, however, that a high level of uncertainty remains around the scale of

problems that HE providers, as a whole and individually, may face in the coming

academic year. We need to be able to intervene, where there is a case to do so, to

support providers whose future is at risk because of the financial impacts of COVID-

19.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced further

information about the higher education restructuring regime on 16 July. This will be

deployed as a last resort, if a decision has been made to support a provider in

England, when other steps to preserve a provider’s viability and to mitigate the risks

of market exit have not proved sufficient. The overarching objectives that will guide

the department’s assessment of cases will be protecting the welfare of current

students, preserving the sector’s internationally outstanding science base and

supporting the role that higher education providers play in regional and local

economies through the provision of high quality courses aligned with economic and

societal needs.

Financial support in the form of repayable loans will only be offered as a last resort

measure, and with specific conditions, such as tackling low quality courses and

reducing excessive Vice-Chancellor pay.

Details on the higher education restructuring regime can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-restructuring-regime.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Seasonal Workers

Bell Ribeiro-Addy: [73095]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment

his Department has made of the effects of a potential shortfall in seasonal workers on the

agricultural workforce.

Victoria Prentis:

We are aware of the impact that restrictions on travel from other countries, as a result

of Covid-19, is having on the number of seasonal workers coming to work in the UK.

We are working closely with industry to help our world-leading farmers and growers

access the labour they need over the busy harvest months.

We are monitoring labour needs over the remainder of the 2020 harvest season. We

understand from industry feedback that labour needs are currently being met and that

the majority of businesses have sourced sufficient workers for the remainder of the

season.

The expanded Seasonal Worker Pilot in 2020 will enable us to carry out a more

extensive evaluation of the systems and processes in place to access labour from




non-EEA countries, ahead of any decisions being taken on how future needs of the

sector might be addressed.

Air Pollution: Pollution Control


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring

forward legislative proposals to establish a statutory target to meet World Health

Organisation standards for fine particle air pollution by 2030.

Rebecca Pow:

The Environment Bill establishes a legally binding duty to set a target for PM2.5, in

addition to a long-term air quality target. As part of that work we have explored

progress that will be made towards WHO PM2.5 guidelines on a national level under a

range of scenarios, and a report on this was published in July 2019. We are

committed to setting challenging targets and following an evidence-based process,

seeking advice from a range of experts, in addition to giving consideration to the

World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines.

The targets will be set in secondary legislation at the end of this process. It would not

be an effective approach to policy making to commit in primary legislation to

achieving a target, without giving due consideration to its achievability and the

measures required to meet that target. Stakeholders, Parliament and the public will

have the opportunity to comment on, and input into, the process of developing this

target.

Air Pollution: Schools

Geraint Davies: [72762]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has

to plant protective hedges around schools to reduce air pollution in schools.

Rebecca Pow:

To support local authorities in their work to tackle air pollution hotspots, this

Government has given a great deal of thought to the role that vegetation might play in

improving air quality. The Air Quality Expert Group published a report named Impacts

of Vegetation on Urban Air Pollution which is available to read here:

https://uk-

air.defra.gov.uk/assets/documents/reports/cat09/1807251306_180509_Effects_of_ve

getation_on_urban_air_pollution_v12_final.pdf

The key conclusion is that while vegetation might bring some highly localised benefits

to air quality, it will not be a solution at a city scale. In the context of a school

perimeter, there is little evidence to support vegetation reducing nitrogen oxides from

exhausts and while significant amounts of foliage might provide a localised barrier

effect to reduce particulate levels from the roadside, the effectiveness of these

measures is unclear.



https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/assets/documents/reports/cat09/1807251306_180509_Effects_of_vegetation_on_urban_air_pollution_v12_final.pdf




This is why the emphasis of our Clean Air Strategy is to tackle the sources of

pollution levels as the most effective way to improve air quality for all.

Animal Products and Livestock: UK Trade with EU

Louise Haigh: [72990]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the

Government is seeking an agreement with the EU on sanitary measures applicable to

trade in live animals and animal products.

Victoria Prentis:

The Government is seeking agreement with the EU on a Sanitary and Phytosanitary

(SPS) chapter as part of the Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement that would cover

sanitary measures applicable to trade in live animals and animal products. The

chapter should build on the WTO SPS Agreement, in line with recent EU agreements

such as CETA and the EU-NZ Veterinary Agreement. It should protect human, animal

and plant life and health, and the environment while facilitating access to each party’s

market. It should ensure parties’ SPS measures do not create unjustified barriers to

trade in agri-food goods between the UK and EU. Finally, it should reflect SPS

chapters in other EU preferential trade agreements, including preserving each party’s

autonomy over their own SPS regimes.

Animal Products: Imports

Mr Andrew Mitchell: [72165]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has

to ban the import of trophy-hunted animals and if he will list which animals will be banned.


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the

proposed ban on the import of animal parts as trophies will include lions.

Victoria Prentis:

The Government is committed to doing all we can to support wildlife and the

environment, both in the UK and internationally, including by delivering on our

manifesto commitment to ban the import of hunting trophies from endangered

species.

Our consultation on controls on the import and export of hunting trophies, which

closed in February 2020, provided an opportunity for respondents to provide views on

which species they considered needed further restrictions. No decisions have been

made yet as the pace of this work was impacted by the Government’s need to focus

on addressing the urgent issue of COVID 19. We will publish the summary of

responses to the consultation and call for evidence in due course. The outcome will

inform our next steps.




Animal Welfare: Coronavirus

Rosie Cooper: [74478]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he take steps

with representatives of the animal welfare sector to help prevent increases in demand for

animal rescue services as covid-19 restrictions are eased.

Victoria Prentis:

Defra is in regular contact with the companion animal rescue and rehoming sector.

The Minister for Animal Welfare, Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park, has met the

CEOs of the main companion animal welfare charities to discuss the effects of Covid-

19 on the sector.

Defra has worked closely with stakeholders to ensure that there has been helpful and

effective guidance available to enable animal rescue and rehoming and charitable

activities to continue operating as far as possible, during the various phases of

Coronavirus restrictions. As we ease the restrictions, we are conscious that this may

have an impact on animal rescue and rehoming. We will continue to work closely with

the sector to understand their needs.

Coastal Erosion and Flood Control: Finance

Dan Jarvis: [R] [73837]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish

the criteria his Department used to allocate the flooding and coastal erosion funding

announced on 14 July 2020.

Rebecca Pow:

On 14 July 2020 the Government announced it will invest up to £170 million to bring

forward work on flood defence schemes which will drive economic growth and better

protect thousands of homes, businesses and jobs from the devastating effects of

flooding.

The additional economic recovery funding will enable work to start on 22 new flood

defence projects in 2020 or 2021, in addition to those schemes which were already

planned to commence in the final year of the current six-year programme to better

protect 300,000 homes from flooding.

The schemes identified were shortlisted and approved based on their economic

growth/recovery potential, specifically including numbers of businesses and jobs

protected. They are also all projects that were “shovel-ready” to begin construction in

the financial years 20/21 or 21/22.

Dangerous Dogs

Andrew Rosindell: [71681]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many

animals were seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 by each police force in each of

the last five years.




Victoria Prentis:

Details of the number of animals seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 are not

collated centrally by Defra. This information may be held by each separate police

force.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Air Pollution


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has

made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the report of the all-party

Parliamentary group on air pollution entitled, Air Quality Strategy to Reduce Coronavirus

Infection, published on 29 May 2020.

Rebecca Pow:

The Secretary of State welcomes the all-party group’s report and has noted its

recommendations with interest. Improving air quality is a top priority for this

Government and, especially during these unprecedented times, we will continue to

take robust and comprehensive action to improve air quality in the UK and minimise

public health impacts.

Defra’s commitment and the need for cross-Whitehall work on this was recognised in

the meeting between the hon Member and myself on 6 July. We recently published

the findings from a rapid Call for Evidence to understand more fully the impact that

coronavirus is having on changes in air pollution emissions, concentrations and

exposure and Defra’s Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG).

Flood Control: Oxfordshire


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much of the

additional budget for flooding will be spent on flood alleviation in (a) Abingdon, (b) Oxford

City and (c) Oxfordshire.

Rebecca Pow:

The Government is currently investing £2.6 billion across the country to deliver more

than 1,000 flood defence projects to better protect 300,000 homes by 2021. Since

2015, £24 million has been spent in Oxfordshire to reduce the risk of flooding. The

Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme is fully funded, and construction is due to begin

after the replacement of the A423 Kennington Railway Bridge.

We are spending £5.62 million in Oxfordshire this year of which £2.3 million is on the

Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme which, when completed, will protect 1,200 homes.

The rest of the money spent this year is towards other schemes, including looking at

the early feasibility for schemes that could provide protection in the future if viable

In Abingdon, the previously proposed flood storage area to reduce flood risk is not

being progressed due to the low number of properties that will have their flood risk

reduced. Other options are currently being considered for the town.



Government funding is governed by the rules of the Partnership Funding Policy and

the formula for allocating the Government’s contribution is weighted towards

protecting people’s lives and homes.

The Environment Agency will continue to work with Oxfordshire County Council on

solutions for flooding across the county.

Giant Hogweed

Sir Greg Knight: [73723]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) value

and (b) range of support his Department has allocated to each local authority to tackle

giant hogweed; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the EU co-

funded project to (a) develop a regional approach to tackling invasive non-native species

and (b) facilitate the co-ordination of support to local action groups; and if he will make a

statement.

Rebecca Pow:

Defra does not provide any direct support to local authorities specifically in regard to

giant hogweed. Local authorities have a suite of powers at their disposal to deal with

landowners that allow giant hogweed to become a problem and spread outside of

their land. Defra is happy to provide advice to local authorities as and when it is

needed.

The Reducing and Preventing Invasive Alien Species Dispersal (RAPID) LIFE

Project, co-funded by the EU, has received a six-month extension due to the Covid-

19 pandemic. We anticipate the end of project report to be completed in the coming

months. This report will include an assessment of the efficacy of the project. In

addition to this an assessment of the socio-economic impact of the project and

contribution to ecosystem function will be produced.

The project is on track to meet four of its five goals, which include helping the

invasive non-native species management of local action groups (LAGs) become

more coordinated both regionally and nationally. Uptake and engagement has had

varying success, often depending on geography and density of LAGs. This will be

covered in both reports.

Nature Conservation

Bim Afolami: [74715]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is

taking to help ensure that the UK is a global leader in policy advocacy for the

conservation of nature.

Rebecca Pow:

We are committed to ensuring that the UK leads the world to promote a green, fair

and resilient global recovery from the impacts of Covid-19 and central to that is the

importance of resetting the global relationship with nature.



We will support the adoption of ambitious and practical targets on nature at the UN

Convention on Biological Diversity Summit (COP15) in China next May, strengthened

by coherent implementation mechanisms that will deliver a new global biodiversity

framework that is commensurate with the scale of the challenge. Nature is also a top

priority for our upcoming Presidency of UN Framework Convention on Climate

Change Conference (COP26) next year and we are pushing for tangible and

ambitious commitments from partner governments to champion nature and nature-

based solutions. Given this, and the multi-faceted benefits of nature-based solutions,

we are working with the Chinese Government, who are hosting COP15, to press for

mutually reinforcing outcomes at the two Conferences. In addition, we will continue

leading global ambition on conserving endangered species, following our hosting of

the international Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference in 2018.

On marine biodiversity, we are driving forward efforts to protect and enhance the

ocean and eliminate harmful fisheries practice as we have done domestically and in

2018 we launched the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance with Vanuatu, which

now convenes 34 Commonwealth countries to tackle plastic pollution. We have also

committed to a new, £500 million Blue Planet Fund, and are building on the ‘30by30’

campaign which the UK launched at the UN General Assembly in 2018, leading the

Global Ocean Alliance calling to protect 30% of the world’s global ocean by 2030.

This ambitious target is underpinned by domestic commitments through the Blue Belt

Programme, which is on course to deliver over 4 million square kilometres of

protected ocean around the British Overseas Territories by the end of 2020.

Our international leadership on nature must be underpinned by credible action at

home. In England, our 25 Year Environment Plan marked a step change in ambition

for nature and the natural environment. We are taking action to fulfil this ambition by

introducing bold new legislation and new funding to support nature’s recovery.

Recycling


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment

he has made of the level of additional resources required to ensure that local authorities

are able to make arrangements for recycling additional materials from 2023.

Rebecca Pow:

In 2019, the Government published its consultation ‘Consistency in Household and

Business Recycling Collection in England’ and associated impact assessment. These

included assessments of the additional costs arising from measures for greater

consistency in recycling collections including the collection of a core set of materials

of plastic, glass, paper and card, metal, food and garden waste from households.

The Government will be publishing a second consultation in 2021 which will seek

views on further details of consistency in recycling. A further impact assessment will

be published alongside it and will include updated assessments of costs for these

measures.


In line with guidance on new burdens, the Government has committed to covering the

costs of any additional burdens that local authorities face as a result of new statutory

duties that require them to implement consistency and will apply that guidance in

assessing these costs.

Sewage: Standards



taking to ensure that the UK complies with its obligations on urban waste water

standards; and what funding he has allocated to ensure urban waste water standards are

maintained.

Rebecca Pow:

Water quality is a devolved matter. In England, urban waste water standards are set

by the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994. These

regulations set standards for the collection, treatment and discharge of waste water

and impose duties on water and sewerage companies to meet these standards.

Compliance with the standards is regulated by the Environment Agency and any non-

compliance is subject to enforcement action. The environmental programme that the

water companies will be implementing over the next five years includes around £800

million of investment specifically in relation to urban waste water, as part of a wider

package of £4 billion of investment to reduce pollution from waste water.

UN Convention on Biological Diversity

Bim Afolami: [74714]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the

Government has to help ensure that the (a) Convention on Biological Diversity framework

and (b) COP 26 are coordinated in (i) work on and (ii) approach to tackling biodiversity

loss and climate change.

Rebecca Pow:

Biodiversity loss and climate change are interlinked crises and cannot be tackled in

isolation. This is why nature will be one of the key areas of focus at UNFCCC COP26

in Glasgow and why we will be pushing for the agreement of ambitious global targets

for biodiversity at CBD COP15 in China.

To amplify the linkages between the two agendas, at COP26 we will be encouraging

countries to use nature based solutions as a way to tackle biodiversity loss and

climate change including mobilising more finance for nature, investing in sustainable

and resilient agriculture and protecting important ecosystems such as forests. We will

work with China to ensure that the outcomes of both COPs are mutually supportive.



Water Companies: Pay

Bill Wiggin: [73735]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will hold

discussions with representatives from Ofwat on the level of executive pay for water

companies.

Rebecca Pow:

The Government fully supports the expectations on transparency on executive pay as

set out by the independent regulator, Ofwat, in its Board Leadership, Transparency

and Governance principles published last year.

Water companies are responsible for determining pay for executives, and are now

required by their licence conditions to meet the objectives of the principles, and to

demonstrate the link between performance for customers and performance-pay for

executive teams. They must report to Ofwat annually. The department fully supports

the regulator’s work to continue to push companies to perform better and improve

public trust in the industry.

Water: Standards



taking to increase the quality of the 21 bathing waters in the UK that have been classified

to be of poor quality.

Rebecca Pow:

In 2019, the Environment Agency sampled 420 bathing waters in England and seven

were classified as “Poor”. 98.3% of bathing waters met the minimum standard of

“Sufficient” set by the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 (“the Regulations”) and 71.4%

met the highest “Excellent” standard.

Hundreds of projects have been completed to address poor bathing water quality and

successfully drive up standards. Water companies have invested £2.5 billion to

reduce pollution, councils and charities have run campaigns to keep beaches clean

and advice has been provided to farmers on how to reduce pollution into rivers.

The remaining “Poor” bathing waters all have complex problems that require

partnership working with stakeholders to rectify issues. Sources of pollution identified

include sewer misconnections, sea birds, dogs, run-off from urban and agricultural

land, as well as sewage from combined sewer overflows and septic tanks. The

Environment Agency is working with partners to look for solutions to these problems.

Pollution risk forecasting provides advice against bathing when conditions such as

rain or tide or wind increase the risk of reduced water quality.



FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Anoosheh Ashoori

Lisa Nandy: [74548]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the

Answer of 19 June 2020 to Question 59445, what additional recent discussions he has

had with his Iranian counterpart on the return of the detained British national Anoosheh

Ashoori to the UK.

James Cleverly:

The Government remains concerned about the welfare of British-Iranian dual

nationals detained in Iran, including Anoosheh Ashoori. Iran does not recognise dual

nationality and therefore does not permit access to British-Iranian detainees.

We continue to urge the Iranian Government to immediately release all UK dual

nationals arbitrarily detained in Iran - to enable them to return to their families in the

UK.

We continue to raise their cases at the most senior levels, and discuss them at every

opportunity with our Iranian counterparts. Our Ambassador in Tehran consistently

raises all of our dual national detainees cases with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign

Affairs. Our Embassy in Tehran continues to request consular access to Mr Ashoori

and we have been supporting his family since being made aware of his detention.

Bahrain: Capital Punishment

Andy Slaughter: [73748]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to

the decision by Bahrain’s Court of Cassation to uphold death sentences against

Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa on 13 July 2020, if he will suspend

Government support for (a) the Bahraini Special Investigations Unit, (b) the Ministry of

Interior Ombudsman and (c) other Bahraini institutions accused of complicity in the

torture of both men.

James Cleverly:

We are deeply concerned that the death penalty verdicts imposed on Mohammed

Ramadhan and Husain Moosa by Bahrain's Court of Cassation have been upheld.

Lord Ahmad, who is the Minister of State responsible for human rights, reinforced this

position in his tweet of 14 July. We have raised both cases at senior levels with the

Government of Bahrain. The Bahraini Government is fully aware that the UK opposes

the death penalty, in all circumstances, as a matter of principle.

The UK welcomed the investigation by the Ombudsman and Special Investigation

Unit into the cases of Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa, ultimately leading

to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice ordering a retrial - a first in Bahrain.

The UK is committed to supporting Bahrain's oversight bodies, including the Ministry

of Interior Ombudsman and the independent Special Investigations Unit. We continue



to believe that Bahrain is taking steps in the right direction to improve its record on

justice and security issues. The support we provide to these bodies, including in

partnership with the UN Development Programme contributing to their work to

achieve Sustainable Development Goal 16 (strengthening institutions and increasing

access to justice), contributes to the ongoing development of both their capacity and

capabilities.

Andy Slaughter: [73749]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to

the decision by Bahrain’s Court of Cassation to uphold death sentences against

Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa on 13 July 2020, if the Government will take

steps to increase transparency on the use of UK funding allocated to Bahrain under the

Integrated Activity Fund.

James Cleverly:







Our assistance is designed to support Bahrain-led reform in areas including human

rights. It is provided in line with international standards and fully complies with our

human rights obligations and the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance process.

Programmes are routinely monitored by officials and evaluated, by officials, on a

regular basis to ensure that they are on track for delivery.

Zarah Sultana: [73982]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether British

Embassy officials attended the trial of Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa in

Bahrain on 13 July 2020; and what their assessment was of the decision to uphold their

death sentences amid allegations of torture and due process violations.

James Cleverly:

Due to public health precautions in place for COVID-19, British Embassy officials

were unable to attend the Court of Cassation. We are deeply concerned that the

death penalty verdicts imposed on Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa by

Bahrain's Court of Cassation have been upheld. Lord Ahmad, who is the Minister of

State responsible for human rights, reinforced this position in his tweet of 14 July. We

have raised both cases at senior levels with the Government of Bahrain. The Bahraini

Government is fully aware that the UK opposes the death penalty, in all

circumstances, as a matter of principle.

Patricia Gibson: [74647]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what

representations he has made to the Bahrain Government on the death sentences of




Mohammed Ramadhan and Husian Moos; and if the Government will cease to provide

financial support to Bahrain in response to that country's breaches of human rights.

James Cleverly:







Our assistance is designed to support Bahrain-led reform in areas including human

rights. It is provided in line with international standards and fully complies with our

human rights obligations and the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance process.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Hilary Benn: [73709]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has

received representations on the Australian Border Agency and the ability of UK citizens

with residency to leave that country; and if he will make a statement.

James Duddridge:

The Foreign Secretary spoke to Australian Foreign Minister Payne on 21 May and 15

July to discuss our COVID-19 response, travel advice and other international issues.

They agreed to work together to keep international routes open, as part of our wider

efforts to help our respective nationals return home. The Government of Australia has

set out guidance for residents wishing to leave including where exemptions are

available. The British High Commission in Canberra and our network of consulates

across Australia continue to support British nationals, seeking to come to the UK,

including those with residency in Australia.

British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is

taking to ensure that UK citizens visiting the EU will be able to (a) stay in the EU for 180

consecutive days a year and (b) receive equal treatment to EU nationals visiting the UK

for the same period of time.

Wendy Morton:

The Government has discussed mobility arrangements across a number of areas as

part of negotiations on our future relationship with the EU, and these discussions are

ongoing.

The EU has already legislated such that UK nationals will not need a visa when

travelling to the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day

period. This will apply from the end of the transition period to all UK nationals

travelling to and within the Schengen area for purposes such as tourism.



This is the standard length of stay that the EU provides to the nationals of eligible

third countries that offer visa-free travel access for EU citizens, in line with existing

EU legislation.

As things stand, stays beyond the EU's 90/180 day visa-free allocation from 1

January 2021 onwards will be for individual Member States to decide and implement

through domestic entry rules and visa arrangements for non-EU citizens. UK

nationals will need to discuss the specifics of their situation with the relevant Member

State authorities and should be prepared to provide any extra documentation that

may be required.

Colombia: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment

he has made of the effect of the covid-19 quarantine in Colombia on the safety and

security of human rights defenders in that country; and if he will make a statement.

Wendy Morton:

The UK remains concerned about the persistent level of violence towards human

rights defenders in Colombia and we have noted indications that this may have

worsened during the COVID-19 lockdown. We regularly raise this issue, as well as

specific cases of concern, with the Colombian Government and in multilateral fora.

We have also called on the Colombian Government to prioritise tackling and

preventing this violence. Most recently, our Permanent Representative to the UN

expressed our deep concern at the UN Security Council on 14 July. I also raised the

issue during a phone call with Colombian Foreign Minister Claudia Blum on 2 June.

Colombia is a UK Government "Human Rights Priority Country" and as such our

Embassy in Bogota has provided significant programming to help at-risk human rights

defenders. We will continue to raise our concerns with the relevant state actors in

Colombia.

Colombia: Politics and Government


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what

representations he has made to his Colombian counterpart on potential undermining of

the Special Jurisdiction for Peace in Colombia.

Wendy Morton:

President Duque's government has publicly committed to implementing the Peace

Accords of 2016 in their entirety. In meetings with the President in London last year,

the then-Foreign Secretary made it clear that the UK sees the transitional justice

system, including the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, and the involvement of victims

as vital elements of the 2016 accords. President Duque's signing of the transitional

justice law last June was welcome, and we are pleased that the institutions

established under that law have since begun their work.



We continue to emphasise our support for transitional justice both with the Colombian

government and in multilateral fora, including most recently at the UN Security

Council on 14 July, where our Permanent Representative commended the

institutions' quick adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic by moving their work online.

We are aware that the parties to the Peace Accord would like the UN Verification

Mission to take on a role verifying compliance with the sanctions handed down by the

Special Jurisdiction for Peace. The UK has been publicly supportive of this.

The UK Government has contributed over £26 million towards transitional justice

mechanisms and victims of the conflict in Colombia since 2016.


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the he will make

representations to the UN Security Council Mission of Verification to Colombia on the

need for further support, resourcing and reporting to monitor the progress of Colombia’s

National Commission of Security Guarantees.

Wendy Morton:

President Duque's Government has publicly committed to implementing the Peace

Accords of 2016 in their entirety. The UK will continue to support the Colombian

peace process and to emphasise the importance of pressing ahead with work to

consolidate peace and build stability. The UK remains concerned about the persistent

level of violence towards human rights defenders, social leaders and former

combatants in Colombia, and regularly presses the Colombian government to take

further action to tackle this violence.

We have consistently highlighted the need for an overarching public policy in

Colombia to prevent this violence from taking place. This has included regularly

highlighting the work of the National Commission on Security Guarantees, including

most recently at the UN Security Council on 14 July, and calling on the government

and civil society to make fuller use of it for this purpose. We will continue to work

closely with the Colombian Government and civil society on the peace process and

related matters.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Departmental Responsibilities

Dr Lisa Cameron: [71811]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps plans to

take to ensure that (a) development and (b) humanitarian issues are represented at

Cabinet level.

James Duddridge:

Once the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is formally

established in early September, the Foreign Secretary will represent the FCDO at

Cabinet. Foreign and development policy will be fully integrated in all Ministers'

portfolios in the new Department.



India: British Nationals Abroad

Lisa Nandy: [74547]


Answer of 23 June 2020 to Question 63329 on India: British Nationals Abroad, what

further recent consular support has been provided to UK nationals detained in India

following their attendance at an event held in the Nizamuddin area of Delhi in March

2020.

Nigel Adams:

[Holding answer 20 July 2020]: We have maintained regular contact with the

individuals, their families and lawyers, and with the Indian authorities on these cases.

Some have now been released on bail and some have been authorised to return to

the UK. As their legal cases progress we are tailoring our assistance to their needs,

including liaising with the local authorities to arrange their repatriation to the UK.

India: Human Rights

Afzal Khan: [73953]


answer of 29 October 2019 to Question 7221 on Kashmir: telecommunications, what

assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of his Department sponsoring

the India Global 2020 Week conference as a result of recent human rights violations.

Nigel Adams:

[Holding answer 20 July 2020]: The UK and India have a deep, mature and wide-

ranging relationship. Our trade and investment partnership is thriving; we collaborate

on defence and security and we have a shared commitment to tackling climate

change. The Foreign Secretary was pleased to participate in India Global Week with

many Ministerial colleagues to discuss a wide range of issues. We regard human

rights as an important part of our broad relationship with India, and raise our

concerns with the Government of India where we have them.

Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review

Wendy Chamberlain: [73967]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans the

Government has to undertake a consultation with (a) civil society and (b) development

partners on the development of the Integrated Review.

James Cleverly:

The Government paused its Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development

and Foreign Policy in April due to the pressing need to focus on COVID-19. We have

formally recommenced the Review, building on the work done since February.

Our aim continues to be for an ambitious and bold Integrated Review that is guided

by the UK's foreign policy and national security objectives.




We will be engaging with Parliament, the Devolved Administrations, external experts

and wider stakeholders with an interest in our nation's security and prosperity. This

includes our allies and partners, building on our ongoing dialogue on COVID-19

response and recovery.

The Government will conduct targeted engagement that will bring crucial external

voices and expertise to bear in defining our ambition for the UK's role in the world

and setting the country on the best possible trajectory to recovery from COVID-19.

Middle East

Theresa Villiers: [74464]


Answer of 14 July 2020 to Question 69487, if he will make it his policy to refer to the 1949

Armistice Line as the pre-1967 lines and not the 1967 borders.

James Cleverly:

The UK's longstanding position on the Middle East Peace Process is clear: we

support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a

viable and sovereign Palestinian state. We are clear that the borders should be

based on the lines as they stood on June 4 1967 - the eve of the Six Day War - with

equal land swaps reflecting the national, security, and religious interests of the Israeli

and Palestinian peoples. The UK supports UN Security Council Resolution 2334

which paved the way for agreed changes to the 1967 lines as part of a final status

deal and as agreed by the parties.

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

Steve McCabe: [73705]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment

his Department has made of the potential effect of the passing of The Middle East

Partnership for Peace Act 2020 by the US House Committee on Appropriations on peace

in the Middle East.

James Cleverly:

Peace will only come through negotiations between the parties, but international

action has a role in facilitating progress. We welcome all efforts towards peace. The

UK remains committed to the objective of to making progress towards a two-state

solution. We support a negotiated settlement leading to a safe and secure Israel

living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state; based on 1967 borders with

agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states, and a just, fair,

agreed and realistic settlement for refugees.

Nepal: Diplomatic Relations

Dan Jarvis: [74585]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps

he has taken to maintain the UK’s diplomatic relationship with Nepal.




Nigel Adams:

[Holding answer 20 July 2020]: The UK and Nepal enjoy a warm and historic

relationship that has been in place for over 200 years, underpinned by deep people-

to-people connections through the important role of Gurkhas in the British Army and

the contribution of the Nepalese diaspora in the UK. Building on the 2019 visit of PM

Oli to the UK, recent months have seen significant levels of senior bilateral

engagement on some of the most pressing international issues, including several

Ministerial calls throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling the return of over 525

British Nationals stranded in Nepal by lockdown. In 2018/19 the UK invested over

£80m in Nepal's development, including support to the healthcare sector, post-

earthquake reconstruction, and security and justice reform. We were also honoured

by the participation of Her Excellency President Bandhari in the Global Vaccine

Summit last month. Finally, Nepal continues to be an important regional partner on

climate issues as we prepare to host COP26.

Nigeria: Armed Conflict

Dr Lisa Cameron: [72962]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the

Government has plans to make representations to the UN Security Council on the

deployment of peacekeeping forces to north-east Nigeria to protect vulnerable local

communities in that country.

James Duddridge:

The UK has no plans to make representations to the UN Security Council on the

deployment of peacekeeping forces to North-East Nigeria as we do not assess their

deployment to be the most effective way to tackle the conflict and create long term

stability. We continue to support the affected nation states of Nigeria, Niger, Chad

and Cameroon to tackle the terrorist threat in North-East Nigeria and the wider Lake

Chad Basin. We work closely with the UN to support the nations states' response and

to support local communities. This includes support to the UN Development

Programme stabilisation facility in North-East Nigeria and support to the work of the

UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel. On 5 June 2020, we led a statement in the

Security Council which reiterated our commitment to West Africa and the Sahel,

including Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin. On 16 June 2020, we led a statement at

the Security Council condemning the recent terror attacks in North-East Nigeria.

Saudi Arabia: Arms Trade

Paula Barker: [71927]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what mechanisms

are being put in place to ensure that British Arms exports are not being deployed by the

Saudi Government in Yemen.

James Cleverly:

To address the Court of Appeal's judgement, we have developed a revised

methodology against which all existing and new applications for Saudi Arabia for



possible use in the conflict in Yemen will be assessed to consider whether there is a

clear risk the equipment might be used in the commission of a serious violation of

International Humanitarian Law. If there is such a risk, we will not issue the export

licence.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Cardiovascular System: Diseases

Lee Anderson: [64347]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his

Department has made of whether there is a backlog of appointments for people

diagnosed with cardiovascular disease due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Lee Anderson: [64348]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to

ensure the return of specialist lipid clinics after the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make

extra resources available to manage the backlog of patient appointments as outlined in

the HEART UK response to the Health and Social Care Committee Inquiry into Delivering

Core NHS and Care Services during the Pandemic and Beyond.

Edward Argar:

As we moved into the second phase of the National Health Service response to

COVID-19, NHS England wrote to the service on 29 April to ask NHS local systems

and organisations to step up non-COVID-19 urgent services as soon as possible. The

reset of these services will be gradual, with full attention to infection prevention and

control as the guiding principle. NHSE/I are working with regional systems, and have

provided national advice on restoration of cardiac services. They will also monitor

their capacity going forward through this next stage of restoration and recovery.

The full letter to the system can be found at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-

content/uploads/sites/52/2020/04/second-phase-of-nhs-response-to-covid-19-letter-

to-chief-execs-29-april-2020.pdf

Clinical Trials: Standards



ensure that (a) clinical trials and (b) market authorisations from the UK’s Medicines and

Healthcare products Regulatory Agency comply with European Medicines Agency

standards in order to obtain approval for use in the EU market.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 9 July 2020]: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory

Agency (MHRA) has taken pragmatic steps to ensure that the United Kingdom

continues to have innovative and cost-effective treatments that benefit patients and



https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/04/second-phase-of-nhs-response-to-covid-19-letter-to-chief-execs-29-april-2020.pdf





boost growth in the life sciences sector. This includes limiting any additional cost or

burden on industry by considering applications for marketing authorisations in the UK

on the basis of information consistent with that being submitted to the European

Medicines Agency (EMA).

As for clinical trials, the MHRA will continue to approve applications at a national

level, working to international standards as they are now, using a UK data package

whose requirements are consistent with those in the European Union. The UK will still

have the ability to participate in multinational trials, as, data generated in a UK clinical

trial will continue to be admissible to support regulatory activity in the EU, and indeed

globally. This ensures the UK remains an attractive location for trials to take place,

with a view to getting medicinal products licensed in the UK and elsewhere.

Contact Tracing: Hospitality Industry

Alex Sobel: [65198]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what training hospitality staff

will be given on (a) GDPR procedures and (b) data collection when collecting names and

addresses for covid-19 track and trace purposes.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

NHS Test and Trace is a key part of the country’s ongoing COVID-19 response. If we

can rapidly detect people who have recently come into close contact with a person

who is confirmed to have COVID-19, we can take swift action to minimise

transmission of the virus. This is important as lockdown measures are eased and will

help us return to a more normal way of life and reduce the risk of needing further

lockdowns in the future.

The Government has published data that needs to be collected for Test and Trace

purposes, and how organisations should do this in a way that is compliant with the

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Businesses should collect this

information in a way that is manageable for them, and any training that is provided

should reflect this – including maintaining compliance with GDPR.

The guidance is available at the following link:

www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-customers-and-visitors-to-support-

nhs-test-and-trace

Daisy Cooper: [65202]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made

of the Data Protection implications of requiring hospitality venues to collect customer

information; and when the details of the design of such a data collection system will be

set out to enable hospitality businesses to effectively plan their re-opening on 4 July

2020.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 1 July 2020]: NHS Test and Trace is a key part of the country’s

ongoing COVID-19 response. If we can rapidly detect people who have recently


http://www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-customers-and-visitors-to-support-nhs-test-and-trace




come into close contact with a person who is confirmed to have COVID-19, we can

take swift action to minimise transmission of the virus. This is important as lockdown

measures are eased and will help us return to a more normal way of life and reduce

the risk of needing further lockdowns in the future. Hospitality businesses should

assist this service by keeping a temporary record of their staff, customers and visitors

for 21 days and assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for that data if needed.

The Government has published guidance setting out the data that needs to be

collected for Test and Trace purposes, and how organisations should do this in a way

that respects people’s privacy and personal data, in line with the General Data

Protection Regulation. The guidance is available at the following link:

www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-customers-and-visitors-to-support-

nhs-test-and-trace

Coronavirus: Screening

Ruth Cadbury: [69573]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether Public Health England

records the number of covid-19 test results that are lost; and if he will make a statement.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

Public Health England (PHE) does not record data on the number of COVID-19 test

results that have been lost under either pillar 1 or the Government’s wider testing

programme. PHE laboratories have processes in place to ensure that any results

entered onto PHE systems with incorrect details for either the requestor (such as a

clinician in a hospital) or the patient are identified and dealt with.

Disability: Coronavirus

Daniel Kawczynski: [71707]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when day centres and respite

centres will be allowed to reopen to provide support to disabled individuals and their

parents as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Helen Whately:

We recognise the crucial role unpaid carers play, especially during the COVID-19

outbreak and the important role that day services play to provide care, and respite for

carers.

Decisions on the running and re-opening of day services are made on a local basis.

The Social Care Institute of Excellence has worked with the Department, local

government and other key sector partners, to produce guidance which will support

local authorities and providers to restart day services. This was published on 10 July.

In addition, Public Health England is developing guidance on the use of personal

protective equipment in community settings, which will be applicable to day services.






Eating Disorders: Children and Young People


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 18

June 2020 to Question 58102 on Eating Disorders: Children and Young People, if he will

provide further explanatory information on the statistical formulae used to determine the

geographic distribution of that funding in (a) 2018-19 and (b) 2019-20 to 2023-24.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

The additional funding for children and young people’s eating disorder services was

added to the overall clinical commissioning group (CCG) funding and distributed

using the main CCG allocation formula.

The CCG allocation formula as a whole is based on a number of different

components which, together, are intended to take account of the different aspects of

healthcare need in a population, including mental health needs.

The technical guide to CCG allocations explains how these formulae are developed

and used. This can be found at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/technical-guide-to-allocation-formulae-and-

pace-of-change-for-2019-20-to-2023-24-revenue-allocations/

Exercise Cygnus

Rachel Reeves: [68335]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether a Pandemic Concept

of Operations was produced following Exercise Cygnus.

Jo Churchill:

[Holding answer 7 July 2020]: The United Kingdom Government’s Concept of

Operations describes how the Government response to civil emergencies will be

organised, and the relationship between central, regional and local tiers in England.

Following Exercise Cygnus, a cross-Government work programme was established

to improve plans for the use of information in a flu pandemic. This work builds upon

the current UK Government Concept of Operations, specifically for pandemic

influenza.

The lessons learned from Exercise Cygnus continue to be considered by

Government, and have been shared with a range of stakeholders, to ensure that the

UK remains well-prepared for infectious disease outbreaks.

Gender Recognition: West Midlands



of the adequacy of mental health care provision for transgender people in the West

Midands.


https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/technical-guide-to-allocation-formulae-and-pace-of-change-for-2019-20-to-2023-24-revenue-allocations/





Ms Nadine Dorries:

Advancing mental health equalities, is a priority outlined in the Mental Health

Implementation Plan 2019/20 to 2023/24. All local health systems are expected to set

out how they will specifically reduce health inequalities by 2023/24.

Local clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are responsible for commissioning

health services which meet the needs of their communities. The majority of CCGs in

the West Midlands are part of the Rainbow Badge initiative and actively encourage

partners to engage as non-judgemental and inclusive places for people that identify

as LGBTQ+. The CCGs are working with general practitioner practices and other

partners, to ensure that people who identify as LGBTQ+ feel safe and supported

when seeking out general medical care, including mental health support.

All providers and commissioners in the West Midlands are committed to undertaking

Equality Impact Assessments as part of the service redesign and planning process.

CCGs make decisions within a formal commissioning cycle that includes population

needs analysis and public engagement.

Health Professions: Vetting


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason staff returning

to medical practice and recruited to the track and trace service have to undergo two DBS

checks.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 29 June 2020]: Staff returning to medical practice through NHS

England and NHS Improvement’s returner programme would have the relevant

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and onboarding checks undertaken, through

NHS England’s third-party supplier (Capita).

Recruitment of clinical staff to the NHS Test and Trace service is managed by NHS

Professionals. NHS Professionals does make use of the DBS Update Service and for

some staff joining NHS Test and Trace, the Update Service was used. Upon receipt

of a DBS Disclosure, NHS Professionals’ compliance team would have assessed the

disclosure and where appropriate, a check with the DBS Update service would have

been completed, therefore avoiding the need to complete a repeat check.

As NHS England and NHS Improvement is a separate entity from NHS Professionals,

there may have been occasions where two DBS checks may have been required, as

a DBS check cannot be transferred between organisations.

Hospices: Coronavirus

Paul Bristow: [59632]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether hospice (a) staff and

(b) patients are eligible for antibody testing for covid-19.



Ms Nadine Dorries:

We are rolling out millions of antibody tests to help us better understand how COVID-

19 is spreading across the country which will be vital for future decisions about how

to best control the virus.

We are now testing National Health Service and care staff as well as patients where

there is an identified clinical need. We expect that roll out will be expanded to other

essential workers in due course.

Hospitals: Coronavirus

Andrea Jenkyns: [70453]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment

of the potential merits of using Nightingale hospitals in the winter in the event that further

hospital capacity is needed.

Edward Argar:

Nightingale hospitals have helped the National Health Service to rise to an

unprecedented challenge by providing extra capacity to manage surges in demand

due to COVID-19.

We continue to work closely with the NHS and partners, and guidance has already

been issued on restoring urgent non-COVID-19 services safely, whilst ensuring surge

capacity can be stood up again if needed, including through the use of Nightingale

hospitals.

Hyperactivity: Mental Health Services

Nadia Whittome: [68456]


of the adequacy of provision of adult ADHD services.

Helen Whately:

[Holding answer 7 July 2020]: The Department has been working with the National

Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and their Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Implementation Working Group to look at how the

current NICE guidance and quality standard on ADHD are being implemented and to

identify and disseminate examples of best practice in respect of care and support for

people with ADHD.

NHS Digital continue to work with the Department and NHS England on how the

collection of ADHD data, including data on diagnosis waiting times can be improved.

Consideration is being given as to how collection of data on ADHD can be improved

on a national level, including improving consistency and comparability of any data

currently collected.

Nadia Whittome: [68457]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to increase

access to adult ADHD services.




Helen Whately:

[Holding answer 7 July 2020]: The Department has been working with the National

Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and their Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Implementation Working Group to look at how the

current NICE guidance and quality standard on ADHD are being implemented and to

identify and disseminate examples of best practice in respect of care and support for

people with ADHD.

NHS Digital continue to work with the Department and NHS England on how the

collection of ADHD data, including data on diagnosis waiting times can be improved.

Consideration is being given as to how collection of data on ADHD can be improved

on a national level, including improving consistency and comparability of any data

currently collected.

Ipswich Hospital: Surgery

Tom Hunt: [67785]


Department has made of effect of the proposals to remove elective orthopaedic surgery

from Ipswich Hospital on (a) Ipswich patients' ability to get to and from surgery at a new

centre in Colchester and (b) the delivery of trauma services remaining at Ipswich

Hospital.

Edward Argar:

It is for local commissioners to determine how to best deliver services to meet local

needs. It is right that decisions on local services and service models are made by

local commissioners, who can best assess how to meet the needs of people in their

area. For any significant system reconfiguration, we expect all local parts of the

system to be talking to the public and stakeholders regularly — it is vital that people

can shape the future of their local services.

Tom Hunt: [67787]


Department has made of the potential merits of a two-site improvement option which

would allow Ipswich Hospital to continue to provide orthopaedic surgery in proposals to

remove elective orthopaedic surgery from Ipswich Hospital to a new centre in Colchester.

Edward Argar:

It is for local commissioners to determine how to best deliver services to meet local

needs. It is right that decisions on local services and service models are made by

local commissioners, who can best assess how to meet the needs of people in their

area. For any significant system reconfiguration, we expect all local parts of the

system to be talking to the public and stakeholders regularly — it is vital that people

can shape the future of their local services.



LGBT People: Coronavirus

Florence Eshalomi: [70536]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has undertaken an

equalities impact assessment of funding for mental health charities to expand support

services during the covid-19 outbreak to ensure it meets the needs of LGBT people,

Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, disabled people and people with other

protected characteristics.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 13 July 2020]: The Department has provided £5 million of grant

funding to Mind and the Mental Health Consortia to distribute to mental health

charities to support adults and children as part of a Coronavirus Mental Health

Response Fund. We provided a further £4.2 million of grant funding directly to mental

health charities. These investments are supporting a wide range of groups that

include LGBTQ+, black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and people with

disabilities.

In providing grant funding, the Department ensures the Government’s duties under

the Equalities Act 2010 are met to ensure we are taking into account the needs of a

diverse range of groups. The Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund also has an

independently chaired governance group, including officials from the Department,

which monitors the allocations from the Fund to ensure fairness and diversity.

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People

Andrew Gwynne: [68680]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has

made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the size of waiting lists for CAMHS

services in (a) England and (b) Greater Manchester, and if he will make a statement.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

Data on waiting list sizes is not available.

Mental Health Services: Coronavirus



provide mental health support for (a) parents, (b) children aged 0-5, (c) children aged 6-

12 and (d) children aged 13-17 who have spent additional time at home as a result of the

covid-19 lockdown.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 14 July 2020]: Mental health services have remained open for

business throughout lockdown, and NHS England and NHS Improvement have asked

mental health trusts to ensure they have 24 hours a day, seven days a week open

access telephone lines in place for urgent National Health Service mental health

support, advice and triage for all ages, including all children and young people.




We have also taken steps to ensure that children and young people, and their

parents and carers, have the tools and knowledge to protect their mental health. We

have published guidance to parents and carers on children and young people’s

mental health and wellbeing, and we are promoting this through trusted channels like

GOV.UK ad Every Mind Matters.

Mental Health Services: LGBT People


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is

taking to ensure equality in (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of mental health problems

among the LGBT+ community.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

Advancing mental health equalities is a priority outlined in the Mental Health

Implementation Plan 2019/20 to 2023/24. All local health systems are expected to set

out how they will specifically reduce health inequalities by 2023/24.

To support local Sustainability and Transformation Partnership and Integrated Care

System areas in addressing inequalities in access and outcomes for groups with

protected characteristics, including LGBTQ+ communities, within their plans, NHS

England and NHS Improvement commissioned the Advancing Mental Health

Equalities Resource. The resource is a guide for local commissioners and providers

to identify and address inequalities in mental health care and is available at the

following link:

https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/nccmh/amhe/amhe-

resource.pdf

The NHS Long Term Plan also set out a commitment that local Mental Health

Support Teams which will be working with children and young people in schools and

colleges will be trained to support the mental health needs of LGBTQ+ people.

Mental Health Services: Young People

Catherine West: [68395]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 20 of the

NHS Mental Health Implementation Plan 2019/20 – 2023/24, whether baselines on

access to mental health services for 18 to 25 year olds have been validated and

published.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 7 July 2020]: Under the NHS Long Term Plan, we are committed to

increasing access and improving experience of care for 18-25 year olds. All

sustainability and transformation partnerships have been asked to cross-validate data

on baseline access for 18-25 year olds from the mental health services and

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies datasets, against locally held data

sources.


https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/nccmh/amhe/amhe-resource.pdf




The validation and analysis is ongoing and a baseline access rate has not yet been

published.

NHS: Hearing Impaired

Preet Kaur Gill: [61558]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support his Department

has made available for NHS staff who are D/deaf and rely on lip-reading, for whom

guidance on face masks may be challenging.

Helen Whately:

It is recognised that the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the

pandemic can cause particular communication difficulties for d/Deaf staff and others

who rely on lipreading and/or facial expressions for communication. Teams who work

directly work with d/Deaf colleagues should be prioritised locally for the use of PPE

which facilitates effective communication (including clear-fronted masks or hoods).

NHS England and NHS Improvement are also working to source clear face masks for

those members of staff and clinicians who need them.

Protective Clothing: Hearing Impaired

Preet Kaur Gill: [61557]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether Government guidance

will be issued to clinicians in healthcare settings to ensure that guidance on face masks

does not make services inaccessible to D/deaf people who rely on lipreading.

Helen Whately:

NHS England and NHS Improvement are aware of the issue and are working to

provide solutions to address the needs of D/deaf people and people with complex

needs including possible procurement of clear fronted masks.

Public Health: Finance


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the covid-19

outbreak, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the level of

public health funding.

Jo Churchill:

[Holding answer 6 July 2020]: The public health grant to local authorities is £3.279

billion in 2020-21. This is in addition to what the National Health Service spends on

public health, which included over £1.3 billion in 2019-20 on national public health

programmes such as immunisations and screening.




The Government has also provided £3.7 billion of additional funding for local

government to help them respond to COVID-19 pressures across the services they

deliver. Local authorities will take spending decisions based on local priorities, and

the Government is keeping the position under review.

Funding beyond 2020-21 will be set out at the next spending review.

Serco

Jon Trickett: [69447]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to Serco's

sharing of 296 email addresses belonging to covid-19 contract tracers, for what reasons

Serco was not required to refer itself to the Information Commissioner’s Office for that

matter.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

We understand Serco did report the data breach to the Information Commissioner’s

Office.

Serco also alerted the NHS Test and Trace service immediately. The breach was

caused by including email addresses of new contact tracing recruits in the carbon

copy (cc) rather than blind carbon copy (bcc) field. Serco apologised to staff affected

and reminded colleagues of the need to always use the ‘bcc’ feature rather than ‘cc’

feature in future.

Ensuring the privacy of users and security of their personal data is a priority for the

National Health Service and the Government. We follow cyber security best practice

to help protect this data and comply with the law around the use of data, including the

Data Protection Act 2018.

Serco: Contact Tracing

Afzal Khan: [59602]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department

undertook a delivery model assessment to determine whether the private sector was best

placed to operate test, track and trace services for covid-19.

Afzal Khan: [59603]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions officials in his

Department have had with (a) NHS officials and (b) local authorities leaders prior to

deciding to outsource the operation of covid-19 contact tracing to Serco.

Afzal Khan: [59604]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what procurement process his

Department undertook prior to awarding the contract for operating covid-19 contact

tracing services to Serco.





Afzal Khan: [59605]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reasons the contract

for operating covid-19 contact tracing services was awarded to Serco.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

A proportionate delivery model assessment was undertaken in the decision to

outsource the services to the private sector. This assessment was influenced by the

speed to recruit, volume of staff required and timescales in moving back to delivery

business as usual public services. Discussions were held with various officials before

the decision to outsource was made. It quickly became evident that the public sector

could not stand 18,000 contact tracers within the required timescales. There was also

a risk that as the country exited lockdown, public servants would need to return to

business as usual which would not have been possible with 18,000 people released

as contact tracers.

The contract to Serco was a direct award under Lot 2 of Crown Commercial Service’s

Contact Centre Services framework. All suppliers on Lot 2 were engaged with, in

order to ascertain capabilities to meet the contract output specifications.

Social Services: Disability

Sarah Olney: [68402]


ensure that disabled people have access to safe social care during the covid-19

outbreak.

Helen Whately:

The Government’s number one priority for adult social care is that everyone who

relies on care gets the safe care they need throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have set out a comprehensive action plan to support the adult social care sector

in England throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, including ramping up testing,

overhauling the way personal protective equipment is being delivered to care homes

and helping to minimise the spread of the virus to keep people safe.

Stem Cells: Transplant Surgery

Mark Tami: [64855]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of

the number of stem cell transplant patients on the Shielded Patients List.

Jo Churchill:

No estimate has been made. People who have had stem cell transplants are not

separately identifiable on the Shielded Patients List.




Surgical Mesh Implants

Emma Hardy: [69654]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has taken steps as

a result of the disclosure that a 2012 study published in European Urology which

concluded that no patients were suffering thigh pain three years after their transobturator

mesh procedures had received undeclared funding of £100,000 from one of the

manufacturers of the mesh being analysed; and if he will make a statement.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

We cannot comment on individual cases and neither can the General Medical

Council.

HOME OFFICE

Coronavirus: Quarantine

Justin Madders: [74645]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July

to Question 69589 on Coronavirus: Quarantine, whether the ad hoc statistical release on

Health Measures at the Border has now been published.

Kevin Foster:

We don’t currently publish statistical data relating to the Health Measures at the

Border. However, this is being reviewed and we will be seeking ministerial approval

to publish some selected data on compliance with the measures.

Domestic Abuse: Immigrants

Jess Phillips: [73862]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is

taking to work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to

ensure that the Everyone In initiative provides temporary accommodation to (a) women

survivors of domestic abuse and (b) women survivors with no recourse to public funds.

Victoria Atkins:

On 24 June the Housing Secretary announced that the Government is providing local

authorities with a further £105 million to enable them to best support the c15,000

people placed into emergency accommodation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The

Government has been clear that the offer for each person supported under this

approach would need to be made on an individual basis, considering that person’s

specific circumstances, support needs and the law. This could include women who

have experienced rough sleeping due to domestic abuse.

The rules as to eligibility relating to immigration status, including for those with no

recourse to public funds, have not changed. Local authorities must use their

judgement in assessing what support they may lawfully give to each person on an

individual basis, considering that person’s specific circumstances and support




needs.  Local authorities already regularly make such judgements on accommodating

individuals who might otherwise be ineligible, during extreme weather for example,

where there is a risk to life.

The Government recognises that some migrant victims of domestic abuse are not

eligible for existing sources of support, such as the Destitution Domestic Violence

Concession (DDVC). That is why we have committed £1.5 million to the Support for

Migrant Victims scheme to support migrant victims of domestic abuse who do not

qualify for the DDVC and gather the evidence that is needed to make sustainable

decisions for this group over the long-term. This is in addition to over £1.5 million

provided so far in Tampon Tax funding, since 2017 and up to 31 March 2021, to fund

organisations supporting migrant victims of domestic abuse who do not qualify for the

DDVC. We continue to work with our partners across Government to develop the

particulars of the scheme, which is due to be launched in the autumn.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the

Government’s draft Statutory Guidance in relation to the Domestic Abuse Bill published 1

July 2020, what steps her Department is taking to help migrant survivors of domestic

abuse to regularise their status and provide support in the event that those survivors are

not eligible to apply under the Domestic Violence Rule.

Victoria Atkins:

The Government’s position is clear that all victims of domestic abuse should be

treated as victims first and foremost. The Destitution Domestic Violence Concession

(DDVC) is available to those who have come to the UK on specified partner visas

with the reasonable expectation of obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the

UK. The DDVC is not available to individuals who enter the UK on other visas, such

as visit, student or work visas, or who are here illegally. This is because in order to

obtain such visas they have confirmed they are financially independent, and therefore

require no recourse to public funds, and their stay will be for a defined time. They do

not have a legitimate expectation of securing ILR.

As we made clear in parliamentary debates on the Domestic Abuse Bill, this

Government is committed to ensuring all victims have adequate support which meets

their immediate needs. That is why we have allocated £1.5m towards the Support for

Migrant Victims (SMV) scheme, due to be launched later this year, to support migrant

victims of domestic abuse who do not have access to public funds to access safe

accommodation. This is in addition to over £1.5 million in Tampon Tax funding

provided so far, since 2017 and up to 31 March 2021, to support organisations

specialising in providing specialist support to migrant victims of domestic abuse who

do not qualify for the DDVC.

The pilot project will not only support more individuals to find safe accommodation but

will help gather the data that is needed to develop sustainable solutions for all

migrant victims of domestic abuse over the long-term.



To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on how many occasions her

department has (a) taken steps to (i) regularise the status and (ii) provide support to

migrant survivors of domestic abuse who are not eligible to apply under the Domestic

Violence Rule; and (b) required a migrant survivor of domestic abuse to leave the UK in

each of the last five years.

Victoria Atkins:

The data requested is not held centrally and to obtain it would require a manual

check of individual records which would significantly exceed the disproportionate cost

threshold.

Factories: Leicester

Claudia Webbe: [71200]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has

to investigate Leicester’s garment factories for alleged instances of (a) wage theft, (b)

denial of benefits and (c) modern slavery conditions.



to work with (a) local authorities and (b) other stakeholders in Leicester to establish a

helpline for workers reporting instances of exploitation.

Victoria Atkins:

We are deeply concerned by the appalling reports of illegal and unsafe working

conditions for garment workers in Leicester. The Government will not tolerate the

exploitation of vulnerable workers for commercial gain and is committed to taking

action against those who seek to do so.

Investigations of criminal offences are the responsibility of operational law

enforcement partners, who have the appropriate powers to do so. Following these

allegations, the National Crime Agency have launched an investigation into these

serious concerns. This has been taken forward using a partnership approach, using

the expertise of several bodies, including the Health and Safety Executive, the

Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), Her Majesty’s Revenue and

Customs and Leicestershire Police.

Workers can report information or concerns about suspected labour exploitation in

confidence through the telephone to the GLAA or to the Modern Slavery and

Exploitation Helpline. For advice on the legal minimum wage, working hours and

employment agencies, workers can call the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration

Service helpline for free.

We have also committed to going further on state enforcement and establishing a

single enforcement body for employment rights to better protect vulnerable workers

and create a level playing field for the majority of employers that comply with the law.




Home Office: Apprentices


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is

taking to reach the public sector apprenticeship target.

James Brokenshire:

The Home Office is six months into the implementation of the Apprenticeships

Operating Model (AOM) designed to centralise all HR end-to-end processes

(including streamlining recruitment activities through to programme onboarding). The

growth of a dedicated team has been stood up to increase the quality and quality of

apprenticeships for the future. This industry tested model has the capacity and

capability to meet the minimum 2.3% statutory target (England workforce) annually.

To enable delivery, there are strong governance frameworks in place which are

closely connected to the Home Office People Strategy 2018 – 2023.

The refreshed AOM and strengthened workforce planning enables the dept. to

address the target shortfall and annual ministerial commitments within a two-year

period. Key to assessing performance is through the delivery of a robust Assurance

Framework to ensure demand and delivery are aligned and reviewed quarterly and

RAG status at Director General level.

In the coming six months, the Home Office is committed to prioritising

apprenticeships recruitment across operational delivery (largest population in the

department), policy and digital professions. This demonstrates the Home Office’s

pledge to future skills development: attracting the best talent from the external labour

market whilst creating opportunities for internal professional capability building.

Home Office: Overseas Aid

Yasmin Qureshi: [73770]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 29

June 2020 to Question 63287 on Home Office: Overseas Aid, how much her Department

spent on the (a) End Violence against Children Programme, (b) modern slavery Victim

Care Contract and (c) Modern Slavery Fund in each of the last three years; and what her

Department's planned spending is for those projects in the next year.

Victoria Atkins:

The Home Office Official Development Assistance (ODA) spend in each of the last

three years for the End Violence against Children Programme and Modern Slavery

Fund are published to https://devtracker.dfid.gov.uk/department/HO.

The Department spend on the ODA element of the Victim Care Contract (VCC) in

2018/19 was £5.8m and £9.24m in 2019/20 – We began reporting the ODA eligible

proportion of VCC expenditure in 2018/19.

Home Office planned ODA spend in the next year is dependent on the outcome of

the Spending Review.



Immigration

Neil Coyle: [74615]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has

taken to consult with employers on the cost of applications under the proposed new

points-based immigration system.

Kevin Foster:

We recognise the new system will mean changes in the way businesses operate and

recruit. That is why we are providing certainty on the new system now, giving us time

to work together to understand employer’s needs.

Fees for border, immigration and citizenship products and services play a vital role in

our country’s ability to run a sustainable system. We believe it is right that those who

use the systems should contribute to its cost, thereby reducing the burden on the UK

taxpayer.

A new programme of engagement is underway to raise awareness of the new system,

ensuring those affected by the changes are fully aware of what it means for them and

understand how the system will operate. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and

since the Policy Statement was published in February 2020, we have facilitated over

50 engagement events and continue to hold regular events across the UK and a wide

range of sectors. We have published an introduction to the points-based immigration

system for employers and launched a direct email campaign to enable businesses to

sign-up to receive updates on the system’s implementation.

Immigration: EEA Nationals

Stuart C McDonald: [74642]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made

of the effect of (a) visa fees and (b) the immigration health surcharge on the number of

EEA nationals migrating to the UK from 1 January 2021.

Kevin Foster:

An Impact Assessment on the wider impacts of the ending of free movement for EEA

and Swiss citizens was laid alongside the Immigration and Social Security Co-

ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill. It can be found at

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm

ent_data/file/885682/2020-05-18_IA_ImmSSC_Billl_v21_with_Signature.pdf

On 19 March 2020 the Home Office published a literature review of the evidence

relating to the elasticity of demand for visas in the UK. This evidence is available

here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-review-of-evidence-relating-to-

the-elasticity-of-demand-for-visas-in-the-uk

The impact of the imposition of both visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge

on EEA and Swiss citizens will be published alongside the Immigration Rules and

Fee Regulations in the Autumn.



Immigration: EU Nationals

Neil Coyle: [74617]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the main reasons were for

UK Visas and Immigration to refuse 1,400 applications to the EU Settlement Scheme in

June 2020.

Neil Coyle: [74618]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for Pre-

Settled Status did UK Visas and Immigration refuse in June 2020; and what the main

reasons were for those refusals.

Neil Coyle: [74619]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether all 1,400 refused

applications to the EU Settlement Scheme in June 2020 were approved by Ministers.

Kevin Foster:

The majority of applications to the EU Settlement Scheme which have resulted in a

refusal were due to there being insufficient evidence of the applicant’s eligibility, as

detailed in the Home Office EU Settlement Scheme Statistics User Guide. Eligibility

refusals comprise 99 per cent of the total refusals up to 31 May 2020, with the

remaining refusals being made on suitability grounds. A breakdown of the refusal

decisions made in June 2020 will be published in the next quarterly statistics release,

due to be published in August 2020.

The published statistics include all refusals of status under the scheme.

Ministers agreed a high level of assurance that is applied prior to any application to

the EU Settlement Scheme being refused. Cases identified as potential refusals are

subject to stringent scrutiny and review and the number of applications refused

remains proportionately low in comparison to applications which have been granted.

Before refusing an application under the scheme, UK Visas and Immigration will seek

to work with the applicant to help them provide the evidence required to demonstrate

that they qualify for settled status and, if not, for pre-settled status and, where

appropriate, will exercise discretion in their favour in order to minimise administrative

burdens on the applicant

Immigration: Social Services

Neil Coyle: [74616]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has

taken to consult with local authorities on the potential effect of the proposed new points-

based immigration system on the social care sector.

Kevin Foster:

The social care sector is invaluable to our country. Social care workers have shown

incredible dedication during this extraordinary time.





The Government is working with the sector in a number of ways to help support it

during this difficult time and going forward, including extra funding and a national

recruitment campaign.

However, the independent Migration Advisory Committee has been very clear that

immigration is not the answer to the challenges in this sector. As we implement the

new immigration system, we want employers to focus on investing in our domestic

work force.

A programme of engagement is underway to raise awareness of the new points-

based system, ensuring those affected by the changes are fully aware of what it

means for them and understand how the system will operate.

Law and Order: Protective Clothing

Sir Graham Brady: [73715]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has

made of the implications of the widespread wearing of face coverings for the (a)

incidence of crime and (b) efficacy of law enforcement.

Kit Malthouse:

The Home Office has not made a recent assessment of the impact of face coverings

on the (a) incidence of crime and (b) efficacy of law enforcement. We will continue to

engage with our policing partners on the implications of face coverings for crime and

investigation.

Migrant Workers: Self-employed

Stuart C McDonald: [74640]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what protections are in place for

self-employed people whose income continues to be affected by the covid-19 outbreak

after 31 July 2020, and who are unable to meet the Minimum Income Requirement when

sponsoring a non-EEA partner’s UK visa.

Kevin Foster:

The Home Office has established a range of measures to support those affected by

Covid-19. For the purpose of the minimum income requirement, in addition to the

range of ways the requirement can already be met through sources of non-

employment income:

• a temporary loss of annual income due to Covid-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31

July 2020 will generally be disregarded for self-employment income, along with the

impact on employment income from the same period for future applications beyond

31 July. Income received via the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support

Scheme will also be taken into account;

• a temporary loss of employment income between 1 March and 31 July 2020 due to

Covid-19 will be disregarded, provided the requirement was met for at least six

months up to March 2020;



• an applicant or sponsor furloughed under the Government’s Coronavirus Job

Retention Scheme will be deemed as earning 100% of their salary;

• evidential flexibility may be applied where an applicant or sponsor experiences

difficulty accessing specified evidence due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Guidance for our customers is available on GOV.UK here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-appendix-fm-family-members.

These are unprecedented times and as the UK returns to work, we continue to

monitor the situation closely and take these exceptional circumstances into account.

We may make further adjustments to requirements where necessary and appropriate

to ensure people are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control.

Migrant Workers: Shipping

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: [73852]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the document

The UK’s Points-Based Immigration System - Further Details, published 13 July 2020, if

she will list the seafarer (a) officer and (b) ratings occupations (i) included and (ii) not

included in the skills test accompanying the proposals on the points-based immigration

system.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had

with the Secretary of State for Transport on demand in the shipping industry for seafarers

in occupations that require skills below level 3 of the Regulated Qualifications

Framework; and if she will make a statement.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to include

all seafarer ratings' occupations in the skills test requirements of the proposed points-

based immigration system.

Kevin Foster:

Under our new Skilled Worker route, we will expand the range of jobs which qualify

under the current system for non-EU nationals, from graduate level roles (RQF level

6 and above) to those requiring skills equivalent to A-level (RQF level 3 and above).

The further details statement we published on 13 July lists all the occupations which

qualify, including those in seafaring.  This list is based on the advice from the

independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).  The details for each occupation

are taken from the widely-used SOC code system, developed by the Office for

National Statistics (ONS).  The ONS publishes a variety of guidance to help

employers and individuals find the appropriate SOC code for a particular job.

As we set out in our previous policy statement of 19 February, we will not introduce a

general route for jobs below the skills threshold.  Due to the shorter periods of training




required, it is reasonable to ask employers to focus their efforts on the resident

workforce, rather than relying on cheap labour from overseas.

Modern Slavery Act 2015 Independent Review


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will adopt the

recommendations from the Independent Review of the Modern Slavery Act 2015: Final

report, CP 100, published in May 2019, to strengthen the domestic legal framework for

ensuring corporate accountability for modern slavery in supply chains.

Victoria Atkins:

Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 established the UK as the first country in

the world to require businesses to report annually on steps taken to prevent modern

slavery in their operations and supply chains. The Government is committed to

continuously strengthening our approach to increase transparency in supply chains.

In 2018, the Home Office commissioned an Independent Review of the Modern

Slavery Act to look at where the Act has worked well and where it could be more

effective, including section 54.

The Government accepted the majority (see

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-the-

independent-review-of-the-modern-slavery-act)of the Review’s recommendations and

on 9 July 2019 the Home Office launched a public consultation seeking views on an

ambitious package of measures to strengthen the Act’s transparency legislation.

These included requiring organisations to report on specific topics, introducing a

single reporting deadline and extending transparency to the public sector. The

Government will publish its response to the consultation this summer.

We are also developing a new gov.uk registry for statements published under the

Modern Slavery Act, to enable greater scrutiny from consumers, investors, civil

society and others and drive a “race to the top”.

Offences against Children: Coronavirus

Alex Cunningham: [73820]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to

ensure that children and young people at risk of sexual abuse and exploitation, who may

have gone unnoticed during the covid-19 lockdown, are identified and supported as soon

as possible.

Victoria Atkins:

Protecting those at risk from abuse and exploitation is a priority for this Government.

We are acutely aware that for some children and young people, the Coronavirus

pandemic may have brought with it additional risks and dangers, as well as reducing

contact with professionals and trusted adults. This Government is committed to doing

everything we can to support and protect those at risk of harm.



That is why, following the Chancellor’s announcement of £750m funding for the

voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, the Home Office and

Department for Education (DfE) launched a £7.6m joint fund to provide financial

hardship relief for national VCSE organisations that support vulnerable children

across England and Wales. Further funding will also be dispersed through direct

awards due to be finalised imminently, and recipients include organisations working

to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse.

DfE are also funding a £7 million new See, Hear, Respond service led by Barnardo’s

. This will support children who are hidden from view, not currently receiving support

from statutory agencies and at risk of harm and/or experiencing adverse impacts on

their health and wellbeing. The service will develop a dynamic sector response that

intervenes early, supports and safeguards these children, mitigating against

escalation of need and long-lasting harm to children and families.

As part of this the Government made £1.6 million available immediately for the

NSPCC to expand and promote its national helpline for adults concerned about the

safety of children, alongside disseminating safeguarding messaging to key

community partners to raise awareness of how and where they can raise concerns

and seek advice about the safety and wellbeing of children.

Existing programmes, such as our £13.2m Trusted Relationships Fund, have also

pivoted their response to sustain support to vulnerable children and young people

during the restrictions. Our 11 local authority-led projects working with 10-17 year

olds at risk of sexual exploitation and other harms, have adapted their support by:

moving this to virtual platforms; creating 24 hour support helplines; engaging in

schools where vulnerable children are still attending; planning diversionary activities

to engage young people over the summer; and resuming detached youth work where

this can be delivered safely.

Building on the Government’s intensive efforts to protect vulnerable people from

hidden crimes such as domestic abuse and child sexual abuse during this period, the

Prime Minister’s Hidden Harm Summit on 21 May was an opportunity to share

emerging best practice at the local and national level and identify areas to go further

over the coming months. The Home Office will continue champion and support

collaboration across partners, including by continuing to promote a child-centred and

trauma-informed policing approach.

Prevent Independent Review


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government is

consulting with local authorities on an expansion of the Prevent programme while the

independent review of Prevent is ongoing.

James Brokenshire:

The Home Office regularly engage with local partners to assess and review Prevent

delivery to see where improvements can be made. This ongoing process includes


obtaining feedback from local authorities on the current model of Prevent local

delivery. No decisions have been taken on future delivery models.

Proscribed Organisations

Dr Julian Lewis: [73683]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what restrictions are in place on

the public display of (a) flags and (b) other symbols of terrorist organisations proscribed in

the UK; what steps she is taking to (i) collate data on and (ii) report to Parliament on the

numbers of people (A) arrested and (B) prosecuted for the public display of those items;

what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of proscribing

terrorist organisations in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Kit Malthouse:

The Government takes proscription offences seriously. It is an offence under section

13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 to carry or display articles supporting a proscribed

organisation, or to publish an image of an item of clothing or other article, such as a

flag or logo, in the same circumstances.

Data relating to these section 13 offences are grouped with other proscription

offences (sections 11 and 12 of the Act) in the publication ‘Operation of Police

Powers under the Terrorism Act 2000’. The most recent publication, up to year

ending March 2020, was published on 11 June on GOV.UK:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/operation-of-police-powers-under-the-

terrorism-act-2000-financial-year-ending-march-2020.

Proscription sends a strong message that terrorist organisations are not tolerated in

the UK and deters them from operating here. It is one of the key tools available to the

Government, police and Security Service to disrupt terrorist activity. Between 2001

and the end of March 2020, 83 people have been charged with proscription-related

offences as a primary offence in Great Britain, and 45 have been convicted.

Proscription can also support other disruptive activity including the use of immigration

powers such as exclusion, prosecution for other offences, encouraging removal of

on-line material, and messaging and EU asset freezes.

Public Spaces Protection Orders


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (a) what estimate he has made

of the number of public spaces protection orders used by local authorities; and (b) what

purpose those protection orders were issued.

Victoria Atkins:

The Government introduced Public Spaces Protection Orders through the Anti-social

Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to enable local authorities to tackle anti-

social behaviour in public spaces.



The powers in the 2014 Act are local in nature, and it is for local agencies to

determine whether their use is appropriate in the specific circumstances as they are

best-placed to understand the needs of their community and the most appropriate

response.

The Government does not centrally collate data on the number of public spaces

protection orders issued.

Slavery


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward

legislative proposals to introduce penalties for companies who fail to (a) publish an

annual statement and (b) comply with their obligations under the Modern Slavery Act

2015.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to

strengthen the provisions of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 to require (a) large companies

and (b) fashion brands to undertake due diligence checks throughout their supply chains

to ensure (i) materials and (ii) products are produced without the use of exploited labour.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to ensure

that Government procurement is compliant with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Victoria Atkins:

This Government is committed to eliminating modern slavery from our communities

and the global economy. The landmark transparency requirement contained in

section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 made the UK the first country in the world

to require businesses to report on how they are tackling modern slavery in their

operations and supply chains. Section 54 was designed to empower consumers,

investors, civil society and others to scrutinise the action that businesses are taking to

identify and address modern slavery in their supply chains.

To further increase transparency in supply chains, the Home Office launched a public

consultation on a range of measures to strengthen section 54, including requiring

organisations to report on specific topics, including due diligence, and introducing civil

penalties for non-compliance. The Government will publish its response to the

consultation this summer. We are also developing a new gov.uk registry for

organisations in scope of the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act to publish their

modern slavery statements which will enable greater scrutiny.

In March this year, we became the first country to publish a modern slavery

statement setting out how we are preventing modern slavery in Government supply

chains. Bidders for central Government contracts, above relevant thresholds, are

required to confirm that they are compliant with the transparency requirement in the

Modern Slavery Act 2015, where the bidder is in scope of the transparency




requirement. Bidders for public contracts that have failed to meet their legal

obligations in the last three years risk being excluded from public procurements,

unless they can demonstrate that they have taken measures to remedy the failures

and prevent recurrence.

The Home Office has written twice to the CEOs of more than 16,000 businesses in

scope with clear information about how to meet their obligations.

Slavery: Manufacturing Industries

Gareth Bacon: [71914]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps are being taken to

eradicate modern slavery in the fast fashion industry.

Victoria Atkins:

The Government is committed to tackling modern slavery in all sectors, including

fashion, which is why in 2017 we expanded the remit of the Gangmasters and Labour

Abuse Authority (GLAA), giving specially trained officers stronger powers under the

Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 to investigate labour market offences across

all sectors of the economy in England and Wales. We have also committed to

creating a single enforcement body to crack down on employers abusing the law, to

protect vulnerable workers and create a level playing field for the majority of

employers that comply with the law.

To address risks in the fashion sector specifically, the former Prime Minister launched

'The Apparel and General Merchandise Public and Private Protocol' in 2018. The

protocol is a partnership between enforcement bodies such as the GLAA and the

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and industry partners, including the British Retail

Consortium, UK Fashion and the Textile Association, and commits its signatories to

working together to eradicate slavery and exploitation in textile supply chains.

We are also committed to improving transparency in domestic and global supply

chains. Under section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the UK became the first

country in the world to require large businesses in all sectors to report on how they

are tackling modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. We are committed

to continuously strengthening our approach and in July 2019 the Home Office

launched a public consultation on an ambitious package of measures designed to

enhance the impact of transparency, including mandating specific topics

organisations must report on, introducing a single reporting deadline and extending

transparency to the public sector. The Government response to the consultation will

be published this summer.

We are also developing a new gov.uk registry for statements published under the

Modern Slavery Act, to enable greater scrutiny from consumers, investors, civil

society and others and drive a “race to the top".


Slavery: Victim Support Schemes


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her

Department's News story of 29 June 2020, New contract to deliver improved support for

modern slavery victims, whether people provided with accommodation under the Victim

Care Contract since the beginning of the covid-19 outbreak will be able to remain in that

accommodation for another three months.

Victoria Atkins:

In line with Public Health England guidance in response to COVID-19, the policy

change announced on 6 April 2020 meant individuals who were accommodated in

the VCC, would have continued access to this accommodation for a three-month

period. The policy was reviewed at the end of June, with consideration of government

wide COVID-19 advice.

The review determined that the policy will remain in place for a further period of one

month from 6 July to the 6 August 2020. This is a transitional period, and from 6

August, the move on processes and periods set out in the Modern Slavery Act 2015:

statutory guidance for England and Wales will resume as normal.

The Government is committed ensuring the safety and security of those supported

through the modern slavery Victim Care Contract (VCC). Support workers and

decision makers will continue to consider government advice, as well as the impacts

of COVID-19 on the availability of services and the safety/security of individuals as

part of move-on processes.

Stalking: Registration



ensure that serial stalkers are routinely tracked, managed and supervised.



ensure that domestic violence perpetrators are routinely tracked, managed and

supervised.

Victoria Atkins:

People who have been convicted of one of the offences specified in Schedule 15 to

the Criminal Justice Act 2003, including stalking involving fear of violence or serious

alarm or distress, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and wounding with intent to

cause grievous bodily harm, and who have been sentenced to 12 months or more of

imprisonment or youth detention or who have been detained under the Mental Health

Act 1983, are automatically managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection

Arrangements (MAPPA). Of those people, those who pose a higher risk of harm -

where formal multi-agency meetings are held to inform the shared Risk Management

Plan - are included on the ViSOR Dangerous Persons Database.




People who do not meet those criteria, but who have been convicted or cautioned for,

or reprimanded or warned about, an offence which indicates that they pose a risk of

serious harm to the public, and who are considered by the MAPPA agencies to

require the active involvement of several agencies via regular multi-agency public

protection meetings, are also managed under MAPPA and included on ViSOR.

Additionally, a person who has not been convicted of an offence, but whose

behaviour gives reasonable grounds for believing that there is a likelihood of them

committing an offence which will cause serious harm (known as a Potentially

Dangerous Person), may also be included on ViSOR.

The College of Policing has issued guidance to police forces on the ‘Identification,

assessment and management of serial or potentially dangerous domestic abuse and

stalking perpetrators’. The key principles set out that forces should have processes in

place to identify serial or potentially dangerous domestic abuse or stalking

perpetrators and ensure that information about the perpetrator is recorded on the

Police National Computer, the Police National Database or ViSOR as appropriate.

HM Prison and Probation Service has published a Domestic Abuse Policy Framework

which sets out the arrangements for working with people whose convictions or

behaviours include domestic abuse. The framework mandates adherence to the

referral pathways for domestic abuse perpetrators and ensures that the expectations

for its work in those cases is laid out clearly and comprehensively.

In January 2020 the Government introduced Stalking Protection Orders, which allow

magistrates’ courts to impose prohibitions and positive requirements on a person if

they are necessary to protect another person from a risk associated with stalking.

The Domestic Abuse Bill will introduce Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, which will

include similar provisions, including specific provision for electronic tagging.

Stop and Search: Ethnic Groups

Ms Harriet Harman: [74424]


ensure that stop and search is not disproportionately affecting (a) black men and (b)

BAME communities.

Kit Malthouse:

The Government is clear no one should be stopped and searched based on race or

ethnicity and there are safeguards to ensure that this does not happen. These include

Code A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 which sets out the statutory

requirements for conducting a search, the use of body worn video to increase

accountability, and HMICFRS inspections where force level disparities are examined.

Last year, the Home Office asked the College of Policing to update its guidance on

stop and search to provide better practice to forces on community engagement and

scrutiny.  The Home Office also publishes extensive data on police powers, including

the use of stop and search, which allows Police and Crime Commissioners and

others to hold forces to account. The latest publication is


here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-powers-and-procedures-

england-and-wales-year-ending-31-march-2019.

Visas: Coronavirus

Gavin Robinson: [74608]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will agree to a further visa

extension beyond 31 July 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Kevin Foster:

The latest information in respect of advice for visa holders can be found on GOV.UK

at: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-

temporary-uk-residents. This is kept under review.

The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by

the covid-19 outbreak. We recognise that further adjustments are likely to be required

to cater for all scenarios, and we are working through these, to ensure people are not

unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control.

Visas: Travel Restrictions

Bell Ribeiro-Addy: [72264]


to extend the 30-day travel period for the vignette application for people unable to enter

the UK due to flight cancellations as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

Kevin Foster:

The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by

the COVID-19 outbreak. It has been agreed that if an individual’s 30-day visa to travel

to the UK for work, study or to join family has expired, or is about to expire, a

replacement visa with revised validity dates valid for up to 90 days may be requested

free of charge until the end of this year (2020).

Affected customers will need to contact the UKVI Coronavirus Immigration Help

Centre. Full details of the Help Centre and how to make a request can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-

temporary-uk-residents .

Visas: Turkey

Barbara Keeley: [73764]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to enable

people with European Community Association Agreement visas to (a) renew and (b)

extend those visas whist outside the UK in the event that they cannot travel back to the

UK during the covid-19 outbreak prior to their visa expiring; and if she will make a

statement.




Kevin Foster:

The Government is committed to ensuring that people are not unfairly impacted in

terms of their immigration status as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Those who are outside the UK when their European Community Association

Agreement (ECAA) visa expires can apply, free of charge, for entry clearance as an

ECAA business person so that they can return to the UK. On their return, they can

seek to extend their leave where they are eligible for this.

Further guidance for ECAA applicants who have been unable to return to the UK or

renew their leave because of illness or travel restrictions due to Covid-19 will be

published shortly

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

[Subject Heading to be Assigned]

Afzal Khan: [904965]

Whether his Department plans to provide financial support to (a) places of worship and

(b) faith organisations to help them to reopen safely as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are

eased.

Robert Jenrick:

I am very grateful to faith leaders across the country for the leadership they have

shown on behalf of their communities during this crisis.

I am also grateful to the Places of Worship Taskforce, which met again last week,

and which has been extremely productive. There are still issues we are working

through together, including music for services and singing.

As of the 4 th of July, places of worship were allowed to re-open with social distancing

in place. Today they are able to hold services, or lead communal worship, and

important events in the lives of their communities, such as weddings and funerals.

Faith organisations have been able to apply for a range of Government-backed

financial packages which support charities and businesses.

Bambos Charalambous: [904966]

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of Government funding for local

authorities in England.

Mr Simon Clarke:

We have now made £4.3 billion available to local authorities to address expenditure

pressures caused by COVID-19, including £3.7 billion of unringfenced grants and the

£600 million Infection Control Fund.

We are using monthly data collections and conversations with councils and the LGA

to refine our assessment of costs and develop a good understanding of the pressures

local authorities are currently facing.



James Cartlidge: [904969]

What steps he is taking to reform the planning system in England.

Robert Jenrick:

Our seven-decade old planning system is in need of an overhaul, and we will shortly

be publishing a planning Policy Paper in the summer setting out our proposals for

comprehensive reform.

These reforms will deliver more high-quality, well-designed homes, and beautiful and

greener communities for people to live in.

Alongside this we continue to create new planning freedoms to support the high

street and create new homes – including new Permitted Development Rights and

Use Class Order reform.

Wera Hobhouse: [904970]

What steps the Government is taking to tackle the risk of local authorities becoming

insolvent as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Simon Clarke:

We recognise the additional costs and pressures councils are facing as a result of the

Covid-19 outbreak. We have made £3.7 billion available to councils through an un-

ringfenced grant so they can address these pressures. We will continue to work with

local government to ensure they are managing as the pandemic progresses.

Zarah Sultana: [904972]

What plans his Department has to prevent tenants who have fallen into arrears as a

result of financial hardship caused by the covid-19 outbreak being evicted from privately

rented properties.

Christopher Pincher:

The Government has offered unprecedented support to help prevent people getting

into financial hardship or rent arrears.

We legislated to delay when landlords can evict tenants and the Master of the Rolls,

with the support of the Government, paused eviction proceedings for five months,

until 23 August. These measures are helping to ensure no-one loses their home this

summer as a result of coronavirus.

Paul Howell: [904975]

What support he is providing to help local authorities experiencing a reduction in income

during the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Simon Clarke:

We have announced a sales, fees and charges co-payment scheme to compensate

for irrecoverable losses in 2020/21 where those are above the level they could have

been expected to plan for. We will also extend the period over which councils must

manage shortfalls in local tax income relating to 2020-21. Further details of how we

will support councils to manage tax losses will be announced at the spending review.





Jo Gideon: [904976]

What steps he is taking to support housebuilding on brownfield land.

Suzanne Webb: [904977]

What steps he is taking to support housebuilding on brownfield land.


I’m delighted that the Prime Minister recently announced that seven Mayoral

Combined Authorities, including the West Midlands Combined Authority, are each

receiving a share of the £400 million Brownfield Housing Fund. This will help unlock

26,000 homes by bringing under-utilised brownfield land back into use and contribute

to the levelling-up our country.

Tom Randall: [904978]

What additional support he is providing to local authorities during the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Simon Clarke:

Government recognises the pressures councils face from Covid-19. We are providing

councils with an unprecedented package of support, allocating £4.3 billion for

spending pressures, including £3.7 billion of unringfenced grants and the £600 million

Infection Control Fund.

Overall, Government has committed nearly £28 billion to support councils, their

communities and businesses.

Michael Fabricant: [904980]

What guidance his Department issues to local authorities on their membership of local

enterprise partnerships; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Simon Clarke:

The Department has provided clear guidance on the membership of Local Enterprise

Partnerships through our National Local Growth Assurance Framework.

Each Local Enterprise Partnership is required to set out the membership

requirements of their Board and Sub-Boards in a Local Assurance Framework which

should be published on their website.

Affordable Housing: Construction

Thangam Debbonaire: [73887]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what

estimate his Department has made of the potential effect on the number of affordable

homes for rent or sale which will be built as a result of removing planning requirements

for some property development applications as set out by the Prime Minister on 30 June

2020.


Our proposals to introduce new permitted development rights to create new homes

will mean that more homes to buy or rent will be delivered than would otherwise be






the case. We have not made any estimates of how many of these extra homes will be

affordable homes.

Council Tax: Coronavirus

Yvonne Fovargue: [73805]


steps his Department is taking to protect households who cannot pay council tax as a

result of covid-19 related financial hardship from the re-imposition of bailiff visits on 23

August 2020.

Mr Simon Clarke:

Local authorities are responsible for the collection of council tax. Anyone who is

concerned about falling behind with their council tax payments should contact their

council as soon as possible to discuss the support available. Guidance issued by my

Department makes clear that councils should be willing to take account of individuals’

circumstances, and agree affordable and sustainable payment plans to ensure debts

are paid off in a reasonable time. Councils will also be able to advise on eligibility for

a reduced bill, for example through their local council tax support schemes and any

additional help from the £500 million council tax hardship fund. This is part of the

Government's response to COVID-19 and enables councils to provide further

reductions in bills for economically vulnerable households.

Yvonne Fovargue: [73806]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will

make it his policy to introduce a statutory pre-action protocol to protect households who

cannot pay council tax as a result of covid-19 related financial hardship from the re-

imposition of bailiff visits on 23 August 2020.

Mr Simon Clarke:

The Department’s guidance on council tax collection makes clear that local

authorities should take all reasonable steps to exhaust the options available to them

prior to beginning enforcement action. This includes taking the individual

circumstances of each billpayer into account, and agreeing an approach for dealing

with vulnerable residents. Authorities should also signpost the availability of free to

use debt advisers, and work with advisers to ensure that an affordable and

sustainable payment plan is agreed, preventing the need for enforcement action. If

enforcement action is considered appropriate after those checks, the guidance is

clear that authorities should explore options such as deductions from benefits or an

attachment of earnings order, prior to engaging enforcement agents.

First Time Buyers: Government Assistance

Andy Carter: [904982]

What plans he has to help first-time buyers to purchase their own homes.




Robert Jenrick:

This Government will reset our national homeownership offer – ensuring local people

and key workers have the opportunity to build a life in their own community.

First Homes, our new homeownership programme, will discount homes by at least 30

per cent for key workers, local people, and first-time buyers – including those who

have done so much to respond to the Covid-19 outbreak. We recently closed our

consultation on First Homes and will publish our response soon.

At the same time our new £12 billion investment in affordable homes will create

thousands of new homes for Shared Ownership.

And all of this adds to other Government-backed schemes, including Help to Buy,

which have supported over 627,000 households into homeownership since 2010.

Firstport and A2dominion

Seema Malhotra: [74593]


discussions he has had in the last six months with (a) Firstport and (b) A2Dominion on

their level of service charges for leaseholders and the quality of service they provide to

them.

Luke Hall:

The Secretary of State has not had discussions with the organisations Firstport or

A2Dominion regarding their use of service charges within the last six months. The

Government believes very strongly that service charges should be fair, transparent

and communicated effectively wherever they are used, and that there should be a

clear route to challenge or redress if things go wrong.


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether

representatives from (a) Firstport and (b) A2Dominion have participated in departmental

(i) committees and (ii) advisory boards on (A) policy development and (B) departmental

priorities in the last three years.

Luke Hall:

Representatives from Firstport and A2Dominion attended an official led technical

working group for reviewing leasehold major works consultations (Section 20 of the

Landlord and Tenant Act 1985) in 2017/18, last meeting in April 2018. Firstport and

A2Dominion have not participated in any further departmental committees or advisory

boards on policy development or departmental priorities in the last three years.

Help to Buy Scheme: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant

to the Answer of 30 June 2020 to Question 64892 on Help to Buy Scheme: Coronavirus,

if he will extend the current Help to Buy scheme for first-time buyers with approved




mortgages who do not qualify for the new Help to Buy scheme as a result of its financial

cap.


Homes England allow extensions to reservations that are at risk of expiring, due to

recent site closures by Covid-19, for any Help to Buy customers with valid mortgage

offers.

Sales must still complete within the contractual deadlines for the current Help to Buy

scheme ending on 31 March 2021. Therefore as it is in the interest of all parties to

ensure sales complete on time, it is anticipated that developers will prioritise these

existing orders accordingly.

Meanwhile, we continue to work with HMT on a range of measures to support the

housing sector.

Homelessness: LGBT People

Dawn Butler: [72178]


support his Department plans to provide to LGBTQ+ youth with no recourse to public

funds who are at risk of homelessness during the covid-19 outbreak.

Luke Hall:

The Government is aware of concerns about those with no recourse to public funds

experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis.

We are ensuring local authorities are supported, with £3.2 million in targeted funding

to help support individuals who are sleeping rough off the streets, and an additional

£3.7 billion provided to local authorities as part of the wider Government response to

the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding has been provided to help local authorities to reduce risks to public health

and to support individuals on the basis of need. This may include people identifying

as LGBTQ+.

The legal position on those with no recourse to public funds has not been amended.

The Government recognises that these are unprecedented times, and expects local

authorities to support people who are sleeping rough, and also to minimise

unnecessary risks to public health, acting within the law.

We also recognise that LGBTQ+ homelessness is an important issue, particularly

among young people, and that LGBTQ+ people who find themselves homeless may

have a different experience of homelessness. This Department has provided funds to

both charities and local authorities which will enable to them to support their

communities, including LGBTQ+ people, whether they are at risk of, or are

experiencing, homelessness or rough sleeping.

In particular, my Department has provided £6 million of emergency funding to

frontline homelessness charitable organisations who were directly affected by the


COVID-19 outbreak. Following a successful bidding process, over 130 charities

across England are set to benefit from the fund. Successful bids included Stonewall

Housing which provides housing advice and support for LGBTQ+ people at risk of, or

experiencing, homelessness or rough sleeping.

Housing: Construction

Sir Greg Knight: [73719]


plans he has put in place to ensure that local authorities fulfill their duties to make sure

that new buildings are compliant with building regulations as a result of Dame Judith

Hackitt’s independent review of building regulations and fire safety; and if he will make a

statement.


In April 2020 the Government published our response to the consultation, Building a

Safer Future, which sought views on our proposals for a radically new building safety

system, based on the recommendations of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent

Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety. We will legislate for these reforms

through the Building Safety Bill, which was published today.

Landlords: Licensing

Stephen Timms: [73699]


make an estimate of the change in the level of annual revenue accruing to the public

purse from a national licensing scheme for residential landlords.


The Government has no current plans to introduce a national licensing scheme and

as such it is unable to offer any estimate related to such a scheme.

Local Government Finance: Coronavirus

Dan Jarvis: [73835]


assessment he has made of the financial effect of covid-19 on (a) town and (b) parish

councils; and what support he plans to make available to those authorities.

Mr Simon Clarke:

The Government is very grateful to all parish and town councils and to their members

and clerks for the vital work they are doing to support communities

The Department is working to understand the financial pressures that Covid-19 is

placing on all local authorities, including parish and town councils. The Department

will also continue to work with local government, including with representative bodies

for parishes and town councils such as the National Association of Local Councils




over the coming weeks to ensure the sector as a whole is managing as the pandemic

progresses.

The Government does not have powers to offer direct financial support to parish and

town councils, which are funded through a precept collected from within the overall

council tax paid by the residents of the parish or town. We would encouraging all

parish and town councils to speak to their principal authority (district or unitary

council) and have encouraged those authorities to facilitate those discussions where

parish and towns are performing Covid-19 related services.

Local Government: Coronavirus



steps his Department has taken to ensure that (a) local resilience forums and (b) local

authorities (i) engage and (ii) collaborate with the local voluntary and community sector to

ensure coordinated and holistic support is provided to people affected by the covid-19

outbreak as part of (A) Test and Trace, (B) local lockdown policy and (C) as part of the

Government's strategy for economic recovery.

Mr Simon Clarke:

MHCLG is in regular contact with local resilience forums (LRFs) across England, with

MHCLG attending both tactical and strategic coordinating groups as necessary. Local

authorities, as part of the LRF, will consider the needs of vulnerable individuals as

they plan their response, and recovery, from the Covid-19 outbreak.

We are working with other Government departments to support local authorities to

respond to additional vulnerability created by the Covid-19 outbreak through financial

support, engaging civil society and supermarkets to provide further assistance,

including access to food and essential supplies.

The Government has also confirmed an additional £63 million for local authorities to

help those who are struggling financially due to the impact of Covid-19. This will allow

authorities to step in and provide discretionary financial help to those facing severe

hardship due to Covid-19 and help them to pay for food and other necessities.

We are working with DHSC to support local authorities to respond to Covid-19

outbreaks by ensuring capacity and accessibility is available for testing vulnerable

groups. The Test and Trace scheme ensures that anyone who develops symptoms of

coronavirus (Covid-19) can quickly be tested to find out if they have the virus, and

also includes targeted asymptomatic testing of NHS and social care staff and care

home residents

Meetings of the Economic Recovery Working Group, which brings together local

growth partners to discuss emerging themes and concerns across the country, have

been held at both official and ministerial level. Officials will also be establishing 5

locally led task and finish groups to bring together local partners on specific recovery

challenges, to foster strong collaboration between national and local partners and

understand how we can support recovery.




steps he is taking to ensure local authorities have the (a) responsibility, (b) funding and

(c) guidance to provide (i) food, (ii) shelter and (iii) emotional support as part of the

Government's (A) programme of response and recovery in response to the covid-19

outbreak and (B) planning for future emergencies.

Mr Simon Clarke:

My Department has been working closely with local councils and sector representing

organisations throughout the response to this crisis to understand the challenges they

face. We have a number of established engagement channels in place to help ensure

effective communication.

We are providing local authorities with an unprecedented package of support,

allocating £4.3billion of support for expenditure pressures, including £3.7 billion of un-

ringfenced grants and the £600 million Infection Control Fund.

The Government announced up to £16 million to provide food for charities and other

organisations supporting those who are struggling financially as a result of

coronavirus.

£3.2 million in emergency funding for local authorities has also been announced to

support vulnerable rough sleepers . Nearly 15,000 vulnerable people have been

housed in emergency accommodation, including hotels, since the start of the Covid-

19 pandemic.

Building on this, we announced that Dame Louise Casey is spearheading a Taskforce

to lead the next phase of the Government’s support for rough sleepers during this

pandemic.

On 24 May, the Secretary of State announced plans for thousands of long-term, safe

homes to support many of the vulnerable rough sleepers who have been supported

during the Covid-19 pandemic. This unprecedented commitment – the biggest of its

kind since the Government’s Rough Sleeping Initiative began – will be backed

by £160 million in 2020/21 to inject 3,300 new units of accommodation into the system

over the following 12 months, part of 6,000 in total.

On 24 June we  announced that we are providing local authorities with a further £105

million to enable them to best support those placed into emergency accommodation

during the pandemic.

Materials Handling Equipment: Industrial Accidents

Apsana Begum: [72277]


discussions his Department has had with (a) Gateway Housing Association, (b) Tower

Hamlets Council and (c) Swan Housing Association on re-housing people who have been

displaced as a result of the crane collapse on 9 July 2020 at the Swan Housing

Association’s Watts Grove development site in Bow.




Tower Hamlets Council, working with its partners, is responsible for the re-housing of

residents who have had to be evacuated from their homes following this tragic

incident. We understand that all affected residents have temporarily been re-housed.

My officials have had no direct contact with any of these organisations to date.

Planning Permission



publish the public inquiry planning decisions he has yet to make where a planning

inspector’s report has already been submitted to his office; and if he will publish the date

on which each of those planning inspectors’ reports were submitted to his office.


The requested information is in the table below:

CASE (LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY)

DATE INSPECTOR’S REPORT SUBMITTED TO

DEPARTMENT

Highthorn (Northumberland) 29/11/17

Whitehouse Farm Belper (Amber Valley) (2

cases)

12/9/18

Crich Lane, Belper (Amber Valley) 4/4/19

Broad Lane Essington & Holyhead Rd Wergs

(South Staffs)

13/5/19

Land north of Barleycastle Lane, Appleton

Thorn (Warrington)

11/12/19

Land Adjacent Dinnington Road, Woodsetts

(Rotherham)

6/1/20

Ellesmere Port Wellsite, Portside One

(Cheshire West and Chester)

6/1/20

South-west Sittingbourne/Wises Lane (Swale) 13/2/20

Hulton Park (Bolton) 4/5/20

Anglia Square (Norwich) 8/6/20

Citroen site, Brentford (GLA) 11/6/20

There are a variety of reasons why decisions may be delayed including policy

complexities, and changes in local or national policy which require further

correspondence with parties.


Alan Brown: [72980]


list (a) the public inquiry planning decisions he has still to determine where the planning

inspector’s report has been submitted to his Department and (b) the date of receipt of

each of those reports from the planning inspector.


The requested information is in the table below:

CASE (LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY)

DATE INSPECTOR’S REPORT SUBMITTED TO

MHCLG

Highthorn (Northumberland) 29/11/17

Whitehouse Farm Belper (Amber Valley) (2

cases)

12/9/18

Crich Lane, Belper (Amber Valley) 4/4/19

Broad Lane Essington & Holyhead Rd Wergs

(South Staffs)

13/5/19

Land north of Barleycastle Lane, Appleton

Thorn (Warrington)

11/12/19

Land Adjacent Dinnington Road, Woodsetts

(Rotherham)

6/1/20

Ellesmere Port Wellsite, Portside One

(Cheshire West and Chester)

6/1/20

South-west Sittingbourne/Wises Lane (Swale) 13/2/20

Hulton Park (Bolton) 4/5/20

Anglia Square (Norwich) 8/6/20

Citroen site, Brentford (GLA) 11/6/20

There are a variety of reasons why decisions may be delayed including policy

complexities, and changes in local or national policy which require further

correspondence with parties.

Private Rented Housing: Coronavirus



to the Answer of 18 May 2020 to Question 45293 on Private Rented Housing:

Coronavirus, what criteria his Department uses to determine the needs of (a) tenants and



(b) landlords in relation to the lifting of the temporary ban on evictions from residential

properties.


On 5 June the Government announced that the current suspension of possession

proceedings would be extended by two months until 23 August 2020. This means

that no action to evict a tenant will proceed before 24 August 2020.

The Government listens to a variety of stakeholders that represent landlords and

tenants. As the Government takes steps in the next phase of the COVID-19

response, we will consider how measures should adapt to ensure they reflect public

health guidance and the changing nature of this wider context recognising the

interests of both tenants and landlords.

Property Development



assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the use of collective enfranchisement

rights by property developers; and what steps he is taking to ensure the effective scrutiny

of that procedure.

Luke Hall:

Enfranchisement rights are used by leaseholders to acquire the freehold of their

buildings. Part I of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act

1993, as amended by the Housing Act 1996 and the Commonhold and Leasehold

Reform Act 2002 allows for collective enfranchisement, and lease renewal rights for

leaseholders of flats.

The Government is looking to standardise the enfranchisement process and asked

the Law Commission to review current arrangements to make them easier, quicker

and cheaper. The Law Commission published its first report to Government, on the

valuation aspects of enfranchisement, on 9 January 2020. The report, which follows a

consultation by the Law Commission, sets out a number of options relating to

valuation, including purchasing a freehold and extending the lease of a house or flat.

Details can be found at https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/leasehold-

enfranchisement/. The Law Commission will publish a report on the remaining

aspects of enfranchisement shortly. The Government will carefully consider the

proposals outlined in the Law Commission’s reports and set out its preferred way

forward in due course.



assessment he has made of the level of importance of archaeological surveys ahead of

developments in his proposals to streamline the planning system.


https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/leasehold-enfranchisement/





The Government is committed to the protection of the historic environment. Heritage

considerations, including the need for archaeological surveys, will continue to be

taken into account in bringing forward any planning reforms.

Rough Sleeping: Coronavirus



to the Answer of 22 June 2020 to Question 60812, what data his Department collects

from local authorities on the amount they have spent on providing accommodation for

rough sleepers under the Everybody In initiative.

Luke Hall:

The first two rounds of the Covid-19 financial monitoring survey have now been

published. These show that between March-May 2020, additional local authority

expenditure due to Covid-19 for housing services, including homelessness services,

was £63 million. We will publish a summary of the results from the third round in due

course.

Further details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-

authority-covid-19-financial-impact-monitoring-information.

Sleeping Rough



to the Answer of 18 May 2020 to Question 40670, how many people were recorded as

sleeping rough in the second quarter of 2020.

Luke Hall:

[Holding answer 20 July 2020]: MHCLG collect an annual official snapshot of rough

sleeping which is verified by Homeless Link and provides information about the

estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night between 1 October and

30 November each year, along with some basic demographic details. This was last

released in February 2020 and showed a total figure of 4,266 rough sleepers on any

given night, 9% lower than the previous year. The next annual snapshot is due to

take place in autumn 2020. Regarding the numbers of people currently rough

sleeping, local authorities currently hold the most up to date information.

Sleeping Rough: Coronavirus


What progress he has made on finding accommodation for rough sleepers during the

covid-19 outbreak.

Luke Hall:

On 26th March I wrote to local authority leaders, asking them to bring ‘Everybody In’.


https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Flocal-authority-covid-19-financial-impact-monitoring-information&data=02%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7Cccc4c172e95a421cbd2a08d82a6ae3e2%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637305985857460717&sdata=7N5GIBYdTPkPvHa3ilFyMa1V4COG7TA6UqP9IDvFqXE%3D&reserved=0





We saw a phenomenal response; due to the hard work of councils, charities and

volunteers, 15,000 rough sleepers and vulnerable people have been housed in hotels

and other forms of emergency accommodation, since the start of the pandemic.

We are also providing £105 million for interim accommodation and £160 million for

long term accommodation, which includes funding to make 3,300 new supported

homes available in the next 12 months.

Temporary accommodation: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with

reference to his Department’s press release of 23 June 2020 entitled £105 million to keep

rough sleepers safe and off the streets during coronavirus pandemic, what estimate his

Department has made of the number of homeless people provided with temporary

accommodation through the Everyone In initiative who were (a) women and (b) women

with no recourse to public funds.

Luke Hall:

On 24 June we announced that we are providing local authorities with a further £105

million to enable them to best support the almost 15,000 vulnerable people placed

into emergency accommodation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This commitment

will help to ensure that as few of these people as possible return to the streets.

On 3 June we published the management information that supports the

announcements from Secretary of State and Dame Louise Casey regarding the

amount of people accommodated. This management information is collected from

over 300 local authorities nationally; however, we do not currently hold a breakdown

of the gender of all those who have been assisted.

We are continuing to work with local authorities to further understand the work they

are doing to help the most vulnerable in our society. Local authorities hold the most

up to date information regarding the number of people they are currently assisting.

The Government is aware of concerns about those with no recourse to public funds

experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis.

We are ensuring local authorities are supported, with £3.2 million of targeted funding

previously announced to help support individuals who are sleeping rough off the

streets, and an additional £3.7 billion provided to local authorities as part of the wider

Government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This funding has been provided to help local authorities to reduce risks to public

health and to support individuals on the basis of need.

The legal position on those with no recourse to public funds has not been amended.

The Government recognises that these are unprecedented times, and expects local

authorities to support people who are sleeping rough, and also to minimise

unnecessary risks to public health, acting within the law.


Vulnerable Adults: Coronavirus



steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) local resilience forums and (b) local

authorities can meet the needs of vulnerable individuals as part of (i) Test and Trace, (ii)

local lockdowns and (iii) local recovery from the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Simon Clarke:

MHCLG is in regular contact with local resilience forums (LRFs) across England, with

MHCLG attending both tactical and strategic coordinating groups as necessary. Local

authorities, as part of the LRF, will consider the needs of vulnerable individuals as

they plan their response to, and recovery from the Covid-19 outbreak.

We are working with other Government departments to support local authorities to

respond to additional vulnerability created by the Covid-19 outbreak through financial

support, engaging civil society and supermarkets to provide further assistance,

including access to food and essential supplies.


help those who are struggling financially due to the impact of Covid-19. This will allow

authorities to step in and provide discretionary financial help to those facing severe

hardship due to covid-19 and help them to pay for food and other necessities.




coronavirus (Covid-19) can quickly be tested to find out if they have the virus, and

also includes targeted asymptomatic testing of NHS and social care staff and care

home residents.



steps his Department is taking to collaborate with Cabinet colleagues to provide (a) food

and (b) other humanitarian support for vulnerable people as part of (a) Test and Trace,

(b) Local Lockdowns and (c) the Government's programme of economic recovery after

the covid1-9 outbreak.

Mr Simon Clarke:

We are working with other Government departments and supporting local authorities

to respond to additional vulnerability created by the COVID-19 outbreak through

financial support, as well as engaging civil society and supermarkets to provide

further assistance, including access to food and essential supplies.


help those who are struggling financially due to the impact of COVID-19.



We have worked with Defra to provide approximately 3.5 million free food parcels in

total, and currently around 250,000 each week, to people in England who are

shielding and have said they need support getting essential food supplies.

The Government has also announced up to £16 million to provide food for charities

and other organisations supporting those who are struggling financially as a result of

coronavirus. As part of this, Defra has also opened up the £3.5 million Food Charities

Grant Fund for front-line food aid charities, offering grants up to £100,000 to support

charities to continue to provide food to vulnerable people.




coronavirus can quickly be tested to find out if they have the virus, and also includes

targeted asymptomatic testing of NHS and social care staff and care home residents.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Agriculture: Antibiotics

Theresa Villiers: [72838]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will take steps to

ensure that UK Official Development Assistance programmes help developing countries

reduce the use of antibiotics in farming.

James Duddridge:

UK Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) supports developing countries to

develop sustainable farming systems which are good for livelihoods, for human and

animal health, and the environment, and which are resilient to climate change. This

includes fostering the responsible use of antibiotics for animal health and welfare,

while monitoring and preventing the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR),

a top UK government priority.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the interlinkages between the health of

humans, animals and the environment. UK ODA promotes the importance of taking a

One Health approach that addresses all three in an integrated manner for an effective

and sustainable recovery.

The Department of Health and Social Care’s Fleming Fund has provided over £9

million of funding to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) since 2016 to

address AMR and support the appropriate use of antibiotics in farming in 12 low- and

middle-income countries (LMICs). UK ODA also funds the CGIAR AMR Hub (the

global agricultural innovation network) that aims to develop One Health solutions to

support LMICs in controlling agriculture-associated AMR risks.


British Indian Ocean Territory: English Language

Patrick Grady: [73877]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 9

July 2020 to Question 69595, on British Indian Ocean Territory: Overseas Aid, how many

Chagossians in Mauritius have participated in English Language Training to date.

Wendy Morton:

Since the commencement of English Language Training in August 2019, 65

Chagossians have enrolled on training courses offered by the British Council. There

have been 157 enrolments in total and with around 4,500 hours of language training

provided up to the end of April 2020.

Patrick Grady: [73878]


July 2020 to Question 69595, on British Indian Ocean Territory: Overseas Aid, what

assessment her Department has made of the effect of English Language Training on the

livelihoods of Chagossians in Mauritius.

Wendy Morton:

The British Council is still evaluating the impact of the English Language Training

programme, a process which has been impeded by the COVID 19 outbreak.

However, initial feedback from participants has indicated strong appreciation of the

opportunity, including for some participants learning to read and write for the first

time.

Department for International Development: Public Expenditure



July 2020 Question 67776 on Department for International Development: Public

Expenditure, when her Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2019 to 2020 will be

published.

Wendy Morton:

DFID’s Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 will be laid in Parliament and published

on gov.uk on 21 July 2020.

Department for International Trade: Annual Reports


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, when her annual report will

be laid before the House as required by the International Development (Reporting and

Transparency) Act 2006.

Wendy Morton:

DFID’s Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 will be laid in Parliament and published

on gov.uk on 21 July 2020.





Department for International Trade: Public Expenditure


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the value of promissory

notes her Department planned to issue in 2020-21 was for (a) each institution at the Main

Estimate stage in 2020 by date to each institution; and the planned value of promissory

note issuance is by institution for the remainder of the calendar year 2020.

Wendy Morton:

DFID uses promissory notes with organisations such as international development

banks. A promissory note allows that organisation to commit to an activity in full, in

advance of funding being transferred.

DFID’s made no adjustment at Main Estimates 2020-21 to the Net Cash Requirement

as a result of Promissory Notes.

Developing Countries: International Assistance


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she

has made of progress towards meeting Millennium Development Goal 8 and towards the

development of an open trading system and debt relief in low income countries.

Wendy Morton:

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) expired in 2015 and were replaced by

the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UK is committed to the SDGs and

last year published a Voluntary National Review of progress to date.

COVID-19 poses real risks to eroding progress on the SDGs and there is a need to

accelerate global action to reach the Goals by 2030. The UK, G20 and Paris Club,

will suspend up to $12 billion of debt repayments from the poorest countries due this

year under the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative. The UK has also committed

up to £150 million to the Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust, to fund the

poorest countries’ debt repayments to the IMF.

The UK is also committed to supporting developing countries to integrate into the

rules based international system so as to benefit from free and open trade. Our Trade

Advocacy and Investment Fund supports low income countries to participate fully in

WTO negotiations. More broadly, our Aid for Trade portfolio supports developing

countries to benefit from WTO Agreements and open trade, including our major

contribution to the Enhanced Integrated Framework.

Developing Countries: Sustainable Development


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to

Recommendation 12, paragraph 45 of the 12th Report of the International Development

Committee of Session 2017-19, on the UK's progress on the Sustainable Development

Goals: The Voluntary National Review, HC 1732, if the Government will take the




opportunity of the merger of her Department with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

to review the location of responsibility for leading and reporting on the UK’s domestic

performance against the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Wendy Morton:

The UK remains committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the

SDGs will play an important role in collective approaches to post-COVID-19 recovery.

Responsibility for the oversight of the SDGs will need to be considered in the round

as part of the formation of the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Notwithstanding this, all government departments have responsibility for the aspects

of the SDGs that relate to their respective policy responsibilities.

Equality: Females


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government

has taken to (a) embed gender equality and (b) empower women through UK Official

Development Assistance in the new Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Wendy Morton:

Advancing gender equality and women’s rights are a core part of this Government’s

mission, and vital to fulfilling every girl’s right to 12 years of quality education. The

Government remains steadfast in its commitment to this agenda.

We remain committed to spending 0.7% of Gross National Income on development.

The UK International Development Act (Gender Equality) 2014 also makes a

consideration of gender equality in all UK Overseas Development Assistance a legal

requirement.

The Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy is

expected to conclude later in the year. This will define the Government’s ambition for

the UK’s role in the world and its outcomes will shape the objectives of the new

Department, including on gender equality and women’s rights. Both the review and

the merger are evidence of the Prime Minister’s commitment to a unified British

foreign and development policy that will maximise our influence around the world.

Females: Equality

Yasmin Qureshi: [73774]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department

is taking to ensure that older women are included in the implementation of the Strategic

Vision for Gender Equality by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Wendy Morton:

The Strategic Vision for Gender Equality is DFID’s guiding document on gender

equality and it reflects and responds to the UK Government’s ambitions on this

agenda. This includes our commitment to Leave No Girl or Woman Behind, which

recognises that older women face multiple exclusions and experience a range of

complex barriers to accessing services. COVID-19 has thrown into sharp relief the



vulnerability of older people to shocks and brought to the forefront the important roles

they play in society.

As part of the DFID-FCO merger discussions, we will refresh and build on existing

strategies, as well as develop new approaches. Advancing gender equality and

women’s rights are a core part of this Government’s mission. The Government

remains steadfast in its commitment to this agenda.

Israel: Palestinians


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support her

Department is providing to coexistence projects in Israel-Palestine.

James Cleverly:

Our people to people programme aimed to foster cooperation between Israelis and

Palestinians on issues that can have a positive impact on both communities and build

understanding between people on both sides of the conflict, helping build support for

a peaceful, negotiated resolution. This programme ended in March 2020.

The programme’s research component will analyse the impact of people-to-people

work, building an evidence base which will inform any future work in this area.

Non-governmental Organisations: Overseas Aid

Jim Shannon: [73830]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to

support NGOs that have experienced a significant decline in private funding as a result of

the covid-19 pandemic.

Wendy Morton:

We are working flexibly with existing civil society partners to respond to the

pandemic, maintain delivery of essential programmes and manage the impacts on

organisations and staff.

DFID is offering support to all suppliers, including civil society, in line with the

provisions of the Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Note and associated guidance

for grants. This allows for relief on services and goods provided in the UK, to DFID

aid programmes as a last resort and on a case-by-case basis for DFID contracts and

grants. UK-based Non-Government Organisations are also eligible for the

Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Overseas Aid



July 2020 to Question 67777 on Overseas Aid, what the value is of the allocations that

have been made from the £200 million un-allocated component of the ODA Crisis

Reserve in 2020-21 so far; to what programmes that funding has been allocated; and




whether any of the £300 million re-deployable component of the ODA Crisis Reserve has

been redeployed.

Wendy Morton:

The UK ODA Crisis Reserve is an annual allocation of £500 million. This consists of a

£200 million un-allocated reserve and a £300 million re-deployable reserve.

We used initial the £200 million to respond to COVID-19. We have now replenished

this through using the redeployable element of the reserve. To date DFID Secretary

of State has approved a total of £5 million from the 2020/21 ODA Crisis Reserve. The

£5 million was approved by DFID SoS in February 2020 to the World Health

Organisation to provide resilience to vulnerable countries in response to the global

pandemic (£10 million approved from 19/20 crisis reserve and £5 million from 20/21

crisis reserve).


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department

plans to allocate the match funding to her Department's partners in compliance with the

Aid Match agreements that have been agreed.

Wendy Morton:

All government departments are working through how their plans will need to change

in light of the risk of a significant recession this year. DFID is no exception. The

Government’s 0.7% GNI target is directly linked to the performance of the UK

economy. No decision has been taken, but we are considering the full range of our

work. In the short term, we have paused new financial arrangements while we agree

our future work in close cooperation with other aid spending Departments.

Overseas Aid: Cost Effectiveness


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government

will take to ensure that Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office expenditure on

Official Development Assistance is subject to independent review as required under the

provisions of the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act

2015.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan:

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will be accountable to

parliament for how it spends UK aid. We remain committed to full transparency in our

aid spending and there will continue to be parliamentary and independent scrutiny of

the aid budget – the form this takes following the merger will be set out in due course.

UNRWA: Finance


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her Department's

policy is on funding for UNRWA.




James Cleverly:

The UK is a long-term supporter of UNRWA as a vital humanitarian and stabilising

force in the region. We recognise UNRWA’s unique mandate from the UN General

Assembly, to protect and provide protection and core services to Palestinian refugees

across the Near East.

The UK provides multi-year funding to UNRWA. Our contribution to UNWRA will help

to provide basic education to more than 533,000 children a year (half of which are

girls), access to health services for 3.5 million Palestinian refugees and social safety

net assistance for around 255,000 of the most vulnerable.

Yemen: Humanitarian Aid

Anna McMorrin: [74712]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proportion of the £160

million funding for humanitarian aid pledged by the UK at the United Nation’s Yemen

Pledging Conference in Riyadh on 2 June 2020 has been paid to the United Nations

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

James Cleverly:

The UK’s £160 million funding will be delivered through a range of UN agencies and

aims to provide support to at least 300,000 vulnerable people each month to help

them buy food and household essentials, treat 40,000 children for malnutrition and

provide 1 million people with improved water supply and basic sanitation.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is one

of the UK’s partners in Yemen. We currently support the Cash and Markets Working

Group coordinator and stand ready to consider support to the OCHA led Yemen

Humanitarian Fund when an allocation round is announced.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-pacific Partnership

Bill Esterson: [73812]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans she has to negotiate

membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership; and what

derogations from its treaties would she seek.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena:

Accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

could help Britain increase her trade and investment opportunities, diversify her

trading links and supply chains, and secure her future place in the world at the centre

of a modern network of Free Trade Agreements with dynamic economies.

HM Government continue to have discussions on CPTPP accession with member

countries at official and ministerial level, as part of our preparatory engagement. In

our engagement, we are clear that any final decision to join CPTPP will consider the



progress of bilateral negotiations with member countries and whether accession will

be in the British national interest.

Department for International Trade: Apprentices


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps her Department is taking

to reach the public sector apprenticeship target.

Greg Hands:

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is committed to building a diverse,

inclusive and expert department. Apprenticeships play an important role in delivering

that commitment and helping our employees to achieve their full potential.

DIT offers a range of apprenticeships across different disciplines to build both

individual and departmental professional capability. This year, we exceeded our Civil

Service target (of 51) with 57 new apprenticeship starts.

We have achieved this by:

• Putting in place good quality apprenticeships that reflect DIT priorities and with the

right level of support for participants.

• Offering (where appropriate) an apprenticeship qualification when recruiting to

some entry-level roles externally.

• Targeting key capability priorities within our current workforce, giving them

additional opportunities to retrain and up-skill.

We intend to maintain this and have every confidence that we will achieve the target

of 2.3% by March 2021 as part of the Civil Service.

Developing Countries: Dispute Resolution

Hywel Williams: [73724]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of

the risk of litigation for developing countries through the Investor-state dispute settlement

mechanism as a result of those countries' covid-19 response.


The United Kingdom has investment agreements with Investor-State Dispute

Settlement (ISDS) provisions with over 90 trading partners. HM Government

recognises the importance of strengthen-ing international investment in response to

COVID-19, and the continuing important role played by both investment protection

and ISDS provisions in safeguarding British investors overseas – includ-ing

pensioners across the country through their pension funds, and small and medium-

sized enter-prises (SMEs).

We are clear that HM Government and our treaty partners retain the right to regulate

in the public interest, including for public health purposes, that is already recognised



under international law. There has never been a successful ISDS claim against the

United Kingdom, nor has the threat of potential claims affected our legislation.

Foreign Investment in UK: North East

Mr Richard Holden: [73986]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which countries have been the ten

largest foreign direct investors in the North East of England in each of the last three

years.

Graham Stuart:

Further to my Department’s publication, DIT Inward Investment Results 2019-20

[https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/department-for-international-trade-inward-

investment-results-2019-to-2020], the following is a breakdown of the top sources for

foreign direct investment projects landing in the UK’s North East of England Region in

the three financial years from 2017 to 2020:

COUNTRY OR WORLD

REGION 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20

United States 19 15 28

Non-EU 24 19 24

EU 26 25 21

Definitions of the world regions are found in the quoted publication. Please note that

the values from the United States are deducted from the Non-EU region.

Due to the commercially sensitive information and considerations relating to

disclosure of the investing organisations involved, we are unable to provide more

granular detail.

Iron and Steel: Imports

Gareth Thomas: [72146]


(a) the existing level of UK demand for steel and (b) the potential merits of reducing the

proposed UK tariff free quotas for steel imports from 1 January 2021; and if she will make

a statement.


HM Government has been working closely with the British steel industry, including on

steel safeguards to protect industry from unforeseen surges in imports. Current data

shows that steel demand was down 24 per cent in the United Kingdom during the first

four months of 2020, compared with the same period in 2019.

Our priority is to make sure that, at the end of the transition period, our domestic

industry retains appropriate trade remedy protections. That is why we have



committed to carrying across existing measures where there is a British interest,

including steel safeguards, and are then reviewing them to make them tailored to the

needs of the United Kingdom.

Liquefied Natural Gas: Mozambique

Caroline Lucas: [73782]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether UK Export Finance is

contributing to the agreed financing contracts for the Mozambique LNG Project; what the

value is of export credits granted to that project; and if she will make a statement.

Graham Stuart:

UK Export Finance (UKEF) has agreed to provide up to US$1.15bn of export finance

support for UK exporters, as part of the design, construction and operation of a

liquified natural gas (LNG) project in Mozambique. UKEF support is in the form of up

to $300m of direct loans, and up to $850m in guarantees to the commercial banks

providing lending.

The UKEF-supported element will support multiple UK businesses across the UK,

including small and medium-sized enterprises, and in excess of 2,000 UK jobs.

The Project will generate significant revenue for Mozambique and be transformational

for Mozambique’s economic and social development.

Anna McMorrin: [74713]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 29 June

2020 to Question 63442 on Liquefied Natural Gas: Mozambique, if her Department will

(a) undertake and (b) publish an Environmental, Social and Health Impact Assessment

(ESHR) independent of the ESHR published by the private financiers of the Mozambique

LNG project.

Graham Stuart:

In line with its regular policy, UK Export Finance (UKEF) has undertaken an

environmental, social and human rights (ESHR) review of the Mozambique LNG

Project. This has been conducted alongside other export credit agencies and the

African Development Bank, with the support of an independent ESHR consultant.

This review considered all the relevant ESHR documentation provided by the Project

sponsors such as ESHR impact assessments, strategies, management and

monitoring plans, amongst others. UKEF published a Category A notice of its

consideration of the Project in August 2019, which includes a link to an

Environmental, Social and Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) of the Mozambique

LNG project and related information. This notice can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/category-a-project-under-consideration-

mozambique-lng-project. In undertaking its review, UKEF considered the most up-to-

date ESHIA.



Saudi Arabia: Human Rights


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to her Written Statement

HC WS339, whether she will publish the assessment that evaluated if Saudi Arabia had

broken International Humanitarian Law; and if she will make a statement.


HM Government have no plans to publish the assessments to which the Rt Hon.

Gentleman refers. Such assessments use all available sources of information –

including some that are necessarily confidential and sensitive – so we are not able to

provide details of the assessments.

Trade Agreements


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what her objectives are in

negotiations on international trade agreements with (a) Turkey, (b) Canada and (c)

Mexico.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when she plans to conclude

international trade agreements with (a) Turkey, (b) Canada and (c) Mexico.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans she has to share

negotiating texts with parties who have signed non-disclosure agreements in respect of

negotiations of international trade agreements with (a)Turkey, (b) Canada and (c) Mexico.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions her trade

negotiators have had on tariff schedules, product conformity, rules of origin and other

technical regulations with their counterparts in (a) Turkey, (b) Canada and (c) Mexico in

relation to negotiating international trade agreements with those countries.


The United Kingdom’s ambition is to sign continuity trade agreements with (a)

Turkey; (b) Canada; and (c) Mexico by the end of the transition period to make sure

that existing trade flows are protected, as far as possible. To this end, our trade

negotiators have engaged in technical discussions, including on tariffs, rules of origin

and regulatory matters.

Consistent with the approach taken for all previous continuity trade agreements,

agreement texts will be shared publicly after they have been laid before Parliament.

My Department organises regular meetings with industry to keep them as informed

as possible on our progress in this important work.






Trade Agreements: Dispute Resolution



the potential effect of the Government's response to the covid-19 pandemic on the

number of investor state dispute settlement (ISDS) cases; what assessment she has

made of the potential merits of (a) co-operating with other countries, especially those in

the Global South, to jointly withdraw consent to ISDS arbitration and (b) unilaterally

withdrawing consent to ISDS arbitration before the first cases are brought arising from the

covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make it her policy to exclude ISDS from all trade and

investment negotiations involving the UK and not to sign any new agreements including

ISDS.


The precise details of any future Free Trade Agreement are a matter for formal

negotiations, and we would not seek to pre-empt these discussions.

HM Government recognises the importance of strengthening international investment

in response to COVID-19, and the continuingly important role played by both

investment protection and ISDS provisions in safeguarding British investors overseas

– including pensioners across the country, through their pension funds, and small-

and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

We are clear that HM Government and our treaty partners retain the right to regulate

in the public interest, including for public health purposes, which is already

recognised under international law.

Trade and Agriculture Commission: Public Appointments


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the announcement

of the membership of the Trade and Agriculture Commission, if she will make it her policy

to add independent (a) consumer interest and (b) public health experts to that

membership; and for what reasons experts in those fields are not currently included.

Greg Hands:

The Trade and Agriculture Commission has a cross-section of representatives

covering the interests of the agriculture sector, consumers, animal health,

international development, hospitality, food small and medium sized enterprises

(SMEs) and retail.

Beyond the membership of the Commission itself, there will be ways for relevant

experts to contribute to the work of the Commission.



JUSTICE

Court of Protection

Chris Bryant: [74457]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average waiting time is for an

application for deputyship to be heard by the Court of Protection.

Chris Philp:

The average waiting time for an application for deputyship to be heard by the Court of

Protection is 39 days based on March 2020.

Courts

Karl Turner: [R] [74521]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the length of

time it will take to clear the backlog in the criminal courts of England and Wales.

Chris Philp:

COVID-19 has been an unprecedented challenge for the criminal justice system, but

we have kept courts open and cases flowing through the system throughout. The UK

has been a global leader and we are ahead of comparable systems.

HMCTS has now published a Court Recovery Plan, which sets out that court

operating hours will be extended, alternative venues will be used as courts to

increase capacity and the use of the Cloud Video Platform (CVP) will be rolled out

into all Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. Further measures to increase jury trial

capacity are also being explored. The Court Recovery Plan can be accessed via the

following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/court-and-tribunal-

recovery-update-in-response-to-coronavirus

Public confidence requires cases to be dealt with in a timely manner and the backlog

must be addressed. This goal will require ambition from the whole system. We have

recently announced a record investment in court infrastructure and maintenance.

We’re recruiting more court staff and we will shortly be making an announcement on

use of additional court centres.

Courts: Costs


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much it costs on average to process each

defendant in the Crown Court.

Chris Philp:

Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service currently does not calculate the average

cost to process each defendant in the crown court.

Historically costs have been calculated around such metrics as the unit cost of a

sitting day in the crown court, but we are unable to calculate the average cost of

processing a defendant in the crown court.



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/court-and-tribunal-recovery-update-in-response-to-coronavirus




Criminal cases may be multi handed resulting in multiple defendants in one trial. Her

Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service has been working over the last 12 months to

establish a variety of key financial metrics around the unit costs associated with

various volumetrics.

Courts: Working Hours


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has consulted (a) legal practitioners

and (b) other stakeholders on plans to reintroduce Flexible Operating Hours in the courts.

Chris Philp:

The Flexible Operating Hours pilots took place at Manchester Civil Justice Centre

and the County Court at Brentford from September 2019 to March 2020. Local

Implementation Teams, which include legal representatives and local support groups,

were set up in Manchester and Brentford to plan and deliver the pilots. To support a

cross-justice system approach to the evaluation of the pilots HMCTS set up an

Evaluation Advisory Group which includes representatives from the judiciary, partner

government agencies, the Bar Council, the Bar Standards Board, the Law Society

and CILEx.

HMCTS has appointed a consortium of IFF Research and Frontier Economics to

carry out an independent evaluation of the Flexible Operating Hours pilots. The

evaluation is being conducted as set out in the evaluation plan, published July 2019:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flexible-operating-hours-evaluation-plan-

and-summary. The evaluation report will be published following completion, in the

autumn and we will consider its findings carefully.

Proposals to extend court operating hours are being considered as part of the

HMCTS recovery plan. Working groups under the leadership of judiciary have been

established to develop these proposals which include members of the legal

profession across the jurisdictions.

Crime: Young People

Mr Barry Sheerman: [72810]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to support those

convicted of minor crimes in the event that those so convicted were coerced into

committing those crimes at a young age; and what assessment he has made of the effect

such convictions have on the long-term employment prospects of those so convicted.

Lucy Frazer:

The Ministry of Justice recognises that many young perpetrators of crime will often

have a range of complex needs, some having themselves experienced victimisation.

The Government is committed to intervening early and diverting children away from

crime, recognising it is far better to prevent a child committing a crime. We also know

the importance of supporting child victims to cope and recover.


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flexible-operating-hours-evaluation-plan-and-summary




The Modern Slavery Act 2015 states that children under the age of 18 when they

commit certain offences, are not guilty if they were committed as a direct act of

exploitation. When deciding whether a prosecution is needed, the Code for Crown

Prosecutors is clear that prosecutors must consider the best interests and welfare of

the child or young person, amongst other public interest factors. This factor will

always carry a special weight in the case of children and young people who are at a

very early stage of their offending, and who are suspected of being coerced or

exploited, starting from a presumption of diverting them away from the courts where

possible.

If a child does receive a conviction, then Youth Offending Teams will work with the

child to address the underlying causes of their behaviour, including through specialist

services.

The government has recently laid (in July 2020) secondary legislation to change the

rules governing criminal records disclosure for sensitive roles by removing the

multiple convictions rule and the disclosure of youth cautions, reprimands and

warnings. The orders are subject to the approval of Parliament. We are confident that

this change will improve employment opportunities for people who have previously

offended and will particularly benefit those with childhood cautions.

Female Genital Mutilation Protection Orders

Holly Lynch: [72233]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women and girls in the UK have an

FGM protection order in place as at July 2020.

Holly Lynch: [72234]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many girls under the age of 18 in the UK

have an FGM protection order in place as at July 2020.

Alex Chalk:

The Ministry of Justice collates information on the number of applications and the

number of FGM protection orders granted. There is no mandatory requirement to

collate statistics on the duration of orders and whether they remain in place at any

point in time. The quality of available data can only, therefore, be verified at

disproportionate cost. However, following their introduction in July 2015, 584 FGM

protection orders have been granted up to 31 March 2020, the latest period for which

information is available.

Similarly, data relating to the age of the person to be protected by an FGM protection

order granted by the court is not collated and can only be obtained at

disproportionate cost. Data relating to age is collated, however, on a person or

persons named in any application for a FGM protection order. Following their

introduction in July 2015, 405 applicants, aged 17 or under, had been the subject of

an application for an FGM protection order up to 31 March 2020, the latest period for

which statistics are available.



Statistics to the end of June 2020 are scheduled for publication in late September,

and statistics for July are scheduled for publication in late December.

ICT


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2020 to

Question 69550 on ICT, for what reason his Department determined that the wide

application means the presumption in law that computer systems are working properly is

unsuitable for review in light of the changes since 1999 in the (a) design, (b) operation

and (c) ubiquity of computer systems.

Alex Chalk:

The common law presumption of correct functioning of a computer is rebuttable if

there is evidence to the contrary. In such circumstances it is for the party seeking to

produce the computer record in evidence to satisfy the court that the computer was

working properly at the material time.

We cannot ignore the impact that the dispute over the Horizon Accounting System

has had on the postmasters affected and it is vitally important that the Government

ensures that lessons are learned from the handling of this case. That is the purpose

of the Review announced by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and

Industrial Strategy. However, there is nothing to suggest at this stage that a change is

needed in the common law presumption which is relied upon to conduct banking and

other financial transactions and legal proceedings in many other cases.

Magistrates' Courts: Costs


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much it costs on average to process each

defendant in the magistrates court.

Chris Philp:

Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service currently does not calculate the average

cost to process each defendant in the magistrates’ court.

Historically costs have been calculated around such metrics as the unit cost of a

sitting day in the magistrates’ court. We are unable to calculate the average cost of

processing a defendant in the magistrates’ court. Magistrates operate several

sessions across a sitting day, which may be multi handed resulting in multiple

defendants in one trial.

Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service has been working over the last 12

months to establish a variety of key financial metrics around the unit cost associated

with various volumetrics.



Prison Visitors: Coronavirus

Cat Smith: [73893]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his policy is on children visiting their

mothers in prison on a socially distanced basis where it is safe for them to do so.

Lucy Frazer:

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) recognises the importance and positive impact that can

benefit children and families by visiting offenders in prison. The decision to stop visits

was based on public health advice and mirrored the restrictions faced by the whole

country, we know the difficult impact this has on mothers in prison and it was not

taken lightly.

As a result of the success of these measures, we are now formulating plans for how

these restrictions can be cautiously rolled back over the coming weeks and months.

We have now reintroduced family visits at some establishments housing female

offenders and plan to reintroduce them to the remainder of the female estate over the

coming weeks. Currently a single adult visiting can be accompanied by up to two

children, but if two adults visits only one child may accompany them. All visitors must

live together in the same household except for parents of a prisoner who live apart.

Guidance on visiting someone in prison during the pandemic is published on

GOV.UK at the following link;

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visit-someone-in-prison-during-the-coronavirus-covid-

19-pandemic

We are conscious of the impact that these restrictions have on prisoners’ wellbeing

and rehabilitation. Taking into consideration the recommendations made in the 2017

Farmer Review and the 2019 Farmer Review for Women, we have invested in

various measures to maintain family contact and improve wellbeing. We have

provided additional pin credit for phone calls, distributed locked mobile phones for

establishments without access to in-cell telephony and deployed new video call

technology at all women’s prisons.

Wills: Registration

Mr Barry Sheerman: [72809]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of

the potential merits of making it a legal necessity to register wills similar to those

requirements adopted by other countries.

Alex Chalk:

There is no statutory requirement for will registration, but is it possible to deposit a will

with HM Courts and Tribunals Service, and commercial will registration services are

available.

The imposition of a legal requirement to register wills may have a deterrent effect in

terms of people making wills and lead to an increase in invalidated wills and

contentious probate cases. The Law Commission analysed this issue in their 2017


https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visit-someone-in-prison-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic




consultation paper on the law of wills, and concluded that ‘the disadvantages of such

a system would far outweigh its benefits’.

The Government has no plans to reform this area of law at present.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Sir Graham Brady: [73716]

To ask the Leader of the House, what covid-19 related provisions the Government has

put in place since 1 March 2020; under what statutory powers each provision was put in

place; on what date each provision was (a) announced and (b) laid before Parliament;

and on what date each provision (i) came into force and (ii) was approved by Parliament.

Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg:

Since 1 March 2020, and as of Monday 20 July, the Government has laid 127

statutory instruments in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. This has enabled the

Government to swiftly put in place the legislation needed and we will continue to bring

forward further SIs for Parliament to consider, as required. The table below provides

a list of each SI, outlining the powers it was made under; the date it was laid before

Parliament; the date the SI came into force; and, where applicable, the date it was

approved by Parliament.

The Government continues to make every effort to ensure that announcements are

made in good time ahead of the legislation being brought forward, while balancing the

need for urgent action to deal with the pandemic.

Table of Statutory Instruments laid since 1 March 2020

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS

MADE UNDER PROCEDURE

LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

DHSC The Health

Protection

(Notification)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Negative 06/03/2

0

05/03/20 N/A

DWP The Statutory Sick

Pay (General)

(Coronavirus

Amendment)

Regulations 2020

Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits Act

1992

Negative 12/03/2

0

13/03/20 N/A


DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

DWP Universal Credit and

Employment Support

Allowance

Amendment

Regulations 2020

and their

Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits Act

1992

Negative 12/03/2

0

13/03/20 N/A

DWP Universal Credit and

Employment Support

Allowance

Amendment

(Northern Ireland)

Regulations 2020

Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits Act

1992

Negative 12/03/2

0

13/03/20 N/A


Pay (General)

(Coronavirus

Amendment) No.2

Regulations 2020

Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits Act

1992

Negative 16/03/2

0

17/03/20 N/A

HMT Financial Services

and Markets Act

2000 (Exemption)

(Amendment) Order

2020

Financial

Services

and Markets

Act 2000

Negative 20/03/2

0

23/03/20 N/A

Defra Single Use Carrier

Bags Charges

(England)

(Amendment) Order

2020

Climate

Change Act

2008

Negative 20/03/2

0

21/03/20 N/A

MHCLG Town and Country

Planning (General

Permitted

Development)

(England)

(Amendment) Order

2020

Town and

Country

Planning Act

1990

Negative 23/03/2

0

24/03/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

DHSC The Health

Protection

(Coronavirus,

Business Closure)

(England)

Regulations 2020

Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Made

affirmative

23/03/2

0

21/03/20 The

regulations

were

revoked

before they

could be

approved.

DfT Street and Road

Works (Amendments

Relating to Electronic

Communications)

(England)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The New

Roads and

Street

Works Act

1991 and

The Traffic

Managemen

t Act 2004

Negative 26/03/2

0

30/03/20 N/A

DHSC The National Health

Service

(Amendments

Relating to the

Provision of Primary

Care Services During

a Pandemic etc.)

Regulations 2020

The

National

Health

Service Act

2006

Negative 26/03/2

0

27/03/20 N/A

DHSC Health Protection

(Coronavirus,

Restrictions)

(England)

Regulations 2020

The Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Made

affirmative

26/03/2

0

26/03/20 14/05/20

DWP Occupational and

Personal Pension

Schemes (General

Levy) (Revocation)

Regulations 2020

The

Pensions

Act 2004

Negative 27/03/2

0

31/03/20 N/A

BEIS Competition Act 1998

(Health Services for

Patients in England)

The

Competition

Act 1998

Negative 27/03/2

0

28/03/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

(Coronavirus) (Public

Policy Exclusion)

Order 2020


(Groceries)


Policy Exclusion)

Order 2020

The

Competition

Act 1998

Negative 27/03/2

0

28/03/20 N/A

BEIS Working Time

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The

European

Communitie

s Act 1972

Negative 27/03/2

0

26/03/20 N/A

DWP Social Security

(Coronavirus)

(Further Measures)

Regulations 2020

The Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits Act

1992; the

Jobseekers

Act 1995;

the Housing

Act 1996;

The Welfare

Reform Act

2012

Negative 27/03/2

0

30/03/20 N/A

DWP NI Equivalent The Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits Act

1992; the

Jobseekers

Act 1995;

the Housing

Act 1996;

The Welfare

Reform Act

Negative 27/03/2

0

30/03/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

2012

DWP Statutory Sick Pay

(Coronavirus)

(Suspension of

Waiting Days and

General Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits Act

1992; The

Coronavirus

Act 2020

Negative 27/03/2

0

28/03/20 N/A

DWP NI Equivalent The Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits Act

1992; The

Coronavirus

Act 2020

Negative 27/03/2

0

28/03/20 N/A

DWP The Occupational

and Personal

Pension Schemes

(General Levy)

(Revocation)

Regulations 2020

The Pension

Schemes

Act 1993

Negative 27

March

31/03/20 N/A


(Solent Maritime

Crossings)


Policy Exclusion)

Order 2020

The

Competition

Act 1998

Negative 27/03/2

0

28/03/20 N/A

HO Police Act 1997

(Criminal Records)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The Police

Act 1997

Negative 27/03/2

0

28/03/20 N/A

HO Investigatory Powers

(Temporary Judicial

The

Coronavirus

Negative 27

March

27/03/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

Commissioners and

Modification of Time

Limits) Regulations

2020

Act 2020

BEIS The Feed-in Tariffs

(Amendment)

(Coronavirus) Order

2020

The Energy

Act 2008

Negative 30

March

31/03/20 N/A

DfT The Motor Vehicles

(Tests) (Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The Road

Traffic Act

1988

Negative 30/03/2

0

31/03/20. N/A

DHSC Nursing and

Midwifery Council

(Emergency

Procedures)

(Amendment) Rules

2020 Order of

Council 2020

The Nursing

and

Midwifery

Order 2001

Negative 30/03/2

0

31/03/20 N/A

HO Coronavirus

(Retention of

Fingerprints and

DNA Profiles in the

Interests of National

Security) Regulations

2020

Coronavirus

Act 2020

Negative 01/04/2

0

02/04/20 N/A

MHCLG The Local Authorities

and Police and Crime

Panels (Coronavirus)

(Flexibility of Local

Authority and Police

and Crime Panel

Meetings) (England

and Wales)

Regulations 2020

The Police

Reform and

Social

Responsibili

ty Act 2011

Negative 02/04/2

0

04/04/20 N/A

DWP The Social Security The Negative 3 April 06/04/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

(Coronavirus)

(Further Measures)

Amendment

Regulations 2020

Housing Act

1996 and

the Welfare

Reform Act

2012

DWP The Social Security

(Coronavirus)

(Further Measures)

Amendment

Regulations

(Northern Ireland)

2020

The Welfare

Reform

(Northern

Ireland)

Order 2015

Negative 3 April 06/04/20 N/A

MHCLG The Local

Government and

Police and Crime

Commissioner

(Coronavirus)

(Postponement of

Elections and

Referendums)

(England and Wales)

Regulations 2020

The

Coronavirus

Act 2020


MoJ The Prison and

Young Offender

Institution

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment) Rules

2020

The Prison

Act 1952


MoJ The Offender

Management Act

2007 (Coronavirus)

(Approved Premises)

Regulations 2020

The

Offender

Managemen

t Act 2007



(Coronavirus)

(Prisoners)

The Social

Security

Contribution


DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

Regulations 2020 s and

Benefits Act

1992 The

Jobseekers

Act 1995

The State

Pension

Credit Act

2002 The

Welfare

Reform Act

2007 The

Welfare

Reform Act

2012


(Coronavirus)

(Prisoners)

Regulations 2020

Northern Ireland

The Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits

(Northern

Ireland) Act

1992 The

Jobseekers

(Northern

Ireland)

Order 1995

The State

Pension

Credit Act

(Northern

Ireland)

2002 The

Welfare

Reform Act

(Northern

Ireland)

2007 The


DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

Welfare

Reform

(Northern

Ireland)

Order 2015

DWP Social Fund Funeral

Expenses Payment

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits Act

1992


MHCLG Accounts and Audit

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The Local

Audit and

Accountabili

ty Act 2014



Planning (General

Permitted

Development)

(Coronavirus)

(England)

(Amendment) Order

2020

The Town

and Country

Planning Act

1990

Negative 08/04/2

0

09/04/20 N/A

DHSC The National Health

Service (Performers

List) (England)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The

National

Health

Service Act

2006

Negative 08/04/2

0

09/04/20 N/A

MoJ The Criminal

Procedure

(Amendment No. 2)

(Coronavirus) Rules

2020

The Courts

Act 2003

Negative 09/04/2

0

14/04/20 N/A

MoJ The Electronic The Negative 09/04/2 10/04/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

Monitoring

(Responsible

Persons) Order 2020

Criminal

Justice and

Court

Services Act

2000

0

MoJ Tribunal Procedure

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment) Rules

2020

The

Tribunals,

Courts and

Enforcemen

t Act 2007

Negative 09/04/2

0

10/04/20 N/A

MoJ Employment Appeals

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment) Rules

2020

The

Employment

Tribunals

Act 1996

Negative 09/04/2

0

10/04/20 N/A


Pay (General)

(Coronavirus

Amendment) (No. 3)

Regulations 2020

The Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits Act

1992

Negative 15/04/2

0

16/04/20 N/A

BEIS Land Registry

Amendment 2020

The Land

Registration

Act 2002

Negative 15/04/2

0

16/04/20 N/A

MHCLG The Local

Government

(Coronavirus)

(Structural Changes)

(Consequential

Amendments)

(England)

Regulations 2020.

The

Coronavirus

Act 2020


DHSC The Safeguarding

Vulnerable Groups

Act 2006 (Regulated

Activities)

The

Safeguardin

g Vulnerable

Groups Act

Negative 17/04/2

0

17/04/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

(Coronavirus) Order

2020

2006


(Health Services for

Patients in Wales)


Policy Exclusion)

Order 2020

The

Competition

Act 1998

Negative 20/04/2

0

21/04/20 N/A

BEIS Offshore Petroleum

Production and Pipe-

lines (Assessment of

Environmental

Effects)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendments) 2020

The

European

Communitie

s Act 1972

Negative 22/04/2

0

23/04/20 N/A


(Coronavirus,

Restrictions)

(England)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Made

affirmative

22/04/2

0

22/04/20 14/05/20

DfE The Adoption and

children

(coronavirus)

(amendment)

Regulations 2020.

Negative Procedure

The

Children Act

1989 The

Care

Standards

Act 2000

The

Adoption

and

Children Act

2002 The

Children Act

2004 The

Education

and

Inspections

Negative 23/04/2

0

24/04/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

Act 2006

MHCLG The Non-Domestic

Rating (Transitional

Protection Payments

and Rates Retention)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The Local

Government

Finance Act

1988

Negative 23/04/2

0

1(2)Subje

ct to

paragraph

(3), these

Regulatio

ns come

into force

on 15th

May 2020.

1(3)This

regulation

and

regulation

3(1) and

(3) come

into force

on 29th

April

2020.

N/A

DfE The School

Admissions (Appeals

Arrangements)

(England)

(Amendment)

(Coronavirus)

Regulations 2020.

Negative Procedure

The School

Standards

and

Framework

Act 1998

Negative 23/04/2

0

24/04/20 N/A

DfE The Early Years

Foundation Stage

(learning and

development

requirements) and

(Welfare

requirements)

Miscellaneous

provisions)

The

Childcare

Act 2006

Negative 23/04/2

0

24/04/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

(amendment)

(coronavirus)

Regulations 2020.

Negative Procedure

MoJ The Taking Control

of Goods and

Certification of

Enforcement Agents

(Amendment)

(Coronavirus)

Regulations 2020

The

Tribunals,

Courts and

Enforcemen

t Act 2007

Negative 24/04/2

0

25/04/20 N/A

DWP The Maternity

Allowance, Statutory

Maternity Pay,

Statutory Adoption

Pay, Statutory

Paternity Pay,

Statutory Shared

Parental Pay and

Statutory Parental

Bereavement Pay

(Normal Weekly

Earnings etc.)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020.

The Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits Act

1992

Negative 24/04/2

0

25/04/20 N/A

DWP The State Pension

Credit (Coronavirus)

(Electronic Claims)

Regulations 2020

The Social

Security

Administrati

on Act 1992

Negative 27/04/2

0

04/05/20 N/A

DHSC National Health

Service (Quality

Accounts)

(Amendment)

(Coronavirus)

Regulations 2020

The Health

Act 2009

Negative 28/04/2

0

29/05/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

HO The Misuse of Drugs

(Amendments)

(Pandemic supply)

Regulations 2020

The Misuse

of Drugs Act

1971

Negative 29/04/2

0

29/05/20 N/A

DfE The Special

Educational Needs

and Disability

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The

Children

and

Families Act

2014 The

Education

Act 1996

Negative 30/04/2

0

01/05/20 N/A

DfE The Education

(School Teachers'

Qualifications and

Induction

Arrangements)

(England)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The

Education

Act 2002

Negative 30/04/2

0

21/05/20 N/A

MoJ Criminal Legal Aid

(Coronavirus,

Remuneration)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The Legal

Aid,

Sentencing

and

Punishment

of Offenders

Act 2012

Negative 30/04/2

0

01/05/20 N/A

Defra The Common

Agricultural Policy

(Control and

Enforcement, Cross-

Compliance, Scrutiny

of Transactions and

Appeals)

(Amendment)

(England)

Regulations 2020.

The

European

Communitie

s Act 1972

Article 78(b)

of

Regulation

(EU)

1306/2013

of the

Negative 01/05/2

0

15/05/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

European

Parliament

and of the

Council


(Dairy Produce)


Policy Exclusion)

Order 2020

Competition

Act 1998

Negative 01/05/2

0

01/05/20 N/A

HMT Financial Services

and Markets Act

2000 (Regulated

Activities)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment) Order

2020

Financial

Services

and Markets

Act 2000

Negative 01/05/2

0

04/05/20 N/A


(Coronavirus,

Restrictions)

(England)

(Amendment) (No. 2)

Regulations 2020

Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Made

affirmative

13/05/2

0

13/05/20 15/06/20

MHCLG The Town and

Country Planning

(Development

Management

Procedure) (England)

(Coronavirus)(Amend

ment) Order 2020

European

Communitie

s Act 1972

Negative 13/05/2

0

14/05/20 N/A

HMRC The Individual

Savings Account

(Amendment No 3)

Regulations 2020

Finance Act

1993;

Income Tax

(Trading

and Other

Income) Act

2005;

Negative 14/05/2

0

04/06/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

Finance Act

2016

Defra The Direct Payments

(Application

Deadlines)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

(England)

Regulations 2020

Article

78(b)(1) of

Regulation

(EU)

1306/2013

of the

European

Parliament

and of the

Council

Negative 14/05/2

0

15/05/20 N/A

MoJ Prison and Young

Offender Institution

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment) (No. 2)

Rules 2020

Prison Act

1952

Negative 14/05/2

0

15/05/20 N/A


(Coronavirus)

(Funding of

Employers'

Liabilities)

Regulations 2020

Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits Act

1992

Negative 15/05/2

0

26/05/20 N/A


(Coronavirus)

(Funding of

Employers'

Liabilities) Northern

Ireland Regulations

2020

Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits

(Northern

Ireland) Act

1992

Negative 15/05/2

0

26/05/20 N/A

MoJ The Civil Legal Aid

(Remuneration)

(Amendment)

(Coronavirus)

Regulations 2020

Legal Aid,

Sentencing

and

Punishment

of Offenders

Negative 18/05/2

0

08/06/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

Act 2012

DWP Universal Credit

(Coronavirus) (Self-

employed Claimants

and Reclaims)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The Social

Security

Administrati

on Act 1992;

Welfare

Reform Act

2012

Negative 20/05/2

0

21/05/20 N/A

DWP Universal Credit

(Coronavirus) (Self-

employed Claimants

and Reclaims)

(Amendment)

Regulations

(Northern Ireland)

2020

Social

Security

Administrati

on (Northern

Ireland) Act

1992

Negative 20/05/2

0

21/05/20 N/A

BEIS Electricity Capacity

(Amendment etc.)

(Coronavirus)

Regulations 2020

Income Tax

(Earnings

and

Pensions)

Act 2003

Draft

affirmative

20/05/2

0

N/A 02/07/20

HMRC The Income Tax

(Exemption for

Coronavirus Related

Home Office

Expenses)

Regulations 2020

Income Tax

(Earnings

and

Pensions)

Act 2003

Negative 21/05/2

0

11/06/20 N/A

HMRC The Social Security

Contributions

(Disregarded

Payments)

(Coronavirus)

Regulations 2020

Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits Act

1992

Negative 21/05/2

0

11/06/20 N/A

HMRC The Tax Credits

(Miscellaneous

Tax Credits

Act 2002

Negative 22/05/2

0

23/05/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

Amendments)

Regulations 2020

DfT The Traffic Order

Procedure (England)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

Road Traffic

Regulation

Act 1984

Negative 22/05/2

0

23/05/20 N/A


Pay (General)

(Coronavirus

Amendment) (No. 4)

Regulations 2020

Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits Act

1992

Negative 27/05/2

0

28/05/20 N/A

DfE Independent Schools

(DBS Checks)

(Coronavirus) SI

Education

and Skills

Act 2008

Negative 28/05/2

0

18/06/20 N/A

DfE The Education (Pupil

Registration)

(England)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

Education

Act 1996

Negative 28/05/2

0

01/06/20 N/A

DfE The School

Discipline (England)

(Coronavirus) (Pupil

Exclusions and

Reviews)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

Education

Act 2002

Negative 28/05/2

0

01/06/20 N/A

DfE The Schools Forums

(England)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

School

Standards

and

Framework

Act 1998

Negative 28/05/2

0

18/06/20 N/A

DHSC Health Protection Public Made 01/06/2 01/06/20 25/06/20

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

(Coronavirus,

Restrictions)

(England)

(Amendment) (No. 3)

Regulations 2020

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

affirmative 0

AG Prosecution of

Offences Act 1985

(Specified

Proceedings)

(Amendment) Order

2020

Prosecution

of Offences

Act 1985

Negative 02/06/2

0

02/06/20 N/A

DHSC The Human

Fertilisation and

Embryology

(Statutory Storage

Period for Embryos

and Gametes)

(Coronavirus)

Regulations 2020

Human

Fertilisation

and

Embryology

Act 1990

Negative 03/06/2

0

01/07/20 N/A


(Coronavirus, Public

Health Information

for Passengers

Travelling to

England) Regulations

2020

Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Negative 03/06/2

0

08/06/20 N/A

DfT The Health

Protection

(Coronavirus, Public

Health Advice for

Passengers)

(England)

Regulations 2020

Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Negative 03/06/2

0

08/06/20 N/A

DfE The Higher

Education (Fee

Limits and Student

Higher

Education

and

Draft

affirmative

04/06/2

0

N/A 02/07/20

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

Support) (England)

(Coronavirus) SI

Research

Act 2017;

Teaching

and Higher

Education

Act 1998

BEIS Contracts for

Difference (Electricity

Supplier Obligations)

Energy Act

2013

Draft

affirmative

04/06/2

0

N/A 02/07/20

Defra Direct Payments to

Farmers

(Inspections)

(Coronavirus)

(England)

Regulations 2020

Article

62(2)(1) of

Regulation

(EU) No

1306/2013

of the

European

Parliament

and of the

Council

Negative 09/06/2

0

30/06/20 N/A


(Coronavirus,

Restrictions)

(England)

(Amendment) (No. 4)

Regulations 2020

Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Made

affirmative

12/06/2

0

13/06/20 The

regulations

were

revoked

before they

could be

approved.

DfT/DHSC The Health

Protection

(Coronavirus,

Wearing of Face

Coverings on Public

Transport) (England)

Regulations 2020

(S.I., 2020, No. 592)

Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Made

affirmative

15/06/2

1

15/06/20 08/07/20

DfE The Education (Pupil

Information)

Education

Act 1996

Negative 18/06/2

0

09/07/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

(England)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

MHCLG The Business

Tenancies

(Restriction on

Forfeiture: Relevant

Period) (Coronavirus)

(England)

Regulations 2020

Coronavirus

Act 2020

Negative 19/06/2

0

29/06/20 N/A

MoJ Taking Control of

Goods and

Certification of

Enforcement Agents

(Amendment) (No.2)

(Coronavirus)

Regulations 2020

Tribunals,

Courts and

Enforcemen

t Act 2007

Negative 19/06/2

0

24/06/20 N/A

MoJ Competition Appeals

Tribunal

Crime and

Courts Act

2013

Draft

affirmative

22/06/2

0

N/A 15/07/20

BEIS Enterprise Act 2002

(Specification of

Additional Section 58

Consideration) Order

2020

Enterprise

Act 2002

Made

affirmative

22/06/2

0

23/06/20 15/07/20

HMRC The Life Assurance

Scheme (English and

Welsh Schemes)

(Excluded Benefits

for Tax Purposes)

Regulations 2020

Income Tax

(Earnings

and

Pensions)

Act 2003

Negative 22/06/2

0

13/07/20 N/A

MHCLG The Town and

Country Planning

(Permitted

Town and

Country

Planning Act

Negative 24/06/2

0

25/06/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

Development and

Miscellaneous

Amendments)

(England)

(Coronavirus)

Regulations 2020

1990

BEIS The Limited Liability

Partnerships

(Amendment etc.)

Regulations 2020

Negative Procedure

Limited

Liability

Partnerships

Act 2000

Negative 26/06/2

0

26/06/20 N/A

BEIS The Companies etc.

(Filing Requirements)

(Temporary

Modifications)

Regulations 2020

Negative Procedure

Companies

Act 2006;

Corporate

Insolvency

and

Governance

Act 2020

Negative 26/06/2

0

27/06/20 N/A

BEIS Patents, Trade Marks

and Registered

Designs (Fees)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment) Rules

2020

Trade Marks

Act 1994;

Registered

Designs Act

1949

Negative 29/06/2

0

30/07/20 N/A

DfT Electric Scooter

(Trials) Regulations -

(working title)

Vehicle

Excise and

Registration

Act 1994;

Road Traffic

Act 1988;

Road Traffic

Regulation

Act 1984

Negative 30/06/2

0

04/07/20 N/A

HMRC The Childcare

Payments

(Miscellaneous

Childcare

Payments

Act 2014

Negative 30/06/2

0

21/07/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

Amendments)

Regulations 2020

MHCLG Community

Infrastructure Levy

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)(Englan

d) Regulations 2020

The

Planning Act

2008

Draft

affirmative

30/06/2

020

N/A 14/07/20

MOJ The Secure Training

Centre (Amendment)

(Coronavirus) Rules

2020

Prison Act

1952

Negative 01/07/2

020

02/07/20 N/A


Pay (General)

(Coronavirus

Amendment) (No.2)

Regulations 2020

Social

Security

(Incapacity

for Work)

Act 1994;

Coronavirus

Act 2020;

Social

Security

Contribution

s (Transfer

of

Functions,

etc.) Act

1999

Negative 03/07/2

0

06/07/20 N/A


Pay (General)

(Coronavirus

Amendment) (No.2)

(Northern Ireland)

Regulations 2020

Social

Security

Contribution

s and

Benefits

(Northern

Ireland) Act

1992;

Coronavirus

Act 2020

Negative 03/07/2

0

06/07/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T


(Coronavirus,

Restrictions)

(Leicester)

Regulations 2020

06/07/20 Made

affirmative

03/07/2

0

04/07/20 Still going

through

parliamenta

ry process


(Coronavirus,

Restrictions) (No. 2)

(England)

Regulations 2020

Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Made

affirmative

03/07/2

0


through

parliamenta

ry process

DHSC The Health

Protection

(Coronavirus,

International Travel

and Public Health

Information)

(England)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Negative 06/07/2

0

07/07/20 N/A

DWP Pension Protection

Fund (Moratorium

and Arrangements

and Reconstructions

for Companies in

Financial Difficulty)

Regulations 2020

The

Insolvency

Act 1986;

The

Companies

Act 2006;

Corporate

Insolvency

and

Governance

Act 2020

Made

affirmative

06/07/2

0


through

parliamenta

ry process

DCMS Charitable

Incorporated

Organisations

Moratorium

Regulations 2020

Charities

Act 2011

Made

affirmative

08/07/2

0


through

parliamenta

ry process

HMRC The Value Added Value Negative 09/07/2 30/07/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

Tax (Zero Rate for

Personal Protective

Equipment)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment) Order

2020

Added Tax

Act 1994

0

HMRC International Tax

Enforcement

(Disclosable

Arrangements)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

the Finance

Act 2019

Negative 09/07/2

0

30/07/20 N/A

DfE The Childcare

(Coronavirus)

(Miscellaneous)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

Negative Procedure

the

Childcare

Act 2016

Negative 10/07/2

0

31/07/20 N/A


(Coronavirus,

Restrictions) (No. 2)

(England)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

the Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Made

affirmative

10/07/2

0


through

parliamenta

ry process


(Coronavirus,

International Travel)

(England)

(Amendment) (No. 2)

Regulations 2020

the Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Negative 10/07/2

0

11/07/20 N/A

HMRC Value Added Tax

(Reduced Rate)

(Hospitality and

Tourism)

(Coronavirus) Order

the Value

Added Tax

Act 1994

Negative 14/07/2

0

15/07/20 N/A

DEPARTMENT TITLE

POWER IT IS


LAYING

DATE

COMING

INTO

FORCE

DATE

APPROVED

IN

PARLIAMEN

T

2020


Planning (Local

Planning) (England)

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

The

Planning

and

Compulsory

Purchase

Act 2004

Negative 15/07/2

0

16/07/20 N/A

BEIS Environmental

Assessment of Plans

and Programmes

(Coronavirus)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

European

Union

(Withdrawal)

Act 2018

Negative 15/07/2

0

16/07/20 N/A


(Coronavirus,

Restrictions)

(England) (No. 3)

Regulations 2020

the Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Made

affirmative

17/07/2

0


through

parliamenta

ry process


(Coronavirus,

Restrictions)

(Leicester)

(Amendment)

Regulations 2020

the Public

Health

(Control of

Disease)

Act 1984

Made

affirmative

20/07/2

0


through

parliamenta

ry process

PRIME MINISTER

Care Homes


To ask the Prime Minister, when he last met with care home (a) workers and (b)

providers.

Boris Johnson:

I have engaged with care workers and with NHS staff in recent weeks, where I have

been able to thank them for their tireless work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.


TRANSPORT

Aircraft


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of the UK's

civil aviation fleet is (a) under 5 years old, (b) between 5 and 10 years old and (c) over 15

years old.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The Department for Transport does not routinely collect statistical data on the age of

the UK civil aviation fleet. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) maintains a database

(https://siteapps.caa.co.uk/g-info/) of all UK registered aircraft which can be

individually queried to determine the year an aircraft was built.

Airports: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had

with airports on developing an international standard for testing of passengers at UK

airports as part of the Government's covid-19 recovery plan.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The Government is working with a range of aviation sector representatives and

international partners to drive forward a shared agenda on public health and aviation

through regular meetings and correspondence, and remain committed to an open

dialogue to actively engage with the sector as we work towards our shared ambition

of getting aviation up and running again.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department’s policy is on the

introduction of a common international standard on testing at UK airports.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The Government recognises the importance of international standards, and the UK

has been working with a range of international partners to drive forward a shared

agenda on public health and aviation through regular meetings and correspondence,

including through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The UK is a member of the governing Council of ICAO and has played a leading role

in the ICAO Civil Aviation Recovery Taskforce (CART), which was set up specifically

to address the aviation industry’s recovery from the crisis caused by the COVID-19

pandemic. The CART published guidance, including on public health measures for

aviation, on 2 June. As a member of the governing Council of ICAO, the UK will

continue to drive the agenda on public health measures for aviation as the sector’s

recovery progresses and as the global health situation evolves, including exploring

options for testing air passengers.




Aviation: Exhaust Emissions


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Prime

Minister on the Jet zero objective announced in the Prime Minister's Economy speech of

30 June 2020; and what steps he is taking to achieve that objective.

Kelly Tolhurst:

On 12 June the Transport Secretary announced the creation of the Jet Zero Council.

We have been working with the Business Secretary on the aims and objectives of the

Council. It is our intention to publish draft membership and terms of reference before

summer recess.

Bus Service Operators Grant: Hydrogen


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the

potential merits of amending the Bus Service Operator's Grant to include hydrogen.

Rachel Maclean:

As announced in the ‘Better Deal for Bus Users’ package, the Government remains

committed to the reform of the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) in order to

support the environment and improved passenger journeys.

Buses: Hydrogen


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to announce further

information on his Department's policy to introduce (a) a hydrogen bus town scheme and

(b) a hydrogen hub.

Rachel Maclean:

The Transport Secretary is exploring options for using hydrogen in transport. Further

details will be announced in due course.

Department for Transport: Apprentices


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to meet

the public sector apprenticeship target.

Andrew Stephenson:

The Department remains fully committed to the Government’s apprenticeship agenda

and is actively encouraging both the recruitment of apprentices externally, through

proactive outreach and the utilisation of apprenticeships to develop internal capability

and strengthen talent pipelines.

Due to the diverse work of the department, DfT core and each of its executive

agencies (DfT Group) have developed localised strategies to support ongoing work





against public-sector apprenticeship targets, and improve the overall quality of the

apprentice experience.

For mainstream recruitment, we have embedded a process standard across DfT

Group requiring vacancy holders to consider recruiting apprentices as the default

resourcing option to fill vacant roles. This is alongside work with the policy, HR,

project delivery, finance and other technical operational professions to actively

encourage apprenticeship uptake to support skills and capability growth and talent

retention.

From Autumn 2020 we plan to move to volume-based recruitment and apprenticeship

management. Alongside this, we will continue to focus on developing our corporate

support offer for apprentices and their line-managers, and strengthening supplier

engagement to drive quality of provision.

High Speed Two: Directors

Dame Cheryl Gillan: [73677]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, who the newly appointed non-executive

directors of HS2 are; and what their (a) responsibilities and (b) remuneration packages

are.

Andrew Stephenson:

The Secretary of State has appointed Ian King, Elaine Holt and Tom Harris. All non-

executive directors are appointed to provide challenge and guidance to the Board,

Chair and senior leadership at HS2, though each brings their own specialisms. Ian

King has been appointed specifically to represent the government’s interests on the

board.

Appointees are remunerated at £950 per day, on an assumption of a time

commitment of two days per month.

Dame Cheryl Gillan: [73678]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people applied to become non-

executive directors of HS2; and what the process was by which the successful applicants

were selected.

Andrew Stephenson:

Seventy nine people applied to an open and fair competition overseen by Ministers,

which was launched in June 2019. Elaine Holt was appointed via this process.

Tom Harris has been directly appointed to his role for a one year term after which an

open and fair competition will commence. Ian King has been directly appointed to his

role for a three year term, something which is appropriate given his role as a

government representative.

All appointments have been made in accordance with the Government’s Governance

Code for Public Appointments with the agreement of the Prime Minister and the

Commissioner for Public Appointments.



Jet Skis: Wales

Liz Saville Roberts: [74690]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Welsh Government has

legislative competence to regulate on the (a) use and (b) ownership of jet skis.

Kelly Tolhurst:

Regulations on the use and ownership of jet skis and other personal water craft is a

reserved matter for the UK Parliament. This is because they are within the scope of

shipping, technical and safety standards of vessels that are not ships for the

purposes of the Government of Wales Act 2006.

Although the vast majority of personal watercraft users operate their craft responsibly,

the Department for Transport are currently considering how to ensure that any who

willfully or neglectfully cause accidents or endanger the safety of others can be

prosecuted.

Large Goods Vehicles: Coronavirus

Mr Laurence Robertson: [74431]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, if he

will make an assessment of the potential merits of permitting a twelve month extension to

MOT tests for heavy goods vehicles in cases where it can be shown to be safe to do so;

and if he will make a statement.

Rachel Maclean:

The Government is aware of calls from some sectors of the road haulage industry to

issue Certificates of Temporary Exemption for periods of up to 12 months, in order to

mitigate operational issues. These views are being actively considered at present.

Consequent to passage of the Business and Planning Bill, regulations will be made

relating to this issue in coming weeks.

Public Transport: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to

ensure that public transport remains accessible for disabled people during the covid-19

outbreak.

Chris Heaton-Harris:

The Government remains as committed to delivering inclusive transport for all

passengers as they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. Our expectation is that

transport operators should continue to assist disabled passengers who need

assistance. I made this clear in my open letter to the rail industry on 8 April 2020

(www.gov.uk/government/speeches/letter-from-the-rail-minister-to-the-rail-delivery-

group-on-maintaining-accessibility-during-the-covid-19-outbreak) .

We have also made clear to local authorities that the Public Sector Equality Duty still

applies and that they must continue to consider the needs of disabled people. An




accessible public realm is vital to enabling disabled people to access public transport.

On 9 May the Department published statutory guidance to local authorities on

reallocating road space which makes clear that authorities must consider the needs

of disabled people and those with other protected characteristics when making

changes to their transport networks

(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reallocating-road-space-in-response-to-

covid-19-statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities/traffic-management-act-2004-

network-management-in-response-to-covid-19). Public Sector Equality Duty

requirements apply to temporary measures as they do to permanent ones.

I am meeting regularly with key disability stakeholders, including Disability Rights UK,

Scope, Guide Dogs and Transport for All, to hear directly from them about the

experiences of disabled people using transport. This means we will be able to take

action quickly if we find that passengers are not receiving the assistance to which

they are entitled.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to distribute

protective masks for disabled extremely vulnerable passengers on services provided by

Transport for London; and if he will make a statement.


Last month we made it mandatory for passengers to wear a face covering when

travelling on public transport in England, unless they are exempt for health, disability

or other reasons. We expect people to bring their own coverings and it is not the

responsibility of public transport operators to provide them for their passengers. Face

coverings are available to purchase at many retailers and public transport hubs,

whilst there is advice on the gov.uk website which describes in detail how people can

make their own (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-

a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering).

To help introduce this policy, we have distributed over two million face coverings

which were donated to the Government. These were distributed to local transport

providers, National Rail and maritime operators across the country for use by

passengers and the transport workforce. In London, TfL has also been helping their

customers adjust to the new requirement by temporarily distributing face masks at

targeted Tube and bus stations.

Public Transport: Information Services


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure public

access to the Zipabout Passenger Connect service.


The Zipabout Passenger Connect service is freely available through the National Rail

Enquiries (NRE) Alert Me service for anyone to sign up to via the website link (here:

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/208333.aspx). The Department is working



with NRE on increasing the visibility and promotion of the messaging service on the

website and app.

Work is underway currently to consider how we can roll out similar services to users

of other public transport.

Railway Stations: Visual Impairment


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of

the number of operational railways platforms that are (a) owned and (b) managed by

Network Rail that do not have tactile warnings installed to warn visually-impaired people

of the platform edge.


Data on the facilities available at stations is collected and held by the Rail Delivery

Group, who you can contact using [email protected].


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, by what date his Department plans for every

operational platform that is (a) owned and (b) managed by Network Rail will meet the

European Technical Specification for Interoperability covering Persons of Reduced

Mobility of the provision of tactile warnings installed to warn visually-impaired people of

the platform edge.


The Department expects the industry to meet current accessibility requirements

whenever it installs, renews or replaces station infrastructure. In addition, by 2030,

we envisage equal access for disabled people using the transport system, with

assistance if physical infrastructure remains a barrier.

Railways: Coronavirus

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: [73945]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to

monitor the proportion of customers using face masks on trains.


The Department for Transport receives regular data from Network Rail and operators

about the proportion of customers wearing face coverings on trains. The Office for

National Statistics also conducts a weekly survey to track the proportion of people

declaring they wear a face covering on public transport. Their survey shows

significant public support for the measure - of those adults who had used public

transport in the past seven days, 89% had worn a face covering while doing so

across all of Great Britain. This rate was the same in England.

To help encourage enforcement of the requirement, Police and TfL enforcement

officers have been deployed across the network to support frontline transport staff.




Not everyone can wear a face covering, for various reasons, which is why we would

not expect 100% compliance with the policy.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to encourage

passengers to safely use the railways as covid-19 restrictions are eased; and if he will

make a statement.


Our priority remains the safety of staff and passengers. Rail operators are working

hard to ensure passengers can travel safely, in line with Public Health England

advice. Measures taken thus far include regular station speaker announcements, the

installation of clear floor markings and the provision of extra staff to manage

passenger flows and provide guidance. As of 15 June, we have also made face

coverings compulsory on public transport, to minimise the chances of the virus being

spread by asymptomatic patients.

In order to support a safe, green recovery and new working patterns, the department

is also working with industry to explore already available options for flexible

commuters, such as carnets, and what steps could be taken quickly to make these as

useful and convenient for passengers as possible.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with train

operating companies on the potential merits of offering incentives for passengers to

safely return to using the railways as covid-19 restrictions are eased; and if he will make

a statement.


Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 17th July and as we now understand

the epidemiology of the virus better and can control it through targeted, local action,

we are extending our plan to lift the remaining national restrictive measures. Our

priority remains the safety of staff and passengers. Rail operators are making sure

passengers have the confidence to return to the railway, and continue to take all

necessary measures to make rail travel safe. These include the installation of clear

floor markings and the provision of extra staff to manage passenger flows and

provide guidance. On 15 June, we made face coverings compulsory on public

transport, to prevent the transmission of the virus by asymptomatic patients.

In order to support a safe, green recovery and new working patterns, the department

is also working with industry to explore already available options for flexible

commuters, such as carnets, and what steps could be taken quickly to make these as

useful and convenient for passengers as possible.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the

comparative cost of extending (a) rail operators’ Emergency Measures Agreements and

(b) the Operator of Last Resort from September 2020.





The Department is reviewing its approach to potential contractual arrangements

following the expiry of the Emergency Measures Agreements. Work is underway to

consider a range of options and to determine the most appropriate approach. This

work will take account of the potential impact of COVID-19 on demand for passenger

rail travel in both the short and long term, and the associated economic and financial

impacts on the railway, including analysis of Value for Money to taxpayers.

Railways: Exhaust Emissions


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on delivering net-zero

carbon emissions by 2050 on the rail network.


The Government is developing an ambitious Transport Decarbonisation Plan to

achieve net zero emissions across all modes of transport. We will use electrification

and alternative technologies such as battery and hydrogen trains to remove diesel

trains from the network and decarbonise the railway.

Ongoing work led by Network Rail will inform decisions about the pace of rail

decarbonisation to achieve net zero and the deployment of different decarbonisation

technologies on each part of the network.

Railways: Season Tickets


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to

require rail franchisees to provide part-time season tickets; what assessment he has

made of the increase in demand for part-time season tickets following increases in home

working in relation to the covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement.


The Government recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a fundamental

change in working patterns and that this could have long-term effects. The

Department is commissioning research and analysis to understand future commuting

patterns and potential demand for more flexible commuting fares.

More immediately, the Department is working with industry to explore already

available options for flexible commuters, such as carnets, and what steps could be

taken quickly to make these as useful and convenient for passengers as possible.

Railways: Technology


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps is he taking to increase the level

of renewable technology used on the rail network.





The Government supports the use of new technology on the railway to deliver our

legally binding target of net-zero UK greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The Department for Transport is working with Network Rail and the rail industry to

determine which parts of the network are best suited to use of hydrogen or battery

trains, as well as further electrification. DfT is also supporting the development of

hydrogen and battery technology through innovation funding and research to

overcome safety and other barriers to their deployment.

Roads: Capital Investment

Kerry McCarthy: [73744]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the most recent Appraisal

Summary Tables for all the capital enhancement schemes in the Road Investment

Strategy 2.

Rachel Maclean:

The latest approved Appraisal Summary Tables for enhancement schemes included

in the second Road Investment Strategy are being published by Highways England

on whatdotheyknow.com.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of

the cumulative effect of its second Roads Investment Strategy on the level of, carbon

dioxide emissions from now until the end of the fifth carbon budget period in 2032.

Rachel Maclean:

Analysis carried out in the preparation of the second Road Investment Strategy

(RIS2) showed that the additional effect of new RIS2 schemes will be around 0.27

megatonne CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e) through to the end of the 2032. When

compared to the UK’s fifth carbon budget of 1,725 MtCO2e, these schemes represent

an extremely small component.

Rolling Stock: Procurement


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, will he will make it his policy to establish a

criteria that promotes UK manufacturing in procurement contracts for rail rolling stock

after the end of the transition period.


The end of the transition period presents an important opportunity for wider reform of

our public procurement framework to ensure it meets our national needs, drives

improved commercial outcomes, removes complex and unnecessary bureaucratic

rules, and reduces burdens on business, whilst continuing to comply with the UK's

obligations under its international trade agreements. This includes the World Trade

Organization’s Government Procurement Agreement, which the UK will accede to as




an independent member at the end of the transition period. We will continue to work

closely with industry, including rail businesses, to promote skilled employment and

manufacturing in the UK.

Taxis: Coronavirus

Dan Jarvis: [74589]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2020 to

Question 67659 on Taxis: Coronavirus, what plans he has to review the rules on making

face coverings in taxis compulsory, following updated guidance on compulsory face

coverings in shops from 24 July 2020.

Rachel Maclean:

The Government has published safer transport guidance on the safe provision of

transport services during the coronavirus pandemic. The guidance to passengers

says that passengers should wear a face covering when using taxis or private hire

vehicles. Taxi drivers are able to refuse carriage to passengers where it is reasonable

to do so, and private hire vehicle operators can make wearing a face covering a

condition of hiring. We are aware of private hire vehicle operators that are doing this

and requiring the driver they work with to do the same. We are continually reviewing

the guidance for safer transport in line with scientific advice.

Transport: Coronavirus

Emma Hardy: [74717]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect

of wearing face coverings in (a) taxis,(b) buses and (c) trains on the transmission of

covid-19.

Rachel Maclean:

The decision to make face coverings mandatory on public transport was guided by

scientific advice. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) advised

using cloth face coverings as a precautionary measure in enclosed spaces such as

public transport, where social distancing is not possible consistently, creating a risk of

close social contact with multiple parties the person does not usually meet, for

example, when passing by other passengers.

This advice does not replace or change existing advice on other measures – such as

good hand hygiene and social distancing – which remain critically important.

Operators should also continue to follow the practical steps we have set out in the

operator guidance to ensure their services are Covid-19 secure.

Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles carry fewer people and are typically unlikely to

involve passengers from more than one household travelling together, and

passengers and drivers do not travel face-to-face. However, we recognise that taxis

are confined, close spaces – our advice on face coverings remains that people

should wear them in an enclosed space.



Travel: Coronavirus

Alberto Costa: [72222]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria his Department uses for the

establishment of travel corridors between the UK and other countries.

Kelly Tolhurst:

I refer the honourable member to the Secretary of State for Transport’s Written

Ministerial Statement on travel corridors made on 6 July 2020.

TREASURY

Animal Housing: VAT


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made on extending the

eligibility for VAT reductions in the Accommodation and Food Services sector to kennel

and cattery businesses.

Jesse Norman:

In light of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Chancellor has introduced a range of measures

to help individuals and businesses through the crisis, including grants, loans and

relief from business rates at a cost of more than £300 billion.

The temporary reduced rate of VAT will support the tourism and hospitality sectors

and will help over 150,000 businesses and protect over 2.4 million jobs. There are

currently no plans to expand the scope of the temporary VAT reduction to include

kennel and cattery businesses. However, the Government keeps all taxes under

review.

Blood Cancer: Coronavirus


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to provide financial

support to people with blood cancer that are advised to continue shielding by their

treating team.

Jesse Norman:

From 1 August the Government will relax national advice to those shielding, bringing

it in line with the advice to those who are clinically vulnerable. The advice for those

shielding is still to stay at home as much as possible. However, if they are unable to

work from home, they will be able to return to their workplace, provided their

workplace is COVID-safe.

The Government has announced an unprecedented package of financial support

through this period, all of which is available to those who have been asked to shield.

This is not limited to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, but also includes the

introduction of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and an increase in the




generosity of welfare payments worth a further £9.3bn according to Office for Budget

Responsibility estimates.

In addition to this, those required to shield and who are in receipt of a letter or

notification advising them so, will have access to Statutory Sick Pay for the duration

of their shielding period. The Government has made Statutory Sick Pay easier to

access for these individuals, making it payable from day 1 rather than day 4.

Catering: VAT

Dr Dan Poulter: [73789]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether caterers providing food for (a) wedding

breakfasts and (b) similar events are eligible for the VAT cut announced on 8 July 2020

on eat-in or hot takeaway food from restaurants, cafes and pubs as the covid-19

restrictions are eased.

Jesse Norman:

Catering for events and functions provided on the catering supplier’s premises are

covered by the new reduced rate, with the exclusion of alcoholic beverages. This is

set out in the catering, takeaway food guidance (VAT Notice 709/1) published on

GOV.UK.

Further detail about the application of the new reduced rate can be found in the

Revenue and Customs guidance on the temporary reduced rate of VAT for

hospitality, holiday accommodation and attractions, also published on GOV.UK.

Charities: Tax Allowances


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when his Department plans to publish the UK

charity tax relief statistics for 2019-2020.

Kemi Badenoch:

This publication had previously been announced for release in June 2020. As the

demand increases for statistics and data to measure the impact of the COVID19

pandemic, HMRC has had to change its release practices, focussing efforts on

priority analysis and statistics. In line with guidance from the Office for Statistics

Regulation, HMRC announced on 22 May its decision to delay the release of this

publication to October 2020. This information is online on GOV.UK at:


ent_data/file/900739/20200715_HMRC_Announcements.pdf

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to help

ensure that businesses do mot use support from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

to fund the staff notice pay.



https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/900739/20200715_HMRC_Announcements.pdf





To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he intends to impose sanctions on

businesses found to be using support from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to

fund staff notice pay.

Jesse Norman:

Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, an employer can claim for a

furloughed employee who is serving a statutory notice period. However, grants

cannot be used to substitute for redundancy payments. HMRC will continue to

monitor businesses after the scheme has closed.

Further guidance on employee rights and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme can

be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-

coronavirus-job-retention-scheme


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend the furlough scheme to enable

people who are suffering from cancer to remain at home.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will allocate funding to people with blood

cancer who have been (a) been shielding and cannot work from home and (b) advised to

continue shielding from August 2020 to help them access full financial support through

the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for as long as they require; and if he will make a

statement.

Dr Dan Poulter: [73786]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend financial support through the

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to people with blood cancer who (a) have been

shielding but cannot work from home or (b) have been advised to continue shielding from

August.

Dr Rupa Huq: [73920]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate the Government has made of the

number of people with (a) blood cancer and (b) other long-term illnesses who are (i)

shielding during the covid-19 outbreak and cannot work from home and (ii) have been

advised to continue shielding after August 2020; and what assessment he has made of

the potential merits of providing additional support to those people through the

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman:

The Government recognises that COVID-19 has posed significant challenges for

those suffering with cancer.

The Government has put in place unprecedented levels of income support to help

people deal with the financial consequences of COVID-19. This does not just include

the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, but also the Self-Employment Income


https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme







Support Scheme, changes to Statutory Sick Pay, and the £9.3bn which the OBR

estimates that the Government has injected into the welfare system.

The Chancellor announced on 12 May that the CJRS scheme will be extended until

October. Before 30 June, any employee could be furloughed, including those

suffering from cancer. From 1 July, an employee can only continue to be furloughed if

they have previously been furloughed for at least 3 consecutive weeks taking place

any time between 1 March 2020 and 30 June.

For those required to shield after 1 August, they will receive a letter or notification

advising them of this, and they will continue to be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay on

the basis of their shielding status.

Sir Christopher Chope: [74428]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason his 10 July 2020 guidance to

employers on individuals for whom they can claim wages who are not employees was not

issued before that date; and what estimate he has made of the number of new eligible

claimants.

Jesse Norman:

On 10 July 2020, the guidance to employers on individuals they could claim for under

the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme was relocated within GOV.UK and the

structure was updated to improve clarity.

There were no substantive content changes and therefore there has been no change

in eligibility.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Travel

Alex Norris: [73946]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to extend the deadline for the

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for leisure travel companies.

Jesse Norman:

After eight months of the CJRS, the scheme will close at the end of October. The

Chancellor of the Exchequer has said there will be no further extension or changes to

the CJRS.

It would be challenging to target the CJRS to specific sectors in a fair and deliverable

way, and it may not be the case that this is the most effective or sensible way to

provide longer term support for those sectors most affected by coronavirus.

The Government will continue to engage with businesses and representative groups

with the aim of ensuring that support provided is right for those sectors and for the

economy as a whole.



Coronavirus: Protective Clothing


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2020 to

Question 64047 on Coronavirus: Protective Clothing; if he will make it his policy to make

a comparative assessment of the cost to the public purse of the production of pm2.5

filtration masks for people in the most polluted areas and covid-19 associated deaths in

those areas.

Steve Barclay:

No such comparative assessment has been made at this time. The Government’s

priority remains to prioritise clinical PPE to protect frontline staff and ensure they feel

safe in their workplace.

Customs: Contracts


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many contracts for the planned physical

customs inspection sites have been signed.

Jesse Norman:

To date HMRC have signed leases to secure four sites that were developed as

temporary customs facilities ahead of the UK’s exit from the EU on 31 January 2020.

Where necessary, contracts will be reviewed to extend them beyond 1 January 2021.

Contracts are also in place for the development and running of these sites.

It is intended to conduct physical inspections at most of these locations after the end

of the Transition Period.

Customs: Kent


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what environmental impact assessment has

been carried out on building physical customs inspection sites in Kent.

Jesse Norman:

Environmental matters have been taken into account when considering the

development of any potential inland customs facilities. Such matters will continue to

be considered carefully as proposals are developed and taken forward for planning

approval.

Cycling and Walking


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Secretary

of State for Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on

improving local economies through increased walking and cycling.





Steve Barclay:

The Government has committed to invest £2bn in cycling and walking in England

over the course of this Parliament. This includes £225m to be spent this year on

expanding cycling and walking infrastructure in local authorities across England to

encourage people to cycle and walk to reduce demand for public transport while

social distancing is in place.

Economic Growth: Carbon Emissions


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential

effect of the measures announced in his summer economic update on the (a) UK's net

zero emissions target and (b) Paris climate agreement; and whether he will make a

statement.

Kemi Badenoch:

Our world-leading Green Book guidance provides a robust framework for assessing

the impact of interventions on achieving our environmental goals.

As part of the Plan for Jobs, the Chancellor announced over £3 billion of new funding

for green buildings, including a £2 billion Green Homes Grant scheme to upgrade

people’s homes and £1 billion to improve the energy efficiency of public sector

buildings.

This accelerates our progress towards net zero, saving the equivalent of up to 0.6

MtCO 2 e per year, which is roughly equivalent to taking up to 270,000 cars off the

road.

Employment


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the cost to the

public purse of the policy at paragraph 2.14 of the July 2020 Plan for Jobs CP 261.

Kemi Badenoch:

The government will introduce a new payment of £2,000 to employers in England for

each new apprentice they hire aged under 25, and a £1,500 payment for each new

apprentice they hire aged 25 and over, from 1st August 2020 to 31st January 2021.

Table 1 of the Plan for Jobs shows the level of fiscal support available including £1.6

billion for boosting worksearch, skills and apprenticeships. This includes the

indicative cost of 100,000 incentive payments for new apprenticeship hires. The final

costs will depend on the number of new apprentices hired.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much funding he has allocated to the policy

at paragraph 2.48 of the July 2020 Plan for Jobs CP 261.




Kemi Badenoch:

The government is creating a new Office for Talent based in No.10, with delivery

teams across government departments. The Office will focus on attracting, retaining

and developing top research and science talent across the UK and internationally.

Precise details of implementation, including funding arrangements, will be determined

in due course.

Employment: Coronavirus

Shabana Mahmood: [74484]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support he plans to make available to

people who are (a) shielding and (b) living in multigenerational households in the event

that they are unable to safely return to work once the shielding programme is paused,

notwithstanding statutory sick pay.

Liz Saville Roberts: [74691]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to maintain the current level

of employment support for people who are shielding and whose workplaces cannot be

made covid-safe when the shielding scheme comes to an end on 1 August 2020.

Jesse Norman:

On 22 June, the Prime Minister announced that the Government will relax the current

public health guidance for those identified as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) to

shield at home. This means from 1 August they will be able to return to work if they

are unable to work from home, provided their workplace is COVID-safe.

It is important that this group continue to take careful precautions, and employers

should do all they can to enable them to work from home where this is possible,

including moving them to another role if required. Where this is not possible, the CEV

should be provided with the safest on-site roles that enable them to maintain social

distancing from others.

If employers cannot provide a safe working environment, the CEV will continue to

have access to an unprecedented package of financial support. This is not limited to

the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, but also includes the introduction of the Self-

Employment Income Support Scheme, and an increase in the generosity of welfare

payments worth a further £8bn.

Current guidance for those who live with the shielded, including those in multi-

generational households, is that they do not need to shield themselves but must

carefully follow guidance on social distancing.

Food: VAT


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend the 8 July 2020 VAT reduction

to include cold food served from (a) ice cream parlours and (b) other specialised food

establishments.




Jesse Norman:

In light of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Chancellor has introduced a range of measures

to help individuals and businesses through the crisis, including grants, loans and

relief from business rates at a cost of more than £300 billion.

The temporary reduced rate of VAT will support the tourism and hospitality sectors

and will help over 150,000 businesses and protect over 2.4 million jobs. Ice cream

served for consumption on the premises in ice cream parlours or other food

establishments will benefit from the reduced rate.

Fuels: Excise Duties


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to publish the latest quarterly

statistics on duty receipts and clearances for hydrocarbon oils.

Kemi Badenoch:

HMRC are provisionally scheduled to publish the latest quarterly hydrocarbon oils

receipts and clearances statistics at 09:30 22 September 2020. The publication will

be updated with provisional statistics for June, July and August 2020 and will be

published on the HMRC UK Trade Info website.

Income Tax

Andy McDonald: [73850]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the amount of

income tax revenue lost to the public purse from the underpayment of the national

minimum wage in each year since 2009-10.

Jesse Norman:

HMRC enforce the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW)

in line with the law and policy set out by the Department for Business, Energy and

Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

The Low Pay Commission (LPC) publishes an annual report that provides an

assessment of the nature and extent of NMW underpayment. The latest report

published by the LPC in April 2019 can be found here:


ent_data/file/797675/Non-

compliance_and_enforcement_of_the_National_Minimum_Wage_WEB.pdf.

There is no robust estimate available of the income tax revenue lost as a result of

NMW underpayment.

Andy McDonald: [73851]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the amount of

income tax revenue lost to the public purse from workers being wrongly categorised as

self-employed in each year since 2009-10.



https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/797675/Non-compliance_and_enforcement_of_the_National_Minimum_Wage_WEB.pdf





Jesse Norman:

The Government is committed to tackling false self-employment. HM Revenue &

Customs (HMRC) take a risk-based approach to investigating employers who may

have misclassified individuals for tax purposes. In these cases, HMRC establish the

facts and take steps to ensure the right tax and National Insurance contributions are

paid.

Income Tax and National Insurance contributions lost due to false self-employment

are part of the tax gap related to employers. HMRC publish an assessment of the tax

gap: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps.

A separate estimate of the tax gap relating to false self-employment is not available.

Kickstart Scheme


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to open the Kickstart scheme to

(a) employers and (b) young people.

Jesse Norman:

The Kickstart Scheme will be open to funding applications from employers from

August 2020, and the Government expects that the first jobs for young people will

begin in the autumn.

Killing Kittens: Finance


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to stop payments being

made to the sex party organisers, Killing Kitten via the Future Fund.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many sex party companies have received

payments from the Government covid-19 business support schemes.

Kemi Badenoch:

The Government publishes aggregate application and approval figures for the

Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), the Coronavirus

Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS)

and Future Fund but does not hold specific information relating to individual

companies who have accessed these schemes. HMRC publishes weekly

management information on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and

monthly management information on VAT deferrals. On 11 June HMRC published the

Official Statistics for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which included a

breakdown of recipients by sector, but not individual companies. Therefore the

Government does not collect data on the information requested.

Regarding the Future Fund, it is an investor-led scheme with clear and published

eligibility criteria. The scheme is being delivered by the British Business Bank and the

Government is unable to comment on individual applications.

http://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps

http://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps




Local Government Finance: Coronavirus

Steve Reed: [73849]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2020 to

Question 68708, on Local Government Finance: Coronavirus, whether Barnett

Consequentials will flow from his Department's covid-19 local authority funding scheme.

Steve Barclay:

Any new funding for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will

have the Barnett formula applied to it in the usual way.

This would be on top of the £8.9 billion of additional funding that we have already

confirmed for the devolved administrations in relation to Covid-19.

Offshore Industry: Income


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when his Department plans to publish statistics

on Government revenues from UK oil and gas production.

Kemi Badenoch:

On 18th May 2020 HMRC confirmed the publication date for Statistics of Government

revenues from UK Oil and Gas Production as 23rd July 2020 on the official

Government website (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schedule-of-updates-

for-hmrcs-statistics). A direct link to HMRC’s announcement is provided below:


ent_data/file/900739/20200715_HMRC_Announcements.pdf

Personal Care Services: VAT

John McNally: [72214]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential

merits of including hair and beauty sector in the temporary VAT cut for the hospitality

sector.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason the hair and beauty sector was

included in the wider hospitality and retail sectors in relation to guidance issued during

the covid-19 lockdown but not included in the temporary VAT cut for the hospitality

sector.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to reduce the tax burden (a)

companies and (b) people operating in the hair and beauty sector.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to support owners of hair and

beauty businesses in the UK as the covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.











To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to extend eligibility for the

temporary VAT cut for the hospitality sector to the hair and beauty sector.

Jesse Norman:

The temporary VAT reduction is designed to support businesses and jobs in the

tourism and hospitality industry. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chancellor

has announced a range of measures to help individuals and businesses through the

crisis, including grants, loans and relief from business rates worth more than £300

billion.

All eligible businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will pay no business

rates in England for 12 months from 1 April 2020 and the Government deferred Value

Added Tax (VAT) payments so UK VAT-registered businesses did not need to pay

any VAT due with VAT returns from 20 March through to the end of June 2020, until

31 March 2021.

A range of further measures has been made available. This includes the Coronavirus

Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to

help firms keep people in employment. The Bounce Back Loan Scheme has also

been launched to help small businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Government will continue to consider how best to support the economic

recovery.

Retail Trade: Government Assistance

Martyn Day: [72237]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the effect on

the provision of services at (a) schools, (b) care homes, (c) hospitals and (d) other public

services of inadequate financial support to ensure the sustainability of the wholesale

distribution sector.

Kemi Badenoch:

The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to

protect them against the current economic emergency. This support is kept

constantly under review and the Government continues to consider how to best

support businesses, including those in the wholesale distribution sector.

Wholesale distributors continue to have access to the Government’s unprecedented

package of support for business, including, but not limited to, the Coronavirus Job

Retention Scheme (CJRS), the Discretionary Grant Fund and the four government-

backed loan schemes for firms of all sizes. The Business Support website provides

further information about how businesses can access the support that has been

made available, who is eligible and how to apply - https://www.gov.uk/business-

coronavirus-support-finder.

The Government continues to work hard to support wholesale distributors to ensure

that supplies continue to reach our schools, care homes, hospitals and other public



https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder



services. We will continue to engage with businesses and representative groups in

the wholesale sector to support businesses and ensure that the sector has a strong

and sustainable recovery.

Revenue and Customs: Cleaning Services

Dan Carden: [73949]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much money cleaning contractor ISS

charged HMRC for cleaning services at (a) Litherland House, (b) The Triad, Regian

House and (c) Imperial Court HMRC offices in Merseyside between 16 and 27 March

2020 and at (i) City Centre House and (ii) Norfolk House in Birmingham between 16 and

17 March 2020.

Jesse Norman:

HMRC do not have a direct contract with ISS, who are a Tier Three supplier within

HMRC’s PFI agreement with Mapeley STEPS Ltd.

Self-employed: Coronavirus

Claire Hanna: [73991]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to support self-employed

people who are not eligible for the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme due to having

a loss in trading profit bringing their average trading profit to below zero.

Jesse Norman:

Self-employed individuals, including members of partnerships, are eligible for the Self

Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) if they have submitted their Income

Tax Self Assessment tax return for the tax year 2018-19, continued to trade, and

have been adversely affected by COVID-19. To qualify, their self-employed trading

profits must be no more than £50,000 and at least equal to their non-trading income.

The value of the grant is based on average trading profit over three tax years: 2016-

17, 2017-18, and 2018-19. The aim is not to subsidise the self-employed who would

have been making losses regardless, but to support those who have been adversely

affected as a result of COVID-19.

Individuals who are not eligible for the SEISS may be able to benefit from other

elements of the unprecedented financial support provided by the Government. This

package includes Bounce Back Loans, tax deferrals, rental support, mortgage

holidays, and other business support grants. On 8 July, the Government also

introduced the new Plan for Jobs which will make available up to £30 billion to assist

in creating, supporting and protecting jobs.

Self-employment Income Support Scheme

Drew Hendry: [73894]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of

the effect of the introduction of the additional evidential standard under which applicants

to the Self Employment Income Support Scheme are required to show a continued




sectoral impact of covid-19 by 14 July 2020 on the level of accessibility to that scheme's

second payment.

Jesse Norman:

Applications for the second and final grant will open on 17 August. This will provide

eligible claimants with a taxable grant worth 70% of their average monthly trading

profits, paid out in a single instalment covering a further three months’ worth of profit,

and capped at £6,570 in total.

Those claiming for the second grant will have to confirm that their business has been

adversely affected on or after 14 July 2020.  The eligibility criteria for both grants are

the same.

A business could be adversely affected by coronavirus if, for example, the self-

employed person is unable to work because they are shielding or self-isolating. A

business could also be adversely affected if it has fewer or no customers. More

examples are provided on GOV.UK.

Taxpayers claiming the SEISS grant should keep a record of how their business has

been adversely affected; examples of evidence are available on GOV.UK.

Owen Thompson: [73911]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2020 to

Question 45271 on Self-employment Income Support Scheme, what steps he has taken

to review his policy on calculation of average self-employed earnings in the Self-

Employment Income Support Scheme to take into account periods of maternity leave.

Jesse Norman:

As announced on 17 June, the Government has amended the Self-Employment

Income Support Scheme (SEISS) eligibility conditions to support self-employed new

parents.

This means self-employed parents will be able to claim grants if they were taking time

out of their trade to care for their new-born or newly adopted child and, as a result,

did not submit a Self-Assessment tax return for 2018-19 or their trading profits in

2018-19 were less than their non-trading income.

Further details of the change for self-employed parents is available on GOV.UK.

Soft Drinks: Taxation


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of

the covid-19 lockdown restrictions on forecast revenue from the soft drinks industry levy.

Kemi Badenoch:

The Treasury does not publish forecasts of the economy or the public finances.

Forecasts of future receipts are produced by the Office for Budget Responsibility

(OBR) on a regular basis as part of their Economic and Fiscal Outlook series.



Although the OBR published a Fiscal Sustainability Report on 14 July, that report

contains scenarios, not forecasts, and is not broken down to the level of individual

taxes.

The Chancellor will commission the OBR to produce a forecast alongside the next

fiscal event in the usual way.

Treasury: Correspondence


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the adequacy

of the standard of correspondence produced by the Correspondence and Enquiry Unit in

his Department in response to enquiries raised during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kemi Badenoch:

Since March, the Treasury has received over 18,000 items of correspondence from

Honourable Members – the largest correspondence volume received of any

Government department leading on coronavirus pandemic. Replying to this amount

of correspondence while delivering targeted action to protect millions of jobs and

livelihoods is a significant challenge for a department of around 1,500 staff. However,

the Treasury ensures that every MP receives a timely, accurate and informative reply

to their queries. On rare occasions, when MPs have said any replies from the

Treasury have not fully covered the issue raised, the department has provided an

additional reply covering any outstanding points as soon as possible.

WALES

Agriculture: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the effect of

the covid-19 outbreak on farming in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Hart:

The UK Government is acutely aware of the pressures facing Welsh farmers as a

result of the Covid-19 crisis. We are hugely grateful for the hard work they have done

– and continue to do – to maintain vital food supply chains, and we know how

essential farming is to rural communities in Wales. Whilst we are pleased to see

business now returning as shops and restaurants reopen, this has been a challenging

period for many farmers who have seen a significant reduction in demand following

the temporary closure of the food service sector.

We want a profitable and resilient farming sector and we will always champion our

farmers by supporting them to provide a sustainable food supply to consumers.

Although agriculture is a devolved matter in Wales, the UK Government took several

specific measures to support our farmers through the Covid-19 outbreak. For

instance, we have temporarily relaxed certain elements of competition law to support



the farming sector and have worked with the industry on promotional campaigns for

beef and dairy. This is in addition to the package of UK Government-backed financial

support schemes, such as the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and

the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, which have provided vital support to Welsh farmers.

I have had several meetings with Welsh farming unions and other key industry

stakeholders in Wales throughout this crisis. We remain in regular contact with

representatives from across the sectors to help us assess specific challenges and

identify how best to support their economic recovery in the months ahead.

Manufacturing Industries: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what estimate he has made of the financial loss

to the manufacturing industry in Wales as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Simon Hart:

I appreciate the huge impact Covid-19 has had on business owners and employees

in the Welsh manufacturing sector and have met with stakeholders across the sector

to discuss concerns.

The UK Government has taken prompt and decisive action to support the economy

during these difficult times. We have implemented unprecedented measures to help

businesses through the outbreak, including through the Coronavirus Large Business

Interruption Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, VAT

deferral and Bounce Back Loans.

Our measures to keep Welsh workers in Jobs have included the Coronavirus Job

Retention Scheme (“furlough”) and the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme

(SEISS). Up to 30 June 2020, 378,400 employments were furloughed and 108,000

SEISS claims worth £289m were made in Wales. Via Barnett Consequentials, the

Welsh Government has received an additional £2.8bn to support the fight against

Covid-19, including an additional £500m as a result of spending announced at the

Summer Economic Update by the Chancellor.

The UK Government has also provided a loan directly to Celsa Steel to help support

them during these difficult times. This loan secured 800 positions at the company’s

main site in South Wales.

Mass Media: Employment


To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps he is taking to help protect jobs in the

Welsh media sector; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Hart:

The UK Government recognises the impact of Covid-19 on the Welsh media sector

and has taken unprecedented action to protect Welsh jobs, with 378,400 jobs



supported by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and £289m provided to support

108,000 self-employed people.

The UK Government recognises the huge contribution that the media sector makes to

the Welsh economy and cultural life, and the important role it has played throughout

lockdown in providing an invaluable source of information and entertainment.

The Welsh Government will benefit from an extra £59m Barnett funding announced

as part of the UK Government’s major £1.57 billion support package for the arts,

museums, heritage sectors, music venues and independent cinemas to help them

through the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales and I have been in regular

contact with stakeholders across the media sector in Wales throughout the outbreak

and will continue to engage closely as the sector helps lead Wales’ recovery.

Tourism: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what estimate he has made of the effect on the

Welsh economy of the reduction in income from tourism to Wales as a result of the covid-

19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Hart:

The UK Government recognises the challenges faced by businesses in the wake of

Covid-19. This is why we acted quickly and decisively to provide an unprecedented

level of support to protect businesses, jobs and incomes in the tourism industry in

Wales.

By the end of June, the UK Government had supported 378,400 Welsh jobs through

the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and 108,000 self-employed people in Wales

through the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

We have cut VAT by 15% for six months for the tourism and hospitality sectors to

kick-start recovery and our Eat Out to Help Out scheme will help get those sectors

back on their feet during August.

The Welsh Government has now heeded the call to plan for the full reopening of the

tourism and hospitality sectors in Wales. The measures the UK Government has in

place will help those sectors in Wales make the most of the remainder of the summer

season.

Welsh Water


To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has plans to restrict Welsh Water to

selling water to customers living in Wales.




To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will take steps to ensure that customers of

Welsh Water resident in England and Wales receive consistent standards of service from

that company.

Simon Hart:

Welsh Water is already required in law to provide all customers in England and

Wales with the same levels of service.

Responsibility for water and sewerage companies operating wholly or mainly in

Wales is a devolved matter. The regulation of Welsh Water is therefore a matter for

the Welsh Government.

Section 48 of the Wales Act 2017, when commenced, will align Senedd Cymru/the

Welsh Parliament’s responsibilities for water and sewerage with the England-Wales

border. The UK Government and Welsh Government are currently discussing when

this change should be made. Welsh Water’s ability to sell water to customers in

England and Wales will be unaffected by this change.

The joint Intergovernmental Protocol on Water Resources, Water Supply and Water

Quality made under the Wales Act 2017 came into effect on 1 April 2018. It provides

a mechanism to enable both UK Government and Welsh Government to work

together on cross-border issues to avoid any serious adverse impact on water

resources, water supply or water quality in England or in Wales.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Habitual Residence Test


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many habitual residence tests

were carried out in each of the last five years; and what proportion of those tests were

passed.

Justin Tomlinson:

The table below gives the total number of Habitual Residency Tests (HRT) completed

by Universal Credit (UC) full service claimants for the last five years, and the

proportion of these HRT where a pass outcome was recorded.

YEAR UC CLAIM

DECLARED

UC CLAIMS WITH AN

ASSOCIATED HRT

UC CLAIMS WITH AN

ASSOCIATED HRT THAT

PASSED

PROPORTION OF

PASSES

2015 50 50 100%

2016 4,600 4,100 89%

2017 51,400 44,800 87%



YEAR UC CLAIM

DECLARED

UC CLAIMS WITH AN

ASSOCIATED HRT

UC CLAIMS WITH AN

ASSOCIATED HRT THAT

PASSED

PROPORTION OF

PASSES

2018 245,900 201,900 82%

2019 417,400 364,100 87%

2020 231,400 211,900 92%

Table Notes:

1. All figures rounded to 100, but 2015 figures are rounded to the nearest 50.

2. Figures are taken from Management Information on Universal Credit Full Service

claims and do not include Live Service claims for which HRT data is not available.

3. The month used in this data is the month in which the UC claim was declared

(regardless of when the UC claim passed the HRT).

4. Subtracting the number of HRT passes from the total number of UC HRTs

undertaken would not provide the number of HRT fails, as this also includes HRTs

where the outcome could not be determined, for example, a claim was withdrawn

before the HRT result was recorded.

5. The year refers to the calendar year, January – December apart from 2015 data

which only includes June-December 2015 data and 2020 data which only includes

January-March 2020 data.

6. Information on Universal Credit Full service claims may be subject to future change;

this is because claim data may be entered retrospectively for past months. Any

retrospective changes are most likely to affect recent months; for this reason, we

have provided data up to the end of March 2020.

7. The UC full service data supplied is derived from unpublished management

information, which was collected for internal Departmental use only and has not

been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard.

The data should therefore be treated with caution.

Jobcentres: Staff

Neil Gray: [74609]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Chancellor's

summer economic update of 8 July 2020, what plans she has to expand the job centre

network to accommodate the new work coaches announced in that update.

Mims Davies:

We are currently evaluating the job centre network to ensure we can accommodate

the new Work Coaches in a COVID-secure way.


Neil Gray: [74610]


summer economic update of 8 July 2020, whether her Department plans to lease or

purchase new buildings to accommodate the new work coaches announced in that

update.

Mims Davies:

We are currently evaluating the job centre network to ensure we can accommodate

the new work coaches in a COVID-secure way.

Neil Gray: [74613]


summer economic update of 8 July 2020, what the timetable is for the recruitment of the

new work coaches announced in that update; and what estimate she has made of the

proportion of those so recruited that will be (a) redeployed from within her Department,

(b) redeployed from other Government departments and (c) newly recruited into the Civil

Service.

Mims Davies:

With reference to the Chancellor’s summer economic update of 8 July, we are

doubling the number of work coaches to 27,000 by March 2021. We shall recruit an

additional 4500 work coaches required by October through a blend of cross-

government promotion and external campaigns.

Kickstart Scheme

Bridget Phillipson: [74529]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to work with

(a) other Departments and (b) local authorities to deliver the Kickstart scheme; and how

bids from employers wishing to take part in the scheme will be assessed.

Mims Davies:

DWP will continue to work closely with a range of other government departments

including DCMS, BEIS and MHCLG to develop and deliver the Kickstart Scheme.

We know that mayoralties and all local authorities have an important role in the

economic recovery. DWP will continue to work with them, and skills advisory panels,

to make best use of their expertise and ensure the Kickstart Scheme meets their

areas’ economic needs.

Details on how bids will be assessed are yet to be finalised. We aim to make the

process as straightforward as possible to allow the widest range of organisations to

take part, whilst ensuring value for money. More information will be available in due

course.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had on

the delivery of the Kickstart scheme with (a) the Secretary of State for Housing,





Communities and Local Government; (b) Jobcentre Plus Regional Offices and (c) local

authorities.

Mims Davies:

DWP is implementing the Kickstart Scheme. We will continue to work closely with a

wide range of government departments including MHCLG, to develop and deliver the

Scheme as part of the wider package announced in the Chancellor’s Summer

Statement.

With MHCLG we are setting up joint design groups to optimise the effectiveness of

the scheme at a local and regional level. I have already discussed the Kickstart

Scheme with the M9 Mayors and we have engaged extensively with the Jobcentre

network.

We are keen to develop an effective and comprehensive economic response that

works nationally and locally. Our Job Centre Plus partnership managers and

employer advisors already work closely with key local partners, such as Mayoral

Combined Authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what conditions will be placed on

employers seeking to hire people under the Kickstart scheme.

Mims Davies:

It is an employer's duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees

including young people who will be employed through the Kickstart scheme.

Further details about the Kickstart Scheme will be set out in due course.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he will take to monitor

the Kickstart scheme to ensure people employed under that scheme start new rather than

previously existing jobs.

Mims Davies:

Kickstart jobs will be new jobs - with the funding conditional on the employer

demonstrating that these jobs are additional. Further details about the Kickstart

Scheme monitoring and evaluation processes will be set out in due course.

Materials Handling Equipment: Industrial Accidents

Apsana Begum: [72276]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions his Department

has had with (a) Gateway Housing Association, (b) Tower Hamlets Council and (c) Swan

Housing Association on the welfare needs of people who have been displaced as result

of the crane collapse on 9 July 2020 at the Swan Housing Association’s Watts Grove

development site in Bow.




Mims Davies:

The Department has not been approached by either Gateway Housing, Tower

Hamlets Council or Swan Housing Association regarding localised support for

displaced residents. We will provide support to any residents who have been affected

and are working with local agencies to coordinate our services and ensure people are

able to access the help they need.

Personal Independence Payment

Jessica Morden: [73759]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how claimants for personal

independence payment in 2019 died within six months of making those claims; and how

many of those claimants had their claims disallowed by her Department.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of

the claimants for personal independence payment in 2019 who died within six months of

making those claims and had those claims disallowed by her Department (a) made those

claims under the special rules for terminal illness and (b) died within three months of

those claims being disallowed by her Department.

Justin Tomlinson:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is claimed by people with a range of health

conditions and disabilities, many of which are degenerative or life limiting and the

Department treats the death of any claimant sympathetically. Claims made under the

special rules for people who are terminally ill are fast tracked and are currently being

cleared within 5 working days for new claimants.

Of the 1,820 PIP claimants who died within 6 months of registering a claim and were

disallowed at initial decision:

• 240 claimants originally registered their claim under Special Rules for Terminal

Illness.

• 1,670 claimants died within 3 months of an initial decision on their PIP claim.

Notes

Source: PIP ADS, Customer Information System

• PIP data includes normal rules and special rules for the terminally ill claimants, and

is for both new claims and DLA reassessment claims.

• This analysis only takes the first registration a claimant makes to PIP.

• This is unpublished data. It should be used with caution and it may be subject to

future revision.

• Data has been rounded to the nearest 10. Components may not sum to the whole

due to rounding.



• Figures cover PIP claims registered between January 2019 and December 2019,

claims cleared up to and including 30 th April 2020 and deaths up to 30 th April

2020.

• GB Only.

Under the Social Security (Notification of Deaths) Regulations 2012 and s125 of

Social Security Administration Act 1992 date of death is provided to the Department

for all registered deaths. Additionally, next of kin also provide information on the date

of death of an individual and this information is used appropriately in the

administration of Departmental benefits.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Assessments

Chris Stephens: [R] [58015]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many assessments for (a)

personal independence payments, (b) employment and support allowance and (c) the

limited capability for work component of universal credit were scheduled to take place

after 1 March 2020; and how many of those assessments have taken place.

Justin Tomlinson:

[Holding answer 15 June 2020]: Our priority throughout this Covid-19 period

continues to be to protect the public and staff, while ensuring people receive the

benefits they are entitled to quickly and safely. We suspended face-to-face

assessments, reviews and reassessments. We continue to assess people based on

written evidence alone, where that is possible, and have introduced telephone

assessments. We also automatically extended awards where necessary for certain

health and disability benefits, providing reassurance to those in receipt of them. This

action enabled us to prioritise activity on new claims and changes of circumstances.

The number of assessments that were scheduled to have taken place between 1

March 2020 and 30 May 2020 and the number of assessments that took place during

that time can be found in the table below:

ASSESSMENTSSCHEDULED ASSESSMENTSCOMPLETED

PIP 187,700 117,050

ESA 20,370 14,500

UC 34,530 19,890

Please note:

Data has been rounded to the nearest 10.

Figures do not include paper based reviews.

PIP


The Assessments Scheduled data has been produced by the assessment providers

(Capita and Independent Assessment Services).

The Assessments Completed data is derived from unpublished contractual

management information produced by the assessment providers which was collected

for internal departmental use only and has not been quality assured to Official

Statistics Publication standards.

Face-to-face assessments for PIP were paused due to Covid-19 from 17 March

2020. Telephone assessments began a piloted roll out from 23 March 2020 for Capita

and 03 April 2020 for IAS.

ESA and UC

Face-to-face assessments for UC and ESA were paused due to Covid-19 from 17

March 2020. Telephone assessments began a piloted roll out from 04 May 2020

where only Limited Capability for Work Related Activity recommendations were being

made.

The department continues to process both New Claims and Changes of

Circumstance and encourage anyone with a change in their needs to contact the

Department so that we can ensure they are receiving the correct level of support.

Universal Credit

Ruth Jones: [72260]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of

the implications for her policies of the conclusions of the NAO report on Universal Credit:

Getting to First Payment.

Will Quince:

The Department is considering the findings of the report in the normal way.

Drew Hendry: [73895]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure

that claimant commitments under universal credit do not comprise (a) volunteering and

(b) other activities that affect an individual's eligibility for (i) personal independence

payment and (ii) other additional support.

Mims Davies:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can be paid regardless of whether someone

can work or volunteer.

Work-related requirements are agreed in discussion with the claimant and will always

be tailored to the claimant’s personal circumstances, ensuring they are realistic and

achievable.

Work coaches have the flexibility to personalise requirements for individual claimants

based on their health condition. They can remove all work related requirements

where it is not reasonable to expect them to be able to fulfil them.



Universal Credit: Disability


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of

claims for the disability component of universal credit were made under the special rules

for terminal illness in each year since 2016.

Justin Tomlinson:

The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Data

exists in the system that would require matching across a number of data sets, which

is a substantial piece of work. The required information is therefore not all readily

available to analysts in a format that would enable them to undertake the analysis

and quality assure the figures, to answer this PQ in the timescales.

Universal Credit: Terminal Illnesses


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether there has been a reduction

in Special Rules for Terminal Illness claims for universal credit as a result of her

Department's change to the online application question on terminal illness in May 2019;

and if she will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson:

The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Data

exists in the system that would require matching across a number of data sets, which

is a substantial piece of work. The required information is therefore not all readily

available to analysts in a format that would enable them to undertake the analysis

and quality assure the figures, to answer this PQ in the timescales.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department’s review

of how the welfare system works for people with a terminal illness includes issues relating

to universal credit for terminally ill people.

Justin Tomlinson:

In July 2019, the then DWP Secretary of State announced an in-depth evaluation of

how the benefits system supports people nearing the end of their life and those with

the most severe conditions.

The evaluation included three strands of research:

• hearing directly from claimants, clinicians and charities about their first-hand

experiences;

• considering international evidence to find out what works in other nations and the

support they provide; and

• reviewing current Departmental performance to better understand how the Special

Rules for Terminal Illness and severe conditions processes operate and perform.




WRITTEN STATEMENTS

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Business update

Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Alok Sharma):

[HCWS387]

I am today updating Parliament on the work of the Vaccine Taskforce in securing a

vaccine against Covid-19.

Tackling this virus is the biggest challenge that this country has faced in peacetime

history. Today I am announcing the recent steps that the Vaccines Taskforce has taken

towards making a successful Covid-19 vaccine available as soon as possible to the UK

population and the wider world.

I can inform the House that we have signed agreements with the BioNTech/Pfizer

alliance and Valneva to purchase their vaccines. This is part of our strategy to procure a

portfolio of promising vaccine candidates, giving us the best chance of securing a

successful one at the earliest opportunity. Demand for a successful vaccine will be high

and placing these orders early will give us access to the doses we need, if and when, any

of these candidates prove to be safe and effective in clinical trials and receive regulatory

approval.

I am also announcing that the Government has issued a letter of intent in advance of

entering an agreement to secure an antibody that may be used as a therapeutic

treatment in support of the wider vaccination programme. The antibody, manufactured by

AstraZeneca, is currently in clinical trials and could be available for use by the second

quarter of 2021, if those trials are successful.

Clinical trials play a vital part in the vaccine development process. Today, the

Government is also launching the NHS Covid-19 vaccine research registry. This new

website will enable people in the UK to volunteer for future vaccine studies planned in the

UK, playing their part in our national effort to ensure a Covid-19 vaccine is available as

soon as possible.

Contingencies Fund Advance

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Business and Industry)

(Nadhim Zahawi): [HCWS388]

I hereby give notice of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s

intention to seek an advance from the Contingencies Fund of £5,070,000,000 to provide

funding for the Nuclear Liabilities Fund (NLF).

The funding will be used to increase the NLF’s public sector assets, by making £5.07bn

available to the NLF in the form of a deposit in the National Loans Fund. This offers an

alternative investment opportunity to the NLF, which otherwise would re-allocate monies

within the next month into investments in its privately held asset portfolio. Such re-

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2020-07-20/HCWS387/


https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhs.uk%2Fresearchcontact&data=02%7C01%7Cben.pledger%40beis.gov.uk%7Ca9501c7ef22f42a5fff608d82be1da4c%7Ccbac700502c143ebb497e6492d1b2dd8%7C0%7C0%7C637307596328958691&sdata=iynJWQ4zOaoXI9iQFyuDxyY8vOHQVA2IkFF4UB1ZMW0%3D&reserved=0

https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhs.uk%2Fresearchcontact&data=02%7C01%7Cben.pledger%40beis.gov.uk%7Ca9501c7ef22f42a5fff608d82be1da4c%7Ccbac700502c143ebb497e6492d1b2dd8%7C0%7C0%7C637307596328958691&sdata=iynJWQ4zOaoXI9iQFyuDxyY8vOHQVA2IkFF4UB1ZMW0%3D&reserved=0


allocation would increase Public Sector Net Debt, and so this alternative funding

arrangement avoids this immediate negative fiscal impact. The payment to the NLF is

fiscally neutral.

The Trustee Directors of the NLF have a fiduciary duty to ensure the NLF remains on

track to be sufficient to meet certain future decommissioning liabilities. Parliamentary

approval for additional capital of £5,070,000,000 will be sought in a Supplementary

Estimate for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Pending that

approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £5,070,000,000 will be met by repayable cash

advances from the Contingencies Fund.

The cash advance will be repaid upon receiving Royal Assent on the Supply and

Appropriation Bill.

Unified Patent Court

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Science, Research and

Innovation (Amanda Solloway): [HCWS395]

I am tabling this statement for the benefit of Honourable and Right Honourable Members

to bring to their attention the UK’s withdrawal from the Unified Patent Court system.

Today, by means of a Note Verbale, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern

Ireland has withdrawn its ratification of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court and the

Protocol on Privileges and Immunities of the Unified Patent Court (dated 23 April 2018) in

respect of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man,

and its consent to be bound by the Protocol to the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court

on provisional application (dated on 6 July 2017) (collectively “the Agreements”).

In view of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, the United

Kingdom no longer wishes to be a party to the Unified Patent Court system. Participating

in a court that applies EU law and is bound by the CJEU would be inconsistent with the

Government’s aims of becoming an independent self-governing nation.

The Agreements have not yet entered into force. However, in order to ensure clarity

regarding the United Kingdom’s status in respect of the Agreements and to facilitate their

orderly entry into force for other States without the participation of the United Kingdom,

the United Kingdom has chosen to withdraw its ratification of the Agreements at this time.

The United Kingdom considers that its withdrawals shall take effect immediately and that

it will be for the remaining participating states to decide the future of the Unified Patent

Court system.


DEFENCE

Service Complaints Ombudsman's Annual Report 2019

Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans (Johnny Mercer): [HCWS392]

The Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s formal response to the Service Complaints

Ombudsman’s (SCO) annual report for 2019 on the fairness, effectiveness and efficiency

of the Service complaints system has today been placed in the Library of the House.

The Ombudsman’s report assessed the fourth year of operation of the reformed Service

complaints system which was implemented on 1 January 2016 and the work of her office

in 2019. The response sets out MOD’s comments and approach to each of the

Ombudsman’s new recommendations, the observations that she has made and includes

a summary of our position on recommendations made in previous annual reports.

The MOD values the strong independent oversight that the Ombudsman brings to the

Service complaints process, and remains committed to having a system in which our

personnel can have confidence. This will include progressing outstanding

recommendations and observations, together with improvements identified in Air Marshal

Wigston’s Report in April 2019 on Inappropriate Behaviours.

Attachments:

1. MODs Formal Response Annex A [MODs Formal Response to Service Complaints and

Ombudsman's Annual Report 2019.docx]

2. SCO Annual Report Recommendations Annex B [SCO Annual Report

Recommendations 2016 to 2019 to the Service Complaints and Ombudsman's Annual

Report 2019.docx]

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Community Match Challenge

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Oliver Dowden):

[HCWS396]

On 8 April, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a £750 million funding package

for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector. I wish to set out to

the House the details of how £90 million from this package will be allocated.

We are all aware of the vital role that the VCSE sector plays in our society, and this has

especially been the case in the past few months. Charities and community organisations

have been at the frontline of the coronavirus outbreak, providing trusted support to people

and communities.

Through the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, £200 million is already being

allocated largely to small and medium sized charities in England by the National Lottery

Community Fund.

We are now inviting the philanthropists, foundations, and grant makers to put forward

new funding which the Government will match on a pound for pound basis.




The Government will match up to £85 million of funding from strategic funders such as

philanthropists and charitable foundations. This funding is intended for beneficiary groups

which are the most vulnerable and the hardest hit by COVID-19. We expect awards to be

made principally to charitable grant makers providing aid to small and medium sized

charities. We anticipate funding applications in the £5 million to £20 million range. This

innovative approach will build on the expertise of philanthropists and foundations by

supporting the charities that they believe will have the highest impact in the areas that we

want to focus on, while giving charities longer term recovery support by allowing the non-

Government portion of the match funding to be spent beyond March 2021.

We believe that this approach will stimulate further donations and ensure that a further

£85 million of philanthropic funding from those who wish to support their communities

during these challenging times will go to charities, further increasing support to the sector.

An additional £4.8 million is also being allocated to the Voluntary and Community Sector

Emergencies Partnership to strengthen its support to the voluntary and community

sector, and its coordinating role with government and statutory agencies, as they

continue to respond to COVID-19.

Applications close at midnight on 2 August 2020 and details can be found at the fund

website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-match-challenge-

and-voluntary-and-community-sector-emergencies-partnership .

EDUCATION

School Funding Update

The Minister of State for School Standards (Nick Gibb): [HCWS393]

Today I am confirming provisional funding allocations for 2021-22 through the schools,

high needs and central school services national funding formulae (NFF). The allocations

distribute the second year of the multi-billion school funding settlement that the Secretary

of State for Education announced to Parliament on 3 September 2019. Core school

funding is increasing by £2.6bn in 2020-21, and will increase by £4.8bn and £7.1bn in

2021-22 and 2022-23 respectively, compared to 2019-20. In addition, we continue to fund

the recent increase in pension costs for teachers, worth £1.5bn a year.

These allocations, which are part of the annual funding cycle, will provide schools and

local authorities with certainty of future funding. In addition to this core funding, schools

can apply for exceptional funding to cover specific unavoidable costs incurred by schools

due to coronavirus (COVID-19) between March and July that cannot be met from existing

resources. Schools will also benefit from the £1bn ‘catch-up’ package for the 2020/21

academic year to directly tackle the impact of the disruption that COVID-19 has caused.

This includes a ‘Catch-Up Premium’ worth £650m to support schools to make up for lost

teaching time for all pupils, and a new £350m tutoring fund for disadvantaged pupils.

Guidance on the allocation and use of that funding will be published today.

The funding factors used in the 2021-22 NFF remain the same, but we have made two

technical changes, which are detailed in the NFF policy document also published today:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-match-challenge-and-voluntary-and-community-sector-emergencies-partnership




• Funding from the teachers’ pay grant and the teachers’ pension employer

contribution grant, including the supplementary fund, has been added to the

formulae from 2021-22. This will simplify the allocation of this funding – worth

almost £2bn a year – recognising that these grants are part of schools’ core

budgets and providing reassurance to schools and local authorities that the funding

will continue to be provided.

• The 2019 update to the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index has been

incorporated so that deprivation funding allocated through the formulae is based on

the latest data.

School funding through the NFF is increasing by 4% overall in 2021-22. The NFF will

distribute this funding based on schools’ and pupils’ needs and characteristics. The main

features in 2021-22 are:

• The funding floor will ensure that every school is allocated at least 2% more pupil-

led funding per pupil compared to its 2020-21 NFF allocation.

• The key factors in the NFF will increase by 3%, providing a significant increase to

those schools already attracting their NFF allocations.

• The minimum per pupil funding levels will ensure that every primary school

receives at least £4,000 per pupil, and every secondary school at least £5,150 per

pupil, delivering on the Government’s pledge to level up the lowest funded schools.

• Funding to cover additional teachers’ pay and pensions costs, previously funded

through separate grants, has additionally been reflected in all schools’ allocations.

This means that a further £180 and £265 respectively will be added to the minimum

per pupil amounts above.

• Additional funding for small and remote schools will increase in 2021-22, with

primary schools attracting up to £45,000, compared to £26,000 previously, as a

first step towards expanding the support the NFF provides for such schools from

2022-23.

High needs funding will increase by a further £730m, or 10%, in 2021-22 – that follows

the substantial increase this year and brings the total high needs budget to over £8bn.

The high needs NFF will ensure that every local authority receives a further increase of at

least 8% per head of population, compared to this year, with some authorities receiving

up to 12%. This vital extra resource will help local authorities to manage their cost

pressures in this area. The Government is continuing to pursue a cross-departmental

review of the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system to see what further

improvements are necessary to ensure that it supports children and young people with

SEND as effectively as possible.

In addition, the Department will start negotiations with some of those local authorities with

the highest Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficits about supporting them to reduce

their deficits over time.

Central schools services funding in 2021-22 will increase by 4% for the ongoing

responsibilities that local authorities continue to have for all schools. In line with the

process introduced for 2020-21 to withdraw funding over time based on the commitments

local authorities entered into before 2013-14, funding for historic commitments will

decrease by 20% for those local authorities in receipt of this funding.

The provisional NFF allocations published today will be updated, based on the latest pupil

data, to produce final allocations in December that local authorities will receive through

the DSG.

Local authorities will continue to use that funding to determine final allocations for all local

mainstream schools. In light of the need to focus efforts on meeting the challenges of

COVID-19, we are not changing local authorities’ role in the distribution of school funding

in 2021-22. The Government will, later this year, put forward its proposals to move to a

‘hard’ NFF in future, which will determine schools’ budgets directly rather than through

local formulae set independently by each local authority. This will level up the school

funding system so that all schools across the country are funded on a comparable basis.

We will consult widely with local authorities, schools and others to make this transition

carefully.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Report on Regulations Made under Section 32 of the Sanctions and Anti-Money

Laundering Act 2018

Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Nigel Adams):

[HCWS394]

My Honourable Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Lord

Ahmad of Wimbledon), has made the following written Ministerial statement:

Today the ‘Report on Regulations Made under Section 32 of the Sanctions and Anti-

Money Laundering Act 2018’ will be laid in Parliament.

The report details the two regulations laid under section 1 of the Sanctions and Anti-

Money Laundering Act 2018 during the reporting period from 23 May 2019 to 22 May

2020, and states the relevant human rights purposes of those regulations.

In addition to the actions set out in the report, the Government established the Global

Human Rights sanctions regime on 6 July by laying regulations in Parliament. These

regulations enable the Government to impose sanctions in response to serious human

rights violations or abuses around the world. The Government made immediate use of

the powers provided by the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020,

implementing 49 designations on a range of people and entities.



The UK’s future relationship with the EEA EFTA states (Iceland, Liechtenstein and

Norway) and Switzerland

Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas (Wendy Morton):

[HCWS390]

The Government is pleased to announce that we have moved into formal negotiations on

our future relationships with both the EEA EFTA states (Iceland, Liechtenstein and

Norway) and Switzerland from the beginning of July.

The Government has already been working closely with all four non-EU states on a range

of issues related to our future relationship. We have successfully delivered a number of

agreements, including the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement signed in January this year,

which broadly mirrors provisions in the EU Withdrawal Agreement on citizens’ rights and

a small number of other relevant separation issues. With the Swiss we have concluded

and signed agreements in five key areas; trade; air services; road transport; insurance;

and citizen’s rights.

The EEA EFTA states and Switzerland are important European economic partners, with

bilateral trade totalling approximately £27bn with the EEA EFTA states and around £39bn

with Switzerland in 2019. We also enjoy close cooperation with these countries across a

range of areas outside of trade, which is why the Government is seeking to agree

measures that span across the entire breadth of our relationship.

EEA EFTA STATES

Negotiations with the EEA EFTA states will continue to take place alongside those we are

conducting with the EU. In some areas, our future relationship with these states will be

closely tied to the UK’s future relationship with the EU by virtue of their participation in the

EU Single Market (via the EEA Agreement) and other EU-led initiatives. In others, these

countries have the flexibility to agree bespoke bilateral arrangements. The ongoing

negotiations will need to take account of this, but we are clear in our aim of protecting the

close levels of existing cooperation we have we these key European partners, and

building ambitious future facing agreements befitting our close relationship with them.

A successful UK-EEA EFTA Future Relations Dialogue took place on 16 July. We will be

publishing further details of these negotiations on the Government’s website soon,

providing further details on the scope of the arrangements we are seeking to agree.

SWITZERLAND

Over the last three years a dedicated high-level UK-Swiss Continuity Dialogue has

proven highly successful in advancing vital work to uphold our excellent relations with the

Swiss in the context of our EU exit. The continuity arrangements we have reached with

Switzerland have given vital certainty to citizens and businesses alike. The Government

is seeking to build on these strong foundations in the future: we are now convening a new

UK-Swiss Future Relations Dialogue to open the next chapter in our relations.

Our first UK-Swiss Future Relations Dialogue took place on 1 July. The Government is

taking a sequenced approach to our joint endeavours with Switzerland before the review

clause in our trade continuity agreement activates in 2021. Firstly, we will aim to resolve



residual separation issues as far as is possible. Secondly, we will also aim to address

issues that are dependent on our negotiations with the EU or indeed related negotiations.

Thirdly, we will begin exploring new bilateral opportunities where we can make progress

together in 2020.

SEQUENCING

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working with other government departments to

secure the delivery of these negotiations. The Department for International Trade

continues to be responsible for all trade and economic arrangements. In non-trade areas,

departments responsible will seek arrangements which deliver on UK interests and

provide maximum coverage across the full scope of our relationship with these countries.

The Government is aiming to bring some of the agreements negotiated with these states

into effect by the end of the transition period in line with our approach to EU negotiations.

Further details on the progress of these negotiations will be made available to Parliament

as they develop. Indeed, our future relationship with these key partners is a government

priority.

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Building Safety update

Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

(Robert Jenrick): [HCWS391]

I would like to update Parliament on the Government’s progress in overhauling the

building and fire safety system, as part of our unwavering commitment to ensuring that

people, and the buildings they live in, are safe.

Building safety

We must never forget the seventy two people who lost their lives as a result of the

Grenfell Tower tragedy. Countless lives were torn apart by that tragedy and we owe it to

the deceased, the bereaved, the survivors, and the residents of all high-rise buildings to

ensure that we do all we can to prevent a repeat of events like that fateful night occurring

again.

We promised to overhaul the system and to establish a national building safety regulator

at its heart. Today I am pleased to be making a significant step towards that fundamental

reform by publishing the draft Building Safety Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny, before the

final Bill is brought forward to Parliament.

The Bill will establish the regulator in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and give it

significant powers to improve safety and performance across the built environment,

especially in higher-risk buildings.

These reforms will improve safety and performance standards across all buildings.

However, certain buildings warrant even closer oversight because the potential for

significant consequences should a fire spread or the structure fail. It is right that we have


a more stringent regime where the risk is deemed greatest, to protect the greatest

number of people. Initially the scope of the more stringent regime will apply to multi-

occupied residential buildings of 18 metres or more in height or more than six storeys,

whichever is reached first. We have designed the new regime so its scope can be

changed if the evidence base or operational experience suggest it should.

The Bill will provide a stronger framework to make sure those responsible for managing

building safety risks in higher-risk buildings are held to account, with stronger

enforcement powers and sanctions where those rules are not followed. It will also ensure

that the residents of high-rise buildings have a stronger voice, alongside giving them

better access to safety information about their building, clarifying their rights and

providing recourse to raise safety concerns directly to the regulator.

The draft Bill applies to England only with the exception of the policies to require

developers to belong to a New Homes Ombudsman scheme, strengthen the oversight of

the construction products regulatory regime, and allow the Architects Registration Board

(ARB) to monitor the competence of architects. Further detailed analysis of the territorial

extent is provided in the Explanatory Notes.

Building safety financing

The Government is clear that it is unacceptable for leaseholders to have to worry about

the cost of fixing historic safety defects in their buildings that they didn’t cause.

The draft Bill proposes a new ‘building safety charge’, which will give leaseholders

greater transparency around costs incurred in maintaining a safe building. We want these

to be fair and proportionate, which is why I have deliberately included numerous powers

in the Bill that will enable us to limit the building safety costs that can be re-charged to

leaseholders.

This is a topic that we are particularly committed to developing further throughout the

process of scrutiny and as the Bill is finalised for introduction. I have asked Michael

Wade, senior adviser to the Cabinet Office, to accelerate this work with leaseholders and

the financial sector. We must remove barriers to fixing historic defects and identify

financing solutions that protect leaseholders from unaffordable costs; but we must also

ensure that the bill does not fall on tax payers. We will update on any further measures

required before the final Bill is introduced to Parliament.

Establishing the Building Safety Regulator

As I announced in January, the HSE is establishing the regulator in shadow form, and I

am today announcing that I have set aside £16.4 million in this financial year for HSE to

recruit the people and develop the capabilities that will enable the regulator to hit the

ground running once its powers come into effect.

HSE has a strong track record of improving safety and fostering a safety-first culture

within the construction and major hazards industries, and will draw on years of

experience to deliver results quickly and effectively. As shadow regulator, HSE is playing

an increasingly important role in the Government’s Building Safety Programme: it is

supporting work on how to identify higher-risk buildings; supporting work by the National

Fire Chiefs Council to assess the fire risk in every high-rise residential building by end

2021; and supporting work with early adopters in the construction industry, social

landlords and local government to trial the new regime, and to promote culture change

across the industry. I am today announcing that HSE will also take over as chair of the

Joint Regulators’ Group, which advises the Government on ways to strengthen the

regulatory regime; and will take over the Independent Expert Advisory Panel, which

advises the Government on fire safety in high-rise residential buildings.

Over coming months, the shadow regulator will engage with and advise residents,

building owners, the construction industry and other regulators on how the new system

will operate, what it will mean for them, and what they should do now to make their

buildings safe and prepare for the new regime. In the Autumn, we will kick off work to

appoint the first national Chief Inspector of Buildings, who will lead the new regulator.

We, and the public, expect industry to manage building safety risks now and prepare to

fulfil their duties when this new regime comes into effect. The public expects and

demands industry to implement these reforms with conviction and speed. The new

Building Safety Regulator stands ready to work hand in hand with industry to bring about

a culture change that prioritises residents and their safety.

Fire safety reforms

The Home Office is also today publishing a Fire Safety Consultation, which sets out

proposals to: strengthen the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – the Fire

Safety Order – and improve compliance for all regulated buildings; implement the Grenfell

Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report recommendations for multi-occupied residential buildings

which require a change in law; and, seeks views on the effectiveness of the

arrangements for consultation and information sharing between building control bodies

and fire and rescue authorities in relation to building work. This is alongside a

commitment to overhaul the Fire Safety Order’s supporting guidance.

Proposals for multi-occupied residential buildings, mostly high-rise buildings, include

prescribing in law the frequency of checks of fire doors; that Responsible Persons (RPs)

carry out inspections of other key fire-fighting equipment, not just lifts designed to be

used by firefighters; and that RPs provide information to residents including in relation to

fire safety (including evacuation and other specific information) in an accessible format.

Our proposals go beyond the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s recommendations in several areas.

In others, our proposals prioritise residents’ safety in a way that is practical, proportionate

and effective to the risks the Inquiry has identified. The Government wants to listen to the

views of those who have experience of these matters, including those who have been

personally affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The proposals set out in the Home

Office consultation will further deliver the Government’s objective to improve building and

fire safety in all regulated premises where people live, stay or work.

Construction products

The Bill also enables us to progress our commitment to radically strengthen oversight of

the regulatory regime for construction products. The bill will make sure a wider range of

construction products are subject to strengthened safety regulations. It will also

strengthen the powers available to the Government, paving the way to create a new

national regulatory function that will have oversight of the construction products

regulation. The Government is developing options for how this new national regulatory

function could be implemented.

Other housing measures

The draft Bill also contains measures to protect the rights of all new build homebuyers by

requiring developers to belong to the New Homes Ombudsman. It also includes new

measures that will make access to redress swifter and more effective for all social

housing residents.

Pre-legislative scrutiny

These are extensive reforms that it is incumbent on us all to get right. The Building Safety

Bill is a large and complex piece of legislation, reflecting the scale of the reforms needed.

In this spirit, I am publishing the Bill in draft form to ensure it receives the due and proper

consideration it deserves through pre-legislative scrutiny from Parliament, from industry,

from regulatory bodies, and from residents. I want to thank those that have helped shape

the legislation so far, including those who contributed to the ‘Building a Safer Future’

consultation and who have engaged in various forums with my department. I now

encourage colleagues from across both Houses to engage wholeheartedly in

strengthening these proposals so that together we can further improve the legislation and

deliver greater safety for residents.

I will deposit copies of the draft Building Safety Bill, Delegated Powers Memorandum and

Impact Assessment in the libraries of both Houses. A copy of the full Fire Safety

Consultation and its Impact Assessment will also be deposited in the libraries of both

Houses.

TRANSPORT

Crossrail Annual Update

Minster of State for Transport (Chris Heaton-Harris): [HCWS389]

Over the past year, several milestones have been reached on the Crossrail project and

work continues despite the new challenges presented by Covid-19.

When complete, the Elizabeth line will be transformative, reducing overcrowding,

delivering spacious new trains, adding significant additional rail capacity to London and

the South East, and delivering a huge boost to the recovering UK economy. Its benefits

will be vast and long lasting.

Important progress is being made on taking the Crossrail project towards completion and

for its transition to Transport for London (TfL), the future Elizabeth line operator.

In December last year, TfL Rail commenced operating services between Paddington and

Reading using the new UK built Class 345 trains, marking another important stage in the


delivery of the Elizabeth line. This year, the higher capacity 9 carriage trains are being

introduced along this part of the route.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has approved the new trains to run in passenger

service between Paddington and Heathrow Airport, paving the way for a future increase

in services to 4 trains per hour, adding important extra service capacity to the local rail

network. Final testing and driver training is taking place with Bombardier and MTR

Elizabeth Line ahead of the services being introduced.

Over the past year, Crossrail Limited (CRL) have made further progress on the final

completion of the new central section. Signalling and train software testing has

progressed and a number of assets including completed shafts and portals together with

the new Custom House station have now been handed over to TfL. All of the stations in

the central section are now ready for the Trial Running of services, with the exception of

Bond Street which requires further work.

Network Rail (NR) works on the eastern and western sections of the route have

continued to progress over the past year with the delivery of the enhanced ticket halls

and access improvements on the surface section progressing at Ilford and Romford;

Acton Main Line, Ealing Broadway, West Ealing, Southall, Hayes & Harlington and West

Drayton, with step-free access being prioritised where possible.

In March this year, future Elizabeth line stations Hanwell, Iver, Langley, and Taplow were

also provided with step-free access from street to platform.

Together, these milestones represent key steps forward in the operational development

of the railway.

But there have been challenges as well.

In January, CRL announced that it planned to open the central section of the railway in

summer 2021 and the full Elizabeth line by mid-2022, citing challenges with completing

the software development and the safety assurance processes preventing it from meeting

its previously planned opening window. Progress was further affected by the ‘safe stop’

announced on March 24, when CRL ceased all physical work at its construction sites,

including Network Rail’s station upgrade works, as a result of the Covid-19 crisis and in

line with TfL’s decision to pause work on project sites, though essential, business critical

and remote assurance work continued.

In November last year and before the impact of Covid-19, CRL announced that it would

not be able to deliver the railway within the funding package originally announced by the

Department and the Mayor of London in December 2018, and that it would require

between £400 to £650 million in additional funding.

The further schedule delays and cost increases to this project since the last annual

update are very disappointing. A revised funding package will now need to be developed

for Crossrail that is fair to UK taxpayers, with London as the primary beneficiary bearing

the cost.

Works have now restarted as part of Crossrail’s Recovery Plan with sites operating within

the framework of Public Health England’s safety guidelines, with CRL intensely focussed

on achieving the next key programme milestone - commencement of the intensive testing

of the railway, known as Trial Running.

CRL are currently in the process of updating their cost and schedule forecasts in light of

their Recovery Plan, including assessing the impact on their opening schedule and will

make a further update on this shortly.

A further update to the overall costings for Network Rail’s programme show that the

Crossrail On Network Works require an extra £140m of funding with the cost of the

surface works package now standing at just under £3bn. The additional costs, which

were assessed before the Covid-19 crisis, are the result of some station and power

upgrade work taking longer than planned.

The Department will continue to work with its joint Sponsor, TfL, to closely scrutinise the

project, supporting its delivery as soon as is safely possible and to deliver the vital

assurance and safety certification that is required before passenger services can

commence.

The Department will also work with TfL to oversee the effective review and evolution of

Crossrail’s future governance arrangements to make sure the right decisions are taken as

the project moves towards completion, and that it successfully transitions to TfL

operations as soon as possible. CRL together with both Sponsors remain committed to

ongoing transparency with regard to the project.

During the passage of the Crossrail Bill through Parliament, a commitment was given that

an annual statement would be published until the completion of the construction of

Crossrail, setting out information about the project’s funding and finances. Further details

on CRL’s funding and finances in the period to 29 May 2020 are set out in the table

below. The relevant information is as follows:

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNTS

PROVIDED TO CROSSRAIL

LIMITED BY THE DEPARTMENT

FOR TRANSPORT AND TFL IN

RELATION TO THE

CONSTRUCTION OF

CROSSRAIL TO THE END OF

THE PERIOD (22 JULY 2008

TO 29 MAY 2020) £14,164,813,354

Expenditure incurred

(including committed land and

property spend not yet paid

out) by Crossrail Limited in

relation to the construction of

Crossrail in the period (30

May 2019 to 29 May 2020)

(excluding recoverable VAT

£1,014,218,000

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNTS

PROVIDED TO CROSSRAIL

LIMITED BY THE DEPARTMENT

FOR TRANSPORT AND TFL IN

RELATION TO THE

CONSTRUCTION OF

CROSSRAIL TO THE END OF

THE PERIOD (22 JULY 2008

TO 29 MAY 2020) £14,164,813,354

on Land and Property

purchases)

Total expenditure incurred

(including committed land and

property spend not yet paid

out) by Crossrail Limited in

relation to the construction of

Crossrail to the end of the

period (22 July 2008 to 29

May 2020)

(excluding recoverable VAT

on Land and Property

purchases)

£14,972,678,000

The amounts realised by the

disposal of any land or

property for the purposes of

the construction of Crossrail

by the Secretary of State, TfL

or Crossrail Limited in the

period covered by the

statement.

£16,000,000

The numbers above are drawn from CRL’s books of account and have been prepared on

a consistent basis with the update provided last year. The figure for expenditure incurred

includes monies already paid out in the relevant period, including committed land and

property expenditure where this has not yet been paid. It does not include future

expenditure on contracts that have been awarded.

Transport for London Extraordinary funding and financing update

Secretary of State for Transport (Grant Shapps): [HCWS398]

I wrote to the House on 18 May 2020, to share details of the extraordinary funding and

financing agreement reached with Transport for London (TfL). That package of support,


which was agreed between Government, the Mayor and TfL, included a number of

conditions and I am today writing to update Parliament on two of those.

To help avoid such drastic action in the future work has been underway on the

Government-led review of TfL’s future financial position and structure, and we have now

published the Terms of Reference for that review.

I am pleased to also announce the appointment of the two Government Special

Representatives to attend the TfL Board; Andrew Gilligan and Clare Moriarty. They will

also be able to attend TfL’s Finance and Programme Investment Committees. These

positions required a specific skillset and have therefore been made through direct

Ministerial Appointment.

Clare Moriarty is a former civil servant and has been Permanent Secretary for the

Department for Exiting the European Union and for the Department for Environment,

Food and Rural Affairs, and she was previously Director General, Rail Executive and

Director General for Corporate Services in the Department for Transport.

Andrew Gilligan advises the Prime Minister on transport matters and worked closely with

TfL for three years, acquiring detailed knowledge of its operations, as former Cycling

Commissioner for London.

Transport Update

Minister of State for Transport (Andrew Stephenson): [HCWS399]

I have been asked by my Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State, to make this

Written Ministerial Statement. This statement concerns the application made under the

Planning Act 2008 for the proposed construction by Highways England of a continuous

dual carriageway on the A303 linking the Podimore Roundabout and the Sparkford

Bypass.

Under section 107(1) of the Planning Act 2008, the Secretary of State must make his

decision within 3 months of receipt of the Examining Authority’s report unless exercising

the power under section 107(3) to extend the deadline and make a Statement to the

House of Parliament announcing the new deadline. The Secretary of State received the

Examining Authority’s report on the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester Development Consent

Order application on 12 September 2019 and the deadline for a decision was previously

extended from 12 December 2019 until 17 July 2020 to allow for further work to be

carried out.

The deadline for the decision is to be further extended to 20 November 2020 (an

extension of 4 months) to enable further information to be provided by the Applicant and

interested parties on outstanding concerns raised by the Examining Authority and

consideration of that provided information before determination of the application by the

Secretary of State.

The decision to set a new deadline is without prejudice to the decision on whether to give

development consent.


TREASURY

Public service pensions, survivor benefits for opposite–sex widowers and

surviving male civil partners.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Steve Barclay): [HCWS397]

The government is committed to providing public service pensions that are fair for public

sector workers and for taxpayers. The government’s position remains that benefit

entitlements should normally be determined based on the rules applicable at the time the

member served, to maintain fairness for active scheme members and the taxpayer.

Following the Walker v Innospec Supreme Court ruling, the government decided that in

public service schemes, surviving male same-sex and female same-sex spouses and civil

partners of public service pension scheme members will, in certain cases, receive

benefits equivalent to those received by widows of opposite sex marriages. The

exception to this is in specific schemes where, in the past, improvements in female

members’ survivor benefits have involved female members making employee

contributions or increasing them.

A case brought in the Employment Tribunal against the Secretary of State for Education

earlier this year highlighted that these changes may lead to direct sexual orientation

discrimination within the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, where male survivors of female

scheme members remain entitled to a lower survivor benefit than a comparable same-sex

survivor.

The government has concluded that changes are required to the Teachers’ Pension

Scheme to address the discrimination. The government believes that this difference in

treatment will also need to be remedied in those other public service pension schemes,

where the husband or male civil partner of a female scheme member is in similar

circumstances.

Departments responsible for the administration of affected schemes will consult on and

take forward changes as soon as possible. Schemes will notify their members of changes

and any actions they need to take.


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