daily report monday, 15 june 2020 contents...2020/06/15 · daily report monday, 15 june 2020 this...
TRANSCRIPT
Daily Report Monday, 15 June 2020
This report shows written answers and statements provided on 15 June 2020 and the
information is correct at the time of publication (06:36 P.M., 15 June 2020). For the latest
information on written questions and answers, ministerial corrections, and written statements,
please visit: http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/
CONTENTS
ANSWERS 7
BUSINESS, ENERGY AND
INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 7
Batteries: Manufacturing
Industries 7
Carers: Barnsley Central 7
Conditions of Employment 8
Coronavirus: Vaccination 8
Economic Situation:
Coronavirus 9
Electric Vehicles: Charging
Points 9
Employment: Social
Distancing 10
Engineering: Coronavirus 10
European Union Intellectual
Property Office: Brexit 11
Hospitality Industry:
Coronavirus 11
Hospitality Industry: Social
Distancing 11
Hydrogen: Carbon Emissions 12
Local Enterprise Partnerships:
Coronavirus 12
Merchant Shipping:
Redundancy 13
Offshore Industry: Coronavirus 13
Post Offices: ICT 14
Pre-payment: Meters 14
Public Houses: Coronavirus 15
Renewable Energy: Feed-in
Tariffs 15
Research: Publishing 16
Retail Trade: Coronavirus 17
Vaccination: Manufacturing
Industries 17
Yell Group: Regulation 17
CABINET OFFICE 18
Business: Linlithgow and East
Falkirk 18
Cabinet Office: Pay 18
Civil Servants: Coronavirus 18
Companies: European Union 19
Faculty: Contracts 19
Life Expectancy: Linlithgow
and East Falkirk 19
Ministerial Responsibility 19
Self-employed: Linlithgow and
East Falkirk 20
Zero Hours Contracts:
Scotland 21
DEFENCE 21
Fleet Solid Support Ships:
Procurement 21
Ministry of Defence: Carers 21
Nuclear Submarines:
Decommissioning 22
Nuclear Weapons: Transport 22
Torture 22
Torture: Prosecutions 23
Type 31 Frigates:
Procurement 23
USA: NATO 23
USA: Riot Control Weapons 24
DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND
SPORT 24
Broadband: Standards 24
Charities: Coronavirus 24
Chatham Dockyard:
Coronavirus 25
Dance and Theatre:
Coronavirus 26
Football: Finance 27
Football: Sportsgrounds 27
Historic Royal Palace:
Coronavirus 28
Historic Royal Palaces:
Pensions 28
Leisure and Sports:
Coronavirus 29
Museums and Galleries: Tax
Allowances 29
National Citizens Service Trust 29
Poverty: Coronavirus 30
Wildlife Parks and Zoos:
Social Distancing 30
EDUCATION 31
Academic Year: Food 31
Apprentices: Shipping 32
Apprentices: Transport 33
Coronavirus: Educational
Institutions 34
Erasmus+ Programme 35
Free School Meals 35
Free School Meals: Voucher
Schemes 37
Further Education and Skilled
Workers: Coronavirus 38
Further Education:
Assessments 39
Further Education: Shipping 39
GCSE: Students 40
History: Education 40
Home Education: Coronavirus 41
Home Education: Sheffield
South East 42
Lifeguards: Qualifications 42
Primary Education:
Assessments 42
Private Education:
Coronavirus 43
Pupil Premium: Coronavirus 44
Pupils: Computers 44
Schools: Attendance 45
Schools: Coronavirus 45
Schools: Protective Clothing 48
Schools: Social Distancing 49
Universities: Coronavirus 49
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND
RURAL AFFAIRS 51
Agricultural Shows:
Coronavirus 51
Carbon Emissions 51
Fish: Consumption 51
Flood Control: Finance 52
Fly-tipping 53
Locusts: Africa and South Asia 53
Waste Disposal: Applications 54
Welfare Assistance Schemes 55
Zoos: Coronavirus 56
FOREIGN AND
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 57
Bahrain: Huddersfield
University 57
British Nationals Abroad:
Coronavirus 58
Chile: Human Rights and
Torture 58
China: Coronavirus 58
Coronavirus: Travel
Information 59
Germany: USA 59
Huddersfield University:
Bahrain 59
Human Rights: Sanctions 60
Immigrants: Coronavirus 60
Israel: Palestinians 60
Kazakhstan: Coronavirus 61
Libya: Armed Conflict 61
Mubarak Bala 61
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe 62
Richard Solomon Tarfa 62
Ukraine: Peace Negotiations 63
Ukraine: Religious Freedom 64
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 64
Coronavirus: Disease Control 64
Coronavirus: Mental Health 64
Department of Health and
Social Care: Buildings 65
Department of Health and
Social Care: Written Questions 65
Maternity Services: Immigrants 65
Mental Health Act 1983 66
Mental Health Services 66
Mental Health Services:
Children and Young People 67
Mental Health Services:
Coronavirus 67
Mental Health Services:
Nurses 68
Mental Health Services: Staff 69
Mental Health: White Papers 69
Oxygen: Care Homes 70
Suicide: Males 70
Surgical Mesh Implants:
Compensation 71
HOME OFFICE 71
Airports: Scotland 71
Barbecues: Fire and Rescue
Services 71
Deportation: Coronavirus 72
Local Government: Licensing 72
Nitrous Oxide: Coronavirus 72
Police Custody: Death 73
Police: Ethnic Groups 74
Police: Protective Clothing 74
Police: Racial Discrimination 75
Road Traffic Offences 75
Travellers: Caravan Sites 76
UK Border Force: Protective
Clothing 76
Visas: Turkey 76
HOUSE OF COMMONS
COMMISSION 77
Parliamentary Estate: Art
Works 77
HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT 78
Affordable Housing:
Construction 78
Floods: Property Development 78
Hate Crime 79
High Rise Flats: Insulation 79
Homelessness 80
Housing: Immigrants 80
Integrated Communities
Innovation Fund 81
Local Government Finance:
Coronavirus 81
Local Government Finance:
Durham 82
Local Government:
Coronavirus 82
Local Government: Equality 86
Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local
Government: Ministers' Private
Offices 87
Parking: Private Sector 87
Planning: Reform 88
Racial Discrimination 88
Regeneration: Urban Areas 89
Religious Buildings:
Coronavirus 89
Schools: Community Relations 90
INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT 90
Developing Countries:
Coronavirus 90
Developing Countries:
Ventilators 91
Occupied Territories:
Coronavirus 91
World Health Organisation:
Overseas Aid 92
Yemen: Coronavirus 93
Yemen: Humanitarian Aid 94
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 95
Chile: Arms Trade 95
Coronavirus: Travel
Information 95
Department for International
Trade: Carers 96
Ferries 96
Overseas Trade: Israel 96
Riot Control Weapons: USA 97
Trade Agreements: Higher
Education 98
JUSTICE 99
Courts 99
Courts and Tribunals 99
Courts: Coronavirus 101
Courts: Opening Hours 102
Courts: Wales 102
HM Courts and Tribunals
Service: Coronavirus 103
Legal Aid Scheme: Asylum 104
Magistrates: Video
Conferencing 104
Prison Accommodation 105
Prison Sentences 110
Prisoners' Release:
Homelessness 110
Prisons: Coronavirus 111
Prisons: Education 118
LEADER OF THE HOUSE 119
Deferred Divisions:
Coronavirus 119
NORTHERN IRELAND 119
Northern Ireland Renewable
Heat Incentive Scheme 119
Renewable Heat Incentive
Inquiry: Northern Ireland 120
TRANSPORT 120
Airlines: Coronavirus 120
Aviation: Coronavirus 120
British Airways: Coronavirus 121
Bus Services: Coronavirus 121
Driving Instruction:
Coronavirus 122
Driving Tests: Coronavirus 122
Members: Correspondence 123
Public Transport: Coronavirus 123
Railways: Coronavirus 124
Stena Line: Coronavirus 126
TREASURY 127
Agricultural Shows:
Coronavirus 127
Aviation and Tourism:
Coronavirus 127
Bounce Back Loan Scheme 127
Cash Dispensing 128
Companies: Coronavirus 129
Concert Halls and Theatres:
VAT 130
Coronavirus Job Retention
Scheme 130
Coronavirus Job Retention
Scheme and Self-employment
Income Support Scheme 131
Coronavirus Job Retention
Scheme: Dunfermline and
West Fife 131
Debts: Coronavirus 131
Food: Wholesale Trade 132
Legal Profession: Scotland 132
Loans: Coronavirus 133
Members: Correspondence 133
Mortgages: Coronavirus 134
Non-domestic Rates:
Environment Protection 134
Retail Trade: Coronavirus 135
Roadchef: Employee Benefit
Trusts 135
Self-employed: Coronavirus 136
Self-employment Income
Support Scheme 137
Self-employment Income
Support Scheme: Directors 138
Self-employment Income
Support Scheme: Females 138
Social Enterprises:
Coronavirus 138
WALES 139
Employment: Wales 139
Tourism: Wales 139
WOMEN AND EQUALITIES 140
Coronavirus Job Retention
Scheme 140
Ethnic Groups: Coronavirus 140
WORK AND PENSIONS 141
Carer's Allowance 141
Carer's Allowance:
Coronavirus 142
Members: Correspondence 143
Social Security Benefits:
Medical Assessments 143
Social Security Benefits:
Uprating 143
Statutory Sick Pay 144
Statutory Sick Pay:
Coronavirus 144
Universal Credit 145
Universal Credit: Coronavirus 145
Universal Credit: Wales 147
Welfare Tax Credits 147
MINISTERIAL CORRECTIONS 148
HOME OFFICE 148
Police: Demonstrations 148
Police: Powers 149
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 150
Riot Control Weapons: USA 150
WRITTEN STATEMENTS 159
BUSINESS, ENERGY AND
INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 159
Business Update 159
CABINET OFFICE 160
Second meeting of the
Withdrawal Agreement Joint
Committee: Update 160
HOME OFFICE 160
Prüm – Data Sharing Update 160
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
Batteries: Manufacturing Industries
Simon Baynes: [58103]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he
is taking to facilitate the development of electric vehicle battery manufacturing in the UK;
and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits for North Wales and Wrexham
of Stoke-on-Trent becoming a manufacturing location for those batteries.
Nadhim Zahawi:
There are a range of factors that will influence the location of any UK Gigafactory
investment, and the final location decision will be a commercial matter.
The Government has a long-standing programme of support to maintain the
competitiveness of the UK automotive sector. Through the Automotive Sector Deal,
we are working with the industry to develop world-leading battery technologies.
We have already invested £274 million in the Faraday Battery Challenge (FBC)
through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. The FBC is a cutting-edge
programme, helping UK businesses to lead the world in the design, development,
and manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles. Under the FBC, we have invested
£120 million in the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC), the first phase of
which was completed in March 2020, and which will provide a state-of-the-art pilot
facility to test new cell technology. UKBIC will play a key role in laying the
groundwork to secure a battery Gigafactory in the UK.
The Faraday Institution commissioned a study which showed that by 2040, an
estimated eight Gigafactories (of 15GWh per year capacity) will be needed in the UK
and consequently employment in the automotive industry and battery supply chain
could increase to 246,000 jobs.
The Government has announced up to £1 billion of additional funding to develop UK
electric vehicle supply chains, and for further electric vehicles research and
development. This funding will accelerate mass production of key technologies in the
UK, through major investments in the manufacturing of batteries, electric motors,
power electronics, and hydrogen fuel cells, along with their component and materials
supply chains.
Carers: Barnsley Central
Dan Jarvis: [57212]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his
Department is taking to ensure that unpaid carers working in Barnsley Central
constituency are supported to remain in work.
Paul Scully:
The Government recognises the crucial role unpaid carers play, especially during this
difficult period.
On 8th April we published guidance for unpaid carers on GOV.UK, which includes
general advice on infection control, advice on caring where someone has symptoms,
how to create care plans, make alternative care arrangements at short notice and
access links to various NHS resources.
We have provided additional funding to Carers UK’s helpline, information and support
services, to help more carers access trusted information and advice. We also
continue to signpost carers to the charity’s website for additional information and
support during this pandemic.
We are committed to supporting carers in Barnsley Central and across the country to
remain in work, recognising the challenges of balancing work and care also in the
longer term.
This is why the Government is now consulting on proposals to introduce Carer’s
Leave, to support working people who are also carers to balance employment with
their caring responsibilities.
This Government is also clear about the benefits of flexible working for employers
and for their employees, including those with caring responsibilities. In our manifesto
we said that, subject to consultation, we would introduce measures to make flexible
working the default.
Conditions of Employment
Barbara Keeley: [57937]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he
is taking to prevent employers dismissing and re-employing staff for the purposes of
changing the terms and conditions of their employment.
Paul Scully:
Terms and conditions of employment are for negotiation and agreement between
employers and employees (or their representatives). Provided they do not
discriminate unlawfully, for example on grounds of race, sex or disability, employers
are free to offer the terms and conditions of employment which best suit their
business needs. Once agreed, however, they form a legally binding contract of
employment. While it is always open to either party to seek to renegotiate the terms
of the contract, if the employer changes any of the terms without the employee’s
agreement, the employee may be entitled to seek legal redress.
Coronavirus: Vaccination
John Spellar: [57083]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to
the Answer of 9 June to Question 53292 on Coronavirus: Vaccination, what weight was
given to consideration of the potential effect on the (a) prosperity agenda and (b) regional
balance in the selection criteria for the decision on where to locate the Vaccines
Manufacture and Innovation Centre.
Amanda Solloway:
The selection criteria for the location of the Vaccines Manufacturing Innovation
Centre is listed on the competition brief and the selection was made on that basis.
This includes the ability to work with centres of excellence across the country and to
help deliver on the goals of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
Economic Situation: Coronavirus
Rachael Maskell: [54153]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what
assessment he has made of the potential effect of a green and sustainable economic
programme on the level of economic recovery after the covid-19 outbreak.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
As we recover from COVID-19, the Government intends to deliver a UK economy
which is stronger, cleaner, more sustainable and more resilient.
The UK has shown that growing our economy and cutting emissions can be achieved
at the same time. We have grown our economy by 75% while cutting emissions by
43% over the past three decades. Low carbon businesses and their supply chains
support hundreds of thousands of existing jobs and will be key to future job
growth.Many of the actions we need to take to reach our target of net zero emissions
by 2050 will support the future growth of our economy.
The Government recently launched a £40 million venture capital fund to supercharge
the development of next generation clean, low-carbon technologies, and since
lockdown was announced, we have published the first stage of our Transport
Decarbonisation plan and have announced a £2 billion package for cycling and
walking.
Electric Vehicles: Charging Points
Alexander Stafford: [55141]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what
reason Ofgem has halted work on the electricity charging reform.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
There are currently two Significant Code Reviews (SCRs) that are the focus of
Ofgem’s work on electricity charging reform: the Targeted Charging Review (TCR)
and the Access and Forward-Looking Charges Review (Access SCR). Ofgem
indicated in its forward work programme update, which was published on 16th April
2020 and is available at https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/ofgem-
information-energy-licensees-coronavirus-covid-19-response, that work on both the
TCR and Access SCR will continue to be progressed.
In addition, National Grid Electricity System Operator has been leading a task force at
Ofgem’s request to consider the future of balancing services charges. As part of its
reprioritisation in April 2020 of the forward work programme, Ofgem has paused
some activities including the Balancing Services Charges Task Force. This decision
was taken to enable stakeholders and Ofgem to prioritise the response to
coronavirus. The Task Force will resume work in July 2020.
Employment: Social Distancing
Dan Jarvis: [57213]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his
Department is taking to ensure that employers are following guidance on social
distancing in the workplace for employees who are (a) clinically extremely vulnerable and
(b) clinically vulnerable.
Paul Scully:
The guidance is non-statutory but does not change existing obligations relating to
health and safety, employment, or equalities. Employers have a duty under UK law to
protect the health and safety of their workers and other people who might be affected
by their business. This includes considering the risks that COVID-19 represents.
Employers should carry out a risk assessment in consultation with their workers to
inform what actions to take, to give the best combination of protection from their usual
risks as well as the risks of COVID-19. Employers should consider whether workers
who are classed as either clinically extremely vulnerable or clinically vulnerable are
exposed to any specific risks. If so, they should take the steps needed to protect
those individuals.
Health and safety legislation is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive, the
Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and by local authorities. If the
enforcing authority finds that an employer is not taking action to properly manage
workplace risk, a range of actions is open to them including specific advice or issuing
notices.
Engineering: Coronavirus
Chi Onwurah: [57206]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he
is taking to utilise advice from the engineering sector as part of the Government's
response to the covid-19 outbreak.
Nadhim Zahawi:
Throughout the Covid-19 outbreak, we have closely engaged with the engineering
and manufacturing sectors, ensuring that their input helps to shape the Government’s
response.
We have also worked closely with businesses, business bodies, trade unions, Public
Health England, and workplace safety experts to develop a “national consensus” on
the safest ways of working across the economy. This has included engagement with
stakeholders from the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Through this work we
have developed specific guidance for different types of workplaces, including
factories, plants, and warehouses.
Last week, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and
Industrial Strategy convened a series of Economic Recovery roundtables, bringing
together businesses, business representative groups, and leading academics to
consider measures to support economic recovery and ensure we have the right skills
and opportunities in place for our workforce.
European Union Intellectual Property Office: Brexit
Chi Onwurah: [57207]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take
steps to limit rights of representation at the UK Intellectual Property Office to those
persons with a UK or Channel Island address if there are no reciprocal rights of
representation for UK practitioners before the European Union Intellectual Property Office
at the end of the transition period.
Amanda Solloway:
Officials are having ongoing conversations with representative bodies over how to
best approach the issues surrounding address for service once the transition period
ends.
Hospitality Industry: Coronavirus
James Wild: [58099]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he
plans to publish covid-19 guidance for businesses in the hospitality sector on how to re-
open safely.
Paul Scully:
We launched our pubs and restaurants taskforce on 11th May to develop new
guidelines for their reopening where and when it is safe to do so.
As my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced in the roadmap, it is our
ambition to allow such businesses (subject to the scientific and medical advice) from
4th July. Our intention is that any new guidance will precede this.
Hospitality Industry: Social Distancing
Mr Clive Betts: [57088]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when pubs,
bars and restaurants reopen following covid-19 lockdown measures what (a) enforcement
measures and (b) penalties will be in place if those venues fail to enforce social
distancing.
Paul Scully:
We are working at pace to develop safe ways for pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes to
reopen at the earliest opportunity it is safe to do so, through our pubs and restaurants
taskforce. As set out in the roadmap, it is our ambition to reopen pubs, cafes, bars
and restaurants from 4 July at the earliest, subject to the scientific advice at the time.
However, pubs, restaurants and cafes can continue to offer takeaway-enabled
services as they have been during lockdown.
Our guidance forms part of employers’ normal health and safety practice. Health and
safety legislation is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive, the Health and
Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and by local authorities. Social distancing is a
key part of our scientific advice. This will be considered by employers as part of their
risk assessment.
If the enforcing authority finds that an employer is not taking action to properly
manage workplace risk, a range of actions are is open to them, including specific
advice or issuing enforcement notices.
Hydrogen: Carbon Emissions
Dr Alan Whitehead: [55646]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will
undertake a consultation on how clean hydrogen can help cost-effectively decarbonise
the UK economy.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
The Government is committed to exploring the development of hydrogen as a
strategic decarbonised energy carrier, alongside electricity and other decarbonised
gases.
There are a number of workstreams underway in this area, involving regular
engagement with industry and academic stakeholders across the hydrogen value
chain to understand the potential of hydrogen deployment across the energy system,
in line with our net zero commitments. A recent example is the newly formed Expert
Group advising on the development of sustainable business models to support low
carbon hydrogen production.
Specific policies and programmes may be subject to consultation in due course. We
are currently considering options for formalising regular engagement between
Government and Industry on hydrogen, with the key aim of stimulating activity in the
2020s that will test potential of hydrogen in meeting net zero.
Local Enterprise Partnerships: Coronavirus
Dr Luke Evans: [56183]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he
is taking to ensure that local enterprise partnerships play a key role in regional economic
recovery after the covid-19 outbreak.
Nadhim Zahawi:
The Minister of State for Regional Growth and Local Government chairs an Economic
Recovery Working Group, bringing together representatives of local authorities, Local
Enterprise Partnerships, and Combined Authorities. This Group works with local
regions to understand the full scale of the challenges they face in the short to
medium-term.
We are not starting recovery planning from a blank page. Through the Local Industrial
Strategies programme, Local Enterprise Partnerships have done excellent work to
develop an evidence base and to scope long-term priorities for their areas. In the
short-term, we encourage partners to prioritise those issues their existing strategies –
have not considered. This will include how to restart the economy whilst maintaining
social distancing in line with Government guidance.
Merchant Shipping: Redundancy
Mick Whitley: [57374]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make
representations to P&O Ferries’ owners DP World on the 1,100 redundancies planned in
the UK on international roll-on roll-off ferry routes.
Nadhim Zahawi:
We understand this is a very difficult time for employees and businesses across the
UK, particularly those impacted by the sharp reduction in transportation and travel.
The Government has made an unprecedented support package available to
businesses to avoid job losses, where possible. Measures include access to billions
of pounds of loans, grants, guarantees, and tax deferrals, as well as extending the
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to October 2020.
The Government will continue to engage with businesses and do everything we can
to support jobs as we re-open the economy.
Offshore Industry: Coronavirus
Drew Hendry: [57262]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference
to the quarantine of oil and gas workers, whether the quarantine exemption for people
who are required for the continued safe and secure operation, maintenance and essential
support services for offshore oil and gas infrastructure in the UK applies to workers (a)
entering the UK to operate on infrastructure domestically, or (b) returning to the UK
having conducted the same commercial activities in other EEA nations.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
In line with many other countries, the Government has introduced a series of
measures and restrictions at the UK border which are supported by the Scientific
Advisory Group for Emergencies, to contribute to keeping the overall number of
transmissions in the UK as low as possible. These measures came into effect on 8
June. A small proportion of people required to maintain essential supply chains,
critical national infrastructure or to contribute to the crisis response have been made
exempt from the requirement to self-isolate. Offshore workers undertaking, or
required to commence, activities in the UK and on the UK Continental Shelf on or in
relation to offshore installations, upstream petroleum infrastructure, critical safety
work on offshore installations and wells that are being decommissioned or which are
being preserved pending demolition or reuse or activities for the provision of workers,
goods, materials or equipment or other essential services required to support the safe
operation of offshore work have been exempted from these measures. Offshore
workers entering the UK who are required to undertake those activities in the UK or
on the UK Continental Shelf are covered by the exemption. Those travelling overseas
to work on infrastructure outside of the UK will not be exempt on their return to the
UK, unless they will be conducting the specified activities in the UK or on the UK
Continental Shelf within 14 days of their return.
These measures will be subject to review every three weeks.
Post Offices: ICT
Sir Greg Knight: [57099]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will
commission an independent judge-led investigation into the Post Office and its (a)
management and (b) administration of the Horizon computer system.
Paul Scully:
Government has committed to launching an Independent Review to consider whether
the Post Office has learned the necessary lessons from the Horizon dispute and to
assess its work to rebuild its relationship with its postmasters.
The findings outlined throughout the Horizon judgments provided an extensive insight
as to what went wrong at the Post Office, including an independent view of the facts
all sides have been looking for.
Government wants to be fully assured that the right lessons are learned for the future
and concrete changes have taken place at Post Office Ltd to ensure that this situation
will never be repeated. This is the purpose of the independent review we are in the
process of setting up.
Full details of the Terms of Reference for the independent review have been set out
in a Written Ministerial Statement that Minister Scully made on Wednesday 10 th
June. An independent chair will be announced in due course
Pre-payment: Meters
Martyn Day: [55093]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many
households in (a) Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK
have prepayment meters; and what the change in the number of such meters was in
each of those areas over the last five years.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
The latest Ofgem data on Prepayment Meters (PPM) shows that there are 4.3 million
customers using PPM meters, which represents around 15% of all customers in
Great Britain.
Neither Ofgem nor the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
routinely collect regional PPM customer numbers However, in 2017 BIES collected a
one off local authority area breakdown, which showed there were 460,529 PPM
customers in Scotland, 14,008 PPM customers in the Falkirk Council local authority
area and 13,143 for the West Lothian Council local authority area. This data does not
include customers who pay for their gas using a PPM as this data has not been
compiled, however there are fewer gas PPMs as a whole in the market.
The number of Prepayment Meter accounts in the GB energy market over the last
five years has remained around 4.5 million. There has, however been an increase in
competition in the PPM market over the past five years with PPM specialists
providing greater choice for consumers beyond the six large suppliers. A cap on PPM
prices was introduced in April 2017 and remains in force.
Public Houses: Coronavirus
James Wild: [58100]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he
plans to publish covid-19 guidance for pubs on how to re-open safely.
Paul Scully:
The Government launched our pubs and restaurants taskforce on the 11th of May to
develop new guidelines for their reopening where and when it is safe to do so.
As my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced in the roadmap, it is our
ambition to allow such businesses (subject to the scientific and medical advice) from
the 4th of July. Our intention is that any new guidance will precede this.
Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs
Martyn Day: [55092]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many
households in Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency have received income under the
feed-in tariff in the last five years for which figures are available.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
There are 2616 domestic homes in the Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency
registered for feed-in tariff payments in Ofgem’s Central FIT register.
Research: Publishing
Daniel Zeichner: [55694]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his
Department plans to make an assessment of the potential financial effect on the higher
education institutions of UK Research and Innovation's review of its Open Access policy.
Daniel Zeichner: [55695]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if UK
Research and Innovation’s review of Open Access policy is independent from the work of
the cOAlition S consortium.
Daniel Zeichner: [55696]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if the UK
Research and Innovation’s review of Open Access policy will be considered as part of the
work undertaken by the Department’s research sustainability taskforce.
Amanda Solloway:
The Government’s university research sustainability taskforce is examining how best
to respond to the challenges for the sector resulting from COVID-19, with the aim of
sustaining the university research base and its capability to contribute effectively to
UK society and economy in the recovery from COVID-19 and beyond. Given the
broader focus and urgency of addressing the impacts of COVID-19, at this time, the
outcome of the UKRI Open Access Review does not form part of the taskforce's
consideration.
The OA Review is independent from Plan S. Working internationally however, is
important to help achieve open access. UKRI has joined cOAlition S, a consortium
comprising research funders and foundations from across the world and supported by
the European Commission and the European Research Council. The coalition aims
to help make full and immediate Open Access to research publications a reality, and
is built around the Plan S principles. UKRI will consider outcomes of the work of
cOAlition S as part of its ongoing Open Access Review alongside other evidence and
inputs. The outcomes of the review will determine decisions on UKRI’s OA policy.
As part of the UKRI open access review, UKRI is working with BEIS to consider
implications for stakeholders. UKRI has commissioned an independent analysis to
help assess the possible implications for various groups, including higher education
institutions. This analysis will include direct costs and benefits and wider social and
economic implications, and will be considered alongside other evidence gathered
through the review, including via the consultation on a proposed UKRI policy which
has recently closed. The consideration of the COVID-19 impacts on research sector,
including economic implications, will be taken into account in the UKRI review.
Retail Trade: Coronavirus
Martyn Day: [56071]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what
assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of extending the prohibition
under regulation 6A(1) of The Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharges) Regulations 2012
to include minimum payment surcharges by retail merchants to their customers as a
result of the covid-19 outbreak.
Paul Scully:
Business are generally free to set out acceptable terms of payment from consumers.
For most retail payments, the Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharges) Regulations
ban merchants from charging a fee in addition to the advertised price of a transaction
on the basis of a consumer’s choice of payment instrument (for example, consumer
credit or debit cards, or e-money). The cases in which surcharges are banned are set
out in regulation 6A(1). The Government is examining a range of ways to support
businesses and consumers in these difficult times, but there are no plans to review
this legislation at present.
Vaccination: Manufacturing Industries
Chi Onwurah: [57204]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans
the Government has to support long-term domestic vaccine manufacturing capability.
Amanda Solloway:
Long-term domestic vaccine manufacturing capability is being considered jointly with
the Department of Health and Social Care and Government is working closely with
the Bioindustry Association (BIA) to ensure that the UK has the manufacturing
capabilities to produce new vaccines at the levels required.
In addition, Government has recently announced £93 million investment to accelerate
the launch of the UK’s new Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre; a facility
that will utilise innovative processes to manufacture vaccines at scale.
Yell Group: Regulation
Kirsten Oswald: [55700]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what contact
his Department has had with regulatory agencies on the business practices of Yell Ltd.
Paul Scully:
The Department has not been in contact with regulatory agencies in connection with
the business practices of Yell Ltd.
Business-to-business contract disputes are generally a matter for the parties
involved, except in a small number of regulated sectors.
We would encourage any business that is being offered a service to read the contract
carefully, and research the reputation of the service provider before making any
commitment.
CABINET OFFICE
Business: Linlithgow and East Falkirk
Martyn Day: [57284]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many small and medium-sized businesses
in Linlithgow and East Falkirk placed a bid for a public contract in the last five years.
Chloe Smith:
This information is not held centrally.
Cabinet Office: Pay
Martyn Day: [53527]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average annual salary was for (a)
BAME and (b) non-BAME employees in his Department in each of the last five years.
Chloe Smith:
Further to the answer given to PQ 18715 on 21 February 2020, some general data on
civil service pay broken down by declared ethnicity is available online at
https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/workforce-and-business/public-
sector-pay/civil-service-pay/latest.
Civil Servants: Coronavirus
Helen Hayes: [43996]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance his Department has provided to
(a) cleaning, (b) catering and (c) other companies who provide services to the civil
service on (i) personal protective equipment and (ii) sick pay during the covid-19
outbreak.
Chloe Smith:
I apologise for the delay in responding, but I can confirm that departments, including
the Cabinet Office, continue to liaise regularly with their suppliers as they respond to
the unprecedented challenges of Covid-19.
In respect of personal protective equipment it is the responsibility of employers to
ensure that the latest guidance as published by the appropriate Public Health body is
followed. The latest guidance can be found on gov.uk:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/offices-and-
contact-centres. Cabinet Office stands ready to support companies with any
questions or assist with difficulties regarding the guidance.
The Cabinet Office has issued Procurement Policy Note 02/20 to provide guidance
for suppliers. This outlines the approach that contracting authorities should adopt. In
the Cabinet Office this has meant continuing to guarantee payments to service
providers when delivery is impacted by Covid-19 resource shortages and paying
employees that are absent due to presentation of Covid-19 symptoms or the need to
be shielded or self-isolated.
Companies: European Union
Martyn Day: [57280]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people are employed by companies
registered in the EU in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland, and (c) Linlithgow and East Falkirk
constituency.
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 [PQ57280.pdf]
Faculty: Contracts
Helen Hayes: [54980]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the (a) scope and (b) remit of the
Government's contract with Faculty is to deliver services related to the covid-19
pandemic.
Chloe Smith:
I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to PQs 54981 and 54931 on 9 June
2020.
Life Expectancy: Linlithgow and East Falkirk
Martyn Day: [57295]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what life expectancy is for (a) men and (b)
women in Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency.
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 [PQ57295.pdf]
Ministerial Responsibility
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [57314]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answers of 8 June 2020 to
Question 54223 on Ministerial Responsibility, of 29 May 2020 to Question 48589 on
Universal Credit: Coronavirus and of 11 May to Question 43737 on Ministerial
Responsibility, and with reference to the oral contribution of 6 May 2020 of the Leader of
the House, Official Report, column 583, what communication he has had with the Cabinet
Secretary on the non-publication of that document since the 2019 general election.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [57315]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 8 June 3030 to
Question 54223 on Ministerial Responsibility, the Answer of 2 May 2020 to Question
48583 the Answer of 11 May 2020 to Question 43737 and with reference to the oral
contribution of 6 May 2020 of the Leader of the House, Official Report, column 583, on
Business Statement, for what reason he has not published the directory of ministerial
contacts.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [57316]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answers of 8 June 2020 to
Question 54223 and of 29 May 2020 to Question 48589 on Ministerial Responsibility, and
with reference to the oral contribution of 6 May 2020 of the Leader of the House, Official
Report, column 583, what investigations he has made to establish why the Department
has not published that document in a timely manner.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [57317]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answers of 8 June 2020 to
Question 54223 and of 29 May to Question 48589 and of 11 May 2020 to Question
43737 on Ministerial Responsibilities, and with reference to the oral contribution of 6 May
2020 of the Leader of the House, Official Report, column 583, for what reason that
document has not been published despite (a) six months having elapsed since the
general election and (b) more than one month having elapsed since the first written
question in relation to republishing that document.
Chloe Smith:
Further to the answer given to PQ 43737 on 11 May 2020, it is taking longer than
usual to compile a new List of Ministerial Responsibilities document including as a
result of the challenges of Covid-19. An update will be published in due course.
Self-employed: Linlithgow and East Falkirk
Martyn Day: [57282]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people are registered as self-
employed in (a) Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK.
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 [PQ57282.pdf]
Zero Hours Contracts: Scotland
Martyn Day: [57283]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people under the age of 25 in (a)
Scotland and (b) Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency are employed on zero-hours
contracts.
Martyn Day: [57285]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people in Linlithgow and East
Falkirk constituency are employed on zero-hours contracts; how many of those people
are (a) aged between 16 and 24-years old and (b) women.
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 [PQ57283_ 57285.pdf]
DEFENCE
Fleet Solid Support Ships: Procurement
Douglas Chapman: [57998]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of
the covid-19 pandemic on the bidding process for the Fleet Solid Support ships.
Jeremy Quin:
The bidding process for the Fleet Solid Support ships has not yet begun. The Ministry
of Defence is currently reviewing the programme's requirements, procurement
strategy and schedule, and it is not possible to provide any update until this work has
been completed.
Ministry of Defence: Carers
Sir Edward Davey: [57074]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff in his Department had caring
responsibilities in each of the last five years.
Johnny Mercer:
The information is not held in the format requested.
The Ministry of Defence recognises the unique challenges faced by people with
caring responsibilities. In addition to flexible working arrangements, in 2018 the
Department adopted the Civil Service Carer's Passport. This provides staff with the
right to discuss and formally agree with their Line Manager a working pattern that
considers both working and caring responsibilities. Serving military personnel have
the option, where appropriate, to adopt flexible working arrangements, including for
caring responsibilities, under the 'Flexible Service' arrangements introduced in
January 2019.
Nuclear Submarines: Decommissioning
Douglas Chapman: [57997]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of
the covid-19 pandemic on the timescale to decommission nuclear submarines in Rosyth.
Jeremy Quin:
We are working closely with our industry partners to minimise the impact of COVID-
19 on our submarine programmes.
It is currently estimated that there is likely to be minimal impact on the overall
timescale to dismantle the decommissioned nuclear submarines in Rosyth.
Nuclear Weapons: Transport
Martyn Day: [55094]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times nuclear convoys travelled
through Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency in the most recent year for which data is
available.
James Heappey:
The Ministry of Defence keeps defence nuclear material convoy movements to the
minimum necessary to maintain the operational effectiveness of the UK's nuclear
deterrent. I am withholding information on the frequency and routes used by the
convoys for the purpose of safeguarding national security.
Torture
Jamie Stone: [58051]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it is Government policy that the (a)
prohibition of torture is absolute and (b) obligation to prosecute torture is absolute.
Johnny Mercer:
The Government is committed to its obligations under the UN Convention Against
Torture (UNCAT). There is an absolute prohibition of torture under international law.
The UNCAT requires each State Party to ensure that all acts of torture are listed as
offences under its criminal law, however the prosecution of any crime is never
automatic. The statutory presumption in the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel
and Veterans) Bill does not act as a pardon, amnesty or statute of limitations.
Prosecutors will continue to have discretion on whether to prosecute for criminal
offences, including torture, taking into account factors such as sufficiency of evidence
and public interest.
Torture: Prosecutions
Jamie Stone: [58052]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the circumstances are in which a
prosecutor is able to exercise their discretion not to prosecute an offence of torture.
Johnny Mercer:
Prosecutors will continue to have discretion on whether to prosecute for criminal
offences, including torture, on the basis of their assessment of the sufficiency of
evidence and whether a prosecution would be in the public interest. The statutory
presumption in the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill is
compliant with the UN Convention Against Torture, as it is a rebuttable presumption
which leaves a prosecutor with discretion to prosecute where they consider it
appropriate to do so. It does not act as a pardon, amnesty or statute of limitations.
Type 31 Frigates: Procurement
Douglas Chapman: [57996]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effect of
the covid-19 pandemic on the timescale of the Type 31e frigate project.
Jeremy Quin:
The Department is working with Babcock and its suppliers to de-risk and mitigate any
potential for impact to the Type 31 programme due to COVID-19. Most of the current
key outputs for the programme are focused on design, infrastructure development
and supply chain mobilisation, and work continues within the Government's safe
working requirements.
USA: NATO
Dr Julian Lewis: [57055]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what preliminary assessment he has made of
the reduction in NATO's (a) potential for deterrence and (b) fighting capability as a result
of result the implementation of President Trump's proposal to cut the total of US troops
based in Germany by almost one-third; what discussions he had with his counterpart in
the US Administration (i) before and (ii) after the announcement of that proposal; and if
he will make a statement.
James Heappey:
The UK Government does not comment on speculation. The United States and
United Kingdom are strong partners and allies, with a uniquely close and active
defence and security partnership. Ministers and officials regularly engage with the US
on a wide range of security issues, both bilaterally and in NATO, including the
deployment of US troops in Europe.
USA: Riot Control Weapons
Owen Thompson: [57278]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department holds contracts for
the supply of (a) tear gas, (b) rubber bullets and (c) riot shields to any companies based
in the USA.
Jeremy Quin:
The Ministry of Defence has not entered into any contracts with any US based
companies for the provision of tear gas, rubber bullets or riot shields.
DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
Broadband: Standards
John Nicolson: [52104]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he plans to
publish further details on how the Government will achieve its target Gigabit-capable
connectivity for all by 2025; and if he will make a statement.
Matt Warman:
The Government is committed to delivering nationwide coverage of gigabit capable
broadband as soon as possible and believes that the best way to do this is to
promote network competition and commercial investment wherever possible, and to
intervene with public subsidy where necessary.
The Government is taking action to remove barriers to commercial deployment
including, for example, through the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold)
Property Bill, which will make it easier to connect tenanted properties with an
unresponsive landlord. We are also committed to legislating to mandate gigabit
connectivity in new build homes. For harder to reach areas, we have committed to
invest a record £5 billion to support gigabit capable broadband deployment. We will
be publishing more details in due course.
Charities: Coronavirus
Alex Norris: [57333]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is
taking to ensure that funding from the charity relief package announced in April 2020 is
reaching those that most need it.
Mr John Whittingdale:
The government has pledged £750 million to meet the needs of vulnerable groups
through targeted support for voluntary and community sector organisations on the
frontline of the Covid response. This includes £360m distributed through government
departments and £200m for the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, being
delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund. A diverse advisory panel has
been set up to assist in the distribution process for the fund.
The government has also unlocked a further £150 million from dormant bank and
building society accounts, which will be distributed to organisations to support urgent
work for groups in need to tackle youth unemployment, expand access to emergency
loans for civil society organisations and help improve the availability of fair, affordable
credit to people in vulnerable circumstances.
We have published clear and comprehensive guidance on the £750 million, plus
other sources of support, at
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/financial-support-for-voluntary-community-and-social-
enterprise-vcse-organisations-to-respond-to-coronavirus-covid-19.
The VCSE Support Package builds on the significant package of support available
across sectors, including the Job Retention Scheme.
Alex Norris: [58061]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an
assessment of the potential merits of ringfencing funding from the Government's charity
support package for charities and organisations working with communities that are
disproportionately affected by the covid-19 outbreak.
Mr John Whittingdale:
The government has pledged £750 million to meet the needs of vulnerable groups
disproportionately affected by Covid-19 through targeted support for voluntary and
community sector organisations.
A diverse advisory panel has been set up to assist in the distribution process for the
fund. DCMS and the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF - our distribution
partners for the Coronavirus Community Support Fund) are working with a number of
organisations to improve the reach of the Coronavirus Community Support Fund for
organisations disproportionately affected.
The government has unlocked a further £150 million from dormant bank and building
society accounts, which will be distributed to organisations to support urgent work for
groups in need to tackle youth unemployment, expand access to emergency loans for
civil society organisations and help improve the availability of fair, affordable credit to
people in vulnerable circumstances.
Chatham Dockyard: Coronavirus
Tracey Crouch: [57174]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the
Answer of 8 June 2020 to Question 54086 on Chatham Dockyard: Coronavirus, if it will
issue the Trust with a letter of comfort that guarantees its limited reserves position to
assist cash flow management and credit status along similar lines to that issued to the
Historic Royal Palaces.
Nigel Huddleston:
DCMS is in close contact with the senior team at Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust
about the challenging situation the Trust is facing. We are in active conversations to
explore what support might be available.
Dance and Theatre: Coronavirus
Dr Julian Lewis: [57878]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has
received representations from representatives of (a) dancing schools, (b) the Royal
Shakespeare Company and (c) other stage-based entertainment bodies on how those
bodies can reopen and operate in conformity with social distancing rules; whether he has
made an assessment of the practicability of those proposals; and what support his
Department provides to those bodies to ensure that they will not cease to exist before
their reopening is permitted by the Government.
Caroline Dinenage:
In order to ensure appropriate support and guidance is given to the cultural sector,
DCMS has established the Cultural Renewal Taskforce and the Entertainment and
Events working group which include extensive membership from across the artistic
and creative industries sectors. The focus of these groups’ work is 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
dance and stage based entertainment, all of whom are being consulted extensively
on how the sector can reopen and operate under social distancing. 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.
The Secretary of State, my fellow Ministers and DCMS officials continue to consult
the creative and cultural sectors extensively to ensure they understand fully the
potential impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak on the sector. DCMS officials and
ministers have also held regular calls with representatives from across the arts and
cultural sector and these have included representatives from the Royal Shakespeare
Company and a number of dance schools and representatives including Sadler’s
Wells and Northern Ballet.
The Secretary of State and DCMS are committed to supporting the cultural sector
through this pandemic and getting the curtain up at venues across the country as
soon as it is safe to do so. In addition to the unprecedented financial measures the
Government has announced DCMS has also worked closely with its arm’s-length
bodies to deliver tailored support packages at speed, including the £160m
Emergency Funding Package announced by Arts Council England, made possible by
Government funding.
Football: Finance
Alison McGovern: [57192]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether the
Government plans to allocate £550 million to grassroots football.
Nigel Huddleston:
The Government has committed to investing an additional £550m into grassroots
football facilities over the next 10 years. This will bring the government’s total
investment over that period to £730m, and will support the bid for the 2030 Men’s
FIFA Football World Cup.
The FA has produced, in partnership with the Premier League, Sport England and
DCMS, the 'National Football Facilities Strategy' (NFSS), which is a coherent
overarching shared strategy for capital investment in football over the next ten years.
As part of the NFFS, a 'Local Football Facilities Plan' is being produced for every
Local Authority across the country to create a tailored local investment plan.
Football: Sportsgrounds
Alison McGovern: [55959]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions the
Government has had with partners of the Football Foundation on that organisation's plans
for a 25-year programme to deliver new astroturf and grass pitches across the country.
Alison McGovern: [55960]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what methodology the
Government plans to use to assess which areas of the country would most benefit from
funding in grassroots football as part of the pledge to spend £550 million revamping
community football pitches.
Nigel Huddleston:
The Government is committed to supporting grassroots football. The established
partnership with the Football Association and the Premier League sees a combined
£70m go to new facilities delivered by the Football Foundation. All funding parties are
represented on the Football Foundation board.
Government has committed to investing a further £550m into grassroots football
facilities over the next 10 years to support plans to bid for the 2030 Men’s FIFA
Football World Cup.
The FA has produced, in partnership with the Premier League, Sport England and
DCMS, the 'National Football Facilities Strategy' (NFSS), which is a coherent
overarching shared strategy for capital investment in football over the next ten years.
This sets out the football facility requirements across the country and the intention to
invest in 20,000 improved grass pitches and 1,000 3G facilities.
The Foundation has coverage across the whole country with funding reaching 98% of
all local authorities and boroughs in England so far. As part of the NFFS, a 'Local
Football Facilities Plan' is being produced for every Local Authority across the country
to create a tailored local investment plan. This will help the Football Foundation
prioritise its investment most efficiently and effectively.
Historic Royal Palace: Coronavirus
Chris Stephens: [R] [57255]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions
officials in his Department have had with representatives from trade unions on proposals
for reopening (a) Hampton Court Palace, (b) Hillsborough Castle and (c) other Historic
Royal Palaces sites on 16 June 2020 following the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will
publish the risk assessments undertaken at those sites.
Nigel Huddleston:
DCMS officials have had no such discussions with representatives of trade unions on
Historic Royal Palaces' (HRP) proposals for the reopening of the specific sites in their
care, nor are DCMS officials in possession of the risk assessments referred to. Trade
Union representatives have, however, been attending the Heritage Working Group
which has discussed guidance for safe reopening within the heritage sector. Whether
HRP can safely reopen is a matter for HRP to consider in-line with government and
Public Health England guidelines.
Historic Royal Palaces: Pensions
Chris Stephens: [R] [57254]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he
has had with (a) the Historic Royal Palaces and (b) their staff and trades union
representatives on their decision to cut employer pension contributions to 6.5 per cent.
Nigel Huddleston:
The Secretary of State has had no specific discussions with Historic Royal Palaces
(HRP) or their staff and trades union representatives on cuts to employer pension
contributions. HRP has responsibility for the recruitment, remuneration, development,
retention and motivation of its own staff.
Chris Stephens: [R] [57256]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he
has had with representatives from Historic Royal Palaces on reinstating employer
pension contributions at the level they were prior to the covid-19 outbreak; and if his
Department will take steps to compensate workers affected by reductions in employer
pension contributions introduced by that organisation in June 2020.
Nigel Huddleston:
The Secretary of State has had no such discussions with HRP on reinstating pension
contributions in respect of HRP’s staff, which is a matter for HRP to consider in
consultation with their staff, as appropriate, in-line with the affordability of any such
measures and their obligations as employers.
Leisure and Sports: Coronavirus
Sir Mike Penning: [54040]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance his
Department has issued to indoor sports and leisure activity providers on the safe
reopening of instructing facilities for (a) snow sports and (b) indoor rock-climbing during
the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
Nigel Huddleston:
There is no requirement under the terms of the Public Statues (Metropolis) Act 1854
to obtain the consent of the Secretary of State before the removal of sculptures
erected in London.
Museums and Galleries: Tax Allowances
Daniel Zeichner: [56019]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an
assessment of the potential merits of extending museums and galleries tax relief to
remove the limitations on selling exhibitions.
Caroline Dinenage:
The objective of the Museums and Galleries Exhibitions Tax Relief is to encourage
the creation of more and higher quality permanent galleries and temporary
exhibitions, as well as to support touring of the best exhibitions across the country
and abroad, raising the UK’s profile internationally.
The Relief is designed for organisations which display works of historic, scientific,
artistic or cultural interest.
The Government continues to monitor the take-up and impact of the relief on the
museums sector and the public purse, particularly with respect to the sunset clause in
the relief which means it is due to come to an end in March 2022.
National Citizens Service Trust
Tim Loughton: [55653]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many youth
workers contracted by the NCS programme have been furloughed.
Mr John Whittingdale:
By April 2020, an estimated 64.6 full-time equivalent youth workers contracted by the
NCS network have been furloughed. This figure is based on self-reported data from
NCS Providers to the NCS Trust.
Poverty: Coronavirus
Nadia Whittome: [56207]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his
Department is taking to support child poverty charities working in BAME communities
during the covid-19 outbreak.
Mr John Whittingdale:
The Government has announced a broad package of support for businesses and
charities to ensure that organisations that need support are able to access it. This
includes the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Coronavirus Business
Interruption Loan Scheme, and the option to defer VAT payments due between 20
March and 30 June 2020.
In addition, on 8 April the Government announced a £750 million funding package to
ensure charities providing frontline services to vulnerable people affected by the
pandemic can continue their vital work. Of this, £360 million was to be allocated to
individual government departments based on evidence of service need. This funding
has now been allocated to government departments, who are using a range of
approaches to award funding either directly to charities or through bidding processes.
As part of this package, the Department for Education will provide £26.4 million to
support vulnerable children in England.
£370 million has been allocated to support small and medium sized charities during
the pandemic. This includes £60 million funding through the Barnett formula to
support charities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Of the £310 million to be
spent in England, £200 million has been distributed to the National Lottery
Community Fund to award grants through the Coronavirus Community Support Fund.
Applications for this fund opened on 22 May and the National Lottery Community
Fund is assessing applications in the order in which they are received, in order to
award grants as quickly as possible. Child poverty charities working with BAME
communities during the Covid-19 outbreak are eligible to apply for this funding.
Wildlife Parks and Zoos: Social Distancing
Sir George Howarth: [51592]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his
Department has made of the potential merits of re-opening zoos and safari parks with
appropriate social distancing measures.
Nigel Huddleston:
As announced by the Prime Minister on 10 June, outdoor areas of zoos and safari
parks will be allowed to reopen from 15 June, subject to appropriate social distancing
measures being in place. This includes keeping indoor exhibitions, such as reptile
houses and those in aquariums, closed, and ensuring other amenities like cafes offer
takeaway services only.
The move follows close work by the Government with the zoo industry to ensure
visitor numbers can be managed and safeguards are put in place. The decision to
relax restrictions on these select outdoor attractions is part of the Government’s
careful approach to easing the lockdown in phases, guided by the advice of scientific
and medical experts and the fact the risk of transmission is much lower outdoors.
Officials in the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs continue to meet
weekly with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums and with the
CEOs of the largest charitable zoos and aquariums in England, providing a forum to
monitor concerns and seek insights from key sector representatives on current
issues.
EDUCATION
Academic Year: Food
Rachael Maskell: [54156]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that
distribution of food to communities with specific needs is maintained during the school
holidays.
Vicky Ford:
As schools open more widely, and their kitchens reopen, we expect schools to make
food parcels available for collection or delivery for any children that are eligible for
free school meals who are not yet able to return to school. Where this is not possible,
schools can continue to offer vouchers to eligible pupils. It is not intended for the
national voucher scheme to run during the summer holidays.
The government has made significant wider support available for children and
families. On 10 June, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister confirmed an additional
£63 million to be distributed to local authorities in England to help those who are
struggling to afford food and other essentials due to COVID-19.
In addition, the government has introduced an uplift to Universal Credit and Working
Tax Credit by around £1,000 a year for the next 12 months as part of an injection of
over £6.5 billion by government into the welfare system. Additionally, the Department
for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs are providing £16 million for food support through charities including
FareShare and WRAP.
The Department for Education will also be running the Holiday Activity and Food
Programme this year with £9 million of funding for 10 programmes across 17 local
authority areas. We will announce the names of the successful bidders for this
funding later this month.
Apprentices: Shipping
Emma Hardy: [56136]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to guarantee
maritime apprenticeships in (a) Hull and (b) Dover as a result of plans by P&O Ferries to
make seafarer redundancies on ferries working from those ports.
Emma Hardy: [56137]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a)
maritime and (b) offshore employers are not deterred by the covid-19 pandemic from
recruiting apprentices.
Gillian Keegan:
We have introduced a broad range of flexibilities, including encouraging the remote
delivery of apprenticeships, to ensure that apprentices can continue with their
learning as far as possible and to support the continued take-up of apprenticeships:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-
programme-response/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-apprentices-employers-
training-providers-end-point-assessment-organisations-and-external-quality-
assurance-pro.
Apprenticeships will have an important role to play in creating employment
opportunities, particularly for young people, and in supporting employers in all sectors
to access the skilled workforce that they need to recover and grow, following the
COVID-19 outbreak. Apprenticeship standards available in the maritime sector
include Able Seafarer (Deck) and Marine Pilot.
We are looking to support employers of all sizes, and particularly small businesses,
and in all sectors, including the maritime sector, to take on new apprentices this year.
We will set out further details in due course. We will also ensure that there is
sufficient funding to support small businesses that want to take on an apprentice this
year.
A substantial package of support for businesses, including the Coronavirus Job
Retention Scheme ( https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-job-
retention-scheme ), is available to enable people to remain in employment and
reduce redundancies. Where redundancies are made, we will endeavour to provide
comprehensive and practical support to ensure that apprenticeships can continue.
We have launched a new hub for apprentices that offers guidance and information to
support apprentices that may be, or are being, made redundant:
https://help.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/hc/en-gb/sections/360003798540-
Apprentice. We will continue to review how best to support these apprentices as part
of the wider economic recovery.
Emma Hardy: [57334]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy to increase the
number of seafarer apprentices.
Gillian Keegan:
Employers are at the heart of our reforms to apprenticeships, which include designing
high-quality standards that deliver the skills that employers need and determining
which apprenticeships employers offer and when they offer them. Over 550
employer-designed standards are now available and standards developed by the
maritime sector include Able Seafarer at level 2, Maritime Operations Officer at level
3 and Marine Pilot at level 5. We announced in October 2018 that all new starts
would be on these high-quality standards from 1 August 2020 and almost 75% of new
apprenticeship starts are now on standards.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have introduced a broad range of
flexibilities, including encouraging the remote delivery of apprenticeships, in order to
ensure that apprentices can continue with their learning as far as possible and to
support the continued take up of apprenticeships by employers. The Marine Pilot
Standard is one of the standards where flexibilities to the end point assessment have
been agreed.
Apprenticeships will have an important role to play in creating employment
opportunities, particularly for young people, and in supporting employers in all sectors
to access the skilled workforce that they need to recover and grow, following the
COVID-19 outbreak. We are looking to support employers of all sizes, and
particularly smaller businesses, to take on new apprentices this year. We will set out
further details in due course. We will also ensure that there is sufficient funding to
support small businesses that want to take on an apprentice this year.
Apprentices: Transport
Emma Hardy: [57335]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to increase the
number of apprentices in all sectors of the transport industry over the next five years.
Gillian Keegan:
We are working closely with intermediary bodies in the transport sector to promote
apprenticeships to 55,000 employer members. This includes through campaigns,
events and school and college partnerships. The National Skills Academy for Rail is
supporting employers in the sector to develop new apprenticeship standards,
ensuring employers identify the skills they need for the future. Transport sector
ambassadors are also engaging intermediary bodies to foster commitment to
apprenticeship delivery in the transport sector.
Apprenticeships will have an important role to play in creating employment
opportunities, particularly for young people, and supporting employers in all sectors,
including transport, to access the skilled workforce they need to recover and grow
post COVID-19. We are looking to support employers of all sizes, and particularly
smaller businesses to take on new apprentices this year. We will set out further
details in due course. We will also ensure that there is sufficient funding to support
small businesses wanting to take on an apprentice this year.
We continue to work closely with the Department for Transport to support apprentices
in the aviation and aerospace sector.
Coronavirus: Educational Institutions
Dr Dan Poulter: [51841]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that the
transmission rate of covid-19 is low and manageable in (a) nurseries, (b) primary schools,
(c) secondary schools and (d) sixth form colleges.
Nick Gibb:
As a result of the huge efforts everyone has made to adhere to strict social distancing
measures, the transmission rate of COVID-19 has decreased and the Government’s
five tests have been met. Based on all the evidence, the Department asked primary
schools to welcome back children in nursery, Reception, year 1 and year 6, alongside
priority groups (vulnerable children and children of critical workers), from 1 June.
From 15 June, secondary schools can invite year 10 and 12 pupils (years 10 and 11
for alternative provision schools) back into school for some face-to-face support with
their teachers, to supplement their remote education, which will remain the
predominant mode of education for these pupils this term. Priority groups can
continue to attend full-time.
Ensuring the safety of children, young people, the workforce and families is our
overriding priority, and we have been led by the science in determining when it is safe
to bring children back. We are taking a phased approach to opening up schools and
other education settings to more children, to limit the risk of increasing the rate of
transmission. It is important to underline that all education and childcare settings
remain safe places for children.
The Department has published extensive and detailed guidance for settings, also for
parents and carers, on how to prepare. All of the Department’s COVID-19 guidance
for childcare and educational settings – including that on implementing protective
measures and preparing settings to reopen - can be found in one place on GOV.UK
at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-
schools-and-other-educational-settings.
The measures set out in the protective measures guidance – including the ability to
access the new national test and trace programme - can be seen as a hierarchy of
controls that, when implemented, creates an inherently safer system, where the risk
of transmission of infection is substantially reduced.
We continue to follow the best scientific advice and believe that our cautious, phased
return is the most sensible course of action to take. We will only ask schools and
further education colleges to welcome more children and young people back when
the scientific advice indicates that we can. If necessary, we will ask settings to re-
impose measures.
Erasmus+ Programme
Emma Hardy: [56134]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with the
Chancellor and Home Secretary on the (a) budget for and (b) functioning of, a domestic
alternative to the Erasmus+ scheme.
Emma Hardy: [56135]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether a date for publishing the details of
an alternative scheme to Erasmus+ has been set; and whether any such date will take
into account the need for students to finalise plans to study abroad in September 2020.
Michelle Donelan:
The government remains committed to international exchanges in education, both
with the EU and further afield.
For students planning to study abroad in September 2020, the UK will continue to
participate fully in the current (2014-2020) Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps
(ESC) programmes under the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated with the EU. This
means that the projects that have been successfully bid for during the current
programmes will continue to receive EU funding for the full duration of the project,
including for those programmes where funding runs beyond 2020 and the end of the
transition period. Participants who are due to study, train, volunteer or spend time
abroad through Erasmus+ and ESC exchanges will be able to participate fully and for
the full duration of their exchange.
Beyond the 2020/21 academic year, the government remains open to considering
participation in elements of the next Erasmus+ programme, provided that the terms
are in the UK’s interests. Future participation is subject to our ongoing negotiations
with the EU. In parallel, the government is continuing to develop the option for a
domestic alternative to Erasmus+, to ensure that we are prepared for every
eventuality, and will publish information on a possible alternative, if appropriate, in
due course.
Free School Meals
Tulip Siddiq: [56087]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding his Department has
allocated to (a) the free school meals budget, (b) free school meal vouchers and (c)
reimbursing schools for other means of providing free school meals in each week since
20 March 2020.
Tulip Siddiq: [56088]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of
the cost of funding the continued provision of free school meals over the summer
holidays in 2020.
Vicky Ford:
The department provides free school meals for 1.3 million of the most disadvantaged
children. This funding is equivalent to £2.30 per meal, saving families around £400 a
year. During this period, we are asking schools to support children at home who are
eligible for and claiming benefits-related free school meals, by providing meals or
food parcels through their existing food providers wherever possible. However, we
recognise that providing meals and food parcels is not a practicable option for all
schools. That is why on 31 March, we launched a national voucher scheme as an
alternative option, with costs covered by the department.
As of Monday 8 June, Edenred has reported that over £139 million worth of voucher
codes has been redeemed into supermarket e-gift cards by schools and families
through the scheme. Edenred has reported that over 17,500 schools had placed
orders for the scheme as of Tuesday 26th May.
We are continuing to provide schools with their expected funding, including funding to
cover benefits-related free school meals and universal infant free school meals,
throughout this period. However, if schools are unable to use the national voucher
scheme and choose an alternative approach, they can be reimbursed through the
exceptional costs fund, where the costs cannot be met from their existing resources.
Further details are available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-
for-schools.
Provision for free school meals is ordinarily term time only. However, during the
Easter holidays and May half term break, the department met the costs of the
national voucher scheme. This was in recognition of the unprecedented levels of
disruption and uncertainty for schools during this time. As schools open more widely,
and their kitchens reopen, we expect schools to make food parcels available for
collection or delivery for any children that are eligible for free school meals who are
not yet able to return to school. Where this is not possible, schools can continue to
offer vouchers to eligible pupils. It is not intended for the national voucher scheme to
run during the summer holidays.
The government has made significant wider support available for children and
families. On 10 June, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, confirmed an
additional £63 million to be distributed to local authorities in England to help those
who are struggling to afford food and other essentials due to COVID-19. Thousands
of disadvantaged children will also receive additional support over the summer
through our Holiday Activities and Food programme which offers activities and free
meals. In addition, the government has introduced an uplift to Universal Credit and
Working Tax Credit by around £1,000 a year for the next 12 months as part of an
injection of over £6.5 billion by government into the welfare system. Additionally, the
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are providing £16 million for food support
through charities including FareShare and WRAP.
These are rapidly developing circumstances. We continue to keep the situation under
review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.
Free School Meals: Voucher Schemes
Tulip Siddiq: [54196]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2020 to
Question 48566 on Free School Meals: Voucher Schemes, on what date the first e-Code
email that hard bounced was sent prior to being discovered by Edenred on the weekend
starting 2 May 2020; for what reason there was a gap between that discovery and
Edenred contacting schools to alert them to the problem on 7 May 2020; and what
estimate he has made of the number of eligible children who missed out on free school
meals as a result of that issue.
Vicky Ford:
During this period, we are asking schools to support children at home who are eligible
for and claiming benefits-related free school meals by providing meals or food parcels
through their existing food providers wherever possible. However, we recognise that
providing meals and food parcels is not a practicable option for all schools. That is
why on 31 March, we launched a national voucher scheme as an alternative option,
with costs covered by the department.
For the national voucher scheme, our supplier, Edenred, has indicated that orders
are processed within four days. The latest information provided by Edenred indicates
that parents and schools are facing minimal or no waiting time for orders that are
placed online, despite continued growth in the number of parents and schools using
the scheme.
We do not hold data regarding the timescale of individual hard bounces, but we can
confirm that Edenred acted promptly upon discovering the issue. On 7 May, Edenred
issued communications to schools with hard bounce backs to let them know that they
had input incorrect parent email addresses. Further to this, in the week commencing
11 May, Edenred issued additional communications to schools to address a number
of incomplete orders which required further action from the schools, and again
highlighted that some orders used incorrect or invalid parent email addresses.
We are continuing to work very closely with Edenred to improve the performance of
the national voucher scheme. The scheme continues to get easier and faster to use,
putting supermarket vouchers into the hands of thousands of families and schools.
The department is closely monitoring the delivery of the national voucher scheme.
However, we do not hold information on provision for each eligible family.
As of Wednesday 3 June, Edenred has reported that over £129 million worth of
voucher codes had been redeemed into supermarket e-gift cards by schools and
families through the scheme. Edenred has reported that over 17,500 schools had
placed orders for the scheme as of Tuesday 26 May.
These are rapidly developing circumstances. We continue to keep the situation under
review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.
Further Education and Skilled Workers: Coronavirus
Ian Mearns: [57180]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the
effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the ability of (a) people to access appropriate further
education skills training and (b) of employers to recruit skilled workers to support recovery
after the covid-19 outbreak..
Ian Mearns: [57181]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made on the effect
of covid-19 on the availability of support and training for post-16 students; and whether
his Department plans to publish guidance on post-16 education and training due to begin
in September 2020.
Gillian Keegan:
Training is vital in order to provide the highly skilled workforce that employers need to
support the recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak.
We have supported further education providers and introduced a range of flexibilities,
including encouraging online delivery, so that as many learners as possible can
successfully complete their courses. We have also ensured that furloughed workers
are able to start apprenticeships.
We have frequently engaged with further education providers to monitor the level of
training that they are able to deliver and we have been actively working with them to
address issues. From 15 June, providers should begin to offer some face to face
contact to 16 to 19 learners in the first year of a 2-year study programme. We want to
have all learners back into education settings, as soon as the scientific advice allows,
because it is the best place for them to learn and because we know how important it
is for their mental wellbeing to have social interactions with their peers and teachers.
We will also continue to work with providers and employers to ensure that they
deliver the skills that our workers and economy need. This includes looking at
ensuring that we support employers, especially small businesses, to take on new
apprentices this year. In addition, we have launched a new online Skills Toolkit to
provide free high quality digital and numeracy courses, the skills most sought after by
employers. We have also already announced that we are providing an extra £3 billion
over the course of this Parliament for a new National Skills Fund to help people learn
new skills.
Our latest guidance on COVID-19 for the post-16 sector and all other educational
settings is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-
19-guidance-for-schools-and-other-educational-settings. Guidance for education and
training that is due to begin in September 2020 will be published in due course.
These are rapidly developing circumstances; we continue to keep the situation under
review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.
Further Education: Assessments
Rachael Maskell: [57273]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that
practical exams or assignments to assess the skills and safety of students that were due
to take place in further education settings are able to take place.
Gillian Keegan:
It is imperative that as many students as possible receive their results this summer so
they can progress to the next stage in education or employment. The department has
been working closely with Ofqual to agree how this can be done. Some results will be
calculated and some assessments will be adapted. Where a qualification is used to
signal occupational competence, the assessments may need to be delayed, in which
case they should be completed as soon as possible.
Ofqual has published its framework for the awarding of results for vocational and
technical qualifications: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/exceptional-
arrangements-for-assessment-and-grading-in-2020. This framework sets out what
awarding organisations must do to provide results for students who were due to take
assessments this summer.
Ofqual and awarding organisations are working with schools, colleges and other
providers to implement these measures. Ofqual has also published an online
interactive tool -
https://analytics.ofqual.gov.uk/apps/AllQualifications/summer2020tool/ - which
contains information on how results will be generated for individual qualifications.
Further Education: Shipping
Emma Hardy: [57336]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support his Department provided to
maritime training colleges in England in each of the last five years for which data is
available.
Emma Hardy: [57337]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what funding his Department has allocated
to maritime training colleges in England in each of the last five years for which figures are
available.
Gillian Keegan:
The government funds a range of study programmes for 16 to 19 year olds, and via
the Adult Education Budget (AEB), to help learners gain the skills they need to get
into and progress in work, an apprenticeship or further learning. Additional funding is
available to support apprenticeships.
Within this, funding is available for particular qualifications related to maritime studies,
but in general the government does not separately allocate funding to maritime
training colleges as they are a part of different institutions.
Education and Skills Funding Agency funding allocations, for each institution, are
published on GOV.UK for 16 to 19 ( https://www.gov.uk/guidance/16-to-19-education-
funding-allocations?mxmroi=2305-8593-35041-0#published-allocations ) and AEB (
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/19-funding-allocations ).
GCSE: Students
Mr Kevan Jones: [51655]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to support external
candidates unable to sit GCSE exams that have been cancelled due to the covid-19
outbreak but who must matriculate to sixth form education in 2020.
Nick Gibb:
The Department anticipates that the vast majority of students will be able to use the
calculated grades they receive in the summer to move on to their next steps.
There may be a relatively small number of students, including some private
candidates, where there is not enough evidence to calculate a grade. The
Department understands that 16 to 19 schools and colleges will consider a range of
other evidence and information for these students to allow them to progress wherever
possible.
Students who are unable to receive a calculated grade will also have the opportunity
to sit exams in the autumn.
History: Education
Dr Rupa Huq: [57301]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy to include in the
school curriculum mandatory lessons on (a) black history and (b) UK colonial history.
Nick Gibb:
The Department is committed to an inclusive education system which recognises and
embraces diversity and supports all pupils and students to tackle racism and have the
knowledge and tools to do so.
The national curriculum is a framework setting out the content of what the
Department expects schools to cover in each subject. The curriculum does not set
out how curriculum subjects, or topics within the subjects, should be taught. The
Department believes teachers should be able to use their own knowledge and
expertise to determine how they teach their pupils, and to make choices about what
they teach.
As part of a broad and balanced curriculum, pupils should be taught about different
societies, and how different groups have contributed to the development of Britain,
and this can include the voices and experience of Black people. The flexibility within
the history curriculum means that there is the opportunity for teachers to teach about
Black history across the spectrum of themes and eras set out in the curriculum. For
example, at Key Stage 1, schools can teach about the lives of key Black historical
figures such as Mary Seacole and Rosa Parks or others; and at Key Stage 3, cover
the development and end of the British Empire and Britain’s transatlantic slave trade,
its effects and its eventual abolition. The teaching of Black history need not be limited
to these examples.
Home Education: Coronavirus
Julian Sturdy: [55680]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made
of participation levels in the home learning curriculum set by schools during the covid-19
lockdown.
Nick Gibb:
The Department is continuing to assess the impact of the potential effect of school
closure on children and young people’s education attainment. We are working closely
with schools and nurseries, sector organisations, international institutions and across
Government to understand the risks to education attainment and wellbeing, and
identify how best to help children and young people make up for the time spent out of
school.
It is up to each school to determine how to deliver education to its pupils and whether
and how to monitor participation. We recognise that many schools have already
shared resources – both online and printed resources – for children who are at home,
and we are committed to ensuring that all children at home can continue to learn
remotely in a number of ways during these very difficult circumstances.
We are supporting sector-led initiatives such as the Oak National Academy – a new
enterprise which has been created by 40 teachers from schools across England. It
will provide 180 video lessons for free each week, across a broad range of subjects,
for every year group from Reception through to year 10. By 24 May, over 2.3 million
users had visited the Oak Academy site and over 10.7 million lessons had been
accessed.
Additionally, the Government has committed over £100 million to boost remote
education, including by providing devices and internet access for those who need it
most, ensuring every school that wants it has access to free, expert technical support
to get set up on Google for Education or Microsoft’s Office 365 Education, and
offering peer support from schools and colleges leading the way with the use of
education technology.
These are rapidly developing circumstances; we continue to keep the situation under
review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.
Home Education: Sheffield South East
Mr Clive Betts: [57089]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for each of the secondary schools in
Sheffield South East constituency, how many computers have been provided to date to
allow disadvantaged pupils to study from home.
Nick Gibb:
The Department is providing laptops and tablets to vulnerable and disadvantaged
children who would otherwise not have access and are preparing for examinations in
year 10, receiving support from a social worker, including pre-school children, or are
a care leaver. Where care leavers, children with a social worker at secondary school
and disadvantaged children in year 10 do not have internet connections, we are
providing 4G wireless routers.
Local authorities and academy trusts are best placed to identify and distribute the
laptops and tablets to children and young people who need devices. The Department
invited local authorities to order devices for the most vulnerable children first - those
with a social worker and care leavers.
Computer devices are being delivered to local authorities and academy trusts daily
and will continue to be distributed throughout June.
Lifeguards: Qualifications
Daisy Cooper: [58092]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what (a) estimate he has made of the
number of and (b) assessment he has made of the reliability of National Pool Lifeguard
Qualifications; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the
expiry date of those qualifications to support the reopening of swimming pools as covid-
19 restrictions are eased.
Nick Gibb:
This is a matter for Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. I
have asked its Chief Regulator, Sally Collier, to write to the hon. Member and a copy
of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Primary Education: Assessments
Caroline Lucas: [53381]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his letter to the honorable
Member for righton, Pavillion dated April 7 2020, reference 2020-0008728POGibb, if he
will publish the basis on which he determined that the Information Commissioner’s Office
was content with the proposals for the reception baseline assessment’s use of data; what
assessment he has made of the compatibility of the contents of that letter with the
statement made by the Information Commissioner on 14 May 2020 that its r review of the
Reception Baseline Assessment's use of data was still ongoing and that it had not made
a definitive decision or made a comment whether we are content or not with this”; and if
he will make a statement.
Nick Gibb:
The Department submitted an Article 36(4) consultation with the Information
Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in December 2019, where it was confirmed that the ICO
would continue to monitor the reception baseline assessment (RBA) through its
relationship with the officials working on the national pupil database (NPD). The
Department is unaware of any statement made by the Information Commissioner on
14 May 2020 and we have confirmed with the ICO that no statement about the RBA
was made on this date. No comment can therefore be made on this. Information on
the RBA and the RBA privacy notices can be found here: https://www.nfer.ac.uk/for-
schools/participate-in-research/information-about-the-201920-reception-baseline-
assessment-pilot/.
Private Education: Coronavirus
Charlotte Nichols: [52582]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department has issued to
private schools on a timeline for reopening schools following the covid-19 outbreak.
Nick Gibb:
Guidance on the wider opening of all schools applies to all schools in England,
including independent schools, can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-
information-for-parents-and-carers/reopening-schools-and-other-educational-settings-
from-1-june. It includes detailed guidance on how schools can manage and minimise
risks to children, teachers, and their families as they reopen.
We encourage all independent schools to follow the timelines we have outlined for
wider opening and welcome the constructive and supportive approach taken by the
sector throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.
At this point, we have asked primary schools to welcome back children in Reception,
year 1 and year 6, alongside the priority groups (vulnerable children and children of
critical workers) that could already attend. While we will be unable to welcome all
primary children back for a month before the summer, we continue to work with all
parts of the education sector on the next steps. We would like to see wider opening to
enable schools that have capacity to do so to bring back more children in the smaller
class sizes before the summer holidays.
As outlined by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister on 24 May, secondary schools
should prepare to invite year 10 and 12 pupils back into school for some face-to-face
support with their teachers from 15 June.
Pupil Premium: Coronavirus
Dr Lisa Cameron: [54125]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the
potential merits of introducing a catch-up pupil premium for vulnerable and disadvantaged
children and young people after the covid-19 lockdown.
Vicky Ford:
We will do whatever we can to ensure no child, whatever their background or
location, falls behind as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. So far, we have
committed over £100 million to support remote education. We are providing laptops
and tablets to vulnerable and disadvantaged children who would otherwise not have
access and are preparing for exams in year 10, to those receiving support from a
social worker, including pre-school children, and care leavers. Where care leavers,
children with a social worker at secondary school and disadvantaged children in year
10 do not have internet connections, we will be providing 4G wireless routers to them
so that they can learn at home.
As well as announcing the biggest funding increase for schools in a decade, raising
current levels by £14.4 billion over the next three years, we continue to pay schools
quarterly additional funding worth £2.4 billion each year through the pupil premium to
help them support their disadvantaged pupils. Since April 2020, pupil premium rates
per pupil are at their highest ever.
We are working with partners to explore how schools can use their resources,
including pupil premium, to most effectively support pupils to make up for time spent
out of school.
Pupils: Computers
Matt Western: [58056]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his oral contribution of 9
June 2020, Official Report, column 180, when the 230,000 laptops for school pupils were
ordered by his Department; and what schedule for delivery has been agreed with the
supplier.
Matt Western: [58057]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his oral contribution of 9
June 2020, Official Report, column 180, what the role of Computacentre is in distributing
laptops to school pupils; on what basis that company was selected for that service; how
much that company is being paid for that programme; and what checks his Department
has conducted on that company's payment of tax in the UK.
Nick Gibb:
The Department has ordered over 200,000 laptops and tablets. This order was
placed on 19 April.
The Department is providing these devices in the shortest possible timeframe. Over
100,000 devices have been delivered to local authorities and academy trusts and
thousands of devices continue to be delivered each day. Laptops and tablets will
continue to be delivered throughout June.
Computacenter is a supplier on a government framework. Computacenter has been
contracted to provide laptops and tablets in order to meet the requirement for
disadvantaged and vulnerable children across England to receive devices to support
remote education and access to social care services during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Further details of the contract are publicly available:
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e9047eeb-be82-4506-8a97-
448ff0d73cfe.
As with all Government contracts, due diligence checks have been undertaken to
assess the suitability of the supplier.
Schools: Attendance
Afzal Khan: [53598]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) nursery, (b) reception, (c) year
one and (d) year six pupils attended school in England on 1 June 2020.
Afzal Khan: [53599]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) nursery, (b) reception, (c) year
one and (d) year six pupils attended school in Greater Manchester on 1 June 2020.
Afzal Khan: [53600]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) nursery, (b) reception, (c) year
one and (d) year six pupils attended school in Manchester, Gorton constituency on 1
June 2020.
Nick Gibb:
The closest matching available data on pupil attendance in educational
establishments since 23 March was published on Tuesday 9 June at the following link
and covers data up to Thursday 4 June:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-attendance-in-
education-and-early-years-settings
The data is collected from individual education establishments and the published
figures include estimates for non-response.
Schools: Coronavirus
Abena Oppong-Asare: [52591]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the higher mortality risk
from covid-19 among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups, what guidance he is giving
to schools on protecting staff and children from a BAME background and their families
from covid-19; and what support he is giving to schools to enable them to implement that
guidance.
Nick Gibb:
We are aware that there is emerging evidence that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic
(BAME) individuals can be more severely affected than the general population by
COVID-19. On 2 June, Public Health England published their review into disparities in
the risk and outcomes of COVID-19, which included ethnicity. There is still much work
to do to understand the key drivers of disparities, the relationships between the
different risk factors and what we can do to reduce the impact. The Government is
considering how the review and ongoing work on this issue should inform our
approach. Schools should be especially sensitive to the needs and worries of BAME
members of staff, BAME parents and BAME pupils, and consider if any additional
measures or reasonable adjustments may need to be put in place to mitigate
concerns.
We have provided detailed guidance on implementing protective measure in schools
on GOV.UK: 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.
This includes advice on approaches and actions schools should implement to create
an inherently safer system, where the risk of transmission of infection is substantially
reduced.
Afzal Khan: [53587]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions officials in his Department
have had with representatives from local authorities on the provision of home to school
transport in advance of the reopening of schools on 1 June 2020.
Nick Gibb:
The Department has been in regular contact with local authorities during the period of
partial school closure and in preparation for the phased wider opening of schools
from 1 June, and these conversations will continue. This has included meetings with
representatives of local authority home to school transport teams.
Neil Coyle: [54923]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department has taken to
ensure that the guidance and instructions it has issued to schools in response to the
covid-19 outbreak is consistent and non-contradictory.
Nick Gibb:
The Department for Education is working closely with Public Health England and
others to develop guidance for the education sector on COVID-19.
The Department is engaging closely and constructively with unions, serving school
leaders and other school stakeholder organisations to respond to sector concerns
and support schools as they open for more pupils.
We continue to update our guidance in response to feedback and to ensure it reflects
the most up-to-date information to make sure that teachers, parents and young
people are as well-informed as possible in the current rapidly changing
circumstances.
If staff or parents need further advice after reading the guidance on GOV.UK, the
Department has set up a dedicated COVID-19 helpline for queries relating to
education and children’s social care.
Rachael Maskell: [54943]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of pupils in (a) nursery
settings, (b) reception, (c) Year 1 and (d) Year 6 returned to school in (i) England and (ii)
York in the week commencing 1 June 2020.
Nick Gibb:
The closest matching available data on pupil attendance in educational
establishments since 23 March was published on Tuesday 9 June at the following link
and covers data up to Thursday 4 June:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-attendance-in-
education-and-early-years-settings.
The data is collected from individual education establishments and the published
figures include estimates for non-response.
Navendu Mishra: [55133]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether additional Government funding will
be made available to schools to cover the costs those schools have incurred in
responding to the covid-19 crisis.
Nick Gibb:
We are providing additional funding to schools, on top of existing budgets, to cover
unavoidable costs incurred 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 will continue to receive their budgets for the coming year, as usual,
regardless of any periods of partial or complete closure.
Daisy Cooper: [58087]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of pupils in each education
authority in England in (a) reception year, (b) Year 1 and (c) Year 6 returned to school in
the week commencing 1 June 2020.
Nick Gibb:
Data on pupil attendance in educational establishments since 23 March was
published on Tuesday 9 June at the following link and covers data up to Thursday 4
June:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-attendance-in-
education-and-early-years-settings.
The attendance breakdown at a national level for year groups, which was published
on 10 June, can be found in table 3 in the underlying data. The data is collected from
individual education establishments and the published figures include estimates for
non-response.
Schools: Protective Clothing
Karen Bradley: [57971]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether schools will receive automatic
funding from his Department to cover the cost of personal protective equipment.
Nick Gibb:
We have worked closely with Public Health England (PHE) and stakeholders on our
approach and guidance throughout the Department’s COVID-19 response. In
particular, we have worked with PHE to issue guidance to all schools and nurseries
on a hierarchy of controls which, when implemented, create an inherently safer
system where the risk of transmission of infection is substantially reduced. These
include measures such as ensuring that anyone with symptoms does not attend their
school or nursery, cleaning hands regularly, good respiratory hygiene, regular
cleaning of touched surfaces, minimising contact and mixing and, where needed, use
of personal protective equipment (PPE).
As our guidance details, the majority of staff in schools, nurseries and children’s
social care settings will not require PPE beyond what they would normally need for
their work, even if they are not always able to maintain a distance of 2 metres from
others. PPE is only needed in a very small number of cases, which are set out clearly
in our published guidance.
Schools will continue to receive their core funding allocations through which PPE
should be funded.
The full guidance on safe working in schools, nurseries and children’s social care
settings, including the use of PPE, can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-
and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-
care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe.
Schools: Social Distancing
Abena Oppong-Asare: [52592]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, what
additional funding he is making available to schools to cover the costs of adapting
premises to meet social distancing requirements.
Nick Gibb:
We have made over £200 million in Devolved Formula Capital allocations available to
schools for the financial year 2020-21. Schools can invest this in capital projects to
meet their own priorities. There is, however, no expectation that schools carry out
building works to adapt their premises to support social distancing.
We have published guidance on the additional funding we are providing to schools to
cover unavoidable revenue costs incurred due to the COVID-19 outbreak that cannot
be met from their existing resources. The fund is targeted towards the costs we have
identified as the biggest barrier to schools operating as they need to at this
challenging time.
The cost categories covered by the fund are clearly set out in the guidance –
increased premises related costs of opening over school 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 relating to cases or
suspected cases of COVID-19, above the cost of existing cleaning arrangements.
Details are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-
covid-19-financial-support-for-schools/school-funding-exceptional-costs-associated-
with-coronavirus-covid-19-for-the-period-march-to-july-2020
Universities: Coronavirus
Stephen Hammond: [55669]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what financial support he plans to allocate to
universities that lose income due to the loss of international student fees during the covid-
19 outbreak.
Stephen Hammond: [55670]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he plans to take to ensure the
continued viability of subject-specialist universities after the covid-19 outbreak.
Michelle Donelan:
The government recognises that the COVID-19 outbreak is bringing significant
financial challenges to the higher education (HE) sector and we have been working
closely with the sector, including specialist providers, to monitor its likely impacts.
On 4 May 2020, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education,
announced a package of measures to ensure sustainability in HE at a time of
unprecedented uncertainty.
We will stabilise the admissions system and pull forward tuition fee payments,
expected to be worth £2.6 billion, for HE providers so that they receive more cash in
the first term of the 2020/21 academic year. This will have no impact on students but
will allow providers to better manage financial risks over the autumn. This will be
available to all providers across the UK.
In reprofiling these payments, we are clear in our expectation that providers should
use the cashflow benefits appropriately, taking significant steps to improve
efficiencies and manage their finances in order to avoid cashflow problems in the
future. Reprofiling in this way is a one-off intervention for the autumn term only, to
help providers take all necessary steps now to prepare for the future.
On Friday 5 June, the department announced Sir Steve Smith as the International
Education Champion, a key deliverable of the 2019 International Education Strategy.
Sir Steve will assist with opening up export growth opportunities for the whole UK
education sector, tackling international challenges such as those posed to attracting
international students and forging lasting global connections.
In England, we will also bring forward £100 million of quality-related research funding
for providers to the current academic year to help to address some of the immediate
pressures faced by university research activities.
The department will consider purchasing land and buildings where they can be used
for new or expanding schools and colleges in England. This will take place as part of
existing programmes and using established procedures. This financial year (across
purchases from all suitable vendors and including but not limited to HE providers), we
have budgeted up to £100 million to acquire sites for planned projects in England.
Details are available on GOV.UK at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-support-package-for-universities-
and-students.
The government has also confirmed that providers are eligible to apply for its support
packages, including business loan support schemes. The Office for Students (OfS),
the regulator in England, estimates that this could be worth at least £700 million to
the sector. We will only intervene further where we believe there is a case to do so
and where we believe that intervention is possible and appropriate and as a last
resort.
In such instances, we will work with providers to review their circumstances and to
assess the need for restructuring and any attached conditions. The department will
be working with HM Treasury and other government departments and with the
devolved administrations to develop this restructuring regime.
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Agricultural Shows: Coronavirus
Daniel Zeichner: [55693]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what joint working
officials in his Department are undertaking with officials in the (a) Department for
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and (b) Department for Digital, Culture, Media
and Sport on providing financial support for agricultural and country shows.
Rebecca Pow:
We regularly engage with other departments across Government in supporting the
interests of rural business. The Government has made available a full range of
support measures to businesses during these unprecedented times, including the
Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme,
the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and Bounce Back Loans. These
schemes are available to businesses based in rural areas.
Carbon Emissions
Alexander Stafford: [56204]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to
the Government's target of the UK achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, what
assessment he has made of the potential merits of including the carbon emissions of
imported products in the calculation of the UK's carbon emissions.
Rebecca Pow:
Defra produces annual estimates of the UK’s carbon footprint. The latest data was
published on 4 May 2020: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uks-carbon-footprint.
These are consumption-based emissions and include the emissions embedded in
imported products. However, consumption emissions are officially categorised as
“experimental statistics” because of inherent uncertainties in the estimates produced.
The UK’s greenhouse gas emissions statistics used for the purposes of measuring
progress against the net zero target are calculated in line with the standard
international accounting approach for measuring emissions as established by the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Fish: Consumption
John Redwood: [53986]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is
taking with the UK fishing sector to encourage consumption of fish caught by that sector
throughout the UK.
Victoria Prentis:
UK food is renowned for its quality, and high standards of food safety, traceability,
animal welfare and sustainability. Defra will always champion UK producers and
support them in producing more of our great British food, including seafood.
Defra is currently working in partnership with Seafish on the Sea For Yourself
campaign, an initiative to promote seafood species caught in UK waters.
The campaign directs consumers across the UK to the Fish is the Dish website, with
tips and recipes to show consumers how they can cook these species, as well as to
information on online sales to direct them to websites where they can buy local fish
and shellfish.
The campaign launched in March, was set up to support the fishing industry to
encourage people to eat and buy UK seafood. Following our exit from the EU, we are
taking steps to raise awareness of the wide number of species and opportunities that
can be found in UK waters.
Defra has also announced a £1 million Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme to help
seafood businesses in England sell their products locally and nationally. Managed by
the Marine Management Organisation, the scheme has already allocated close to
£900,000 to help increase the supply and consumption of domestically caught
seafood in markets across England.
Flood Control: Finance
Rachael Maskell: [56046]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will increase
spending on flood defences in line with the recommendations of the 2007 Pitt Review.
Rachael Maskell: [56047]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment
he has made of trends in the level of allocation of Government funding for flood defences
since 2007; if he will make a comparative assessment of the allocation of such funding
and the prevalence of flooding incidents in each year since 2007; and if he will make a
statement.
Rebecca Pow:
The Government is currently investing £2.6 billion between 2015-2021 to deliver
more than 1,000 flood defence projects to better protect 300,000 homes by 2021.
Overall funding for flood defences nationally has increased steadily in real terms
since 2005/06, from an annual average of £671 million between 2005/06 and 2009/10
to an annual average of £821 million for the period 2014/15 to 2018/19.This is on top
of £1 billion to maintain flood defence assets between 2015 and 2020. This is an
increase in real terms when compared to the average of £812 million over the
previous five years.
At the Budget in March, it was confirmed that Government will double the amount it
invests in the flood and coastal defence programme in England to £5.2 billion over six
years from 2021, better protecting a further 336,000 properties, including 290,000
homes. Additional funding of £200 million will help over 25 local areas to take forward
wider innovative actions that improve their resilience to flooding and coastal erosion.
Defra’s Flood and Coastal Resilience Partnership Funding policy was introduced in
2011 following the recommendations of Sir Michael Pitt’s review of widespread
flooding in 2007. It was a move away from the previous approach whereby the
Government would fully fund some schemes but once that money was committed no
further schemes were funded.
On 17 April 2020, Defra and the EA announced and published an update to the
Partnership Funding Policy, which comprised 4 technical changes to this policy,
including an intention to launch a consultation later this year (2020) on floods funding
policy to gather insights from across the country. These views will help to further
develop our floods funding vision for the future.
Fly-tipping
Peter Gibson: [56169]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take
steps to strengthen local authority powers on tackling fly tipping from (a) members of the
public and (b) commercial operators.
Rebecca Pow:
Fly-tipping is unacceptable and illegal wherever it occurs. It blights local communities
and the environment and is an issue we are committed to tackling.
We have recently provided local authorities with enhanced enforcement powers to
tackle fly-tipping. Since January 2019 local authorities have been able to issue fixed
penalty notices (FPNs) of up to £400 to householders who fail in their duty of care
and give their waste to fly-tippers. We had previously given local authorities the
power to issue FPNs to those who were caught fly-tipping.
We have also given local authorities, that are also waste collection authorities, the
power to search and or seize vehicles that they suspect have been involved, are
involved or are about to be involved in fly-tipping and other waste crimes.
Going forward, we are seeking powers in the Environment Bill to ensure agencies
and authorities can work more effectively to combat waste crime through better
access to evidence and improved powers of entry.
In addition to enhancing enforcement powers, we committed in the Resources and
Waste Strategy (RWS) to develop a fly-tipping toolkit to help local authorities and
others work in partnership to tackle fly-tipping. The RWS is available at
www.gov.uk/government/publications/resources-andwaste-strategy-for-england.
Locusts: Africa and South Asia
Ian Lavery: [54113]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment
he has made of the effect of recent locust swarms in Africa and South Asia on the supply
of imported food into the UK.
Victoria Prentis:
We continuously monitor a range of regularly reported and publicly available statistics
and data on supply of food to the UK. Through these close observations, we are
aware of how locust swarms are affecting parts of Africa and Asia, and their impact
on the countries affected. There is currently no specific impact on trade volumes as a
direct result of the locust swarms.
We are also including a new requirement in the Agriculture Bill for the UK
Government to report on food security to Parliament at least once every five years,
demonstrating the importance we place on this subject. The report will contain
information on food supply including the role of strong domestic production alongside
diverse sources of supply. The report is a major undertaking and will draw evidence
from a wide range of sources including an analysis of the key trends.
The UK has a robust and reliable food industry that is experienced in dealing with
scenarios that can affect food supply, from adverse weather damaging crops to
transport issues abroad. The size and diversity of the industry is a key factor in
enabling the food sector to remain resilient to food supply chain disruptions. The
expertise, capability, levers and resilience to plan for and respond to food supply
disruption lies within the industry.
The Government has well established ways of working with the food industry on
potential disruptions to the supply chain, and we will continue to work closely with
stakeholders and industry to support preparations for a range of scenarios. We also
engage widely with international partners to share information and good practice
guidance regarding the security and resilience of food supply.
Waste Disposal: Applications
Dr Alan Whitehead: [55647]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the average
length of time was for the Environment Agency to process a waste permit application
from point of first application to final determination in each of the last two years; and what
proportion of waste permit applications took longer than six months to process.
Dr Alan Whitehead: [55649]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and
what proportion of waste permit applications have taken longer than 12 months to
process from point of first application to final determination in each of the last two years.
Rebecca Pow:
The Environment Agency prepares data for reports by Financial Year and this
response includes information between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2020.
Cumulatively, over the last two years, 6.3% (166 of 2,639) of waste permit
applications took longer than 12 months to determine.
Between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019, 6.5% (85 of 1,308) of waste permit
applications took longer than 12 months to determine.
Between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020, 6.1% (81 of 1,331) of waste permit
applications took longer than 12 months to determine.
Cumulatively, over the last two years the average length of time taken to determine a
waste permit application is 129 days. This is broken down by reporting year as
follows:
Between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019 it was 131 days. Between 1 April 2019 and
31 March 2020 it was 128 days.
Cumulatively, over the last two years 21.2% (560 of 2,639) of waste permit
applications took longer than six months to determine. This is broken down by
reporting year as follows.
Between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019, 21.9% (287 of 1,308) of waste permit
applications took longer than six months to determine.
Between 1 April 2019 and 3 March 2020, 20.5% (273 of 1,331) of waste permit
applications took longer than six months to determine.
Dr Alan Whitehead: [55648]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment
he has made of the (a) length of potential delays in processing waste permit applications
at the Environment Agency and (b) potential effect of those delays on investment in new
waste processing facilities.
Rebecca Pow:
No assessment has been made of potential delays in processing waste permit
applications at the Environment Agency or the potential effect of those delays on
investment in new waste processing facilities. Each application is considered on its
own merit and discussed with the individual applicant, and it is important they are
assessed thoroughly.
Welfare Assistance Schemes
Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: [57983]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to
the £63 million of local welfare assistance to be used by local authorities announced by
the Prime Minister on 10 June 2020 , what his timescale is for (a) publishing guidance on
use of that funding and (b) making that funding available.
Victoria Prentis:
Defra will distribute the funding directly to local authorities to ensure they can support
people facing severe financial difficulty who may be struggling to afford food and
other necessities. Local authorities set the criteria for eligibility for welfare assistance
schemes. We recognise that local authorities have set up different structures and
schemes to support their communities during COVID-19 according to local need.
This funding is a one-off boost to local authorities in recognition of the fact that some
people in our communities are facing sudden and severe financial difficulties. The
COVID-19 pandemic is an extraordinary event and it is right that we take
extraordinary measures in response to it.
Neil Gray: [57984]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how the additional
£63 million funding for the Welfare Assistance Fund announced at Prime Minister’s
Questions on 10 June 2020 is being funded; when it will become available; and for how
long that funding will be made available.
Neil Gray: [57985]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much of the
additional £63 million funding for the Welfare Assistance Fund announced at Prime
Minister’s Questions on 10 June 2020 will be made available to local authorities in
Scotland; and if she will make a statement.
Neil Gray: [57987]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to
the announcement by the Prime Minister on 10 June 2020 of a £63 million welfare
assistance fund in response to the covid-19 outbreak, how her Department plans to
distribute that fund among local authorities; and if she will make a statement.
Neil Gray: [57988]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to
the announcement by the Prime Minister on 10 June 2020 of a £63 million welfare
assistance fund in response to the covid-19 outbreak, whether people who have no
recourse to public funds will be eligible for that fund in each local authority; and if she will
make a statement.
Victoria Prentis:
To support those people who are facing severe financial difficulties during this crisis,
the Government has announced further funding of £63 million to be given to and
disbursed by local authorities in England. This will ensure that the most vulnerable
families can afford food and other essentials. This funding will sit alongside the £6.5
billion of extra support the Government is providing through the benefits system to
protect the most vulnerable throughout this crisis.
The additional £63 million will be for local authorities to spend at their discretion and
at the pace which suits the needs of their community. The money will be distributed
through a Section 31 grant. Funding arrangements will be finalised shortly. Most local
authorities already operate these schemes and understand the legal context within
which they operate, including entitlement for those with no recourse to public funds.
Zoos: Coronavirus
Andrew Rosindell: [54018]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what financial
support his Department plans to provide to zoological institutions which have been
affected by the covid-19 outbreak to ensure that they can continue their conservation and
animal welfare work.
Victoria Prentis:
I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to my hon. Friend, the Member for North
Devon, Selaine Saxby, on 27 April 2020, PQ UIN 37936, the hon. Member for
Dunfermline and West Fife, Douglas Chapman, on 11 May 2020, PQ UIN 43675 and
the hon. Member for York Central, Rachael Maskell on 19 May 2020, PQ UIN 45322.
The Zoos Support Fund is open for applications until 19 July 2020.
As announced by the Prime Minister on 10 June, outdoor areas of zoos and safari
parks will be allowed to reopen from 15 June, subject to appropriate social distancing
measures being in place. This includes keeping indoor exhibitions, such as reptile
houses and those in aquariums, closed, and ensuring other amenities like cafes offer
take-away services only.
The move follows close work by the Government with the zoo industry to ensure
visitor numbers can be managed and safeguards are put in place.
The decision to relax restrictions on these select outdoor attractions is part of the
Government’s careful approach to easing the lockdown in phases, guided by the
advice of scientific and medical experts and the fact the risk of transmission is much
lower outdoors.
Officials continue to meet weekly with BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos
and Aquariums) and with the CEOs of the largest charitable zoos and aquariums in
England providing a valuable forum to monitor concerns and seek insights from key
sector representatives on current issues.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Bahrain: Huddersfield University
Martyn Day: [57299]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the
Answer of 9 March 2020 to Question 25129, whether his Department was consulted by
the University of Huddersfield on or subsequent to the establishment of an MSc in
Security Science reserved for students at Bahrain's Royal Academy of Policing.
James Cleverly:
There have been no consultations between HMG and the University of Huddersfield
about its provision of an MSc in Security Science exclusively to students at the Royal
Academy of Policing.
British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus
Seema Malhotra: [55986]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the
Answer of 18 May 2020 to Question 46666 on British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus, of
the 150 charter flights delivered by the Government to support repatriation efforts, from
which countries charter flights have been commissioned by the Government to repatriate
British citizens; and if he will publish the (a) date, (b) starting location and (c) final
destination of each such charter flight.
Nigel Adams:
I refer you to the answer of PQ 46666.
Chile: Human Rights and Torture
Owen Thompson: [58018]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions
he has had with his Chilean counterpart on UN reports of (a) torture and (b) other human
rights violations by Chilean state agents.
Wendy Morton:
The UK Government shares the concerns of the UN about events that have occurred
in Chile. Our Ambassador in Chile has talked with representatives of the Chilean
Government to express our concerns about the violence witnessed during protests
and about reports of human rights abuses by state agents. We welcome the Chilean
Government's acceptance of the report and its recommendations and the Chilean
Government's assurances, in public and to our Ambassador, that allegations of
human rights abuses will be investigated fully, and that, if appropriate, perpetrators
will be prosecuted. Our Embassy in Santiago remains in close contact with the
Chilean authorities and will continue to monitor the situation.
China: Coronavirus
Sir George Howarth: [51596]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what
representations he has made to his Chinese counterpart on releasing prisoners of
conscience Gedhun Choekyi Nyimain, Hu Chigen and Bishop James Zhumin due to the
risk of covid-19 to detainees in overcrowded prisons.
Nigel Adams:
The risk of the spread of COVID-19 in places of detention is a matter of concern
around the world. We will continue to engage closely with the Chinese authorities on
the COVID-19 crisis. We pay close attention to the human rights situation in Tibet,
and raise our concerns with the Chinese authorities.
Coronavirus: Travel Information
Mark Pritchard: [55668]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what travel will be
classed as essential under the terms of his Department's covid-19 Exceptional Travel
Advisory Notice.
Nigel Adams:
Since 17 March, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised against all but
essential travel globally due to the unprecedented international border closures and
other restrictions currently in place in response to the global pandemic.
Whether travel is essential or not is a personal decision. Travellers may have urgent
family or business commitments to attend to. Circumstances differ from person to
person. Only individuals can make an informed decision based on the risks.
Current Her Majesty's Government guidance also states that members of the public
should not stay overnight away from their own home, except for in a limited set of
circumstances, such as for work purposes.
We are monitoring the international situation very closely and keeping all our travel
advice under constant review to ensure it reflects the latest situation on the ground
and our assessment of risk to British people.
Germany: USA
Dr Julian Lewis: [57054]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what notice was
given to the Government by the US Administration of its intention to cut the number of US
troops in Germany by almost one-third; and what representations the Government have
made on this proposal (a) directly and (b) via NATO to President Trump (i) before and (ii)
since its announcement.
Wendy Morton:
The UK Government does not comment on speculation. The United States and
United Kingdom are strong partners and allies, with a uniquely close and active
defence and security partnership. Ministers and officials regularly engage with the US
on a wide range of security issues, both bilaterally and in NATO, including the
deployment of US troops in Europe.
Huddersfield University: Bahrain
Martyn Day: [58027]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the
Answer of 9 March 2020 to Question 25129 on Bahrain: Huddersfield University, whether
her Department was consulted by the University of Huddersfield on or subsequent to their
establishment of an MSc in Security Science reserved for students at Bahrain's Royal
Academy of Policing.
James Cleverly:
There have been no consultations between HMG and the University of Huddersfield
about its provision of an MSc in Security Science exclusively to students at the Royal
Academy of Policing.
Human Rights: Sanctions
Lisa Nandy: [57190]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to
the United States' Magnitsky Act, what progress the Government is making on
introducing a UK autonomous global human rights sanctions regime.
Nigel Adams:
As the Foreign Secretary said in a Statement on Tuesday 2 June, we intend to bring
the global human rights sanctions regulations before the House before the Summer
recess. This legislation would allow us to impose sanctions in response to serious
human rights violations or abuses around the world.
Immigrants: Coronavirus
John Spellar: [57079]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is
on the return to the UK of people with leave to remain in the UK.
Nigel Adams:
Our objective remains to bring home British travellers who want to return to the UK,
as soon as possible. From the outset, our priority for the charter flight programme has
been getting British travellers home. But after we launched the charter flight
programme, it became clear that there were people with Indefinite Leave to Remain
(ILR) who normally reside in the UK and wanted to get back, particularly in India and
Pakistan. Where possible, we are working to help vulnerable UK residents with ILR
provided that they have lived in the UK within the last year. This is beyond the scope
of our standard consular assistance, where such assistance is usually just for British
nationals, but these are exceptional times.
Israel: Palestinians
Alexander Stafford: [55144]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent
discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the Middle East peace
process.
James Cleverly:
We continue to work closely with international partners strongly advocating a two
state solution and encouraging a return to meaningful negotiations between both
parties. I have continued to encourage the Palestinians to offer their own detailed
proposals for a settlement, and to find a means of restarting discussions with the US.
I did so with Palestinian Prime Minister Shtayyeh on 3 May and in a virtual meeting of
the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee with Israel, the Palestinians, and the international
community on 2 June. As well as, most recently, on 4 June when I met with Shtayyeh
and Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki during my virtual visit to the Occupied Palestinian
Territories. The Foreign Secretary discussed the Middle East peace process and our
opposition to the unilateral annexation of territory during calls with Alternate Israeli
Prime Minister Gantz on 20 May, Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry on 21 May,
Jordanian Foreign Minister Safadi on 28 May and Israeli Foreign Minister Ashkenazi
on 2 June.
Kazakhstan: Coronavirus
Jim Shannon: [55974]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what
representations he has made to the Government of Kazakhstan on the release of 24
Muslims who have been jailed for up to eight years for exercising their freedom of religion
or belief, in response to the risk of covid-19 in overcrowded prisons in that country.
Wendy Morton:
The UK is a strong supporter of human rights in Kazakhstan. The Foreign and
Commonwealth Office, including through our embassy in Nur-Sultan, has raised, and
will continue to raise, with the Kazakh authorities the importance of taking steps to
protect and respect individuals' rights to exercise Freedom of Religion or Belief. We
will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Libya: Armed Conflict
Chris Bryant: [55891]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the
Government plans to introduce (a) additional sanctions and (b) other measures in relation
to (i) the Russian Wagner Group and (ii) other groups operating in Libya in violation of
international law.
James Cleverly:
The UK is deeply concerned about reports of Russian Wagner Group personnel and
other external actors operating in Libya. We take seriously violations of International
Humanitarian Law and breaches of sanctions, including the UN arms embargo. We
continue to stress to all states the necessity of complying with and enforcing
international law. The UK carefully considers all reports of sanctions breaches,
including the reports of the UN Panel of Experts, and regularly reviews sanctions
measures.
Mubarak Bala
Jim Shannon: [55976]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what
representations he has made to his Nigerian counterpart on the arrest of Mubarak Bala,
President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, on 28 April 2020.
James Duddridge:
The UK Government is monitoring the arrest of Mr Bala closely. I raised Mr Bala's
case with the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs on 21 May. Our High Commission in
Abuja has also discussed the case with the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Police. The recent update from the Nigerian authorities is that Mr Bala has been
charged with 'insulting contempt of religious creed and insulting public disturbances'
under the penal code and racist and xenophobic offences under the cybercrime act.
The charges are made under Kano State Law.
The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Rehman
Chishti MP, is also engaged and has raised this matter with international
counterparts. On 6 May, Mr Chishti spoke to the Chief Executive of Humanists UK
and stressed the UK's close monitoring of the case. The Minister of State responsible
for Human Rights, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, also discussed Mr Bala's case
with the Chief Executive of Humanists UK on 20 May.
We will continue to stress the importance of a transparent investigation that respects
Mr Bala's human rights, the rule of law, and the Nigerian constitutional right to
freedom of religion or belief. Defending freedom of religion or belief for all remains a
UK policy priority and we will continue to use our voice internationally to protect this
human right, championed by Mr Chishti.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
Olivia Blake: [58108]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent
discussions he has had with his Iranian counterpart on securing the release of Nazanin
Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
James Cleverly:
The permanent release of all arbitrarily detained dual nationals in Iran and their return
to their families in the UK remains our top priority. While the further extension of Mrs
Zaghari-Ratcliffe's temporary release is a welcome step, we continue to urge the
Iranian Government to make it permanent so she can return to her family in the UK
and will continue to raise this at the highest levels with Iran. The Foreign Secretary
raised this with Foreign Minister Zarif on 16 March and I raised this with the Iranian
Ambassador on 26 March. Our Ambassador in Tehran consistently raises all of our
dual national detainees with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Richard Solomon Tarfa
Jim Shannon: [55975]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what
representations he has made to his Nigerian counterpart on the imprisonment of
Professor Richard Solomon Tarfa on 25 December 2019.
James Duddridge:
The British High Commission in Abuja has raised Professor Tarfa's case with the
National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria and the Kano State authorities. The
UK Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Rehman Chishti
MP, has also raised the case at a senior level within the Federal Government. We
have repeatedly underlined the importance of an open and transparent legal process
for Mr Tarfa, in accordance with Nigerian law and international human rights
standards.
Ukraine: Peace Negotiations
Catherine West: [58039]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the
Government is taking to (a) facilitate the peace process in Ukraine and (b) support the
implementation of reforms in Ukraine in line with the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
Wendy Morton:
The UK is committed to supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and
to helping Ukraine build a strong economy, strong institutions and counter Russian
aggression. We welcome President Zelensky's commitment to ending the conflict in
eastern Ukraine. We have been clear on the importance of finding a diplomatic
solution and continue to support the Minsk agreements, as well as the work of
Germany and France within the Normandy Format. We continue to call on Russia to
play its part to end the conflict by immediately ceasing its support for the armed
formations it backs and fulfilling its obligations under the Minsk agreements. We
repeatedly raise with Russia the need to use its influence over its proxies to ensure
unrestricted access for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission and humanitarian
organisations. Continued discussions are fundamental for further progress towards
peace.
In common with the EU and other like-minded partners, the UK continues to provide
substantial assistance to strengthen Ukraine's democracy and institutions, and to
support implementation of Ukraine's reform programme. In July 2017, we hosted the
inaugural Ukraine Reform Conference, launching a series of annual reform
conferences. For 2020/21, the UK has allocated over £40 million of programme
support, with at least £12 million through the Good Governance Fund to help Ukraine
deliver economic and governance reforms, including in the context of Ukraine's
aspirations towards EU and NATO integration. This work includes initiatives to tackle
corruption, deliver sustainable economic development and strengthen democracy.
The UK is working to protect citizens affected by the conflict, develop peace-building
expertise and promote social cohesion and resilience. This year we are focused on
supporting Ukraine to mitigate and address the secondary implications of COVID-19
on conflict and stability.
Ukraine: Religious Freedom
Jim Shannon: [55972]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment
he has made of the level of freedom of religion or belief in the (a) Donetsk People’s
Republic and (b) Luhansk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine.
Wendy Morton:
The Government is deeply concerned about violations of Freedom of Religion or
Belief in many parts of the world. It is a universal human right for all people to be able
to practise their faith or belief without fear or discrimination. This is an issue that the
UK has long championed, including through the Prime Minister's appointment of
Rehman Chishti MP as his Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief. In the
self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic" in
eastern Ukraine, we are extremely concerned by reports of such infringements
including the seizing and sealing of churches and other places of worship, forced
cancellation of services and arrests and harassment of clergy.
This is part of a wider pattern of human rights violations and abuses perpetrated by
Russia's proxies in the non-government controlled areas of eastern Ukraine. We
continue to call on Russia to use its considerable influence over them to ensure
respect for all international human rights, to fully implement recommendations
contained in the reports of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) and grant unhindered access for international humanitarian organisations.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Coronavirus: Disease Control
Martyn Day: [53533]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is
collecting data on patients that have had their treatment options (a) changed and (b)
paused as a result of the covid-19 outbreak to ensure that the effect of those changes are
appropriately (i) tracked and (ii) recorded.
Edward Argar:
Data is not available in the format requested.
Coronavirus: Mental Health
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: [54207]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his
Department has made of the potential effect of prolonged social isolation on the mental
wellbeing of the general public.
Ms Nadine Dorries:
We are working with the National Health Service and Public Health England, service
users, academics and the voluntary sector to gather evidence and assess the
potential longer-term mental health impacts of COVID-19 and plan for how to support
the public’s mental health and wellbeing throughout the ‘recovery’ phase.
Mental health services remain open and are working to support people with mental
health problems through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond and, on 22 April, the
Government launched a major effort to tackle loneliness due to social isolation during
the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure that, for people of all ages and backgrounds,
staying at home does not need to lead to loneliness.
Department of Health and Social Care: Buildings
Rachel Hopkins: [54300]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer on 15
May to Question 43779 on Civil Servants, in how many multi-hub locations employees of
his Department are working together with employees of another Department or agency in
London managed by the Government Property Agency; what the addresses are of those
locations; and what other Departments and agencies employ staff at those locations.
Edward Argar:
The Department does not have any employees in London located in properties
managed by the Government Property Agency.
Department of Health and Social Care: Written Questions
Dame Diana Johnson: [54047]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to
Question 38442, submitted on 21 April 2020, by the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull
North.
Jo Churchill:
The hon. Member’s question was answered on 3 June.
Maternity Services: Immigrants
Mohammad Yasin: [56105]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate he has
made of the number of non-EU nationals who cannot (a) leave the UK during the covid-
19 outbreak and (b) afford access to NHS maternity treatment.
Edward Argar:
[Holding answer 11 June 2020]: The Department does not collect or hold data on the
number of non-European Union nationals who cannot leave the United Kingdom
during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Department does not collect or hold data on the number of non-EU nationals
who have been charged for National Health Service maternity care but are unable to
pay.
Mental Health Act 1983
Munira Wilson: [55124]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to
publish the White Paper on reforming the Mental Health Act 1983.
Ms Nadine Dorries:
[Holding answer 10 June 2020]: We have committed to publishing a White Paper
which will set out the Government’s response to Sir Simon Wessely’s Independent
Review of the Mental Health Act 1983 and pave the way for reform of the Act.
We will publish our White Paper as soon as it is possible to do so. We will consult
publicly on our proposals and will bring forward a Bill to amend the Act when
parliamentary time allows.
Mental Health Services
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: [55099]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many new referrals there
were to NHS secondary mental health services in March and April 2020 compared to the
same period in 2019.
Ms Nadine Dorries:
The information requested is shown in the following table.
ENGLAND MARCH 2019 APRIL 2019 MARCH 2020 APRIL 2020 2
Referrals to
mental health
services starting
in reporting period 1
321,326 303,373 297,516 Not yet available
Source: Mental Health Services Data Set, NHS Digital 3
Notes:
1 A person may have had more than one referral within any given period.
2 Data for April 2020 are still being collected and analysed.
3 Caution should be made when comparing data as the coverage of the Mental
Health Services Data Set has increased with 266 providers submitting data in March
2020 compared to 171 providers in March 2019.
Munira Wilson: [55126]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many new referrals there
were to NHS secondary mental health services in March and April (a) 2020 and (b) 2019.
Ms Nadine Dorries:
[Holding answer 10 June 2020]: The information requested is shown in the following
table.
ENGLAND MARCH 2019 APRIL 2019 MARCH 2020 APRIL 2020 2
Referrals to
mental health
services starting
in reporting period 1
321,326 303,373 297,516 Not yet available
Source : Mental Health Services Data Set, NHS Digital 3
Notes :
1 A person may have had more than one referral within any given period.
2 Data for April 2020 are still being collected and analysed.
3 Caution should be made when comparing data as the coverage of the Mental
Health Services Data Set has increased with 266 providers submitting data in March
2020 compared to 171 providers in March 2019.
Mental Health Services: Children and Young People
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: [55105]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to
ensure that child and adolescent mental health service can meet the needs of children
and young people when covid-19 lockdown is fully lifted.
Ms Nadine Dorries:
National Health Service mental health services have remained open, and services
have deployed digital tools to connect with people and provide ongoing support.
We expect mental health services to liaise with local partners to ensure referral
routes are understood, particularly where children and young people are not at
school.
NHS England has asked all mental health trusts to ensure there are 24 hours a day,
seven days a week open access telephone lines for urgent NHS mental health
support, advice and triage for all ages through a single point of access.
Mental Health Services: Coronavirus
Rosie Cooper: [54049]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made
of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on access to (a) improving access to psychological
therapies, (b) child and adolescent mental health services and (c) community mental
health services.
Ms Nadine Dorries:
[Holding answer 8 June 2020]: The Government and NHS England and NHS
Improvement recognise that the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak are
significant and are working closely with mental health providers to ensure those who
need them have access to mental health services.
Our community mental health services, Improving Access to Psychological Therapies
services and children and young people’s services have remained open for business
throughout this time and are working to support people with mental health issues
through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, deploying innovative digital tools to
connect with people and provide ongoing support.
For those with severe needs or in crisis, NHS England has instructed all National
Health Service mental health trusts to establish 24 hours a day, seven days a week
mental health crisis lines for urgent NHS mental health support, advice and triage for
people of all ages through a single point of access.
Mental Health Services: Nurses
Dr Dan Poulter: [57170]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) individual and (b)
full-time equivalent registered mental health nurses have been working for NHS provider
organisations in (i) each year since 2009-10 and (ii) 2020-21.
Ms Nadine Dorries:
NHS Digital publishes Hospital and Community Health Services workforce statistics.
These include staff working in hospital trusts and clinical commissioning groups, but
not staff working in primary care or in general practitioner surgeries, local authorities
or other providers.
The following table shows the number of mental health nurses as at September each
year since 2009 and as at February 2020, the latest available data, full time
equivalent (FTE) and headcount.
MENTAL HEALTH NURSES, FTE
MENTAL HEALTH NURSES,
HEADCOUNT
September 2009 40,602 50,844
September 2010 40,247 50,028
September 2011 39,024 48,061
September 2012 38,135 46,395
September 2013 37,397 45,143
September 2014 36,581 44,073
September 2015 35,671 43,169
MENTAL HEALTH NURSES, FTE
MENTAL HEALTH NURSES,
HEADCOUNT
September 2016 35,488 42,959
September 2017 35,390 42,941
September 2018 35,835 43,539
September 2019 36,696 44,610
February 2020 37,388 45,657
Mental Health Services: Staff
Yasmin Qureshi: [54077]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has
made of the extent of staff shortages in the NHS mental health workforce; and what steps
his Department is taking to tackle those shortages.
Ms Nadine Dorries:
Expanding the mental health workforce is a key priority for the Government. We
understand the need to get the right workforce in place to deliver our ambitious
commitments to transform mental health services and, most importantly, achieve
better outcomes for the people we are here to serve.
Our interim NHS People Plan set out immediate actions we will take to fill vacancies
and secure the staff we need for the future – including addressing pensions tax
concerns, increasing university clinical placements for all nursing specialities by over
5,000 more and bolstering the workforce through greater international recruitment.
In response to ‘Stepping forward to 2020/21: The mental health workforce plan for
England’, the overall mental health workforce has grown by over 6,000 individuals
since March 2017.
Mental Health: White Papers
Daisy Cooper: [56172]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish the
White Paper on mental health.
Daisy Cooper: [56173]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government plans
to implement all of the recommendations from the Independent Review of the Mental
Health Act 1983.
Ms Nadine Dorries:
We have committed to publishing a White Paper which will set out the Government’s
response to Sir Simon Wessely’s Independent Review of the Mental Health Act 1983
and pave the way for reform of the Act.
We will publish our White Paper as soon as it is possible to do so. We will consult
publicly on our proposals and will bring forward a Bill to amend the Act when
parliamentary time allows.
Oxygen: Care Homes
Navendu Mishra: [52588]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to
ensure that nursing homes and care homes receive the oxygen supplies they require.
Edward Argar:
Where care or nursing home residents are assessed as requiring oxygen by their
health care professional, either an oxygen concentrator or oxygen cylinders will be
installed by the regional Home Oxygen Service (HOS) provider, who also deliver
training on proper use. The HOS provider is then responsible for the ongoing
maintenance of the concentrator or replacement of oxygen cylinders as needed. The
HOS contracts in England require HOS providers to deliver the equipment within four
hours in urgent cases. All the HOS providers have maintained their service levels
throughout the COVID-19 pandemic period and supply chains have remained
resilient.
Suicide: Males
Martyn Day: [54973]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to
reduce the risk of suicide in middle-aged men on low incomes; and if he will make a
statement.
Ms Nadine Dorries:
The NHS Long Term Plan’s Mental Health Implementation Plan sets out our plans to
invest £57 million in suicide prevention. This will see investment in all areas of the
country by 2023/24 to support local suicide prevention plans and establish suicide
bereavement support services. We have worked with NHS England to ensure that
local areas use this funding to test approaches to reaching and engaging men.
The National Suicide Prevention Strategy highlights men, and especially middle-aged
and young men, as a group at high risk of suicide, and in January 2019, we published
the first cross-Government suicide prevention workplan. It includes sections on
tailoring prevention approaches towards reducing suicide risk in high-risk groups
such as men.
Surgical Mesh Implants: Compensation
Mr Kevan Jones: [55665]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussion (a) he, (b)
Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with their
counterparts in the Treasury on plans to introduce a compensation fund for people
affected by mesh implants.
Ms Nadine Dorries:
We are currently awaiting the report of the Independent Medicines and Medical
Devices Safety Review, which is expected on 8 July.
The Review is independent of Government and it would not be right to pre-empt the
Review’s report or recommendations before they have been made public. We can
confirm that the Government will consider its recommendations most carefully.
We would urge anyone who believes that they may have been affected by mesh
implants to seek clinical advice and support for what help is available.
HOME OFFICE
Airports: Scotland
Douglas Chapman: [57999]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have arrived
at Scottish airports from international destinations since 8 June 2020 to date.
Chris Philp:
Border Force does not release location specific statistics on the arrival of passengers
to an individual airport.
However on 28 May 2020, the Home Office published additional statistics relating to
Covid-19 and the immigration system here. This contains information on the impact of
COVID-19 on passenger arrivals and includes data on the number of passengers
arriving in the UK by air routes only.
The Home Office is due to publish the next quarterly Immigration Statistics on 27
August 2020.
Barbecues: Fire and Rescue Services
Mr Barry Sheerman: [57093]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Office, how many call outs the fire service has
received for incidents related to barbecues in each of the last ten years, broken down by
fire authority.
Kit Malthouse:
The Home Office publishes figures on accidental primary fires started by barbecues
at a national level in table FIRE0605, available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fire-statistics-data-tables#cause-
of-fire. The data is available from 2010/11 to 2018/19 but is not broken down by fire
and rescue service.
In 2018/19, there were 315 accidental primary fires started by barbecues in England.
Of these, 112 were dwelling fires, 97 in other buildings, 90 outdoors and 16 road
vehicles.
Deportation: Coronavirus
Thangam Debbonaire: [39826]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to pursue
deportation proceedings during the covid-19 outbreak.
Chris Philp:
Removals of foreign national offenders and those who have no lawful basis to stay in
the UK are still taking place where routes are available, and Immigration Enforcement
are following the latest guidance from Public Health England.
Local Government: Licensing
Sir Mike Penning: [54042]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans
to permit local authorities to allow reimbursement of fees for the annual premises licence;
and what guidance the Government has issued to local authorities on the reimbursement
or reduction of those fees during the covid-19 outbreak.
Kit Malthouse:
Kit Malthouse, the Minister for Crime and Policing, wrote to the chairs of the licensing
committees on 8 April about issues arising from the coronavirus outbreak. He set out
an expectation that where a business was unable to pay the charge for reasons
related to coronavirus then the licensing authority should exercise its discretion to
delay suspending the licence. This would allow the business to continue selling
alcohol until it was able to pay.
Nitrous Oxide: Coronavirus
Philip Davies: [54050]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made
of the change in the level of the use of nitrous oxide during the covid-19 outbreak.
Philip Davies: [54051]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made
of the provisions available for communities to educate people on the dangers of nitrous
oxide inhalation as a psychoactive substance.
Kit Malthouse:
Public Health England continues to provide information on the dangers of nitrous
oxide through FRANK and support in schools. FRANK, the government’s drug
information and advisory website, provides information on a wide range of drugs,
including advice on what to do if people are concerned about their own use of the
drug, or someone else’s use. It is regularly updated in response to changing patterns
of drug use and emerging information. FRANK also signposts users to support
services and provides a 24 hour free-to-use confidential helpline, text and email
message services and online chat. FRANK offers information about nitrous oxide
covering the risks of use, including taking it with alcohol.
FRANK receives over 500,000 visits per month with high levels of awareness and
trust. User research commissioned by Public Health England has shown that 83% of
18 to 24 year old adults are aware of the site and 85% of its users trust FRANK to
provide reliable information about drugs.
The government is continuing to monitor the effect of Covid-19 on drug use and
markets through official sources and through our partners.
Police Custody: Death
Dr Matthew Offord: [54893]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have died in
police custody in each of the last five years, by ethnicity.
Kit Malthouse:
Every death in custody is a tragedy, and we are committed to delivering meaningful
and lasting change to prevent deaths in custody.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct publish figures for deaths in or following
police custody each year, including by ethnicity. Data for the last five years are
attached.
These figures cover deaths that happen whilst a person is being arrested or taken
into detention, including deaths that occur in or on the way to hospital following
transfer from the scene of arrest or police custody. They do not include suicides that
occur after a person has been released from police custody
Attachments:
1. Table - PQ 54893 - [Table - PQ 54893.xlsx]
Sir Mark Hendrick: [55879]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will investigate the number
of BAME deaths in custody where restraint was used in the last 15 years; and what
assessment she has made of the accuracy of the Report of the Independent Review of
Deaths and Serious Incidents in Police Custody which notes that every prosecution over
a death in custody in the past 15 years has ended in acquittal.
Kit Malthouse:
Every death in custody is a tragedy, and we are committed to delivering meaningful
and lasting change to prevent deaths in custody.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct publish figures for deaths in or following
police custody each year. Prior to 2018/19 the data includes ethnicity but does not
state whether restraint was used.
In 2018/19, there were 16 deaths in custody, of whom 15 individuals were white and
one was black. Six of these 16 individuals had some force used against them either
by officers or members of the public before their deaths, although this use of force did
not necessarily contribute to their deaths. All six people were white.
The Ministerial Board on Deaths in Custody will continue to oversee and drive
progress in response to the independent review. This includes ongoing work to make
police procedures more accountable following a death in custody as part of a wider
package of police integrity reforms.
Police: Ethnic Groups
Dr Matthew Offord: [54898]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers are
employed in England and Wales, by ethnicity.
Kit Malthouse:
The Home Office collects and publishes data on the ethnicity of police officers in
England and Wales on an annual basis. The latest available data, as at 31 March
2019, can be found in Table D2 of the published workforce statistics, available here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm
ent_data/file/831666/police-workforce-mar19-tables.ods
Data as at 31 March 2020 are due to be published on 30 July 2020.
Police: Protective Clothing
Abena Oppong-Asare: [54276]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to issue
guidance to police forces in England and Wales on wearing PPE when coming into
physical contact with members of the public; and if she will make a statement.
Kit Malthouse:
The Government recognises the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
for all of those on the frontline and has published guidance on appropriate PPE for
emergency workers, including the police.
The NPCC and the College of Policing have issued operational guidance to all forces
on the use of PPE tailored to their unique role to ensure officers and staff are
protected sufficiently. The guidance covers how, when and what type of PPE to wear
across a range of practical scenarios.
The guidance is available online here: https://www.college.police.uk/What-we-
do/COVID-19/Documents/Personal-Protective-Equipment-Operational-Guidance-
1.pdf
Police: Racial Discrimination
Rachael Maskell: [54950]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken in
2020 to investigate potential institutional racism in the police.
Kit Malthouse:
Racism, in any form, is abhorrent and has no place in our society.
In this country, the power of the police to fulfil their duties is wholly dependent on their
ability to secure public support for their actions and behaviour and to maintain public
respect. Police forces that reflect the communities they serve are crucial to tackling
crime and maintaining public trust and confidence in a modern diverse society. The
police have worked hard to improve equality and diversity in policing - the workforce
is more diverse than ever before, but there is still much more to be done.
Police training has improved and professionalised, and we continue to work with the
College of Policing to support forces in their efforts to address under-representation
in the recruitment, retention and progression of officers, including those from BAME
backgrounds. Our drive to recruit 20,000 officers over the next three years gives us a
significant opportunity to attract a wide range of people into a career in policing and
support the police to achieve this aim.
We have also ensured that there is greater transparency and accountability in many
areas of policing and continue the drive for improvements. If there is a death or
serious injury following contact with the police, or if there are allegations of racially
aggravated misconduct, these matters must be referred to the independent police
“watchdog”, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). In February of this
year, the Government implemented reforms to provide the IOPC with a power to
investigate serious police conduct matters on its own initiative.
However, we know that we cannot be complacent and we continue to work across
policing to ensure that those we trust to protect us meet the high standards of
professional conduct expected by the public.
Road Traffic Offences
Andrew Griffith: [55080]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many offences under
Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 for non-compliance with Regulation 97 of the
Road Vehicles Regulations 1986, have been recorded in (a) Sussex and (b) England.
Kit Malthouse:
The Home Office collects and publishes data on the number of recorded Fixed
Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued for vehicular noise offences, including a breakdown by
Police Force Area. The latest available data are here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm
ent_data/file/841256/fixed-penalty-notices-police-powers-procedures-mar19-
hosb2519-tables.ods
The data that the Home Office holds will not cover all offences under Section 42 of
the Road Traffic Act 1988 for non-compliance with Regulation 97 of the Road
Vehicles Regulations 1986. Offences may be dealt with in ways other than FPNs,
such as by issuing a vehicle rectification notice or through seizure of the vehicle if it
has other serious defects.
Travellers: Caravan Sites
Paul Bristow: [54266]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to bring forward
legislative proposals to introduce a new offence of intentional trespass to tackle unlawful
traveller encampments.
Kit Malthouse:
Potential measures to criminalise the act of trespassing when setting up an
unauthorised encampment in England and Wales were announced in the December
2019 Queen’s Speech for inclusion in the Police Powers and Protection Bill.
On 5 November 2019, the Government launched a consultation seeking views on
how best to strengthen police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments -
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-police-powers-to-tackle-
unauthorised-encampments. This consultation closed on the 5 March. I will announce
the outcome of this consultation in due course.
UK Border Force: Protective Clothing
Rosie Duffield: [33678]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her
Department has made of the adequacy of the supply of personal protective equipment for
UK Border Force staff.
Chris Philp:
Border Force has a command structure and is actively working with Regional Teams
and the National Operations HQ, to determine PPE needs for frontline and
operational support staff, and to manage stock levels. Demand for PPE has
increased so we are sourcing it through our established suppliers and supplementing
with additional external suppliers to meet the demand.
Visas: Turkey
Kate Osamor: [38569]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether people subject to the
ECAA-2 Visa will have access to the (a) Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, (b) Small
Business Grant Fund and (c) Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.
Kevin Foster:
The Government is committed to ensuring people are not unfairly impacted in terms
of their immigration status as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. To this end, an
individual who holds valid leave under the Turkish EC Association Agreement as a
business person can benefit from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Small
Business Grant Fund and the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme if they meet
the eligibility criteria for those schemes.
HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION
Parliamentary Estate: Art Works
Sir Edward Davey: [57060]
To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of
Commons Commission, whether art depicting (a) former slave owners and (b) people
involved in the slave trade is on display on the Parliamentary Estate.
Pete Wishart:
The Parliamentary Art Collection has been built up by Members over the past 150
years. It documents the history and work of Parliament up to the present day, and
includes portraits, satirical prints and group portraits featuring 17th, 18th and 19th
century parliamentarians who, as predominately wealthy landowners and
businessmen, were often directly involved in, and profited from, slavery and the slave
trade, or came from families who had.
There is no definitive listing of individual MPs with close connections to the trade, but
they will be numerous, and some will be included in artworks on display in
Parliament. The intention of the artworks is not to venerate people who have
supported and committed acts of atrocity, but to truthfully reflect the history of
Parliament, our democracy and the people who played a part in it. In 2007 Parliament
held a large public exhibition in Westminster Hall ‘Abolition, Parliament and the
People’ to reflect on its own role in significantly shaping the progress and
development of the transatlantic slave system through legislation, before responding
to one of the first and most successful public campaigns which called for the abolition
of the trade and then slavery itself. The 1807 Act of Parliament to abolish the British
slave trade was followed in 1833 with the Slavery Abolition Act.
The Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art and the Lord Speaker’s Advisory
Panel on Works of Art supported by the curatorial team are actively working to
improve the diversity of the art collection, both in terms of the people portrayed and
the artists commissioned, to ensure that the Collection reflects and celebrates the
diversity of all who contribute to Parliament. The most recent example is the bust of
Olaudah Equiano, a former enslaved African and abolitionist, which is currently on
display in Portcullis House.
HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Affordable Housing: Construction
Caroline Lucas: [55673]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with
reference to the Answer of 14 May 2020 to Question HL3740, what assessment he has
made of level of resources required to secure delivery of the over 10,000 affordable
homes supported through the Community Housing Fund that can be delivered relatively
quickly once capital funding is made available; if he will make it his policy to provide
bridging funding to enable those projects that are ready to be delivered to get on site by
the Autumn; and if he will make a statement.
Christopher Pincher:
The level of resources required to deliver all of the community-led housebuilding
schemes currently within the Homes England Community Housing Fund Programme
will depend on a range of factors including: the amount of funding already received as
pre-development revenue grant; the tenure mix (including market sale or rent) and
local variations in the build costs of individual schemes.
Recent data from Homes England indicates an average capital grant allocation of
£48,000 per unit and a further revenue grant requirement of £3,500 per unit.
As at May 2020, the Homes England programme has current applications for
schemes anticipating the delivery of 10,780 homes, including 4,347 homes from
applications that have already been allocated revenue or capital funding (or both).
The total grant requirement to deliver the 10,780 homes within the Homes England
programme is therefore likely to be approximately £555 million, of which £12.3 million
has already been paid in revenue grant and £2.5 million paid in capital grant.
The Community Housing Fund closed at the end of March. Where they are
appropriately constituted and registered as providers of social housing (Registered
Provider), community groups may apply for capital funding from the Shared
Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme (SOAHP). Those which are not
registered may apply in partnership with a Registered Provider.
Floods: Property Development
Rachael Maskell: [56048]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
steps he plans to take to prevent the building of new homes (a) in flood risk areas and (b)
on flood plains.
Christopher Pincher:
National planning policy on managing flood risk was last updated in 2018 and is clear
that inappropriate development in areas at current or future risk of flooding should be
avoided by directing development away from areas at highest risk, including
floodplains, towards areas at least risk. Only water compatible or essential
infrastructure developments are allowed in the functional floodplain, where water has
to flow or be stored during times of flood. Where development is necessary in a flood
risk area, and where there are no suitable sites available in areas with a lower risk of
flooding, it should be made safe without increasing flood risk elsewhere and be
appropriately flood resistant and resilient.
As announced in Planning for the Future, We will review our policy for building in
areas at flood risk; this will seek to ensure that communities across the country know
that future development will be safe from floods. We will assess whether current
protections in national planning policy are enough and consider options for further
reform.
Hate Crime
Naz Shah: [57233]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
plans he has to maintain the programmes linked to the Hate Crime Action Plan beyond
2020.
Luke Hall:
The Government is committed to preventing and tackling hate crime and with the
participation of our civil society partners we are considering a range of options to
tackle hate crime beyond the current action plan. In the interim we have ensured that
key hate crime projects remain funded and we have launched a competitive grant
scheme for 2020-21 to support projects related to our hate crime objectives with
funds worth up to £2 million.
High Rise Flats: Insulation
Mike Amesbury: [57348]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with
reference to the oral evidence of the Minister of State to the Housing, Communities and
Local Government Committee on 18 May 2020 on Cladding: progress on remediation,
what the source is for the number of high-risk buildings over 18 metres with flammable
non-ACM cladding referred to by the Minister in his answer to Question 22.
Mike Amesbury: [57349]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant
to the oral evidence of 18 May 2020 from Lord Greenhalgh to the Housing, Communities
and Local Government Committee on Cladding: progress on remediation, Q22, what
proportion of the 1,700 high-risk buildings with flammable non-ACM cladding are (a)
social sector and (b) private sector residential buildings.
Christopher Pincher:
The Department estimates there to be 1,700 residential buildings over 18 metres in
height with potentially unsafe non-ACM cladding. This is a working estimate produced
by MHCLG officials to help with development of the Building Safety Fund. The
estimate is continuously under review as we receive further information from building
owners and local authorities and housing associations as part of the ongoing data
collection exercise to gather information on the external wall systems of high-rise
residential buildings . A refined estimate is due to be published in due course which
will give further breakdowns such as tenure as appropriate and will be informed by
the data we will gather from building owners following opening of registration for the
Building Safety Fund on 1 June 2020.
Homelessness
Barry Gardiner: [57880]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
provision he is making for local authorities to continue the Everyone In campaign to
house and support people who were street homeless.
Luke Hall:
Almost 15,000 vulnerable people, including those who were street homeless, have
been housed in emergency accommodation, including hotels, since the start of the
COVID-19 lockdown period, according to returns from local authorities to MHCLG.
£3.2 billion has been provided to support councils to respond to the coronavirus
pandemic, including supporting homeless people. This is in addition to £3.2 million in
targeted funding for councils to support vulnerable rough sleepers.
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. Here, individuals taken off the streets during the
pandemic can get the support they need to rebuild their lives.
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 over the next 12 months, part of 6,000 in total.
This means in 2020/21 we are providing £606 million to tackle homelessness and
rough sleeping. This marks a £238 million increase in funding from the previous year
and further demonstrates our commitment to assist the most vulnerable in society.
Housing: Immigrants
David Linden: [55003]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with
reference to the Government’s covid-19 recovery strategy, whether he plans to (a) issue
guidance to local authorities on accommodating persons with no recourse to public funds,
(b) list the legislative provisions that local authorities may use to accommodate those
persons and (c) fund local authorities to accommodate those persons.
Mr Simon Clarke:
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
£3.2 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 legal position on those with no recourse to public funds has not been amended,
and the Government expects local authorities to use the funding they have been
provided to support people who are sleeping rough, and to minimise unnecessary
risks to public health, acting within the law.
Integrated Communities Innovation Fund
Naz Shah: [57234]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether
he has plans to extend the Integrated Communities Innovation Fund beyond 2020.
Luke Hall:
We know that the causes of poor integration are complex and we have to admit that it
will take generational change to truly deliver the well-integrated communities that we
want to see. But first we need to know what works.
The Integrated Communities Innovation Fund (2019/20) supported 16 projects to test
innovative approaches to integration and generate important learning on how to
bridge divides and bring communities together.
The purpose of the Innovation Fund was to trial new approaches and address this
evidence gap. In order to understand which interventions have been effective, we
now need to review the findings. A national evaluator will compile this evidence,
which will be shared widely and used to inform future policy.
Local Government Finance: Coronavirus
James Murray: [57398]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether
(a) the £3.2 billion in funding allocated to help local authorities respond to the covid-19
outbreak and (b) any future funding to assist local authorities to support vulnerable
groups during the covid-19 outbreak can be used to accommodate and support people
with (i) conditions attached to their leave and (ii) no leave at all, and who have no
recourse to public funds.
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
£3.2 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.
Local Government Finance: Durham
Mary Kelly Foy: [58072]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
recent assessment he has made of the effect of changes in local authority (a) budgets
and (b) funding formula during the covid-19 outbreak on the capacity of Durham County
Council to maintain services.
Mr Simon Clarke:
We have now made £3.2 billion available to local authorities through an un-
ringfenced grant so they can address pressures they are facing in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Of this, Durham County Council has received £33.15 million.
In total, the Government has committed over £27 billion to local areas to support
councils and their communities. This also includes: £300 million to support the new
test and trace service, £600 million to support providers through a new Infection
Control Fund and £12.3 billion of support through the Small Business Grants Fund
and the Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Grants.
Alongside this funding, the Government has provided over £5 billion of cashflow
support including the deferral of local authority payments of the Central Share of
retained business rates, valued at £2.6 billion, as well as up-front payments of £1.8
billion of business rates reliefs and £850 million of social care grant.
Following the allocation of the £1.6 billion in March, we reviewed the funding formula,
by using monthly data and our conversations with councils to refine our assessment.
To allocate the additional £1.6 billion in April, we used our latest and best
assessment of the distribution of additional COVID-19 pressures.
Local Government: Coronavirus
Rachael Maskell: [54155]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
support he is providing to local authorities to enable them to restructure their local
economies after the covid-19 outbreak.
Mr Simon Clarke:
The Government is working with a range of local growth partners - including local
authorities, mayors and Local Enterprise Partnerships in England - to coordinate our
activity. I chair an Economic Recovery Working Group, providing a forum to bring
together local, regional, and national thinking on recovery and discuss the challenges
affecting different places.
To support this work, the Government has now made £3.2 billion available to local
authorities through an un-ringfenced grant so they can address pressures they are
facing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. MHCLG has also announced a £50
million Reopening High Streets Safely Fund to address the impact of unwinding
economic support schemes, and address scarring in town centres. The 2019
Conservative Manifesto committed to creating a UK Shared Prosperity Fund which
binds together the whole of the United Kingdom, tackling inequality and deprivation in
each of our four nations. Final decisions on the design of the UK Shared Prosperity
Fund will need to be taken after a cross-Government Spending Review, as we
develop a national approach to recovery.
Rachael Maskell: [54157]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with
reference to the covid-19 outbreak, whether his Department plans to review local
authority recovery plans.
Mr Simon Clarke:
As the Government eases the social distancing guidelines, MHCLG is engaging with
all local authorities in England to understand their readiness for restarting the
economy, and to provide support where possible.
We have written to all local authorities to encourage them to take the lead in
restarting their local areas and officials continue to engage with all local authorities to
discuss their preparations for restarting their local economies, and will be holding
follow-up conversations with groups of authorities to acquire intelligence, collate
examples of best practice, and to provide further support.
Following successful meetings with Greater Manchester, Liverpool and the West
Midlands, MHCLG Ministers are continuing with a small series of Regional
Stocktakes as case studies across England which are providing insight into the
challenges that apply across all local areas.
Government has now made £3.2 billion available to local authorities through an un-
ringfenced grant so they can address pressures they are facing in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic. The package recognises the additional costs and pressures on
finances councils are facing as a result of the current crisis. It demonstrates the
Government’s commitment to making sure councils have the resources they need to
support their communities through this challenging time.
In addition, the Economic Recovery Working Group provides a forum to bring
together local, regional, and national thinking on recovery, and will facilitate close
coordination as the Government’s own recovery planning develops. We recognise
that it is crucial to bring the expertise and geographic diversity of local government to
bear on those discussions.
Mr Stephen Morgan: [55004]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
steps the Government is taking to ensure that local areas that experience a second spike
in relation to covid-19 receive additional funding to tackle that spike.
Mr Simon Clarke:
The government has put together an unprecedented package, committing over £27
billion to local areas, to ensure all councils and their communities have the resources
they need to continue fighting the coronavirus pandemic. This includes £3.2 billion
made available to councils so they can address pressures they are facing in
response to the covid-19 pandemic. This funding is un-ringfenced, recognising local
authorities are best placed to decide how to meet the major covid-19 service
pressures in their local area.
We will continue to work with local government over the coming weeks to ensure we
have a collective understanding of the costs they are facing.
Mr Stephen Morgan: [55005]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
support his Department plans to provide to local authorities that will be required to
implement local lockdowns as a result of a second spike in covid-19.
Mr Simon Clarke:
My Department has been working with the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) and the
Department of Health and Social Care to develop a framework for the local
management of further outbreaks. In addition, all upper tier local authorities have
been asked to develop local outbreak control plans based on the existing statutory
responsibilities of their Directors of Public Health. The Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government , alongside other relevant Departments, is
considering whether further powers are required for local authorities to manage future
outbreaks in line with these plans.
Mr Stephen Morgan: [55006]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
steps the Government is taking to ensure coordination between local authorities in a
region in the event that local lockdowns are required at regional level.
Mr Simon Clarke:
My Department has been working with the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) and the
Department of Health and Social Care to develop a framework for the local
management of further outbreaks. In addition, all upper tier local authorities have
been asked to develop local outbreak control plans based on the existing statutory
responsibilities of their Directors of Public Health. The Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government , alongside other relevant Departments, is
considering whether further powers are required for local authorities to manage future
outbreaks in line with these plans.
Mr Stephen Morgan: [55007]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, who will
hold the decision-making power over local lockdowns in the event that an area without an
elected Mayor that experiences a second spike of covid-19.
Mr Simon Clarke:
My Department has been working with the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) and the
Department of Health and Social Care to develop a framework for the local
management of further outbreaks. In addition, all upper tier local authorities have
been asked to develop local outbreak control plans based on the existing statutory
responsibilities of their Directors of Public Health. The Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government, alongside other relevant Departments, is
considering whether further powers are required for local authorities to manage future
outbreaks in line with these plans.
Mr Stephen Morgan: [55008]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the
Government's definition is of a geographical location in the event that local lockdowns are
required.
Mr Simon Clarke:
My Department has been working with the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) and the
Department of Health and Social Care to develop a framework for the local
management of further outbreaks. In addition, all upper tier local authorities have
been asked to develop local outbreak control plans based on the existing statutory
responsibilities of their Directors of Public Health. The Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government, alongside other relevant Departments, is
considering whether further powers are required for local authorities to manage future
outbreaks in line with these plans.
Seema Malhotra: [55685]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
assessment he has made of the ability of people who are shielding to access existing
support for accessing (a) food, (b) medicines, (c) other essentials.
Christopher Pincher:
The Government has established an outbound call centre to proactively call people
who have not yet registered to confirm their support needs. Up to 200,000 calls a day
have been made at peak volumes. The shielding programme was set up at an
unprecedented speed in March to help clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
access support, including food, basic supplies and medicines. Anyone who has an
NHS or GP letter advising them they need to shield, and has registered as having no
other means of accessing food, has been eligible for a Government parcel containing
food and essential supplies to be delivered to their home. For those who have
requested support, we have delivered over 2.5 million food packages to those at
highest risk across England, and an NHS Medicine Delivery Service is available from
community pharmacies and dispensing doctors where family, friends or volunteers
cannot collect prescriptions. In April alone community pharmacies provided over
400,000 free medicine deliveries to shielding individuals. Additionally, the Department
works closely with local authorities so that they can also adequately support their
shielding population.
Seema Malhotra: [55687]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what (a)
financial, (b) emotional an (c) additional support the Government plans to provide to
people (i) who are shielding, (ii) who live with people who are shielding and (iii) identified
as clinically vulnerable when the family members and volunteers they rely on return to
work as lockdown restrictions are lifted during the covid-19 outbreak.
Christopher Pincher:
The Government launched the shielding programme in March to help clinically
extremely vulnerable individuals get food parcels, basic supplies and put them in
contact with local services and volunteers to provide social and emotional support.
The Government will continue to provide the support that the shielded in our
communities need. We will continue with our package of financial support, including
the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Income Support Package until October and
Statutory Sick Pay. In line with the current public health advice, those living with
shielding people are not advised to shield themselves, and should follow social
distancing guidance, remaining alert and safe.
Mary Kelly Foy: [58073]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
discussions he has had with local authority leaders on the implementation of regional
covid-19 lockdowns.
Mr Simon Clarke:
My Department has been working with the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) and the
Department of Health and Social Care to develop a framework for the local
management of further outbreaks. In addition, all upper tier local authorities have
been asked to develop local outbreak control plans based on the existing statutory
responsibilities of their Directors of Public Health. The Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government, alongside other relevant departments, is
considering whether further powers are required for local authorities to manage future
outbreaks in line with these plans.
Local Government: Equality
Rachael Maskell: [54951]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
instructions he has issued to local authorities on undertaking a race equality audit.
Mr Simon Clarke:
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has not issued any
guidance on this issue.
We are aware that the Government's Race Disparity Unit (RDU) is currently in
dialogue with several city councils and local authorities across the North, the
Midlands and the South, to support their endeavours to replicate the Race Disparity
Audit model. They are keen to see how their data can be used to identify and act on
areas of local challenge. Through these collaborations the RDU is also seeking to
improve the quality and range of local authority data to support its analysis of regional
variances.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Ministers' Private
Offices
Grahame Morris: [57947]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how
many Private Office staff by grade were deemed to be carrying out essential work that
required their daily physical attendance in 2 Marsham Street (a) before and (b) after
Parliament’s Whitsun recess.
Grahame Morris: [57948]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how
many Private Office staff by grade were deemed to be carrying out essential work that
required their physical attendance in 2 Marsham Street on some days of the week (a)
before and (b) after Parliament’s Whitsun recess.
Luke Hall:
In line with guidance from the Cabinet Office, a very small number of officials are
voluntarily undertaking essential work in 2 Marsham Street on some days of the week
As the number of officials is so small, it would not be appropriate to identify them by
grade.
Parking: Private Sector
Andrew Rosindell: [54017]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
steps he has taken to encourage private car park operators to (a) lower and (b) scrap
their fares during the covid-19 outbreak.
Mr Simon Clarke:
While the private parking industry is currently self-regulating, government has been
collaborating closely with the industry during the response to the COVID-19
(Coronavirus) outbreak. The private parking appeals services voluntarily suspended
processing new appeals, meaning that parking operators are unable to pursue
charges against a motorist while an appeal has been registered. Many operators
have offered free car parking to NHS workers in private car parks, and government
has been working with operators, active travel firms and businesses to explore how
car parking can be used to promote cycling and walking as part of the recovery effort.
Planning: Reform
Mr Laurence Robertson: [57899]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he
expects to introduce a White Paper on Planning Reform.
Christopher Pincher:
As set out in Planning for the Future published at the Budget in March, we will be
publishing a bold and ambitious planning White Paper which will aim to make the
planning system clearer, more accessible and more certain for all users. The White
Paper will be published later this year.
Racial Discrimination
Naz Shah: [57235]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how
much funding his Department allocates from the public purse to tackling racism each
year; and what proportion of his Department's resources has been allocated to race
equality in 2019-2020.
Luke Hall:
All forms of hate crime are completely unacceptable and tackling racially motivated
hate crime remains a priority for this government.
MHCLG paid approximately £219,00 to projects specifically to target racism in the
financial year 19/20. These include Show Racism the Red Card and the Anne Frank
Trust who work with young people across the country to challenge prejudice and
discrimination. We are also supporting Kick It Out to tackle racism in sport and have
confirmed funding for the Kingston Race Equality Council to improve support for
victims of racially motivated hatred nationally.
In addition to this, 2019 saw the first provision of an annual £500,000 grant to support
Windrush Day celebrations. This annual grant will be providing £500,000 to a further
49 projects this year. Government has also committed to spending a total of £1
million on the Windrush monument, which will be placed in London Waterloo Station.
We are committed to continue promoting shared values among people of all
backgrounds through sustainable social integration and meaningful civic participation,
whilst tackling and preventing religiously and racially discriminatory behaviour. To
support this, we have launched a competitive grant scheme for 2020-21 to support
projects in this space, with a budget of up to £2 million.
Regeneration: Urban Areas
Rachael Maskell: [54152]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
steps he is taking support the redesign and regeneration of the high street after the covid-
19 outbreak.
Mr Simon Clarke:
Government appreciates that all high streets, big or small, are a crucial part of our
communities and local economies, creating jobs, nurturing small businesses and
injecting billions of pounds into our economy. We want to see fruitful hubs where
people live, shop, use services, and spend their leisure time, and that includes a
welcoming and safe night-time economy.
Government recognises that this is a challenging time for everyone in the country and
COVID-19 is having a significant impact on our high streets and town centres. That is
why we have provided a £330 biilion package of support for businesses in recognition
of the disruption caused by Covid-19. This support builds on an ongoing programme
of initiatives put in place to support our high streets and town centres in the long term,
including:
• An accelerated £1 billion Future High Streets Fund as part of the £3.6 billion Towns
Fund to support local areas in England to renew and reshape town centres and
high streets;
• The High Streets Task Force, supporting local leaders in their work revitalising their
high streets and town centres by providing proactive support to local areas to
develop data-driven innovative strategies and connect local areas to relevant
experts;
• Permitted development rights to support change of use on the high street.
On 25 May, government announced a new £50 million fund, Reopening High Streets
Safely Fund. Councils across England will share the additional funding to support the
safe reopening of high streets and other commercial areas. The money will allow
local authorities to put in place additional measures to establish a safe trading
environment for businesses and customers, particularly in high streets. Expenditure
for reimbursement under this grant will be eligible from 1 June 2020 and the project
will run to the end of March 2021. This funding comes on top of the Government’s
comprehensive package of support for business and workers during the economic
emergency.
Religious Buildings: Coronavirus
Preet Kaur Gill: [55108]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
scientific advice he has received on the safe reopening of places or worship, and if he will
publish that advice.
Luke Hall:
The Government is working to publish evidence documents and studies, including
from Public Health England, which have formed the basis of SAGE’s discussions and
advice to Ministers, regularly, and will publish more evidence in the coming weeks.
Schools: Community Relations
Naz Shah: [57232]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with
reference to the recommendations made in the Integrated Communities Strategy green
paper published by his Department on 14 March 2018 on social mixing for children from
different backgrounds, what steps he is taking to improve social mixing between pupils of
different ethnicities in schools in line with those recommendations.
Luke Hall:
We set out an ambitious programme of actions in our Integrated Communities Action
Plan to support the education sector to drive forward integration, as part of a cross-
government commitment to building strong integrated communities
We recognise the important role that young people play in this agenda and the
significance of forging meaningful connections and relationships with people from
different backgrounds. As part of this, we committed to working with the National
Citizen Service Trust and DCMS to support social mixing opportunities for young
people in areas of high segregation. We are also continuing to work with DfE to
support the National Schools Linking Programme.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Developing Countries: Coronavirus
Matt Western: [56115]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has
had with her counterparts overseas on raising financial support for developing nations to
tackle the covid-19 pandemic.
Wendy Morton:
The Coronavirus outbreak is the biggest global crisis in a generation. This calls for
decisive and co-ordinated action to respond to the global health, economic and
humanitarian implications, especially to support the poorest and most vulnerable.
The UK is playing a leading role in galvanising international action and unlocking
timely financial support – both direct UK support and through the UN and the wider
multilateral system. The UK is also using its voice and influence in key international
forums such as the G7 and G20 - for example, helping secure agreement in the G20
to suspend all debt repayments for the poorest and most vulnerable countries until
the end of 2020. The Secretary of State and I also work closely with our counterparts
in other major donor countries including the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy,
Japan and Australia to encourage funds to be made available as quickly as possible
to where the risks and needs are greatest.
The UK is bringing others with us to raise much-needed financial support. For
example, at the UK-hosted Global Vaccine Summit on 4 June world leaders,
foundations, the private sector and civil society pledged $8.8 billion to help Gavi, the
Vaccine Alliance, to address the short and long-term challenges posed by the
pandemic.
Developing Countries: Ventilators
Wendy Chamberlain: [57377]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department
is taking to support developing countries to increase the number of ventilators available
during the covid-19 pandemic.
Wendy Morton:
The UK is at the forefront of the global response to COVID-19. We are using UK aid
to its full effect to counter the health, humanitarian, and economic risks and impact of
this pandemic in the developing world. We have committed up to £764 million of UK
Aid to combat COVID-19 and reinforce the global effort to find a vaccine.
Our funding is supporting a range of initiatives and partners to ensure it can reach
those who need it the most. This includes £75 million for the World Health
Organisation (WHO) to help lead international efforts to stop the spread of the virus
and access critical medical supplies; £55 million to International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement appeals to provide medical supplies and equipment to hospitals
and clinics, and build quarantine areas and disinfection facilities; and a range of
support to NGOs.
The WHO and UNICEF are working with governments to identify requirements and
ensure that supplies, including the critical medical equipment for oxygen therapy,
reach those in need.
Occupied Territories: Coronavirus
Alex Cunningham: [57195]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department
is taking to support the covid-19 response in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Dr Philippa Whitford: [57226]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent steps her
Department has taken to help support the Occupied Palestinian Territories' response to
the covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Philippa Whitford: [57227]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment her
Department has made of the capacity of Gaza’s health system to respond effectively to
the covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Philippa Whitford: [57228]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment her
Department has made of the availability of (a) testing kits, (b) personal protective
equipment and (c) hygiene supplies necessary to contain the covid-19 pandemic in Gaza.
Dr Philippa Whitford: [57229]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent steps her
Department has taken to help prevent the spread of covid-19 in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories.
Layla Moran: [57341]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department
has taken to support (a) healthcare services and (b) disease prevention in Gaza since the
covid-19 outbreak.
James Cleverly:
The UN assesses that although the current number of detected cases remains
relatively low in Gaza and the West Bank, the capacity of the Palestinian health
system to cope with an increase in COVID-19 cases is poor, including the low
availability of PPE and ventilators. The situation is particularly severe in Gaza, where
the health system has shortages in specialised staff, drugs and equipment.
The UK has pledged £764 million to support the global humanitarian response to
COVID-19. We have delivered additional vital support in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories by providing funding to the World Health Organization and UNICEF to
purchase and co-ordinate the delivery of medical equipment, treat critical care
patients, train frontline public health personnel and scale up laboratory testing
capacity. I also recently announced £20 million in new funding, which will help the
Palestinian Authority support its health workers who have been on the frontline
battling coronavirus.
World Health Organisation: Overseas Aid
John Spellar: [55858]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much funding was
allocated from (a) the UK Government public purse and (b) other countries to the World
Health Organisation in 2019.
Wendy Morton:
The UK is the third biggest donor to the WHO, giving £120 million per annum on
average. We do not routinely keep data on funding allocated by other countries. The
World Health Organization holds this information.
Yemen: Coronavirus
Sarah Champion: [57221]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has
had with her international counterparts on the provision of additional funding to slow the
spread of covid-19 in Yemen.
James Cleverly:
Over the last month the International Development Secretary and I have held several
calls with our counterparts, including from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, to
stress the importance of donors providing additional funds to the humanitarian
response in Yemen.
UK officials have also held similar discussions with their counterparts around the
world.
The UK announced our new pledge of £160 million in humanitarian funding for
Yemen in the 2020/21 financial year at the Yemen Pledging Conference on 2 June,
taking our total commitment since the conflict began to £970 million.
We will continue to encourage further funding from other donors over the coming
months.
Kenny MacAskill: [57385]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proportion of the
Government’s £160 million humanitarian aid package for Yemen is being allocated to
help the covid-19 pandemic response in that country.
James Cleverly:
The UK announced our new pledge of £160 million in humanitarian funding for
Yemen in the 2020/21 financial year at the Yemen Pledging Conference on 2 June, of
which 32% has already been disbursed.
The package as a whole will help tackle the wide-ranging, direct and indirect impacts
of COVID-19 in Yemen which are already exacerbating a dire humanitarian crisis.
Our support will also specifically provide over 700,000 medical consultations, train
12,000 healthcare workers to work safely in a COVID-19 environment and provide a
much-needed boost to nearly 4,000 health centres.
Kenny MacAskill: [57386]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps he is taking to
ensure that some of the Government’s £160 million humanitarian aid package for Yemen
is used to stop the spread of covid-19 in communities on both sides of the conflict; and
what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using UN-backed Yemeni-led
frameworks established by (a) the International Initiative on COVID-19 in Yemen and (b)
other private sector organisations to deliver aid to both sides.
Kenny MacAskill: [57387]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her
Department has made of the potential merits of collaborating with (a) the International
Initiative on covid-19 in Yemen and (b) other UN-backed Yemeni-led frameworks
established by the private sector to support the WHO’s response to the covid-19
pandemic in Yemen, in order to distribute the £160 million humanitarian aid package
announced by the Government on 2 June 2020.
James Cleverly:
The UK announced our new pledge of £160 million in humanitarian funding for
Yemen in the 2020/21 financial year at the Yemen Pledging Conference on 2 June.
As part of this commitment, the UK will support the UN’s plans to tackle the spread of
COVID-19 in Yemen and expects to provide over 700,000 medical consultations,
train 12,000 healthcare workers to work safely in a COVID-19 environment and
provide a much-needed boost to nearly 4,000 health centres to continue providing
existing health services.
In addition, the UK is also supporting the Yemeni Private Sector Cluster, which in
April sourced a vital shipment of COVID-19 related supplies and equipment for
Yemen.
Yemen: Humanitarian Aid
Sarah Champion: [57219]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the
Government’s announcement of 2 June 2020 on a new £160 million humanitarian aid
package for Yemen, what (a) public health expertise and (b) medical equipment the
Government is planning to provide to the Yemen under that aid package to help tackle
the ongoing humanitarian crisis in that country; and whether her Department has made
an assessment of the potential merits of using the UN-backed International Initiative on
COVID-19 in Yemen to deliver such resources.
James Cleverly:
As part of our £160 million commitment in humanitarian funding for Yemen in the
2020/21 financial year, the UK expects to provide over 700,000 medical
consultations, train 12,000 healthcare workers to work safely in a COVID-19
environment and provide a much-needed boost to nearly 4,000 health centres to
continue providing existing health services.
The UK also continues to engage closely the World Health Organisation (WHO) and
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), including through advice and support, to
help them with their COVID-19 response in Yemen.
We are also working with the British NGO UK Med to explore the possibility of
seconding medical experts to support the UN’s COVID-19 response.
Sarah Champion: [57220]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment the
Government has made of the potential merits of providing (a) financial assistance and (b)
medical supplies to (i) the UN-backed International Initiative on COVID-19 in Yemen and
(ii) UN-backed Yemeni-led frameworks established to support the WHO’s response to the
covid-19 pandemic in Yemen.
James Cleverly:
The UK announced our new pledge of £160 million in humanitarian funding for
Yemen in the 2020/21 financial year at the Yemen Pledging Conference on 2 June.
As part of this commitment, the UK will support the UN’s plans to tackle the spread of
COVID-19 in Yemen and expects to provide over 700,000 medical consultations,
train 12,000 healthcare workers to work safely in a COVID-19 environment, and
provide a much-needed boost to nearly 4,000 health centres to continue providing
existing health services.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Chile: Arms Trade
Owen Thompson: [58019]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the Government invited
representatives of the Republic of Chile to an arms and surveillance fair in Farnborough
in March 2020.
Graham Stuart:
Representatives of the Republic of Chile were invited to the Home Office Security
and Policing 2020 event, at Farnborough in March 2020, by the Department for
International Trade’s Defence and Security Organisation. They did not attend.
Coronavirus: Travel Information
Anthony Mangnall: [55039]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what plans her Department has to
explore UK labelling approaches that could be used to promote the standards of
agricultural import produce.
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
HM Government is committed to world-class food standards. We will consider the full
range of measures available to maintain our current levels of protection for
consumers and the environment – and enhance consumer choice, including the
possibility of labelling, where appropriate. In doing so, we will respect our WTO
obligations to make sure that any technical regulations do not create unnecessary
obstacles to international trade. British food regulators, such as the Food Standards
Agency, will continue to make sure that all food imports comply with British
standards.
Department for International Trade: Carers
Sir Edward Davey: [57068]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many staff in her Department
had caring responsibilities in each of the last five years.
Greg Hands:
The Department for International Trade is committed to supporting those members of
our workforce with caring responsibilities. Building a diverse and inclusive department
continues to be a key priority. For carers specifically we adopted the Civil Service
Carers Passport and aligned our policies to the Civil Service Carers Charter
developed by Cabinet Office. We also have policies to support flexible working and
provide access to special leave and career breaks. All employees have access to our
Employee Assistance Programme and we have active employee networks for carers
and parents.
We do not hold data centrally on how many staff in the department have a specific
caring responsibility as arrangements are managed locally between the individuals
and their line manager.
Ferries
Mick Whitley: [57373]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to P&O Ferries'
proposed 1,100 redundancies, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State
for Transport on the protection of strategically vital roll-on roll-off ferry services from UK
ports.
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
The Rt. Hon Secretary of State has had frequent engagement with her cabinet
colleagues with regards to the economic response to Covid-19.
Overseas Trade: Israel
James Murray: [56192]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether compliance with the
technical arrangements of the EU-Israel Association Agreement is replicated in the UK-
Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement which will enter into force at the end of the
transition period.
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
All committee decisions made within the framework of the European Union-Israel
Association Agreement were carried across into the United Kingdom-Israel Trade and
Partnership Agreement, which will enter into force after the end of the Transition
Period on 1st January 2021.
Riot Control Weapons: USA
Sir George Howarth: [55662]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish (a) a list of all
current export licenses to the US of riot control projectiles and equipment including (i)
who has purchased those items and (ii) their declared purpose; and if she will (A)
suspend all existing licenses and (B) halt any new licenses for the export of riot control
projectiles and equipment to the US if it is determined that such equipment is being used
in the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests.
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have been
sorry to see the violence that has taken place in the United States of America.
All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the
Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated
Criteria’). In reaching a decision, the Department for International Trade receives
advice from a number of Departments including the Ministry of Defence and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Together, we draw on all available information,
including reports from NGOs and our diplomatic missions. The Consolidated Criteria
provides a thorough risk assessment framework and requires us to think hard about
the impact of exporting any equipment. These are not decisions my Department
takes lightly, and we will not license the export of items where to do so would be
inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria.
Any licence granted by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International
Trade may be subject to conditions. In addition, in line with the Consolidated Criteria,
my Department is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary –
when circumstances require. There are currently eight extant licences that may be
linked to law enforcement agencies. Six are Open Individual Export Licences
(‘OIELs’), which have potential end users that include law enforcement agencies.
Two are Standard Individual Export Licences (‘SIELs’), which have numerous
potential end users that include law enforcement agencies. There are also 15 Open
General Licences (‘OGLs’) for which businesses can register that cover the export of
anti-riot gear.
Much information is in the public domain already. We publish information on all export
licences issued, refused and revoked on a quarterly and annual basis as official
statistics on GOV.UK – at: gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-
licensing-data – and whilst data on actual exports is not required to be centrally held,
the licences issued until the end of December 2019 are available.
Sir Mark Hendrick: [55882]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if he will immediately suspend the
export of (a) tear gas, (b) rubber bullets and (c) riot shields to the United States, following
the murder of George Floyd.
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have been
sorry to see the violence that has taken place in the United States of America.
All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the
Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated
Criteria’). In reaching a decision, the Department for International Trade receives
advice from a number of Departments including the Ministry of Defence and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Together, we draw on all available information,
including reports from NGOs and our diplomatic missions. The Consolidated Criteria
provides a thorough risk assessment framework and requires us to think hard about
the impact of exporting any equipment. These are not decisions my Department
takes lightly, and we will not license the export of items where to do so would be
inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria.
Any licence granted by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International
Trade may be subject to conditions. In addition, in line with the Consolidated Criteria,
my Department is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary –
when circumstances require. There are currently eight extant licences that may be
linked to law enforcement agencies. Six are Open Individual Export Licences
(‘OIELs’), which have potential end users that include law enforcement agencies.
Two are Standard Individual Export Licences (‘SIELs’), which have numerous
potential end users that include law enforcement agencies. There are also 15 Open
General Licences (‘OGLs’) for which businesses can register that cover the export of
anti-riot gear.
Much information is in the public domain already. We publish information on all export
licences issued, refused and revoked on a quarterly and annual basis as official
statistics on GOV.UK – at: gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-
licensing-data – and whilst data on actual exports is not required to be centrally held,
the licences issued until the end of December 2019 are available.
Trade Agreements: Higher Education
Alicia Kearns: [58105]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the export of UK higher
education is a priority sector in future trade negotiations; and whether (a) research
collaboration and (b) student exchanges will be included in those negotiations.
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
The Department for International Trade (DIT) recognises that higher education is a
significant export for the United Kingdom, bringing value in the collaboration and
partnerships they foster, and helping to forge deep global relationships. These
underpin opportunities for the United Kingdom and our international partners to
develop, trade and work together.
HM Government is exploring to what extent our trade negotiations could support
trade in education services. This may include collaboration in science, research and
innovation as appropriate. DIT will continue to work across government and with
other interested parties to make sure our trade negotiations represent the sector’s
interests.
JUSTICE
Courts
Alex Cunningham: [57200]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the oral evidence of the Lord
Chief Justice to the Justice Select Committee on 14 May 2020, whether he plans to
reopen all courts by the end of June 2020.
Chris Philp:
During oral evidence given to the Justice Select Committee on 14 May, the Lord
Chief Justice advised the panel of an intention to reopen sites by the end of June,
subject to a number of logistical issues.
We continue to work closely with the judiciary to reopen courts when it is safe to do
so, and in line with public health guidance. Plans for the reopening of each court are
subject to the necessary assessment of operational readiness, which is available
here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-courts-and-tribunals-planning-
and-preparation#assessing-and-managing-coronavirus-risk
Since the beginning of June 2020, HM Courts and Tribunals (HMCTS) has reopened
over 20 sites and we will continue to work with the judiciary and public health bodies
to reopen more in the coming weeks.
Courts and Tribunals
Alex Cunningham: [57201]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many cases were heard in (a) family
courts, (b) civil courts, (c) magistrates courts, (d) crown courts, and (e) tribunals, in each
month in 2019.
Chris Philp:
Please find attached Annex A showing data on how many cases were heard in (a)
family courts, (b) civil courts, (c) magistrates courts and (d) crown courts in each
month in 2019.
In addition, please find Annex B showing data on how many cases were heard in (e)
tribunals, in each month in 2019. Data relating to this annex looks at the three large
tribunals: Immigration & Asylum, Employment Tribunals and Social Security and
Child Support, and those special tribunals where we can supply a monthly breakdown
of the data held in the published stats. There are other tribunals where this level of
detail not currently available.
Attachments:
1. Annex A - 57201 [Annex A - PQ 57201 data.pdf]
2. Annex B - 57201 [Annex B - PQ 57201.pdf]
Alex Cunningham: [57202]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many cases were heard in (a) family
courts, (b) civil courts, (c) magistrates courts, (d) crown courts, and (e) tribunals in each
month in 2020.
Chris Philp:
please find attached Annex A showing data on how many cases were heard in (a)
family courts, (b) civil courts, (c) magistrates courts and (d) crown courts in each
month in 2020.
Jan-Mar 2020 cases heard has been provided for civil. Parts a, c, d plus April
onwards for part b are not yet published so cannot be provided.
In addition, please find Annex B showing on how many cases were heard in (e)
tribunals, in each month in 2020. Data relating to this annex looks at the three large
tribunals: Immigration & Asylum, Employment Tribunals and Social Security and
Child Support, and those special tribunals where we can supply a monthly breakdown
of the data held in the published stats. There are other tribunals where this level of
detail not currently available.
Jan-Mar 2020 cases heard has been provided for civil. Parts a, c, d plus April
onwards for part b are not yet published so cannot be provided
Attachments:
1. Annex A - 57202 [Annex A - PQ 57202 data.pdf]
2. Annex B - 57202 [Annex B - PQ 57202.pdf]
Alex Cunningham: [57203]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many cases were adjourned in (a) family
courts, (b) civil courts, (c) magistrates courts, (d) crown courts, and (e) tribunals in each
month in 2019.
Chris Philp:
Please find attached Annex A which shows data for the First Tier Tribunal
(Immigration and Asylum Chamber), Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum
Chamber), Social Security and Child Support, Mental Health, and Special
Educational Needs and Disability, MoJ publishes figures on adjournments as part of
national statistics.
For Magistrates’ courts and Crown Courts, figures on adjournments are not collated
but figures on vacated form part of the newly published weekly stats. Comprehensive
figures for adjournments are not held for other tribunals and the family and civil
courts.
Attachments:
1. Annex A - 57203 [Annex A PQ57203 data.pdf]
Courts: Coronavirus
Mary Glindon: [57975]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether workplace risk assessments were (a)
shared and (b) agreed with staff unions before the decision to reopen courts was taken;
and if he will make a statement.
Chris Philp:
As a Government, we have outlined the risks posed by the COVID-19 virus, and the
control measures required to avoid exposure and transmission. In parallel, we have
been clear that the work of the justice system must continue throughout the prevailing
public health emergency. Accordingly, it has been necessary to keep some courts
and tribunal buildings open, and we are working hard to open more so long as that
can be achieved safely.
HMCTS is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all staff, members
of the judiciary and visitors to its sites, as far as it is reasonably practical whilst they
are on the premises.
In order to aid implementation of the required control measures, and to monitor and
assure ourselves of compliance, we developed and implemented an assessment tool
to be carried out in each of our open sites.
The tool was developed in consultation with trade union health and safety
representatives. The finalised tool was issued to each site, with instruction that it
should wherever possible be completed in conjunction and consultation with a Trade
Union representative. I understand that wherever possible our officials did conduct
those assessments with trade union colleagues, and continue to do so as the results
are regularly reviewed.
We are confident that our open sites are safe, and can confirm risk assessments will
be available to be shared on request very soon.
Mary Glindon: [57976]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information on assessed risks from covid-
19 in courts was shared with staff unions before jury trials restarted; and if he will make a
statement.
Chris Philp:
A judicial led Jury Trials Working Group (JTWG) was set up to establish ways in
which jury trials can be commenced safely. The JTWG developed a Crown Court
Jury Trial checklist which was discussed with the Departmental Trade Union Side
(DTUS) on 30 April and a copy shared with them on 4 May. Completed risk
assessments were shared with the DTUS before the first jury trials resumed on 18
May.
Courts: Opening Hours
Alex Cunningham: [57972]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to publish the evaluation of the
Flexible Operating Hours pilot scheme.
Alex Cunningham: [57973]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many participants there were in the
Flexible Operating Hours pilot scheme.
Alex Cunningham: [57974]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many participants in the Flexible Operating
Hours pilot scheme were (a) female and (b) from a Black, Minority and Ethnic
background.
Chris Philp:
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 report will be published following completion, in the autumn.
The evaluation is being conducted as set out in the evaluation plan, published July
2019: Data has been collected on the number of cases heard in Flexible Operating
Hours sessions rather than on numbers of participants. Public user surveys
distributed to all participants in an FOH sessions contained 19 optional questions
related to equality and diversity. This information is being collected by the
independent evaluators and will inform their final report.
Courts: Wales
Jessica Morden: [57129]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the backlog of cases involving serious
criminal offences was in the Crown Courts in (a) Wales (b) Gwent for each month from
June 2019 to June 2020.
Chris Philp:
This information is not held separately for Gwent as the Crown in Newport is
administered from Cardiff.
Total outstanding serious offences in the Crown Court
MONTH WALES
June 545
July 502
August 511
September 461
MONTH WALES
October 437
November 418
December 402
Jessica Morden: [57131]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the backlog of cases relating to the
possession and supply of drugs was in the (a) Crown Courts and (b) Magistrates' Courts
in (i) Wales (ii) Gwent for each month from June 2019 to June 2020.
Chris Philp:
This information for the Crown Court is not held separately for Gwent as the Crown
Court in Newport is administered from Cardiff.
MONTH
WALES OUTSTANDING
DRUG OFFENCES IN
CROWN COURT
WALES OUTSTANDING
DRUG OFFENCES IN THE
MAGISTRATES’ COURT
GWENT OUTSTANDING
DRUG OFFENCES IN THE
MAGISTRATES’ COURT
June 198 342 41
July 186 325 30
August 173 309 30
September 159 316 34
October 182 328 56
November 183 298 25
December 171 313 27
HM Courts and Tribunals Service: Coronavirus
Mary Glindon: [57977]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the adequacy
of availability of personal protective equipment for HM Courts and Tribunal Service staff
who are not able to socially distance in the workplace during the covid-19 outbreak; and if
he will make a statement.
Chris Philp:
HM Courts & Tribunals Service has comprehensively assessed the risk to its staff
and users. We have published and implemented safety controls to help prevent the
spread of Covid-19.
Face coverings are available on request for staff, judges and jurors. Personal
protective equipment (PPE) is available to staff where local assessments show that
this is necessary. In line with Government guidance, PPE will be reserved for those
most at risk of close contact through their workplace, such as security officers
involved in interventions, fire-marshals and first-aiders.
We are keeping the use and distribution of PPE under close review and we will
continue to ensure that we comply with Government guidance.
Legal Aid Scheme: Asylum
Karl Turner: [R] [57186]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many civil legal aid claims for asylum
appeal cases exceeded the escape fee from legal aid providers in (a) London and (b)
England and Wales.
Alex Chalk:
FINANCIAL YEAR LONDON ESCAPE CLAIMS ALL ESCAPE CLAIMS
2016-17 415 469
2017-18 462 507
2018-19 528 600
2019-20* 347 404
*Please note: The figures for the year 2019-20 covers only the months April to
December 2019.
Magistrates: Video Conferencing
Preet Kaur Gill: [58048]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many video hearings were conducted by
magistrates courts in each of the last three months.
Chris Philp:
The estimated number of video hearings conducted in the Magistrates’ Courts in the
last three months is:
APRIL 2020 5,298
May 2020 20,845
June 2020 (to 11 th June 2020) 9,114
This data is manually collated each day and reported by individual courts and must
be considered in that light with all the inherent risks in relation to possible input errors
and missed submissions.
Prison Accommodation
Munira Wilson: [57390]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate his Department has made of the
number of prisoners sharing cells in each prison in each of the last three months.
Munira Wilson: [57392]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he has taken to reduce the level of
sharing of prison bedrooms during the covid-19 outbreak.
Lucy Frazer:
We are implementing our compartmentalisation strategy (isolating the symptomatic;
quarantining new arrivals; and shielding the vulnerable) in the prison estate. The
latest PHE modelling indicates this strategy has shown early signs of success. We
are increasing headroom in the prison estate to better enable prisons to implement
compartmentalisation and reduce the number of prisoners sharing cells. This has
been actioned through a combination of the early release of low-risk offenders,
provision of temporary accommodation and expediting remand hearings to reduce
the unsentenced population.
We are installing over 1,000 temporary cells to increase space and help reduce the
spread of the virus. These units are being placed where there are the highest number
of shared cells, a lack of in-cell sanitation and where there are high numbers of
vulnerable prisoners. We have also opened an Annex at HMP/YOI Rochester to hold
up to 70 men.
Upon arrival into custody, all prisoners’ suitability to share a cell is risk assessed.
These assessments are based on numerous factors including health concerns.
The table below identifies the number of prisoners, broken down by establishment,
sharing cells holding two or more people as at 27 March, 24 April and 29 May 2020.
The detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale
recording system
TOTAL NUMBER OF PRISONERS SHARING CELLS
Prison Mar-20 Apr-20 May-20
Altcourse 731 688 684
Ashfield 150 150 152
Askham Grange 67 68 0
Aylesbury 0 0 0
TOTAL NUMBER OF PRISONERS SHARING CELLS
Bedford 268 250 242
Belmarsh 426 467 476
Berwyn 1,164 1,098 1,056
Birmingham 587 479 582
Brinsford 254 256 290
Bristol 230 221 217
Brixton 610 536 532
Bronzefield 138 120 104
Buckley Hall 88 80 72
Bullingdon 750 699 737
Bure 38 14 10
Cardiff 420 408 398
Channings Wood 94 62 44
Chelmsford 350 322 302
Coldingley 40 24 0
Cookham Wood 0 0 0
Dartmoor 0 0 0
Deerbolt 14 16 14
Doncaster 775 755 760
Dovegate 226 218 224
Downview 0 0 0
Drake Hall 97 65 41
Durham 754 850 744
East Sutton Park 93 95 86
Eastwood Park 111 93 80
Elmley 686 703 683
TOTAL NUMBER OF PRISONERS SHARING CELLS
Erlestoke 86 78 64
Exeter 320 352 334
Featherstone 130 110 110
Feltham 196 178 130
Ford 0 0 0
Forest Bank 823 873 801
Foston Hall 120 118 142
Frankland 0 0 0
Full Sutton 0 0 0
Garth 28 22 22
Gartree 22 24 22
Grendon 0 0 0
Guys Marsh 136 120 98
Hatfield 98 58 16
Haverigg 0 0 0
High Down 686 668 633
Highpoint 286 248 236
Hindley 240 254 248
Hewell 612 606 508
Hollesley Bay 78 73 44
Holme House 776 730 724
Hull 594 608 555
Humber 358 296 260
Huntercombe 234 230 208
Isis 312 290 246
Isle Of Wight 150 156 156
TOTAL NUMBER OF PRISONERS SHARING CELLS
Kirkham 86 24 16
Kirklevington
Grange
0 0 0
Lancaster Farms 126 66 120
Leeds 793 654 746
Leicester 243 231 219
Lewes 304 274 176
Leyhill 17 2 0
Lincoln 492 476 422
Lindholme 344 332 336
Littlehey 222 184 134
Liverpool 384 430 412
Long Lartin 0 0 0
Low Newton 50 18 12
Lowdham Grange 4 2 6
Maidstone 64 64 52
Manchester 354 326 284
Moorland 434 388 258
New Hall 61 45 32
North Sea Camp 259 252 164
Northumberland 4 0 0
Norwich 308 275 250
Nottingham 420 428 402
Oakwood 962 862 810
Onley 154 162 154
Parc 800 706 736
Pentonville 814 634 668
TOTAL NUMBER OF PRISONERS SHARING CELLS
Peterborough 358 362 398
Peterborough
Female
116 100 74
Portland 146 142 128
Prescoed 78 78 36
Preston 517 535 441
Ranby 396 336 322
Risley 216 198 178
Rochester 322 274 218
Rye Hill 172 160 158
Send 14 0 0
Spring Hill 0 0 2
Stafford 584 562 508
Standford Hill 0 0 0
Stocken 238 242 240
Stoke Heath 322 318 302
Styal 234 235 235
Sudbury 372 298 232
Swaleside 2 0 0
Swansea 343 303 254
Swinfen Hall 98 96 62
Thameside 798 710 680
The Mount 224 218 220
The Verne 28 27 21
Thorn Cross 84 58 36
Usk 239 219 207
Wakefield 0 0 0
TOTAL NUMBER OF PRISONERS SHARING CELLS
Wandsworth 1,176 1,146 1,120
Warren Hill 0 0 0
Wayland 344 304 286
Wealstun 50 0 0
Werrington 0 0 0
Wetherby 0 0 0
Whatton 190 136 112
Whitemoor 0 0 0
Winchester 236 222 238
Woodhill 80 54 24
Wormwood Scrubs 601 558 601
Wymott 132 68 16
Total 31,855 29,623 27,845
Prison Sentences
Preet Kaur Gill: [58047]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) women and (b) men received a
prison sentence of under six months in (i) March, (ii) April and (iii) May 2020.
Chris Philp:
The requested data is not available at this time. National Statistics on sentencing for
the first and second quarter of 2020 are due for publication in August and November
2020, with detailed data, including offender characteristic, for the whole of 2020
planned for publication in May 2021.
Prisoners' Release: Homelessness
Daisy Cooper: [57379]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of prisoners
released from each prison in 2019-20 were released without a fixed address.
Lucy Frazer:
We recognise that it is vital that everyone leaving prison has somewhere safe and
secure to live as a platform to access the services and support needed to stop the
cycle of reoffending.
Data on the accommodation status of prisoners released from each prison between
2019 and 2020 is not yet available but is due for publication on 30 July 2020.
The Government has now decided that because of public health and public protection
considerations, there is a need to provide accommodation for prison leavers during
the Covid-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Justice has secured appropriate funding for a
time-limited period to support the provision of accommodation for all individuals
released from prison during this period, who are at risk of homelessness. The
temporary accommodation scheme will run until 26th June at which point it will be
reviewed, taking account of the situation at that time. This is an exceptional measure
reflecting the current challenges. Additionally, we are also working in collaboration
with other Government Departments and interested parties to help to secure a range
of accommodation options for prisoners on their release.
Daisy Cooper: [58086]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of prisoners
were released without a fixed address from each prison in financial year 2015-2016.
Lucy Frazer:
Information relating to the proportion of prisoners who were released from each
prison without a fixed address between 2015 and 2016 could only be obtained at
disproportionate cost.
The Government has now decided that because of public health and public protection
considerations, there is a need to provide accommodation for prison leavers during
the Covid-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Justice has secured appropriate funding for a
time-limited period to support the provision of accommodation for all individuals
released from prison during this period, who are at risk of homelessness. The
temporary accommodation scheme will run until 26th June at which point it will be
reviewed, taking account of the situation at that time. This is an exceptional measure
reflecting the current challenges. Additionally, we are also working in collaboration
with other government departments and interested parties to help to secure a range
of accommodation options for prisoners on their release.
Whilst our immediate concern is to support those individuals released from prison into
suitable accommodation, in the long-term we will analyse the lessons learned during
this period, to further develop how we can improve the accommodation offer for those
with a history of offending.
Prisons: Coronavirus
Liz Saville Roberts: [54199]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2020 to
Question 49084 on Prisons: Coronavirus, how many cases of covid-19 there have been
in each prison in England and Wales as of 8 June 2020; and if he will publish that data on
a weekly basis.
Lucy Frazer:
The Government has put robust measures in place to protect staff and offenders from
COVID-19 and introduce ‘compartmentalisation’, to isolate those prisoners with
symptoms, shield the vulnerable and quarantine new arrivals.
Overall, prisons are seeing a decline in the numbers of new cases. The data in the
table below shows the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases broken down by prison
as of Friday 5 June 2020. These figures reflect the total number of recorded positive
cases of COVID-19 since the first confirmed cases in mid-March, not the number of
live cases. It includes individuals that have recovered.
The numbers reported will be affected by a number of variables, including the
availability of testing locally which can result in differences between sites and regions
and as self-reported (for staff) through HMPPS management lines for central collation
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Altcourse 24 15 39
Ashfield 0 0 0
Askham Grange 4 0 4
Aylesbury ~ 0 ~
Bedford 6 ~ ~
Belmarsh 13 7 20
Berwyn 32 36 68
Birmingham 22 ~ ~
Brinsford 22 5 27
Bristol ~ 0 ~
Brixton 0 ~ ~
Bronzefield 6 ~ ~
Buckley Hall ~ ~ 5
Bullingdon ~ 0 ~
Bure ~ 0 ~
Cardiff 24 22 46
Channings Wood 15 9 24
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Chelmsford 10 ~ 11
Coldingley 5 ~ ~
Cookham Wood ~ ~ ~
Dartmoor ~ ~ 4
Deerbolt 8 ~ ~
Doncaster 12 8 20
Dovegate 8 ~ ~
Downview 4 0 4
Drake Hall 25 41 66
Durham 42 4 46
East Sutton Park 0 0 0
Eastwood Park ~ 0 ~
Elmley 5 0 5
Erlestoke ~ ~ ~
Exeter 0 0 0
Featherstone ~ ~ 5
Feltham A* ~ ~ ~
Feltham B* 6 ~ ~
Ford ~ ~ ~
Forest Bank 4 5 9
Foston Hall ~ ~ ~
Frankland 12 ~ ~
Full Sutton 8 0 8
Garth 7 0 7
Gartree 25 9 34
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Grendon 0 0 0
Guys Marsh 0 0 0
Hatfield ~ ~ 5
Haverigg ~ 6 ~
Hewell 37 9 46
High Down 14 ~ ~
Highpoint 12 ~ ~
Hindley 10 ~ ~
Hollesley Bay ~ ~ ~
Holme House 22 16 38
Hull ~ 0 ~
Humber 41 10 51
Huntercombe ~ ~ 5
Isis 4 6 10
Isle of Wight ~ 0 ~
Kirkham 5 ~ ~
Kirklevington Grange ~ 0 ~
Lancaster Farms ~ 0 ~
Leeds 4 ~ ~
Leicester 6 5 11
Lewes ~ 0 ~
Leyhill 0 0 0
Lincoln ~ 4 ~
Lindholme 10 0 10
Littlehey 8 6 14
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Liverpool 20 ~ ~
Long Lartin ~ ~ 5
Low Newton 0 ~ ~
Lowdham Grange ~ 0 ~
Maidstone ~ ~ ~
Manchester 19 20 39
Medway (Adult) 0 0 0
Moorland ~ ~ ~
New Hall ~ 5 ~
North Sea Camp ~ 0 ~
Northumberland 14 ~ ~
Norwich 6 0 6
Nottingham ~ 0 ~
Oakwood 24 17 41
Onley 16 7 23
Parc A** ~ 0 ~
Parc B** 4 7 11
Pentonville 15 4 19
Peterborough
Female***
0 0 0
Peterborough Male*** 16 ~ ~
Portland 0 0 0
Prescoed 4 ~ ~
Preston 36 13 49
Ranby 7 5 12
Risley 20 16 36
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Rochester 0 0 0
Rye Hill 6 ~ ~
Send ~ 0 ~
Stafford 5 0 5
Stanford Hill 0 ~ ~
Stocken 4 ~ ~
Stoke Heath ~ 4 ~
Springhill 0 ~ ~
Styal ~ 0 ~
Sudbury ~ ~ 4
Swaleside ~ 0 ~
Swansea 10 12 22
Swinfen Hall 5 6 11
Thameside 4 10 14
The Mount 9 5 14
The Verne ~ 0 ~
Thorn Cross ~ 0 ~
Usk 13 16 29
Wakefield ~ ~ 6
Wandsworth ~ 11 ~
Warren Hill 0 0 0
Wayland 0 0 0
Wealstun ~ 0 ~
Werrington 0 0 0
Wetherby ~ 0 ~
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Whatton 0 ~ ~
Whitemoor 10 6 16
Winchester 23 ~ ~
Woodhill 24 0 24
Wormwood Scrubs 14 6 20
Wymott 14 15 29
Total 952 485 1437
The symbol ~ denotes suppressed values of 3 or fewer (and totals that would allow
values of 3 or fewer to be calculated) to avoid the risk of identifying individuals.
* Data is split between Feltham A and Feltham B to account for different age groups
**Data is split between Parc A and B to account for different age groups
***Data is split for male and female sites at Peterborough
The department is considering the content of its regular reporting schedule and how
that could be expanded.
Ms Lyn Brown: [57145]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2020 to
Question 51783 on Prisons: Coronavirus, which custodial facilities in England and Wales
had not fully implemented compartmentalisation as of 8 June 2020.
Ms Lyn Brown: [57146]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2020 to
Question 51783 on Prisons: Coronavirus, how many temporary accommodation units
have been (a) delivered to HMPPS sites, (b) fully fitted and prepared for prisoner
accommodation, and (c) occupied by prisoners as of 8 June 2020.
Lucy Frazer:
As of the 8 June 2020 there were 854 temporary accommodation units delivered to
sites across England and Wales. Installation to the agreed minimum level had been
completed for 339 units. Once installation is completed a number of operational
processes are required before they can be occupied. 224 units were in occupation.
As of 8 June 2020 the following prisons had not yet fully implemented
compartmentalisation:
HMPs Sudbury, Leyhill, Springhill, Bure, Elmley
Munira Wilson: [57388]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information his Department holds on the
(a) number and (b) proportion of prison staff who have been tested for covid-19.
Lucy Frazer:
The Department of Health and Social Care is solely responsible for testing for Covid-
19 both in the community and in secure settings. As such, we do not hold data on
staff testing.
On 24 April, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced the rollout
of Covid-19 testing for all essential workers and symptomatic members of their
household, including prison staff, those working in Approved Premises (APs) and
probation staff (including private sector service providers) in England. We have
referred over 4,000 HMPPS staff for testing to date.
In Wales, testing for prison, AP and probation staff and symptomatic members of
their household is being delivered through local resilience forum arrangements and
through local health boards.
What we do know is the number of confirmed cases among those who have been
tested, which was 947 as of Friday, 5 June. This data is self-reported.
Munira Wilson: [57389]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the adequacy
of the availability of personal protective equipment for prison staff during the covid-19
outbreak.
Munira Wilson: [57391]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) items of personal protective
equipment, (b) masks and (c) bottles of hand gel have been delivered to prisons since the
start of the covid-19 outbreak.
Lucy Frazer:
Personal protective equipment is critical to protect staff and those in our care where
close contact is necessary and unavoidable. There is currently adequate stock and
forward supply of PPE, in accordance with public health advice.
We have stock in the hundreds of thousands for aprons, coveralls, eye protection,
pairs of gloves, respirator masks and fluid-resistant surgical masks, as well as hand
sanitiser. However, we are making continued preparations and keeping demand for
PPE under regular review as we move into the next phase of managing this outbreak.
Prisons: Education
Ms Lyn Brown: [57147]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether support payments for organisations
with contracts under the Prison Education Dynamic Purchasing System and which are
eligible to apply for covid-19 relief payments will be paid from (a) a central fund for
HMPPS, (b) individual prison budgets or (c) other public sources.
Lucy Frazer:
Under the COVID-19 procurement process, the Prison Education Dynamic
Purchasing System contracts are paid in line with the existing payment schedule. The
payments are funded from the annual HMPPS (business as usual) education budget.
LEADER OF THE HOUSE
Deferred Divisions: Coronavirus
Caroline Lucas: [57165]
To ask the Leader of the House, if he will make it his policy to utilise the e-voting system
previously used by hon. Members during hybrid proceedings for the process of holding
deferred divisions; what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the use of
paper for deferred divisions on the transmission of covid-19; and if he will make a
statement.
Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg:
The introduction of remote voting dealt with the particular circumstances we faced at
the time. It was only ever agreed as a temporary measure during an emergency, and
any long term changes should be a decision for the House following an inquiry by the
Procedure Committee. In the context of a physical return of Parliament, not returning
to physical voting would be a significant anomaly and I welcome the House’s
agreement to the Government’s approach. The Government is working closely with
the Speaker and House Authorities on how voting works in practice, whether that is
for live or deferred divisions. I hope I can assure the Hon. Lady that the House
authorities are completing this work in consultation with Public Health England to
ensure it is in line with public health advice.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme
Ian Paisley: [55966]
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to page 44 of the
document entitled New Decade, New Approach, published in January 2020, which states
that the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme will be closed down, whether the required £60
to £600 million compensation is included in the associated finance package.
Mr Robin Walker:
The New Decade, New Approach agreement included a commitment to close down
the existing RHI scheme and replace it with a scheme that effectively cuts carbon
emissions in Northern Ireland. This pledge was part of text about the programme for
government for the new Executive and not a UK Government commitment.
To support the new Executive, UKG has guaranteed at least £1bn of Barnett-based
funding to support investment, alongside £1bn of new resource and capital spending.
This funding is not intended to absorb the costs to the Executive of the RHI voluntary
buy-out scheme and/or addressing financial hardship experienced by scheme
participants as a result of adjusted RHI tariffs.
Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry: Northern Ireland
Ian Paisley: [55967]
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the
implications for his policies of the finding in the report of the Renewable Heat Incentive
public inquiry that RHI was a project too far for the Government of Northern Ireland.
Mr Robin Walker:
The RHI Inquiry was commissioned by a Northern Ireland Minister and fundamentally
concerns devolved issues. The Government does, however, expect to see rapid
progress in implementing all of Sir Patrick’s recommendations, alongside continued
implementation of the reforms in New Decade, New Approach, and is working closely
with the First and deputy First Minister to ensure this is done.
TRANSPORT
Airlines: Coronavirus
Sarah Owen: [57393]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2020 to
Question 55045, how the Government plans to define value for money for taxpayers
when assessing whether to make interventions in the airline industry in the event that
airlines find themselves facing financial difficulties as a result of covid-19 outbreak.
Kelly Tolhurst:
The Government has been clear that we will only consider bespoke support for
businesses once all other avenues have been exhausted, including the economy-
wide support announced by the Chancellor.
In considering whether there is a case for providing additional support, we would look
at factors such as whether the business makes a material contribution to the
economic activity of the UK and the equitable and fair treatment across businesses in
the sector. Any support that is offered will follow the government guidance on
Managing Public Money.
Aviation: Coronavirus
Jim Shannon: [55682]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the
implications for his policies on quarantine for people entering the UK of the COVID-19
Aviation Health Safety Protocol published by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency
and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on 20 May 2020.
Kelly Tolhurst:
A number of EU Member States have border restrictions currently in place, including
requirements for quarantine and self-isolation. EASA published operational guidance
for the aviation sector on 20 May. It aims to support airports and airlines to put in
place health measures to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 during air travel for
passengers and staff as far as possible, such as through enhanced hygiene practices
and social distancing in airports where possible. However, it recognises that the risk
of transmission cannot be fully eliminated. The UK published its own aviation health
guidance on 11 June.
Jim Shannon: [55683]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the
(a) Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and (b) the Chancellor
of the Exchequer on the effect of the covid-19 quarantine on the aviation industry.
Kelly Tolhurst:
The decision to introduce these regulations, which form part of the wider border
measures package, was taken in close consultation across a number of departments.
The Secretary of State for Transport has held extensive discussions with Cabinet
colleagues.
British Airways: Coronavirus
Claire Hanna: [57404]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the
implications for his policy on the regulation of slot allocation at Heathrow airport of BA's
proposals on making its pilots redundant and rehiring them on different terms as a result
of the covid-19 pandemic.
Kelly Tolhurst:
Terms and conditions of employment are for negotiation and agreement between
employers and employees (or their representatives). The Government is not part of
these discussions and cannot comment on commercial decisions taken by individual
companies.
The UK’s independent slot coordinator, Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) is
responsible for allocating slots at UK airports and the Government is legally
prevented from intervening in this process. We want airport landing and take-off slots
to be used as efficiently as possible for the benefit of UK consumers and are carefully
considering the role of the slot system in rebuilding a competitive aviation sector.
Bus Services: Coronavirus
James Wild: [58101]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether bus drivers are required to wear face
coverings when driving during the covid-19 outbreak.
Rachel Maclean:
The regulation only applies to passengers, not to workers. Operators should continue
to follow the practical steps we have set out in our guidance to ensure their
workplaces are COVID-19 secure. Operators should continue to make sensible
workplace adjustments, for example introducing screens and providing hand
sanitiser.
Driving Instruction: Coronavirus
Mr Peter Bone: [57141]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when driving instructors will be able to
resume teaching of learner drivers following the covid-19 outbreak.
Rachel Maclean:
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) recommends that, currently,
approved driving instructors (ADI) should only provide lessons to candidates who
have an essential need.
When providing driving lessons, all ADIs should put in place appropriate measures, in
line with the latest Public Heath England and Cabinet Office guidance, to prevent the
spread of the coronavirus. It is the responsibility of the ADI and the pupil to consider
the risks to their health and to decide if the driving lesson is essential.
Using the latest Government guidance, the DVSA is working closely with the
Approved Driving Instructors National Association Strategic Partnership (NASP) to
develop appropriate plans and control measures that will enable the resumption of
non-essential driving lessons.
The DVSA is working closely with the Department for Transport to prepare for a safe
return to driver testing. Before practical driving tests are reintroduced, the DVSA will
inform the driver training industry, which will help candidates to prepare and reach the
standard of driving needed to pass their test.
The DVSA will provide further updates on providing non-essential driving lessons as
soon as it can.
Driving Tests: Coronavirus
Mr Peter Bone: [57142]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to reopen the driving test
booking system.
Rachel Maclean:
As the health and safety of staff and customers is key, the Driver and Vehicle
Standards Agency is currently working hard to prepare for a safe return to testing.
At present, its testing services are under review and it will announce details of
resumption in due course.
Before practical driving tests are reintroduced, the DVSA will inform the driver training
industry. This will help candidates prepare and reach the standard of driving needed
to pass their test.
Liz Saville Roberts: [58037]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will publish guidance for
driving instructors on when the suspension of driving tests due to the covid-19 outbreak
will be lifted.
Rachel Maclean:
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is working closely with the
Department for Transport to prepare for a safe return to driver testing. It will
announce details of resumption in due course.
Before practical driving tests are reintroduced, the DVSA will inform the driver training
industry, which will help candidates to prepare and reach the standard of driving
needed to pass their test.
Members: Correspondence
David Linden: [57321]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to respond to the letter of 30
April 2020 from the hon. Member for Glasgow East, ref DL5648.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
As you will understand, the Department is currently dealing with unprecedented
volumes of correspondence due to COVID-19. The Department ensures that urgent
cases raised by hon. Members are prioritised, and is taking steps to provide
substantive responses in as short a time as possible.
All correspondence received from hon. Members is being reviewed and will be
responded to as soon as possible.
A response to your letter of 30 th April was sent on 11 th June.
Public Transport: Coronavirus
Dan Jarvis: [57981]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Transport Secretary's
statement on coronavirus (COVID), published on 4 June 2020 on gov.uk, whether the
exemption from wearing a face mask on public transport for people with breathing
difficulties applies to people with asthma.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
We expect everyone to wear a face covering if they can, but recognise reasonable
adjustments are necessary for some people. Exemptions will apply to those with
breathing difficulties and other respiratory conditions including asthma, as well as
other groups.
Munira Wilson: [58097]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Government has made
of the potential merits of exempting people with disabilities unable to wear face masks
from the recent Government requirement for people to wear face masks on public
transport during the covid-19 outbreak.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
We have undertaken an Equalities Impact Assessment and have taken advice from
the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, as well as other disability
stakeholder groups. We expect everyone to wear a face covering if they can, but
recognise reasonable adjustments are necessary for some people. Exemptions will
apply for those unable to wear a face covering, for example people with disabilities,
those with breathing difficulties, or young children.
Railways: Coronavirus
Ian Mearns: [57182]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) discussions and (b) other
engagement his Department has had with train operating companies on the extension of
Emergency Measures Agreements on rail franchises; and if he will make a statement.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
The Emergency Measures Agreements provide franchise operators with a temporary
suspension of their existing franchise agreement’s financial mechanisms for an initial
period of 6 months, with options for further extension or earlier cancellation as
agreed. Ministers and officials have regular engagement with rail franchisees and the
wider rail industry, to inform the work underway within government to determine the
most effective approach once this 6 month period ends.
Ian Mearns: [R] [57183]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of whether
the Emergency Measures Agreements on rail franchises will need to be extended beyond
the current agreed date of September 2020.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
The Emergency Measures Agreements provide franchise operators with a temporary
suspension of their existing franchise agreement’s financial mechanisms for an initial
period of 6 months, with options for further extension or earlier cancellation as
agreed. Work is underway within government to determine the most effective
approach once this 6 month period ends. This work will take account of the 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.
Ian Mearns: [R] [57184]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of how much
each train operating company will receive as payment during the six months of
Emergency Measures Agreements.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
Franchisees will be paid a maximum of 2% of the cost base of the franchise before
the COVID-19 pandemic began, payable as a lump sum at the end of the initial 6-
month Emergency Measures Agreement period. A proportion of the fee will be
conditional on operators meeting performance, passenger experience and efficiency
targets.
Ms Karen Buck: [57897]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what revenue funding the Government
provided from the public purse to (a) Thameslink, (b) c2c, (c) Southern, (d) Chiltern, (e)
South Western Railway, (f) Greater Anglia, (g) Southeastern, (h) Gatwick Express and (i)
London Northwestern Railway for (i) March, (ii) April and (iii) May 2020.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
The Government has approved £2.9billion of additional expenditure during the
2020/21 financial year to ensure that vital rail services continue to operate. This
expenditure covers all train operators with franchise agreements with the Department
for Transport. However, individual TOC payments have not yet been finalised for all
of the above periods.
Ian Mearns: [R] [57951]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the total cost
to the public purse of all emergency measures agreements on rail franchises.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the government has approved £3.5 billion of
additional expenditure to ensure that vital rail services continue to operate. Of this
additional expenditure, £2.9 billion relates to the 2020/21 financial year. It is not yet
possible to provide an estimate of the total cost incurred to date.
Ian Mearns: [R] [57952]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what arrangements will be made for
Parliamentary scrutiny in the event that his Department seeks to extend emergency
measures agreements on rail franchises.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
Work is underway within government to determine the most effective approach at the
end of the initial 6 months period of the Emergency Measures Agreements. This work
will take account of the 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. The Secretary of State shall continue to keep Parliament informed of
developments.
Ian Mearns: [R] [57953]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what provisions have been made for
operators of last resort to take over rail franchises that become financially unviable.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
The Department routinely monitors the financial health of all operators in accordance
with their respective franchise agreements. The Department’s Operator of Last
Resort team also has the capacity and capability to step into Train Operating
Companies where necessary in accordance with Section 30 of the Railways Act
1993.
Ian Mearns: [R] [57954]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the cost to the
public purse of extending the emergency measures agreements on rail franchises.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
The Emergency Measures Agreements provide franchise operators with a temporary
suspension of their existing franchise agreement’s financial mechanisms for an initial
period of 6 months, with options for further extension or earlier cancellation as
agreed. Work is underway within government to determine the most effective
approach once this 6 month period ends. This work will take account of the 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.
Stena Line: Coronavirus
Mick Whitley: [57376]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will list the financial support that will be
allocated to Stena Line through the Critical Freight Grant on the (a) Birkenhead-Belfast,
(b) Liverpool-Belfast, (c) Heysham-Belfast, (d) Cairnryan-Belfast and (e) Harwich-Hook of
Holland ferry routes for nine weeks from 11 May 2020.
Kelly Tolhurst:
Public Service Obligation (PSO) Agreements were awarded to Stena Line on four
routes, including Cairnryan-Belfast and Harwich-Hook of Holland. No Agreements
were awarded on the routes between Birkenhead-Belfast, Liverpool-Belfast or
Heysham-Belfast. The value of the awards will depend on actual revenues and
service level requirements during operation. The estimated value of the PSO
Agreements at the point of contract award have been published in the Official Journal
of the European Union and are as follows:
• PSO Agreement between Cairnryan and Belfast: £1,077,597
• PSO Agreement between Harwich and Hook of Holland: £1,608,003
TREASURY
Agricultural Shows: Coronavirus
Daniel Zeichner: [55692]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support is available for providers
of agricultural and country shows during the covid-19 outbreak; and what support is
available for mobile providers of those shows who do not have fixed property.
Kemi Badenoch:
The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to
protect them against the current economic emergency including almost £300 billion of
guarantees – equivalent to 15% of UK GDP. Where they have business premises,
agro-event hire companies may benefit from one of the grants schemes announced
on 17 March:
• The Small Business Grant Fund, which provides eligible businesses with a £10,000
grant per property, for each property in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief
(SBRR) or Rural Rates Relief (RRR).
• The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund, which provides eligible businesses,
not in receipt of SBRR or RRR, with a £10,000 grant per property with a rateable
value of £15,000 or less; and £25,000 grant per property with a rateable value
between £15,000 and £51,000.
Agro-event hire companies without premises, along with other businesses, may
benefit from a range of other support measures. 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.
Aviation and Tourism: Coronavirus
Jim Shannon: [55684]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment the Government has
made of the economic effect of the covid-19 quarantine on (a) airlines, (b) airports, and
(c) tourism and hospitality businesses.
Kemi Badenoch:
The Government wants the UK to open up for travel as soon as it is safe to do so.
The Government recognises the challenging times facing the aviation, tourism and
hospitality sectors and has provided an unprecedented package of support for
workers and businesses to support them through the current economic emergency.
Bounce Back Loan Scheme
Mr Barry Sheerman: [57901]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps is he taking to ensure that customers
of all banks are able to access loans from the Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan scheme.
John Glen:
The Government’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS), launched 4 May, was
designed to help the smallest businesses access loans up to £50,000.
As of June 7, over 782,000 loan facilities have been approved with a value of over
£23.7bn. There are so far 21 accredited lenders offering finance under the scheme,
and this number continues to grow. The British Business Bank who are responsible
for administrating the scheme, have put substantial resources into onboarding new
lenders as quickly as possible.
If an SME’s main lender does not offer Bounce Back Loans, businesses can go to
another accredited lender. Several accredited lenders are accepting applications from
new customers.
Cash Dispensing
Jamie Stone: [58053]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department has had with
the Financial Conduct Authority and the Payment Systems Regulator on a minimum
service guarantee for cash; and with reference to the March 2020 Budget whether he has
a timeframe for bringing forward legislative proposals on protecting access to cash.
Jamie Stone: [58054]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to support people who
require access to (a) offline and (b) face-to-face banking during the covid-19 outbreak.
John Glen:
The Government recognises that cash remains extremely important to the daily lives
of millions of people across the UK. The Government remains closely engaged with
the financial regulators to monitor and assess risks around cash access and
acceptance resulting from COVID-19. This includes working closely with industry to
ensure access to cash.
At the March 2020 Budget, the Chancellor announced that the Government will bring
forward legislation to protect access to cash in the longer-term. The Government is
engaging with regulators – the Payment Systems Regulator, Financial Conduct
Authority and Bank of England – and stakeholders across industry while designing
legislation, to ensure the needs of cash users continue to be met. Further details on
timing for legislation will be set out in due course.
Regarding face-to-face banking, the Government has been working closely with the
financial regulators to ensure that banks, building societies, the Post Office and credit
unions continue to maintain branch access for essential services while balancing the
needs of their customers with the safety and welfare of staff. The vast majority of
branches are open, though many are open for reduced hours.
Banks, building societies and credit unions are keeping their websites up to date and
we would encourage customers, wherever possible, to use online services for their
banking. If customers are not able to use online forms of banking, they may choose
to use telephone banking rather than using a branch. The Government advises any
customer who has questions or concerns about their banking to contact their
provider.
Bank customers can also use the Post Office for essential banking services as an
alternative to their branch and can continue to use ATMs or cash machines as normal
for cash withdrawals and balance enquiries. Furthermore, several retail banks have in
place solutions for vulnerable customers who may be self-isolating, including making
payments through a trusted person.
Companies: Coronavirus
Karl Turner: [55952]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the employers that are participating
in Project Birch.
Steve Barclay:
The Government does not comment on individual cases but will notify Parliament of
the spending incurred as the result of any support provided.
Sir Edward Davey: [57891]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many companies registered under each
Standard Industrial Classification Code (a) applied for and (b) been awarded support
through the (a) Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, (b) Small Business Grant Fund, (c)
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, (d) Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan
Scheme, (e) Future Fund, (f) Bounce Back Loan and (g) Large Business Interruption
Loan scheme; and what the amount of each of those awards was.
Kemi Badenoch:
The four government backed loan schemes have seen over £40bn lent to hundreds
of thousands of businesses, whilst, as of midnight 7th June, 8.9 million jobs had been
furloughed through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), with a total of
£19.6bn claimed, and 2.6 million claims had been made through the Self Employment
Income Support Scheme (SEISS), with a total value of £7.5 bn. The VAT deferral is
worth over £30 billion or 1.5% of GDP with £22.4bn deferred by 251,000 businesses
so far.
The Government has published aggregate application and approval figures on the
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), Coronavirus Large
Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) and Bounce Back Loan Scheme
(BBLS) since 12 May but does not hold specific breakdown information relating to
collective sectors or organisations which have accessed these schemes, including
under the Standard Classification for Economic Activities (SIC). The Government is
actively considering what further data can be made available in the future.
HMRC published Official Statistics for the CJRS and the SEISS, including a
breakdown of sectoral recipients, on 11 June. These can be accessed at:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm
ent_data/file/891249/Coronavirus_Job_Retention_Scheme_Statistics_June_2020.pdf
and
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm
ent_data/file/891603/SEISS_Official_Statistics_June_2020.pdf.
Concert Halls and Theatres: VAT
Daniel Zeichner: [56020]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential
merits of introducing zero-rated VAT on ticket income for theatres and music venues.
Jesse Norman:
VAT is an important source of revenue for the Exchequer and plays an important part
in funding the Government’s spending priorities including hospitals, schools and
defence, raising £130 billion in 2019/2020.
Given this context, while all taxes are kept under review, there are currently no plans
to apply a zero-rate of VAT on ticket income for theatres and music venues.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Theresa Villiers: [57925]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will include in the Coronavirus Job
Retention Scheme employees who are paid annually via PAYE at the end of the financial
year.
Angela Crawley: [58016]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential
merits of allowing furlough under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for employees
of companies which make a yearly RTI submission by using information from 2018-19.
Sarah Olney: [58044]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential
merits of enabling people who are paid annually but whose Real Time Information was
submitted after 19 March 2020 for the 2019-20 tax year to access the Coronavirus Job
Retention Scheme.
Jesse Norman:
For an employee to be eligible for the CJRS they must have been notified to HMRC
on a real-time information (RTI) submission on or before 19 March. Those paid
annually are eligible to claim, as long as they meet the relevant conditions including
being notified to HMRC on an RTI submission on or before 19 March 2020, which
relates to a payment of earnings in the 2019/2020 tax year. Anyone paid annually
and notified on an RTI submission after that date will not be eligible for the scheme,
which puts them in the same position as those who are paid more frequently and
were not notified to HMRC on or before 19 March. The 19 March date allows as
many people as possible to be included by going right up to the day before the
announcement and mitigates the risk of fraud that existed as soon as the scheme
became public.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Self-employment Income Support Scheme
Sarah Olney: [58043]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of
the comparative equity of the £50,000 annual trading profit threshold for determining an
applicant's eligibility for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and the absence
of an equivalent threshold under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Jesse Norman:
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer to Parliamentary Question 51693 on 4
June 2020.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Dunfermline and West Fife
Douglas Chapman: [58000]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses based in the Dunfermline
and West Fife constituency have applied for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Jesse Norman:
As of 11 June 2020, 1,110 claims have been made under the Coronavirus Job
Retention Scheme by PAYE schemes registered at an address within the boundaries
of the Dunfermline and West Fife constituency.
Debts: Coronavirus
Sir Edward Davey: [57892]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the effect of the
covid-19 outbreak on household debt; and if he will make a statement.
Sir Edward Davey: [57893]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate he has made of the effect
of the covid-19 outbreak on the level of credit card debt; and if he will make a statement.
John Glen:
The Government is conducting on-going work to understand and monitor the current
and future effects of COVID-19 on consumer debt. This data is still under
development.
Regulatory responsibility for the consumer credit market lies with the Financial
Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA continues to monitor the credit card market and
stands ready to act wherever consumer detriment is identified.
The Government has taken steps to support individuals and businesses through this
difficult time, including providing an additional £37.8 million for debt advice providers
helping people affected by COVID-19.
Food: Wholesale Trade
Kate Hollern: [55689]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to extend eligibility for the
Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant to food and drink wholesalers that supply to care
homes, hospitals and schools.
Kemi Badenoch:
The Government recognises that this is a very challenging time for businesses in a
wide variety of sectors. Small businesses occupying properties for retail, hospitality or
leisure purposes are likely to be particularly affected by COVID-19 due to their
reliance on customer footfall, and the fact that they are less likely than larger
businesses to have sufficient cash reserves to meet their high fixed property-related
costs. The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF) is intended to help
small businesses in this situation.
Local Authorities (LAs) can choose to make discretionary grants to businesses in
supply chains, like the wholesale food and drink sector, if they feel there is a
particular local economic need. The Government has allocated up to an additional
£617 million to LAs to enable them to give discretionary grants. While food and drink
wholesalers are not one of the priority groups which Government has asked LAs to
focus on, LAs may choose to make payments to businesses outside of these priority
groups if they feel there is a local economic need to do so, so long as the business
was trading on 11th March, and has not received any other cash grant funded by
central Government (with the exception of grants from the SEISS).
Small businesses which are not eligible for business grants should still be able to
benefit from other elements of the Government’s unprecedented package of support.
The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses
can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the
schemes open and how to apply - https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-
finder.
Legal Profession: Scotland
Kirsten Oswald: [57239]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the
implications for his policies of evidence from the Law Society of Scotland that 32 per cent
of Scotland's law firms are limited companies which are excluded from the Self Employed
Income Support Scheme and being mainly sole traders are entitled to support under the
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme only if they fully withdraw from providing legal
services to their clients.
Jesse Norman:
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is available to individuals
who are self-employed and who report their trading income through Income Tax Self-
Assessment. Those who pay themselves a salary through their own company are
eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).
From 1 July, employers can bring back to work employees that have been furloughed
for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while still being able to claim a CJRS
grant for the hours not worked.
Firms may have access to a range of grants and loans depending on their
circumstances, including the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan
Scheme, Bounce Back Loans, and the deferral of tax payments.
Loans: Coronavirus
Drew Hendry: [56043]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that future
lending decisions are not affected by payment holidays that have been taken during the
covid-19 outbreak.
John Glen:
The Government recognises the important role payment holidays play in providing
temporary support to consumers through this period and continues to work closely
with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to support consumers facing financial
difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Lenders must act responsibly when deciding whether and how much credit to issue.
This includes assessing consumers’ ability to repay. The information on a consumer’s
credit file is an important part of this assessment. FCA guidance makes clear that,
during a payment holiday, accounts should be recorded to ensure the consumers’
current credit data position is maintained or frozen for the duration of the payment
holiday period. The Government expects that this should not impact on a consumer’s
credit file.
Consumers should speak to their lender about their options when coming to the end
of their payment holiday.
Members: Correspondence
David Linden: [57323]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to respond to the letter of 19
February 2020, reference DL4850, from the hon. Member for Glasgow East.
Kemi Badenoch:
HMT asked HMRC to respond as it has operational responsibility for tax credits. Ruth
Stanier, Director General, duly replied to Mr Linden’s letter on 11 June. HMRC
apologises for the delay in replying, which was caused by competing priorities
following the COVID-19 outbreak. HMRC assures Mr Linden that his constituent has
not been disadvantaged by this delay.
Neil Gray: [57986]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to respond to the letter of 13 May
2020 from the hon. Member for Airdrie and Shotts, reference NG12034.
Jesse Norman:
The Honourable Member’s correspondence was transferred from Number 10 to HM
Treasury on 18 May. The Treasury responded via email on 11 June.
Mortgages: Coronavirus
Sir Mark Hendrick: [57096]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps he has taken to mitigate the
financial pressures faced by mortgage prisoners during the covid-19 lockdown; and what
plans he has to enable mortgage prisoners to switch to new lenders.
John Glen:
On 17 March the Chancellor announced the availability of a three-month mortgage
holiday as part of an unprecedented package of support for individuals, businesses
and the economy affected by Covid-19. This help was further extended on 2 June
through the publication of FCA guidance. This guidance applies to all firms that
engage in mortgage activities to instruct them to offer support to customers that are
experiencing financial difficulty due to COVID-19.
The Government has also taken action with the FCA to support mortgage prisoners
by removing the regulatory barriers that previously prevented some from switching.
Lenders are currently making the necessary adjustments and system changes to
enable mortgage prisoners to switch and we expect them to start offering borrowers
products using the new rules soon.
Non-domestic Rates: Environment Protection
Alex Norris: [56123]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential
effect of a reduction in business rates on the incentivisation of businesses to invest in
carbon reduction measures.
Jesse Norman:
Plant and machinery used to provide services within a property, such as solar power,
is normally included in the business rate assessment; this is an established principle
in the business rates system and ensures all buildings’ assessments include the
services they need for their use.
However, the Government is continuing to support the take up of solar panels by
maintaining the business rates exemption for solar power generating equipment (less
than 50kW) between its installation and the next business rates revaluation.
As set out in the Terms of Reference published at Budget, the treatment of plant and
machinery will also be considered through the fundamental review of business rates.
Retail Trade: Coronavirus
Mr Laurence Robertson: [57900]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will introduce further financial support for
retail businesses with lower level of trade than before the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will
make a statement.
Kemi Badenoch:
On 11 May the Government published its COVID-19 recovery strategy which sets out
our plan for moving to the next phase of our response. The strategy sets out a
cautious roadmap for easing existing measures in a safe and measured way. Our aim
is that all non-essential retail will be able to reopen by 15 June if the Government’s
five tests are met and they follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines. The roadmap will
be kept constantly under review, and we will continue to work hard to support
business and workers as the situation evolves.
Retail businesses continue to have access to a range of government support
measures including:
• A 12-month business rates holiday for all eligible retail, leisure and hospitality
businesses in England
• Small business grant funding (SBGF) of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small
business rate relief or rural rate relief
• The retail, hospitality and leisure grant fund (RHLGF)
• The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
• The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
• The Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS)
• The Covid Corporate Financing Scheme (CCFF)
• The Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBL) for small and micro enterprises
• VAT deferral for up to 12 months
• The Time To Pay scheme, through which businesses in financial distress, and with
outstanding tax liabilities, can receive support with their tax affairs
• Protection for commercial leaseholders against automatic forfeiture for non-
payment until June 30, 2020
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.
Roadchef: Employee Benefit Trusts
Dr Julian Lewis: [57879]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent progress his Department has made
on resolving the dispute between HMRC and the Roadchef Employee Benefits Trust;
whether that case can be used as a precedent for other claims; and if he will make it his
policy to include a relevant clause in legislative proposals brought forward by his
Department to remove the obstacle to payments being made from the Trust to its
beneficiaries.
Jesse Norman:
The administration of the tax system is a matter for HM Revenue and Customs, who
have indicated that they are in dialogue with the taxpayer. It would not be appropriate
for Treasury ministers to become involved in the administration of the tax system in
specific cases.
Self-employed: Coronavirus
Simon Baynes: [57399]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to support
freelance and self-employed people who take only dividends from their business.
Jesse Norman:
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer to Parliamentary Question 54215 on 9
June 2020.
Sarah Olney: [58041]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason he has not amended the Self
Employment Income Support Scheme or the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to
introduce temporary support for the self-employed who are employed by a series of short-
term PAYE contracts and have not been registered for support through the Coronavirus
Job Retention Scheme by previous employers.
Jesse Norman:
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is available to individuals
who are self-employed and who report their trading income through Income Tax Self-
Assessment.
To be eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), furloughed
employees must have been on their employers’ PAYE payroll on or before 19 March
2020 and HMRC must have received an RTI submission notifying payment in respect
of that employee on or before the 19 March 2020. It is not possible to amend this
deadline owing to the practical implications of monitoring such an extension, and the
risk of fraud that has existed since the scheme became public.
Those who do not qualify for SEISS or CJRS may have to access a range of other
support, including income tax deferrals, access to a range of grants and loans, and
three-month mortgage holidays. The Government has also relaxed the earnings rules
for self-employed claimants under Universal Credit.
Self-employment Income Support Scheme
Patrick Grady: [57244]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the
effect of extending the eligibility for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme to
those whose self-employment income makes up less than 50 per cent of their annual
income on the (a) cost of that scheme and (b) number of eligible claimants.
Patrick Grady: [57245]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the
potential merits of extending eligibility for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
to those whose self-employment income makes up less than 50 per cent of their annual
income.
Jesse Norman:
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) continues to be one of the
most generous self-employed COVID-19 support schemes in the world as the
economy reopens.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) undertook an initial assessment of the impact of
requiring an individual’s trading profits to be at least equal to their non-trading
income. This was set out in a letter from Jim Harra, Chief Executive and First
Permanent Secretary of HMRC, to the Treasury Select Committee on 5 May 2020,
which is available at
https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/1151/documents/9923/default/.
HMRC’s analysis of Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI) data for 2017-18 suggested
that of the 5.75 million individuals deemed as having some form of self-employment
in 2017-18, 1.73 million received less than half of their total income from self-
employment trading profits.
The self-employed are very diverse and have a wide mix of turnover and profits, with
monthly and annual variations even in normal times, and in some cases with
substantial alternative forms of income too. The design of the SEISS, including the
eligibility requirement that an individual’s trading profits must be no more than
£50,000 and at least equal to their non-trading income, means it is targeted at those
who most need it, and who are most reliant on their self-employment income.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has said there will be no further extension or
changes to the SEISS. Individuals receiving more than half their income from other
sources may still be eligible for other elements of the unprecedented financial support
provided by the Government. The SEISS is one element of a comprehensive
package of support for individuals and businesses, including Bounce Back loans, tax
deferrals, rental support, increased levels of Universal Credit, mortgage holidays, and
other business support grants. More information about the full range of business
support measures is available at www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-
support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19.
Self-employment Income Support Scheme: Directors
Sarah Olney: [58042]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reasons he has not amended the Self
Employed Income Support Scheme to include directors of small and medium limited
companies who draw their income through dividends.
Jesse Norman:
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer to Parliamentary Question 54215 on 9
June 2020.
Self-employment Income Support Scheme: Females
Caroline Lucas: [55936]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has undertaken an equality impact
assessment of the terms of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme on women
who have taken time out from earning for (a) maternity and (b) childcare reasons in each
of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.
Jesse Norman:
HMT takes care to pay due regard to the equality impacts of its policy decisions
relating to the Covid-19 outbreak, including the equality impacts of the Self
Employment Income Support Scheme, in line with all legal requirements and the
Government’s commitment to promoting equality.
Social Enterprises: Coronavirus
Tracey Crouch: [57175]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to encourage take up of the
social investment tax relief scheme to rebuild communities after the covid-19 outbreak.
Tracey Crouch: [57176]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Secretary
of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the use of the social investment tax relief
scheme to support the Government's strategy to tackle loneliness.
Jesse Norman:
SITR is designed to support a broad range of social enterprises, which may have a
variety of social missions and community benefits. The Government committed to a
full review of SITR within two years of its expansion, and published a Call for
Evidence last year on the use of the SITR scheme to date, including as to why it has
been used less than anticipated and what impact it has had on access to finance for
social enterprises. A Summary of Responses to the Call for Evidence will be
published in due course.
The Government is committed to helping social enterprises and charities through the
COVID-19 outbreak. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
has helped to accelerate the release of previously committed dormant bank account
money. This initiative has enabled Big Society Capital to establish and capitalise a
Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund, which aims to improve access to the
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) for social enterprises.
WALES
Employment: Wales
Ruth Jones: [57366]
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on support for people in Wales whose
employment has been adversely affected by the covid-19 outbreak.
Simon Hart:
The Government has taken unprecedented measures UK-wide to support the
economy during these difficult times. This includes injecting over £6.5bn into the
welfare system, for example by increasing the Universal Credit standard allowance
and Working Tax Credit basic element by £20 a week.
The Government has also implemented a package of measures to support
businesses and their employees through the covid-19 outbreak, including the
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-employment Income Support
Scheme. In Wales, 316,000 jobs have been supported by the Coronavirus Job
Retention Scheme and 102,000 self-employed have claimed the Self-employment
Income Support Scheme.
Tourism: Wales
Daniel Kawczynski: [57137]
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what plans he has to work more closely with (a)
Shrewsbury and (b) other border towns and communities to help encourage tourism after
the covid-19 outbreak.
Simon Hart:
I continue to hold discussions with the First Minister on the reopening of Wales’
tourism industry to ensure that Wales is well placed to attract visitors whilst
respecting social distancing and to make the most of the summer season.
Based on the scientific evidence available, the UK Government has set out a clear
plan on how we will rebuild the UK for a world with Covid-19 whilst respecting
devolved decision making. Subject to scientific advice, next month will see the partial
reopening of some tourist accommodation in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
I have written to the First Minister to urge that Wales is not left behind.
WOMEN AND EQUALITIES
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Alicia Kearns: [55057]
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the
implications for her policies of (a) the UK Council of Psychotherapy Conversion Therapy
Consensus Statement, published in June 2014, and (b) the decisions of the governments
of (i) Germany, with reference to the BBC News article of 8 May 2020 entitled Germany
passes law banning gay conversion therapy for minors, and (ii) Canada, with reference to
amendments by the Canadian Government to the Criminal Code of Canada, to ban
conversion therapy; and what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on
bringing forward legislative proposals to ban practice of that therapy.
Kemi Badenoch:
The Government takes this issue very seriously and fundamentally disagrees with
attempts to forcibly change someone’s sexuality. I am working with colleagues across
Government on this issue, and we will outline plans to end its practice in due course.
As part of ongoing engagement with healthcare stakeholders and other Government
Departments, GEO officials have been reviewing all relevant statements, including
the 2014 statement and more recent developments, in order to inform thinking around
future proposals.
We are aware of the developments that have been made in Germany, Canada and
elsewhere. Officials are in discussion with international policy counterparts, in order
to fully understand the detail around their measures, and to inform the UK’s next
steps.
Ethnic Groups: Coronavirus
Shabana Mahmood: [57938]
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the report published by
Public Health England on 2 June 2020 entitled COVID-19: review of disparities in risks
and outcomes, what cross-departmental steps the Government plans to take to reduce
the disproportionate effect of the covid-19 outbreak on black, Asian and minority ethnic
communities.
Kemi Badenoch:
As Minister for Equalities, I will be working with the Race Disparity Unit and the
Department for Health and Social Care to carry forward work to identify and fill the
gaps in PHE’s review; and work across government to take appropriate steps to
mitigate disparities identified. The terms of reference for this work, which include
quarterly updates to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health and Social
Care on progress, were published on GOV.UK on 4 June.
WORK AND PENSIONS
Carer's Allowance
Sir Edward Davey: [57057]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people were in receipt of
carer’s allowance in each region of the UK by (a) ethnicity and (b) gender in (i) 2020 and
(ii) each of the last five years.
Justin Tomlinson:
The requested information is not available for (a) ethnicity as it is not routinely
recorded for claimants of Carer's Allowance.
The number of people receiving Carer’s Allowance in each region of Great Britain
broken down by (b) gender is shown in the below table. The latest data available is
as at November 2019. To be aware Carer’s Allowance was devolved to Scotland in
September 2018.
NOV-15 NOV-16 NOV-17 NOV-18 NOV-19
Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
England 178,511 474,335 186,277 496,156 189,470 515,027 192,480 534,645 199,334 551,491
Wales 14,775 33,423 15,155 34,864 15,633 36,267 15,954 37,686 16,499 38,730
Scotland 21,162 45,901 22,185 48,397 22,833 50,108 23,372 52,068 24,320 53,522
North
East
14,209 31,514 15,029 33,366 15,589 34,837 15,856 36,423 16,661 37,823
North
West
33,124 74,985 34,199 78,050 34,748 81,061 35,149 83,757 36,110 86,049
Yorkshire
&the
Humber
21,705 52,406 23,050 55,814 23,618 58,225 24,013 60,847 24,899 62,999
East
Midlands
15,848 41,792 16,608 43,620 16,879 45,405 17,348 47,463 18,076 49,241
West
Midlands
22,303 58,837 22,979 61,118 23,112 63,390 23,534 65,827 24,734 68,087
East of
England
15,115 46,078 15,829 48,099 15,956 49,865 16,182 51,771 16,660 53,321
London 22,280 68,810 23,513 71,840 23,821 73,930 24,256 76,011 25,102 78,139
South
East
19,632 60,513 20,260 63,165 20,675 65,764 20,784 68,238 21,409 70,382
NOV-15 NOV-16 NOV-17 NOV-18 NOV-19
South
West
14,302 39,401 14,809 41,090 15,071 42,549 15,356 44,310 15,678 45,459
TOTAL 214,449 553,665 223,614 579,418 227,935 601,403 231,809 624,399 240,148 643,743
The information requested on the number of individuals in receipt of Carer’s
Allowance is published and available at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk
Guidance for users is available at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html
Carer's Allowance: Coronavirus
Dan Jarvis: [57211]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an
assessment of the potential merits of providing carers who are in receipt of carer’s
allowance with additional financial support during the covid-19 outbreak in (a) Barnsley
Central constituency and (b) the UK.
Justin Tomlinson:
The Government recognises and appreciates the vital role played by unpaid carers
now more than ever. In November 2019 there were more than 1,900 carers in the
Barnsley Central constituency that were receiving Carer’s Allowance (CA) and in
2018/19 we spent approximately £6.7 million on CA there.
We have focussed on ensuring carers do not inadvertently stop receiving CA
because of changes to patterns of care during the current emergency. This includes
allowing emotional support to count towards the 35 hours of care being provided by
the carer as well as relaxing the rules around breaks in care. These changes aim to
support carers whose role has, in many cases, become harder due to the need to
self-isolate or shield the person they care for.
The rate of CA was also increased in early April as part of the annual uprating
process. Since 2010, the rate of Carer’s Allowance has increased from £53.90 to
£67.25 a week, meaning nearly an additional £700 a year for carers. We continue to
support those carers in most need through additional amounts (premiums) in means-
tested benefits and have also announced increases to the standard allowance in
Universal Credit. Meaning claimants will be up to £1040 a year better off, which some
carers receiving Universal Credit will benefit from.
Members: Correspondence
David Linden: [57322]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to respond to the
letter of 31 March 2020 from the hon. Member for Glasgow East, reference DL5255.
Will Quince:
I replied to the hon. Member on 11 June 2020.
Social Security Benefits: Medical Assessments
Nickie Aiken: [54247]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to make
permanent the offer of phone or paper assessments for benefits currently in place during
covid-19 outbreak.
Justin Tomlinson:
Paper based reviews have always been a feature of Personal Independence
Payment assessments and Work Capability Assessments and wherever possible
Assessment Providers will conduct a paper-based review. Telephone-based
assessments for suitable cases are a temporary measure replacing face-to-face
assessments, which were suspended across all health and disability benefits from 17
March due to Covid-19. We are currently in the process of reviewing this measure in
light of the latest public health advice and will confirm next steps as soon as possible.
Chris Stephens: [R] [58014]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people are waiting for
an assessment for (a) personal independence payments, (b) employment and support
allowance and (c) the limited capability for work component of universal credit as at 15
June 2020.
Justin Tomlinson:
The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at
disproportionate cost.
Social Security Benefits: Uprating
Owen Thompson: [57279]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to uprate the
benefit cap to ensure that universal credit claimants are not lifted above the cap by the
Government’s decision to increase universal credit by £20 a week for a year.
Owen Thompson: [58017]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason the benefit cap has
not been raised in line with recent increases in universal credit payments.
Mims Davies:
There are currently no plans to change the benefit cap. The Benefit Cap restores
fairness between those receiving out-of-work benefits and taxpayers.
Statutory Sick Pay
Catherine West: [57306]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate her
Department has made of the number of employees who do not qualify for statutory sick
pay as a result of their pay being below the lower earnings limit.
Justin Tomlinson:
To be eligible for SSP, earnings over the 8 week qualifying period must be at or
above the National Insurance Lower Earnings Limit (LEL), currently £120 per week.
The consultation “Health is Everyone’s Business” stated that widening eligibility for
SSP would extend SSP protection to an estimated 2 million more employees.
Catherine West: [57307]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employees with children
earn less than the lower earnings limit for statutory sick pay.
Justin Tomlinson:
The requested information concerning the number of employees with children who
earn less than the lower earnings limit is not readily available and could only be
provided at disproportionate cost.
Catherine West: [57308]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate the Government has
made of the potential cost to the public purse of removing the lower earnings limit for
qualification for statutory sick pay.
Justin Tomlinson:
The consultation “Health is Everyone’s Business” (CP 134, published July 2019)
sought views on the recommendation of the Taylor Review of Modern Working
Practices to extend Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) to include those earning below the
lower earnings limit. On its own, such a measure would present no direct cost to the
exchequer as SSP is paid by employers. There may be an indirect cost to the
government as an employer but this cannot be robustly estimated.
Statutory Sick Pay: Coronavirus
Catherine West: [57309]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Government
has made of the potential effect that the level of the rate of statutory sick pay will have on
the number of employees who choose to self-isolate during the covid-19 outbreak as a
result of an instruction through the NHS' test and trace system.
Justin Tomlinson:
A high level of compliance with the restrictions introduced to combat covid-19 has led
to the outbreak being brought under control. This Government has a strong safety net
that helps people who are facing hardship and are unable to support themselves
financially. We have taken steps to strengthen that safety net so that people are
supported to do the right thing. We have extended eligibility for SSP, and made sure
it is payable from day 1 – rather than day 4 – for employees affected by covid-19.
Employers can choose to pay more than SSP and many do - 60% of employees
receive more than the statutory minimum. SSP is just part of our welfare safety net
and our wider government offer to support people in times of need. Where an
individual’s income is reduced while off work sick and they require further financial
support they may be able to claim Universal Credit and new style Employment and
Support Allowance, depending on individual circumstances. We have ensured that
benefits are easily accessible and more supportive for those who need to make a
claim.
Universal Credit
Chris Stephens: [R] [57257]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new applications for
universal credit there were in each constituency since 1 March 2020.
Chris Stephens: [R] [57258]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new applications there
were for universal credit by households with children in each constituency since 1 March
2020.
Will Quince:
Statistics for Universal Credit claims by postcode area, and starts by postcode area
and Jobcentre Plus office can be found on Stat-Xplore:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/
The available information on the number of households with children on Universal
Credit, by parliamentary constituency, is published and can be found at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/
Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html
Universal Credit: Coronavirus
Stuart Anderson: [48633]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the
number of universal credit applicants who (a) do not have access to a computer and (b)
are self-isolating due to the covid-19 outbreak.
Will Quince:
Our Universal Credit Claimant Survey from June 2018 found that 96 per cent of
claimants have regular access to the internet. Of these, 9 in 10 claimants have
access at home via a computer or through a mobile phone. This can be accessed at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-full-service-claimant-
survey
For those claimants who are unable to access or use our digital services, there is
assistance available to make and maintain their claim using the Freephone Universal
Credit helpline.
Running alongside the national Jobcentre offer from 1 April 2019 is the Citizens
Advice Help to Claim which support claimants in making a Universal Credit claim.
Help to Claim offers tailored, practical support to help people make their claim up to
receiving their first full correct payment on time. It is widely available online, through a
freephone number and face to face through local Citizens Advice services.
Information on the number of Universal Credit applicants who are self-isolating due to
Covid-19 is not available.
Alison McGovern: [51925]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Government
has made of the potential merits of suspending the Universal Credit (Miscellaneous
Amendments, Saving and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2018 for the duration of the
covid-19 outbreak.
Will Quince:
[Holding answer 4 June 2020]: The Universal Credit (Miscellaneous Amendments,
Saving and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2018 introduced a package of positive
measures announced in the Autumn Budget on 22 November 2017 and the SSWP’s
oral statement the following day. It also introduced additional measures that are very
technical by nature, which had been highlighted as part of the learning process of
Universal Credit and ensured the legislation reflected the intended policy.
We cannot see any merit in suspending these regulations. For example, we have no
plans to re-introduce waiting days to Universal Credit during the Covid period, as this
would reduce financial support for claimants and delay the initial payment, nor do we
have any plans to suspend the Transition to UC Housing Payment (the two-week run
on of Housing Benefit), as this would remove vital financial support for people moving
to UC.
Dan Jarvis: [51991]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what additional financial support
her Department is providing to claimants of universal credit whose partners are in receipt
of the state pension during the covid-19 outbreak.
Will Quince:
Couples where one member is receiving state pension and the other is of working
age, who are not already claiming Pension Credit and/or Housing Benefit for
pensioners, will be supported through Universal Credit where eligible.
The Government has announced a suite of measures to support those facing the
most financial disruption during the pandemic. This includes increasing the standard
allowance in Universal Credit by £86.67 per month (equivalent to £20 per week), on
top of the planned annual uprating. This means that claimants may be up to £1,040
per year better off, depending on their circumstances. We have also made a number
of other changes such as increasing Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal
Credit and Housing Benefit claimants; putting an average of £600 into people’s
pockets.
Universal Credit: Wales
Jessica Morden: [51747]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people submitted claims
for universal credit in Wales from 1 March to 12 May in (a) 2017, (b) 2018, (c) 2019 and
(d) 2020.
Will Quince:
[Holding answer 4 June 2020]: Information on new Universal Credit claims made in
a) 2017, b) 2018 and c) 2019 is published online and can be found at https://stat-
xplore.dwp.gov.uk/
Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at: https://stat-
xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html
For figures for 2020, I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newport East
on 21 May 2020 to Question 39515
Welfare Tax Credits
Neil Gray: [41473]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her Department’s
policy to allow claimants to re-open a tax credit claim following an application for
universal credit.
Will Quince:
[Holding answer 5 May 2020]: The Department has prioritised ensuring people have
the information they need to understand the benefits and employment support they
may be eligible for, including launching a new microsite within the Understanding
Universal Credit website to help people navigate the range of support available and
apply for it.
Although neither HMRC nor DWP can advise tax credit claimants whether they
should claim Universal Credit (UC), we have actively encouraged them to use benefit
calculators to check their eligibility before applying and have explained that applying
for UC will stop their tax credit claim. This includes adding information to HMRC’s
Interactive Voice Response for people calling on the phone, as well as updating
GOV.UK pages. We have used the DWP Twitter and Facebook channels to share
messages for tax credit claimants, and used paid media to ensure we reach millions
of people.
MINISTERIAL CORRECTIONS
HOME OFFICE
Police: Demonstrations
Nadia Whittome: [53673]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had
with representatives from the National Police Chiefs Council on (a) guidance for policing
protests while the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 are in force and (b)
arresting protesters under those regulations.
An error has been identified in the written answer given on 9 June 2020. The
correct answer should have been:
Kit Malthouse:
The footage of George Floyd’s death is deeply upsetting and we appreciate the
strength of feeling behind the planned #BlackLivesMatter protests, but it is vital to
remember that we are still in the midst of a public health crisis. We strongly support
the right to protest peacefully, but this pandemic has led to many of our individual
freedoms being curtailed because everyone has a role to play in helping to control
the virus following the rules. This is how we can continue to save lives so we can
recover. Under the current regulations, gatherings of more than six people from
different households are not permitted. We are in close contact with police to ensure
they are prepared to respond to any public disorder and have appropriate policing
plans in place. How they use these powers is an operational matter for the police,
who are independent of Government. The Police have adopted an effective approach
of the 4Es; engaging, explaining and encouraging compliance before moving to
enforcement options. The National Police Chiefs Council and the College of Policing
have issued guidance on how they will enforce the regulation. This can be found at
https://www.college.police.uk/News/College-news/Pages/Health-Protection-
Guidelines.aspx. Chief constables from forces across the country, the Chair of the
National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Chief Executive of the College of Policing and the
President of the Police Superintendents' Association made a statement following the
death of George Floyd, which is published at
https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/uk-police-stand-with-those-appalled-by-george-
floyd-death
The footage of George Floyd’s death is deeply upsetting and we appreciate the
strength of feeling behind the planned #BlackLivesMatter protests, but it is vital
to remember that we are still in the midst of a public health crisis.We strongly
support the right to protest peacefully, but this pandemic has led to many of
our individual freedoms being curtailed because everyone has a role to play in
helping to control the virus following the rules. This is how we can continue to
save lives so we can recover.
Under the current regulations, gatherings of more than six people from
different households are not permitted. We are in close contact with police to
ensure they are prepared to respond to any public disorder and have
appropriate policing plans in place. How they use these powers is an
operational matter for the police, who are independent of Government.
The Police have adopted an effective approach of the 4Es; engaging,
explaining and encouraging compliance before moving to enforcement
options. The National Police Chiefs Council and the College of Policing have
issued guidance on how they will enforce the regulation. This can be found at
https://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/COVID-19/understanding-the-
law/Pages/default.aspx
Chief constables from forces across the country, the Chair of the National
Police Chiefs’ Council, the Chief Executive of the College of Policing and the
President of the Police Superintendents' Association made a statement
following the death of George Floyd, which is published at
https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/uk-police-stand-with-those-appalled-by-
george-floyd-death.
Police: Powers
Nadia Whittome: [53674]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an
assessment of the effect of (a) Regulation 7 of the Coronavirus Regulations 2020 and (b)
the police use of powers under those regulations at recent protests on people's ability to
exercise their right to protest under articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on
Human Rights.
An error has been identified in the written answer given on 9 June 2020. The
correct answer should have been:
Kit Malthouse:
The footage of George Floyd’s death is deeply upsetting and we appreciate the
strength of feeling behind the planned #BlackLivesMatter protests, but it is vital to
remember that we are still in the midst of a public health crisis. We strongly support
the right to protest peacefully, but this pandemic has led to many of our individual
freedoms being curtailed because everyone has a role to play in helping to control
the virus following the rules. This is how we can continue to save lives so we can
recover. Under the current regulations, gatherings of more than six people from
different households are not permitted. We are in close contact with police to ensure
they are prepared to respond to any public disorder and have appropriate policing
plans in place. How they use these powers is an operational matter for the police,
who are independent of Government. The Police have adopted an effective approach
of the 4Es; engaging, explaining and encouraging compliance before moving to
enforcement options. The National Police Chiefs Council and the College of Policing
have issued guidance on how they will enforce the regulation. This can be found at
https://www.college.police.uk/News/College-news/Pages/Health-Protection-
Guidelines.aspx. Chief constables from forces across the country, the Chair of the
National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Chief Executive of the College of Policing and the
President of the Police Superintendents' Association made a statement following the
death of George Floyd, which is published at
https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/uk-police-stand-with-those-appalled-by-george-
floyd-death
The footage of George Floyd’s death is deeply upsetting and we appreciate
the strength of feeling behind the planned #BlackLivesMatter protests, but it is
vital to remember that we are still in the midst of a public health crisis.We
strongly support the right to protest peacefully, but this pandemic has led to
many of our individual freedoms being curtailed because everyone has a role
to play in helping to control the virus following the rules. This is how we can
continue to save lives so we can recover.
Under the current regulations, gatherings of more than six people from
different households are not permitted. We are in close contact with police to
ensure they are prepared to respond to any public disorder and have
appropriate policing plans in place. How they use these powers is an
operational matter for the police, who are independent of Government.
The Police have adopted an effective approach of the 4Es; engaging,
explaining and encouraging compliance before moving to enforcement
options. The National Police Chiefs Council and the College of Policing have
issued guidance on how they will enforce the regulation. This can be found at
https://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/COVID-19/understanding-the-
law/Pages/default.aspx
Chief constables from forces across the country, the Chair of the National
Police Chiefs’ Council, the Chief Executive of the College of Policing and the
President of the Police Superintendents' Association made a statement
following the death of George Floyd, which is published at
https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/uk-police-stand-with-those-appalled-by-
george-floyd-death.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Riot Control Weapons: USA
Mr Barry Sheerman: [53309]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will (a) suspend exports of
tear gas, rubber bullets and riot shields to the US in response to the recent steps taken
by police against protestors and (ii) launch an investigation into whether British weapons
were used by the US police against protestors; and if she will make a statement.
An error has been identified in the written answer given on 8 June 2020. The
correct answer should have been:
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have been
sorry to see the violence that has taken place in the United States of America.
All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the
Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated
Criteria’). In reaching a decision, the Department for International Trade receives
advice from a number of Departments including the Ministry of Defence and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Together, we draw on all available information,
including reports from NGOs and our diplomatic missions. The Consolidated Criteria
provides a thorough risk assessment framework and requires us to think hard about
the impact of exporting any equipment. These are not decisions my Department
takes lightly, and we will not license the export of items where to do so would be
inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria.
Any licence granted by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International
Trade may be subject to conditions. In addition, in line with the Consolidated Criteria,
my Department is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary –
when circumstances require. There are currently nine eight extant licences that may
be linked to law enforcement agencies. Six are Open Individual Export Licences
(‘OIELs’), which have potential end users that include law enforcement
agencies. Three Two are Standard Individual Export Licences (‘SIELs’), which have
numerous potential end users that include law enforcement agencies. There are also
15 Open General Licences (‘OGLs’) for which businesses can register that cover the
export of anti-riot gear.
Much information is in the public domain already. We publish information on all export
licences issued, refused and revoked on a quarterly and annual basis as official
statistics on GOV.UK – at: gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-
licensing-data – and whilst data on actual exports is not required to be centrally held,
the licences issued until the end of December 2019 are available.
Hilary Benn: [53311]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she plans to review UK
exports of (a) tear gas and (b) rubber bullets to the US.
An error has been identified in the written answer given on 8 June 2020. The
correct answer should have been:
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have been
sorry to see the violence that has taken place in the United States of America.
All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the
Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated
Criteria’). In reaching a decision, the Department for International Trade receives
advice from a number of Departments including the Ministry of Defence and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Together, we draw on all available information,
including reports from NGOs and our diplomatic missions. The Consolidated Criteria
provides a thorough risk assessment framework and requires us to think hard about
the impact of exporting any equipment. These are not decisions my Department
takes lightly, and we will not license the export of items where to do so would be
inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria.
Any licence granted by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International
Trade may be subject to conditions. In addition, in line with the Consolidated Criteria,
my Department is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary –
when circumstances require. There are currently nine eight extant licences that may
be linked to law enforcement agencies. Six are Open Individual Export Licences
(‘OIELs’), which have potential end users that include law enforcement
agencies. Three Two are Standard Individual Export Licences (‘SIELs’), which have
numerous potential end users that include law enforcement agencies. There are also
15 Open General Licences (‘OGLs’) for which businesses can register that cover the
export of anti-riot gear.
Much information is in the public domain already. We publish information on all export
licences issued, refused and revoked on a quarterly and annual basis as official
statistics on GOV.UK – at: gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-
licensing-data – and whilst data on actual exports is not required to be centrally held,
the licences issued until the end of December 2019 are available.
Alison Thewliss: [53467]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will suspend export of (a)
rubber bullets and (b) tear gas to the US.
An error has been identified in the written answer given on 8 June 2020. The
correct answer should have been:
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have been
sorry to see the violence that has taken place in the United States of America.
All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the
Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated
Criteria’). In reaching a decision, the Department for International Trade receives
advice from a number of Departments including the Ministry of Defence and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Together, we draw on all available information,
including reports from NGOs and our diplomatic missions. The Consolidated Criteria
provides a thorough risk assessment framework and requires us to think hard about
the impact of exporting any equipment. These are not decisions my Department
takes lightly, and we will not license the export of items where to do so would be
inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria.
Any licence granted by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International
Trade may be subject to conditions. In addition, in line with the Consolidated Criteria,
my Department is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary –
when circumstances require. There are currently nine eight extant licences that may
be linked to law enforcement agencies. Six are Open Individual Export Licences
(‘OIELs’), which have potential end users that include law enforcement
agencies. Three Two are Standard Individual Export Licences (‘SIELs’), which have
numerous potential end users that include law enforcement agencies. There are also
15 Open General Licences (‘OGLs’) for which businesses can register that cover the
export of anti-riot gear.
Much information is in the public domain already. We publish information on all export
licences issued, refused and revoked on a quarterly and annual basis as official
statistics on GOV.UK – at: gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-
licensing-data – and whilst data on actual exports is not required to be centrally held,
the licences issued until the end of December 2019 are available.
Alison Thewliss: [53468]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will suspend export of (a)
rubber bullets and (b) tear gas to the US.
An error has been identified in the written answer given on 8 June 2020. The
correct answer should have been:
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have been
sorry to see the violence that has taken place in the United States of America.
All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the
Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated
Criteria’). In reaching a decision, the Department for International Trade receives
advice from a number of Departments including the Ministry of Defence and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Together, we draw on all available information,
including reports from NGOs and our diplomatic missions. The Consolidated Criteria
provides a thorough risk assessment framework and requires us to think hard about
the impact of exporting any equipment. These are not decisions my Department
takes lightly, and we will not license the export of items where to do so would be
inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria.
Any licence granted by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International
Trade may be subject to conditions. In addition, in line with the Consolidated Criteria,
my Department is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary –
when circumstances require. There are currently nine eight extant licences that may
be linked to law enforcement agencies. Six are Open Individual Export Licences
(‘OIELs’), which have potential end users that include law enforcement
agencies. Three Two are Standard Individual Export Licences (‘SIELs’), which have
numerous potential end users that include law enforcement agencies. There are also
15 Open General Licences (‘OGLs’) for which businesses can register that cover the
export of anti-riot gear.
Much information is in the public domain already. We publish information on all export
licences issued, refused and revoked on a quarterly and annual basis as official
statistics on GOV.UK – at: gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-
licensing-data – and whilst data on actual exports is not required to be centrally held,
the licences issued until the end of December 2019 are available.
Stephen Farry: [53663]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how much (a) tear gas irritant
ammunition, (b) tear gas riot control agents, (c) rubber bullets, and (d) riot shields were
exported to the United States in the last year; and what recent assessment he has made
of the likelihood of those exports being used in protests against police brutality in that
country.
An error has been identified in the written answer given on 10 June 2020. The
correct answer should have been:
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have been
sorry to see the violence that has taken place in the United States of America.
All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the
Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated
Criteria’). In reaching a decision, the Department for International Trade receives
advice from a number of Departments including the Ministry of Defence and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Together, we draw on all available information,
including reports from NGOs and our diplomatic missions. The Consolidated Criteria
provides a thorough risk assessment framework and requires us to think hard about
the impact of exporting any equipment. These are not decisions my Department
takes lightly, and we will not license the export of items where to do so would be
inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria.
Any licence granted by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International
Trade may be subject to conditions. In addition, in line with the Consolidated Criteria,
my Department is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary –
when circumstances require. There are currently nine eight extant licences that may
be linked to law enforcement agencies. Six are Open Individual Export Licences
(‘OIELs’), which have potential end users that include law enforcement
agencies. Three Two are Standard Individual Export Licences (‘SIELs’), which have
numerous potential end users that include law enforcement agencies. There are also
15 Open General Licences (‘OGLs’) for which businesses can register that cover the
export of anti-riot gear.
Much information is in the public domain already. We publish information on all export
licences issued, refused and revoked on a quarterly and annual basis as official
statistics on GOV.UK – at: gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-
licensing-data – and whilst data on actual exports is not required to be centrally held,
the licences issued until the end of December 2019 are available.
Nadia Whittome: [53676]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she plans to pause and
review her policy on UK arms and security equipment exports to the US for potential use
in policing operations involving tear gas and rubber bullets.
An error has been identified in the written answer given on 8 June 2020. The
correct answer should have been:
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have been
sorry to see the violence that has taken place in the United States of America.
All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the
Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated
Criteria’). In reaching a decision, the Department for International Trade receives
advice from a number of Departments including the Ministry of Defence and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Together, we draw on all available information,
including reports from NGOs and our diplomatic missions. The Consolidated Criteria
provides a thorough risk assessment framework and requires us to think hard about
the impact of exporting any equipment. These are not decisions my Department
takes lightly, and we will not license the export of items where to do so would be
inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria.
Any licence granted by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International
Trade may be subject to conditions. In addition, in line with the Consolidated Criteria,
my Department is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary –
when circumstances require. There are currently nine eight extant licences that may
be linked to law enforcement agencies. Six are Open Individual Export Licences
(‘OIELs’), which have potential end users that include law enforcement
agencies. Three Two are Standard Individual Export Licences (‘SIELs’), which have
numerous potential end users that include law enforcement agencies. There are also
15 Open General Licences (‘OGLs’) for which businesses can register that cover the
export of anti-riot gear.
Much information is in the public domain already. We publish information on all export
licences issued, refused and revoked on a quarterly and annual basis as official
statistics on GOV.UK – at: gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-
licensing-data – and whilst data on actual exports is not required to be centrally held,
the licences issued until the end of December 2019 are available.
Sir Charles Walker: [54036]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions she has had with
Cabinet colleagues on the potential future granting or withholding of export licences in
relation to crowd and riot control equipment manufactured in the UK and destined for the
US; and if she will make a statement.
An error has been identified in the written answer given on 8 June 2020. The
correct answer should have been:
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have been
sorry to see the violence that has taken place in the United States of America.
All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the
Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated
Criteria’). In reaching a decision, the Department for International Trade receives
advice from a number of Departments including the Ministry of Defence and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Together, we draw on all available information,
including reports from NGOs and our diplomatic missions. The Consolidated Criteria
provides a thorough risk assessment framework and requires us to think hard about
the impact of exporting any equipment. These are not decisions my Department
takes lightly, and we will not license the export of items where to do so would be
inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria.
Any licence granted by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International
Trade may be subject to conditions. In addition, in line with the Consolidated Criteria,
my Department is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary –
when circumstances require. There are currently nine eight extant licences that may
be linked to law enforcement agencies. Six are Open Individual Export Licences
(‘OIELs’), which have potential end users that include law enforcement
agencies. Three Two are Standard Individual Export Licences (‘SIELs’), which have
numerous potential end users that include law enforcement agencies. There are also
15 Open General Licences (‘OGLs’) for which businesses can register that cover the
export of anti-riot gear.
Much information is in the public domain already. We publish information on all export
licences issued, refused and revoked on a quarterly and annual basis as official
statistics on GOV.UK – at: gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-
licensing-data – and whilst data on actual exports is not required to be centrally held,
the licences issued until the end of December 2019 are available.
Sir Charles Walker: [54037]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the Government has
powers to attach conditions to the granting of export licenses, in relation to sale and
export of riot and crowd control equipment to the US and other countries which if not met
could result in a license being cancelled; and if she will make a statement.
An error has been identified in the written answer given on 10 June 2020. The
correct answer should have been:
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have been
sorry to see the violence that has taken place in the United States of America.
All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the
Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated
Criteria’). In reaching a decision, the Department for International Trade receives
advice from a number of Departments including the Ministry of Defence and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Together, we draw on all available information,
including reports from NGOs and our diplomatic missions. The Consolidated Criteria
provides a thorough risk assessment framework and requires us to think hard about
the impact of exporting any equipment. These are not decisions my Department
takes lightly, and we will not license the export of items where to do so would be
inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria.
Any licence granted by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International
Trade may be subject to conditions. In addition, in line with the Consolidated Criteria,
my Department is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary –
when circumstances require. There are currently nine eight extant licences that may
be linked to law enforcement agencies. Six are Open Individual Export Licences
(‘OIELs’), which have potential end users that include law enforcement
agencies. Three Two are Standard Individual Export Licences (‘SIELs’), which have
numerous potential end users that include law enforcement agencies. There are also
15 Open General Licences (‘OGLs’) for which businesses can register that cover the
export of anti-riot gear.
Much information is in the public domain already. We publish information on all export
licences issued, refused and revoked on a quarterly and annual basis as official
statistics on GOV.UK – at: gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-
licensing-data – and whilst data on actual exports is not required to be centrally held,
the licences issued until the end of December 2019 are available.
Patrick Grady: [54129]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to ensure
that (a) tear gas, (b) riot shields and (c) rubber bullets produced in and sold by companies
based in the UK to law enforcement agencies in the US are not used against peaceful
civilian protesters in that country.
An error has been identified in the written answer given on 8 June 2020. The
correct answer should have been:
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have been
sorry to see the violence that has taken place in the United States of America.
All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the
Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated
Criteria’). In reaching a decision, the Department for International Trade receives
advice from a number of Departments including the Ministry of Defence and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Together, we draw on all available information,
including reports from NGOs and our diplomatic missions. The Consolidated Criteria
provides a thorough risk assessment framework and requires us to think hard about
the impact of exporting any equipment. These are not decisions my Department
takes lightly, and we will not license the export of items where to do so would be
inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria.
Any licence granted by my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International
Trade may be subject to conditions. In addition, in line with the Consolidated Criteria,
my Department is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary –
when circumstances require. There are currently nine eight extant licences that may
be linked to law enforcement agencies. Six are Open Individual Export Licences
(‘OIELs’), which have potential end users that include law enforcement
agencies. Three Two are Standard Individual Export Licences (‘SIELs’), which have
numerous potential end users that include law enforcement agencies. There are also
15 Open General Licences (‘OGLs’) for which businesses can register that cover the
export of anti-riot gear.
Much information is in the public domain already. We publish information on all export
licences issued, refused and revoked on a quarterly and annual basis as official
statistics on GOV.UK – at: gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-
licensing-data – and whilst data on actual exports is not required to be centrally held,
the licences issued until the end of December 2019 are available.
WRITTEN STATEMENTS
BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
Business Update
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Alok Sharma):
[HCWS292]
I am tabling this statement for the benefit of Honourable and Right Honourable Members
to bring to their attention the details of changes we have made to the Coronavirus Large
Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS).
CLBILS is facilitated by the Government-owned British Business Bank and delivered
through its delivery partners. Lenders have until now offered loans from £30,000 up to
£50 million to support viable businesses with a turnover of £45 million and above that are
affected by the coronavirus outbreak. It is designed to ensure businesses that have been
adversely impacted by the coronavirus outbreak can access the finance they need, even
if they are too large to access CBILS but unable to access the Bank of England’s Covid
Corporate Financing Facility. There is no limit on the number and aggregate value of
loans that can be made under the scheme.
Despite this, some businesses have not been able to address cashflow issues due to
caps on maximum loan sizes permissible under the scheme. Businesses with turnover up
to £250 million have been unable to borrow more than £25 million, and no business,
regardless of turnover, has been permitted to borrow more than £50 million. On 26 May,
we therefore made the following changes to the scheme:
• an increase in the maximum loan size available under CLBILS: loans are now
available from £50,000 to £200 million;
• the replacement of the £25 million loan size cap for firms with a turnover of up to
£250 million with a new cap on maximum loan size at 25 per cent of turnover for all
borrowers through CLBILS; and
• tighter restrictions on company activities for the duration of the facility for loans
above £50 million: borrowers cannot make any dividend payments other than those
that have already been declared, may not make any share buybacks on dividend
payments, may not pay any cash bonuses, or award any pay rises to senior
management (including the board) except where they were declared before the
CLBILS loan was taken out, are in keeping with similar payments made in the
preceding 12 months, and do not have a material negative impact on the
borrower’s ability to repay the loan.
• for loans up to £50 million, the existing restrictions on dividends continue to apply:
only dividends declared before the CLBILS loan was taken out, are in keeping with
those made in the previous 12 months, and which would not have a material
negative impact on the ability to repay the loan are permitted.
Further detailed technical changes to the scheme, including the approach to restructuring
events and new provisions on seniority of CLBILS facilities, are detailed on the British
Business Bank’s website.
There remains no limit on the number or aggregate value of loans issued under CLBILS.
The Government remains subject to a statutory contingent liability arising from CLBILS,
and I will be laying a revised Departmental Minute today containing a description of the
liability undertaken.
CABINET OFFICE
Second meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee: Update
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Michael
Gove): [HCWS291]
The second meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee took place by video
conference on 12 June 2020. It was co-chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of
Lancaster, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP and Vice President of the European Commission,
Maroš Šefčovič.
The Committee was updated on progress of the Specialised Committees and Withdrawal
Agreement implementation. The Committee adopted one Decision on correcting errors
and omissions in the Withdrawal Agreement relating to financial provisions and citizens’
rights.
The UK emphasised its decision not to extend the Transition Period.
The UK also announced that it would introduce new border controls on imports coming
into Great Britain from the EU in three stages up until 1 July 2021. The UK stated that it
was taking a flexible and pragmatic approach that will give industry extra time to be ready
for the new procedures, recognising the impact of COVID-19 on businesses’ ability to
prepare.
HOME OFFICE
Prüm – Data Sharing Update
The Minister of State for Security (James Brokenshire): [HCWS290]
Following a review of the policy of limiting data sharing via Prüm to the DNA
profiles of convicted criminals and excluding data which relates to those
suspected but not convicted of a crime, it is the Government’s intention to begin
exchanging suspects’ data held in England & Wales and Northern Ireland with
connected EU Member States through Pr ü m. Consultation will continue with the
Scottish Government, where policing matters are devolved, in respect of the
implications for the implementation of the policy in Scotland.
EU Council Implementing Decision 2019/968 required the UK to “review its policy
on the exchange of suspects' profiles” and set a deadline of the 15 June 2020 to
notify the Council of that outcome. The Implementing Decision makes clear the
Council should “re-evaluate the situation with a view to the continuation or
termination of DNA Prüm automated exchange” should the notification not be
made.In order to meet that deadline, Sir Tim Barrow will shortly be instructed to
notify the European institutions that it is the Government’s intention to begin
exchanging suspects’ data held in England & Wales and Northern Ireland with
connected EU Member States through Prü m and that consultation will continue
with the Scottish Government.
The UK has been exchanging DNA data via Prüm since July 2019. During that period
searches of historic data held on the UK’s national DNA database have been made
against the data held by the nine EU countries to whom we have connected Around
12,000 initial hits have been identified relating to UK investigations. EU Member States
have received approximately 41,000 initial hits from matching their data with that held by
the UK. These hits have already delivered public protection benefits. For example, an
unidentified crime stain from a sexual assault in Glasgow in 2012 was identified as a
subject convicted for theft offences in Austria and that investigation is now being
progressed in way that would not have been possible were it not for the Prüm exchange.
Sharing suspects’ data would mean that more UK data stores would be checked across
the EU, supplementing intelligence for investigations, including in relation to serious
organised crime, terrorism and cross-border crime. Law enforcement agencies have
identified that there are risks and missed opportunities associated with not sharing
suspects’ data. For example, the inclusion of UK data taken from a person suspected of
rape – where the conviction rates are disappointingly low - could allow a match to be
made with data held in the EU where that person may have been previously suspected or
convicted of a sexual offence.
This exchange involves a two-step process. Step one is to send anonymised biometric
data to the connected partner for it to be searched against their database, providing a
‘hit/no hit’ result. Where there is a match against the anonymised data, step two applies
during which the relevant demographic data is shared, i.e. name, and date of birth. A
series of stringent checks are carried out by UK law enforcement agencies before any
demographic or identifying data is provided and only if the Member State submits a
separate request for this data.
The Government has considered the impact of sharing suspects’ data as it concerns
individual freedoms. However, I am reassured by protections applicable to England and
Wales which carefully govern the retention of biometric data, and which confer
protections to data from individuals who have not been convicted. The Police and
Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) as amended by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
creates a strict retention regime which sets out that data must be deleted within a set
period, depending on the circumstances under which it was collected. This regime
considers factors such as the age of the individual at the time of the offence, the
seriousness of the offence, and ensures that suspects' data constitutes only around 2%
of the profiles in the DNA and fingerprint databases at any one time.
In addition, a number of safeguards were introduced when Parliament voted in favour of
joining Prüm in 2015 have been in place since we started exchanging DNA data. They
include: the introduction of an independent oversight board; the requirement that low-
quality matches be excluded from Prüm searching; the introduction of an additional step
where a ‘hit’ involves data which relates to a minor; and the exclusion of data held for
only a short period in relation to vulnerable persons. These all work together to protect
against innocent UK citizens being caught up inappropriately in overseas criminal
investigations. The Government considers these safeguards to be working well. Ensuring
continued adherence to the UK’s scientific standards means that there is a one in a billion
chance that a UK DNA sample would be falsely matched with an overseas criminal
investigation. Moreover, the two-step Prüm process means that a law enforcement officer
in the UK checks the data against set criteria before providing any identifying data to the
requesting state. These checks ensure that the information is lawfully retained and that
providing the information would not endanger any UK investigation.
In considering whether to include suspects’ data, the Government has carefully balanced
the potential public protection benefits against concerns that a UK citizen could be caught
up inappropriately in criminal investigations in EU Member States and has considered the
effectiveness of the safeguards put in place to prevent such instances occurring. In light
of the benefits reaped from exchanging DNA since July 2019 and the way in which the
safeguards have been applied, the Government has concluded that the important public
safety benefits in exchanging suspects’ data outweigh the risks associating with sharing
it.
As we made clear in the “UK Approach” published on 27 February, the Government is
discussing a possible agreement on law enforcement with the EU, which could include
arrangements providing similar capabilities to those currently delivered through the Prüm
system.