daily report wednesday, 12 july 2017 contentsqnadailyreport.blob.core.windows.net/qnadaily... ·...
TRANSCRIPT
Daily Report Wednesday, 12 July 2017
This report shows written answers and statements provided on 12 July 2017 and the
information is correct at the time of publication (06:38 P.M., 12 July 2017). For the latest
information on written questions and answers, ministerial corrections, and written statements,
please visit: http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/
CONTENTS
ANSWERS 6
ATTORNEY GENERAL 6
Homicide 6
BUSINESS, ENERGY AND
INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 6
Business: Billing 6
Department for Business,
Energy and Industrial Strategy:
Disclosure of Information 7
Department for Business,
Energy and Industrial Strategy:
McKinsey and Company 8
Electricity Generation 8
Electricity Interconnectors 8
Electricity: Consumption 9
Electricity: Costs 9
Electricity: Exports 10
Electricity: Imports 10
Energy: Prices 11
Energy: Small Businesses 11
Equal Pay 12
Hinkley Point C Power Station:
Compensation 12
Iron and Steel: China 13
Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing
Industries 13
Renewable Energy: UK Trade
with EU 13
Tidal Power: Swansea Bay 14
Working Mothers: Flexible
Working 14
CABINET OFFICE 15
Cybercrime 15
General Election 2017 15
Government Departments:
Ministerial Policy Advisers 15
Government Departments:
Payroll Deduction Scheme 16
Iron and Steel: Procurement 16
Ministerial Policy Advisers 16
Ministerial Policy Advisers:
Pay 16
National Cyber Security
Centre 17
National Cyber Security
Centre: Staff 17
Offshore Industry:
Employment 18
TREASURY 18
Consumer Price Index 18
Consumers: Expenditure 19
Corporation Tax 19
Excise Duties: Diesel Vehicles 19
Excise Duties: Fuels 20
Income Tax 20
Inheritance Tax 21
LIBOR: Charities 21
Minimum Wage 21
Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties 22
National Cyber Security
Centre: Pay 22
Public Sector: Pay 22
Schools: Buildings 23
Social Security Benefits:
Expenditure 23
Taxation 23
Taxation: Business 23
Treasury: Contracts 24
COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT 24
Department for Communities
and Local Government:
Disclosure of Information 24
DEFENCE 25
Air Force 25
Chinook Helicopters 25
Defence Equipment:
Procurement 26
Firing Ranges: Security 26
Low Flying: Compensation 26
Maritime Patrol Aircraft 26
Military Bases: Security 27
Ministry of Defence:
Disclosure of Information 27
Sea Cadet Corps 28
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT 28
Department for Digital,
Culture, Media and Sport:
Disclosure of Information 28
Leisure: Easington 29
Swimming Pools: Construction 29
Swimming: Public Participation 30
DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND
SPORT 30
Dormant Assets Commission 30
Government Art Collection 30
Office for Civil Society: Staff 34
Performing Arts: Equality 34
Public Sector: Mutual
Societies and Social Impact
Bonds 35
S4C 35
Sports Competitors: Down's
Syndrome 35
Voluntary Work: Young People 36
Young People 36
EDUCATION 36
Children: Day Care 36
Department for Education:
Equality 38
Grammar Schools 38
Pre-school Education:
Standards 38
Pupils: Attendance 39
Pupils: Disadvantaged 39
Scholarships: USA 39
Schools: Admissions 40
Schools: Hate Crime 40
Sixth Form Education 40
Sixth Form Education:
Expenditure 40
Social Mobility 41
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND
RURAL AFFAIRS 42
Agriculture 42
Agriculture: EU Law 43
Beaches and Rivers: Litter and
Sewage 43
Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease
Control 43
Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs: Pay 44
Environment 44
Rivers: EU Law 45
Water: EU Law 45
EXITING THE EUROPEAN
UNION 46
Department for Exiting the
European Union: Equality 46
Gibraltar: Brexit 46
Immigration 47
FOREIGN AND
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 48
Argentina: Foreign Relations 48
Chechnya: LGBT People 48
China: Treaties 49
Foreign and Commonwealth
Office: Advertising 49
Foreign and Commonwealth
Office: Disclosure of
Information 49
Foreign and Commonwealth
Office: Equality 50
Foreign and Commonwealth
Office: Redundancy 50
Hong Kong: Foreign Relations 50
Mahmoud Abu Zeid 51
North Korea: Foreign
Relations 51
North Korea: Guided Weapons 51
Venezuela: Human Rights 52
HEALTH 52
Ambulance Services:
Emergency Calls 52
Antenatal Care 53
Dental Services 53
Department of Health: Cabinet
Committees 54
Department of Health:
Disclosure of Information 54
Depressive Illnesses 54
Health Professions: Vacancies 55
Health Services: Reciprocal
Arrangements 55
Health Visitors:
Nottinghamshire 56
Hospitals: Fire Prevention 56
Innovative Medicines and
Medical Technology Review 57
Negligence 57
NHS: Property 58
NHS: Reorganisation 58
Orkambi 59
Parents: Advisory Services 59
Perinatal Mortality 60
Pregnancy Complications 61
Pregnancy: Paracetamol 61
Social Services 62
Suicide: Children and Young
People 62
Suicide: Internet 63
Urinary System: Diseases 63
HOME OFFICE 65
Asylum: Children 65
Compass Contracts 65
Counter-terrorism 65
Crimes of Violence: Acids 67
Government Communications 67
Greater Manchester Police 67
Immigration 68
Immigration: EEA Nationals 68
Immigration: EU Nationals 68
Metropolitan Police 69
Police: Finance 70
Proof of Identity: EU Nationals 70
Radicalism 71
Refugees: Bank Services 71
Refugees: Children 72
Social Media: Radicalism 72
Sopra Steria: Complaints 73
Terrorism: Finance 73
Undocumented Migrants:
Private Rented Housing 73
Violent and Sex Offender
Register 73
HOUSE OF COMMONS
COMMISSION 74
Parliamentary Contribution
Pension Fund 74
INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT 74
[Subject Heading to be
Assigned] 74
Burma: Internally Displaced
People 75
Burma: Peace Negotiations 76
Department for International
Development: Equality 76
Department for International
Development: Redundancy 76
Iraq: Humanitarian Aid 76
Overseas Aid: Standards 77
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 78
Burma: Overseas Companies 78
Trade 78
Trade Agreements 78
JUSTICE 79
Community Rehabilitation
Companies 79
Community Rehabilitation
Companies: Finance 80
Community Rehabilitation
Companies: Staff 80
Community Rehabilitation
Companies: Telephone
Services 80
Debt Collection 81
First-tier Tribunal: Immigration 81
Grenfell Tower: Fires 81
Immigration: Judges 82
Ministry of Justice: Disclosure
of Information 82
Offenders: Biometrics 83
Reoffenders 83
Victim Support Schemes:
Terrorism 87
TRANSPORT 88
Aviation: Egypt 88
Cycling: North East 88
Cycling: Per Capita Costs 89
Cycling: West Midlands 89
Department for Transport:
Advertising 90
Department for Transport:
Disclosure of Information 91
High Speed 2 Railway Line 92
High Speed 2 Railway Line:
Eddisbury 92
National Air Traffic Services:
Government Shareholding 93
Railways: East Midlands 93
Railways: Fares 93
Roads: Accidents 94
Tyne and Wear Metro: Rolling
Stock 94
WALES 94
Rhondda Tunnel 94
WOMEN AND EQUALITIES 95
Equal Pay: Business 95
LGBT People: Northern
Ireland 95
Parliament: Disability 96
WORK AND PENSIONS 96
Department for Work and
Pensions: Advertising 96
Employment and Support
Allowance 96
Food Banks 97
State Retirement Pensions:
Females 97
Universal Credit: Zero Hours
Contracts 98
WRITTEN STATEMENTS 99
HEALTH 99
NHS Technology 99
HOME OFFICE 100
Extremism 100
NORTHERN IRELAND 102
Northern Ireland Finances 102
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
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Homicide
Liz Saville Roberts: [1547]
To ask the Attorney General, whether he plans to encourage the Crown Prosecution
Service to introduce a regular review of evidence in homicide cases where (a) no person
has been charged with an offence and (b) there has been an acquittal.
Robert Buckland:
In murder cases involving an acquittal, the National Standards of Support, which
were published in January 2017 between the voluntary organisation Justice After
Acquittal, the CPS and the police, will be followed.
These require the CPS and police to each conduct a case review, considering the
evidence in the case, how the evidence was presented during the trial and whether
anything could have been done differently. Further, there will also be an on-going
police review of acquittal cases, held every two years with any new evidence /
developments being submitted to the CPS as appropriate.
Following a decision not to charge a suspect with murder or any other homicide
offence, victims’ families can request a review of the CPS decision by an independent
specialist lawyer in accordance with the CPS Victims’ Right to Review scheme.
BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
Business: Billing
Bill Esterson: [3326]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what
discussions he has had with the Minister for the Cabinet Office on regulation relating to
late payment of invoices by businesses.
Margot James:
There have not been any discussions between this department and my right hon.
Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office recently, on this specific subject. Large
businesses have, since April this year, been subject to a twice yearly statutory duty to
report to Government on their payment practices and performance. The first reports
will be due from October this year, depending on the relevant business’s financial
year.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Disclosure of Information
Justin Madders: [2878]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many
protected disclosures were made by staff in his Department in each of the last three
years for which figures are available; how many of those disclosures were found to be
valid; how many staff alleged detriment as a result of having made a protected disclosure;
and how many of those staff subsequently left the employment of the Department.
Margot James:
The Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has a
whistleblowing policy and procedure in place which allows for civil servants to report
a perceived wrongdoing within the department, including something that they believe
goes against the core values in the Civil Service Code. The Public Interest Disclosure
Act 1998 (PIDA) will apply in some of these cases, and provides protection to those
that ‘blow the whistle’ in certain circumstances.
The figures provided in the table below show the total number of whistleblowing
cases that were protected disclosures under PIDA (A).
The table goes on to show the number of cases found to be valid under PIDA (B), the
number of employees that alleged detriment as a result of the disclosure under PIDA
(C), and finally the number of employees who made a disclosure under PIDA, alleged
detriment as a result of a disclosure and subsequently left the department (D).
As BEIS was formed on 14 th July 2016 we are only able to provide data from that
date.
A. NUMBER OF
WHISTLEBLOWING
CASES THAT WERE
COVERED UNDER
PIDA
B. NUMBER OF
CASES FOUND TO
BE VALID UNDER
PIDA
C. NUMBER OF
EMPLOYEES THAT
ALLEGED
DETRIMENT AS A
RESULT OF THE
DISCLOSURE
UNDER PIDA
D. NUMBER OF
EMPLOYEES WHO
SUBSEQUENTLY
LEFT THE
DEPARTMENT (I.E.
AFTER MAKING A
DISCLOSURE AND
THEN ALLEGED
DETRIMENT AS A
RESULT OF THE
DISCLOSURE)
2016/17 Less than 5 Less than 5 0 0
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: McKinsey and Company
Jon Trickett: [3637]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will
publish the value of the contracts awarded by his Department to McKinsey & Co in each
year since 2010.
Margot James:
The value of contracts awarded by the core departments of BIS and DECC prior to
June 2016, and thereafter BEIS, with McKinsey & Co is:
2015 - £449,000
2016 - £ Nil
2017 - £ Nil
BEIS does not hold central records prior to 2015.
Electricity Generation
Sir William Cash: [2901]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the
T-4 capacity market auction for delivery in October 2021 will take place in February 2018;
and and if he will make a statement.
Richard Harrington:
On 15th June National Grid released the capacity market timetable for 2017/18 and
within it they have indicated that the T-4 auction will start on 6th February. Please find
a link to the timetable document here:
https://www.emrdeliverybody.com/Lists/Latest%20News/Attachments/109/Capacity%
20Market%20Operational%20Plan%202017.pdf
Electricity Interconnectors
Sir William Cash: [2896]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what
operational interconnectors there are in the UK; and what the MW capacity is of each of
those interconnectors.
Richard Harrington:
The UK currently has 4GW (4000MW) of operational interconnection capacity:
IFA (Interconnexion France-Angleterre); 2GW (2000MW) from Folkestone, Kent to
Calais, France, operating since 1986;
Moyle; 500MW between South Ayrshire, Scotland and County Antrim, Northern
Ireland, operating since 2002;
Britned; 1GW (1000MW) from the Isle of Grain, Kent, to Rotterdam in the
Netherlands, operating since 2011;
East-West (EWIC); 500MW connecting Barkby Beach, North Wales to Dublin,
Ireland, operating since 2012.
Sir William Cash: [2897]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many
megawatts of new interconnector capacity are proposed by (a) 2020 and (b) 2025.
Richard Harrington:
The UK has a pipeline of interconnector projects that are expected to play a role in
providing reliable, affordable, and clean energy.
Based on current project timelines and assuming all projects are able to complete,
3GW (3000MW) of new interconnector capacity are expected to be operational by
2020. A further 1.4GW is also currently under construction for delivery after 2020.
There are a further 9.5GW of projects which have sought regulatory approval.
Electricity: Consumption
Sir William Cash: [2892]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many
TWh of electricity were consumed in the UK in the last 12 months.
Richard Harrington:
In the 12 months ending March 2017, the total UK electricity demand, which includes
energy industry use, losses and final consumption by end users, was 354.5 TWh.
This is down 0.7 per cent on the same period a year earlier.
Source: Energy Trends table 5.2 -
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/electricity-section-5-energy-trends
Sir William Cash: [2893]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many
GWh of electricity consumed in the UK in the last 12 months were supplied by
interconnectors.
Richard Harrington:
The Government routinely publishes total import figures from interconnectors in the
annual Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES), and the quarterly National Statistics
Energy Trends data.
The latest available 12 month period of data spans 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017
and shows a gross import of 17,228 GWh through interconnectors.
Electricity: Costs
Sir William Cash: [2900]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the
average cost is of transmission network costs for (a) interconnectors and (b) domestic
generators of electricity.
Richard Harrington:
National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (NGET), in its role as system operator,
have informed us that the average transmission network use of system charge for a
GB generator is £5.77 / kW (2017/18 tariffs). The actual tariff is dependent on the
location of the generator, the historic load factor of the generator, the type of
generator and details of its specific connection.
As part of the overall transmission infrastructure facilitating the wider market,
interconnectors do not pay use of system charges for the transmission network. As
producers and consumers are liable for charges in their own countries, additional
charges for using the interconnector, to allow imports and exports, would amount to
double charging and may hinder the ability of GB producers to export electricity to
other countries.
Electricity: Exports
Sir William Cash: [2894]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many
GWh of electricity were exported from the UK through interconnectors in the last 12
months.
Richard Harrington:
The Government routinely publishes total export figures in the annual Digest of UK
Energy Statistics (DUKES), and the quarterly National Statistics Energy Trends data.
The latest available 12 month period of data spans March 2016 to March 2017 and
shows a total export of 2,782 GWh through interconnectors.
Electricity: Imports
Sir William Cash: [2895]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many
TWh of electricity have been imported into the UK by individual interconnectors since
2012.
Richard Harrington:
The Government routinely publishes total import figures from interconnectors in the
annual Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES), and the quarterly National Statistics
Energy Trends data.
Electricity imported to the UK from January 2012 to end March 2017 amounts to the
following:
IFA (Interconnexion France-Angleterre) (France-England): 59.7 TWh;
BritNed (Netherlands-England): 37.7 TWh;
EWIC (East-West Interconnector) (Ireland-Wales): 2.3 TWh;
NSI (North-South Interconnector) (Ireland-Northern Ireland): 1.1 TWh.
In addition, 1.26 TWh were imported into GB from Northern Ireland.
Energy: Prices
Caroline Flint: [3338]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what scope
Ofgem has to implement a domestic energy market price cap without the need for further
primary legislation.
Margot James:
[Holding answer 11 July 2017]: Ofgem has wide powers under the Gas Act 1986 and
the Electricity Act 1989 to modify the conditions of gas and electricity supply licences,
which would allow for the introduction of a domestic energy price cap.
Caroline Flint: [3451]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what
communication he has had with Ofgem, further to his letter dated 21 June 2017, on
implementation of an energy price cap for households on standard variable tariffs.
Richard Harrington:
The Chief Executive Officer of Ofgem wrote to my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of
State on the 3 July 2017 and the Chairman of the Gas and Electricity Markets
Authority wrote to the Secretary of State on 6 July 2017.
Caroline Flint: [3453]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate
his Department has made of the number of customers potentially covered by Ofgem's
proposals for a price cap in the domestic energy market.
Richard Harrington:
The Department has not undertaken to make any estimate for numbers of customers
who would be protected, as no formal proposal has yet been made.
Caroline Flint: [3454]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent
discussions he has had with energy suppliers on the implementation of an energy price
cap for households on standard variable tariffs.
Richard Harrington:
BEIS Ministers regularly meet with energy suppliers to discuss a range of issues.
Energy: Small Businesses
Bill Esterson: [3324]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what
assessment he has made of the effect of energy prices on the viability of small and
medium-sized businesses.
Margot James:
The Government is committed to ensuring competitive and affordable energy costs
for all businesses as well as households. The Committee on Climate Change recently
assessed energy costs for all businesses and concluded that energy costs are a
small proportion of businesses’ operating costs.
In their final report on the investigation into the energy markets published in June
2016, the Competition Markets Authority proposed a number of remedies to help
microbusinesses access better energy deals. The Government supports the
implementation of these measures which have now been implemented by Ofgem.
These will improve the transparency of tariffs available to businesses and by making
it easier for these businesses to switch suppliers.
Equal Pay
Jim Shannon: [3420]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what
discussions he has had with business organisations on the implications of maternity leave
and requests for flexible working for the gender pay gap.
Margot James:
The Department meets regularly with business organisations to discuss a range of
issues including those which can impact upon the gender pay gap. Consultations in
2015 and 2016 on the gender pay gap have emphasised that fully capitalising on the
talent and experience of women makes business sense; it is good for individuals,
employers and the economy.
Hinkley Point C Power Station: Compensation
Dr Alan Whitehead: [2729]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what
assessment he has made of the risk that the UK's withdrawal from the European Atomic
Energy Community would trigger compensation clauses in the investor agreement in
relation to Hinkley Point C power station.
Richard Harrington:
We remain firmly committed to bringing forward the UK’s first new nuclear power
plants in a generation.
The Hinkley Point C contracts make provision for compensation in certain defined
circumstances. The details of when these apply are set out in the agreements.
The consequences of the intended withdrawal from the Euratom Treaty will be closely
monitored and the department is in close consultation with the industry about its
impacts.
The Government will continue to support Euratom and to ensure that the UK
continues to meet its international safeguards, and nuclear non-proliferation
obligations and support its thriving nuclear industry.
Iron and Steel: China
Stephen Kinnock: [3001]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much
Chinese steel has been imported into the UK in the last six months.
Claire Perry:
Imports from China have reduced by over 200,000 tonnes between 2014 and 2016,
with 41 trade defence cases for steel currently in place.
Data on 32 steel products published by the International Steel Statistics Bureau up
until the last full month collected (April 2017) is set out in the table attached.
Attachments:
1. UK steel imports from China [3001 attachment.pdf]
Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries
Bridget Phillipson: [3050]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what
contingency plans the Government has in place to offset the decline in investment in the
automotive sector since 2015.
Bridget Phillipson: [3051]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he
is taking to encourage investment in the automotive industry.
Claire Perry:
The Department works closely with the UK automotive industry, including through the
Automotive Council, to understand the issues and opportunities the sector faces. The
Government will continue its longstanding programme of support for the sector’s
competitiveness. The UK has been very successful in attracting inward investment
from automotive companies. Companies such as Nissan and Toyota have continued
to re-invest, thanks to our highly-skilled workforce, strong partnership between
government and industry, and long-term investment in new technology and
innovation.
We are determined to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the most competitive
locations in the world for automotive and advanced manufacturing. This includes
seeking a tariff and barrier-free comprehensive free trade deal in goods and services
with the EU for a new, mutually beneficial customs agreement that allows cross-
border trade to be as frictionless as possible.
Renewable Energy: UK Trade with EU
Drew Hendry: [3497]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will
assess the effect on the renewable energy sector of the UK leaving the EU without
having agreed a trade deal with the EU.
Richard Harrington:
[Holding answer 11 July 2017]: Departments are currently conducting analysis with
the Department for Exiting the EU to understand the impacts that withdrawal from the
EU will have on businesses, consumers and other economic actors.
The renewable energy sector is a UK success story. Whatever happens in the future,
the Government is committed to ensuring the UK remains a leader in this field.
We’re building a system fit for the 21st century, giving investors certainty and driving
down the cost of renewable energy for our homes and businesses.
The second competitive Contracts for Difference allocation round is currently running,
with a budget of £290m of annual support for 15 years for technologies including
offshore wind.
Tidal Power: Swansea Bay
Kevin Brennan: [2696]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he
plans to make a decision on the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon before the summer recess;
and if he will make a statement.
Richard Harrington:
The Government is currently assessing the recommendations of the Hendry Review
and will publish a response in due course.
Rebecca Long Bailey: [3388]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which
members of the Cabinet will be responsible for making a decision on the pathfinder tidal
lagoon in Swansea Bay.
Richard Harrington:
Within the Cabinet, my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy has responsibility for matters of energy policy.
Working Mothers: Flexible Working
Jim Shannon: [3419]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what
guidance the Government provides to employers on the provision of flexible hours for
mothers returning to work.
Margot James:
Government provides a range of guidance on the provision of flexible hours, including
for mothers returning to work. This includes guidance on the GOV.UK website
covering what employers have to do, types of flexible working, the statutory
application process and appeals. ACAS also provides advice and guidance.
As we said in response to the Women & Equalities Select Committee report on the
gender pay gap, the Government recognises the need to increase communications
activity around flexible working and will explore options for doing so.
CABINET OFFICE
Cybercrime
Grahame Morris: [3526]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will appoint a Minister with
sole responsibility for cyber security.
Caroline Nokes:
The First Secretary of State and the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Damian Green is
responsible for managing the UK’s cyber security supported by myself. Specific
objectives within the National Cyber Security strategy are aligned with departmental
responsibilities and the corresponding Ministerial portfolio.
We embed cyber security in everything that the the government does. To meet the
challenges of cyber security we launched the new National Cyber Security Strategy
2016-2021 in November 2016. Our strategy is supported by £1.9billion of
transformational investment and sets out ambitious policies to protect the UK in cyber
space.
General Election 2017
Justin Madders: [996]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will place in the Library a copy of the
Government's agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party once it has been concluded.
Damian Green:
A copy of the confidence and supply agreement and supporting financial annex has
been placed in the libraries of both Houses.
Government Departments: Ministerial Policy Advisers
Chris Bryant: [3014]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many special advisers the Government
employs, by Department.
Chris Skidmore:
The Government publishes an annual report on the number and cost of special
advisers. Previous reports are available here
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/special-adviser-data-releases-numbers-
and-costs. An updated version will be published in due course.
Government Departments: Payroll Deduction Scheme
Mr Steve Reed: [2959]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government intends to introduce
payroll giving as an option for all government staff.
Caroline Nokes:
All 18 central government departments already offer Payroll Giving to their staff.
Iron and Steel: Procurement
Stephen Kinnock: [2695]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the level of Government procurement of
UK steel was for each Department in the last financial year.
Caroline Nokes:
This information is not held centrally.
All public authorities are required to implement government guidelines that set out
how government buyers should source steel for major projects so that the true value
of UK steel is taken into account in major procurement decisions.
Ministerial Policy Advisers
Chris Bryant: [3464]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the total cost to the public purse was for
special advisers, including the cost of redundancies, across all Government departments
in each of the last five years.
Chris Skidmore:
A list of special advisers and costs is published annually on gov.uk and deposited in
the libraries of both Houses. The information can be accessed here
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/special-adviser-data-releases-numbers-
and-costs
Ministerial Policy Advisers: Pay
Diana Johnson: [3120]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the average percentage pay
rise awarded to Government special advisers in each fiscal year since 2009-10.
Chris Skidmore:
Salary costs for special advisers are published annually. All publications for the
period requested are available here
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/special-adviser-data-releases-numbers-
and-costs. An updated version will be published in due course.
National Cyber Security Centre
Nick Thomas-Symonds: [3643]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans are in place for the National Cyber
Security Centre to assist companies in fighting against organised cyber-crime and
preventing cyber-attacks.
Caroline Nokes:
The cyber security of the UK is a top priority for Government. The Government are
investing £1.9 billion in the National Cyber Security Strategy and have opened the
National Cyber Security Centre who work with law enforcement and with public and
private sector organisations to make the UK the safest place for everyone to live and
do business online.
The NCSC provides guidance and advice on its website to a wide range of
organisations including companies of all sizes. Advice is tailored to the type and size
of company, with specific guidance being produced for small businesses. NCSC
works closely with the National Crime Agency (NCA), Regional Organised Crime
Units in awareness raising and, for example, NCA and NCSC recently published a
joint assessment on the Cyber Threat to UK Business. NCSC also partners with Law
Enforcement in responding to and investigating serious instances of cyber crime.
Nick Thomas-Symonds: [3644]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans are in place for the National Cyber
Security Centre to assist schools in fighting against organised cyber-crime and preventing
cyber-attacks.
Caroline Nokes:
The cyber security of the UK is a top priority for Government. The NCSC provides
guidance and advice on its website to a wide range of organisations including
schools. NCSC technical experts provide a range of advice and guidance on the
website on topics such as passwords, ransomware, malicious advertisements,
phishing, and device security. This guidance and advice will continue to be developed
in response to technological changes, assessment of risk and cyber security
incidents.
NCSC is also building for the future, working with DCMS and DfE to grow a skills
pipeline via its CyberFirst initiatives.
National Cyber Security Centre: Staff
Nick Thomas-Symonds: [3636]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people are employed at the National
Cyber Security Centre; and what estimate he has made of changes to that number in
each of the next five years.
Caroline Nokes:
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) was established formally on 3 October
2016. At that time, the NCSC had a team of approximately 700 people. For reasons
of National Security, we will not be providing further releases on staff numbers.
Offshore Industry: Employment
Alex Cunningham: [3287]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) employees and (b) self-
employed workers were classified as working on oil and gas installations on the UK
Continental Shelf in each year between 2008-09 and 2016-17.
Alex Cunningham: [3288]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) employees and (b) self-
employed workers were classified as working on offshore wind projects on the UK
Continental Shelf in each year between 2008-09 and 2016-17.
Alex Cunningham: [3289]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many seafarers were classified as working
on vessels engaged in offshore wind projects on the UK Continental Shelf in each year
between 2008-09 and 2016-17.
Alex Cunningham: [3290]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many seafarers were classified as working
on vessels engaged in decommissioning projects on the UK Continental Shelf in each
year between 2008-09 and 2016-17.
Chris Skidmore:
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority.
I have asked the Authority to reply.
Attachments:
1. UKSA Response to PQ3287, 3288, 3289, 3290 [PQ3287_ 3288_ 3289_ 3290 holding
response.pdf]
TREASURY
Consumer Price Index
Kirsty Blackman: [3468]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of
the rise in the Consumer Price Index on consumer spending habits in each of the last 12
months.
Stephen Barclay:
In their March Economic and Fiscal Outlook, the Office for Budget Responsibility
expected consumption growth to slow as the past depreciation of sterling put
upwards pressure on inflation. The latest data on household consumption show that
in Q1 2017 it was 2.6% higher than a year earlier.
The Government is taking action to support people with the cost of living. This
includes increasing the National Living Wage, raising the personal allowance, and
freezing fuel duty.
Consumers: Expenditure
Bill Esterson: [3325]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of
reductions in household spending power on the economic sustainability of businesses of
all sizes in (a) the retail sector and (b) the service sector.
Stephen Barclay:
HM Treasury has made no assessment of the relationship between household
spending and business sustainability.
The government is supporting business by cutting Corporation Tax to 17% - the
lowest rate in the G20; providing over £23bn in additional investment in economic
infrastructure, research and development, and housing; and through the Industrial
Strategy, which will increase productivity and drive growth across the whole country.
Corporation Tax
Catherine West: [2804]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if the Government plans to bring corporation tax
down to 17 per cent by 2020.
Mel Stride:
The government legislated in the 2016 Finance Act to reduce the corporation tax rate
to 17% in April 2020.
We want to ensure the UK remains an attractive destination to set up and grow a
business. Cutting corporation tax increases the returns companies receive on their
investments, allowing them to increase investment, lower prices, hire staff or increase
wages.
Excise Duties: Diesel Vehicles
Mr William Wragg: [2879]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to undertake a consultation
exercise on vehicle excise duty for new diesel vehicles.
Andrew Jones:
The Chancellor keeps all taxes under review as part of the on-going Budget process.
Consistent with the government’s tax consultation framework, where possible, the
Government will engage interested parties on changes to tax policy and legislation at
each key stage of developing and implementing the policy.
Excise Duties: Fuels
Neil Parish: [2961]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of how much will be
raised for the public purse in fuel duty in each year to 2029-30.
Andrew Jones:
According to the latest provisional statistics released by HM Revenue & Customs
(HMRC), fuel duties raised £27.9bn in the 2016-17 tax year. Forecasts for fuel duty
revenues in future years are provided by the independent Office for Budget
Responsibility (OBR) in their ‘Economic and Fiscal Outlook’. For the latest fuel duty
revenue forecast, please see Table 4.6 on page 104:
http://budgetresponsibility.org.uk/efo/economic-fiscal-outlook-march-2017/
The OBR do not publish forecasts of tax receipts past the five-year ‘scorecard’ period
(currently ending in 2021-22). However, in their 2014 ‘Fiscal Sustainability Report’
they did assess the sustainability of fuel duty revenues over a longer period. Please
see Chapter 4 (page 123) of the report for more information:
http://cdn.budgetresponsibility.org.uk/41298-OBR-accessible.pdf
Income Tax
Justin Tomlinson: [3169]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people have (a) been taken out of
paying income tax and (b) had a reduction in the income tax they pay in (i) North Swindon
constituency and (ii) the UK since 2010.
Mel Stride:
I refer the honourable member for North Swindon to the answers given on 22nd
March 2017 to his previous questions on this subject.
Justin Tomlinson: [3239]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to include the cash
value of changes to income tax on payslips when any change is made.
Mel Stride:
Information on income tax is provided in annual tax summaries which have been
issued for the last three years. Tax summaries show individuals how their income tax
and National Insurance contributions have been calculated for all their employments
and other forms of taxable income, and how this contributes to public expenditure.
Individuals can compare one year’s tax summary with another to see how changes to
income tax, such as increases to the personal allowance, affect their tax bill. Since
2010, the personal allowance has increased by nearly 80 per cent - from £6,475 in
2010-11, to £11,500 in 2017-18.
Inheritance Tax
Matthew Pennycook: [2724]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to encourage more
financial institutions, including those based overseas, to provide support to executors and
administrators of estates, including with regard to making the deceased's liquid assets
available for the payment of inheritance tax prior to the grant of probate in line with the
2016 Bereavement Principles.
Mel Stride:
UK banks’ and building societies’ treatment of their customers is governed by the
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in its Principles of Business. This includes a
general requirement for firms to provide a prompt, efficient and fair service to all of
their customers, including those who have recently suffered a bereavement.
The Government is supportive of industry efforts to improve handling of these
sensitive cases, including the implementation of the British Bankers’ Association’s
Bereavement Principles. These Principles commit firms to support customers and, in
particular, allow necessary payments to be made from the deceased’s accounts.
Such payments include inheritance tax, which can be paid directly to HM Revenue
and Customs, before probate is granted, through the Direct Payment Scheme. Where
lower amounts are held, the Principles also commit firms to consider whether they
can waive probate requirements and release funds more quickly.
LIBOR: Charities
Mr Steve Reed: [2958]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much funding will be available in the next
round of Libor funding for charities.
Elizabeth Truss:
The amount of funding available in the next round of Libor funding for charities
(LIBOR 2017) will be confirmed once all applications for funding support have been
received. The application window closes on 25 August 2017; full details of the
scheme and the application form can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/libor-funding-applications
Minimum Wage
Justin Madders: [3508]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many cases have been brought for non-
compliance with the national minimum wage in each of the last 12 months for which
figures are available in (a) Ellesmere Port and Neston, (b) the North West, (c) England
and (d) the UK.
Mel Stride:
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) enforce the National Minimum Wage (NMW) in
line with the law and policy set out by the Department for Business, Energy and
Industrial Strategy. The government are determined that everyone who is entitled to
NMW receives it.
HMRC does not record statistics on complaints or the outcomes of its investigations
by reference to regions, constituencies or counties. In 2016-17, HMRC closed over
2,600 cases into NMW non-compliance and identified arrears of over £10.9m for
more than 98,000 workers.
Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties
Jonathan Edwards: [3541]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether vehicle excise duty raised from cars
registered in Wales will be included in the National Road Fund.
Andrew Jones:
As set out in the Transport Investment Strategy, from 2020/21 the Government has
guaranteed that all revenue raised from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) in England will be
allocated to a new National Roads Fund. Road infrastructure is devolved to the
Welsh Government, which will receive Barnett consequentials resulting from any
spending from the Fund.
National Cyber Security Centre: Pay
Nick Thomas-Symonds: [3638]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether employees of the National Cyber
Security Centre are included in the one per cent public sector pay cap.
Elizabeth Truss:
NCSC staff are subject to the same control on average public sector pay awards
which applies across the public sector.
The Government greatly values the important work that public servants do in
delivering essential public services.
Our policy on public sector pay balances the importance of recruiting and retaining
high-quality people in our public services with making sure that our public finances
remain sustainable, so that we can continue to see the improvements in our public
services that we have seen under this Government. This approach has not changed
and the Government will continually assess that balance.
Public Sector: Pay
Kirsty Blackman: [3645]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much has been saved in 2017 prices as a
result of the imposition of the public sector pay cap.
Elizabeth Truss:
Projected savings were outlined in the Summer Budget 2015. Over the parliament
2010-2015, the government’s firm restraint over public sector pay delivered
reductions to departmental spending, saving approximately £8 billion.
Schools: Buildings
Justin Tomlinson: [3165]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to remove the
requirement for schools and colleges to pay VAT on extensions funded by the Education
and Skills Funding Agency which are directly connected to existing buildings.
Mel Stride:
There is no provision under EU law that provides for the blanket exemption of schools
from being charged VAT and the UK is therefore not able to exempt schools from
paying VAT on extensions funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency. While
the UK remains a member of the EU, we will continue to abide by our rights and
obligations.
Social Security Benefits: Expenditure
Neil Gray: [3655]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much he plans to spend on social security in
each of the next five financial years as a percentage of gross domestic product.
Elizabeth Truss:
According to the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Spring Budget 2017 forecast, the
Government is forecast to spend 10.9% of GDP in 2017/18 on welfare in the United
Kingdom. This figure falls to 10.7% in 2018/19, 10.5% in 2019/20 and 10.3% in
2020/21 and 2021/22.
Taxation
Liam Byrne: [2742]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the value of tax
cuts for companies and individuals earning more than £75,000 for each year since 2010
up to 2020.
Mel Stride:
The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at
disproportionate cost. The exchequer impact of individual policy measures are
estimated in HM Treasury’s publications on policy costings accompanying each fiscal
event.
Taxation: Business
Liam Byrne: [2843]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will set out total receipts for (a) corporation
tax, (b) VAT, (c) business rates and (d) national insurance contributions for each
business sector in the last year for which figures are available.
Mel Stride:
1. Corporation tax liabilities for each business sector are published online here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/corporation-tax-payable-after-set-offs-
classified-by-industry-by-year-of-liability.
2. Value Added Tax (VAT) liabilities for each business sector are published in the
VAT Factsheet, which can be found on the following website under ‘Factsheet
Datasets’: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Statistics/Pages/TaxAndDutybulletins.aspx.
Tab 2.5 shows the net VAT declared on traders' returns classified by Trade Sub-
Sector.
3. The information requested on business rates receipts is not available.
4. Robust estimates of national insurance contributions for each business sector are
not available.
Treasury: Contracts
Jon Trickett: [3606]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many contracts have been awarded by or
on behalf of his Department to (a) Brewin Dolphin PLC, (b) Tullett Prebon PLC, (c)
PARC, (d) Oxera, (e) Goodacre UK, (f) RELX, (g) Royal Dutch Shell, (h) KPMG, (i)
Lloyds, (j) Bishop Fleming Accountants, (k) Ernst & Young, (l) Clerical Medical, (m)
Heathrow Airport, (n) Deloitte, (o) PwC, (p) Grant Thornton and (q) Slaughter & May
since July 2015; and what the value was of each of those contracts.
Jon Trickett: [3607]
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many contracts have been awarded by or
on behalf of his Department to (a) Brewin Dolphin PLC, (b) Tullett Prebon PLC, (c)
PARC, (d) Oxera, (e) Goodacre UK, (f) RELX, (g) Royal Dutch Shell, (h) KPMG, (i)
Lloyds, (j) Bishop Fleming Accountants, (k) Ernst & Young, (l) Clerical Medical, (m)
Heathrow Airport, (n) Deloitte, (o) PwC, (p) Grant Thornton and (q) Slaughter & May
between July 2010 and July 2015; and what the value was of each of those contracts.
Andrew Jones:
The Government is committed to maintaining transparency about its procurement
activity and publishes information about its contracts with a value of over £10,000 on
the “Contracts Finder” website. The information requested is readily available here:
https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder.
COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Department for Communities and Local Government: Disclosure of Information
Justin Madders: [2827]
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many
protected disclosures were made by staff in his Department in each of the last three
years for which figures are available; how many such disclosures were found to be valid;
how many staff alleged detriment as a result of making such a disclosure; and how many
staff who (a) made such a disclosure and (b) alleged detriment as a result of a disclosure
subsequently left the employment of the Department.
Mr Marcus Jones:
The department has not received any protected disclosures in the last three years.
In recent years the department has improved its strategic leadership and
accountability of whistleblowing and improved whistleblower support. We have a
senior whistleblowing champion with overall responsibility for whistleblowing practices
and have implemented a
clear and transparent policy and provided comprehensive guidance for staff. We also
have a central point of contact for staff to raise concerns which is staffed by
whistleblowing nominated officers who have received specialist training on how to
respond to any concerns
raised.
DEFENCE
Air Force
Mr Kevan Jones: [3172]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the shortfall in manpower is for (a)
commissioned aircrew, (b) non-commissioned aircrew, (c) officers and (d) non-
commissioned other ranks in (i) 14 Squadron RAF, (ii) 56(R) Squadron RAF, (iii) 8
Squadron RAF, (iv) 5 Squadron RAF, (v) 51 Squadron RAF and (vi) 54 Squadron RAF.
Mark Lancaster:
I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to,
prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Chinook Helicopters
Mr Kevan Jones: [3539]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many aircraft in the RAF Chinook
helicopter fleet are (a) operational and (b) in storage.
Harriett Baldwin:
As at 1 April 2017 the UK Armed Forces has 60 Chinooks, all of which are meeting
their operational taskings. I am withholding a further breakdown of aircraft status, as
its disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or
security of the Armed Forces.
Defence Equipment: Procurement
Mr Kevan Jones: [3540]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what command acquisition and support plans
for equipment and support requirements are in place between (a) Navy Command, (b)
Army Command, (c) Air Command, (d) Joint Forces Commands and Defence Equipment
and Support.
Hannah Bardell:
Defence Equipment and Support has Command Acquisition Support Plans in place
with each of the Commands. These set out equipment and support requirements over
a 10-year period and are reviewed annually.
Firing Ranges: Security
Mr Kevan Jones: [3574]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many unauthorised entries to MOD firing
ranges have been recorded in the last two years.
Mr Tobias Ellwood:
The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate
cost.
Low Flying: Compensation
Mr Kevan Jones: [3581]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has paid in
compensation to complainants affected by low-flying aircraft in the last two years.
Mr Tobias Ellwood:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 27 January 2017 by the then
Minister for Defence Veterans, Reserves and Personnel (Mark Lancaster) to
Question 60906.
Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Mr Kevan Jones: [3174]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate has been made of the cost of
each sonobuoy that will be used by the P-8A maritime patrol aircraft once that aircraft
comes into service.
Harriett Baldwin:
As announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, the UK is
investing in a fleet of nine P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, which are being procured via
a Foreign Military Sale from the US Government. The Department cannot disclose
cost information at this time as its release would prejudice our commercial interests
although the sale does include initial sonobuoy provisioning.
Military Bases: Security
Mr Kevan Jones: [3571]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many successful prosecutions of foreign
nationals there have been made for unauthorised entries under the provisions of the
Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 to (a) AWE Aldermaston, (b) AWE
Burghfield, (c) HMNB Devonport, (d) HMNB Clyde, (e) RNAD Coulport, (f) Northwood
Headquarters, (g) RAF Fylingdales, (h) RAF Menwith Hill, (i) RAF Croughton, (j) RAF
Lakenheath, (k) RAF Feltwell, (l) RAF Mildenhall, (m) RAF Brize Norton, (n) SMC
Marchwood, (o) RAF Fairford and (p) RAF Welford in the last two years.
Mr Tobias Ellwood:
Since 1 July 2015, no foreign nationals have been prosecuted by the Ministry of
Defence Police for unauthorised entry under the provisions of the Serious Organised
Crime and Police Act 2005 at the sites listed.
Ministry of Defence: Disclosure of Information
Justin Madders: [2829]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many protected disclosures were made
by staff in his Department in each of the last three years for which figures are available;
how many such disclosures were found to be valid; how many staff alleged detriment as
a result of making such a disclosure; and how many staff who (a) made such a disclosure
and (b) alleged detriment as a result of a disclosure subsequently left the employment of
the Department.
Mr Tobias Ellwood:
The Ministry of Defence began collating information on concerns/whistleblowing in
September 2015 and has centrally collated records up to the end of the first quarter
of financial year (FY) 2017-18.
NUMBER OF
PROTECTED
DISCLOSURES
RAISED
OF WHICH
NUMBER
RESOLVED
NUMBER
WHERE THERE
WAS A CASE TO
ANSWER
NUMBER
WHERE A
GRIEVANCE
WAS RAISED BY
THE INDIVIDUAL
RELATING TO
THE
DISCLOSURE
NUMBER
WHERE A
GRIEVANCE
WAS RAISED BY
THE INDIVIDUAL
AND THEY
SUBSEQUENTLY
LEFT THE
DEPARTMENT
FY 2015-16 52 46 15 0 0
FY 2016-17 97 61 14 0 0
FY 2017-18
(first quarter)
16 2 0 0 0
Total 165 109 29 0 0
Sea Cadet Corps
Chris Bryant: [3016]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) financial and (b) other support his
Department provides to the Sea Cadets.
Mr Tobias Ellwood:
The Government and the Royal Navy support the Sea Cadets financially through a
Grant in Aid payment. This is currently £10.5 million for this financial year and is paid
to the Marine Society and Sea Cadets and through a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU). This MOU sets out the further support with regards to the provision of
personnel, accommodation, training and the related facilities on the Ministry of
Defence estate.
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Disclosure of Information
Justin Madders: [2828]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many protected
disclosures were made by staff in her Department in each of the last three years for
which figures are available; how many such disclosures were found to be valid; how
many staff alleged detriment as a result of making such a disclosure; and how many staff
who (a) made such a disclosure and (b) alleged detriment as a result of a disclosure
subsequently left the employment of the Department.
Matt Hancock:
None.
Leisure: Easington
Grahame Morris: [341]
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if the Government will make
funding available for the construction and maintenance of a swimming pool and other
leisure facilities in Easington constituency to promote health and wellbeing.
Tracey Crouch:
Local Government is by far the largest investor into community sport with £1bn
invested each year and most grassroots sport is played using facilities (including
parks and informal spaces) owned or controlled by the 353 local authorities in
England. The government, through Sport England, works in partnership with local
authorities to maximise the impact of this investment and safeguard it within the
tough economic climate in which we all operate.
Current Local Delivery Pilots are still in development and the government is exploring
new ways of working across local authorities, Sport England and other partners in
delivering local sporting facilities and infrastructure.
Sport England has no current plans to develop a major, Strategic Facility, investment
in Easington, but their funds for future investment can be applied for through their
website.
Swimming Pools: Construction
Catherine West: [2866]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her
Department plans to provide funding for the construction of new swimming pools in (a)
Hornsey and Wood Green, (b) London and (c) the UK.
Tracey Crouch:
Sport England is the body responsible for making investment decisions on grassroots
sports facilities in England.
Across London, Sport England is currently investing £3.8 million from the Strategic
Facilities Fund to construct three new leisure facilities which include swimming pools.
It does not currently have any plans to fund the construction of a new swimming pool
in Hornsey and Wood Green, but is able to offer support and guidance on how
additional funding and advice could be accessed.
Local Government is by far the largest investor into community sport with £1bn
invested each year and most grassroots sport is played using facilities (including
parks and informal spaces) owned or controlled by the 353 local authorities in
England. The government, through Sport England, works in partnership with local
authorities to maximise the impact of this investment and safeguard it within the
tough economic climate in which we all operate.
Sports policy is devolved and therefore the investment in swimming pools in
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved governments and
Sport Wales, Sport Scotland and Sport Northern Ireland respectively.
Swimming: Public Participation
Catherine West: [2962]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether (a) she and
(b) the Minister for Sport plan to meet (i) Swim England and (ii) British Swimming to
discuss increasing participation in (A) swimming for fitness and (B) competitive
swimming.
Tracey Crouch:
Swimming is both an important sport and physical activity, and a key life skill. I am
very happy to meet with Swim England and British Swimming, in addition to meetings
I already have planned with Swim England’s Swim Group, to discuss increasing
participation in swimming for fitness and competitive swimming.
DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
Dormant Assets Commission
Mr Steve Reed: [3156]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether a decision
has been taken on allocation of the funds identified in the final report of the Commission
on Dormant Assets, published in March 2017.
Tracey Crouch:
The Commission on Dormant Assets made more than 50 recommendations in its
report to Government. The Government is still considering the Commission’s report
and will publish its response in due course.
Government Art Collection
Kevin Brennan: [3698]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the
Answer of 1 March 2017 to Question 65037, which items from the Government Art
Collection have been displayed at public museums or galleries in the UK in the last 12
months.
John Glen:
The following works have been lent from the Government Art Collection have been
displayed at public museums or galleries in the UK in the last 12 months:
Christopher Wood
Pallant House Gallery, Chichester 2 July 2016 - 2 October 2016
GAC 3814 Christopher Wood -Bridge over the Seine - oil painting
Edward Bawden - The Early Watercolours
Fry Gallery, Saffron Walden 30 July 2016 – 30 October 2016
GAC 5639 Edward Bawden - Now with religious awe the farewell light, Blends with
the solemn colouring of the night – watercolour
Kenneth Armitage Centenary Exhibition
Victoria Art Gallery 10/09/2016 - 27/11/2016
GAC 16447/C
Richmond Park: Five Trees, Grey Sky Drawing by
Kenneth Armitage
GAC 16446/C
Richmond Park: Two Trees with White Trunks Drawing
by Kenneth Armitage
GAC 9685 Two Chairs and a Stool Painting by Kenneth Armitage
Euan Uglow / Sargy Mann
The Collection, Lincoln 24/09/2016 – 08/01/2017
GAC 16470/C Euan Uglow - North Cyprus: Study for a History Painting - oil painting
Paul Nash
Tate Britain, London 26/10/2016 – 05/03/2017
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Art, Norwich 07/04/2017 – 20/08/2017
Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle 09/09/2017 – 31/01/2018
GAC 6828 Paul Nash - Nest of the Siren - oil painting
GAC 8536 Paul Nash - Event on the Downs - oil painting
The Subjective Factor: The Art of Victor Pasmore
Djanogly Art Gallery, Nottingham 26/11/2016 - 19/02/2017
Pallant House Gallery, Chichester 11/03/2017 - 11/06/2017
GAC 13121 Development in Green & Indigo No 2 Painting by Victor Pasmore
Joan Eardley
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh 01/12/2016 - 01/03/2017
GAC 1842 A Carter and his Horse Painting by Joan Eardley
Eduardo Paolozzi
Whitechapel Gallery, London 14/02/2017 – 15/05/2017
6678 Sir Eduardo Paolozzi - Untitled - brass sculpture
5641 Sir Eduardo Paolozzi - Fun Fair - mixed media | collage
Behind the Mask: Claude Cahun and Gillian Wearing
National Portrait Gallery, London 09/03/2017 – 29/05/2017
17286/1 Gillian Wearing - Dancing in Peckham – video
18616 Gillian Wearing - Me as an artist in 1984 - 1/6 –
photograph
In Focus: Eileen Agar
Jerwood Gallery, Hastings 15/03/2017 – 05/06/2017
15235 Eileen Agar - Bride of the Sea - acrylic painting
Camden Town in the Blackdown Hills
Museum of Somerset, Taunton 25/03/2017 – 08/07/2017
5219
Spencer Frederick Gore - Somerset Landscape - oil
painting
Queer British Art 1861-1967
Tate Britain, London 05/04/2017 – 01/10/2017
16042 John Minton - Cornish Boy at a Window - oil painting
Paul Nash
Tate Britain, London 26/10/2016 – 05/03/2017
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Art, Norwich 07/04/2017 – 20/08/2017
Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle 09/09/2017 – 31/01/2018
GAC 6828 Paul Nash - Nest of the Siren - oil painting
GAC 8536 Paul Nash - Event on the Downs - oil painting
British Art: Ancient Landscapes
Salisbury Museum, Salisbury 08/04/2017 – 03/09/2017
11144 Norman Stevens - Stonehenge - 28/83 - aquatint
I Capture the Castle
Southampton City Art Gallery 26/05/2017 – 02/09/2017
2062
Josiah Whymper, Richmond Castle, Yorkshire, Watercolour,
1857
0/264 C Tunstall Smith, Kidwelly Castle, Linocut, c.1920-30s
1368 John Hawksworth, The Keep, Dover Castle, pen and ink and
watercolour, 1950
9812 John Piper, Caernarvon Castle I, Screenprint, 1971
John Armstrong: Sense and Experience
The Atkinson Gallery, Southport 05/06/2017 – 03/09/2017
Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Penzance 16/09/2017 – 25/11/2017
16682 John Armstrong - The Red Cow, Tempera on wood,1940
Air
The Royal West of England Academy 16/06/2017 – 03/09/2017
0/5 Christopher Nevinson - Battlefields of Britain - oil painting
Howard Hodgkin and India
The Hepworth Wakefield 29/06/2017 – 08/10/2017
14912 Howard Hodgkin - In the Studio of Jamini Roy - oil | wood
John Minton: A Centenary
Pallant House Gallery, Chichester 01/07/2017 – 01/10/2017
1350 John Minton - Ajaccio Harbour, Corsica - ink drawing
Colour and Perception from Seurat to Riley
Compton Verney 08/07/2017 – 01/10/2017
10957 Bridget Riley - Blaze IV – reproduction
18253 Liliane Lijn - Clear Red Koan - kinetic light sculpture
Painting Pop
Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal 14/07/2017 – 15/10.2017
12661
Derek Boshier - I Wonder What My Heroes Think of the Space
Race - oil painting. 50 - 60 kg
12207 Peter Phillips - Gravy for the Navy II - oil painting
Office for Civil Society: Staff
Mr Steve Reed: [3155]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many permanent
members of staff have been assigned to the Office for Civil Society since it was moved to
her Department.
Tracey Crouch:
On 6th July 2017 the Office for Civil Society had 87 members of staff in post. This
figure does not include vacant positions and is made up of permanent staff, fixed
term appointments and other forms of contingent labour. The number of staff in post
and the mix of different appointment types vary throughout the year.
Performing Arts: Equality
Kevin Brennan: [3699]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent
discussions she has had with representatives of the performing arts industry on diversity
in casting voice-only performances.
John Glen:
Government believes everyone should have access to opportunities in the cultural
sectors. Ministers and officials across the Department regularly meet with a range of
representatives of the performing arts industry to discuss issues affecting the sector,
including the issue of diversity. The Government is clear that it expects the cultural
sectors to represent our diverse society in their artistic talent, workforce and
audiences.
Public Sector: Mutual Societies and Social Impact Bonds
Mr Steve Reed: [3157]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress has
been made by the Inclusive Economy Unit in working with other Government
Departments to expand public service mutuals and the use of social impact bonds.
Tracey Crouch:
The Centre for Social Impact Bonds and the Mutuals Team work closely with other
government departments to support the development of SIBs and to increase the
number, sustainability and commissioning of public service mutuals. For SIBs, this
includes working with DWP to support disengaged young people through the Youth
Engagement Fund SIB and cooperation with their Work and Health Unit, the DCLG
Rough Sleeping Fund and DfE's work to support care leavers. For mutuals, this
includes working closely with the DfE on their Innovation Programme to include public
service mutuals as a new model of delivering children's services, and with the
libraries team in DCMS for potential mutuals in libraries and cultural services. The
number of public service mutuals has grown from 6 in 2009 to over 100 today.
S4C
Kevin Brennan: [3697]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what meetings (a) she
and (b) Ministers of her Department have had with representatives of S4C since 1
January 2017.
Matt Hancock:
Details of Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on the Gov.uk website at the
following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-
and-meetings-1-january-to-31-march-2017
Sports Competitors: Down's Syndrome
Heidi Allen: [2938]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent
discussions her Department has had with disability sports organisations on classing
Down's syndrome athletes as a separate and discreet class and excluding such athletes
from participation opportunities in national disability sports events.
Tracey Crouch:
We have not been approached about this issue and no recent discussion has taken
place. Sport England is currently in discussions with National Disability Sports
Organisations, about the role they can play to support the delivery of Government's
strategy for sport and physical activity, Sporting Future, which is focused on tackling
inactivity in priority groups, such as disabled people. This includes discussions with
Special Olympics GB and Mencap about the work that they do with people with
disabilities.
Voluntary Work: Young People
Mr Steve Reed: [3154]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is
taking to ensure value for money in the delivery of the National Citizen Service; and
whether she is taking steps to reduce the cost of that service to the public purse.
Tracey Crouch:
DCMS and the NCS Trust are working closely together to increase the value for
money of the programme. A key component of this work is the recommissioning of
the NCS delivery network when the current set of provider contracts expire in autumn
2018. This refresh will provide an opportunity to reduce the provider unit cost.
The NCS Trust is also exploring whether value for money can be further improved
through innovations in delivery of the programme.
Young People
Mr Steve Reed: [3153]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the
announcement on 8 November 2016 by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,
Minister for Civil Society, when she plans to publish her Department's new youth policy
statement.
Tracey Crouch:
The Government is considering the contributions made in the youth policy regional
workshops held in March and April. An announcement will be made in due course.
EDUCATION
Children: Day Care
Lucy Powell: [3429]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number
of (a) families and (b) children who will benefit from the new 30 hours free childcare for
three and four-year-olds when it becomes available in September 2017; and what
estimate she has made of how many of those children will be (i) increasing their use of
formal childcare and (ii) starting to use formal childcare.
Mr Robert Goodwill:
We estimate that 390,000 families of three and four-year-olds will receive an
additional 15 hours free childcare, saving families who use the full 30 hours, around
£5,000 per year in total. Many children are already accessing more than 15 hours of
childcare, and 30 hours will reduce the cost of childcare for working parents.
In January 2017, we published a research report exploring parents' views and
demand for 30 hours free childcare. This is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/586231
/Parents__views_and_demand_for_30_hour_s_free_childcare_-_RR611.pdf
The findings indicated that of those currently using the 15 free hour entitlement, four
out of five (83%) said they would take up the additional 15 free hours if they were
available to them now. Of these, 61% said they would use the full 15 hours per week.
Lucy Powell: [3430]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many additional childcare places have
been created in each quarter since May 2015 to support the roll-out of the 30-hour
childcare offer.
Mr Robert Goodwill:
We are making record investments in the government’s free childcare offer: over £1
billion more per year by 2020. This includes £300 million per year for a significant
increase to the hourly rates paid for two, three and four-year-old entitlement. From
April 2017, the national average funding rates also increased to £4.94 for three and
four-year-olds and £5.39 for two-year-olds. We are also investing £100m in capital
funding to create nearly 18,000 additional places for eligible children to help meet
demand from hardworking parents. This investment will support even more providers
to deliver 30 hours.
In addition our national delivery contractor, Childcare Works, are supporting all local
authorities to ensure they are ready to deliver the required number of free places in
September 2017. Local authorities report that they have benefitted from support with
estimating demand in their local areas.
Lucy Powell: [3431]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) parents and (b) childcare
providers have signed up to the Childcare Choices website in each month since it has
been in operation.
Lucy Powell: [3432]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many providers who have signed up to
the Childcare Choices website to deliver 30 hours free childcare are (a) PVI providers, (b)
maintained nursery schools or nursery classes and (c) childminders.
Lucy Powell: [3433]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of families estimated to be
eligible for 30 hours free childcare have signed up for that care via the Childcare Choices
website; and what proportion of those families have gone on to register with a childcare
provider.
Mr Robert Goodwill:
The Childcare Choices website provides information on whether parents could be
eligible for a range of government childcare offers, including 30 hours free childcare.
Parents can apply for Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours free childcare through the
digital Childcare Service, which is accessible via Childcare Choices. Providers do not
sign up to offer 30 hours free childcare via the Childcare Service.
As of 30 June, successful parent applications have generated 98,579 valid 30 hours
eligibility codes through the service. Since the service opened on 21 April 2017 to
families that have children who will be under 4 on 31 August 2017, the number of
valid 30 hours eligibility codes generated are as follows: 6,472 in April, 31,853 in May
and 52,218 in June.
We do not hold data on whether they have subsequently signed up with a provider.
Department for Education: Equality
Kate Green: [3083]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the oral Answer of 2
November 2016, Official Report, column 879, what steps her Department has taken to
use 2011 census classifications, including on Gypsies and Travellers, to audit racial
disparities in public service outcomes.
Nick Gibb:
I refer the Honourable Member for Stretford and Urmston to the answer given by my
Right Honourable Friend, the member for Ashford in response to PQ 3709.
Grammar Schools
Bill Esterson: [3327]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to introduce legislative
proposals on grammar schools.
Nick Gibb:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided on 27 June to Question number 128.
Pre-school Education: Standards
Tracy Brabin: [2916]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what number and proportion of children have
been assessed as (a) meeting, (b) exceeding and (c) not yet reaching expected levels of
development at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage in each of the last three
years.
Mr Robert Goodwill:
The data requested is published in the ‘Early years foundation stage profile results:
2015 to 2016’ statistical first release: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/early-
years-foundation-stage-profile-results-2015-to-2016.
Pupils: Attendance
Mike Kane: [2972]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Supreme Court ruling
on Isle of Wight Council v Platt in April 2017, what plans she has to work with her
colleagues in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to address the
issue of disproportionate holiday cost increases outside of school terms.
Nick Gibb:
We are pleased the Supreme Court unanimously agreed with our position that no
child should be taken out of school without good reason. As before, head teachers
have the discretion to decide when exceptional circumstances allow for a child to be
absent, but this ruling removes the uncertainty for schools and local authorities that
was created by the High Court judgment.
The evidence shows that every extra day of school missed can affect a pupil’s
chances of achieving good GCSEs, which has a lasting effect on their life chances.
We are examining the Supreme Court judgment carefully and considering what our
next steps will be.
Pupils: Disadvantaged
Angela Rayner: [2712]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answers of 28 June 2017 to
Questions 544, 545 and 546, when the supplementary tables with additional analysis will
be published by her Department.
Nick Gibb:
The open consultation on Analysing family circumstances and education closes on
31 July 2017. The Department will be able to consider all responses received at this
point and will publish a consultation response as soon as is possible in the autumn of
2017.
The consultation response will include supplementary tables with additional analysis.
Scholarships: USA
Liam Byrne: [2464]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what representations she has made to the
US Administration about (a) the strategic importance of the Fulbright programme to the
special relationship and (b) the need to preserve funding for the programme in the years
ahead.
Joseph Johnson:
The Fulbright programme provides important opportunities for education exchanges
between the UK and the US. We have received no communication from the US
government to inform us of any proposal to cut funding of the Fulbright Programme.
Schools: Admissions
Bill Esterson: [3328]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effect
on the educational outcomes of children of an entrance exam to some state schools at
the age of 10 or 11.
Nick Gibb:
We have not assessed the effects of the entrance exam itself on the educational
outcomes of children.
Schools: Hate Crime
Anna Turley: [3599]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what systems are in place for schools
reporting hate incidents occurring in the classroom.
Nick Gibb:
Schools are required by law to have behaviour and safeguarding policies. Schools
should record and deal with incidents according to those policies and are held to
account for how they do so by Ofsted. The Department for Education’s statutory
safeguarding guidance, ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (September 2016), is
clear that if staff have any concerns about a child, or think that the child is in danger,
they should speak to the school’s designated safeguarding lead.
The Department’s ‘Preventing and Tackling Bullying’ guidance (July 2017) sets out
that some types of harassing or threatening behaviour or communications could
constitute a criminal offence. When school staff feel that an offence may have been
committed, they should seek assistance from the police.
Sixth Form Education
Ms Angela Eagle: [3640]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and which schools in England
have closed their sixth form since 2010.
Mr Robert Goodwill:
I am sorry, but the department does not record, or hold centrally, data on the number
of schools that have their sixth form provision removed.
Sixth Form Education: Expenditure
Nic Dakin: [3688]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much her Department spent on 16 to
19-year-old education in each financial year since 2014-15.
Nic Dakin: [3689]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding her Department allocated
to 16 to 19-year-old education in each financial year since 2014-15.
Anne Milton:
Department for Education expenditure on 16 to 19-year-old education is reported in
Education Funding Agency (EFA) accounts. The 2014-15 accounts are published
here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/526237
/efa_annual_report_and_accounts_final_26_may_2016.pdf.
The relevant information is included in the following lines from table 5 (Programme
Costs) on page 155:
Local authority maintained schools with sixth forms;
Academies with sixth forms; and
Young people aged 16-19 years in further education.
The 2015-16 accounts are published here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/579174
/EFA_annual_report_and_accounts_2015_to_2016__Web_Accessible_.pdf :
The relevant information is included in the following lines from table 3 (Grant
Expenditure) on page 115:
Local authority and other maintained schools with sixth forms;
Academies – Grants to academies with sixth forms; and
16-19 Further Education.
The accounts for 2016-17 have not yet been published.
Funding allocations to the sector, are made on an academic year basis rather than by
financial year. Allocations are published each year and the data for 2014/15, 2015/16
and 2016/17 is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/16-to-19-education-funding-allocations#published-
allocations.
Funding allocations for 2017/18 have not yet been published. Funding for 16 to 19-
year-old education includes Total Programme Funding and High Needs funding in the
allocations tables.
As EFA accounts are published by financial year, and funding allocations are made
by academic year, the two sets of figures are not directly comparable.
Social Mobility
Dan Jarvis: [3215]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Social Mobility
Commission's report: Time for Change: an assessment of government policies on social
mobility 1997-2017, if she will launch a review into the possibility of creating a national
coalition with councils, communities and employers to improve social mobility.
Mr Robert Goodwill:
The Department for Education welcomes the Commission’s report, published on 28
June, which considers efforts to improve social mobility over the last twenty years.
The Commission rightly concludes that too often life chances can be determined not
by effort and talents but where you come from, who your parents are and what school
you attend. The Department will set out further details on policy to tackle this social
injustice in due course.
Improving social mobility requires support from all parts of society: government,
employers and civic organisations. Last year, we launched our £72 million
Opportunity Area programme. In these 12 social mobility ‘coldspots’ we are working
with a range of local partners to break the link between background and destination.
We know these areas face some of the most entrenched challenges, as described by
the Social Mobility Commission’s Index last year. Our approach here goes beyond
what the Department and central government can do – extending to local authorities,
schools, academy sponsors, local and national businesses, Local Enterprise
Partnerships, FE colleges, universities, the voluntary sector, and more.
The Secretary of State recently spoke at the launch of the Social Mobility Employers
Index. The Index highlights how employers, including government, are taking steps to
ensure talented people from all works of life can access good jobs. Through this
collaborative process, we will not just build opportunity now but lay the foundations
for further progress in the future. I strongly encourage employers to sign up to the
Index next year.
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Agriculture
Dr David Drew: [2631]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions
he has had with each of the devolved administrations on his Department's plans for the
reform of agriculture after the UK leaves the EU.
George Eustice:
The Secretary of State has spoken to Ministers from Scotland and Wales and the
Defra Permanent Secretary has been in regular contact with the Permanent
Secretary in the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs –
Northern Ireland (DAERA-NI). The Secretary of State has also had a number of
meetings with stakeholder groups from the devolved nations since his appointment.
He met Ministers from the Scottish Government at the Royal Highland Show and
plans to meet his Welsh counterparts at the Royal Welsh Show as well as visiting
Northern Ireland later this month.
Ministers have had regular meetings with the devolved administrations over the past
year.
Agriculture: EU Law
John McNally: [3332]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assistance
he is receiving from the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure that his Department is
fully funded to undertake its review of EU legislation on food and agriculture.
George Eustice:
Over 80% of Defra’s agenda is affected by the vote to leave the European Union. As
a result, Defra has reviewed and reprioritised its work programme so that many roles
across the Defra group are now supporting EU exit-related work, either directly or
indirectly. Given its extensive impact, it is not possible to give an isolated figure of
FTE civil servants working on, or budget for, the EU Exit programme alone.
Beaches and Rivers: Litter and Sewage
Mr Roger Godsiff: [2876]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has
to ensure that the UK's rivers and beaches are not polluted by sewage or litter.
Dr Thérèse Coffey:
The Government published the first Litter Strategy for England on 10 April, setting out
our aim to clean up the country, including rivers and beaches.
Our strategy is to apply best practice in education, enforcement and infrastructure to
deliver a substantial reduction in litter and littering behaviour within a generation. The
common aim of all the actions in the Litter Strategy is to change the behaviour of
those who currently feel that it is acceptable to drop litter. By reducing the amount of
litter dropped, and improving cleaning, we will also reduce the litter reaching our
rivers and beaches.
Pollution caused by sewage is controlled by discharge permits issued by the
Environment Agency (EA) which must meet the requirements of various
environmental regulations including the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations
and Bathing Water Regulations. In England, between 2015 and 2020 water
companies are investing over £2 billion to improve their sewerage infrastructure,
guided by the requirements of the EA. This includes investment to improve sewage
treatment works and collecting systems with the aim of reducing the polluting impact
of sewage discharges on beaches and rivers. The results to date are that bathing
waters are at their highest ever quality, thousands of miles of rivers have been
improved and the number of pollution incidents greatly reduced.
Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control
Mr Jim Cunningham: [2579]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent
assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the 25 year strategy for tackling bovine
TB.
George Eustice:
The Government is taking strong action to deliver a long-term plan to eradicate
bovine TB. The comprehensive strategy includes strengthening cattle testing and
movement controls, improving biosecurity on farm and when trading, and badger
control in areas where TB is rife.
The strategy is delivering results. Later this year we will apply for Officially TB free
status in the Low Risk Area of the country where there is no significant TB in wildlife.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Pay
Sue Hayman: [3600]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and
what proportion of staff of his Department are covered by the remit of a pay review body.
Sue Hayman: [3602]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and
what proportion of staff within each sponsored non-departmental public body of his
Department fall within the remit of a pay review body.
Sue Hayman: [3604]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and
what proportion of staff of his Department and each of his Department's agencies are
covered by the remit of a pay review body.
George Eustice:
Only Senior Civil Servants (SCS) in Defra and its Agencies are covered by a pay
review body. Delegated grades (Grade 6 and below) and all staff in NDPBs are not
covered by a pay review body; they have pay awards that are subject to Treasury pay
guidance.
99 people (4.4%) of Defra staff are covered by a pay review body.
6 people (0.3%) of APHA staff are covered by a pay review body.
3 people (0.5%) of CEFAS staff are covered by a pay review body.
7 people (0.4%) of RPA staff are covered by a pay review body.
3 people (1.9%) of VMD staff are covered by a pay review body.
In total there are 118 people (1.7%) of staff in Defra and its agencies who are
covered by a pay review body.
Environment
Dr Matthew Offord: [2842]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is
taking to ensure a common UK environmental framework when the UK leaves the EU.
Dr Thérèse Coffey:
Defra is working closely with the devolved administrations, sharing factual information
and establishing views and priorities to get the best possible deal for all parts of our
United Kingdom as we leave the EU.
The UK Government will work carefully to ensure that, as powers are repatriated from
the EU framework, the appropriate powers are retained in Westminster and the
appropriate powers are passed to the devolved administrations. In doing this, we will
maintain the necessary common standards and frameworks for our own domestic
market and empower the UK as an open, trading nation to strike the best trade deals
around the world.
Rivers: EU Law
Mrs Madeleine Moon: [3242]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment
he has made of the likelihood of rivers in England and Wales meeting the 2027 EU Water
Framework Directive deadline for good ecological status; and if he will make a statement.
Dr Thérèse Coffey:
Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive within the UK is a devolved
matter.
Updated River Basin Management Plans published in 2016 provide the framework for
protecting and improving the water environment, and focus on the improvements for
the period 2016 to 2021. The plans for England confirm over £3billion of investment
by 2021, leading to improvements in at least 680 water bodies, including an overall
target to enhance at least 8000 km of waters by 2021. The plans will be reviewed and
updated in 2021 taking account of progress that has been made and the best
evidence then on what can be achieved by 2027.
Water: EU Law
Mrs Madeleine Moon: [3243]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the
Government plans for steps taken to meet the requirements of the EU Water Framework
Directive to continue after the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.
Dr Thérèse Coffey:
In the Queen’s speech 2017 it was announced that a Bill will be introduced to repeal
the 1972 European Communities Act. The Bill is to provide certainty for individuals
and businesses on leaving the EU by converting current EU law, including that
transposing the Water Framework Directive, into UK law. This will ensure a smooth
and orderly transition as well as retaining legislation that protects our environment.
We remain fully committed to delivering our manifesto commitment to be the first
generation to leave the natural environment of England in a better state than we
found it.
EXITING THE EUROPEAN UNION
Department for Exiting the European Union: Equality
Catherine West: [2822]
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what steps he is taking to
encourage diversity in his Department.
Mr Steve Baker:
The Department for Exiting the European Union is committed to the creation of a
diverse and inclusive working environment to ensure staff do not face any barriers to
success, and all staff feel supported at work. As such, the Department is committed
to the steps established in the Civil Service 2016 Talent Action Plan to help the Civil
Service become the most inclusive employer in the UK. The Department is also
committed to working with a diverse range of external organisations, to ensure our
work reflects a broad range of opinions across the UK.
The Department has an active equalities network to provide support and has
appointed Catherine Webb as the dedicated senior equalities champion who sits on
the Department's Executive Board and provides support and board level
representation for the equalities networks. The department has dedicated mental
health first aiders and has signed the Time to Change pledge in February 2017.
Additionally DExEU has subscribed to the Disability Confident Employer Scheme and
the two tick guaranteed interview scheme. We also intend to participate in the
Stonewall equality index benchmarking exercise and the Social Mobility Index.
Kate Green: [3085]
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to the oral
Answer of 2 November 2016, Official Report, column 879, what steps his Department has
taken to use 2011 census classifications, including on Gypsies and Travellers, to audit
racial disparities in public service outcomes.
Mr Steve Baker:
I refer the Honourable Member for Stretford and Urmston to the answer given by the
Right Honourable member for Ashford in response to PQ3709.
Gibraltar: Brexit
John Spellar: [2154]
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will make
representations to the EU on including Gibraltar in all negotiated agreements as the UK
leaves the EU.
Mr Robin Walker:
The Prime Minister has been clear that we remain steadfast in our support for
Gibraltar, its people and its economy. Also that Gibraltar is covered by our exit
negotiations and we have committed to fully involve them as we prepare for the
process of exiting the EU.
Immigration
Paul Blomfield: [3555]
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, how continuous residence
in paragraph 6 of his Department's policy paper entitled Safeguarding the position of EU
citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU, published on 26 June 2017, is defined.
Mr Robin Walker:
Any EU citizen in the UK before the specified date with five years’ continuous
residence will be able to apply for UK settled status. Other EU citizens who arrive
before the specified date will be able to stay until they have the five years’ residence
to apply for UK settled status.
Five years’ continuous residence is the period in EU law required, in most cases, for
acquiring permanent residence status, and also under UK law for non-EEA nationals
acquiring indefinite leave to remain.
It is considered across the immigration system to be the period of time when an
individual is fully integrated, and has contributed enough to the UK economy and
society for restrictions on their immigration status to be lifted and for them to be able
to settle here permanently.
Paul Blomfield: [3559]
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph
37 of his Department's policy paper entitled, Safeguarding the position of EU citizens in
the UK and UK nationals in the EU, published on 26 June 2017, whether the criteria for
obtaining settled status will differ from that for obtaining permanent residence currently;
and if he will make a statement.
Mr Robin Walker:
The two essential conditions an EU national must meet in order to obtain settled
status are firstly, that they have been resident in the UK for 5 years and secondly,
that they are not considered to be a threat to the UK, through an assessment of
conduct and criminality.
The application process will be as streamlined and user-friendly as possible. Further
details will be published in due course.
Paul Blomfield: [3562]
To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether the Government
plans to implement any of the proposals in his Department's policy paper entitled,
Safeguarding the position of EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU, published
on 26 June 2017 before the conclusion of the negotiations on the UK leaving the EU.
Mr Robin Walker:
We are planning to set up an application process before we leave the EU to enable
those who wish to do so to get their new settled status at their earliest convenience.
For those who have already obtained a certificate of their permanent residence, we
will seek to make sure that the application process for settled status is as streamlined
as possible.
The UK Government and the Commission have stated that providing certainty to
citizens is a priority. This is why we want to reach a reciprocal agreement for EU
citizens in UK and UK nationals in the EU as quickly as possible. It is already clear
that there is much common ground between the UK and EU positions and we are
confident that we can reach an agreement on this important issue early in
negotiations.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Argentina: Foreign Relations
Mr Jim Cunningham: [3626]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last met
his Argentinian counterpart; and what was discussed at that meeting.
Sir Alan Duncan:
I spoke to the new Argentine Foreign Minister, Jorge Faurie, on 3 July. During our
phonecall I welcomed positive progress in UK-Argentina relations since President
Macri's election and underlined the importance the UK attaches to honouring all of
the commitments made in the UK-Argentina Joint Communique agreed in
September.
I last met the former Argentine Deputy Foreign Minister, Pedro Villagra Delgado, in
London in December to discuss the humanitarian project to identify the remains of
fallen Argentine soldiers in Darwin Cemetary in the Falkand Islands.
Chechnya: LGBT People
Mr Roger Godsiff: [2444]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make
representations to his counterpart in Russia on recent reports of torture and murder of
gay people in Chechnya.
Sir Alan Duncan:
The UK remains deeply concerned by the continued persecution of members of the
LGBT community in Chechnya. Through a statement issued on 7 April by the former
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister of State, Baroness Anelay of St Johns,
the UK was one of the first countries to express concern and call for a full and
thorough investigation to be undertaken by the Russian authorities, to ensure that
perpetrators of human rights abuses are brought to justice. I delivered a statement
condemning the reports in the House of Commons following the tabling of an Urgent
Question on 20 April. On 28 April, The Foreign Secretary co-signed a letter to
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov urging his government to investigate the reports and
ensure the safety of activists and journalists investigating these abuses. UK officials
in Russia continue to raise our concerns directly with the Russian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, and are working closely with the relevant NGOs who are supporting victims
fleeing the persecution in Chechnya.
China: Treaties
Catherine West: [3455]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent
discussions (a) he and (b) the UK ambassador to the People's Republic of China have
had with their Chinese counterparts on the status of the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
Mark Field:
I held a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador on 5 July in which I made clear that
the British Government does not accept the position of the Chinese Ministry of
Foreign Affairs spokesperson that the Joint Declaration is an historical document of
no practical significance. I stressed that on this basis, as a guarantor of the Joint
Declaration, the British Government regards it as legitimate to continue to issue a six-
monthly report to the House on Hong Kong affairs.
The Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Beijing also raised HMG
concerns with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 5 July, stressing that the
Joint Declaration is a legally binding treaty, registered with the UN. As a co-signatory,
the British Government is committed to monitoring its implementation closely.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Advertising
Deidre Brock: [3408]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much his
Department has spent on advertising on social media in each month since January 2016.
Mark Field:
The FCO does not have a single Marketing and Advertising department and so does
not collate social media spend in a way that would able us to fully answer your
request without exceeding the appropriate cost and time limit.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Disclosure of Information
Justin Madders: [2832]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many
protected disclosures were made by staff in his Department in each of the last three
years for which figures are available; how many such disclosures were found to be valid;
how many staff alleged detriment as a result of making such a disclosure; and how many
staff who (a) made such a disclosure and (b) alleged detriment as a result of a disclosure
subsequently left the employment of the Department.
Sir Alan Duncan:
The figures on the numbers of protected disclosures (whistleblowing/raising a
concern) in each of the last three years at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
and their validity is as follows:
2016/2017 9 whistleblows, 0 proven
2015/2016 13 whistleblows, 1 proven
2014/2015 16 whistleblows, 1 proven
The identity of all persons raising a concern remains confidential to the Anti Fraud &
Corruption Unit and we are not informed as a consequence of any person leaving the
FCO employment.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Equality
Kate Green: [3086]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to
the oral Answer of 2 November 2016, Official Report, column 879, what steps his
Department has taken to use 2011 census classifications, including on Gypsies and
Travellers, to audit racial disparities in public service outcomes.
Sir Alan Duncan:
I refer the Honourable Member for Stretford and Urmston to the answer given by the
Right Honourable member for Ashford in response to PQ3079.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Redundancy
Jon Trickett: [3363]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many staff
have left or agreed settlements to leave his Department under (a) voluntary exit, (b)
voluntary redundancy and (c) compulsory redundancy since 1 November 2016; and how
much compensation was paid in those cases.
Sir Alan Duncan:
No staff have left the Foreign & Commonwealth Office under voluntary exit, voluntary
redundancy or compulsory redundancy since 1 November 2016. Accordingly no
compensation has been paid.
Hong Kong: Foreign Relations
Catherine West: [3450]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has
spoken to Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, since 1 July 2017.
Mark Field:
On 29 June, the Foreign Secretary issued a Written Ministerial Statement on Hong
Kong to the House (http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-
answers-statements/written-statements/). The British Government congratulates the
new Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government,
Carrie Lam, on her inauguration on 1 July, and wishes her a successful term in office.
The British Government looks forwards to working with the Chief Executive to deepen
UK-Hong Kong relations and support Hong Kong to prosper long into the future.
Our Consul General in Hong Kong met Carrie Lam on 19 April following her election
victory of 26 March. I have not yet spoken to the new Chief Executive.
Mahmoud Abu Zeid
Mrs Madeleine Moon: [3178]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent
discussions he has had with his Egyptian counterpart on the release of the
photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, known as Shawkan.
Alistair Burt:
The Foreign Secretary raised our human rights concerns with Egypt's President Sisi
during his visit to Cairo on 25 February 2017. This included emphasising the
importance of a free and open society. Our Ambassador to Egypt, and other officials
have previously raised Shawkan's case with the Egyptian authorities.
North Korea: Foreign Relations
Catherine West: [3447]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent
discussions he has had with his North Korean counterpart.
Mark Field:
The Foreign Secretary has not had any discussions with his North Korean
counterpart. Following the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK)
intercontinental ballistic missile test of 4 July, I summoned the DPRK Ambassador to
make clear the UK's condemnation of the test as a violation of multiple UN Security
Council Resolutions and a threat to regional stability and international security.
North Korea: Guided Weapons
Catherine West: [3445]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has
spoken to his US counterpart on the recent missile test in North Korea.
Mark Field:
The Foreign Secretary spoke with the US Secretary of State following the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea’s test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on 4
July. This latest missile test is a further violation of multiple UN Security Council
Resolutions. The Foreign Secretary made clear the UK’s condemnation of the ICBM
launch and our support for further action at the UN Security Council (UNSC). The UK
will work with partners, including the US, to ensure we achieve a strong and united
response which will include further significant measures.
Venezuela: Human Rights
Dr Lisa Cameron: [2711]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what
representations the Government has made to the Government of the Bolivarian Republic
of Venezuela on reported human rights violations in that country.
Sir Alan Duncan:
The UK Government shares the deep concern of the international community
regarding the deteriorating political and economic situation. Since April, there have
been more than 80 deaths during protests.
This is a critical time for Venezuela, and UK concerns over the situation have led
Venezuela to be designated a FCO Human Rights Priority Country.
I met the Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Samuel Moncada, in his previous role as
Minister for Europe on 26 October. I raised UK concerns at the deteriorating situation
and encouraged the Venezuelan Government to accept offers of international aid to
address chronic shortages of basic food and medical supplies.
In March, I hosted a delegation of Deputies from the Venezuelan National Assembly
and stressed the importance of an independent and empowered legislature. I issued
a statement on 31 March echoing these views, following the Venezuelan Supreme
Court's attempt to wrest power from the National Assembly.
In May, then Minister for Human Rights, Baroness Anelay visited Caracas and
delivered clear messages to senior government and opposition figures, expressing
our concern at the political situation and the need to respect the freedom of speech
and the right to peaceful protests.
Following the 5 July attack on the National Assembly and its Deputies by pro-
Government supporters, I issued a statement condemning the attack and calling for
the Venezuelan Government to uphold the constitution and show respect for its
democratic institutions.
HEALTH
Ambulance Services: Emergency Calls
Justin Madders: [3024]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he plans to modernise the ambulance
call-handling system; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Philip Dunne:
The Ambulance Response Programme, which is due to report its recommendations
later this month, has been exploring whether changes to the way that the ambulance
service responds to calls could help improve patient outcomes and help services
better manage demand.
The Programme is looking to ensure that the ambulance service provides the most
clinically appropriate response to all patients. It includes a review of the time
permitted to triage 999 calls before a resource is dispatched for all but the most
serious calls in order to provide a more accurate clinical assessment, along with a
pre-triage system to identify the most life-threatening calls as early as possible.
Antenatal Care
Jim Shannon: [2710]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to reduce the occurrence
of post-natal illness.
Mr Philip Dunne:
The Department is committed to improving maternity outcomes and experience of
care for women and babies.
In November 2015, my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a national
ambition to halve the rates of stillbirths, neonatal and maternal deaths and brain
injuries that occur during or soon after birth by 2030. Action includes tackling issues
of culture, leadership and learning, to improve safety in maternity units as well as the
outcomes and experience of care for mothers and babies.
The Our Chance campaign promotes advice about healthy pregnancy, highlighting
the crucial risk factors during pregnancy and the postnatal period which may lead to
adverse outcomes for mother and baby. In addition, the Avoiding Term Admission in
Neonatal Units programme seeks to prevent the separation of mother and baby
(except in cases with a compelling medical reason) and avoid admissions of full-term
babies to neonatal units.
The Department has invested £365 million from 2015/16 to 2020/21 in perinatal
mental health services, and NHS England is leading a transformation programme to
ensure that by 2020/21 at least 30,000 more women each year are able to access
evidence-based specialist mental health care during the perinatal period.
Dental Services
Jonathan Ashworth: [3611]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the total cost of treating tooth decay in the
NHS has been in each of the last five years for which data is available.
Steve Brine:
The total cost of treating tooth decay in the National Health Service is not available. It
is not possible to break down NHS dental spending to identify the total cost to the
NHS of treating tooth decay as opposed to other dental diseases requiring treatment,
such as gum disease.
Department of Health: Cabinet Committees
Jonathan Ashworth: [3610]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which Cabinet committees and sub-committees
relating to the UK leaving the EU he is a member of.
Mr Philip Dunne:
Membership of Cabinet Committees (including sub committees) is decided by the
Prime Minister. The Department works closely with the Department for Exiting the
European Union on a day to day basis to ensure our interests are taken forward in
negotiations for exiting the EU and the Secretary of State for Health is invited to
attend Cabinet Committees when a matter directly affecting health comes up.
The Government is committed to ensuring leaving the EU is a success for the health
and social care sector as well as the United Kingdom as a whole.
Department of Health: Disclosure of Information
Justin Madders: [2833]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many protected disclosures were made by
staff in his Department in each of the last three years for which figures are available; how
many such disclosures were found to be valid; how many staff alleged detriment as a
result of making such a disclosure; and how many staff who (a) made such a disclosure
and (b) alleged detriment as a result of a disclosure subsequently left the employment of
the Department.
Mr Philip Dunne:
The core Department had one protected disclosure where the investigation has
concluded and was found to be unsubstantiated.
It would not be appropriate to release additional information as it is necessary to
protect the identity of individuals who have made disclosures.
Depressive Illnesses
Barbara Keeley: [2874]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the National
Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the forthcoming consultation on guidelines for
treating depression in adults.
Jackie Doyle-Price:
Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the National Institute of Health
and Care Excellence (NICE) on forthcoming pieces of guidance. NICE is an
independent body and develops its guidance on the basis of an assessment of the
available evidence through consultation with stakeholders, including the Department.
Health Professions: Vacancies
Gloria De Piero: [3705]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which specialist areas of medicine are
experiencing shortages of (a) consultants and (b) registrars; and how many vacancies
there are in those disciplines.
Mr Philip Dunne:
The information is not available in the format requested.
Health Education England (HEE) provide estimates of staff shortages as part of their
Workforce Plan for England publication. Staff shortages as defined by HEE may be
filled by staff working in Agency, Bank or overtime, however no estimate of the extent
to which this occurs is available.
The latest figures are available at the following link:
hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Workforce%20Plan%20for%20England%20
2016-17.pdf
HEE plan to publish the Workforce Plan for England 2017/18 in due course.
Health Services: Reciprocal Arrangements
Justin Madders: [2509]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much his Department has recouped from
EU member states whose nationals have received emergency treatment from the NHS in
each of the last five years.
Mr Philip Dunne:
Under European Union regulations, other European Economic Area (EEA) countries
and Switzerland reimburse the United Kingdom for the cost of the National Health
Service providing treatment to people they are responsible for under EU law,
including UK nationals insured in another EEA country or Switzerland. In the same
way, the UK Government reimburses other EEA countries and Switzerland for the
cost of providing treatment to people we are responsible for under EU law,
irrespective of nationality.
Due to the complexities associated with collecting and aggregating information on
costs and treatment, claims for EEA medical costs are typically submitted by EEA
member states (including the UK) up to three, and sometimes more, years in arrears.
Therefore, claims for any 12 month period do not necessarily reflect treatment
provided in that period.
Requested figures are provided in the attached excel sheet rounded to the nearest
pound. They include the claims for all treatments (not just emergency treatments).
Figures for 2016–17 should be published over the summer.
Attachments:
1. PQ2509 attached table [PQ2509 - table.xlsx]
Health Visitors: Nottinghamshire
Gloria De Piero: [3703]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many health visitors have been employed
in (a) Ashfield constituency and (b) Nottinghamshire in each year since 2010.
Mr Philip Dunne:
NHS Digital publishes workforce statistics and the following table shows full time
equivalent Qualified Health Visitors working in the National Health Service in England
at 30 September 2010 to 2016. Data for March 2017 is also provided as this is the
latest available. Figures are for Nottinghamshire and include organisations in Ashfield
constituency.
NHS Hospital and Community Health Services: Qualified Health Visitors working in
NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups in Nottinghamshire as at 30
September each specified year and latest data as at 31 March 2017
QUALIFIED
HEALTH
VISITORS (FULL-
TIME
EQUIVALENT) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
MARCH-
2017
Nottinghamshire 0 85 113 133 136 154 145 122
Source: NHS Digital
Health visitors may be employed by NHS provider organisations, but may also be
employed directly by local authorities, or other care providers. Health visitors
employed by local authorities and/or other care providers will continue to provide
health visiting services, but will not be included in figures relating to the NHS
workforce.
Hospitals: Fire Prevention
Helen Hayes: [1334]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what resources have been made available to
local NHS trusts for fire safety inspections at hospitals in Lambeth and Southwark.
Helen Hayes: [1342]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what fire safety inspections have been carried
out at hospitals in London.
Mr Philip Dunne:
As part of the response to the tragic events at the Grenfell Tower, actions have been
implemented across the National Health Service to assess the risks of similar issues
and ensure that the NHS estate is safe. All NHS trusts, including those with buildings
in Lambeth and Southwark, as well as all trusts across London, have in the past
weeks provided assurance that they have undertaken a fire risk assessment in the
past 12 months.
Fire safety checks of NHS facilities are regularly undertaken in line with legislation
and guidance. Hospitals are well prepared – each one has a tailored fire safety plan.
But nothing is more important than the safety of patients and staff, so on a
precautionary basis we have asked all hospitals to conduct additional checks.
Jim Mackey, Chief Executive of NHS Improvement instigated new inspections by
local fire and rescue services on 24 June 2017, which has continued across the NHS.
By their nature, these fire safety inspections do not require significant resources to be
deployed by the NHS trusts themselves.
Innovative Medicines and Medical Technology Review
Ronnie Cowan: [2743]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he plans to publish the Government's
response to the Accelerated Access Review, published in October 2016.
Steve Brine:
We are considering the recommendations carefully and will provide a formal
response in due course. Taking forward the Accelerated Access Review remains an
important manifesto commitment, ensuring patients can access new cost-effective
drugs and treatments faster.
Negligence
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: [2889]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Secretary
of State for Justice on preventing escalating clinical negligence costs in the NHS.
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: [2890]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the reasons
for the increasing cost of clinical negligence cases.
Mr Philip Dunne:
The costs of clinical negligence are rising due to a range of factors such as rising
activity in the National Health Service, increasing life expectancy, costs of care and
factors within the legal environment. We need to tackle this rising expenditure whilst
ensuring that patients harmed by the NHS can access appropriate compensation and
that the NHS is able to learn from mistakes and improve patient care.
In February my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health met with the former
Secretary of State for Justice (Elizabeth Truss) at which the Secretary of State for
Health was informed that that there would be a change in the personal injury discount
rate. This change will have a significant impact on the cost of clinical negligence and
the effect on general practice indemnity costs is of particular concern. This is why
alongside the announcement of a change to the rate the government announced that
the Department will work closely with general practitioners (GPs) and Medical
Defence Organisations to ensure that appropriate funding is available to meet
additional costs to GPs, recognising the crucial role they play in the delivery of the
NHS. Since that time the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) have consulted on proposals to
change how the discount rate is set in future.
The Department is working closely with MoJ on proposals to introduce fixed
recoverable costs in clinical negligence cases which, if implemented, would reduce
the disproportionality between damages and costs in lower value claims. The
Department also recently completed a consultation on proposals to introduce a
‘Rapid Resolution and Redress’ scheme which, if implemented, would be an
alternative compensation scheme for families who haveexperienced severe avoidable
birth injury. This scheme is aimed at delivering a long-term reduction in these harmful
events through investigation and learning and providing an improved experience for
affected families. This would be a voluntary scheme which would not affect an
individual's right to litigate.
NHS: Property
Tracy Brabin: [3633]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the
cost of establishing the NHS Property Board.
Mr Philip Dunne:
Sir Robert Naylor’s review of the National Health Service estate recommended the
establishment of a ‘powerful new NHS Property Board’. The Government is giving
careful consideration to the Review’s recommendations, including the form and
function of an NHS Property Board and the best way to support estates
transformation by providing leadership, expertise and delivery support to the NHS
and strengthening existing estates capabilities and skills. No estimate has been made
for the cost of establishing an NHS Property Board.
We have been prioritising action to build capability by enhancing strategic estates
support to help the NHS achieve the clinical transformation set out in the Five Year
Forward View. A single, integrated team of Strategic Estates Advisors from NHS
Property Services and Community Health Partnerships is providing immediate
support to Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships with the development and
implementation of their local estates strategies.
NHS: Reorganisation
Justin Madders: [3067]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the Answer of 26 April 2017 to
Question 71179, if he will require all sustainability and transformation partnerships to
publish the total amount paid to private consultants for providing advice.
Steve Brine:
NHS England do not plan to require Sustainability and Transformation Partnership
(STP) areas to publish the total amount paid to companies who advise and/or support
the delivery of improved health and social care.
It is for each STP area to decide where they may need support or advice from
external organisations and normal value for money rules apply. However, all partners
within each STP area need to be disciplined about keeping costs as low as possible
as they work to alleviate pressures on the National Health Service, and improve
patient care.
Orkambi
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: [2960]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to secure an affordable
price for Orkambi, to make it available to people with cystic fibrosis.
Steve Brine:
Ministers and Government officials have had a number of discussions with Vertex
and NHS England in which the availability of Orkambi for the treatment of cystic
fibrosis was raised.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body
that develops guidance for the National Health Service on whether new drugs and
treatments represent a clinically and cost effective use of resources.
NICE published final guidance on the use of Orkambi (lumacaftor-ivacaftor) for
treating cystic fibrosis homozygous for the F508del mutation in July 2016 that does
not recommend this treatment.
Where NICE has not been able to recommend a treatment, funding decisions should
be made by the relevant NHS commissioner, based on an assessment of the
available evidence.
Parents: Advisory Services
Gloria De Piero: [3704]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to provide alternative
sources of advice to support new parents in areas where there is a shortage of health
visitors.
Jackie Doyle-Price:
Local authorities (LAs) are responsible for commissioning appropriate services for
zero-to-five year olds in their areas, including health visiting, and decisions should be
based around local needs. Health Visitors (HV) and their teams work in close
partnership with other local early years’ services to ensure new parents have the
support and advice they require to enable their children have the best start in life. The
mandation of the universal health reviews for children up to two and a half years of
age, which are commissioned by LAs and provided by HV services, was renewed by
the Government this year. The mandation sets out in regulation requirements that
ensure that parents have the support they need at key stages of the child’s early
development.
Perinatal Mortality
Jim Shannon: [2681]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to further reduce the
incidence of still births.
Mr Philip Dunne:
My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State is committed to reducing the rates of
stillbirth in England and improving maternity outcomes for women and babies. In
November 2015, he announced a national ambition to halve the rates of stillbirths,
neonatal and maternal deaths and brain injuries that occur during or soon after birth
by 2030. The Safer Maternity Care: next steps towards the national maternity
ambition, published in October 2016, then set out a suite of initiatives, including
actions to tackle issues of culture, leadership, and learning, in order to improve safety
in maternity units and the outcomes and experience of care for mothers and babies.
The action plan included the Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle which is designed to
support midwives and other clinicians to identify risks and implement care to prevent
stillbirths and neonatal deaths in a focused way. The four interventions included in
the Care Bundle are:
- Reducing Smoking In Pregnancy;
- Detecting Fetal Growth Restriction;
- Raising Awareness Of Reduced Fetal Movement; and
- Improving Effective Fetal Monitoring During Labour.
The Care Bundle is being tested and piloted by volunteer maternity care providers.
NHS England will then consider how to support implementation nationwide, as part of
the Maternity Transformation Programme.
The Department has also funded the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at the
University of Oxford to develop a national standardised Perinatal Mortality Review
Tool to support local perinatal death reviews. This is an important contribution to the
efforts to reduce stillbirths as the tool will ensure systematic, multidisciplinary, high
quality reviews are carried out on the circumstances and care leading up to and
surrounding each stillbirth and neonatal death. It will then enable maternity and
neonatal staff to identify emerging themes across a number of deaths to support
learning and changes in the delivery and commissioning of care, to improve future
care and prevent future deaths which are avoidable.
Pregnancy Complications
Jim Shannon: [2673]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to reduce pre-eclampsia
in pregnant women.
Mr Philip Dunne:
Hypertension or high blood pressure during pregnancy (known as pre-eclampsia) is
the most common medical problem that is encountered in pregnancy. The National
Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance, 'Hypertension in
pregnancy: diagnosis and management', is aimed at healthcare professionals and
women who develop hypertension during pregnancy. The guidance aims to improve
care during pregnancy, labour and birth for women and their babies.
Most clinical activity relating to pre-eclampsia is focused on diagnosing the condition
as early as possible and managing the condition when it has been identified. NHS
England expects providers of maternity care to pay due regard to NICE guidelines on
diagnosing and managing pre-eclampsia. These are set out at:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg107
The Maternity Transformation Programme led by NHS England is working to improve
maternity services by 2020/21. It seeks to implement the recommendations of ‘Better
Births’ (the report of the National Maternity Review) and ensure that maternity
services across England become safer, more personalised, kinder, more professional
and more family friendly. The programme aims to reduce health inequalities and
ensure all women have access to high-quality maternity care wherever they live in
England. In particular, the programme is working to ensure women are in good health
before, during and after pregnancy so that families get off to the best possible start. It
will do so through a range of interventions including improving preconception care
and supporting positive health and wellbeing choices in pregnancy to reduce risk
factors.
Pregnancy: Paracetamol
Jim Shannon: [2682]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Royal
Colleges on the potential effect of pregnant women taking paracetamol and its effect on
unborn boys.
Steve Brine:
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) continuously
monitors the safety of all medicines on the market in the United Kingdom and seeks
independent expert advice from the Commission on Human Medicines on important
new safety issues. The MHRA is aware of recently published research looking at the
effect on male offspring of giving paracetamol to pregnant mice. All new evidence on
the safety of paracetamol is kept under close review and this latest study will be
carefully considered and any new advice will be communicated.
There have not been any discussions with the Royal Colleges on this issue yet.
Pregnant women should speak to their doctor or midwife before taking any medicine,
including paracetamol.
Social Services
Mr Roger Godsiff: [3910]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when his Department plans to publish the (a)
consultation on improving social care and (b) green paper on social care funding.
Jackie Doyle-Price:
The Government will work to address the challenges of social care for our ageing
population, bringing forward proposals for consultation to build widespread support.
We are committed to listening to people’s views on how to reform the social care
system, to ensure it is sustainable for current and future generations and that the
quality of care improves.
We will provide further details on the next steps on social care in due course.
Suicide: Children and Young People
Lucy Powell: [2721]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of how many
suicides involving (a) 10 to 14-year olds and (b) 15 to 19-year olds were the result of
online bullying.
Lucy Powell: [2728]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect of
(a) online and (b) offline bullying on the incidence of suicide among children and young
people.
Jackie Doyle-Price:
The Department does not hold information on the number of suicides by people aged
10-19 years of age as a result of online bullying.
However, the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with
Mental Illness, which is commissioned by NHS England and supported by the
Department, published a thematic review in 2016, Suicide by Children and Young
People in England. A copy of the report is available at the following link:
http://www.hqip.org.uk/resources/report-suicide-by-children-and-young-people-in-
england/
The report identified ten common themes relating to suicides by people under 20
years of age between 2014 and 2015, including bullying (online and face-to-face) and
suicide-related internet use.
Suicide: Internet
Barbara Keeley: [2871]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of
websites promoting, encouraging or selling products to assist with suicide.
Barbara Keeley: [2872]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans the Government has to restrict
access to websites that promote or encourage suicide or self-harm.
Barbara Keeley: [2873]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans the Government has to restrict
access to websites that sell suicide kits online.
Jackie Doyle-Price:
The Department does not hold information on the number of websites promoting,
encouraging or selling products that assist suicide and self-harm.
People or organisations that provide information or sell products online must operate
within the law. It is illegal to assist a suicide. The law does not differentiate between
criminal offences committed online or anywhere else; it is the action that is illegal.
The Government works with the online sector and other stakeholders to address
issues of safety online and the impact of potentially harmful content.
We expect websites including social media companies to respond quickly to reports
of harmful content and abusive behaviour on their networks. This includes having
easy to use reporting tools, robust processes in place to respond promptly when
issues are reported, and suspending or terminating the accounts of those who do not
comply with acceptable use policies.
Urinary System: Diseases
Catherine West: [3236]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure
that people diagnosed with chronic urinary tract infections receive appropriate treatment.
Catherine West: [3237]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he or officials from his Department have
met (a) Professor Christopher Butler from Oxford University to discuss the PRINCESS
Study on the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections or (b) Chris Harding from
the University of Newcastle to discuss the ALTAR Study on the diagnosis and treatment
of urinary tract infections.
Catherine West: [3245]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to support
research into the (a) testing of and (b) treatment for urinary tract infections.
Catherine West: [3246]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the
number of people diagnosed with urinary tract infections in England in the last 12 months.
Catherine West: [3247]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether any ministers in his Department have
discussed the future of the Urology clinic at the Whittington Hospital with (a) officials in
his Department, (b) Simon Pleydell, Chief Executive of the Whittington Hospital and (c)
the Board Members of the Whittington Health NHS Trust.
Catherine West: [3248]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to improve
the testing regimes for urinary tract infections.
Catherine West: [3278]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which minister in his Department has
responsibility for urological conditions.
Steve Brine:
I hold responsibility for urological conditions.
Officials from the Department are aware that Whittington Trust is instigating a new
multidisciplinary team at Whittington Health for the Lower Urinary Tract Service, as
recommended by the Royal College of Physicians report and advised by NHS
England and NHS Improvement. The first reconstituted multidisciplinary team will
meet in July. Local commissioners will be members of the multidisciplinary team to
support the review of people suffering with chronic urinary tract infections and
ensuring that they receive appropriate treatment. New patients will be accepted into
the clinic on a phased approach and with the agreement of local commissioners that
there is a functioning multidisciplinary team in place. Ministers will be briefed
accordingly.
The Trust has worked with clinicians to develop a pathway for the treatment of
children with lower urinary tract infections, who should now be referred to Great
Ormond Street Hospital (the local tertiary service for children). All patients that
suspect they have urinary tract infection should see their general practitioner (GP)
who will be able to provide medical advice, set out a treatment plan and if appropriate
refer to a secondary provider. Patients who are not able to be referred to the Lower
Urinary Tract Service clinic should continue to seek support from their GPs.
The National Institute for Health Research has previously and is currently funding a
number of research projects on the testing and treatment of urinary tract infections.
The Department, through the National Institute for Health Research, is funding the
PRINCESS and ALTAR studies and will receive any publications resulting from the
work. Both projects are ongoing and the Department looks forward to seeing the
results when they are completed.
Data on the number of people diagnosed with urinary tract infections is not collected
centrally.
HOME OFFICE
Asylum: Children
Heidi Allen: [3686]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral contribution
of the Minister of State, Home Office of 29 June 2017, HL 783, column 551, whether local
authorities with capacity to care for a greater number of unaccompanied children than
that set out under the provisions of section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 and the
Written Ministerial Statement made on 26 April 2017, HCWS 619, will be able to apply to
do so.
Brandon Lewis:
The Government welcomes all offers from local authorities with capacity to look after
unaccompanied asylum seeking children. We will continue to utilise these offers to
fulfil all of our existing commitments, including ensuring a more equal allocation of
unaccompanied children across the country through the National Transfer Scheme.
Compass Contracts
Chris Stephens: [3277]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Compass
asylum accommodation contract, in 2015-16 and 2016-17, if she will publish a copy of the
health and safety plan provided by the contractor.
Brandon Lewis:
In accordance with the contract and as part of the regular governance arrangements,
the Health & Safety Plans submitted by each of the asylum accommodation providers
are reviewed regularly including the arrangements for annual safety audits. The
Home Office has no plans to publish these documents or the subsequent reviews.
Counter-terrorism
Liam Byrne: [2865]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many of her Department's
approved intervention providers for the Channel programme as located in each region of
England.
Liam Byrne: [2885]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many intervention providers
for the Channel Programme are pending approval.
Mr Ben Wallace:
There are 20 individuals currently undergoing assessment for approval to become
intervention providers (IPs) for the Channel programme. Recruitment of IPs is a
continuous process and 5 individuals have recently received Ministerial approval.
The table below provides the current regional location breakdown of approved IPs.
The majority of IPs work nationally and are frequently commissioned to work outside
of their geographical location. We keep the list of IPs under review to ensure that
regional distribution is appropriate to the number of Channel cases.
REGION NUMBER OF IPS
North East 2
North West 10
Yorkshire and the Humber 0
East Midlands 6
West Midlands 10
East of England 5
London 17
South East 1
South West 2
Wales 3
Andrew Rosindell: [3117]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to publish terms
of reference for the Commission for Countering Extremism; and whether those terms will
include foreign state funding of UK-based extremist groups.
Sarah Newton:
The Government is considering options for establishing the Commission and will set
out its plans in due course.
We are determined to cut off the funding which fuels the evils of extremism in the UK.
That is why in 2015 we commissioned a review on the funding of Islamist extremist
activity, including any overseas sources. The review reported to the Home Secretary
and Prime Minister in 2016 and it has improved the Government’s understanding of
the nature, scale and sources of funding for Islamist extremism in the UK.
Crimes of Violence: Acids
Caroline Lucas: [2361]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has
to collect and collate statistics on the age and gender of perpetrators of acid attacks.
Mr Nick Hurd:
The Home Office is working closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council to get a
better understanding of the scale and nature of acid and other corrosive attacks.
Government Communications
Liam Byrne: [2841]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding was allocated
to the Research, Information and Communications Unit in her Department in each of the
last three years; and what estimate she has made of the amount of funding that will be
allocated to that unit in the next two years.
Sarah Newton:
The funding allocation for the Research, Information and Communications Unit
(RICU) for the past 3 years is as follows, this includes both the administration and
programme funding and covers funding for both CT and SOC delivery:
2014/2015 - £12,487,259
2015/2016 - £17,127,270
2016/2017 - £21,087,203
Greater Manchester Police
Andrew Gwynne: [2723]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment the
Government has made of the capacity of Greater Manchester Police to handle multiple
large-scale terrorist attacks simultaneously.
Mr Ben Wallace:
The Home Office keeps the UK’s preparedness for terrorist attack under constant
review, and is delivering a £144 million programme to increase numbers of armed
police officers in the UK. The first phase of the armed uplift is complete, with an
additional 41 Armed Response Vehicles and around 650 armed officers. The next
phase - an increase in Counter-Terrorism Specialist Firearms Officers - is expected to
complete in 2018, with a proportion to be based in Manchester.
The Home Office also trains and equips specialist fire and ambulance teams to
manage casualties in higher risk environments. These capabilities are deployable to
a terrorist incident occurring anywhere in the UK, including in Greater Manchester.
The emergency services’ response to the recent terrorist attack in Manchester was
fast and effective, with at least six armed response vehicles arriving at the incident
within ten minutes.
Immigration
Paul Blomfield: [3710]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made
of her Department's capacity to implement the policy proposals outlined in her
Department's policy paper Safeguarding the position of EU citizens in the UK and UK
nationals in the EU, published on 26 June 2017.
Brandon Lewis:
The Government set out its fair and serious offer to EU nationals living in the UK on
28 June. Negotiations on the nature and shape of the immigration system that will
operate after UK exit from the EU have started with our EU partners. The Home
Office currently processes several million immigration decisions each year. The
necessary resources will be made available to implement and operate the new
system for both those EU nationals already here and those that wish to come in
future, alongside delivery of the Government’s existing plans to transform the
operation of the immigration system. The Government will provide further detail in
due course.
Immigration: EEA Nationals
Paul Blomfield: [3709]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to update her
Department's guidance on removals and revocations of European Economic Area
nationals as outlined in her Department's policy paper Safeguarding the position of EU
citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU, published on 26 June 2017.
Brandon Lewis:
Guidance will be developed and updated in order to support implementation of the
new scheme.
Immigration: EU Nationals
Kate Green: [3007]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the policy
paper, Safeguarding the position of EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in
the EU, published on 26 June 2017, whether the streamlined digital application process
referred to in paragraph 35, page 12 will be available to EU citizens who do not have a
passport.
Brandon Lewis:
The Government’s policy paper (Cm 9464), which was laid before Parliament on 26
June, sets out our proposals that European Union (EU) citizens who arrive in the UK
before the specified date and have five years’ continuous residence in the UK will be
able to apply for UK settled status.
The details of the settled status scheme will be subject to negotiations. We will
publish further detail on the specifics of the new application process for settled status,
including detailed eligibility criteria and requirements, in due course.
Joanna Cherry: [3180]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her
Department has made of which judicial body will be best placed to have oversight of the
rights of EU citizens with settled status after the UK has left the EU.
Brandon Lewis:
The Government’s policy paper (Cm 9464), which was laid before Parliament on 26
June, sets out our proposals that European Union (EU) citizens who arrive in the UK
before the specified date and have five years’ continuous residence in the UK will be
able to apply for UK settled status.
As set out in the policy paper, arrangements will be enshrined in UK law and
enforceable through the UK judicial system, up to and including the Supreme Court.
We are also ready to make commitments in the Withdrawal Agreement which will
have the status of international law.
Paul Blomfield: [3708]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what process her Department
plans to use to identify all existing lawful EU residents and their families eligible for the
period of blanket residence permission, outlined in paragraph 24 of her Department's
policy paper, Safeguarding the position of EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the
EU, published on 26 June 2017; and what the procedure will be for applications for such
permission.
Brandon Lewis:
The Government’s policy paper (Cm 9464) is clear that the Home Office will provide a
period of blanket residence permission, to start immediately on the UK’s exit from the
EU.
This will be a generic “umbrella” of temporary leave applying to all existing lawful EU
residents (and their families), to give them a grace period between the moment that
free movement ends and the time they obtain their residence document – allowing
them to remain lawfully in the UK, and continue to undertake their lawful business
during that interim period. Such leave, known as ‘deemed leave’ in UK law, under the
Immigration Act 1971 does not require an application.
Metropolitan Police
Andrew Gwynne: [2727]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment the
Government has made of the capacity of the Metropolitan Police to handle multiple large-
scale terrorist attacks such as that at Borough Market simultaneously.
Mr Ben Wallace:
The Home Office keeps the UK’s preparedness for terrorist attack under constant
review, and is delivering a £144 million programme to increase numbers of armed
police officers in the UK. The first phase of the armed uplift is complete, with an
additional 41 Armed Response Vehicles and around 650 armed officers trained. The
number of armed response vehicles has more than doubled in London and around a
quarter of the national CTSFO capability will also be based in the capital.
The Home Office also trains and equips specialist fire and ambulance teams to
manage casualties in higher risk environments. These capabilities are deployable to
a terrorist incident occurring anywhere in the UK, including London. Police’s response
to the Borough Markey attack was fast and effective, with at least six armed response
vehicles arriving on scene within the first ten minutes.
Police: Finance
Louise Haigh: [3658]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total amount remaining
in the Special Grant available to police forces is for 2017-18.
Mr Nick Hurd:
As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement at the time of the police settlement (15
December 2016), in 2017/18, the Government is providing £50m from the police
settlement for Police Special Grant. This is an increase which reflects both an
assessment of potential need across police forces, and the specific costs likely to be
incurred preparing for the policing operation at the Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting in 2018.
By its nature, Special Grant deals with unusual and significant expenditures.
Ministers receive a number of applications throughout the year, which are typically
referred to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary to review before a final
decision. Given that a number of applications are being carefully considered, it is not
possible to specify how much of the £50m remains available.
Proof of Identity: EU Nationals
Chris Bryant: [3013]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of
the cost to the public purse of providing non-UK EU nationals with identification
documentation after the UK leaves the EU.
Brandon Lewis:
Work is underway to scope the requirements of the system for EU citizens living in
the UK to obtain settled status. It is too early to determine the precise requirement for
administering the new settlement scheme and administrative costs of this, as this is
dependent on the detail of what is agreed during negotiations with the European
Union. Further detail will be confirmed as these details become known.
The Government’s policy paper (Cm 9464), which was laid before Parliament on 26
June, sets out our proposals that EU citizens who arrive in the UK before the
specified date and have five years’ continuous residence in the UK will be able to
apply for UK settled status.
We will publish further detail on the specifics of the new application process for
settled status in due course.
Joanna Cherry: [3179]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her
Department has made of the cost of producing identification for EU nationals in order to
prove their settled status after the UK has left the EU.
Brandon Lewis:
Work is underway to scope the requirements of the system for EU citizens living in
the UK to obtain settled status. It is too early to determine the precise requirement for
administering the new settlement scheme and administrative costs of this, as this is
dependent on the detail of what is agreed during negotiations with the European
Union. Further detail will be confirmed as these details become known.
The Government’s policy paper (Cm 9464), which was laid before Parliament on 26
June, sets out our proposals that EU citizens who arrive in the UK before the
specified date and have five years’ continuous residence in the UK will be able to
apply for UK settled status.
We will publish further detail on the specifics of the new application process for
settled status in due course.
Radicalism
Caroline Lucas: [2650]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July
2017 to Question 1467, when the report of the review into the funding of Islamist
extremism was (a) finalised and (b) submitted to ministers; and from which external
sources advice is being provided to ministers on publication of the report.
Sarah Newton:
The Government’s review of funding for Islamist extremism in the UK was completed
and reported to the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister in 2016. Ministers
received advice on publication of the report from the Civil Service.
Ministers have updated Parliament on the review today.
Refugees: Bank Services
Vicky Foxcroft: [3377]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her
Department has had with the British Bankers' Association on the process of opening a
bank account for refugees who have been granted asylum in the UK.
Brandon Lewis:
Home Office officials met with the British Bankers’ Association to discuss a range of
issues, including the process of opening a bank account for refugees.
To help refugees to prove their identity, when an individual is granted refugee status
by the Home Office they are issued with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) as
proof of the holder’s right to stay, work or study in the UK.
How firms verify their customers’ identities is not stipulated in law or by the regulator.
Banks may ask for driving licences and passports as forms of identification, as they
are the most commonly encountered documents, but banks are not required to
demand sight of them, and are encouraged to act reasonably and consider a wide
range of other forms of identification.
Refugees: Children
Gavin Newlands: [3543]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her Department's policy is
on allowing unaccompanied refugee children to sponsor their parents for the purpose of
family reunion.
Brandon Lewis:
Under the Family Reunion Rules, children cannot sponsor family members. Where an
application does not meet the Immigration Rules, we consider whether there are
exceptional or compassionate reasons for granting a visa outside the Rules.
Social Media: Radicalism
John Mann: [3681]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to introduce
fines for social media companies which fail to remove extremist content from their
platforms.
Sarah Newton:
This Government has been clear there should be no safe space online for terrorists
and their supporters to radicalise, recruit, incite, or inspire. In March 2017, the Home
Secretary held a very positive meeting with industry to discuss online terrorist
content. Subsequent to the roundtable, Google, Facebook, Twitter and Microsoft
made a public commitment to look at options for establishing an industry-led forum
focused on tackling terrorist and extremist content online.
This was formally announced by the companies on 26 June 2016. We continue to
work closely with industry to come up with new, innovative ways for tackling terrorist
use of the internet but, as the Prime Minister has made clear, we will also explore the
possibility of creating legal requirements for communications service providers if they
fail to take the necessary action to remove unacceptable content
Sopra Steria: Complaints
Christian Matheson: [3664]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many complaints were
made about the loss of passport application packs or documents contained within those
packs by Sopra Steria in the last year for which figures are available.
Brandon Lewis:
Her Majesty’s Passport Office is unable to specify the number of complaints in
relation to losses of passport applications or supporting documents by Sopra Steria,
as this level of detail is not recorded.
Terrorism: Finance
Tom Brake: [2977]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to publish a
report on the funding of extremist activities in the UK by foreign governments, entities or
individuals.
Sarah Newton:
The Government is determined to cut off the funding which fuels the evils of
extremism in the UK. In November 2015, the Government commissioned a review
into the funding of Islamist extremist activity in the UK, including any overseas
sources. The review reported to the Home Secretary and Prime Minister in 2016 and
it has improved the Government’s understanding of the nature, scale and sources of
funding for Islamist extremism in the UK.
The Government has updated Parliament on the review’s main findings on
Wednesday 12 July 2017.
Undocumented Migrants: Private Rented Housing
Keith Vaz: [R] [2778]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have
contacted the Right to Rent check service in each month since that service has been in
operation.
Brandon Lewis:
The Landlords Checking Service started on 11th November 2014 as a pilot scheme
covering the West Midlands. The scheme rolled out to the rest of England on 1st
February 2016
Violent and Sex Offender Register
Diana Johnson: [3639]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion
of people classified as low risk on the Sex Offenders Register are recorded in the
Disclosure and Barring Service's automatic barring list (a) with and (b) without
representations.
Sarah Newton:
The Government does not hold data on the number or proportion of people classified
as Low Risk on the Sex Offenders Register. Statistical information from the ViSOR
dangerous persons database is owned by the police, and the Home Office does not
have access to this information.
HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION
Parliamentary Contribution Pension Fund
Layla Moran: [3671]
To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of
Commons Commission, what recent discussions the Commission has had with trustees
of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund on that fund's investments in carbon-
intensive industries and fossil fuels; and whether those discussions included
consideration of divestment of such investments.
Tom Brake:
The Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund is a separate entity with its own
trustees. The Commission has no role in the administration or investment
management of the fund and has therefore had no discussions with the Fund’s
trustees.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
[Subject Heading to be Assigned]
Ian C. Lucas: [900370]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what her policy is on the
development of relations between schools in the UK and in Africa.
Rory Stewart:
Developing connections between schools in the UK and in poorer countries can bring
benefits to all the children involved. Through our Connecting Classrooms programme
we are giving British children the chance to act as Global Britain's ambassadors, to
build international partnerships and to shape the world they want to live in.
Alex Cunningham: [900371]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she
has made of the availability of safe drinking water in the Gaza Strip.
Alistair Burt:
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, most homes
in Gaza are only getting water for a few hours every 3-5 days. The availability of safe
drinking water has become worse because of fuel and electricity shortages. The UK
is urging all parties to find a sustainable solution to the current situation and in the
longer term, continues to urge the Israeli authorities to ensure fair distribution of water
across the OPTs.
Richard Graham: [900372]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has
made of the effectiveness of the Prosperity Fund in the delivery of her Department's
goals.
Alistair Burt:
The UK ended its traditional bilateral aid programmes with China in 2011 and ended
all financial aid to the Indian government in 2015. Instead the UK is now building
relationships with these countries focused on trade and investment and on working
together on global issues. We need to be clear that the Prosperity Fund is part of this
new more mature partnership and allows us to share cutting edge UK expertise to
support economic growth and development. This is good for these countries but is
also strongly in our own national interest.
Sir David Amess: [900373]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government
is taking to promote trade between the UK and the Least Developed Countries.
Priti Patel:
Trade brings economic growth to developing countries and benefits UK producers
and consumers. That is why on 25 June I announced that as we leave the EU, we will
secure duty-free access to UK markets for the Least Developed Countries. Once we
have left, we will build on our track-record as a champion of trade and development,
strengthening our existing support and seizing new opportunities to increase trade
links.
Burma: Internally Displaced People
Valerie Vaz: [3629]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to
address the shortfall in funding for internally displaced people in Shan State and Kachin
State in Burma.
Alistair Burt:
DFID has provided £25.8 million in humanitarian and health assistance to internally
displaced and conflict-affected people in Kachin and Northern Shan States since
2012. The UK is one of the largest providers of assistance to the crisis in Kachin and
northern Shan states. We will continue to respond to humanitarian need and will
encourage other donors to play their part.
Burma: Peace Negotiations
Valerie Vaz: [3631]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what funding was provided
to support the peace process in Burma in 2016-17; and which organisations were
recipients of that funding.
Alistair Burt:
In the financial year 2016-17 DFID contributed £4.2 million to the Peace Support
Fund managed by the Nordic International Support Foundation. The Fund provides
support to civil society, youth and women’s organisations working on peace.
The DFID Minister of State met representatives of the government and Burma’s
ethnic groups during his visit to Burma in July 2017. The peace process was an
important topic of discussion raised by the minister during his visit.
Department for International Development: Equality
Kate Green: [3089]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the oral
Answer of 2 November 2016, Official Report, column 879, what steps her Department
has taken to use 2011 census classifications, including on Gypsies and Travellers, to
audit racial disparities in public service outcomes.
Rory Stewart:
I refer the Honourable Member for Stretford and Urmston to the answer given by the
Right Honourable member for Ashford in response to PQ3079.
Department for International Development: Redundancy
Jon Trickett: [3365]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many staff have left or
agreed settlements to leave her Department under (a) voluntary exit, (b) voluntary
redundancy and (c) compulsory redundancy since 1 November 2016; and how much
compensation was paid in those cases.
Rory Stewart:
No DFID staff have left or agreed settlements under voluntary exit or redundancy nor
had any compulsory redundancy since 1 November 2016.
Iraq: Humanitarian Aid
Edward Argar: [3152]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department
is taking to provide humanitarian support to (a) all the inhabitants and (b) the children in
Mosul once the city has been liberated from Da'esh.
Alistair Burt:
The UK is providing lifesaving assistance to those who have fled fighting in Mosul
and we will continue to do so once Mosul is liberated. We are supporting UNICEF to
provide water supply facilities in 12 camps for 166,000 displaced people, about half of
whom are children. We are funding UNHCR to provide cash assistance for vulnerable
displaced Iraqis, allowing them to prioritise what they need most such as food or
household items. The UK is also funding the International Organisation for Migration
to provide healthcare for Mosul’s citizens, including upgrading four surgical and
medical emergency units and supporting ten health facilities in liberated areas of
Mosul. The UK is the largest donor to the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund which
funds projects across Iraq including protection services for children in and around
Mosul.
Edward Argar: [3376]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has
made of the level for humanitarian support from the international community required for
the people of Mosul following that city's recapture from Da'esh.
Alistair Burt:
The UN has just completed an updated assessment of the humanitarian needs in and
around Mosul. The UN estimates that the cost of humanitarian assistance, which
includes funding to meet basic needs such as shelter, healthcare, education and
water facilities, could be up to $450 million. This has been factored into the UN’s
2017 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), which puts funding requirements for the
whole of Iraq for 2017 at $984.6 million. The UK continues to work with the UN and
lobby the international community to ensure that humanitarian partners have
sufficient funding to meet the needs of vulnerable Iraqis.
The Department for International Development is monitoring the situation on a daily
basis.
Overseas Aid: Standards
David Linden: [3387]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department
is taking to help other government departments that spend aid achieve Good or Very
Good ratings under the International Aid Transparency Initiative.
Rory Stewart:
DFID is providing regular advice to support departments to improve the transparency
of their overseas development assistance. This includes workshops, guidance and
the establishment of a network to share good practice. It is essential we pool skills
and expertise across government to ensure we achieve this commitment, so the
British public know their money is being spent well to eradicate poverty and keep
Britain safe.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Burma: Overseas Companies
Valerie Vaz: [3630]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what advice the Government
provides to British companies which supply or are considering to supply the Burmese
military or are considering entering into joint ventures or other business arrangements
with military-owned or military-linked companies from that country.
Mark Garnier:
British companies contacting the Department for International Trade’s Defence &
Security Organisation for advice or support relating to exports to Burma are made
aware that there is currently an arms embargo and other restrictions in force, and are
referred to the Gov.uk website for further information.
Trade
Mr Jim Cunningham: [3437]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether he has plans to publish a
White Paper on International Trade.
Greg Hands:
The Government has set out in the Queen's Speech its intentions to introduce the
necessary trade legislation to develop an independent international trade policy upon
exiting the European Union. Before such legislation is introduced, a supporting paper
will be published.
Trade Agreements
Hywel Williams: [3612]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions he has had with
each of the devolved administrations on the functions of a new Board of Trade.
Hywel Williams: [3613]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what representations on a new
Board of Trade he plans for each nation and region of the UK.
Hywel Williams: [3615]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions he has had with
his counterparts in Welsh Government on the representation of Wales on the Board of
Trade.
Greg Hands:
The Board of Trade will serve the whole of the United Kingdom; and will include
representatives from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This will ensure
that the benefits of trade are spread across the whole of the UK.
Hywel Williams: [3614]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps he plans to take to
consult the devolved administrations on trade deals for (a) fishing, (b) agriculture and (c)
transport.
Greg Hands:
The Department for International Trade will work with citizens, businesses, and
administrations from across the UK to ensure we develop a trade policy that works for
the whole of the UK, and reflects the interests of England, Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland. This engagement will cover all parts of the economy including
fishing, agriculture, and transport.
JUSTICE
Community Rehabilitation Companies
Liz Saville Roberts: [2740]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when the review on the functioning of
community rehabilitation companies was completed; and what the main
recommendations of that review were.
Mr Sam Gyimah:
We have carried out a comprehensive review of the probation system to make sure
that it is reducing reoffending, protecting the public and preventing future victims. The
review concluded in April and we are taking forward work to improve probation
services as a result. We will provide an update shortly.
Liz Saville Roberts: [2792]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the (a) anticipated and (b) actual caseload
was for probation workers in community rehabilitation companies in 2016-17.
Mr Sam Gyimah:
Figures on the average caseload of probation officers are not collected centrally. A
probation worker’s workload is not based solely on the number of cases they are
managing, but the level of supervision required.
As per the answer to your question in January (59744), the MoJ publishes statistics
showing the total caseload of the National Probation Service (NPS) and the 21
Community Rehabilitation Companies. Figures for total probation caseload are
published quarterly in the Offender Management Statistics Bulletin, England and
Wales:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/offender-management-statistics-quarterly
Liz Saville Roberts: [2800]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the ownership of any community
rehabilitation company has changed since February 2015.
Mr Sam Gyimah:
Whilst all Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) remain under the same
ownership, on 28 June 2016 the then Secretary of State for Justice agreed for
consent to be given to the Working Links CRCs for the sale of 100% of ordinary
shares in Working Links (Employment) Group Ltd, including those owned by the
Department for Work and Pensions, to Aurelius Sigma.
Community Rehabilitation Companies: Finance
Liz Saville Roberts: [2738]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether any community rehabilitation company
in England and Wales received additional funding above the agreed contract in 2016-17.
Mr Sam Gyimah:
We have undertaken an overarching review of probation, looking at the standards we
set for providers and how we hold them to account. We have already made some
changes to how CRCs are paid so they can focus on activities that best rehabilitate
offenders and keep society safe. The details of these changes are commercially
sensitive, however relevant OJEU notices can be found at
http://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:45770-2015:TEXT:EN:HTML&tabId=4
Community Rehabilitation Companies: Staff
Liz Saville Roberts: [2785]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many probation staff were employed by
each community rehabilitation company in England and Wales on (a) 1 April 2015, (b) 1
April 2016 and (c) 1 April 2017.
Mr Sam Gyimah:
When Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) were under public ownership
(from 1 June 2014 to 31 January 2015), we published workforce information on a
quarterly basis. The final iteration of these statistics was published on 31 December
2014 and can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/community-rehabilitation-companies-
workforce-information-report-quarter-3-2014-to-2015.
Contracts with CRCs require each CRC to ensure that it employs a sufficient level of
staff, and that its workforce is competent and adequately trained. We closely monitor
and robustly manage providers to make sure they fulfil their contractual commitments
to reduce reoffending, protect the public and provide value for money to the taxpayer.
Community Rehabilitation Companies: Telephone Services
Liz Saville Roberts: [2799]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether any offenders supervised by
community rehabilitation companies in England or Wales report to call centres.
Mr Sam Gyimah:
Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire; Dorset, Devon and Cornwall;
Wales; Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire; Essex;
Norfolk and Suffolk; Cumbria and Lancashire; Northumbria; and South Yorkshire
Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) currently use telephone reporting as
just one part of their operating models, in addition to regular reporting in person,
where it is an appropriate tool for the individual case.
Contract management teams continue to closely monitor and robustly manage
providers to make sure they fulfil their contractual commitments to reduce
reoffending, protect the public and provide value for money to the taxpayer.
Debt Collection
Liz Saville Roberts: [2716]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the report
Taking control: the need for fundamental bailiff reform, published by a consortium of debt
advice agencies in March 2017; and if he will make a statement.
Dominic Raab:
The Ministry of Justice is considering the report Taking Control: the need for
fundamental bailiff reform.
First-tier Tribunal: Immigration
Keith Vaz: [R] [2781]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many cases are awaiting determination by
the First Tier Immigration Tribunal.
Dominic Raab:
This information is published regularly as Official Statistics. The number of registered
appeals awaiting determination as of 31 March 2017 in the First-tier Tribunal
(Immigration and Asylum Chamber) was 52,365.
Grenfell Tower: Fires
Liz Saville Roberts: [2791]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what support the Government is able to provide
for Grenfell Tower residents to access Probate Registry papers.
Dr Phillip Lee:
It is important that everyone affected by this terrible tragedy gets all the support and
help they need.
Anyone who wishes to undertake a search of the probate registry papers, or to obtain
copies of a Will or grant of probate, may make an application to the relevant Probate
Registry. The fee of £10 also includes a copy of the grant of probate (if one has been
made) and the Will (if there is one).
The Lord Chancellor has a power to remit fees where there are exceptional
circumstances for doing so. Anyone who wishes to make an application for a fee
remission should contact the delivery manager at the Probate Registry.
Immigration: Judges
Keith Vaz: [R] [2782]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many new immigration judges were
appointed in 2017.
Dominic Raab:
Over the course of 2017, to date, one Resident Judge has been appointed to the
First-tier Tribunal, Immigration and Asylum Chamber.
Ministry of Justice: Disclosure of Information
Justin Madders: [2836]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many protected disclosures were made by
staff in his Department in each of the last three years for which figures are available; how
many such disclosures were found to be valid; how many staff alleged detriment as a
result of making such a disclosure; and how many staff who (a) made such a disclosure
and (b) alleged detriment as a result of a disclosure subsequently left the employment of
the Department.
Dr Phillip Lee:
Data on protected disclosures made by staff in MoJ in the last three years, is as
follows:
WHISTLEBLOWING
REPORTING YEAR: NUMBER OF CASES
NUMBER OF
COMPLAINTS
UPHELD
NUMBER OF
EMPLOYEES THAT
CLAIMED TO HAVE
SUFFERED A
DETRIMENT
BECAUSE THEY
RAISED A WHISTLE
BLOWING
CONCERN.
NUMBER OF
EMPLOYEES THAT
SUBSEQUENTLY
LEFT THE
DEPARTMENT AS
RESULT OF
SUFFERING
DETRIMENT FOR
BLOWING THE
WHISTLE.
* April 14 – March
15
Figure not known Figure not known Figure not known Figure not known
April 15 – March
16
**5 Less than 5 0 0
April 16 – March
17
**7 Less than 5 Less than 5 0
* The MoJ central data base was set up in March 2015. Prior to this information
wasn’t recorded in the level of detail required to respond to these questions.
** Figure includes a HMPPS case that was raised directly with the Civil Service
Commission.
Offenders: Biometrics
Liz Saville Roberts: [2745]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether any community rehabilitation
companies in England or Wales use bio-metric machines as a method of reporting for
offenders.
Mr Sam Gyimah:
Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland; and Staffordshire and West
Midlands Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC) have piloted Biometric
Reporting Kiosks. The pilot has involved stakeholder engagement with the National
Probation Service and HM Courts Service in the area, and will be evaluated before it
is implemented more widely.
At the appropriate time, we will work closely with CRCs on their proposed plans to roll
out Biometric Reporting Kiosks more widely. We continue to closely monitor and
robustly manage providers to make sure they fulfil their contractual commitments to
reduce reoffending, protect the public and provide value for money to the taxpayer.
Reoffenders
Liz Saville Roberts: [2737]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many serious further offence reviews were
carried out in each community rehabilitation company area and for the National Probation
Service in (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17.
Liz Saville Roberts: [2744]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been murdered since
February 2015 by offenders who at the time of the offence, were being supervised by
community rehabilitation companies.
Liz Saville Roberts: [2786]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many serious further offence reviews were
carried out for all probation areas in England and Wales in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c)
2012-13 and (d) 2013-14.
Mr Sam Gyimah:
A mandatory serious further offence (SFO) review is triggered where an offender
under statutory probation supervision is charged with murder, manslaughter, rape or
certain other serious violent or sexual offences. Not in all cases will the charge result
in a conviction for an SFO.
The table below provides the number of SFO reviews carried out by the Community
Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) and the National Probation Service (NPS) between
1 April 2016 and 31 March 2017.
PROBATION PROVIDER 2015-2016 2016-2017
Bedfordshire,
Northamptonshire,
Cambridgeshire and
Hertfordshire CRC
10 15
Bristol, Gloucestershire,
Somerset and Wiltshire CRC
9 14
Cheshire and Greater
Manchester CRC
23 25
Cumbria and Lancashire CRC 11 7
Derbyshire, Leicestershire,
Nottinghamshire and Rutland
CRC
14 16
Dorset, Devon and Cornwall
CRC
5 6
Durham Tees Valley CRC 1 6
Essex CRC 9 10
Hampshire and Isle of Wight
CRC
3 2
Humberside, Lincolnshire, and
North Yorkshire CRC
11 10
Kent, Surrey and Sussex CRC 12 15
London CRC 40 29
Merseyside CRC 3 8
Norfolk and Suffolk CRC 2 7
Northumbria CRC 9 12
South Yorkshire CRC 10 4
Staffordshire and West
Midlands CRC
8 14
PROBATION PROVIDER 2015-2016 2016-2017
Thames Valley CRC 10 3
Wales CRC 9 15
Warwickshire and West Mercia
CRC
6 5
West Yorkshire CRC 17 10
Total CRC 222 233
Total NPS 285 284
Total 507 517
We are not able to answer from central records the question in the precise form
asked. However, between 1 February 2015 and 31 Dec 2016, 46 offenders were
convicted of murder, who at the time of the offence were subject to supervision by a
Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC). This figure is subject to change as a
number of other cases are still going through the legal process.
The table below provides the number of SFOs carried out by the former Probation
Trusts in England and Wales between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2014.
PROBATION TRUST 2010-11 2011-12 2012-2013 2013-14
Avon and
Somerset
10 17 8 10
Bedfordshire 1 8 4 3
Cambridgeshire 5 4 7 5
Cheshire 3 11 6 5
Cumbria 4 2 0 0
Derbyshire 8 11 10 8
Devon and
Cornwall
6 8 5 6
Dorset 1 1 3 1
Durham 12 18 9 10
Dyfed-Powys 3 3 0 2
PROBATION TRUST 2010-11 2011-12 2012-2013 2013-14
Essex 16 19 8 11
Gloucestershire 3 0 1 6
Greater
Manchester
29 20 37 33
Gwent 6 3 5 4
Hampshire 13 8 13 8
Hertfordshire 6 11 4 8
Humberside 11 9 3 7
Kent 22 18 13 13
Lancashire 18 8 13 8
Leicestershire and
Rutland
3 8 5 12
Lincolnshire 3 1 6 1
London 89 89 75 88
Merseyside 10 15 16 15
Norfolk 5 0 7 4
North Wales 6 7 7 8
North Yorkshire 4 1 3 7
Northamptonshire 7 7 2 1
Northumbria 22 17 10 14
Nottinghamshire 7 8 7 15
South Wales 11 5 12 7
South Yorkshire 13 10 14 17
Suffolk 3 0 2 2
Surrey 6 1 2 0
Sussex 3 5 5 7
Thames Valley 7 14 15 7
PROBATION TRUST 2010-11 2011-12 2012-2013 2013-14
Warwickshire 2 1 6 2
West Mercia 7 5 7 6
West Midlands 33 37 34 37
West Yorkshire 21 30 20 26
Wiltshire 2 1 5 5
Totals 441 441 409 429
Victim Support Schemes: Terrorism
Jim Shannon: [2669]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what long-term assistance is available for
victims of terrorism in the UK.
Dr Phillip Lee:
The Government is committed to making sure that victims of terrorism and bereaved
families receive the best possible support both in the immediate aftermath, and in the
long term. The appalling attacks in Manchester and London, just as previous attacks
such as in Sousse, Tunisia, demonstrate how vital it is that support is available to
victims and their families.
In 2017, we established a cross-HMG Victims of Terrorism unit to co-ordinate support
to UK citizens directly affected by terrorist events at home or overseas. It is working
across Government, the voluntary sector and with local authorities to ensure that
support to victims of terrorism is comprehensive, coordinated and clearly
communicated.
We have developed gov.uk webpages
(see https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/terror-attacks-support-for-people-
affected ) to provide comprehensive advice to victims and to signpost them to support
services in the UK. We have also been working closely with local authorities to
highlight the support available, and will make sure that payments from the We Love
Manchester Emergency Fund and the UK Solidarity Fund do not affect benefits
payments.
TRANSPORT
Aviation: Egypt
Lilian Greenwood: [3693]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with
representatives of the airline industry and other key stakeholders on the resumption of
direct flights to Sharm El-Sheikh; and if he will make a statement.
Mr John Hayes:
My officials have regular discussions with UK airlines and others about flights from
Sharm el-Sheikh.
DfT aviation security experts continue to work closely with their Egyptian counterparts
on the ground, sharing their expertise in establishing effective security arrangements.
We look forward to achieving the return of flights to Sharm el-Sheikh, once we can be
assured of there being the necessary secure and sustainable security situation.
Cycling: North East
Bridget Phillipson: [3634]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding his Department has made
available for cycling in (a) Sunderland and (b) the North East since 2010.
Jesse Norman:
Since 2010, local authorities in England have benefited from over £600m of funding
from the Department for Transport (DfT) for sustainable transport initiatives, including
cycling and walking, through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund and its
successors the Sustainable Travel Transition Year and Access Fund. Details of the
areas where DfT funding has been provided can be found at:
http://maps.dft.gov.uk/funding-for-sustainable-travel/index.html.
Sunderland Council has benefited from around £100,000 per annum of DfT funding
since 2011-12 for Bikeability training. All other DfT funding has been provided to the
North East Combined Authority (NECA), which includes Sunderland. The amount of
DfT funding provided to NECA, and its predecessor, for sustainable transport
(including cycling and walking) was £28.56m from 2011 – 17, this includes £16.32m
of Cycle Ambition City funding. DfT does not hold data on how this funding has been
allocated between each local authority.
Since 2010 there has also been additional funding, some of which will have benefited
cycling and walking in the North East region. This includes through the Local Growth
Fund, Highways Maintenance Block and the Integrated Transport Block. Precise
amounts spent vary and will depend on decisions made by the relevant local
authorities and other local bodies.
Cycling: Per Capita Costs
Layla Moran: [3687]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the level of
public funding for cycling per head of population in each of the next five years.
Jesse Norman:
Spending on cycling in England has risen from around £2 per person in 2010 to an
estimate of around £6 per person in 2016/17. Precise amounts vary from one part of
the country to another and depend on decisions made by local authorities and other
local bodies.
The amount of spending per head in each of the next five future years will depend on
local decisions as well as on future decisions on Government funding. The total
amount of investment in walking and cycling in England over the five-year period
(2016/17 - 2020/21) is currently set at around £1.2 billion. The money comes from a
wide range of ring-fenced and non-ring-fenced funding streams, as set out in the
Government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy which was published in April
2017 and is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cycling-and-walking-investment-strategy
Cycling: West Midlands
Mr Jim Cunningham: [3628]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much central Government investment
has been provided to (a) Coventry and (b) the West Midlands to upgrade the cycling
network in those areas in each of the last five years.
Jesse Norman:
Since 2010, local authorities in England have benefited from over £600m of funding
from the Department for Transport (DfT) for sustainable transport initiatives, including
cycling and walking, through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund and its
successors the Sustainable Travel Transition Year and Access Fund. Details of the
areas where DfT funding has been provided can be found at:
http://maps.dft.gov.uk/funding-for-sustainable-travel/index.html
Coventry City Council received £3.496m of DfT funding from the Local Sustainable
Transport Fund between 2011-15 for the “Cycle Coventry” project, which delivered
cycling infrastructure and initiatives to encourage cycling amongst commuters,
university students and local communities. Coventry also benefited from £270,000 of
DfT funding in 2015-16 to enable Virgin Trains to improve cycle facilities at Coventry
railway station.
DfT has provided the following funding to local authorities in the West Midlands which
has funded cycle networks and awareness raising initiatives:
CYCLE AMBITION CITIES
GRANT - BIRMINGHAM
CITY COUNCIL £13M FOR 2013-15 £1M FOR 2015-16 £7.317M FOR 2016-17
Local Sustainable
Transport Fund - West
Midlands
£77.8m for 2011-15 £8m for 2015-16 N/A
Sustainable Travel
Transition Year – West
Midlands
N/A N/A £2.9m for 2016-17
Alongside this DfT provided a total of £1.224m in 2015-16 to improve cycle rail
facilities at railway stations in the West Midlands region. There has also been funding
for cycling and walking in the West Midlands over the last five years through
Bikeability, the Local Growth Fund, Highways Maintenance Block and the Integrated
Transport Block. Precise amounts spent on cycling and walking vary and will depend
on decisions made by the relevant local authorities and other local bodies.
Department for Transport: Advertising
Mr Jim Cunningham: [3627]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much his Department has spent on
advertising on social media in each month since January 2016.
Mr John Hayes:
The department have spent the following on advertising on social media. A large
proportion of the spend is on our iconic and highly successful Think! road safety
campaigns, which have helped to contribute to a massive fall in road deaths due to
drink driving over the last 50 years.
MONTH SPEND (EXCLUDING VAT)
January 2016 £413,132
February 2016 £27,837
March 2016 £760,104
April 2016 £11,709
May 2016 £16,771
June 2016 £17,796
July 2016 £104,187
August 2016 £18,602
MONTH SPEND (EXCLUDING VAT)
September 2016 £13,417
October 2016 £10,341
November 2016 £4,035
December 2016 £19,287
January 2017
February 2017
March 2017
April 2017 £23,645
May 2017
June 2017 £249
July 2017
Department for Transport: Disclosure of Information
Justin Madders: [2864]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many protected disclosures were made
by staff in his Department in each of the last three years for which figures are available;
how many such disclosures were found to be valid; how many staff alleged detriment as
a result of those disclosures; and how many staff subsequently left his Department's
employment.
Mr John Hayes:
The Department for Transport (DfT) introduced new Whistleblowing and ‘Raising a
Concern’ policies in May 2015. The policies apply to DfT employees, who are Civil
Servants, and set out the process that our employees should follow when reporting a
perceived wrongdoing within DfT.
According to our central records the information is set out below:
How many protected disclosures were made by staff in his Department in each of the
last three years for which figures are available:
In the financial year 2015/16 there were 19 protected disclosures raised.
In the financial year 2016/17 there were 21 protected disclosures raised.
How many such disclosures were found to be valid:
In the financial year 2015/16, there were 5 disclosures found to have a case to
answer for.
In the financial year 2016/17, there were 5 disclosures found to have a case to
answer for, with 8 cases still ongoing.
How many staff alleged detriment as a result of those disclosures:
No reports were made by those raising protected disclosures about alleged detriment
as a result of raising their concerns.
How many staff subsequently left his Department's employment:
In 2015/16 *Less than 5 members left the Department
In 2016/17 *Less than 5 members left the Department
*In line with Data Protection requirements, where there are fewer than 5 members of
staff, I am unable to disclose further information.
High Speed 2 Railway Line
Antoinette Sandbach: [2954]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the decision will be announced of the
route of phase 2B of High Speed 2 from Crewe to Manchester and Leeds.
Paul Maynard:
The Government confirmed the majority of the route in November 2016 and launched
a consultation on seven route refinements. Our intention is to announce a
Government response to the consultation as soon as possible.
Lilian Greenwood: [3694]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to page five of High Speed
Two Limited's Initial Framework Agreement with the TUC, published on 8 April 2016, if he
will list the dates on which the joint committee has met.
Paul Maynard:
Work on establishing a full Joint Committee is in process. There have been five
meetings with the TUC in the last year to work on establishing the full committee.
Those meetings are proving constructive and as HS2 moves into the first construction
phase later this year, dates and arrangements for the full Joint Committee will be
formalised.
High Speed 2 Railway Line: Eddisbury
Antoinette Sandbach: [2891]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what work (a) has been done and (b) is
ongoing, to analyse historical satellite surveys to assess the rate and magnitude of recent
ground movements on the proposed route of HS2 Phase 2B in Eddisbury constituency.
Paul Maynard:
HS2 Ltd has not commissioned or used any satellite data analysis as current
evidence does not suggest they are able to detect movements in rural areas with the
accuracy required. HS2 Ltd are however investigating other analysis techniques and
is reviewing the practicality of installing corner reflectors on the ground, in order to
increase the accuracy of satellite data. Combined with other monitoring, this may
enable subsequent and more modern satellite survey data to be analysed in sufficient
detail.
Antoinette Sandbach: [2953]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if any space-borne synthetic aperture radar
surveys have been commissioned to assess ground movements on the proposed route of
High Speed 2 phase 2B in Eddisbury.
Paul Maynard:
HS2 Ltd has not commissioned any space-borne synthetic aperture radar surveys on
the proposed route of High Speed 2 phase 2B in Eddisbury.
National Air Traffic Services: Government Shareholding
Lilian Greenwood: [3695]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 13 April 2016
to Question 33920, on National Air Traffic Services: Government shareholding, if it
remains his policy to sell the Government's shareholding in the National Air Traffic
Service.
Mr John Hayes:
At the 2015 Spending Review, the Chancellor announced we were considering a
potential sale of the Government’s 49% shareholding in NATS. Since then, HMG has
indicated that no final decisions have been taken and HMG will continue to keep its
investment under review.
Railways: East Midlands
Lilian Greenwood: [3696]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his oral contribution of 4
July 2017, Official Report, column 1137, which routes currently operated under the East
Midlands franchise are anticipated to benefit from a significantly shorter journey time as a
result of the new Thameslink timetable; and what those changes in journey times will be.
Paul Maynard:
Network Rail and the train operators are currently undertaking the detailed work to
develop the 2018 timetable for the Midland Main Line.
Railways: Fares
Lilian Greenwood: [3692]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2017 to
Question 1538, on railways: fares, what plans he has to increase the cost of regulated rail
fares by RPI plus zero per cent in 2018.
Paul Maynard:
The Government recognises that the cost of travelling for rail passengers can seem
high – this is why since 2014 we have taken action and capped the regulated rail
fares at RPI+0%. Train fare revenue is crucial to funding day-to-day railway
operations and delivering the investment and massive upgrade programme currently
underway, all of which passengers demand and expect.
We of course keep policies under review.
Roads: Accidents
Daniel Zeichner: [2978]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's
publication of 2 February 2017, Road accidents and safety statistics, for what reasons
there has been a delay in the supply of data from data providers.
Jesse Norman:
The Department for Transport (DfT) published the provisional road casualty estimates
for the year-end September 2016 (Q3, 2016) as pre-announced on 2 February 2017.
These provisional statistics were based on a snapshot of the data available from
police records at the time of publishing, and it is not unusual for the provisional data
to be affected by a small volume of missing data for a variety of reasons relating to
resourcing, system changes and specific IT issues.
For the 2nd February publication, DfT has now received the data in question.
Tyne and Wear Metro: Rolling Stock
Bridget Phillipson: [3049]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding model his Department has
proposed for the delivery of a new train fleet for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
Jesse Norman:
The Department for Transport (DfT) is in discussions with Nexus regarding their
proposals for new rolling stock on the Metro. DfT and HM Treasury officials continue
to work with Nexus to explore various funding options.
WALES
Rhondda Tunnel
Chris Bryant: [3018]
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the
Secretary of State for Transport on transferring ownership of the Rhondda Tunnel to the
Welsh Government.
Alun Cairns:
I hold regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport on issues which
relate to Wales. The Rhondda Tunnel is part of the Historical Railways Estate which
comprises redundant former railway property owned by the Secretary of State for
Transport.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport wrote to the Welsh
Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure on 24 April this year
to indicate that the Secretary of State for Transport was content to transfer the tunnel
to the Welsh Government. To date no response has been received from the Welsh
Government.
WOMEN AND EQUALITIES
Equal Pay: Business
Catherine West: [2869]
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to bring forward legislative
proposals to require companies with more than 250 employees to publish data on the pay
gap between men and women.
Anne Milton:
New regulations introducing mandatory gender pay gap reporting for large employers
came into force earlier this year.
LGBT People: Northern Ireland
Catherine West: [136]
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent discussions she has had with
(a) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and (b) Members of Northern Ireland
Executive on the protection and promotion of LGBT rights in Northern Ireland.
Nick Gibb:
The Government is committed to progress LGBT equality globally and is working
hard with like minded countries to share best practice, notably through the Equal
Rights Coalition, of which the United Kingdom is a founding member. The United
Kingdom has made progress in promoting LGBT equality: we have one of the world’s
strongest legislative frameworks to prevent and tackle discrimination. We are,
however, not complacent and we are working hard to improve our legislation and
policies. As we work with others to govern in the national interest, we will continue to
promote and champion the equal rights we believe in.
Catherine West: [324]
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she had made representations to
the Prime Minister on LGBT rights in Northern Ireland prior to the Prime Minister meeting
with Democratic Unionist Party leader, Arlene Foster, on 13 June.
Nick Gibb:
The United Kingdom is recognised as a global leader on LGBT rights and I am
immensely proud of our record. We have one of the strongest legislative frameworks
to prevent and tackle all forms of discrimination, including on the grounds of sexual
orientation and gender reassignment. The Government is committed to LGBT
equality. As we work with others to govern in the national interest, we will continue to
promote and champion the equal rights we believe in.
Parliament: Disability
Mr Peter Bone: [2850]
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the
House of Commons Commission on taking steps to ensure that the Parliamentary estate
is fully accessible to people of differing physical ability.
Nick Gibb:
I have not had any such discussions. However, officials from the Government
Equalities Office would be happy to discuss the reasonable adjustment requirements
of the Equality Act 2010 with the Commission, if this would be helpful.
WORK AND PENSIONS
Department for Work and Pensions: Advertising
Deidre Brock: [3415]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department has
spent on advertising on social media in each month since January 2016.
Damian Hinds:
DWP Corporate Services has a contract with CARAT LTD for Media Buying services
which covers Social Media advertising. The amount spent for the period stated
amounts to an average of £21k per month.
A more precise and detailed response could only be extracted at disproportionate
cost.
Employment and Support Allowance
Jess Phillips: [2881]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average time is for an
employment and support allowance claim to reach the assessment stage in (a) England,
(b) the West Midlands and (c) Birmingham, Yardley constituency.
Penny Mordaunt:
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur
disproportionate cost.
Food Banks
Neil Gray: [3661]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of
the findings of the Trussell Trust report on financial and food insecurity, published in June
2017, on the number of people with health conditions who use food banks.
Neil Gray: [3662]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of
the findings of the Trussell Trust report on financial and food insecurity, published in June
2017, on the number of employment and support allowance claimants using food banks
in the UK.
Damian Hinds:
It is widely acknowledged that the reasons why people use food banks are complex
and overlapping, and therefore it would be misleading to link this to any particular
cause. We are helping people with health conditions into employment and working to
change attitudes. Since June 2016 over 750,000 people who were receiving
incapacity benefits are now either preparing for or looking for work. As a safeguard
for people needing more support, we have a well-established system of hardship
payments, benefit advances and budgeting loans.
The Department does not have data on the number of people with health conditions
or Employment and Support Allowance claimants who use food banks.
State Retirement Pensions: Females
Catherine McKinnell: [1141]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to meet
representatives of the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign to discuss the
effect of 1995 and 2011 changes to women's state pension age.
Guy Opperman:
There are no current plans to meet with representatives of the Women Against State
Pension Inequality campaign in the immediate future.
This matter has been comprehensively debated on many occasions in Parliament,
most recently in a Westminster Hall Debate on 5th July 2017 in which I stated I will be
meeting the all-party parliamentary group when it is reformed.
In addition to the substantive debate on this issue, previous Ministers have met with
WASPI representatives to discuss the effect of the 1995 and 2011 changes to
women’s State Pension age. Baroness Ros Altmann and Shailesh Vara MP met with
representatives of the WASPI group on 29th June 2016 to listen to their concerns.
This issue was also raised in a meeting on 23 November 2016 between the former
Secretary of State Damian Green, the then Minister for Pensions Richard Harrington
MP and representatives from the relevant All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).
Following these meetings and debates, the government maintains the view that the
1995 and 2011 changes to State Pension age were necessary. We remain very clear
that we will make no further changes to the State Pension age or pay financial
redress in lieu of pension. Therefore the government believes that there is no value
for either party in future meetings with representatives from the Women Against State
Pension Inequality campaign.
A key priority for Government remains supporting individuals aged 50 years and over
to return to and remain in the labour market, and tackling the barriers to them doing
so. Since 2016 much work has been done to provide support back into employment,
with 1.2 million over 65’s now in employment. In addition there is training and
retraining, in many ways, as well as investment in lifelong learning and returnship
schemes. We have also extended our network of older claimant champions to all 34
Jobcentre Plus districts to provide best practice and support to work coaches.
Universal Credit: Zero Hours Contracts
Justin Madders: [3072]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June
2017 to Question 1302, if he will estimate the number of people engaged on zero-hours
contracts who are in receipt of universal credit.
Damian Hinds:
It is too early to estimate as numbers on zero hours contracts in UC remain low.
WRITTEN STATEMENTS
HEALTH
NHS Technology
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Jackie Doyle-Price):
[HCWS40]
My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Lord
O'Shaughnessy) has made the following Written Statement in the House of Lords:
I am today publishing the Government response to the public consultation on the National
Data Guardian for Health and Care’s (NDG) and Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) data
security reviews. A copy of the response is attached and available at
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/new-data-security-standards-for-health-
and-social-care
Boosting cyber resilience, improving the response to data and cyber incidents and
providing clarity on the handling of personal data remain an urgent priority for the health
and care sector.
Following consultation which closed on 7 July 2016, the Government accepts the
recommendations from the two independent data security reviews published in 2016.
Through the consultation, we heard broad support for Dame Fiona Caldicott’s
recommended data security standards and opt-out model, alongside a clear message
that we need to carefully think through and approach all elements of implementation.
Other key themes in the responses to the consultation related to the need to build public
trust through providing clarity and communicating clearly with the public and
professionals.
The global WannaCry ransomware attack in May 2017, which affected many other
countries’ services as well as our own health and care system, has reaffirmed the
potential for data and cyber incidents to impact directly on patient care, as well as the
need for our health and care system to act decisively to minimise the impact on essential
front-line services.
The Government response includes wide-ranging plans to strengthen organisations
across the NHS and social care against the threat of global cyber-attacks.
The immediate and longer-term actions are centred on ensuring local organisations are
implementing the 10 data security standards proposed in the NDG review, supported by
the national cyber support services provided by NHS Digital, backed up by clear
contractual obligations, and by assurance and regulatory action.
Investment in data and cyber security will be boosted above £50 million and will include a
new £21 million capital fund which will increase the cyber resilience of major trauma sites.
NHS Digital is already supporting local organisations by broadcasting alerts about cyber
threats, providing a hotline for dealing with incidents, sharing best practice across the
health and care system and carrying out on-site assessments to mitigate against cyber
security.
The NHS contract now requires NHS organisations to implement and adopt data security
standards as recommended by the independent NDG for Health and Care.
Chief executives will also be held to account for standards that are being implemented
and maintained and this will be assessed during inspections by the Care Quality
Commission from September this year.
The Government’s response also includes steps to give patients and the public more
access to, and control over, their personal data while building confidence in the
importance of secure data to provide better individual care and treatment, as well as
supporting research and planning across the health system.
As the Chief Medical Officer’s recent report on genomics showed, better use of data and
technology has the power to improve health outcomes, deliver better patient experience,
transform the quality of care patients receive and support improvements across the
health and social care system – now and in the future. Staff and patients will benefit from
reduced bureaucracy, freeing up more time for patient care, and leading to more accurate
diagnoses and more personalised treatment.
I want to thank Dame Fiona Caldicott, her team and the Care Quality Commission for
their important and considered reviews and recommendations, which can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-data-security-consent-and-opt-
outs
http://www.cqc.org.uk/content/safe-data-safe-care
Attachments:
1. NDG Government Response [FINAL-
3_Govt_Response_NDG_Review_WEB_compressed.pdf]
HOME OFFICE
Extremism
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Amber Rudd): [HCWS39]
I am today announcing the main findings of the Home Office’s internal review into the
nature, scale and origin of the funding of Islamist extremist activity in the UK, including
any overseas sources. The review was commissioned by the former Prime Minister,
David Cameron, on 30 November 2015. It gives us the best picture we have ever had of
how extremists operating in the UK sustain their activities. The review did not include
either the funding of terrorism (which is a better understood area) or funding of extremism
overseas from UK sources.
Having taken advice, I have decided against publishing the classified report produced
during the review in full. This is because of the volume of personal information it contains
and for national security reasons. We will be inviting privy councillors from the opposition
parties to the Home Office to have access to classified report on privy council terms.
The main finding of the review is as follows:
i. The most common source of support for Islamist extremist organisations in the UK is
from small, anonymous public donations, with the majority of these donations most likely
coming from UK-based individuals. In some cases these organisations receive hundreds
of thousands of pounds a year. This is the main source of their income. Those giving may
not know or support the organisations’ full agenda.
The review also made the following findings:
ii. Some Islamic organisations of extremist concern portray themselves as charities to
increase their credibility and to take advantage of Islam’s emphasis on charity. Some are
purposefully vague about their activities and their charitable status.
iii. Regulation can be effective in improving transparency. There is some evidence of
organisations of extremist concern seeking to avoid regulatory oversight.
iv. For a small number of organisations with which there are extremism concerns,
overseas funding is a significant source of income. However, for the vast majority of
extremist groups in the UK, overseas funding is not a significant source.
v. Overseas support has allowed individuals to study at institutions that teach deeply
conservative forms of Islam and provide highly socially conservative literature and
preachers to the UK’s Islamic institutions. Some of these individuals have since become
of extremist concern.
Fundamentally, no single measure will tackle all the issues of concern raised in the
review. A comprehensive approach focused particularly on domestic sources of support
for all forms of extremism is needed. The Government has looked carefully at the
review’s findings and will build on existing work by:
Continuing to deliver public awareness campaigns to encourage people to
understand the full aims of the organisations that they give to, reducing the amount
of funding organisations of extremist concern are able to raise from the public in
the UK.
Raising awareness across the financial services sector and grant making trusts
and foundations of extremism concerns. These organisations have an interest in
ensuring they are not inadvertently supporting extremist individuals or
organisations.
Reducing the ability of organisations of extremist concern to avoid official scrutiny
by increasing the proportion of organisations subject to regulatory oversight. We
are strengthening our work with the Charity Commission, which includes
addressing the abuse of charities for terrorist or extremist purposes as one of its
strategic priorities.
The Charity Commission will be introducing a requirement on charities to declare
overseas funding sources. The Commission has been discussing this issue with
charities over recent months.
Directly raising issues of concern, supported by evidence, with specific countries as
part of our wider international engagement on countering extremism and violent
extremism.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Northern Ireland Finances
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (James Brokenshire): [HCWS38]
In my Statement to the House on 3 July, I made clear that the UK Government will always
uphold its ultimate responsibilities for political stability and good governance in Northern
Ireland. With that in mind, I have been keeping under review the financial situation in
Northern Ireland absent an Executive. Having reflected on the situation, and following
further advice from the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, I have concluded that it
will be necessary for me to provide additional clarity ahead of the summer recess to
support Northern Ireland Permanent Secretaries in addressing financial pressures and
maintaining public services. Following the public holidays in Northern Ireland this week, I
therefore, intend to lay a further Written Statement before the House next week with
adjusted indicative Budget positions and departmental allocations. This will take account
of the Barnett consequentials arising from the Spring Budget, and funding as may be
available from budget transfers and updated forecasts.