Daily Report Monday, 22 June 2020
This report shows written answers and statements provided on 22 June 2020 and the
information is correct at the time of publication (06:49 P.M., 22 June 2020). For the latest
information on written questions and answers, ministerial corrections, and written statements,
please visit: http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/
CONTENTS
ANSWERS 7
BUSINESS, ENERGY AND
INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 7
Aerospace Industry:
Government Assistance 7
Business: Coronavirus 7
Businesses: Scotland 7
Businesses: Voucher
Schemes 8
Climate Change Convention 8
Coal: Imports and Exports 9
Coronavirus Business
Interruption Loan Scheme 9
Coronavirus Job Retention
Scheme 10
European Foundation for the
Improvement of Living and
Working Conditions 11
Future Fund 11
Hospitality Industry:
Coronavirus 11
Industrial Health and Safety:
Coronavirus 12
Personal Care Services:
Coronavirus 13
Post Offices: Convictions 13
Self-employed: Adoption 14
Vaccination: Research 14
CABINET OFFICE 15
Conservative Party: Finance 15
Contact Tracing: Computer
Software 15
Coronavirus: Disease Control 15
Electronic Government 16
Official Residences: Energy
Performance Certificates 17
Prime Minister: Energy 17
Protective Clothing:
Coronavirus 17
Public Sector: Recruitment 18
DEFENCE 18
Annington Homes 18
Armed Forces: Coronavirus 19
Cadets 20
Combined Cadet Force 20
Military Aircraft 20
Navy: Coronavirus 20
Sentinel Aircraft 21
Veterans: Commonwealth 21
Voyager Aircraft: Repairs and
Maintenance 22
DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND
SPORT 23
BBC: Political Impartiality 23
Bed and Breakfast
Accommodation: Coronavirus 23
Creative Europe 24
Dance: Coronavirus 24
Gambling: Coronavirus 25
Horse Racing: Coronavirus 25
Independent Press Standards
Organisation 26
Music: Coronavirus 26
Newspaper Press: Democracy 27
Newspaper Press: Regulation 27
Press Freedom 27
Sports: Coronavirus 28
Tourism: Coronavirus 28
EDUCATION 29
[Subject Heading to be
Assigned] 29
Assessments: Ethnic Groups 30
GCE A-level and GCSE:
Ethnic Groups 31
GCSE: Nature Conservation 31
Health Services: Students 31
Primary Education 32
Primary Education:
Assessments 32
Primary Education: Sports 32
Schools: Sanitary Protection 33
Schools: Temporary
Accommodation 33
Teachers: Universal Credit 34
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND
RURAL AFFAIRS 34
Agriculture: Land Use 34
Agriculture: Northern Ireland 35
Agriculture: Subsidies 35
Air Pollution: North West 36
Aquaculture: Coronavirus 36
Dairy Farming: Coronavirus 37
Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs: Energy 37
Food: Standards 37
Imports: Israel 38
Motor Vehicles: Exhaust
Emissions 39
Total Allowable Catches 40
FOREIGN AND
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 41
Baltic States and Scandinavia:
Foreign Relations 41
British Nationals Abroad:
Coronavirus 41
Department for International
Development 42
Department for International
Development: Foreign and
Commonwealth Office 43
Ethiopia: Dams 43
Foreign and Commonwealth
Office: Carers 43
Foreign and Commonwealth
Office: Department for
International Development 44
Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Office 44
Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Office: Overseas
Aid 45
Georgia: Foreign Relations 45
Hong Kong: National Security 45
Israeli Settlements:
Companies 46
Malawi: Elections 46
Nigeria: Human Rights 47
Pakistan: Christianity 48
Religious Freedom 48
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 49
Adult Social Care Infection
Control Fund 49
Asthma: Coronavirus 49
Asthma: Medical Treatments 50
Care Homes: Coronavirus 51
Department of Health and
Social Care: Care Badge
Community Interest Company 52
Department of Health and
Social Care: Renewable
Energy 52
Exercise Cygnus: Health and
Social Services 52
Health Services: Labour
Turnover 53
Hospices: Coronavirus 53
Hospitals: Coronavirus 53
Joint Biosecurity Centre 54
Lung Diseases: Health
Services 55
NHS: Mental Health 55
NHS: Procurement 55
Social Services 56
Supported Housing:
Coronavirus 56
HOME OFFICE 57
Airguns: Reviews 57
Asylum 57
Asylum: Housing 60
British National (Overseas):
Visas 60
Hamas 61
Home Office: Carers 61
Home Office: Energy 61
Home Office: Written
Questions 62
Immigrants: Fees and Charges 62
Immigrants: Health Services 63
Religious Buildings: Security 63
Retail Trade: Abuse and
Violence 64
Shoplifting 64
Slavery: Victims 64
Travellers: Caravan Sites 65
Visas: British National
(Overseas) 65
Visas: Musicians 66
Visas: Working Holidays 67
HOUSE OF COMMONS
COMMISSION 67
Parliament: Coronavirus 67
HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT 68
Building Safety Fund 68
Business: Coronavirus 68
Devolution: North Yorkshire 69
High Rise Flats: Insulation 69
Local Government Finance:
Coronavirus 70
Local Government: Meetings 71
Property Development: Isle of
Dogs 71
Religious Buildings:
Coronavirus 72
Rough Sleeping: Coronavirus 73
Towns Fund 74
INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT 75
Bangladesh: Migrant Camps 75
Caribbean Aid for Trade and
Regional Integration Trust
Fund: EU Trade 77
Department for International
Development: Carers 77
Department for International
Development: East Kilbride 78
Department for International
Development: Reorganisation 79
Developing Countries:
Vaccination 79
Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Office 80
Malawi: Elections 80
Overseas Aid: National
Income 81
Schools: Females 81
Yemen: Humanitarian Aid 81
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 82
Ceramics: Manufacturing
Industries 82
Comprehensive and
Progressive Agreement for
Trans-pacific Partnership:
Stoke On Trent 82
Contracts: Developing
Countries 83
Department for International
Trade: Buildings 83
Department for International
Trade: Carers 84
Department for International
Trade: Overseas Aid 84
Import Duties 84
Manufacturing Industries:
Government Assistance 85
Overseas Aid 85
Supermarkets: Brazil 86
Trade Agreements: Dispute
Resolution 86
Trade Agreements: Food 87
Trade Agreements:
Staffordshire 87
Trade Agreements: USA 88
Trade Remedies Authority:
Public Appointments 88
Whisky: Scotland 88
JUSTICE 89
Administration of Justice:
Equality 89
Courts: Opening Hours 89
Domestic Violence: Legal Aid
Scheme 90
Lewes Prison: Standards 91
Prison Accommodation:
Construction 92
Prisoners' Release:
Coronavirus 93
Prisoners' Release:
Homelessness 93
Prisons and Young Offender
Institutions: Coronavirus 94
Prisons and Youth Custody:
Coronavirus 101
Prisons: Coronavirus 103
LEADER OF THE HOUSE 110
Electronic Government:
Petitions 110
House of Commons:
Coronavirus 110
Overseas Aid: Parliamentary
Scrutiny 111
NORTHERN IRELAND 111
Marriage and Civil
partnerships: Northern Ireland 111
Marriage: Northern Ireland 112
Terrorism: Northern Ireland 112
PRIME MINISTER 113
Official Meetings: Prime
Minister 113
Overseas Aid: Select
Committees 113
TRANSPORT 113
Airlines: Coronavirus 113
Aviation: Coronavirus 113
Bus Services: Concessions 116
Driving Instruction:
Coronavirus 117
Driving Tests: Coronavirus 117
Driving: Licensing 118
Government Car Service 118
Official Cars 120
Public Transport: Exhaust
Emissions 120
Public Transport: Staff 121
Railways: Coronavirus 121
Railways: Franchises 122
Railways: Manufacturing
Industries 123
TREASURY 123
Airports: Coronavirus 123
Coronavirus Job Retention
Scheme 123
Coronavirus Job Retention
Scheme: Islam 124
Corporation Tax: Coronavirus 124
Duty Free Allowances:
Northern Ireland 125
Food: Wholesale Trade 125
Hospitality Industry: Social
Distancing 126
Insurance Companies:
Compensation 127
Pensions: Coronavirus 128
Public Expenditure 128
Remote Working: Coronavirus 129
Self-employment Income
Support Scheme: Greater
London 129
Top Glove: Imports 129
Treasury: Overseas Aid 130
VAT: Tax Rates and Bands 131
WALES 131
Hospitality Industry and
Tourism: Wales 131
WOMEN AND EQUALITIES 132
Ethnic Groups: Equality 132
Gay Conversion Therapy 132
WORK AND PENSIONS 133
Department for Work and
Pensions: Written Questions 133
Employment: Contact Tracing 133
Offshore Industry: Coronavirus 133
Social Security Benefits 134
Thriving at Work Leadership
Council 135
Unemployment: Slough 135
Universal Credit 136
Universal Credit: Coronavirus 136
Universal Credit: Immigrants 137
MINISTERIAL CORRECTIONS 138
CABINET OFFICE 138
Industrial Diseases: Death
Certificates 138
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 138
Comprehensive and
Progressive Agreement for
Trans-pacific Partnership:
Stoke On Trent 138
WRITTEN STATEMENTS 140
BUSINESS, ENERGY AND
INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 140
Business Update 140
CABINET OFFICE 141
Procurement Update 141
EDUCATION 142
Education Update 142
TREASURY 142
Notification of Contingent
Liability 142
Notes:
Questions marked thus [R] indicate that a relevant interest has been declared.
Questions with identification numbers of 900000 or greater indicate that the question was originally tabled as an
oral question and has since been unstarred.
ANSWERS
BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
Aerospace Industry: Government Assistance
Gavin Robinson: [59788]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much
financial support his Department has allocated to the aerospace sector since the start of
the covid-19 lockdown; and what plans he has to provide further support to that sector.
Aerospace companies have benefitted from the Government’s extensive financial
support package, on top of existing support measures for the sector.
The UK’s aviation and aerospace sectors can expect to benefit from over £6 billion of
support through UK Export Finance, the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Finance
Facility, research and development grants, and other measures.
We will continue to support the UK aerospace industry to get back on its feet to
protect jobs across the UK.
Business: Coronavirus
Alex Norris: [59875]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what
assessment he has made of the adequacy of the preparation undertaken by businesses
to support people that are vulnerable to covid-19.
Paul Scully:
Employers have a duty under UK law to protect the health and safety of their workers
and other people who might be affected by their business. This includes considering
the risks that COVID-19 represents.
Our guidance outlines steps employers should consider, and employers should use
the guidance to create specific plans for their business in consultation with those who
are affected by their operations, including workers and contractors.
We know that every organisation is different. Each business’s plan will depend on the
nature of the business, such as the sector, and the details of the workforce and
operations.
Businesses: Scotland
Douglas Chapman: [59793]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he last
met the Secretary of State for Scotland to discuss the safeguarding and promotion of
Scottish business.
Paul Scully:
My ministerial colleagues and I are in regular contact with the Office for the Secretary
of State for Scotland to discuss the safeguarding and promotion of Scottish business.
In April, my Hon. Friends the Minister for Business and Industry and the then
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Scotland Office jointly held a webinar
with Scottish Council for Development and Industry to discuss the Government’s
Covid response to safeguard and support busines in Scotland.
In May, the Minister for Business and Industry also attended the joint Scottish
Government and UK Government Ministerial-led Scottish Business Growth Group to
discuss support for businesses during Covid and future economic recovery.
Businesses: Voucher Schemes
Ian Mearns: [59213]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his
Department has any plans to increase the protections afforded to those who buy gift
cards for businesses in cash, in line with those offered through the Chargeback scheme
and Consumer Credit Act, in circumstances where businesses enter administration.
Paul Scully:
The Department asked the Law Commission to examine the protection given to
consumer prepayments, including gift vouchers, and consider whether such
protections should be strengthened. The Law Commission concluded that gift
voucher losses were relatively uncommon, and mandatory regulation on gift vouchers
in an insolvency context would be disproportionate. Costs arising to businesses from
regulation could also be passed on to consumers.
The Government has worked with the industry and consumer groups to publish better
guidance for insolvency practitioners on the information that should be made
available to consumers when a retailer becomes insolvent.
Climate Change Convention
Jamie Stone: [60843]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether
accredited observer organisations will have access to the Blue Zone at COP26.
Paul Scully:
The engagement of observer organisations will be of fundamental value to COP26.
IGOs and NGOs are firstly required to register for observer status via the UNFCCC’s
online registration system. Once observer status has been obtained, organisations
can then register delegates to attend UNFCCC conferences and meetings.
Accredited delegates will have access to the Blue Zone at COP26.
Coal: Imports and Exports
Mr Richard Holden: [59906]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much
coal in (a) tonnes and (b) cash terms the UK has (i) imported and (ii) exported in each of
the last 10 years.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
Information on UK coal trade is published in the Digest of UK Energy Statistics
(DUKES) table G.2.
YEAR
COAL IMPORT
VOLUME,
THOUSAND
TONNES
COAL EXPORT
VOLUME,
THOUSAND
TONNES
COAL IMPORT
VALUE (C.I.F.), £M
COAL EXPORT
VALUE (F.O.B.), £M
2009 36,504 646 2,635 77
2010 23,579 715 1,850 86
2011 31,966 986 2,987 159
2012 42,235 726 3,133 110
2013 45,523 843 2,988 129
2014 39,386 617 2,323 84
2015 22,517 486 1,255 60
2016 8,679 638 621 67
2017 8,205 488 924 60
2018 10,128 701 1,153 119
Source: H.M. Revenue and Customs
In this table coal includes steam coal, coking coal, coke and anthracite. Data for 2019
will be published on 30 July 2020.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
Owen Thompson: [60827]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether
lenders accredited under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme are offering
interest rates of 10 per cent or more.
Paul Scully:
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) is being delivered by a
network of more than 90 accredited lenders operating across the market. Individual
lending decisions are at the discretion of these lenders.
The Government pays the interest and any lender-levied fees in the first 12 months of
any CBILS facility. Interest rates after 12 months will vary between lenders and will
depend on the specific lending proposal. The Government also guarantees 80% of a
CBILS facility and lenders must pass the economic benefit of the existence of this
guarantee to the borrower through lower pricing than it may otherwise have had.
For further information about interest rates after the initial 12 month period,
businesses should speak to their lender on what interest rates they will charge after
this time.
Owen Thompson: [60828]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the
interest rates that a lender sets for CBILS loans is a factor in determining whether that
company is accredited as a CBILS lender.
Paul Scully:
Interest rates are one of a range of factors taken into consideration when the British
Business Bank reviews a lender’s application to become a Coronavirus Business
Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) delivery partner.
The accreditation agreement makes clear that the interest rate at which the lender is
prepared to lend at, and any associated fees, should be based on a lender’s normal
pricing framework.
The Government expects that the benefit of the CBILS guarantee is passed through
to the borrower. This should be reflected in the interest rate and lender-levied fees
that are charged on each CBILS facility, both during the period of the Business
Interruption Payment and for the remainder of the facility.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Clive Lewis: [60831]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference
to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport on 3
June 2020, official report, column 847, that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, what
steps the Government is taking to prevent employers from using that scheme to fund the
wages of employees only for those employers to put the same staff on notice of
redundancy during the furlough period.
Paul Scully:
An employer can opt to make a worker redundant under certain conditions, if they
deem this to be the best course of action to take for their business. The employee will
maintain rights against unfair dismissal and to redundancy payments during the
period of furlough. Any redundancy process should be fair and reasonable, with
appropriate equalities considerations.
Pay during the redundancy notice period is based on the individual’s rights under
their contract of employment and the statutory right to notice pay (under section 86
and the following sections of the Employment Rights Act 1996).
In these difficult times, we would not expect an employer to take advantage of CJRS,
which has brought benefit to employers and employees alike, to make someone
redundant on less favourable terms than they would otherwise have received. Please
visit the Gov.uk page for updates and changes to the scheme at
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-
retention-scheme.
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
Andy McDonald: [59781]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the
Government plans to maintain participation in the European Foundation for the
Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
Paul Scully:
As the UK has left the European Union, the UK is no longer a member of the
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. Only
Member States of the EU can be members of the Foundation. The UK will continue to
have access to the research produced by the Foundation, and if the Foundation or
the EU wish the UK to be involved in any discussions, meetings or research, the UK
Government will consider any such request on its merits.
Future Fund
Chi Onwurah: [59767]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many
businesses have received support from the Future Fund, by region.
Paul Scully:
As of 14 June, 155 convertible loans have been approved under the Future Fund,
with a total value of £146 million.
Regional figures for the Future Fund will be published monthly and the first release of
data will be later this month.
Hospitality Industry: Coronavirus
Mr Barry Sheerman: [59188]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he
is taking to help ensure the (a) financial sustainability and (b) growth of the hospitality
sector after the covid-19 outbreak subsides.
Paul Scully:
The Government is engaging with representatives from across the hospitality sector
to help ensure its financial sustainability after the current Covid-19 outbreak. Work is
progressing to develop guidance following consultation with representatives from the
industry to allow the sector to reopen and return to trading in a Covid-secure way. As
my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer has already announced, the
Government’s Job Retention Scheme has been extended until October in order to
support businesses through the reopening phase.
Andrew Gwynne: [60711]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate
he has made of the number of small (a) cafes, (b) restaurants, (c) bars and (d) other
hospitality businesses which will be unable to reopen because of social distancing rules
due to the covid-19 outbreak.
Paul Scully:
We recognise the challenges facing this industry during this time. Our extensive
package of support continues to be available, including our furlough scheme which
has been extended until October, 100% business rates holidays, and tens of bullions
of pounds’ worth of business loans and guarantees.
Information regarding the number of hospitality businesses which are currently
unable to reopen is not in the public domain and is, therefore, classed as
commercially sensitive information.
We are working with the sector at pace to develop guidance on how these
businesses can reopen safely. The Pubs and Restaurants working level Technical
Group comprised stakeholders from a cross-section of the sector, with representation
from trade bodies to small and medium sized operators, unions, as well as the supply
chain, Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive. We consulted
these stakeholders due to their expertise and real-life knowledge and experience of
the challenges faced by the industry during the COVID-19 outbreak.
This Guidance will be published ahead of time to allow the sector to prepare.
Industrial Health and Safety: Coronavirus
Simon Baynes: [59262]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what
discussions officials in his Department have had with (a) businesses, (b) trade unions and
(c) workers on developing guidance on workplace safety during the covid-19 outbreak.
Paul Scully:
There was an extensive series of engagements to support the drafting process for
guidance on safe return to work, with several roundtables chaired by my Rt. Hon.
Friend the Secretary of State, meetings with businesses, unions and other
representative organisations and written consultations.
Andy McDonald: [59783]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to
the Answer of 8 June 2020 to Question 54118, on Industrial Health and Safety:
Coronavirus, what plans his Department has to monitor the recommendation that
employers with over 50 workers publish risk assessments online as announced in his
statement on 12 May 2020.
Paul Scully:
We worked closely with the Health and Safety Executive to develop this guidance,
including the risk assessment content. Existing health and safety legislation requires
risk assessments to be carried out, and our guidance does not change this.
We are asking companies to consider publishing the results of their risk assessments
whenever possible, although publishing risk assessments is not a legal obligation.
The Government expects larger organisations – those with over 50 workers – to
publish the results of their risk assessments.
We think businesses will want to do this to help build the confidence of their workers
and their customers.
In order to help with this, the Government has provided a new notice which
employers can display to show they have followed the guidance on managing the
risks of COVID-19.
Personal Care Services: Coronavirus
Robert Halfon: [59740]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when his
Department will publish guidance on the safe reopening and operation of tanning and
beauty salons that operate from home.
Paul Scully:
On 13 May, five ministerial-led taskforces were set up to develop plans for how
closed sectors could reopen safely, including Close Contact Services such as tanning
and beauty salons.
As part of this work, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is
engaging constructively with the Close Contact Services industry to develop guidance
for them to reopen safely, given the higher risk of transmission in these environments
where long periods of person to person contact is required. This work is progressing
well.
Post Offices: Convictions
Chris Loder: [59250]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many UK
citizens are currently imprisoned having been convicted of crimes in relation to the Post
Office Horizon system.
Paul Scully:
Post Office has not prosecuted any cases relating to its Horizon system since 2015.
According to Post Office’s records, no-one is currently imprisoned as a result of its
historical prosecutions.
Records of cases prosecuted by the UK’s public prosecution agencies which may
also relate to Horizon will be kept by the Crown Prosecution Service, Crown Office
Procurator Fiscal Service and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland
respectively.
Post Office has made those agencies aware of the concerns relating to Horizon and
Judge Fraser’s findings in the recent Horizon court case.
Self-employed: Adoption
Sir Desmond Swayne: [59662]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make
it his policy to extend Statutory Adoption Pay to self-employed people.
Paul Scully:
As part of the Spring Budget 2020, the Government committed to consider how to
provide appropriate support to self-employed parents, including adopters, so that they
can continue to run their businesses, as part of the Government’s wider review of
Parental Pay and Leave.
Currently, adopters may be eligible for adoption allowance from their local authority to
help them cope with the extra costs adoption brings about.
Vaccination: Research
Chi Onwurah: [59764]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what criteria
were used in the the decision making process which led to the award of £126 million to
experimental vaccines at Oxford University and Imperial College London and the
rejection of funding for vaccine projects at Bristol University and Nottingham University.
Amanda Solloway:
In Oxford and Imperial, we have two of the global front-runners in C-19 vaccine
development. The teams at Oxford University and Imperial College are the most
progressed in terms to developing a vaccine candidate and entering clinical trials, in
the UK. As such, the Vaccine Taskforce has worked to ensure that Oxford and
Imperial receive the investment from BEIS and DHSC to accelerate the development
of a successful COVID19 vaccine.
The Vaccines Taskforce will continue to review and engage with other candidates
and the Government is rightly proud of the work that many of our academic
institutions are conducting in response to COVID 19.
CABINET OFFICE
Conservative Party: Finance
Steve Reed: [60765]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish a list all meetings he has had
with donors to the Conservative Party since he became Minister for the Cabinet Office.
Chloe Smith:
Ministers publish details of their government meetings with external individuals and
organisations on GOV.UK.
The Government does not collate details of whether such individuals or organisations
have made donations to any political party in the past.
This would not be a material consideration in deciding whether to hold any meeting,
nor with the topics discussed.
Contact Tracing: Computer Software
Helen Hayes: [60837]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether a Government Digital Service peer
review of the contact tracing app has been completed.
Chloe Smith:
The Government is committed to ensuring that public services, including digital
services, continue to be delivered to the highest standards.
In line with this commitment, peer reviews are conducted to ensure such services are
secure, resilient, accessible and able to evolve to meet citizens’ needs.
Coronavirus: Disease Control
Bill Wiggin: [59692]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many independent, regulated newspapers
have not been selected to be included in the All in, all together advertising campaign.
Bill Wiggin: [59693]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 18 May 2020 to
Question 45460 on Coronavirus: Disease Control, if his Department will list which
newspapers are included in the All in, all together advertising campaign.
Bill Wiggin: [59694]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether newspapers whose owners do not pay
tax in the UK are receiving payments for services relating to the Government's All in, all
together advertising campaign.
Bill Wiggin: [59695]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason more local and independent
newspapers were not used as part of the All in, all together advertising campaign.
Bill Wiggin: [59700]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to ensure that only
newspapers who engage in independent regulation benefit from the All in, all together
advertising campaign.
Bill Wiggin: [59701]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department made of the
(a) size and (b) profitability of newspaper publications when deciding which should be the
beneficiaries of the All in, all together advertising campaign.
Bill Wiggin: [59702]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department made of the
wealth of newspaper owners prior to their publications receiving state money from the All
in this Together advertising campaign.
Chloe Smith:
I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to PQ 46692 given on 29 May 2020.
Justin Madders: [60777]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to Answer of 16 June to Question
54932, whether all articles published in the All together advertising campaign are
compliant with the Government Communication Service Propriety Guidance.
Chloe Smith:
It is vital that we provide public information to citizens during the COVID-19
pandemic. The Government has negotiated a new and unique partnership with
national and local newspapers to use their powerful, familiar voices as part of the All
In, All Together campaign.
The partnership involves a combination of traditional advertising and sponsored
content. This content is produced by participating newspapers and the Government
has no editorial sign-off.
Electronic Government
John Spellar: [59372]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to prevent individuals
seeking information from Government Departments being diverted to fee-charging
websites.
Chloe Smith:
Government Departments have processes in place to ensure users seeking
information from Government Departments are not diverted to fee-charging or
misleading websites.
We work to ensure that government information and services are correctly listed and
rank highly in search engine results so that they are easy for people to find and
identify as government information and services.
We also challenge sites that pay for prominent positioning in search returns, by
reporting them to the relevant search provider.
If fee-charging websites are operating outside of legal boundaries, we will pursue site
owners through trading standards bodies or legal challenge.
GOV.UK is the government's website and online brand. We take steps to ensure
people can rely on it as a trusted source for information.
Official Residences: Energy Performance Certificates
Sir Edward Davey: [59186]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the Energy Performance Certificate rating
was in each official Ministerial residence, in (a) 2015, (b) 2016, (c) 2017, (d) 2018, (e)
2019 and (f) 2020.
Chloe Smith:
This information is available on the website of the Ministry for Housing, Communities
and Local Government, and,
https://www.ndepcregister.com/reportSearchAddressSelectAddress.html?id=1968099
93823dc3ff0591fb2f90d96fd and,
https://www.ndepcregister.com/reportSearchAddressListAddresses.html?id=db2f961
3e6cf3d07ab140dd8a34870ef.
Prime Minister: Energy
Sir Edward Davey: [59359]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much energy the Prime Minister's
departmental buildings have used in (a) each of the last five years and (b) 2020 to date.
Sir Edward Davey: [59360]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much energy his departmental buildings
have used in (a) each of the last five years and (b) 2020 to date.
Chloe Smith:
The information requested is published in the Cabinet Office Annual Report and
Accounts, the latest edition of which is available here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm
ent_data/file/819251/CO-ARA-2018-19-Final.pdf
Protective Clothing: Coronavirus
Helen Hayes: [60835]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what checks on standards are carried out
before suppliers are listed in the Crown Commercial Service’s COVID-19: Catalogue of
supplier offers.
Chloe Smith:
Details of the Covid-19 catalogue are published here:
https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/covid-19/covid-19-buyer-information/catalogue-
of-supplier-offers/
Public Sector: Recruitment
Andrew Selous: [59379]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government (a) practices and (b)
encourages the public sector to practice name blind recruitment; and if he will make a
statement.
Chloe Smith:
'Anonymised' recruitment (where candidates' personal details are removed from the
application form prior to shortlisting) is considered the "default" for external Civil
Service recruitment.
DEFENCE
Annington Homes
Stephen Morgan: [60854]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of military homes provided for
service people and their families by Annington Homes meet the decent homes standard.
Jeremy Quin:
As of 18 June 2020, the Ministry of Defence leased 38,136 Service Family
Accommodation (SFA) properties from Annington Homes. Of this figure 36,785,
(96.46%), meet the UK Government Decent Homes Standard as a minimum. All SFA
properties allocated to Service personnel and their families meet Decent Homes
Standard as a minimum.
Stephen Morgan: [60855]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with
representatives of Annington Homes on the changes in cost for military home rental
ahead of the first rent review in 2021.
Jeremy Quin:
Ministry of Defence officials engaged with Annington Homes Ltd on the issue of rent
payable for the lease of the Service Family Accommodation estate.
The parties could not agree the rent, therefore the matter is now subject to a formal
arbitration process, with an arbitral panel chaired by Lord Neuberger, former
President of the Supreme Court, appointed by the parties.
An initial determination on the first sites selected for arbitration is expected later in
2020.
Stephen Morgan: [60856]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many cases there are of military homes
owned by Annington Homes that are awaiting repairs.
Jeremy Quin:
As of 18 June 2020, 3,584 Annington Homes properties occupied in England and
Wales (of 38,136 leased) were awaiting reported response repair action. The Ministry
of Defence provides a 24/7 prioritised response repair service for all Service Family
Accommodation in the UK. These properties awaiting repair action will be attended to
in line with the contractual timeframes for repairs categorised as Emergency, Critical,
Urgent or Routine.
In the month of May 2020, 95.93% of all repairs reported were responded to within
their required timeframes and either met or exceeded their performance targets.
Armed Forces: Coronavirus
Aaron Bell: [59643]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the armed forces have
been deployed in each (a) local authority area and (b) parliamentary constituency part of
the Government's covid-19 response.
James Heappey:
The information is not held in the format requested. As of 15 June, our Armed Forces
are deployed to support the work of 10 Joint Military Commands (JMCs) and three
other teams across the UK, broken down as follows:
REGION TOTAL
JMC East 447
JMC London 500
JMC North East 414
JMC North West 145
JMC Northern Ireland 98
JMC Scotland 361
JMC South East 437
JMC South West 323
JMC Wales 467
JMC West Midlands 274
Logistics Support Team 42
Standing Joint Command Reserve 20
Works Group (Engineers) 10
Total 3,538
Cadets
John Healey: [59184]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the Community Cadet Forces
centres in each local authority.
James Heappey:
There are approximately 3,000 community cadet units across the UK comprising Sea
Cadets, the Volunteer Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force and the Air Training
Corps. These units are administered and supported in various ways by the single
Service cadet HQs. However, locations of cadet units are not recorded by local
authority and to determine this data would incur disproportionate cost.
Combined Cadet Force
John Healey: [59183]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish the names of the schools that
receive funding allocated by his Department for Combined Cadet Forces.
James Heappey:
Every school hosting a Combined Cadet Force (CCF) unit receives funding from the
Ministry of Defence. The majority of this support is provided indirectly through the
supply of equipment, uniforms and stores, and the delivery of summer camps and
training activities.
In addition, a small monetary grant, with the amount dependant on the number of
cadets within the school's unit, is given directly to the school to assist with
administration. The list of CCF schools is provided in the attached table.
Attachments:
1. 59183 - Combined Cadet Forces Schools [59183 - CCF schools (1).xlsx]
Military Aircraft
Mr Kevan Jones: [60699]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department made of the
cost to the public purse of (a) support, (b) infrastructure and (c) training costs prior to the
procurement of (i) P-8 Poseidon and (ii) E-7 Wedgetail.
Jeremy Quin:
It is taking longer than expected to gather the information needed to answer the hon.
Member's question, and I will write to him shortly.
Navy: Coronavirus
Dr Julian Lewis: [60642]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether outbreaks of covid-19 infection have
occurred on (a) Royal Naval and (b) Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels; whether those vessels'
deployments have been affected as a result of covid-19 infection; whether naval
personnel are kept in barracks for a sufficient period to check for infection with covid-19
before deployment at sea; and what his policy is to minimise the effect of naval personnel
embarking on a deployment soon after taking leave in numerous different locations within
the UK.
James Heappey:
For reasons of operational security, we cannot comment on the number of COVID-19
cases that have occurred on Royal Navy (RN) or Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessels.
As of 31 May, there have been 45 confirmed cases of Royal Navy Service personnel
with COVID-19. No deployments of RN or RFA vessels have been affected as a
result of these infections.
The RN has a policy on COVID-19 risk mitigation measures, which includes direction
on the use of quarantining and COVID-19 testing to minimise the risk of COVID
infection onboard deploying RN vessels to as low as reasonably practicable. The
nature of these measures depends on the vessel and activity that is being
undertaken, and may require personnel to be quarantined ashore in a cabin or
onboard the vessel if they display symptoms or have been in contact with others who
have displayed symptoms.
Sentinel Aircraft
Mr Kevan Jones: [60698]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to fill the
overland surveillance capability gap after the retirement of the R-1 Sentinel.
Jeremy Quin:
I refer the right hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth
South on 11 June 2020 to Question 56145.
Attachments:
1. 56145 - Ministry of Defence - Sentinel Aircraft [56145 - Ministry of Defence - Sentinel
Aircraft.docx]
Veterans: Commonwealth
Dr Julian Lewis: [59659]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what guidance is provided to Commonwealth
Service personnel on discharge from the UK armed forces on the steps they must take to
regularise their immigration status when seeking to exercise their right to remain in the
UK after having served for at least four years; and how that guidance has changed since
that right to remain was first granted.
James Heappey:
When Commonwealth citizens (and Gurkhas) are enlisted in the UK Armed Forces
the Home Office grant them Exempt from Immigration Control status under section
8(4) of the Immigration Act 1971. This is valid for the duration of their Regular
Service, and they receive a letter from the Home Office advising them of this and that
on discharge they must regularise their UK immigration status or leave the UK.
The Home Office has immigration rules specific to the Armed Forces – the Appendix
Armed Forces – under which they can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK
on discharge if they meet all necessary criteria including having served for a
minimum of four years. The Home Office allows applications to be submitted up to 10
weeks before discharge.
The Army has produced guidance for Units since 2004 which summarises these
immigration rules including the need to regularise immigration status on discharge or
leave the UK. Units must also notify the Home Office when a Commonwealth citizen
(or Gurkha) is being discharged so their Exempt status can be cancelled, and the
individual signs the notification to indicate they understand the need to regularise
their status At that point the Home Office will write to the individual to advise them
that they have 28 days from days from date of discharge to either regularise their UK
immigration status, if they have not already submitted an application, or leave the UK.
Although the Guide is regularly updated to reflect any changes to the immigration
rules it has always included the requirement for regularising immigration status on
discharge and to notify the Home Office. The guidance is used by all three Services.
Information is also included within Ministry of Defence and single Service policy
documents such as Joint Service Publication 100 – Defence Holistic Transition Policy
and the Service Leavers Guide which is issued to all personnel on discharge. These
give clear instruction to both the Chain of Command and the individual about their
responsibilities.
Voyager Aircraft: Repairs and Maintenance
Daniel Zeichner: [60776]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse is of the
repainting of the RAF Voyager plane used by senior members of the Government.
Stewart Malcolm McDonald: [60814]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish (a) the cost of, (b) who
requested and (c) which Department approved the planned works to RAF Voyager.
Jamie Stone: [60842]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost to the
public purse of repainting RAF Voyager.
Stephen Morgan: [60852]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost of
repainting RAF Voyager; and which Department will fund it.
Stephen Morgan: [60853]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which company he plans to contract to re-paint
RAF Voyager.
Ruth Jones: [60864]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost to the
public purse of the proposals to repaint the RAF Voyager aircraft.
Jeremy Quin:
The total forecast cost for completing the repaint of the RAF Voyager VIP aircraft
(including related costs) is approximately £900,000. The project will be carried out by
Marshall Aerospace Defence Group (MADG) in Cambridge.
The decision to repaint the VIP Voyager - and approval of a design that best
projected Global Britain - was taken on a cross-Government basis, to be funded by
the Ministry of Defence.
DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
BBC: Political Impartiality
Bill Wiggin: [59703]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he
has had with the BBC on the impartiality of its news coverage for children.
Bill Wiggin: [59704]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will hold
discussions with the BBC on their processes for ensuring that BBC journalists and
presenters uphold their impartiality.
Bill Wiggin: [59706]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent
discussions he has had with the BBC on the importance of impartiality.
Mr John Whittingdale:
When speaking to Tim Davie to congratulate him on his appointment as the new
Director General of the BBC, the Secretary of State welcomed Tim Davie’s
commitment to impartiality at the BBC. In an age of fake news and self reinforcing
algorithms, the need for genuine impartiality is greater than ever.
The BBC has a duty to deliver impartial and accurate news coverage and content
under its Royal Charter. The BBC is operationally and editorially independent of
government, and it is for the BBC Board to ensure that all of the BBC’s output meets
the highest standards the public expects. Ofcom is the independent regulator of the
BBC, and is responsible for holding the BBC to account in this regard.
Bed and Breakfast Accommodation: Coronavirus
Sir Edward Davey: [59684]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he
has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on bed and breakfast owners; and if he
will make a statement.
Nigel Huddleston:
We are aware that these are extremely difficult conditions for tourism businesses
such as bed and breakfasts. My officials and I continue to hold detailed discussions
with representatives of the holiday accommodation industry, including the Bed and
Breakfast Association, to gather as much intelligence as possible on COVID-19’s
economic impacts.
The UK Government has announced a comprehensive support package to protect
businesses and workers, including B&B owners, against the current economic
emergency. This includes the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme and the
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. We have also introduced a Bounce Back Loan
scheme to help small businesses access loans of up to £50,000, with a 100%
government-backed guarantee for lenders.
To accommodate certain small businesses previously outside the scope of the
business grant funds schemes, the Government has allocated additional funding to
Local Authorities in England in the form of a discretionary grant fund of up to £617m.
The guidance pertaining to this fund specifically refers to Bed and Breakfasts that pay
council tax as being in scope.
We are committed to helping tourism businesses through this crisis – and we will
actively encourage people to book holidays as soon as it is safe to do so.
Creative Europe
Jo Stevens: [59810]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he has
taken to establish a replacement programme for Creative Europe.
Caroline Dinenage:
While the Government has taken the decision not to seek participation in Creative
Europe’s 2021-27 programme, we remain committed to supporting the UK’s thriving
cultural and creative economy. We will continue to invest money directly into the UK's
cultural and creative sectors, continuing to support and grow their world-class activity
on the international stage. Now we have taken back control of our money, we are
able to focus spending on specific UK priorities including on our world class arts,
heritage and creative industries. Officials are developing options for domestic
alternatives to Creative Europe, which will be considered in line with upcoming fiscal
events including the Comprehensive Spending Review.
Dance: Coronavirus
Nickie Aiken: [58780]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if his Department will
publish guidance on the safe re-opening of dance studios; and whether those studios will
be allowed to reopen before the end of June 2020.
Caroline Dinenage:
The ambition is to reopen the arts sector as part of Step 3 of the government’s
roadmap, no earlier than the 4th July, subject to the scientific and medical advice at
the time.
In order to ensure appropriate support and guidance is given to the cultural sector,
DCMS has established the Cultural Renewal Taskforce and the Entertainment and
Events working group which include extensive membership from artists and
performers. These groups specifically include representatives for the dance sector,
such as One Dance UK. Full details of the Taskforce can be found at
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/culture-secretary-announces-cultural-renewal-
taskforce, and the Entertainment and Events Working Group can be found at
https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/cultural-renewal-taskforce-and-supporting-
working-groups#entertainment-and-events-members.
DCMS officials and ministers have also held regular calls with representatives from
across the arts and cultural sector and these have included a number of dance
organisations and representatives including Sadler’s Wells and Northern Ballet.
The Taskforce and Working Groups will be focusing on ensuring that COVID-19
secure guidelines are developed in line with the phasing ambitions and public health
directions, building on the existing guidance and providing intelligence and sector-
specific expert input.
Gambling: Coronavirus
Mr Richard Holden: [59912]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when adult gaming
centres and arcades will be able to re-open as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.
Nigel Huddleston:
As detailed in the Government's roadmap “Our Plan to Rebuild” the next phase of
easing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions will begin no earlier than 4 July, subject to
public health advice. My Department is working through the next steps with the
arcades sector in line with further announcements on the roadmap.
Horse Racing: Coronavirus
Kenny MacAskill: [59256]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on how many
occasions has (a) he, (b) officials from his Department and (c) other Government
representatives have met the British Horseracing Authority to hold discussions on (i) race
horse welfare during the covid-19 outbreak and (ii) the financial effect of covid-19 on the
ability of race horse owners to ensure the welfare of those horses.
Nigel Huddleston:
Following the suspension of racing on 18 March 2020, DEFRA, which leads on horse
welfare, worked with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on a weekly basis to
quickly agree guidance for the care of racehorses during this lockdown period in line
with social distancing.
DCMS officials have also been in regular communication with the BHA and the
Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) regarding the economic impacts of Covid on
the industry and the measures being taken to uphold horse welfare. The BHA has
also taken part in regular calls with the Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage and
representatives of the sporting sector on these issues and the resumption of racing
and other sports behind closed doors.
The government has provided enhanced support to the retail, hospitality and leisure
sectors, which includes the racing industry, given the acute impacts of COVID-19 on
those sectors. A range of measures to support all businesses were made available,
including business rates relief, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme. The government has provided
access to £10k grants to 700,000 small and medium enterprises who are currently
eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rates Relief.
On 17 April, the HBLB and Racing Foundation agreed an immediate £22 million cash
flow and hardship funding package to support racing. The HBLB has reported on
these packages on a weekly basis with the main racing bodies including the BHA.
Independent Press Standards Organisation
Bill Wiggin: [60695]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether his
Department has plans to undertake a review of the role of Independent Press Standards
Organisation in the regulation of the news media.
Mr John Whittingdale:
The media landscape has changed significantly since the Leveson Inquiry, with
crucial changes to press self-regulation. The government is committed to self-
regulation and we now have a stronger system through The Independent Press
Standards Organisation (IPSO).
IPSO is independent of government. In 2016 it commissioned its own external review
which found it had made some important achievements in demonstrating it was an
independent and effective regulator.
Music: Coronavirus
Dame Cheryl Gillan: [57877]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance he has
issued for singers and choirs in response to the covid-19 outbreak.
Caroline Dinenage:
In order to ensure appropriate support and guidance is given to the cultural sector,
DCMS has established the Cultural Renewal Taskforce and the Entertainment and
Events working group which include extensive membership from artists and
performers. I have also held a roundtable with representatives from the choral sector
to enable choral groups to feed in views to the development of guidance.
The Taskforce and Working Groups will be focusing on ensuring that COVID-19
secure guidelines are developed in line with the phasing ambitions and public health
directions, building on the existing guidance and providing intelligence and sector-
specific expert input. Full details of the Taskforce can be found at
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/culture-secretary-announces-cultural-renewal-
taskforce and the Entertainment and Events Working Group can be found at
https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/cultural-renewal-taskforce-and-supporting-
working-groups#entertainment-and-events-members.
Newspaper Press: Democracy
Bill Wiggin: [59697]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent
assessment he has made of the contribution of independent and local newspapers as
regulated by the Press Regulation Panel to the functioning of democracy.
Mr John Whittingdale:
The government recognises the importance of reliable, trustworthy news, which is
vital to helping ensure a healthy democracy both nationally and at a local level.
Local and independent newspapers play an invaluable role in the fabric of our
society. They remain uniquely placed to undertake the investigative journalism and
scrutiny of public institutions, including local councils and our courts.
Newspaper Press: Regulation
Bill Wiggin: [59698]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his
Department is taking to ensure that newspapers and their websites are properly
regulated.
Mr John Whittingdale:
The government is committed to a free and independent press, and does not
intervene in what the press can and cannot publish.
There now exists a strengthened, independent, self-regulatory system for the press.
The majority of traditional publishers—including 95% of national newspapers by
circulation—are members of IPSO. A small number of publishers have joined
IMPRESS.
Press Freedom
Bill Wiggin: [59696]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many hon.
Members have written to him on the campaign to Save the Independent Press.
Mr John Whittingdale:
The Department has received correspondence from a range of stakeholders,
including from Members.
This Government is clear that newspapers play an invaluable role in the fabric of our
society and we continue to work with stakeholders from across the Press sector and
political landscape in order to ensure the effectiveness of our policies in relation to
supporting all news publishers, including independent outlets. The Government will
continue to consider all possible options in the interests of promoting and sustaining
high-quality news journalism across the sector.
Sports: Coronavirus
Robert Halfon: [59737]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance his
Department has issued on the (a) reopening and (b) operation of (i) indoor sports halls
and (ii) sports clubs and activities as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Robert Halfon: [59738]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when he plans to
enable indoor sports clubs and activities to operate as the covid-19 lockdown restrictions
are lifted.
Nigel Huddleston:
Indoor sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting people to
be active and the Government is committed to reopening facilities, including sports
halls, as soon as it is safe to do so.
We are holding regular discussions with representatives from the leisure sector and
national sports organisations to develop guidance that will support them to open their
facilities in a timely and safe manner once lockdown measures are eased.
As with all aspects of the Government’s response to Covid-19, we will be guided by
the science to ensure that as restrictions are eased people can return to activity
safely.
Tourism: Coronavirus
Sir Edward Davey: [59683]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he
has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on tourism in each of the English regions;
and if he will make a statement.
Nigel Huddleston:
We recognise the COVID-19 crisis has significantly impacted tourism across
England. Both DCMS and VisitEngland remain in regular contact with tourism
stakeholders and Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) around the country
to closely monitor the situation and to assess the economic effects.
The Chancellor has announced a host of measures to support businesses and
individuals through the crisis, including those in the tourism sector. This includes the
recently extended Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Bounce Back Loans
scheme.
Through VisitEngland, we announced a £1.3 million scheme to provide financial
support to DMOs at risk of closure due to COVID-19. This allowed DMOs to continue
their vital business support work, providing advice and guidance for tourism
businesses across England.
My Department has established a Cultural Renewal Taskforce to help our sectors’
prepare to safely reopen. Within this taskforce, I chair a specific Visitor Economy
Working Group which is developing guidance to help tourism businesses to safely
reopen.
We will continue to engage with stakeholders to assess how we can most effectively
support the tourism sector’s recovery from Covid-19. As soon as it is safe to do so,
we will encourage people to book trips and support domestic tourism.
EDUCATION
[Subject Heading to be Assigned]
Ruth Cadbury: [903530]
What discussions he has had with Ofqual on the arrangements for awarding GCSE, AS
and A level grades for the 2019-20 academic year.
Nick Gibb:
I meet the Ofqual Chief Regulator regularly as do our officials. Given the current
unprecedented circumstances, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for
Education, has also issued a direction to Ofqual to help shape its work in developing
calculated grades for students in place of exam results, ensuring outcomes are as fair
as possible.
Craig Williams: [903533]
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that students due to sit exams in academic
year 2019-20 will be able to progress into employment or the next stage of education.
Nick Gibb:
Ofqual, the independent qualifications regulator, has put in place arrangements that
will enable students to receive a grade wherever possible.
The calculated grades awarded this summer will be formal grades, with the same
status as grades awarded in any other year. They will therefore be accepted by all
institutions.
University representatives have already confirmed that they expect universities to do
all they can to support students and ensure they can progress to higher education.
Students who cannot get a grade or would like the opportunity to improve their
grades will be able to sit exams in the autumn.
Andrew Gwynne: [903538]
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of financial support for early years
providers during the covid-19 outbreak.
Vicky Ford:
We know this is a challenging time for many businesses.
I am in continual contact with early years sector organisations through regular
meetings and working groups and are feeding those messages right into the heart of
government.
This year we plan to pay £3.6 billion into early years entitlements.
We will continue to ensure that early years providers get the best possible support
from the numerous government schemes.
Debbie Abrahams: [903540]
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of educational support for disabled
children during the covid-19 outbreak.
Vicky Ford:
Every family has had challenges during this period but those families with disabled
children face the greatest.
We have surveyed families, schools and local authorities to monitor the situation.
90% of special schools were open last week, and we have invested £10 million in the
Family Fund and provided specialist online resources.
Assessments: Ethnic Groups
Afzal Khan: [59881]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with
representatives from (a) Ofqual and (b) exam boards to ensure that BAME students are
not disadvantaged by grade predictions.
Nick Gibb:
The independent qualifications regulator, Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and
Examinations Regulation, has been working with awarding organisations to develop a
robust process for awarding grades this year.
Whilst these are matters for Ofqual, the Department has been keeping in close touch
with Ofqual as it has worked up its proposals and has joined some meetings that
Ofqual has held with the awarding organisations. Our shared aim is that the
arrangements should deliver the fairest possible outcomes for all students, including
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students.
GCE A-level and GCSE: Ethnic Groups
Afzal Khan: [59882]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department has taken to
ensure that unconscious bias against BAME students in not a factor in predictive (a)
GCSE and (b) A Level grades in 2020 exams.
Nick Gibb:
This is a matter for Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. I
have asked its Chief Regulator, Sally Collier, to write to the hon. Member and a copy
of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
GCSE: Nature Conservation
Sir Edward Davey: [59180]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he will introduce a natural history
GCSE; and if he will make a statement.
Nick Gibb:
The exam board OCR has launched a consultation to gather views on what people
think should be in a proposed GCSE in natural history. The Government has not
made any commitment to introducing a GCSE in natural history, but we have
indicated that we would consider any proposal put forward. Any such proposal would
need to meet the same high standards and regulatory rules that we and the
independent qualifications regulator Ofqual require from all GCSEs.
Health Services: Students
Daniel Zeichner: [59232]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if final year healthcare students who worked
in healthcare due to the covid-19 outbreak will have to repay their student loans for tuition
fees accrued in that year.
Michelle Donelan:
Healthcare students will continue to be required to repay student loans for tuition fees
for the current year. Students who have opted in to paid clinical placements to
support the COVID-19 response are receiving a salary and automatic NHS pension
entitlement at the appropriate band. Time spent on paid placements as part of the
COVID-19 response counts towards the requirement for students to complete a
specified number of training hours in order to successfully complete their degrees.
Student loan borrowers are only required to make repayments from the April after
they have finished their course, and once they are earning over the relevant
repayment threshold. The amount borrowers are required to repay each week or
month is linked to their income, not the interest rate or the amount borrowed.
Repayments are calculated as a fixed percentage of earnings above the repayment
threshold, and any outstanding debt is written off at the end of the loan term with no
detriment to the borrower.
Primary Education
Rachael Maskell: [60821]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that all
children in year 6 have the opportunity to meet their current classmates before
transitioning to secondary school.
Nick Gibb:
From the week commencing 1 June 2020, primary schools have been welcoming
back children in nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, alongside priority groups.
The three year groups within mainstream primary - including Year 6 - have been
prioritised because they are key transition years. We recognise that Year 6 children
are finishing Key Stage 2 and are preparing for the transition to secondary school and
will benefit immensely from time with their friends and teachers to ensure they are
ready.
We want to get all children and young people back into education as soon as the
scientific advice allows because it is the best place for them to learn, and because we
know how important it is for their mental wellbeing to have social interactions with
their peers, carers and teachers. We are working towards bringing all children and
young people back to school in September.
Primary Education: Assessments
Tim Loughton: [60644]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reasons the results of Reception
Baseline Assessments will not be shared with the school attended by the pupil until that
child is about to leave primary school.
Nick Gibb:
The Department has always been clear that the reception baseline assessment
(RBA) is not a diagnostic assessment and should not be used to track or group
individual children or hold early years settings to account. Data gathered from the
assessment will only be used to create a baseline for school-level progress measures
and will not be shared with schools, teachers, or parents. However, teachers will
receive a series of short, narrative statements on how each child did at that time,
which can be used to inform teaching.
Primary Education: Sports
Tracey Crouch: [60737]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the
effectiveness of the Primary PE and Sport Premium; and if he will make a statement.
Nick Gibb:
The primary PE and sport premium survey, published in July 2019, assessed the
impact of the doubling of the PE and sport premium to £320 million from September
2017.
The findings indicated that a large majority of schools identified that, following the
doubling of the premium, there had been increases in:
• the profile of PE and sport in supporting whole school improvement;
• the confidence, knowledge or of all staff in teaching PE, or both;
• the level of competitive sport being offered; and
• the range of PE and sport being offered.
The detailed findings can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/primary-pe-and-sport-premium-survey.
Local Active Partnerships also conduct an annual review of a large sample of
schools’ uses of their PE and sport premium, including impact, and report the results
of this review to the Department.
Schools: Sanitary Protection
Stella Creasy: [59447]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department (a) has
made and (b) plans to make of the effectiveness of the free sanitary products in all
primary schools scheme (i) while all pupils are not attending school due to the covid-19
outbreak and (ii) over the summer holidays.
Vicky Ford:
On 20 January 2020, the department launched a new scheme which makes free
period products available for state-funded primary schools, secondary schools and
colleges in England.
This is an important step to ensure that menstruation does not present a barrier to
learning and that no-one is held back from reaching their potential.
We are continuing to monitor schools’ engagement with the scheme during the
COVID-19 outbreak. All schools and colleges continue to be able to order period
products and distribute them to learners according to their own local arrangements.
Schools: Temporary Accommodation
Sir Edward Davey: [59181]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of
temporary classrooms used in schools by each local authority for each of the last five
years.
Nick Gibb:
The number of temporary classrooms used in schools by each local authority is not
held centrally within the Department.
The Department does collect information on the condition of the school estate
through the Condition Data Collection programme. This information is collected at the
school building level; as it does not collect information on individual classrooms, we
do not have a central record of the number of temporary classrooms used by schools.
Teachers: Universal Credit
Dan Jarvis: [59774]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made
of the effect of the universal credit taper for teachers in receipt of universal credit who
receive payments under the (a) Mathematics and Physics Teacher Retention Payments
Pilot scheme and (b) Teachers’ Student Loan Reimbursement Pilot scheme.
Nick Gibb:
The Mathematics and Physics Teacher Retention Payments Pilot and Teachers’
Student Loan Reimbursement Pilot are designed to reward early career secondary
school teachers who are teaching in certain areas of the country. We know there are
particular challenges in retaining early career teachers in these areas, especially
those teaching mathematics and the sciences. These pilots are testing whether
offering these payments incentivises these teachers to remain in the profession.
Universal Credit awards are calculated in a way that ensure fairness of treatment for
all claimants. This means that as earnings increase Universal Credit is gradually
reduced, which is a long-standing principle of means-tested benefits. The payments
made under the two pilot schemes are treated in the same way as any other
earnings. All earnings are subject to the Universal Credit taper rate and a work
allowance where appropriate.
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Agriculture: Land Use
Caroline Lucas: [59208]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent
estimate his Department has made of the total area of farmland (a) in the UK and (b)
abroad used to grow (i) fruit and vegetables for UK consumption, (ii) animal feed crops for
UK use and (iii) bioenergy crops for UK use; and if he will make a statement.
Victoria Prentis:
The latest available areas of crops grown in the UK are in the table below. We do not
collect any information on the end use of the crops so we are unable to quantify how
much of this area is used for UK consumption. Similarly, we have no information on
the areas grown abroad that are used for UK consumption (trade data is only based
on volumes).
YEAR CROP AREA(THOUSAND HECTARES)
2019 Fruit and vegetables 149
2019 Animal feed crops (1) 412
2018 Bioenergy crops 94
Source: June 2019 Agricultural and Horticultural Survey, United Kingdom.
Department for Transport Renewable Fuels Transport Obligation data.
Notes: (1) Animal feed crops include forage maize (England only), field beans and
peas for harvesting dry, root crops, brassicas, fodder beet and all other crops for
stockfeeding. Cereals are excluded as we are unable to split between animal feed
and human uses.
Agriculture: Northern Ireland
Paul Girvan: [59867]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is
taking to help ensure the participation of Northern Ireland in the Pick For Britain
recruitment plan.
Victoria Prentis:
Defra discussed with officials at the Department of Agriculture, Environment and
Rural Affairs (DAERA) regarding the plans for the Pick for Britain website and their
thoughts on a future public facing campaign, to attract more seasonal workers from
the UK. The feedback received was that DAERA was working closely with industry
representatives in Northern Ireland and would use the existing Department for
Communities website – JobCentre Online (JCOL) to advertise local opportunities.
The website also provided a link to the Pick for Britain initiative.
We continue to work with Devolved Administrations and hold regular meetings in
order to understand the labour needs and specific issues they may be facing.
Agriculture: Subsidies
Daniel Zeichner: [59791]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to
his Department's document entitled, Farming for the Future - Policy and progress update,
published in February 2020, what estimate his Department has made of the number of
Direct Payments that will be subject to the 25 per cent reduction in 2021.
Victoria Prentis:
Our Farming for the Future policy statement, published in February 2020, sets out the
maximum reductions that will apply to Direct Payments for 2021. This includes a
maximum reduction of 25% for the portion of the payment which exceeds £150,000.
Based on 2018 data, we estimate that around 1,000 farmers will fall into this
category. No farmers will receive an overall reduction of 25%.
Air Pollution: North West
Ms Angela Eagle: [60685]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has
to ensure that air quality levels in (a) Wallasey and (b) the North West remain lower than
they were prior to the covid-19 outbreak.
Rebecca Pow:
Our ambitious plans to improve air quality and support more active forms of travel
have not changed, including the £3.8 billion we are already investing to clean up our
air. Our recent rapid call for evidence will ensure we can fully understand the impact
that coronavirus is having on changes to air pollution emissions, concentrations and
exposure.
On 9 May, the Government announced a £2 billion funding package for cycling and
walking: the largest ever investment in active travel. This includes £250 million to be
spent in the current financial year on measures to get people cycling and walking,
such as pop-up bike lanes, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-only
corridors and a bike repair voucher scheme.
Local authorities already have a range of powers to take action to reduce pollution
from road vehicles. Through the Environment Bill we are improving co-operation
within the Local Air Quality Management framework to widen the range of bodies that
play a role in improving local air quality, including neighbouring local authorities and
relevant public bodies, ensuring action is taken by all key players to tackle pollution
sources and to improve air quality locally.
Additionally we are working hard to implement our world-leading Clean Air Strategy,
which focuses on reducing broader emissions beyond road transport.
Aquaculture: Coronavirus
Sir Greg Knight: [60690]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he
has, after the covid-19 restrictions are lifted to encourage the development and
expansion of the UK's aquaculture industry with regard to shellfish production; and if he
will make a statement.
Victoria Prentis:
Defra supports industry led growth in aquaculture. We are actively involved in
developing the English Aquaculture Growth Strategy through the Aquaculture
Leadership Group set up by Seafish under the Seafood 2040 strategic framework.
The strategy, to be published this autumn, will include growth targets and a short to
long-term delivery plan.
Recognising the adverse impact of Covid-19 on the aquaculture sector as export and
domestic markets have fallen away, Defra has provided some £725,000 to 79
aquaculture businesses as part of the Fisheries Response Fund.
Dairy Farming: Coronavirus
Chris Loder: [59613]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many farmers
have received support from the Coronavirus Hardship Fund for Dairy Farmers.
Victoria Prentis:
The new dairy response fund opened for applications on 18 June 2020. Full details of
the application process can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/dairy-
response-fund-2020. The funding will provide eligible dairy farmers in England with
up to £10,000. Payments will commence from 6 July 2020. The scheme will help
those dairy farmers most in need of support to sustain their businesses by
maintaining production capacity without impacts on animal welfare.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Energy
Sir Edward Davey: [59351]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much energy
his departmental buildings have used in (a) each of the last five years and (b) 2020 to
date.
Victoria Prentis:
The amounts of energy used by Defra Group on the estates that it manages in the
last five years are included in an attachment.
This data has been taken from our annual report and accounts over the previous four
years, with the 2019-20 data to be published shortly. This includes energy use in both
the office and the operational estates.
Attachments:
1. Table attachment of ARA data for PQ 59351, 19-21 [PQ 59351 - Buildings Energy
Usage with ARA Data - Parliamentary Session 19-21.pdf]
Food: Standards
Mr Barry Sheerman: [57903]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is
taking to ensure that Britain retains high quality food standards when the transition period
concludes.
Victoria Prentis:
The UK Government will not compromise on our standards. Our manifesto is clear
that in all of our trade negotiations, we will not compromise on our high environmental
protection, animal welfare and food standards. We remain firmly committed to
upholding our high environmental, food safety and animal welfare standards outside
the EU. The EU Withdrawal Act will transfer all existing EU food safety provisions,
including existing import requirements, onto the UK statute book.
The UK’s food standards, for both domestic production and imports, are overseen by
the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland. These are agencies that
provide independent advice to the UK and Scottish Governments. They will continue
to do so in order to ensure that all food imports comply with the UK’s high safety
standards. Decisions on these standards are a matter for the UK and will be made
separately from any trade agreement.
The Government has committed to a serious and rapid examination of what could be
done through labelling in the UK market to promote high standards and high welfare
goods. The Government is also prepared to consult, as I reiterated at the despatch
box. Any scheme could not be devised until we have competed the transition period
and would need to recognise World Trade Organization obligations.
Mr Barry Sheerman: [57904]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions
he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for International Trade and (b) other Cabinet
colleagues on the establishment of a commission to ensure that British food standards
are not lowered in the context of future free trade agreements struck after 31 December
2020.
Victoria Prentis:
Our manifesto is clear that in all of our trade negotiations, we will not compromise on
our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards.
We are already engaging with the agricultural sector as part of our trade discussions.
The Secretary of State regularly discusses a wide range of issues with Cabinet
colleagues, and the Government will continue to work closely with the National
Farmers' Union and other relevant stakeholders across the food chain to understand
the key concerns about the impact of new trade deals. The Government has in place
a range of stakeholder groups to feed into our policy development on trade. These
include the Strategic Trade Advisory Group, the Agri-Food Expert Trade Advisory
Group which are subject to regular review, and the various engagement groups such
as the Arable Group, Livestock Group and Food and Drink Panel.
Imports: Israel
James Murray: [56193]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to
the import of (a) fresh fruit, (b) vegetables and (c) dairy products, from Israel, whether
HMRC accepts Israeli certificates of conformity with marketing standards (i) where the
place of origin is within the internationally recognised borders of Israel and (ii) where
goods originate from settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Victoria Prentis:
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs take steps to exclude the possibility that goods
of West Bank origin enter the United Kingdom incorrectly described as being Israeli.
This is to prevent them benefitting from preferential tariffs in accordance with the
terms of EU-Israel Association Agreement and the technical arrangements which flow
from this.
EU rules do not allow the authorities in any exporting third country (such as the State
of Israel) to issue valid certificates of conformity with EU marketing standards for fruit
and vegetables originating outside that third country. This includes territories under
Israeli administration since June 1967, for example, the West Bank. The situation
referred to by the hon. Member in respect of imports originating in Israeli settlements
on the West Bank cannot, therefore, arise.
EU rules allow third countries to issue a certificate of conformity, confirming
compliance with marketing standards. However, that does not mean that every import
consignment will be accompanied by such a document. Importers can also apply for
a certificate directly from an EU Member State’s authority.
For dairy products, certificates of conformity with marketing standards are not
required regardless of the origin of imports. The EU marketing standards legislation
will form part of UK statute and will continue to apply in the UK after the transition
period.
Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions
Lilian Greenwood: [59742]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the
Government plans to publish its plan to reduce air pollution on the Strategic Road
Network to within legal limits; and whether that plan will include Highways England’s
recently approved Road Investment Strategy 2.
Rebecca Pow:
The Government’s UK Plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations was
published in July 2017 and detailed the approach that would be taken forward by
Highways England in order to deliver compliance on the Strategic Road Network
(SRN) in the shortest possible time. Since the publication of the 2017 Plan, the
Government has been working closely with Highways England (HE) on the delivery of
their air quality programme of work. Some measures to tackle illegal roadside
nitrogen dioxide concentrations have already been implemented on the SRN by HE.
The second Road Investment Strategy (RIS2) also refers to HE bringing road links on
the SRN into compliance with legal nitrogen dioxide limits in the shortest possible
time.
Lilian Greenwood: [59743]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many of each
type of air quality monitors Highways England have put into operation along the Strategic
Road Network; whether the pollution concentrations at each monitoring location have
been published by Highways England.
Rebecca Pow:
Highways England (HE) currently has 74 air quality monitoring stations alongside the
Strategic Road Network. 57 of these are part of its National Air Quality Monitoring
Network. The type and number of stations is set out in the table below.
TYPE OF AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATION* NUMBER
MCERTS nitrogen oxide chemiluminescent
analyser
61
MCERTS ozone analyser 11
MCERTS Beta Attenuation Mass Measuring
particulate analyser
2
*MCERTS (Monitoring Certification Scheme) is the Environment Agency’s Monitoring
Certification Scheme.
HE annual site monitoring reports have not been published; however, information
from the reports has been provided on request. HE has annual monitoring reports for
the number of sites set out in the table below.
YEAR**
NUMBER OF SITES FOR WHICH ANNUAL
MONITORING REPORTS ARE HELD
2016 15
2017 31
2018 43
2019 57 (in draft)
**2016 is the first year of data for the first monitoring sites installed.
Total Allowable Catches
Barry Gardiner: [59663]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the
Government has to remove Total Allowable Catch limits from particular stocks.
Victoria Prentis:
We have no plans to remove total allowable catch limits. Any decision to remove a
stock from management by setting a total allowable catch would need to be guided
by robust scientific evidence. Scientific advice for 2020 for most stocks in the North
East Atlantic will be published by the International Council for the Exploration of the
Sea on 30 June.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Baltic States and Scandinavia: Foreign Relations
Catherine West: [60840]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the
Government is taking to increase co-operation with the Baltic and Nordic states after the
transition period.
Wendy Morton:
As we leave the EU, we remain committed to our deep relationships with all our
Nordic and Baltic Partners. We want the UK to have increasingly strong future
partnerships with the Nordic and Baltic countries, and to ensure we maintain the
closest possible links with our European allies. This includes for example ministerial
engagement in the Northern Group and our Joint Expeditionary Force commitments
which underline the importance of our cooperation.
The UK has close and robust ties across the region spanning people to people links,
trade and investment, security and defence, and science and innovation. We
continue to work closely at the highest levels with our Nordic and Baltic partners on a
range of shared interests, underpinned by common values and a mutual desire to
work together for the security and prosperity of our people.
British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus
Kate Osamor: [59528]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what debt recovery
agency his Department plans to refer debts relating to emergency repatriation loans to in
the event that they have not been repaid within six months.
Nigel Adams:
British nationals who are overseas and wish to return to the UK, but cannot afford
travel costs and have no other options for getting funds to return home, may apply for
an emergency loan from the Government as a last resort.
Those eligible must sign an Undertaking to Repay (UTR) in which they agree to repay
the loan within 6 months. Loan recipients are unable to renew their passport until they
repay the loan in full. If loan recipients do not repay the loan or set up a repayment
plan with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) within 6 months, their
passport may be cancelled, and their details passed to Indesser, a cross Government
debt management service. The FCO will always work with British nationals to agree
flexible repayment plans tailored to individual circumstances. We will not cancel the
passports of those actively seeking to repay their loan. All loans are interest free.
Justin Madders: [59808]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many UK
citizens are stranded in (a) Spain and (b) Europe as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
Nigel Adams:
Since the outbreak in Wuhan, we estimate that over 1.3 million people have returned
to the UK via commercial routes - the majority supported by our work to keep vital
routes open. We have now brought home over 38,000 people on 186 special charter
flights organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, from 57 countries and
territories. We believe the vast majority of British travellers seeking to return to the
UK - and who don't have commercial options - have now done so. The welfare of
British nationals remains our top priority. We remain committed to ensuring that
British travellers around the globe are able to return and that commercial routes are
maintained.
At the current time, there remain commercial options to return to the UK from Spain
and most countries in Europe. Our Embassy in Madrid have been working closely
with the Government of Spain, airlines and other travel providers to keep vital routes
open and help bring back British travellers to the UK. Our consular team continues to
work around the clock to provide support, advice and information to British travellers
in Spain. Our travel advice and social media pages are also regularly updated to
ensure that those wishing to return are aware of further developments.
Through our embassies, and a dedicated central team, we are continuing to monitor
whether there are more British travellers abroad seeking to return home immediately,
how many, where they are located, whether there are commercial routes available to
them and whether support is required.
Department for International Development
Justin Madders: [60794]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he
has made of the total costs that will be incurred from the abolishing of the Department for
International Development.
James Cleverly:
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International
Development are merging to form a new international department - the Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office. We will implement these changes in the
most cost effective way possible. While we anticipate there will be cost savings in the
long term as a result of using our resources more effectively and efficiently, it is not
the primary goal of the merger of these two Departments. This is primarily about
bringing together our international efforts so we can maximise the UK's influence
around the world. By aligning our efforts, the merger will maximise our influence and
expertise and ensure we are in the best position to confront the challenges that lie
ahead. This will strengthen our ability to lead the world's efforts to recover from the
coronavirus pandemic and allow us to seize the opportunities ahead, as we prepare
to take on the G7 presidency and host COP26 next year.
Department for International Development: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [59863]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what
representations he has received from (a) Ambassadors and (b) other stakeholders on the
merging of his Department and the Department for International Development.
James Cleverly:
We will engage closely with interested stakeholders in the weeks and months to
come as we work to create a new department, which will unite our development
expertise and first class diplomatic service to deliver in the national interest and seize
the opportunities that lie ahead.
Ethiopia: Dams
Mr Alistair Carmichael: [59708]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether officials in
his Department have had discussions with their (a) Egyptian, (b) Sudanese and (c)
Ethiopian counterparts on the Grand Renaissance Dam.
James Duddridge:
We are aware of reports on the ongoing dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over the
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. We continue to urge all parties involved to come
to an agreement and to avoid taking any unilateral action. The Foreign Secretary
spoke to Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry on these terms on 8 June, as did the
Minister for Africa with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu on 20 May. We welcome the
resumption of talks between the Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt to work towards a
peaceful resolution.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Carers
Sir Edward Davey: [57884]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many staff in
his Department had caring responsibilities in each of the last five years.
Nigel Adams:
From the 2019 Civil Service People Survey, 2,855 employees in the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office stated that they had caring responsibilities. This is from 11,466
respondents (85% of the organisation). Data on caring responsibilities previous to
2019 is not held centrally and to compile it would incur disproportionate cost.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Department for International Development
Patrick Grady: [59816]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he
has made of the cost of merging the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the
Department for International Development.
James Cleverly:
We will implement these changes in the most cost effective way possible. While we
anticipate there will be cost savings in the long term as a result of using our
resources more effectively and efficiently, it is not the primary goal of the merger of
these two Departments. This is primarily about bringing together our international
efforts so we can maximise the UK's influence around the world. By aligning our
efforts, the merger will maximise our influence and expertise and ensure we are in
the best position to confront the challenges that lie ahead. This will strengthen our
ability to lead the world's efforts to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and allow
us to seize the opportunities ahead, as we prepare to take on the G7 presidency and
host COP26 next year.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Lisa Nandy: [59747]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the
Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 16 June 2020 on Global Britain, what estimate he has
made of the cost to the public purse of merging the Department of International
Development with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to create a new department,
the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
James Cleverly:
We will implement these changes in the most cost effective way possible. While we
anticipate there will be cost savings in the long term as a result of using our
resources more effectively and efficiently, it is not the primary goal of the merger of
these two Departments. This is primarily about bringing together our international
efforts so we can maximise the UK's influence around the world. By aligning our
efforts, the merger will maximise our influence and expertise and ensure we are in
the best position to confront the challenges that lie ahead. This will strengthen our
ability to lead the world's efforts to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and allow
us to seize the opportunities ahead, as we prepare to take on the G7 presidency and
host COP26 next year.
Patrick Grady: [59819]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date he
expects the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to assume the functions of
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development.
James Cleverly:
Work will begin immediately on the merger and the new department - the Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office - will be formally established in early
September under the leadership of the Secretary of State for Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Overseas Aid
Patrick Grady: [59817]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the costs
of rebranding and renaming the proposed Foreign, Commonwealth and Development
Office will count towards the spending target of 0.7 per cent of gross national income for
Official Development Assistance.
James Cleverly:
We will make the change in the most cost-effective way possible and set out full
details in due course. Spending 0.7 percent of our national income on aid is
enshrined in law and the UK continues to abide by the Organisation for Economic Co-
operation and Development's Development Assistance Committee rules for aid. We
anticipate that in the long term the merger may bring efficiency savings to the cost of
administering the aid budget, but that's not the primary goal of the merger, which is
about uniting our international efforts so we can maximise the UK's influence around
the world.
Georgia: Foreign Relations
Catherine West: [60839]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is
taking to increase British-Georgian economic co-operation.
Wendy Morton:
The UK is committed to deepening its bilateral cooperation with Georgia and to
growing our strong economic relationship. We do so through ongoing initiatives such
as the Wardrop Strategic Dialogue and the UK's Good Governance Fund, which is
supporting economic reforms and Georgia's economic recovery from COVID-19. We
have recently expanded the commercial section at the British Embassy Tbilisi, which
works to identify new opportunities for UK businesses and address barriers to trade
where they exist. This is underpinned by the UK-Georgia Strategic Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement, and in particular it's Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade
Area element, which is expected to take effect from 1 January 2021.
Hong Kong: National Security
Lisa Nandy: [57191]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions
he plans to have with representatives of HSBC and Standard Chartered on recent
statements of support from both companies for the introduction by China of new national
security legislation for Hong Kong.
Nigel Adams:
[Holding answer 15 June 2020]: The UK Government speaks regularly with
international financial services firms about a range of issues. It is for individual
companies to make their own judgements. We have made our own position very
clear on China's proposal to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong.
This proposal undermines the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework, under which
Hong Kong is guaranteed a high degree of autonomy with executive, legislative and
independent judicial powers. If China proceeds it would be in direct conflict with its
obligations under the Joint Declaration
Israeli Settlements: Companies
Ben Lake: [60846]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the
Answer of 8 June 2020 to Question 55878 on Israeli Settlements: Companies, what
assessment he has made of the applicability of United Nations Security Council
Resolution 465 to those companies.
James Cleverly:
The UK supports existing UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs), including
UNSCR 465, and will do so until an agreement is negotiated by the parties. Our
position on settlements is clear: they are illegal under international law and damaging
to renewed efforts to launch peace negotiations. As I made clear in my answer of 8
June 2020 (55878), ultimately it is the decision of an individual or company whether
to operate in settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The British
Government is clear that it neither encourages nor offers support to such activity.
Malawi: Elections
Patrick Grady: [60803]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions
he has had with his counterpart in the Government of Malawi on the free and fair conduct
of the presidential election planned for 23 June 2020.
Patrick Grady: [60805]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the
Government is supporting any international observer missions to monitor the free and fair
conduct of the presidential election in Malawi planned for 23 June 2020.
James Duddridge:
The UK is closely monitoring the political and security situation in Malawi ahead of
fresh Presidential elections on 23 June. We have taken every opportunity to
encourage all sides to respect the rule of law, follow due process under the
constitution, and to respect the rulings of Malawi's courts. We have also urged de-
escalation of inflammatory rhetoric and peaceful campaigning from all sides. I
reiterated these messages in a phone call with Malawi's Minister for Justice and
Constitutional Affairs on 15 May, as did the UK Chargé d'Affaires in his meeting with
President Mutharika on 11 May.
The risks of the Covid-19 endemic have impacted the possibility for international
organisations to observe the elections, however the UK's High Commission in
Lilongwe is working closely with civil society organisations engaged in electoral
observation ahead of polling day to encourage due diligence in the electoral process.
Nigeria: Human Rights
Jim Shannon: [59461]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent
assessment he has made of the effect of Operation Safe Corridor in Nigeria on human
rights standards in that country.
James Duddridge:
We are concerned by allegations of human rights abuses in Amnesty International's
recent report, We Dried Our Tears. The British High Commissioner has raised the
report's findings with the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, calling for a full
investigation into the allegations and prosecution of any individuals found to have
committed abuses in military detention facilities. The UK Government does not
provide any support to the military detention facilities mentioned. The UK
Government does not provide funding directly to the Government of Nigeria.
We are also concerned by criticisms in the report of Operation Safe Corridor. The
programme is run by the Federal Government of Nigeria and is intended to provide
defectors from Boko Haram with a voluntary way to disarm and reintegrate with
society through de-radicalisation, psychosocial support and livelihood training. By
providing a way to disengage from conflict, these programmes are an essential part
of peacebuilding, but they must be fit for purpose and conducted in a way that fully
respects human rights.
The UK, alongside the US and EU, provides funding to the International Organisation
for Migration (IOM) to assist in the reintegration element of the Operation Safe
Corridor. All UK Government programme spend is subject to regular monitoring and
review. We are urgently following up points raised in the report with IOM, in particular
in relation to the process for screening participants, the conditions in which they are
detained and the timeline for rehabilitation. IOM have assured us that no children are
currently enrolled. The UK's position on human rights is clear: they are universal and
must apply equally to all people. The UK will continue to call on all parties to the
conflict in North East Nigeria to respect human rights and abide by international
humanitarian and human rights law.
Pakistan: Christianity
Jim Shannon: [55971]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what
representations he has made to his Pakistani counterpart on releasing the Christian
prisoners of conscience (a) Shagufta Kausar and (b) Shafqat Emmanuel detained in that
country.
Nigel Adams:
We continue to actively monitor the case of Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Emmanuel
who remain in detention in Pakistan. We understand that their hearing has been
rescheduled to 22 June. We remain deeply concerned about reports of discrimination
against the Christian community and other religious minorities in Pakistan.
We regularly raise at a senior level the issue of the blasphemy laws with the
authorities in Pakistan. In Pakistan and elsewhere these laws have targeted Muslims
and non-Muslims. The UK Government condemns any instance where the content or
application of blasphemy legislation encourages or justifies violence or discrimination,
or causes a violation of a person's Human Rights. The British High Commissioner to
Pakistan met the Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights on 20 January and raised
issues surrounding blasphemy and the death penalty, which the UK remains firmly
opposed to in all circumstances. In February, the Minister for South Asia, Lord
Ahmad of Wimbledon, raised the UK's concerns about the situation for prisoners in
detention under trial in Pakistan, particularly for blasphemy cases. Most recently,
Lord Ahmad raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and the death
penalty in Pakistan by letter with Dr Mazari on 5 June. In addition, The British High
Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner CMG, met with Dr Mazari and raised our
concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and the death penalty on 8 June.
Religious Freedom
Zarah Sultana: [59261]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his
Department provides to projects (a) with and (b) for religious communities facing
discrimination throughout the world.
Nigel Adams:
Since 2018, the FCO has allocated more than £1 million for Freedom of Religion or
Belief (FoRB) projects through the Magna Carta Fund for human rights. This included
projects to combat intolerance and encourage respect among individuals of different
faiths, beliefs and those of no belief. Following the Bishop of Truro's independent
Review of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians, we also launched the John
Bunyan Fund for FoRB, through which we funded 15 research projects that looked at
the challenges facing different communities, including Christians, Yazidis and
Humanists. John Bunyan Fund projects also looked at cross-cutting issues such as
migration and the double vulnerability experienced by women from minority faith
backgrounds. Programme funding allocations for financial year 2020-2021 are yet to
be confirmed.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Adult Social Care Infection Control Fund
Sir Graham Brady: [57906]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will amend
the guidance for allowable expenses under the Infection Control Fund to include the
purchase of (a) specialist infection control equipment and (b) specialist infection control
services from contractors.
Helen Whately:
[Holding answer 15 June 2020]: On 15 May we published details of an additional
£600 million Infection Control Fund for Adult Social Care. This funding is to support
adult social care providers in England reduce the rate of transmission in and between
care homes and to support workforce resilience. A small percentage of it may be
used to support domiciliary care providers and support wider workforce resilience to
deal with COVID-19 infections.
Given the evidence of the prevalence of asymptomatic transmission, Public Health
England strongly recommends that care homes do all they can to restrict staff
movement wherever feasible. The specific purpose of this fund is to support the
implementation of a new set of measures, identified in the Care Home Support
Package published alongside the fund. This includes measures such as ensuring, as
far as possible, that members of staff work in only one care home and helping to limit
their use of public transport – steps that we believe not all providers would ordinarily
be taking without specific support.
We published further information on the use of this funding on 9 June. This can be
found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-social-care-infection-control-
fund/about-the-adult-social-care-infection-control-fund
The Government has already provided local government with £3.2 billion of
unringfenced additional funding to help deal with the pandemic and has committed to
keeping future funding under review.
Asthma: Coronavirus
Alex Norris: [58768]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made
of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the access of severe asthma patients to (a)
specialist care in severe asthma centres and (b) biologic therapies.
Helen Whately:
[Holding answer 16 June 2020]: Specialist respiratory services for severe asthma
have continued during the COVID-19 outbreak; in most cases people with severe
asthma have been able to receive their biologic medication at home instead of having
to attend hospital. Given the pivotal role of respiratory medicine in treating patients
with COVID-19, it is likely that the ability of some centres to commence patients on
biologics may have been impacted at the peak of the surge.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence COVID-19 rapid guideline on
severe asthma provides guidance on starting or continuing on biological treatments,
for people with severe asthma during the COVID-19 outbreak. The guideline is
available at the following link:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng166
Alex Norris: [59877]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, until what date the
recommendations in the NICE COVID-19 rapid guideline: severe asthma will remain in
place.
Helen Whately:
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is unable to confirm a date on
which the recommendations in the COVID-19 rapid guideline on severe asthma
[NG166] will cease to be in place at this time.
COVID-19 rapid guidelines, and their individual recommendations, will be kept under
review and may be considered for withdrawal:
- If the guideline or recommendations are no longer needed or become
redundant/obsolete because service delivery has changed (e.g. normal services have
resumed), or the recommendations are likely to have limited relevance for the service
beyond the timeframe of the current crisis;
- If there are safety issues, for example, the recommendations may harm patients,
service users or health and social care practitioners; and
- To remove duplication of recommendations if guideline content or certain
recommendations within the COVID-19 suite are merged.
Asthma: Medical Treatments
Alex Norris: [58769]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients began
biologic therapies for severe asthma in each month in 2020; and how many patients in
total were prescribed biologic therapies for severe asthma in each of those months.
Helen Whately:
[Holding answer 16 June 2020]: The following table shows the number of patients
with severe asthma each month where biologic drug costs have been reimbursed to
centres providing severe asthma services.
. JANUARY 2020 FEBRUARY 2020 MARCH 2020
Total patients 4,906 4,732 4,444
New Starters 152 91 63
Care Homes: Coronavirus
Olivia Blake: [53669]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made
of the implications for his policy on covid-19 restrictions for care homes of the findings in
the Statistical data set COVID-19: number of outbreaks in care homes – management
information published on gov.uk on 28 May 2020 that 38 percent of care homes had
cases of covid-19 between 20 March and 7 May 2020.
Helen Whately:
[Holding answer 8 June 2020]: In the face of an unprecedented global pandemic,
since the start of this pandemic we have been working closely with the sector and
public health experts to put in place guidance and support for adult social care.
We keep our policies under continuous review based on the emerging international
and domestic evidence.
In February, the first guidance for the sector was published; in March, we announced
£1.6 billion funding for local government and £1.3 billion to go to the National Health
Service and social care for discharge support; in April we announced a further £1.6
billion for local government and our detailed Adult Social Care Action Plan.
Steve McCabe: [57078]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason Public Health
England will not assist in the testing of symptomatic care home residents until a (a) case
or (b) outbreak of covid-19 is suspected.
Helen Whately:
Every care home in England can access whole home testing, regardless of whether
residents have symptoms. This testing can be arranged through the Department’s
online testing portal at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test-care-home
Responsibility for whole home testing lies with the Department.
Public Health England (PHE) is responsible for the testing of symptomatic residents
at the point a case or an outbreak is first suspected in a care home. When a PHE
local Health Protection Team is notified of a suspected resident case or outbreak of
COVID-19 in a care home, they will undertake a risk assessment, offer public health
advice (including infection prevention and control advice) and, where appropriate,
arrange for testing to be done for all symptomatic residents at the time of reporting.
The risk assessment is undertaken to ensure that the symptoms being reported are
consistent with COVID-19 infection.
Department of Health and Social Care: Care Badge Community Interest Company
Andrew Gwynne: [60708]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much the Government
paid to transfer the CARE badge brand rights from the CARE Badge Community Interest
Company to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
Helen Whately:
The CARE Badge Community Interest Company transferred the brand rights for the
CARE logo to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care free of charge.
When this transfer took place, the Government purchased the remaining stock of
badges held by the previous brand owner. As of 19 June, 15,000 of these badges, or
about 95% of the amount purchased from the previous rights holder, have been
distributed at no cost to social care providers or members of the workforce.
Additional badges have been procured and we expect to be able to start delivery of
these badges in July. Details of how they will be distributed to people working in
social care who want to wear this badge with pride will be available in due course.
Department of Health and Social Care: Renewable Energy
Sir Edward Davey: [60660]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) solar panels and
(b) wind turbines his Department's buildings (a) have in 2020 and (b) had in each of the
last five years.
Edward Argar:
The Department has not had any buildings with wind turbines or solar panels in the
last five years.
Exercise Cygnus: Health and Social Services
Sir Mark Hendrick: [57915]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to Exercise
Cygnus that took place in 2016, whether an assessment was made of the potential effect
of a pandemic on the mental health of (a) health and (b) care workers.
Helen Whately:
Whilst the scope of Exercise Cygnus did not cover the effect of a pandemic on the
mental health of health and social care workers specifically, staff wellbeing is a core
part of United Kingdom pandemic preparedness planning. This includes
strengthening the health and social care sector to surge and flex beyond normal
operations, as demonstrated by the considerable increase in capacity and capabilities
to respond to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The wellbeing of health and social care staff has been central to the COVID-19
response, and the Government has implemented several measures to support staff,
including a dedicated helpline and free access to several wellbeing apps for National
Health Service and social care workers, and a CARE app which provides advice and
wellbeing support to social care staff.
Health Services: Labour Turnover
Daniel Zeichner: [59231]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is
taking to retain healthcare staff who returned to provide additional capacity during the
covid-19 outbreak.
Helen Whately:
The Government is grateful for the positive response from the large numbers of
former healthcare staff who came forward in response to the COVID-19 emergency.
We are working closely with key stakeholders including NHS England and NHS
Improvement and local employers to ensure that the opportunities for employment
are maximised for those who wish to continue working.
Hospices: Coronavirus
Olivia Blake: [54281]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report
published by Public Health England on 2 June 2020 entitled Disparities in the risk and
outcomes of covid-19, for what reasons there were no excess deaths in hospices
compared with in care homes between 20 March 2020 to 7 May 2020.
Helen Whately:
[Holding answer 8 June 2020]: There were 20,457 excess deaths in care homes
between 20 March 2020 and 7 May 2020.
This is stated within the report on page 59 in the text:
“Overall the model suggests that there have been 20,457 excess deaths in care
homes between 20 March and 7 May 2020 and 16,016 in hospitals. The care home
finding is consistent with the finding reported in section 1, that 75% of excess deaths
are in people aged 75 and over. It is not possible to say whether these excess deaths
in care homes have been concentrated in a few with outbreaks or distributed among
many. There have been no excess deaths in hospices.”
Hospitals: Coronavirus
Dr Dan Poulter: [53383]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to allow
close family members to visit patients in hospital and not infected with covid-19.
Helen Whately:
On 5 June 2020, NHS England revised its guidance on how National Health Service
organisations may choose to facilitate visiting across healthcare inpatient settings
during the COVID-19 pandemic. The national suspension on visiting imposed under
previous guidance was lifted with immediate effect.
Visiting is now subject to local discretion by trusts and other NHS bodies. The
number of visitors at the bedside is limited to one close family contact or somebody
important to the patient. However, where it is possible to maintain social distancing
throughout the visit, a second additional visitor can be permitted in certain
circumstances including those individuals receiving end-of-life care.
Joint Biosecurity Centre
Helen Hayes: [49778]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the remit is of the new
Joint Biosecurity Centre with reference to that Centre's relationship with (a) the devolved
Administrations, (b) Government departments and (c) SAGE.
Helen Whately:
[Holding answer 2 June 2020]: The Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) will need to work
with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, including Government Departments,
the devolved administrations, and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, to
carry out its functions. The United Kingdom Government will continue to engage with
the devolved administrations to explore how the centre can operate most effectively
across the UK and work is underway to ensure the right relationships are in place to
enable the JBC to operate as effectively as possible.
Steve Reed: [53440]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how the new Joint Biosecurity
Centre will interact with Local Resilience Forms and Local Health Protection Boards.
Helen Whately:
[Holding answer 8 June 2020]: The Joint Biosecurity Centre is aligned to the
CONTAIN strand of the Government’s Test, Trace, Contain and Enable programme.
The aim of CONTAIN is to prevent local outbreaks and, where not possible, to
contain them locally to minimise the spread of the virus and avoid the need for
escalation to a national lockdown.
The JBC/CONTAIN’s regional teams will work closely with local authorities, Local
Health Protection Teams and Local Resilience Forums in managing outbreaks of
COVID-19 at a local level. Further information on how the JBC will link in with these
organisations will be provided in the near future.
Lung Diseases: Health Services
Rosie Cooper: [60724]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is
taking to ensure that people with (a) asthma, (b) COPD and (c) other lung conditions (i)
receive timely diagnoses and (b) access emergency and routine care during the covid-19
lockdown.
Helen Whately:
Specialist respiratory services for severe asthma, along with urgent and emergency
treatment for other serious complaints, have continued throughout the COVID-19
outbreak. In most cases people with severe asthma have been able to receive their
medication at home instead of having to attend hospital.
Whilst routine treatments were suspended to provide capacity to treat COVID-19
patients, we are now working closely with the National Health Service and other
partners to restart these in a safe way, with excellence in infection prevention and
control as a key principle. Guidance has already been issued on this, and
approaches are being tailored at local level according to local capacity and local
demand, with the most urgent services being restarted first.
NHS: Mental Health
Sir Mark Hendrick: [57909]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is
taking to assess the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the mental health of NHS staff.
Helen Whately:
The Government takes the health and wellbeing of National Health Service staff very
seriously. At the beginning of the COVID-19 response, the Department
commissioned NHS England and NHS Improvement to develop a comprehensive
package of emotional, psychological, and practical support for all NHS staff. NHS
England and NHS Improvement launched the support package on 8 April 2020 which
can be accessed via the following link:
people.nhs.uk/help/
Development of the support package has been informed by both the experiences of
NHS staff contacting the national telephone and text service, as well as expert advice
and research into mental health needs following major incidents. The support
package will continue to be updated by listening to feedback from NHS staff who use
the services, including how COVID-19 response has affected them.
NHS: Procurement
Chi Onwurah: [60752]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has
amended its NHS procurement practices as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
Edward Argar:
The Department has not amended National Health Service procurement practices.
Guidance on how contracting authorities should respond to COVID-19 was published
on 18 March at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-0120-
responding-to-covid-19
Social Services
Chi Onwurah: [59766]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the social care White
Paper will be published; and if it will include policies related to the covid-19 outbreak.
Helen Whately:
The Government’s number one priority for adult social care is for everyone who relies
on care to get the care they need throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are complex questions to address in considering the future of social care,
which is why we have invited cross-party talks. These talks will take place at the
earliest opportunity given the current circumstances.
We do not want to pre-empt the outcome of any cross-party talks. However, we are
committed to bringing forward a plan for social care to ensure that everyone is treated
with dignity and respect and to find long term solutions for one of the biggest
challenges we face as a society.
Supported Housing: Coronavirus
Dame Cheryl Gillan: [59328]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to extend
covid-19 testing for all eligible care homes to residents in supported living settings.
Helen Whately:
[Holding answer 18 June 2020]: Further expansion of testing to other adult social
care settings will be guided by clinical advice on relative priority and available testing
capacity.
We are listening to views about how different groups may be affected by the virus
and are continuing to explore how we can support other parts of the sector such as
those in supported living settings.
We have significantly increased testing capacity so everyone with symptoms of
COVID-19 can be tested. Anyone with suspected symptoms in these settings can
also access testing by self-refer via the following link:
www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test
HOME OFFICE
Airguns: Reviews
Stephen McPartland: [59761]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to
publish its response to the review of the regulation of air weapons in England and Wales,
published in October 2017.
Kit Malthouse:
The Government fully understands the interest that Members of Parliament and
others have in the outcomes of the review of air weapons regulation, and the
concerns that have been expressed about the consequences, sometimes tragic,
arising from the misuse of these weapons.
We intend to publish our conclusions in due course, alongside a consultation on
firearms safety issues, to which we committed during the passage of the Offensive
Weapons Bill.
Asylum
Tim Farron: [59205]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made
of the potential merits of enabling people to apply for asylum at Regional Intake Units.
Chris Philp:
We take the wellbeing of asylum seekers extremely seriously.
As part of our response to COVID-19, we have introduced regional intake units to
allow asylum claims to be registered in a safe way that adheres to social distancing
guidance and minimises travel.
The introduction of the regional intake units in Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool, Leeds,
Solihull and Cardiff, is a temporary measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
and these changes do not represent a new operating model. These are contingency
measures put in place to allow asylum claims to be registered in a safe manner and
ensure those that are at immediate risk of destitution can access support.
Zarah Sultana: [60876]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is
taking during the covid-19 outbreak to improve the (a) provision and (b) accessibility of
Government guidance and information on asylum to people seeking asylum.
Chris Philp:
In March, we set up a dedicated engagement channel with key stakeholders to cover
the impact of Covid-19 on asylum and resettlement, and to ensure that the necessary
guidance and information was reaching asylum seekers across the UK. The British
Red Cross were nominated by the sector as the single point of contact; officials
speak to them on a regular basis and calls are often accompanied by written updates,
which the British Red Cross share with the wider sector, and onto asylum seekers.
We have also set up a similar engagement channel with the Strategic Migration
Partnership, which also includes a weekly call and regular written updates.
Our liaison with British Red Cross as a single point of contact has successfully
ensured that asylum seekers have the information they require in recent months. We
are now in the process of drafting additional guidance, which will be published on
GOV.UK, on asylum interviewing and decision-making during the period in which our
operations are still affected by the Covid-19 outbreak in the UK. This will provide
greater provision of information to asylum seekers.
Zarah Sultana: [60877]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been
waiting more than six months for an asylum decision; and if she will grant those people
the right to work and access education.
Chris Philp:
The Home Office publishes data on asylum applications in the ‘Immigration Statistics
Quarterly Release’ (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-
quarterly-release). Data on the number of asylum applications awaiting an initial
decision or further review are published in table Asy_D03 of the asylum and
resettlement detailed datasets (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-
sets/asylum-and-resettlement-datasets). Information on how to use the dataset can
be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. The latest data relates to the year
ending September 2019. Additionally, the Home Office publishes a high-level
overview of the data in the ‘summary tables’ (attached). The ‘contents’ sheet contains
an overview of all available data on asylum and resettlement.
Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the
‘Research and statistics calendar’ (https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-
statistics?content_store_document_type=upcoming_statistics&organisations%5B%5
D=home-office&order=release-date-oldest).
Asylum seekers can work in the UK if their claim has been outstanding for 12 months,
through no fault of their own. Those allowed to work are restricted to jobs on the
Shortage Occupation List, which is published by the Home Office and based on
expert advice from the Migration Advisory Committee.
Asylum seeker right to work is a complex issue. A review of the policy is ongoing, and
we are considering the evidence put forward on the issue.
There is nothing in the Immigration Rules to prevent asylum seekers studying.
However, asylum-seekers who wish to access higher education courses can expect
to be charged the full cost of their course by the university concerned.
Attachments:
1. Asylum summary tables [Copy of asylum-summary-sep-2019-tables.xlsx]
Zarah Sultana: [60878]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been
waiting more than 12 months for an asylum decision; and if she will grant those people
Discretionary Leave to Remain.
Chris Philp:
The Home Office does not publish data on the number of people waiting for more
than 12 months for an asylum decision.
The latest Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release, on data to the year ending March
2020, can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release
Table Asy D03 of the ‘asylum and resettlement detailed datasets’ contains
information on the number of asylum applications awaiting an initial decision or
further review and are published in. Information on how to use the dataset can be
found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook.
All asylum claims are carefully considered on their individual merits on the evidence
available to the decision maker. We are committed to ensuring that asylum claims are
considered without unnecessary delay, so that those who need protection are
granted as soon as possible.
Discretionary Leave (DL) is granted outside the Immigration Rules in accordance with
published Home Office policy. DL covers those few individuals who do not qualify for
any leave under the Rules, but where there are exceptional or compassionate
reasons for allowing them to remain in the UK; as such, it is intended to be used
sparingly and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Delays in decision
making occur for a number of reasons, some of which are outside of the Home
Office’s control, and it would generally not be appropriate to grant DL under these
circumstances.
Zarah Sultana: [60879]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what feedback mechanism her
Department has put in place for asylum seekers to communicate how well the
Department has met their needs throughout their application process; and what recent
assessment her Department has made of the quality of the support it provides to asylum
seekers.
Chris Philp:
UKVI uses feedback from complaints, reports and audits, surveys and customer
focus groups to make sure that we are continually improving the service we provide
to those who seek asylum in the UK.
UKVI work closely with our key partners and stakeholders to seek and share this
feedback to identify ways in which we can improve the quality of experience of people
seeking asylum in the UK.
We have recently set up a Customer Experience Management Team, based across
the UK, who will work closely on a local level with stakeholders, to identify key areas
to improve the overall experience for people seeking asylum in the UK.
Asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute are provided with free
accommodation and a weekly cash allowance to cover their other essential living
needs. With effect from 15 June, the allowance was raised from £37.75 to £39.60, an
increase of around 5%. The increase is significantly higher than general inflation,
which Office of National Statistics data shows was only 0.8% in the 12 months period
to April 2020. Food inflation over the same period was only 1.4%. Asylum seekers
also receive free NHS healthcare and free education for their children.
Asylum: Housing
Tim Farron: [59206]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to
end enforced room sharing between non-related persons in asylum support
accommodation.
Chris Philp:
Room sharing take place in a number of sectors and is not limited to supported
asylum seekers.
There asylum accommodation contracts set out clearly when room sharing can take
place and the numbers of people sharing rooms is minimal.
There are currently no plans to end room sharing for unrelated asylum seeking
adults.
British National (Overseas): Visas
Lisa Nandy: [60750]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 8
June 2020 to Question 53418 on British National (Overseas): Visas, whether the
arrangements to extend visa rights for British National (Overseas) passport holders will
also apply to the dependants of those passport holders.
Kevin Foster:
The UK will continue to defend the rights & freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.
Should China push ahead and impose national security legislation on Hong Kong
then we will provide a generous offer to BN(O)s of a bespoke immigration route
providing unrestricted access to work and study with a pathway to apply for
citizenship.
We are working closely with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and domestic
departments on the offer to British Nationals (Overseas) and will set out more detail
in due course.
Hamas
Brendan Clarke-Smith: [58078]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria the Government
uses to distinguish between the political and military wings of Hamas in relation to the
proscribing of organisations.
James Brokenshire:
The elements of Hamas which meet the criteria for proscription under section 3 of the
Terrorism Act 2000 are listed in Schedule 2 to that Act. The relevant entry proscribes
“Hamas Izz al-Din al-Qassem Brigades (Hamas IDQ)”. Those parts of Hamas which
do not fall within the Schedule 2 entry are not proscribed.
Hamas IDQ, the military wing of Hamas, was proscribed in March 2001. The political
wing of Hamas is not proscribed as it is considered that there is a clear distinction
between Hamas’s military and political wings.
In distinguishing between the political and military wings for the purposes of
proscription, the Government's aim is to proscribe only those parts of Hamas which
are directly concerned in terrorism.
Home Office: Carers
Sir Edward Davey: [57886]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many staff in her
Department had caring responsibilities in each of the last five years.
James Brokenshire:
The following numbers of Home Office staff have declared they had caring
responsibilities in each of the last four years. No data is held for the period ending 31
Mar 16.
31-MAR-20 31-MAR-19 31-MAR-18 31-MAR-17
10,272 9,914 9,401 9,256
Home Office: Energy
Sir Edward Davey: [60649]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much energy was used by
her Department's buildings in (a) 2020 to date and (b) each of the last five years.
James Brokenshire:
The amount of energy used by the Home Office in each of the last five years is as
follows:
FINANCIAL
YEAR 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
Energy (MWh) 128,067 132,752 124,560 114,134 115,858
Data is not yet available for any part of 2020-21 as this is collated quarterly in arrears.
The department is committed to reducing its carbon emissions on a trajectory to Net
Zero by 2050 or sooner; and has reduced its total emissions by 55% by 2019-20
compared to 2009-10.
Home Office: Written Questions
Grahame Morris: [59735]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to
Question 8998 tabled on 27 January 2020 by the hon. Member for Easington.
Kit Malthouse:
The response for UIN 8998 was given on 19th June 2020.
Immigrants: Fees and Charges
Mr Richard Holden: [59915]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost to the public purse
is of not extending the (a) fee for applications to enter or remain in the UK, (b) fee for
sponsorship licenses, (c) immigration health surcharges, (d) immigration skills charges in
relation EU citizens in the UK who have will no longer have the right of free movement
after the transition period.
Kevin Foster:
Further analysis into the impact of the ending of free movement in the UK on EEA
and Swiss citizens is currently underway and will be published at a later date.
The Border, Immigration and Citizenship System (BICS) is predominately funded by
the user. The Home Office believes it is right those who use it contribute to its cost,
thereby reducing the burden on the UK taxpayer. Income collected from the
Immigration Skills charge is used to address skills gaps in the UK workforce and
income generated by Immigration Health Surcharge payments go directly to NHS
services, helping to protect and sustain our world-class healthcare system for
everyone who uses it.
EU citizens in the UK have access to the EU Settlement Scheme, which is open until
30 June 2021 and is free of charge for eligible individuals. An Impact Assessment for
the EU Settlement Scheme was published and can be found at:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2019/74/pdfs/ukia_20190074_en.pdf
Immigrants: Health Services
Mr Richard Holden: [59914]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of
the cost of excluding EEA and Swiss citizens from the immigration health surcharge to (a)
the UK, (b) England and (c) in Barnett consequentials for the devolved Administrations.
Kevin Foster:
Analysis on the impact of the ending of free movement in the UK on EEA and Swiss
citizens is currently underway and will be published at a later date. This will include
analysis of the impact of the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Income generated by Immigration Health Surcharge payments go directly to NHS
services, helping to protect and sustain our world-class healthcare system for
everyone who uses it.
An Impact Assessment for the planned increase to the Surcharge was published
alongside the statutory instrument. It can be found at
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2020/30/pdfs/ukia_20200030_en.pdf
Religious Buildings: Security
Stephen Doughty: [309]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding her
Department has allocated to improving security at places of worship in the South Wales
Police area in the last 12 months.
Kit Malthouse:
The Places of Worship Protective Security Fund (POW) is a key commitment in the
Hate Crime Action Plan published in 2016. The Scheme provides funding to places of
worship that have been victims of or are vulnerable to hate crime attacks for physical
protective measures such as alarms, fencing and access control. The scheme is
currently in its fourth year of funding, and successful applicants for this scheme will
be announced in due course. There was only one application from Wales in Year 3.
However, the criteria were set across all applications and this application did not
meet the minimum requirements to receive funding.
Over the first three years of the scheme we provided £1.5m funding for over 130
grants and have £1.6m committed for this financial year (2019/20). There was not
any funding allocated under the POW scheme in the South Wales Police area in year
three (2018/19). However, the scheme is open to places of worship across England
and Wales, and we will continue to promote the scheme across Wales for future
rounds of funding.
Following the attacks in Christchurch, we supported Faith Associates to deliver
security training prior to and during Ramadan. They delivered 22 workshops across
England and Wales, and distributed advice and guidance to over 2,000 mosques,
madrassahs and community centres.
The Jewish Community Protective Security Grant was introduced in 2015 following a
series of terrorist attacks against Jews and Jewish locations across Europe. In 2018-
19 a grant of £13.4m was provided to fund additional protective security measures,
primarily guarding, at Jewish state, free and independent schools, colleges, nurseries
and some other Jewish community sites, including synagogues. A grant of £14m is to
be provided in 2019-20. We do not keep a breakdown of funding by region.
Retail Trade: Abuse and Violence
Alex Norris: [59873]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what date she plans to
publish the call for evidence on violence and abuse toward shop staff.
Kit Malthouse:
During the Westminster Hall debate on 11 February, I committed to publish the
Government response to the call for evidence on violence and abuse towards
shopworkers by the end of March 2020. Unfortunately, given the current
circumstances, the Government must focus its communications on tackling Covid-19.
Therefore, the publication of the Government response is delayed. I am, however,
keen to publish it as soon as I am able to.
Shoplifting
Grahame Morris: [8998]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to ONS statistics
released on 23 January 2020, if she will make an assessment of the reasons for the 14
per cent increase in police recorded incidents of shoplifting in England and Wales over
the last decade.
Kit Malthouse:
We recognise the significant costs on communities, businesses and the economy that
shop theft can have which is why we changed the law in 2014 to enable some cases
to be dealt with more quickly and efficiently.
The Office for National Statistics has commented that improvements in recording
practices by the police have made a substantial contribution to rises in recorded
crime over the last five years.
Slavery: Victims
Sarah Champion: [59777]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on the
provision of accommodation for individuals supported through the Modern Slavery Victim
Care Contract at the end of the three month period of government-funded safe
accommodation announced by her Department on 6 April 2020.
Victoria Atkins:
This Government is absolutely clear that the safety and well-being of those supported
through the modern slavery Victim Care Contract (VCC) remains a top priority.
Contingency planning has, and continues to, consider how essential services and
support for all victims of modern slavery can continue throughout the COVID-19
pandemic and as lock down begins to ease.
To help ensure the safety and support of individuals receiving support from the Victim
Care Contract, and in line with Public Health England guidance, we announced on
the 6 April that all individuals accommodated by the Victim Care Contract would not
be required to move on from their Government-funded accommodation for a period of
three months, and that this policy would be reviewed at the end of June 2020.
This temporary guidance is currently being reviewed and next steps will be
announced shortly.
Travellers: Caravan Sites
Mr Steve Baker: [59744]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward
legislative proposals before the 2020 summer recess to tackle unauthorised traveller
camps through (a) giving the police new powers to arrest and seize the property and
vehicles of trespassers who set up unauthorised encampments, (b) making intentional
trespass a criminal offence and (c) giving local authorities greater powers within the
planning system.
Kit Malthouse:
On 5 November 2019, the Government launched a consultation seeking views on
measures to strengthen police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments The
consultation closed on the 5 March. We will announce the outcome of this
consultation in due course.
The government is committed to strengthening national policy so local planning
authorities have stronger grounds to reject retrospective planning applications where
there has been intentional unauthorised development. MHCLG will also extend the
time period for temporary stop notices giving local planning authorities more time to
build their case for enforcement action. MHCLG intend to consult on the details of
these proposals shortly.
Visas: British National (Overseas)
Stephen Kinnock: [59784]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the extension from six
months to 12 months of the rights of BN(O) passport holders to work in the UK in the
event that China imposes its national security law on Hong Kong will be conditional on
having a sponsor and a job offer that meets a minimum-salary threshold.
Stephen Kinnock: [59785]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, under the terms of the
Government's offer to extend the rights of BN(O) passport holders to work in the UK from
six months to 12 months should China's national security law be imposed on Hong Kong,
for how long will BN(O) passport holders need to be resident in the UK before they can
apply for citizenship.
Stephen Kinnock: [59786]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the extension
from six months to 12 months of the rights of BN(O) passport holders to work in the UK in
the event that China imposes its national security law on Hong Kong, if she will confirm
whether people wishing to apply for British citizenship will not be deported back to Hong
Kong when their 12 months comes to an end.
Stephen Kinnock: [59787]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the offer to
extend the rights of BN(O) passport holders to work in the UK from six months to 12
months should China's national security law be imposed on Hong Kong, whether people
wishing to apply for British citizenship will be allowed to remain in the UK for as long as it
takes for them to qualify for citizenship rights, and for their applications to be processed.
Kevin Foster:
The UK will continue to defend the rights & freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.
Should China push ahead and impose national security legislation on Hong Kong
then we will provide a generous offer to BN(O)s of a bespoke immigration route
providing unrestricted access to work and study with a pathway to apply for
citizenship.
We are working closely with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and domestic
departments on the offer to British Nationals (Overseas) and will set out more detail
in due course.
Visas: Musicians
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [60844]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Australians used the
Tier 5 visa route in 2019.
Kevin Foster:
The Home Office publishes data on Tier 5 visas in the ‘Immigration Statistics
Quarterly Release’ (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-
quarterly-release).
Data on grants of Tier 5 visas by nationality are published in table Vis_D02 of the
entry clearance detailed datasets (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-
sets/managed-migration-datasets#entry-clearance-visas-granted-outside-the-uk).
Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the
workbook. The latest data relates to year ending March 2020. Additionally, the Home
Office publishes a high-level overview of the data in the entry clearance summary
tables (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-year-
ending-march-2020/list-of-tables#entry-clearance-visas). The ‘contents’ sheet
contains an overview of all available data on entry clearance visas.
Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the
‘Research and statistics calendar’ (https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-
statistics?keywords=immigration&content_store_document_type=upcoming_statistics
&organisations%5B%5D=home-office&order=relevance).
Visas: Working Holidays
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [60845]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many UK citizens travelled
to Australia under the Working Holiday Visa in 2019.
Chris Philp:
The Home Department does not currently hold this information. UK nationals’ usage
of Australia’s working holiday provision is provided on an annual basis by the
Australian Home Affairs department.
HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION
Parliament: Coronavirus
Andy McDonald: [60768]
To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of
Commons Commission, whether the House has in accordance with Regulation 9(b) of the
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 kept
records of every case of a staff member and MP who has contracted covid-19 in
Parliament and reported them to the Health and Safety Executive; and whether all
breaches of the regulations and of Government guidance in Parliament have been
reported to the Health and Safety Executive and/or relevant officer of Westminster City
Council.
Pete Wishart:
There have been no reports of any covid-19 related incident which would require
reporting under Regulation 9(b) of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous
Occurrences Regulations 2013.
If there is reason to believe that a causal occupational link has been established in
relation to any person who develops covid-19 in connection with work on the
parliamentary estate, the incident will be reported as per legislation and appropriate
records maintained.
All reported accidents, incidents or work-related ill health where the Clerk of the
House is a duty holder are reported to the Health and Safety Executive as required
by the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
2013.
HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Building Safety Fund
Andy Slaughter: [59385]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, where
an external wall system has windows installed and a similar system tested to BR135 does
not, whether those systems will be considered to match in terms of assessing eligibility
for the Building Safety Fund.
Andy Slaughter: [59386]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, where
an external wall system has a different number of cavity barriers installed to a similar
system tested to BR135, whether those systems will be considered to match in terms of
assessing eligibility for the Building Safety Fund.
Andy Slaughter: [59387]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, where
an external wall system has ventilation openings installed and a similar system tested to
BR135 does not, whether those systems will be considered to match in terms of
assessing eligibility for the Building Safety Fund.
Andy Slaughter: [59388]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether
an A2 cladding/C class combustible insulation system which has passed a BS 8414 test
will be eligible for funding under the Building Safety Fund.
Christopher Pincher:
The Building Safety Fund prospectus was published 26 May. The prospectus sets out
the buildings and non-ACM cladding systems, in the technical annex e, that are
eligible for funding. During the registration and application process, the Department
will be able to engage individually with building owners regarding questions specific
to individual buildings.
Business: Coronavirus
Emma Hardy: [59880]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he
plans to publish the list of businesses allowed to open in phase three of the covid-19
lockdown restrictions; and whether he plans to issue guidance to those companies on
being covid-19 secure.
Mr Simon Clarke:
Following scientific evidence and advice, on 10 May, the Prime Minister announced a
roadmap for reopening. As part of Step three of the roadmap, the ambition is to open
at least some of the remaining businesses and premises that have been required to
close, including personal care (such as hairdressers and beauty salons) hospitality
(such as food service providers, pubs and accommodation), public places (such as
places of worship) and leisure facilities (like cinemas).
They should seek to meet the COVID-19 Secure guidelines provided by the
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to continue to limit the
spread of the virus. Some venues where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may
not be able to re-open safely at this point, or may be able to open safely only in part.
The Government’s current planning assumption is that this step will be no earlier than
4 July, subject to the five tests, and further scientific advice provided closer to the
time.
Devolution: North Yorkshire
Rachael Maskell: [59831]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he
plans to announce the devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire.
Mr Simon Clarke:
We are in early discussions with York and North Yorkshire about devolution, and are
committed to negotiating more devolution settlements like the West Yorkshire
Devolution Deal agreed in March.
High Rise Flats: Insulation
Julie Elliott: [60754]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
assessment he has made of the safety of cladding on high rise buildings in England.
Christopher Pincher:
The Government has made clear that building safety is the responsibility of the
building owner.
Acting on advice from the Expert Panel, the Government has commissioned research
to support further understanding of the fire performance of external wall systems and
cladding materials :
• Aluminium Composite Material: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/aluminium-
composite-material-cladding
• High Pressure Laminates: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-test-
report-mhclg-bs-8414-hpl ; and
• Non-Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) external wall systems:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-performance-of-cladding-
materials-research/non-acm-research-summary.
We have published advice (updated in January 2020) to building owners on the
actions they should take with regards to external wall systems and managing the
safety of buildings of all heights.
Julie Elliott: [60755]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
steps he has taken to ensure the safety of people who live in high rise buildings; and if he
will make a statement.
Christopher Pincher:
In November 2018, the Government introduced a ban on combustible materials in
and on the external walls of certain buildings, including blocks of flats more than 18
metres in height. We have more recently consulted on extending the scope of the ban
and we will publish the results in due course.
The Government has committed £600 million for the remediation of high-rise
residential buildings with unsafe ACM cladding. In March 2020, the £1 billion Building
Safety Fund was then announced, aimed at remediating other unsafe cladding types
on high-rise residential buildings. For high-rise residential buildings with unsafe ACM
cladding, the Government has worked closely with local authorities and Fire and
Rescue Services to ensure that interim safety measures, where needed, are in place
until the cladding is replaced.
We have also published advice from the Independent Expert Advisory Panel on the
measures building owners should take to ensure their buildings are safe. This can be
found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-safety-advice-for-
building-owners-including-fire-doors
James Murray: [60885]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant
to the Answer of 16 June 2020 to Question 58821 on High Rise Flats: Insulation, in
relation to how many of the 10 buildings, against which the Department is aware of
enforcement action having been taken, the Joint Inspection Team provided support to
local authorities.
Christopher Pincher:
Of those that only had an 'intent' to remediate in December 2019, the Joint Inspection
Team provided support to local authorities for enforcement on two of these buildings,
resulting in two improvement notices being issued.
Local Government Finance: Coronavirus
Steve Reed: [60767]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
steps he plans to take to help ensure that local authorities do not need to set emergency
budgets to reduce services as a result of increased costs and lost revenues during the
covid-19 outbreak.
Mr Simon Clarke:
The Government has provided an unprecedented £3.2 billion of additional
unringfenced support to local authorities to address the pressures they are facing in
response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is on top of the 4.4 per cent real terms
increase in Core Spending Power this year. Furthermore, as I set out to the House on
Monday 15 June, the Secretary of State and I are working closely with ministerial
colleagues on the further steps the Government will take as part of a comprehensive
plan to ensure councils' financial sustainability over the financial year ahead.
Ministers will continue to keep the House informed as these plans develop.
Local Government: Meetings
Rachael Maskell: [60822]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how
many local authorities are holding full council meetings; and of those councils how many
are holding those meetings (a) virtually, (b) as a hybrid mix of virtual and in person and
(c) in person with social distancing; and which local authorities are meeting in all formats.
Mr Simon Clarke:
The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local
Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations
2020 enable all local authority meetings to be held remotely and do not preclude
physical meetings or a hybrid form of meeting where these can be held in accordance
with public health regulations and guidance. It is for each local authority to determine
what is appropriate in their specific circumstances, taking legal advice as necessary.
The Government is not monitoring how many councils are holding full council
meetings or the extent to which these are being held remotely.
Property Development: Isle of Dogs
Apsana Begum: [60881]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether
his Department conducted an Equalities Impact Assessment of his decision to grant
planning permission for the Westferry Printworks site, PA/18/01877/A1 before Tower
Hamlets Council made changes to its Community Infrastructure Levy.
Apsana Begum: [60882]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether
his Department conducted an Equalities Impact Assessment of his decision to grant
planning permission for the Westferry Printworks site, PA/18/01877/A1.
Apsana Begum: [60883]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
estimate his Department has made of the amount of revenue Tower Hamlets’ Council's
new Community Infrastructure Levy would have raised for the public purse with regard to
the Westferry Printworks site, PA/18/01877/A1 had he not granted planning permission
before changes were made to that Levy.
Apsana Begum: [60884]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
assessment his Department has made of the effect of his decision to grant planning
permission for the Westferry Printworks site, PA/18/01877/A1 on the provision of
affordable housing in Tower Hamlets.
Christopher Pincher:
The Secretary of State’s Decision Letter of 14 January and the Inspector’s Report,
set out the reasons for the decision, including in relation to the Community
Infrastructure Levy and the implications of providing the proposed quantum and type
of affordable housing.
The proposed development would have provided nearly 300 new affordable homes
and a brand new school for the local community.
Religious Buildings: Coronavirus
Stuart Anderson: [59249]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what (a)
guidance and (b) financial support is available to help places of worship safely resume
their activities after the covid-19 situation.
Luke Hall:
We have published guidance for the safe use of places of worship during the
pandemic. This includes guidance to assist places of worship to prepare to reopen for
individual prayer from 13 June in a manner that is safe and in line with social
distancing guidelines.
We will continue to review when it might be safe to ease other restrictions on places
of worship, including for communal prayer. This is subject to the five tests for easing
measures and further detailed scientific advice. We expect that places of worship will
not be permitted to open for communal prayer until 4 July at the earliest.
MHCLG continues to play a facilitative role in ensuring Government understands how
it can support faith groups to respond to the pressures they face during this period
and throughout the Government's recovery strategy.
There are a range of Government-backed financial support measures that places of
worship can access.
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Coronavirus Large
Business Interruption Scheme are both available to registered charities, and therefore
places of worship registered with the Charities Commission. Any organisation,
including a place of worship, that is unable to pay any HMRC bill due to COVID-19
should contact the HMRC Coronavirus helpline. If charities or places of worship are
VAT registered, they are also able to use the VAT deferral scheme.
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme provides support for any entity with a UK
payroll - small or large, charitable or non-profit - to be reimbursed 80 per cent of
furloughed worker wages by HMRC, up to a cap of £2,500 per month.
However, we know that some charities cannot furlough staff as they are contributing
to the frontline response. There is a substantial package of targeted support for
charities on the frontline of responding to COVID-19. Further details can be found
here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/financial-support-for-voluntary-community-and-
social-enterprise-vcse-organisations-to-respond-to-coronavirus-covid-19#further-
financial-support.
Afzal Khan: [59883]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant
to his Answer of 9 June 2020 to Question 55024 on Religious Buildings: Coronavirus, for
what reason his Department has no plans to engage with the Muslim Council of Britain.
Luke Hall:
Our engagement on the issue of reopening places of worship has been broad and
has drawn on the expertise of all the key faiths including a broad spectrum of Muslim
voices. The decision on who Government engages with is based on a number of
factors and the decisions are regularly reviewed on a case by case basis.
Rough Sleeping: Coronavirus
Thangam Debbonaire: [60807]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how
many and what proportion of rough sleepers housed through the Everybody In initiative
were still accommodated on 1 June 2020, by local authority area.
Thangam Debbonaire: [60808]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how
many and what proportion of rough sleepers who were accommodated by the Everybody
In initiative have been placed in (a) move-on accommodation and (b) permanent
accommodation by 1 June 2020, by local authority.
Thangam Debbonaire: [60809]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how
many and what proportion of rough sleepers accommodated by the Everybody In
initiative had returned to rough sleeping by 1 June 2020.
Thangam Debbonaire: [60810]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how
many units of (a) move on accommodation and (b) permanent accommodation have
been identified for people accommodated under the Everybody In initiative, by local
authority.
Thangam Debbonaire: [60813]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
estimate his Department has made of the number of people who have become street
homeless since the start of the Everybody In initiative who have not been accommodated
in emergency accommodation, by local authority area.
Luke Hall:
On 3 June, the Government published the management information that supports the
announcements from the Secretary of State and Dame Louise Casey that 15,000
people have been accommodated by local authorities in response to COVID-19. You
can find this information at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-
covid-19-rough-sleeper-accommodation-survey-data-may-2020.
This information is collected from over 300 local authorities nationally. We are
continuing to work with local authorities to understand the work they are doing to help
the most vulnerable in our society.
Thangam Debbonaire: [60812]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
assessment the Government has made of the cost of specialist non-housing support
needed by the 15,000 rough sleepers accommodated by the Everybody In initiative in
order to prevent those people returning to rough sleeping.
Luke Hall:
We have provided £3.2 billion to councils across England to manage the impacts of
the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be used to provide support to vulnerable people
such as rough sleepers. This is in addition to £3.2 million in targeted funding for
councils to support vulnerable rough sleepers.
Local authorities are responsible for assessing local need and commissioning
specialist services, such as alcohol and drug services. This includes providing
services for people who experience homelessness and rough sleeping and those
who have been supported into emergency accommodation sites.
Most local authorities are using their existing locally commissioned drug and alcohol
treatment services to provide support in accommodation sites. This support includes
harm reduction, prescribing services and managing related health issues like alcohol
withdrawal. They are also drawing on wider NHS services to provide mental and
physical health support in accommodation sites. Local authorities hold the most up to
date information regarding the costs of non-housing support for people they are
currently assisting
We are continuing to work closely with local authorities to understand the work they
are doing to help the most vulnerable in our society and, as we have been clear, are
committed to working to ensure that the needs of these individuals are met and that
as few people as possible return to the streets.
Towns Fund
David Linden: [59870]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how
much in cash terms has been spent from the Towns Fund to date.
Mr Simon Clarke:
In December, we paid out £16.4 million in capacity funding to local authorities from
the initial 100 towns selected to agree Town Deals. This was to support the
development of a Town Deal Board and Town Investment Plan for each of the
shortlisted towns in their area.
To date we have also allocated £14.5 million in Future High Streets Fund revenue
funding to places to develop detailed business cases for their proposals.
David Linden: [59871]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will
provide a breakdown of any capital funding which has been allocated to local authorities
from the Towns Fund.
Mr Simon Clarke:
Local authorities have not yet received any capital funding from the Towns Fund.
Now that we have published the Towns Fund further guidance, I am looking forward
to Towns coming forward with their transformative proposals through their Town
Investment Plans
David Linden: [59872]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant
to the Answer of 24 March 2020 to Question 32301, on Towns Fund, whether the further
guidance for local authorities has been published; and if he will place a copy in the
Library.
Mr Simon Clarke:
I am delighted to say that the Towns Fund further guidance has now been published.
This will enable towns to finalise their Town Investment Plans and ultimately to agree
their Town Deals with Government.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Bangladesh: Migrant Camps
Yasmin Qureshi: [59720]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what additional funding her
Department has allocated to programmes in Cox’s Bazar Bangladesh to (a) support the
covid-19 response and (b) maintain and expand gender-based violence services in
response to the prevalence of that violence in those camps.
Yasmin Qureshi: [59721]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what representations she
has made to UN agencies and the Government of Bangladesh to ensure that gender-
based violence (GBV) services are designated as essential in order to allow for continuity
of GBV service provision in Cox’s Bazar during the covid-19 response.
Nigel Adams:
The UK has provided an initial £11 million to support COVID-19 preparedness and
response efforts in the Rohingya camps and surrounding host communities. This has
been allocated to existing UN and Non-Governmental Organisation UK partners. It is
also maintaining essential humanitarian services in the camps, such as shelter, food,
registration and civil documentation, healthcare, water and sanitation, and hygiene.
Part of this funding is focused on ensuring critical gender-based violence and child
protection services keep operating for all those who need them. For example, the UK
has provided additional funding to UNFPA for gender-based violence (GBV) services,
including activities disseminating anti-GBV messaging and anti-GBV role modelling
activities with adolescent boys and girls.
The Rohingya Refugee response in Cox’s Bazar district has been reduced to only
critical services since 8 April. While women and girls’ safe spaces are not functioning
as normal (to prevent the spread of the virus), all protection services including GBV
services have continued throughout. DFID officials are collaborating with UN
agencies on the provision and continuity of GBV services. UN agencies have worked
closely with the Bangladesh government to prepare and respond to COVID-19 in the
refugee camps and ensure vital and lifesaving operations are not jeopardised.
Yasmin Qureshi: [59722]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her
Department has made of the level of gender-based violence in Cox’s Bazar (a) before
and (b) during the covid-19 pandemic; and what plans her Department has to maintain
and expand provision of services to tackle gender-based violence in response to the
recent International Rescue Committee research indicating at least one in four women
and girls they screen have experienced GBV.
Yasmin Qureshi: [59723]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has
made of the implications for her policies of the International Rescue Committee’s report
entitled The Shadow Pandemic: Gender-Based Violence amongst Rohingya refugees in
Cox’s Bazar; and what steps she is taking to ensure funding for gender-based violence
services is (a) maintained and (b) increased in Cox’s Bazar.
Nigel Adams:
Gender-based violence (GBV) continues to be a constant threat in refugee camps,
especially to women and girls. The scale of GBV in the Rohingya camps is too high,
though still not fully known. As GBV is generally underreported due to stigma and
fear, the recorded cases are likely to represent only a small fraction of the overall
number. However, an information management system is ensuring vital data is
collected and analysed from recorded cases.
We agree with the International Rescue Committee that the international community
need to expand GBV programming to address unmet needs, including prevention
activities; and that these needs are likely to be exacerbated by COVID-19. The UK is
the second largest donor to the Rohingya response, contributing £256 million to-date,
and we play a leadership role in ensuring anti-GBV efforts are prioritised. DFID has
continuously supported efforts to reduce GBV in Rohingya and also in host
communities. UK aid-supported GBV activities are being implemented across 34
camps, in 35 women friendly spaces/integrated women centres, and have helped
more than 12,000 individuals receive GBV case management support since 2017.
The UK has provided £11 million to support COVID-19 preparedness and response
efforts in the Rohingya camps and surrounding host communities. Part of this funding
is focused on ensuring critical gender-based violence and child protection services
keep operating for all those who need them. For example, the UK has provided an
additional £400,000 to UNFPA for GBV services, including disseminating anti-GBV
messaging and anti-GBV activities with adolescent boys and girls during the COVID-
19 pandemic.
Caribbean Aid for Trade and Regional Integration Trust Fund: EU Trade
Mark Pritchard: [59402]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has
made of the effectiveness of the Caribbean Aid for Trade and Regional Integration Trust
Fund in helping countries agree trade agreements with the European Union.
Nigel Adams:
The Caribbean Aid for Trade and Regional Integration Trust Fund (CARTFund) was
launched by the UK Government in 2009 to help Caribbean countries and businesses
implement and take advantage of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership
Agreement (EPA) and support the region’s own economic integration initiative. DFID
published an evaluation report in October 2015 at the end of the project, which found
that it performed relatively well, particularly in relation to activities relating to the
implementation of the EPA.
The UK has now signed the CARIFORUM-UK EPA with 13 CARIFORUM States,
providing assurance to businesses, consumers and investors on the continuity of
trade arrangements at the end of the transition period. Building on the
recommendations from the CARTFund evaluation, DFID continues to deliver
economic development objectives in the Caribbean including the UK Trade
Partnerships Programme, which will support CARIFORUM States to implement and
maximise the benefits of the CARIFORUM-UK EPA.
Department for International Development: Carers
Sir Edward Davey: [59344]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will place in the
Library a list of the workplace benefits that her Department provides to its staff with caring
responsibilities.
Nigel Adams:
DFID encourages managers to take a positive, proactive approach in working
together with employees to agree arrangements for caring, taking account of both
caring and business needs. DFID has signed up to the Carer’s Charter and
encourage managers and employees to record caring arrangements on our HR
systems.
In terms of workplace benefits, DFID offers:
• Flexible working to enable carers to combine their work and caring responsibilities.
For those looking to move to working on a job share basis, we also promote use of
the Civil Service job-share finder.
• Access to various forms of leave for those who need it over and above annual
leave (either on a short or longer term basis): short term discretionary leave; long
term unpaid discretionary leave; parental leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme : offers support for a range of scenarios. For
caring, they can advise on sources of help and advice and provide counselling
should people require it.
To strengthen our support and learn from best practice, we have also recently signed
up to Employers for Carers.
Department for International Development: East Kilbride
Ian Murray: [59734]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has
made of the potential effect of the proposed merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office and the Department for International Development (DFID) on employment at
DFID’s office at Abercrombie House, East Kilbride.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan:
Merging the departments will bring together the best of what we do in aid and
diplomacy, and create new opportunities for staff. There are no plans to close DFID’s
office in Scotland, where staff play a vital role in ensuring UK aid delivers results for
the world’s poorest and value for UK taxpayers.
Wendy Chamberlain: [59888]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has
made of the effect of the merger of her Department with the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office on the number of staff employed by her Department in East Kilbride.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan:
Merging the departments will bring together the best of what we do in aid and
diplomacy, and create new opportunities for staff. There are no plans to close DFID’s
office in Scotland, where staff play a vital role in ensuring UK aid delivers results for
the world’s poorest and represents value for money for UK taxpayers.
Department for International Development: Reorganisation
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [59862]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions he
has had with the Prime Minister on the merger of his Department and the Department for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan:
The Prime Minister discussed the merger with both Secretaries of State ahead of his
announcement in the House.
Wendy Chamberlain: [59886]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what estimate she has made
of the cost to the public purse of the merger of her Department with the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan:
The Government will implement these changes in the most cost effective way
possible. While we anticipate there may be cost savings in the long term as a result
of using our resources more effectively and efficiently, it is not the primary goal of the
merger of these two Departments. This is primarily about bringing together our
international efforts so we can maximise the UK’s influence around the world. By
aligning our efforts, the merger will maximise our influence and expertise and ensure
we are in the best position to confront the challenges that lie ahead. This will
strengthen our ability to lead the world’s efforts to recover from the coronavirus
pandemic and allow us to seize the opportunities ahead, as we prepare to take on the
G7 presidency and host COP26 next year.
Wendy Chamberlain: [59887]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has
made of the effect of the merger of her Department with the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office on the number of staff employed by her Department.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan:
Merging the departments will bring together the best of what we do in aid and
diplomacy, and create new opportunities for staff. The ambition, vision and expertise
of DFID staff will be at the heart of the new department – taking forward the work of
UK aid, which will remain central to our mission. There will be no compulsory
redundancies.
Developing Countries: Vaccination
Chris Law: [59796]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will take steps to
ensure that the provision of vaccines following the Global Vaccine Summit achieves the
Sustainable Development Goal to leave no one behind by prioritising the poorest and
most marginalised children.
Wendy Morton:
The UK is proud to have raised $8.8 billion for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance at the
Global Vaccine Summit on 4 June. This funding, which includes the UK’s world-
leading £1.65 billion pledge, will support Gavi’s strategy to leave no one behind with
immunisation over the next five years.
The UK’s central priority for Gavi is equity. Gavi immunises nearly half of the world’s
children, and since 2000, has increased basic immunisation coverage levels in Gavi-
supported countries from 59% to 80%. Despite increases in overall immunisation
coverage levels, health systems in the poorest countries are still not reaching almost
one in five children with a full course of basic vaccines.
These remaining pockets of under-immunised children are often the hardest to reach.
The UK is working closely with Gavi to ensure that we remove barriers to
immunisation for the most marginalised children. Gavi is working closely with its
Alliance Partners, WHO and UNICEF, to adopt new strategies in-country to address
gender, poverty, fragility and intra-country barriers to immunisation.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Lisa Nandy: [59748]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Prime
Minister's Oral Statement of 16 June 2020 on Global Britain, if the Department for
International Development budget will be ring-fenced for use within the new Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan:
The budget of the new department will combine the FCO and DFID budgets. The
government remains committed to the target of spending 0.7 percent of our national
income on aid, which is enshrined in law. As the Prime Minister has said and as
reflected in the name of the new department, the development work of DFID will
remain central to the new department’s mission.
Malawi: Elections
Patrick Grady: [60804]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support her
Department is providing to civil society organisations in Malawi that promote free and fair
participation in the presidential election planned for 23 June 2020.
James Duddridge:
The UK, together with the US, is supporting two national civil society networks in
Malawi to independently observe the election on the 23 June. Independent
observation is an important contribution to free and fair elections. The Catholic
Commission for Justice and Peace and the Public Affairs Committee, an ecumenical
body, will between them deploy 500 observers across the country to observe the
polls and the counting of ballot papers.
The UK is also supporting the Centre for Multiparty Democracy, an association of
political parties, to train political party monitors, disseminate peace messaging, and to
host multi-party dialogue sessions in hotspot areas to prevent violence.
Overseas Aid: National Income
Chris Law: [59794]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will take steps to
protect funding for (a) health and (b) education in the event that reductions in the aid
budget are required as a result of a reduction in Gross National Income.
Wendy Morton:
All government departments are working through how their plans need to change in
light of the risk of a recession this year. No decision has been taken, but we are
considering the full range of our work. It is absolutely in Britain’s interest to use ODA
to make the world a healthier, safer and more prosperous place, either through
tackling coronavirus, providing humanitarian aid in crises or helping girls get a quality
education.
Schools: Females
Chris Law: [59795]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans her Department
has to help ensure that girls are not prevented from returning to education as schools
reopen following the covid-19 pandemic.
Wendy Morton:
Ensuring 12 years of quality education for all girls remains a UK priority. As the
effects of the COVID-19 crisis play out, the impact on girls’ education is becoming
increasingly clear. The UK’s response to the pandemic aims to tackle the
preventative measures to girls returning to education by mitigating short term risks by
focussing on safety, nutrition, wellbeing and learning whilst schools are closed; and
supporting countries to protect and maintain education budgets in the longer term.
DFID is adapting its bilateral education programmes in 18 countries. The Global
Partnership for Education, to which the UK is the largest donor, is flexing over £200
million to support education sector stability in response to the pandemic. The UK has
also announced £20 million for UNICEF’s crisis appeal, which includes education,
and a further £5 million to the Education Cannot Wait fund to support emergency
education in fragile contexts.
Yemen: Humanitarian Aid
Mr Gregory Campbell: [59691]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department
is taking to ensure that (a) food, (b) water and (c) medicines are supplied to people in
Yemen.
James Cleverly:
As part of our £160 million aid commitment for Yemen in the 2020/21 financial year,
the UK expects to provide support to at least 300,000 vulnerable people each month
to help them buy food and household essentials, treat 40,000 children for malnutrition
and provide 1 million people with improved water supply and basic sanitation.
Our funding will also help tackle the spread of COVID-19 in Yemen and we expect
this new package to provide over 700,000 medical consultations, train 12,000
healthcare workers to work safely in a COVID-19 environment and provide a much-
needed boost to nearly 4,000 health centres to continue providing existing health
services.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Ceramics: Manufacturing Industries
Jonathan Gullis: [58828]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has
made of the potential effect of a UK global tariff on the viability of UK ceramics
manufacturers.
Greg Hands:
In setting tariffs on ceramics goods, we have reflected carefully on the interests of UK
businesses, manufacturers and consumers as well as to the views expressed through
the UK’s public consultation conducted in February 2020. Tariffs have been retained
for most ceramic products. For example, tariffs on table and kitchenware are being
retained at 12%.
Tariffs are a tax, therefore the Government will publish a Tax Information and Impact
Note (TIIN) alongside the secondary legislation, which will be made under Section 8
of the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018. This is standard practice. More
analysis will be available in the TIIN when it is published.
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-pacific Partnership: Stoke On
Trent
Jonathan Gullis: [58826]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has
made of the potential economic benefit to Stoke-on-Trent joining the Comprehensive and
Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Greg Hands:
Joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
(CPTPP) would open up new opportunities for our exporters in strategically important
sectors, helping to support an industrial revival in the UK. Trade with members of
CPTPP already benefits the region. In 2018, Shropshire and Staffordshire exported
around £431m worth of goods to CPTPP countries and imported around £801m
worth of goods from CPTPP countries[1]. In 2019, the West Midlands as a whole
exported over £2.4 billion worth of goods to CPTPP member countries, representing
around 8 per cent of the region’s exports. The West Midlands imported over £1.9
billion worth of goods from CPTPP member countries, representing just over 5% of
goods imports to the region[2].
Before applying, we will publish an outline approach and a scoping assessment
setting out our negotiating objectives and the economic impact and benefits of
accession.
At that stage, we will provide a formal response to the government’s public
consultation on the UK potentially seeking accession to CPTPP, outlining how our
decisions and approach to accession have been informed by the submissions
received from members of the public, businesses and civil society organisations. The
input we have received through this consultation continues to inform our
preparations.
[1] Source: HMRC Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, disaggregated by smaller
geographical areas, NUTS2 level (released November 2019). Note data on regional
trade with Brunei in unavailable.
[2] Source: HMRC Regional Trade in Goods Statistics (April to June 2020 release).
Note data on regional trade with Brunei in unavailable.
Contracts: Developing Countries
Rushanara Ali: [59466]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is able to take to
uphold the UK's global reputation as a reliable market as a result of UK companies
reportedly ignoring contracts with suppliers in developing countries.
Greg Hands:
The Government is engaging with businesses in the UK and in developing countries
to understand the huge challenges they are facing in response to the global Covid-19
pandemic. The UK is also providing support to Business Fights Poverty to accelerate
a global learning process to enable businesses to support vulnerable workers in
global supply chains.
Department for International Trade: Buildings
Rachel Hopkins: [54306]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May
to Question 43779, in how many multi-hub locations employees of her Department are
working together with employees of another department or agency in London managed
by the Government Property Agency; what those other departments or agencies are; and
in which locations that work is taking place.
Greg Hands:
I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to PQ 54314 on 12th June 2020.
Department for International Trade: Carers
Sir Edward Davey: [59345]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will place in the Library a list
of the workplace benefits that her Department provides to its staff with caring
responsibilities.
Greg Hands:
The Department for International Trade is committed to supporting those members of
our workforce with caring responsibilities. Building a diverse and inclusive department
continues to be a key priority. For carers specifically we have adopted the Civil
Service Carers Passport and aligned our policies to the Civil Service Carers Charter
developed by Cabinet Office. We also have policies to support flexible working and
provide access to special leave and career breaks. All employees have access to our
Employee Assistance Programme and we have active employee networks for carers.
A library deposit has been made with a list of workplace benefits provided to the
department’s staff with caring responsibilities.
Department for International Trade: Overseas Aid
Preet Kaur Gill: [59847]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish the criteria her
Department plans to use for prioritising Official Development Assistance spending in the
event of a decrease in GNI.
Greg Hands:
To tackle poverty and advance our Global Britain objectives, the Department for
International Trade (DIT) takes evidence-based spending decisions and maintains
high standards of programme delivery that are consistent with Her Majesty’s
Governments (HMG) best practice.
Preet Kaur Gill: [59851]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department's share of
the Official Development Assistance will be reduced in the event of a decrease in GNI.
Greg Hands:
The UK has a legal commitment to spend 0.7% of its Gross National Income (GNI)
each year on Official Development Assistance (ODA). Since this commitment is
linked to the size of the economy, the level of ODA spend is likely to decrease this
year. HM Treasury allocates ODA budgets to departments and is responsible for
decisions on changes to these.
Import Duties
Jonathan Gullis: [58827]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has
made of the effect on consumers of the proposals for a UK Global Tariff.
Greg Hands:
Liberalisation is typically beneficial for consumers. Consumers should benefit from
the removal of tariffs on certain products that we do not produce, or do not produce
much of in the UK. Removing these tariffs may lower cost pressures for UK
households and businesses. The UK Global Tariff might expand consumer choice,
driving competitive prices for households.
Tariffs are a tax, therefore the Government will publish a Tax Information and Impact
Note (TIIN) alongside the legislation, as is standard practice. More analysis will be
available in the TIIN when it is published.
Manufacturing Industries: Government Assistance
Lee Anderson: [60866]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether Government bailouts
during the covid-19 outbreak of foreign automotive and aerospace companies located in
the UK will be conditional upon those companies increasing their supply chain spending
to UK manufacturing companies.
Graham Stuart:
The Government has put in place unprecedented levels of support to help all
businesses get through this crisis. Separate to this package of support, but to ensure
the UK has resilient and diverse supply chains, the Department for International
Trade is leading work across Government (Project Defend) to look at our trading
relationships with a range of international partners. As part of this work, we have
consulted widely with stakeholders across the advanced manufacturing sectors. We
continue to champion free trade and the benefits that brings, across the economy,
and to the automotive and aerospace sectors in the UK.
Overseas Aid
Preet Kaur Gill: [59858]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department is signing
new funding agreements for projects from the Official Development Assistance budget.
Greg Hands:
The Government reviews the Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding it
allocates to projects on a regular basis in order to ensure delivery of its commitment
to spend 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) on ODA.
The Department for International Trade has no current plans to enter into new
funding agreements utilising the UK’s ODA.
Fleur Anderson: [59900]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when she last met the Secretary of
State for International Development to discuss Official Development Assistance
spending.
Greg Hands:
The Secretary of State for International Trade and the Secretary of State for
International Development meet at the Cabinet to discuss a broad range of issues.
Officials from the Department for International Trade (DIT) and the Department for
International Development (DFID) meet regularly to discuss Official Development
Assistance (ODA), and provide updates to Ministers.
Supermarkets: Brazil
Fleur Anderson: [59901]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of
the potential effect of Brazil’s proposed new legislation (PL 2633/2020) on the ability of
UK supermarkets to trade with Brazil.
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
I am aware of the proposed legislation to which the Hon. Lady has drawn attention. It
will not, in itself, affect the legal capacity of British companies to trade with Brazil, but
I am aware of concerns raised by a number of supermarkets over the environmental
implications.
HM Government is concerned about deforestation in the Amazon and is working
closely with Brazil to combat illegal deforestation. We have already committed £200m
through international climate finance programmes that are aimed at tackling this
issue.
Trade does not have to come at the expense of the environment. We are working
closely with international partners and British businesses to grow trade in legal,
sustainable products.
Trade Agreements: Dispute Resolution
Dan Jarvis: [59773]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of
the potential merits of ruling out investor-state dispute settlement provisions in future
trade agreements.
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
The precise details of any future Free Trade Agreement are a matter for formal
negotiations, and we would not seek to pre-empt these discussions.
HM Government recognises the important role that Investment protections with
Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) can play in protecting British investors
abroad, including pensioners across the country through their pension funds and
SMEs. Where ISDS is included in future agreements, we will seek to ensure fair
outcomes of claims and high ethical standards for arbitrators, with increased
transparency and efficiency of proceedings.
Trade Agreements: Food
Caroline Lucas: [59211]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to her letter to MPs
on food standards and future trade deals dated 5 June 2020, what assessment her
Department has made of its ability to exercise power over production methods and
standards overseas including on (a) environmental protection, (b) animal welfare and (c)
pesticides; and if she will make a statement.
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
The approach of HM Government to food standards in trade deals is clear. We
remain firmly committed to upholding our high environmental, food safety and animal
welfare standards. Having left the EU, we will decide how we set and maintain our
own laws, standards and regulations. We will remain global leaders in environmental
protection and animal welfare standards, maintaining the high-quality of our produce
for consumers at home and overseas.
The United Kingdom’s food standards, for both domestic production and imports, are
overseen by the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland. These
agencies provide independent advice to HM Government and the devolved
administration in Scotland respectively. They will continue to do so in order to ensure
that all food imports comply with the United Kingdom’s high standards.
Decisions on our standards are a matter for the United Kingdom and will be made
separately from any trade agreement. HM Government will stand firm in trade
negotiations to make sure that any future trade deals live up to the values of farmers
and consumers across the United Kingdom.
Trade Agreements: Staffordshire
Jonathan Gullis: [58825]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of
the potential effect of Free Trade Agreements in (a) levelling up communities and (b)
accelerating an industrial revival in (i) Stoke-on-Trent and (ii) Staffordshire.
Greg Hands:
Securing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) will be a key driver in levelling-up the UK.
The potential benefits of FTAs include better jobs, higher wages, more choice and
lower prices for UK consumers and businesses.
Our scoping assessments show that the West Midlands could benefit from future
FTAs with the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Stoke-on-Trent exported
£458m and imported £696m worth of goods globally in 2018. Similarly, Staffordshire
exported £4.6bn and imported £5.6bn worth of goods globally in 2018.
Trade Agreements: USA
Jamie Stone: [59572]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions she has had on
food safety and standards with her US counterpart during the UK-US trade negotiations.
Greg Hands:
As part of negotiations with the United States, the Secretary of State remains in
regular contact with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
From 5-15 May the UK and U.S. conducted the first round of negotiations for a Free
Trade Agreement. The second UK-US Free Trade Agreement negotiating round
began on 15 June and will take place over two weeks.
The UK is clear that it will not compromise on its high standards of food safety and
animal welfare. Our position was restated by the Secretary of State for International
Trade and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in a letter
to MPs on 6 June 2020.
Trade Remedies Authority: Public Appointments
Jonathan Edwards: [60736]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she is taking to ensure
that there are representatives of the devolved Administrations on the Trade Remedies
Authority.
Mr Ranil Jayawardena:
The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) Board will be crucial to safeguarding the TRA’s
impartiality and making sure that it acts in the interest of all parts of the United
Kingdom.
We are engaging with the devolved administrations, in line with HM Government’s
commitments during the passage of the Trade Bill in 2017-18, and recently sought
their proposals on recruiting TRA Board Members with knowledge of the United
Kingdom as a whole, a broad range of skills and diverse experience. However, it is
essential that members are appointed on merit, rather than due to their affiliations
with any particular part of the United Kingdom or special interest group.
Whisky: Scotland
David Mundell: [57100]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will make her policy to
maintain the protections granted in the 2018 Economic Partnership Agreement in relation
to Scotch Whisky exports to Japan.
Greg Hands:
The UK and Japanese governments started negotiating a UK-Japan Free Trade
Agreement on 9 June. The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) will be used as
the basis and may be enhanced in areas of mutual interest.
Regarding the protection of the Scotch Whisky Geographical Indication (GI) in Japan,
the UK’s published negotiating objectives for trade negotiations with Japan state that
“the UK will secure protections for UK GIs”. The UK Government recognises the high
value of GIs to both the communities that produce them and as illustrations of the
wide range of quality British products enjoyed around the world.
Regarding tariffs, UK exporters will continue to be able to export Whisky to Japan
duty free as Japan applies no tariffs to their Whisky imports regardless of which
country the imports come from.
JUSTICE
Administration of Justice: Equality
Sir Edward Davey: [60668]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking in response to the
publication of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's report entitled Inclusive
Justice, published on 22 April 2020, and if he will make a statement.
Chris Philp:
The government welcomes the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report,
Inclusive Justice, the interim findings of which were published on 22 April, and the full
report on 11 June 2020. The recommendations made in the report are being carefully
considered.
Courts: Opening Hours
Caroline Lucas: [59417]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many hearings proceeded in the family
Flexible Operating Hours pilot scheme.
Caroline Lucas: [59418]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many legal professionals with caring
responsibilities participated in the civil and family Flexible Operating Hours pilot scheme,
by (a) sex, (b) jurisdiction and (c) location.
Caroline Lucas: [59419]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many litigants in person with caring
responsibilities took part in the Flexible Operating Hours pilot scheme for civil and family
courts, broken down by sex, jurisdiction and location.
Chris Philp:
40 family cases were heard at the Manchester Civil Justice Centre during the Flexible
Operating Hours pilots.
HMCTS has appointed a consortium of IFF Research and Frontier Economics to
carry out an independent evaluation of the Flexible Operating Hours pilots at
Manchester Civil Justice Centre and the County Court at Brentford. The evaluation is
being conducted as set out in the evaluation plan, published July 2019:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flexible-operating-hours-evaluation-plan-
and-summary.
Data has been collected on the number of cases heard in Flexible Operating Hours
sessions rather than on numbers of participants. Legal professionals, including those
who participated in the pilots and those who opted out, were contacted to take part in
in-depth research interviews. Public user surveys distributed to all participants in FOH
sessions contained 19 optional questions related to equality and diversity, including
questions on caring responsibilities. Data was also collected on reasons for opting
out of FOH sessions by way of surveys that included the same equality and diversity
questions and by interviews. Analysis of data on legal professionals and litigants in
person with caring responsibilities who participated in the pilots in Brentford and
Manchester will be included in the independent evaluation report.
Domestic Violence: Legal Aid Scheme
Sir Edward Davey: [58605]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when the review into means testing of legal aid
for victims of domestic violence will conclude; and if he will make a statement.
Sir Edward Davey: [58607]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the
adequacy of the capital threshold for means testing legal aid for domestic violence
victims; and if he will make a statement.
Alex Chalk:
Victims of domestic abuse must have access to the help they need - including legal
aid, which is subject to a means and merits test. Our comprehensive review of the
legal aid means test commenced in February 2019. The review is considering how
the current arrangements adequately protect access to justice, and as part of this we
have explicitly committed to look at means testing for victims of domestic abuse,
including the existing capital thresholds.
Whilst the Government had previously committed to complete the review by Summer
2020, and to mark this with publication of a consultation paper, the impact of the
Covid-19 crisis has meant this work has been temporarily paused and a revised
timetable for delivery of the review will be announced shortly.
Sir Edward Davey: [58606]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many applications have been (a) granted
and (b) rejected for legal aid from victims of domestic violence in each of the last five
years.
Sir Edward Davey: [58608]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of legal aid applications made
by victims of domestic violence have been rejected as a result of capital threshold means
testing in each of the last five years.
Alex Chalk:
The information requested is not held centrally.
Lewes Prison: Standards
Caroline Lucas: [59414]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the report of the Independent
Monitoring Report published in June 2020, if he will provide the financial and other
resources required to improve the accommodation at HMP Lewes to a decent standard.
Lucy Frazer:
HMPPS and the Governor of HMP Lewes are committed to making improvements to
accommodation standards at the prison.
At HMP Lewes, around £188,000 has been allocated to the plastering of cells in the
healthcare wing and around £150,000 has been committed for shower
refurbishments on A and K wings levels two and three.
As was noted in the Independent Monitoring Board report improvements have
already been made to the decoration of cells, doors, railings and walls. This was
considered to be ‘a very considerable improvement’ by the Board.
In addition, trained prisoners now work on every residential unit to keep landings
decorated, and to repaint vacant cells or those cells highlighted as requiring
improvements.
To tackle cleanliness issues the use of cleaning products has been reviewed, and
additional items such as descaling agent, steam cleaners, pressure washers and wet-
vacs been ordered to for use in landings, cells, serveries and showers. Significant
efforts are being made across all residential units during 2019, including the
introduction of daily cleanliness checks by the Heads of Residence and decency
checks carried out by the whole Senior Leadership Team, with a focus on décor,
graffiti, cleanliness, equipment and facilities. Funds have been allocated for the deep
clean completed in December 2019 to be repeated annually.
Cleanliness remains a particularly key focus in responding to the Covid-19 outbreak,
but is limited due to social distancing requirements. Serveries and showers are
cleaned before and after use to minimise the spread of infection, and all door
handles, handrails, and commonly touched areas are cleaned throughout the day.
In regard to the Board’s comments on damage to cells or lack of prisoner equipment,
any issues are logged and reported to the facilities management provider and repairs
are tracked. These are reported to the Governor and senior managers on a daily
basis. This includes issues with a lack of furniture, and orders are placed regularly to
try to maintain sufficient stock levels to deal with damage or wear and tear to in-cell
furniture.
Prison Accommodation: Construction
Ms Lyn Brown: [57148]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the average cost
to the public purse per unit of the (a) construction or conversion, (b) delivery and
deployment on site and (c) maintenance of temporary accommodation cells in England
and Wales (i) monthly and (ii) over the expected timespan of cell usage; and what
estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of (A) security and support from
prison staff for that accommodation (1) monthly and (2) over the expected timespan of
cell usage and (B) other costs relating to those cells.
Lucy Frazer:
The Government acted quickly to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in prisons by
implementing restricted regimes to comply with national social distancing guidance
and limiting inter-prisons transfers. Prisons are also implementing a
‘compartmentalisation’ strategy to isolate the sick, shield the vulnerable and
quarantine new arrivals. Latest public health advice suggests these measures have
limited the spread of the virus and minimised the number of deaths.
HMPPS has deployed temporary accommodation units across some parts of the
prison estate to provide additional accommodation to support us in rolling out our
compartmentalisation measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. Temporary
accommodation is not being used to increase the operational capacity at each site.
The measures allow us to isolate prisoners with symptoms, shield the vulnerable and
to quarantine new arrivals.
There have been no direct construction or conversion costs for temporary
accommodation units. We have, however, hired and purchased units. The total spend
on hire and purchase costs (including delivery) at end May 2020 was £3.58m,
inclusive of VAT. The overall spend as of the end of May was £4.25m. It is not yet
possible to provide the average cost for the delivery and deployment on site, as the
installation of all the units is still underway. The total spend on installation costs at
end May 2020 was £675k, inclusive of VAT. Installation costs vary according to
location and the type of unit being installed.
To date, we have not incurred any maintenance costs for the temporary
accommodation cells we have purchased. There are no ongoing maintenance costs
involved in units that are hired, however, there are costs associated with restitution
and making good once each unit is returned at the end of the hire period.
At some establishments additional security measures, such as additional CCTV and
provision of staff offices, have been installed. Where appropriate this has been
funded centrally and is reflected in the installation total costs set out above. Some
establishments have made further additions which have been absorbed through local
budgets or within existing maintenance arrangements. Locally agreed staffing plans
are also in place to reflect the needs of each establishment to effectively manage the
use of the temporary units, which are funded from existing establishment budgets.
Other than installation costs, there are no centrally managed additional costs or
uplifts for the management or security of this accommodation, or recurring costs, as
the temporary cells have been deployed in the context of an emergency management
plan.
Whilst we continue with the current plan, there is no projection that costs will change.
Should prisons move to new regime arrangements, however, local changes will be
needed that could have impact on ongoing and recurring costs. We will nonetheless
always seek to gain the best possible value for the taxpayer.
Prisoners' Release: Coronavirus
Catherine West: [58754]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners in prisons and Young
Offender Institutions have been (a) released under End of Custody Temporary Release
Scheme and (b) granted temporary release under each of the three categories eligible for
Covid-19 Release on Temporary Licence on Compassionate Grounds.
Lucy Frazer:
On 31 March, we announced that pregnant women and prisoners with their babies in
custody will be considered for Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) on
compassionate grounds during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of Friday 12 June, 23
pregnant women and mothers with babies in custody have been released.
In addition, prisoners identified as ‘extremely vulnerable’ as defined in the NHS
guidelines will merit consideration for ROTL on compassionate grounds during the
COVID-19 pandemic. As of Friday 12 June,19 extremely vulnerable individuals have
been released.
On 4 April, we announced the End of Custody Temporary Release scheme. This
scheme enables risk-assessed prisoners, who are within two months of their release
date, to be temporarily released from custody, as part of the national approach to
managing public services during this challenging period. As of Friday 12 June, 113
offenders have been released from a prison or a young offenders institution under
this scheme
Alongside the careful release of low-risk offenders, we are also implementing our
compartmentalisation strategy to manage different cohorts of the prison population,
working to expedite remand cases and temporarily expanding the estate through the
installation of single occupancy units. This is to strike a balance between limiting the
spread of COVID-19 in prisons while ensuring the public is protected.
Prisoners' Release: Homelessness
Daisy Cooper: [58798]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of prisoners
were released without a fixed address from each prison in financial year 2016-17.
Lucy Frazer:
This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
The Government has now decided that because of public health and public protection
considerations, there is a need to provide accommodation for prison leavers during
the Covid-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Justice has secured appropriate funding for a
time-limited period to support the provision of accommodation for all individuals
released from prison during this period, who are at risk of homelessness. The
temporary accommodation scheme will run until 26th June at which point it will be
reviewed, taking account of the situation at that time. This is an exceptional measure
reflecting the current challenges. Additionally, we are also working in collaboration
with other government departments and interested parties to help to secure a range
of accommodation options for prisoners on their release.
Whilst our immediate concern is to support those individuals released from prison into
suitable accommodation, in the long-term we will analyse the lessons learned during
this period, to further develop how we can improve the accommodation offer for those
with a history of offending.
Prisons and Young Offender Institutions: Coronavirus
Catherine West: [58753]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) prisoners and (b) prison staff in
each of Prisons and Young Offender Institutions have (i) been tested, (ii) tested positive
and (iii) died of covid-19.
Lucy Frazer:
The Government has put robust measures in place to protect staff and offenders from
COVID-19 and introduce ‘compartmentalisation’, to isolate those prisoners with
symptoms, shield the vulnerable and quarantine new arrivals.
The Department of Health and Social Care is solely responsible for testing for
COVID-19 both in the community and in secure settings. As such, we do not hold
data on the total number of prisoners and staff who have been tested.
Overall, prisons are seeing a decline in the numbers of new cases. The data in the
table below shows the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases broken down by
establishment as of Friday 12 June 2020. These figures reflect the total number of
recorded positive cases of COVID-19 since the first confirmed cases in mid-March,
not the number of live cases. It includes individuals that have recovered.
The numbers reported will be affected by a number of variables, including the
availability of testing locally which can result in differences between sites and regions
and as self-reported (for staff) through HMPPS management lines for central
collation. As figures are as reported by prisons they may be subject to revision.
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Altcourse 24 15 39
Ashfield 0 0 0
Askham Grange 4 0 4
Aylesbury ~ 0 ~
Bedford 6 ~ ~
Belmarsh 12 7 19
Berwyn 33 40 73
Birmingham 22 ~ ~
Brinsford 22 5 27
Bristol ~ 0 ~
Brixton 0 ~ ~
Bronzefield 6 ~ ~
Buckley Hall ~ ~ 5
Bullingdon ~ 0 ~
Bure ~ 0 ~
Cardiff 24 22 46
Channings Wood 15 9 24
Chelmsford 10 ~ ~
Coldingley 5 ~ ~
Cookham Wood ~ ~ ~
Dartmoor ~ ~ 4
Deerbolt 8 ~ ~
Doncaster 12 8 20
Dovegate 8 ~ ~
Downview 4 0 4
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Drake Hall 25 41 66
Durham 46 4 50
East Sutton Park 0 0 0
Eastwood Park ~ 0 ~
Elmley 5 0 5
Erlestoke ~ ~ ~
Exeter 0 0 0
Featherstone ~ ~ 5
FelthamA ~ ~ ~
FelthamB 6 ~ ~
Ford ~ ~ ~
Forest Bank 4 5 9
Foston Hall ~ ~ ~
Frankland 12 ~ ~
Full Sutton 6 0 6
Garth 7 0 7
Gartree 25 9 34
Grendon 0 0 0
Guys Marsh 0 0 0
Hatfield ~ ~ 5
Haverigg ~ 6 ~
Hewell 37 9 46
High Down 14 ~ ~
Highpoint 12 ~ ~
Hindley 10 ~ ~
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Hollesley Bay ~ ~ ~
Holme House 23 17 40
Hull ~ 0 ~
Humber 41 10 51
Huntercombe ~ ~ 5
Isis 4 6 10
Isle of Wight ~ 0 ~
Kirkham 5 ~ ~
Kirklevington Grange ~ 0 ~
Lancaster Farms ~ 0 ~
Leeds 4 ~ ~
Leicester 6 5 11
Lewes ~ 0 ~
Leyhill 0 0 0
Lincoln ~ 4 ~
Lindholme 10 0 10
Littlehey 9 6 15
Liverpool 20 ~ ~
Long Lartin ~ ~ 5
Low Newton 0 ~ ~
Lowdham Grange ~ 0 ~
Maidstone ~ ~ ~
Manchester 19 20 39
Medway (Adult) 0 0 0
Moorland ~ ~ ~
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
New Hall ~ 5 ~
North Sea Camp ~ 0 ~
Northumberland 14 ~ ~
Norwich 6 0 6
Nottingham ~ 0 ~
Oakwood 25 19 44
Onley 16 7 23
ParcA ~ 0 ~
ParcB 4 7 11
Pentonville 15 4 19
Peterborough Female 0 0 0
Peterborough Male 16 ~ ~
Portland 0 0 0
Prescoed 4 ~ ~
Preston 43 16 59
Ranby 7 5 12
Risley 20 16 36
Rochester 0 0 0
Rye Hill 6 ~ ~
Send ~ 0 ~
Stafford 5 0 5
Stanford Hill 0 ~ ~
Stocken 4 ~ ~
Stoke Heath ~ 4 ~
Springhill 0 ~ ~
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Styal ~ 0 ~
Sudbury ~ ~ 4
Swaleside ~ 0 ~
Swansea 10 12 22
Swinfen Hall 5 6 11
Thameside 4 10 14
The Mount 9 5 14
The Verne ~ 0 ~
Thorn Cross ~ 0 ~
Usk 13 16 29
Wakefield ~ ~ 6
Wandsworth ~ 11 ~
Warren Hill 0 0 0
Wayland 0 0 0
Wealstun ~ 0 ~
Werrington 0 0 0
Wetherby ~ 0 ~
Whatton 0 ~ ~
Whitemoor 10 6 16
Winchester 23 ~ ~
Woodhill 23 0 23
Wormwood Scrubs 14 6 20
Wymott 14 15 29
Total estate wide 963 495 1458
The symbol ~ denotes suppressed values of 3 or fewer (and totals that would allow
values of 3 or fewer to be calculated) to avoid the risk of identifying individuals.
* Data is split between Feltham A and Feltham B to account for different age groups
**Data is split between Parc A and B to account for different age groups
***Data is split for male and female sites at Peterborough
The tables below show the number of prisoners and prison staff who have sadly died
having tested positive for COVID-19 or having shown symptoms. It is a matter for
coroners to determine a cause of death. The data in the tables is correct as of Friday
12 June 2020.
ESTABLISHMENT NUMBER OF PRISONER DEATHS
HMP/YOI Altcourse 2
HMP/YOI Bedford 1
HMP/YOI Belmarsh 1
HMP Berwyn 1
HMP Channings Wood 2
HMP Durham 1
HMP Gartree 1
HMP Leicester 1
HMP Littlehey 3
HMP/YOI Low Newton 1
HMP/YOI Manchester 1
HMP/YOI New Hall 1
HMP Oakwood 1
HMP/YOI Peterborough 1
HMP Rye Hill 1
HMP/YOI Sudbury 1
HMP Usk 1
HMP Whatton 1
HMP Winchester 1
Total 23
ESTABLISHMENT NUMBER OF PRISON STAFF DEATHS
HMP Dovegate 1
HMP/YOI Hollesley Bay 1
HMP/YOI Manchester 1
HMP/YOI Pentonville 2
HMP Thameside 1
HMP Usk 1
HMP/YOI Wymott 2
Total 9
Prisons and Youth Custody: Coronavirus
Liz Saville Roberts: [58036]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the number of covid-19 related deaths was
for (a) inmates and (b) staff in each (i) prison, (ii) youth offending institution, (iii) secure
training centre and (iv) other secure units in (A) Wales and (B) England as at 15 June
2020; and if she will publish a weekly update of those figures.
Lucy Frazer:
The Government has put robust measures in place to protect staff and offenders from
COVID-19 and introduce ‘compartmentalisation’, to isolate those prisoners with
symptoms, shield the vulnerable and quarantine new arrivals.
The tables below show the number of prisoners and prison staff who have sadly died
having tested positive for COVID-19 or having shown symptoms. It is a matter for
coroners to determine a cause of death. The data in the tables is correct as of Friday
12 June 2020.
ESTABLISHMENT NUMBER OF PRISONER DEATHS
HMP/YOI Altcourse 2
HMP/YOI Bedford 1
HMP/YOI Belmarsh 1
HMP Berwyn 1
HMP Channings Wood 2
HMP Durham 1
ESTABLISHMENT NUMBER OF PRISONER DEATHS
HMP Gartree 1
HMP Leicester 1
HMP Littlehey 3
HMP/YOI Low Newton 1
HMP/YOI Manchester 1
HMP/YOI New Hall 1
HMP Oakwood 1
HMP/YOI Peterborough 1
HMP Rye Hill 1
HMP/YOI Sudbury 1
HMP Usk 1
HMP Whatton 1
HMP Winchester 1
Total 23
ESTABLISHMENT NUMBER OF PRISON STAFF DEATHS
HMP Dovegate 1
HMP/YOI Hollesley Bay 1
HMP/YOI Manchester 1
HMP/YOI Pentonville 2
HMP Thameside 1
HMP Usk 1
HMP/YOI Wymott 2
Total 9
Sadly, a member of NHS healthcare staff who worked at Rainsbrook Secure Training
Centre has also died having tested positive for COVID-19.
We currently publish deaths in custody, within our quarterly Safety in Custody
statistics bulletin. The next Safety in Custody statistics bulletin is planned for
publication on the 30 th July and will include a breakdown of COVID-19 related
deaths.
Prisons: Coronavirus
Mr David Lammy: [51547]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many covid-19 (a) infections and (b)
deaths have taken place in each prison in England and Wales.
Mr David Lammy: [51550]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many tests for covid-19 his Department
has supplied to (a) prisoners and (b) prison officers who have presented as being
asymptomatic.
Lucy Frazer:
The Government has put robust measures in place to protect staff and offenders from
COVID-19 and introduce ‘compartmentalisation’, to isolate those prisoners with
symptoms, shield the vulnerable and quarantine new arrivals.
Overall, prisons are seeing a decline in the numbers of new cases. The data in the
table below shows the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases broken down by prison
as of Friday 12 June 2020. These figures reflect the total number of recorded positive
cases of COVID-19 since the first confirmed cases in mid-March, not the number of
live cases. It includes individuals that have recovered.
The numbers reported will be affected by a number of variables, including the
availability of testing locally which can result in differences between sites and regions
and as self-reported (for staff) through HMPPS management lines for central
collation. As figures are as reported by prisons they may be subject to revision.
To date the Ministry of Justice has not collected data on asymptomatic prisoners and
staff as it is not the government policy to test asymptomatic cases.
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Altcourse 24 15 39
Ashfield 0 0 0
Askham Grange 4 0 4
Aylesbury ~ 0 ~
Bedford 6 ~ ~
Belmarsh 12 7 19
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Berwyn 33 40 73
Birmingham 22 ~ ~
Brinsford 22 5 27
Bristol ~ 0 ~
Brixton 0 ~ ~
Bronzefield 6 ~ ~
Buckley Hall ~ ~ 5
Bullingdon ~ 0 ~
Bure ~ 0 ~
Cardiff 24 22 46
Channings Wood 15 9 24
Chelmsford 10 ~ ~
Coldingley 5 ~ ~
Cookham Wood ~ ~ ~
Dartmoor ~ ~ 4
Deerbolt 8 ~ ~
Doncaster 12 8 20
Dovegate 8 ~ ~
Downview 4 0 4
Drake Hall 25 41 66
Durham 46 4 50
East Sutton Park 0 0 0
Eastwood Park ~ 0 ~
Elmley 5 0 5
Erlestoke ~ ~ ~
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Exeter 0 0 0
Featherstone ~ ~ 5
FelthamA ~ ~ ~
FelthamB 6 ~ ~
Ford ~ ~ ~
Forest Bank 4 5 9
Foston Hall ~ ~ ~
Frankland 12 ~ ~
Full Sutton 6 0 6
Garth 7 0 7
Gartree 25 9 34
Grendon 0 0 0
Guys Marsh 0 0 0
Hatfield ~ ~ 5
Haverigg ~ 6 ~
Hewell 37 9 46
High Down 14 ~ ~
Highpoint 12 ~ ~
Hindley 10 ~ ~
Hollesley Bay ~ ~ ~
Holme House 23 17 40
Hull ~ 0 ~
Humber 41 10 51
Huntercombe ~ ~ 5
Isis 4 6 10
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Isle of Wight ~ 0 ~
Kirkham 5 ~ ~
Kirklevington Grange ~ 0 ~
Lancaster Farms ~ 0 ~
Leeds 4 ~ ~
Leicester 6 5 11
Lewes ~ 0 ~
Leyhill 0 0 0
Lincoln ~ 4 ~
Lindholme 10 0 10
Littlehey 9 6 15
Liverpool 20 ~ ~
Long Lartin ~ ~ 5
Low Newton 0 ~ ~
Lowdham Grange ~ 0 ~
Maidstone ~ ~ ~
Manchester 19 20 39
Medway (Adult) 0 0 0
Moorland ~ ~ ~
New Hall ~ 5 ~
North Sea Camp ~ 0 ~
Northumberland 14 ~ ~
Norwich 6 0 6
Nottingham ~ 0 ~
Oakwood 25 19 44
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
Onley 16 7 23
ParcA ~ 0 ~
ParcB 4 7 11
Pentonville 15 4 19
Peterborough Female 0 0 0
Peterborough Male 16 ~ ~
Portland 0 0 0
Prescoed 4 ~ ~
Preston 43 16 59
Ranby 7 5 12
Risley 20 16 36
Rochester 0 0 0
Rye Hill 6 ~ ~
Send ~ 0 ~
Stafford 5 0 5
Stanford Hill 0 ~ ~
Stocken 4 ~ ~
Stoke Heath ~ 4 ~
Springhill 0 ~ ~
Styal ~ 0 ~
Sudbury ~ ~ 4
Swaleside ~ 0 ~
Swansea 10 12 22
Swinfen Hall 5 6 11
Thameside 4 10 14
ESTABLISHMENT STAFF CASES PRISONER CASES
TOTAL NUMBER OF
CASES BY
ESTABLISHMENT
The Mount 9 5 14
The Verne ~ 0 ~
Thorn Cross ~ 0 ~
Usk 13 16 29
Wakefield ~ ~ 6
Wandsworth ~ 11 ~
Warren Hill 0 0 0
Wayland 0 0 0
Wealstun ~ 0 ~
Werrington 0 0 0
Wetherby ~ 0 ~
Whatton 0 ~ ~
Whitemoor 10 6 16
Winchester 23 ~ ~
Woodhill 23 0 23
Wormwood Scrubs 14 6 20
Wymott 14 15 29
Total estate wide 963 495 1458
The symbol ~ denotes suppressed values of 3 or fewer (and totals that would allow
values of 3 or fewer to be calculated) to avoid the risk of identifying individuals.
* Data is split between Feltham A and Feltham B to account for different age groups
**Data is split between Parc A and B to account for different age groups
***Data is split for male and female sites at Peterborough
The tables below show the number of prisoners and prison staff who have sadly died
having tested positive for COVID-19 or having shown symptoms. It is a matter for
coroners to determine a cause of death. The data in the tables is correct as of Friday
12 June 2020.
ESTABLISHMENT NUMBER OF PRISONER DEATHS
HMP/YOI Altcourse 2
HMP/YOI Bedford 1
HMP/YOI Belmarsh 1
HMP Berwyn 1
HMP Channings Wood 2
HMP Durham 1
HMP Gartree 1
HMP Leicester 1
HMP Littlehey 3
HMP/YOI Low Newton 1
HMP/YOI Manchester 1
HMP/YOI New Hall 1
HMP Oakwood 1
HMP/YOI Peterborough 1
HMP Rye Hill 1
HMP/YOI Sudbury 1
HMP Usk 1
HMP Whatton 1
HMP Winchester 1
Total 23
ESTABLISHMENT NUMBER OF PRISON STAFF DEATHS
HMP Dovegate 1
HMP/YOI Hollesley Bay 1
HMP/YOI Manchester 1
HMP/YOI Pentonville 2
HMP Thameside 1
ESTABLISHMENT NUMBER OF PRISON STAFF DEATHS
HMP Usk 1
HMP/YOI Wymott 2
Total 9
LEADER OF THE HOUSE
Electronic Government: Petitions
Patrick Grady: [59815]
To ask the Leader of the House, whether he has made an assessment of the potential
merits of bringing forward proposals to enable the Petitions Committee to schedule
debates based on petitions created on websites other than the UK Parliament e-petition
website.
Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg:
The Government acknowledges the important role that petitions and debates on
petitions play in allowing people to scrutinise the government on their own terms. The
e-petitions website is jointly owned by Parliament and Government but is overseen by
the House of Commons Petitions Committee. It is for the Petitions Committee to bring
forward petitions for debate under Standing Order No. 10 (1)(a) and Standing Order
No. 145A.
House of Commons: Coronavirus
Andy McDonald: [60769]
To ask the Leader of the House, what steps (a) the Government and (b) House
Authorities plan to take to mitigate the higher risk to BAME (a) staff and (b) hon. Members
of contracting covid-19.
Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg:
The Government is clear that the House Authorities must continue to ensure that the
Estate is safe and that we must all continue to work in line with public health advice.
The House Authorities have been undertaking risk assessments of various work
spaces and are in direct contact with Public Health England (PHE) on any specific
concerns. PHE also published its review at the beginning of June to help us
understand how Covid-19 may affect different ethnic groups. The Equalities Minister
is taking forward further work following the PHE Review so that we can better
understand the disparities. The Government continues to advise members of the
parliamentary community, such as Members’ staff and most House staff, to continue
to work from home where they can. I would like to commend the House Authorities
for their work in ensuring that the Parliamentary Estate is a Covid-19 secure
workplace, and I have every confidence in their efforts to make sure House staff at
increased risk of contracting coronavirus are suitably protected.
Overseas Aid: Parliamentary Scrutiny
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [59861]
To ask the Leader of the House, if he will bring forward amendments to Standing Orders
to create a Development Aid Oversight Committee similar to the Environmental Audit
Committee to ensure Parliamentary oversight of UK aid spending.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [59864]
To ask the Leader of the House, whether he has received instructions from Cabinet
Colleagues to bring forward amendments to Standing Orders to create a Development
Aid Oversight Committee similar to the Environmental Audit Committee to ensure
Parliamentary oversight of UK aid spending.
Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg:
The Government’s view is that select committees in the House of Commons should
generally mirror Government departments, though this is ultimately a matter for the
House. Precise changes will be announced in due course.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Marriage and Civil partnerships: Northern Ireland
Stephen Farry: [59265]
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has to bring forward
regulations under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019 to enable (a)
religious marriage for same-sex couples and (b) conversion of Northern Ireland civil
partnerships to marriages.
Mr Robin Walker:
On 13 January 2020, the Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership
(Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 came into force in
Northern Ireland, extending eligibility to same-sex couples to form civil marriages and
allowing opposite-sex couples to enter into a civil partnership.
We are committed to delivering on two remaining areas - same-sex religious
marriage and conversion entitlements. A consultation on these two issues closed on
23 February 2020, and we are considering all of the submissions received before
bringing forward the necessary legislation as soon as possible before the end of
2020.
Marriage: Northern Ireland
Colum Eastwood: [59919]
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had
with Northern Ireland’s First and Deputy First Minister on plans to legislate for same-sex
religious marriage.
Mr Robin Walker:
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has not had any recent discussions with
the First and deputy First Minister specifically on plans to legislate for same-sex
religious marriage.
The Northern Ireland Executive is aware of the duty that the Government is under in
section 8 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019, which led to
the making of The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex
Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019. These Regulations came into force on
13 January and legalised same-sex civil marriage and opposite-sex civil partnerships
in Northern Ireland.
We have been clear that there were two remaining areas we are committed to
delivering on - same-sex religious marriage and conversion entitlements - following
publicly consulting on these two issues earlier this year. We will continue to work
closely with the Northern Ireland Civil Service, following confirmation from the
Minister for Finance, Conor Murphy MLA, that the working relationship with his
officials should continue. We intend to make regulations on same-sex religious
marriage as soon as possible before the end of 2020 to provide similar rights and
protections to the law in other parts of the UK.
Terrorism: Northern Ireland
John Spellar: [59685]
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the costs of Operation Kenova
have been to date.
Mr Robin Walker:
Operation Kenova is the independent investigation into a range of activities
surrounding an alleged agent codenamed Stakeknife, led by former chief constable
Jon Boutcher. Since it was established in 2016, Operation Kenova has taken on three
further investigations at the request of the Chief Constable of the Police Service of
Northern Ireland.
As this is an independent investigation, funding is the responsibility of the Police
Service of Northern Ireland.
PRIME MINISTER
Official Meetings: Prime Minister
Steve Reed: [60766]
To ask the Prime Minister, how many times and on what dates he has met with Richard
Desmond since he became Prime Minister.
Boris Johnson:
Details of Ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on gov.uk.
Overseas Aid: Select Committees
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [59865]
To ask the Prime Minister, whether he has provided instructions to the Leader of the
House to amend the Standing Orders to create a Development Aid Oversight Committee
similar to the Environmental Audit Committee to ensure Parliamentary oversight of UK aid
spending.
Boris Johnson:
I refer the hon Member to the answer my Rt Hon Friend the Foreign Secretary gave
to the hon Member for North East Fife on 18 June, Official Report, Col 947.
TRANSPORT
Airlines: Coronavirus
Sarah Owen: [59892]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 15 June 2020 to
Question 57393, on Airlines: Coronavirus, whether an airline company has reached the
point of all avenues being exhausted (a) before or (b) after proposing a high volume of
redundancies.
Kelly Tolhurst:
The Department for Transport is in regular contact with airlines, airports and unions to
understand the impact that COVID-19 is having on the sector and its workers.
We expect companies to pursue all possible actions to preserve cash and maximise
liquidity, including engaging with shareholders, lenders and the markets, and utilising
all available assets and facilities. However, we do not comment on discussions held
with individual companies, as this information is commercially sensitive.
Aviation: Coronavirus
Caroline Lucas: [59209]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the (a) names of the
representatives on and (b) terms of reference for the aviation restart and recovery expert
group.
Caroline Lucas: [59210]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what responsibilities does the aviation restart
and recovery expert group have in relation to ensuring that the future of UK aviation is
aligned with (a) carbon budgets and the Climate Change Act 2008 and (b) the 1.5 degree
temperature goal of the Paris Climate Agreement; and if he will make a statement.
Kelly Tolhurst:
The aviation sector is important to the UK economy and the government recognises
the challenging times facing the sector as a result of COVID-19. The Expert Steering
Group (ESG) was set up to bring together all the interested parties from across
government and industry to co-produce solutions where possible.
Membership of the ESG compromises of a range of industry experts and relevant
Government departments. Working closely with trade bodies such as Airport
Operators Association and Airlines UK, DfT agreed the following membership
comprising of representatives from across the sector along with relevant Government
departments:
SECTOR
ORGANISATIO
N
Airlines BA/ IAG
EasyJet
Jet2
Loganair
TUI
Airports AGS
(Aberdeen,
Glasgow &
Southampton)
CWL (Cardiff)
City of Derry Airport
Gatwick
Heathrow
MAG (Manchester, Stansted & East Midlands)
RCA (Bournemouth, Exeter, Norwich)
Ground Handlers Swissport
Regulator CAA
SECTOR
ORGANISATIO
N
Airlines BA/ IAG
Air Traffic
Management
NATS
ACL
Industry/Trade
Associations
ADS group
Association of International Courier and Express Services
Airlines UK
Airport Operators Association
Board of Airline Representatives in the UK
British Business General Aviation Association
Association of British Travel Agents
International Air Transport Association
Unions TUC / Unite
Other
Government
Departments
Border Force
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Welsh Government - Department for Energy, Planning and
Rural Affairs
Department for Health and Social Care
HM Inspector of Health & Safety
Department for International Trade
Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland)
Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland)
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
HM Treasury
Public Health England
SECTOR
ORGANISATIO
N
Airlines BA/ IAG
Transport Scotland
Terms of Reference
The initial focus of the group is to act as a representative advisory group on restarting
the aviation industry. To this end, the group has worked to produce health guidance
for the sector, which was published on 11 June. The group will also identify the key
operational requirements for restart, when and how restart will happen, and how to
build and maintain consumer confidence.
The second phase of the group’s work will focus on recovery of the aviation sector.
This work will include a coherent plan to support the sector’s recovery. Achievement
of Government climate change objectives will be a key part of this recovery work.
Membership of the ESG will be reviewed to reflect this second phase of work.
Sarah Champion: [60764]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with
representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority on enforcement action to ensure that
airlines comply with their obligations to passengers when issuing refunds for cancelled
flights.
Kelly Tolhurst:
My department works closely with the Civil Aviation Authority and it has regular
discussions with them about the range of issues that have arisen from the COVID-19
crisis – including issues relating to enforcement action in respect of refund payments.
We recognise the need to take a balanced and proportionate approach to
enforcement during this crisis, recognising the challenges businesses are facing, but
have been clear that where the consumer asks for a cash refund then this must be
paid. We have also been clear of the need to review this situation.
Bus Services: Concessions
Sarah Olney: [59244]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his letter to the Mayor on
London of 3 June 2020 on ending of free travel for under 18 year olds in London, if he will
place in the Library a copy of the academic research referred to in concluding that young
people using the free travel concession made up half of all bus users during the morning
rush hour, many of them for extremely short journeys which would not have been made
had they not been free.
Rachel Maclean:
The Government set a number of conditions alongside the funding provided to
Transport for London to reduce demand on public transport so that those who need
to use services can do so safely. The temporary suspension of free travel for under
18s in London is one of those measures. The academic research to which the
Secretary of State referred in his letter of 3 June 2020 is a study called ‘On the
buses: a mixed-method evaluation of the impact of free bus travel for young people
on the public health’ (full reference below). This makes clear that before the crisis,
young people using the free travel concession made up half of all bus users during
the morning rush hour, many of them for extremely short journeys which would not
have been made had they not been free.
Research reference
Green J, Steinbach R, Jones A, et al.
Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2014 Feb
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK263964/
Driving Instruction: Coronavirus
Robert Halfon: [59739]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance he has issued on when
driving instructors can return to work as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.
Rachel Maclean:
As the health and safety of staff and customers is key, the Driver and Vehicle
Standards Agency (DVSA) is working closely with the Department for Transport to
prepare for a safe return to testing. It will announce details of resumption in due
course.
In the meantime, approved driving instructors (ADI) should continue to limit driving
lessons to critical workers who are preparing for an emergency driving test.
The DVSA’s priority remains to protect the public and save lives. Driving lessons and
tests have not yet been able to restart because the risk of transmission of the virus in
vehicles is higher.
On 15 June 2020, the DVSA’s Chief Executive wrote to all ADIs updating them on the
planning it is doing to help return to life that is as close to normal as possible, as
quickly and fairly as possible, in a way that avoids a second peak of infections. That
letter can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-letter
Driving Tests: Coronavirus
Dame Cheryl Gillan: [59656]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he plans to resume driving tests at all
venues that were in use prior to the covid-19 lockdown.
Rachel Maclean:
As the health and safety of staff and customers is key, the Driver and Vehicle
Standards Agency (DVSA) is working closely with the Department for Transport to
prepare for a safe return to testing. It will announce details of resumption of testing in
due course.
Driving: Licensing
Gerald Jones: [59837]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason there are delays in the
reissuing of driving licences by the DVLA to (a) people aged over 70 and (b) in cases
where licences have been suspended for health reasons which are preventing those
people from driving.
Rachel Maclean:
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) online services, including
renewals for drivers over 70 are available and have continued to operate as normal
throughout the pandemic.
DVLA is currently working with reduced staff on its site in Swansea to meet social
distancing requirements. Paper applications are therefore taking longer to process as
they must be dealt with in person.
As healthcare professionals are rightly focused on their response to the COVID-19
pandemic, the DVLA is experiencing delays where information is needed from
medical professionals in order to make a licensing decision where a driver has
declared a medical condition.
Government Car Service
Sir Edward Davey: [59185]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Government Car Service
departmental pool cars are allocated to each Department; and what the fuel type is of
each car.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
The table below lists the number of Departmental Pool Cars allocated to each
Government Department including fuel type:
DEPARTMENT NUMBER OF CARS FUEL TYPE
Cabinet Office 3 Battery Electric
Cabinet Office 3 Diesel
Cabinet Office 1 Petrol
BEIS 2 Petrol Hybrid
BEIS 1 Battery Electric
DEPARTMENT NUMBER OF CARS FUEL TYPE
BEIS 1 Petrol
MHCLG 4 Petrol Hybrid
DCMS 1 Battery Electric
DCMS 2 Petrol Hybrid
DCMS 1 Petrol
DEFRA 1 Petrol Hybrid
DEFRA 1 Petrol
DFE 1 Battery Electric
DFE 1 Petrol
DFID 1 Battery Electric
DFID 1 Petrol Hybrid
DfT 3 Petrol Hybrid
DfT 1 Battery Electric
DHSC 2 Petrol Hybrid
DHSC 1 Petrol
DHSC 1 Battery Electric
HMT 1 Battery Electric
HMT 1 Petrol
Home Office 4 Petrol Hybrid
AGO 1 Battery Electric
AGO 1 Petrol Hybrid
DIT 1 Battery Electric
DIT 1 Petrol
DWP 2 Diesel
With the support of DfT, the Government Car Service (GCS) is replacing its fleet with
Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) as vehicles become due for replacement.
Currently 48% of the GCS fleet is now either battery electric, petrol/electric hybrid or
hydrogen, and we are actively looking at options to accelerate this transition.
Official Cars
Sir Edward Davey: [55716]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) make and (b) fuel type is of cars
allocated to each Minister.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
In 2012, the Government Car Service introduced the Departmental Pool Car Service
where cars and drivers are allocated to Government Departments as a shared
resource. This service is managed by each individual Department to provide better
utilisation; cars are no longer allocated to individual ministers.
Public Transport: Exhaust Emissions
Kerry McCarthy: [60705]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the number of
jobs that could be created in (a) research and development, (b) manufacturing and (c)
other sectors as a result of Government investment in low emission forms of public
transport.
Rachel Maclean:
The Department has not made an estimate of the number of jobs in research and
development, manufacturing and other sectors that could be created across all forms
of low emission public transport as a result of Government investment. However, we
recognize that transport has a key role to play in the economy reaching net zero
greenhouse gas emissions and we are developing an ambitious plan to accelerate
the de-carbonisation of transport.
In February, the Government announced plans for investment in 4,000 zero emission
buses, as part of a £5 billion funding package for buses and cycling. This investment
supports the Government's decarbonisation plans and the bus sector and will help to
stimulate a green economic recovery from COVID-19. There are a number of UK-
based bus manufacturing companies well-placed to benefit from this investment. The
recent £48m Ultra Low Emission Bus competition allocated 88% of funding to UK
companies.
The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) has also designed and funded a series
of R&D competitions with Innovate UK, focusing on demonstrating low and zero
emission road transport technology, strengthening UK industrial and supply chain
capability. These projects include public transport applications. For example, OLEV
has funded a project to develop a new, highly efficient, zero emission bus with lower
total cost of ownership and maximisation of passenger numbers.
For rail transport, the use of electrification and new technologies to decarbonise the
railway will create long-term employment opportunities, and previous electrification
projects have supported hundreds of UK jobs.
Public Transport: Staff
Kerry McCarthy: [60706]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of
the number of people employed by (a) public rail, (b) tram, (c) bus and (d) ferry operators.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
Based the ONS’s Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES), in 2018, there
were 52 thousand people employed in interurban rail passenger transport. There
were 19 thousand people employed in urban and suburban rail passenger transport
(including underground and metro). There were 113 thousand people employed in
other urban, suburban or metropolitan passenger transport (excluding taxi operators).
There were 7 thousand people employed in sea and coastal water transport.
Railways: Coronavirus
Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: [59868]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support the Government has provided
to rail component manufacturing companies affected by a reduction in orders as a result
of the covid-19 outbreak.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
My Department is engaging closely with the rail supply industry in order to
understand its issues and ensure that it remains robust and able to support the
continued provision of essential rail services during these challenging times.
The Chancellor has announced unprecedented support for business, including
manufacturing companies in the rail supply chain, to protect them against the current
economic emergency. These measures include the Coronavirus Job Retention
Scheme, deferral of VAT payments and £30 billion of government-backed and
guaranteed business loans.
In addition, last week the Cabinet Office published new procurement guidance
(Procurement Policy Note 04/20) on the Recovery and Transition from Covid. This
note builds on recommended measures for supplier relief to ensure service continuity
during and after the current COVID-19 outbreak.
Ms Karen Buck: [60669]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has required train
operators with franchise agreements with his Department to provide (a) weekly and (b)
periodic management accounts showing financial performance in light of the additional
resources provided to train operators by the Government in response to the covid-19
outbreak.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
The Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs) continue existing Franchise
Agreement obligations to require train operators to provide periodic management
accounts to the Department. An equivalent obligation also applies to the two
operators that are in direct public ownership. The management accounts include a
periodic profit and loss account, balance sheet and cash flow statement.
The EMAs have also introduced a formal process of periodic budget reviews to
enable additional financial scrutiny of operators.
Ms Karen Buck: [60677]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on
train companies that received additional Government funding during 2020-21 paying
dividends to shareholders.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
The Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs) place a number of new restrictions
on operator’s financial transactions in recognition of the risk that the government
bears while they are in place. This includes restrictions on the payment of dividends
to shareholders during the EMA term.
Railways: Franchises
Ms Karen Buck: [60670]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to undertake a review of
the future financial (a) position and (b) structure of each train operating company that
holds a franchise agreement with his Department.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
The Department is reviewing its approach to the contractual arrangements following
the period in which the Emergency Measures Agreements apply. Work is underway
to determine the most effective approach once this period ends. This work will take
account of the impact of COVID-19 on demand for passenger rail travel in both the
short and long term, and the associated economic and financial impacts on the
railway.
The Department continues to monitor the financial position of all train operators to
ensure to continuity of passenger services.
Ms Karen Buck: [60674]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether each train company with a franchise
agreement has been asked by his Department to provide information on its (a) balance
sheet and (b) financing structure and policy.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
The Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs) continue existing Franchise
Agreement obligations to require train operators to provide periodic management
accounts to the Department. An equivalent obligation also applies to the two
operators that are in direct public ownership. The management accounts include a
periodic profit and loss account, balance sheet and cash flow statement.
Railways: Manufacturing Industries
Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: [59869]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to support rail component
manufacturing companies in transitioning to manufacturing components for newer train
fleets.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
While the supply of components to build new trains is ultimately a matter for the
manufacturers, government encourages manufacturers to use the UK supply chain
where possible. Through our engagement process we stress to the rail industry that it
should take every opportunity to make use of local components wherever practical,
and support businesses across the country. Indeed, Covid-19 has highlighted the
value of resilient local supply chains and that it is whole-life value rather than lowest
upfront cost that matters.
TREASURY
Airports: Coronavirus
Seema Malhotra: [59775]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support he is providing to airports in
England and Wales in response to the economic effects of the covid-19 pandemic.
Kemi Badenoch:
The Government recognises the challenging times facing the aviation sector as a
result of COVID-19 and firms experiencing difficulties as a result of COVID-19 can
draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor,
including schemes to raise capital, flexibilities with tax bills, and financial support for
employees.
As the Chancellor set out in his letter to the aviation sector, should individual firms
still find themselves in difficulty after exhausting all other options, the Government is
willing to enter discussions with them as a last resort. Any intervention would need to
represent value for money for taxpayers.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Daniel Zeichner: [59498]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people placed on the Coronavirus
Job Retention Scheme have subsequently been made redundant.
Jesse Norman:
Employers are not required to inform HMRC of redundancies.
CJRS is a new scheme and HMRC are currently working through the analysis they
will be able to provide based on the data available.
Afzal Khan: [59596]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential
merits of operating local furlough schemes due to the regional differences in the R rate of
infection of covid-19.
Jesse Norman:
The CJRS scheme has been extended to the end of October. After eight months, it
will then close. As the economy re-opens, support will be adjusted in a way that
ensures people can get back to work, protecting both the UK economy and the
livelihoods of the British people. The aim of the CJRS is to protect jobs that may have
been made redundant and to gradually enable firms to bring staff back to work as
non-pharmaceutical interventions begin to be lifted, in order to help restart the
economy.
Chi Onwurah: [59768]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what protections are in place to ensure that all
furloughed workers are guaranteed to receive the equivalent of the national minimum
wage.
Jesse Norman:
Individuals are only entitled to the National Living Wage, National Minimum Wage or
Apprentice Minimum Wage for the hours they are working or treated as working
under minimum wage rules. Hours spent on furlough are, by definition, not hours
spent working.
It should be noted that time spent training while furloughed is treated as working time
for the purposes of the minimum wage calculations and must be paid at the
appropriate minimum wage rate.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Islam
Gareth Thomas: [59338]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the
accessibility the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for businesses that are unable to
access that scheme as a result of Sharia law restrictions on taking interest bearing loans.
Jesse Norman:
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme provides grants. These do not accrue
interest.
Corporation Tax: Coronavirus
Owen Thompson: [59835]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to suspend interest
on outstanding corporation tax bills for those who have had to defer payment due to the
covid-19 outbreak.
Jesse Norman:
The Government has announced an unprecedented package of support for
businesses and individuals during the Covid-19 outbreak.
This includes the deferral of certain VAT and Self-Assessment payments in 2020-21,
and the waiving of associated interest and penalties.
HMRC have scaled up their Time to Pay (TTP) service, where individual and
business taxpayers can agree tailored plans to defer certain tax payments due and
repay them over an agreed period of time. These arrangements can include any tax
or duty administered by HMRC, including Corporation Tax (CT). Interest will continue
to accrue on TTP arrangements including those for CT, in the usual way, to cover the
costs to Government of late payment.
Incorporated businesses may have access to a wide range of Government support to
help with finances and cashflow, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme,
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and the Small Business Grant
Scheme.
Duty Free Allowances: Northern Ireland
Colum Eastwood: [59920]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of
the ability of Northern Ireland's airports to offer duty free sales after the transition period.
Jesse Norman:
The Government continues to work through the implications of the Northern Ireland
Protocol, and the unique situation in Northern Ireland that it creates for VAT and
excise.
The Government is committed to providing guidance on how the NI Protocol will
work, including for duty-free goods, ahead of the end of the transition period.
Food: Wholesale Trade
Julian Sturdy: [59442]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend the application of business rates
relief to food and drink wholesalers who supply hospitals, schools, care homes and the
hospitality industry.
Jesse Norman:
The Government has provided enhanced support through business rates relief to
businesses occupying properties used for retail, hospitality and leisure given the
direct and acute impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on those sectors.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published
guidance for local authorities on eligible properties. As set out in the guidance,
support is targeted at premises that are wholly or mainly being used as shops,
restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues; for
assembly and leisure; or as hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering
accommodation. It is for local authorities to determine eligibility for reliefs, having
regard to guidance issued by the Government.
A range of further measures to support all businesses, including those not eligible for
the business rates holiday, such as wholesalers, has also been made available.
Dr Julian Lewis: [59660]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason his Department has not
allocated financial support to food and drink wholesalers; whether food and drink
wholesalers are classified as part of the same supply chain as the supermarkets which
they supply; and if he will make it his policy to extend (a) business rates relief and (b) the
Hospitality, Retail and Leisure Grant, to the food and drink wholesale sector.
Jesse Norman:
The Government has provided enhanced support through business rates relief and
business grants to businesses occupying properties used for retail, hospitality and
leisure given the direct and acute impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on those
sectors.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published
guidance for Local Authorities (LAs) in England on eligible properties for the business
rates relief. It is for LAs to determine eligibility for reliefs, having regard to guidance
issued by the Government.
LAs can choose to make discretionary grants to businesses in wider supply chains,
like the wholesale food and drink sector, if the LA considers there is a particular local
economic need.
Businesses that are not eligible for business rates relief or business grants can still
benefit from the wider business and employment support package the Government
has made available.
Hospitality Industry: Social Distancing
Andrew Gwynne: [60712]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential
merits of providing additional fiscal support for (a) small cafes, (b) restaurants, (c) bars
and (d) hospitality businesses unable to re-open as covid-19 restrictions are eased while
the two metre social distancing rules continue to apply.
Kemi Badenoch:
The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to
protect them against the current economic emergency including almost £300 billion of
guarantees – equivalent to 15% of UK GDP. Businesses in the hospitality sector
continue to have access to a range of support measures including, but not limited to:
• A 12-month business rates holiday for all eligible retail, leisure and hospitality
businesses in England
• The retail, hospitality and leisure grant fund (RHLGF)
• A Discretionary Grant Fund for Local Authorities in England
• The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
• The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
• The Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBL) for small and micro enterprises
• VAT deferral for up to 12 months
• The Time To Pay scheme, through which businesses in financial distress, and with
outstanding tax liabilities, can receive support with their tax affairs
• Protection for commercial leaseholders against automatic forfeiture for non-
payment until June 30, 2020 – with an option for the Government to extend if
needed.
The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses
can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible and how to
apply - https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder.
On 11 May the Government published its COVID-19 recovery strategy which sets out
our plan for moving to the next phase of our response. The strategy sets out a
cautious roadmap for easing existing measures in a safe and measured way. The
roadmap will be kept constantly under review, and we will continue to work hard to
support business and workers as the situation evolves.
Insurance Companies: Compensation
Justin Madders: [60778]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with
representatives of the insurance sector on extending compensation for people that are
affected by business closures as a result of covid-19 that are not covered by their
insurance policy; and what additional support the Government plans to provide to
businesses that have not had their business interruption cover triggered as a result of the
covid-19 outbreak.
John Glen:
The Government is in continual dialogue with the insurance sector and is
encouraging insurers to do all they can to support customers during this difficult
period. Furthermore, the Government is working closely with the Financial Conduct
Authority (FCA) to ensure that the rules are being upheld during this crisis and fully
supports the regulator in its role.
In addition, on the 1st of May the FCA outlined its intention to seek a court
declaration, to resolve uncertainty for many customers making business interruption
claims. This court case refers to a sample of policy wordings designed to be
representative of the majority of disputed cases. On the 1st of June, the FCA
announced the policy wordings that would be tested in the court action and insurers it
had invited to participate directly, along with an initial list of policy wordings and
insurers that will potentially be impacted by the Court’s decision on the representative
sample. The FCA expects to publish a final list of all the relevant insurers and policies
that may have impacted wordings in early July, and expects a court hearing to take
place in late July.
However, the Government recognises that businesses who do not have appropriate
insurance cover will require support from elsewhere, and encourages businesses to
seek assistance through the wider support package if they are in financial difficulty,
which includes measures such as business rates holidays, the Coronavirus Business
Interruption Loan Scheme, and wage support.
Pensions: Coronavirus
Patricia Gibson: [59820]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans to enable people facing
financial difficulties during the covid-19 outbreak to draw down more than one quarter of
their pension early without incurring 40 per cent tax.
John Glen:
The Government wishes to encourage pension saving, to help ensure that people
have an income, or funds on which they can draw, throughout retirement. This makes
pensions tax relief one of the most expensive reliefs in the personal tax system. In
2017/18 income tax and employer National Insurance Contributions relief cost £54
billion.
The Government therefore imposes a charge on early withdrawals, which can be
from 40% to 55% depending on the circumstances, both to recoup its investment
through tax relief and to provide individuals with a strong incentive to save through
their pension for the long-term.
It is for these reasons that the Government does not have any plans to remove tax on
pension payments in response to this outbreak. As with all tax policy, this will be kept
under review.
Public Expenditure
Chi Onwurah: [59770]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the Government plans to undertake the
next comprehensive spending review.
Steve Barclay:
As announced in March, the Spending Review has been delayed to later this year to
ensure that HM Treasury and departments can remain focused on responding to the
immediate public health and economic emergency caused by COVID-19. Further
details about the next Spending Review will be set out in due course.
Remote Working: Coronavirus
Colum Eastwood: [59921]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking with HMRC
to provide financial assistance for increased utilities costs to those working from home
during the covid-19 outbreak.
Jesse Norman:
Employees who have been advised to work from home during the COVID-19
outbreak are eligible to claim tax relief for the additional cost of heating and lighting
the room in which they work and for the cost of business telephone calls. They can
claim relief on a fixed amount of £4 per week up to 5 April 2020 and £6 per week
thereafter. This increase was announced at Budget. Alternatively, employees can
claim relief on the actual amounts incurred, subject to them being able to provide
evidence, such as phone bills.
In addition, the Government has introduced legislation so that, where an employer
encourages their staff to purchase their own home office equipment and reimburses
the expense, an exemption will ensure that employees now receive the full
reimbursement free from tax and Class 1 National Insurance Contributions (NICs).
This is a temporary exemption which applies from 16 March 2020 until 5 April 2021.
Relevant guidance can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-which-
expenses-are-taxable-if-your-employee-works-from-home-due-to-coronavirus-covid-
19.
Self-employment Income Support Scheme: Greater London
Sir David Evennett: [60689]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many self-employed people have
successfully applied for grants under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme in (a)
Bexley borough and (b) Greater London.
Jesse Norman:
As of 31 May 2020, 10,500 individuals had applied for the Self-Employment Income
Support Scheme in the Bexley local authority area.As of 31 May 2020, 433,000
individuals had applied for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme in the
London region.
Top Glove: Imports
Thangam Debbonaire: [60806]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether
rubber gloves manufactured by Malaysian company Top Glove have been imported into
the UK in the last six months.
Jesse Norman:
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are responsible for the collection and publication of
data on UK imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC release this
information monthly, as a National Statistic: the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics.
The trade data collected does not enable HMRC to determine the manufacturer of
goods.
There is aggregated trade data available for the goods and the periods requested on
the uktradeinfo.com website, under ‘Build your own data tables’. The site also
contains a ‘Help’ function with information on how to extract trade data.
Trade data relating to the value of rubber gloves imported from Malaysia can be
searched for using commodity codes 4015110000 for surgical gloves and
4015190000 for other rubber gloves. These data sets may include gloves
manufactured outside but imported through Malaysia, and exclude gloves
manufactured within Malaysia but imported indirectly through other countries.
Treasury: Overseas Aid
Preet Kaur Gill: [59842]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the criteria his Department
plans to use for prioritising Official Development Assistance spending in the event of a
decrease in GNI.
Preet Kaur Gill: [59859]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department is signing new funding
agreement for projects from the Official Development Assistance budget.
Preet Kaur Gill: [59860]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has notified other
Departments of the required savings on their share of the Official Development
Assistance budget in the event of a decrease in GNI.
Steve Barclay:
The UK has a legal commitment to spend 0.7% of its gross national income (GNI)
each year on Official Development Assistance (ODA). The government reviews the
ODA funding it allocates to projects on a regular basis in order to ensure delivery of
its commitment to spend 0.7% of GNI on ODA.
HM Treasury allocates ODA budgets to departments and is responsible for decisions
on changes to these. We take evidence-based spending decisions and ensure
departments maintain high standards of programme delivery that are consistent with
HMG best practice.
VAT: Tax Rates and Bands
Mr Gregory Campbell: [60694]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an urgent assessment of the
potential merits of reducing the VAT rate for on street retail shopping.
Jesse Norman:
Raising over £130 billion in 2019/2020, VAT is an important source of revenue for the
Exchequer and plays an important part in funding the Government’s spending
priorities including hospitals, schools and defence.
A VAT reduction would therefore come at a considerable cost to the Exchequer.
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chancellor has announced a range of
measures to help individuals and businesses through the crisis, including grants,
loans and relief from business rates worth more than £300 billion.
The Government keeps all taxes under review.
WALES
Hospitality Industry and Tourism: Wales
Gerald Jones: [59838]
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether the Government plans to provide
additional support to the hospitality and tourism industry in Wales via the Welsh
Government during the recovery from the covid-19 outbreak.
Simon Hart:
I have regular discussions with the Welsh Government on how best to reopen the
hospitality and tourism sector in Wales to make the most of the summer season,
whilst respecting social distancing. Helping the sector to reopen will allow the industry
to start rebuilding.
Through the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and Self-
Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), the UK Government has supported
over 400,000 jobs in Wales. Over £2.3bn in Barnett consequential funding has been
allocated to date to the Welsh Government to support its response to the virus. This
demonstrates the value to Wales of being part of the United Kingdom.
Using the scientific advice available, the UK Government has set out a clear plan on
how we will rebuild the UK for a world with Covid-19 whilst respecting devolved
decision-making. Subject to scientific advice, next month will see the partial
reopening of some of the tourism and hospitality sector in England, Scotland and
Northern Ireland. I welcome the Welsh Government’s plans for a partial reopening of
the sector in July. However, given its importance to the Welsh economy, with over
9.5% of the workforce directly employed in the visitor economy and over £6 billion in
visitor spending in 2018, I would urge the Welsh Government to do more to ensure
that Wales is not left behind the rest of the UK.
WOMEN AND EQUALITIES
Ethnic Groups: Equality
Yasmin Qureshi: [59728]
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the Race Disparity Audit,
whether her Department has undertaken an impact assessment of the explain or change
approach adopted by the Race Disparity Unit when working with the Home Office; and
what changes to the Home Office that unit recommended as a result of data that it has
gathered since its inception.
Kemi Badenoch:
‘Explain or Change’ was a short-term communications campaign that was launched
in 2018, on the one year anniversary of the Race Disparity Audit. The campaign
concluded in June last year, and the Race Disparity Unit continues to work with other
Government Departments, to address disparities highlighted by the Audit. This
includes work with the Home Office to improve trust between police forces and the
local communities they serve, increasing diversity in the police workforces
themselves, and developing a new strategy to act on and prevent hate crime.
Gay Conversion Therapy
Afzal Khan: [59593]
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer on 5 June 2020 to
Question 52328 on Gay Conversion Therapy, when the research into the scope of
practices and experiences of people subjected to conversion therapy was begun; when
that research is expected to conclude; and if she will publish the findings.
Kemi Badenoch:
In January 2019, the Government commissioned research to improve our
understanding of evidence on the practice, experience, and effect of conversion
therapy. We received a draft of the report on Friday 12th June 2020. Once we have
reviewed the findings, we intend to publish the report.
Sir Edward Davey: [59672]
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what estimate she has made of the
number of LGBTQ+ people being given conversion therapy in 2020 in each of the last five
years; and if she will make a statement.
Kemi Badenoch:
According to the Government’s 2017 National LGBT Survey which surveyed over
100,000 LGBT people across the UK, 2% of respondents said they had undergone
conversion therapy, and a further 5% of respondents said they had been offered it.
The Government takes this issue very seriously and fundamentally disagrees with
any attempt to forcibly change someone’s sexuality. I am working with colleagues
across Government on this issue, and we will outline plans to end its practice in due
course.
WORK AND PENSIONS
Department for Work and Pensions: Written Questions
Andy McDonald: [59780]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to answer
Questions 55997, 55998 and 55999 tabled on 8 June 2020 by the hon. Member for
Middlesbrough.
Mims Davies:
I apologise for the delay and refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 June
2020 to questions 55997, 55998 and 55999.
Employment: Contact Tracing
Stephen Timms: [60645]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to support
people who earn less than the Lower Earnings Limit who are required to stop work to
self-isolate under the covid-19 test and trace system.
Will Quince:
Those who are not already in receipt of benefits may be able to claim Universal
Credit and/or new style Employment and Support Allowance, depending on their
personal circumstances, to support them when they are unable to work.
Offshore Industry: Coronavirus
Alex Cunningham: [59220]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions she has
had with the Health and Safety Executive on the provision of covid-19 guidance in the
workplace for (a) employers and (b) staff in the offshore oil and gas industry.
Mims Davies:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a contributing member of the Oil and Gas
UK (OGUK) Pandemic Steering Group (PSG), which also includes members from
OGUK, helicopter operators, oil and gas companies, industry associations, medical
professionals, Step Change in Safety (SCiS), Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and
trade unions, including Unite and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport
Workers.
The PSG has developed and published a range of guidance for offshore oil and gas
companies on measures required to manage the risks of COVID-19 infection. The
PSG has also produced guidance specifically for the offshore workforce on the
measures oil and gas companies should have in place to manage the risks of
COVID-19 offshore: https://oilandgasuk.co.uk/covid-19/ and
https://www.stepchangeinsafety.net/workgroups/covid-19/. HSE has also supported
the PSG in formulating Scottish Government sector guidance which supports working
safely offshore during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/web-
resources-container/guidance-for-prevention-and-management-of-cases-of-covid-19-
on-offshore-installations/.
Alex Cunningham: [59221]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with
the (a) Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and (b) Scottish Government on the
(i) provision and (ii) uptake of public covid-19 test facilities for offshore oil and gas
workers.
Mims Davies:
The Secretary of State and I engage with a wide variety of stakeholders on a regular
basis.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) supports the testing of offshore workers to
identify and manage the risks from COVID-19. HSE has given its full support to the
Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) Pandemic Steering Group (PSG) to help deliver testing for
all offshore workers. HSE is in regular communication with the Department for
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to further support the availability of testing
for all offshore workers, including those who are asymptomatic.
Social Security Benefits
Vicky Foxcroft: [59519]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May
2020 to Question 43084, how many requests for mandatory reconsideration of (a)
employment support allowance and (b) personal independence payment were completed
by her Department in (i) March, (ii) April and (iii) May 2020.
Justin Tomlinson:
Statistics on Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) clearances for Personal Independence
Payment (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Work Capability
Assessments (WCA) covering the period up to April 2020 are published and can be
found at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/login.xhtml
Guidance for users is available at:
https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html
Statistics for May 2020 are due to published in September 2020.
Ms Angela Eagle: [60687]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her Department's
policy to extend the temporary suspension of reviews and reassessments for all benefits
beyond 24 June 2020.
Justin Tomlinson:
Our priority throughout this health emergency continues to be to protect the public
and staff, while ensuring people get the benefits they are entitled to quickly and
safely. Reviews and reassessments remain suspended while we review what activity
we can gradually start reintroducing in line with the latest public health advice.
Thriving at Work Leadership Council
Andy McDonald: [59782]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on which dates the Thriving at
Work Leadership Council met since its inaugural meeting on 17 January 2019; and on
which of those meetings that Council discussed mental health at work during the covid-19
outbreak.
Justin Tomlinson:
Since its inaugural meeting on 17 January 2019, The Thriving at Work Leadership
Council has met on the 24th April 2019, 24th June 2019 and 28th January 2020.
The next meeting is to be held on 26th June 2020 which will discuss Mental Health at
Work during COVID-19.
Unemployment: Slough
Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: [60848]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the
rate of unemployment over the last three months in Slough constituency.
Mims Davies:
Estimates of the number of people who are unemployed for sub-regional geographies
in the UK are compiled by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is done using
the Annual Population Survey (APS), a large household survey of people in the UK.
Estimates are based on a sample of cases and therefore subject to sampling
uncertainty. The latest available data covers the period January – December 2019.
The ONS’s central estimate is that the unemployment rate for those aged 16 or over
in Slough constituency is 4.0% (with the true rate lying somewhere between 2.5% -
5.5%).
The next update is scheduled for 16 July 2020 when data for the April 2019 - March
2020 survey period will be released on the NOMIS website.
( https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/ )
The DWP publishes, via its Stat Xplore website, official statistics on the number of
people claiming unemployment-related benefits by parliamentary constituency area
(the ‘Alternative Claimant Count’), which are more timely.
In February 2020, there were 3,216 people claiming unemployment-related benefits
in Slough. This equates to 3.5% of the working age population.
Updated Alternative Claimant Count figures up to May 2020 will be published at
9:30am on Thursday 16th July.
Universal Credit
Neil Gray: [60774]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what costing model her
Department uses to estimate the annual cost of converting the universal credit advance
loan to a grant.
Neil Gray: [60775]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the cost estimated by her
Department for turning the universal credit advance loan to a grant is predicated on the
grant being made on the claimant having qualified for universal credit.
Will Quince:
The Department uses internal advances modelling which is based on inputs from the
Department’s INFORM and Policy Simulation Models.
Costs estimated only include claimants who are deemed eligible for payment.
Universal Credit: Coronavirus
Sir Peter Bottomley: [59177]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether British citizens stranded
abroad during the covid-19 outbreak who would be eligible to receive universal credit in
the UK can apply for universal credit from abroad.
Justin Tomlinson:
As with most benefits, one of the basic rules of entitlement to UK benefits, including
Universal Credit, is that a claimant must be resident in the UK at the time of
application and satisfy other qualifying conditions. We have no plans to change this.
Sir Peter Bottomley: [59178]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether a British citizen returned to
the UK after more than one month stranded abroad can be entitled to receive universal
credit extended beyond the one month limit to include the period that person was unable
to claim the benefit because they were not in-country.
Justin Tomlinson:
Universal Credit claims may be backdated by up to one calendar month in only
certain circumstances for vulnerable claimants, who may be delayed in claiming
Universal Credit through no fault of their own. Claims may also be backdated in
specific circumstances when a couple separates, to ensure that there is no gap in
entitlement between the couple claim and the new claim made by a single claimant.
FCO consular staff continue to provide advice and support to British nationals who
face financial difficulties overseas due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Those in real
financial distress whilst stranded overseas can seek advice and support from their
local consular team, who will be able to advise on any local support that may be
available as well as facilitate contact with friends and families who may be able to
help. The FCO are also working with Non-Governmental Organisations to facilitate
support to British nationals in need, including accommodation, food and medicine.
If a British national cannot afford travel costs back to the UK or essential living costs
while they are waiting to return and have exhausted all other options they may be
eligible to apply for an emergency loan from the government. These loans are
interest free. This is a last resort option, with repayment required in full. However, the
FCO would work with those British nationals’ currently stranded overseas to ensure
flexible repayment plans are in place if they cannot afford to repay the loan within six
months.
Universal Credit: Immigrants
Stephen Timms: [59665]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether a UK citizen who is
married to a person with leave to remain in the UK but has no recourse to public funds is
permitted to claim universal credit; and if she will make a statement.
Justin Tomlinson:
Where only one member of a couple is eligible for UC (for example the other adult in
the couple is subject to immigration control) then that ineligible person’s
circumstances will not be brought to bear in calculating how much the maximum
amount of UC payable is. Their capital, income and earnings will, however, be taken
into account in adjusting the actual UC award. The term ‘assessment unit’ is used to
capture both members of a couple where one adult is not eligible for UC.
Non-UK nationals and family members who are issued with a residence permit with a
NRPF condition are not eligible to access taxpayer-funded benefits such as Universal
Credit, Child Benefit or housing assistance for the duration of their leave.
Contributions-based benefits and the State Pension are not classed as public funds.
DWP has no powers to award taxpayer-funded benefits to an individual whose Home
Office immigration status specifies no recourse to public funds.
DWP decision makers undertake rigorous training and are expected to offer a high
standard of support to help people identify the evidence they need to provide as part
of their application for income-based benefits.
MINISTERIAL CORRECTIONS
CABINET OFFICE
Industrial Diseases: Death Certificates
Stephanie Peacock: [44015]
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many death certificates refer to industrial
disease in (a) each year since 2010, (b) March and April 2019, and (c) March and April
2020.
An error has been identified in the written answer given on 12 May 2020. The
correct answer should have been:
Chloe Smith:
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have
therefore asked the Authority to respond. A copy of the UKSA response has been
placed in the library of the House.
Attachments:
1. PQ44015 HR.pdf
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-pacific Partnership: Stoke On
Trent
Jonathan Gullis: [58826]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent assessment she has
made of the potential economic benefit to Stoke-on-Trent joining the Comprehensive and
Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
An error has been identified in the written answer given on 22 June 2020. The
correct answer should have been:
Greg Hands:
Joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
(CPTPP) would open up new opportunities for our exporters in strategically important
sectors, helping to support an industrial revival in the UK. Trade with members of
CPTPP already benefits the region. In 2018, Shropshire and Staffordshire exported
around £431m worth of goods to CPTPP countries and imported around £801m
worth of goods from CPTPP countries[1]. In 2019, the West Midlands as a whole
exported over £2.4 billion worth of goods to CPTPP member countries, representing
around 8 per cent of the region’s exports. The West Midlands imported over £1.9
billion worth of goods from CPTPP member countries, representing just over 5% of
goods imports to the region[2].
Before applying, we will publish an outline approach and a scoping assessment
setting out our negotiating objectives and the economic impact and benefits of
accession.
At that stage, we will provide a formal response to the government’s public
consultation on the UK potentially seeking accession to CPTPP, outlining how our
decisions and approach to accession have been informed by the submissions
received from members of the public, businesses and civil society organisations. The
input we have received through this consultation continues to inform our
preparations.
[1] Source: HMRC Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, disaggregated by smaller
geographical areas, NUTS2 level (released November 2019). Note data on regional
trade with Brunei in unavailable.
[2] Source: HMRC Regional Trade in Goods Statistics (April to June 2020 release).
Note data on regional trade with Brunei in unavailable.
Joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific
Partnership (CPTPP) would open up new opportunities for our exporters in
strategically important sectors, helping to support an industrial revival in the
UK. Trade with members of CPTPP already benefits the region. In 2018,
Shropshire and Staffordshire exported around £431m worth of goods to CPTPP
countries and imported around £801m worth of goods from CPTPP
countries[1]. In 2019, the West Midlands as a whole exported over £2.4 billion
worth of goods to CPTPP member countries, representing around 8 per cent of
the region’s exports. The West Midlands imported over £1.9 billion worth of
goods from CPTPP member countries, representing just over 5% of goods
imports to the region[2].
If the UK Government decides to formally apply for accession, we will publish
an Outline Approach and a Scoping Assessment setting out our negotiating
objectives and the potential benefits of accession, to the UK and the UK’s
nations and regions.
[1] Source: HMRC Regional Trade in Goods Statistics, disaggregated by
smaller geographical areas, NUTS2 level (released November 2019). Note data
on regional trade with Brunei in unavailable.
[2] Source: HMRC Regional Trade in Goods Statistics (April to June 2020
release). Note data on regional trade with Brunei in unavailable.
WRITTEN STATEMENTS
BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
Business Update
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Alok Sharma):
[HCWS305]
Today, the Government will lay two separate pieces of secondary legislation to amend
the Enterprise Act 2002. The first will allow the Government to intervene in qualifying
mergers, including acquisitions, to maintain UK capability to combat and mitigate the
impact of public health emergencies.
The second will lower the thresholds for intervention in mergers on public interest
grounds for three sensitive sectors of the economy, intended to address any national
security risks that may arise related to these sectors.
The Enterprise Act 2002 (Specification of Additional Section 58 Consideration)
Order 2020
The Enterprise Act 2002 (Specification of Additional Section 58 Consideration) Order
2020 introduces a new public interest consideration for Government intervention in
mergers and acquisitions. This new public interest consideration allows the Government
to intervene in mergers involving businesses with a role in combatting or mitigating the
impacts of public health emergencies, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The economic disruption caused by the pandemic may mean that some businesses with
critical capabilities are more susceptible to takeovers – either from outwardly hostile
approaches, or financially distressed companies being sold to malicious parties.
These new powers will enable the Government to intervene if a business that is directly
involved in a pandemic response, for example, a vaccine research company or personal
protective equipment manufacturer, finds itself the target of a takeover.
As this instrument is subject to the made affirmative procedure it has been made today
and will come into effect tomorrow.
The draft Enterprise Act 2002 (Share of Supply Test) (Amendment) Order 2020
The draft Enterprise Act 2002 (Share of Supply Test) (Amendment) Order 2020 will
amend the Secretary of State’s powers to scrutinise mergers in three sensitive sectors of
the economy on public interest grounds: artificial intelligence, cryptographic
authentication technology and advanced materials. These changes are intended to
address any national security risks that may arise relating to these sectors. The
Government made similar changes in 2018 for three other critical sectors: military/dual-
use technologies, computing hardware and quantum technology.
Separately, the Government will lay an accompanying instrument, the Enterprise Act
2002 (Turnover Test) (Amendment) Order 2020, which will be subject to the negative
resolution procedure. Together, these two instruments will add the enterprise categories
to a list of ‘relevant enterprises’ which are subject to lower intervention thresholds. The
turnover test for intervention in these sectors will be lowered to £1 million; and the ‘share
of supply’ will be met where an enterprise supplies at least one quarter of all goods of a
particular description and there is no longer a requirement for a merger to increase the
share of supply.
These Orders will therefore allow the Government to intervene on public interest grounds
when smaller companies in these critical sectors might be vulnerable as a consequence
of a merger or takeover. They will send an important signal to those seeking to take
advantage of those struggling as a result of the pandemic that the UK government is
prepared to act where necessary to protect our national security.
I will also be placing copies of the non-statutory guidance relating to these amendments
in the House libraries.
CABINET OFFICE
Procurement Update
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Michael Gove):
[HCWS306]
I previously provided a Written Ministerial Statement on 29 April 2020 in relation to
indemnities granted for IP infringement, in respect of the designs, and against product
liability claims against the manufacturers of Rapidly Manufactured Ventilator System
(RMVS) products through the Ventilator Challenge. I also laid a Departmental Minute
before Parliament setting out the detail of these indemnities.
The Ventilator Challenge has been a resounding success, with four designs in production
and over 7,500 devices delivered to the NHS. The Cabinet Office intends to grant similar
indemnities in letters with other parties involved in the BlueSky Ventilators consortium.
The contents of these letters are still under negotiation in the majority of cases.
It is normal practice, when a government department proposes to undertake a contingent
liability in excess of £300,000 for which there is no specific statutory authority, for the
Department concerned to present to Parliament a Minute giving particulars of the liability
created and explaining the circumstances; and to refrain from incurring the liability until
fourteen parliamentary sitting days after the issue of the Minute, except in cases of
special urgency.
Due to the urgent need to finalise the letters and release payments due to designers and
manufacturers, it is not possible to allow the required 14 days’ notice prior to the liabilities
going live. Any delay would result in an unacceptable delay in payments due to designers
and manufacturers who are supported by a largely SME supply chain.
The precise commercial terms which have been negotiated for each supplier are, and will
remain, commercially confidential. While it is difficult to estimate the potential liability
exposure, it could exceed £300,000. For this reason, I am informing Parliament of these
arrangements.
On this basis, I have today laid before Parliament a Departmental Minute setting out what
these indemnities are.
The Treasury has approved these liabilities. However, if any Member of Parliament has
concerns they can contact the Cabinet Office who will be happy to provide a response.
Attachments:
1. Departmental Minute [Departmental Minute- Indemnities to Ventilator Project.pdf]
EDUCATION
Education Update
The Secretary of State for Education (Gavin Williamson): [HCWS304]
Every pupil in the country has experienced unprecedented disruption to their education
as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19). Those from the most vulnerable and
disadvantaged backgrounds will be amongst those hardest hit. The aggregate impact of
lost time in education will be substantial: the scale of our response must match the scale
of the challenge. Returning to normal educational routines as quickly as possible will be
critical to our national recovery, which is why the government is working towards all pupils
returning to school in September.
To further support pupils to catch up, the government has announced a package worth £1
billion to ensure that schools have the resources they need to help all pupils make up for
lost teaching time, with extra support for those who need it most.
£650 million will be spent on ensuring all pupils have the chance to catch up and
supporting schools to rise to the challenge. Whilst headteachers will decide how the
money is spent, the Education Endowment Foundation has published guidance on
effective interventions to support schools to make the best use of resources.
Alongside this universal offer, we will roll out a National Tutoring Programme, worth £350
million, which will deliver proven and successful interventions to the most disadvantaged
young people, accelerating their academic progress and preventing the gap between
them and their more affluent peers widening. The evidence shows that tutoring is an
effective way to accelerate learning, and we therefore believe a targeted tutoring offer is
the best way to narrow the gaps that risk opening up due to school closures.
TREASURY
Notification of Contingent Liability
The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rishi Sunak): [HCWS303]
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England decided at its meeting
ending on 17 June to ask for an expansion in the maximum limit of purchases that may
be undertaken by the Asset Purchase Facility (APF). This will encompass up to £100
billion of further purchases of gilts to support the economy.
In light of the latest economic conditions, the MPC judged further asset purchases
financed by the issuance of central bank reserves should be undertaken to enable the
MPC to meet its statutory objectives, and thereby support the economy. I have therefore
authorised an increase in the total size of the APF of £100 billion. This will bring the
maximum total size of the APF from £645 to £745 billion.
In line with the requirements in the MPC remit, the amendments to the APF that could
affect the allocation of credit and pose risks to the Exchequer have been discussed with
Treasury officials. The risk control framework previously agreed with the Treasury will
remain in place, and HM Treasury will keep monitoring risks to public funds from the
Facility through regular risk oversight meetings and enhanced information sharing with
the Bank.
There will continue to be an opportunity for the Treasury to provide views to the MPC on
the design of the schemes within the APF, as they affect the Government’s broader
economic objectives and may pose risks to the Exchequer.
The Government will continue to indemnify the Bank and the APF from any losses arising
out of, or in connection with, the facility. If the liability is called, provision for any payment
will be sought through the normal supply procedure.
A full departmental Minute has been laid in the House of Commons providing more detail
on this contingent liability.