daily report monday, 30 september 2019 contents · 2019-09-30 · daily report monday, 30 september...
TRANSCRIPT
Daily Report Monday, 30 September 2019
This report shows written answers and statements provided on 30 September 2019 and the
information is correct at the time of publication (07:08 P.M., 30 September 2019). For the
latest information on written questions and answers, ministerial corrections, and written
statements, please visit: http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers/
CONTENTS
ANSWERS 6
BUSINESS, ENERGY AND
INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 6
Aviation: Electric Vehicles 6
Biofuels 6
Carbon Emissions 6
Climate Change: Publicity 7
Drax Power Station 8
Electric Vehicles: Finance 8
Energy: Meters 9
Fuel Poverty: North Yorkshire 9
Fuels 10
Housing: Insulation 10
Kilroot Power Station 11
Nuclear Power Stations:
Construction 11
CABINET OFFICE 12
[Subject Heading to be
Assigned] 12
Brexit 12
British Constitution 14
Census: Jainism 14
Civil Servants and Ministerial
Policy Advisers: Security 15
Civil Servants: Conflict of
Interests 16
Conflict, Stability and Security
Fund 16
Elections: Campaigns 17
General Elections 17
Government Chief Digital
Information Officer 17
Government Departments:
Location 18
Malnutrition: Death 18
Ministerial Policy Advisers:
Conduct 18
DEFENCE 18
Armoured Fighting Vehicles:
Procurement 18
Civil Disorder 19
Defence: Expenditure 19
Navy: Technology 22
Unmanned Air Vehicles:
Safety 22
DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND
SPORT 23
Broadband 23
Business: Data Protection 24
Cybercrime 25
Cybercrime: Skilled Workers 25
Entertainers: British Nationals
Abroad 25
Musicians: British Nationals
Abroad 26
EDUCATION 27
Apprentices: Wallasey 27
Children: Day Care 27
Class Sizes: York 28
Education: EU Nationals 29
Free School Meals: Barnsley 30
Higher Education: Standards 31
Music: GCSE 32
Schools: Charitable Donations 32
Sign Language 33
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND
RURAL AFFAIRS 33
Air Pollution: Pollution Control 33
Environment Agency: Pay 34
Fracking: Methane 34
Northumbrian Water 35
Plastics: Pollution 35
Plastics: Recycling 35
Plastics: Waste 36
Waste Management: Exhaust
Emissions 37
Waste Management: Wales 37
Water Supply: Chemicals 37
FOREIGN AND
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 38
Brazil: Climate Change
Convention 38
British Nationals Abroad: EU
Countries 38
China: Surveillance 38
China: Terrorism 39
Emigration: EU Countries 39
Forests: Conservation 40
Georgia: Military Intervention 40
Iraq: Religious Freedom 40
Persecution of Christians
Across the Globe Independent
Review 41
West Africa: Religious
Freedom 41
Yemen: Military Intervention 42
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 43
Cancer: Health Services 43
Cancer: Research 43
Epilepsy: Drugs 44
Hormone Replacement
Therapy 44
In Vitro Fertilisation: Single
People 45
Maraviroc 46
Medical Treatments:
Nanotechnology 46
Mental Health Services:
Standards 47
NHS Business Services
Authority: North East and
North West 47
NHS: Drugs 47
Nutrition: Health Education 48
Radioisotopes 49
HOME OFFICE 49
Civil Disorder 49
Gloucestershire Constabulary:
Finance 50
Harassment 51
Immigration Controls 51
Immigration Controls: EU
Nationals 52
Immigration: EU Nationals 52
Merseyside Fire and Rescue
Service 56
Missing Persons 57
Police: Basingstoke 57
Police: Complaints 57
Police: Disciplinary
Proceedings 58
Police: Recruitment 59
Tyne and Wear Fire and
Rescue Service 60
HOUSE OF COMMONS
COMMISSION 61
Prorogation: Costs 61
HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT 61
Refuges: Females 61
Refuges: Ringfenced Funding 62
Stronger Towns Fund and
Towns Fund: Leigh 62
INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT 62
Department for International
Development: Staff 62
Developing Countries:
Children 63
Developing Countries:
Education 64
Developing Countries: Health
Services 64
Developing Countries:
Taxation 65
INTERNATIONAL TRADE 67
Arms Trade: Export Controls 67
Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia 68
JUSTICE 68
EU Law 68
Fines: Surcharges 69
Personal Independence
Payment: Appeals 70
Prison Officers: Employment 72
Prison Officers: Retirement 72
Prison Sentences 72
Prisons: Repairs and
Maintenance 73
Prisons: Violence 73
Rape: Trials 74
Universal Credit: Appeals 75
LEADER OF THE HOUSE 75
Prorogation 75
NORTHERN IRELAND 75
Import Duties: Brexit 75
PRIME MINISTER 76
Government Assistance 76
SCOTLAND 76
Food Banks: Glasgow South
West 76
Food Banks: Scotland 77
Members: Correspondence 77
SPEAKER'S COMMITTEE FOR
THE INDEPENDENT
PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS
AUTHORITY 77
Members: Travel 77
TRANSPORT 78
A34: Repairs and Maintenance 78
A34: Repairs and maintenance 78
Brexit 78
Cycling and Walking: Finance 79
Cycling: Accidents 79
East-West Rail Link:
Electrification 80
High Speed Two: Incentives 80
High Speed Two: Pay 80
High Speed Two: Redundancy
Pay 80
Highway Code 81
Railways: Compensation 81
Road Humps 81
Roads: Construction 82
Taxis: Licensing 82
Thomas Cook: Insolvency 82
Unmanned Air Vehicles:
Safety 83
Vehicle Number Plates: Fraud 83
TREASURY 84
Bank of England: Public
Appointments 84
Bank Services: Older People 84
Banks: Closures 85
Cash Dispensing: Fees and
Charges 85
Companies 86
Companies: Taxation 86
Corporation Tax 87
Debts 87
Dover Port: Large Goods
Vehicles 87
Gambling: Excise Duties 87
Income Tax 88
Low incomes: Food and Fuel 88
Personal savings: Fees and
charges 88
Tax Allowances: Research 89
Tax Avoidance 90
Tax Avoidance: EU Law 90
Thomas Cook: Insolvency 91
WALES 91
Employment: Older People 91
WOMEN AND EQUALITIES 92
Disability: Discrimination 92
Equal Pay 92
Members: Maternity Leave 93
WORK AND PENSIONS 93
Children: Maintenance 93
Employment: Older Workers 94
Food Banks: Glasgow South
West 95
Independent Case Examiner 95
Personal Independence
Payment: Medical
Examinations 96
Social Security Benefits: EU
Nationals 96
Social Security Benefits:
Glasgow 96
Social Security Benefits:
Suicide 97
Universal Credit 97
WRITTEN STATEMENTS 99
TREASURY 99
Economy Update 99
Public spending update 99
WORK AND PENSIONS 100 Labour Market Update 100
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
Aviation: Electric Vehicles
Luke Pollard: [291128]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much
funding was allocated to research into electric aviation in the last five years.
Nadhim Zahawi:
There are various R&D funding programmes that can help support electric aviation,
such as the Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge (£80 million), ATI Programme
(government investment of £1.95 billion), Future Flight Challenge (£125 million) and
Faraday Challenge (£274 million). These programmes also support a broad range of
other electric or aerospace-related technologies.
Biofuels
Dr Paul Williams: [291116]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what
meetings her Department has had with the bioethanol industry to discuss preparations for
the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
BEIS Ministers and officials have been engaging throughout the country with
businesses of all sizes and their representatives and trade associations, including the
Bioethanol industry. We will continue to engage across the business population to
ensure their priorities are reflected and that businesses have the latest information on
how to prepare themselves for Brexit, including through a targeted series of
roadshows and events.
The Government also has a business readiness website designed to keep
businesses and consumers informed about what no deal might mean for them, with
information on a range of measures that may need to be taken in order to prepare.
These notices are being regularly updated with the latest information, for example
BEIS have published 18 sector specific guides with the top three to six priorities per
sector on GOV.UK. These guides can be easily accessed through an interactive
business search tool: https://www.gov.uk/brexit.
Carbon Emissions
Layla Moran: [290460]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether her
Department plans to include the aviation and shipping sectors in the net zero emissions
target.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
Domestic aviation and shipping emissions are already within our legislated targets.
International aviation and shipping emissions are not currently included within the
UK’s legislative targets under the Climate Change Act. However, the Committee on
Climate Change (CCC) have, to date, taken account of emissions from international
aviation and shipping when providing their advice on setting carbon budgets,
enabling us to leave ‘headroom’ for these emissions in our plans.
The CCC recently provided advice on international aviation and shipping, and the
Government will now consider that advice carefully. The Department for Transport is
committed to setting a clear ambition for the aviation sector and will shortly be
publishing its position on aviation and climate change for consultation.
The Government recognises that international aviation emissions are a global
problem that require a global solution. It is vital that we find an answer that does not
simply displace emissions elsewhere across the world. The UK will therefore continue
to lead the way. . For example, we are committed to the International Civil Aviation
Organisation’s (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International
Aviation (CORSIA), which was agreed in 2016 and is the first worldwide scheme to
address CO2 emissions in any single sector. The UK is also negotiating for ICAO to
agree a long-term emissions reduction goal by its 41st Assembly in 2022.
Climate Change: Publicity
Stephen Gethins: [290753]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he
has for a UK-wide high profile publicity campaign to raise awareness of the climate
emergency.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
The UK has just been nominated to host COP 26, next year’s crucial UN climate
change conference, in partnership with Italy. The main summit, the largest the UK will
have hosted, will be held in Glasgow and will be the culmination of a year of activity,
raising awareness of the climate action in regions and cities across the whole
country.
The first phase of this landmark year will launch at Green GB & NI week early next
year, where we will showcase the opportunities, benefits and challenges of reducing
our emissions to net zero, ending the UK’s contribution to climate change whilst
growing our low carbon economy.
The first Green GB & NI week saw over 100 events held across the UK including
business panels, webinars and a range of community events, alongside Government
announcements and over 60 business pledges worth millions to cut emissions while
continuing to grow the green economy.
Drax Power Station
Alan Brown: [290727]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a)
generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date for Drax GT Power Station
is.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
Generation capacity information for GB can be located on the TEC Register on the
National Grid ESO website at
https://www.nationalgrideso.com/document/149106/download
Generation capacity information for NI can be located in the annual All-Island
Generation Capacity Statement produced by the Transmission System Operators for
Ireland and Northern Ireland, the most recent of which can be found at
http://www.eirgridgroup.com/site-
files/library/EirGrid/Generation_Capacity_Statement_2018.pdf
The Capacity Market provides an effective mechanism for bringing forward capacity
in GB as and when it is needed. The Capacity Market registers (available at
https://www.emrdeliverybody.com/CM/Registers.aspx ) provide a record of which
capacity providers in GB have legal agreements requiring them to make their
capacity available over coming years.
Electric Vehicles: Finance
Chi Onwurah: [291015]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference
to the Prime Minister's speech to the UN General Assembly on 24 September 2019 in
support of electric cars, whether she has plans to allocate additional funding to support
the electric vehicle network; and what progress she has made on the development of that
network.
Nadhim Zahawi:
Government funding and leadership, alongside private sector investment, has
supported the installation of more than 21,000 public chargepoints. This includes over
2,100 rapid chargepoints – one of the largest networks in Europe. The Government
has already allocated further funding. In August it was announced that funding for
local authorities through the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS)
would be doubled this financial year increasing from £2.5 to £5 million. Since 2017,
54 local authorities have applied and the ORCS will have helped deliver
approximately 2500 chargepoints by the end of March 2020. Earlier this month the
Treasury launched a £400m public-private Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund,
with the first £70 million allocated for 3000 rapid chargepoints, which will double the
number across the UK.
In July, it was announced that the Government would launch a review into the
national core rapid charging network along motorways and major A roads. We also
want to ensure that chargepoints are easily accessible for all drivers which is why the
Government announced in July that we want to see all new rapid and higher powered
chargepoints provide debit or credit card payment by spring 2020.
Most charging will continue to happen at people’s homes or workplaces. To support
this we have launched a consultation, running from July to October 2019, on
proposals for new private chargepoints to have smart functionality and related
minimum device standards. Smart functionality will enable electric vehicles to charge
off peak, reducing costs for consumers and demands on the energy system. We are
also consulting to the same timescale on changing Building Regulations to require a
chargepoint in every new home where there is an appropriate parking space, and
minimum infrastructure provision in new non-residential buildings.
Energy: Meters
Douglas Chapman: [290826]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many
energy smart meters in the UK are currently operating in dumb mode.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
The Government publishes quarterly reports on the number of smart electricity and
gas meters installed in Great Britain as part of its Smart Meters statistics collection,
which is available here: www.gov.uk/government/collections/smart-meters-statistics.
Our latest statistics show that as of the end of June 2019, 14.9 million smart meters
in Great Britain were being operated in smart or advanced mode. 2.7 million smart
meters in Great Britain were being operated in ‘traditional’ mode.
The upgrade to the national smart metering network to support the enrolment of first-
generation smart meters is underway to enable these meters to operate in smart
mode. This will happen automatically, without the consumer needing to take any
action.
Fuel Poverty: North Yorkshire
Rachael Maskell: [290714]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many
households in (a) York Central constituency, (b) City of York local authority area and (c)
North Yorkshire are living in fuel poverty.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
The latest sub-regional fuel poverty statistics can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-sub-regional-statistics.
Fuels
Antoinette Sandbach: [291059]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what
assessment has been made of the potential effect on the domestic fuel industry of the UK
leaving the EU without a deal; and if she will make a statement.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
If the UK leaves the EU without a withdrawal agreement, supplies of crude oil, fuel,
and important chemicals for refineries are expected to remain available through the
UK’s diverse supply chains from Europe and the rest of the world.
The Government has been working closely with the fuel industry to minimise the risks
from leaving the EU on fuel supplies. The Government also has a long-standing fuel
supply contingency programme that includes measures that can be deployed in
support of industry to maintain supplies.
Housing: Insulation
Mr Steve Reed: [290347]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether there
is a requirement that insulation installed under the Energy Company Obligation scheme
be of limited combustibility.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
As with any building refurbishment, for insulation delivered under energy efficiency
schemes, including ECO, it is the responsibility of anyone carrying out building work
to ensure compliance with the 2010 Building Regulations. Approved Document B
volume 1: Dwellings (2019 edition) on fire safety covers, among other matters, fire
spread. Local Authorities are responsible for enforcement.
Mr Steve Reed: [290348]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether there
was a requirement that any insulation installed under the now closed (a) Carbon
Emissions Reduction Target and (b) Community Energy Saving Programme schemes be
of limited combustibility.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) began in April 2008, and the
Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) was introduced in October 2009.
Both schemes ended in December 2012.
As with any building refurbishment, regardless of whether it was delivered under
CERT or CESP, it is the responsibility of anyone carrying out building work to ensure
compliance with the latest Building Regulations. Approved Document B (2006 edition
incorporating 2010 and 2013 amendments) on fire safety covers, among other
matters, fire spread. Local Authorities are responsible for enforcement.
Kilroot Power Station
Alan Brown: [290725]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a)
generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date is of Kilroot GT Power
Station.
Alan Brown: [290726]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a)
generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date for Baglan Bay GT Power
Station is.
Alan Brown: [290729]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a)
generation capacity and (b) estimated decommissioning date for Coolkeeragh GT Power
Station is.
Alan Brown: [290744]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the (a)
generation and (b) allowable capacity for Peterhead Natural Gas Power Station is; what
the reasons for that capacity are; and what the estimated decommissioning date of that
power station is.
Kwasi Kwarteng:
Generation capacity information for GB can be located on the TEC Register on the
National Grid ESO website at
https://www.nationalgrideso.com/document/149106/download
Decisions regarding TEC are the result of commercial considerations by the owner of
the generating asset and operational considerations by National Grid Electricity
System Operator.
Generation capacity information for NI can be located in the annual All-Island
Generation Capacity Statement produced by the Transmission System Operators for
Ireland and Northern Ireland, the most recent of which can be found at
http://www.eirgridgroup.com/site-
files/library/EirGrid/Generation_Capacity_Statement_2018.pdf
Decommissioning decisions are a commercial matter for the company concerned.
Following consultation in November 2016 the Government confirmed its commitment
to put an end to unabated coal power generation in GB from 2025.
Nuclear Power Stations: Construction
Douglas Chapman: [290822]
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether it is
her Department's policy to develop new nuclear power stations.
Nadhim Zahawi:
The Government believes that nuclear power has an important role to play as we
transition to a low-carbon economy. Our commitment to nuclear power has been
demonstrated in agreeing to the first new nuclear power station in a generation at
Hinkley Point C, as well as launching our landmark £200m Nuclear Sector Deal last
year, which includes providing millions for advanced nuclear technologies.
CABINET OFFICE
[Subject Heading to be Assigned]
Luke Pollard: [291369]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with
reference to the Cabinet Office's transparency data on ministerial gifts, what estimate he
has made of the total value of all gifts given to the Prime Minister between July 2016 and
July 2019.
Kevin Foster:
Details of gifts given to Ministers are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Information on gifts given to Ministers from April to June 2019 will be published
shortly. Information on gifts given to Ministers from July to September 2019 is
expected to be published in December 2019.
Brexit
Helen Hayes: [290437]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what
the cost to the public purse is of the get ready for Brexit advertising campaign to date.
Catherine McKinnell: [290765]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what
the total cost to the public purse is of the Get Ready For Brexit campaign.
Mary Creagh: [290970]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how
much the Government plans to spend on the Get ready for Brexit campaign via (a)
websites, (b) newspapers, (c) television, (d) search engine optimisation, (e) social media
by platform, (f) billboards and (g) any other medium in (i) total and (ii) each month.
Kevin Foster:
In law the UK is set to leave the EU on 31 October 2019. “Get Ready for Brexit” is a
public information campaign providing the facts citizens and businesses need to
know about the preparations they need to take to be ready for when the UK leaves
the EU.
The campaign is a cross-government campaign using national advertising including
TV, radio, press, digital and outdoor advertising. It also includes direct engagement
and local elements including business preparedness events, ministerial visits and
local authority activity.
The cost of the public information campaign will be published monthly on a rolling
basis, as part of routine government transparency arrangements.
Jon Trickett: [290657]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, for
what reason parts of Operation Yellowhammer: HMG Reasonable Worst Case Planning
Assumptions, published on 11 September 2019 are redacted; and whether he plans to
publish those redacted parts.
Kevin Foster:
I refer the Honourable Member to the letter by the Chancellor of the Duchy of
Lancaster to the Chair of the EU Exit Committee. This was sent to all members in
response to the Humble Address motion of 9 September, and set out the reasons for
redaction.
Mr Gavin Shuker: [290816]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office,
whether he has received legal advice on the compliance of the Get ready for Brexit
campaign with the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019.
Mr Gavin Shuker: [290817]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what
steps he has taken to amend the Get Ready for Brexit advertising campaign as a result of
the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019.
Mary Creagh: [290961]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office,
pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2019 to Question 286169 on Government
Communication Service: Brexit, what amendments to the Get ready for Brexit campaign
have been made following the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) Bill receiving Royal
Assent.
Kevin Foster:
In law that the UK is set to leave the EU on 31 October 2019. “Get Ready for Brexit”
is a public information campaign providing the facts citizens and businesses need to
know about the preparations they need to take to be ready for when the UK leaves
the EU.
The campaign is a cross-government campaign using national advertising including
TV, radio, press, digital and outdoor advertising. It also includes direct engagement
and local elements including business preparedness events, ministerial visits and
local authority activity.
Antoinette Sandbach: [291058]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what
assessment his Department has made of the effects of the UK leaving the EU without a
deal that cannot be mitigated; and what assessment he has made of the potential effect
on the UK of those unmitigated effects.
Antoinette Sandbach: [291118]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he
will publish all the steps taken by the Government to mitigate the effects of the UK leaving
the EU without a deal since 24 July 2019.
Kevin Foster:
The Government is continuing to prepare for our exit from the European Union and
we are making all necessary preparations to ensure we are ready whatever the
circumstances, including a no deal scenario. The Government has published
extensive material relating to Brexit on Gov.UK/Brexit.
The Hon. Member may wish to refer to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster’s
statement to the House on Brexit readiness and Operation Yellowhammer, made on
25 September 2019 for more information relating to this question on the effects and
mitigations to a no deal exit.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster also wrote to the Chair of the Commons
EU Exit Committee on 25 September 2019 confirming a document outlining the no
deal mitigations the Government has put in place and intends to put in place will be
published in due course.
British Constitution
Caroline Lucas: [290315]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he
will consult on a process by which a written constitution for the UK could be determined;
and if he will consult citizens' assemblies as part of that process.
Kevin Foster:
The Government has no plans to introduce a codified (single written document)
constitution for the United Kingdom.
The Government does take a keen interest in initiatives to facilitate discussion and
interest in constitutional issues and the UK’s constitutional arrangements, including
as citizens’ assemblies.
Census: Jainism
Gareth Thomas: [290594]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office,
whether he will hold discussions with the Office of National Statistics on the potential
merits of introducing alternatives to the write-in option and search box to be used in the
2021 Census to ensure more accurate data on the Jain community in that census; and if
will he make a statement.
Gareth Thomas: [290595]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what
plans he has to promote to the Jain population in the UK the ability to identify as a Jain in
the 2021 census, and if he will make a statement.
Gareth Thomas: [290596]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what
discussions he has had with the Office of National Statistics to ensure that the religious
classification of Jainism is not confused with the term Hindu; and if he will make a
statement.
Kevin Foster:
The Government will be guided by the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS)
recommendations, to Government and Parliament, regarding the demand for
particular questions in the next census.
These recommendations were published in the White Paper ‘Help Shape our Future:
The 2021 Census of Population and Housing in England and Wales’ in December
2018 (Cm 9745).
Under the ONS proposals, everyone who wishes to identify as being of the Jain
religion in the 2021 Census will be able to do so using the write-in option and the new
online search-as-you-type facility.
The ONS will work with local groups and organisations to ensure anyone who wishes
to identify as Jain knows that they can use these options to do so. The ONS has
been in discussions with the Institute of Jainology (IoJ) about how best to reach and
work with Jain communities, as well as working with local authorities to identify areas
with Jain communities.
Civil Servants and Ministerial Policy Advisers: Security
Nic Dakin: [290323]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office,
whether (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers are required to declare whether they
have ever been involved in actions intended to overthrow or undermine Parliamentary
democracy by political, industrial or violent means in order to gain (i) employment and (ii)
security clearance.
Kevin Foster:
All civil servants and special advisers who are subject to National Security Vetting are
asked the following three questions as part of the clearance process:
“Have you ever been involved in actions intended to overthrow or undermine
Parliamentary democracy by political, industrial or violent means?”
“Have you ever been a member of, or supported, a group or groups involved in any of
the above activities?”
“Have you ever had a close association with anyone, including a member of your
family, who, to your knowledge, has been a member of or given active support to any
such group or activities?”
National Security Vetting is a prerequisite for employment in a large subset of Civil
Service roles, including sensitive posts and special advisers. For less sensitive roles
that do not require vetting, these assurances are not asked of prospective
candidates.
Civil Servants: Conflict of Interests
Bridget Phillipson: [290923]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what
advice is provided to senior civil servants on the proper disciplinary approach to take
towards civil servants who have been found not to have declared personal interests with
an applicant for discretionary public funds where they are involved in the decision-making
process.
Kevin Foster:
The Civil Service Management Code sets out regulations and instructions related to
civil servants’ terms and conditions of service, including the declaration of private
interests. All civil servants must comply with instructions from their department or
agency regarding the retention, disposal or management of such interests. If
required, disciplinary proceedings are a matter for the department or agency
concerned in the light of the circumstances of each case. HR in each Department will
provide advice about the appropriate procedures to follow.
Conflict, Stability and Security Fund
Dan Carden: [291044]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office,
pursuant to the Answers of 25 July 2019 to Question 280367 and 17 July 2019 to
Question 276193 and with reference to the findings of the independent assessment
commissioned by the Joint Funds Unit which identified areas where the process could be
improved, what specific recommendations were made for improving the Overseas
Security and Justice Assistance process.
Oliver Dowden:
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office lead HMG policy on the Overseas Security
and Justice Assistance (OSJA) Guidance. The Joint Funds Unit audit of CSSF
OSJAs showed that the OSJA process was closely adhered to by programme teams.
Although OSJAs are not required to be completed until after programme design is
finalised, the audit found that many programme managers considered OSJA from
earlier in the process, ensuring that human rights considerations were built into
programmes from the initial stages.
The audit found that a number of simple improvements, such as ensuring the audit
trail of approvals is completed, would help improve the quality of OSJAs across the
board and better reflect the level of analysis given to human rights risks.
As stated in the answer to Question 280367, in response to the audit’s
recommendations the JFU is updating CSSF programmatic guidance and the
Stabilisation Unit is updating its core security and justice training for HMG staff to
align with the revised guidance.
There are no plans to publish the OSJA audit or the recommendations in full.
Elections: Campaigns
Catherine McKinnell: [290766]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office,
when he plans to bring forward the technical proposal for the digital imprint regime.
Kevin Foster:
The Government is committed to increasing transparency in digital campaigning and
on 5 May 2019 announced it will implement a digital imprints regime. The
Government will bring forward the proposal for this regime later this year.
General Elections
Jon Trickett: [290655]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office,
whether his Department has recently conducted a risk assessment of its own capabilities
to support a snap election.
Kevin Foster:
The Cabinet Office regularly reviews its capabilities to support national elections. The
Cabinet Office is fully prepared to undertake all of the necessary activity that is
required of it and to work with the Electoral Commission and other organisations
which participate in ensuring effective elections should an early general election be
called.
Government Chief Digital Information Officer
Jon Trickett: [290658]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office,
whether the newly created role of Chief Digital Information Officer will replace the unfilled
role of Chief Data Officer.
Simon Hart:
The Chief Digital Information Officer will not replace the role of Chief Data Officer.
The Government intends to appoint a Chief Data Officer by 2020 as we committed to
in the Government Transformation Strategy.
Government Departments: Location
Luke Pollard: [291132]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office,
when he plans to announce the next wave of Government hubs.
Simon Hart:
The Government Hubs programme will create sustainable long-term multi-
Departmental Government Hubs delivering value for money for the tax-payer and
creating a modern, flexible estate, facilitating smarter working for civil servants.
Fourteen Government Hubs have already been announced, and market searches are
progressing to source appropriate space for future locations.
As these locations are agreed, further announcements will be made.
Malnutrition: Death
Eleanor Smith: [291075]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what
estimate he has made of the number of deaths in England with a (a) primary and (b)
secondary cause of malnutrition in each of the last 10 years.
Kevin Foster:
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority.
I have asked the authority to reply.
Attachments:
1. UKSA Response [PQ 291075 (1).pdf]
Ministerial Policy Advisers: Conduct
Stephen Doughty: [290944]
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office,
whether any exemptions to the Cabinet Office Code of Conduct for Special Advisers have
been granted to any Special Adviser since the formation of the current Government.
Kevin Foster:
Special Advisers are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.
I can confirm no exemptions to this requirement have been granted.
DEFENCE
Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement
Chris Stephens: [290751]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on the
procurement of new land platforms (a) MRVP and (b) MIV; and if he will make a
statement
Anne-Marie Trevelyan:
The Multi-Role Vehicle - Protected programme is being delivered in two packages.
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) has been identified as the preferred option for
Package 1, Command, Liaison and Logistic Vehicles, procured through a Foreign
Military Sales case. A decision on the procurement of JLTV is due in 2020. For
Package 2, Troop Carrying Vehicles and Future Protected Battlefield Ambulances,
the competition is ongoing. Subject to the conclusion of current negotiations and
internal approvals, the competition winner is planned to be on contract early in 2020.
The Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) programme is now in the Assessment Phase
and progress is developing, as internal assessment of the case is undertaken.
Civil Disorder
Jon Trickett: [290659]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the armed forces will be used to
police civil unrest in the event that the scenarios outlined in Operation Yellowhammer:
HMG Reasonable Worst Case Planning Assumptions occur.
Mark Lancaster:
The Ministry of Defence has been working across Government, including with the
Home Office and the National Police Chiefs' Council, to ensure that Government is
adequately prepared for the range of YELLOWHAMMER Planning Assumptions. The
maintenance of public order is the responsibility of the police. There are no plans to
utilise military personnel in the event of civil unrest in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Defence: Expenditure
Nia Griffith: [290891]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row Q of the table headed
Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 46 of the Central Government
Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will
publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations Service
Personnel Staff Cost.
Nia Griffith: [290892]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row R of the table headed
Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 46 of the Central Government
Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will
publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations and
Peacekeeping Civilian Personnel Staff Costs.
Nia Griffith: [290893]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row S of the table headed
Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 47 of the Central Government
Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will
publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations
Infrastructure Costs.
Nia Griffith: [290894]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row T of the table headed
Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 47 of the Central Government
Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will
publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations Inventory
Consumption.
Nia Griffith: [290895]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row U of the table headed
Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 47 of the Central Government
Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will
publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations Equipment
Support Costs.
Wayne David: [290903]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row V of the table headed
Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 47 of the Central Government
Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will
publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations Other
Costs and Services.
Wayne David: [290904]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row W of the table headed
Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 47 of the Central Government
Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will
publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations Receipts
and other Income.
Wayne David: [290905]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row X of the table headed
Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 47 of the Central Government
Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will
publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Operations Capital
Single Use Military Equipment.
Wayne David: [290906]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row Y of the table headed
Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 47 of the Central Government
Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will
publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Non-Departmental
Public Bodies Costs (net).
Wayne David: [290907]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row Z of the table headed
Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 47 of the Central Government
Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will
publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Defence Capability
Admin Service Personnel Costs.
Gerald Jones: [291097]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row AA of the table entitled
Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 47 of the Central Government
Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published on 9 May 2019, if he will
publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Defence Capability
DE&S DEL Costs.
Gerald Jones: [291098]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row AB of the table headed
Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 47 of the Central Government
Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published on 9 May 2019, if he will
publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading War Pension Benefits
Programme Costs.
Gerald Jones: [291099]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row AC of the table headed
Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 47 of the Central Government
Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published in May 2019, if he will
publish a breakdown of the spending allocation under the heading Conflict, Stability and
Security Fund.
Gerald Jones: [291100]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to row AD of the table headed
Spending in Departmental Expenditure Limits on page 47 of the Central Government
Supply Estimates 2019-20: Main Supply Estimates, published May 2019, if he will publish
a breakdown of the spending allocation under the Cash Release of Provisions
Administration Costs.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan:
The Ministry of Defence is committed to appropriate transparency of its finances, and
we make regular reports to Parliament on our expenditure as well as being subject to
regular National Audit Office studies on various aspects of our expenditure. In
particular, we produce an account of the Department's actual expenditure every year
in the Annual Report and Accounts, and we also publish annually a detailed report on
the Equipment Plan, focusing on departmental spending on the procurement and
support of military equipment. These reports set out actual expenditure at the end of
the relevant financial year. We published the 2018-19 Annual Report before the
summer recess and the equipment plan report is due to be published later this year.
The figures concerned are estimates and are subject to variations in expenditure that
take place throughout the year as the Department undertakes its business. The
definitive record of our expenditure is set out in the Annual Report and Accounts and
Equipment Plan. The Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2020 will be
published in summer 2020 and the Equipment Plan 2019 is due to be published later
this year. The latest versions of both publications can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-annual-report-and-
accounts-2018-to-19
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-defence-equipment-plan-2018
Navy: Technology
Luke Pollard: [291158]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress the Royal Navy has made on
the development of the NavyX project; and if he will make a statement.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan:
Since being established on 1 April 2019, NavyX is pursuing 15 autonomy projects
across the above-water, surface, underwater and littoral environments. Recent
activity has included delivering the first live trial, integrating autonomous vessels with
HMS ARGYLL at the Defence and Security Equipment International event earlier this
month.
Unmanned Air Vehicles: Safety
Jamie Stone: [291043]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that drone
safety regulations are maintained when the UK leaves the EU.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan:
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the UK competent authority for the
administration of legislation under the Air Navigation Order (ANO). The implications
for the Regulation and operation of all military aircraft, including Remotely Piloted Air
Systems (RPAS), when the UK leaves the EU has been thoroughly assessed by the
Military Aviation Authority (MAA) (which forms part of the Defence Safety Authority)
with relevant measures being developed in the case that the UK leaves the EU
without a deal. This will be ongoing to ensure compliance with all future
developments in this area. The MAA continues to publish guidance to its Regulated
Community.
DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
Broadband
Mr Ranil Jayawardena: [291092]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her
Department is taking to meet the Prime Minister's pledge for full-fibre broadband for all by
2025, including in Hampshire.
Matt Warman:
The government is committing to delivering nationwide gigabit capable connectivity
as soon as possible. Much progress has already been made, and this government
will continue to take action to remove barriers to network rollout and to ensure that
those in the hardest to reach areas are not left behind.
The government set out a clear policy direction for the UK’s digital infrastructure in
last year’s Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review. Since then the government has:
- Issued the first Statement of Strategic Priorities for Ofcom, which provides the
regulator with context and guidance about Government’s policy priorities and desired
outcomes in the communications markets, including the need for stable and long term
regulation that incentivises investment and ensure competition for gigabit capable
networks.
- Consulted on improving access for network builders to tenanted properties and new
builds.
- Invested public funding in the deployment of gigabit capable broadband in the less
commercial areas of the country. For example, the Government has launched the
£200 million Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme as the first stage in our outside-in
programme to rollout gigabit broadband to the most rural and remote areas of the
country, and the existing superfast broadband programme has pivoted towards full
fibre provision.
The government has plans to build further on this work, including plans to introduce
legislation on easier access to tenanted properties and ensuring new builds have
gigabit connectivity.
Specifically in Hampshire, CityFibre and Toob have both announced plans to invest in
full fibre networks whilst Virgin Media have announced that Southampton will be the
first city they will upgrade to gigabit capable connectivity. Government is also
supporting deployment in Hampshire with projects in Portsmouth and the Isle of
Wight through the Local Full Fibre Networks programme, having already passed over
7,000 premises in Hampshire with full fibre through the Superfast Programme.
Business: Data Protection
Daniel Zeichner: [290351]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate her
Department has made of the number of businesses which need to arrange standard
contractual clauses.
Daniel Zeichner: [290352]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate her
Department has made of the cost to businesses of standard contractual clauses to
ensure data flows are legal after the UK has left the EU.
Daniel Zeichner: [290353]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate her
Department has made of the number of contractual clauses arranged by businesses to
permit data flows after the UK has left the EU.
Matt Warman:
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the UK will become a ‘third country’ under EU
data protection law. Subsequently, personal data transfers from the EU/EEA to the
UK will become restricted and require additional legal safeguards. Any organisation
that receives personal data from the EU/EEA should review their contracts and,
where absent, include appropriate legal safeguards to ensure they can continue to
receive personal data from the EU/EEA. Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) are
the most common legal safeguard and will be the relevant mitigation for most
organisations
All businesses and organisations that receive personal data from the EU will need to
take action, in conjunction with their EU/EEA partner. Receipt of personal data from
the EU/EEA is not specific to any one sector or type of business - every organisation
should review their data flows to determine whether they are affected
The implementation cost for SCCs will vary between different organisation depending
on a range of factors, notably the number of existing contracts that require SCCs to
be added. Many businesses will already have contracts including SCCs with non-
EU/EEA countries. For most organisations - including SMEs - taking the required
action should not be excessively costly and does not always require specialist advice.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has built a handy online tool to help
businesses and organisations through every step of the process
DCMS, with Whitehall partners, is undertaking an intensive engagement and
communication effort with businesses and organisations across the UK and in the EU
to highlight the need for action. The Department has worked with the Information
Commissioner's Office to ensure that all available guidance is simple, straightforward
and actionable and that businesses can produce the required SCCs online. There
has been an increase in awareness of the changes that need to be made to prepare
businesses and organisations for the possibility of a no-deal exit and this campaign
will continue as a Government priority.
Cybercrime
Jo Platt: [291082]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the
Answer of 22 July 2019 to Question 277853, whether her Department has set a timescale
for the publication of guidance on the use of DNS over HTTPS.
Matt Warman:
We are working with industry stakeholders and all interested parties to ensure that
any unintended consequences of implementation of the DNS over HTTPS protocol
are addressed. Recommendations on a course of action will be developed in due
course.
Cybercrime: Skilled Workers
Jo Platt: [291081]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to her
Department's announcement entitled New boost to increase diversity in nation’s cyber
security industry published on 14 August 2019, what target her Department has set on
the number of people who will be assisted by the third round of funding from the Cyber
Skills Immediate Impact Fund.
Matt Warman:
The Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund encourages a sector-led approach to
stimulating the cyber security retraining ecosystem in a sustainable way. It is
designed to increase the number and diversity of individuals pursuing a career in the
cyber security profession. Launched in 2018, the Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund
announced its third funding round on 14 August 2019.
We are currently running an open grant competition for proposed initiatives to apply
for funding. We expect to support several new initiatives in this round of funding,
working closely with employers to maximise the employment prospects of the
individuals benefiting from the training programmes. Over 400 people have already
benefited from training supported by previous funding rounds, and our objective is
that greater numbers will benefit as the businesses we partner with further invest in
this sector. The outcome of this programme will be reported in due course.
Entertainers: British Nationals Abroad
Tommy Sheppard: [290400]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will publish
guidance for musicians and other performers on (a) travelling and (b) working in EU
countries in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Helen Whately:
Leaving the EU requires musicians and performers to adapt their current processes
as they travel to and work in the EU. We have engaged extensively with stakeholders
to ensure we fully understand these changes and to support the sector with their
preparations..
We have also worked extensively with colleagues across government to ensure
musicians and performers’ interests are being considered as we prepare to exit the
EU. Specific advice regarding travel and working abroad can be found on the
Government’s Get Ready For Brexit webpage.
We are ensuring that latest guidance and updates regarding how organisations can
best prepare for travelling and working internationally forms a key part of our
business readiness preparations. My department is holding bespoke arts industry
workshops designed to support individuals and organisations in the arts, culture and
heritage sectors as they prepare. The government is also holding nationwide events
offering tailored guidance and support which are open to all, to help prepare for
Brexit.
The Association of British Orchestras and UK Theatre have also been granted
Government funding to provide industry briefings, open to those in their sectors and
beyond.
Musicians: British Nationals Abroad
Tommy Sheppard: [290401]
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she
has made of the accuracy of the findings by the Incorporated Society of Musicians that
musicians will incur additional costs of up to £1,000 per year when travelling to the EU in
the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Helen Whately:
Our cultural and creative sectors are one of the UK’s greatest success stories. We
will ensure that these sectors continue to thrive and that collaboration with our
European partners continues to flourish beyond our exit from the EU.
My department benefits from, and greatly appreciates, the expertise and research
carried out by trade organisations and umbrella bodies, like the Incorporated Society
of Musicians.
Journeys and routes around the EU are varied and unique to each musician. As such
it is not possible to calculate a single accumulated cost.
However, we have engaged extensively with the cultural sector, and understand the
diverse circumstances of companies, organisations and individual practitioners and
how they may need to adapt as we leave the EU. These include changes for visas,
social security and movement of equipment, including instruments when moving
around the EU. We are working with other colleagues across government to ensure
these are factored into our preparations and future negotiations.
EDUCATION
Apprentices: Wallasey
Ms Angela Eagle: [290696]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many apprenticeships starts there were
in Wallasey constituency in each year since 2010.
Michelle Donelan:
The number of apprenticeship starts in Wallasey local authority in each year since
2005/06 can be found in the table attached.
Figures for 2011/12 onwards are not directly comparable to 2010/11 or prior years as
a Single Individualised Learner Record collection system was introduced in 2011/12.
More detailed breakdowns of starts in local areas, by characteristics such as age,
level and sector subject area are available in the further education data library:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fe-data-library-apprenticeships.
Attachments:
1. 290696_Table [290696_Apprenticeship_starts_in_Wallasey_by_academic_year_2010-
11_to_2018-19 .xlsx]
Children: Day Care
Steve McCabe: [290628]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2019
to Question 281567 on Children: Day Care, to which constituencies the £9.1 million was
allocated.
Nick Gibb:
This year, the Department invested £9.1 million to set up local Holiday Activity and
Food coordinating organisations in 11 local authority areas. They were responsible
for funding and overseeing free holiday clubs so that disadvantaged children in these
areas could benefit from high quality provision during the summer holiday. This was a
considerable increase from the £2 million that was awarded in 2018. The Department
continues to build on its understanding of how free provision can be coordinated and
on information about what works in supporting this sector.
The attached table shows the list of constituencies that benefitted from the
Department’s funding through the summer 2019 Holiday Activities and Food
programme.
Attachments:
1. 290628_Table
[290628_table_Holiday_and_Food_coordinating_organisations_by_local_authority.doc]
Steve McCabe: [290629]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 24 September
2019 to Question 281570 on Children: Day Care, how many local authority areas did not
meet the duty to provide sufficient childcare in the latest period for which data is
available.
Nick Gibb:
The Department works closely with Childcare Works, our national delivery contractor,
to ensure that all local authorities provide sufficient childcare places in order to deliver
free early years entitlements. Local authorities are required to report annually to
elected council members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient
childcare and make this report available and accessible to parents. At this time, no
local authority has reported that they are unable to meet their duty to provide
sufficient places.
The Department’s Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey collects data on
registered early years childcare places, including those in maintained schools and
nurseries. Data is available at a national and regional level. A link to the survey can
be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/childcare-and-early-years-
providers-survey-2018.
Class Sizes: York
Rachael Maskell: [290716]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average pupil to teacher ratio was
in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in York in each year since 2010.
Nick Gibb:
The table below provides the average pupil to teacher ratio in state funded primary
and state funded secondary schools in York and England[1] as reported by schools in
each year in November from 2011 to 2018.
Data from before 2011 was collected every year from January and is not comparable
to data collected after 2011 in the School Workforce Census. Data from before 2011
is available here:
https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120531061356/https://www.education.g
ov.uk/researchandstatistics/statistics/statistics-by-
topic/teachersandschoolworkforce/a00196868/pupil-teacher-ratios.
PRIMARY [2] SECONDARY
York England York England
2011 [3] 21.9 20.5 16.1 14.9
2012 21.2 20.5 14.4 14.9
2013 25.4[4] 20.5 15.0 15.0
2014 21.6 20.4 15.3 15.0
2015 25.9 20.5 17.0 15.3
PRIMARY [2] SECONDARY
2016 24.3[5] 20.9 17.8[6] 15.6
2017 22.1 20.9 17.3[7] 16.0
2018 21.9 20.9 17.2[8] 16.3
SOURCE: SCHOOL WORKFORCE CENSUS
[1] The England figures are calculated by dividing the total full-time education number
of pupils on roll in schools in each year by the total number of teachers in schools
each year. Where schools are not open on Census day, for both the School
Workforce Census (November), and the school Census (January) they are excluded.
Schools that do not provide either pupil or teacher figures are also excluded. The
School Workforce Census methodology document provides further information,
available here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm
ent_data/file/811619/SWFC_Methodology.pdf.
[2] Excludes nursery.
[3] Figures prior to 2011 are not available in a complete format.
[4] This figure is based on 50 out of the 52 open primary schools in York in 2013.
[5] This figure is based on 49 out of the 50 open primary schools in York in 2016.
[6] This figure is based on 8 out of the 9 open secondary schools in York in 2016.
[7] This figure is based on 8 out of the 9 open secondary schools in York in 2017.
[8] This figure is based on 8 out of the 9 open schools in York in 2018. All other
figures for York are based on the full set of schools that were open at the time.
Education: EU Nationals
Mr Gavin Shuker: [290780]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance his Department has issued to
schools on the eligibility of EU citizens without settled status to receive state-funded
education up to the age of 18.
Nick Gibb:
Schools and local authorities cannot take into account nationality or immigration
status when deciding which pupils to admit, and there will be no change to this after
exiting the EU. Parents or carers of pupils who are EU, EEA or Swiss citizens will
need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 2020.
The Department has issued advice for schools on how to prepare for exiting the EU,
which includes information on the EU Settlement Scheme and on accessing school
places after exiting the EU. The guidance is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-
schools-in-england/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-schools-in-england.
Free School Meals: Barnsley
Stephanie Peacock: [290441]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of children in
primary schools in Barnsley were eligible for free school meals in each year since 2010.
Stephanie Peacock: [290442]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of children in
secondary schools in Barnsley were eligible for free school meals in each year since
2010.
Michelle Donelan:
The number and proportion of children in state-funded primary and secondary
schools known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals in each local authority
are published in the annual ‘School, pupils and their characteristics’ statistical
releases published at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-school-and-pupil-numbers.
The most recent data covering January 2019 can be found in Table 4c here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/schools-pupils-and-their-characteristics-
january-2019.
The underlying data to these releases provides this information at school level.
Stephanie Peacock: [290444]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of children in
secondary schools in Barnsley eligible for free school meals went on to higher education
in each year since 2010.
Michelle Donelan:
The department does not publish the number of children eligible for free school meals
(FSM) entering higher education at a local authority level.
The department publishes information at a local authority level on the proportion of
students who entered higher education by age 19 who were eligible for FSM at age
15 in state-funded and special schools.
The attached table shows the estimated percentage of pupils from state-funded and
special schools with free school meal status that entered higher education by age 19
for Barnsley. The percentage has increased from 4% in 2005/06 to 10% in 2016/17.
Attachments:
1. 290444_table [290444 table FSM pupils entering HE age 19 .pdf]
Higher Education: Standards
Gordon Marsden: [290661]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions his Department has had
with the Office for Students on the publication of the results of the subject-level Teaching
Excellence Framework prior to the publication of the recommendations of the
independent review of the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework.
Gordon Marsden: [290662]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what additional (a) evidence and (b) material
his Department has provided to Dame Shirley Pearce's review of the Teaching
Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework.
Gordon Marsden: [290663]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials
have had with (i) NUS, (ii) UCU and (iii) UUK and (iv) other representative HE groupings
on the implications for the sector of his letter to the Office for Students asking for subject-
level Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) results in 2021.
Gordon Marsden: [290664]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of
the cost of subject-level Teaching Excellence Framework results in 2021; and whether
funds have been provided to the Office for Students to cover those costs.
Chris Skidmore:
The department regularly discusses the ongoing development of the Teaching
Excellence Framework (TEF) with the Office for Students (OfS). We expect the OfS
to consider the implementation of the TEF in light of the report of the independent
review of TEF by Dame Shirley Pearce, as well as the government’s response. We
intend to lay Dame Shirley’s report before Parliament and publish it alongside the
government’s response as soon as possible.
The department’s analysts provided Dame Shirley and her advisory group
background information and analytical support. This will be published as part of the
supporting evidence base, which will be presented as appendices to her report.
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and his officials have not
discussed the paragraphs on the TEF in the strategic guidance letter to the OfS with
representative groups from the HE sectors. Discussions of this type would not
normally be held with these groups in advance of issuing guidance.
The department provides grants to the OfS for the development and delivery of the
TEF. Further discussions will be held with the OfS on estimating costs in future years
when planning for the implementation of the TEF. This will take into account that the
recommendations in the report of the independent review are clear.
Music: GCSE
Paul Farrelly: [290976]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps he has taken to increase
the number of pupils taking GCSE music.
Nick Gibb:
The Government believes that music is an important subject and that all pupils should
receive a high quality music education, up until at least the age of 14. The subject is
compulsory in the National Curriculum, and the Government is providing funding of
over £300 million for music education hubs between 2016 and 2020.
The Department hopes all pupils who want to study music at GCSE will have the
opportunity to do so. Since 2009-10, the percentage of the GCSE cohort in state
funded schools who take music GCSE has fluctuated but remained broadly stable
between 6 and 7%. It currently stands at 6%.
In order to ensure all pupils are able to enjoy a high quality music education, the
Department is developing and publishing a non-statutory model music curriculum for
Key Stages 1-3.
The model curriculum will provide pupils with the knowledge and skills which enable
them to embark with confidence on a GCSE course of study.
Schools: Charitable Donations
Steve McCabe: [290632]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2019 to
Question 278353 on Schools: Charitable Donations, how the income generated by
schools is distributed across schools.
Steve McCabe: [290633]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2019 to
Question 278353 on Schools: Charitable Donations, what the income was in cash terms
from (a) donations and (b) voluntary funds in each year since 2010.
Steve McCabe: [290634]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2019 to
Question 278353 on Schools: Charitable Donations, what the income was in cash terms
that was generated by schools in each Parliamentary constituency in each year since
2010.
Nick Gibb:
The Department publishes data on donations and voluntary contributions to schools
at national and local level which can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-local-authority-school-finance-
data.
The data set includes school income and expenditure data for the financial years
2009-10 to 2017-18 for local authority-maintained schools, and for the academic
years 2011-12 to 2015-16 for academies.
A detailed breakdown by school is available at the following link: https://schools-
financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk/Help/DataSources.
The data set includes school income and expenditure data from 2013-14 to 2017-18
for local authority maintained schools and from 2013-14 to 2017-18 for academies.
The data is not available at constituency level.
Sign Language
Rachael Maskell: [290713]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to
extend the (a) teaching and (b) use of British Sign Language (BSL) in the (i) classroom,
(ii) workplace and (iii) wider society.
Nick Gibb:
The Government is committed to supporting the education of all children and young
people with special educational needs or a disability, including those with a hearing
impairment.
Schools may choose to offer British Sign Language (BSL) in their individual school
curriculum or extra-curricular activities, including offering existing accredited BSL
qualifications. In addition, the Department is developing draft BSL GCSE subject
content, which will be considered against the subject content criteria requirements
that apply to all GCSEs.
The Government has always worked closely with deaf people and their organisations
on delivering improvements across a wide range of services including Access to
Work, accessing healthcare information, and supporting the funding of BSL
interpreters. There is more to be done and the Government is committed to
continuing to work in partnership with deaf people, and the organisations that
represent deaf people, to improve their lives.
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Air Pollution: Pollution Control
Sue Hayman: [290860]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much her
Department has spent from the public purse on tackling poor air quality in each of the last
five years.
Rebecca Pow:
The Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) is a cross-Departmental team between the
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for
Transport (DfT). It was set up in Financial Year (FY) 2016/17 and is responsible for
the delivery of the UK Plan for Tackling Roadside Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations
(NO2).
The table below shows Defra’s spend for FY 2015/16 and JAQU’s total spend each
year since FY 2016/17. Figures for FY 2014/15 are not available.
FINANCIAL YEAR DEFRA FUNDING(£M) DFT FUNDING(£M) TOTAL(£M)
2015/16 3.2 -* 3.2
2016/17 11.9 1.0 12.9
2017/18 19.9 22.4 42.3
2018/19 51.6 109.2 160.8
*No DfT funding for FY 2015/16
Environment Agency: Pay
Sue Hayman: [290863]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress her
Department has made on resolving the pay dispute at the Environment Agency.
Rebecca Pow:
The Environment Agency (EA) is in meaningful talks with its recognised trade unions.
This has resulted in the suspension of action by one of the trade unions.
The EA has a portfolio of transformational projects which will better support the
development of any future pay reform, and on which the EA is working collaboratively
with its trade unions.
In the meantime, the EA will move forward with a pay deal for 2019 which will be in
line with the Government’s Civil Service pay remit guidance for 2019 to 2020.
Fracking: Methane
Sue Hayman: [290864]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment
she has made of the effect of fracking on trends in the level of methane emissions.
Rebecca Pow:
There is currently only one operational shale gas exploration site in the UK. The
Environment Agency (EA) has set legally binding conditions to require monitoring and
control of methane emissions at the hydraulic fracturing site in Lancashire. Cuadrilla
are required to carry out regular emissions monitoring, including continuous
monitoring of methane to air before and during shale gas operations. The results are
submitted regularly to the EA. The levels of methane in the ambient air are also
monitored independently off site by the EA and the British Geological Survey.
Northumbrian Water
Dr Paul Williams: [291115]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what meetings her
Department has had with Northumbrian Water to discuss preparations for the UK leaving
the EU without a withdrawal agreement.
Rebecca Pow:
We have been working closely with all water companies in the UK, as well as
chemical suppliers, regulators and the devolved administrations on contingency
planning. Companies are well advanced in their preparations to make sure they can
meet their statutory responsibility to maintain services. We are confident that no-deal
will not have an impact on water supply.
It will be the case that our water will continue to be safe and of the same quality
customers expect when we leave the European Union.
Plastics: Pollution
Douglas Chapman: [290823]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her
Department is taking to encourage (a) ports and (b) transport companies involved in the
movement of plastic (i) pellets and (ii) nurdles to sign up to the British Plastics
Federation’s industry-led scheme Operation Clean Sweep to reduce the loss of plastic
pellets in transit.
Rebecca Pow:
UK ports are an important part of the pre-production plastic pellets supply chain. As
such, we have welcomed the moves by PD Teesport and the Port of Felixstowe to
sign up to Operation Clean Sweep and call for other UK ports to do the same.
However, we must continue to engage all stages of the supply chain, such as
manufacturing, logistics and processing, if we want to tackle the scourge of plastic
pellet loss effectively. Collaboration with the British Plastics Federation is key to
making this happen.
Plastics: Recycling
Anna McMorrin: [291148]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is
taking to ensure the UK meets targets as set out under the European Union Packaging
and Packaging Waste Directive and Circular Economy Package to (a) recycle 70% of
packaging waste by 2030 and (b) recycle 65 per cent of municipal waste by 2035.
Anna McMorrin: [291149]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her
Department has to ensure that 80 per cent of packaging produced can be recycled.
Rebecca Pow:
The Government has recently consulted on a package of measures to overhaul the
waste and recycling system. This included reforms to the packaging producer
responsibility system to incentivise producers to use easier to recycle packaging and
ensure the UK achieves a 70% recycling rate for packaging waste by 2030.
This consultation also proposed a system of modulated fees to incentivise design for
recyclability to ensure that the majority of packaging can be easily recycled.
In addition, we have consulted on measures to achieve greater consistency in
recycling provision across England. Following support at consultation, we will
legislate so that all local authorities in England collect the same core set of dry,
recyclable materials and provide a weekly, separate food waste collection service to
households, from 2023. We will also legislate so that businesses and other
organisations separate dry recyclable materials and food waste from residual waste
streams to be recycled also from 2023.
These measures, together with packaging reforms, will contribute towards achieving
an overall 65% recycling rate of municipal waste by 2035.
Plastics: Waste
Anna McMorrin: [291145]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to
Policy Connects report entitled Plastic Packaging Plan: achieving zero 'waste' exports,
published January 2019, that highlighted UK exports of plastic packaging overseas stood
at 4.15 million tonnes between 2010-2017, what steps her Department are taking to
ensure the UK is a net-zero exporter of plastic packaging by 2030.
Anna McMorrin: [291146]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment
she has made of the merits of the UK becoming a net-zero exporter of plastic packaging
by 2030.
Rebecca Pow:
We have made no formal assessment of becoming a “net-zero exporter of plastic
packaging”.
The Resources and Waste strategy sets out Governments aim to significantly
increase UKs reprocessing capacity, including for plastics. This will be achieved by
providing a large and stable supply of recyclable waste materials, increasing the
quality of the waste materials to be recycled, improving demand for recycled
materials and levelling the playing field for UK reprocessors through minimising illegal
waste exports.
Government has recently consulted on wide ranging reforms to support these aims
through greater consistency in household and business recycling, reform of
packaging producer responsibility, and the introduction of a deposit return scheme for
drinks containers.
Waste Management: Exhaust Emissions
Stephen Doughty: [291020]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment
she has made of the effect on the environment of vehicle and HGV emissions associated
with waste processing plants in the UK.
Rebecca Pow:
We have not carried out a specific assessment in England (waste is a devolved
matter). Impacts from vehicle movements would have been assessed when the
planning application for the waste facility was under consideration by the local
authority.
Waste Management: Wales
Stephen Doughty: [290911]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much (a)
residential, (b) commercial and (c) industrial waste originating in England has been sent
for processing in Wales in each of the last five years.
Rebecca Pow:
This level of detailed information is not routinely collated and cannot be readily
compiled from information held by Defra for residential, commercial or industrial
waste originating in England.
Water Supply: Chemicals
Deidre Brock: [290382]
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her
Department has support water companies in the supply of purification chemicals in the
event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Rebecca Pow:
We have been working closely with all water companies in the UK, as well as
chemical suppliers, regulators and the devolved administrations on contingency
planning. Companies are well advanced in their preparations to make sure they can
meet their statutory responsibility to maintain services. We are confident that no-deal
will not have an impact on water supply.
It will be the case that our water will continue to be safe and of the same quality
customers expect when we leave the European Union.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Brazil: Climate Change Convention
Lyn Brown: [290298]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the
Answer of 9 September 2019 to Question 284857 on Brazil: Climate Change Convention,
what discussion he has had with his Brazilian counterpart on that Government's steps to
meet its international obligations under (a) Article 4 and (b) Article 5 of the Paris
Agreement.
Christopher Pincher:
The United Kingdom was pleased to see Brazil reaffirm their commitment to the Paris
Agreement at the G20, supporting vital international cooperation on climate change.
We regularly engage with the Brazilian Government on many environmental issues
and are committed to working together to deliver low carbon growth. Furthermore, we
have invested over £120 million in International Climate Programmes which will help
limit deforestation, prevent forest fires, implement the Forestry Code, and promote
sustainable land use.
British Nationals Abroad: EU Countries
Jo Stevens: [291010]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment
his Department has made of the effect on UK citizens living in the EU of the UK leaving
the EU without a withdrawal agreement.
Christopher Pincher:
Protecting the rights of British Nationals living in the EU is an absolute priority for the
Government. However, in the event of No Deal we cannot protect the rights of British
nationals unilaterally. All EU Member States have drafted or enacted legislation on
the rights of British Nationals if there is no deal, but the extent to which the measures
in place protect citizens' rights vary by Member State. British Nationals resident in the
EU can expect their rights and access to services to change over time. The
Government will continue to urge the EU and all Member States to reciprocate the
UK's generous offer to EU citizens and give British Nationals the certainty they need.
China: Surveillance
Lyn Brown: [290306]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an
assessment of the level of use of variables on (a) ethnicity and (b) religion in (i) visual
identification and (ii) suspect profiling systems used by the Chinese Government in
Xinjiang.
Mrs Heather Wheeler:
We are aware of reports that citizens in Xinjiang are being required to provide
information to Chinese authorities about religious observance and foreign contacts.
We are also aware of reports that such data is used to categorise citizens, and that
ethnicity and religion are being used as designators. We are monitoring the situation
closely. FCO officials regularly travel to the region to attempt to verify such reports;
they most recently visited in May 2019. We remain concerned about any
disproportionate and indiscriminate measures that undermine freedom of religion and
freedom of expression.
Lyn Brown: [290309]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an
assessment of the extent of the involvement of UK companies in the development of (a)
visual identification and (b) suspect profiling systems used by the Chinese Government in
Xinjiang.
Mrs Heather Wheeler:
We are aware of reports of links between companies in the UK and those operating in
Xinjiang. We continue to encourage all British businesses to undertake appropriate
levels of due diligence before deciding to do business or invest in foreign companies.
The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights guide the
approach that UK companies should take to respect human rights wherever they
operate including adopting appropriate due diligence policies to identify, prevent and
mitigate human rights risks, and commit to monitoring and evaluating implementation.
China: Terrorism
Lyn Brown: [290307]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make an
estimate of the number of forced confessions for terrorism-related offences in detention
camps in Xinjiang, China in the last three years.
Mrs Heather Wheeler:
We do not have reliable figures to estimate of the number of forced confessions for
terrorism-related offences in detention camps in Xinjiang, China in the last three
years, nor the extent of detention on the basis of allegations made against family
members of religious minority groups. However, we have repeatedly highlighted the
credible reports of over a million Uyghurs and other minorities being detained in so
called “re-education camps”, along with widespread surveillance and restrictions
targeted at minorities.
Emigration: EU Countries
Jo Stevens: [291008]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions
his Department has had with other EU member states on ensuring a positive environment
for UK citizens wishing to move to an EU country after the UK leaves the EU.
Christopher Pincher:
My department, in close coordination with other government departments, continues
to engage intensively with EU Member States to support British Nationals living in
and travelling to the EU. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has significantly
increased the capacity of our Europe network; our Embassies and Consulates are in
close and regular contact with their host governments. The UK will seek to agree
reciprocal mobility arrangements with the EU. The detail of how these provisions will
apply under the future relationship will be for future negotiations with the EU.
Forests: Conservation
Lyn Brown: [290304]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent
diplomatic steps his Department has taken to promote the objectives of the Amsterdam
Declaration.
Christopher Pincher:
Ministers and our Embassy routinely engage with the Brazilian Government on many
environmental issues, including sustainable commodities
Georgia: Military Intervention
Paul Farrelly: [290981]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he plans to
designate Russia's presence in South Ossetia and Abkhazia as an occupation by that
country.
Christopher Pincher:
The UK remains resolute in its support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial
integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Consistent with the position of
many of its international partners, the United Kingdom refers to Abkhazia and South
Ossetia as breakaway regions of Georgia. Alongside our international partners, we
are actively supporting Georgia's efforts towards conflict resolution.
Iraq: Religious Freedom
Eddie Hughes: [291143]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what role his
Department is playing in promoting religious diversity in Iraq.
Dr Andrew Murrison:
The UK is committed to promoting and protecting the right to Freedom of Religion or
Belief across Iraq. The importance of religious tolerance and diversity was a major
subject of discussion during the visit of Iraqi President, Barham Salih, to the UK in
June, and in my meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Al-Hakim on 25
June. To support the return of displaced members of Iraq's Christian communities, we
have committed £23.15 million to the UN's Funding Facility for Stabilisation which is
helping Iraq to rebuild territory, including predominately Christian areas, liberated
from Daesh.
Persecution of Christians Across the Globe Independent Review
Eddie Hughes: [291141]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress his
Department has made on implementing the recommendations of the Bishop of Truro’s
Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians;
and if he will make a statement.
Eddie Hughes: [291142]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which
recommendations of the Bishop of Truro’s Independent Review for the Foreign Secretary
of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians are being prioritised; and if he will make a
statement.
Mrs Heather Wheeler:
We are grateful to the Bishop for setting out ambitious recommendations. The report
has identified specific steps that the British Government can take to address the
issues faced by persecuted Christians around the world. We have accepted the
recommendations in full and are working hard to implement them. On 12 September
the Foreign Secretary welcomed the appointment of Rehman Chishti MP as the
Prime Minister’s new Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief who will build
on the work of the former Envoy Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon. Mr Chishti is
delighted with this appointment and looks forward to continuing to enhance the UK’s
support for all those suffering persecution based on their faith.
West Africa: Religious Freedom
Eddie Hughes: [291144]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his
Department is taking to help tackle religious oppression against (a) Christians and (b)
other religious groups in (i) Burkina Faso and (ii) other parts of West Africa.
Andrew Stephenson:
The UK is deeply concerned about the security deterioration in Burkina Faso and the
Sahel, including attacks in recent months against religious minorities. We are
committed to working with all partners, including Burkina Faso and other countries in
West Africa, to protect freedom of religion and belief for all. As the UK increases its
work to encourage stability and prosperity in the Sahel, we will continue being vocal
champions for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.
Yemen: Military Intervention
Stephen Twigg: [290583]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to
the Secretary of State for International Trade’s letter of 16 September 2019 to the Chair
of the Committees on Arms Export Control, when the British Embassy in Riyadh became
aware that Royal Saudi Land Forces were operational in Yemen.
Stephen Twigg: [290585]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to
the Secretary of State for Trade’s letter of 16 September 2019 to the Chair of the
Committees on Arms Export Control, for what reasons the Department for International
Trade and Ministry of Defence were not immediately informed that the Royal Saudi Land
Forces were operational in Yemen.
Dr Andrew Murrison:
In line with its formal role in providing advice to DIT on the Consolidated EU and
National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(FCO) provided its advice on the three applications in question for export to Saudi
Arabia on 2 April and 6 June 2019. On 18 June 2019, the FCO team in the Export
Control Joint Unit received information from the British Embassy in Riyadh that RSLF
troops were deployed in Yemen. At this stage, the FCO was unaware that the
licences had not already been issued by DIT and this was before the undertaking to
the court on 20 June.
Stephen Twigg: [290584]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment
his Department has make of the accuracy of the Saudi Press Agency release of 14
September 2018 that stated that an RSLF helicopter crashed on operations in in Al-
Mahra province in Yemen.
Dr Andrew Murrison:
We closely monitor the situation in Yemen, however we have not made an
assessment on the incident in question.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [291080]
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to
the letter of 16 September 2019 from the Secretary of State for International Trade letter
to the chair of the Committees on Arms Export Controls, when his Department knew that
RSLF troops were deployed in Yemen.
Dr Andrew Murrison:
On 18 June 2019, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office team in the Export Control
Joint Unit received information that RSLF troops were deployed in Yemen.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
Cancer: Health Services
Helen Hayes: [290455]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his
Department has made of the effect on access to cancer treatment of the UK leaving the
EU without an agreement.
Edward Argar:
The Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for the United Kingdom’s
exit from the European Union. Our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and
medical products when we leave the EU on 31 October.
The Department, in consultation with the devolved administrations, has been working
with trade bodies, product suppliers, and the health and care system in England to
make detailed plans that should ensure continuation of the supply of medical
products to the whole of the UK and its Crown Dependencies.
On 26 June, we wrote to suppliers of medicines to the UK from or via the EU or
European Economic Area setting out our continuing multi-layered approach to
support continuity of supply of medicines and medical products from 31 October.
Further details can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-
government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plans
As with our plans leading up to 29 March, for those medicines that cannot be
stockpiled because, for example, they have short shelf-lives, such as medical
radioisotopes for use in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, we have asked
suppliers to make alternative arrangements, using air freight, which some suppliers
are already doing now. We have offered support to companies to arrange this.
Cancer: Research
Daniel Zeichner: [290349]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much funding the
Government allocated to cancer research in each financial year since 2009.
Caroline Dinenage:
The Department’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) does not allocate
funding for specific disease areas. The level of research spend in a particular area,
such as cancer, is driven by factors including scientific potential and the number and
scale of successful funding applications.
The NIHR’s expenditure on cancer research constitutes the largest investment in a
disease area, and expenditure since 2009 is set out in the attached table.
Attachments:
1. PQ290349 table [PQ290349 attachment.docx]
Epilepsy: Drugs
Helen Hayes: [290454]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his
Department has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU without a deal on access to
epilepsy medication.
Edward Argar:
The Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for the United Kingdom’s
exit from the European Union. Our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and
medical products when we leave the EU on 31 October.
The Department, in consultation with the devolved administrations, has been working
with trade bodies, product suppliers, and the health and care system in England to
make detailed plans that should ensure continuation of the supply of medicines, to
the whole of the UK and its Crown Dependencies.
On 26 June, we wrote to suppliers of medicines to the UK from or via the EU or
European Economic Area setting out our continuing multi-layered approach to
support continuity of supply of medicines and medical products from 31 October.
Further details can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-
government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plans
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Catherine West: [291039]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is
taking to increase the supply of HRT patches; and whether stock levels of HRT patches
have been affected by uncertainty over the UK's departure from the EU.
Edward Argar:
The Department fully understands that maintaining access to hormone replacement
therapy (HRT) medications is vitally important to many people in this country.
We are aware of ongoing supply issues with some HRT transdermal patches due to
manufacturing issues. We have been working closely with all suppliers of HRT
transdermal patches to maintain overall supply to patients. Although some HRT
transdermal patches are affected by supply issues, supplies of other alternative HRT
transdermal patches have remained available.
We continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure relevant information about the
HRT products affected by supply issues and the products that remain available is
shared across the National Health Service on a regular basis. We have already
issued comprehensive communications to the NHS with regard to availability and
signposted clinicians to sources they can use to support local decision making
around switching patients who are affected by the current supply disruptions.
We will continue to work directly with all suppliers of the affected and alternative
products to resolve the supply issues as soon as possible and ensure supplies of
HRT products including transdermal patches continue to remain available.
There is no evidence that the small number of current HRT supply issues we are
managing are related to EU exit or increasing because of this.
In Vitro Fertilisation: Single People
Mr Ranil Jayawardena: [291091]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had
with the NHS on NHS spending following media reports on 8 September 2019 that the
NHS is to review the ban on single women receiving fertility treatment.
Caroline Dinenage:
The level of provision of local health services, including fertility treatment, available to
patients is, and has been since the 1990s, a matter for local healthcare
commissioners, who must consider the needs and priorities of all their population.
Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have the current statutory responsibility to
commission high quality services that meet the needs of their local population.
Decisions about treatment should always be based on patients’ clinical needs.
If there are concerns about provision of care, it is for NHS England to ensure the
CCG is not breaching its statutory responsibility to provide services that meet the
needs of the local population. Where performance concerns are identified, NHS
England has the ability to exercise formal legal powers to either provide an enhanced
support to a CCG, or in rare circumstances to intervene where it is believed that a
CCG is failing, or is at risk of failing, to discharge its functions.
NHS England has advised that the CCGs in south east London have agreed to
undertake a rapid review of the NHS South East London’s Treatment Access Policy
Document in relation to access criteria for funding in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by the end
of November 2019.
The CCGs have made a public apology for any offence caused by the wording in the
Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to single women’s access to IVF
treatment and the review document it refers to and agree that this wording is
unacceptable.
The rapid review will also specifically consider issues relating to equality and
discrimination in relation to single women. The CCGs will publish the review
alongside any changes to the revision of the policy.
NHS England and NHS Improvement are aware that the CCGs are undertaking a
review of the policy, as the body responsible for that policy. All CCG governing
bodies were asked to review and approve any changes to the NHS South East
London Treatment Access Policy made for 2019/20.
In taking clinical decisions about fertility treatment and taking account of their public
sector equality duty, CCGs should make assessments based on clinical infertility and
not on relationship status.
Maraviroc
Seema Malhotra: [291021]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has
had made of the effectiveness of Maraviroc in patients with progressive multifocal
leukoencephalopathy (PML).
Ms Nadine Dorries:
Maraviroc (brand name Celsentri) is currently authorised through the European
centralised procedure for the treatment of patients who are infected with HIV type 1. It
is used in combination other HIV medicines.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency which is responsible for
the regulation of medicines in the United Kingdom is not aware of any application for
maraviroc for use in patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
and cannot therefore comment on the efficacy of this drug in patients with PML.
Medical Treatments: Nanotechnology
Chi Onwurah: [291007]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Prime
Minister's speech to the UN on 24 September 2019, what assessment he has made of
the regulatory framework for the use of nanotechnology in medicine.
Ms Nadine Dorries:
Currently nanotechnology used in medicine is regulated under the legislation that
applies to medical devices and medicinal products.
The medical device regulations require that all medical devices are safe and perform
as intended. The regulations have recently been updated and the new regulations
include specific requirements for medical devices containing nanomaterials. This
means that any medical device containing nanomaterials will be subject to more
detailed regulatory scrutiny than under the current regulations.
As with all medicinal products, before a nanomedicine is granted a marketing
authorisation and becomes available in the United Kingdom, it must be fully
evaluated in relation to the appropriate standards required in the relevant legislation
on medicinal products. In addition, specific scientific guidelines on nanomedicines
have been developed to help medicines developers prepare marketing authorisation
applications for nanomedicines.
No specific assessment of the regulatory framework for the use of nanotechnology in
medicine has been undertaken.
Mental Health Services: Standards
Mr Jim Cunningham: [290642]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to
ensure that all mental health units provide their vulnerable patients with a good level of
care.
Ms Nadine Dorries:
Everybody has the right to receive safe, high-quality care. If care has fallen short of
this, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) can use its powers to take action against
those responsible.
The CQC has a key responsibility in the overall assurance of safety and quality of
health and adult social care services in England. The latest annual State of Care
report, published in October 2018, found that the majority of National Health Service
mental health trusts and independent providers were continuing to provide good
quality care.
We are working with the CQC to look at ways in which we can improve the way we
hold large independent sector mental health providers with complex structures to
account for quality and safety.
NHS Business Services Authority: North East and North West
Ms Angela Eagle: [290694]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 5
September 2019 to Question 285061, how many offices the NHS Business Service
Authority has in the (a) North East and (b) North West.
Edward Argar:
In the north west of England, the NHS Business Services Authority currently occupies
three properties, two offices and one warehouse.
In the north east of England, NHS Business Services Authority currently occupies
four properties, two offices and two warehouses, and manages one property on
behalf of the Counter Fraud Authority.
NHS: Drugs
Tom Brake: [290580]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made
of (a) his Department's and (b) others liability should medicine shortages, outlined in the
Yellowhammer document, lead to preventable deaths.
Edward Argar:
The Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for the United Kingdom’s
exit from the European Union. Our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and
medical products when we leave the EU on 31 October.
The Department, in consultation with the devolved administrations, has been working
with trade bodies, product suppliers, and the health and care system in England to
make detailed plans that should ensure continuation of the supply of medicines to the
whole of the UK and its Crown Dependencies.
On 26 June, we wrote to suppliers of medicines to the UK from or via the EU or
European Economic Area setting out our continuing multi-layered approach to
support continuity of supply of medicines and medical products from 31 October.
Further details can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-
government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plans
Chris Ruane: [290702]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to Operation
Yellowhammer HMG Reasonable Worst Case Planning Assumptions paragraph 6, what
steps his Department is taking to ensure the (a) geographically equitable and (b)
economically equitable distributions of medicines in limited supply in the event of the UK
leaving the EU without a deal.
Edward Argar:
The Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for the United Kingdom’s
exit from the European Union. Our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and
medical products when we leave the EU on 31 October.
The Department, in consultation with the devolved administrations, has been working
with trade bodies, product suppliers, and the health and care system in England to
make detailed plans that should ensure continuation of the supply of medicines to the
whole of the UK and its Crown Dependencies.
On 26 June, we wrote to suppliers of medicines to the UK from or via the EU or
European Economic Area setting out our continuing multi-layered approach to
support continuity of supply of medicines and medical products from 31 October.
Further details can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-
government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plans
Nutrition: Health Education
Mrs Sharon Hodgson: [290723]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made
of the potential effect on the Eatwell Guide of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
Jo Churchill:
No assessment has been made of the potential effect on the Eatwell Guide if the
United Kingdom leaves the European Union without a deal. The Eatwell Guide is
based on the best available scientific evidence and would only be reviewed if the
evidence underpinning it changed.
Radioisotopes
Catherine West: [291038]
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is
rationing the supply of medical isotopes in advance of the UK potentially leaving the EU
without a deal; and what steps he is taking to ensure an adequate supply of medical
isotopes in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Edward Argar:
The Department is doing everything appropriate to prepare for the United Kingdom’s
exit from the European Union. Our plans should ensure the supply of medicines and
medical products, including medical radioisotopes, when we leave the EU on 31
October.
The Department, in consultation with the devolved administrations, has been working
with trade bodies, product suppliers, and the health and care system in England to
make detailed plans that should ensure continuation of the supply of medical
products, including medical radioisotopes, to the whole of the UK and its Crown
Dependencies.
On 26 June, we wrote to suppliers of medicines to the UK from or via the EU or
European Economic Area setting out our continuing multi-layered approach to
support continuity of supply of medicines and medical products from 31 October.
Further details can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-and-medical-products-supply-
government-updates-no-deal-brexit-plans
As with our plans leading up to 29 March, for those medicines that cannot be
stockpiled because, for example, they have short shelf-lives, such as medical
radioisotopes for use in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, we have asked
suppliers to make alternative arrangements, using airfreight, which some suppliers
are already doing. We have offered support to companies to arrange this and are
actively working with suppliers to ensure detailed plans are in place ahead of the 31
October.
HOME OFFICE
Civil Disorder
Chris Ruane: [290704]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Operation
Yellowhammer HMG Reasonable Worst Case Planning Assumptions paragraph 13, what
assessment she has made of which nations and regions of the UK are at the highest risk
of increased public disorder and community tensions.
Kit Malthouse:
It is the duty of any responsible Government to prepare for every eventuality including
the scenario that we leave the EU without agreeing a deal.
The government continues to engage broadly with communities of all backgrounds
and origins to make sure we are aware of any concerns communities may have and
provide targeted support.
The police have tried and tested strategic mobilisation plans for responding to a wide
range of emergency scenarios, including widespread disorder. We are working
closely with the National Police Chiefs Council and National Police Coordination
Centre to ensure they are appropriate for a No Deal EU Exit.
There is no intelligence to suggest that there will be widespread public disorder, but
we are working closely with the Police to ensure the safety and security of our
citizens in all scenarios.
Chris Ruane: [290705]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to Operation
Yellowhammer HMG Reasonable Worst Case Planning Assumptions paragraph 13, what
assessment she has made of the operational capacity of (a) North Wales Police and (b)
every other territorial police force to appropriately respond to increased public disorder
and community tensions in the event that the UK leaves with EU without a deal.
Kit Malthouse:
It is the duty of any responsible Government to prepare for every eventuality including
the scenario that we leave the EU without agreeing a deal.
We are working closely with the police on contingency planning so we can ensure the
safety and security of our citizens in all scenarios.
The police have tried and tested strategic mobilisation plans for responding to a wide
range of emergency scenarios, including disorder. We are working closely with the
National Police Chiefs Council and National Police Coordination Centre to ensure
they are appropriate for a No Deal EU Exit.
Gloucestershire Constabulary: Finance
Mr Laurence Robertson: [290621]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will increase her
Department's grant to Gloucestershire constabulary to pay for the cost of additional police
officers recruited as a result of her policies; and if she will make a statement.
Mr Laurence Robertson: [290622]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will increase the grant to
Gloucestershire constabulary so that its reliance on local precepts is no greater than that
of metropolitan areas; and if she will make a statement.
Kit Malthouse:
The Chancellor has announced that the Home Office will receive £750 million for
investment in policing in 2020/21 to enable delivery of the year one officer uplift. The
Chancellor also confirmed that the Home Office will receive an additional £45m of
funding in 2019/20 to help forces to start recruiting as soon as possible.
As usual, force-level funding, including government grants and proposed precept
referendum limits will be set out at the provisional police funding settlement later this
year.
Harassment
Tim Loughton: [290567]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when new guidance for the
operation of Police Information Notices will be issued.
Tim Loughton: [290568]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Police Information
Notices have been issued by each constabulary in the last 12 months.
Kit Malthouse:
The National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Stalking and Harassment, Deputy Chief
Constable Paul Mills, and the College of Policing, wrote to Chief Constables in April
2019 recommending that all police forces in England and Wales stop using Police
Information Notices (PINs) with immediate effect. An evaluation of any gap created
by this policy decision will be conducted in May 2020.
Following a recommendation from the Independent Office for Police Conduct in
September 2019, DCC Mills wrote to all Chief Constables again, inviting them, if they
had not done so before, to consider withdrawing PINs within their policing area with
immediate effect. He also asked them, once PINs had been withdrawn, to satisfy
themselves that PINs or their equivalent were not still being used by officers when
responding to stalking and harassment offences.
As they are non-legislative tools, the Home Office does not collect information
centrally on the number of PINs issued. Responsibility for the publication of
information by a police force sits with the Chief Constable.
Immigration Controls
Janet Daby: [290470]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to avoid
potential delays to passengers because of increased immigration checks at UK borders in
the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
Brandon Lewis:
Immediately after exit, EU citizens can continue to cross the border using their
passport or national identity card. They will be able to use e-Gates if they are
travelling on a biometric passport, and they will not be routinely questioned about
their status in the UK.
During 2020, the UK will phase out the use of EEA national identity cards. We will
make an announcement on when this will happen and will give notice so that EU
citizens and carriers can prepare. Swiss national identity cards will continue to be
valid for travel in line with the citizens’ rights agreement between the UK and
Switzerland.
Immigration Controls: EU Nationals
Daniel Zeichner: [290357]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what instructions UK Border
Force staff have been given on EU citizens travelling to the UK on ID cards after the UK
leaves the EU.
Brandon Lewis:
Immediately after exit, EU citizens can continue to cross the border using their
passport or national identity card.
During 2020, the UK will phase out the use of EEA national identity cards for travel.
We will make an announcement on when this will happen and will give notice so that
EU citizens and carriers can prepare. Swiss national identity cards will continue to be
valid for travel in line with the citizens’ rights agreement between the UK and
Switzerland.
Immigration: EU Nationals
Patrick Grady: [290391]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of
the proportion of applications for settled status that have resulted in (a) an award of pre-
settled status and (b) a request for further information.
Brandon Lewis:
Published information on EU Settlement Scheme conclusions by outcome type can
be found in the Home Office’s fifth ‘EU Settlement Scheme statistics’, monthly
statistics tables, table 2, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-
settlement-scheme-statistics-august-2019.
The Home Office is committed to publishing more detailed quarterly statistics on the
EU Settlement Scheme. Home Office statisticians are currently considering the
content of the next quarterly release and will take into account the views of statistics
users.
Maria Eagle: [290692]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to extend
the eligibility for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme for EU citizens who have
been in the UK for many years and can financially sustain themselves but do not work.
Brandon Lewis:
The EU Settlement Scheme has been designed to make it simple and straightforward
for resident EU citizens, and their family members, to obtain UK immigration status.
Applicants only need to complete three key steps: prove their identity and nationality,
demonstrate their UK residence and declare any criminal convictions. They are not
required to be in employment, self-sufficient or otherwise exercising Treaty rights
under EU law.
Mr Gavin Shuker: [290779]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of
the number of applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme who are resident in Luton who
have (a) been granted settled status, (b) been granted pre-settled status and (c) had their
application turned down in each year since the introduction of that scheme.
Brandon Lewis:
Published information on EU Settlement Scheme applications by region and local
authority can be found in the Home Office’s ‘EU Settlement Scheme quarterly
statistics’, local authority statistics tables, table EUSS_LA, available at:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm
ent_data/file/826752/eu-settlement-scheme-local-authority-statistics-28-august-2018-
to-30-june-2019.ods.
The latest published information on EU Settlement Scheme applications concluded
for the UK can be found in the Home Office’s ‘EU Settlement Scheme monthly
statistics’ available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-settlement-
scheme-statistics-august-2019. It was noted in this release that one application was
refused on suitability grounds during the period from 1 August to 31 August 2019.
The available data is of applications received and processed since testing began on
28 August 2018, just over 12 months ago. The Home Office does not currently
publish statistics on EU Settlement Scheme application outcomes by local authority.
The Home Office is committed to publishing more detailed quarterly statistics on the
EU Settlement Scheme. Home Office statisticians are currently considering the
content of the next quarterly release and will take into account the views of statistics
users.
Paul Blomfield: [290873]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 6
September 2019 to Question 282339, in what circumstances would a prisoner serving a
sentence be eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Paul Blomfield: [290874]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 6
September 2019 to Question 282339, how many prisoners have applied to the EU
Settlement Scheme.
Paul Blomfield: [290875]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 6
September 2019 to Question 282339 on Young Offenders: EU Nationals, whether EEA
national prisoners' relatives who are third country nationals are eligible to apply to the EU
Settlement Scheme.
Brandon Lewis:
A person’s continuity of residence in the UK for the purposes of eligibility un-der the
EU Settlement Scheme is broken when they serve a sentence of im-prisonment.
They will therefore not generally be eligible to apply to the scheme while they are
serving that sentence.
Only where a person has already acquired the right of permanent residence under
EU law, or has already completed a continuous qualifying period of five years’
residence in the UK, will a sentence of imprisonment not affect their eligibility, or that
of their third country national family members, to apply under the scheme and only
then if the sentence is not serious enough to lead to their deportation. Official
statistics – ‘EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics, August 2019’ – providing
detailed information regarding operation of the scheme were pub-lished on 22 August
2019. These can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-
settlement-scheme-statistics-august-2019
The Home Office is committed to publishing more detailed quarterly statistics on the
EU Settlement Scheme. Home Office statisticians are currently con-sidering the
content of the next quarterly release and will take into account the views of statistics
users.
Paul Blomfield: [290876]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 17
July 2019 to Question 252533, when her Department will publish the Data Protection
Impact Assessment and Policy Equality Statement for the EU Settlement Scheme.
Brandon Lewis:
The Data Protection Impact Assessment and the Policy Equality Statement for the
EU Settlement Scheme will be published in due course.
Paul Blomfield: [290877]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the
Government guidance entitled How the automated check calculates the period of
residence, for what reason caseworkers are not shown information about an applicant's
employment, pension or benefits.
Brandon Lewis:
The automated checks conducted where an applicant under the EU Settlement
Scheme chooses to provide their National Insurance number have been designed to
make the application process as quick and straightforward as possible. They greatly
reduce the need for applicants to upload documentary evidence of their residence in
the UK.
Caseworkers are not shown information from the checks about an applicant's
employment, pension or benefits as this is not relevant to their eligibility for status
under the scheme, which is generally based on continuous UK residence.
Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: [291034]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made
of the level of take-up of the EU Settlement Scheme among naturalised EU citizens of
non-EU origin.
Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: [291035]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is
taking to raise awareness of the EU Settlement Scheme among (a) EU citizens of Somali
origin and (b) other large communities of EU citizens of non-EU origin.
Brandon Lewis:
It is vital that the estimated three million EU citizens and their non-EU family
members living in the UK understand how and when to apply to the EU Settlement
Scheme.
When the scheme fully opened in March, the Home office delivered a £3.75m
marketing campaign to raise awareness of the scheme and encourage applications.
As of 31 August 2019, 1.3 million people have now applied to the EU Settlement
Scheme. Of these, approximately 66,700 are non-EU family members. EU citizens
and their families have until at least 31 December 2020 to apply, and the Home
Office will continually monitor interest and intake to the scheme throughout its
lifetime.
Further advertising and stakeholder communications are underway to continue to
raise awareness of the scheme. All available channels will be used to reach our
audiences – such as direct marketing, radio, video-on-demand and outdoor
advertising, presentations, email updates, toolkits and webinars to name a few – to
direct all eligible cohorts towards reliable sources of information on GOV.UK and the
application itself.
No-one will be left behind which is why we are also working in partnership with
vulnerable group representatives, local authorities and other experts to make
everyone knows what they need to do and has the right level of support. We have
awarded up to £9 million to 57 voluntary and community sector organisations across
the UK to help us reach an estimated 200,000 vulnerable or at-risk EU citizens and
their family members.
Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: [291107]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 9
September 2019 to Question 284212, how her Department plans to treat late applications
to the EU Settlement Scheme from people who do not have reasonable grounds for
missing the deadline.
Brandon Lewis:
The Government has made clear that EU citizens resident in the UK before we leave
the European Union on 31 October 2019 will have until at least 31 December 2020 to
apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme. We will publish guidance in due
course on the scope for a late application to be made by those with reasonable
grounds for missing the deadline.
We will also set out in due course the requirements to be met, from 2021, under the
new points-based immigration system, by EU citizens and their family members who
wish to remain in the UK and who have not applied for status under the EU
Settlement Scheme or, for EU citizens moving to the UK after a no deal Brexit, under
the European Temporary Leave to Remain Scheme.
Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: [291110]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to establish a
dedicated enquiry line for members' offices to discuss applications made by constituents
to the EU Settlement Scheme; and whether the staff of the UKVI enquiry line will be given
access to EU Settlement Scheme applications to discuss such applications with
members' offices.
Brandon Lewis:
There are no plans to establish a dedicated enquiry line.
Members and their offices have access to their dedicated MP Account Management
Team where they can raise queries by email and phone. Enquiry lines are open
Monday to Friday and staff have access to the EU Settlement Scheme application
records.
Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: [291111]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made
of the average time for calls to the EU Settlement Resolution Centre to be answered.
Brandon Lewis:
The average time taken to answer a call to the settlement Resolution Centre is
reviewd each day to ensure it is kept to a minimum.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
Ms Angela Eagle: [290698]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Minister of State for
Crime, Policing and the Fire Service has met representatives of the Merseyside Fire and
Rescue Service.
Kit Malthouse:
No meetings with representatives of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service have taken
place.
Missing Persons
Louise Haigh: [290819]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her
Department’s response to the 10th report of the Home Affairs Select Committee 2017-19
HC 515: Policing for the future, CP62, published 15 March 2019, page 22, what the
expected publication date is of the updated Missing Children and Adults Strategy.
Louise Haigh: [290820]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment the
Department has made of the cost to police forces of dealing with missing persons cases
in each of the last five years.
Kit Malthouse:
The Government recognises that people that go missing include some of the most
vulnerable people in our society. That is why this Government will do all it can to
ensure those people are protected from harm.
The Home Office is working with partners to address the issues faced by those who
go missing through its refreshed Missing Children and Adults Strategy which will be
published in the coming months.
The Home Office does not hold information on the cost to police forces of dealing
with missing persons cases.
Police: Basingstoke
Mrs Maria Miller: [291171]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the investigation into
allegations of discrimination at the North Hampshire Police Investigation Centre in
Basingstoke that commenced in February 2018 will be (a) completed and (b) made
public.
Kit Malthouse:
This is an operational matter for Hampshire Constabulary. The Home Office does not
comment on on-ging investigations.
Police: Complaints
Mrs Maria Miller: [290996]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department
holds on the time taken by Police Constabularies to resolve complaints involving police
(a) officers and (b) employees.
Mrs Maria Miller: [290999]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what obligations each police
constabulary has to collect data on (a) the number of complaints received within the force
area and (b) the type of complaints received.
Mrs Maria Miller: [291000]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to
improve the (a) transparency and (b) speed of police complaints handling.
Mrs Maria Miller: [291168]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data her Department holds
on the time taken by police constabularies to resolve complaints involving police officers
and other police force employees.
Mrs Maria Miller: [291169]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what obligations each police
constabulary has to collect data on (a) the number of complaints received in its force area
and (b) the type of complaints.
Mrs Maria Miller: [291170]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to increase
the (a) transparency and (b) speed of police complaints handling.
Kit Malthouse:
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) determines the information that
police forces are required to collect on police complaints. The data is published by
the IOPC on its website and through an annual Police Complaints Statistics report.
https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Documents/statistics/complaints_
statistics_2017_18.pdf.
The data includes the number of complaints received by each force, the types of
complaint and the time taken to deal with them.
The Government has developed a comprehensive package of reforms to the police
complaints system to increase transparency and the timeliness with which complaints
are handled. These reforms are set out in the Policing and Crime Act 2017 and will
be implemented early next year, Parliamentary time permitting.
Police: Disciplinary Proceedings
Mrs Maria Miller: [290995]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) Police Officers
and (b) Police employees are subject to (i) suspension from duties and (ii) a restriction on
duties on an annual basis in each of the last five years by Police Constabulary.
Mrs Maria Miller: [291167]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) police officers and
(b) other police employees were subject to (i) suspension from duties and (ii) restricted
duties in each of the last five years in (A) each police constabulary and (B) the police
force as a whole.
Kit Malthouse:
The Home Office collects and publishes statistics on the number of police officers
who are suspended (as at 31st March each year) and the number who are on
restricted or adjusted duties in each police force in England and Wales on an annual
basis.
These data are published in the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ statistical
bulletins. The latest data available on the number of police officers who are
suspended, as at 31 March 2019, can be found in Table W2 of the accompanying
Data Tables:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm
ent_data/file/831666/police-workforce-mar19-tables.ods
Data on the number of police officers who were suspended as at 31 March in each of
the last 5 years in each police constabulary can be found in Police Workforce
Absence open data:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm
ent_data/file/817736/open-data-table-police-workforce-absence.ods
The latest data available on the number of police officers who are on restricted or
adjusted duties, as at 31 March 2019, can be found in Table W3 of the accompanying
Data Tables:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm
ent_data/file/831666/police-workforce-mar19-tables.ods
It is not possible to separate out officers on restricted duties from those on adjusted
duties.
The Home Office does not collect data on the number of other police employees who
are suspended or on adjusted/restricted duties.
Police: Recruitment
Vernon Coaker: [290654]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many additional police
officers she plans to fund through the Uplift operation for each policy force by 31 March
2021.
Kit Malthouse:
HM Treasury has announced that the Home Office will receive £750 million for
investment in policing in 2020/21 to enable delivery of the year one officer uplift. HMT
has also confirmed that the Home Office will receive an additional £45m of funding in
2019/20 to help forces start recruiting as soon as possible.
Up to 6,000 additional officers are to be recruited by the end of March 2021.
Louise Haigh: [290825]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what formula her Department
plans to use to allocate (a) the initial 6,000 officers and (b) subsequent officers to
territorial policing as set out in the 2019 Spending Review.
Louise Haigh: [290829]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Spending
Review 2019, how the 20,000 officers pledged will be allocated between the territorial
police forces, counter-terrorism policing and serious and organised crime.
Kit Malthouse:
The Prime Minister and Home Secretary announced the recruitment of 20,000 extra
officers over the next three years.
The Chancellor has since announced that the Home Office will receive £750 million
for investment in policing in 2020/21, to enable delivery of the year one officer uplift.
This demonstrates our commitment to giving police extra resource to protect the
public and keep us all safe.
The allocation of officers across England and Wales is yet to be confirmed. Force
level funding will be set out in the usual way at the provisional police settlement.
Louise Haigh: [290832]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Spending
Review 2019, 1.4 Tackling Crime, how many and what proportion of the 2,000 officers
planned to be recruited in the current (a) calendar year and (b) financial year will be (i)
additional posts and (b) replacements for existing vacancies.
Kit Malthouse:
The Government has committed to increasing the number of police officers by an
additional 20,000 over the next three years. Home Office will receive 750m for
investment in policy 2020/21 to enable delivery of Y1 uplift. This includes up to 2,000
officers by the end of this financial year, through an additional £45m.
Up to 6,000 additional officers are to be recruited by the end if March 2021. These
officers will be a genuine increase in police numbers taking into account replacments
for exisiting vacancies in forces.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service
Mrs Sharon Hodgson: [290292]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Minister of State for
Crime, Policing and the Fire Service has met representatives of the Tyne and Wear Fire
and Rescue Service.
Kit Malthouse:
I have recently received an invitation from the Chief Fire Officer of Tyne and Wear
Fire and Rescue Service, but no meeting has yet been arranged.
HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION
Prorogation: Costs
Nic Dakin: [291023]
To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of
Commons Commission, what the cost has been to the taxpayer of the unlawful
prorogation of Parliament.
Tom Brake:
The full financial cost to the House of Commons Service is not yet known as some
costs such as those relating to cancelled leave will take time to confirm. In-House
Services and Participation are the teams anticipated to be the most impacted in
financial terms. Current estimated costs from these two teams are as follows:
In-House Services An estimated £173k in lost banqueting sales (gross), resulting in
£102k off the catering services bottom-line. This includes staff recall costs.
Participation Estimated lost revenue of up to £50k (£44k lost ticket sales and up to
£6k if the Jubilee shop remains closed or there are fewer visitors) due to the
expectation that the Palace of Westminster would be closed on Saturday 12 October
to prepare for State Opening.
Total costs to the taxpayer will include other costs that fall outside of the House of
Commons Service, including costs for the House of Lords and IPSA (in relation to
costs for MPs returning to Westminster).
HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Refuges: Females
Emma Reynolds: [290798]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
estimate he has made of the number of women's refuges operating in England in each
year since 2010.
Luke Hall:
The Department does not hold centrally the number of women's refuges operating in
England in each year since 2010.
MHCLG has recently consulted on a new statutory duty which would require local
authorities to robustly assess the need for and commission support for victims and
their children in safe accommodation.
The consultation closed on 2 August. We are currently analysing the responses to the
consultation on support within safe accommodation and will be publishing a full
government response in due course.
Refuges: Ringfenced Funding
Emma Reynolds: [290797]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether
the Government provides ring-fenced funding to local authorities to spend on supporting
women's refuges.
Luke Hall:
MHCLG does not currently provide ring-fenced funding to local authorities to spend
on supporting women's refuges. Through the local government settlement, funding is
provided to local authorities which they can spend on local domestic abuse services
in line with their local priorities.
Since 2014 the Department has additionally invested £55.5 million in services to
support victims of domestic abuse, including refuges.
MHCLG has recently consulted on a new statutory duty which would require local
authorities to assess the need for and commission support for victims and their
children in safe accommodation.
The consultation closed on 2 August. We are currently analysing the responses to the
consultation on support within safe accommodation and will be publishing a full
government response in due course.
Stronger Towns Fund and Towns Fund: Leigh
Jo Platt: [291138]
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what
assessment his Department made of the eligibility of towns in Leigh constituency when
issuing funding from the (a) Stronger Towns Fund and (b) Towns Fund.
Jake Berry:
As part of the process of identifying the initial 100 places, towns have been chosen
according to the same robust selection methodology. This took into account various
qualitative and quantitative indicators. These included, income deprivation, skills,
productivity, EU exit response, economic shocks, investment opportunities and policy
alignment. The government will publish further details on how the fund will operate in
due course.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Department for International Development: Staff
Preet Kaur Gill: [291047]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what additional staffing
resources his Department has received in the last 12 months to support learning on
managing Official Development Assistance across Government.
Andrew Stephenson:
DFID has not received any additional resources to support learning on ODA across
Government in the last 12 months. DFID’s settlement in the 2019 spending review
includes additional resources for the 2020/21 financial year to provide more support
for other departments to build their capability to spend ODA more effectively. This will
allow DFID to boost our support to other departments spending UK aid, further
ensuring that the UK’s ODA spend continues to deliver value for money for British
taxpayers.
Developing Countries: Children
Rosie Cooper: [290293]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will make an
assessment of the implications for his Department's policies of the conclusions of the
report published on 23 September by Save the Children entitled Transformative Aid: How
UK aid can transform global development and children’s futures.
Andrew Stephenson:
DFID has reviewed the report and welcomes its focus on long-term, systemic change
which is central to DFID’s approach. Women and girls’ health and education are a top
priority for DFID. At the UN General Assembly the Secretary of State announced
£600 million in new funding for family planning supplies for women and girls in the
world’s poorest countries. This week the UK announced a £515 million package of
support for education. DFID is committed to generational transformation for the
world’s poorest and already spends 57% of its bilateral budget on fragile and conflict
affected states. The UK will host the Vaccine Alliance pledging conference next year
to help create a healthier world. I welcome the report acknowledging DFID’s high
standards of transparency and effectiveness. Other departments are making good
progress and DFID continues to support.
Tom Brake: [290574]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will make an
assessment of the implications for his Department's policies of the conclusions of the
Save the Children report, Transformative Aid: How UK aid can transform global
development and children’s futures.
Andrew Stephenson:
DFID has reviewed the report and welcomes its focus on long-term, systemic change
which is central to DFID’s approach. Women and girls’ health and education are a top
priority for DFID. At the UN General Assembly the Secretary of State announced
£600 million in new funding for family planning supplies for women and girls in the
world’s poorest countries. This week the UK announced a £515 million package of
support for education. DFID is committed to generational transformation for the
world’s poorest and already spends 57% of its bilateral budget on fragile and conflict
affected states. The UK will host the Vaccine Alliance pledging conference next year
to help create a healthier world. I welcome the report acknowledging DFID’s high
standards of transparency and effectiveness. Other departments are making good
progress and DFID continues to support.
Preet Kaur Gill: [291061]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment he has
made of the implications for his policies of the Save the Children report entitled
Transformative Aid.
Andrew Stephenson:
DFID has reviewed the report and welcomes its focus on long-term, systemic change
which is central to DFID’s approach. Women and girls’ health and education are a top
priority for DFID. At the UN General Assembly the Secretary of State announced
£600 million in new funding for family planning supplies for women and girls in the
world’s poorest countries. This week the UK announced a £515 million package of
support for education. DFID is committed to generational transformation for the
world’s poorest and already spends 57% of its bilateral budget on fragile and conflict
affected states. The UK will host the Vaccine Alliance pledging conference next year
to help create a healthier world. I welcome the report acknowledging DFID’s high
standards of transparency and effectiveness. Other departments are making good
progress and DFID continues to support.
Developing Countries: Education
Chris Law: [290368]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department
is taking to increase Official Development Assistance spending on education.
Andrew Stephenson:
The Prime Minister has publicly stated that education, particularly girls’ education, is
a priority for the UK. He announced £90 million for education in emergencies and
protracted crisis including £85 million to Education Cannot Wait at the G7 Summit
and this week the UK announced a £515 million package of support for education,
including a £300 million pledge for the new International Finance Facility for
Education. Alongside our commitment to the Global Partnership for Education, the
UK is now the leading bilateral donor to all three major multilateral education funds
and continues to be one of the leading bilateral donors to basic education. At the UN
General Assembly this week, the UK has been calling for others to step up and follow
our lead.
Developing Countries: Health Services
Rosie Cooper: [290294]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will make it a condition
of Official Development Assistance for the health sector that developing countries
allocate five percent of their GDP to that sector.
Dr Andrew Murrison:
If we are to meet the ambition of SDG 3 and ensure no-one is left behind, countries
need to invest more public resources in health. The UK strongly supports the
commitments in the United Nations Political Declaration on Universal Health
Coverage. This calls on countries to increase public spending, with an emphasis on
primary health care, noting World Health Organisation recommendations of an
additional 1% of GDP or more. Evidence shows that the best way to achieve these
financing increases is to secure political commitment rather than aid conditionality
measures.
Developing Countries: Taxation
Henry Smith: [290316]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department
is taking to help strengthen tax systems of developing countries.
Andrew Stephenson:
The UK is committed to supporting countries to achieve the Global Goals, including
working actively with countries to help raise and manage public revenues, and
thereby to invest in their public services and infrastructure.
In February 2019 we announced a new £47 million package of support to assist
developing countries in strengthening their tax systems. This package will provide
technical assistance and capacity building support through a number of partners. It
will also help contribute to economic growth by helping to tackle tax avoidance and
evasion, and by creating a more level playing field for businesses. In addition to this
new package of support, the UK has a number of other initiatives underway to help
strengthen tax systems; in August 2018 DFID Ethiopia launched a £35 million
programme to support the Ethiopian government in transforming the country’s tax
system, and HMRC’s Capacity Building Unit provides peer-to-peer expertise to raise
the standards of tax systems of developing countries.
Chris Law: [290369]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department
is taking to help strengthen the tax systems of developing countries.
Andrew Stephenson:
The UK is committed to supporting countries to achieve the Global Goals, including
working actively with countries to help raise and manage public revenues, and
thereby to invest in their public services and infrastructure.
In February 2019 we announced a new £47 million package of support to assist
developing countries in strengthening their tax systems. This package will provide
technical assistance and capacity building support through a number of partners. It
will also help contribute to economic growth by helping to tackle tax avoidance and
evasion, and by creating a more level playing field for businesses. In addition to this
new package of support, the UK has a number of other initiatives underway to help
strengthen tax systems; in August 2018 DFID Ethiopia launched a £35 million
programme to support the Ethiopian government in transforming the country’s tax
system, and HMRC’s Capacity Building Unit provides peer-to-peer expertise to raise
the standards of tax systems of developing countries.
Tom Brake: [290573]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department
is taking to help strengthen the tax systems of developing countries.
Andrew Stephenson:
The UK is committed to supporting countries to achieve the Global Goals, including
working actively with countries to help raise and manage public revenues, and
thereby to invest in their public services and infrastructure.
In February 2019 we announced a new £47 million package of support to assist
developing countries in strengthening their tax systems. This package will provide
technical assistance and capacity building support through a number of partners. It
will also help contribute to economic growth by helping to tackle tax avoidance and
evasion, and by creating a more level playing field for businesses. In addition to this
new package of support, the UK has a number of other initiatives underway to help
strengthen tax systems; in August 2018 DFID Ethiopia launched a £35 million
programme to support the Ethiopian government in transforming the country’s tax
system, and HMRC’s Capacity Building Unit provides peer-to-peer expertise to raise
the standards of tax systems of developing countries.
Jack Lopresti: [290791]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department
is taking to help strengthen the tax systems of developing countries.
Andrew Stephenson:
The UK is committed to supporting countries to achieve the Global Goals, including
working actively with countries to help raise and manage public revenues, and
thereby to invest in their public services and infrastructure.
In February 2019 we announced a new £47 million package of support to assist
developing countries in strengthening their tax systems. This package will provide
technical assistance and capacity building support through a number of partners. It
will also help contribute to economic growth by helping to tackle tax avoidance and
evasion, and by creating a more level playing field for businesses. In addition to this
new package of support, the UK has a number of other initiatives underway to help
strengthen tax systems; in August 2018 DFID Ethiopia launched a £35 million
programme to support the Ethiopian government in transforming the country’s tax
system, and HMRC’s Capacity Building Unit provides peer-to-peer expertise to raise
the standards of tax systems of developing countries.
Preet Kaur Gill: [291062]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department
is taking to help strengthen the tax systems of developing countries.
Andrew Stephenson:
The UK is committed to supporting countries to achieve the Global Goals, including
working actively with countries to help raise and manage public revenues, and
thereby to invest in their public services and infrastructure.
In February 2019 we announced a new £47 million package of support to assist
developing countries in strengthening their tax systems. This package will provide
technical assistance and capacity building support through a number of partners. It
will also help contribute to economic growth by helping to tackle tax avoidance and
evasion, and by creating a more level playing field for businesses. In addition to this
new package of support, the UK has a number of other initiatives underway to help
strengthen tax systems; in August 2018 DFID Ethiopia launched a £35 million
programme to support the Ethiopian government in transforming the country’s tax
system, and HMRC’s Capacity Building Unit provides peer-to-peer expertise to raise
the standards of tax systems of developing countries.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Arms Trade: Export Controls
Stephen Twigg: [290582]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the Secretary of
State’s letter of 16 September 2019 to the Chair of the Committees on Arms Export
Controls, what steps the Government is taking to review the way in which information is
exchanged with the Joint Export Control Unit.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [291083]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps she plans to take to
ensure that her Department does not violate the court order on banning the issuing of
new export licences to Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners for arms that could be used
in Yemen.
Graham Stuart:
As the Secretary of State said in her statement to Parliament on 26th September, as
soon as the issue was brought to her attention on the 12th September, she took
immediate action:
• Taking immediate steps to inform the Court and Parliament;
• Putting in place immediate, interim procedures to make sure the error could not
happen again;
• Instigating a complete and full internal review of all licences granted for Saudi
Arabia and its Coalition partners since 20 June;
• Asking the Permanent Secretary to commission, on her behalf, a full independent
investigation.
This investigation will: (i) establish the precise circumstances in which these licences
were granted; (ii) establish whether any other licences have been granted in breach
of the Undertaking to the Court or the commitment to Parliament; and (iii) confirm that
procedures are in place to ensure that no further such breaches can occur. The
Director General Policy Group at the Department for Work and Pensions has been
appointed to lead this investigation.
During the course of this investigation, licence applications for Saudi Arabia and its
Coalition partners will be referred to a new weekly meeting of senior officials from
DIT, FCO and MOD. (Some will have been refused by this point, for example where
they fail to meet one or more of the Consolidated Criteria.) This meeting will reach a
recommendation for Ministers as to whether applications are within the scope of the
Undertaking and the Parliamentary Statement, applying a further checklist of
questions which are designed to ensure that: (i) current and full information is
available to enable an assessment of whether the items in question are for possible
use in the conflict in Yemen; and (ii) if there has been any change in circumstances in
the conflict in Yemen, this is properly included in the assessment. All
recommendations to grant licences for the export of items to Saudi Arabia and its
Coalition partners will now be referred to Ministers for decision.
Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia
Lyn Brown: [290783]
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of
the adequacy of Government adherence to the rule of law regarding the issuance of arms
export licences to Saudi Arabia.
Graham Stuart:
The Secretary of State unreserved apologised to the Court and to Parliament for the
inadvertent breaches of the Undertaking given to the Court by the then Secretary of
State in the Order of the Court dated 20 June 2019.
The Permanent Secretary on behalf of the Secretary of State has commissioned a full
investigation to: (i) establish the precise circumstances in which these licences were
granted; (ii) establish whether any other licences have been granted in breach of the
undertaking to the Court or the commitment to Parliament; and (iii) confirm that
procedures are in place to ensure that no further such breaches can occur. The
Director General Policy Group at the Department for Work and Pensions has been
appointed to lead this investigation.
JUSTICE
EU Law
Tim Loughton: [290569]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether existing enforcement orders against
companies registered in EU countries will be enforceable; how UK citizens will be able to
enforce judgements against EU registered entities that relied on EEOs; and what
assessment he has made of the effect of the rights of audience in the EU by solicitors
registered in England and Wales in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Lucy Frazer:
Should the United Kingdom leave the European Union without a deal, the European
Enforcement Order (EEO) Regulation will no longer apply: they will be subject to the
domestic rules of the country in which they are to be enforced. There are, however,
transitional provisions for certain cases ongoing at Brexit that ensure EEOs from EU
member states can be enforced in the UK (see SI 2018/1311). Whether EEOs
originating in the UK before Brexit will be enforced in an EU member state will be
subject to the rules of that member state.
With respect to rights of audience of solicitors registered in England and Wales, these
will be subject to the domestic regulations of each EU member state and the
individual rules of EU courts and institutions.
Fines: Surcharges
Stephanie Peacock: [290445]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 17 May 2019 to
Question 252551, Answer of 10 July 2019 to Question 273770 and Answer of 29 July
2019 to Question 280263, on fines: surcharges, for what reason there was a £1 million
difference between the raised and allocated amounts in the 2016-17 financial year; and
where that money has been allocated.
Wendy Morton:
I am sorry to have to inform you that a rounding error was made in our response to
PQ252551 and 252552. In checking that figure, we have also noted several other
rounding errors. I therefore set out corrected figures relating to the Victim Surcharge
provided in response to these PQs and PQ280263.
FINANCIAL YEAR
VICTIM SURCHARGE
(VS) COLLECTED*
VS CONTRIBUTION TO
THE VICTIM AND
WITNESS BUDGET*
VS CONTRIBUTION TO
THE CRIMINAL INJURIES
COMPENSATION
SCHEME*
2010/11 £10.5m £10.5m 0
2011/12 £10.2m £10.2m 0
2012/13 £10.5m £10.5m 0
2013/14 £19.5m £19.5m 0
2014/15 £24.6m £24.6m 0
2015/16 £28.3m £18.3m £10.0m
FINANCIAL YEAR
VICTIM SURCHARGE
(VS) COLLECTED*
VS CONTRIBUTION TO
THE VICTIM AND
WITNESS BUDGET*
VS CONTRIBUTION TO
THE CRIMINAL INJURIES
COMPENSATION
SCHEME*
2016/17 £31.0m £27.0m £4.0m
2017/18 £35.0m £31.0m £4.0m
2018/19 £33.5m £30.5m £3.0m
* Rounded to one decimal place
Personal Independence Payment: Appeals
Maria Eagle: [290677]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average waiting time was for personal
independence payments claimants awaiting an appeal on their claim to be heard in the
Garston and Halewood constituency in each of the last 12 months.
Lucy Frazer:
Waiting times for appeals against decisions made about Personal Independence
Payment (PIP) are published at:
www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics
Average waiting times 1 for PIP 2 appeals in Garston and Halewood 3 between July
2018 to June 2019 (the latest 12 month period for which data are available) are
included in the table below:
MONTH WAITING TIME (IN WEEKS) 4
July 2018 34
August 2018 35
September 2018 37
October 2018 38
November 2018 38
December 2018 39
January 2019 37
February 2019 40
March 2019 36
April 2019 p 37
MONTH WAITING TIME (IN WEEKS) 4
May 2019 p 35
June 2019 p 37
1. Waiting time is interpreted as average clearance time – time taken from appeal
receipt to outcome.
2. PIP (New Claim Appeals), which is replacing Disability Living Allowance was
introduced on 8 April 2013, and also includes Disability Living Allowance Reassessed
cases.
3. SSCS data are recorded by the office that dealt with the case, and if the case went
to oral hearing, the location of the tribunal hearing, which is normally the hearing
venue nearest to the appellant’s home address. Cases relating to the Garston and
Halewood constituency are attributed to the Liverpool venue.
4. Includes all cases cleared both with and without a tribunal hearing, in line with the
published statistics.
p. Provisional data which are subject to change.
Waiting times are calculated from receipt of an appeal to its final disposal. An appeal
is not necessarily disposed of at its first hearing. The final disposal decision on the
appeal may be reached after an earlier hearing had been adjourned (which may be
directed by the judge for a variety of reasons, such as to seek further evidence), or
after an earlier hearing date had been postponed (again, for a variety of reasons,
often at the request of the appellant). An appeal may also have been decided at an
earlier date by the First-tier Tribunal, only for the case to have gone on to the Upper
Tribunal, to be returned once again to the First-tier, for its final disposal.
It is important that appeals are heard as quickly as possible. HMCTS recognises
there are delays in the system and it is in the process of recruiting more judicial office
holders in order to increase capacity and help to reduce waiting times for appellants.
This includes 250 judges across the First-tier Tribunal, 125 disability qualified
members and up to 230 medical members.
In addition, HMCTS has recently launched a new digital service with a view to
enabling speedier processing of appeals. Information on the new digital service can
be found at: www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision/submit-appeal.
HMCTS is also working with the Department for Work and Pensions to understand
what could be done to reduce the number of appeals being submitted to the Tribunal,
through their focus on improving decision-making and the mandatory reconsideration
process.
Prison Officers: Employment
Richard Burgon: [291156]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prison officers were employed in
each high-security prison in each quarter since 2010.
Lucy Frazer:
The number of prison officers that were employed in each high-security prison in
each quarter from 30 March 2010 to 30 June 2019 is provided in the attached table.
We have recruited more than 4,700 additional prison officers since October 2016 and
across the estate staffing levels are now at their highest since 2012.
Attachments:
1. Table [Copy of Copy of PQ 291156 final file (002).xlsx]
Prison Officers: Retirement
Mr Jim Cunningham: [290640]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the merits of
reducing the retirement age for prisons officers.
Lucy Frazer:
There has been no assessment undertaken on the merits of reducing the retirement
age for prison officers. The retirement age within the Civil Service Pension Scheme
(which Prison Officers are members of) is set by Cabinet Office and not the service.
Prison Sentences
Richard Burgon: [291157]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will list and place in the Library all research
his Department has undertaken into short sentences in the last two years.
Lucy Frazer:
The Ministry of Justice has published a range of research publications with a focus on
short-term prison sentences in the last two years:
• The relationship between offender characteristics and the impact of short custodial
sentences and court orders on reoffending (2018):
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attac
hment_data/file/706597/do-offender-characteristics-affect-the-impact-of-short-
custodial-sentences.pdf
• The impact of short custodial sentences, community orders and suspended
sentence orders on reoffending (2019):
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/impact-of-short-custodial-sentences-
community-orders-and-suspended-sentence-orders-on-reoffending
• The economic and social costs of reoffending (2019):
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-and-social-costs-of-
reoffending.
Richard Burgon: [291160]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) men and (b) women received a
custodial sentence of (i) six months or less and (ii) more than six months in 2018.
Lucy Frazer:
The Ministry of Justice has published information on the number of male and female
offenders sentenced to immediate custody and the length of these sentences in the
“Outcomes by Offence data tool” at:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm
ent_data/file/802314/outcomes-by-offence-tool-2018.xlsx
Use the ‘Sex’ filter to see data for males and females. Custodial sentence lengths can
be found from row 56 onwards.
Prisons: Repairs and Maintenance
Richard Burgon: [291005]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, to publish the repair completion rate for each
prison in each year for which figures are available.
Lucy Frazer:
The table attached shows the available information on repair work orders which
covers the period of September 2018 to August 2019 by establishment. Some of
these tasks cannot be completed in the time period for a variety of reasons which can
lead to duplication of a task. The figures provided include these duplicate tasks,
which account for part of the apparent 'backlog'.
Performance has improved recently against completion on time and against the
number of works which are left outstanding. We ensure that works are completed
with close monitoring of performance through regular contract meetings where
providers are challenged, and concerns can be escalated. Further to this statutory
and mandatory compliance checks are conducted. Where necessary financial
penalties are applied to commercial contractors where work orders are not completed
on time as per contractual requirements. Action plans to reduce outstanding remedial
works have also recently been requested. Our priority is to stabilise and improve
service delivery, with an improved focus on cleanliness and decency.
Attachments:
1. Table [Copy of PQ291005 - Table v2.xlsx]
Prisons: Violence
Mr Jim Cunningham: [290639]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of trends
in the level of violence in prisons.
Mr Jim Cunningham: [290641]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate she has made of the number of
violent incidents against prison officers in prisons in each of last five years.
Lucy Frazer:
The Government publishes quarterly statistics on violence in prison, and a more
detailed annual breakdown, and both are available at
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/safety-in-custody-quarterly-update-to-
march-2019. The relevant link is ‘Assaults in prison custody 2000 to 2018’ and the
information can be found in table 3.1: Prison assaults summary statistics by calendar
year, England and Wales, 2000-2018.
There are clear challenges at many of our prisons, with levels of violence
unacceptably high.
That’s why we are investing £100m to bolster security and stability in prisons, in
addition to £70 million announced previously. This will fund tough airport-style
security, including X-ray scanners and metal detectors to clamp down on the drugs,
weapons and mobile phones that increase the risk to our officers and hinder
rehabilitation.
It will take time for improvements to be seen across the estate but we remain
determined to make progress and will continue to prioritise this important work.
Rape: Trials
Richard Burgon: [290940]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the longest waiting time was in weeks for
a trial where the defendant entered a not guilty plea for rape in each Crown Court in
England and Wales in (a) 2010 and (b) 2018.
Wendy Morton:
The information requested about the longest Crown Court waiting times for a trial
where the defendant entered a not guilty plea for rape in 2010 and 2018 can be found
in the attached Excel document.
This maximum measure can be unrepresentative of the group, and will be affected by
extreme results lying outside the normal range.
Performance, demand and waiting times in the courts are constantly reviewed to
balance sitting days with waiting times, disposals and receipts. Resources are
adjusted when appropriate. Demand has been falling in recent years and sitting days
have been reduced accordingly. The abolition of committal hearings in 2013
transferred the file preparation period from the magistrates’ court to the Crown Court
and so comparisons between pre-2013 data and post-2013 data do not compare like
with like.
We will continue to review demand and performance in the Crown Courts and will
ensure they have the resource they require.
Attachments:
1. Table for PQ 290940 [Table for PQ 290940.xlsx]
Universal Credit: Appeals
Peter Grant: [290853]
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of
delays in universal credit tribunal hearings on claimants seeking an appeal; and what the
average waiting is for an appeal to be heard.
Lucy Frazer:
According to the most recent statistics (April to June 2019), the average waiting time
for an appeal to be heard by the Social Security and Child Support (SSCS)
jurisdiction is 30 weeks.
The Ministry of Justice recognises that there are delays in the system and that there
is a need to increase capacity to help reduce waiting times for appellants. The
Department is currently in the process of recruiting more judicial office holders to the
SSCS jurisdiction. In 2018, 232 medical members and 118 disability-qualified
members were additionally appointed to the SSCS jurisdiction and an extra 129 fee-
paid judges have recently been appointed. The SSCS jurisdiction will also benefit
from 100 salaried judges and 170 fee-paid judges being recruited across tribunals
more widely. In addition, HMCTS are also developing a new digital system which
enables speedier processing of appeals and a better service for all parties to the
proceedings.
LEADER OF THE HOUSE
Prorogation
Stephen Doughty: [290943]
To ask the Leader of the House, when he or his office first communicated to the Private
Secretary to HM the Queen the request of the Government to prorogue Parliament.
Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg:
Any communications between Ministers or officials and the Sovereign or Her
Majesty’s advisers are confidential.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Import Duties: Brexit
Chris Ruane: [290703]
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to Operation
Yellowhammer HMG Reasonable Worst Case Planning Assumptions paragraph 18, what
assessment he has made of the sectors most likely to cease trading to avoid tariffs in the
event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Julian Smith:
The Government has been clear that we would prefer to leave with a deal and we will
work in an energetic and determined way to get that better deal.
I have been working closely with colleagues across Government and engaging with
the Northern Ireland Civil Service, including the Department of Economy, to assess
the impacts on business in the event of a ‘no-deal’ exit, including from tariff barriers.
PRIME MINISTER
Government Assistance
Bridget Phillipson: [290921]
To ask the Prime Minister, which (a) people and (b) businesses applying for Government
funding he has provided advice to in each of the last five years; and what advice he has
provided.
Boris Johnson:
Decisions on funding to individual schemes are a matter for the relevant Government
Department. The Cabinet Office has published grant standards to ensure best
practice in the awarding of grants by departments.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grants-standards
SCOTLAND
Food Banks: Glasgow South West
Chris Stephens: [290752]
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to visit a food bank in the
Glasgow South West constituency in October 2019; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Alister Jack:
Work is the most effective route out of poverty and this Government is committed to
helping people find work through a wide-range of support, targeted to each
individual’s personal circumstances. While food banks represent an impressive
response by civil society and faith groups to support vulnerable people, we are also
committed to providing a strong safety-net for those who need it; that is why this
Government continues to spend over £95 billion a year on welfare benefits which
includes a well-established system of hardship payments, benefit advances and
budgeting loans as an additional safeguard for those who need them.
I currently have no plans to visit a food bank in my capacity as Secretary of State for
Scotland in October 2019.
Food Banks: Scotland
David Linden: [291045]
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he plans to visit a food bank in
October 2019.
Mr Alister Jack:
I currently have no plans to visit a food bank in my capacity as Secretary of State for
Scotland in October 2019.
Members: Correspondence
Tommy Sheppard: [290724]
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he plans to respond to the letter from
the hon. Member for Edinburgh East of 25 July 2019 requesting a meeting with the
Secretary of State.
Mr Alister Jack:
My office has been in touch on the matters raised in the honourable Member’s letter.
SPEAKER'S COMMITTEE FOR THE INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS
AUTHORITY
Members: Travel
Nic Dakin: [291022]
To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, how much money has been claimed by
Members for travel costs to return to Parliament following the Supreme Court ruling on
the Government's prorogation of Parliament.
Sir Charles Walker:
IPSA provides funding for MPs to travel in order to fulfil their parliamentary duties.
This includes travel from anywhere in the UK back to Westminster, for parliamentary
reasons. Following the Supreme Court’s judgement and the resumption of Parliament
on 25 September 2019, IPSA also funded MPs’ travel costs from other countries
where necessary, in order for them to return to Parliament.
In accordance with the Scheme of MPs’ Business Costs and Expenses, MPs have a
period of 90 days from when they incur a cost to submit a claim for reimbursement,
accompanied by evidence. It will therefore not be possible to assess how much
money has been claimed by MPs for their travel back to Parliament as a result of the
Supreme Court’s judgement until 90 days after the 25 September 2019.
TRANSPORT
A34: Repairs and Maintenance
Layla Moran: [290457]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made
of the effect of the Oxford-Cambridge Expressway project on the ability of Highways
England to carry out improvement works to the A34.
George Freeman:
Improvement works on the Strategic Road Network, including on the A34, are not
affected by the Oxford to Cambridge expressway project. The expressway project
has the potential to enhance the service provision and resilience of the A34.
A34: Repairs and maintenance
Layla Moran: [290458]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made
of the environmental impact of improvement works to the A34 (a) overall and (b) in
Oxfordshire.
George Freeman:
Highways England has a duty to help protect and improve the environment and to
develop and implement solutions to environmental challenges.
Through the operation, maintenance and improvement of its roads, Highways
England’s aspiration is: ‘a Strategic Road Network working more harmoniously with
its surroundings to deliver an improved environment.’
Highways England has carried out an assessment of the environmental impact of the
proposed A34 improvement schemes. This has looked at impacts on vegetation,
heritage, biodiversity, water and townscape for each proposal.
Brexit
Tom Brake: [290578]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2019
to Question 285042 on Large Goods Vehicles: EU Countries, which historic bilateral
agreements are (a) most and (b) least likely to be carried over after the UK leaves the
EU.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
The UK has historic agreements with all EU Member States except for Malta (for
reasons of geography). It is our view that, in the absence of an EU wide agreement,
21 historic bilateral agreements would revive in full on exit as they have not been
expressly terminated. Agreements with Ireland, Denmark, Spain, Belgium and Italy
have terminated, but offer a good basis for future discussions.
Some of the revived agreements may need some amendments to make them fit for
purpose, which can be done by an exchange of notes between the Parties.
For those agreements that are no longer in force, we would expect to conclude new
treaties in the absence of EU-wide arrangements.
Cycling and Walking: Finance
Paul Farrelly: [290975]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer on additional cycling infrastructure funding; and what steps
he is taking to meet the walking and cycling targets his Department's cycling and walking
investment strategy published in 2019.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
My Department has regular discussions with the Treasury at Ministerial and official
levels on this and other matters, and will continue to make the case for sufficient
funding to achieve the aims of the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy. A
detailed report will be laid before Parliament later this year setting out the steps the
Government has been taking to deliver the commitments set out in the Strategy, and
the progress that is being made towards its targets.
Cycling: Accidents
Steve McCabe: [290279]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government plans to (a) bring
forward legislative proposals and (b) amend the Charging Standard to (i) further protect
cyclists and (ii) introduce stricter penalties for accidents involving cyclists where the driver
is at fault.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
The Department has no immediate plans to make legislative changes in relation to
penalties for accidents involving cyclists where the driver is at fault.
There are already a number of measures in place to deal with road traffic offences
including using mobile phones when driving, careless and dangerous driving and
drink and drug driving. The Government will continue to keep offences and penalties
under review to ensure the police and courts are able to deal with driving offences
appropriately and proportionately.
Charging is a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service, and this Department cannot
comment on this aspect.
The Department is concerned about the safety of cyclists. A Cycling and Walking
Investment Strategy (CWIS) Safety Review Call for Evidence was published early last
year and the Department received many responses. These included different ideas
for improving the safety, and perceptions of safety, of cyclists and pedestrians, and
different ways of educating motorists and improving empathy. A summary of
responses was published on 18 October 2018 and the final Government response on
22 November 2018. Further details can be found at
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/governments-response-to-the-cycling-
walking-investment-strategy-safety-review.
East-West Rail Link: Electrification
Daniel Zeichner: [290354]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to electrify East West Rail.
Paul Maynard:
The Department is investing in transport infrastructure that meets the needs of people
and businesses, and has the least effect on the natural environment – avoiding,
mitigating and minimising impacts where possible. As part of this DfT is driving
forward the development of policy on the decarbonisation and sustainability of rail
and the case for the electrification of EWR is under consideration.
High Speed Two: Incentives
Dame Cheryl Gillan: [290552]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many HS2 Ltd personnel have received
bonus payments in the last two years; and what the amount of each bonus payment was.
Paul Maynard:
The remuneration, including any bonuses, for HS2 Ltd Board members is published
annually in the Company’s Annual Report and Accounts. In the last two years four
individuals received bonuses. The individual payments are as follows: £35,000;
£46,000; £15,975; £24,710; and £36,743.
High Speed Two: Pay
Dame Cheryl Gillan: [290550]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the salary is for the vacant post of HS2
Ltd Chief Operating Officer.
Paul Maynard:
The role is not currently being advertised. However, salaries of all HS2 Ltd Board
members are published in the Company’s Annual Report and Accounts, which is
available here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm
ent_data/file/818262/HS2-AR19-BOOK.pdf
High Speed Two: Redundancy Pay
Dame Cheryl Gillan: [290551]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many HS2 Ltd staff have received
redundancy payments in each of the last six months; and what the amount of each of
those payments was.
Paul Maynard:
Over the last six months (March 2019- August 2019) four members of staff received
redundancy payments totalling £10,237.50. Given the small number of cases, HS2
Ltd cannot provide a breakdown as this would identify the individuals.
Highway Code
Sir Greg Knight: [290908]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to update the Highway
Code; and if he will make a statement.
George Freeman:
The Department has previously announced a review of those aspects of The
Highway Code which relate to safety for vulnerable road users, including cyclists,
pedestrians and horse-riders.
The Department is currently agreeing the scope and delivery of this review, which will
be conducted in consultation with our stakeholders, according to the Department’s
usual practice.
Railways: Compensation
Stephen McPartland: [290942]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to allow rail
season ticket holders to reclaim a sum calculated by applying the basic rate of tax to the
cost of their season ticket.
Chris Heaton-Harris:
There are no ongoing discussions between the Department and Her Majesty’s
Treasury about allowing rail season ticket holders to reclaim a sum calculated by
applying the basic rate of tax to the cost of their season ticket. Government
recognises the concerns people have about the cost of rail fares, and that is why we
have ensured that regulated rail fares can rise by no more than inflation since 2014.
Many employers also offer loans for season tickets or salary sacrifice schemes.
Road Humps
Sir Greg Knight: [290910]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what advice he has provided to local
authorities on the effect of speed bumps on air pollution; and if he will make a statement.
George Freeman:
The Department for Transport has published guidance on the use of traffic calming
measures, including road humps, in Local Transport Note 1/07 ‘Traffic Calming’,
which is available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-calming-
ltn-107.
The primary purpose of road humps is to reduce vehicle speeds in areas where
inappropriate speed is a problem. Local authorities have the flexibility to make their
own decisions about the design of their streets and they have a responsibility to take
account of all local considerations including mitigating any detrimental effects of
noise, ground-borne vibrations and air quality.
Roads: Construction
Layla Moran: [290459]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 13 May 2019 to
Question 251432, on Roads: Construction, what assessment his Department has made
of whether the Oxford-Cambridge Expressway project meets the requirements of the
National Networks National Policy Statement.
George Freeman:
The Oxford to Cambridge Expressway project is being developed by Highways
England to conform with the National Policy Statement for National Networks.
Taxis: Licensing
Daniel Zeichner: [290350]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to update regulations on taxi
and private hire vehicles.
George Freeman:
The Government response to the report by the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on
Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing stated that we will bring forward legislation
when time allows.
Thomas Cook: Insolvency
Nic Dakin: [290755]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the final package of support was that
Thomas Cook UK requested from the Government prior to its collapse.
Paul Maynard:
The Thomas Cook Group wrote to the government to request support for its
recapitalisation of the business on 18 September, in advance of its board meeting on
22 September 2019. This was a high level request, with numerous outstanding issues
still to be resolved, and depended on agreement of multiple stakeholders of the
company.
Following a review of this request, the government considered that it would not be
financially responsible or deliver value for the taxpayer to accede to that request in
the circumstances. Thomas Cook’s financial problems were substantial, long-
standing and well documented and government financial assistance would not have
resolved them. If the government had given the company up to £250m, there would
have been no guarantee that the company would not go into insolvency in the future
and the government would still have needed to fund a repatriation.
Aviation is an open and competitive marketplace which offers consumers significant
choice and value in terms of the destinations on offer and the fares that they pay.
Sadly, this will on occasion mean that the operators, such as Thomas Cook, will be
forced to withdraw from the market.
Unmanned Air Vehicles: Safety
Jamie Stone: [291042]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how frequently the regulatory framework for
drone safety is (a) reviewed and (b) updated in the UK.
Paul Maynard:
The Government has already acted to regulate this sector and has introduced
amendments to the Air Navigation Order 2016 in 2018 and 2019, both times following
a full public consultation. The Government keeps its regulatory framework for
unmanned aircraft under ongoing review as it is vital that unmanned aircraft are used
safely and securely.
From 30 November 2019, it will be a legal requirement for remote pilots of an
unmanned aircraft to take a competency test, to ensure that they have a good
understanding of the rules, and for those who are responsible for an unmanned
aircraft to register with the CAA.
Vehicle Number Plates: Fraud
Mr Gavin Shuker: [290781]
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to tackle
number plate cloning.
George Freeman:
The law requires that anyone who supplies number plates for road use in the UK
must be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). It is a legal
requirement for suppliers to carry out checks to ensure that number plates are only
sold to those who can prove they are entitled to the registration number. Number
plate suppliers must also keep records of the plates they have supplied.
The DVLA visits number plate suppliers to monitor compliance with the legal
requirements and works closely with the police and trading standards to share
intelligence and support investigations and prosecutions of suppliers who do not
comply.
Anyone who suspects that their number plate has been cloned should report this to
the police, who are responsible for on road enforcement. Any fines or
correspondence received for offences which have not been committed should be
returned to the issuing authorities for investigation. Vehicle keepers can also contact
the DVLA, to request issuing a new registration number for a vehicle where
necessary.
TREASURY
Bank of England: Public Appointments
Harriett Baldwin: [290812]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Governor
of the Bank of England on when the Governor's term of office ends.
Harriett Baldwin: [290814]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his timescale is for assessing the
appointability of the shortlisted candidates for the position of Bank of England Governor
that were submitted to his predecessor.
Harriett Baldwin: [290902]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he plans to announce to Parliament the
identity of the individual selected to be the next Governor of the Bank of England.
John Glen:
It was announced on 11 September 2018 that the Chancellor and Governor had
agreed that the Governor’s term would be extended until 31 January 2020.
The process to appoint the next Governor of the Bank of England was launched in
April. The process is on track. We will make an announcement in due course, ahead
of the start of the next Governor’s term on 1 February 2020.
Bank Services: Older People
Mr Jim Cunningham: [290285]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that elderly
people have access to a bank branch.
John Glen:
Though I can understand the disappointment felt in a community when a bank branch
closes, the decision to maintain a presence on the high street is a commercial one for
the management team of a bank and Government does not intervene in those
decisions.
The retail financial landscape is changing, as more consumers and businesses opt
for the convenience, security, and speed of digital payments and digital banking.
Banking service providers need to balance customer interests, market competition,
and other commercial factors when considering their strategy.
However, the Government also firmly believes that the impact of branch closures
should be understood, considered, and mitigated where possible so that all
customers, wherever they live, continue to have access to over-the-counter banking
services if they wish to use them. That’s why the Government supports the industry’s
Access to Banking Standard which helps customers to understand the options they
have locally to continue to access banking services, including specialist assistance
for customers who need more help, which may include the elderly. Alternative options
include the Post Office, which allows 95% of business and 99% of personal banking
customers to carry out their everyday banking at 11,500 Post Office branches across
the UK.
Banks: Closures
Mr Jim Cunningham: [290284]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the proportion of
high street bank branches that have closed in the last five years.
John Glen:
The Treasury does not make assessments of the bank branch network. The decision
to close a branch is a commercial issue for the management team of the bank.
However, Government believes it is important the impact on communities must be
understood, considered and mitigated where possible. That is why the Government
continues to be very supportive of the Access to Banking Standard and the
commitment it places on banks to minimise the impact of branch closures, including
by ensuring that customers are aware of the alternative ways they can continue to
access banking services. These include the Post Office, which allows 95% of
business and 99% of personal banking customers to carry out their everyday banking
at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.
The Financial Conduct Authority undertook an analysis of branch closures as part of
their Strategic Review of Retail Banking Business Models. This analysis can be found
in Annex 1 of the final report.
Cash Dispensing: Fees and Charges
Ronnie Cowan: [290402]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to ensure
that free to use automated teller machines are available throughout the country.
John Glen:
The management and deployment of ATMs is a commercial matter for ATM market
participants, however the Government recognises that widespread access to cash
remains extremely important to the day-to-day lives of many consumers and
businesses in the UK. That is why the Government is engaging, and will continue to
engage, with the regulators and industry on this important topic.
The Government-established Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) is closely
monitoring developments in ATM provision. The PSR regulates LINK, the scheme
which runs the UK’s ATM network, and has used its powers to hold LINK to account
over LINK’s commitments to preserve the broad geographic spread of the ATM
network.
LINK has put in place specific arrangements to protect free-to-use ATMs more than 1
kilometre away from the next nearest free-to-use ATM and has also enhanced its
Financial Inclusion Programme. More recently, LINK has committed to protecting free
access to cash on high streets – where there is a cluster of five or more retailers –
that don’t have a free-to-use ATM or a Post Office counter within 1 kilometre.
In addition, the Government has invested heavily in maintaining a stable network of
Post Office branches, with investment of around £2 billion since 2010. Currently, 99%
of personal customers and 95% of small business customers can carry out their
everyday banking locally at one of the Post Office’s 11,500 branches.
Companies
Anneliese Dodds: [291078]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate HMRC has made of the number
of dormant companies in the UK.
Jesse Norman:
HMRC does not conduct any estimating activity regarding dormant companies.
However, we hold data indicating the number of companies who have become
dormant in the most recent accounting period.
Anneliese Dodds: [291089]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what cooperation and sharing of information
takes place between HMRC and Companies House on dormant companies.
Jesse Norman:
Since 2010 Companies House has provided an electronic feed of the publicly
available information about accounts submitted to them. This information is used by
HMRC to help monitor companies telling HMRC that they are dormant.
Other than this, information sharing was extremely limited because there was no
legal gateway allowing this. The Digital Economy Act 2017 allows for greater sharing
of information for the purposes of fraud identification. HMRC is using data analytics to
identify companies who appear to be incorrectly filing dormant accounts. Where such
cases are identified the information is shared with Companies House and the two
departments co-operate to consider whether enforcement action is appropriate.
Companies: Taxation
Anneliese Dodds: [291077]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what proportion of UK
companies are not required by HMRC to submit tax returns.
Jesse Norman:
All companies are initially required to submit tax returns except for those declared
exempt or dormant. In the most recent accounting period (June 2019), 715,360 (16%)
of UK companies were not required by HMRC to submit a tax return.
Corporation Tax
Anneliese Dodds: [291102]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the additional
revenue that would be generated by including corporation tax in the extension of offshore
time limits.
Jesse Norman:
The additional revenue that would be generated by including corporation tax in the
extension of offshore time limits was estimated as negligible.
Debts
Stella Creasy: [287541]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether guarantor loans will be included in the
Breathing Space Scheme to increase protection for the (a) borrower and (b) guarantor
and provide and ensure that customers have the time to receive appropriate advice.
John Glen:
Under the breathing space scheme individuals in debt will receive protections on a
wide range of their debts, including guarantor loans.
Dover Port: Large Goods Vehicles
Stephen Timms: [290581]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate HMRC has made of the number
of non-compliant trucks arriving at Dover per day for Calais in the event that the UK
leaves the EU without a deal.
Jesse Norman:
The Government has recently published it’s assessment of the flow of freight across
the border in a Reasonable Worst Case Scenario as of 2 August.Since that date, the
Government has taken significant steps to improve levels of trader and haulier
readiness to improve overall flow across the short Strait crossings. This includes a
£100m public information campaign and additional funding for businesses and trade
associations to support traders and hauliers to get ready.
Gambling: Excise Duties
Tom Watson: [290941]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the timeframe is for five-year review of
remote gaming duty set out in the 2014 HMRC draft note on Remote Gambling Taxation
Reform.
Mr Simon Clarke:
The benefits, revenue effects and administration of remote gambling taxation are
subject to constant evaluation. We currently have no plans to publish any review or
evaluation document.
Income Tax
Mr Jim Cunningham: [290638]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of
rises in income tax thresholds on income distribution in the last 10 years.
Jesse Norman:
Between 2010 and April 2019 the personal allowance has increased by more than
90%. This means that 1.74 million people on low incomes have been taken out of
income tax altogether since 2015-16. The Government has also increased the higher
rate threshold to £50,000 to support working people to keep more of what they earn.
The income tax system is highly progressive – the top 1% of income taxpayers are
forecast to pay over 29% of all income tax in 2018-19.
Low incomes: Food and Fuel
Chris Ruane: [290700]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Operaton Yellowhammer HMG
reasonable worst case planning assumptions chapter 17, what steps his Department is
taking to protect low income groups from price rises in food and fuel.
Rishi Sunak:
HM Treasury routinely monitors economic conditions and risks, and the Government
has a range of mechanisms available to support vulnerable people from price rises in
food and fuel.
Furthermore, officials estimate the direct impact of spending decisions on household
living standards, and this is a central consideration when allocating public funds.
Personal savings: Fees and charges
Peter Kyle: [291041]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential
merits of capping (a) all charges, (b) custody charges and (c) transfer charges on (i)
SIPPs and (ii) ISAs.
John Glen:
Government and regulators have undertaken a range of initiatives in relation to
charges on investment products.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has conducted an extensive market study into
the asset management sector, including the examination of costs and charges. They
have introduced a range of remedies to address the issues they found. In particular,
the FCA have strengthened and clarified the duty on managers of investment funds
to act in the best interests of their investors. New rules will require asset managers to
assess the value for money of each fund against a non-exhaustive list of prescribed
elements, including whether charges are reasonable in relation to the costs incurred
in delivering the service, and the quality of the service provided. The managers must
conclude that each fund offers good VfM or take corrective action if it does not and
explain the assessment annually in a report made available to the public.
The FCA also identified concerns that charges might not always be visible to
investors and that investors might not pay sufficient attention to charges or
understand what they represent. In response, the FCA introduced a single all-in fee
to increase the visibility of all charges taken from the fund and impose more discipline
on overspend relative to charging estimates.
The FCA has also considered the role of charges as part of its work on competition in
non-workplace pensions, including self-invested pension plans (SIPPs). They found
that charges in this market are often too complex for consumers to be able to
compare and that similar customers can pay very different charges. The FCA
concluded that it would not be appropriate to recommend direct price intervention
such as a cap at this stage, but it is considering next steps in the context of its
upcoming work on driving value for money across the pensions sector. The FCA’s
Feedback Statement on this topic is seeking views on what remedies would be
appropriate and will close in October 2019.
Early exit charges were banned or capped in personal pension schemes, including
SIPPs, from March 2017. Information obtained by the FCA and the Pensions
Regulator (TPR) showed that early exit charges presented a barrier to accessing the
pension freedoms for a significant minority of people in personal and occupational
pension schemes. Following consultation, the Government took steps to remove
these barriers by capping early exit charges at 1% for existing scheme members and
banning them for new members.
The charges imposed in respect of investments held within Stocks and Shares ISAs
are a matter for individual ISA managers. ISA managers must allow investors to
transfer existing Stocks and Shares ISAs to an alternative manager.
Tax Allowances: Research
Anneliese Dodds: [291101]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the annual
revenue raised by Clause 16 and Schedule 4 of the Finance Act 2018.
Jesse Norman:
Clause 16 Schedule 4 of the Finance Act 2018 sets out legislation to enable
knowledge-intensive companies to raise more growth capital through the Enterprise
Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trusts.
These schemes provide relief for individuals investing in qualifying enterprises, which
are higher-risk, early stage enterprise seeking to grow and develop their trade.
Raising the investment limits for knowledge-intensive enterprises does not directly
raise revenue for the Exchequer. The Government does not monitor any revenue that
may be raised indirectly.
Tax Avoidance
Mrs Anne Main: [290818]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will suspend the 2019 Loan Charge while
the review of that charge is ongoing.
Robert Halfon: [290855]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent progress has been made on the
review of the 2019 Loan Charge.
Robert Halfon: [290857]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has plans to suspend the 2019 Loan
Charge for the duration of the review of that charge.
Jo Stevens: [290984]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he will announce a suspension of all
Loan Charge activity whilst his Department's review is ongoing.
Neil Coyle: [291025]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to issue a moratorium
2019 Loan Charge payments for the duration of the independent review of that charge.
Jesse Norman:
The Government remains committed to tackling tax avoidance schemes, but it has
listened to concerns about the impact of the Loan Charge on individuals. An
independent review is under way to consider the appropriateness of the Loan Charge
as a policy response, and its impact on individuals.
The reviewer, Sir Amyas Morse, has been asked to provide recommendations by
mid-November so that any individuals affected can have certainty about their next
steps in advance of the 31 January 2020 Self - Assessment deadline.
While the Review is under way, it is right that the Loan Charge remains in force, in
line with current legislation.
HMRC has made clear it will consider all personal circumstances to agree a
manageable and sustainable payment plan wherever possible and there is no
maximum limit on how long a customer can be given to pay the charge.
Further information about the Review and guidance for affected taxpayers is available
at www.gov.uk/government/publications/disguised-remuneration-independent-loan-
charge-review.
Tax Avoidance: EU Law
Ian Murray: [287561]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he has taken to implement the EU's
anti-tax avoidance directive into UK law by 1 January 2020; and if he will maintain that
legislation in UK law after the UK leaves the EU.
Jesse Norman:
The UK supports the EU Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive, which requires all Member
States to adopt minimum standard rules that restrict the ability of large multinationals
to artificially lower their tax bills.
The UK already has anti-avoidance rules in place which in most cases meet or
exceed the Directive’s requirements.
Finance Act 2019 introduced several technical changes which help ensure our
existing rules will be compliant with the approach taken by the Anti-Tax Avoidance
Directive by 1 January 2020.
Thomas Cook: Insolvency
Nic Dakin: [290754]
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions (a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c)
his officials have had with the management of the Royal Bank of Scotland on Thomas
Cook UK between 14 September 2019 and the collapse of that company.
John Glen:
The government manages its shareholding in RBS at arm’s length on a commercial
basis through UK Government Investments Ltd (UKGI). UKGI's role is to manage the
investment, not the bank itself. RBS retains its own independent board and
management team for strategic and operational decision-making, including in relation
to commercial lending, and the government has no role in such decision-making.
WALES
Employment: Older People
Jo Stevens: [287655]
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of trends in the
level of (a) employment and (b) economic activity of over 65s in Wales in the last three
years.
Alun Cairns:
The latest labour market data shows the employment rate for over 65s in Wales was
9.8% for April 2018 to March 2019, down slightly from 10.0% for April 2015 to March
2016. The economic activity rate for over 65s in Wales also dropped slightly over the
same period, from 10.1% to 9.9%.
WOMEN AND EQUALITIES
Disability: Discrimination
Paul Blomfield: [285085]
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent assessment she has made of
the extent of enforcement of the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 on discrimination on
the basis of disability.
Victoria Atkins:
I refer the Hon Member to the evidence given by the Government Equalities Office
and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to the recent inquiry into
Enforcing the Equality Act: the law and the role of the EHRC by the Women and
Equalities Select Committee chaired by my Rt Hon Friend the Member for
Basingstoke. The Select Committee recently published its report from the inquiry and
the Government will be responding to that report shortly.
Written evidence to the inquiry by the Government can be found
herehttp://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidence
document/women-and-equalities-committee/enforcing-the-equality-act-the-law-
and-the-role-of-the-equality-and-human-rights-commission/written/91826.html
Equal Pay
Dawn Butler: [263101]
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how many Equality and Human Rights
Commission staff are responsible for assessing the accuracy of employers’ gender pay
gap data.
Victoria Atkins:
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is independent from
government and makes its own decisions about the deployment of its staff. My
officials have asked the CEO of the EHRC to write directly to the MP with the answer.
I will place a copy of the letter in the library.
Paul Farrelly: [275700]
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment her Department has
made of the potential merits of obligating all major employers in the UK to publish their
gender and ethnicity pay gap data.
Victoria Atkins:
Since introducing regulations in 2017, organisations with 250 or more employees are
required to publish gender pay gap data on an annual basis. This has sparked a
national conversation, as well as prompting conversations in boardrooms across the
country. The unparalleled level of transparency brings to light where inequalities
exist, and is inspiring action from employers to bring about change.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have consulted on how
best to implement mandatory ethnicity pay reporting, including questions on the main
benefits for employers in reporting ethnicity pay information and which employers it
should apply to. They received over 300 detailed responses to the consultation and
will set out next steps in due course.
Members: Maternity Leave
Jim Shannon: [275190]
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with IPSA
on their rules on funding for maternity leave.
Victoria Atkins:
My Rt Hon Friend the Minister for Women and Equalities has not had any discussions
with IPSA regarding funding for maternity leave but, like myself, she welcomes their
work to improve support for MPs taking parental leave.
We want all parents to take active and well-informed choices about balancing work
and care, supported by a fair and clear Government offer. On 19th July, Government
launched Good Work Plan: proposals to support families to consult on a range of
options relating to reforming parental leave and increasing transparency around
family friendly workplace policies.
WORK AND PENSIONS
Children: Maintenance
Marion Fellows: [290397]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 4 July
2019 to Question 271510 on Children: Maintenance, how many times a Commanding
Officer has delayed child maintenance payments as a result of a Service person being on
military operations in each of the last five years.
Mims Davies:
I refer the Honourable member to the earlier response of PQ 257767 and 285029.
The Child Maintenance Service does not record this data as there is no facility on the
Child Maintenance System to record instances when a Deduction from Earning
Request has been delayed by the Ministry of Defence.
Marion Fellows: [290398]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many times the Child
Maintenance Service has registered the child maintenance debt of a non-resident parent
with credit rating agencies in the past four weeks.
Marion Fellows: [290399]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information her Department
holds on the number of incidences where the child maintenance debt of a non-resident
parent was registered with a credit rating agency in (a) the last four weeks, and (b) last
twenty four weeks.
Mims Davies:
The Child Maintenance Service does not record this data as there is no facility on the
Child Maintenance System to record instances when information has been sent to a
Credit Reference Agency.
Douglas Chapman: [290827]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Child Maintenance
Service complaints were made by paying parents in relation to income data not being
used to calculate payments; and what proportion of those complaints were upheld in the
last three years.
Mims Davies:
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur
disproportionate cost.
Employment: Older Workers
Paul Farrelly: [290977]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps her Department
has taken to increase access to employment for people aged over 50.
Mims Davies:
Employment for older people is at a record high. There are now 10.6 million workers
aged 50 and over, compared to 9.1 million five years ago.
We have already removed the Default Retirement Age, meaning that most people
can choose when to retire and we have extended the right to flexible working beyond
carers, to all employees with 26 weeks’ continuous service with their employer.
In 2017, Government published our Fuller Working Lives strategy which set out the
role employers, individuals and government can play in supporting older workers.
Additionally, we appointed a Business Champion for Older Workers to engage and
influence employers on a practical and strategic level, promoting the benefits of an
older workforce.
Through the National Retraining Partnership, a partnership between Government, the
Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress, Government is
developing the National Retraining Scheme. The National Retraining Scheme will
help prepare adults for future changes to the economy, including those brought about
by automation, to help them retrain into better jobs.
In February this year, we launched our online mid-life MOT page which encourages
more active planning in the key areas of work, wellbeing and finances. Business in
the Community have created MOT toolkits to enable employers to deliver an MOT.
Food Banks: Glasgow South West
Chris Stephens: [290750]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to visit a food
bank in Glasgow South West constituency in October 2019; and if she will make a
statement.
Will Quince:
DWP Ministers regularly travel across the country visiting jobcentres, charities, food
banks and partnership organisations. We receive many requests for visits across all
parts of the UK and try to get to as many places as is possible with the constraints of
Departmental business and the Parliamentary timetable.
Independent Case Examiner
Mr Laurence Robertson: [290623]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has
made of the average time taken by the Independent Case Examiner to review cases
submitted by claimants; and if she will make a statement.
Mims Davies:
When the Independent Case Examiner’s Office accepts a complaint for examination;
they will initially try resolve it in discussion with the complainant and the relevant
business area. If it’s not possible to resolve the complaint, the evidence will be
requested and the case will await allocation to an Investigation Case Manager. Cases
are dealt with by dedicated teams and are usually brought into investigation in strict
date order. Following an examination of the evidence, it may be possible to settle the
complaint, if agreement can be reached on actions that satisfy the complainant. If the
complaint can’t be settled, the Independent Case Examiner will issue a report
detailing findings and any recommendations for redress.
Details of the average time taken to clear complaints accepted for examination by the
Independent Case Examiner’s Office, in the current reporting year (April to August
2019), are detailed below:
TYPE OF CASE CLEARANCE
AVERAGE CLEARANCE TIME IN WEEKS (FROM
ACCEPTANCE TO CASE CLOSURE)
Resolution 6 weeks
Settlement 52 weeks
ICE Report 88 weeks
All cases 68 weeks
Personal Independence Payment: Medical Examinations
Peter Grant: [290852]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the findings of the video
recording pilot for personal independence payments assessments will be made available.
Justin Tomlinson:
We are currently evaluating the findings and expect to provide an update on this and
future plans in the Autumn.
Social Security Benefits: EU Nationals
Patrick Grady: [290390]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what documentation officials in Job
Centres have been instructed to accept as proof of (a) settled status and (b) pre-settled
status for EU nationals applying for social security benefits after 31 October 2019.
Justin Tomlinson:
We have been clear that the rights of EU nationals with settled and pre-settled status
who apply for social security benefits after 31 October 2019 will be protected.
DWP recognises leave granted under the EU settlement scheme. EU nationals who
claim social security benefits can present their notification of settled or pre-settled
status in support of their claim. DWP procedures require staff to verify evidence of
immigration status through the Habitual Residence Test Process. Mechanisms are in
place between DWP and the Home Office to verify settled status notifications.
EU nationals who are granted settled status and are habitually resident in the UK are
eligible to access income-related benefits.
EU nationals who are granted pre-settled status and are exercising an EU qualifying
right to reside e.g. worker or self-employed status are eligible to access income-
related benefits.
Social Security Benefits: Glasgow
Chris Stephens: [290749]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many advance benefit
payments have been made to people in Glasgow in each month between April 2019 to
August 2019; and if she will make a statement.
Will Quince:
Universal Credit new claim advances provide access to a payment for those in
financial need, which can be accessed urgently, until their first UC payment is due.
Claimants can access up to 100% of the total expected monthly award, for which they
can pay back over a period of up to 12 months.
For Glasgow City local authority:
• In April 2019 there were 3,100 Universal Credit advances paid
• In May 2019 there were 3,100 Universal Credit advances paid
The Department has taken a number of steps to ensure that advances meet the
needs of claimants and that recovery arrangements are personalised and
reasonable. The maximum rate of deductions cannot normally exceed 40 per cent of
the Universal Credit standard allowance and does not reduce other components of an
award, such as money paid for children, housing or when someone is caring for a
severely disabled person. From October 2019 this will be reduced to 30 per cent and
from October 2021 we are increasing the maximum recovery period for advances
from 12 to 16 months.
Notes:
1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100
2. Figures only go to May 2019 in line with published statistics relating to households
on Universal Credit
3. Figures include all types of advances
4. Figures relate to Universal Credit full service only
Social Security Benefits: Suicide
Frank Field: [290669]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many inquests relating to
benefits claimants who have ended their life by suicide her Department has submitted
evidence to since 2013; and in how many inquests it was ruled that the policies of her
Department were partly responsible for the deceased person’s state of mind.
Justin Tomlinson:
Unfortunately, the information requested is not held centrally and is therefore
unavailable without incurring a disproportionate cost.
Universal Credit
Frank Field: [290673]
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the information provided in
the Benefit Overpayment Recovery Guide Appendix 4, that fines have a maximum
deduction rate of £108.35 a month, and a minimum deduction rate of an amount
equivalent to five per cent of the claimant’s UC Standard Allowance. Any other
deductions being taken reduce the maximum deduction rate pound for pound, so that the
total of all deductions doesn’t go above the overall maximum deduction rate of 40 per
cent of the claimant’s UC Standard Allowance, is still applicable.
Will Quince:
The maximum rate of deductions cannot normally exceed 40 per cent of the
Universal Credit standard allowance and does not reduce other components of an
award, such as money paid for children, housing or when someone is caring for a
severely disabled person. From October 2019 this will be reduced to 30 per cent and
from October 2021 we are increasing the maximum recovery period for advances
from 12 to 16 months.
The Government recognises the importance of safeguarding the welfare of claimants
who have incurred debt, so last resort deductions can be applied to protect
vulnerable claimants from eviction and/or having their fuel supply (gas/electricity) cut
off, by providing a last resort repayment method for arrears of these essential
services. In these cases, when it is considered to be in the best interests of the
claimant and their family, deductions may be taken above the 40 per cent limit.
If a claimant is in financial difficulty as a result of the level of deductions being made
they can contact the Department to request that a reduction in deductions be
considered.
WRITTEN STATEMENTS
TREASURY
Economy Update
The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sajid Javid): [HCWS1836]
Public spending update
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Rishi Sunak): [HCWS1834]
Today the Treasury is confirming that £4.3bn of funding will be allocated to departments
and the Devolved Administrations for the financial year 2019-20 to deliver the HMG
guarantee of EU-funded programmes, with a total of around £16.6bn expected to be
allocated over the lifetime of the guarantee.
Leaving the EU on 31 October with a deal which works for the whole of the UK remains
the government’s top priority.
However, the government is continuing with no deal preparations to ensure the country is
prepared for every eventuality. It is the responsible thing to do and an important part of
this process is giving certainty to UK citizens and organisations.
To provide this certainty, and as previously announced in the written statement of 24 July
2018 (HCWS926), the government has guaranteed certain EU funding. The guarantee
covers the following:
• the full Multiannual Financial Framework allocation for structural and investment
funds over the 2014-20 funding period, with payments to beneficiaries made up to
the end of 2023;
• the payment of awards where UK organisations – such as charities, businesses
and universities – successfully bid directly to the European Commission on a
competitive basis while we remain in the EU (e.g. before exit day), for the lifetime
of the project;
• the payment of awards where UK organisations successfully bid to the European
Commission on a competitive basis to participate as a 3rd country after exit, and
until the end of 2020, for the lifetime of the project; and
• the current level of agricultural funding under CAP Pillar 1 until 31 December 2020.
WORK AND PENSIONS
Labour Market Update
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Dr Thérèse Coffey):
[HCWS1835]
Latest data released in September shows UK employment has increased by 3.7 million
since 2010. Around three-quarters of that increase in employment has come from full-
time, permanent and higher skilled roles. Youth unemployment has also halved since
2010, meaning more young people are in work and the number of children growing up in
in workless households is at an all-time low.
It is important that we continue to build on this progress so I am introducing a £4 million
package, including two new initiatives, to help disadvantaged young people into work and
use mobile technology to help jobseekers into higher paid jobs.
Additional funding of up to £1.2 million will provide extra support in Manchester and the
West Midlands, ensuring extra time and resources for young people facing the biggest
hurdles to getting a job, like care-leavers and young offenders.
Since 2018 the Department for Work and Pensions has worked with the West Midlands
Combined Authority to develop the Youth Employability Coaches concept (previously
known as Progression Coaches). Following this successful pilot, we will be expanding the
Programme to other parts of the West Midlands and Greater Manchester area to reach
more disadvantaged young people. Youth Employability Coaches will continue to support
young people for up to 6 weeks after they start a job, helping them continue to build skills
and stay in employment.
A new data service will also be piloted, initially in Manchester, with up to £2.8 million
funding. Using the latest data-analysis technology, this service will gather a range of skills
and labour market data from a variety of public and commercial sources.
It will provide local areas with high quality and real time information on skills supply and
demand. Additionally, jobseekers or those seeking to progress in work will be able to
search for roles based on their skills and experience. The pilot service will show them
what new skills they need to move into higher-paid roles available near them. By
providing more tailored local labour market intelligence we can help individuals find jobs,
back businesses, grow our economy and help people reach their full potential.
Both pilots have the potential to be rolled out nationally, helping reduce youth
unemployment even further after it fell 48% since 2010, and helping more people boost
their earnings.