Daily Report Tuesday, 16 June 2020 CONTENTS€¦ · Daily Report Tuesday, 16 June 2020 This report shows written answers and statements provided on 16 June 2020 and the information

Daily Report Tuesday, 16 June 2020

This report shows written answers and statements provided on 16 June 2020 and the

information is correct at the time of publication (07:42 P.M., 16 June 2020). For the latest

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

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

CONTENTS

ANSWERS 7

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND

INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 7

Aerospace Industry 7

Airlines: Coronavirus 7

Biofuels 8

Coronavirus Business

Interruption Loan Scheme 8

Department for Business,

Energy and Industrial Strategy:

Overseas Aid 9

Electric Vehicles: Cycling 9

Electricity Generation 10

Employment: Coronavirus 10

Employment: Diabetes 11

Energy: Coronavirus 11

Energy: Infrastructure 12

Energy: Meters 13

Housing: Energy 14

Industrial Health and Safety:

Coronavirus 15

Intellectual Property: UK

Relations with EU 15

Manufacturing Industries:

Carbon Emissions 16

Offshore Fixed Structures:

North Sea 17

Offshore Industry: Coronavirus 17

Personal Care Services:

Coronavirus 18

Post Office: Coronavirus 18

Regeneration 18

Renewable Energy: Finance 19

Renewable Energy: Sales 20

Renewable Heat Incentive

Scheme 21

Self-employed: Coronavirus 21

Tidal Power: Swansea Bay 21

CABINET OFFICE 22

Amit Patel 22

Coronavirus: Death 22

Coronavirus: Disease Control 22

Employment: Linlithgow and

East Falkirk 22

Newspaper Press:

Coronavirus 23

Self-employed: Falkirk 23

DEFENCE 23

Armed Forces: Recruitment 23

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND

SPORT 24

5G 24

5G: Health Hazards 24

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

Broadband 25

Broadband: Linlithgow and

East Falkirk 26

Broadband: North East

Derbyshire 26

Charities: Coronavirus 26

Digital Technology: Linlithgow

and East Falkirk 27

Hotels: Coronavirus 27

Internet: Linlithgow and East

Falkirk 28

Internet: Safety 28

Literature: Irish Language and

Welsh Language 29

Local Broadcasting: Radio 29

Mass Media: Coronavirus 30

Museums and Galleries:

Coronavirus 31

Tourism: Coronavirus 32

EDUCATION 32

Academies: Discrimination 32

Children: ICT 33

Educational Visits:

Coraonvirus 34

Free School Meals: Southwark 34

Further Education:

Coronavirus 35

GCE A-level and GCSE:

Assessments 35

Home Education: Coronavirus 36

Members: Correspondence 37

Nurseries: Coronavirus 37

Schools: Academic Year 37

Schools: Coronavirus 38

Universities: Coronavirus 39

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND

RURAL AFFAIRS 41

Agriculture: Soil 41

Animal Welfare: Inspections 42

Birds: Pest Control 42

Department for Environment,

Food and Rural Affairs:

Overseas Aid 43

Environment Protection 44

Environment Protection:

Standards 44

Fisheries 45

Fisheries: UK Relations with

EU 45

Food: Coronavirus 45

Glass: Recycling 46

Inshore Fisheries and

Conservation Authorities: Bye

Laws 46

Litter: Fines 47

Livestock: Disease Control 47

National Parks: Chilterns 47

Office for Environmental

Protection: Finance 48

Office for Environmental

Protection: Public

Appointments 48

Packaging: Recycling 48

Pets: Travel 49

Public Sector: Food 49

Rural Development

Programme: Coronavirus 50

FOREIGN AND

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 50

Bahrain: Overseas Aid 50

British Nationals Abroad:

Coronavirus 51

Cameroon: Politics and

Government 52

Chile: Human Rights 53

China: Uighurs 54

Eritrea: Coronavirus 54

Foreign and Commonwealth

Office: Overseas Aid 55

Hong Kong: Human Rights 55

Jerusalem: Evictions 55

Leah Sharibu 56

Pakistan: Ahmadiyya 56

Pakistani National

Commission for Minorities 57

Shipping: Coronavirus 57

Sri Lanka: Water 58

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 58

Blood: Donors 58

Cancer: Mental Health

Services 59

Cancer: Research 59

Complementary Medicine:

Finance 60

Contact Tracing: Computer

Software 60

Coronavirus: Hospitals 63

Coronavirus: Mental Health 63

Coronavirus: Rehabilitation 63

Coronavirus: Screening 64

Department of Health and

Social Care: Carers 65

Eating Disorders 66

Eating Disorders: Children and

Young People 66

Eating Disorders:

Rehabilitation 67

Health Services: Immigrants 67

Hospitals: Coronavirus 68

Hospitals: Repairs and

Maintenance 68

Hospitals: Wales 69

Liverpool Community Health

NHS Trust Independent

Review 69

Medical Treatments and

Screening: Coronavirus 69

Mental Health Act 1983:

Reform 70

Mental Health Services 70

Mental Health Services:

Children and Young People 70


Coronavirus 71

Mental Health Services: Costs 72


Domestic Abuse 72


Finance 72


Schools 73

Mental Health Services: Young

People 73

Organ Transplants:

Coronavirus 73

Palantir: Contracts 74

Palliative Care: Children 74

Patents: Data Protection 75

South Tyneside Hospital:

Standards 75

HOME OFFICE 76

[Subject Heading to be

Assigned] 76

Asylum: Coronavirus 76

Asylum: Finance 77

Asylum: Northern Ireland 77

Aviation: Coronavirus 78

Aviation: Quarantine 79

British Nationality:

Assessments 80

British Nationals Abroad:

Coronavirus 80

Civil Partnerships: Fees and

Charges 80

Detention Centres: Hygiene 81

Home Office: Overseas Aid 81

Home Office: Secondment 82

Immigrants: Detainees 82

Immigrants: Finance 83

Immigration: EU Nationals 83

Marriage: Visas: Coronavirus 84

Migrant Workers: Visas 84

Overseas Students: Visas 85

Protective Clothing: Production 86

Travel: Coronavirus 86

Visas 86

Visas: Applications 87

Visas: Arts 87

Visas: Married People 88

Visas: Musicians 89

HOUSE OF COMMONS

COMMISSION 90

House of Commons:

Equipment 90

Parliamentary Estate: Art

Works 91

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 92

Air Pollution: Coronavirus 92

Coronavirus: Disease Control 93

High Rise Flats: Insulation 93

Homelessness: Coronavirus 94

Hospitality Industry: Social

Distancing 94

Housing 95

Housing: Solar Power 95

Housing: Standards 96

Immigrants: Finance 96

Ministry of Housing,

Communities and Local

Government: Buildings 97

Multiple Occupation:

Coronavirus 97

Private Rented Housing:

Coronavirus 97

Rented Housing: Antisocial

Behaviour 97

Small Businesses:

Coronavirus 98

INTERNATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT 98

Coronavirus: Research 98

Department for International

Development: Carers 99

Department for International

Development: Recruitment 100

Eritrea: Coronavirus 100

Occupied Territories:

Coronavirus 100

Overseas Aid 101

Yemen: Coronavirus 101

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 102

Arms Trade: USA 102

Riot Control Weapons: Exports 104

Riot Control Weapons: USA 104

Turkey: EDO MBM

Technology 105

JUSTICE 105

Courts and Tribunals 105

Courts: Coronavirus 106

Courts: Wales 107

Prisoners' Release: Curfews 108

Prisons: Utilities 108

Trials: Coronavirus 109

NORTHERN IRELAND 110

Bombardier: Northern Ireland 110

Northern Ireland Office: Carers 111

PARLIAMENTARY WORKS

SPONSOR BODY 112

Palace of Westminster:

Repairs and Maintenance 112

TRANSPORT 112

A303: Dual Carriageways 112

A47 113

Airports: Coronavirus 113

Aviation: Coronavirus 114

Aviation: Freight 114

British Airways: Redundancy 115

Driving Instruction and Driving

Tests: Coronavirus 116

Electric Scooters: Energy 116

Electric Scooters: Speed

Limits 117

Great Western Railway Line:

Competition 117

Public Transport: Coronavirus 118

Railways: Competition 118

Railways: Infrastructure 119

Shipping: Health Services 120

Travel: Coronavirus 120

TREASURY 121

Arts: Coronavirus 121

Aviation: Non-domestic Rates 121

Business: Coronavirus 122

Coronavirus Job Retention

Scheme 122


Scheme: Arts 123


Scheme: Kingston upon Hull 123

Food: Wholesale Trade 124

Imports: Israel 125

International Tax Enforcement

(Disclosable Arrangements)

Regulations 2020 126

Local Government:


Scheme 126

Manufacturing Industries:

Coronavirus 127

Markets: Non-domestic Rates 127

Net Zero Review 128

Riot Control Weapons: USA 128

Self-employed: Coronavirus 131

Self-employment Income

Support Scheme: Maternity

Leave 131

Third Sector: Coronavirus Job

Retention Scheme 131

Visas: Turkey 132

WALES 133

Coronavirus: Wales 133

Wales Office: Carers 133

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES 133

Equal Pay 133

WORK AND PENSIONS 134

Carers: Coronavirus 134

Children: Maintenance 135

Immigrants: Coronavirus 136

Jobcentres: Linlithgow and

East Falkirk 137

Pensioners: British Nationals

Abroad 137

Personal Independence

Payment: Scotland 138

Social Distancing: Coronavirus 139

Social Security Benefits 140

Social Security Benefits:

Complaints 141


Coronavirus 141


Medical Examinations 142

Universal Credit: Coronavirus 142

Work Capability Assessment:

Coronavirus 142

MINISTERIAL CORRECTIONS 144

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND

SPORT 144

Leisure and Sports:

Coronavirus 144

WRITTEN STATEMENTS 145

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 145

Coronavirus impact update 145

Coronavirus update 145

PRIME MINISTER 146

Appointment to the UK

Delegation to the

Parliamentary Assembly of the

Council of Europe 146

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES 146

Clarification regarding

disparities in the risk and

outcomes from COVID-19 146

Notes:

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

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

oral question and has since been unstarred.

ANSWERS

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Aerospace Industry

Jamie Stone: [58050]

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

assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of plans in (a) France, (b)

Germany and (c) the US to support their domestic aerospace industries.

Nadhim Zahawi:

[Holding answer 15 June 2020]: We continually assess the impact on global

aerospace supply chains of other countries.

My Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a host of measures to

help businesses through this period, including those in the aerospace sector, with

£330 billion worth of Government-backed and guaranteed loans made available to

support businesses across the UK. The Government will continue to support all those

affected by the crisis.

We also co-fund aerospace research and development through the £3.9 billion

Aerospace Technology Institute, as well as the £300 million Future Flight programme.

In addition, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has supported 8 million people,

various loan schemes have awarded billions of pounds of support, and we have a

world-leading export credit body that is expecting to support £3.5 billion of aviation

exports over the next 18 months. We continue to work closely with the UK’s

aerospace sector to understand what more can be done.

Airlines: Coronavirus

Mr Virendra Sharma: [903290]

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on retaining jobs

in the airline industry.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The Government continues to work closely with the airline industry. We have put

unprecedented levels of support in place to help industry, including airlines, who have

drawn down £1.8billion of loan support through the Bank of England’s Covid

Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) to help them continue activities.

In addition, my Rt Hon Friend, the Secretary of State for Transport, is leading an

International Aviation Task Force, to help put measures in place to kickstart the

sector – helping to restore jobs, trade, and opportunities for travel.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-06-10/58050


Biofuels

Ian Paisley: [55968]

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

plans to (a) promote the cultivation of and (b) develop processing facilities for bioenergy

crops will be put in place in all parts of the UK.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

BEIS works across the UK government and alongside the Devolved Administrations

to deliver our carbon budgets and net zero target for 2050. Analysis by the

Committee on Climate Change of low-cost pathways to net zero has suggested that

an expanded domestic supply of bioenergy feedstocks could be valuable in meeting

those targets.

BEIS does not directly fund the promotion of bioenergy crops and their processing.

BEIS currently supports the production of low carbon electricity and heat from

bioenergy feedstocks through schemes such as the Feed in Tariff and Renewable

Heat Incentive, and continues to explore the scope for innovation to address

economic and technical issues facing the bioenergy sector.

Land use and agriculture are devolved matters.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Caroline Lucas: [55934]

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

discussions he has had with lenders accredited under the Coronavirus Business

Interruption Loan Scheme; and what recent assessment he has made of the timeliness of

those lenders in (a) approving and (b) releasing funds to small businesses that meet the

eligibility criteria for that scheme.

Paul Scully:

The Government continues to hold a regular dialogue with the largest Coronavirus

Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) lenders to monitor its implementation.

There are now over 80 accredited lenders of the CBILS and individual lending

decisions remain at the discretion of these lenders. There has been significant

demand for the Scheme and lenders are fully aware of the current urgency, so we

expect them to respond appropriately to their customers’ needs.

Since the CBILS was introduced, Government has made several improvements to

speed up the application process and ensure businesses are getting the support they

need. These include:

• Clarifying that all lenders should use automated, rather than manual, credit checks

when assessing the viability of a business;

• Removing the forward-looking viability test;

• Removing the per lender portfolio cap; and



• Removing any requirement for the main lenders to interact with the British

Business Bank systems before issuing loans.

As of 14 June, facilities have been issued to 49,247 businesses, with a value of

£10.11 billion.

We have also introduced the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS). This scheme helps

small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000. To

apply, businesses need to complete a simple online form which can be processed by

their lender in a matter of days. As of 14 June, 863,584 loans have been issued,

worth £26.34 billion.

We continue to receive feedback on all our support for businesses and will seek to

identify any areas for improvement.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Overseas Aid

Fleur Anderson: [58810]

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

met with the Secretary of State for International Development to discuss Official

Development Assistance spending.

Nadhim Zahawi:

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial

Strategy has regular discussions with Ministerial colleagues on a number of issues.

As the largest Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending department after the

Department for International Development (DfID), the Department works very closely

with DfID on delivery of its ODA programmes.

The Secretary of State recently met with Lord Goldsmith to discuss linkages between

his Department, DfID, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

regarding ODA spending on climate policy.

Electric Vehicles: Cycling

John Spellar: [55855]

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

is taking to encourage the manufacture of e-bikes in the UK.

Nadhim Zahawi:

We want the UK to be the best place to start and grow a business and to be a world

leader in the way people, goods, and services move. As part of our planning for the

future UK economy, we will be policies that will move us towards a stronger, fairer,

greener economy that builds on UK strengths, such as science and entrepreneurship.

We have invested £350 million in the seven High Value Manufacturing Catapult

centres across the UK, which are supporting manufacturers to bring new

technologies to market, and we will be investing an additional £600 million by the end

of 2023.



As part of the Future of Transport Grand Challenge, we are working with the

Department for Transport to ensure firms, including e-bike manufacturers, have

access to the right supply of talented labour and the right business support, including

access to finance. The Department for Transport is also working to create a flexible

regulatory framework for micromobility vehicles and, through funding to support the

uptake of e-bikes and e-cargo bikes, is helping us to create domestic demand, which

is essential to growing the UK e-bike manufacturing base.

Electricity Generation

Graham Stringer: [58639]

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

taking steps to ensure (a) market transparency and (b) protection of consumer interest by

requiring National Grid ESO to publish the assumed load factors used to rank bids in the

new Optional Downward Flexibility Mechanism made necessary by the low demand

resulting from the public health measures adopted to tackle covid-19.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The Government believes that transparency is essential for a stable, secure energy

market in which industry and consumers can participate with confidence.

The Optional Downward Flexibility Mechanism (ODFM) service has been established

by National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) to be used in exceptional

circumstances and under certain conditions. ODFM was critical during recent periods

of exceptionally low demand as it created ‘space’ on the system, thereby allowing the

ESO to balance the system without having to resort to implementing emergency

disconnection of embedded generation. As lockdown restrictions relax and demand

increases, there is likely to be less of a requirement to use this service.

Ofgem, as the independent energy regulator, has a statutory duty to protect the

interests of GB’s energy consumers and is responsible for ensuring that the ESO

procures services to balance electricity demand and supply (including ODFM) in an

open, transparent, economic and efficient manner.

The ESO is committed to transparency and provides a comprehensive suite of data

relating to its activities via their data portal [ https://data.nationalgrideso.com/ancillary-

services/optional-downward-flexibility-management-odfm-market-

information?from=0#resources ]; this includes extensive information about the ODFM

service. The ESO is continuing to publish further information about activities

undertaken as a result of the pandemic. We have asked them to publish further

information in relation to load factors for ODFM as part of this.

Employment: Coronavirus

Dr Luke Evans: [56184]

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

is taking with businesses to ensure the safety of people with (a) diabetes and (b) other


https://data.nationalgrideso.com/ancillary-services/optional-downward-flexibility-management-odfm-market-information?from=0#resources





underlying medical conditions who are returning to work as the covid-19 lockdown

restrictions are eased.

Paul Scully:

It is critical that employers offer safe workplaces. The Government has published

guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible during the coronavirus

(COVID-19) pandemic. These guides cover a range of working environments and are

available at www.gov.uk/workingsafely.

Nothing in this guidance affects employers’ existing responsibilities under

employment and equalities legislation. Employers therefore need to bear in mind the

particular needs of different groups or individuals, and make sure that the steps they

take to address the risk of COVID-19 do not unjustifiably impact on some groups

compared with others.

The safer workplaces guidance provides information to employers on how best to

meet these responsibilities in the context of COVID-19.

Employment: Diabetes

Dan Jarvis: [57980]


guidance his Department has issued to employers on ensuring a safe workplace for

employees with diabetes.

Paul Scully:

[Holding answer 15 June 2020]: It is critical that employers offer safe workplaces.

The Government has published guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as

possible during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. These guides cover a range

of working environments and are available at www.gov.uk/workingsafely.

Nothing in this guidance affects employers’ existing responsibilities under

employment and equalities legislation. Employers therefore need to bear in mind the

particular needs of different groups or individuals, and make sure that the steps they

take to address the risk of COVID-19 do not unjustifiably impact on some groups

compared with others.

The safer workplaces guidance provides information to employers on how best to

meet these responsibilities in the context of COVID-19.

Energy: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: [56124]

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

he has made of the level of debt that has accumulated in the energy sector since the

covid-19 outbreak; and what plans he has to support (a) suppliers and (b) consumers in

tackling that debt in the short term.



Kwasi Kwarteng:

On 19 March the Government established an industry-wide voluntary agreement to a

set of principles for assisting energy consumers, through difficulties caused by Covid-

19. The support offered is based on the individual circumstances of the customer and

the systems, processes and capability of the supply company, but includes measures

such as extending discretionary or friendly credit, adjusting payments and the

recovery of debts and sending out a pre-loaded top up card for traditional prepay

customers who are unable to top up.

Government has also introduced wider schemes to assist both consumers and

businesses during the Covid-19 outbreak, including schemes to provide affordable

government backed loans. Government has supported household incomes through

the Job Retention Scheme to enable employers to furlough staff and the Self

Employment Income Support scheme. Government has also introduced a number of

temporary changes to Universal Credit to better support consumers on low incomes

through the outbreak, including significant increases to payments.

Government and Ofgem have supported energy suppliers in their ability to manage

costs and support their customers by providing a loan to the Low Carbon Contracts

Company (LCCC) to ease the additional pressures on supplier Contracts for

Difference (CfD) payments and the ability for suppliers to defer part of the network

charges, in order to free-up short term working capital and enable the support of

customers in need.

It is too early to say what level of debt has accumulated since the Covid-19 outbreak.

Government continues to regularly engage with Ofgem energy suppliers and

consumer advocates to understand the evolving picture.

Energy: Infrastructure


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

has made a recent assessment of the potential effect on levels of employment of making

energy efficiency a national infrastructure priority; and if he will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

Upgrading energy efficiency supports jobs and economic activity right across the

country, from rural areas to large cities. In 2018, the domestic and non-domestic

energy efficiency sector employed 153,600 people, with turnover of £21 billion and

exports of almost £900 million. It also delivers a wide range of other economic

benefits, for example: lower energy bills, reduced carbon emissions, fewer

households in fuel poverty, lower costs of decarbonisation, and improved health and

air quality.


Energy: Meters


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

the Government has taken to support energy suppliers in meeting smart meter installation

targets during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

Ofgem wrote to energy suppliers on 8 April 2020 to provide them with flexibility to

temporarily deprioritise non-essential meter installations. This enabled energy

suppliers to focus on: ensuring that customer needs were met, particularly the most

vulnerable; maintaining secure, reliable and safe supplies of energy to consumers in

the short to medium term; and ensuring the safety and protection of consumers and

their workforces.

The Government is working with energy suppliers to re-mobilise the roll-out of smart

meters, further to guidance published on 11 May 2020 on working safely in people’s

homes during COVID-19.



assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of bringing forward

legislative proposals to make installation of smart meters in residential homes mandatory

to help ensure targets for installation of that technology are met.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The Government has consulted on proposals for a new policy framework to continue

to drive market-wide rollout of smart meters after the current duty on energy suppliers

ends in December 2020.

We are carefully considering the range of responses and evidence submitted, ahead

of publishing a Government response. We will see seek to do this as soon as is

practicable.



assessment he has made of the potential merits of making it compulsory for new build

homes to be fitted with smart meters.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The New and Replacement Obligation (NRO) in requires energy suppliers to take all

reasonable steps to install a compliant smart meter where a meter is fitted for the first

time including in new build properties.

The Government has consulted on proposals for a new policy framework to continue

to drive market-wide rollout of smart meters after the current duty on energy suppliers

ends in December 2020. This consultation sought views from stakeholders about

what policy measures the Government should consider in order to complement the

proposed market-wide rollout obligation.




We are carefully considering the range of responses and evidence submitted, ahead

of publishing a Government response. We will see seek to do this as soon as is

practicable.

Sir Christopher Chope: [58617]

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

the Government is taking to tackle defects in smart meters; and if he will make a

statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

Energy suppliers are required by their licence conditions to take all reasonable steps

to install and maintain a fully functioning smart metering system for their customers.

When smart meters are installed, if a fault is identified then the customer should be

made aware of the problem, what the resolution is likely to be, who will be resolving

the fault, and the approximate timescales of the resolution.

Ofgem, as the energy market regulator, is responsible for overseeing energy supplier

conduct and can take enforcement action if energy suppliers do not meet their rollout

obligations.

Housing: Energy



has made a recent estimate of the proportion of Energy Company Obligation funding

spent on identifying suitable homes for energy efficiency measures.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The costs for identifying suitable homes has been estimated at around £257m for the

three and a half year duration of ECO3 (2018 – 2022). That would be around 11% of

the total estimated cost of the scheme.



assessment his Department has made of the effect of low carbon heating technologies on

new build homes; and what steps the Government is taking to provide financial support

for those technologies.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

In the Government’s Future Homes Standards consultation, which closed 7 February,

we proposed that new homes built to this standard should have 75-80% fewer CO2

emissions than those built to current building regulation standards. An impact

assessment on the Future Homes Standard will be published when we consult on the

details of the policy proposals. We will carefully consider any impacts on costs and

housing supply as part of the consultation.





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

authorities are legally empowered to enforce compliance with energy efficiency standards

for homes.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

Since 1 April 2020, The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property)(England and

Wales) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) require that, subject to certain

exemptions, all domestic private rented sector landlords improve their properties to a

minimum energy efficiency standard of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band

E. Local authorities have a range of powers under the Regulations to enforce

compliance with the minimum energy efficiency standard, including the ability to

serve a compliance notice, a financial penalty and/or a publication penalty that makes

details of the breach available to the public.

The Department has launched a landlord exemptions register (“the PRS Exemptions

Register”) which is used by local authorities to help target their enforcement activity,

and is conducting enforcement pilots with local authorities to develop best practice

around enforcement of the Regulations.

In addition, local authorities use the Housing Health and Safety Rating System

(“HHSRS”), a health-based, risk assessment framework, to evaluate 29 specific

hazards, including excess cold, in homes. For private rented sector properties, if a

HHSRS assessment identifies a hazard at 'category 1' level, then local authorities

have a duty to take formal enforcement action, ranging from a Hazard Awareness

Notice to an Emergency Remedial Action (where remedial works are carried out

immediately by the local authority and the landlord billed). The HHSRS also forms

part of the Decent Homes Standard, the minimum standard that social housing

should meet.

Industrial Health and Safety: Coronavirus

Stephen Crabb: [903277]

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that workplaces are safe during the covid-

19 outbreak.

Amanda Solloway:

We have published comprehensive guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe

as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance has been developed with

input from firms, unions, industry bodies and the devolved administrations, and in

consultation with Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive.

Intellectual Property: UK Relations with EU

Neil Coyle: [56005]


plans to restrict European Economic Area address for service rules at the Intellectual

Property Office in the event that there are no reciprocal rights of representation before the




EU Intellectual Property Office at the end of the transition period; and if he will make a

statement.

Amanda Solloway:

The Government is aware that this is an important issue for stake holders, in

particular UK-based patent and trade mark attorneys.

Rights of representation before EU institutions and courts are the preserve of the

Single Market and so do not form part of the UK Approach to negotiations with the

EU.

This means that UK representatives will no longer have the right to represent before

the EUIPO at the end of the Transition Period. This is without prejudice to the

Withdrawal Agreement (WA) which ensures that UK legal representatives can

continue to represent their clients before the EUIPO in procedures that are ongoing at

the end of the transition period.

Officials at the Intellectual Property Office and the Ministry of Justice are having

ongoing conversations with stakeholders on representation rights and address for

service once the transition period ends.

Neil Coyle: [56006]


has estimated the number of jobs at risk in the event that the Government grants

European Economic Area intellectual property practitioners unrestricted access to the UK

Intellectual Property Office without reciprocal access for UK practitioners to the EU

Intellectual Property Office at the end of the transition period.

Amanda Solloway:

The Government is aware that this is an important issue for stake holders, in

particular UK-based patent and trade mark attorneys.

Officials at the Intellectual Property Office are having ongoing conversations with

representative bodies over how to best address this matter once the transition period

ends.

Manufacturing Industries: Carbon Emissions

Alexander Stafford: [56205]


additional (a) support and (b) funding the Government plans to provide to the

manufacturing industry sector to help that sector achieve carbon neutral status.

Nadhim Zahawi:

While we are rightly focusing on taking action to tackle the immediate Covid-19 crisis,

we continue to prioritise efforts to deal with the serious challenges of climate change.

The Government remains committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. We

will continue backing this objective by funding programmes that accelerate the shift to

electrification. For example, the Faraday Challenge is providing £274 million to



ensure the UK leads the world in the design, development, and manufacture of

batteries for the electrification of vehicles.

The 2017 Made Smarter Review highlighted the economic (£455bn GVA + 175,000

jobs) environmental opportunities (4.5% reduction in CO2 emissions) for the UK’s

manufacturing sector until 2027. This includes £455 billion Gross Value Added, the

creation of 175,000 jobs, and a 4.5% reduction in CO2 emissions. The development

of low carbon technologies will benefit the UK economy, as well as reduce carbon

emissions, including through the creation of new jobs.

We will establish the world’s first net zero carbon industrial cluster by 2040 and at

least one low carbon cluster by 2030. This is the second mission under the Clean

Growth Grand Challenge, launched in December 2018, and is the most relevant to

those manufacturing industries that often co-locate in clusters. UK Research &

Innovation is delivering up to £170 million to support the deployment of low carbon

technologies in one or more clusters.

Offshore Fixed Structures: North Sea

Dr Matthew Offord: [55948]

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

plans to make a decision on the (a) removal of the Brent concrete gravity-based

installations and (b) derogation for leaving the footings of the Brent Alpha steel jacket

east of Shetland.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The decision on the Brent Bravo, Brent Charlie and Brent Delta concrete gravity-

based installations is currently being considered, and we are keeping the OSPAR

Contracting Parties informed of our progress. We have no detailed timetable and a

formal decision is expected to be made in due course.

In regard to the decision to leave in-situ the footings of the Brent Alpha steel jacket,

we expect to be in a position to make a decision within the next 2 months.

Offshore Industry: Coronavirus

Andrew Bowie: [903279]

What steps his Department is taking to support the oil and gas sector.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

I have been in almost daily contact with the sector to support them through this crisis.

Last week I attended the Oil and Gas Authority’s Maximising Economic Recovery

Forum with industry leaders to discuss the challenges posed by COVID-19, and the

sector’s recovery.

We have also committed to delivering an oil and gas Sector Deal during this

Parliament.



Personal Care Services: Coronavirus

Carolyn Harris: [903299]

If he will publish guidance on when hair, beauty, spa and wellness businesses can

reopen in (a) salon and (b) non-salon settings during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nadhim Zahawi:

As set out in Government’s roadmap, it is our ambition to reopen such businesses

from 4 July at the earliest, subject to the scientific advice at the time.

Our guidance will be published before any reopening in order to allow businesses

time to adequately prepare.

Post Office: Coronavirus

Scott Mann: [56080]

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

Department is taking to support the Post Office during the covid-19 outbreak.

Paul Scully:

The Government views the services provided by the Post Office as essential and that

is why, on 23 March, the Government designated 'key worker' status to Postmasters

and their staff, allowing their children to remain in school. This has meant that subject

to social distancing guidelines, Post Office has sought to keep as many branches

opens as possible during the Covid-19 outbreak. To support postmasters through this

period, Post Office has provided income top ups to many thousands of branches in

April, May and June.

This support backs Postmasters for their dedication and hard work in keeping their

Post Office open and ensures that some of the country's most vulnerable people can

continue to benefit from the essential services the Post Office provides.

BEIS continues to work with Post Office to ensure as many branches can remain

open as possible and particularly that communities’ access to essential services is

protected during this challenging time.

Regeneration

Rachael Maskell: [54149]


assessment he has made of the potential effect of investment in innovation and skills on

the regeneration of local economies.

Amanda Solloway:

Innovation and skills will play a vital role in the regeneration of local economies.

However, they are only part of the picture in the regeneration of local economies. We

are considering how we can support the UK create good jobs, tackle weak growth

and productivity, level-up our regions to deliver a UK economy which is stronger,

cleaner, more sustainable and more resilient.




As we look to build back better, it is crucial that we listen to what business is telling us

about what they need and how Government should approach recovery and renewal.

Last week, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State led a series of roundtables,

bringing together businesses, business representative groups and leading academics

to consider the measures needed to support the UK’s economic recovery from Covid-

19. The insight gathered through these roundtables will help identify ways in which

Government can work together with business and other stakeholders to support a

green and resilient recovery, and ensure the UK is at the forefront of new and

emerging industries.

Innovation and Research & Development (R&D) play a crucial role in supporting local

economies to recover and renew. The Government is committed to increasing R&D

investment across the economy to 2.4% of GDP by 2027, building on existing

strengths in areas with high potential for future growth, and providing innovation-led

support in less R&D intensive regions to support their continued growth. The

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), working together

with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), is

engaging with local partners to assess the current impacts being felt in local

economies to build a strong understanding of how investment in research and

innovation will contribute to the regeneration of local economies going forward

through the development of local recovery plans and an ambitious R&D Place

Strategy.

Matching high quality skills provision with local economic need is crucial to improving

regional productivity and contributing to the regeneration of local economies. The

Government takes a multi-faceted approach to addressing this challenge.

In response to the impact of Covid-19 on national and local economies, the

Department for Education (DfE) is developing proposals that target skills support at

those who will be hardest hit. Any new support will flex in response to local demand

and will assist places in their economic recovery.

DfE has also established Skills Advisory Panels (SAPs) working with Local Enterprise

Partnerships (LEPs) and Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs). These have helped

places to identify local skills priorities, based on analysis of the local area, and agree

how these will be met through local education and training provision. The Secretary

of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is also working closely with my

Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education on the developing skills

proposals. Through this work Government is continuing to work with local areas to

identify local labour market priorities and enable an effective response.

Renewable Energy: Finance

Alan Brown: [56044]


assessment he has made of the potential merits of annual contract for difference

auctions; and if he will make a statement.


Kwasi Kwarteng:

The Government keeps all aspects of the Contracts for Difference scheme under

review on an ongoing basis. In 2018, the Government announced its intention to run

auctions under the scheme every two years. The last auction took place in 2019, and

the next is scheduled to take place in 2021. The Government recently consulted on a

range of potential changes in connection with the 2021 auction and will respond to

this consultation in due course.

Alan Brown: [56045]


assessment he has made of the potential merits of removing the capacity cap from

contract for difference auctions; and if he will make a statement.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

Capacity caps can drive competitive auctions and deliver value for money for

consumers. In the absence of a capacity cap or similar constraint, competitors in

Contract for Difference auctions would have no incentive to bid below the wholesale

price of electricity. A capacity cap was first deployed in the third Contract for

Difference auction in 2019, which secured nearly twice the capacity of the previous

auction with a 30% reduction in clearing prices. We continue to keep all aspects of

the Contracts for Difference Scheme under review and will publish auction

parameters in due course.

Renewable Energy: Sales

Catherine West: [56101]


assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of opening up the sale of

locally produced renewable electricity.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The current licensing framework, which Ofgem operate and enforce, already allows

electricity generators to apply for a licence to sell energy to consumers. A supplier

licence allows the licensee to supply electricity to domestic and non-domestic

premises, or non-domestic premises only. It also bestows upon them certain

obligations towards consumers through standard licence conditions (SLC) and also

charges to be passed onto consumers, such as network costs and the cost of

Government policies. In addition, the licensee is required to maintain, become party

to, or comply with the industry codes that underpin the wholesale and retail markets.

Nonetheless, Ofgem recognises that a one size fits all licensing framework may be

too prescriptive for some business models and introduced a Licence Lite which

allows aspiring suppliers or distributed energy generators to apply for a supply

licence and receive a direction which relieves them from the obligation in SLC 11.2 –

compliance with industry codes. In addition, Ofgem have introduced a regulatory

sandbox in which innovators can try new products and business models.



Government and Ofgem are reviewing the licensing framework in light of changing

business models and our commitment to reach Net Zero. We want to ensure that the

regulatory regime continues to protect consumers and is flexible in response to a

changing energy system.

Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme


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

to paragraph 2.15 of the Budget 2020 Red Book, what his timetable is for bringing

forward amendments to the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Regulations 2018.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

On 28th April 2020 BEIS published a Stakeholder Notice on changes to the

Renewable Heat Incentive Schemes (RHI). The proposals were to extend the

Domestic RHI for a further year, introduce a new allocation of Tariff Guarantees on

the Non-Domestic RHI and extend current Tariff Guarantee commissioning

deadlines. These proposed changes are designed to provide for a smooth transition

into the future support schemes for low carbon heat and afford large scale projects

impacted by delays to construction due to Covid-19 additional time to commission

and receive RHI funding. This Notice closed to responses on 19th May 2020.

BEIS understands the importance of delivering as much certainty to industry as

possible at this time. As such, having now analysed the responses received to the

Notice, officials are working to publish the Government Response and make the

necessary regulatory changes in the coming weeks.

Self-employed: Coronavirus

Sir Edward Davey: [903283]

What support his Department is providing to self-employed people to begin trading again

after the covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Nadhim Zahawi:

I thank the Right Hon. Gentleman for raising this important issue. We have introduced

an unprecedented package of support for the self-employed to get through this

incredibly challenging period.

And our Self-Employment Income Support Scheme has been a success. As of 14

June, a total of 2.6 million claims have been made, worth £7.6 billion.

Tidal Power: Swansea Bay

Dr Alan Whitehead: [55836]


plans to extend the Development Consent Order for Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon after the

expiry date of 30 June 2020.




Kwasi Kwarteng:

There are no plans to extend the Development Consent Order for the Swansea Bay

Tidal Lagoon which was granted on 9 June 2015.

The Government remains open to consideration of marine energy technologies,

provided they can demonstrate that they represent value for money to the taxpayer

and consumer.

CABINET OFFICE

Amit Patel

David Linden: [58060]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the dates of the meetings

between Government Ministers and Amit Patel held in (a) 2016, (b) 2017, (c) 2018, (d)

2019 and (e) 2020.

Chloe Smith:

Details of Ministers’ meetings with external organisations and individuals are

published quarterly on GOV.UK.

Coronavirus: Death


To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people that died in (a) care homes

and (b) the community that had their deaths classified as non-covid-19 related had post-

mortems to confirm that classification since the start of the covid-19 outbreak.

Chloe Smith:

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

therefore asked the Authority to respond.

Attachments:

1. UKSA Response [PQ56100.pdf]

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Justin Madders: [54932]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost to the public purse is of the

Government's All together advertising campaign.

Chloe Smith:

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 35512 on 21 April 2020.

Employment: Linlithgow and East Falkirk

Martyn Day: [57292]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people have been employed on a

full-time basis in Linlithgow and East Falkirk in each year since 2015.





Chloe Smith:



Attachments:


Newspaper Press: Coronavirus

Naz Shah: [55699]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Government has spent on

advertisements in print newspapers during the covid-19 outbreak; which newspapers

have received sponsored content from the Government during the outbreak; and what

criteria the Government uses to determine which newspapers will receive such

sponsored advertisements.

Chloe Smith:

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers given to PQ 45535 on 18 May 2020 and to

PQ 46692 on 29 May 2020.

Self-employed: Falkirk

John McNally: [58003]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people declared themselves as self-

employed in each of the last three years in Falkirk constituency.

Chloe Smith:



Attachments:


DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Recruitment

John Healey: [55867]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of

people who have enlisted in the (a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force, (c) Royal Navy and (d)

Royal Marines in each of the last five years, by constituency.

James Heappey:

It is taking time to collate the information needed to respond to the hon. Member’s

question. I will write to him as soon as it is available.




DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

5G

Chi Onwurah: [40603]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of (a)

current and (b) planned 5G networks are (i) safety-related and (ii) safety-critical networks

in Critical National Infrastructure and (iii) security-critical network functions.

Matt Warman:

It is not possible to quantify the proportion of current and planned 5G networks that

are safety-related, safety-critical networks and security-critical network functions.

Safety-related and safety-critical networks in non-telecoms Critical National

Infrastructure do not relate to public 5G networks.

Security-critical network functions in the 5G network relate to the sensitive ‘core’ of

the mobile network. As no public networks have deployed a 5G core, it is not possible

to calculate what proportion of the current 5G networks are covered by the ‘core’.

Commercial decisions on the design and make-up of future 5G networks rests with

the individual operators. It is therefore not possible to calculate what proportion of

planned 5G networks are covered by the ‘core’.

5G: Health Hazards


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

Department has commissioned on the effect of 5G technology on (a) older people and (b)

young children.


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

assessment he has made of the effect of electro magnetic frequency radiation from 5G

technology on (a) physical health and (b) mental health.


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

Government has made of the potential effects of the high frequency of signals from 5G

technology on (a) babies, (b) young people and (c) animals.

Matt Warman:

Electromagnetic radiation is not new and research on the topic has found no credible

evidence that radio waves, including those from 5G, have an impact on public health,

including that of the elderly, young people, children and babies. Government is

guided by Public Health England’s (PHE) independent advice, who are committed

along with Ofcom to continually monitoring and assessing the evidence applicable to

this and other radio technologies. Central to PHE’s advice are the guidelines

published by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection





(ICNIRP). The ICNIRP is formally recognised by the World Health Organisation and

its guidelines underpin health protection policies at UK and European levels.

Ofcom continues to monitor the levels of electromagnetic radiation near mobile base

stations, and in all cases, including the recent measurements taken near 5G-enabled

base stations, the levels recorded were well below the limits for general public

exposure outlined by the ICNIRP Guidelines. The highest level recorded was

approximately 1.5% of these guidelines. While a small increase in overall exposure to

radio waves under 5G is possible, such an increase would remain well within

guidelines and is anticipated to have no consequence for public health.

With regard to animals, electromagnetic radiation has the potential to impact insect

movement, but there is currently no evidence that human-made electromagnetic

radiation has population level impacts on insects. In 2015, UK researchers were

involved in a major global review of the status and threats to wild and managed insect

pollinators for the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem

Services (IPBES). In their report, the team of leading scientists did not identify mobile

phone signals as significant threats to insect populations.

Broadband


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

offered to gigabit capable broadband operators when a landlord charges excessive

wayleave fees to discourage deployment.

Matt Warman:

The Electronic Communications Code (“the Code”) regulates the legal relationships

(including wayleave agreements) between site providers and operators of electronic

communications networks (known as Code Operators) to support the rollout and

maintenance of communications infrastructure.

The Code was substantially revised as part of the Digital Economy Act 2017 to make

it cheaper and easier for telecommunications operators to deploy their networks at

pace. Rights to install infrastructure on private land are subject to an agreement

being made with the landowner. Most agreements are reached on a consensual

basis, but where this cannot be achieved, or where disputes arise, the Code allows

either party to apply to a court for resolution of the disputed matter, i.e. by the

imposition of an agreement.

The revised Code changed the basis on which access to land is valued when an

agreement is imposed to a ‘no scheme’ system. Paragraph 24 of the revised Code

makes clear that when assessing the consideration payable by an operator, the court

must do so on the assumption of no additional value relating to the provision or use of

an electronic communications network, when they are imposing an agreement. This

is expected to reduce operator costs and encourage investment in infrastructure

rollout.


Government expects that operators and landlords will negotiate in good faith and

hopes that, in most cases, agreements will be reached on a consensual basis.

However, if a landlord is seeking to charge an operator excessive fees, it is open to

the operator to apply to the court for an agreement to be imposed in appropriate

circumstances. Any order made to this effect will cover the price that must be paid to

the landlord, and will be based on the statutory valuation regime, which is specifically

designed to prevent “ransom” pricing.

Broadband: Linlithgow and East Falkirk

Martyn Day: [57291]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many superfast

fixed broadband lines there were in Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency in the latest

year for which data is available.

Matt Warman:

Utilising Ofcom’s Connected Nations Data (Spring 2020), the constituency of

Linlithgow and East Falkirk has 53,846 fixed broadband lines with speeds above

30Mbps available. This represents 95.7% of all premises within the constituency. It

also shows that whilst that figure represents availability of at least 30Mbps, the

average download speed is actually 62.1Mbps.

Broadband: North East Derbyshire

Lee Rowley: [56140]

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

properties have access to superfast broadband in North East Derbyshire constituency.

Matt Warman:

According to the independent body Thinkbroadband, currently 96.39% of premises in

North East Derbyshire constituency have access to superfast broadband - up from

37% in 2013. 26.6% of premises have access to gigabit broadband. Only 1% of

premises in North East Derbyshire constituency have access to less than 2Mbps.

Charities: Coronavirus


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

assessment he has made of the ability of charities working with BAME communities to

access the Government's £350 million support for charities.

Mr John Whittingdale:

DCMS and the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF - our distribution partners for

the Coronavirus Community Support Fund) have been - and continue to - engage

extensively with BAME organisations during the development of the response and

are working with a number of organisations to improve the reach of the Coronavirus

Community Support Fund.




A diverse advisory panel has been set up to assist in the distribution process for the

fund. DCMS will continue to work closely to assess how we can support BAME

charities and social enterprises in doing their important work. The Minister for Civil

Society holds a fortnightly roundtable to hear directly from BAME civil society

organisations to highlight concerns and responses to Covid-19. DCMS will continue

to work closely to assess how we can support BAME charities and social enterprises

in doing their important work.

We have published clear and comprehensive guidance on the £750 million, plus

other sources of support, at

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/financial-support-for-voluntary-community-and-social-

enterprise-vcse-organisations-to-respond-to-coronavirus-covid-19.

This is a package of emergency response to help groups in need and to provide other

essential services. It builds on the significant package of support available across

sectors, including the Job Retention Scheme.

Digital Technology: Linlithgow and East Falkirk

Martyn Day: [55087]

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

Government is taking to promote digital inclusion in Linlithgow and East Falkirk

constituency (a) in general and (b) for hard to reach groups who have never accessed

online content.

Caroline Dinenage:

Skills policy, including digital inclusion is a devolved matter. This is something that

Scottish Ministers should be able to provide more information on.

Hotels: Coronavirus

Sir Desmond Swayne: [58597]

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

guidance on when (a) hotel and (b) resort spas will be permitted to re-open during the

covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Huddleston:

My Department has been working closely with the sector, including UKHospitality,

through the Visitor Economy Working Group to produce guidance on the reopening of

the tourism sector. This will include guidance on hotels and other forms of

accommodation. This guidance will be published shortly.

We will look at opening forms of holiday accommodation in Step 3 of the

Government’s recovery strategy, currently planned for 4 July at the earliest. This will

be subject to the further scientific advice and the latest risk assessment at the time.

We remain in regular contact with hotel stakeholders through the Visitor Economy

Working Group and the Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/financial-support-for-voluntary-community-and-social-enterprise-vcse-organisations-to-respond-to-coronavirus-covid-19





The Government is committed to reopening sports and physical activity facilities as

soon as it is safe to do so. We are holding regular discussions with representatives

from the leisure sector and national sports organisations to develop guidance that will

support them to open their facilities in a timely and safe manner once lockdown

measures are eased.

Internet: Linlithgow and East Falkirk

Martyn Day: [55086]

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

the Government has made of the number of people in Linlithgow and East Falkirk

constituency who do not have access to the internet.

Matt Warman:

The House of Commons Library produces an analysis of Ofcom Connected Nations

data at constituency level:

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/science/technology/constituency-data-

broadband-coverage-and-speeds/. For the constituency of Linlithgow and East

Falkirk it shows that:

• 91% of the constituency is classified as urban and 9% is rural.

• Within urban areas, 0.2% of premises are unable to receive decent broadband

whilst 97% can receive superfast broadband.

• Within the rural areas, 10% of premises are unable to receive decent broadband

whilst 83% can receive superfast broadband.

• Decent broadband is classified by Ofcom as at least 10Mbps.

• Superfast broadband is classified by Ofcom as at least 30Mbps.

• The three areas with the poorest connectivity are Braes Villages, Carse &

Grangemouth Old Town and Linlithgow South.

The Scottish Government is running the Reaching 100 (R100) programme to ensure

that all premises in Scotland can access at least superfast speeds. In lieu of that,

DCMS operates the UK-wide Rural Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme which

provides up to £1,500 for rural homes and up to £3,500 for rural small

businesses/sole traders to contribute towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable

connectivity. Furthermore, premises currently unable to receive at least 10Mbps

could potentially qualify for the Universal Service Obligation (USO) which Ofcom

launched in March 2020.

Internet: Safety

Alexander Stafford: [53671]

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

bring forward legislative proposals on online harms.



Caroline Dinenage:

The Government is committed to making the UK the safest place to be online. DCMS

and the Home Office are working at pace to develop the legislation. We will publish a

full government response later this year, and legislation will be ready this session.

Literature: Irish Language and Welsh Language

Martyn Day: [54174]

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

Department is taking to promote Gaelic and Welsh language literature in the UK.

Caroline Dinenage:

Culture is a devolved matter so promoting Gaelic and Welsh language literature in

the UK is a matter for the relevant devolved administration.

DCMS does, however, work to support minority languages through its work on the

creative industries strand of the British Irish Council. This includes working with

devolved administrations to support minority languages, to share best practice, and to

nurture more diverse UK audiences, including through minority language

publications.

Local Broadcasting: Radio

Sir John Hayes: [53305]

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

Department is taking to ensure a sustainable future for local radio.


While radio stations across the UK are reporting increasing numbers of listeners

tuning in to their broadcasts, many of these stations are operating against the

backdrop of a rapid fall in advertising and other revenues due to the impact of the

coronavirus pandemic.

Commercial radio stations have been able to take advantage of some of the

unprecedented support measures that have been introduced across the wider

economy, such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Bounce Back

Loan Scheme. However, we acknowledge that commercial radio also faces some

sector-specific pressures.

We are pleased that an agreement has now been reached with Arqiva that will result

in a significant reduction in annual transmission costs for local commercial stations

that use Arqiva’s services, and have worked with industry during this crisis to support

efforts to reduce other costs. We note in particular the help secured by Radiocentre in

the form of reduced music licensing payments to reflect the fall in stations’ revenues,

and Ofcom’s announcement relaxing its enforcement of licensees’ programming and

production requirements, which has been extended to December.

We have also worked with Ofcom to release emergency funding, through the

Community Radio Fund, to help community radio stations continue to provide



programming and outreach projects for the communities they serve. Ofcom

announced details of 81 awards on 4 June.

We note that Ofcom plan to begin advertising small-scale multiplex licences later this

year, which will provide a lower-cost digital transmission option for smaller stations,

and we will shortly be publishing our response to our consultation on analogue

commercial radio licences.

We will continue to liaise with stakeholders across the industry regarding ways in

which the Government can reduce regulatory burdens further to support radio

through Covid-19 and beyond.

Julian Sturdy: [55681]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many community

radio stations have been awarded grants through the Community Radio Fund since its

creation.


The Community Radio Fund was set up in 2005 and has an annual budget of

£400,000, which is used to help support community radio stations across the UK. It is

administered by Ofcom, and applications are assessed by an independent panel.

Information on all grants provided via the Community Radio Fund prior to the financial

year 2020-21, including the recipients, the amount of funding awarded to each, and

the posts and projects that have been supported, can be found on Ofcom’s website

(from 2018 to date) and the National Archives ( pre-2014 and 2014-2018 ).

For the financial year 2020-21, given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the

sector, the Community Radio Fund is being used to provide stations with an

emergency source of funding to help them to meet urgent liabilities and to keep

themselves in business. Given the sensitive commercial nature of this situation, it has

been agreed between the Government, Ofcom and the Community Media

Association (the representative body for the sector) that the names of the supported

stations and the amount that each has received will not be disclosed.

Mass Media: Coronavirus

Liz Saville Roberts: [58751]

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

he plans to provide to (a) newspapers and (b) media outlets more widely in response to

the covid-19 outbreak, and whether conditions will be attached to that funding.


Media outlets across the UK are facing existential pressures due to the impacts of

Covid-19. The government remains in regular dialogue with stakeholders across the

media sectors regarding ways in which this can be mitigated, in addition to the

unprecedented package of nationwide support announced by the Chancellor.

In terms of newspapers in particular, the government has provided specific support to

publishers during the crisis. The government has clarified that all journalists, including


https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/information-for-industry/radio-broadcasters/community-radio-fund

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/information-for-industry/radio-broadcasters/community-radio-fund

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140702143309/http:/stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/radio/community-radio-fund/

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140702143309/http:/stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/radio/community-radio-fund/

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20180702150358/https:/www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/information-for-industry/radio-broadcasters/community-radio-fund

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20180702150358/https:/www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/information-for-industry/radio-broadcasters/community-radio-fund


broadcast journalists, and other ancillary staff, are ‘key workers’ for the purposes of

access to childcare and educational places. The government also issued guidance to

local authorities on the importance of newspaper delivery, which has been critical to

the continued dissemination of public interest news.

The government has also sought to maximise newspapers’ advertising opportunities

by implementing a public information campaign to ensure the distribution of

authoritative, up-to-date information about Covid-19, while also alleviating publishers’

financial pressures. The current partnership brings together over 600 titles across the

UK, the vast majority of which are local papers. As with any media planning

approach, titles are selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national,

regional and local level and to ensure value for money, reach and targeting efficacy.

For online media outlets, the government has taken steps to ensure the use of

‘keyword blocklisting’ technology is not inadvertently damaging any news publishers’

online advertising revenues for Covid-19 related stories. Additionally, the Chancellor

brought forward the commencement of zero-rating of VAT on all e-newspapers in

order to bring savings to readers and support digital publishing.

The department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is in regular dialogue with

stakeholders about ensuring the support offered is as effective and fair as it can be.

Ministers are engaging with broadcasters (both TV and radio) and news publishers

on a regular basis to understand the impacts of Covid-19 on their day to day

operations, and how the government can support them. The government will continue

to consider all possible options in the interests of promoting and sustaining high-

quality news journalism.

Museums and Galleries: Coronavirus


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

providing to (a) Newcastle’s Discovery Centre and (b) other regional museums to help

ensure that they are able to survive the covid-19 lockdown.

Caroline Dinenage:

Museums are supported by over £200 million in emergency packages from DCMS

arm’s-length bodies. As part of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums, an Arts

Council England National Portfolio Organisation, Newcastle Discovery Centre is

eligible to bid for the £90 million emergency fund provided by ACE for the national

portfolio. National Portfolio Organisations have also been able to benefit from drawing

down quarterly funding in advance.

As well as the culture and heritage-specific support, many regional museums are

eligible for the UK’s world-class package of support, including through the Job

Retention Scheme and the availability of grants of up to £25,000 to leisure

businesses, including museums operating from smaller premises, through the Retail,

Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund. The Government continues to monitor the impact

of these and other measures.


My department is in constant contact with sector bodies and museums directly,

including the Director of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums as a representative

of the National Museum Directors’ Council and English Civic Museums Network, to

assess impacts and understand the need for support for the sector in response to

COVID-19.

Tourism: Coronavirus


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

Government has made of the economic effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the (a)

overseas and (b) internal tourist trade; and what support he plans to provide to (i) York

and (ii) other cities which are dependent on tourism.

Nigel Huddleston:

We are aware that COVID-19 has significantly impacted the tourism industry. We

remain in regular contact with outbound and domestic tourism stakeholders to closely

monitor COVID-19’s economic effect on UK tourism, and continuously assess the

impact.

We have supported Destination Management Organisations - including in Yorkshire -

to continue their vital business support roles via a £1.3 million VisitEngland scheme.

Two Yorkshire Destination Management Organisations (Make it York and Welcome

to Yorkshire) have combined received over £40,000 in support from the VisitEngland

scheme.

My Department has launched the Cultural Renewal Taskforce to help our sectors to

safely reopen. To inform this taskforce, I chair a Visitor Economy Working Group

which specifically focuses on developing guidance for restarting tourism activity.

We will continue to engage with stakeholders to assess how we can most effectively

support tourism’s recovery in cities across the country. We are actively considering all

the recovery ideas suggested to us by stakeholders.

EDUCATION

Academies: Discrimination


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reasons academy-related

discrimination cases are outside the remit of the Education and Skills Funding Agency;

and what options people have in an academy setting to pursue a discrimination case.

Nick Gibb:

The law covering discrimination is the Equality Act 2010. This applies to all

maintained and independent schools, including academies, and maintained and non-

maintained special schools in England.



The Act makes it unlawful for the responsible body of a school to discriminate

against, harass or victimise a pupil or potential pupil:

• in relation to admissions;

• in the way it provides education for pupils;

• in the way it provides pupils access to any benefit, facility or service; or

• by excluding a pupil or subjecting them to any other detriment.

If an individual feels that discrimination has taken place, in the first instance these

cases could be resolved informally with the school. Should this fail to satisfactorily

resolve the issue, then an official complaint can be made to the academy.

If the complainant feels that the trust has not followed its complaints procedure, they

can escalate this to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). The ESFA will

assess the trust’s compliance with their complaints policy but cannot overturn the

decision itself or suggest remedy.

Formal proceedings in relation to a contravention of the education provisions of the

Act will be brought in a county court. If the court rules that there has been a

contravention, then it has the power to award an appropriate remedy, including any

award of damages.

Specialist tribunals which have experience and knowledge of disability issues will

hear cases of contravention of the education provisions on grounds of disability. In

England this will be the First-tier Tribunal. If the Tribunal rules that there has been a

contravention, then it has the power to make an order of a remedy, which it sees as

appropriate.

The Department has set out advice on the Equality Act on GOV.UK, which is

available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-

for-schools.

Children: ICT

Seema Malhotra: [55983]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Downing Street Press

Conference on 19 April 2020, how many eligible children had received (a) laptops and (b)

4G routers through the Government’s scheme as at 31 May 2020.


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 18 May 2020 to

Question 46667 on Education: Coronavirus, what recent estimate the Government has

made of the number of (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils who are unable to

access their school online classroom as a result of not having (i) digital devices and (ii)

internet access at home in each (A) region and (B) nation of the UK; and how many and

what proportion of secondary school pupils unable to access their school online

classroom are eligible for (1) laptops and (2) routers under the Government scheme

announced on 19 April 2020.

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





Nick Gibb:

The Government has committed over £100 million to support vulnerable and

disadvantaged children in England to access remote education and social care

services, including by providing laptops, tablets and 4G wireless routers.

The Government is providing over 200,000 laptops and tablets to vulnerable and

disadvantaged children who would otherwise not have access and are preparing for

examinations in year 10, receiving support from a social worker or are a care leaver.

The Government is also providing over 50,000 4G wireless routers to care leavers,

children with a social worker at secondary school and disadvantaged children in year

10 who do not have internet connections.

The Department has also partnered with BT to give 10,000 young people free access

to BT WiFi hotspots, who do not have access to good internet by other means.

Local authorities and academy trusts are best placed to identify and distribute the

laptops and tablets to children and young people who need devices. The Department

invited local authorities to order devices for the most vulnerable children first, children

with a social worker and care leavers.

Devices are being delivered to local authorities and academy trusts daily and will

continue to be distributed throughout June.

Educational Visits: Coraonvirus

Sir Desmond Swayne: [55835]

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

parents, and (c) insurance companies prohibiting school residential trips until after the

covid-19 outbreak.

Nick Gibb:

The Department currently advises against any overseas, domestic or residential visits

for children under 18 organised by schools. This advice will remain under review and

will be updated in line with guidance from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

(FCO), the Department for Transport (DfT) and Public Health England (PHE).

Free School Meals: Southwark

Ms Harriet Harman: [58602]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many primary school children receive

free school meals in (a) Camberwell and Peckham and (b) the London Borough of

Southwark.

Vicky Ford:

The most recent figures for number of pupils eligible for and claiming free school

meals come from the school census for January 2019, published on 27 June 2019.

2,658 pupils in primary schools in Camberwell and Peckham constituency were

eligible for and claiming free school meals in January 2019, and 5,732 primary school

pupils in the whole of the London Borough of Southwark.



Further information can be found in the annual “School, pupils and their

characteristics” statistical release which is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-school-and-pupil-numbers.

Figures relating to January 2020 are due to be published on 25 June 2020.

Further Education: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he will take to ensure that

students have full access to online learning while college and university campuses are

closed as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Michelle Donelan:

When lockdown began, higher education providers reacted rapidly to move provision

online (in many cases within 24 hours), to ensure that students were able to access

teaching and assessment. The vast majority of providers are currently planning to

move to blended or dual provision for the next academic year. They have redesigned

courses and timetables to be suitable for these new styles of delivery, front-loaded

the next academic year with more online friendly provision and moved areas which

require practical, face-to-face teaching or assessment to the back of the academic

year.

The Office for Students (OfS) has published information and guidance for providers

and students, including frequently asked questions on a broad range of issues. The

Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education has also published a series of guides

to support higher education providers to secure academic standards and to support

student achievement during the outbreak.

The government is aware of the disproportionate impact that the COVID-19 outbreak

will have on some students. Officials are working with the sector to identify what

further steps may be necessary. The government has already worked closely with the

OfS to help clarify that providers can draw upon existing funding to provide hardship

funds and to support disadvantaged students impacted by COVID-19. Providers are

able to use the funding, worth around £23 million per month for June and July,

towards student hardship funds, including the purchase of IT equipment and mental

health support as well as to support providers’ access and participation plans.

Using this facility, providers have been supporting those with practical access issues

through the provision of IT equipment including laptops and Wi-Fi dongles to ensure

that they are able to continue their studies online.

GCE A-level and GCSE: Assessments

Emma Hardy: [56139]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what processes his Department has put in

place to determine the assessed grades at (a) GCSE and (b) A level of students who

have registered at an exam centre but studied privately outside of a school or college.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-school-and-pupil-numbers

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-school-and-pupil-numbers



Nick Gibb:

This is a matter for Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. I

have asked its Chief Regulator, Sally Collier, to write to the hon. Member and a copy

of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Home Education: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what representations he has received from

(a) children’s charities and (b) schools on the effect on learning of a lack of access to

school online classrooms during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nick Gibb:

It is up to each school to determine how to deliver education to its pupils and we

recognise that many schools have been regularly sharing resources with pupils. This

could be in the form of online learning as well as high quality printed resources where

needed.

The Government has committed over £100 million to support vulnerable and

disadvantaged children in England to access remote education, including by

providing laptops, tablets and 4G routers.

The Department has also partnered with BT to give 10,000 young people free access

to BT WiFi hotspots, who do not have access to good internet by other means.

We are providing laptops and tablets to disadvantaged children who would otherwise

not have access and are preparing for examinations in Year 10, receiving support

from a social worker or are a care leaver. Where care leavers, children with a social

worker at secondary school and disadvantaged children in Year 10 do not have

internet connections, we are providing 4G routers.

We are committed to ensuring that all children can continue to learn remotely in a

number of ways during these very difficult circumstances, and are supporting sector-

led initiatives such as the Oak National Academy. This brand-new enterprise has

been created by 40 teachers from schools across England. It will provide 180 video

lessons for free each week, across a broad range of subjects, for every year group

from reception through to Year 10. By 24 May, over 2.3 million users had visited the

Oak Academy site and over 10.7 million lessons had been accessed.

Schools can also utilise the many resources which have been made by publishers

across the country.

The Department has published an initial list of high quality online educational

resources, which have been identified by some of the country’s leading educational

experts to help pupils learn at home.

Schools and families will also be able to draw on support from the BBC which is

broadcasting lessons on television. Some of the BBC educational content is offline,

via the red button, which disadvantaged pupils without digital devices or connectivity

will still be able to access.


Members: Correspondence

Hilary Benn: [55869]

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

the hon. Member for Leeds Central, dated 8 April 2020, on high school places in South

Leeds.

Nick Gibb:

I can confirm that the letter, received by the Department on 8 April 2020, from the

right hon. Member for Leeds Central has been responded to.

Nurseries: Coronavirus

Andrew Rosindell: [51679]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taken to ensure that private

nurseries comply with the Government’s guidance on implementing protective measures

in education and childcare settings.

Vicky Ford:

The safety and wellbeing of children, early years practitioners and the public is

paramount. On 28 May, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister confirmed that all

five government tests are being met and therefore based on all the evidence, from 1

June, early years settings can welcome back all children.

We have issued guidance for educational settings on implementing protective

measures. This explains how settings should manage the risk of transmission as

more children return.

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

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

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

While my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education announced in March

the suspension of routine Ofsted inspections, the safeguarding responsibilities of

settings have not changed and regulatory action including visits to settings triggered

by safeguarding concerns continue.

Schools: Academic Year


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure that

schools break for the summer on their planned summer 2020 holiday dates.

Mr Stephen Morgan: [56150]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Government plans to instruct

schools to open during the 2020 summer holidays.

Nick Gibb:

We have no plans to instruct schools to operate throughout summer.



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings






We understand that the COVID-19 outbreak has caused disruption to young people’s

education as teachers and parents have had to adapt to remote education. We are

doing everything possible to make sure every child, whatever their background, has

the support they need to deal with the impact of COVID-19 on their education and

wellbeing and are working with partners to consider the best ways to deliver this

ongoing support.

Schools: Coronavirus

Daniel Zeichner: [56016]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what financial support his Department plans

to make available to schools to enable them to temporarily hire other premises to allow

for more social distancing during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nick Gibb:

We have published guidance on the additional funding we are providing to schools to

cover unavoidable costs incurred due to the COVID-19 outbreak that cannot be met

from their existing resources. The fund is targeted towards the costs we have

identified as the biggest barrier to schools operating as they need to at this

challenging time.

The cost categories covered by the fund are clearly set out in the guidance below -

increased premises related costs of opening over school holidays; support for free

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

the national voucher scheme; and additional cleaning costs relating to cases or

suspected cases of coronavirus, above the cost of existing cleaning arrangements.

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

for-schools/school-funding-exceptional-costs-associated-with-coronavirus-covid-19-

for-the-period-march-to-july-2020

Each school's circumstances will be slightly different. Any schools that cannot

achieve the small group sizes set out in the protective measures guidance (

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

protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings ) should discuss options

with their local authority or academy trust. If necessary, schools have the flexibility to

focus first on continuing to provide places for priority groups and then, to support

children’s early education, settings should prioritise groups of children as follows:

• early years settings - 3 and 4 year olds followed by younger age groups;

• infant schools - nursery (where applicable) and Reception;

• primary schools - nursery (where applicable), Reception and year 1.

Mr Stephen Morgan: [56151]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the Government will review (a) pay and (b)

conditions for school staff who have had to work through Easter and half term as a result

of the covid-19 outbreak.


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-schools/school-funding-exceptional-costs-associated-with-coronavirus-covid-19-for-the-period-march-to-july-2020




https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings




Nick Gibb:

The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) covers the pay and

conditions for teachers in maintained schools in England, and requires that teachers

must be available to teach for 190 days each year. There are no plans to review this.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, we know that many schools have implemented a rota

system so that any staff who are asked to work during a holiday period will have time

off during normal term time. Teachers and other school staff will continue to be paid

during this period as normal, and we expect schools to continue to fulfill their

contractual duties to their staff.

Responsibility for the pay and conditions of support staff lies at a local level with

headteachers and school employers; they are best placed to use their professional

judgement to set terms and conditions to suit local circumstances.

Non-maintained schools, including academies and free schools, are responsible for

determining the pay and conditions of their staff themselves; such schools are not

obliged to follow the statutory arrangements set out in the STPCD, although they may

still choose to do so if they wish.

Universities: Coronavirus

Stephen Hammond: [55671]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to support universities

with international students who may be subject to quarantine policy due to the covid-19

outbreak.

Michelle Donelan:

We are in discussions with Universities UK and other sector representatives on a

regular basis to ensure that international higher education students are welcomed to

the UK and we expect international students to be supported on arrival by their

chosen university during these unprecedented times.

On 3 June, the department published guidance to support providers in making

decisions on re-opening campuses and buildings to students and staff ahead of the

academic year 2020/21. Further information on this guidance can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-

and-campuses/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses.

We also welcome the actions of Universities UK, who have set out principles for the

sector to consider as it prepares for the autumn term, including encouraging higher

education providers to think about how to support students during the self-isolation

period.

On Friday 5 June, the department announced Sir Steve Smith as the International

Education Champion, a key deliverable of the 2019 International Education Strategy.

Sir Steve will assist with opening up export growth opportunities for the whole UK

education sector, tackling international challenges such as those posed to attracting

international students and forging lasting global connections.


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses



Mr Kevan Jones: [55889]

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

the number of universities that have charged (a) full or (b) partial tuition fees during the

covid-19 outbreak.

Michelle Donelan:

Higher education providers are autonomous institutions and responsible for setting

their own fees. Higher education providers will of course want to ensure that they can

continue to deliver courses that are fit for purpose and that help students progress

their qualifications.

As of 11 June, no university had made a submission of changes in the level of

chargeable fees for courses during the COVID-19 outbreak for the academic year

2019/20. It is possible that a higher education provider has submitted adjustments for

an individual or sub-set of students on a course. However, these adjustments would

have been processed on a student-by-student basis, and no information is recorded

on the reason for a fee reduction being recorded.

Alicia Kearns: [58104]

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

ensure that universities have adequate short-term liquidity during the covid-19 pandemic;

and whether he plans to allocate additional funding to that sector.

Michelle Donelan:

The government recognises that the COVID-19 outbreak is bringing significant

financial challenges to the higher education (HE) sector, and we have been working

closely with the sector to monitor the likely impacts including on short-term liquidity.

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

announced a package of measures to ensure sustainability in HE at a time of

unprecedented uncertainty.

We have stabilised the admissions system and will pull forward tuition fee payments,

expected to be worth £2.6 billion, for providers so that they receive more cash in the

first term of the 2020/21 academic year. This will have no impact on students but will

allow providers to better manage financial risks over the autumn. This will be

available to all providers across the UK. In reprofiling these payments, we are clear in

our expectation that providers should use the cashflow benefits appropriately, taking

significant steps to improve efficiencies and manage their finances in order to avoid

cashflow problems in the future. Reprofiling in this way is a one-off intervention for

the autumn term only, to help providers take all necessary steps now to prepare for

the future.

In England, we will also be bringing forward £100 million of quality-related research

funding for providers to the current academic year to help to address some of the

immediate pressures faced by university research activities.

The department will consider purchasing land and buildings where they can be used

for new or expanding schools and colleges in England. This will take place as part of



existing programmes and using established procedures. This financial year (across

purchases from all suitable vendors, including but not limited to HE providers), we

have budgeted up to £100 million to acquire sites for planned projects in England.

Details are available on GOV.UK at:

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

and-students.

The government has also confirmed that providers are eligible to apply for its support

packages, including business loan support schemes. The Office for Students (OfS),

the regulator in England, estimates that this could be worth at least £700 million to

the sector. We will only intervene further where we believe there is a case to do so

and where we believe intervention is possible and appropriate and as a last resort.

In such instances, we will work with providers to review their circumstances and

assess the need for restructuring and any attached conditions. The department will

be working with HM Treasury and other government departments to develop this

restructuring regime, as well as with the devolved administrations.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Soil

Anthony Mangnall: [58084]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is

taking to encourage the practice of regenerative agriculture.

Victoria Prentis:

Countryside Stewardship is delivering on the Government’s ambition of protecting

and improving the natural environment by supporting 30,000 farmers, foresters and

land owners to carry out environmental works.

The focus of the scheme is on conserving and restoring wildlife habitats, managing

flood risk, reducing water pollution and planting woodland.

As of December 2019, 2.83 million hectares of land was under an agri-environment

agreement and 2,700 hectares of new woodland had been planted under the

scheme.

Farmers and other land managers who sign up to new Countryside Stewardship

agreements during the Transition Period will be well-placed in the future to participate

in the new Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme, subject to successfully

applying.

ELM will be the cornerstone of our new agricultural policy. Founded on the principle

of “public money for public goods”, ELM is intended to provide a powerful vehicle for

achieving the goals of the 25 Year Environment Plan and commitment to net zero

emissions, while supporting our rural economy.

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




Farmers and other land managers may enter into agreements to be paid for

delivering the following public goods set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan:

• clean air

• clean and plentiful water

• thriving plants and wildlife

• protection from and mitigation of environmental hazards

• mitigation of and adaptation to climate change

• beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment

Beyond agriculture, nature-based solutions are key to tackling climate change and

averting its impacts. The UK Government is deploying such solutions to improve our

natural environment.

Where nature-based solutions contribute towards the delivery of these public goods,

they may be funded by ELM. We will determine in more detail what ELM will pay for

as we further develop the scheme and are engaging with stakeholders to inform this.

Animal Welfare: Inspections

Paul Girvan: [56118]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make the

appointment of a permanent animal welfare inspector a mandatory requirement for local

authorities.

Victoria Prentis:

Local authorities in England are already required to appoint suitably qualified animal

welfare inspectors in order to enforce the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities

Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. The 2018 Regulations require local

authorities to consider applications for and undertake inspections of businesses

seeking licences for certain animal related activities; namely dog breeding, pet

selling, cat and dog boarding, riding schools and keeping or training animals for

exhibition. Local authorities’ inspections ensure that welfare conditions are applied

and they have powers to refuse or revoke a licence. The regulations provide for full

cost recovery of local authority activity through licensing fees.

Birds: Pest Control

Ms Nusrat Ghani: [58008]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many

applications for individual licences for the control of (a) jackdaws, (b) jays and (c) rooks to

conserve wildlife within European protected sites have been refused.


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many

individual applications for wildlife management licencees for control of (a) jackdaws, (bi)




jays and (c) rooks within (a) European protected sites and (b) buffer zones for those sites

were granted by Natural England in the latest period for which information is available.


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what evidence is

required for applications for individual licences for the control of (a) jackdaws, (b) jays and

(c) rooks to conserve wildlife within (a) European protected sites and (b) the buffer zones

of those sites.

Rebecca Pow:

In 2020 Natural England has refused 19 such individual licences for jackdaws, 13 for

jays and 11 for rooks within European protected sites and a 300 metre buffer zone

around them.

Natural England has not granted any such licences for jackdaws or rooks this year

but has granted one for jays.

Before granting such an individual licence Natural England requires evidence that:

• there is a genuine problem to resolve or need to satisfy, for which a statutory

licensing purpose applies

• there are no satisfactory alternatives, including non-lethal solutions having been

tried or considered and shown to be ineffective

• the licensed action will contribute to resolving the problem or meeting the need

• the action to be licensed is proportionate to the problem or need

• the licenced action will not have an adverse effect on the conservation status of

any species or habitat

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Overseas Aid


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he last met

with the Secretary of State for International Development to discuss Official Development

Assistance spending.

Rebecca Pow:

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has not met

bilaterally with the Secretary of State for International Development to discuss Official

Development Assistance (ODA) spending. ODA is discussed at the National Security

Council. Officials are in regular contact on this matter.

Lord Goldsmith is the responsible Minister for Defra’s ODA spending. As joint

Minister for Defra, DFID and FCO, Lord Goldsmith meets regularly with the Secretary

of State for International Development and the Secretary of State for Environment,

Food and Rural Affairs.



Environment Protection


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish

the timetable for the consultation on the proposed policy statement on environmental

principles as set out in the Environment Bill.

Rebecca Pow:

It is our intention to publish the timetable for the consultation on the proposed policy

statement on environmental principles. In the meantime, the Explanatory Note

published alongside the Environment Bill sets out the initial approach to the policy

statement.


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment

he has made of the systems required to ensure that the environmental principles set out

in the Environment Bill inform relevant Ministerial policy making.

Rebecca Pow:

The Environment Bill places a new legal duty on Ministers to have due regard to the

environmental principles policy statement when making policy across Government.

The policy statement will provide clarity on the interpretation and application of the

environmental principles to the policy-making process. These principles will also be

embedded into existing government policy making guidance, including HM Treasury’s

Green Book.

Environment Protection: Standards


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish

the (a) timetable and (b) process for the recruitment of independent experts to inform the

development of new environmental targets as proposed in the Environment Bill.

Rebecca Pow:

The Government plans to bring forward at least one target, in each of the four priority

areas, by the Environment Bill’s 31st October 2022 deadline. We want to get this right

so will be engaging stakeholders about our stepped approached to target setting,

including the involvement of independent experts in that process.

The target setting steps will broadly include: setting the scope of the targets;

developing fully evidenced targets; public consultation on target proposals and finally

drafting target legislation. We expect to publish a Target Policy Paper over the

coming months which will include further details and timing about these steps.




Fisheries


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is his

Department is taking with its international counterparts to prevent over-fishing in the

world's oceans by distant water fishing fleets.

Victoria Prentis:

The UK is taking firm action on this issue alongside our international counterparts

across a wide range of fronts. These include, but are not limited to, playing a leading

role in the global fight to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and

unregulated fishing, and engaging proactively in the work of Regional Fisheries

Management Organisations to ensure more sustainable management of high seas

fisheries. We are also advocating for the elimination of incentives and subsidies for

fisheries that are detrimental to the conservation of marine biodiversity in the current

negotiations at the World Trade Organisation and in the context of the post-2020

Global Biodiversity Framework.

Fisheries: UK Relations with EU

Ruth Jones: [57369]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the

Government plans to publish the UK’s negotiating position on a future fisheries

agreement with the EU.

Victoria Prentis:

The Government published its approach to fisheries negotiations on 27 February and

has since published its draft Fisheries Framework Agreement legal text, as set out in

a Written Ministerial Statement laid before the House on 19 May.

Food: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what quality

control measures apply to food parcels delivered to people who are clinically extremely

vulnerable and shielding from covid-19.

Victoria Prentis:

The food parcels delivered to people who are clinically extremely vulnerable and

shielding are subject to quality control. The contract with Brakes and Bidfood includes

several Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which are reported against regularly, and

are used to manage the current service and improve service in the future. Two of

these KPIs relate to food box product quality and food box satisfaction, which is

assessed partly through a user survey.




Glass: Recycling

Daisy Cooper: [58093]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent

assessment he has made of the effect of (a) deposit return schemes and (b) extended

producer responsibility on on glass recycling rates.

Rebecca Pow:

In 2019, we consulted on Introducing a Deposit Return Scheme in England, Wales

and Northern Ireland (DRS), and on Reforming the UK Packaging Producer

Responsibility System (EPR). In support of these consultations, impact assessments

were also published. These impact assessments include analysis of the effect of a

DRS and EPR for packaging on the glass packaging recycling rates over the

appraisal period. This includes both the effect of the schemes individually, and the

combined effect of the schemes.

The analysis indicates that, the combined impact of a DRS and EPR for packaging

would increase the UK glass packaging recycling rates to 82% by 2032, compared to

72% under a scenario without these schemes.

Furthermore, the analysis shows that all of this would be from the effect of introducing

a DRS. It has been estimated in WRAPs Glass Packaging Flow Data Report that

around 80% of glass packaging placed on the market in the UK is glass beverage

bottles. https://www.wrap.org.uk/content/glass-flow-2025-–-glass-packaging-flow-

data-report Any packaging that is obligated under a DRS will not be obligated under

EPR for packaging. This means that, EPR for packaging would only be applicable to

around 20% of glass packaging placed on the market, and therefore will have little

impact on glass packaging recycling rates.

The assumptions and details behind these figures, and further analysis of the impacts

of these schemes, can be found in the impact assessment documents:

• DRS IA https://consult.defra.gov.uk/environment/introducing-a-deposit-return-

scheme/supporting_documents/depositreturnconsultia.pdf

• EPR IA https://consult.defra.gov.uk/environmental-quality/consultation-on-

reforming-the-uk-packaging-

produce/supporting_documents/packagingeprconsultimpactassessment.pdf.

We are currently working to improve this analysis, which will be subject to a second

consultation in due course.

Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities: Bye Laws

Scott Mann: [58031]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take

steps with (a) recreational fishermen and (b) Fish Legal to clarify the guidance for Inshore

Fisheries Conservation Authorities on the introduction of emergency bylaws under

section 157 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.


https://www.wrap.org.uk/content/glass-flow-2025-–-glass-packaging-flow-data-report



https://consult.defra.gov.uk/environment/introducing-a-deposit-return-scheme/supporting_documents/depositreturnconsultia.pdf




Victoria Prentis:

Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) are independent statutory

authorities and have direct responsibility to sustainably manage sea fisheries

resources in their districts. Therefore, it is for each IFCA to decide whether a situation

warrants an emergency byelaw and if this meets the qualifying criteria as laid down in

Section 157 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Defra has provided best

practice guidance on IFCA byelaw-making, including emergency byelaws made

under section 157, this is available online through GOV.UK and IFCA websites. Defra

has not been approached by any IFCA to provide further statutory guidance on the

aforementioned qualifying criteria.

Litter: Fines


To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make

it his policy to increase statutory fines for littering.

Rebecca Pow:

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth

South on 10 June 2020, PQ UIN 52409.

[ www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-

statements/written-question/Commons/2020-06-03/52409 ]

Livestock: Disease Control

Daniel Kawczynski: [57136]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has

to work with Welsh farming communities on tackling (a) bovine TB and (b) other

prevailing livestock diseases.

Victoria Prentis:

Animal health disease control policy is a devolved matter. Defra Ministers meet

regularly with their counterparts in the devolved administrations via the Inter-

Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The UK Chief Veterinary

Officer also meets regularly with her counterparts in the UK devolved administrations

to discuss animal health issues.

National Parks: Chilterns

Dame Cheryl Gillan: [58595]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has

been made on assessing the potential merits of the recommendation in the Glover Report

that the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty should be designated as a National

Park.







Rebecca Pow:

The independent Review of Landscapes, led by Julian Glover, was commissioned by

the Government as part of the 25 Year Plan for the Environment. Among its

proposals are new designated landscapes, including consideration of National Park

status for the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Government has

welcomed the spirit and ambition of the Review and will respond in due course.

Office for Environmental Protection: Finance


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the first five-

year ring-fenced budget for the Office for Environmental Protection will commence.

Rebecca Pow:

Defra will agree with HM Treasury a budget that will be ring-fenced for each spending

review period, giving the Office for Environmental Protection greater certainty over its

finances. The budget will be announced as soon as possible after the Environment

Bill achieves Royal Assent.

Office for Environmental Protection: Public Appointments


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Chair

and other non-executive members of the proposed Office for Environmental Protection

will be recruited through open competition, (b) what the timetable is for recruitment to

those positions and (c) whether those positions will be filled by 1 January 2021.

Rebecca Pow:

The Government intends to recruit the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP)

Chair and other non-executive members through open competition prior to the OEP’s

full statutory powers commencing. We are currently assessing the impact of the

Environment Bill’s pause and the wider context of COVID-19 on the public

appointments timescales.

Packaging: Recycling


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment

he has made of the potential merits of extending the deposit return scheme to food jars

and sauce bottles.

Rebecca Pow:

The Government plans to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks

containers subject to further evidence and analysis. The specific details of a DRS,

including the material and drinks to be included in scope, will be developed further

and will be presented in a second consultation. We may wish to introduce, at some

point in the future, a DRS for other products such as batteries, electrical and

electronic equipment and tyres. Powers in the Environment Bill will allow us the




flexibility to set up a DRS for other waste streams should we decide to do so. There

has been no specific assessment of the potential to extend a DRS to food jars and

sauce bottles but we generally consider that a DRS may be the appropriate vehicle

for articles that we regard as difficult to manage at end of life, are not typically

recycled or are frequently littered or fly-tipped.

Pets: Travel

Jim Shannon: [55978]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has

to introduce a pet passport for travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain after the

end of the transition period.

Victoria Prentis:

We intend to publish further guidance on pet travel, and in respect of arrangements

between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in due course.

We are working with the European Commission to ensure pet travel between the UK

and EU continues smoothly after January 2021. During the Transition Period the

current rules on pet travel between the UK and EU continue to apply, meaning

travellers may continue to use their existing pet passports.

Public Sector: Food


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to

his Department's Food is GREAT campaign, what discussions he has had with his

Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that (a) Government departments and (b) other public

bodies prioritise British produce in their purchases.

Victoria Prentis:

Defra is having conversations across Government with regard to food procurement

policy, and how we can highlight the importance of buying domestic food. We will

build on this engagement and review how the public sector, including hospitals,

schools and prisons, can benefit from sourcing British produce. At the end of the

Transition Period, there will be further scope to prioritise British produce in the public

sector.

The UK's growing reputation for quality food and drink, with high standards of food

safety, animal welfare and sustainability is an excellent platform to increase demand

for our products still further. Defra's Food is GREAT campaign leverages this growing

reputation and helps businesses to succeed in overseas markets by ensuring global

recognition of UK excellence in food and drink, whilst encouraging our food and drink

companies to export more.



Rural Development Programme: Coronavirus

Anneliese Dodds: [58775]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent

discussions he has had with the Rural Development Programme for England Network on

potential changes to deadlines for funding applications during the covid-19 outbreak.

Rebecca Pow:

Defra officials have had a number of discussions with rural stakeholders about the

impact of COVID-19 on existing and future Rural Development Programme for

England (RDPE) projects. Application deadlines for some RDPE schemes, including

Historic Buildings Grants, have already been extended. We are examining the

timetable for the current round of the Growth Programme and will inform applicants of

any changes if they are made.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Bahrain: Overseas Aid

Martyn Day: [57298]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the

Answer of 23 January 2020 to Question 5454 on Gulf States: Overseas Aid, how many

projects and programme activities have been funded by the Integrated Activity Fund

solely for Bahrain during (a) 2018-19 and (b) 2019-20; which Departments applied for the

funding to implement those projects and programme activities; and how much money was

spent from the Integrated Activity Fund on those projects and programme activities.

James Cleverly:

[Holding answer 15 June 2020]: Overall spend from the Integrated Activity Fund

(IAF) in 2018/19 financial year was £17 million, and £12 million in 2019/20. The IAF

funded activity in all six Gulf Cooperation Council states: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia,

Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Many of the projects and

programme activities were delivered regionally, and final expenditure is subject to

Departmental audits.

Martyn Day: [58025]


Answer of 25 February 2020 to Question 14741 on Gulf States: Overseas Aid, and with

reference to the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims’s assessment of

Bahrain’s Special Investigations Unit’s (SIU) investigation into torture allegations filed by

Husain Moosa, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Integrated

Activity Fund in meeting its objectives in relation to training programmes for the SIU.

Martyn Day: [58029]


Answer of 10 February 2020 to Question 14741 on Gulf States: Overseas Aid and with





reference to the findings of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims’s

assessment of Bahrain’s Special Investigations Unit’s (SIU) investigation into torture

allegations filed by Husain Moosa which found that investigation to be inadequate and not

compliant with international standards, if he will make an assessment of the extent to

which the SIU's training programmes in receipt of Integrated Activity Fund (IAF) funding

are on track to deliver the outcomes expected of IAF funded programmes.

James Cleverly:

The British Government takes note of a number of sources of information on Bahrain,

including publications and statements from Non-Governmental Organisations, when

assessing performance and progress. On the question of our assessment of

Integrated Activity Fund activity with the Special Investigations Unit, I refer the

Honourable Member to my response of 11 February to question 11506.

Martyn Day: [58026]


Answer of 23 January 2020 to Question 5454 on Gulf States: Overseas Aid, how many

project or programme activities have been funded by the Integrated Activity Fund solely

for Bahrain during the financial years (a) 2018- 19 and (b) 2019-20; which Government

departments applied for that funding to implement those project or programme activities;

and how much money from the public purse was allocated from the Integrated Activity

Fund to those project or programme activities.

James Cleverly:

[Holding answer 15 June 2020]: I refer the Honourable Member to my response of

16 June 2020 to question 57298.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Kate Osamor: [52282]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many people

have applied for an emergency repatriation loan since the start of the covid-19 pandemic;

and how many of those applications have been (a) accepted and (b) rejected.

Nigel Adams:

The welfare of British nationals remains our top priority, and we remain committed to

helping British travellers around the globe return home. British nationals who are

overseas and wish to return to the UK, but cannot afford travel costs and have no

other options for getting funds to return home, may apply for an emergency loan from

the government as a last resort. We estimate the FCO has issued over 2000 loans on

behalf of the FCO since 7 April. We are unable to provide an accurate number of

people who have had their applications for emergency repatriation loans rejected as

we do not have full details on our systems to be able to provide comprehensive

figures.



Kirsten Oswald: [56028]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions

he has had with representatives from travel insurance providers to ensure that travel

insurance continues to be available to people whose trips have been extended as a result

of the covid-19 pandemic.

Nigel Adams:

We are in regular contact with the insurance industry on the impact of COVID-19. The

Association of British Insurers (ABI) announced on 2 April that UK-based insurers will

look to extend travel insurance policies for up to a minimum of 60 days to ensure

British travellers abroad will be covered for emergency medical treatment they might

need, provided that the customer is making every effort to return home. Anyone

affected should speak to their insurance company to discuss the options available to

them.

Afzal Khan: [56164]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent

estimate his Department has made of the number of UK seafarers stranded in foreign

ports as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

Afzal Khan: [56165]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his

Department is taking to ensure that UK seafarers are repatriated from foreign ports during

the covid-19 pandemic.

Nigel Adams:

We recognise this is a worrying time for British crew on board cruise ships around the

world. It is primarily the responsibility of their employers - the cruise ship operators -

to ensure the welfare and safety of their crew. The Government is in direct contact

with these operators, as well as directly with many crew members and their families.

Our overseas missions are liaising closely with local authorities in an effort to

facilitate disembarkation and ensure British crew can access flights home. The

Government restated its commitment to the International Labour Organisation and

International Maritime Organisation at the start of this crisis, ensuring we lead globally

on our obligations to seafarers' welfare, and this is a position we intend to uphold.

Not all British crew are seeking to return to the UK. Some may wish to stay with the

ship (with their employer's consent), while others may be required by their role to do

so as part of the minimum safe manning requirements for the vessel. This is a

legislative and flag state requirement to ensure the continued seaworthiness of

vessels.

Cameroon: Politics and Government

Bob Stewart: [55932]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his

Department is taking to help resolve the political situation in Cameroon.





James Duddridge:

The UK Government remains deeply concerned about the situation in the North-West

and South-West (Anglophone) regions of Cameroon. As the UK highlighted at a

United Nations Security Council briefing on Central Africa, on 12 June, high levels of

violence are having tragic consequences on civilians. On 19 May I spoke to the Prime

Minister of Cameroon and discussed the need for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

The British High Commissioner to Cameroon regularly engages in discussions with

the Government of Cameroon, on a range of issues, including the situation in the

North-West and South-West regions. The UK welcomes the UN Secretary-General's

call on armed actors to refrain from attacks against civilians in Cameroon. We

continue to call for restraint, an end to the violence and unhindered humanitarian

access to the affected population.

Further, inclusive dialogue remains vital to ensure a just, peaceful and durable

resolution to the crisis, which meets the reasonable demands of the moderate

majority. The UK has shared experiences on conflict resolution with the Government

of Cameroon and we will continue to work with international partners to support the

restoration of peace in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon.

Chile: Human Rights

Owen Thompson: [58747]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to

recent UN reports of human rights violations by Chilean state agents, if he will make an

assessment of the correlation between UK training of Chilean police and trends in the

level of human rights violations by state agents in that country.

Wendy Morton:

The UK Government shares the concerns of the UN about events that have occurred

in Chile. Our Ambassador in Chile has talked with representatives of the Chilean

Government to express our concerns about the violence witnessed during protests

and about reports of human rights abuses by state agents. We welcome the Chilean

Government's acceptance of the report and its recommendations and the Chilean

Government's assurances, in public and to our Ambassador, that allegations of

human rights abuses will be investigated fully and that, if appropriate, perpetrators

will be prosecuted. In this context, the UK is considering what assistance it might be

able to offer to help the Chilean Police improve compliance with international human

rights standards following recommendations by the UN and others.

The British Government undertakes extensive risk assessments when designing

projects in Chile and other countries, including of any potential negative impact on

human rights. This includes the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA)

process, which is intended give assurance that UK funded OSJA work meets our

human rights obligations and accords with our values. We regularly monitor the

effects of our programme work in consultation with colleagues working in Chile,

making a thorough assessment of the impact of all of our projects. Our Embassy in


Santiago remains in contact with the Chilean authorities and will continue to monitor

the situation.

China: Uighurs


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment

he has made of the adequacy of the UN Security Council’s support for people held in

camps in Xinjiang, China.

Nigel Adams:

The UK and likeminded countries have raised the treatment of Uyghurs in detention

centres at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the main intergovernmental

forum on human rights, and in the UN Third Committee of the General Assembly,

which deals with human rights and humanitarian affairs.

On 10 March at the 43rd session of the HRC, the UK raised concerns about

systematic human rights violations and reports of forced labour in Xinjiang during our

'Item 4' statement. On 29 October at UN Third Committee, the UK read out a joint

statement signed by 22 other states drawing attention to the human rights violations

and abuses in Xinjiang and calling on China to uphold its international obligations and

commitments to respect human rights.

Eritrea: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what

representations he has made to his Eritrean counterpart on releasing prisoners of

conscience in that country in response to the risk of the spread of covid-19 in

overcrowded prisons.

James Duddridge:

Eritrea seems so far to have had a relatively low incidence of Covid-19, with only 41

reported cases and no reported deaths. In April our Ambassador in Asmara raised

the prospect of releasing prisoners given their increasing risk of infection from Covid-

19 with the President's chief political adviser, Yemane Gebreab.

The UK Government, along with partners in the international community, have taken

every opportunity to voice our concern about arbitrary arrests and detentions in

Eritrea, and have called for the release of those arrested and detained in this way.

We have done so directly with the Government of Eritrea and publicly - through our

annual reporting on human rights and at the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva.

On 26 February, the UK's International Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French,

delivered a statement during the 43rd Session of the HRC expressing concern at

continuing human rights abuses. Although welcoming Eritrean acceptance of

Universal Periodic Review recommendations and offering UK assistance in support of

their implementation, she said that the UK would continue to press for the release of

arbitrarily detained individuals.



Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Overseas Aid


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he last met

the Secretary of State for International Development to discuss Official Development

Assistance spending.

James Cleverly:

The Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State meets with his Cabinet

colleagues, including the Secretary of State for International Development, on a

regular basis.

Hong Kong: Human Rights


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent

discussions he has had with his Chinese counterparts on the human rights situation in

Hong Kong and the potential effect of that situation on future trade with China.

Nigel Adams:

On 8 June, the Foreign Secretary spoke to Chinese State Councillor and Minister for

Foreign affairs, Wang Yi. He set out the UK's deep concern at China's proposal to

impose national security law in Hong Kong, which is in conflict with the high degree of

autonomy, and rights and freedoms, protected under international law by the Sino-

British Joint Declaration. The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also

discussed how the UK and China could work together on areas of mutual interest,

including on climate change and trade.

Jerusalem: Evictions

Barbara Keeley: [55926]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions

he has had with the Israeli Government on the eviction of Palestinian families from their

homes in East Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement.

James Cleverly:

The UK is concerned by the continued demolition of Palestinian property by Israeli

authorities. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions by an

occupying power are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes

unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and is harmful to the peace process.

We instead urge Israel to provide a clear, transparent route to construction for

Palestinians in Area C.




Leah Sharibu



he has made of the effectiveness of UK support to aid the release of Leah Sharibu, the

only girl who remains kidnapped by Boko Haram.

James Duddridge:

In response to the attack on Leah's school in Dapchi, the then Foreign Secretary

spoke to the Nigerian Vice President to offer UK assistance in the recovery of the

missing girls. The UK remains committed to supporting the Nigerian Government

secure the release of Leah Sharibu and all others abducted by Boko Haram and

Islamic State West Africa. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of

Religion or Belief met Leah's mother in February and reaffirmed UK support to

Nigerian Government efforts to tackle terrorism. The Nigerian Government has

provided assurances that they are doing all they can to secure the release of Leah

and others kidnapped. President Buhari issued a statement in February, reiterating

his Government's commitment to bring Leah home safely.

The Prime Minister discussed UK support for fighting terrorism in Nigeria with

President Buhari at the UK Africa Investment Summit in January. The UK is providing

a comprehensive package of security, humanitarian and stabilisation assistance to

Nigeria to help tackle the threat from these terrorist groups. This includes: capacity

building support for the Nigerian armed forces, with an emphasis on adherence to

internationally recognised Rules of Engagement, International Human Rights and

Humanitarian law; counter-IED and bomb scene management training; and support

to the Multinational Joint Task Force, a regional taskforce which seeks to coordinate

military efforts in the region.

Pakistan: Ahmadiyya



representations he has made to his Pakistani counterpart on the release of the Ahmadi

prisoners of conscience (a) Ghulam Ahmad, (b) Ihsan Ahmad and (c) Mubashir Ahmad

detained in that country.

Nigel Adams:

We are aware of the cases of Ghulam Ahmad, Ihsan Ahmad and Mubashir Ahmad.

We remain deeply concerned by reports of discrimination and violence against

Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan. We remain concerned about the situation for

prisoners in detention under trial in Pakistan, particularly for blasphemy cases.

We regularly raise at a senior level the issue of the blasphemy laws with the

authorities in Pakistan. In Pakistan and elsewhere these laws have targeted Muslims

and non-Muslims. The UK Government condemns any instance where the content or

application of blasphemy legislation encourages or justifies violence or discrimination,

or causes a violation of a person's Human Rights. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon raised



the UK's concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and the protection of the

Ahmadiyya community with the Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK, Nafees

Zakaria, on 12 and 26 May. Most recently, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon raised our

concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief in Pakistan by letter with Dr Mazari on

5 June. In addition, The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner

CMG, met with Dr Mazari and raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or

Belief with on 8 June.

Pakistani National Commission for Minorities


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has

made representations to his Pakistani counterpart on the establishment of the National

Commission for Minorities Rights in that country.



he has made of whether the National Commission for Minorities Rights in Pakistan is

gender representative.

Nigel Adams:

On 5 June, The Minister for South Asia, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, wrote to

Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari, about the National

Commission on Minorities in Pakistan. He welcomed its establishment and

highlighted the importance of ensuring the new Commission is established in line with

the UN Paris Principles as it begins its important work, specifically focusing on its

independence, funding and membership. The British High Commissioner to Pakistan,

Christian Turner CMG, raised these issues about the National Commission on

Minorities with Dr Mazari in a meeting on 8 June. We will continue to urge the

Government of Pakistan to guarantee the fundamental rights of all its citizens, as laid

down in the constitution of Pakistan and in accordance with international standards. It

is vital that Pakistan guarantees the rights of all its citizens, regardless of gender,

ethnicity or belief.

Shipping: Coronavirus

Afzal Khan: [57350]


representations he has made to his international counterparts on co-ordination to relieve

seafarers from ships.

Nigel Adams:

We recognise this is a worrying time for British crew on board cruise ships around the

world. It is primarily the responsibility of their employers - the cruise ship operators -

to ensure the welfare and safety of their crew. The Government is in direct contact

with these operators, as well as directly with many crew members and their families.

Our overseas missions are liaising closely with local authorities in an effort to




facilitate disembarkation and ensure British crew can access flights home. The

Government restated its commitment to the International Labour Organisation (ILO)

and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at the start of this crisis, ensuring we

lead globally on our obligations to seafarers' welfare, and this is a position we intend

to uphold.

Not all British crew are seeking to return to the UK. Some may wish to stay with the

ship (with their employer's consent), while others may be required by their role to do

so as part of the minimum safe manning requirements for the vessel. This is a

legislative and flag state requirement to ensure the continued seaworthiness of

vessels.

Sri Lanka: Water

Preet Kaur Gill: [56108]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic

steps he is taking to ensure that (a) independent investigations into water quality in

northern Sri Lanka take place and (b) all Sri Lankan citizens have access to clean

drinking water.

Nigel Adams:

We are aware of the challenges Sri Lanka faces around water management and

quality and the unique challenges faced by communities in northern Sri Lanka. Staff

at the British High Commission in Colombo have raised the issue of water quality

during regular visits to the North. A number of public bodies in Sri Lanka, including

the national water supply and drainage board, have conducted tests and

compensation was offered to those affected by water pollution caused by the

Chunnakam Power plant. We will continue to engage with local government in the

North to ensure these concerns around water management and quality are

understood, and that measures are taken to ensure clean water.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Blood: Donors

Andrea Jenkyns: [54182]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is

taking to ensure people working in blood donation centres can be tested for covid-19.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

NHS Blood and Transplant staff who have symptoms of COVID-19, and their

symptomatic household members, have been eligible for testing since 17 April. NHS

Blood and Transplant regularly promotes the testing service to its staff. NHS Blood

and Transplant staff who are absent, reporting COVID-19- like symptoms, are

supported in accessing testing the Government’s online self-referral portal for

essential workers, which allows them to register for a home test kit or book a drive-

through test at a regional test site.



The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone who needs a test has

access to one. All health and care staff have had access to a test since 17 April.

Cancer: Mental Health Services

Rosie Cooper: [55911]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans

to include data collection on cancer diagnosis within the NHS Mental Health Dashboard.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

NHS England and NHS Improvement have no plans to include data on cancer

diagnoses within the National Health Service Mental Health Dashboard.

Cancer: Research

Derek Thomas: [52311]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is

taking to ensure the level of resources allocated for research into cancers is protected

during the covid-19 outbreak.

Helen Whately:

As with other Government funders of health research, 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.

We have now entered a new phase of the pandemic, where the number of new cases

of COVID-19 is declining, and we have a significant portfolio of nationally prioritised

urgent public health studies which are actively recruiting participants. The time is right

to work towards the restoration of a diverse and active portfolio of research funded

and/or supported by the NIHR - including both non-COVID-19 research and important

COVID-19 research which does not meet our ‘Urgency’ criteria. Further information is

available at the following link:

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/prioritising-funding-and-support-for-covid-19-research-

across-the-uk/24820

To help initiate this process, the NIHR has developed a ‘Framework for Restart’

which provides a structure to guide the restarting of a full range of NIHR research,

including cancer research, while maintaining local decision-making and flexibility.

Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/restart-framework/24886



https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/prioritising-funding-and-support-for-covid-19-research-across-the-uk/24820





Complementary Medicine: Finance

Stuart Anderson: [56167]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much and what financial

support is in place for non-clinical and therapeutic settings treating patients with (a) MS,

(b) cancer and (c) strokes with (i) mental health interventions and (ii) pain relief.

Edward Argar:

Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are responsible for commissioning care and

prevention services for patients with multiple sclerosis, cancer and strokes. In doing

so, CCGs need to ensure that the services they provide, including those in non-

clinical and therapeutic settings are fit for purpose, reflect the needs of the local

population and are based on the available evidence and take into account national

guidelines

In addition to CCG funding of NHS services, on 22 May, the Government announced

£22 million of funding for health and social care charities, many of whom provide non-

clinical and therapeutic support services to patients with these conditions. The

Department is engaging with the relevant charities directly to ensure the money goes

out to the charities as quickly as possible.

Contact Tracing: Computer Software


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to Answer of 18 May

to Question 43901 and the Answer of 27 May to Question 48424, when NHSX tracking

app data uploaded to a centralised server will be destroyed.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 4 June 2020]: The data will only be retained and processed for as

long as it is required for the purposes of the response to COVID-19.


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how work on the NHS covid-19

contact tracing app was divided between (a) NHSX and (b) VMWare Pivotal Labs; and

what criteria for success were defined in the contract for that project.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

The National Health Service COVID-19 app is being developed by a multidisciplinary,

multi-organisational team led by NHSX but also including representatives from across

Government. VMWare, formerly Pivotal, was contracted by NHSX to provide a

minimum viable product, to test and learn, and then to continue to productise the app.

The contract asked it to:

- Work to an agile methodology to create a proximity tracing solution;

- Design, build and implement a scalable and robust platform to support the app for

the duration of the contract;

- Provide live service support for the app and platform for national launch; and




- Share knowledge with NHSX and complete a service transition of the app and

platform over to NHSX or NHSX’s chosen partner.

Dawn Butler: [54019]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment

of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals similar to those proposed

by the Australian Government through its Exposure Draft Privacy Amendment (Public

Health Contact Information Bill) to safeguard the privacy of users of the NHS covid-19

contact tracing app.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

The National Health Service COVID-19 app’s function and purpose have been

developed in accordance with strong existing legislation. The Secretary of State

wrote to the Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, on 21 May, stating that

he does not consider that new legislation is necessary for contact tracing.

Dawn Butler: [54020]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people by (a) age,

(b) disability, (c) race and (d) sex are being interviewed or surveyed on the Isle of Wight

to understand their experience of using the NHS covid-19 contract tracing app; whether

his Department has made an assessment of whether those people being so interviewed

or surveyed are representative of the diversity of the UK; if he will place a copy of the

methodology for those interviews or surveys in the Library; and whether that methodology

was reviewed by the NHS COVID-19 App Data Ethics Advisory Board.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

In order to support the evaluation of the Isle of Wight rollout of the Test and Trace

programme, the Department commissioned the National Centre for Social Research

(NatCen) to conduct a survey of Isle of Wight residents. The objective was to deliver

a representative survey exploring experiences of using the National Health Service

COVID-19 app, virology testing and public health contact tracing. The details and

results of this survey will be published on the GOV.UK website in mid-June together

with a report on the Isle of Wight phase evaluation.

This push-to-web survey of Isle of Wight residents aged 16+ included NatCen’s

standard demographics questions including age, sex and ethnicity but not disability.

In addition, many rounds of user research and testing have been conducted

throughout the development of the app, with people of different ages, genders,

ethnicities, socio-economic status, and digital skills, to ensure it meets the needs of

different groups.

We will always comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty, which considers the

impact of a policy or decision on groups with protected characteristics, and we have

carried out an Equality and Health Impact Assessment.




To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government

retains ownership of intellectual property related to the development and operation of the

contact tracing app piloted in the Isle of Wight.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 9 June 2020]: The intellectual property associated with the National

Health Service COVID-19 app is retained by the Department. In order to promote

transparency, the source code for the app is published under version 3.0 of the Open

Government License. This licence allows NHSX to make the code Open Source

whilst retaining its intellectual property rights related to the development of the app.


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 2

June 2020 to Question 48415 on NHS: Computer Software, what the criteria are under

which the NHS will decide to delete that data.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 9 June 2020]: Any data shared with the National Health Service as

part of the public health emergency and stored centrally, may be retained during the

emergency and used for research in the public interest, for providing care, and for

public health management while complying with all the necessary legislation.

In accordance with the law, personal data will not be kept for longer than is

necessary. The data will be retained for the duration of the public health emergency.

If any of the data is required for public health reasons after the pandemic has ended,

a revised Data Protection Impact Assessment will be undertaken. We will ensure that

the necessity to retain the data will be routinely reviewed (at least every six months).


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made

of the (a) risks and (b) shortcomings in relation to the covid-19 tracing app being trialled

on the Isle of Wight.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 11 June 2020]: The purpose of the Isle of Wight phase is to

understand the effectiveness of the Test and Trace programme ahead of the full roll-

out to the rest of the United Kingdom and to improve the user experience of the

National Health Service COVID-19 app.

We have worked quickly to build the NHS COVID-19 app because that is what the

situation demands. But we have not let that urgency compromise our commitment to

transparency, ethics and the law. We are also taking technical assurance very

seriously, with an independent ethics advisory board ensuring that the NHS COVID-

19 app we deliver will be stable, resilient, secure, performant, highly usable and

above all effective in the fight against COVID-19.




Coronavirus: Hospitals

Dame Margaret Hodge: [51536]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients have been

admitted to each of the temporary Nightingale hospitals during the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar:

[Holding answer 4 June 2020]: The number of patients admitted to each of the

Nightingale Hospitals is not available in the format requested. Admission date is

published at trust level but not for individual hospitals.

NHS England and NHS Improvement collect and publish accident and emergency

attendances and emergency admissions data by trust at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-

activity/ae-attendances-and-emergency-admissions-2020-21/

Coronavirus: Mental Health


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his

Department has made of the long term mental health effects of the covid-19 outbreak;

and what steps the Government is taking to prepare to tackle those effects.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 8 June 2020]: It is very normal during these uncertain and unusual

times to be experiencing distress or anxiety, or to be feeling low. People can go to the

Every Mind Matters website and GOV.UK for advice and practical steps to manage

their mental health during this pandemic. We know that more serious mental illness

stemming from experience of trauma can take time to manifest, and work is

underway to plan for a possible increase in demand for people needing mental health

support due to COVID-19.

We are working with the National Health Service and Public Health England, service

users, academics and the voluntary sector to gather evidence and assess the

potential longer-term mental health impacts of COVID-19 and plan for how to support

the public’s mental health and wellbeing throughout the ‘recovery’ phase.

Coronavirus: Rehabilitation


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made

of the long-term (a) mental and (b) physical health outcomes of patients recovering from

covid-19.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 2 June 2020]: It is very normal during these uncertain and unusual

times to be experiencing distress or anxiety, or to be feeling low. People can go to the

Every Mind Matters website and GOV.UK for advice and practical steps that can be


https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/ae-attendances-and-emergency-admissions-2020-21/





taken to manage mental health during this pandemic. We know that more serious

mental illness can take time to manifest, and work is underway to plan for a possible

increase in demand for people needing mental health support due to COVID-19.

As the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the physical heath of individuals evolves,

NHS England will continue to assess how current services can be adapted or

expanded to support the needs of those people who require them.

Coronavirus: Screening


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of the proposed

100,000 tests per day for covid-19 will be (a) antigen and (b) antibody tests.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

The Government announced it had achieved its target to deliver 100,000 tests per

day on 1 May 2020, with over 122,000 tests delivered on 30 April 2020.

All tests currently being used to diagnose COVID-19 are Polymerase Chain Reaction

(PCR) swab tests using swabs taken from the nose and throat. These confirm when

people currently have COVID-19.

Jonathan Ashworth: [39542]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many at home covid-19

antigen tests have (a) been sent to homes and (b) delivered results since 31 January

2020.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

We introduced large-scale home testing in April, making testing accessible many

more eligible individuals. As of 2 May, 115,589 Home Tests have been ordered and

we are working to increase capacity even further.


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many tests for NHS

workers have been booked through the new testing portal since that portal opened.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 6 May 2020]: National Health Service workers have been able to

access testing since 27 March and via the portal since its launch on 23 April, as well

as access testing provided by the NHS. We are unable to provide a sector-by-sector

breakdown of essential worker registrations via the portal at the present time.

Dr Philippa Whitford: [43048]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in addition to the covid-19 tests

performed at test centres, how many covid-19 tests performed at home were sent to

testing centres each day from 27 April 2020 to 5 May 2020.





Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 11 May 2020]: We introduced large-scale home testing at the end of

April to make testing more accessible to individuals. Between 27 April – 5 May over

95,000 home tests were dispatched to users. In that same time period, nearly 21,000

test samples were processed by our labs. The difference in these numbers is due to

the number of days between test dispatch, through to the sample being taken and

then being collected by courier to be sent to the lab. This means that the 21,000 test

samples processed will not correlate to tests dispatched on these dates.

James Murray: [43189]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many of the 40,369 Pillar 2

covid-19 tests reported under delivery routes for 30 April 2020 were (a) ordered and (b)

dispatched on (i) 26 April, (ii) 27 April, (iii) 28 April, (iv) 29 April and (v) 30 April 2020.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 11 May 2020]: Between 26 – 30 April, over 73,000 home kits were

ordered and over 64,000 were dispatched. The difference between the figures is due

to the time at which an individual orders a home test, which subsequently impacts the

time of its dispatch.

Olivia Blake: [43778]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to

ensure covid-19 tests are not double counted when returned.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 11 May 2020]: Each test kit is assigned a unique code which is

registered to the test subject, thereby linking the test sample to the individual. This

ensures that any test that is damaged or needs to be voided can be removed from

the daily reporting figures.

Department of Health and Social Care: Carers


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many staff in his

Department had caring responsibilities in each of the last five years.

Edward Argar:

As part of our commitment to achieving a workforce representative of the society we

service and providing equality of opportunity, we monitor representation of all

protected characteristics across the Department. We also provide the opportunity for

staff to self-declare if they have caring responsibilities.

Providing this information relies on employees voluntarily completing their diversity

information on our electronic HR system and we continue to encourage staff to

complete their self-declaration.

The declaration rate for caring responsibilities within the Department is 52.1% (as at

31 March 2020) and therefore, to note that the information provided is based on how

many staff self-declared they had caring responsibilities in each respective year.




- 2016 – 703

- 2017 – 458

- 2018 – 410

- 2019 – 420

- 2020 – 388

It should be noted that the data is as of 31 March of each year. It includes civil

servants only (permanent, fixed-term appointment and loan in) but excludes

secondee in and loan out employees. It excludes contingent labour (contractors,

consultants and agency workers) as we do not record this information for them.

Eating Disorders

Zarah Sultana: [52550]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to reduce

the time period between people displaying symptoms of eating disorders and receiving

treatment.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 4 June 2020]: The Government is committed to ensuring everyone

with an eating disorder has access to timely treatment based on clinical need. We set

up the first waiting times to improve access to eating disorders services for children

and young people - so that by 2020/21 95% of children with an eating disorder will

receive treatment within one week for urgent cases and within four weeks for routine

cases and latest figures indicate that the National Health Service is on track to meet

that standard.

For adults, the NHS Long Term Plan commits to “test four-week waiting times for

adult and older adult community mental health teams, with selected local areas”. Last

autumn, we announced that 12 areas in England would receive over £70 million of

transformation funding in 2019/20 and 2020/21 to test new integrated models of

primary and community mental health care for adults. Eight of these sites plan to

implement innovative service models that will improve access and quality for adults

and older adults with eating disorders in line with new national guidance on adult

eating disorder care

Eating Disorders: Children and Young People


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to

improve the provision of support services for children and young people with eating

disorders.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 11 June 2020]: The Government is committed to ensuring everyone

with an eating disorder has access to timely treatment based on clinical need. We set



up the first waiting times to improve access to eating disorders services for children

and young people - so that by 2020/21 95% of children with an eating disorder will

receive treatment within one week for urgent cases and within four weeks for routine

cases. We are on track to meet that standard.

The Government is investing £150 million to improve services for children and young

people with mental health problems, with a particular emphasis on eating disorders.

We are making good on this promise, and as a result 70 dedicated new or extended

community services are now either open or in development. These are designed to

give young people with eating disorders and self-harm early access to services in

their communities with properly trained teams, including extended access to talking

therapies.

Eating Disorders: Rehabilitation


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans the Government has

to introduce residential services for sufferers of eating disorders who do not meet the

minimum threshold for inpatient care.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 11 June 2020]: Inpatient treatment should be a last resort and the

Government is currently improving care in the community. Decisions about inpatient

care should be based on clinical need and should involve short and purposeful stays,

close to home and linked with quality community services to improve patient

outcomes.

We announced in 2014 that we would invest £150 million to expand eating disorder

community-based care for children and young people, and as a result 70 dedicated

new or extended community services are now either open or in development. These

are designed to give young people with eating disorders and self-harm early access

to services in their communities with properly trained teams, including extended

access to talking therapies.

Last autumn, we announced that 12 areas in England would receive over £70 million

of transformation funding in 2019/20 and 2020/21 to test new integrated models of

primary and community mental health care for adults. Eight of these sites plan to

implement innovative service models that will improve access and quality for adults

and older adults with eating disorders in line with new national guidance on adult

eating disorder care.

Health Services: Immigrants


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the

announcement by the Prime Minister on 21 May 2020 on the exemption for NHS health

and care workers from the Immigration Health Surcharge, whether that exemption will be

(a) temporary or (b) permanent.



Edward Argar:

Department of Health and Social Care and Home Office officials are working to

implement the Prime Minister’s announcement of 21 May and further details will be

published shortly.

Stella Creasy: [57193]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his

announcement on 21 May 2020 that the immigration health surcharge would be removed

for NHS staff and care workers, when that surcharge will be removed; whether workers

who become exempt from that surcharge will be refunded; and whether the removal of

that surcharge for those workers will be permanent.

Edward Argar:

[Holding answer 15 June 2020]: Department of Health and Social Care and Home

Office officials are working to implement the Prime Minister’s announcement of 21

May and further details will be published shortly.

Hospitals: Coronavirus

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: [55098]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients were

discharged from mental health hospitals as part of the Government's response to the

covid-19 outbreak between March and April 2020.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

The total number of discharges from mental health hospitals in England during the

period requested is shown in the following table. COVID-19 is not one of the options

available to record the reason for a patient being discharged.

ENGLAND MARCH 2020 APRIL 2020 2

Discharges from mental health

hospitals in the reporting

period 1

11,829 Not yet available

Source: Mental Health Services Data Set, NHS Digital

Notes:

1 A person may have had been discharged more than once within any given period.

2 Data for April 2020 are still being collected and analysed.

Hospitals: Repairs and Maintenance

Luke Pollard: [54245]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has

given new guidance to hospitals on the design and layout of rebuilding and refurbishment

projects as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.




Edward Argar:

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NHS England and NHS Improvement have

published guidance for the National Health Service in relation to their estate and

related support services.

The guidance can be reached at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/secondary-care/estates-facilities

Hospitals: Wales

Daniel Kawczynski: [57133]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has plans to create

a further hospital in mid-Wales.

Edward Argar:

As health is a devolved issue, the Welsh Government is responsible for determining

any investment in new hospitals in Wales.

For the National Health Service in England, the Government is committed to building

40 new hospitals as part of the Health Infrastructure Plan announced in September

2019, which includes a long-term programme of investment in new NHS hospitals.

Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust Independent Review



April to Question 37528 on Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust Independent Review

and the Answer of 4 May 2020 to Question 41400 on Liverpool Community Health NHS

Trust Independent Review, when she plans to place in the Library the agreed changes to

the terms of reference for the Liverpool Community Health investigation.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 18 May 2020]: The Terms of Reference for the investigation are

being finalised. We expect these Terms of Reference to be published shortly.

Medical Treatments and Screening: Coronavirus

Bambos Charalambous: [53566]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government has

taken to consider using option-based guarantees to increase the production of (a)

diagnostic tests, (b) pharmaceutical treatments and (c) vaccines in response to the covid-

19 outbreak.

Edward Argar:

The Government is engaging with industry and are considering all commercial

options. As part of the negotiations the Government will continue to ensure that the

best value for money is achieved for the taxpayer, whilst delivering the goods and

services needed in the fight against COVID-19 at speed.






Mental Health Act 1983: Reform


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish a

White Paper on reforming the Mental Health Act 1983.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

We have committed to publishing a White Paper which will set out the Government’s

response to Sir Simon Wessely’s Independent Review of the Mental Health Act 1983

and pave the way for reform of the Act.

We will publish our White Paper as soon as it is possible to do so. We will consult

publicly on our proposals and will bring forward a Bill to amend the Act when

parliamentary time allows.

Mental Health Services



taking to ensure a safe return to face to face mental health appointments for people with

severe mental illness.

Munira Wilson: [55127]


taking to ensure a safe return to face-to-face mental health appointments for people with

severe mental illness during the covid-19 outbreak.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 10 June 2020]: Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, the National

Health Service has been clear on the importance of maintaining face to face care for

those patients who need it, and of patient choice in determining suitability for digital

appointments.

When delivering face to face appointments, mental health services are expected to

follow the latest guidance on the use of personal protective equipment in healthcare

settings to support infection prevention and control. Services will be further enabled

by the roll out of the NHS Test and Trace service to reduce transmission risk and

deliver face to face services in as safe a way as possible.

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department

has made in implementing the actions in chapters 3 and 4 of the Transforming Children

and Young People’s Mental Health Green Paper, published in December 2017.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

We have made good progress and we remain committed to carrying out the Green

Paper’s core proposals. In 2018 we announced the first 25 trailblazer sites, delivering





59 mental health support teams (MHSTs), the first of which started to become

operational in early 2020. Twelve of the first 25 sites are also testing four-week

waiting times. In July 2019, NHS England confirmed a further 57 areas, developing

123 new MHSTs.

The Department for Education has committed to provide training for a senior mental

health lead in all state-funded schools and colleges in England by 2025. Eighty-two

per cent of schools and 77 per cent of post-16 institutions have someone leading on

mental health.

The Department for Education has also allocated £6 million to support schools to

implement the new Relationship, Sex and Health Education curriculum; and the

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care hosted three social media summits in

2019 to discuss tackling online harmful content.

Mental Health Services: Coronavirus

Yasmin Qureshi: [54076]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to potential

increases in demand for mental health services as a result of the covid-19 outbreak, what

recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of Government funding for those

services.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

The Government and the National Health Service recognises that the COVID-19

pandemic has the potential to lead to the onset of new mental health difficulties as

well as exacerbating existing problems, creating additional demand on services.

Mental health services will therefore need to adapt to ensure appropriate and timely

service levels to meet people’s needs.

We are working with the NHS and Public Health England, service users, academics

and the voluntary sector to gather evidence and assess the potential longer-term

mental health impacts of COVID-19 and plan for how to support the public’s mental

health and wellbeing throughout the ‘recovery’ phase.


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many inpatients in mental

health hospitals have been diagnosed with covid-19 since March 2020.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

The information requested cannot be provided.

The Hospital Episode Statistics data for March 2020 includes a small number of

finished consultant episodes where there has been a confirmed or suspected

diagnosis of COVID-19 in inpatients in mental health hospitals. This number falls

below the level that would be reported and the data are thereby suppressed under

the disclosure controls applied to this data.

Data for April 2020 are not yet available



Mental Health Services: Costs

Dr Dan Poulter: [55942]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the cost to the public

purse has been of employing mental health staff in (a) each year since 2009-10 and (b)

2020-21.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 11 June 2020]: Mental health staff are employed in wide range of

settings including mental health trusts, acute trusts, community health services and

general practitioner practices and this information is not collected centrally at this

level of detail.

Mental Health Services: Domestic Abuse

Christian Wakeford: [57413]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is

taking to allocate additional funding for mental health support for victims of domestic

abuse.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

We provided a £5 million grant to Mind and the Mental Health Consortia to administer

a Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund to mental health voluntary and

community sector organisations across England to promote mental health and

wellbeing services. This complements NHS services and support those struggling

with their mental health, including vulnerable people such as victims of domestic

abuse. We announced a further £4.2 million to support mental health charities as part

of our United Kingdom-wide £750 million package of support for the voluntary sector

announced in April. This package of support also includes £28 million to help

survivors of domestic abuse and their children by providing more safe spaces,

accommodation and access to support services during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Mental Health Services: Finance

Dr Dan Poulter: [55941]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many mental health

provider organisations in England have received NHS capital funding in (a) each year

since 2009-10 and (b) 2020-21.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 11 June 2020]: Improving mental health is at the heart of this

Government’s agenda and capital investment to modernise the mental health estate

is a key part of the Government’s ambition to achieve greater parity between physical

and mental health care.

As is the case for all National Health Service providers, the majority of capital

expenditure by NHS mental health providers is financed from their own income

sources and not provided centrally by the Department, but this is supplemented by




national programmes of capital investment. The Government has announced

investments of over £400 million in improving mental health estate since July 2017,

and as set out in the Health infrastructure Plan on 30 September 2019, the

Government is committed to making further strategic investments to modernise

mental health facilities, which will be confirmed when the Department receives a

multiyear capital settlement at the next capital review.

Mental Health Services: Schools


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has

had with the Secretary of State for Education on school-based support for children with

mental health needs when schools reopen to all pupils.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

Such discussions have not taken place between the Secretaries of State. However, I

have met several times recently with the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for

Children and Families (Vicky Ford MP) to discuss how health and education can work

together to support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing as

schools reopen.

Mental Health Services: Young People


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans the Government has

to introduce specific mental health services for 18-25 year olds.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 11 June 2020]: The NHS Long Term Plan and ‘Transforming

Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision: a Green Paper’ (2017) set out

an ambitious transformation programme for children and young people’s mental

health. This includes significant investment in extending current services models to

create a comprehensive offer for 0-25 year olds across health, social care, education

and the voluntary sector. We are introducing the first mental health waiting time

standards for children and young people so that more people have timely access to

care. This will ensure that by 2023/24, an additional 345,000 children and young

people will be able to access support via National Health Service-funded mental

health services and school or college-based Mental Health Support Teams and 24

hours a day, seven days a week mental health crisis care services will be available

throughout the country

Organ Transplants: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department

has made of the number of (a) kidney, (b) liver, (c) heart, (d) lung and (e) multiple organ

transplants which have been unable to take place during the covid-19 outbreak.




Helen Whately:

NHS England and NHS Improvement and NHS Blood and Transplant have been

working closely together to ensure that organ donation and transplant activity could

safely continue during the COVID-19 pandemic for very urgent life-saving transplants.

NHS England and NHS Improvement and NHS Blood and Transplant will continue to

work hard to increase donation and transplantation and support families, clinicians

and the transplant centres to facilitate organ donation and transplants where

possible.

The estimated number of transplants that did not go ahead in the first five months of

2020 are shown in the following table:

KIDNEY LIVER HEART LUNG MULTI-ORGAN

Deceased

donation

336 119 10 37 7

Living donation 219 3 Not applicable

Source: NHS Blood and Transplant

Note : It is important to note that many factors influence the number of transplants

performed in any given month so these figures need to be treated with caution.

Palantir: Contracts

Damian Collins: [54093]


June to Question 48387, for what reason the contract between NHS England and Palantir

relating to the NHS data store has not yet been published.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 8 June 2020]: The contract was released on 5 June 2020 and will

be formally published in due course.

Palliative Care: Children

Stephen Timms: [55658]


June 2020 to Question 47169, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the

resourcing of NHS England to enable it to publish timely standard operating procedures

during the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar:

[Holding answer 10 June 2020]: NHS England and NHS Improvement’s top current

priority is responding to COVID-19, and this has been made clear in the

Government’s 2020 to 2021 mandate, which was published on 25 March at the

following link:



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-mandate-2020-to-2021

NHS England and NHS Improvement are continuing to progress the Government’s

wider goals as much as possible within that context and will increasingly do so as

COVID-19 is brought under control. In the meantime, they have published various

COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures related to COVID-19, which are available

at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus?s=standard+operating+procedures

Patents: Data Protection


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether (a) NHS England and

(b) NHSX is liaising with the the Intellectual Property Office on the publication of patent

applications resulting from access to the covid-19 datastore under the Re-use of Public

Sector Information Regulations 2015.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

NHS England and NHSX are not currently liaising with the Intellectual Property Office

(IPO) on the publication of patent applications resulting from access to the NHS

COVID-19 Data Store under the Re-use of Public Sector Information (RUPSI)

Regulations 2015. The IPO is responsible under United Kingdom law for granting UK

patents. Patent applications are published by the IPO in the course of the application

process as set out in the Patents Act 1977.

NHS England and NHSX are keen to encourage healthcare innovations and would

certainly discuss with the IPO on how that could be appropriately encouraged. The

NHS COVID-19 Data Store has its own controlled procedure for access where

specific criteria related to COVID-19 purposes must be met. There is no uncontrolled

access to data in the NHS COVID-19 Data Store. NHS England and NHSX would

consider and respond to any request they may receive under the RUPSI Regulations,

as those Regulations require.

South Tyneside Hospital: Standards

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: [52024]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to review the

Path to Excellence in respect of South Tyneside Hospital as announced in December

2019.

Edward Argar:

[Holding answer 4 June 2020]: There are currently no plans for the Secretary of

State to review the Path to Excellence in respect of South Tyneside Hospital.







HOME OFFICE

[Subject Heading to be Assigned]

Ben Everitt: [903011]

What steps her Department is taking to help protect victims of domestic abuse.

Victoria Atkins:

Domestic abuse is a horrific crime that shatters the lives of those affected. The Home

Office works closely with the domestic abuse organisations, the Domestic Abuse

Commissioner and the police, to ensure that support is available to victims who need

it and that perpetrators are brought to justice.

Since 2018 the Home Office has provided £1.1m per year to help fund specialist

helplines offering support in domestic abuse, honour-based abuse and stalking

cases. A national awareness raising campaign has been launched to help direct

victims to these sources of support.

A further £3.1m has been provided this year, as a continuation of the Children

Affected by Domestic abuse fund for specialist support for children affected by

domestic abuse.

Work is also underway to enhance perpetrator programmes and promote innovative

approaches to preventing domestic abuse using £10m of funding.

We are continuing with the passage of the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill, which

started its Committee Stage on 4 June. This will further protect victims of domestic

abuse and bring perpetrators to justice.

Asylum: Coronavirus

Mr Barry Sheerman: [49593]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had

with Cabinet colleagues on supporting the financial welfare of asylum seekers during the

covid-19 outbreak.

Chris Philp:

We have been reviewing the level of the cash allowances provided to asylum seekers

who would otherwise be destitute, as we do each year to ensure that they remain

capable of meeting their essential living needs.

As a result of this work, the standard allowance has been raised to £39.60 per week

from £37.75 per week, an increase of around 5%. The increase is significantly higher

than the current general rate of inflation, which Office of National Statistics data

shows was only 0.8% in the 12 months period to April 2020. Food inflation over the

same period was only 1.4% and the data actually shows that, despite Covid-19, food

prices fell between March to April 2020. In addition to asylum support payments,

asylum seekers are provided with free accommodation, utilities are paid for, council

tax is paid for, they have free access to the NHS and their children have free access

to education.



Asylum: Finance


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 20

May 2020 to Question 41562 on asylum support, when the review will be concluded; and

if she will make a statement.

Chris Philp:












to education.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made

of the suitability of the level of financial support for people in the asylum system during

the covid-19 outbreak.

Chris Philp:












to education.

Asylum: Northern Ireland

Gavin Robinson: [56001]


with the Northern Ireland Executive on ensuring that relevant authorities are equipped to




deal with a potential increase in the number of asylum seekers after the end of the

transition period.

Gavin Robinson: [56002]


with the Northern Ireland Executive on plans to lift the current suspension on asylum case

decision-making to ensure that (a) the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Health

Trusts and (b) other stakeholders are equipped to meet additional demand in the next six

months.

Chris Philp:

The Home Office have not currently suspended asylum case decision making.

Following health advice and government guidance we temporarily suspected

evictions for asylum seekers who had a decision on their claim and continued to

support them.

We have been engaging with the NI Executive on asylum matters through the Covid-

19 pandemic and will continue to do so.

A comprehensive cessation plan, on how to recommence support cessations and

evictions is being worked through with discussions with Local Authorities, Other

Government Departments and Stakeholders.

We remain committed to working closely with the accommodation providers and

communicating with local authorities to relieve pressure and capacity as much as

possible and ensure that health guidance is being followed.

Aviation: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether representatives of the

business travel sector will be included in her Department's industry working group on

helping to implement the 14 day quarantine for air passengers entering the UK during the

covid-19 pandemic.

Kevin Foster:

The Home Secretary hosted an industry roundtable with the Aviation, Maritime and

Security Minister on 4 June to discuss the health measures at the Border. This

meeting was attended by representatives from all international travel modes.

The Department is now working with colleagues across HM Government on behalf of

the Secretary of State to convene a second round table to further discuss the

measures and our plans for reviewing these. Arrangements for this meeting, including

attendees, have not yet been determined, but will be identified in due course.



Aviation: Quarantine

Sarah Owen: [56178]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish a list of

companies that sent representatives to the aviation industry meeting which discussed the

14-day quarantine on 4 June 2020; and if she will make a statement.

Kevin Foster:

The following companies attended the meeting:

Airport Operators Association (AOA);

Regional and Business Airports Group (RABA);

Airlines UK; Board of Airline Representatives UK (BAR UK);

International Air Transport Association (IATA);

Heathrow;

Gatwick;

MAG;

Edinburgh;

Virgin Atlantic;

EasyJet;

Jet2;

TUI;

Swissport;

Eurostar;

Eurotunnel;

Port of Dover;

UK Chamber of Shipping;

Maritime UK;

BPA;

UKMPG;

RHA;

FTA;

The International Airlines Group were invited to attend, but they declined the

invitation.


British Nationality: Assessments

Patrick Grady: [57246]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has

made of the potential merits of enabling people to take the Life in the UK test virtually

during the covid-19 pandemic

Kevin Foster:

During Covid 19 we have been working closely with all our providers to restart the

provision of our services. The knowledge of Life in the UK (LitUK) service reopened

on 1st June 2020 in England only. This service recommenced with processes to

ensure social distancing and health and safety measures are in place. Consideration

of opening test sites in the rest of the United Kingdom is pending decisions by the

individual devolved authorities.

We have previously considered remote testing and prior to the award of the recent

contract. Remote testing was not considered appropriate as anti-fraud measures

have to be maintained at all times to protect the integrity of the test.

We may however consider remote testing in the future as and when suitable

technology is available and we are confident the integrity of tests can be maintained.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Scott Mann: [56082]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he has had

with members of the expatriate community that spend short periods of time in the UK

when finalising the legislative proposals on the two week quarantine period for people

returning to the UK during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kevin Foster:

From 8 June, all passengers arriving in the UK without having travelled through

another part of the Common Travel Area are required to self-isolate for 14 days, apart

from those on a short list of exemptions.

Those spending fewer than 14 days in the UK can depart again before the 14 days

are complete.

Communications have been set up to clarify these measures to all those coming to

the UK. These are available at the border and on gov.uk.

Civil Partnerships: Fees and Charges

Tim Loughton: [54851]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance the Government

has issued to registrars on the consistency of charges for performing civil partnership

proceedings; and if she will make a statement.




Kevin Foster:

The fee for a statutory civil partnership formation is set in line with the fee for a

statutory marriage ceremony, and is prescribed in the Registration of Births, Deaths,

Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Fees) Regulations 2016.

Local authorities are required to offer a statutory civil partnership, where this fee will

apply.

Local authorities may otherwise charge an additional fee for the civil partnership

registrar’s attendance on approved premises. Guidance issued to local authorities

sets out this additional fee should cover the cost of providing the service.

Detention Centres: Hygiene

Nadia Whittome: [58845]


made of availability of adequate hygiene facilities in immigration removal centres.

Chris Philp:

The safety and health of people in the detention estate are of the utmost importance.

We are following all Public Health England guidance on COVID-19 and have robust

contingency plans in place, including measures such as shielding and use of

personal protective equipment.

Basic hygiene is a key part of tackling COVID-19. Handwashing facilities are

available in all immigration removal centres and we are working closely with suppliers

to ensure we have an adequate supply of soap and cleaning materials. The

arrangements in place are subject to regular review by Home Office staff and

suppliers at each IRC.

In addition, each centre has posters and leaflets to inform staff and detainees about

the importance of handwashing and social distancing to minimise the risk from

COVID-19. Detainees are also able to speak to staff directly for advice on the

protective measures in place.

Guidance on managing COVID-19 in immigration removal centres was published on

gov.uk on 5 June https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-

immigration-removal-centres.

As of 12 June 2020, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in immigration

removal centres.

Home Office: Overseas Aid


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she last met the Secretary

of State for International Development to discuss Official Development Assistance

spending.



Priti Patel:

Home Office Ministers have regular meetings as part of the process of policy

development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the

Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Home Office: Secondment

Peter Grant: [58736]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what percentage of her

Department's work force has been seconded to other departments during the covid-19

outbreak.

James Brokenshire:

Based on the central data we hold, the Home Office has deployed 431 people to

other government departments to support COVID-19 work. At 10 June 2020, this

represents 1.23% of the workforce.

Immigrants: Detainees


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has

completed their review of every person detained under immigration powers in relation to

the covid-19 outbreak.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people in immigration

detention have been (a) released and (b) granted bail without submitting a bail application

as a result of reviews during the covid-19 outbreak.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many adults in immigration

detention are classified as (a) adults at risk, (b) clinically vulnerable, and (c) extremely

clinically vulnerable.

Chris Philp:

All individuals in detention from 23 March were reviewed to see if they were at a

heightened risk from COVID-19, following guidance setting out the action that case

workers should take in response to COVID-19. This reflected Public Health England

guidance issued on 16 March 2020.  Detained cases have continued to be reviewed

in light of updated guidance, and in accordance with detention guidance and known

country situations.

The Government published statistics relating to COVID-19 and the immigration

system on gov.uk, on 28 May and the latest Immigration Statistics publication

includes the numbers of individuals detained under immigration powers in prisons.





Immigrants: Finance


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the instruction

to caseworkers that was ordered to be published in paragraph 76(b) of the judgment of

W&J v Secretary of State for the Home Department (CO/3036/2019).

Kevin Foster:

Updated guidance to caseworkers containing this instruction was published on 29

May in line with paragraph 76(b) of the judgment of W&J v Secretary of State for the

Home Department: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/family-life-as-a-

partner-or-parent-private-life-and-exceptional-circumstance

Immigration: EU Nationals

Alberto Costa: [56036]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Latvian nationals

have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme; and if her Department will provide a

geographical breakdown by region of where those applications were made from.

Kevin Foster:

The latest published figures show the total number of applications to the EU

Settlement Scheme (EUSS) received up to 30 April 2020 was more than 3.5 million

(3,536,000), of which 99,800 were from Latvian nationals. The latest figures 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-april-2020

Published information on EUSS applications by the applicant’s nationality, region and

local authority in the United Kingdom (up to 31 March 2020), can be found in the

Home Office’s ‘EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics’, local authority statistics

tables, specifically table EUSS_LA_01, available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-settlement-scheme-quarterly-statistics-

march-2020.

Claire Hanna: [58832]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what interim policy is in place to

prevent the family members of Northern Ireland born citizens from being adversely

affected by immigration controls before the opening of the EU settlement scheme to

those applicants on 24 August 2020; and what arrangements are in place for people

whose current visa expires before that date but who qualify for and intend to apply under

that scheme that they will not be considered an overstayer.

Kevin Foster:

The statement of changes to the Immigration Rules laid before Parliament on 14 May

will amend the EU Settlement Scheme so family members of the people of Northern

Ireland can apply for immigration status on broadly the same terms as family

members of Irish citizens. This delivers the commitment made in the New Decade,




New Approach agreement which restored the Northern Ireland Executive in January

2020.

Family members of the people of Northern Ireland will be able to apply to the EU

Settlement Scheme from 24 August.

Family members of the people of Northern Ireland who cannot already apply to the

EU Settlement Scheme and want to come to the UK or extend their current stay

before 24 August can make an application under an existing immigration route.

Marriage: Visas: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has

to extend the fiancée visa for people who are unable to (a) give notice to marry and (b)

marry during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kevin Foster:

The Home Office has put in place a range of measures to support those affected by

the Covid-19 outbreak. We continue to monitor the situation closely and take these

exceptional circumstances into account.

A fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner whose wedding or civil partnership is

delayed due to Covid-19 can request an extension until 31 July by updating their

records with the Coronavirus Immigration Team. (

https://gov.smartwebportal.co.uk/homeoffice/public/ho_form.html )

The family Immigration Rules allow for an extension of leave if there is good reason

for a wedding or civil partnership not taking place during the initial six-month period of

leave to enter. Restrictions on giving notice to marry or delay to a wedding or civil

partnership due to Covid-19 will be considered a good reason under this policy. They

may otherwise be eligible to remain on the basis of exceptional circumstances.

These are unprecedented times and we may make further temporary adjustments to

requirements where necessary and appropriate.

Migrant Workers: Visas


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps UK Visas and

Immigration is taking to reduce the time it takes to assess and issue a visa to foreign

nationals seeking to work in the UK at short notice; and if she will make an assessment of

the potential merits of introducing a short-term visa for last-minute employment.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will simplify the application

process for visa applicants for the purposes of musical performances who have

previously secured successful applications.


https://gov.smartwebportal.co.uk/homeoffice/public/ho_form.html

https://gov.smartwebportal.co.uk/homeoffice/public/ho_form.html



Kevin Foster:

We continually review our global visa operation to improve performance and ensure

value for money while maintaining excellent customer service.

The Home Office's priority is to maintain a safe and secure border. Visas are only

issued where an applicant meets the requirements of the UK's Immigration Rules and

entry clearance applications are subject to an extensive range of mandatory and

discretionary checks (including an applicant’s previous immigration history).

In normal circumstances we can offer priority and super priority services,

(https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-decision-waiting-times-applications-outside-the-

uk); however, these were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some UK Visa

Application Centres are reopening where local restrictions allow and where it is safe

to do so, but ongoing global restrictions mean some UKVI services – including priority

and super priority services – remain closed. This is under regular review, and we will

resume normal services as soon as it is safe to do so.

The Home Office set out proposals for the UK’s future Points-Based Immigration

System in a Policy Statement published on 19 February:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-points-based-immigration-

system-policy-statement. These proposals will transform the way in which all

migrants come to the UK and will deliver a better customer experience.

Overseas Students: Visas

Steve McCabe: [55849]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether international students

who start their courses online due to the covid-19 outbreak and spend less than 11

months studying in the UK will be eligible for the graduate route visa.

Kevin Foster:

The Graduate route will be introduced in the summer of 2021.

We have been clear no migrant will be penalised due to circumstances outside their

control related to Covid-19, including those who need to complete part of their

courses online due to the covid-19 outbreak.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether international students

who have to start their courses online as a result of the covid-19 outbreak will be eligible

for the Graduate Route visa despite spending less time than is required physically in the

UK under the terms of that visa.

Kevin Foster:

The Graduate route will be introduced in the summer of 2021. We have been clear no

migrant will be penalised due to circumstances outside their control related to Covid-

19, including where they have had to start their courses online as a result.



Protective Clothing: Production

Dr Lisa Cameron: [57237]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to representations

on the (a) merits of onshoring during the covid-19 pandemic and (b) domestic production

of personal protective equipment, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits

of adding textiles, garment and footwear workers to the Shortage Occupation List.

Kevin Foster:

The independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) advises the Government on

which occupations are deemed in national shortage.

We have commissioned the MAC to compile Shortage Occupation Lists covering all

occupations encompassed by the new Skilled Worker route, for introduction from

January 2021, and to keep the lists under regular review.

The MAC has recently issued its call for evidence and we encourage all of those with

an interest to contribute.

Travel: Coronavirus

Sarah Owen: [58804]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has

had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the 14-day quarantine rule for people

entering the UK during the covid-19 outbreak.

Sarah Owen: [58806]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on how many occasions she has

discussed the 14-day quarantine rule for people entering the UK during the covid-19

outbreak with the Secretary of State for Transport in an official capacity.

Kevin Foster:

In developing the Public Health regulations which introduced the 14-day self-isolation

requirement, and the exemptions to be applied, there were discussions between the

Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Transport, as well as other Cabinet

colleagues. These discussions took place through Cabinet meetings, including the

General Public Sector Ministerial Implementation Group (GPSMIG), and further

exchanges in developing the policy, exemptions to apply, and its announcement.

Visas

Ian Murray: [57177]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 1

June 2020 to Question 51863 on Visas, whether she plans to introduce a further

extension of visas for people that are unable to travel home after 31 July 2020.





Kevin Foster:

Individuals who are in the UK legally and whose visa expires between 24 January

2020 and 31 July 2020 can have their visa extended to 31 July 2020, if they cannot

leave the UK because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus.

This is being kept under regular review in case further extensions are necessary. The

latest information can be found on GOV.UK at: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-

covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents.

Visas: Applications

Peter Grant: [58735]


made of the length of response times for decisions on visa applications.

Kevin Foster:

Data on visa processing times, including the percentage and number of visas that are

processed within service standards, is usually published at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data. However,

due to Covid-19, it has not been possible to prepare and quality assure all of the data

tables which usually make up the publication. Priority has therefore been given to

those with the highest degree of public interest. We anticipate that all Q1 2020 data

will be published as part of the Q2 2020 publication in August.

On 28 May the Home Office published a statistical report on the impact of Covid-19

on the immigration system, up to April 2020, which shows the impact on the visa

system. This report can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-relating-to-covid-19-and-the-

immigration-system-may-2020.

Visas: Arts


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment

of the potential merits of (a) extending the three month concession for non-visa nationals

using the Tier 5 Temporary Worker – Creative or Sporting route to six months and (b)

allowing the Tier 5 route for multiple entries to the UK.

Kevin Foster:

Overseas musicians and performers make an important contribution to the UK's

creative sector. We have set out plans to introduce a future points-based immigration

system which will enable these creative workers to come to the UK to perform and

take part in events.

There are a range of provisions for visiting artists, entertainers and musicians, each

offering various lengths of leave suited to their individual needs.

The Immigration Rules for creative workers already make provisions for multiple

entries to the United Kingdom.



Visas: Married People


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons guidance was

removed from her Department's website that stated that non-EU spouses of British

nationals would not be disadvantaged in their application for a spouse visa if they cannot

meet their income requirement due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Kevin Foster:




To ensure a spouse or partner applying for entry clearance, leave to remain or

indefinite leave are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control, for the

purpose of the minimum income requirement:

• A temporary loss of employment income between 1 March and 31 July 2020 due to

Covid-19, will be disregarded provided the requirement was met for at least six

months up to March 2020.

• An applicant or sponsor furloughed under the Government’s Coronavirus Job

Retention Scheme will be deemed as earning 100% of their salary.

• A temporary loss of annual income due to Covid-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31

July 2020 will generally be disregarded for self-employment income, along with the

impact on employment income from the same period for future applications.

Income received via the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

will also be taken into account.

• Evidential flexibility may be applied where an applicant or sponsor experiences

difficulty accessing specified evidence due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The minimum income requirement can also be met in several ways in addition to or

instead of income from employment or self-employment. For example, income from

the couple’s investments, property rental or pension may also be taken into account,

together with their cash savings.

These concessions are set out for customers on GOV.UK and are available here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-

temporary-uk-residents.

An earlier draft of the guidance was uploaded to GOV.UK, but was quickly replaced

with the correct version, thereby ensuring our guidance is as clear as possible on

how a spouse or partner will not be disadvantaged.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is

taking to ensure that non-EU spouses of British nationals will not be disadvantaged in

their application for a spouse visa if they cannot meet their income requirement due to the

covid-19 outbreak.



Kevin Foster:




To ensure a spouse or partner applying for entry clearance, leave to remain or

indefinite leave are not unduly affected by circumstances beyond their control, for the

purpose of the minimum income requirement:

• A temporary loss of employment income between 1 March and 31 July 2020 due to

Covid-19, will be disregarded provided the requirement was met for at least six

months up to March 2020.

• An applicant or sponsor furloughed under the Government’s Coronavirus Job

Retention Scheme will be deemed as earning 100% of their salary.

• A temporary loss of annual income due to Covid-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31

July 2020 will generally be disregarded for self-employment income, along with the

impact on employment income from the same period for future applications.

Income received via the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

will also be taken into account.

• Evidential flexibility may be applied where an applicant or sponsor experiences

difficulty accessing specified evidence due to Covid-19 restrictions.

These concessions are set out for customers on GOV.UK here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-

temporary-uk-residents.

The minimum income requirement can also be met in several ways in addition to or

instead of income from employment or self-employment. For example, income from

the couple’s investments, property rental or pension may also be taken into account,

together with their cash savings.

Visas: Musicians


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made

of the challenges of the points-based immigration system for (a) musicians and promoters

from the EU and (b) for musicians from the UK as a result of the stated intention of

reciprocity between the UK and EU countries.

Kevin Foster:

Overseas musicians and performers make an important contribution to the UK's

creative sector.

We have set out the Government’s plan to introduce a future points-based

immigration system which will enable the most talented people from around the world

to come to the UK in all parts of the economy, including the creative sector.



To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will (a) extend the

Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) route from 30 days to 90 days to allow for longer tours

and opera seasons for musicians and (b) allow the PPE route for multiple entries to the

UK.

Kevin Foster:

There are no plans to extend the Permitted Paid Engagement route from 30 days to

90 days. The PPE visit visa already allows, whilst valid, multiple entries to the UK

Currently, visiting artists, entertainers and musicians can perform at events, take part

in competitions and auditions, make personal appearances and take part in

promotional activities for up to 6 months without the need for formal sponsorship or a

work visa. They can also receive payment for appearances at permit free festivals for

up to 6 months, or for up to one month for specific engagements, under the Visitor

route.

Artists wishing to come to the UK for longer-term work will need to do so under the

points-based system. There will continue to be special arrangements for creative

workers, which in future will encompass both EEA and non-EEA citizens.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

House of Commons: Equipment


To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of

Commons Commission, for what reason the House procured mouse mats made in Italy

for distribution to Members; and whether UK manufacturers were invited to tender for that

contract.

Pete Wishart:

The Digital Service requested the procurement of 2000 cyber-security mouse mats in

late February/early March. These were posted to Members along with an information

booklet on working safely from home. Efforts have been made to make the

procurement of such merchandise more sustainable and ‘locally’ produced wherever

possible. Over the course of the cyber security campaigns, the majority of our budget

has gone towards UK-based procurement.

The cyber-security mouse mats were procured under Lot 2 Promotional category of

the Print Framework FWK1120. A mini tender took place within the Promotional

category for this job and was awarded to the supplier which best met the customer’s

requirements. All our awarded promotional suppliers under this Lot are UK based but

they can subcontract under the terms and conditions using verified and trusted sub-

contractors. Their subcontractors are not limited to being just UK based and the

materials and items can be imported substrates or manufactured abroad at its

entirety. Our Promotional suppliers use and have a mix of both UK and overseas



subcontractors. Under the terms of the UK Procurement Regulations 2015, it is of

course unlawful to discriminate positively in favour of UK suppliers.

Parliamentary Estate: Art Works



Commons Commission, what percentage of art on display on the Parliamentary Estate is

from (a) BAME, (b) LGBTQ+, (c) disabled and d) female artists.

Pete Wishart:

This information is not currently held.

In future the form which is sent to all contactable artists whose work is added to the

Parliamentary Art Collection collecting their personal information will be amended to

allow them to declare any protected characteristics they wish to provide. This

information will be added to the searchable database which holds information on all

works of art in the Collection.



Commons Commission, whether guidance has been issued to staff procuring art for

display on the Parliamentary Estate encouraging them to choose pieces from (a) BAME,

(b) LGBTQ+, (c) female and (d) disabled artists; and if he will make a statement.

Pete Wishart:

The acquisition of artworks to the Parliamentary Art Collection is decided upon by the

Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art.

It has been a focus of the Committee’s work over the past 15 or so years to actively

improve diversity in the Collection, both in terms of the artworks and the artists

represented. The curatorial staff work to enable this aspiration to be achieved by the

Committee.

Recent examples of this focus are the acquisition of a bust of Olaudah Equiano, a

commissioned portrait of Bernie Grant MP and works from the ‘209 Women’ project,

all of which are on display in Portcullis House (Atrium and first floor corridor).

A new Committee has just been appointed and will be considering this matter further

as they review policies and collecting priorities.



Commons Commission, the amount spent on art on display on the Parliamentary Estate

in the last five years broken down by (a) gender and (b) ethnicity.

Pete Wishart:

This answer applies to the House of Commons expenditure only.




The Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art has spent £400,500 on acquiring

art over the last five financial years. Of that figure 47% was spent on acquiring art

which documented women’s history and 6.8% on art documenting BAME history.

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Air Pollution: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what

support he plans to provide to Local Authorities to help maintain the reduced pollution

levels recorded during the covid-19 lockdown period.

Mr Simon Clarke:

Councils are crucial in preparing for and mitigating climate change. MHCLG is

working across Whitehall to ensure the strategy for net zero recognises the role of

towns, communities and regional actors.

As we move towards the renewal phase we have an opportunity to consider where

we may make lasting changes, for example to our transport behaviours, in order to

capture those environmental benefits we have recently seen in our communities. It is

important that we use this opportunity to build back greener so our towns and cities

are healthier, cleaner and more resilient.    The new £250 million emergency active

travel fund announced on 9 May is designed to help local authorities create an

environment that is safe for both walking and cycling in their regions.  The money will

help create pop-up bike lanes, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-

only corridors. We want to support all communities across England who want to

change the way they use their streets and new guidance has already been published

to tell councils how they can give more road space to cyclists and pedestrians.

Alongside the funding announcement, the Department for Transport published

statutory guidance to local authorities under the Traffic Management Act 2004,

providing advice on the changes to road layouts to give more space to cyclists and

pedestrians. The guidance is available at: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reallocating-road-space-in-response-to-

covid-19-statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities    To encourage drivers to make the

switch to electric vehicles as part of a greener future, we also announced an extra

£10 million to incentivise local authorities to install up to 7,200 additional on-street

electric vehicle chargepoints, doubling the current funding amount for the second time

this year. It is for authorities to decide what measures are best aligned with local

opportunities and needs. These huge levels of investment will help councils protect

the environment in ways that could have otherwise taken years to achieve.


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reallocating-road-space-in-response-to-covid-19-statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities



Coronavirus: Disease Control

Michael Fabricant: [903184]

What recent steps his Department has taken to support the clinically extremely vulnerable

during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Robert Jenrick:

At the start of this pandemic we advised Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people to

shield - to not leave their homes and avoid face-to-face contact – and we set up the

National Shielding Service; a huge logistical exercise unprecedented since the

Second World War.

This has included delivering over 3 million free food boxes to date, securing priority

supermarket slots, getting people’s medicines delivered to their doorstep, and social

contact.

On 1 June, following clinical advice, we announced that clinically

extremely vulnerable people in England can spend time outdoors with members of

their household, or with one other person from another household if they live alone,

while continuing to follow social distancing guidelines.

The next review will take place this week. As part of this, the Government will

consider the next steps for shielding beyond 30 June. The Government will write to all

individuals on the shielded patient list with information about next steps on shielding

advice and the support that will be available to them after this review point.

High Rise Flats: Insulation


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with

reference to the Building Safety Programme: 26th monthly data release, data as at 31

December 2019, published by his Department, how many of the 75 private sector

residential buildings with ACM cladding systems unlikely to meet building regulations that

were reported in that data release as having responded with an intent to remediate and

are developing plans (a) do not yet have a remediation plan in place and (b) have had

enforcement action taken against them.

Christopher Pincher:

As at 31 May 2020, there were 40 high-rise private sector residential buildings that

had reported an intent to remediate and are developing plans. Where building owners

are failing to make acceptable progress, those responsible should expect further

action to be taken – including tougher enforcement action by local authorities and

Fire and Rescue Services. Of those that only had an 'intent' to remediate in

December 2019, the Department is aware of enforcement action that has been taken

against 10 of them, including those where the Joint Inspection Team has provided

support to local authorities.



Homelessness: Coronavirus

Tim Farron: [903195]

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on

the provision of covid-19 testing facilities for homelessness accommodation providers.

Luke Hall:

We are working closely with the DHSC and are committed to the safety of

homelessness accommodation. Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 can access

testing and symptomatic frontline homelessness staff can be tested as a priority, so

they can continue their important work.

Hospitality Industry: Social Distancing

Peter Gibson: [56170]


steps he is taking to enable the hospitality industry to utilise outside space to comply with

social distancing.

Mr Simon Clarke:

Ahead of any decision to reopen hospitality, the Government will consider how to

support pubs, restaurants and cafes to open up and serve customers safely. Any

changes would be supported by updates to the Covid-19 Secure: Safer Public Places

guidance as appropriate.

Mr Richard Holden: [56199]


assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of providing grants to (a)

pubs and restaurants with limited outside space that will not be able to re-open as soon

as others as a result of covid-19 social distancing measures and (b) other businesses in

the hospitality sector.

Mr Simon Clarke:

The Government has announced a package of support for businesses to help with

their ongoing business costs in recognition of the disruption caused by Covid-19.

This package of support includes the Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF), the Retail,

Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF) and Local Authority Discretionary

Grants Fund (LADGF).

Businesses which are not eligible for the grant schemes should be able to benefit

from other measures in the Government’s unprecedented package of support for

business, including:

• An option to defer VAT payments by up to twelve months;

• The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, now extended to cover all

businesses including those which would be able to access commercial credit;




• The Bounce Back Loan scheme, which will ensure that small and micro businesses

can quickly access loans of up to £50,000 which are 100 per cent guaranteed by

the Government;

• The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, to support businesses with their wage

bills;

• The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, to provide support to the self-

employed.

Information on this support for businesses can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

Officials are keeping in close contact with local authorities to understand how the

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

be offered to help businesses and support local economies.

Housing

Lee Rowley: [56141]


progress his Department has made on improving the home buying and selling process

since his Department's consultation on that topic closed in December 2017.


We have worked with industry on a range of measures to make the process quicker,

cheaper and less stressful. For example, we published "how to " guides to lead

consumers through the process, ensured estate agent referral fees are transparent,

set an 10 day turnaround for searches and started work to test reservation

agreements which will increase commitment between buyers and sellers.

Housing: Solar Power

Wera Hobhouse: [56106]


assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring that solar PV be installed on

all new homes.


Mandating a particular renewable technology, such as solar panels, may not be

appropriate for all dwellings in all areas. Building regulations and national planning

policy encourage the use of renewables without requiring any particular technology.

Building regulations are deliberately couched in performance terms, allowing builders,

local councils and architects the flexibility to select from a range of renewable energy

technologies to suit the potentially unique circumstances of a particular development.

https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fcoronavirus%2Fbusiness-support&data=02%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7C8d4f84ca8ce946755a8808d8113ed7d1%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637278308883148738&sdata=Sb7CDwLl1R6dqZi7OIK5zdm63U8DHCT0MPifVhBrSLs%3D&reserved=0

https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fcoronavirus%2Fbusiness-support&data=02%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7C8d4f84ca8ce946755a8808d8113ed7d1%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637278308883148738&sdata=Sb7CDwLl1R6dqZi7OIK5zdm63U8DHCT0MPifVhBrSLs%3D&reserved=0



Housing: Standards



steps the Government is taking to help ensure that housing is (a) healthy and (b) energy

efficient.


This Government is committed to improving housing standards and the energy

efficiency of homes.

In October 2019, we published a consultation on the Future Homes Standard, which

proposed a highly ambitious uplift to energy efficiency standards for new homes,

along with improvements to the standards for ventilation in new homes. Within this

consultation, we also committed to consult further on energy efficiency standards

where work is carried out in existing homes, and on an overheating standard for new

homes.

Within the Clean Growth Strategy, we proposed that as many homes as possible will

be upgraded to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C by 2035, where

practical, cost-effective and affordable. We are planning to publish a Heat and

Buildings Strategy in due course , which will set out the immediate actions we will

take for reducing emissions from buildings.

Policies and guidance are also in place to make sure that both social housing and

private rented accommodation are fit and healthy places to live, including the Decent

Homes Standard and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. The Homes

(Fitness for Human Habitation) Act came into force on 20th March 2019. We also

plan to bring forward a Social Housing White Paper, which will set out further

measures to ensure social homes are safe and decent.

The National Planning Policy Framework encourages local planning policies and

decisions so that developments create places that are sustainable, and which

promote health and well-being.

Immigrants: Finance

Stephen Timms: [903194]

What proportion of the £500 million hardship fund for local authorities is available to

support residents that have leave to remain in the UK with no recourse to public funds

conditions.

Mr Simon Clarke:

The £500 million Hardship Fund will help over 2 million people in England who are in

receipt of local council tax support. Over a quarter of councils intend to use any

surplus funding to offer additional discretionary support, and may choose to make this

accessible to people with no recourse to public funds.



Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Buildings

Rachel Hopkins: [54310]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant

to the Answer on 15 May 2020 to Question 43779 on Civil Servants, at how many multi-

hub locations employees of his Department work together with employees of another

Department or agency in London managed by the Government Property Agency; what

the addresses are of those locations; and what other Departments and agencies employ

staff at those locations.

Luke Hall:

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on

12 June 2020 (UIN 54314).

Multiple Occupation: Coronavirus

Siobhain McDonagh: [903191]

What steps the Government is taking to support tenants in (a) multiple occupancy

dwellings and (b) buildings with multiple residences during the covid-19 outbreak.


All tenants benefit from our unprecedented support package and protection from

eviction. This is supported by guidance, including to tenants who are shielded or in

accommodation with shared facilities. Tenants are spending more time at home so

we’re clear that inspections and repairs to remedy direct risks should take place in all

rented properties, in line with social distancing requirements.

Private Rented Housing: Coronavirus

Florence Eshalomi: [903217]

What steps he is taking to mitigate the risk to private tenants of being evicted as a result

of the covid-19 outbreak.


We have provided an unprecedented package of support for renters during this

pandemic. On 5 June, we announced that the government’s suspension on evictions

would be extended for another 2 months until 23 August, taking the moratorium on

evictions to 5 months. We are committed to ensuring that no one is evicted from their

home this summer due to coronavirus.

Rented Housing: Antisocial Behaviour

Mr Clive Betts: [58632]


powers local authorities have to tackle tenants who breach their tenancy agreement as a

result of anti social behaviour.






Landlords have the power to seek the repossession of a tenant’s home for serious

breaches of their tenancy agreement on the grounds of anti social behaviour.

Landlords may still serve a notice of intention of seeking possession during this

period which must be for a minimum of 3 months. No court proceedings can be

commenced until the 3 month notice period has expired.

Landlords may also, where appropriate, work with their local authority to use the

powers available via the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which

offers a wide range of flexible non-possession approaches to tackling anti-social

behaviour. The remedies include the use of injunctions, closure orders and

community protection notices.


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with

reference to the Government's announcement that the ban on evictions during the covid-

19 outbreak will be extended until the 23 August 2020, whether (a) local authorities and

(b) housing associations that are seeking evictions as a result of of anti-social behaviour

will be exempt from that ban.


The current stay on possession proceedings in the courts applies to all proceedings,

regardless of who the landlord is. There are no exemptions available for local

authority or housing association landlords.

Small Businesses: Coronavirus


If he will increase the level of the top-up to the local business grant funds scheme made

available to local authorities to support small businesses during the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Simon Clarke:

So far, over £10.2 billion has been paid to over 832,000 businesses through the

Small Business Grant and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants. Over £40 million

has supported 2,447 business premises in Richmond Upon Thames and an

additional £2.1 million is available to them as part of the Local Authority Discretionary

Grant Fund. My officials continue to monitor the roll-out of the scheme and levels of

demand.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Coronavirus: Research


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make it her policy

to apply public interest conditions to Government funding for the COVID-19 Vaccine

Global Access (COVAX) Facility to help ensure that recipients of funding (a) use




technology transfer and open licences, (b) charge at cost price and (c) publish

information on (i) price calculations and (ii) research findings and approach.

Wendy Morton:

Gavi and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI) co-chair the

COVAX partnership to accelerate the development of and access to COVID-19

vaccines. The COVAX Facility will be a set of financing mechanisms managed under

the COVAX partnership to support vaccine development and access. The UK funds

Gavi and CEPI to use their extensive experience and relationships with developers,

industry, international organisations and governments to drive collaboration and

negotiate effective agreements to accelerate development and access to COVID-19

vaccines.

The UK has provided £48 million so far to the Gavi COVAX Advance Market

Commitment (AMC) for COVID-19 vaccines, part of the COVAX Facility. It builds on

the success of the pneumococcal vaccine AMC. Gavi will negotiate fair pricing and

supply volumes with companies for future COVID-19 vaccines for eligible countries.

The UK has provided £250 million to CEPI to accelerate development of COVID-19

vaccines. CEPI’s core equitable access policy guides terms for the partnerships it

enters with vaccine developers and manufacturers.

Department for International Development: Carers


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many staff in her

Department had caring responsibilities in each of the last five years.

Nigel Adams:

The below table shows how many DFID staff voluntarily declared they have caring

responsibilities in each of the last five years.

YEAR NO. OF STAFF WITH CARING RESPONSIBILITIES

2015 58

2016 52

2017 71

2018 70

2019 91

DFID supports our carers through robust discretionary leave, which we have used

effectively in the context of COVID-19. In addition to this, we have an active Carers

Network that works to provide support for our staff, and we are also members of

Employers for Carers.


Department for International Development: Recruitment


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department has

paused any new recruitment during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Adams:

DFID has not paused new recruitment during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Eritrea: Coronavirus

Harriett Baldwin: [57194]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has

made of the (a) humanitarian situation and (b) food security in Eritrea as a result of that

country's covid-19 response.

James Duddridge:

We are deeply concerned about food insecurity and the worsening humanitarian

situation in Eritrea. COVID-19 and the desert locust outbreak are compounding high

humanitarian need already caused by residual effects of war and climate change

induced disasters. Limited health infrastructure, limited diagnostic capacity, low levels

of sanitation coverage and high pre-existing levels of malnutrition and morbidity raise

the Eritrean population’s vulnerability. The locust outbreak is destroying crops,

livelihoods and essential food supplies. The impact of COVID-19 on domestic market

supply chains and household food and income sources could also be significant.

Existing humanitarian and development programmes in Eritrea are being adapted to

address current food security challenges. The UK has funded life-saving activity in

Eritrea for several years, including providing £4 million to UNICEF in 2019-20 to help

treat malnutrition in under-fives and provide access to safe hygiene and sanitation

services. The UK has provided £7 million to the UN Food and Agriculture

Organisation (FAO) Regional Emergency Appeal for the locust outbreak, which

includes Eritrea. With UK’s support, the FAO is spraying pesticides on the ground

and by air to prevent further damage to crops and livelihoods.

Occupied Territories: Coronavirus

Alex Cunningham: [57196]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment her

Department has made of the effect of Israel’s blockade on Gaza’s capacity to respond to

the covid-19 pandemic.

James Cleverly:

The UN assesses that although the current number of detected cases remains

relatively low in Gaza and the West Bank, the capacity of the Palestinian health

system to cope with an increase in COVID-19 cases is poor, including the low

availability of PPE and ventilators. The situation is particularly severe in Gaza, where

the health system has shortages in specialised staff, drugs and equipment.




The UK remains deeply concerned about the restrictions on movement and access

that affect Gaza. The restrictions impact infrastructure development, the delivery of

vital humanitarian services and limit the professional development of health and

humanitarian workers.

During this global crisis, cooperation is vital. The cooperation between the

Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority towards tackling COVID-19, as

well as the important part played by the United Nations, was a very welcomed

response. The British Embassy in Tel Aviv and the British Consulate-General in

Jerusalem are in regular contact with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities

respectively. We encourage UN agencies, the PA and the Israeli Government to work

together to ensure that essential medical supplies and staff are able to access Gaza.

DFID is providing £1.3 million (2018-21) to support the UN’s Access Coordination

Unit (ACU), which works to ensure humanitarian access to Gaza for UN and NGO

workers. The ACU has played an important role in facilitating movement of

humanitarian personnel and goods during the COVID-19 crisis.

Overseas Aid

Jackie Doyle-Price: [57188]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what processes her

Department has put in place allocate the £160 million aid package announced on 2 June

2020; and through which organisations that aid package will delivered.

James Cleverly:

The UK’s £160 million pledge at the 2020 Yemen Humanitarian Pledging Conference

was the third largest in the world and brings our total commitment to Yemen to £970

million since the conflict started in 2015.

This funding will be delivered through partners including UN agencies, NGOs and the

Yemeni Social Fund for Development, a national development institution that will be

critical to Yemen’s future recovery.

We have already disbursed 32% of our £160 million pledge and will continue to

provide funding to our partners to ensure they are able to deliver assistance through

the year.

Yemen: Coronavirus

Jackie Doyle-Price: [57187]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government

has taken to alleviate the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on the humanitarian crisis in

Yemen.

James Cleverly:

The UK is extremely concerned that the COVID-19 outbreak in Yemen is further

exacerbating what is already the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. We assess

Yemen to be particularly vulnerable due to the country’s existing health vulnerabilities



and depleted healthcare system, which is starting to collapse under the strain of

COVID-19.

The UK is helping to alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 in Yemen through the £160

million funding pledge I announced at the UN’s Yemen Pledging Conference on 2

June. We expect this funding to provide over 700,000 medical consultations, train

12,000 healthcare workers to work safely in a COVID-19 environment and provide a

much-needed boost to nearly 4,000 health centres to continue providing existing

health services.

We are also closely engaging with the Yemeni authorities to press for unhindered

access for COVID-19 related supplies and personnel to ensure an effective national

response.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Arms Trade: USA

Emily Thornberry: [57111]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish a list of all

individual (a) municipal, (b) county (c) state and (d) federal police forces identified as end

users for strategic arms exports to the United States licensed by her Department in the

last five years.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish the (a) national

guard and (b) federal military forces identified as end users for strategic arms exports to

the US licenced by her Department in the last five years.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish the (a) state

correctional facilities and (b) federal correctional facilities identified as end users for

strategic arms exports to the US licenced by her Department in the last five years.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish the (a) non-police

(b) non-military and (c) non-correctional agencies identified as end users for strategic

arms exports to the US by her Department in the last five years.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what export licences currently

remain in force for (a) municipal police, (b) county police, (c) state police, and (d) federal

police forces identified as end users for strategic arms exports to the US.







To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what export licences remain in force

for (a) national guard, and (b) federal military forces identified as end users for strategic

arms exports to the US.



for (a) state correctional facilities and (b) federal correctional facilities identified as end

users for strategic arms exports to the US.



for all non-police, non-military, and non-correctional agencies identified as end users for

strategic arms exports to the US.

Mr Ranil Jayawardena:

All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the

Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated

Criteria’). In line with the Consolidated Criteria, my Department is able to review

licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary – when circumstances require.

HM Government publishes Official Statistics (on a quarterly and annual basis) about

ex-port licences granted, refused and revoked to all destinations on GOV.UK. These

reports contain detailed information on export licences issued, refused or revoked, by

destina-tion, including the overall value, type (e.g. Military, Other) and a summary of

the items covered by these licences. These can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data.

The data currently provides details of licences up to 31st December 2019.

Information about the period 1st January to 31st March 2020 will be published in July

2020 and data covering the period 1st April to 30th September 2020 will be published

in October 2020.

A list of all entities as requested, and the requested information on military-rated

extant licences for the end users detailed, can only be provided at disproportionate

cost. Furthermore, such information may be commercially sensitive.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish all information

associated with the five Specific Individual Export Licences issued in 2019 which cover

goods listed under control entry PL5001 for export to the US.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish an itemised list of

all exports to the US of goods listed under control entry PL5001 for each of the last five

years.







HM Government publishes Official Statistics (on a quarterly and annual basis) about

export licences granted, refused and revoked to all destinations on GOV.UK.

These reports contain detailed information on export licences issued, refused or

revoked, by destination, including the overall value, type (e.g. Military, Other) and a

summary of the items covered by these licences. These can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data.

The data currently provides details of licences up to 31st December 2019.

Information about the period 1st January to 31st March 2020 will be published in July

2020 and data covering the period 1st April to 30th September 2020 will be published

in October 2020.

Bespoke reports (e.g. by country, goods type and for specific timeframes) may also

be produced by registering on the Strategic Export Controls Reports and Statistics

Website at: https://www.exportcontroldb.trade.gov.uk/sdb2/fox/sdb/SDBHOME.

However, an itemised list of all exports to the United States of America of goods

listed under control entry PL5001 is not centrally held and could only be provided at

disproportionate cost.

Riot Control Weapons: Exports

Alison Thewliss: [56031]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which companies are licensed to

export (a) rubber bullets and (b) tear gas; and to which countries those items are

exported.

Alison Thewliss: [56033]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when the arms export licences to

the United States were last reviewed.


I refer the honourable member to the answer I provided on 8th June.

All countries are under continual review, in line with the Consolidated EU and

National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated Criteria’), and my Department

is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary – when

circumstances require.

Providing the names of companies licensed to export crowd controlled ammunition

and tear gas would disclose commercially sensitive information.

Riot Control Weapons: USA


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department has

authorised the export of hand-held spiked batons for end users in the US in the last 12

months.






authorised the export of (a) acoustic devices and (b) components designed for those

devices for riot control purposes for end users in the US in the last five years.



authorised the export of shackles designed for restraining people, for end users in the

United States in the last 12 months.


With reference to questions UIN: 58656 and 58659, no Standard Individual Exports

licences (SIELS), nor Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) have been authorised

for these items over the last twelve months.

With reference to question UIN: 58657, no Standard Individual Exports licences

(SIELS), nor Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) have been authorised for

these items over the last five years.

Turkey: EDO MBM Technology


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether EDO MBM Technology Ltd

have extant export licences to export hornet bomb racks to (a) Roketsan, Turkey and (b)

any other consignee in that country.


There are no extant licences in scope of this request.

JUSTICE

Courts and Tribunals

Peter Kyle: [58749]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the level of the

backlog in (a) courts and (b) tribunals in each region in each of the last six months.

Chris Philp:

In response to the level of the backlog in (a) courts in each region in each of the last

six months, National Statistics on the level of outstanding work in the crown and

magistrates’ courts for the first and second quarter of 2020 are due for publication in

June and September 2020 respectively at the following link;

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/criminal-court-statistics. National Statistics

for the period up to December 2019 have been published at the same link. National

Statistics on the level of outstanding work in the family and civil courts are not

available.





In response to the level of the backlog in (b) tribunals in each region in each of the

last six months, data for the period October 2019 to March 2020 is provided at Annex

A. These figures represent the total number of cases outstanding in each jurisdiction.

Official Statistics on the level of outstanding work in tribunals for the second quarter

of 2020 are due for publication in September 2020 at the following link;

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics.

Figures on the level of outstanding work at the national level in the largest

jurisdictions across HM Courts & Tribunals Service are published as monthly

management information at the following link;

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmcts-management-information. The

exception to this is the civil courts, for which figures relating to outstanding work are

not currently collated because a large proportion of cases that begin are

subsequently settled out of court or discontinued without HMCTS being notified. The

latest figures relate to April 2020 for most jurisdictions and March for the family

courts.

Attachments:

1. Annex A - 58748 [Annex A - PQ 58749.xls]

Courts: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans his Department has to ensure that

courts are (a) thoroughly cleaned and (b) made covid-19 safe during the covid-19

outbreak.

Chris Philp:

HM Courts & Tribunals Service has introduced measures to enhance the cleanliness

and safety of court and tribunal buildings during the Covid-19 pandemic.

We have implemented additional cleaning in all open and staffed courts with over 150

extra cleaners recruited to enable a thorough, daily clean of work areas and

equipment alongside additional touchpoint cleans on frequently touched areas at

regular intervals. Supplies of soap, hand sanitiser and hand towels have been

prioritised and are readily available.

We have published guidance on new security procedures to be followed for those

entering our buildings and have issued guidance to staff on social distancing

measures, along with posters and displays throughout the building. The procedures

we have implemented are in-line with Public Health England guidance to create a

clean and safe environment for court users.


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what processes his Department has put in place

to ensure the adequate cleaning of courts between cases during the covid-19 outbreak.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmcts-management-information

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmcts-management-information



Chris Philp:

HM Courts & Tribunals Service has introduced measures to enhance the cleanliness

of court and tribunal buildings during the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes

implementing additional cleaning in all open and staffed courts throughout the day.

Over 150 extra cleaners have been recruited to enable a thorough, daily clean of

work areas and equipment alongside additional touchpoint cleans on frequently

touched areas at regular intervals. Hearing rooms will be regularly cleaned but given

the high turnover of cases in some courtrooms, this will take place as frequently as

court business allows.

The cleaning procedures we have implemented have been developed in line with

Public Health England guidance to create a safe environment for court users.


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

leisure venue representatives on the potential use of those premises for socially

distanced temporary courts during the covid-19 outbreak.

Chris Philp:

I refer the Hon Member to my answers of 2 June, to Question 49622; 8 June, to

Question 53319; and 11 June, to Question 54054.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) officials are looking at how we make the

best possible use of the existing estate, as well as creating more capacity. This

means considering whether any recently closed courts which are still owned by

HMCTS are suitable for reopening, and identifying alternative spaces to further

extend provision.

We are looking at a range of venues that may be appropriate. Any additional capacity

will need to meet standards for safety and security and be compliant with Covid-19

public health guidance.

Courts: Wales

Jessica Morden: [57130]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the backlog of domestic violence cases

was in the (a) Crown Courts and (b) Magistrates' Courts in (i) Wales (ii) Gwent for each

month from June 2019 to June 2020.

Chris Philp:

This information is not held centrally and would require reviewing individual court files

in each month specified. The requested information could only be obtained at

disproportionate cost. However, please be reassured that Domestic Violence

Protection Orders are being prioritised.



Prisoners' Release: Curfews

Philip Davies: [54053]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many offenders released on home

detention curfew in each of the last three years breached their curfew condition; and what

proportion of those offenders were subsequently recalled to prison.

Lucy Frazer:

The following table gives the number of offenders released on HDC who were

reported for potential breach of the curfew related conditions of their release licence,

and the number and proportion who were recalled for such breaches in 2017, 2018

and 2019.

2017 2018 2019

Breach Reports 2,019 4,085 4,832

Recalls 649 1,484 2,183

Proportion of Recalls 32% 36% 45%

1.The figures in this table have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as

with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry

and processing.

2. A small number of recalls may be based on breach reports received the preceding

year. For example, a recall on 1 January might be based on a breach report received

on 31 December.

Where a report of potential breach of the curfew related conditions from the electronic

monitoring provider is received, officials acting on behalf of the Secretary of State

must decide whether there has in fact been a breach and, if so, what action should be

taken. Having regard to all the offender’s overall level of compliance and to what the

breach indicates as to the offender’s risk, s/he might be recalled to prison or issued

with a warning. In some cases, no action will be taken, for example, where the

offender had a verified legitimate reason for being absent from the curfew address.

HDC is a robust scheme which allows suitable, risk assessed, prisoners to work

towards rehabilitation in the community, while remaining subject to strict monitoring

and other conditions. If they breach these, they can be returned to custody.

Prisons: Utilities

Layla Moran: [56161]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the cost to the public purse has been of

utility bills in prisons that have been officially closed in each of the last five years.



Lucy Frazer:

Where the Ministry of Justice has closed prisons, the level of services, such as

heating, water and electricity, is reduced to that necessary to maintain the fabric of

the buildings and ensure the sites remain safe and secure until final disposal.

The expenditure on utility bills in prisons which have been officially closed in each of

the last five years is set out in the table below:

FINANCIAL YEAR £

2015/16 363,450

2016/17 3,560

2017/18 182,481

2018/19 104,902

2019/20 32,066

Footnotes

1. Utilities includes: fuel; electricity; gas; and water & sewage.

2. The costs shown reflect invoices which have been submitted and paid. There is a

time lag between services which have been supplied and the submission of invoices

by suppliers. The figures may not, therefore, reflect the extent of the services

received during the period.

3. The figures provided are drawn from our central accounting system and although

care is taken when processing data, this may be subject to the inaccuracies and

inputting errors inherent in any large-scale recording system.

4. Expenditure includes that at central (MoJ Estates Directorate) level. The above

figures exclude any costs incurred whilst the prisons were operational.

5. Excludes the sites at Wellingborough and Glen Parva which are being redeveloped

for new prisons.

Trials: Coronavirus

Peter Kyle: [58748]

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

the effect of delays in trials as a result of the covid-19 outbreak, on justice outcomes.

Chris Philp:

COVID-19 has been an unprecedented challenge for the criminal justice system, but

we have continued to deliver justice throughout. The UK has been a global leader

and we are ahead of most comparable systems.

Social distancing meant jury trials were paused, but the Courts did not stop. Across

all Jurisdictions 159 Courts remained fully open to the public, and our ambitious use


of technology has led to the Cloud Video Platform (CVP) being operational in over

100 courts, 90 police custody suites and 30 prisons, enabling us to conduct over

6,000 hearings on this platform. We will continue to roll this out at pace, and the

benefits will be felt long after the pandemic has ended.

HMCTS have worked hard to keep Courts open and jury trials have now resumed.

HMCTS are pursuing an ambitious plan to continue to increase capacity. Throughout

the pandemic, our priority has been protecting the public which is why we have made

sure the most urgent cases, such as domestic violence and overnight custody cases,

have been prioritised.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Bombardier: Northern Ireland

Louise Haigh: [58739]

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many meetings he has had with

(a) officials and (b) trade union representatives at Bombardier, Northern Ireland in 2020;

and on what dates those meetings took place.

Mr Robin Walker:

The Northern Ireland Office closely follows developments at Bombardier, as a key

player and employer in the local economy. The Secretary of State for Northern

Ireland spoke with the Chief Operating Officer at Bombardier, Michael Ryan, on

Friday 12 June 2020 to discuss the impact of the restructuring that was announced at

the company last week. Prior to this, the Secretary of State spoke with Bombardier’s

Director, Nick Laird on 16 April 2020 to discuss future projects for the aerospace

sector. NIO officials and those at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial

Strategy (BEIS) have engaged with the company on a number of occasions.

Whilst we have not engaged with the trade union representatives at Bombardier, I am

aware that there has been engagement with the Northern Ireland Executive, who are

responsible for business support in Northern Ireland.

The UK Government wants to see Northern Ireland not only recover but also prosper.

In addition to the unprecedented package of measures to protect businesses and

employees through this period of disruption, we must ensure that we attract inward

investment, protect the local skilled manufacturing workforce and work with the

Executive to ensure our economic plans for Northern Ireland align.


To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what representations he has made to

Bombardier on retaining jobs at the Belfast site.

Mr Robin Walker:

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland spoke with the Chief Operating Officer at

Bombardier last week, where he discussed the current position of the company and



the particular impact of COVID-19 on the aerospace sector, which, in this case, has

resulted in the company making a commercial decision to restructure their workforce.

I was saddened to hear of the job losses which have been announced. I understand

the company will continue to work with the trade unions to explore opportunities to

mitigate the number of redundancies, including potential retraining and redeployment

of members of the core workforce.

The UK Government has set out a package of measures to protect businesses and

employees through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19, including to the

aerospace sector. This support, together with Government-backed finance, provides

businesses with the best possible chance to weather the current crisis. We will

continue to work with business, trade unions and the Northern Ireland Executive to

get the economy back up and running, and laying the foundations for a stable and

sustainable recovery for Northern Ireland.


To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has held with the

(a) Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) Secretary of State for Transport on support to

retain jobs at the Bombardier, Northern Ireland site.

Mr Robin Walker:

NIO Ministers regularly discuss with Cabinet colleagues the support that the UK

Government can and is providing to the Northern Ireland economy, including with the

Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Transport. In this case,

support for business is devolved and we will continue to engage with Ministers in the

NI Executive on how UKG can best support the Executive in our shared goal of

seeing the Northern Ireland economy thrive.

We will continue these discussions as we work to get things back up and running and

laying the foundations for a stable and sustainable recovery for Northern Ireland,

including for the aerospace sector.

Northern Ireland Office: Carers


To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many staff in his Department had

caring responsibilities in each of the last five years.

Mr Robin Walker:

Although the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) does not hold numbers of staff who have

caring responsibilities, the department is committed to supporting these members of

staff. Working with staff we have developed a Carers Charter, which sets out the

policies and support available and the department has dedicated advocates for

Carers, through our Diversity and Inclusion network. All staff members with caring

responsibilities are encouraged to complete an NIO Carer’s Passport.



To strengthen our commitment to supporting staff with caring responsibilities, the NIO

is a member of Employers for Carers Northern Ireland. This allows our staff access to

a range of dedicated resources as well as practical information and advice.

PARLIAMENTARY WORKS SPONSOR BODY

Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance

Sir Edward Leigh: [55862]

To ask the Right hon. Member for East Hampshire representing the Parliamentary Works

Sponsor Body, with reference to the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal

press release published on 19 May 2020, what the names are of the people appointed to

the expert team to examine the plans for the restoration.

Damian Hinds:

On 19 May the Sponsor Body announced it would conduct a strategic review of the

Restoration and Renewal Programme.

The review team will be led by the chief executives of the Sponsor Body and Delivery

Authority, Sarah Johnson and David Goldstone, who will be supported by

infrastructure and programme management experts drawn from both organisations.

The chairs of the Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority, Liz Peace and Mike Brown,

will also provide input.

As the review progresses input and challenge will be sought from within Parliament

and externally.

The review is expected to conclude in the autumn and its findings will be considered

by the Sponsor Body Board and the Commissions of both Houses in the first

instance.

TRANSPORT

A303: Dual Carriageways

Sir Gary Streeter: [55846]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made with plans to

dual the A303 from the M3 to Taunton; and if he will make a statement.

Rachel Maclean:

Highway England’s delivery plan to be published later this year will contain details of

the schemes which will contribute to provision of a high quality dual carriageway link

between the London and the South East and the South West.



A47

James Wild: [56185]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2020

to Question 13604 on the A47, what the planned dates for construction are for each of

the six A47 schemes approved in the second Roads Investment Strategy published in

March 2020.

James Wild: [56186]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what powers he has to direct Highways

England to ensure that construction of the six A47 improvement schemes approved

under the second Roads Investment Strategy begins.

Rachel Maclean:

The second Road Investment Strategy (RIS2) published in March 2020 includes a

commitment to start construction of these schemes in the current road period (2020-

2025) and has confirmed funding will be available for Highways England to do so.

Highways England will shortly publish its delivery plan, which will confirm the timing

for their delivery. The Office of Rail and Road, as the Roads Monitor, holds Highways

England to account in delivering RIS2, publishes reports on their performance and

has statutory enforcement powers.

Airports: Coronavirus


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

effect of the covid-19 outbreak on (a) airports and (b) their associated industries in the (i)

East and (ii) West Midlands.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The Government recognises the challenging times facing the aviation sector as a

result of COVID-19, and has been engaging regularly with airports throughout all

regions of the UK, including the East and West Midlands, to understand the impact

that COVID-19 is having on their operational and financial positions. This

engagement is ongoing.

It is of vital importance that key sectors such as aviation are protected, and this

means not just airports, but also the wider supply chain, including ground handlers

and associated industries, who keep the sector running. We are working closely with

the sector to support it to ensure there is sufficient capacity to protect global travel

routes, continue repatriation, freight and maintain vital connectivity.

Businesses across the aviation industry, including airports, ground handlers and

companies in their supply chains, are able to draw on the unprecedented package of

economic measures we have put in place during this time.




Aviation: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether representatives of the business

travel sector will be included in his Department's aviation restart and recovery unit.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The business travel sector is represented on the Restart and Recovery Unit’s Expert

Steering Group by the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA). In

addition, I most recently met with the BBGA on a bilateral basis on 11 June.

Aviation: Freight

Angus Brendan MacNeil: [55920]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which UK produce and products, by value,

comprise the main freighted items transported by air to international markets; and what

the primary destinations are of those products.

Kelly Tolhurst:

Information on the value of goods by mode of transport is only available for goods

exported to non-EU countries that are cleared for customs purposes at UK airports

from HMRC. Table 1 displays the top five product categories exported by air by value

in 2018, and the associated top five export partner countries for these goods.

Table 1: Main UK good exports by air to non-EU countries by value, 2018

GOODS CATEGORY EXPORTED BY AIR, AND TOP 5

EXPORT COUNTRIES EXPORTS, £ BILLIONS

Precious metals, stones and jewellery 30.18

Switzerland 14.75

China 4.58

Turkey 2.47

Hong Kong 2.22

United Arab Emirates 1.64

Machinery and mechanical appliances 19.96

United States 5.12


Singapore 1.98

Hong Kong 1.69

Japan 1.01



GOODS CATEGORY EXPORTED BY AIR, AND TOP 5

EXPORT COUNTRIES EXPORTS, £ BILLIONS

Pharmaceutical products 8.41

United States 3.81

China 1.02

Japan 0.63

Australia 0.24

Saudi Arabia 0.23

Electrical machinery and equipment 7.28

United States 2.01

China 0.60

Hong Kong 0.49

Singapore 0.34


Optical, measuring, medical or surgical

instruments

6.79

United States 2.45

China 0.65

Japan 0.52

Hong Kong 0.29

Saudi Arabia 0.23

British Airways: Redundancy

Ms Harriet Harman: [58601]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he plans to take to support British

Airways employees that are at risk of redundancy; and what the timeframe is for the

provision of that support.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The Department for Transport is in regular contact with airlines, airports and unions to

understand the impact that COVID-19 is having on the sector and its workers.


However, we do not comment on discussions held with individual companies, as this

information is commercially sensitive.

The Government recognises the challenging times facing the aviation sector as a

result of COVID-19. The aviation sector is important to the UK economy and will be

able to draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the

Chancellor and on May 12, the Government announced that the Coronavirus Job

Retention scheme would be extended for four months, until the end of October. Until

the end of July, there will be no change. From August to October, the scheme will

continue for all sectors and regions of the UK, but with greater flexibility to support the

transition back to work.

In response to COVID-19 the Department for Work and Pensions have established

an alternative service to their usual face to face offer. People will be able to access

redundancy help and job search advice on the Department’s new Job Help campaign

website. There’s also information on Gov.uk and updated information packs provided

to employers to help them signpost employees to the support that is available.

Driving Instruction and Driving Tests: Coronavirus

Marion Fellows: [58732]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when driving lessons and practical driving

tests will resume; and whether tests cancelled as a result of covid-19 will be reimbursed

in full.

Rachel Maclean:

As the health and safety of staff and customers is key, the Driver and Vehicle

Standards Agency (DVSA) is working closely with the Department for Transport to

prepare for a safe return to testing. It will announce details of resumption in due

course.

The DVSA recommends that, currently, approved driving instructors (ADI) should

only provide lessons to candidates who have an essential need.

Before practical driving tests are reintroduced, the DVSA will inform the driver training

industry. This will help candidates prepare and reach the standard of driving needed

to pass their test.

Candidates who have had their practical driving test suspended as a result of COVID-

19 will receive an email from the DVSA telling them the date of their rescheduled test.

The test will be rescheduled automatically, and free of charge. The candidate can, if

they prefer, request a refund of their practical test fee.

Electric Scooters: Energy

Royston Smith: [56067]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what evidence his Department assessed

when deciding to set the motor wattage for e-scooters in the forthcoming trials at 350W.



Rachel Maclean:

The Department’s consultation on the rules for e-scooters asked whether there

should be a maximum power set for e-scooters and asked whether 350W is an

appropriate limit. The Department has considered evidence available from

international organisations, published reports and considered the rules for e-scooter

use in other countries. We also took account of the responses received from the

Future of Transport regulatory review call for evidence. The proposed power limit also

directly influences what other rules should apply to the use of e-scooters.

There is limited evidence on the impact of different maximum power limits for e-

scooters and a range of different power limits apply in other countries.

We are currently analysing the responses to the consultation.

The trials will allow us to gather evidence about the use of e-scooters and their

effects on other road users. This will inform future policy for e-scooters and other

micromobility vehicles.

Electric Scooters: Speed Limits

Royston Smith: [56066]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what evidence his Department assessed

when deciding to set the speed limit for e-scooters in forthcoming trials at 12.5mph.

Rachel Maclean:

The Department’s consultation on the rules for e-scooters proposed a speed limit of

12.5 mph. The Department considered evidence available from international

organisations, published reports and considered the rules for e-scooter use in other

countries. We also took account of the responses received from the Future of

Transport regulatory review call for evidence. The proposed speed limit also directly

influences what other rules should apply to the use of e-scooters.

There is limited evidence on the impact of different speed limits for e-scooters and a

range of speed limits apply in other countries.

However, we are currently analysing the responses to the consultation.

The trials will allow us to gather evidence about the about the use of e-scooters and

their effects on other road users. This will inform future policy for e-scooters and other

micromobility vehicles.

Great Western Railway Line: Competition

Mr Laurence Robertson: [58621]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support he plans to provide to new

open access rail proposals on the Great Western Mainline.

Chris Heaton-Harris:

The independent Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is responsible for determining

access to the track for open access operators. However, we acknowledge that open



access operators can play a contributory role improving rail services for passengers

in circumstances where it delivers new and innovative services.

The DfT, as the competent franchising authority, have to balance the benefits of new

open access operators with the impact on the value for money of taxpayers’ in the

railway.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to support Network Rail

to identify available rail capacity on the Great Western Mainline for new open access rail

services between London, Bristol and South Wales.


The Department responded to Network Rail’s consultation on the latest open access

application submitted on the Great Western Main Line. The matter remains under

consideration by Network Rail and the independent Office of Rail and Road.

Public Transport: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that

disabled people that are legitimately not wearing a face covering on public transport are

identifiable to (a) the public and (b) transport staff.


Government’s updated Safer Transport guidance for operators and for passengers

highlights that specific exemptions apply, including for health, equality or age

reasons. We are ensuring that operators have appropriate communications and staff

briefing in place so that both staff and passengers are aware of the exemptions. Train

operating companies have communicated the exemptions to their customers and

staff, as have other operators. If prompted by staff, passengers should explain that

they are exempt from the regulation. We know some operators have a badge or

lanyard scheme which assists with this.

Railways: Competition


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support his Department is providing to

Network Rail on new open access rail applications such as those on the Great Western

Main Line to operate between London, Bristol and South Wales.


The Department responded to Network Rail’s consultation on the latest open access

application on the Great Western Main Line. The matter remains under consideration

by Network Rail and the independent Office of Rail and Road.





To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his oral contribution of 12

May 2020, Official Report, column 176, what guidance he has provided to Network Rail

on supporting new open-access rail applications.


It is Network Rail’s responsibility to carry out a rigorous and robust assessment of the

capacity and performance impacts on the network of each new open access

application. The Department engages with Network Rail, as appropriate, on each new

open access application.


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

potential merits of (a) existing and (b) proposed open access rail operations; and if he will

make a statement.


The independent Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is responsible for determining

access to the track for open access operators. However. we acknowledge that open

access operators can play a contributory role improving rail services for passengers

in circumstances where it delivers new and innovative services.

The DfT, as the competent franchising authority, have to balance the benefits of new

open access operators with the impact on the value for money of taxpayers’

significant investment in the railway. We are aware that some open access operators

have paused operations due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and hope to see

them return to the network as soon as possible.

Railways: Infrastructure


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with regard to the November 2015 Report

from Sir Peter Hendy on the replanning of Network Rail's Investment Programme; how

many of the (a) 79 projects to be delivered in CP5 and (b) eight sub-projects of the Great

Western Electrification programme (i) were completed in CP5, (ii) have been completed

so far in CP6, (iii) are planned to be completed by the end of CP6 (a) are not expected to

be completed by the end of CP6.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the report by Sir Peter

Hendy on the replanning of Network Rail's Investment Programme, published in

November 2015; how many of the 16 projects with significant delivery in CP5 and

completion in CP6 (a) have been completed so far in CP6, (b) are planned to be

completed by the end of CP6 and (c) are not expected to be completed by the end of

CP6.






The Department is just over one year into the CP6 period and continues to progress

its plans. To date five projects have been completed in CP6.

Network Rail publish on a quarterly basis all schemes in delivery. The latest

published report can be found at:

https://cdn.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Enhancements-Delivery-

Plan-England-and-Wales-March-2020.pdf

The DfT also published an update in October which set out all schemes in

development stages in the pipeline. The latest publication can be found at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm

ent_data/file/840709/rail-network-enhancements-pipeline.pdf

Shipping: Health Services

Afzal Khan: [56163]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps his Department has taken

to support the (a) mental and (b) physical health of seafarers.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The mental and physical health of seafarers is an important issue. The Maritime and

Coastguard Agency has just published two complementary publications ‘Wellbeing at

Sea: A guide for organisations’ and ‘Wellbeing at Sea: A pocket guide for seafarers’

to support organisations and individuals to prioritise wellbeing onboard. I welcome the

framework that was issued by the IMO which seeks to address crew change issues

that have emerged due to the pandemic and have had adverse impacts on the health

and wellbeing of seafarers. I have previously written to UN organisations asking for

an international solution to this issue, confirming the UK’s position on crew changes,

and also urged other countries to allow crew changes to take place. DfT Officials

have been working with the Merchant Navy Welfare Board and support the steps

taken by the working group to aid the mental and physical health of seafarers.

In addition, Government guidance for operators and passengers has been updated to

provide greater detail on how social distancing can be maintained in the maritime

sector and customer-facing roles to reduce the risk to staff health whilst ensuring

services keep running. Under the new PPE guidance, DfT officials are working with

industry to ensure seafarers and passengers have adequate access to face masks

prior to boarding vessels in order to protect their physical health.

Travel: Coronavirus

Sarah Owen: [58805]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June to

Question 56177 on Travel: coronavirus, on how many occasions he has discussed the

14-day quarantine rule for entering the UK with the Home Secretary.

https://cdn.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-England-and-Wales-March-2020.pdf



https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/840709/rail-network-enhancements-pipeline.pdf





Kelly Tolhurst:

I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given on 11 June 2020, PQ UIN

56177.

TREASURY

Arts: Coronavirus


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with

representatives in the arts sector on the continuation of the (a) Coronavirus Job Retention

Scheme and (b) Self-Employment Income Support Scheme for businesses that are

unable to re-open as a result of Government guidance on social distancing during the

covid-19 outbreak.

Jesse Norman:

During this difficult time the Treasury is working intensively with employers, delivery

partners, industry groups and other Government departments to understand the long-

term effects of social distancing across all key areas of the economy. For example,

on 11 June the Chancellor attended a roundtable with TUC and other unions,

including Prospect and Equity.

The Government recognises the extreme disruption the necessary actions to combat

Covid-19 are having on businesses and sectors like Arts and Creative Industries.

That is why the Chancellor introduced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

(CJRS), and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

On 12 May, the Government announced a major extension to the CJRS which will

continue to the end of October, including more flexibility and employer contributions

from August as people return to work. On 29 May, the Chancellor announced an

extension to the SEISS, which continues to be one of the most generous self-

employed Covid-19 support schemes in the world as the economy reopens. This

extension means that eligible individuals whose businesses are adversely affected by

Covid-19 will be able to claim a second and final grant when the scheme reopens for

applications in August. Decisions on Government schemes are based on all available

evidence, including the latest public health guidance.

The Treasury will continue to monitor the impact of Government support with regard

to supporting public services, businesses, individuals, and sectors such as arts and

creative industries, and welcome views from representatives.

Aviation: Non-domestic Rates

Henry Smith: [58687]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with

representatives of the aviation industry on business rates relief.



Jesse Norman:

Treasury Ministers and officials meet with a wide range of stakeholders across

sectors as part of ongoing policy development and implementation.

Ministers and officials from the Department for Transport are in regular contact with

airlines, airports and unions to understand the impact that COVID-19 is having on the

sector and its workers.

Business: Coronavirus


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what process his Department has in place to

ensure that local authorities adhere to Government guidance on the distribution of grants

to businesses during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kemi Badenoch:

The Government has provided Local Authorities with detailed guidance and FAQs to

support them in distributing Small Business Grants, Retail, Hospitality and Leisure

Grants, and Discretionary Grants to eligible businesses.

In addition, BEIS has conducted periodic live streams with the 314 Local Authorities

administering the schemes, to highlight any additions to the guidance and to allow

Local Authorities to ask questions, which in turn are captured in the FAQs. BEIS has

an active Working Group of Local Authorities, the LGA, CIPFA and IRRV that is a

forum for testing how a range of Local Authorities are applying the guidance in

practice.

It is up to Local Authorities to apply the guidance on these grants.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Stella Creasy: [58698]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans the Government has to support

workers who are diagnosed with a condition that makes them extremely clinically

vulnerable to covid-19 after the 10 June 2020 cut-off date for an employer to decide to

furlough staff under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman:

Employees who are unable to work because they are shielding in line with public

health guidance can be furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

(CJRS). However, such an employee can only continue to be furloughed from 1 July

if they have previously been furloughed, for any reason, for at least 3 consecutive

weeks taking place any time between 1 March and 30 June.

The Government has set out an unprecedented package of financial support to help

the country through the coronavirus pandemic. Closing the scheme to new entrants is

necessary for a gradual closure of the scheme. The focus is now on bringing those

currently furloughed back into productive employment. CJRS is only one part of the

support offered to shielded people, which also includes help with accessing food,



medicines and care, alongside financial support through Statutory Sick Pay and the

welfare system. Further details about the future of shielding are due to be announced

the week commencing 15 June.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the difficulties

caused to businesses of the further guidance on the flexible furlough scheme being

published after the cut-off date for an employee to be placed on the Coronavirus Job

Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman:

The announcement on 29 May provided the key information required for firms to

make decisions about furloughing employees. Full information on how the scheme

will change from 1 July has been available in published factsheets since the

Chancellor announced the changes.

The guidance was updated on 12 June only to provide additional detail on how the

scheme will operate in practice.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Arts


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make available support provided by the

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for workers, such as those employed in post-

production in the creative industries, whose employment will not be impacted by the

covid-19 outbreak until later in the year once their pre-existing projects have been

completed.

Jesse Norman:

The Government is aware that different employers and sectors will face different

challenges in getting up and running again. However, it would be challenging to

target the CJRS to specific sectors in a fair and deliverable way, and it may not be

the case that this is the most effective or sensible way to provide longer term support

for those sectors most affected by coronavirus. It is the case that some firms will be

affected by coronavirus for longer than others, and the Government will seek to

support these firms, and their workers, appropriately.

The CJRS is just one form of support on offer to employers and employees during

this difficult period. The Government will continue to engage with businesses and

representative groups with the aim of ensuring that the support provided is right for

individual sectors and for the economy as a whole.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Kingston upon Hull

Dame Diana Johnson: [55905]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people resident in Hull are registered

with HMRC as being on furlough under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.




Dame Diana Johnson: [55906]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people resident in Hull in each tax

bracket are registered with HMRC as being on furlough under the Coronavirus Job

Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman:

Claims made up until and including 31 May under the Coronavirus Job Retention

Programme, have supported 31,900 furloughed employments where the employee is

resident within the area of the City of Kingston upon Hull Unitary Authority. This is the

total number of employments furloughed at any time since the start of the scheme.

Within this figure one person could be furloughed for more than one job.

Further information on this statistic is available from the HMRC publication,

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Official Statistics. This can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-statistics-

june-2020

It has not been possible to break this number down further by tax bracket within the

time available.

Food: Wholesale Trade

Tim Loughton: [55839]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend the hospitality, retail and leisure

grants to the wholesale food and drink sector.

Kemi Badenoch:

The Government recognises that this is a very challenging time for businesses in a

wide variety of sectors. Small businesses occupying properties for retail, hospitality or

leisure purposes are likely to be particularly affected by COVID-19 due to their

reliance on customer footfall, and the fact that they are less likely than larger

businesses to have sufficient cash reserves to meet their high fixed property-related

costs. The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund (RHLGF) is intended to help

small businesses in this situation.

Local Authorities (LAs) can choose to make discretionary grants to businesses in

supply chains, like the wholesale food and drink sector, if they feel there is a

particular local economic need. The Government has allocated up to an additional

£617 million to LAs to enable them to give discretionary grants. While food and drink

wholesalers are not one of the priority groups which Government has asked LAs to

focus on, LAs may choose to make payments to businesses outside of these priority

groups if they feel there is a local economic need to do so, so long as the business

was trading on 11th March, and has not received any other cash grant funded by

central Government (with the exception of grants from the SEISS).

Small businesses which are not eligible for business grants should still be able to

benefit from other elements of the Government’s unprecedented package of support.

The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses


https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/coronavirus-job-retention-scheme-statistics-june-2020




can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the

schemes open and how to apply - https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-

finder.

Imports: Israel


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many requests for information have been

raised by HM Revenue and Customs with the Israeli Customs Authorities to establish

whether consignments have been imported from (a) Israel and (b) Israeli settlements

under the technical arrangements of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, in each of the

last three years.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many consignments of agricultural produce

imported from Israel and claiming preference under the EU-Israel Association Agreement

have been checked by HM Revenue and Customs to ensure they did not originate in

settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in each of the last three years.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what documentary information is required under

the technical arrangements of the EU-Israel Association Agreement for goods entering

the UK from Israel to enable differentiation between goods produced within Israel’s

internationally recognised borders and Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian

Territories.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the import of (a) fresh fruit, (b)

vegetables and (c) dairy products from Israel, what checks are made by HMRC to ensure

that the place of origin given on the certificate of marketing standards is consistent with

the post codes given on the relevant invoice/EUR1.

Jesse Norman:

Under the technical arrangement of the EU-Israel Association Agreement a proof of

preferential origin document is required that must contain the postal code and the

name of the city, village or industrial zone in which the goods were produced. Where

HMRC’s risk assessment indicates that the goods may have been produced in non-

eligible locations, HMRC perform physical examinations of goods or check proof

documents. HMRC refuse preference where the goods cannot be shown to be

produced in an eligible location. HMRC can also request that the Israeli Customs

Authorities verify the accuracy of the information provided on the proof of preferential

origin document.

HMRC raised verification requests with the Israeli Customs Authorities to confirm that

claims to preferential tariff treatment were made in compliance with the EU-Israel

Association Agreement and the technical arrangement on:

• 17 occasions in 2017

https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder







• 10 occasions in 2018, and

• 7 occasions in 2019.

The number of agricultural consignments imported from Israel claiming preferential

tariff treatment under the EU-Israel Association Agreement and checked by HMRC

was:

• 52 in 2017

• 70 in 2018, and

• 29 in 2019

In accordance with the terms of EU-Israel Association Agreement and the technical

arrangement, when confirming eligibility to preferential treatment, HMRC should only

verify the details on the preferential proof of origin. A certificate of marketing

standards is not a preferential proof of origin.

International Tax Enforcement (Disclosable Arrangements) Regulations 2020

Wendy Chamberlain: [58797]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to repeal the International Tax

Enforcement (Disclosable Arrangements) Regulations 2020 after the end of the transition

period.

Jesse Norman:

The International Tax Enforcement (Disclosable Arrangements) Regulations 2020

implement an EU Directive known as DAC 6. The UK is obliged to implement this

Directive during the transition period.

The Government will keep the Regulations under review. Further legislative action

may be appropriate in light of the outcome of negotiations with the EU on the future

relationship between the UK and the EU.

The Government remains committed to tax transparency and will continue to apply

international standards on transparency and exchange of information.

Local Government: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which local authorities have furloughed workers

to date; and how many workers have been furloughed by each of those local authorities.

Jesse Norman:

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 11 June. As with the answer of 11

June (UIN 55864) it is not possible to provide an answer in the time available. In

addition, in order to protect the confidentiality of individual organisations’ tax affairs

HMRC are unable to provide information on individual local authorities.



Manufacturing Industries: Coronavirus

Dr Lisa Cameron: [56024]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to (a) encourage

and (b) support (i) Rolls-Royce and (ii) other similar manufacturing industries to help (A)

retain their workforce and (B) prevent mass redundancies in response to the covid-19

outbreak.

Kemi Badenoch:

The Government regularly speaks with automotive companies and has worked

closely with Rolls Royce in response to COVID-19.

Rolls Royce is making use of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and

has drawn £300m of short-term finance from the Coronavirus Corporate Financing

Facility (CCFF).

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has so far protected 8.9 million

workers and 1.1 million businesses through this crisis (as at midnight 7th June 2020).

All UK employers can apply for a grant that covers 80% of furloughed employees’

usual monthly wage costs, up to £2500 a month, plus the associated Employer

National Insurance contributions and pension contributions.

This scheme is available to support 28.5m employees paid via PAYE across the UK.

This is a temporary scheme in place for 8 months starting from 1 March and ending

at the end of October.

In addition, we are supporting businesses, by offering Government-backed finance

through the Covid Corporate Financing Facility, Coronavirus Large Business

Interruption Loans, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans, and the Bounce Back

Loans scheme, depending on the size of the company.

Where firms make the decision that they cannot retain all of their staff over the longer

run, we are ensuring that those looking for work are supported through a significant

package of temporary welfare measures.

This includes: £20 per week increase to the Universal Credit standard allowance and

Working Tax Credit basic element, and a nearly £1bn increase in support for renters

through increases to the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and

Housing Benefit claimants. These changes will benefit all new and existing claimants.

Markets: Non-domestic Rates

Apsana Begum: [58819]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether market traders who occupy sub-leases

will be given compensation for business rates paid by their landlord included in their rent.



Jesse Norman:

Business rates relief is provided to the relevant ratepayer. In cases where the

ratepayer is the landlord, it is for them and their tenants to resolve how that is

distributed.

The Government is aware that some small businesses have found themselves

excluded from the existing business rates relief and grants schemes because of the

way they interact with the business rates system. That is why the Government has

allocated up to an additional £617 million to Local Authorities to enable them to give

discretionary grants to businesses in this situation.

Net Zero Review


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to include a cost-benefit

analysis of a green covid-19 economic recovery plan in his review of funding for the

transition to a net zero greenhouse gas economy; and what the timescale is for that

review.

Kemi Badenoch:

The Coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced in decades. We will

assess the impacts of potential interventions against their contribution to our

environmental goals, including our climate change and air quality targets.The

Government remains committed to tackling climate change, and meeting our Net

Zero target. Information on the Net Zero Review can be found at

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-review-terms-of-reference.

Riot Control Weapons: USA


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the (a) quantity and (b) value of

α-Bromobenzeneacetonitrile, known as Bromobenzyl cyanide that was exported to end

users in the US in the last five years.

Jesse Norman:

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are responsible for the collection and publication of

data on UK imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC release this

information monthly as a National Statistic: the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics.

The trade data collected does not enable HMRC to determine the ultimate end user

of exports. Nor does the trade data collected enable HMRC to distinguish exports of

a-Bromobenzene acetonitrile (known as Bromobenzyl cyanide) from other exports of

other Nitrile function compounds classified under commodity code 29269070.

However, there is aggregated trade data available for goods classified under

commodity code 29269070 and the periods requested on the uktradeinfo.com

website, under ‘Build your own data tables’. The site also contains a ‘Help’ function

with information on how to extract trade data.





[2-chlorophenyl) methylene] propanedinitrile, o-Chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile; exported

to end users in the US in the last five years.

Jesse Norman:






[(2-chlorophenyl) methylene] propanedinitrile, o-Chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile from

other exports of other Nitrile function compounds classified under commodity code

29269070.







2-Chloro-1-phenylethanone, Phenylacyl chloride, ω-chloroacetophenone exported to end


Jesse Norman:

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of

data on UK imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. HMRC releases this

information monthly, as a National Statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods

Statistics.

Unfortunately, the trade data collected does not enable HMRC to determine the

ultimate end user of exports. Nor does the trade data collected enable HMRC to

distinguish exports of 2-Chloro-1-phenylethanone, Phenylacyl chloride,

Chloroacetophenone from exports of other organic ketones and quinone chemicals

classified under commodity code 29147900.


commodity code 29147900 and the periods requested on our uktradeinfo.com





Dibenz-(b,f)-1,4-oxazephine exported to end users in the US in the last five years.



https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Pages/Home.aspx

https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Pages/Home.aspx


Jesse Norman:



information monthly, as a National Statistic: the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics.



Dibenz-(b,f)-1,4-oxazephine from other exports of other nucleic acids and their salts

and other heterocyclic compounds classified under commodity code 29349990.







10-Chloro-5,10-dihydrophenarsazine, Phenarsazine chloride, (Adamsite) exported to end


Jesse Norman:



information monthly, as a National Statistic: the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics.



10-Chloro-5,10-dihydrophenarsazine, Phenarsazine chloride, (Adamsite) from other

exports of other nucleic acids and their salts and other heterocyclic compounds

classified under commodity code 29349990.







N-Nonanoylmorpholine exported to end users in US law enforcement in the last five

years.

Jesse Norman:








N-Nonanoylmorpholine from other exports of other nucleic acids and their salts and

other heterocyclic compounds classified under commodity code 29349990.





Self-employed: Coronavirus

Sir David Amess: [58596]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to provide financial

support to self-employed people who are ineligible for the (a) Coronavirus Job Retention

Scheme and (b) Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and who cannot access (i)

universal credit and (ii) self-employment income support.

Jesse Norman:

Self-employed individuals who are ineligible for the Self Employment Income Support

Scheme (SEISS), may be able to benefit from the other elements of the

unprecedented financial support provided by the Government. This package includes

Bounce Back loans, tax deferrals, rental support, mortgage holidays, and other

business support grants.

Self-employment Income Support Scheme: Maternity Leave


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has carried out an equality impact

assessment of the 10 June 2020 cut-off date for accessing the Coronavirus Job

Retention Scheme in relation to women currently on maternity leave; and if he will make a

statement.

Jesse Norman:

HM Treasury carefully considers the equality impacts of individual policies on those

with protected characteristics, including gender, in line with both its legal obligations

and its strong commitment to equality issues.

On 9 June, the Government announced that parents returning to work in the coming

months, including women currently on maternity leave, will be eligible for furlough

scheme even after 10 June cut-off date.

Third Sector: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Sir Mark Hendrick: [58644]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether people who work for the charity,

voluntary and community sector organisations who have been furloughed may return to

their places of work in a volunteering capacity whilst still receiving the support through the

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.




Jesse Norman:

The purpose of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is to support people who

would otherwise have been made redundant. To prevent fraudulent claims, the

Government made clear that individuals cannot work or volunteer for their

organisation. This also serves to protect employees. If the Government allowed

workers to volunteer for their employer, the employer could ask them to effectively

work full time whilst only paying them 80% of the wages. These wages would also be

paid at the Government’s expense, and therefore an abuse of the system. The

Department for Culture, Media and Sport are working with other Government

departments and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector to identify

areas where volunteers can contribute to the Covid-19 response.

On 8 April, the Chancellor announced a £750m support package for charities

providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the Covid-19 crisis.

£360m will be allocated by central Government to charities in England based on

evidence of service need. £370m will support smaller, local charities working with

vulnerable people.

Visas: Turkey


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many grants under the Self-Employment

Income Support Scheme have been issued to applicants that hold a Turkish

Businessperson visa.

Jesse Norman:

Applications for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) opened on

13 May. By 11 June 2020, HMRC had received:

• 2.1m claims representing a total of £6.1bn in England;

• 146k claims representing a total of £425m in Scotland;

• 102k claims representing a total of £273m in Wales; and

• 69k claims representing a total of £198m in Northern Ireland.

HMRC have published tables showing the number of individuals claiming the SEISS

by 31 May 2020 which can be found at

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/self-employment-income-support-scheme-

statistics-june-2020.

HMRC do not hold data on whether SEISS applicants hold a Turkish Businessperson

visa and so cannot provide this information.


https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/self-employment-income-support-scheme-statistics-june-2020



WALES

Coronavirus: Wales

Ruth Jones: [57365]

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent steps he has taken to ensure that

there is close co-operation between the UK and Welsh Governments during the covid-19

outbreak.

Simon Hart:

The UK Government has worked hand in hand with the Welsh Government in our

response to Covid-19, including through the COBR Ministerial Committee and the

Ministerial Implementation Groups, totalling 116 engagements since the start of the

crisis. I have suggested to the First Minister of Wales that this level of co-operation

could be even closer if the Parliamentary Under-Secretary or I were able to attend

meetings of the Welsh Government’s Covid-19 Core Ministerial Group.

We will continue to work closely with all the devolved administrations to ensure the

most effective measures are in place in all parts of the UK. Where there are

differences in the approach between Wales and England, it is vital that the rationale

is founded on robust evidence and is clearly explained to people on both sides of the

border.

Wales Office: Carers


To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many staff in his Department had caring

responsibilities in each of the last five years.

David T C Davies:

The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales (OSSW) is not an employer in its own

right. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) provide employment services on our behalf. We

are fully committed to supporting staff who are carers, but do not hold information on

the number of staff who have caring responsibilities.

The Department follows MoJ polices by offering a range of flexible working options to

staff with caring responsibilities, enabling them to work in a way which best suits

them. These include special leave, term-time working, job shares and compressed

hours. Staff also have access to MoJ networks for carers.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Equal Pay


To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will bring forward legislative

proposals to (a) extend the 2017 gender pay reporting framework to include reporting on

the (i) ethnicity, (b) disability and (c) LGBT pay gap, (b) extend pay gap reporting




requirements to companies with more than 100 employees, (c) mandate horizontal pay

reporting and (d) require companies with pay gaps to publish an evidence-based action

plan to tackle (A) pay discrimination and (B) any failure to actively recruit under-

represented groups to high value roles.

Kemi Badenoch:

Pay gaps are caused by a range of factors. The Government ran a consultation from

October 2018 to January 2019 on Ethnicity Pay Reporting, which received over 300

responses. The Government has met with businesses and representative

organisations to understand the barriers towards reporting and what information

could be published to allow for meaningful action to be taken. We have also run

voluntary methodology testing with a broad range of businesses to better understand

the complexities outlined in the consultation using real payroll data and will share

next steps in due course.

Calculation and monitoring of disability and LGBT pay gaps raises significant issues

of self-reporting and data accuracy and this data is not widely collected by employers.

On disability, the Government is committed to reducing the disability employment gap

and seeing a million more disabled people in work between 2017 and 2027. We

support disabled people to enter employment and stay in work through a range of

programmes such as the Work and Health Programme, Access to Work and the

Intensive Personalised Employment Support Programme. In November 2018 we also

published a voluntary reporting framework on public reporting of pay and progression

of disabled people. This is aimed at employers (with over 250 employees) but can

also be used to support smaller employers who are keen to drive greater

transparency.

On LGBT, we are clear that LGBT people should be able to be themselves in the

workplace. We are committed to taking action on LGBT sexual harassment in the

workplace and are currently in conversation with ACAS about their harassment

guidance. We are also taking steps to improve our monitoring data, including

introducing questions to the 2021 Census in this area.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Carers: Coronavirus

Mary Kelly Foy: [58794]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Government has made

an assessment of the potential merits of providing carers who are in receipt of carer’s

allowance with additional financial support to help them meet the increased costs of

caring resulting from the covid-19 outbreak, in (a) City of Durham constituency and (b)

England.

Justin Tomlinson:

The Government recognises and appreciates the vital role played by unpaid carers

now more than ever. In November 2019 there were more than 1,300 carers in the


City of Durham constituency that were receiving Carer’s Allowance (CA) and in

2018/19 we spent approximately £4.6 million on CA there.

We have focussed on ensuring carers do not inadvertently stop receiving CA

because of changes to patterns of care during the current emergency. This includes

allowing emotional support to count towards the 35 hours of care being provided by

the carer as well as relaxing the rules around breaks in care. These changes aim to

support carers whose role has, in many cases, become harder due to the need to

self-isolate or shield the person they care for.

The rate of CA was also increased in early April as part of the annual uprating

process. Since 2010, the rate of Carer’s Allowance has increased from £53.90 to

£67.25 a week, meaning nearly an additional £700 a year for carers. We continue to

support those carers in most need through additional amounts (premiums) in means-

tested benefits and have also announced increases to the standard allowance in

Universal Credit. Meaning claimants will be up to £1040 a year better off, which some

carers receiving Universal Credit will benefit from.

Children: Maintenance


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to child maintenance

services, what proportion of payments made to parents with care are currently being

made at the assessed level; and what the level of arrears is as a proportion of the

monthly amount due.

Mims Davies:

[Holding answer 15 June 2020]: The available information regarding payments is

available on Gov.uk. up to and including December 2019. Table 9 of the National

Tables refers.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-maintenance-service-statistics-data-

to-december-2019-experimental

We do not have information in relation to the level of arrears as a proportion of the

monthly amount due.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the levels of (a) staff and

(b) resources allocated to child maintenance payments has changed since the covid-19

lockdown began.

Mims Davies:

[Holding answer 15 June 2020]: Child Maintenance Service, as part of Department

for Work and Pensions is supporting the effort to deliver essential services during the

current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Some colleagues have been redeployed to

support the effort in benefit payments.

Our priority is to maintain the flow of maintenance that is currently being paid, by

easing the financial pressure on parents and ensuring that we transfer the payments


https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-maintenance-service-statistics-data-to-december-2019-experimental




as quickly as possible to receiving parents. While there has been the redeployment of

some Child Maintenance Service colleagues, the majority have remained in their

current roles and are working to ensure the flow of payments is maintained.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of

the effect on individuals' personal finances of waiting times of up to 12 weeks for the

Child Maintenance Service to respond to reports that an ex-partner of a claimant has

stopped paying child maintenance.

Mims Davies:

[Holding answer 15 June 2020]: The Government recognises that the income of

many separated parents is being impacted by the public health emergency and some

receiving parents may receive less maintenance as a result of a paying parent’s drop

in income.

Paying parents are still expected to pay child maintenance throughout this period.

Our priority is to maintain the flow of maintenance that is currently being paid, by

easing the financial pressure on paying parents and ensuring that we transfer the

payments as quickly as possible to receiving parents.

In order to ensure that receiving parents do not lose out in the long run, we will

update calculations as soon as possible and collect any unpaid amounts that may

have accrued. For the small minority who might be found to be abusing the system at

this difficult time they could potentially find themselves subject to the full extent of our

enforcement powers once the emergency passes. From July 2020, we will also

reopen Case Maintenance action, updating cases with notified changes and

restarting arrears pursuit activity.

Measures have been introduced to support both paying and receiving parents, whose

income drops as a result of the public health emergency. These include increasing

the standard rate of Universal Credit and working tax credit for this year by over

£1000 per year, benefiting over 4 million of the most vulnerable households. We have

also increased the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing

Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest third of local rents – which is on

average £600 in people’s pockets.

Immigrants: Coronavirus

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: [58713]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June

2020 to Question 52025 on Unemployment: Immigrants, what support her Department is

providing for people who fall outside of all of the coronavirus financial support packages

as a result of no recourse to public funds being a condition of their indefinite leave to

remain settlement status.



Justin Tomlinson:

Non-UK nationals and family members who are issued with a residence permit with a

NRPF condition are not eligible to access taxpayer-funded benefits such as Universal

Credit, Child Benefit or housing assistance for the duration of their leave. Public funds

does not include contributions-based benefits and the State Pension. DWP has no

powers to award taxpayer-funded benefits to an individual whose Home Office

immigration status specifies no recourse to public funds. The Home Office determine

whether persons granted leave to enter or remain in the UK are eligible to access

public funds.

However, as part of its response to COVID-19, the government announced in the

Budget on 11 March that it would provide local authorities in England with £500

million of new grant funding to support economically vulnerable people and

households in their local area.

Jobcentres: Linlithgow and East Falkirk

Martyn Day: [54967]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have used the

services of jobcentre offices in Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency in each year

since 2015.

Mims Davies:

We are unable to provide the information requested on the number of people who

have used the services of the jobcentres within the Linlithgow and East Falkirk

constituency in each year since 2015 as this information is not recorded.

Pensioners: British Nationals Abroad

Martyn Day: [57294]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many UK pensioners live in (a)

EU countries, (b) Commonwealth countries and (c) elsewhere in the world.

Guy Opperman:

The table below shows the number of pensioners in receipt of the UK State Pension

living in the country groupings requested. Please note that residents in Cyprus and

Malta appear in both the European Union and Commonwealth totals.

COUNTRY GROUP NUMBER OF UK STATE PENSIONERS

European Union (excluding UK) 464,180

Commonwealth (excluding UK) 511,760

Rest of the world 211,100

Source: Stat Xplore Nov 2019.



Statistical disclosure control has been applied to this table to avoid the release of

confidential data. Totals may not sum due to the disclosure control applied.

Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

Personal Independence Payment: Scotland

Ian Murray: [58692]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people (a) made an

application for personal independence payments in Scotland (i) since 24 March 2020 and

(b) in 2019; and how many of those people had their application (A) awarded and (B)

disallowed (1) pre-assessment and (2) post-assessment.

Justin Tomlinson:

The table below shows a comparison of the outcomes of Personal Independence

Payment (PIP) claims registered by claimants in Scotland throughout the whole of

2019 and between 24th March – 30th April 2020.

The latest published journey time from PIP registration to clearance in April 2020 in

Scotland was 21 weeks on average for a new claim and 27 weeks for a Disability

Living Allowance (DLA) to PIP reassessment claim. This goes some way to

explaining why the majority of claims registered from 24 th March 2020 onwards had

not received an initial decision as of 30 th April 2020, the latest date for which data is

available.

It is worth noting that the majority of claims cleared since 24 th March 2020 were

cleared under the Special Rules for Terminally Ill claimants for which the average

customer journey time in Great Britain was 5 working days for New Claims and 6

working days for DLA to PIP Reassessment claims.

Table 1: Comparison of outcomes of PIP claims registered in Scotland in 2019

and from 24 th March 2020

DATE OF REGISTRATION TO PIP

Outcome of PIP

Claim

2019 24th March 2020

Onwards

Total

Awarded 43,660 140 43,800

Disallowed post-

referral to AP

24,980 - 24,990

Disallowed pre-referral

to the AP

16,950 - 16,950

Withdrawn 1,350 10 1,360

Case Still Outstanding 7,600 3,220 10,810

Total number of PIP 94,550 3,370 97,920


DATE OF REGISTRATION TO PIP

Registrations

Source: PIP ADS

Notes

• PIP data includes normal rules and special rules for terminally ill claimants, and is

for both new claims and DLA reassessment claims.

• Data has been rounded to the nearest 10. Component parts may not sum due to

rounding.

• Cases disallowed post referral to the AP includes claims disallowed at assessment

and claims disallowed for failing to attend the assessment.

• Cases disallowed pre-referral to the AP includes claims Disallowed for failing to

return the PIP2 form and claims disallowed for failing lay rules.

• Definition of Claims Still Outstanding: Claims that have been registered but have

not received an initial decision as of 30 th April 2020.

• This is unpublished data. It should be used with caution and it may be subject to

future revision.

Social Distancing: Coronavirus

Vicky Foxcroft: [56076]


the financial effect of the covid-19 lockdown restrictions on people who are (a) shielding,

(b) isolating with someone who is shielding and (c) social distancing as a result of being

clinically vulnerable.

Justin Tomlinson:

The public health guidance is clear. People are encouraged to work from home

where they can. If they cannot, they can still go to work, but need to follow the

guidance, for example about social distancing and hand washing. Only those in the

shielding group or who are isolating because they or someone in their household has

symptoms, or are isolating because they have been contacted by the test and trace

service, are advised not to go to work.

A range of support has been made available for people who cannot work. For

example:

• Employees who are unable to work because they are shielding in line with public

health guidance, or who need to stay home with someone who is shielding, can be

furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). Those who are

clinically vulnerable but not shielding are eligible for furlough on the same grounds

as other employees. The decision to access the CJRS is at the employer’s

discretion. The CJRS will close to new entrants from 30 June. From this point


onwards, employers will only be able to furlough employees that they have

furloughed for a full three-week period prior to 30 June.

• We have introduced new provisions making Statutory Sick Pay payable from day 1

– as opposed to day 4 – where an eligible individual is sick, self-isolating or

shielding.

• People who are not eligible for Statutory Sick Pay may be able to claim Universal

Credit or New Style Employment and Support Allowance, and this will include

those people who are self-isolating in accordance with government guidelines.

• We have relaxed the seven waiting days for Employment and Support Allowance

for new claimants who may have coronavirus, or isolating in accordance with the

government guidelines, or caring for a child (or qualifying young person) who falls

into either of those categories, or those extremely vulnerable individuals who have

been advised to shield because they are at high risk of severe illness, so they will

be entitled from day one of their claim.

Social Security Benefits

Sir Mark Hendrick: [58641]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of

benefit claims were successful in (a) Preston, (b) Lancashire and (c) England and Wales

in April (i) 2018, (ii) 2019 and (iii) 2020.

Will Quince:

The available statistics for Universal Credit claims by postcode area, and starts by

postcode area and Jobcentre Plus office are published quarterly at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/

The available statistics for outcomes of Work Capability Assessments (WCA) for

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) by various geographies are published

quarterly at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk

The available statistics for registrations and clearances for Personal Independence

Payment (PIP) by various geographies are published quarterly at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk

Guidance for users is available at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html

The information for all other benefits is not readily available and to provide it would

incur disproportionate cost.

Ian Murray: [58694]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to extend the

suspension of benefit reviews and reassessments for (a) universal credit, (b) employment

and support allowance and (c) personal independence payment beyond 24 June 2020.











Justin Tomlinson:

We are currently in the process of reviewing this measure, and will confirm next steps

as soon as possible.

Social Security Benefits: Complaints

Mike Amesbury: [56162]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department

made of the proportion of claimants assessed for (a) personal independence payment

and (b) employment support allowance who subsequently make a complaint about the (i)

conduct and (b) content of the assessment report.

Justin Tomlinson:

The information is not held in the specific categories requested.

Social Security Benefits: Coronavirus



the potential merits of uprating (a) disability and (b) carer benefits to reflect potential

additional costs for people who are (i) shielding and (ii) clinically vulnerable but not

shielding during the covid-19 lockdown.

Justin Tomlinson:

The personal allowance in Employment and Support Allowance was increased by

1.7% from 6 April, following the Government announcement to end the benefits

freeze in November 2019. The rates of additional-needs disability benefits and of

carers’ benefits, which were not subject to the benefit freeze, were increased by the

same percentage. Carers on low incomes can receive around an additional £1,950 a

year through the Carer’s Element in Universal Credit, and those with health

conditions and disabilities can receive an additional £4,100 through the Limited

Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity Element.

In addition, the Government has announced a suite of measures that can be quickly

and effectively operationalised to benefit those facing the most financial disruption

during the pandemic. This includes providing an uplift equivalent to £20 a week to the

standard allowance in Universal Credit. The Universal Credit IT system is more

flexible than the Department’s legacy systems. It also uses different technology from

other DWP systems, and these older systems have complex interactions and

interdependencies.

Taken together, DWP’s pandemic measures represent an injection of over £6.5 billion

into the welfare system and, along with the other job and business support

programmes announced by the Chancellor, represent one of the most

comprehensive packages of support introduced by an advanced economy in

response to COVID19.



Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Mary Glindon: [58708]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has plans to extend

the three month suspension of face-to-face benefit assessments.

Justin Tomlinson:

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 June 2020 to Question UIN 52251.

Universal Credit: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have applied for

universal credit due to being ineligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

because they are a sole trader and receive a dividend instead of PAYE; and how many of

those claimants have received universal credit to date.

Mims Davies:

The data requested is not available.

Work Capability Assessment: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans her Department has to

publish data on the effectiveness of the legacy benefits system in responding to

increased demand for work capability assessments including the (a) number of referrals

for work capability assessments and (b) average length of time between notification of a

health condition and referral for that work capability assessment being made during the

covid-19 outbreak.

Justin Tomlinson:

Statistics on Employment and Support Allowance Work Capability Assessment

(WCA) outcomes are published quarterly. The latest figures covering a) the number

and outcome of completed initial and repeat WCAs by month of claim up to

September 2019 and b) the median end-to-end clearance time which includes ‘claim

registration to WCA referral’ by month of clearance up to December 2019 can be

found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/employment-and-support-allowance-

outcomes-of-work-capability-assessment

Additional breakdowns of the ESA WCA figures can be found at:


Guidance for users is available at:





https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/employment-and-support-allowance-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessment







The statistics for completed assessments to March 2020 and June 2020 will be

published in September and December 2020 respectively and there are currently no

plans to publish any additional statistics in those releases.

The following special points should be noted:

We have no plans to publish any additional statistics beyond the already agreed ESA

WCA publication schedule.

The published statistics include:

a) WCA numbers and outcomes for completed initial and repeat assessments up to

end of December 2019;

b) WCA outcomes by claim start date (up to September 2019) or WCA date (up to

December 2019). WCA outcome information is only published for referrals that have

completed the WCA and have an outcome;

c) Median end-to-end clearance time which includes ‘claim registration to WCA

referral’ by month of clearance up to December 2019. The definition is shown below:

‘Claim registration to WCA referral' measures the time taken from claim registration

date to the case's referral date to the WCA assessment provider. Only claims that

have completed the WCA process and have an outcome are included. The claim

registration date is the date the claimant has first contact with the Department when

making a claim to ESA. Referral start date is the date the claimant is referred to the

healthcare provider for assessment.

MINISTERIAL CORRECTIONS

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Leisure and Sports: Coronavirus

Sir Mike Penning: [54040]

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

Department has issued to indoor sports and leisure activity providers on the safe

reopening of instructing facilities for (a) snow sports and (b) indoor rock-climbing during

the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

An error has been identified in the written answer given on 12 June 2020. The

correct answer should have been:

Nigel Huddleston:

There is no requirement under the terms of the Public Statues (Metropolis) Act 1854

to obtain the consent of the Secretary of State before the removal of sculptures

erected in London.

Indoor sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting

people to be active and the Government is committed to reopening facilities,

including snow sports and indoor rock climbing facilities, as soon as it is safe

to do so.

We are holding regular discussions with representatives from the leisure

sector and national sports organisations to develop guidance that will support

them to open their facilities in a timely and safe manner once lockdown

measures are eased.

As with all aspects of the Government’s response to Covid-19, we will be

guided by the science to ensure that as restrictions are eased people can

return to activity safely.


WRITTEN STATEMENTS

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Coronavirus impact update

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Prevention, Public Health and

Primary Care) (Jo Churchill): [HCWS296]

Today, Public Health England has published the result of their work to engage with

individuals and organisations within the BAME community, to hear their views, concerns

and ideas about the impact of Covid-19 on their communities. As the House will know, my

honourable friend, the Equalities Minister will be leading on the next steps, working with

PHE and others. Copies will be deposited in the Libraries of both houses and are

available on PHE’s website, https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-

england

Coronavirus update

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Matt Hancock): [HCWS295]

On 26 March 2020, the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England)

Regulations 2020 came into force, imposing restrictions on people’s movements and

gatherings, and requiring the closure of certain retail and public premises, in the interest

of public health in light of the coronavirus pandemic. On 13 May and 1 June, we

introduced some cautious easements of some of the measures in the Regulations, in

order to begin reopening the economy and returning to normal life, while continuing to

protect the NHS and save lives.

Taking into account scientific advice and the government’s assessment against the five

conditions required for change, I have now made some further amendments to the

Regulations to ease the restrictions as has been announced by the Government in recent

weeks.

The changes which have come into effect include allowing for adults who live without

another adult in their household, including single parents with dependent children under

the age of 18, to form a “support bubble” with another household, and allowing individual

prayer in places of worship.

The changes also updated the arrangements for businesses. Non-essential retail can

open, as can some additional outdoor attractions, including drive-in cinemas and zoos.

Libraries will be able to operate an order and collect service. The amendments also

expressly provide for people to make visits such as end of life visits where appropriate.

Publicly available Government guidance on Gov.uk is being updated to ensure it fully

corresponds with the amended Regulations. These remain strict measures, but they are

measures that we must take in order to protect our NHS and to save lives.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2020-06-16/HCWS296/

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england




PRIME MINISTER

Appointment to the UK Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of

Europe

Prime Minister (Boris Johnson): [HCWS294]

The Honourable Member for Gower (Tonia Antoniazzi) has been appointed as a full

member of the United Kingdom Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council

of Europe in place of the Honourable Member for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy). The

Right Honourable Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn) has been appointed as a

substitute member.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Clarification regarding disparities in the risk and outcomes from COVID-19

Minister for Equalities (Kemi Badenoch): [HCWS293]

On 9 June 2020, the honourable member for Brent Central made a Point of Order raising

concerns that I misled the House about the role Professor Kevin Fenton had in the Public

Health England (PHE) review into disparities in the risk and outcomes of COVID-19; and

also whether third-party submissions were part of their final report. As I was unable to

attend to respond in person, I am writing now to do so.

On 4 June, I stated in the House, that Professor Fenton was leading PHE’s review. A

press release from PHE on the 4 May clearly stated, ‘Professor Kevin Fenton, Public

Health Director for London will lead the review’ into how different factors can impact on

people’s health outcomes from COVID-19. In the same press release, Professor Fenton

said ‘We are committed to hearing voices from a variety of perspectives on the impact of

COVID-19 on people of different ethnicities. Duncan Selbie, the Chief Executive of PHE,

has since written to the honourable member and myself to clarify that the review

Professor Fenton led, refers to a parallel piece of work to engage with individuals and

organisations within the BAME community.

I understand the purpose of this was to gain insights into what communities themselves

felt the impacts of COVID-19 were. This work was separate to the epidemiological review

of the data, which the Chief Medical Officer commissioned. However, they are all part of

the work PHE has been doing to investigate this issue. Today, a document summarising

this engagement and its findings were formally submitted to me and due to be published

by PHE.

In regard to the honourable member’s suggestion that I misled the house about whether

third-party submissions were part of PHE’s report, my statement as I made it is accurate.

Third-party submissions are part of Professor Fenton’s extensive stakeholder

engagement work as he made clear on 4 May, which will contribute to and inform the

next stage of work that I am taking forward.



Documents

Daily Report Tuesday, 16 June 2020 CONTENTS€¦ · Daily Report Tuesday, 16 June 2020 This report shows written answers and statements provided on 16 June 2020 and the information