Daily Report Tuesday, 21 April 2020 CONTENTS · 2020-04-21 · Daily Report Tuesday, 21 April 2020 This report shows written answers and statements provided on 21 April 2020 and the

Daily Report Tuesday, 21 April 2020

This report shows written answers and statements provided on 21 April 2020 and the

information is correct at the time of publication (07:59 P.M., 21 April 2020). For the latest

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

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

CONTENTS

ANSWERS 6

ATTORNEY GENERAL 6

Crown Prosecution Service:

Finance 6

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND

INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 6

Clean Steel Fund 6

Conditions of Employment:

Kidney Donors 6

Construction and Retail Trade:

Coronavirus 7

Construction and Utilities:

Coronavirus 8

Construction: Coronavirus 8

Coronavirus Business

Interruption Loan Scheme 9

Employment: Coronavirus 9

Employment: Telephone

Services 10

Iron and Steel: Furnaces 10

Low Carbon Hydrogen

Production Fund 11

Marriage: Coronavirus 11

Newsagents: Prices 12

Offshore Industry: North Sea 12

Personal Care Services:

Coronavirus 13

Personal Care Services: Non-

domestic Rates 14

Post Offices: Franchises 14

Retail Trade: Coronavirus 14

Retail Trade: Protective

Clothing 15

Security: Staff 16

Telephone Services:

Coronavirus 16

Utilities: Billing 16

Utilities: Staff 17

CABINET OFFICE 17

Advertising: Digital Technology 17

Cleaning Services: Staff 18

Constituencies 18

European Commission and

European Parliament:

Parliamentary Scrutiny 19

Fixed-term Parliaments Act

2011 20

Members 20

Mobile Phones: Coronavirus 20

Murder: Merseyside 21

National Income 21

Parliamentary Scrutiny:

Coronavirus 21

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

2 Tuesday, 21 April 2020 Daily Report

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND

SPORT 22

Broadband 22

Entertainments: Coronavirus 22

Mass Media: Coronavirus 22

Pop Festivals: Coronavirus 23

Voluntary Work: Coronavirus 24

EDUCATION 24

Apprentices: Coronavirus 24

Apprentices: Training 25

Basic Skills: Standards 25

Care Leavers and Children in

Care: Equality 26

Childminding: Coronavirus 26

Children: Coronavirus 29

Children: Day Care 30

Children: Social Services 33

Free School Meals 34

Free School Meals:

Coronavirus 35

GCE A-level and GCSE:

Assessments 36

Higher Education: Coronavirus 36

Home Education: Coronavirus 36

Nurseries: Coronavirus 37

Schools: Coronavirus 40

Students: Coronavirus 41

Students: Loans 42

Teachers: Coronavirus 42

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND

RURAL AFFAIRS 43

Animal Welfare 43

Dogs: Animal Breeding 43

Flood Control: Finance 43

Flood Control: South Yorkshire 44

Food Supply: Coronavirus 44

Litter 46

Litter: Standards 46

Milk: Prices 46

Polychlorinated Biphenyl: EU

Law 47

Supermarkets: Coronavirus 47

Veterinary Medicine:

Coronavirus 48

FOREIGN AND

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 48

Animals: Markets 48

Australasia: Coronavirus 49

Australia: Coronavirus 50

British Nationals Abroad:

Coronavirus 50

Cayman Islands: Taxation 55

China: Coronavirus 56

China: Uighurs 57

Colombia: Homicide 58

Colombia: Human Rights 59

Coral Princess: British

Nationals Abroad 59

Coronavirus: Disease Control 60

Ecuador: Coronavirus 61

Egypt: Coronavirus 61

Guyana: Elections 62

Honduras: Coronavirus 62

Indonesia: British Nationals

Abroad 63

Integrated Security, Defence

and Foreign Policy Review 63

Integrated Security, Defence,

Development and Foreign

Policy Review 64

Kuwait: Coronavirus 64

Tuesday, 21 April 2020 Daily Report 3

Libya: Armed Conflict 64

MS Zaandam: British

Nationals Abroad 65

New Zealand: Coronavirus 65

Northern Cyprus: British

Nationals Abroad 66

Peru: Coronavirus 66

Taliban: Peace Negotiations 67

Third Sector and Trade

Unions: Coronavirus 67

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 68

Air Ambulance Services:

Coronavirus 68

Coronavirus: Cleaning

Services 68

Coronavirus: Dental Services 69

Coronavirus: Disease Control 70

Coronavirus: Hospital Beds 71

Coronavirus: Hospital Ships 72

Coronavirus: Hospitals 72

Coronavirus: Intensive Care 72

Coronavirus: Mental Health

Services 73

Coronavirus: North West 73

Coronavirus: Protective

Clothing 73

Coronavirus: Public Health 74

Coronavirus: Screening 74

Coronavirus: Ventilators 76

Drugs: Misuse 77

Eating Disorders: Medical

Treatments 77

Health Professions: Disease

Control 77

Health Services: Coronavirus 78

Immigrants: Detainees 78

Medical Equipment: Business 78

Naloxone: Coronavirus 79

NHS: Telephone Services 79

Public Health Laboratory

Service: Coronavirus 80

Yarl's Wood Immigration

Removal Centre: Coronavirus 80

HOME OFFICE 80

Asylum 80

Asylum: Legal Opinion 81

Breweries: Licensing Laws 81

Civil Servants: Remote

Working 81

Coronavirus: Domestic

Violence 82

Domestic Abuse and Sexual

Offences: Coronavirus 82

Domestic Abuse: Coronavirus 83

Entry Clearances: Coronavirus 83

Immigrants: Coronavirus 84

Immigrants: Detainees 84

Immigrants: Employment 85

Immigrants: Government

Assistance 85

Immigrants: Homelessness 86

Migrant Workers: Social

Security Benefits 87

Police Custody: Coronavirus 88

Police: Protective Clothing 88

Police: Stoke on Trent 88

Public Transport: Disease

Control 89

UK Visas and Immigration:

Compassionate Leave 89

UK Visas and Immigration:

Remote Working 89

4 Tuesday, 21 April 2020 Daily Report

Visas 90

Visas: Migrant Workers 90

HOUSE OF COMMONS

COMMISSION 90

Electronic Voting: Coronavirus 90

House of Commons: Remote

Working 91

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 92

Business Improvement

Districts: Coronavirus 92

Council Tax: Coronavirus 92

Estate Agents: Coronavirus 93

Food Supply: Coronavirus 93

Homelessness: Coronavirus 94

Meals on Wheels: Coronavirus 95

Private Rented Housing:

Coronavirus 95

Rents: Coronavirus 96

Second Homes: Coronavirus 96

Social Services: Shropshire 97

Supported Housing: Staff 97

INTERNATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT 98

CDC: Fossil Fuels 98

Coronavirus: International

Cooperation 98

Coronavirus: Vaccination 99

Developing Countries:

Coronavirus 99

Foreign Aid: Coronavirus 100

Gaza: Coronavirus 101

Humanitarian Aid: Coronavirus 102

Integrated Security, Defence

and Foreign Policy Review:

Coronavirus 103

Iran: Coronavirus 103

Israel: Palestinians 103

Kurdistan: Coronavirus 104

Overseas Aid: Coronavirus 104

Overseas Aid: Developing

Countries 105

Palestinians: Coronavirus 106

UNRWA: Coronavirus 106

Yemen: Coronavirus 107

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 108

Department for International

Trade: Wines 108

Import Controls: Food 108

Overseas Trade: Australia 108

Trade Agreements 109

Trade Agreements: Australia 109

JUSTICE 110

Debt Collection: Coronavirus 110

Jury Service: Coronavirus 111

Magistrates Courts:

Coronavirus 111

National Probation Service for

England and Wales: Pay 112

Trials: Coronavirus 112

Wills: Coronavirus 112

NORTHERN IRELAND 113

Abortion: Northern Ireland 113

TRANSPORT 113

Aviation: Redundancy 113

British Nationals Abroad:

Coronavirus 114

Driving: Licensing 114

Driving: Working Hours 115

Garages and Petrol Stations:

Coronavirus 115

Tuesday, 21 April 2020 Daily Report 5

Government Assistance:

Regional Airports 115

Logistics: Coronavirus 116

Motor Vehicles: Testing 116

Taxis: Coronavirus 116

Travel: Coronavirus 117

TREASURY 117

Agriculture: Non-domestic

Rates 117

Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties 118

Beer: Excise Duties 118

Business: Coronavirus 119

Business: Government

Assistance 121

Business: Insurance 122

Catering: Coronavirus 122

Charities: Coronavirus 123

Charities: Non-domestic Rates 124

Coronavirus Job Retention

Scheme 124


Scheme: Agency Workers 126


Scheme: Shipping 128

Credit Cards: Fees and

Charges 128

Employee Ownership 129

Employment: Coronavirus 129

Insurance Companies:

Coronavirus 130

Iron and Steel: Manufacturing

Industries 130

Loans: Coronavirus 131

Mortgages: Coronavirus 131

PAYE: Coronavirus 132

Pensions: Coronavirus 133

Roadchef: Employee Benefit

Trusts 133

Self-employed: Coronavirus 133

Spirits: Excise Duties 135

Statutory Sick Pay 135

Temporary Employment:

Coronavirus 135

Welfare Tax Credits 136

WORK AND PENSIONS 137

Attendance Allowance 137

Children: Maintenance 137

Employment and Support

Allowance: Coronavirus 138

Universal Credit 138

Universal Credit: Coronavirus 139

WRITTEN STATEMENTS 141

EDUCATION 141

Schools Capital Funding 141

Support for Education

Settings/Providers 141

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND

RURAL AFFAIRS 144

Update on Defra sectors 144

JUSTICE 146

Implementation of the

Whiplash Reform Programme 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.

6 Daily Report Tuesday, 21 April 2020 ANSWERS

ANSWERS

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Crown Prosecution Service: Finance

Jerome Mayhew: [901773]

To ask the Attorney General, what plans she has for the allocation of the £80 million CPS

budget increase announced in the Spending Round 2019.

Michael Ellis:

The Government is investing across the justice system and has invested £85m in the

CPS up to 2021. This will enable the CPS to respond effectively to the expected

increase in caseload resulting from the recruitment of 20,000 new police officers; to

better meet its disclosure obligations; to work with investigators to pursue all

reasonable lines of inquiry; and to deliver much needed changes to external counsel

fees. Investing in the CPS, to support it to respond to these pressures, demonstrates

this Government’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served.

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Clean Steel Fund

Liz Saville Roberts: [34388]

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

the Answer of 23 March 2020 to Question 30846, whether he is taking steps to mitigate

the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the timetable for implementing the Clean Steel

Fund.

Nadhim Zahawi:

The Coronavirus outbreak is the biggest public health emergency in a generation and

every part of the Government is being mobilised to protect our public health. While

civil service capabilities and resources are being redeployed accordingly, supporting

industry onto a pathway consistent with net zero remains a key priority and work

continues to ensure we meet our commitments.

Steel is a key industrial sector of strategic importance to the UK economy, and we

remain committed to designing and delivering the £250 million Clean Steel Fund as

planned. We will continue to work closely with stakeholders to develop the scheme,

ensuring that it meets their interests.

Conditions of Employment: Kidney Donors

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: [34349]

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

employment protections are in place for kidney organ donors.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-03-24/901773



Daily Report Tuesday, 21 April 2020 ANSWERS 7

Paul Scully:

The Government is fully supportive of all types of donation whether by living donors

or not.

Most employees are entitled to employment protection such as statutory sick leave,

protection from unfair dismissal and protection from unlawful discrimination. We

would generally expect employers to be sympathetic when, for example considering

requests for extra leave, which may be needed in these circumstances.

NHS England will also reimburse living donor patients in order to ensure that the

financial impact on the donor is cost neutral. Through this scheme, living donors can

receive a refund for loss of earnings and some other costs such as travel.

The policy on reimbursement was revised in 2018 in collaboration with NHS Blood

and Transplant and is published on the NHS England website -

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/comm-pol-reimbursement-

expenses-living-donors-v2.pdf

Construction and Retail Trade: Coronavirus

Dr Matthew Offord: [34338]

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

the Government's policy that construction and retail works are not essential workers for

the purposes of the Government's response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Nadhim Zahawi:

The Government is committed to supporting people’s jobs and incomes, and we are

working with businesses and unions to achieve this.

Retail workers fall within two distinct categories, those who work in non-essential

retail such as clothing and electronic stores, and those who work in essential retail

such as food, fuel, pharmacy, and post offices. On Monday 23 rd March, the Prime

Minister announced further measures to reduce social contact and expanded the list

of business closures to include non-essential retail. Retail workers who work in the

sale of food are considered key workers.

Construction workers play a crucial role in supporting our public services, maintaining

the nation’s infrastructure, and providing safe, decent homes for people to live in.

Where construction sector workers cannot work from home, they should still go to

work unless they are vulnerable.

However, the Government is clear that construction activity should only continue

where it can take place in line with the guidance provided by Public Health England.

Through the Construction Leadership Council, the construction industry has issued

Site Operating Procedures to set out how this can be done.

The Government has published a list of critical sectors which includes those deemed

to be key workers, which can be found at:

https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.england.nhs.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F08%2Fcomm-pol-reimbursement-expenses-living-donors-v2.pdf&data=02%7C01%7CGurpreet.Chana%40beis.gov.uk%7Cd9be41b1041f4f81663708d7e12c2d84%7Ccbac700502c143ebb497e6492d1b2dd8%7C0%7C0%7C637225452161868312&sdata=9On0VogBqKQvJE7iy%2FCrCYMIyMiRQ1Ucn4GCnPHaseE%3D&reserved=0





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

educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-

maintaining-educational-provision

Construction and Utilities: Coronavirus

Tim Farron: [34942]

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

clarify the guidance on work that is (a) prohibited and (b) regarded as essential in the (i)

construction and (ii) utility industries during the covid-19 outbreak.

Tim Farron: [34943]

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

has to introduce further restrictions to the work of (a) construction workers, (b)

electricians and (c) plumbers in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Nadhim Zahawi:

Construction and utility workers play a crucial role in supporting our public services,

maintaining the nation’s infrastructure and providing and maintaining safe, decent

homes for people to live in. The Government has stated that construction and utilities

work should continue where it can take place in line with the guidance provided by

Public Health England.

Construction: Coronavirus

Helen Hayes: [34387]

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

reason non-essential construction workers have been advised to continue working during

the covid-19 outbreak.

Nadhim Zahawi:

Construction plays a crucial role in supporting our public services, maintaining the

nation’s infrastructure, and providing safe, decent homes for people to live in.

Recently, the Government wrote to all those working in the construction sector to

thank them for the critical contribution they are making to the resilience of this

country.

Construction workers who cannot work from home, who show no symptoms of Covid-

19, and who live in households where no person is self-isolating, should still go to

work. This is consistent with the advice of the Chief Medical Officer.

However, the Government is clear that construction activity should only continue

where it can take place in line with the social distancing guidance provided by Public

Health England. The guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-

distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-

guidance#construction

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision






https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance#construction





Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Mr Gregory Campbell: [33434]


include (a) the self employed and (b) non-business rate businesses in the coronavirus

business interruption scheme.

Paul Scully:

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme supports small and medium-

sized businesses with access to working capital (including loans, overdrafts, invoice

finance and asset finance) of up to £5 million and for up to 6 years.

The Scheme is available to self-employed individuals with an eligible business entity.

This includes sole traders, freelancers, bodies corporate, limited partnerships, limited

liability partnerships or any other legal entity carrying out a business activity in the

United Kingdom, with a turnover of less than £45m, operating in most sectors.

Whether or not a business is liable for Business Rates, or occupies business

premises, is not a consideration under the Scheme.

Employment: Coronavirus

Neil Coyle: [33576]

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

Department is taking to ensure businesses do not compel people who are not key

workers, and who rely on public transport, to travel to work.

Nadhim Zahawi:

The Government has advised that people should be working from home where it is

possible to do so. If it is impossible for someone to work from home, then they can go

to work. We understand that certain jobs require people to travel to their work for

instance if they operate machinery, or are delivering front line services, such as train

and bus drivers, construction workers, restaurant workers handling deliveries or

health and social care workers.

Employers and employees should discuss their working arrangements. There is a

duty on all employers to make every effort to facilitate their employees working from

home, including providing suitable IT and equipment to enable remote working.

Existing employment law already gives employees the right to request flexible

working, which includes remote working. Where work must be done in the workplace,

we have published tailored advice for how social distancing measures can be

implemented by employers in England to help protect their workforce and customers

from Coronavirus while continuing to trade.

Businesses and employees can get advice on employment issues, including the

latest on homeworking, at: www.acas.org.uk. For further advice and support,

businesses can also ring the Department’s Business Support Helpline on 0300 456

3565.



http://www.acas.org.uk/



Mr Stephen Morgan: [34403]

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

customer facing workers who do not have the facilities to work from home are able to

continue to work at their workplace during the covid-19 outbreak.

Paul Scully:

Government advice is clear. If at all possible, people should work at home and where

they cannot, employers should ensure that the work environment is a safe one and

follow all relevant public health guidance.

Businesses and employees can get advice on individual employment issues by

visiting the Acas website at www.acas.org.uk. Businesses can also ring the BEIS

Business Support Line, 0300 456 3565, for further advice on support for business.

Employment: Telephone Services

Neil Coyle: [34357]


introduce a telephone line for non-key workers to inform the Government in the event that

their employer forces them to travel to and work in their workplace during the covid-19

pandemic.

Paul Scully:

In this unprecedented time, we would urge employers to take socially responsible

decisions and listen to the concerns of their workforce.

Employers should be taking all efforts to allow people to work from home, but where

this is impossible, employees are able to travel to and be at work. This can include

those who have not been designated as key workers. Our clear message for people

to stay at home where they can will help lessen the risk for those who must go to

work.

Employers and employees should discuss their working arrangements and work

together to adhere to the guidance from Public Health England on working safely. If

individuals need advice they should approach ACAS where they can get impartial

advice about in work dispute. The Acas website is at www.acas.org.uk.

Iron and Steel: Furnaces

Stephen Kinnock: [34351]

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make

it his policy to classify steelworkers as key workers to ensure the maintenance of blast

furnaces during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nadhim Zahawi:

During this time of unprecedented disruption, the Government has not asked all

businesses to shut; it is important for businesses to carry on where possible. That

being said, only those who cannot work from home should travel to workplaces – I

recognise that this will include many steel workers.









The Government has provided updated, tailored guidance on social distancing; these

and other measures should be implemented by employers in England to help protect

their workforce from COVID-19, while still continuing their work. This guidance is

available online at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-

during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance.

Public Health England have also issued guidance on how employers and businesses

can continue to work safely, available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-

about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19

The Department recently wrote to those working in the UK manufacturing industry, to

restate the Government’s clear position that manufacturing is a critical part of our

economy and that that there is no restriction on manufacturing continuing under the

current rules, as long as social distancing measures are followed. A copy of this letter

is published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-

and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-

coronavirus-covid-19

The Government is in regular contact with the UK steel sector on Covid-19, and we

will continue to support them to mitigate the impact.

Low Carbon Hydrogen Production Fund


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

the Answer of 19 March 2020 to Question 30151, whether he has taken steps to ensure

that the covid-19 outbreak does not delay the launch of the Low Carbon Hydrogen

Production Fund.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The coronavirus outbreak is the biggest public health emergency in a generation and

Government is being mobilised to protect public health - with Civil Service capabilities

and resources being redeployed accordingly. Nonetheless, supporting industry onto a

pathway consistent with Net Zero remains a key Government priority and work

continues at pace to ensure we meet our commitments.

We remain committed to engaging with industry to design and deliver the £100 million

Low Carbon Hydrogen Fund as planned.

Marriage: Coronavirus

Matt Western: [35033]


Department is taking to ensure that people receive refunds from venues for weddings that

have been cancelled as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19










Paul Scully:

Under consumer law, consumers may be entitled to a refund within 14 days,

depending on the nature of the contract in place. Where payments were made using

a credit card, redress can be sought from the credit card company. Some businesses

are also offering consumers alternative arrangements, which individuals are able to

choose should they wish. The Government is engaging continually with business and

consumer advocacy bodies to assess the impact of cancellations made in the light of

the Covid-19 outbreak.

Newsagents: Prices



Department is taking to regulate pricing of stock in small newsagents to prevent

fluctuations on essential items during the covid-19 outbreak.

Paul Scully:

The Government condemns exploitative pricing practices in the light of the Covid-19

outbreak. The Competition and Markets Authority has created a Covid-19 taskforce to

address concerns that some businesses are exploiting consumers through their

pricing practices. The taskforce has already been in contact with traders about

excessive hand sanitiser prices. Enforcement authorities will take action against

companies that have broken competition or consumer protection law, and the

Government continues to monitor these practices closely.

Offshore Industry: North Sea

Alex Cunningham: [34978]

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

is taking to engage with (a) trade unions, (b) Oil and Gas UK and (c) the Oil and Gas

Authority to help counter the economic impact of the (i) covid-19 pandemic and (ii)

collapse in the price of oil on the North Sea oil and gas industry.

Alex Cunningham: [34980]


is taking in response to the reduction in global prices of oil and gas to protect the (a) jobs

and (b) skills of people working in that industry.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

The Government is closely monitoring developments related to potential impacts on

the upstream oil and gas sector from the collapse in the oil price and COVID-19 and

is in regular contact with industry and the Oil and Gas Authority. I have held

telephone meetings with representatives from the sector including business leaders,

trade associations and the Oil and Gas Authority to discuss these issues.

In response, Government has announced an unprecedented financial package to

support businesses and has committed to do whatever it takes to get our nation

through the impacts of this coronavirus pandemic. This includes a Coronavirus Job





Retention Scheme, as well as a host of measures to help businesses in this period

with £330bn worth of government backed and guaranteed loans to support

businesses across the UK. Additionally, responding to feedback from business, a

Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme will ensure that more firms

are able to benefit from government-backed support during this difficult time. It will

provide a government guarantee of 80% to enable banks to make loans of up to £25

million to firms with an annual turnover of between £45 million and £500 million.

We know that the offshore oil and gas sector and particularly its supply chain has a

key role to play as we move to a net zero economy and we have committed to

supporting this energy transition with a transformational Sector Deal.

Personal Care Services: Coronavirus

Ms Angela Eagle: [33429]

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

plans to issue guidance to hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons on closing as a result

of the covid-19 outbreak.

Paul Scully:

In order to further reduce the spread of the virus, on Friday 20 March, the

Government told all businesses and venues in which activity necessitates prolonged

social contact to close. This decision reflected clinical advice that the spread of

infection is likely where people are in close contact for more than 15 minutes.

On 23 March, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced increased measures

to reduce social contact and expanded the list of business that should close

immediately, and this included hairdressers, beauty and nail salons.

Business owners and employees are encouraged to check

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus for the latest guidance and support available.

Robert Halfon: [33508]

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

social distancing measures require (a) beauty salons, (b) nail parlours and (c)

hairdressers to close to the public.

Paul Scully:

In order to further reduce the spread of the virus, on Friday 20 March, the

Government told all businesses and venues in which activity necessitates prolonged

social contact to close. This decision reflected clinical advice that the spread of

infection is likely where people are in close contact for more than 15 minutes.

That is why, on 23 March, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced

increased measures to reduce social contact and expanded the list of business that

should close immediately to include hairdressers, beauty and nail Salons.


https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus



Personal Care Services: Non-domestic Rates


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

officials in his Department have had discussions with officials in the Treasury on making

hairdressing salons eligible for business rate relief.

Paul Scully:

Under guidance published on 18th March, hereditaments that are being used for the

provision of hair and beauty services (such as hairdressers, nail bars, beauty salons,

tanning shops, etc.) do qualify for the grants. It will be for individual local authorities to

determine in each individual case when, having regard to this guidance, to grant

relief.

Post Offices: Franchises

Sam Tarry: [34417]


information his Department holds on Post Office Limited's criteria for awarding new

franchises.

Paul Scully:

While the Government sets the strategic direction for the Post Office, it allows the

company the commercial freedom to deliver this strategy as an independent

business. The criteria for awarding new franchises is an operational matter for Post

Office Limited.  I have therefore asked Nick Read, the Group Chief Executive of Post

Office Limited, to write to the hon. Member on this matter. A copy of his reply will be

placed in the Libraries of the House.

Sam Tarry: [34418]


information his Department holds on the number and location of Post Office franchises

awarded to ZCO Ltd in the latest period for which information is available.

Paul Scully:

While the Government sets the strategic direction for the Post Office, it allows the

company the commercial freedom to deliver this strategy as an independent

business. The number and location of Post Office franchises awarded to ZCO Ltd  is

an operational matter for Post Office Limited.  I have therefore asked Nick Read, the

Group Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the hon. Member on this

matter. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Retail Trade: Coronavirus

Thangam Debbonaire: [33742]


guidance his Department has issued to shop owners on protective measures for front line

food retail staff during the Covid-19 outbreak.






Paul Scully:

Government is clear that we must support people in work to do the right thing during

a Covid-19 outbreak. We are in regular conversations with industry, including the

British Retail Consortium and supermarket CEOs, to ensure it is well prepared to deal

with a range of scenarios and operations remain in line with the latest health

guidance.

We need everyone to do their bit to stop the spread of the virus. We all have a

responsibility to keep a distance from others – including while shopping.

Food shops that remain open will be expected to comply with requirements on people

to keep a distance from each other. We will continue working closely with

supermarkets to help them meet the demand for online deliveries. We’re also working

with local authorities to deliver essential items to those who are most vulnerable.

Rosie Duffield: [34396]

To ask the Secretary of State Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether builders'

merchants are defined as essential businesses, for the purposes of his Department's 23

March 2020 guidance entitled Further businesses and premises to close.

Nadhim Zahawi:

Construction plays a crucial role in supporting our public services, maintaining the

nation’s infrastructure, and providing safe, decent homes for people to live in.

Recently, the Government wrote to all those working in the construction sector to

thank them for the critical contribution they are making to the resilience of this

country.

Builders’ merchants are an essential part of the construction supply chain and it is

therefore important that they continue to operate. However, it is important that they

do so in accordance with the guidance issued by Public Health England, which is

available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-

coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance#construction

Retail Trade: Protective Clothing



Department is taking to ensure that protective equipment is provided for people working

in food shops during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nadhim Zahawi:

The Government is clear that we must support people in work to follow PHE guidance

during the Covid-19 outbreak. We have taken an evidence-based approach to the

use of PPE. For people working in supermarkets, based on current evidence,

practising good hand hygiene and social distancing is key to minimising the risk of

infection.







We are in regular conversations with industry, including the British Retail Consortium

and supermarket CEOs, to ensure it is well prepared to deal with a range of

scenarios and operations remain in line with the latest health guidance.

Security: Staff

Mr Kevan Jones: [34924]

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

to the covid-19 outbreak, whether workers that install electronic security systems are

classified as key workers.

Nadhim Zahawi:

Government has issued guidance on maintaining educational provision for the

children of critical workers during the Covid-19 outbreak. The guidance does not use

the term ‘key workers’.

Critical workers are defined as those whose work is critical to the Covid-19 response,

based on consultation across Government. This could include workers that install

electronic security systems, for example in hospitals. However, within the guidance

on critical workers, there is no blanket inclusion for workers in that particular

occupation, or in any other construction occupation.

Government policy remains that construction work should continue, provided that it is

undertaken in a manner consistent with the PHE guidance.

Telephone Services: Coronavirus

Alex Sobel: [34407]


Department is taking to encourage non-essential call centres to shut down or work from

home.

Nadhim Zahawi:

While the Government accepts that call centres may face specific technological

challenges in allowing staff to work from home, they are subject to the same advice

as every other employer. Where possible, people should work at home and where

they cannot, employers should ensure that the work environment is safe by following

relevant guidance from Public Health England.

Utilities: Billing



is taking to relieve the financial pressures of utility bills for people on lower incomes

during the covid-19 outbreak.






Kwasi Kwarteng:

The Secretary of State announced on 19 March that the Government, working with

Citizens Advice, Ofgem and Energy UK have secured an industry-wide agreement to

a set of principles for assisting consumers through difficulties caused by Covid-19 to:

• Identify and prioritise customers at risk

• Support customers who are impacted financially as a direct or indirect result of

Covid 19.

• Support prepayment meter customers directly or indirectly impacted by Covid 19 to

stay on supply.

• Provide information to their customers

The support offered will be based on the individual circumstances of the customer

and the systems, processes and capability of the supply company, but could include

extending discretionary or friendly credit, or sending out a pre-loaded top up card for

traditional prepay customers who are unable to top up.

Utilities: Staff

Tim Farron: [34937]


publish (a) a comprehensive list of what is deemed essential domestic utility work, (b)

instructions on whether utility workers should engage in non-essential work and (c) his

plans to ensure that employers (i) obey those instructions and (ii) support their workers to

do so.

Nadhim Zahawi:

Based on current medical advice, the Government has stated that workers can

continue to work when they cannot work from home, show no symptoms of Covid-19,

and live in a household where no person is self-isolating.

We encourage households to engage with tradespeople on this basis, so urgent

health and safety issues within homes can be inspected or remedied. Where such

work takes place, Public Health England’s social distancing guidelines should be

followed, which are available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-

the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance#tradespeople-and-

working-in-peoples-homes.

CABINET OFFICE

Advertising: Digital Technology

Bridget Phillipson: [33512]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much money from the public purse has

been spent on digital advertising on (a) the transition period and (b) public health advice

on Covid-19 in (i) February 2020 and (ii) since the beginning of March 2020.


https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance#tradespeople-and-working-in-peoples-homes






Chloe Smith:

Cabinet Office publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on

a rolling monthly basis on gov.uk as part of routine government transparency

arrangements.

Cleaning Services: Staff

Anneliese Dodds: [33763]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will make an assessment of

the potential merits of classifying cleaning staff as key workers.

Dawn Butler: [34926]

To ask the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an assessment

of the potential effect on the spread of covid-19 in public spaces of listing cleaners as key

workers.

Penny Mordaunt:

Our message to the British public is clear: stay at home, in order to protect the NHS

and save lives. The position remains, as outlined on gov.uk, that everyone who can

work from home should do so.

Where that is not possible, people should go into work where it is safe and they are

not symptomatic, isolating or shielding. Relevant guidance including from Public

Health England should be followed.

In terms of the provision of education for certain workers, it is already the case that

cleaners working in, for example, hospitals and social care could be eligible as long

as "their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public

service". This is set out here -

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

educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-

maintaining-educational-provision.

The Government has placed restrictions on the operations of certain businesses as

part of the strategy to ensure people stay at home and away from others. Separate

guidance has been published on this and is also available on gov.uk. Scientific

evidence supporting the government’s response is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-

sage-coronavirus-covid-19-response.

Constituencies


To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to bring forward proposals

for a UK-wide boundary review of parliamentary constituencies.

https://www.gov.uk/



https://www.gov.uk/





http://gov.uk/

http://gov.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage-coronavirus-covid-19-response






To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the basis was for there being 650

parliamentary constituencies.

Chloe Smith:

The Conservative Government committed, in its 2019 Manifesto, to delivering

updated and equal UK Parliamentary boundaries with the essential aim of making

sure that every vote counts the same - a cornerstone of democracy.

In the written statement of 24 March, ‘Update: Strengthening Democracy’

( HCWS183 ), the Government set out its policy position in relation to the boundaries

of UK Parliamentary constituencies. The statement noted that legislation currently

provides that, on implementation of the 2018 Boundary Review recommendations,

the number of constituencies in the UK shall be 600, and that the Government is

instead minded to make provision for the number of parliamentary constituencies to

remain at 650. This is a change in policy from the position previously legislated for

under the Coalition Government. Since that policy was established in the Coalition

Agreement, the United Kingdom has left the European Union. The UK Parliament will

have a greater workload now we are taking back control, abolishing MEPs and

regaining our political and economic independence. It is therefore sensible for the

number of parliamentary constituencies to remain at 650.

The written statement explained that, when Parliamentary time allows, the

Government is minded to bring forward primary legislation to set the framework for

future boundary reviews, including the next review due to begin in early 2021.

European Commission and European Parliament: Parliamentary Scrutiny


To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to enable MPs to

scrutinise decisions made by the European (a) Parliament and (b) Commission.

Penny Mordaunt:

The Government is committed to facilitating the scrutiny of EU decisions through the

House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee and the Lords EU Committee

during the transition period.

In addition, section 13A of the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (inserted by section 29 of

the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020) provides that if the House of Commons

European Scrutiny Committee or the Lords EU Committee publishes a report which

states that EU legislation, including Council Decisions, made during the transition

period raises a matter of vital national interest, a Minister must make arrangements

for a debate in the relevant House within 14 sitting days.

By the end of the year, we will be a fully independent and sovereign country: this

means that there will be no alignment with EU law and no jurisdiction of the European

Court of Justice.


https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2020-03-24/HCWS183/

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2020-03-24/HCWS183/



Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011


To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Government plans to bring forward

legislative proposals to amend the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011.

Chloe Smith:

The Queen’s Speech set out that “work will be taken forward to repeal the Fixed-term

Parliaments Act.” The Act led to parliamentary paralysis at a critical time for the

country and repealing the Act will make sure this doesn’t happen again. Further

announcements will be made in due course.

Members


To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what additional activities the Government

envisage Members of Parliament will undertake as a result of the abolition of British

Members of the European Parliament.

Penny Mordaunt:

The United Kingdom has left the European Union. At the end of this year we will have

recovered our economic and political independence. This means that there will be no

alignment with EU law and no jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

We will have control of our own trade; we will control our own migration policy

through an Australian style points-based system; our own laws and courts will be

supreme within the UK; we will regain control of UK fishing waters; our farmers will be

free from the bureaucratic CAP; and we will have the power to set our taxes. These

matters will be debated and decided by the people’s representatives in Parliament

and the devolved administrations.

Mobile Phones: Coronavirus

Chi Onwurah: [34345]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office, what use (a) the Government and (b)

local government is making of emergency messaging on mobile phones during the covid-

19 outbreak.

Penny Mordaunt:

National and local governments are using messaging to mobile phones as part of its

COVID-19 communications campaign to ensure people across the UK continue to

adhere to the guidance to 'stay at home, protect the NHS, and save lives.' This has

included the Government sending a message to all mobile phone users to highlight

the new rules in force. Local health providers, such as GP surgeries, are also using

mobile messaging to advise people of revised ways to access health care services.





Murder: Merseyside


To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of

trends in the murder rate in the Merseyside Police region.

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 [PQ34970.pdf]

National Income

Royston Smith: [34375]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the amount of

GDP that came from the sale of illegal drugs in 2018-19.

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 [PQ34375.pdf]

Parliamentary Scrutiny: Coronavirus

Mr Stephen Morgan: [34402]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what criteria the Government uses to

determine what work is essential during the covid-19 outbreak.

Penny Mordaunt:

The position as outlined on gov.uk is that everyone who can work from home should

do so.

When that is not possible, people should go into work provided they are not

symptomatic, isolating or shielding. Relevant guidance including from Public Health

England should be followed.

The Government has placed restrictions on the operations of certain businesses as

part of the strategy of enhanced social distancing. Separate guidance has been

published on this and is also available on gov.uk.


http://qna.files.parliament.uk/qna-attachments/1187776/original/PQ34970.pdf


http://qna.files.parliament.uk/qna-attachments/1187541/original/PQ34375.pdf


https://www.gov.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/


DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Broadband

Paul Howell: [901777]

What steps his Department is taking to expand the availability of gigabit-capable

broadband throughout the UK.

Matt Warman:

The Government is committed to delivering nationwide gigabit capable connectivity

as soon as possible. Much progress has already been made, with full fibre coverage

doubling in the past year to reach 10% of UK premises, according to the latest Ofcom

figures.

This Government will continue to take action to remove barriers to network rollout and

to ensure that those in the hardest to reach areas are not left behind. We have

introduced legislation to make it easier for operators to deploy broadband in blocks of

flats, will be legislating to mandate gigabit connectivity in new builds and will invest £5

billion of funding to support gigabit rollout in hard to reach areas.

Entertainments: Coronavirus

Martyn Day: [33631]

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

policy to discontinue plans for a Festival of Britain and reallocate funding allocated to that

purpose to supporting entertainment businesses during the covid-19 outbreak.

Caroline Dinenage:

The Department remains committed to delivering Festival 2022 which will showcase

the UK’s unique strengths in creativity and innovation and celebrate our place in the

world in the 21st century. Festival 2022 will be an opportunity to invest in DCMS

sectors as commissioning is expected to start later this year.

In the meantime, the Government has already set out a package to support public

services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-

19.

Mass Media: Coronavirus

Caroline Lucas: [34958]

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

has had with the Independent Community News Network on (a) the viability of and (b)

Government support for independent local media during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he

will make a statement.

Mr John Whittingdale:

The need for independent, verifiable news and information is more important than

ever, given the current crisis caused by the outbreak of Covid-19. The news

publishing sector’s sustainability and the continued provision of reliable, high-quality





information is therefore a priority for the Government. Ministers in the Department for

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport are actively engaging with stakeholders across the

media industry, including local and independent news publishing outlets, to

understand the challenges posed by the current crisis and to establish the most

effective means of supporting the whole of the industry.

Several measures have already been put in place as part of an unprecedented

package of support. The Business Interruption Loan, designed for small and medium

enterprises, could be helpful to local news publishers. Additionally, the Government is

supporting business through the Job Retention Scheme, VAT and tax deferrals, and

through covering the cost of statutory sick pay. We are committed to ensuring that

firms whose business models were viable before this crisis remain viable once it is

over.

Pop Festivals: Coronavirus

Alex Sobel: [34406]

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

provide financial assistance to the music industry for loss of revenue due to the

cancellation of (a) concerts and (b) festivals during the covid-19 outbreak.

Caroline Dinenage:

The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced measures to support businesses and

organisations that have been impacted by the pandemic. This includes the

Government stepping in to help pay people’s wages – a scheme which is one of the

most generous of any in the world – paying grants to support as many jobs as

necessary. Any employer in the country who promises to retain their staff, can apply

for a grant to cover most of the cost of paying people’s wages. Government grants

will cover 80 per cent of the salary of retained workers up to a total of £2,500 a

month, with this limit set well above the median income. The cost of wages will be

backdated to 1st March and will be open for at least three months. The Government

will consider extending the scheme for longer if necessary.

We are also deferring the next three months of VAT, a direct injection of £33 billion of

cash to employers which means no business will pay any VAT in March, April or May;

and they will have until the end of the financial year to repay those bills.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme will now be interest free for

twelve months, an extension from the initial announcement of six months. We have

already introduced and announced an extension to the Business Interruption Loan

Scheme, which is for small and medium-sized businesses. On 17 March the

Chancellor expanded the amount that can be borrowed from £1.2 million to £5

million.

The Chancellor has also announced measures to protect the self-employed and as

long as they fulfil the criteria for these measures, freelancers and the self employed in

the music industry will benefit from these measures. The Self-employment Income

Support Scheme (SEISS) will support self-employed individuals (including members



of partnerships) whose income has been negatively impacted by COVID-19. The

scheme will provide a grant to self-employed individuals or partnerships, worth 80%

of their profits up to a cap of £2,500 per month.

Voluntary Work: Coronavirus

Preet Kaur Gill: [34391]

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the

Prime Minister's broadcast announcement on Monday 23rd March 2020, what the

Government's policy is on the voluntary sector and community support groups that wish

to help vulnerable housebound and self-isolating people during the covid-19 epidemic;

and if he will make a statement.

Mr John Whittingdale:

We are working closely with voluntary sector organisations to identify key partners to

lead efforts and mobilise volunteers safely. The government launched the NHS

Volunteer Responders programme yesterday, however, this is not intended to replace

local groups helping their vulnerable neighbours but is an additional service.

EDUCATION

Apprentices: Coronavirus

Karin Smyth: [34369]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support the Government plans to

provide (a) businesses and (b) the education sector to maintain apprenticeships during


Gillian Keegan:

We are working with training providers, end-point assessment organisations and

external quality assurance organisations to support apprentices and employers

during this challenging time.

We are encouraging training providers to deliver training remotely and via e-learning

as far as is practicable. We are also allowing the modification of end-point

assessment arrangements, including remote assessments where possible, to ensure

that apprentices can continue to complete their apprenticeships.

We recognise that some apprentices may be unable to undertake training and that

training providers may be unable to deliver it at present. We have therefore

temporarily changed the funding rules to allow employers and training providers to

initiate a break in learning of over 4 weeks, enabling apprenticeships to resume when

it becomes possible to do so.




On 23 March 2020, we issued guidance setting out how the apprenticeship

programme is responding to the impact of Covid-19:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-

programme-response. We are keeping the guidance under review and will publish

updates as the situation evolves.

The government has set out a comprehensive package of support for business which

includes the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms to keep people in

employment: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-

and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses.

Apprentices: Training

Emma Hardy: [33625]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the

potential merits of allowing training providers to deliver apprenticeships via virtual

classrooms.

Gillian Keegan:

The government is committed to supporting apprentices and employers to continue to

build the skills capabilities that the country needs now and in the future. We are

working with training providers, end-point assessment organisations and external

quality assurance organisations during this challenging time to maintain the integrity

of apprenticeships and support employers and apprentices.

We are encouraging training providers to deliver training to apprentices remotely and

via e-learning as far as is practicable. We are allowing the modification of end-point

assessment arrangements, including remote assessments wherever practicable and

possible, to ensure that apprentices can continue to complete their apprenticeship,

despite any break that they need to take as a result of Covid-19.

Guidance issued on 23 March 2020 sets out how we are responding to the impact of

Covid-19. It details the temporary flexibilities that we are introducing to the

apprenticeship programme and provides answers to questions related to these

changes. The guidance can be found on the GOV.UK website here:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-

programme-response.

We are keeping the guidance under review and will publish updates as the situation

evolves.

Basic Skills: Standards

Emma Hardy: [33700]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy for the

assessment of Functional Skills that where testing is not possible tutors are able to

determine where a learner has achieved the requisite competency.

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-programme-response



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses









Gillian Keegan:

On 9 April, the Department for Education and Ofqual published details in relation to

the assessment approaches for vocational and technical qualifications. This sets out

that learners due to take assessments for Functional Skills qualifications before the

end of the summer will receive a calculated result.

Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/direction-issued-to-the-chief-regulator-

of-ofqual.

Care Leavers and Children in Care: Equality

Tim Loughton: [34297]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the

equality implications of his Department's proposals on unregulated provision for children

in care and care leavers for (a) disabled children and (b) children from black and minority

ethnic communities; and whether his Department has plans to publish an equality impact

assessment of those proposals.

Vicky Ford:

As part of the current consultation on reforms to unregulated provision for children in

care and care leavers the department is considering equality implications of the

proposals. An equality impact assessment will be published as part of the

government’s response to the consultation.

Childminding: Coronavirus

Emma Hardy: [33626]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect

of the covid-19 outbreak on the income of childminders; and what discussions he has had

with the Chancellor on providing childminders with income protection.

Vicky Ford:

The government has set out specific measures to support childcare providers during

the COVID-19 outbreak:

• We will continue to pay funding to local authorities for the early years entitlements

for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds

• To support private nurseries, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has also announced

that they will be eligible for a business rates holiday for one year from 1 April.

Childcare providers will also benefit from the wider measures the Chancellor of the

Exchequer has announced to support the people and businesses of the UK:

• A three-point plan announced in the Budget providing £12 billion of support for

public services, individuals and businesses whose finances are affected by the

outbreak

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/direction-issued-to-the-chief-regulator-of-ofqual






• A package to provide additional support for businesses and individuals totalling

£350 billion

• The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep people in

employment. This means that businesses can put workers on temporary leave and

the government will pay them cash grants of 80% of their wages up to a cap of

£2,500, providing they keep the worker employed

• A scheme to help the UK’s self-employed who are affected by the coronavirus

outbreak. The new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme will enable those

eligible to receive a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit

over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of

their income from self-employment

• On 28 March, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy

and Industrial Strategy, announced that the government will also temporarily

suspend the wrongful trading provisions to give company directors greater

confidence to use their best endeavours to continue trading during this pandemic

emergency, without the threat of personal liability should the company ultimately

fall into insolvency.

The government is also providing the following additional support:

• deferral of Self-Assesment income tax payments due in July 2020

• VAT payments due with VAT returns between now and the end June 2020 will be

deferred. UK VAT registered businesses will not need make those payments until

March 2021

• grants for businesses that pay little or no business rates

• increased amounts of Universal Credit

• the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

The latest guidance from the department for early years and childcare providers can

be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-

early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-

closures.

Judith Cummins: [33671]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to introduce financial

support for childminders affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

Vicky Ford:






that they will be eligible for a business rates holiday for one year from 1 April

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures










outbreak


£350 billion










• On 28 March, my right hon.Friend, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and

Industrial Strategy, announced that the government will also temporarily suspend

the wrongful trading provisions to give company directors greater confidence to use

their best endeavours to continue trading during this pandemic emergency, without

the threat of personal liability should the company ultimately fall into insolvency





March 2021

• grants for businesses that pay little or no bussiness rates


• the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme


be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-

childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures and

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

for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care.




https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care




Children: Coronavirus

Steve Reed: [33557]

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

the at-risk register are fully supported by professional staff throughout the covid-19

outbreak.

Vicky Ford:

Ensuring that vulnerable children remain protected is a top priority for government.

Local authorities have the key day-to-day responsibility for delivery of children’s

social care and we are working closely with them to ensure stability of services for

our most vulnerable children.

£1.6 billion of additional funding is being provided to support local authorities address

any pressures they are facing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including for

delivering children’s social care.

In addition, through the Coronavirus Act 2020 we have taken powers to bring

previously registered social workers onto the register of social workers held by the

regulator, Social Work England. Alongside this we have launched the Social Work

Together programme. Information about this is available at

www.socialworkengland.org.uk/news/social-work-together/.

The Government have also published guidance to local authorities accessible at

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-

social-care-services.

Dr Julian Lewis: [34295]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what contingency arrangements are in place

for the care of (a) SEN children and (b) dependent children in the event that their parents

are unable to care for them as a result of covid-19.

Vicky Ford:

The welfare of all children and young people, including those with special educational

needs or disabilities, and their parents or carers is a high priority for the government,

especially during this period of uncertainty. We are working closely with colleagues

across government to ensure that appropriate arrangements and support are in place

for all department sectors – from the early years and childcare, to schools and

children’s social care, and for vulnerable groups including children with special

educational needs.

We have given local authorities £1.6 billion of additional funding to help address the

pressures arising from COVID-19. That includes funding to meet the costs of

securing additional placements should that be needed. We are also considering what

more can be done to increase the supply of foster care placements.

We have published guidance on ongoing support for vulnerable children and

children’s social care:


http://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/news/social-work-together/

http://www.socialworkengland.org.uk/news/social-work-together/

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-social-care-services





• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-

vulnerable-children-and-young-people

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-

childrens-social-care-services

Children: Day Care

Steve Reed: [33553]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to mitigate staff

shortages in (a) children’s homes and (b) urgent children’s care services as a result of

covid-19.

Vicky Ford:

Ensuring that vulnerable children remain protected is a top priority for the

government. Local authorities have the key day-to-day responsibility for delivery of

children’s social care and we are working closely with them to ensure stability of

services for our most vulnerable children.


any pressures they are facing in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including in

providing children’s social care.

We recognise the extraordinary pressures on staffing across children’s homes and

the difficult decisions providers are making to keep homes operating safely. We

understand children’s homes are working closely with their local authorities on

continuity plans for staff shortages at a local level and we are working closely with

representative bodies to understand and monitor pressures, considering what further

support we can provide.

In regards to social work, through the Coronavirus Act, we have taken powers to

bring previously registered social workers onto the register of social workers held by

the regulator, Social Work England, and have launched ‘Social Work Together’ to

allow social workers to register their interest in returning to practice and to match

them with employers. We are also looking to give local authorities additional

flexibilities to meet the challenges of dealing with coronavirus.

The latest guidance can be found here:

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

childrens-social-care-services.

Tulip Siddiq: [33597]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether (a) childminders and (b) other

childcare providers outside of formal nursery settings will be required to provide childcare

to critical workers and parents of vulnerable children during the covid-19 pandemic.

Vicky Ford:

To limit the chance of the COVID-19 spreading, the government has asked parents to

keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked education settings to

remain open only for children of critical workers and the most vulnerable. This applies

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-people



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-social-care-services









to Ofsted-registered childcare settings, including childminders, nurseries and

wraparound childcare and clubs (before and after school, and holiday care).

Guidance for early years settings is available at:


childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures.


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what childcare provision early years settings

will provide for pre-school children who are vulnerable or whose parents are critical

workers during the covid-19 outbreak; and whether there will be changes to the

regulations on (a) qualifications of staff and (b) staff to child ratios.

Vicky Ford:

Early years and childcare settings, including childminders, nurseries and wraparound

childcare and clubs (before- and after- school and holiday care) remain open for

children who are vulnerable or whose parents are critical workers.

Guidance for early years providers is available at:


childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework welfare and

safeguarding requirements still apply, including qualifications of staff and staff to child

ratios. However, we are amending the regulations that will allow for the temporary

lifting/modifying of a small number of requirements within the EYFS. The EYFS

already allows for ratio flexibility in exceptional circumstances. For the qualification

requirements providers will be able to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that at

least half of staff (excluding the manager) hold at least a full and relevant Level 2

qualification to meet staff:child ratio requirements, but this will not be a legal

requirement. In maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained

schools caring for children aged three and over, settings should use their reasonable

endeavours to ensure that at least one member of staff is a school teacher. Where

this is not possible settings will be able to have one member of staff for every eight

children, at least one member of staff who holds at least a full and relevant level 3

qualification and providers should use their reasonable endeavours to ensure that at

least half of other staff hold at least a full and relevant level 2 qualification.

Alan Brown: [33633]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what financial support the Government will

provide to the childcare sector during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a

statement.

Vicky Ford:




















outbreak


£350 billion













confidence to use their best endeavours to continue trading during this pandemic

emergency, without the threat of personal liability should the company ultimately

fall into insolvency





March 2021

• grants for businesses that pay little or no business rates





be found here:





Children: Social Services

Steve Reed: [33554]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether it his policy that children’s social

care workers on temporary contracts who are not eligible for sick pay be paid in the event

that they self-isolate as a result of suspected covid-19.

Vicky Ford:

Local authorities have the day-to-day responsibility for their child and family social

care workforce and for the delivery of children’s social care including the terms and

conditions of their employees. We are working closely with them to support their

social care workforce, to provide stability of services for our most vulnerable children.


any pressures they are facing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including in

children’s social care.

We are working with the sector, the Treasury and other government departments to

assess COVID-19 related cost pressures on local authorities arising from children’s

social care. We are also closely monitoring what’s happening on the ground, to help

ensure social care workers get the support they need every step of the way in the

weeks and months ahead.

More generally, the government has announced a significant package of temporary

measures for those who may be unable to work. This includes a £20 per week

increase to the Universal Credit standard allowance and Working Tax Credit basic

element and nearly a £1 billion increase in support for renters through increases to

the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit

claimants. Taken together, these measures and those announced at Budget provide

over £6.5 billion additional support through the welfare system for people affected by

COVID-19. These changes will benefit all new and existing claimants.

Anyone can check their eligibility and apply for Universal Credit by visiting the

GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get.

Steve Reed: [33558]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is undertaking to

ensure that children’s social care workers who have no recourse to public funds

restrictions on their passports will be able to access Government assistance in the event

that they need to self-isolate and are unable to work during the covid-19 outbreak.








https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get



Vicky Ford:

The government has introduced a range of measures to provide assistance for those

affected by COVID-19, including those with no recourse to public funds (NRPF).

COVID-19 has been added to the list of communicable diseases so anyone

experiencing symptoms, regardless of their immigration status, will be treated for

free.

Eligible individuals with NRPF can also benefit from the unprecedented levels of

support the government is now also providing through the Coronavirus Job Retention

Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. The government has

also extended Statutory Sick Pay to be payable from Day 1 rather than Day 4 and

made Contributory Employment and Support Allowance available from the first day of

sickness rather than the eighth, subject to other eligibility criteria.

Free School Meals


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will set up a national scheme to provide

additional funding for schools to provide meals or vouchers for pupils eligible for free

school meals; and if he will make a statement.

Vicky Ford:

The continuing provision of free school meals to children from out of work families or

those on low incomes is of the utmost importance to this government. No child who

would ordinarily receive a free school meal should go without due to school closures

or having to self-isolate at home.

We are encouraging schools to speak to their catering team or provider to see if they

can prepare meals or food parcels that could be delivered to or collected by families,

ensuring they are distributed in line with social distancing guidelines.

If that is not possible, the department has launched a centrally-funded national

voucher scheme to support schools. Guidance is available at the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-

guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools.

We understand that other approaches, such as providing food parcels or purchasing

vouchers for shops currently not included in the national scheme, may mean that

schools incur additional expenses.

Further guidance is available setting out how we will compensate schools who incur

these additional costs: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-

covid-19-financial-support-for-schools.


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools



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




Free School Meals: Coronavirus

Kerry McCarthy: [33440]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the vouchers offered to children eligible for

free school meals during school closures will include support to cover the costs of

breakfast.

Vicky Ford:

We have developed a national scheme to provide supermarket vouchers for children

eligible for free school meals who are not attending school. Schools who chose to

participate will not have to pay for these vouchers as the costs for this scheme will be

picked up centrally by the Department for Education. Schools will have received an

email as of Tuesday 31 March which will allow them to access the portal.

Schools are able to order a voucher to the value of £15 each week for every child

eligible for benefits related free school meals who is not attending school. This is

more generous than the weekly amount provided to schools for provision of free

school meals, recognising that families will not buy in bulk and will therefore not be

able to achieve the same economies of scale.

Alongside our national approach to supporting free school meal pupils, we are

committed to supporting schools and children who also benefit from our breakfast

club programme. Our suppliers, Family Action along with Magic Breakfast, are in

contact with schools on the programme and, where possible, are working closely with

them to reach children who would normally receive a healthy breakfast at school.

Full guidance on the national voucher scheme is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-

guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools.


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the proportion

and number of children in receipt of free school meals who will not be attending school

during the covid-19-related closures; and (b) what steps his Department is taking to

ensure those children are provided with alternative meal provision.

Vicky Ford:

Under the benefits-based criteria, there are currently around 1.3 million pupils eligible

for and claiming a free school meal. The continuing provision of free school meals to

children from out of work families or those on low incomes is of the utmost

importance to this government.

Where schools and other educational settings remain open for children of critical

workers and vulnerable children, they will continue to provide free school meals to

attending children who would normally receive them.

We have published guidance explaining what schools should do to make sure eligible

pupils have continued access to benefits-related free school meals where the pupil

has to stay at home due to school closures. This guidance is available at the







following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-

meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools.

GCE A-level and GCSE: Assessments


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made

of the (a) accuracy of predicted grades for (i) GCSEs and (ii) A-Levels and (b) potential

effect of unconscious bias on those predicted grades in terms of (A) gender and (B) race.

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.

Higher Education: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions his Department is having

with universities and higher education providers to ensure that students who are unable

to sit their exams for A-Levels and other qualifications as a result of school closures are

able to access higher education in the next academic year.

Michelle Donelan:

The calculated grades awarded this year will be formal grades, with the same status

as grades awarded in any other year. The higher education sector has recognised

this and is working with us to ensure that this year’s cohort of A-Level students are at

no disadvantage when it comes to progression to university because of these

unprecedented circumstances.

Department officials are working closely with Ofqual, UCAS, Universities UK, the

Office for Students and others to ensure that the admissions system functions as

effectively and efficiently as possible during this unprecedented time.

The latest guidance for schools and other educational settings can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-

schools-and-other-educational-settings.

Home Education: Coronavirus

Catherine McKinnell: [33516]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, what

steps he is taking to ensure home-schooled pupils can obtain Key Stage 4 qualifications.

Nick Gibb:

As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced to the

House on 18 March, the Government has taken the difficult decision to cancel all

examinations due to take place in schools and colleges in England this summer, as

part of the fight to prevent the spread of coronavirus.






https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-schools-and-other-educational-settings





The Department’s priority is to ensure that students can move on as planned to the

next stage of their lives, including starting university, college or sixth form courses, an

apprenticeship or a job. For students at Key Stage 4 taking GCSEs and technical

awards, we will ensure they are awarded a grade which reflects their work. Our

intention is that a grade will be awarded this summer based on the best available

evidence, including any non-examination assessment that students have completed.

This will apply to home-schooled pupils and to other private candidates where the

head of the examination centre is confident that they and their staff have seen

sufficient evidence of students’ achievements to make objective judgements. If they

wish to do so, home-schooled students and others will have the option to sit an

examination as soon as is reasonably possible after the beginning of the academic

year.

Ofqual is urgently exploring whether there are alternative options for those students

who do not have an existing relationship with an examination centre and who need

results this summer for progression purposes. Ofqual published a consultation on the

treatment of private candidates and other issues on 15 April.

Nurseries: Coronavirus

Mr Virendra Sharma: [33477]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to

support private nurseries that are facing a loss of revenue as a result of restrictions

implemented during the covid-19 outbreak to maintain places.

Vicky Ford:

The government has set out specific measures to support childcare providers,

including:

• Funding for the government’s early years entitlements will continue being paid to

local authorities

• Nurseries being among the businesses eligible for a business rates holiday for one

year from 1 April





outbreak


£350 billion







• The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme to enable those eligible to receive a

cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three

years.

More details on the support available are included in the latest guidance for early

years settings, which can be found here:


childcare-closures



We continue to work closely with the early years sector and remain committed to

doing all we can to support childcare providers through this uncertain period. We will

publish further guidance where appropriate.


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department will underwrite

losses incurred by private nurseries that have been mandated to stay open by

Government during the covid-19 pandemic.

Vicky Ford:











outbreak


£350 billion










https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures











confidence to use their best endeavours to continue trading during this outbreak,

without the threat of personal liability should the company ultimately fall into

insolvency.





March 2021

• grants for businesses that pay little or no bussiness rates




be found here:





Louise Haigh: [33710]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support will be available to parents

whose nurseries continue to charge them while the nursery is closed as a result of the

covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Barry Sheerman: [34310]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to ensure that parents

that are required to pay childcare fees while caring for their children at home do not face

financial hardship as a result of paying those fees and losing income due to the covid-19

outbreak.

Vicky Ford:

We are working hard to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on all parts of our society,

including individuals and business. Childcare providers have individual agreements

with parents and therefore we urge all childcare providers to be reasonable and

balanced in their dealings with parents, given the great uncertainty they will be facing

too.

We have announced that we will continue to pay funding to local authorities for the

early years entitlements for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds, and private nurseries are eligible for

a business rates holiday for one year from 1 April. Childcare providers will also be

eligible for wider support measures announced by the government.










Guidance for early years settings can be found at the following links:






To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with the

Chancellor of the Exchequer on flexibility for private nurseries that have been mandated

to stay open during the covid-19 outbreak to allow their staff to go on furlough and then to

bring them back into work should demand require it.

Vicky Ford:

As both my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer

have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected

by COVID 19.

Our latest guidance on financial support for education, early years and children’s

social care is set out below:


for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care

These are rapidly developing circumstances; we continue to keep the situation under

review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.

Schools: Coronavirus



support schools remaining open for vulnerable children and children whose parents are

key workers during (a) the Easter holidays and (b) bank holidays.

Nick Gibb:

Schools will continue to receive their budgets for the coming year, as usual,

regardless of any periods of partial or complete closure. This will ensure that they are

able to continue to pay their staff and meet their other regular financial commitments,

as we move through these extraordinary times.

The Department recognises that schools may face additional costs as a result of

COVID-19. We have put in place a new process to reimburse schools for exceptional

costs they may be facing. This includes support for pupils who are eligible for free

school meals but cannot attend school and are not covered by the national voucher

scheme, and additional premises costs for schools that remain open through the

Easter holidays.

The scheme will give schools the reassurances they need to enable them to

concentrate on their vital role in supporting the nation through this crisis. Details of

the scheme were published on 7 April and are available here:














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

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

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: [33600]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans his Department has to ensure

that young people maintain access to free period products whilst schools are shut as a

result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Vicky Ford:

The department introduced the Period Products Scheme to ensure that everyone has

access to period products when they need them at school or college.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, schools and colleges will be able to order products

through the established route and distribute them to learners who need them.


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has for the continuation of the

(a) School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme and (b) delivery of free sanitary products to

schools whilst schools are closed during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a

statement.

Vicky Ford:

We are currently working with officials at the Department for Health and Social Care

(DHSC) to consider plans for the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme during this

period and will provide more information shortly. The scheme is led by the DHSC and

is managed by NHS Supply Chain. It is jointly funded by the DHSC and the

Department for Education.

Schools and colleges that continue operating throughout the COVID-19 outbreak will

continue to be able to order products from the Period Products Scheme and distribute

them to students who need them.

Students: Coronavirus


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

students can continue to access student finance during the covid-19 outbreak.

Michelle Donelan:

The Student Loans Company will continue to make scheduled tuition payments to

providers for the remainder of the current, 2019/20, academic year.

Students will also continue to receive scheduled payments of loans towards their

living costs for 2019/20. Both tuition and living costs payments will continue

irrespective of closures or whether learning has moved online.

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








Students: Loans

Kate Osborne: [34416]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether students will receive maintenance

loans whilst their schools or colleges are closed during the covid-19 outbreak.

Michelle Donelan:

The Student Loans Company (SLC) will make term 3 (summer term) tuition fee

payments as scheduled and college students will continue to receive maintenance

payments on the scheduled dates, whether or not campuses are closed or learning

has been moved online.

Teachers: Coronavirus



protect teachers from covid-19 infection whilst they look after the children of key workers


Nick Gibb:

School leaders, teachers and support staff are central to the country’s response to

coronavirus (COVID-19) and we thank them wholeheartedly for their support at this

difficult time.

It is important to underline that schools remain safe places for children and staff.

Fewer people making the journey to school and fewer people in educational settings

will reduce the risks of spreading the virus.

The Government’s guidance on COVID-19 for educational settings is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-

covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19.

Advice on implementing social distancing in education and childcare settings can be

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

implementing-social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings.

Public Health England’s advice about how to help stop the spread of the virus and

stay safe is available here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19.

The Government is strongly advising people, including education staff, with serious

underlying health conditions which put them at very high risk of severe illness from

COVID-19 to follow shielding measures in order to keep themselves safe. Staff in this

position must not attend work. More advice on shielding can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-

extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19.



https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19



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



https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19




ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Animal Welfare

Theresa Villiers: [33445]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has

to bring forward legislative proposals on animal sentience.

Victoria Prentis:

The Government has committed to bringing in new laws on animal sentience. Any

necessary changes required to domestic legislation will be made in a rigorous and

comprehensive way after the transition period and will be brought forward when

Parliamentary time allows. Defra is currently assessing how best to support

Government departments in considering the welfare needs of sentient animals when

they are developing and implementing Government policy.

Defra engages with a wide range of stakeholders on a number of animal welfare

issues, including animal sentience.

Dogs: Animal Breeding

Alex Norris: [34397]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the

proposed ban on third party sales of puppies will prohibit breeders that breed dogs

outside England from selling those dogs in England.

Victoria Prentis:

It will be for the local authority responsible for licensing a business to be satisfied that

a licence holder has bred the animals they are selling. Defra has updated the

statutory guidance on pet selling, and this also covers how to be assured that

someone offering a puppy for sale has bred it themselves. The law does not explicitly

prohibit sales by someone who is licensed to sell a puppy in England having bred that

puppy outside of England. However Defra’s recently launched Petfished campaign

provides further guidance for the public on how to source puppies responsibly and

this includes signposting to reputable suppliers (like Kennel Club Assured Breeders

or licensed breeders) and advising that prospective buyers should always ask to see

the puppy interacting with its mother and siblings where it was bred prior to making

any purchasing decisions.

Flood Control: Finance

Craig Whittaker: [33498]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether claimants

of flood resilience grants can reapply if the measures installed by that grant are damaged

in a subsequent flood.





Rebecca Pow:

Flooding has a devastating impact on people’s lives which is why we launched the

Property Flood Resilience (PFR) grant in November 2019 and again in February this

year.

The Defra PFR grants are intended as one-off payments to assist home or business

owners in making their properties resilient to future floods as a part of the repair

process. They are not intended as compensation or relief funding. To provide good

value for public money, if a property has already been made more resilient through a

previous PFR scheme, there should be no need for a further grant.

Home insurance policies generally put properties back to the state they were in

before the flood. This should mean that those people who adapted their properties

should be able to secure repairs from their home insurer. Similarly, some items may

be covered by product guarantees.

The grant is therefore not available to repair damage caused to previous resilience

measures.

Flood Control: South Yorkshire

Alexander Stafford: [35064]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent

assessment he has made of the effect of river dredging on levels of flooding in South

Yorkshire.

Rebecca Pow:

I refer my honourable Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Barnsley

Central on 2 March 2020, Parliamentary Question UIN 23628

[https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-

statements/written-question/Commons/2020-03-02/23628/].

Food Supply: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is

taking to ensure an adequate supply of food for key workers.

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: [33455]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the

Government has for securing the food supply for key workers during the covid-19

outbreak.


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his

Department is taking to secure the food supply for key workers.






Victoria Prentis:

The Government has well-established ways of working with the food industry during

disruption to supply situations. Our retailers already have highly resilient supply

chains and they have adapted quickly to these changes in demand to ensure people

have the food and products they need. Food supply into and across the UK is

resilient.

To help the industry to respond to this unprecedented demand we have introduced

new measures to support businesses to keep food supply flowing on to shelves and

into homes. These include temporary relaxation of competition laws to allow

supermarkets to work together, extending delivery hours to supermarkets and flexing

rules on drivers’ hours to allow a higher frequency of deliveries to stores to ensure

shelves are being replenished more quickly.

Supermarkets are already protecting shopping time for certain key workers. For

example, several supermarkets have priority shopping hours for NHS staff and social

care workers. We remain in close contact with industry on how they can support

keyworkers.


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the

Government has to ensure the delivery of food to people in self-isolation; and when such

plans will be in operation.

Victoria Prentis:

I continue to have regular conversations with retailers and the wider supply chain so

that we can take the action required to make sure that everyone can get the food and

groceries they need.

We have put in place measures to ensure that those identified by the NHS as being

extremely clinically vulnerable and who are without a support network of friends and

family receive basic food and essential supplies. Packages of essential groceries are

being delivered across England to people in this category, which should arrive within

seven days after support is requested via the online NHS webportal or via the phone.

In addition, we have worked with supermarkets to place these customers at the front

of the queue for online delivery slots.

We are working quickly to support people who do not fall into the category of being

clinically vulnerable, but still need help getting essential food supplies. I regularly

speak to other departments, industry, charities and local authorities, working together

to make sure that the non-shielding vulnerable have access to food.

Many people are already being well supported by their friends, families, neighbours

and local communities. We are working with retailers and the voluntary sector to

ensure that people are supported to shop for others safely.

Over 750,000 people across England signed up as NHS Volunteer Responders via

the mobile app GoodSam. Over 600,000 volunteers have been verified as NHS

Volunteer Responders via the Good Sam platform, and can now receive tasks to help



those in their communities. These volunteers will help vulnerable people in England

who are at most risk from coronavirus to stay well, including through shopping for

vulnerable people for food and essential supplies.

Litter


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the remit

of the proposed Office of Environmental Protection will include holding public bodies to

account on compliance with duties to collect litter.

Rebecca Pow:

The Office of Environmental Protection (OEP) will be established with the principal

objective of contributing to environmental protection and the improvement of the

natural environment. The OEP will have powers that will enable it to hold all public

authorities to account for their implementation of any legislative provisions that fall

under the definition of environmental law as set out in the Environment Bill. In this

context, the OEP’s remit is not defined by reference to specific subjects such as litter,

but rather by reference to the question of whether legislation is mainly concerned with

environmental protection. The OEP will also need to consider the seriousness of any

alleged breach, and whether there are more appropriate avenues to resolve the

matter, in determining where and how to act in relation to any specific case.

Legal duties in relation to litter, or indeed any other subject, would therefore need to

be considered against the definition of environmental law in the Environment Bill in

order to determine whether the OEP has powers to act. This will be for the OEP to

assess in the first instance.

Litter: Standards


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the

targets to be set under the Environment Bill will include a target on litter.

Rebecca Pow:

The Government will be required to set at least one target for each of the four priority

areas: air quality; biodiversity; water; and waste reduction and resource efficiency.

The power to set targets will not be limited to these four priority areas. Long-term

targets could be set in respect of any matter which relates to the natural environment,

or people’s enjoyment of it, in order to drive significant improvement of the

environment.

Milk: Prices

Ben Lake: [33705]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent

discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on tackling the difference between

the cost of milk production and the price paid for milk.





Victoria Prentis:

We want all milk producers to get a fair price for their produce and are committed to

tackling the unfairness that can exist in the dairy supply chain.

Through the Government’s Agriculture Bill, introduced on 12 September, we will

launch a range of initiatives to improve the position of milk producers. We will

introduce and enforce statutory codes of practice to address unfair trading practices

which can occur between milk producers and purchasers.

We remain committed to a full consultation on dairy contracts to take account of the

range of stakeholder views. We have worked closely with officials in all Devolved

Administrations to develop this consultation and are committed to creating a statutory

code that is sustainable and effective in each nation.

Polychlorinated Biphenyl: EU Law


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the

Answer of 9 March 2020 to Question 22381 on Polychlorinated Biphenyl, if she will place

in the Library all data submitted by the UK to the EU as part of the inventories of open

and closed sources of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) under Directive 96/59/EC; and

whether that data so submitted included PCB wastes disposed of in solid or liquid

containment from UK landfill sites.

Rebecca Pow:

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Directive 96/59/EC requires Member States to

produce an inventory of closed source PCB equipment with more than 0.005% PCB

contamination. The Environment Agency holds this inventory for England and Wales

and updates it annually in July. After the initial list, produced in the late 1990s, this

information is not sent to the EU but can be viewed on request to the Environment

Agency.

The inventory data does not include information on the disposal of PCB waste, but

since the domestic PCB regulation ‘The Environmental Protection (Disposal of

Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (England and Wales)

Regulations 2000’ came into force it has been illegal to dispose of PCBs in landfill. All

PCB liquid and materials must be destroyed or irreversibly transformed, usually by

high temperature incineration.

Supermarkets: Coronavirus

Afzal Khan: [35049]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment

he has made of the accuracy of reports that supermarkets are raising prices for basic

staple foods during the covid-19 outbreak.

Victoria Prentis:

It is not for the UK Government to set retail food prices or comment on day-to-day

commercial decisions. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has developed a




timely indication of price change for high-demand products (HDP) covering the period

16 March to 5 April 2020. A weekly index is being produced for each of these items.

In the most recently published release (week to 5 April) prices for food items in the

HDP basket were 0.4% higher than the base period starting 16 March.

These are not national statistics and Government will also continue to monitor the

monthly Consumer Prices Index including Housing Costs (CPIH) for food prices.

Veterinary Medicine: Coronavirus

Alison Thewliss: [33639]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether vets,

veterinary nurses and people in related professions are key workers under the covid-19

guidance.

Victoria Prentis:

The designation of key workers is a devolved matter and the Scottish Government

has published guidance covering Scotland.

The Scottish Government has defined categories of workers as a guide for Local

Authorities to use when designating key workers. This approach means there may be

slight differences in each community in Scotland to address local priorities.

The relevant section of the Government covid-19 guidance, Food and other

necessary goods, states that the key worker status includes those involved in food

production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery, as well as those essential to

the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines).

For more information relating to key worker status for vets please refer to the

guidance found at:

www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/coronavirus-rcvs-and-bva-issue-joint-

guidance-on-key-worker.

For more information on key workers in general please refer to the GOV.UK website

at:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-

provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-

educational-provision.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Animals: Markets

Sir John Hayes: [34901]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions

he has had with his international counterparts on closing all markets selling wild animals

for consumption in (a) China and (b) throughout the world.


http://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/coronavirus-rcvs-and-bva-issue-joint-guidance-on-key-worker



http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision






Nigel Adams:

As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was

after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis,

I submitted a response by email on 2 April, with the following response. The Table

Office have agreed this approach.

Pandemics arise as a combination of events and are a global concern. The origin of

the Covid-19 virus is not yet clear, although it has been linked to viruses occurring in

animals. The UK is at the forefront of international efforts to regulate global trade in

wild animals and my officials regularly raise our concerns with other governments,

including China, and with international authorities. The World Animal Health

Organisation, of which the UK is a member, will be addressing wildlife trade at the

next general session in May 2020. On 24 February 2020 China's National People's

Congress passed a law banning the wildlife trade and the consumption of wild

animals.

Australasia: Coronavirus

Sir David Evennett: [34919]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his

Department is taking to repatriate British citizens from (a) Australia and (b) New Zealand

affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Adams:





We are proactively engaging commercial airlines and governments worldwide,

including for Australia and New Zealand, on keeping flight routes and transit hubs

open to enable British Nationals to return home. Our High Commissioner in Canberra

has written to the Australian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister on this issue. We

are signposting British nationals to commercial flight options and continuing to

explore new routes by which they can travel home. We have also set up an online

registration tool for any British Nationals in Australia who require our support. Found

at: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/australia/return-to-the-uk

In New Zealand, the British High Commission in Wellington is fully staffed and doing

all it can to support British Nationals at this time, including finding routes home. Our

High Commission remains open to issue emergency travel documents. However,

given the New Zealand Government's directive on social distancing, we are asking

people not to visit our High Commission in Wellington or our Consulate in Auckland in

person, and instead reach out via our online webform. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-

travel-advice/new-zealand/coronavirus



Australia: Coronavirus

Rebecca Long Bailey: [34367]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent

discussions he held with his Australian counterpart on the extent to which closed borders

may potentially prevent British citizens in Australia from returning to the UK; and what

assessment he has made of the ability of those British citizens to purchase commercial

flight tickets in order to return to the UK.

Nigel Adams:

Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email

on 27 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this

approach.

We are proactively engaging commercial airlines and governments worldwide,

including Australia, on keeping flight routes and transit hubs open to enable British

nationals to return home. Our British High Commissioner in Canberra has written to

the Australian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister on this issue. We are signposting

British nationals to commercial flight options and continuing to explore new routes by

which then can travel home. We have also set up an online registration tool for any

British nationals in Australia who require our support. The Prime Minister last spoke

to PM Morrison about the broader COVID-19 crisis on 14 March.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Martyn Day: [33641]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what (a) financial

and (b) other support the Government plans to provide to UK nationals stranded

overseas and unable to return to the UK as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Adams:


on 26 March, with the following response.The Table Office have agreed this

approach.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides information on what to do and who

to contact if British nationals require financial assistance abroad:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-assistance-abroad/financial-

assistance-abroad. We are helping to reduce travel costs by encouraging airlines to

have maximum flexibility on changing return tickets. Where people are in real need,

our consular teams will work with them to consider their options and, as a last resort,

offer an emergency loan. We have also published advice for British nationals who do

not have immediate departure options available to them:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus#if-youre-abroad-and-

you-want-to-return-to-the-uk.

We are working closely with local authorities, commercial airlines and other

diplomatic missions to enable British people to get home. Our consular team is




working around the clock to provide support, advice and information. The situation is

fast moving, and our advice at this time is for British nationals to secure safe

accommodation and to speak to their tour operator, airline and insurance company to

discuss the options available to them. Consular teams are continuing to support

British people who are experiencing disruption. We are working intensively with the

Governments of those countries that have closed their borders to people travelling to

and from the UK, to enable airlines to bring back British people to the UK, if that is

what they want. We are providing direct support to individuals through our contact

centre and consular teams, but call volumes are high. In light of the rapidly changing

situation, we urge all travellers to sign up for our travel advice alert service. We will

keep the situation under review and remain in contact with the airline operators and

authorities overseas to facilitate return travel.


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the

Government is taking to allow UK citizens to access long-term medication if they are

abroad and unable to return to the UK during the covid-19 outbreak; and what

discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on

establishing reciprocal arrangements for long term medication for non-UK residents who

are in the UK.

Nigel Adams:



approach.

We are in close contact with the local authorities and are providing consular

assistance to all British Nationals currently abroad who request it. This includes

providing assistance in securing long-term medication for those who are unable to

return to the UK.

We are exploring the possibility of reciprocal arrangements for long term medication

for non-UK residents who are in the UK. The British Government is working closely

with industry, the NHS and others in the supply chain to help ensure patients,

including non-UK residents, can access the medicines they need and precautions are

in place to reduce the likelihood of future shortages. The Department for Health and

Social Care shares regular information about impending supply issues and the

management plan with the NHS via networks in primary and secondary care and will

liaise with relevant patient groups about issues affecting specific medicines.

Stephanie Peacock: [33708]


Department is taking to help UK citizens stranded overseas as a result of the covid-19

outbreak.




Nigel Adams:



approach.



working around the clock to provide support, advice and information. The situation is

fast moving, and our advice at this time is for British nationals to secure safe

accommodation and to speak to their tour operator, airline and insurance company to

discuss the options available to them. Consular teams are continuing to support

British people who are experiencing disruption. We are working intensively with the

Governments of those countries that have closed their borders to people travelling to

and from the UK, to enable airlines to bring back British people to the UK, if that is

what they want. British people abroad should keep up to date with our travel advice

for the country/territory they are in. We have published advice for British nationals

who do not have immediate departure options available to them:


you-want-to-return-to-the-uk.


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his

Department is providing to UK citizens who cannot get in touch with the airline that has

cancelled their flight back to the UK.

Nigel Adams:



approach.

Consular staff at local embassies are working around the clock to provide support,

advice and information. The British Government is working with airlines to keep

routes open and is calling for international action to keep air routes open for a

sufficient period of time to enable international travellers to return on commercial

flights. British people abroad should keep up to date with our travel advice for the

country/territory they are in. We have published advice for British nationals who do



you-want-to-return-to-the-uk

Nadia Whittome: [34425]


he has had with travel insurance providers on supporting UK nationals overseas who are

in the extremely vulnerable category and advised to shield from coronavirus.




Nigel Adams:



approach.

As the Foreign Secretary stated in the House on 24 March, we are prioritising the

most vulnerable. We are in regular contact with the insurance industry to keep the

information on our travel advice pages up to date, and continue to work with all

partners to ensure that the most vulnerable passengers receive the help they require.


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will issue

guidance on whether UK nationals overseas who have been advised to shield from

coronavirus should return to the UK.

Nigel Adams:



approach.

British nationals should follow the instructions of local authorities and take into

account medical advice specific to their personal circumstances. In general, the

Foreign and Commonwealth Office has recommended that all British nationals who

live in the UK and are currently travelling abroad, whether working or on holiday,

should return now, where and while there are still commercial routes available.

International travel is becoming more difficult with the closure of land borders and

further restrictions, such as on freedom of movement, are being introduced daily.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office teams around the world are working urgently to

ensure that governments have sensible plans to enable the return of British and other

travellers, and ensure that the most vulnerable travellers receive the help they

require.

Tim Farron: [34941]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps

to ensure that British citizens overseas are returned home by 21 April 2020 in response

to the covid-19 pandemic.

Nigel Adams:





The Foreign Secretary announced on 30 March an important new partnership

between the Government and airlines to fly home more stranded British travellers,

where commercial routes do not exist. The Government will provide up to £75 million

financial support to enable special charter flights to priority countries, operated by

airlines including British Airways, Virgin, Easyjet, Jet 2 and Titan. This service has




already begun, with flights from Peru, Senegal, UAE, Ecuador, Bolivia, Ghana,

Algeria and Tunisia as of 6th April.

Our consular team is working around the clock to provide support, advice and

information. The situation is fast moving, and our advice at this time is for British

nationals to secure safe accommodation and to speak to their tour operator, airline

and or insurance company to discuss the options available to them. We are working

intensively with the governments of those countries that have closed their borders to

people travelling to and from the UK, to enable airlines to bring British Nationals

home.

British Nationals abroad should keep up to date with our travel advice for the

country/territory they are in. We have published advice for British Nationals who do



you-want-to-return-to-the-uk

Tim Farron: [34945]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has

to commission emergency flights from the UK to repatriate British citizens stranded

overseas as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

Tim Farron: [34948]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps

he has taken to enable the use of unused planes at airports to repatriate British citizens.

Nigel Adams:






between the Government and airlines to fly home more stranded British travelers,






Tim Farron: [34946]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is

taking to return home British citizens trapped in places where (a) the British embassy is

closed, (b) commercial flights are not available, (c) consular services cannot be

accessed, (d) they have no access to hotels and (e) they are subject to curfews that

prohibit them accessing required travel facilities.





Nigel Adams:





Posts are continuing to carry out essential work including providing 24/7 consular

assistance and support to British people overseas. International travel is becoming

more difficult with the closure of land borders and further restrictions, such as on

freedom of movement, are being introduced daily. Foreign and Commonwealth Office

teams around the world are working urgently to ensure that governments have

sensible plans to enable the return of British and other travellers. British people

abroad should keep up to date with our travel advice for the country/territory they are

in. We have published advice for British Nationals who do not have immediate

departure options available to them: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-

novel-coronavirus#if-youre-abroad-and-you-want-to-return-to-the-uk

Tim Farron: [34947]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has

had recent discussions with airlines on the use of unused planes around the world to

return British citizens home as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement.

Nigel Adams:












Foreign and Commonwealth Office teams around the world are working urgently to

ensure that governments have sensible plans to enable the return of British and other

travellers, and, crucially, to keep borders open for a sufficient period of time to enable

returns to take place on commercial flights, wherever possible.

Cayman Islands: Taxation

Gavin Robinson: [34986]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment

he has made of the implications for his policies of the blacklisting of the Cayman Islands

by the EU ECOFIN Committee on 18 February 2020.






he has had with his counterpart in the Cayman Islands on the blacklisting of that country

by the EU ECOFIN Committee on 18 February 2020.


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has

plans to provide support to his counterpart in the Cayman Islands for the removal of that

country from the list of blacklisted countries held by the EU ECOFIN Committee.


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what

representations he has made to his EU counterparts on the blacklisting of the Cayman

Islands by the EU ECOFIN Committee.



he has made of the risk that Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories other than

the Cayman Islands may be blacklisted by the EU ECOFIN Committee.

Wendy Morton:

As a self-governing and fiscally autonomous jurisdiction, the Cayman Islands make

commitments independently of the UK. We encourage the Cayman Islands and the

EU to work closely together to resolve any outstanding issues.

The UK supports adherence to international tax standards and we encourage the

governments of all Overseas Territories to work with the EU to deliver on their

commitments. This is a message the Minister for the Overseas Territories conveys in

her regular contact with the governments of the Overseas Territories. We welcome

the measures which the Cayman Islands have put in place.

China: Coronavirus



he has made of the validity of information from the Chinese Government on the initial

outbreak of covid-19.

Nigel Adams:





We have been in regular contact with the Chinese authorities at all levels since the

onset of the Covid-19 outbreak, including on 23 March when the Prime Minister

spoke to President Xi Jinping. We have continued to underline the importance of full

and open data sharing to advance our understanding of the virus and the global







response. We have raised this through our Ambassador in Beijing and in meetings

with the Chinese Embassy in London.



his Department has made of whether information was suppressed by the Chinese

Government after the initial outbreak of covid-19 in Wuhan Province.

Nigel Adams:





We have been in regular contact with the Chinese authorities at all levels since the

onset of the Covid-19 outbreak, including on 23 March when the Prime Minister

spoke to President Xi Jinping. We have continued to underline the importance of full

and open data sharing to advance our understanding of the virus and the global

response. We have raised this through our Ambassador in Beijing and in meetings

with the Chinese Embassy in London.

China: Uighurs

David Linden: [33621]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make

representations to his Chinese counterpart on (a) closing the re-education camps in

Xinjiang and (b) protecting elderly people detained in those camps from covid-19.

Nigel Adams:



approach.

The risk of the spread of COVID-19 in places of detention is a matter of concern in a

number of countries around the world.

We have consistently made clear our serious concerns about the human rights

situation in Xinjiang, including the extra-judicial detention of over a million Uyghur

Muslims and other minorities in "political re-education camps".

On 9 March, the Foreign Secretary directly raised these concerns with his Chinese

counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. On 10 March at the 43rd

session of the UN Human Rights Council, the UK used its national statement to raise

concerns about systematic human rights violations and reports of forced labour in

Xinjiang. We continue to urge China to implement UN recommendations - to end the

practice of extra-judicial detention of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities, and to

allow UN observers unfettered access to the region.






his Department has made of the accuracy of the conclusion of the US Commission on

International Religious Freedom report on COVID-19, which stated that limited access to

medical resources and the concentration of elderly detainees in the re-education camps

in Xinjiang could lead to a humanitarian disaster.

Nigel Adams:



approach.

The risk of the spread of COVID-19 in places of detention is a matter of concern in a

number of countries around the world. We are aware of the US Commission on

International Religious Freedom report and will consider its findings.

We have consistently made clear our serious concerns about the human rights

situation in Xinjiang, including the extra-judicial detention of over a million Uyghur

Muslims and other minorities in "political re-education camps".

On 9 March, the Foreign Secretary directly raised these concerns with his Chinese

counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. On 10 March at the 43rd

session of the UN Human Rights Council, the UK used its national statement to raise

concerns about systematic human rights violations and reports of forced labour in

Xinjiang. We continue to urge China to implement UN recommendations - to end the

practice of extra-judicial detention of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities, and to

allow UN observers unfettered access to the region.

Colombia: Homicide

Dan Carden: [33594]


he has made of the accuracy of media reports of killings of former FARC combatants that

are taking part in the peace process.

Wendy Morton:



approach.

The UK shares the concerns of the Colombian Government regarding ongoing

violence in Colombia, including the killings of former FARC combatants. We have

been vocal in expressing our concern about the persistent high levels of violence and

threats towards former FARC combatants and others, as well as the impact this has

on the future of peace.

The United Kingdom welcomes the Colombian Government's longstanding

commitment to assisting former guerrilla fighters in transitioning to civilian life

following the peace agreement of 2016. We have committed almost £45 million over




5 years through the United Kingdom's Conflict, Stability and Security Fund for

Colombia to support development across conflict-affected regions. We have done this

through programmes designed to build state capacity to ensure the safety of former

fighters, and of other vulnerable individuals and groups, including outside of official

reincorporation zones.

We also raised our concern about this issue at the United Nations Security Council

session on Colombia on 13 January, where we called on the Colombian government

to accelerate its reintegration programmes for former combatants. We will continue to

work closely with the Colombian government and civil society on the peace process

and related matters.

Colombia: Human Rights

Dan Carden: [33595]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make

representations to his Colombian counterpart on the security situation for human rights

defenders in Colombia.

Wendy Morton:



approach.

The United Kingdom remains concerned about the persistent level of violence

towards human rights defenders in Colombia. We consistently raise these issues with

the Colombian Government, and in multilateral fora, most recently at the UN Security

Council on 13 January, and during President Duque's visit to the UK in June 2019.

Our Embassy in Bogota also continues to raise concerns about specific communities

with the relevant state actors in Colombia.

Coral Princess: British Nationals Abroad


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what urgent

assistance is being provided to UK citizens stranded on board the Coral Princess cruise

vessel near Montevideo to facilitate their return to the UK.

Nigel Adams:


on 2 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working relentlessly with the cruise

company to facilitate the return home of UK passengers on the Coral Princess and

enable them to take advantage of available onward flights to London. We are doing

all we can to help British people on board and have contacted them directly.




Coronavirus: Disease Control



taking to ensure that all NHS trained staff who wish to return from overseas to assist with

the covid-19 outbreak in the UK are supported to do so.

Nigel Adams:









airlines including Virgin, Easyjet, Jet 2 and Titan. This service has already begun,

with flights earlier this week from Ghana and Tunisia.

Our consular team is working around the clock to provide support, advice and

information . We are aware that there are key workers, including NHS trained staff,

who are stuck abroad; this highlights the imperative of getting people back.


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic

steps the Government is taking to help ensure human rights are protected as foreign

governments implement restrictive measures to tackle the covid-19 pandemic.


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he is

taking steps to ensure that Governments overseas put in place covid-19 responses that

respect (a) human rights, (b) international law and (c) the principles of (i) legality, (ii)

necessity and (iii) proportionality.

Nigel Adams:





The UK is committed to protecting and promoting human rights throughout the world.

We are engaging extensively with a range of international partners including the G7

and G20 to support an effective global response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We

continue to encourage all countries to follow World Health Organisation (WHO)

guidelines and to ensure that all responses to the Covid-19 outbreak comply with

international human rights law.





In his statement after the G7 meeting of 25 March, the Foreign Secretary said that G7

partners had agreed to work together to intensify international co-operation to support

vulnerable countries. The UK has announced up to £241 million of UK aid funding to

support the global efforts to combat the outbreak of Covid-19.

Ecuador: Coronavirus

Wes Streeting: [33604]


Department is taking to (a) provide advice to and (b) repatriate UK citizens from Ecuador

as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

Wendy Morton:



approach.

Our Embassy in Quito is regularly updating their travel advice, and publishing

information on flights on their social media channels to ensure UK citizens are aware

of all options. The Embassy have also set up a register for those wishing to return to

the UK, which has been shared through email, and amplified via social media.

Information includes a video from our Ambassador, requesting telephone numbers to

enable the Embassy to contact British nationals swiftly when flight opportunities arise.

Details are being passed on to airlines to enable further commercial flights next week.

Egypt: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he plans to

provide emergency flights to repatriate British nationals that are stranded in Egypt as a

result of covid-19.

James Cleverly:



I submitted a response by email on 27 March, with the following response. The Table


On 19 March, Egyptian authorities announced the suspension of international flights.

The global response to the coronavirus is evolving fast, and travel restrictions may

change. Our teams around the world are working urgently to ensure that

governments have sensible plans to enable the return of British and other travellers,

and, crucially, to keep borders open for a sufficient period of time to enable returns to

take place on commercial flights, wherever possible.

The British Embassy Cairo is issuing updates on Facebook and on Twitter. Please

follow social media for the latest available information on possible flight departures for

British nationals needing to leave Egypt.




Guyana: Elections

Catherine West: [33761]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to

the Foreign Secretary's statement on Guyana, published on 10 March 2020, what recent

representations he has made to his counterpart in Guyana; and what recent diplomatic

steps he has taken to ensure the election results of that country are announced.

Wendy Morton:



approach.

On 13 March, our High Commissioner to Georgetown released a third joint statement

with Heads of Missions of the Embassy of the United States of America, the

Canadian High Commission, and the Delegation of the European Union, expressing

our deep concern over events following the elections in Guyana on 2 March. On 24

March the Foreign Secretary issued his second statement noting that transition of

government should only take place in line with transparent and democratic principles

that lead to credible results. He stated that any government sworn in on the basis of

non-credible results will face strong international condemnation. We call upon the

President to ensure that proper procedures are followed before embarking upon a

transition of government and we stand ready, alongside the international community,

to assist in ensuring a credible process that provides the democratic outcome that the

Guyanese people deserve.

Honduras: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assistance

the British Embassy in Guatemala is providing to (a) New Forest East constituents

confined to the island of Utila and (b) other UK citizens stranded in Honduras to enable

their return to the UK, and if he will make a statement.

Wendy Morton:



approach.

We are closely monitoring the presence of UK nationals in Honduras, and their

wellbeing remains our priority. Our Embassy in Guatemala continues to explore all

possible options for their safe return to the UK, working closely with the relevant

authorities and commercial airlines and potentially including the facilitation of

clearance for chartered flights to enter. Our Embassy has been in touch with British

Nationals stranded on Utila and the Bay Island




Indonesia: British Nationals Abroad


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent

discussions he held with his Indonesian counterpart on the extent to which closed

borders may potentially prevent British citizens in Bali, or wider Indonesia, from returning

to the UK; and what assessment he has made of the ability of those British citizens to

purchase commercial flight tickets in order to return to the UK.

Nigel Adams:





FCO officials are working with airlines and with the authorities of Indonesia and

potential transit countries to help British travellers get home. The Foreign Secretary

spoke with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on 1 April; she reassured him

that Indonesia would keep flight routes running and would support the UK's

repatriation efforts. The Foreign Secretary expressed appreciation of Indonesia's

support in getting 7000 British Nationals home from Bali, including the role of national

airline Garuda Indonesia. I (Minister Adams) spoke to Indonesian Deputy Foreign

Minister Mahendra Siregar on 23 March. More widely, we are working urgently to

ensure that governments worldwide have plans in place to enable the return of British

and other travellers and to keep borders open for a sufficient period of time to enable

returns to take place on commercial flights wherever possible. We are also working

with airlines to ensure as many people as possible can get commercial flights home.

Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review



he has had with (a) the Prime Minister and (b) other Cabinet colleagues on postponing

the Integrated Review of foreign policy, defence, security and international development

in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

James Cleverly:





On the 24 March the Prime Minister wrote to the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs,

Defence, and International Development Select Committees informing them that

resources from across government and the civil service have been diverted to work

on Covid-19, scaling back efforts on the Integrated Review. In his letter, the Prime

Minister committed to provide an update once it is clear how and when we will be

able to resume full work on the Review.




Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review

Dan Carden: [33612]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the

Government plans to extend the timescale of the integrated review of foreign policy,

defence, security and international development as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

James Cleverly:





We have diverted resources from across government and the civil service to work on

Covid-19, scaling back efforts on the Integrated Review. We will provide an update

on timing in due course.

Kuwait: Coronavirus

Alan Brown: [33630]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he

has made of the number of UK nationals stranded in Kuwait; what discussions he has

had with his Kuwaiti counterpart on allowing UK nationals to return home; what support

the Government will provide to UK Nationals to return to the UK; and if he will make a

statement.

James Cleverly:

As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ

was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the

COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 27 March, with the

following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.



working around the clock to provide support, advice and information. We are working

intensively with the Governments of those countries, including Kuwait, that have

closed their borders to people travelling to and from the UK, to enable airlines to bring

back British people to the UK, if that is what they want.

We have also published advice for British nationals who do not have immediate

departure options available to them: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-

novel-coronavirus#if-youre-abroad-and-you-want-to-return-to-the-uk.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Andrew Rosindell: [34314]


he has made of the level of Turkish military involvement in the civil war in Libya; and if he

will make a statement.





James Cleverly:





We continue to be aware of reports of Turkish military involvement in Libya. This risks

aggravating the conflict and worsening regional tensions. We have expressed our

concerns to the Turkish Government, as we have with other external actors whose

activity continues to fuel the conflict. The UK and Turkey participated in the 19th

January Berlin conference on Libya. UN Security Council Resolution 2510 endorsed

the Conference Conclusions and demanded full compliance with the UN arms

embargo and an end to foreign military interference in Libya. During the Foreign

Secretary's 3rd March visit to Ankara, he met President Erdoğan and Foreign Minister

Çavuşoğlu and reiterated the UK's commitment to de-escalation and support to the

UN-led peace process in Libya. The UK is clear that lasting peace and stability in

Libya will come only through an inclusive political settlement.

MS Zaandam: British Nationals Abroad


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps

to ensure British citizens on MS Zaandam receive (a) a medical assessment, (b)

reimbursement for medical care (c) continuous communication with (i) the FCO and (ii)

their families and (d) travel home to the UK; and if he will make representations to his

counterparts in countries near the cruise ship to ensure the safe care of those citizens

during a covid-19 quarantine period.

Nigel Adams:



approach.

We are monitoring the situation of MS Zaandam. We have engaged with the relevant

authorities to request permission to allow the transfer of goods and medical

equipment, and to offload asymptomatic passengers, and fly them out on charter

flights. We have asked cruise companies to arrange flights if successful. On 26

March, Minister Morton raised our concerns with the Chairman of the cruise

company.

New Zealand: Coronavirus



taking to ensure that British nationals in New Zealand are able to contact and receive

support from the Consulate in New Zealand during the covid-19 outbreak.




Nigel Adams:





The British High Commission in Wellington is fully staffed and doing all it can to

support British nationals at this time, including on routes home. The New Zealand

Government has introduced strict restrictions on movement. This requires

businesses, including diplomatic premises, to work fully remotely to support social

distancing. Consular services are deemed essential and therefore, our High

Commission is open to issue emergency travel documents. However, given the New

Zealand Government's directive on social distancing, we are asking people not to

visit our High Commission in Wellington, or our Consulate in Auckland in person, and

instead reach out via our online webform. This is the most effective way to ensure

that all requests for support are captured and triaged appropriately.

Northern Cyprus: British Nationals Abroad



he has had with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs on organising repatriation flights

for British nationals who wish to urgently return to the UK from Northern Cyprus.

Wendy Morton:



approach.

Our teams around the world are working urgently to ensure that governments have

sensible plans to enable the return of British and other travellers, and, crucially, to

keep borders open for a sufficient period of time to enable returns to take place on

commercial flights, wherever possible.

The administration in the north of Cyprus has introduced a total ban on entry for all

foreign nationals, including the UK. This includes those holding residency, work, or

student permits. Following policy changes announced by the Republic of Cyprus

Government and the administration in the north, all crossing points between the

Republic and the north are effectively closed to travellers. British travellers should

contact their tour operator or transport provider now if they want to leave. We are

working closely with the Government of Cyprus to explore options.

Peru: Coronavirus

Layla Moran: [33682]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether British

citizens being repatriated from Peru as a result of the covid-19 outbreak will have their

travel costs reimbursed.




Wendy Morton:



approach.

The UK Government has undertaken to support British nationals in Peru get back to

the UK. British nationals will not have to make any upfront payment. They will be

asked to sign an 'Undertaking to Repay' for covering the cost of a small proportion of

the flight cost at a later point in time. We are working to keep costs as low as

possible, and expect seats to be approximately £250. Potential commercial flights out

of Peru are currently far more expensive.

Taliban: Peace Negotiations

Jonathan Edwards: [34327]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the

Answer of 19 March 2020 to Question 28707, on Taliban: Peace Negotiations, whether

the UK had diplomatic representatives involved in the US-Taliban peace negotiations.

Nigel Adams:


on 2 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.

The UK did not have diplomatic representation at US-Taliban talks in Doha. We were

in close consultation throughout the process. We engaged intensively with the US,

Afghan Government and our NATO allies and partners. The UK continues to support

Afghanistan on its path towards a more peaceful and positive future.

Third Sector and Trade Unions: Coronavirus



Department is taking to help protect civil society and trade unions in countries affected by

covid-19.

Nigel Adams:





We are working closely with our international counterparts to reduce the health and

economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and to set the stage for a strong

recovery of sustainable economic growth and prosperity. Our priority is to support the

World Health Organisation (WHO) and other multilateral actors to contain Covid-19

and mitigate secondary health and socio-economic impacts. It is essential that all

responses to the Covid-19 outbreak must be in compliance with international human

rights law. In his statement after the G7 meeting of 25 March, the Foreign Secretary




noted the G7 had agreed on the importance of a strongly coordinated international

approach to protect the world economy.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Air Ambulance Services: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has

to ensure the continued operation of air ambulances during the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar:

[Holding answer 24 March 2020]: The Department continues to engage with the air

ambulance sector via Air Ambulances UK, the national organisation for the United

Kingdom’s air ambulance charities. The charities have been asked to provide an

assessment of the operations and fundraising impact of COVID-19 to give a clear

national picture of their needs. Further to this, any support required by air ambulance

charities is being considered by the National Ambulance Coordination Centre as part

of their role in supporting voluntary sector deployment as appropriate during the

COVID-19 pandemic.

Air ambulances are self-funded, but the Government has previously provided one-off

grants to support capital projects, such as building or extending airbases and

helipads, and purchasing equipment, cars and aircraft.


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made

of the potential merits of nationalising air ambulances during the covid-19 pandemic.

Edward Argar:

[Holding answer 24 March 2020]: Air ambulance organisations are independent

charities with their own governance arrangements and operating models.

Whilst air ambulances are helping with the national response, through loaning of staff

and equipment, they are also continuing with the delivery of life-saving services to

non-COVID-19 patients. The charitable model gives the air ambulance charities

independence to deliver specialised services to meet the specific needs of the

populations they serve.

Coronavirus: Cleaning Services


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had

with the Minister for the Cabinet Office on whether cleaning staff are classed as key

workers during the covid-19 response.





Jo Churchill:

[Holding answer 21 April 2020]: Guidance for schools, childcare providers, colleges

and local authorities in England on maintaining educational provision published on 19

March sets out which workers are considered to be critical to the COVID-19

response.

In relation to the health and social care sector the guidance makes clear that these

workers include all front line, specialist and support staff and as well as those

employed by contractors and suppliers to the health and social care system. This

includes those who provide cleaning services to social care providers, the National

Health Service, other health care provision, and to the contractors and suppliers of

the wider sector. They all play a critical role in the tackling of this pandemic.

Coronavirus: Dental Services

Afzal Khan: [33690]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether dentists will be

provided with personal protective equipment during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill:

[Holding answer 21 April 2020]: The Government is working to support and protect

all our frontline health and care staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, including

dentists. The Government is working closely with industry, the National Health

Service, social care providers and the army to ensure that personal protective

equipment (PPE) is delivered to those who need it.

Guidance has been issued to NHS dentists on the provision of services and PPE by

the Chief Dental Officer for England. Guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/primary-care/dental-practice/

Additionally, Public Health England issued updated PPE guidance to a range of

health professionals, including dentists, on 2 April.

Ben Everitt: [34419]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what financial support the

Government plans to provide to NHS dental practices to allow them to follow new Chief

Dental Officer guidance issued as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill:

[Holding answer 21 April 2020]: NHS England and NHS Improvement issued

guidance setting out arrangements for National Health Service dental care during the

pandemic period and the financial support being put in place for NHS dental contract

holders and those working on NHS dental contracts. The intention is that as far as

possible remuneration levels are unaffected. The full guidance is available at the

following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/issue-

3-preparedness-letter-for-primary-dental-care-25-march-2020.pdf





https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/issue-3-preparedness-letter-for-primary-dental-care-25-march-2020.pdf




Coronavirus: Disease Control

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [33620]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has (a) forwarded

to the British Society for Immunology and (b) received evidence that people who have

recovered from covid-19 have long-term immunity to it.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

There is a general medical consensus, based on scientific knowledge of other

coronavirus infections, that after recovery from COVID-19 infection, people will have

effective immunity. However, until more people have had the virus and recovered,

and until we have performed studies of the long-term antibody response, it is

currently unclear for how long this immunity will last. We will continue to monitor the

science and evidence closely.

Rosie Cooper: [34315]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether each local authority in

England is undertaking contact tracing to identify those who have been infected with

covid-19; and how many (a) personnel are involved in carrying out that tracing and (b)

close contacts have been (i) identified and (ii) traced in each local authority.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

The local health protection teams and Public Health England (PHE) have been

working 24 hours a day, seven days a week since mid-January to carry out contact

tracing. As we are now in the delay phase of the COVID-19 response, PHE will

continue to follow-up cases, outbreaks and high-risk individuals.

The data are not available in the format requested. However, PHE has published a

dashboard detailing the total number of cases in the United Kingdom. This is broken

down by upper tier local authorities and National Health Service regions in England

and can be viewed online at the following link:

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/f94c3c90da5b4e9f9a0b1948

4dd4bb14


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion

of close contacts of those who have been, or are suspected as having been, infected with

covid-19 (a) are undergoing testing, (b) have tested positive and (c) have been isolated or

quarantined in each local authority area.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

The data regarding information on close contacts is not available in the format

requested.

The data on number of people tested and positive COVID-19 cases are updated daily

and available to view at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public



https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/f94c3c90da5b4e9f9a0b19484dd4bb14








To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the study by

Keeling et al. titled The Efficacy of Contact Tracing for the Containment of the 2019 Novel

Coronavirus (COVID-19), published in February 2020, whether he is ensuring rapid and

effective contact tracing for covid-19.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

In the containment phase of the COVID-19 response, the local health protection

teams and Public Health England’s (PHE) Field Epidemiology Service carried out

contact tracing from mid-January to early March. PHE scaled up its contact tracing

response with staff from the field service, staff from local health protection teams and

clinical staff additionally recruited. This action helped to delay community

transmission, save lives and bought time for the National Health Service and country

to prepare.

Dr Rupa Huq: [35008]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been

made of the potential effect of social distancing on the mental health and wellbeing of (a)

people with pre-existing health conditions and (b) others during the covid-19 outbreak;


Ms Nadine Dorries:

The Government recognises that social distancing and self-isolation are likely to

increase the risk of loneliness and mental health issues. To respond to this Public

Health England has published guidance advising the public on how to look after their

mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak. We have set up NHS

Volunteer Responders to help support the 1.5 million people in England who are at

most risk from the virus to stay well. Mental health providers are looking to maximise

the use of digital and virtual channels, such as helplines and video consultations, to

keep delivering support to those needing mental health support. We have provided

£5 million additional funding to mental health charities providing mental health and

wellbeing support to those who need it.

Coronavirus: Hospital Beds



with private hospital operators on the use of private hospital beds by the NHS at no cost

to the public purse in the event that additional capacity is required to treat patients with

covid-19.

Edward Argar:

The Department and NHS England and NHS Improvement have worked with the

independent sector to increase capacity and resource within the National Health

Service, adding around 8,000 beds and 20,000 clinical staff. This will ensure that

more facilities are available for patients diagnosed with COVID-19.





Under the agreement, the independent sector will be reimbursed at cost.

Coronavirus: Hospital Ships


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his

Department has made of the potential merits of requesting that cruise line companies

make cruise ships available for use as make-shift hospitals during the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar:

A number of options continue to be reviewed for accommodating patients with

COVID-19. Whilst cruise ships may provide one option for supporting patient beds,

the configuration of cruise ship bedrooms make the treatment of patients with

COVID-19 potentially more difficult with regard to staffing.

Coronavirus: Hospitals


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what contractual terms his

Department has agreed with providers of private hospitals being used for NHS purposes


Edward Argar:


independent sector to increase capacity and resource within the National Health

Service, adding around 8,000 beds and 20,000 clinical staff. This will ensure that

more facilities are available for patients diagnosed with COVID-19.


Coronavirus: Intensive Care

Meg Hillier: [34929]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made

of whether there was any scenario used in routine pandemic planning where the number

of critical beds would meet increased demand.

Edward Argar:

Planning for pandemics, like all civil emergencies, is based on a Reasonable Worst-

Case Scenario (RWCS). The UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy 2011

sets out a United Kingdom-wide strategic approach to planning for and responding to

the demands of a future RWCS scale influenza pandemic within which 50% of the

population become ill.

The 2011 Strategy recognises that, without mitigation, critical care capacity might be

insufficient in some scenarios. Influenza pandemic preparedness is therefore based

on a ‘defence in depth’ strategy to minimise spread of infection and treat individual

cases. In addition to plans to surge National Health Service provision, including





critical care, this includes measures to reduce the demand on those NHS services by

reducing the risk of transmission and minimising serious illness.

Coronavirus: Mental Health Services

Dr Luke Evans: [34413]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to

ensure that patients with mental health issues are regularly reviewed and supported


Ms Nadine Dorries:

It is imperative that mental health services continue to offer access to mental health

support, including for people who are already accessing. Mental health providers are

part of their local emergency preparedness and response hubs. They are working

closely with colleagues in social care, education, substance misuse, the police and

the voluntary sector to ensure that vulnerable patients get the support they need.

NHS England and NHS Improvement are holding weekly information and update

sessions with mental health service providers to support the implementation of local

Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans. These plans include meeting needs

by managing fluctuations in demand.

Coronavirus: North West



with private healthcare providers in (a) the North West, (b) Merseyside and (c) Wirral on

the NHS requisitioning private beds for use during the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar:


independent sector on a national basis to increase capacity and resource within the

National Health Service, adding around 8,000 beds and 20,000 clinical staff. This will

ensure that more facilities across England are available for patients diagnosed with

COVID-19.


Coronavirus: Protective Clothing


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps have been taken to

mobilise UK manufacturing to supply personal protective equipment to frontline workers

dealing with the covid-19 response.

Jo Churchill:

[Holding answer 21 April 2020]: The Department are working closely with industry,

the National Health Service, social care providers and the army to ensure that

personal protective equipment (PPE) are delivered to staff. Industry has reported





constraints on supply of new stocks of PPE due to increase in global demand and the

impact of COVID-19 in China, one of the largest global manufacturers of PPE. The

Department is working to manage demand and secure additional stocks to further

enhance our preparedness. The Department have asked manufacturers to increase

existing capacity. On Friday 20 March, industry were asked to switch manufacturing

capability to produce high priority PPE items.

Latest guidance on PPE can be found on the NHS website at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/guidance-supply-use-of-ppe/

Sarah Owen: [33697]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been

made of the feasibility of requisitioning personal protective equipment from non-urgent

use to meet the demands of frontline workers in the covid-19 response.

Jo Churchill:

[Holding answer 21 April 2020]: We have been giving the National Health Service

and the social care sector everything they need to tackle this outbreak. We have

delivered millions more items of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline

staff over the last few days to hospitals, ambulance trusts, general practitioner

practices, pharmacists, care homes, home care providers and hospices. The full

weight of the Government is behind this effort and we are working closely with

industry, the NHS, social care providers and the army to ensure the right equipment

is delivered to the right people. This includes working with all partners to reprioritise

PPE for use on the frontline.

Coronavirus: Public Health

Afzal Khan: [33585]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is

taking to promote emotional wellbeing in the development of public health advice during


Ms Nadine Dorries:

Public Health England has published guidance for the public on how to look after

mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak. The guidance can be

viewed online at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public-on-

mental-health-and-wellbeing

Coronavirus: Screening

Alex Sobel: [30909]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many covid-19 testing kits

he has ordered from Biopanda Reagents.





https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing





Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 23 March 2020]: Testing is a crucial part of the United Kingdom’s

response to the COVID-19 pandemic and we are working on multiple fronts to deliver

additional testing capacity into the system

We are making provisions to secure testing kits both to meet current demand and

scale our capacity. This includes securing testing kits from a variety of sources. The

suppliers and the number of tests is subject to confidential commercial agreements

and we are unable to confirm the number.


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an

assessment of the potential merits of increasing funding for mass testing for covid-19.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 24 March 2020]: On 4 April 2020, the Secretary of State for Health

and Social Care advised that the Government will be adopting a testing strategy

based on five pillars.

This new national effort for testing will ensure everyone who needs testing will get it.

Testing has already reached the Government’s ambition of 10,000 tests per day by

the end of March as committed and have set a new challenge of 100,000 tests per

day, by the end of April using this new tiered approach.

More information can be found at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm

ent_data/file/878121/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-strategy.pdf


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is

taking to address variations in NHS trusts' ability to test for covid-19.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

The Government is working closely with NHS England and NHS Improvement and

Public Health England to expand testing capability.

We are working to ensure all National Health Service trusts have the ability and

capacity to respond to demand.

Dr Dan Poulter: [R] [34325]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to develop

antibody testing for covid-19.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

Testing is a crucial part of the United Kingdom’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

and the Government is working on multiple fronts to deliver additional testing capacity

into the system. On 4 April 2020, the Government published its testing strategy

'Coronavirus (COVID-19) Scaling up our testing programmes'. The strategy describes


https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/878121/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-strategy.pdf






in detail the five pillars of work which together will put in place the testing that is

mission critical as we fight the battle against COVID-19.

The Government is also currently evaluating antibody tests. These tests could be

home-based tests that could allow people to find out whether they have had the virus

and are now immune, enabling them to go back to work. However, before these tests

can be deployed, further work will be conducted to ensure that the antibody tests

currently available are capable of this.

Coronavirus: Ventilators

Jonathan Ashworth: [32254]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many additional

companies have agreed to start producing ventilators for the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar:

On 27 March the Government confirmed it had received a large number of offers from

companies who can support in the supply of ventilators and ventilator components

across the United Kingdom. They will be matching requirements and will reach out to

companies individually.

There are currently three major companies supporting this effort which include:

- VentilatorchallengeUK - whose role is to help ramp up production of a proven

ventilator design, which has been supplied by a leading UK medical company to help

those suffering from the virus. They will be providing integrated, tested sub-systems

and components, which makes best use of their strong project management and

engineering skills, while saving significant time during final assembly of the

ventilators;

- Dyson, the globally recognized appliance maker, is working with The Technology

Partnership on a brand new ventilator design called the CoVent. This design is meant

to be made quickly and at high volumes, and leverages Dyson’s existing digital motor

design, as well as the company’s air purification products, to deliver safe and

consistent ventilation for COVID-19 patients. Dyson is donating 5,000 CoVent

ventilator units to the international effort, 1,000 of which will go to the UK and intends

to fulfil a UK Government order of 10,000 more units; and

- GTECH - another UK home appliance and vacuum maker, is working to respond to

the Government’s call for ventilator hardware. A request was received to build up to

30,000 ventilators. The company has developed a ventilator that can be made from

parts easily obtained from abundant stock materials, or off-the-shelf pre-assembled

parts. The company says that within a week or two it will be able to produce up to 100

units per day, if it can source steel fabrication and CNC machining suppliers.

Peter Kyle: [33650]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on what date the decision was

made to approach British businesses for help producing ventilators in response to the

covid-19 outbreak.




Peter Kyle: [33656]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on what date contact was first

made with manufacturers to produce additional ventilators in response to covid-19.

Edward Argar:

Work preparing the National Health Service for the COVID-19 pandemic has been

ongoing and we have already nearly doubled ventilator capacity. New and existing

suppliers are being asked to build as many as they can. The Prime Minister has

issued a call to United Kingdom industry to produce additional ventilators and the

Department asked appropriate potential manufacturers on 13 March to come forward

with proposals for new ventilation machines. Around a dozen potential prototypes

have now been presented to the Department which we are currently pursuing.

Drugs: Misuse


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people attended (a)

A&E and (b) GP surgeries as a result of illegal drug use in 2018-19.

Edward Argar:

The number of people who attended accident and emergency and general

practitioner surgeries as a result of illegal drug use is not recorded centrally.

Eating Disorders: Medical Treatments

Dr Lisa Cameron: [35002]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to

ensure that people with a healthy BMI are not denied treatment for an eating disorder.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on ‘Eating

disorders: recognition and treatment’ makes it clear that a person’s Body Mass Index

is just one of the factors that should be taken into account to determine whether to

offer treatment for an eating disorder, but that it should not be used on its own. The

Eating Disorder Commissioning Guide, published by NHS England, is clear that

people should not be rejected for treatment solely on the grounds of weight or Body

Mass Index. We expect commissioners and providers to adhere to this guidance.

Health Professions: Disease Control


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) consultants in

communicable disease control and (b) community infection control nurses there are in

each location by local authority area.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

The Department does not hold the information requested.






Health Services: Coronavirus

Mr Laurence Robertson: [33397]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will prioritise the testing of

medical staff and their families during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a

statement.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

Testing is a crucial part of the United Kingdom’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

and we are working on multiple fronts to deliver additional testing capacity into the

system.

We are working hard to ensure we can adequately test for and respond to COVID-19.

As part of this, we are ensuring we prioritise testing of the most acutely ill and

vulnerable patients in hospitals.

As additional testing capacity becomes available, the next priority group will be

National Health Service staff and other key workers.

Immigrants: Detainees

Jess Phillips: [34363]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to

identify individuals in detention with underlying health conditions; and if he will take steps

to ensure that all people in detention are screened to determine whether they have a

relevant condition that makes them vulnerable during the covid-19 outbreak.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

NHS England and NHS Improvement have released patient data to the Heads of

Healthcare across the secure and detained estate and to centre directors. This will

mean that this patient cohort can be identified and protectively isolated and managed

across establishments in the event of a confirmed positive case and any potential

unconfirmed cases.

Medical Equipment: Business


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on what dates his Department

approached businesses to produce more ventilators for the NHS between 1 December

2019 and 24 March 2020.

Edward Argar:

Work preparing the National Health Service has been ongoing and we have already

doubled ventilator capacity. New and existing suppliers are being asked to build as

many as they can. The Prime Minister has issued a call to United Kingdom industry to

produce additional ventilators and the Department asked appropriate potential

manufacturers on Friday 13 March to come forward with proposals for ramping up the

production of existing designs or new ventilation machines.





Nearly 4,000 companies have responded and around a dozen potential prototypes

have now been presented to the Department which we are currently pursuing.

Naloxone: Coronavirus

Grahame Morris: [33503]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure

that people who use drugs are provided with Naloxone in the event that access to health

services is restricted due to demand during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill:

[Holding answer 21 April 2020]: Local authorities are responsible for assessing local

needs and commissioning drug prevention, treatment and harm reduction services to

meet these needs. This includes making sure they have sufficient coverage of take-

home naloxone to prevent drug-related deaths.

Local authorities will want to maintain their coverage of naloxone during the COVID-

19 outbreak as an important measure to help protect people who use drugs. Public

Health England will continue to support local authorities in their work of needs

assessment and commissioning services by providing advice, guidance and data.

NHS: Telephone Services

Peter Kyle: [34383]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to make

operational the NHS telephone helpline for the 1.5 million most at-risk people who have

been told to stay at home during the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar:

From 21 March, letters were sent out from general practices to the 1.5 million people

considered to be most medically at-risk from COVID-19, informing them that they

should stay at home and avoid all face-to-face contact for a period of at least 12

weeks.

The Government have set up a National Shielding Helpline, which is a support

service that will contact those who have received letters but not responded by

telephone to ensure that their food and wellbeing support needs are being met. The

helpline makes outbound calls only and does not accept inbound calls. This is

already operational.

On 1 April 2020, NHS England published Frequently Asked Questions for patients at

highest clinical risk from COVID-19 which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-

content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/20200402-FAQs-Patients-vFINAL.pdf



https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/20200402-FAQs-Patients-vFINAL.pdf




Public Health Laboratory Service: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what function public health

laboratories have in covid-19 testing.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

[Holding answer 24 March 2020]: Public health laboratories are providing diagnostic

testing to the National Health Service, supporting community-based surveillance

programmes, undertaking testing to support outbreaks in critical settings such as

prisons and care homes and providing a testing referral service to NHS laboratories

testing for COVID-19 for difficult or unclear results.

Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ensure that people

who have recently been in contact with women at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal

Centre who have become infected with covid-19 will be tested for that disease.

Ms Nadine Dorries:

NHS England and NHS Improvement have advised that COVID-19 testing is only

routinely being carried out on symptomatic patients arriving at hospital.

This is in line with NHS England and NHS Improvement national policy to utilise tests

and laboratory capacity for urgent hospitalised patients. The Government has

confirmed a major national effort to boost testing capacity. With a focus on ensuring

the highest priority cases are tested first, officials are working to rapidly increase the

number of tests that can be conducted by Public Health England and the National

Health Service in laboratories, with the expected surge in capacity ready within four

weeks.

HOME OFFICE

Asylum

Tim Farron: [33474]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the covid-19

outbreak, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that people can continue to

access the asylum system.

Chris Philp:

The Home Office is updating guidance and processes in accordance with Public

Health England advice in relation to the Covid-19 outbreak to ensure people can

continue to access essential systems.





Asylum: Legal Opinion

Tim Farron: [33476]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the effect of the

covid-19 outbreak on applicants being able to access timely legal advice on their asylum

cases, if her Department will temporarily suspend the issuing of decisions to refuse

asylum applications.

Chris Philp:

Asylum Operations have put in place the appropriate measures to safeguard our

people and those using our services against the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. We

are continuing to make decisions on cases where we have already interviewed the

claimant, or we have sufficient information to allow us to make a decision.

We remain committed to ensuring that all asylum seekers are given the opportunity to

consult a legal representative, so that those who are seeking protection, can access

good quality immigration advice from qualified legal representatives, to ensure their

asylum claim is presented properly and in a timely manner.

We will continue to review the situation in light of COVID-19 and our approach may

change as things develop further. Asylum Operations may have to limit the services

provided, but will seek to ensure the most vulnerable are protected and prioritised.

Breweries: Licensing Laws

Sir Alan Campbell: [32063]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to amend

licensing laws to allow breweries to sell and deliver beer direct to the consumer during


Kit Malthouse:

We are considering the impact of COVID-19 on breweries and other licensed

premises and steps to minimise this impact.

Civil Servants: Remote Working


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is

taking to allow civil servants to work from home during the covid-19 outbreak.

Victoria Atkins:

Communications have been issued to all Home Office staff making it clear that if their

job can be done from home they should work from home.

They should only come into the workplace if this has been agreed with their manager

and is essential for business delivery. Steps are being taken to ensure that

employees have access to the necessary IT to enable them to work at home if

possible as well as access to wellbeing support.





Coronavirus: Domestic Violence

Emma Hardy: [30102]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government will

take to protect vulnerable women from domestic violence during periods of self isolation.

Victoria Atkins:

Domestic abuse is unacceptable in any situation, no matter what the stresses. It is an

abhorrent crime and perpetrators will be prosecuted.

We acknowledge that recent measures announced to tackle coronavirus (COVID-19),

such as the order to stay at home, can cause anxiety for those who are experiencing

or feel at risk of domestic abuse. Existing sources of advice and support continue to

be available to victims – including for example through the National Domestic Abuse

Helpline, which is staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by a dedicated team

of experts.

The Chancellor has announced a funding package of some £750m to support

charities including those providing domestic abuse services. The Home Office has

announced an additional £2 million in funding to support technological capability such

as specialist helplines and websites.

We have also launched a new campaign to signpost victims to the support services

available. The campaign, under the hashtag #YouAreNotAlone, aims to reassure

those affected by domestic abuse that support services remain available during this

difficult time.

Domestic Abuse and Sexual Offences: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government has

taken to help ensure that deaf and disabled victims of domestic abuse and sexual

violence can access refuge services and helplines during the covid-19 outbreak.

Victoria Atkins:

We are aware that victims of domestic abuse may feel particularly vulnerable at this

time, especially deaf and disabled victims.

Existing sources of advice and support will continue to be available to victims. In

addition to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which also has an online chat

function, the Home Office provides specific funding to specialist support services

including through Victim Support to support disabled victims, and to Sign Health, who

support deaf victims.

We are continuing to work closely with the domestic abuse sector to understand the

needs of victims, during self-isolation and social distancing, and how these can best

be supported.




Domestic Abuse: Coronavirus

Gill Furniss: [32715]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has plans to

provide additional funding to local authorities to support people at increased risk of

becoming victims of domestic violence as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Victoria Atkins:

£1.6 billion of the £5 billion COVID-19 fund announced in the Budget will go to local

authorities to help them respond to pressures across all the services they deliver.

The Chancellor has further announced a funding package of some £750m to support

charities including those providing domestic abuse services. In addition, the Home

Office has announced £2 million in funding to support technological capability such as

specialist helplines and websites.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Domestic Abuse

Commissioner has been included in contingency planning for vulnerable groups during


Victoria Atkins:

We are working closely with the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and her office, as

well as the domestic abuse sector, the police and local authorities on contingency

planning and to understand the needs of victims of domestic abuse during self-

isolation and social distancing, and how these can best be supported.

Entry Clearances: Coronavirus

Martyn Day: [33643]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on the status

of overseas nationals that overstay their visas as a result of (a) travel restrictions, (b) self-

isolation and (c) being infected with covid-19 during the outbreak of that disease; and if

she will make a statement.

Kevin Foster:

We are taking steps to ensure foreign nationals will not be penalised as a result of

issues related to coronavirus which are outside of their control.

This is one of many issues where we are taking a compassionate and pragmatic

approach. Anyone wishing to discuss their personal circumstances can contact the

Home Office via the coronavirus immigration mailbox - [email protected] - or

call the freephone number, 0800 678 1767 which is staffed Monday to Friday, 9am to

5pm.




mailto:[email protected]



Immigrants: Coronavirus

Stephen Timms: [33393]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to support

people whose leave to remain in the UK will expire during the period of travel bans due to


Kevin Foster:

We are taking steps to ensure foreign nationals will not be penalised as a result of

coronavirus and related travel restrictions outside of their control, which may prevent

them departing the UK before their leave to remain expires.

A mailbox [email protected] has been set up for individuals to ask Home

Office staff coronavirus immigration related questions and to seek an extension to

their leave to remain if needed due to travel restrictions or self-isolation. There is also

a freephone number 0800 678 1767 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) for those who

wish to discuss their individual circumstances. A pragmatic and compassionate

approach will be taken to each case.

Immigrants: Detainees


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment

of the implications for her policy on immigration detention of the 17 March 2020 report by

Professor Richard Coker on the risk of infection from covid-19 to (a) vulnerable women

asylum seekers and (b) other detainees.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to

provide people being released from (a) Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre and (b)

other immigration removal centres with (i) accommodation and (ii) support so that they

can self-isolate; and what steps she is taking to ensure that access to accommodation is

not a barrier to their release.

Chris Philp:

There are currently no cases of COVID-19 in immigration removal centres.

The safety and health of people in the detention and asylum estates is of the utmost

importance. The Home Office has robust contingency plans in place and continues to

follow national guidance issued by Public Health England (PHE), Health Protection

Scotland and the National Health Service, including the interim advice on preventing

and controlling outbreaks of Covid-19 in prisons and other prescribed places of

detention, which was first published on 16 March.

In addition, all immigration removal centres have communicable disease contingency

plans, based on PHE advice, and dedicated health facilities run by doctors and

nurses which are managed by the NHS or appropriate providers. All receptions into

detention receive an assessment within two hours by a nurse and can see a doctor

within 24 hours.







Anybody who is destitute and has an outstanding asylum claim or appeal against a

refusal to grant asylum can apply for support and accommodation, including those

who are being released from detention. The Home Office is working closely with

colleagues in Public Health England as well as with accommodation providers to

ensure we have appropriate arrangements in place for anybody leaving detention

who is receiving asylum support and/or living in asylum accommodation and who is

required to self-isolate and providing them with advice and guidance via our AIRE

Provider, Migrant Help.

Additionally the Secretary of State may provide accommodation and support for a

foreign national offender who is subject to a residency condition and are either

considered to pose a high risk or harm to the public or be suffering from a serious

physical or mental health problem.

Immigrants: Employment


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have leave to

remain in the UK and are permitted to work but have no recourse to public funds.

Kevin Foster:

The Home Office does not hold the data requested other than on individual case files.

Wider population data and information on the UK’s resident population is a matter for

the independent Office for National Statistics. The no recourse to public funds

condition is, however, applied to the leave of most migrants in the UK as a legitimate

means of maintaining and protecting our economic resources, public services and

taxpayer’s funds.

Immigrants: Government Assistance


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether people that have no

recourse to public funds will be entitled to access support from the Government during


Chris Philp:

The Government is committed to supporting people, including migrants with no

recourse to public funds, through this crisis. We are taking a compassionate and

pragmatic approach and will continue to review the situation to consider if more can

be done.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will help firms continue to keep people,

including workers with no recourse to public funds, in employment with the

government paying 80% of furloughed workers wages up to a cap of £2,500.

There are a number of measures in relation to rent and mortgage protections, food

vouchers, and protections for the homeless, which are not considered public funds.

Local Authorities may also provide basic safety net support if it is established that




there is a genuine care need that does not arise solely from destitution, for example,

where there are community care needs, migrants with serious health problems or

family cases.

Covid-19 has been added to the list of infectious diseases so anyone experiencing

symptoms, regardless of their immigration status, will be treated for free.

People granted leave under the family and human rights routes can apply to have a

condition lifted or for access to benefits if their financial circumstances change.

The Home Office has set up a dedicated Covid-19 immigration help-centre.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans the Government has

to support people with no recourse to public funds who need to self-isolate as a result of


Chris Philp:

The Home Office is working closely with other government departments to support

people, including migrants with no recourse to public funds, through this crisis. We

are taking a compassionate and pragmatic approach and will continue to review the

situation to consider if more can be done.





vouchers, and protections for the homeless, all of which are not considered public

funds.  Local Authorities may also provide basic safety net support if it is established

that there is a genuine care need that does not arise solely from destitution, for

example, where there are community care needs, migrants with serious health

problems or family cases.



People granted leave under the family and human rights routes can apply to have a

condition lifted or for access to benefits if their financial circumstances change.

Immigrants: Homelessness

Tim Farron: [33475]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had

with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on ensuring

that people that are (a) homeless and (b) destitute are able to access support from local

authorities irrespective of their immigration status.




Chris Philp:

The Home Office and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government

(MHCLG) are in touch regularly about these issues and are keeping the situation

under review to consider if further measures are needed.

The Government has provided £1.6 billion of additional funding to local authorities to

enable them to respond to Covid-19 pressures across all the services they deliver,

including stepping up support for the adult social care workforce and for services

helping the most vulnerable.

Using the General Power of Competence set out in s.1 Localism Act 2011, local

authorities may provide support to a person who is ineligible for assistance due to

immigration status.

Additionally, the Home Office has confirmed in light of the pandemic, anyone who

would normally cease to be eligible for accommodation because their asylum claim

and any appeal has been resolved, is being allowed to remain in their current

accommodation for at least the next three months. This applies both to those who

have been refused asylum and granted asylum.

All people in asylum accommodation have been provided with guidance and advice

on Covid-19 in a language they understand to help them self-isolate, including

spotting the symptoms and hygiene guidance.

Migrant Workers: Social Security Benefits

Paul Girvan: [33736]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will discuss with the

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions the potential merits of extending eligibility to (a)

statutory sick pay, (b) employment and support allowance and (c) universal credit to

people with employment visas who have no recourse to public funds.

Paul Girvan: [33749]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether self-employed workers

in the UK on a spousal visa will be able to access public funds during the covid-19

outbreak.

Chris Philp:

The Home Office is currently considering options for providing support to migrants

with no recourse to public funds who are impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak.

As with other aspects of our response to this unprecedented situation, we will take a

compassionate and pragmatic approach. We will liaise with other relevant

Government Departments on this as necessary and will continue to review the

situation to consider if more can be done.








vouchers, and protections for the homeless, all of which are not considered public

funds.  Local Authorities may also provide basic safety net support if it is established

that there is a genuine care need that does not arise solely from destitution, for

example, where there are community care needs, migrants with serious health

problems or family cases.



Police Custody: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department

has issued to police forces on the safe detention of people accused of a crime who are

displaying symptoms of covid-19.

Kit Malthouse:

The Home Office are in regular contact with the National Police Chiefs' Counsel

(NPCC) and other key stakeholders regarding custody related matters. The NPCC

have circulated guidance for all police forces in order for them to safely manage their

custody suites with respect to their detainees, staff and visitors.

Police: Protective Clothing


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to

ensure that personal protective equipment is available for police officers undertaking

duties during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kit Malthouse:

The Government is working closely with its partners including the emergency

services on a range of issues including the availability of suitable PPE, and the

development and availability of suitable testing.

Police: Stoke on Trent

Jonathan Gullis: [33583]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has

made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the number of police inquiry

offices to improve contact points for police offices and PCSOs in (a) Tunstall and (b)

Burslem.

Kit Malthouse:

Decisions on local contact points for police officers and PCSOs are operational

matters for the Chief Constable of the force concerned.





Public Transport: Disease Control

Neil Coyle: [33579]

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 potential role of the police in

enforcing social distancing on public transport.

Kit Malthouse:

Government departments are working closely with the policing and transport sectors

to respond to the threat posed by coronavirus and ensure that essential public

services are maintained. We have issued clear guidance on the vital importance of

social distancing in keeping us all safe and, whilst we expect the public to play their

part by observing this guidance, we are working with the police to ensure they have

relevant powers to enforce these measures where necessary.

The police have in place robust contingency arrangements that will allow them to

maintain their core functions and critical services, and we are working with national

police leads to ensure the sector receives all the support it needs to continue to

respond to this emergency.

UK Visas and Immigration: Compassionate Leave


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has received

representations on UK Visas and Immigrations (UKVI) employees being offered 10 days

of special leave to meet childcare responsibilities in response to the covid-19 outbreak;

and if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of special leave available for staff of

(a) UKVI and (b) her Department with caring responsibilities during the covid-19

pandemic.

Kevin Foster:

All Home Office employees, including those working in UK Visas and Immigration,

with children affected by school closures can request up to ten working days/two

working weeks paid special leave as an interim provision to enable them to care for

their children at home and/or to make longer-term alternative care arrangements.

If employees need further special leave beyond the initial period, this may be granted

by a senior manager if no other suitable arrangements can be made for the child’s

care. The wellbeing of our employees is paramount and we have a range of policies

to support those who are managing caring responsibilities.

UK Visas and Immigration: Remote Working


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion

of staff in her Department who work at the UK Visa & Immigration Sheffield Premium

Service Centre at Vulcan House in Sheffield are (a) working from home and (b) are

essential personnel who cannot work from home during the covid-19 outbreak.





Kevin Foster:

As of 25th March 2020 Service and Support Centres are now closed, with all staff

working from home, aside from some voluntary ad-hoc attendance to support urgent

applications from vulnerable individuals.

Visas

Mr Virendra Sharma: [32666]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is

taking to help ensure that settlement visa criteria are achievable following Government

advice on (a) avoiding all unnecessary travel and (b) social distance during the covid-19

outbreak.

Kevin Foster:

We are acutely aware of the issues around visa criteria due to Covid-19 and the need

for everyone to adhere to Public Health England’s advice to remain at home.

The Home Office is working urgently to produce guidance and alternative

arrangements for individuals due to the current unprecedented situation and events

beyond their control.

Visas: Migrant Workers

Martyn Day: [33642]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on the visa

status of migrant workers on Tier 2 work visas that become unemployed as a result of the

covid-19 outbreak; and if she will make a statement.

Kevin Foster:

These are extraordinary times, and we are working hard to ensure no migrant

workers are penalised unfairly by these events.

No one will have a negative outcome through the immigration system due to a

circumstances which are beyond their control.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Electronic Voting: Coronavirus


To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of

Commons Commission, whether the Commission is holding discussions with other

Parliaments moving to establish secure electronic voting systems by use of (a) email and

(b) other methods during the covid-19 outbreak; and if the Commission will ensure that

technical work to allow electronic voting in the UK Parliament is undertaken to enable

proposals on the introduction of a secure electronic voting system to be put before the

House; and if he will make a statement.





Pete Wishart:

The House of Commons Commission has held no discussions with other Parliaments

about electronic voting by use of email or other methods during the Covid-19

outbreak.

Any decision to implement electronic voting would need to be agreed by the House

first. The Commission’s responsibility in this matter would be limited to the financial

and staffing implications of the decision, which would include the technical work to

allow electronic voting to take place.

The House has not made a decision to introduce electronic voting. In July 2019, the

Procedure Committee began an inquiry into voting procedures in the House of

Commons that included a consideration of “the desirability and/or feasibility of

alternatives to current arrangements”. That inquiry was interrupted by the general

election and the Committee has not made any decision on whether to reopen it.

House of Commons: Remote Working


To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of

Commons Commission, what steps the Commission is taking to ensure staff working for

(a) hon. Members, (b) the House of Commons and (c) shared services who can work

from home are doing so.

Pete Wishart:

Enabling remote working for Members’ staff, Commons staff and shared services

staff is a key priority in the Parliamentary Digital Service response to Covid-19.

One aspect of this focus is the provision of emergency laptops to those who are

normally equipped with desktop computers. There is a reasonable laptop stock

available, but it should be noted that market supply has been severely disrupted.

A digital coaching service for Members and their staff has been mobilised to provide

help and best practice guidance on working remotely. Parliamentary Digital Service

has distributed advice and guidance to all Members and their staff explaining how to

access parliamentary services remotely, including from their own personal

computers, how to connect to local printers from Parliamentary laptops and

optimising the use of Skype for Business. This guidance is being updated daily and

extended based on need.

All services managed by the Digital Service can be accessed remotely from a

Parliamentary laptop. There are a few procedural services which require specific

additional remote access tools to use. These can be enabled upon request if

required. It is not expected that any of the parliamentary services used by most

Members and their staff would fall into this category.

The Digital Service has a three-phase strategy in its response: respond, embed and

enhance. The first two are focused on helping users make best use of the

parliamentary services. The “enhance phase” which is mobilising now is working with



the senior leadership of Commons and the Lords to assess what additional

capabilities are required and can be deployed in the Covid-19 context over the

coming months.

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Business Improvement Districts: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what

steps he is taking to ensure that Business Improvement Districts play an active roll in

encouraging the return of footfall to the high street after the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Simon Clarke:

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have a significant role to play in regeneration

of high streets and towns across England and their role will be even more important

in the recovery phase from the current crisis.

We have announced changes to BID legislation, to delay BIDS’ ballots between now

and 31 December 2020 by extending the BID arrangements until 31 March 2021,

allowing businesses to focus on recovery from economic shock before deciding

whether to participate in BID arrangements for the following five-year period.

We are currently exploring other ways we can support BIDs directly, but their

business communities will benefit from the substantial package of direct support to

businesses already announced by the Chancellor.

Council Tax: Coronavirus

Dan Jarvis: [33540]


plans his Department has to push back the council tax 10-month payment period, so that

payments can be made from June 2020 to March 2021, to allow for the council tax break

to fall during the estimated peak of covid-19.

Mr Simon Clarke:

Local authorities have the flexibility to spread council tax payments over any

consecutive ten months of the year. The Government is aware that some councils

have already used this flexibility to help local people in the light of COVID-19. The

Government has also made available a £500 million Hardship Fund to enable

councils to provide additional local council tax support to the most vulnerable

households.



assessment he has made of the potential merits of directing local authorities to suspend

council tax payments for the duration of the covid-19 outbreak.





Mr Simon Clarke:

Council tax plays a vital role in funding the local services which are at the forefront of

the COVID-19 response. To assist financially vulnerable households, the

Government has confirmed £500 million of funding to provide more council tax relief.

Local authorities also have the flexibility to spread council tax payments over the final

ten months of the year to help local people.

Estate Agents: Coronavirus

Neil Coyle: [34358]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether

estate agents are classified as key workers for the purposes of the Government's

response to the covid-19 pandemic.

Christopher Pincher:

Estate agents are not currently classified as key workers. All estate agency workers

should work from home wherever possible to support their existing clients, and follow

Government guidelines on hygiene and social distancing.

Food Supply: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the

national plan for delivering food assistance is; what steps he will take to support local

community food initiatives; and what role local authorities will have in ensuring the supply

of food assistance.


My Department continues to work with local authorities to develop appropriate

measures that ensure those most vulnerable have access to food and drink

throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.

This Government is implementing a system to support those whose underlying health

conditions mean they are at higher clinical risk for COVID-19, and are therefore being

asked to self-isolate

The system will enable the delivery of groceries and medicine to this group, if they do

not have alternative means of accessing these in place. Deliveries of food and

essential household items will be delivered to the doorstep.

Local authorities will be a key delivery agency, working closely with at-risk individuals,

central Government, food industry partners and the voluntary and community sector

to ensure the system operates effectively.


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with

reference to the announcement by his Department on 21 March 2020 on measures to

protect people at highest risk from coronavirus, what plans his Department has to support





the delivery of food; whether his Department has plans to support food initiatives in local

communities; and what support local authorities will provide.


On 23 March, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for this Department

announced steps to protect 1.5 million extremely clinically vulnerable individuals.

These individuals received letters asking them to shield themselves and self-isolate

for the next 12 weeks.

To support these high-risk individuals, we are working with local authorities, the food

industry, local resilience and emergency partners, and voluntary groups to ensure

these individuals have essential items such as groceries and medicine through

deliveries and priority supermarket delivery slots, if they do not have alternative

means of accessing these.

The system to deliver food packages is now up and running and capacity is building

in line with current demand. We have now delivered over 280,000 food packages

direct to people’s doorsteps and will be ramping up our food deliveries over the

coming weeks.

Homelessness: Coronavirus



steps he is taking to ensure that people experiencing homelessness are provided with

units to self-isolate during the covid-19 outbreak.

Luke Hall:

During the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government has been working at pace with the

GLA and a number of hotel chains across the country to secure accommodation for

rough sleepers and we have now introduced a centrally coordinated booking process.

The vast majority of rough sleepers known to local authorities have now been made

offers of safe accommodation – ensuring some of the most vulnerable in society are

protected from the pandemic. This includes those rough sleeping or who have been

living in accommodation with communal sleeping spaces such as night shelters.

This response is backed by £1.6 billion of additional funding for local authorities to

enable them to respond to other COVID-19 pressures, including stepping up support

for the adult social care workforce and for services helping the most vulnerable, such

as those who find themselves experiencing homelessness during this time. This is in

addition to £3.2 million in targeted funding to ensure that we minimise the risk to

those currently unable to self-isolate.

This funding will assist local authorities with providing accommodation and support to

vulnerable people who are at risk of, or who have been diagnosed with, COVID-19.

We will continue to work closely with local authorities to help ensure that they have

the resources they need to protect people who are currently, or at risk of, sleeping

rough.



Meals on Wheels: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his

Department will provide funding to local authorities to reintroduce a nationwide meals on

wheels service for the vulnerable during the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Simon Clarke:

[Holding answer 25 March 2020]: MHCLG continues to work with local authorities to

develop appropriate measures that ensure those most vulnerable have access to

food and drink throughout the Covid-19 outbreak.

On 23 March, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for this Department

announced steps to protect 1.5 million high-risk individuals. These individuals

received letters asking them to shield themselves and stay at home for the next 12

weeks.

To support these high-risk individuals, we are working with local authorities, the food

industry, local resilience and emergency partners, and voluntary groups to ensure

these individuals have essential items such as groceries and medicine through

deliveries and priority supermarket delivery slots, if they do not have alternative

means of accessing these.

In addition, we have announced over £3.2 billion in funding to support local

authorities to respond to this pandemic.

Private Rented Housing: Coronavirus

Jessica Morden: [33457]


steps he is taking to support tenants who are unable to pay their rent as a result of loss of

income due to the covid-19 outbreak.


On 18 March, we announced a radical package of measures to protect renters and

landlords affected by coronavirus. Emergency legislation has been brought forward

as an urgent priority so that landlords will not be able to start proceedings to evict

tenants for at least a three-month period. As a result of these measures, no renter in

private or social accommodation needs to be concerned about the threat of eviction

during this time.

Tenants will continue to be liable for their rent, and those tenants who can afford to

pay should continue to do so. The Government has also announced unprecedented

measures to support workers to stay in work during this period by paying up to 80 per

cent of their wages, increasing the amount available to welfare claimants and raising

the Local Housing Allowance rate to the 30 th percentile, supporting tenants who may

have already been struggling with their rent. These significant financial measures will

support tenants to continue to pay their living costs, including rental payments.




Rents: Coronavirus



his Department has made an assessment of the feasibility of introducing a ban on rent

increases for (a) social and (b) private rented housing for the duration of the covid-19

outbreak.


The Government have no plans to ban rent increases during the COVID-19 outbreak

as we have already announced extensive measures to protect renters affected by

coronavirus. Through the Coronavirus Act 2020, we have introduced legislation to

delay when landlords are able to evict tenants. The legislation does this either by

extending the notice period that a landlord is required to serve on a tenant to at least

three months or, in some cases, creating a three months’ notice requirement where a

requirement to give notice does not currently exist.  The Master of the Rolls, with the

agreement of the Lord Chancellor, suspended all ongoing housing possession cases

for 90 days from 27 March 2020.

All tenants remain liable for their rent and those who can afford to should continue to

pay it. At the end of this period, if arrears have built up, landlords and tenants will be

expected to work together to establish an affordable repayment plan, taking into

account the tenants’ individual circumstances. For tenants in social housing,

landlords will continue to work closely with residents to help them manage their rent

and ensure they can access all benefits they are entitled to.

Alongside this legislative protection, the Chancellor has put in place an

unprecedented support package including support for business to pay staff salaries,

as well as a strengthening of the welfare safety-net with a £7 billion boost to

Universal Credit, income tax and VAT deferrals. And we’ve increased Local Housing

Allowance (LHA) rates so that they are set at the 30th percentile of market rents in

each area. These significant financial measures will help to support tenants to

continue to pay their living costs, including rental payments. We have also extended

the three month mortgage payment holiday to landlords with Buy to Let mortgages

whose tenants are experiencing financial difficulties due to coronavirus.

Second Homes: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will

make an assessment of the potential merits of making holiday homes exempt from

classification as domestic properties when that home is being used as a main residence

for the duration of the covid-19 outbreak.


The Government has no plans to exempt homes from being classified as domestic

properties other than where they are being used for business purposes. Where a




property is used for non-domestic purposes, it is for the Valuation Office Agency to

determine whether it should be liable for council tax or business rates.

Social Services: Shropshire

Daniel Kawczynski: [29969]


steps he is taking to ensure that Shropshire council has adequate funding to provide adult

social care.

Mr Simon Clarke:

[Holding answer 19 March 2020]: The 2020-21 settlement for local government

responds to the pressures councils are facing by providing access to the largest year

on year increase in spending power in a decade.

The additional £1 billion funding announced for adult and children’s social care,

together with the continuation of existing social care grant funding worth £2.5 billion

and the Adult Social Care Precept, means that the Government will give local

authorities access to almost £6 billion of dedicated funding across adult and

children’s social care in 2020-21. Shropshire Council will have access to £34.5 million

of dedicated social care funding over this period.

In March, the Government provided an additional £1.6 billion to help local authorities

respond to coronavirus (COVID-19) pressures across all the services they deliver,

including Adult Social Care. Just under £9 million was allocated to Shropshire. On 18

April, the Government announced that local authorities will receive a further £1.6

billion, allocations will be announced in due course.

This takes the total funding to support local authorities to respond to the pandemic to

over £3.2 billion.

Supported Housing: Staff

Maria Eagle: [33425]


the Government's policy is that staff providing extra care or warden services in supported

and sheltered housing schemes operated by Registered Social Landlords are key

workers; and if he will make a statement.

Luke Hall:

Government published guidance on GOV.UK on 19 March setting out how the

children of those whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response and cannot be

safely cared for at home will be prioritised for education provision.

Protecting vulnerable tenants and ensuring that residents of supported and sheltered

housing schemes are safe is critical at this time.

The guidance is clear that if workers think they fall within the critical categories it

describes, they should confirm with their employer that, based on their business




continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this

essential public service.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CDC: Fossil Fuels

Dan Carden: [33599]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of

26 February 2020 to Question 18886 on CDC: Fossil Fuels, what the (a) original

investment value was and (b) current net asset value is for CDC's investment in (i)

Albatros Energy, (ii) Proton Energy, (iii) Simba Oil Ltd, (iv) SODEP and (v) Uquo

Integrated Gas Business (Accugas).

James Duddridge:

The total amount invested across the five investments specified in the question was

$5.2 million. The total net asset value, as of 31 December 2019, had risen to $6.2

million.

CDC publishes the amounts it invests directly into businesses and investment funds

on its website www.cdcgroup.com. It does not disclose individual valuations as these

are commercially sensitive.

Coronavirus: International Cooperation


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the covid-

19 pandemic, what discussions he is having with his G20 counterparts on agreeing a

global deal for (a) affordable health care for people affected by covid-19, (b) collaborating

on a vaccination for that disease and (c) ensuring that jobs are protected.

Wendy Morton:

The UK is engaging with the World Health Organisation and other international

partners, including G20 counterparts, to contain COVID-19 and mitigate secondary

health and socio-economic impacts.

We have committed up to £744 million of UK aid to combat COVID-19 and to

reinforce the global effort to find a vaccine. This includes helping developing

countries manage the crisis by supporting the operations of the UN, the International

Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as well as the provision of

expert advice; supporting the International Monetary Fund to relieve debt servicing

pressures on countries struggling with the virus; and supporting international scientific

efforts to develop diagnosis tests and vaccines.

G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors recently collectively committed to

do whatever is needed to restore confidence and economic growth and to protect

jobs, businesses, and the resilience of the financial system.


http://www.cdcgroup.com/

http://www.cdcgroup.com/



Coronavirus: Vaccination

Bambos Charalambous: [35030]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether she is taking steps

to use the expertise and infrastructure established under (a) the IAVI organisation and (b)

other Product Development Partnerships to expedite the development and roll-out of a

covid-19 vaccine to (i) vulnerable groups in low- and middle-income countries and (ii)

other people.

James Duddridge:

DFID is working to maximise the development of and roll out of an effective COVID-

19 vaccine that is affordable and accessible to low- and middle- income countries.

The Prime Minister recently announced an additional £210 million of new UK aid

funding to the International Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)

to help develop a vaccine for COVID-19. The UK is now the biggest contributor to

CEPI, committing £250 million this year to support the global effort to fight epidemic

diseases, including coronavirus. DFID is currently exploring with existing partners,

including IAVI and other Product Development Partnerships, on how they too might

contribute to our efforts to combat COVID-19.

Developing Countries: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department

is taking to provide financial support to (a) workers and (b) farmers in the Global South

that supply goods to the UK and other countries affected by covid-19.

James Duddridge:

We are engaging with businesses in the UK and in developing countries to

understand the challenges they face with respect to protecting incomes and

livelihoods in their supply chains. As a leading shareholder and donor to the

Multilateral Development Banks, we have been working them to ensure that they are

providing much needed working capital to the small businesses and supply chains

that workers and farmers depend on in developing countries. We are exploring how

DFID’s private sector development finance programmes can respond and

complement this support. For example, CDC, the UK’s development finance

institution, continues to invest in businesses across Africa and South Asia to support

jobs. The UK also currently supports social protection programmes to assist the most

vulnerable in more than 25 countries. In response to COVID-19 we are providing

expert advice to governments and international partners to assess how and where

social protection could be best used to support an efficient, coordinated response.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has

had with the IMF on supporting developing countries experiencing the economic effect of






James Duddridge:

The department is working closely with HM Treasury to ensure that the IMF continues

to play its critical role at the centre of the global financial safety net, including

supporting the poorest and most vulnerable countries to respond to the economic

costs of the COVID19 pandemic.

The UK has been pressing for improvements to the IMF’s existing toolkit, such as

increasing the access limits on the IMF’s emergency financing instruments, which

was agreed by the IMF Board on 7 April. The details of this can be found here:

https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Policy-Papers/Issues/2020/04/09/Enhancing-the-

Emergency-Financing-Toolkit-Responding-To-The-COVID-19-Pandemic-

49320?cid=em-COM-123-41385

DFID is providing up to £150 million as the UK contribution to the IMF Catastrophe

Containment and Relief Trust, to support the poorest developing countries with debt

relief to support public finances during this crisis. The IMF recently announced the

first tranche of support through this Trust will be disbursed to 25 countries. We will

continue to engage with the IMF to ensure that it can effectively support vulnerable

countries during this unprecedented global health and economic crisis, and has

adequate resources to meet the needs of developing countries. The Chancellor has

announced an additional GBP 2.2 billion of UK loan resources for the IMF Poverty

Reduction and Growth Trust, which provides concessional lending to developing

countries.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her

Department made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on (a) employment, (b) wages,

and (c) farmer income in the global south.

James Duddridge:

DFID is working together with international organisations and other partners to

assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economies of developing

countries, including on the most vulnerable workers, including farmers. We are

drawing on modelling by the International Labour Organisation and our knowledge of

prior crises.

Foreign Aid: Coronavirus

Mike Hill: [35047]


is taking to ensure that covid-19-related medical aid from the UK and its allies is reaching

(a) countries under international (i) sanctions and (ii) embargoes and (b) other countries

in need of help.

Wendy Morton:

The UK is helping to lead the global response to COVID-19, working with our

international partners to stop its spread. UK aid is countering the health,

humanitarian, and economic risks and impacts of this pandemic in the developing

https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Policy-Papers/Issues/2020/04/09/Enhancing-the-Emergency-Financing-Toolkit-Responding-To-The-COVID-19-Pandemic-49320?cid=em-COM-123-41385




https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2020/04/13/pr20151-imf-executive-board-approves-immediate-debt-relief-for-25-countries

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2020/04/13/pr20151-imf-executive-board-approves-immediate-debt-relief-for-25-countries




world. We are working hard to ensure that our help reaches those most in need

through close collaboration with our partners. The UK has, to date, pledged £744

million of UK aid to help end this pandemic as quickly as possible. Alongside our aid

funding we are working closely with international partners, as combatting COVID-19

requires a transparent, robust, coordinated, large-scale and science-based global

response.

Our funding is supporting a range of initiatives and partners to ensure that it can

reach those who need it the most. This includes support to the United Nation’s Global

Humanitarian Response Plan to tackle COVID-19 and help to the most vulnerable

across the globe.

Our latest UK aid announcement on 12 April of £200 million, is supporting

humanitarian organisations to help reduce mass infections in developing countries

that often lack the healthcare systems to track and halt the virus. This includes £130

million to UN agencies in response to their COVID-19 humanitarian appeals.

The UK government is also working with Unilever to fund a £100 million global

programme to urgently tackle the spread of COVID-19. It will reach up to a billion

people worldwide, raising awareness and changing behaviour, to make sure people

are washing their hands with soap regularly and disinfecting surfaces. The

programme will also provide over 20 million hygiene products in the developing world,

including in areas where there is little or no sanitation.

By preventing the virus from spreading in the poorest countries we will save lives and

reduce the risk of future waves of infection spreading around the world, including to

the UK.

Gaza: Coronavirus



Department has made of the (a) availability and (b) adequacy of (i) medical and (ii)

sanitation supplies required in response to an outbreak of covid-19 in Gaza.

James Cleverly:

The UK is providing vital support to help respond to COVID-19 in the Occupied

Palestinian Territories. Our $1 million funding contribution will enable the World

Health Organisation and UNICEF to purchase and co-ordinate the delivery of medical

equipment, treat critical care patients, train frontline public health personnel and scale

up laboratory testing capacity.

The UN assesses that although the current number of detected cases remains

relatively low, the capacity of the Palestinian health system to cope with an expected

increase in COVID-19 cases is poor. The situation is particularly severe in Gaza,

where the health system has shortages in specialised staff, drugs and equipment. We

continue to monitor the situation and are working closely with the UN and the

international community to ensure a co-ordinated response.



Humanitarian Aid: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what additional humanitarian

support her Department is providing to (a) the elderly, (b) women and girls and (c)

refugees and internally displaced people in countries affected by covid-19 that (i) have

weak public health systems and (ii) are affected by conflict.

James Cleverly:

The UK is at the forefront of the international response to COVID-19, our £744 million

commitment to tackling this pandemic makes us one of the largest donors globally.

The weakness of developing countries’ healthcare systems is one of the principal

risks to the global spread of the virus. Countries experiencing conflict and

humanitarian crises are those least able to cope. Vulnerable groups – including the

elderly, people with disabilities, women and girls and displaced people – are

particularly at risk.

We are already strengthening fragile health services in the world’s poorest countries

by ensuring that our aid targets those who are most vulnerable, based on their needs.

This includes supporting countries to integrate the needs of refugees and Internally

Displaced People in their response to the crisis.

We are funding the UN’s Population Fund to support the most vulnerable women and

girls and the International Committee of the Red -Cross to reach people in the most

fragile regions of the world. UK aid is, for example, helping to install new hand-

washing stations, isolation and treatment centres in refugee camps as well as

increase access to clean water for those living in areas of armed conflict.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent steps her

Department is taking to tackle the humanitarian consequences of the covid-13 outbreak.

Wendy Morton:

The UK is helping to lead the global response to COVID-19, working with our

international partners to stop its spread. We are using UK aid to its full effect to

counter the health, humanitarian, and economic risks and impact of this pandemic in

the developing world. The UK has, so far, pledged £744 million of UK aid to help end

this pandemic as quickly as possible and tackle its humanitarian consequences.

The UK strongly supports the United Nation’s Global Humanitarian Response Plan to

tackle COVID-19. Our latest UK aid funding of £200 million, announced on 12 April,

will back humanitarian organisations to help reduce mass infections in developing

countries which often lack the healthcare systems to track and halt the virus. This

includes £130 million to UN agencies in response to their COVID-19 humanitarian

appeals.




By preventing the virus from spreading in the poorest countries we will save lives and

reduce the risk of future waves of infection spreading around the world, including to

the UK.

Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has

had with (a) the Prime Minister and (b) other Cabinet colleagues on postponing the

Integrated Review of foreign policy, defence, security and international development in

response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Wendy Morton:

The Prime Minister has directed that work on the Integrated Review should now be

formally paused across Whitehall. This is due to the pressing need to focus on

COVID-19, which will, of course, have significant international implications. We will

provide an update on timing once it is clearer how and when we will be able to

resume full work on the Review.

Iran: Coronavirus

Dan Carden: [35048]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department

plans to provide support to Iran for their covid-19 outbreak.

James Cleverly:

On 3 March the UK, jointly with E3 partners (Germany and France), announced a

comprehensive €5 million package of both material and financial support to combat

the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Iran. The UK component of this support consists of a

£2 million contribution to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its work in Iran.

This was made on 17 March and will pay for medical equipment, including laboratory

items and protective kit, as well as an uplift in staffing.

Israel: Palestinians


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the Answer

of 18 July 2017 to Question 3942 on Israel: Palestinians, what initiatives have the £3

million been allocated to help Israelis and Palestinians to work together.

James Cleverly:

Our People to People programme aimed to bring together Israelis and Palestinians to

cooperate on issues that can have a positive impact on both communities, helping to

build understanding between people on both sides of the conflict in support of a

peaceful, negotiated resolution.

Our £3 million three-year (2017-2020) programme facilitated interaction between

youth leaders, religious communities and within the health sector. It:





• helped tackle a neglected tropical disease (Leishmaniasis) through cooperation

between health academics and senior health workers for the wellbeing of both

populations.

• facilitated discussion and activity between young people on reducing interreligious

tensions around holy sites.

• brought together young leaders from different professional, political and religious

backgrounds to identify future areas for co-operation.

Kurdistan: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether his Department

plans to supply medical equipment to the Kurdistan Regional Government to help tackle

the covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement.

James Cleverly:

The UK has announced up to £744 million of aid funding to support the global efforts

to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, including support to the World Health Organisation

(WHO) and to the UN system to protect the most vulnerable.

Through the UN Supply Chain Taskforce, WHO is leading efforts to understand the

availability, distribution and forecasting of crucial response commodities throughout

the world. We are supporting these efforts to assess the levels of needs and

preparedness across Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and working with

multilateral partners including the UN, World Bank and International Monetary Fund

to support the response.

Overseas Aid: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department

plans to respond to the UN Relief and Works Agency’s flash appeal for an emergency

response to the covid-19 outbreak.

James Cleverly:

The UK is a long-term supporter of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA),

committing £65.5 million in 2019/20. Our funding contributes to UNRWA’s provision

of health services for more than 3 million Palestinian refugees across the region.

These services will play a key role in helping contain and address the spread of

COVID-19. We continue to monitor the situation closely and are working closely with

UNRWA and the international community to ensure a co-ordinated response to

COVID-19.



is taking to support frontline organisations in the global south which are tackling the (a)

spread and (b) consequences of the covid-19 outbreak.





Wendy Morton:

The UK is using our foreign aid budget and British expertise to stop the spread of the

global coronavirus outbreak, find a vaccine and save lives around the world. We have

so far pledged £744milion of UK aid to help end this pandemic as quickly as possible.

DFID is engaging with supply partners to address the challenges posed to them and

their projects by COVID-19. We will work collaboratively with supply partners to find

pragmatic solutions to support both our partners and continuation of our programmes

where appropriate.

The COVID-19 response will continue to develop rapidly and we are assessing and

monitoring the overall financial health of supply partners to identify organisations we

believe are at risk due to COVID-19.

We will deliver a comprehensive COVID-19 response through programming to

support the global health and economic response, funding for vaccine development,

preparing for the recovery phase and leadership within the international community.



is taking to support civil society organisations in countries affected by covid-19.

Wendy Morton:

DFID is speaking with all its partners, including civil society organisations, to

understand and help address the challenges posed to them and their work by

COVID-19. We are working collaboratively and flexibly with these partners to find

pragmatic solutions and are committed to continuing our work with the sector to reach

the poorest and most vulnerable.

Overseas Aid: Developing Countries


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether she is taking steps

to establish an emergency fund to support organisations delivering projects in the global

south which have cash-flow problems.

Wendy Morton:

DFID is engaging with supply partners to address the challenges posed to them and

DFID-funded projects by COVID-19. We will work collaboratively with supply partners

to find pragmatic solutions to support both our partners and continuation of our

programmes where appropriate.

The COVID-19 response will continue to develop rapidly and we are assessing and

monitoring the overall financial health of supply partners to identify organisations we

believe are at risk due to COVID-19.

We will deliver a comprehensive COVID-19 response through programming to

support the global health and economic response, funding for further vaccine

development, preparing for the recovery phase and leadership within the international

community.




Palestinians: Coronavirus



Department has made of the capacity of the Palestinian health sector to respond to the

covid-19 pandemic.

James Cleverly:

The UK is providing vital support to help respond to COVID-19 in the Occupied

Palestinian Territories. Our $1 million funding contribution will enable the World

Health Organisation and UNICEF to purchase and co-ordinate the delivery of medical

equipment, treat critical care patients, train frontline public health personnel and scale

up laboratory testing capacity.

The UN assesses that although the current number of detected cases remains

relatively low, the capacity of the Palestinian health system to cope with an expected

increase in COVID-19 cases is poor. The situation is particularly severe in Gaza,

where the health system has shortages in specialised staff, drugs and equipment. We

continue to monitor the situation and are working closely with the UN and the

international community to ensure a co-ordinated response


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has

made of the potential effect of the covid-19 pandemic on levels of health in Palestinian

refugee camps (a) in Lebanon and (b) throughout the Middle East.

James Cleverly:

The UK recognises the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s (UNRWA) unique

mandate to provide protection and core services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the

West Bank, Lebanon Jordan and Syria. In 2019/20 the UK has committed £65.5

million to UNRWA, matching our 2018 contribution. Overcrowded living conditions,

physical and mental stress and years of protracted conflict make the population of

over 5.6 million Palestine refugees across the Middle East particularly vulnerable.

UNRWA is supporting the delivery of national pandemic response plans and has put

in place a range of measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to treat

patients with symptoms, working in cooperation with WHO and other partners.

UNRWA: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment her

Department has made of the capacity of the UN Relief and Works Agency to respond to

healthcare needs arising from the covid-19 outbreak.

James Cleverly:

The UK recognises the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s (UNRWA) unique

mandate to provide protection and core services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the

West Bank, Lebanon Jordan and Syria. In 2019/20 the UK has provided £65.5 million





to UNRWA, matching our 2018 contribution. UNRWA has 3,300 staff working in 144

health centres who are responding to the pandemic and ensuring that Palestinian

refugees continue to have access to quality health care services. UNRWA is

supporting the delivery of national pandemic response plans and has put in place a

range of measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to treat patients with

symptoms, working in cooperation with WHO and other partners.

Yemen: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has

made of the capacity of the healthcare system in Yemen to (a) help prevent and (b)

respond to the spread of covid-19 in that country.

James Cleverly:

Following the confirmation that Covid-19 is now present in Yemen, we are extremely

concerned by the capacity of the healthcare system in Yemen to prevent and respond

to a severe outbreak of COVID-19. Only half of Yemen’s health facilities are currently

functioning and almost 20 million people lack access to basic healthcare.

In response to concerns about the healthcare system’s capacity, the World Health

Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are providing

vital equipment across the country, including testing supplies, personal protective

equipment and ventilators. Last year, the UK provided £240 million in response to the

humanitarian crisis in Yemen, with over £42 million supporting the UNICEF. We also

recently announced an extra £10 million to the WHO globally, to help prevent the

spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in developing countries and we will consider

providing additional COVID-19 support to Yemen should further funding be required.



is taking to help strengthen the capacity of the health care system in Yemen to respond to

the spread of covid-19 in that country.

James Cleverly:

The UK has been supporting the health system in Yemen during the five-year conflict

and has funded over 4.7 million medical consultations and 2.6 million vaccines since

2017. Last year, the UK provided £240 million in response to the humanitarian crisis

in Yemen, with over £42 million supporting United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

We continue to engage closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and

UNICEF who are providing vital equipment across the country, including testing

supplies, personal protective equipment and ventilators. The UK also recently

announced an extra £10 million to the WHO globally, to help prevent the spread of

the COVID-19 outbreak in developing countries and we will consider additional

COVID-19 support to Yemen should further funding be required.




INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Department for International Trade: Wines

Andrew Griffith: [35065]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how much her Department spent on

(a) English wine and (b) wine from other countries in 2017-18.

Conor Burns:

It is not possible to separate the cost of English wine, or wine from other countries,

from ‘other catering and hospitality costs’ in the Department’s finance system. As a

representative department, small amounts of alcohol may be served at external

events where there is a clear business need and it is appropriate given the

importance of the occasion and standing of the guests, but we do not keep a

separate record of this. Departmental policy states that expenditure should be kept as

low as possible, and within specified limits.

Import Controls: Food

Geraint Davies: [34302]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she plans to prohibit

imports from (a) New Zealand, (b) Australia and (c) other future trading partners of food

produced under systems banned in the UK.

Greg Hands:

It is vital that we explore new trading opportunities, but that should not mean a

dilution of the standards for which British food is world renowned. Without exception,

imports into the UK will meet our stringent standards and any future deals must work

for UK consumers, farmers and companies.

Overseas Trade: Australia


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of

the level of regulatory divergence on goods between the UK and Australia; and what

steps she is taking to ensure that goods produced under systems with lower levels of

environmental regulation are not imported into the UK.

Greg Hands:

We continue to consider Australian regulations and engage with our Australian

counterparts to build a shared understanding of our countries’ approaches and

ambitions for our future bilateral trade relationship. In line with our international

obligations, the Government will continue to ensure a high level of protection of the

environment in new trade agreements. The Government shares the public’s high

regard for the UK’s environmental protections and has made clear that we will not

compromise on these.





Trade Agreements


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what bilateral free trade agreements

her Department is discussing; and on what dates she plans to publish the negotiating

objectives for those free trade agreements that do not relate to the US or EU.

Conor Burns:

The Government is committed to the international free trade agenda. During these

unprecedented times we are looking at options to conduct negotiations in a way that

reflects the current situation and respects public health. Negotiating objectives will be

published before the launch of negotiations.

Trade Agreements: Australia


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the Government's timetable is

for holding (a) discussions, (b) meetings and (b) negotiations with the Australian

Government on a potential UK - Australia free trade agreement.

Greg Hands:

The Government is committed to negotiating and securing an ambitious free trade

deal with Australia as soon as is practical. During these unprecedented times we are

working with our negotiation partners to consider options for conducting negotiations

in a way that reflects the current situation and respects public health.


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what her Department's (a)

objectives and (b) planned timetable are for agreeing a trade deal with Australia.

Greg Hands:

The Government is committed to negotiating and securing an ambitious free trade

deal with Australia as soon as it is practical in a way which respects public health at

this current time. We will jointly decide with Australia on how and when to proceed

with the negotiations as the developing situation with COVID-19 becomes clearer.

The UK Government will publish its negotiating objectives for a UK-Australia Free

Trade Agreement, before negotiations start. This will be accompanied by a scoping

assessment which will set out the potential economic impacts of any agreement.



the potential (a) environmental and (b) social impacts on the UK of a UK trade deal with

Australia.

Greg Hands:

At the start of free trade agreement negotiations with Australia, the Government will

publish its Outline Approach which will include our negotiating objectives. This will be






accompanied by a scoping assessment which will set out the potential economic

impacts of any agreement.



the potential effectiveness of alternative investor protection provisions in relation to a free

trade agreement between the UK and Australia.

Greg Hands:

This Government is keen to ensure that UK investors overseas benefit from strong

protections against discriminatory or unfair treatment from a host state. The precise

details of any future UK Free Trade Agreement with Australia are a matter for formal

negotiations, and we would not seek to pre-empt these discussions.



the implications for (a) her policy on investor-state dispute settlement in a future UK-

Australia trade agreement and (b) the Government's climate change objectives of the

recent use of that dispute settlement by energy companies overseas.

Greg Hands:

The Government is clear that our future investment policy will continue to protect our

right to regulate in the public interest, including to meet our climate change and

environmental objectives. There is yet to be a successful investor-state dispute

settlement (ISDS) claim against the UK, nor has the threat of potential disputes

affected the government’s legislative programme.

JUSTICE

Debt Collection: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to regulate the actions

of bailiffs and debt collectors on people facing financial hardship as a result of the covid-

19 outbreak.

Alex Chalk:

My department is working with the enforcement agent (bailiff) industry to ensure that

enforcement agents are taking a flexible and sympathetic approach to people facing

financial hardship as a result of the covid-19 outbreak. In addition, we have instructed

enforcement agents (bailiffs) to follow the government guidance regarding working

practices and contact with others, including social distancing measures.

Debt collection firms are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (the FCA). I

understand that they are reminding firms of their existing responsibilities to offer

forbearance to those facing financial hardship. The FCA have recently confirmed a





package of temporary measures to provide temporary relief to those facing payment

difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jury Service: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether front-line staff working in (a) the NHS,

(b) education, (c) the police and (d) the food supply chain will be exempt from mandatory

jury service during the covid-19 pandemic.

Chris Philp:

At this time, the Government does not expect frontline emergency services staff,

including those in the NHS, Police and Fire Service to be serving on juries.

Anyone in these groups, or any Key Worker working in education, the food supply

chain or in any other frontline role who is summoned for jury service should contact

the Jury Central Summoning Bureau (JCSB). While by law we cannot automatically

defer jurors, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has issued guidance to help

staff deal sympathetically with all requests from the public who wish to be released or

deferred from jury service as a result of COVID-19. This also includes jurors who are

in self-isolation, household isolation or those who are at increased risk of severe

illness from coronavirus. Each application for deferral/excusal is considered on its

own merit, that is both fair to the individual and consistent with the needs of the court

in providing a representative jury.

We have published further details here: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-

courts-and-tribunals-planning-and-preparation#jury-service.

Magistrates Courts: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of

the continuation of priority cases in the Magistrates courts on efforts to reduce

transmission of covid-19; what steps he is taking to ensure compliance with the two metre

social distancing advice for those involved in any continued proceedings; and if he will

make a statement.

Chris Philp:

The judiciary has agreed that magistrates’ courts should focus on only the highest

priority cases for hearings in open court, and on work that can be dealt with remotely.

This has greatly reduced the number of people entering what would otherwise be

busy magistrates’ courts. Guidance has been issued to courts to make sure that the

advice on observing social distance requirements is observed as far as is practicable.

The judiciary continue to review the prioritisation of work in the magistrates’ courts,

with the need for courts to be able to operate safely being paramount.




National Probation Service for England and Wales: Pay


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

Probation Service staff are paid their contractual increments on time.

Lucy Frazer:

In 2018 agreement was reached with National Probation Service (NPS) Trade Unions

on pay modernisation. This replaces automatic pay progression with a new scheme

that will link pay to professional development. Development of this scheme has been

delayed.

Clearly, this is a scheme that all parties want to get right and therefore we are

working with Trade Union colleagues to implement it as soon as possible.

We are committed to ensuring that NPS staff receive their annual pay award at the

earliest possible point during 2020/21. When the pay award is made, it will be

backdated to 1 April 2020.

Trials: Coronavirus

Neil Coyle: [33580]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department will make an

assessment of the potential merits of deferring or postponing ongoing trials for non-

violent offences for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic.

Chris Philp:

As of 23 March 2020, the Lord Chief Justice suspended all jury trials in the Crown

Court. In the Magistrates’ Courts, trials are being selected for listing by the Judiciary

where the Judge is satisfied that the case can be safely heard, having regard to all

the particulars of the case management and the status and condition of the court in

which it will be heard.

Our courts provide a vital public service and it is important that justice is delivered

wherever possible. We are working closely with the judiciary and using the

technology available to progress cases through the system as quickly as possible.

Public safety is our priority and we are keeping the situation under constant review.

Wills: Coronavirus

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [33619]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the

implications of social distancing for the requirement in the Wills Act 1837 that a person

who may be a vulnerable individual be in the physical presence of two independent

witnesses when signing a will; and if he will enable (a) video conferencing and (b)

privileged wills in those cases during the covid-19 outbreak.





Alex Chalk:

The Government is currently reviewing the case for reform of the law on making wills

given current circumstances.

The constraints of the Covid-19 situation must be balanced against the important

safeguards in the law to protect elderly and vulnerable people in particular against

undue influence and fraud. Having two independent witnesses provides safeguards

to those making wills. Privileged wills are a long established convention restricted to

people making wills when on active military service where the normal formalities

cannot be observed, but which do not equate to the current civil circumstances. Other

reform measures are being considered at present.

In the longer term, the Government will consider reforms to the law on wills arising

from the forthcoming Law Commission report on wills, which will explore a range of

issues reviewing the current law and the case for reform (including on the use of

technology).

The Government is committed to considering further work on witnessing documents

by video-conference generally, in the light of the recent Law Commission report on

Electronic Execution of Documents, which will help to inform potential reforms to the

law on wills in the future.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Abortion: Northern Ireland


To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make an assessment of the

extent of demand on the NHS in Northern Ireland that will result from the implementation

of Section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019.

Mr Robin Walker:

On 25 March, the Government made The Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations

2020, which came into force on 31 March 2020. I recognise the current strains on

health systems right across the UK, but hope that full abortion services can be

commissioned as soon as possible in Northern Ireland in the current circumstances,

consistent with the Regulations we made. It will be a matter for the Northern Ireland

Department of Health and the Health and Social Care Board to assess the extent of

the demand on the health system.

TRANSPORT

Aviation: Redundancy

Fleur Anderson: [33757]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help

ensure people working the airline sector are not made redundant.




Kelly Tolhurst:

The Government recognises the importance of the UK aviation industry, which is why

the Chancellor set out his commitment to support the industry.

The Government has announced a package of measures, including the Coronavirus

Job Retention Scheme, which help firms to retain employees. This Scheme will allow

businesses to put employees on temporary leave, with the Government paying cash

grants of 80% of their wages up to a cap of £2,500 per month, providing the business

keeps the person employed.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with

representatives of the airline industry on the repatriation of UK nationals.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The Government is working in partnership with the airline industry to help British

people travelling abroad to return to the UK, and up to £75 million in Government

funding has been pledged to bring UK travellers back home.

The Department for Transport is working closely with the FCO and airlines to ensure

effective communication with and support for Britons who are trying to return home,

and is working intensively with international partners to keep air routes and critical

transit hubs open so that passengers can return by commercial means wherever

possible. Where commercial routes are no longer available, charter flights are being

arranged.

This continues to be a challenging situation, as different countries introduce

restrictions, but the Government and airlines are continuing to make progress, and a

large number of Britons have now returned to the UK.

Driving: Licensing


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will extend the expiry dates for (a)

passenger carrying vehicle and (b) other higher categories of driving licences for

volunteer specialist drivers (i) whose age requires a medical certificate to accompany

their licence renewal application and (ii) who cannot access a GP appointment to obtain a

medical certificate to accompany that licence renewal application during the covid-19

outbreak.

Rachel Maclean:

To keep bus and lorry drivers on the road, the Government has made temporary

provisions for bus and lorry drivers aged 45 and over. A D4 medical report will not be

required when applying to renew a bus or lorry driving licence until further notice.

Provided they have no notifiable medical conditions, drivers will be issued a licence

that is valid for one year instead of the usual five. This will only apply if the licence is

due to expire or has expired since 1 January 2020.




As is always the case, drivers must ensure they are medically fit to drive and they are

legally obliged to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency of any onset or

worsening medical conditions.

Driving: Working Hours

Alex Sobel: [34404]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether statutory minimum safety standard

and maximum driving times for drivers of (a) HGVs and (b) passenger vehicles will be

revised to support logistical operations for the covid-19 outbreak.

Rachel Maclean:

The Department for Transport is determined to help keep supply chains moving up

and down the country despite COVID-19. That is why we authorised a temporary

relaxation of the enforcement of the drivers’ hours rules for the whole haulage

industry; which began on Monday 23 March 2020 and will run until Sunday 31 May

2020. This was done on the understanding that driver welfare and road safety must

not be compromised. Employers remain responsible for the health and safety of their

employees and other road users.

We have not relaxed the drivers’ hours rules in the passenger transport sector.

Garages and Petrol Stations: Coronavirus

Alison Thewliss: [33638]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether motor factors and independent

garages are key workers who are required to keep working under the covid-19 guidance.

Rachel Maclean:

As set out in “Guidance: Closing certain businesses and venues” issued by the

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, garages are among the

exceptions to businesses which must close, and may remain open. All non-essential

retail must close, including those retailers selling car parts and accessories. However

online retailers, including those supplying car parts may remain open.

Government Assistance: Regional Airports


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to provide

financial assistance to regional airports in response to the outbreak of covid-19.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The Government recognises that airports are critical in enabling essential air services

across the country and overseas, including getting Britons home from abroad,

delivering essential supplies, and connecting isolated communities. We are working

to make sure that a network of infrastructure remains in place across the UK to

continue to deliver these services.





Airports are able to draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced

by the Chancellor, including a Bank of England scheme for firms to raise capital,

Time to Pay flexibilities with tax bills, financial support for employees and VAT

deferrals, as well as existing measures such as the UK Guarantee scheme.

Logistics: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made in providing

frontline supply-chain logistics personnel with (a) hand sanitiser, (b) anti-bacterial wipes

and (c) relevant protective clothing in order to maintain reliable deliveries to supermarkets

and other distribution outlets.

Kelly Tolhurst:

We are working very closely with the logistics industry to keep supply chains moving,

including to address this and other matters to keep workers safe. Public Health

England updated advice on 24th March and 7th April. Advice is at

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-

covid-19-sector-guidance

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Jamie Stone: [34392]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential

merits of suspending MOTs during the covid-10 outbreak.

Rachel Maclean:

As announced on 25 March 2020, the Government is introducing a six-month

exemption for all light vehicles due for an MOT test from 30 March 2020 onwards to

allow people to carry on travel to work where essential, or shop for necessities. The

assessment is that this a proportionate step in the light of the public health challenges

related to COVID-19 compared to the potential effects of not testing. It remains

important for vehicles in use to be roadworthy at all times.

Taxis: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether (a) licensed London taxi drivers and

(b) other taxi and private hire drivers are classified as key workers for the purposes of

Government guidance during the covid-19 pandemic.

Rachel Maclean:

Taxi and private hire drivers should not generally be considered Critical Workers.

Those undertaking Home to School transport or the transport of ‘extremely

vulnerable’ people may be considered Critical Workers on a case-by-case basis.

Critical Workers should also whenever possible make suitable arrangements for their

children to stay at home; requests for children to attend school should be discussed

with the school.





Travel: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to

support people on low incomes in the travel industry during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The Government recognises the importance of the UK aviation industry, which is why

the Chancellor has announced an unprecedented package of economic measures to

support both the sector’s businesses and its employees

These measures include the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which helps firms

to retain employees. This Scheme allows businesses to put employees on temporary

leave, with the Government paying cash grants of 80% of their wages up to a cap of

£2,500 per month, providing the business keeps the staff employed. The Government

has also issued guidance on accessing Statutory Sick Pay and Universal Credit.

The Department for Transport continues to engage closely with key industry

stakeholders to understand their position and the support they need. This includes a

weekly call with key unions in the aviation sector.

TREASURY

Agriculture: Non-domestic Rates


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what additional fiscal steps he is taking to

support agricultural businesses subject to exemption from business rates but

experiencing acute financial difficulties during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jesse Norman:

The Government has set out a package of measures to support businesses, including

agricultural businesses, through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19,

including those businesses not eligible for business rate relief.

This support for business includes the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan

scheme for small and medium-sized businesses, a statutory sick pay relief package,

the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help

firms continue to keep people in employment, and a new lending facility from the

Bank of England for larger firms.

These measures provide a comprehensive, coordinated and coherent response to

what is a serious and evolving economic situation. As the wider economic picture

becomes clearer, the Government will continue to act to get the nation through the

impacts of COVID-19 and the Government stands ready to announce further action

wherever necessary.




Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties

Patrick Grady: [33695]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to waive duty

payments on the production of alcohol for use in hand sanitiser by spirit drinks distillers in

the UK.

Patrick Grady: [33696]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with

representatives of the spirit distillation industry in the UK on the support they require to

switch production to the manufacture of santising products.

Kemi Badenoch:

To meet the additional demand for hand sanitiser, the government has been

supporting manufacturers by ensuring they have access to the denatured alcohol

they need. Since the beginning of March, HM Revenue & Customs has fast-tracked

the authorisation of over 3 million additional litres of denatured alcohol for hand

sanitiser production.

However, in light of continuing high demand for the alcohol needed in these products,

HMRC has worked proactively with the spirits industry on a series of easements to

the current requirements. Under new measures announced on 23 rd March, distillers

and gin producers that hold alcohol or alcohol waste within an excise warehouse

may, without HMRC’s prior approval, use these products to produce hand sanitiser

without the payment of excise duty, providing the final product meets the World

Health Organization’s formulation for Handrub.

Further information on all the easements announced by HMRC to support hand

sanitiser production can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/producing-hand-sanitiser-and-gel-for-coronavirus-covid-

19

Beer: Excise Duties


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to cancel beer duty

payments due by direct debit on 25 March for small independent brewers.

Jesse Norman:

Time to Pay arrangements are already available to all brewers, which enable them to

seek deferrals for beer duty and other taxes with no interest or late penalties due.

HMRC’s dedicated Covid-19 helpline can be reached by calling: 0800 0159 559.

This comes on top of the wider package of support announced by the Chancellor,

worth over £350bn. Small brewers will be able to access interest-free loans, defer

their VAT payments due on VAT returns for the period until the end of June and

receive support worth up to 80% of their employees’ wages.



https://www.gov.uk/guidance/producing-hand-sanitiser-and-gel-for-coronavirus-covid-19





Gill Furniss: [33727]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will cancel beer duty payments due by

direct debit on 25 March 2020 for small independent breweries.

Kemi Badenoch:

Time to Pay arrangements are already available to all brewers, which enable them to

seek deferrals for beer duty and other taxes with no interest or late penalties due.

HMRC’s dedicated Covid-19 helpline can be reached by calling: 0800 0159 559.

This comes on top of the wider package of support announced by the Chancellor,

worth over £350bn. Small brewers will be able to access interest-free loans, defer

their VAT payments due on VAT returns for the period until the end of June and

receive support worth up to 80% of their employees’ wages.

Business: Coronavirus


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether businesses that do not pay business

rates are eligible to apply for grants through the Covid-19 Business Grants Fund.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the guidance published by his

Department on 23 March 2020, entitled Covid-19: support for businesses, what steps he

is taking to ensure that businesses that (a) sub-lease space from others and (b) are run

from home are able to access business grants.

John Glen:

Only businesses which as of 11 March 2020 had their own rating assessment / rates

valuation are eligible for the Business Grants Funds. The Small Business Grant Fund

and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund have been designed to support the

smallest businesses, and smaller businesses in some of the sectors which have been

hit hardest by the measures taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Both schemes

have been tied to the business rates system because these businesses are likely to

face particularly high fixed costs, such as fixed rents and other building-related costs.

The grants schemes are already making a real difference to many thousands of

businesses, which have received a total of over £1 billion since the schemes were

launched.

Small businesses in shared offices / premises, where the overall building’s rates

valuation is too big to qualify for a grant, and where the users of the shared space

don’t have their own rating assessment, are not eligible for the grants’ scheme.

However, small businesses which are not eligible for these 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 Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, to support businesses with their wage

bills;

• The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, to provide support to the self-

employed.

The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses

can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the

schemes open and how to apply - https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-

business-support/.

Mr Toby Perkins: [33500]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of

the covid-19 outbreak on levels of business of (a) estate agents, (b) housebuilders, (c)

conveyancers, (d) surveyors and (e) recruitment consultants; and whether he plans to

provide to those sectors the same business rate support as he has provided to the

hospitality sector.

Jesse Norman:

The government has set out a package of measures to support businesses through

this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.

The Chancellor previously announced a 100% rates holiday for eligible retail,

hospitality and leisure properties in 2020-21. On the 25 th March the government went

further and removed some of the exclusions for this relief, so that eligible retail,

leisure, and hospitality properties that will have to close as a result of the measures

announced by the Prime Minister in his statement of the 23 rd March, will now be

eligible for the relief.

Support is also available to those not eligible for business rates relief, this includes

the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme for small and medium-sized

businesses, a statutory sick pay relief package, the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme, the

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep people in

employment and a new lending facility from the Bank of England for larger firms.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to support independent

businesses during the covid-19 outbreak.

Steve Barclay:

The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to

protect them against the current economic emergency including an initial £330 billion

of guarantees – equivalent to 15% of UK GDP. We have made significant changes to

the operation of statutory sick pay, universal credit, and employment and support

allowance to ensure that people have quicker and more generous access to a

support system. We have taken further steps to give businesses access to cash to

pay rent, salaries or suppliers, alongside a commitment to pay 80% of the regular

monthly wages, up to £2,500, of furloughed workers for three months, via the




Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), and help for the self-employed with the

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

Our economic response is one of the most generous and comprehensive globally and

we are working urgently to deliver these schemes as quickly as possible.

Businesses are now able to access much of this support already. There is a Business

Support website that helps businesses find out how to access the support that has

been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply -

https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

Business: Government Assistance

Seema Malhotra: [34985]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential

merits of including (a) mobile food vendors and (b) other non-business rate hospitality

businesses in his cash grant support package for the retail, hospitality and leisure

sectors.

Steve Barclay:

The Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund

have been designed to support the smallest businesses, and smaller businesses in

some of the sectors which have been hit hardest by the measures taken to prevent

the spread of Covid-19. Both schemes have been tied to the business rates system

because these businesses are likely to face particularly high fixed costs, such as

fixed rents and other building-related costs. The grants schemes are already making

a real difference to many thousands of businesses, which have received a total of

around £1 billion since the schemes were launched.

Small businesses which are not eligible for these grants’ 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 Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, to support businesses with their wage

bills;

• The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, to provide support to the self-

employed.

The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses

can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the

schemes open and how to apply - https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-

business-support/








Business: Insurance

Tim Farron: [33473]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 23 March 2020 to

Question 31468 on Businesses: Insurance, what steps he is taking to provide insurance

for businesses that have not been directed to close by the Government but have closed

as a result of Government advice on the covid-19 outbreak.

Dan Jarvis: [33539]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to underwrite

insurance costs for business interruption during the covid-19 outbreak for the pub,

brewing and hospitality sectors.

John Glen:

Insurance is not an appropriate product where a risk has already materialised, or

where it is overwhelmingly likely that a risk will occur. For this reason, where

businesses did not already have an appropriate policy that covers government-

ordered closure or unspecified notifiable diseases, insurance is not a suitable tool for

the Government to cover the financial losses due to COVID-19.

The Government recognises that businesses who do not have appropriate insurance

cover will require support from elsewhere. That is why the Chancellor set out a

package of support in the Budget, on 17 March, and on 20 March, which includes

measures such as business rates holidays, the Coronavirus Business Interruption

Loan Scheme, and wage support.

Catering: Coronavirus

Dan Jarvis: [33538]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to cancel (a)

beer duty and (b) VAT payments due this month to support the pub, brewing and

hospitality sectors.

Jesse Norman:

Time to Pay arrangements are already available to all businesses, which enable them

to seek deferrals for beer duty and other taxes with no interest or late penalties due.

HMRC’s dedicated COVID-19 helpline can be reached by calling: 0800 0159 559.

This comes on top of the wider package of support announced by the Chancellor.

Businesses will be able to access interest-free loans, defer their VAT payments due

on VAT returns for the period until the end of June, and receive support worth up to

80% of their employees’ wages.





Charities: Coronavirus


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government will take to support

charities whose income and fundraising activities are affected by the covid-19 outbreak;


Kemi Badenoch:

The Chancellor set on April 8 a £750 million package of support for charities

providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the Covid-19 crisis.

This will help charities providing essential services to continue their operations and to

weather the storm until we return to more normal times. Funding for charities will be

made available in the coming weeks and the most up to date information will be on

Gov.uk. Our aim is to get funding to those in greatest need as soon as possible.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is holding discussions with Cabinet

colleagues on (a) charity sector insecurity as a result of the covid-19 outbreak and (b)

plans to mitigate that insecurity through a sector-wide bailout.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the

effect of the covid-19 outbreak restrictions on the third sector on the long-term ability of

charities to operate.

Steve Barclay:

The Chancellor set out on April 8 a £750 million package of support for charities






Bridget Phillipson: [34971]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to provide emergency funding

to charities supporting the response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Steve Barclay:

The Chancellor set on April 8 a £750 million package of support for charities











Charities: Non-domestic Rates

Mary Kelly Foy: [35050]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to extend the small business

grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural

rate relief to charities in receipt of charity rate relief.

Jesse Norman:

The Government has provided a comprehensive, coordinated and coherent package

of measures to support all businesses through this period of disruption caused by

COVID-19, including one-off grants for small businesses that pay little or no business

rates because of small business rate relief or rural rate relief, to help meet their

continuing business costs.

Charities operating in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will also benefit from

the business rates holiday for these sectors, and grant funding for properties with a

rateable value below £51,000.

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. This will include up to £200m support for hospices, with the

rest going to organisations such as the St John Ambulance and the Citizens Advice

Bureau, as well as charities supporting vulnerable children, victims of domestic

abuse, or disabled people. £370m will support smaller, local charities working with

vulnerable people.

Charities will also be able to benefit from the range of other measures to support all

businesses, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Alan Brown: [33683]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if the wage grant under the Coronavirus Job

Retention Scheme will be made available to employees working reduced hours.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether businesses with workers with an

increased risk of severe illness will be entitled to claim for the Worker Retention Scheme

to ensure their salary is paid while they are following advice to stay at home.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

will apply to staff who are working in the UK on a spousal visa.

Gavin Newlands: [33752]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether workers who had their hours of work cut

in response to the covid-19 outbreak prior to the announcement of the Coronavirus Job







Retention Scheme will be eligible for support at the rate of pay commensurate with the

original number of hours worked.

Gavin Newlands: [33753]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether there is a minimum number of hours

worked per calendar week for an employee to be considered a furloughed worker for the

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Rachel Hopkins: [33758]


takes into account (a) wage fluctuation over a period of 6 months and (b) basic income,

(c) additional income, (d) overtime payments, (e) commission and (f) pension

contributions when calculating 80 per cent of a wage.

Jesse Norman:

The Government seeks, as far as possible, to protect people’s jobs and incomes.

This is an unprecedented jobs retention scheme and the Government has been

working hard to set out further details on the scheme. The Coronavirus Job Retention

Scheme is open to any individual who was on an employer’s PAYE payroll on 19

March 2020. Full details can be found in the guidance available at

www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-

scheme and www.gov.uk/guidance/work-out-80-of-your-employees-wages-to-claim-

through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme, which provides answers to these

questions.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of

people who will be eligible to receive 80 per cent of their salaries under the terms of the

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jesse Norman:

Any employer using a UK PAYE scheme can access the Coronavirus Job Retention

Scheme provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.

As of January 2020, there were about 29.2 million employees being paid through a

PAYE scheme.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether businesses not listed as non-essential

shops and public spaces which choose to close to safeguard their staff will be entitled to

assistance under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether employers will incur any (a) costs or (b)

conditions as a result of accessing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.







Jesse Norman:

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is designed to help firms that have been

severely affected by coronavirus to retain their employees and protect the UK

economy. The scheme is open to all UK employers providing they have created and

started a PAYE payroll scheme on or before 19 March 2020 and have a UK bank

account.

The Government has designed this package to be straightforward and

comprehensive for businesses. Employers can claim a grant for the associated

Employer National Insurance contributions and pension contributions (up to the level

of minimum automatic enrolment employer pension contribution) on the subsidised

furlough pay.

Full guidance for employers, including the requirements on businesses, can be found

at: www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-

scheme.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will provide support businesses to

encourage their employees to move towards part-time shift working during the outbreak

of covid-19 through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman:

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme does not subsidise part-time work. It is

designed to support individuals who would otherwise have been made redundant and

it also protects public health by minimising the number of non-key workers outside of

their homes on a regular basis. The Government has strengthened the welfare

system to support those whose hours change, including through an increase to the

Universal Credit standard allowance and to the working tax credit basic element.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Agency Workers

Ian Mearns: [34329]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the income of long term supply teaching

staff employed (a) through agencies and (b) by schools, acadamies or local authorities

will have their income protected under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether agency workers will be eligible to

access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how the average pay of people on (a) zero-

hours and (b) casual contracts will be calculated under the Coronavirus Job Retention

Scheme.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme








Jon Trickett: [34914]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that agency

workers facing a loss of income as a result of the covid-19 outbreak receive a wage from

the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Hilary Benn: [34918]


applies to those deemed to be employees in terms of tax under IR35.

Tim Farron: [34935]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether employees that are being paid through

the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will jeopardise their access to that scheme in the

event that they undertake short-term employment for work places that (a) are

understaffed as a result of workers self-isolating, (b) classified as essential by the

Government, (c) are experiencing an increased demand as a result of the covid-19

outbreak and (d) where work can be done remotely.

Dan Jarvis: [34984]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether people who are advised not to work

because they (a) are defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable or (b) live in a

household with people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable will be

eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Alan Brown: [35004]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether workers made redundant after 1 March

2020 as a result of the covid-19 epidemic who are re-employed by their original employer

and then furloughed will be eligible for the 80 per cent wage grant under the business

interruption Government support mechanism.

Claire Hanna: [35059]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to protect agency

workers that are facing unemployment as a result of the covid-19 outbreak; and whether

those workers are included in the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman:

The Government seeks, as far as possible, to protect people’s jobs and incomes.

This is an unprecedented jobs retention scheme and the Government has been

working hard to set out further details on the scheme. The Coronavirus Job Retention

Scheme is open to any individual who was on an employer’s PAYE payroll on 19

March 2020. Full details can be found in the guidance available at

www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-

scheme and www.gov.uk/guidance/work-out-80-of-your-employees-wages-to-claim-

through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme, which provides answers to these

questions.








Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Shipping

Karl Turner: [34339]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether foreign shipping companies operating

from UK ports are eligible for Government assistance in paying 80 per cent of seafarers’

wages under the terms of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether offshore-registered crewing agencies

supplying seafarers to the UK shipping industry are eligible for Government assistance in

paying 80 per cent of seafarers’ wages under the terms of the Coronavirus Job Retention

Scheme.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will issue guidance to (a) seafarers, (b)

shipping companies and (c) international shipping registers working or operating in the

UK shipping industry on access to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman:

Any entity with a UK payroll can apply to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme as

long as they have: (1) created and started a PAYE payroll scheme on or before 19

March 2020, (2) enrolled for PAYE online and (3) a UK bank account. This applies to

any organisation including those listed in these questions. Further guidance can be

found online at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-

coronavirus-job-retention-scheme.

Credit Cards: Fees and Charges

Mr Laurence Robertson: [33398]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will hold discussions with credit card

companies to ask them to suspend the charging of fees on balances while the restrictions

in response to covid-19 are in place; and if he will make a statement.

John Glen:

On 17 March, the Government announced a package of measures aimed at

supporting the financial wellbeing of British businesses, individuals, and families. The

Government recognises that the outbreak of COVID-19 may lead to consumers

facing financial difficulty and uncertainty. Therefore, we have acted to support

customers who may find it challenging to make mortgage or credit payments and may

require access to further credit. The major banks and building societies have pledged

to provide relief to customers impacted by COVID-19, including deferring mortgage

and other loan repayments, waiving fees on savings accounts and increasing

overdraft or credit card limits.

The Government is committed to doing whatever it takes to get our nation through the

impacts of COVID-19 and is working closely with the Financial Conduct Authority

(FCA) and industry, including credit card companies, on a number of financial






services issues. The Government stands ready to announce further action wherever

necessary.

Employee Ownership

Neil Gray: [34354]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to promote employee share

ownership schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman:

I refer the Honourable Member to my written answer of 24 March 2020:

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-

statements/written-question/Commons/2020-03-16/29951/

Neil Gray: [34355]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to protect participants in

employee share ownership schemes from losing their tax relief when a trustee acts in

breach of trust; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman:

I refer the Honourable Member to my written answer of 19 March 2020:

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-

statements/written-question/Commons/2020-03-16/29950/

Employment: Coronavirus

Tim Farron: [34936]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support he plans to provide for

employees in the event that their employer requires them to come into work and refuses

to access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme on their behalf but they (a) are not a

key worker, (b) do not deem their work to be essential and (c) believe that there is a risk

of spreading covid-19 by attending work.

Jesse Norman:

The decision to furlough an employee must ultimately be agreed to by both the

employer and employee. If an employee is concerned that their employer is not

claiming on their behalf, they should speak with their employer in the first instance,

then with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).

Where it is permitted and does not go against public health guidance, businesses

may wish to ask their employees to continue working as usual. Maintaining economic

activity where possible will help towards creating a robust economic recovery as the

UK emerges from this pandemic.


https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-03-16/29951/









Insurance Companies: Coronavirus


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to ensure that covid-

19 is not excluded by insurance companies from their lists of notifiable diseases for

claims.

John Glen:

The Government is in continual dialogue with the insurance sector about its

contribution to handling this unprecedented situation.

For those businesses which have an appropriate policy that covers government

ordered closure and unspecified notifiable diseases, the Government’s social

distancing instructions are sufficient to allow businesses to make a claim against their

insurance, provided the other terms and conditions in their policy are met.

The FCA’s rules require insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly; provide

reasonable guidance to help a policyholder make a claim, and appropriate

information on its progress; not reject a claim unreasonably; and settle claims

promptly once settlement terms are agreed.

However, it is important to note that most businesses have not purchased insurance

that covers losses from unspecified notifiable diseases, such as COVID-19. Some

policies cover losses arising from any disease classed as notifiable by the

government, however most policies only cover a specific list of notifiable diseases.

The Government recognises that businesses who do not have appropriate insurance

cover will require support from elsewhere. As such, businesses should explore the

full package of support set out by the Chancellor in the Budget, on 17 March, and on

20 March, which includes measures such as business rates holidays, the

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and wage support.

Iron and Steel: Manufacturing Industries

Ben Lake: [33703]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps he is taking to support the UK

steel industry.

Ben Lake: [33704]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has discussed steps to support

Welsh steel production with his Welsh Government counterparts.

Steve Barclay:

Prior to Covid 19, the government had already begun to take wide-ranging action to

support the UK steel industry, including compensation for energy costs, supporting

innovation and clean steel production – through the £315m Industrial Energy

Transformation Fund and £250m Clean Steel Fund, and working with the industry to

introduce steel procurement guidance.





Since the outbreak, the government has announced a comprehensive package of

support for businesses and workers to protect them against the current economic

emergency.

They come alongside the more than £1.6 billion that has been allocated by the UK

Government to help the Welsh Government meet this exceptional challenge.

Loans: Coronavirus

Stephen Kinnock: [34352]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will introduce an immediate six-month

moratorium on commercial lenders enforcing loan repayments during the covid-19

outbreak.

John Glen:

The Government has announced an unprecedented support package to help

businesses through this challenging time.

For larger businesses, this includes the new Covid Corporate Financing Facility

(CCFF), which will provide additional help for firms facing cash flow disruption, and

the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme launched on Monday 20

April. For small and medium sized businesses (SMEs), the Coronavirus Business

Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) launched on 23 March which will help give lenders

greater confidence to continue providing SMEs with finance through this uncertainty.

The Government welcomes the commitments made by the banking industry to

support their customers’ finance needs, and will continue to work with the regulators

and the industry to ensure the steps we have taken are effective in helping

businesses through this period of uncertainty.

Any customer who is concerned about their current financial situation should get in

touch with their lender at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss the best option

for them.

Mortgages: Coronavirus


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will mandate mortgage lenders to provide

all customers mortgage holidays upon request, irrespective of previous arrears on the

customer account.

Kate Osborne: [33666]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the feasibility

of extending mortgage payment holidays to people that have commercial mortgages


John Glen:

Banks and building societies are ready and able to support consumers impacted by

COVID-19. On the 17 March, the Chancellor announced on behalf of the sector that





banks and building societies will offer a 3-month ‘mortgage holiday’ for borrowers that

are financially struggling with their repayments. This forbearance measure will enable

affected borrowers to defer their mortgage payments for up to 3 months while they

get back on their feet.

The FCA have also published guidance on payment holidays and repossession

action for firms that engage in mortgage lending activities. This means that second

charge mortgages are also captured by the measures. You can view the guidance

here:

https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/mortgages-coronavirus-consumers

As a form of forbearance, the option of a mortgage repayment holiday is open to any

customer regardless of whether they are in payment shortfall. Any customer who is

concerned about their current financial situation should get in touch with their lender

at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss the best option for their them.

The Government has introduced an unprecedented package of measures to support

businesses access the finance they need during this difficult period, and announced

significant measures to directly provide support for SMEs including grants, business

rates relief and other tax measures.

PAYE: Coronavirus

Hywel Williams: [33433]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to ensure that interest is not

charged on PAYE payments that are deferred as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Jesse Norman:

The Government has announced an unprecedented package of support for

businesses and individuals affected by COVID-19. This includes the deferment of

VAT and Income Tax Self-Assessment payments for specified periods. Interest on

these deferred payments will be waived.

All other taxes are required to be reported and paid on time, and interest continues to

apply to late payments. HMRC have scaled up their Time to Pay service, which is

available to any taxpayer in temporary financial distress as a result of COVID-19 and

with outstanding tax liabilities. Time to Pay arrangements are tailored to the taxpayer

and can include deferment of tax payments and an agreed time period to repay. They

can cover any tax liability, including PAYE.

The Government has announced a range of other support for businesses, including

grants for small businesses and government-backed loans that do not accrue interest

for the first 12 months. Further information about HMRC’s dedicated COVID-19

support can be found by visiting the GOV.UK website.





Pensions: Coronavirus


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, whether

he has plans to extend the deadline by which single premium pension payments may be

made into existing personal pension plans in the current year beyond 5 April 2020.

John Glen:

There are various types of deadline that may relate to single premium pension

payments.

If the deadline is set out in the contract of the personal pension plan, this is a

contractual issue between the individual and their pension provider.

In relation to tax matters, the Government allows up to three years of unused annual

allowance to be carried forward, if individuals have not used up their whole annual

allowance in previous tax years.

Roadchef: Employee Benefit Trusts

Neil Gray: [34353]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress his Department been made on

the dispute between HMRC and the Roadchef Employee Benefits Trust since the

meeting between the Financial Secretary, the hon. Member for Airdrie and Shotts and the

Chairman of the Trust; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman:

The administration of the tax system is a matter for HM Revenue and Customs, who

have indicated that they are in dialogue with the taxpayer. It would not be appropriate

for Treasury ministers to become involved in the administration of the tax system in

specific cases.

Self-employed: Coronavirus

Mr Toby Perkins: [33501]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the

effect of the covid-19 outbreak on self-employed people; and whether he has plans to

provide a package of support for self-employed people equivalent to the support the

Government has made available to employed people as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Dan Jarvis: [33552]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to establish a Coronavirus

Job Retention Scheme for self-employed workers.

Neil Coyle: [33577]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will make an assessment of

the potential merits of supporting self-employed people during the covid-19 outbreak by

providing grants that cover 80 per cent of their average salary, using the last three years

as a basis.







Emma Hardy: [33627]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential

merits of giving self-employed people 80 per cent of their income during the covid-19

outbreak.

Stuart C McDonald: [33640]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support is available to support (a)

childminders, (b) driving instructors and (c) other self-employed people during the covid-

19 outbreak.

Claire Hanna: [33646]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to provide financial

support to self-employed people during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jesse Norman:

The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced new support for the self-employed on

26 March 2020.

The new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme will help those with lost trading

profits due to COVID-19. It will allow eligible individuals to claim a taxable grant worth

80% of their trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3

months. This may be extended if needed and is one of the most generous self-

employed support schemes in the world.

To qualify, an individual’s self-employed trading profits must be less than £50,000

and more than half of their income must come from self-employment. Some 95% of

people who receive most of their income from self-employment will benefit from this

Scheme.

HM Revenue & Customs will contact individuals if they are eligible and will invite

them to apply online using a simple form. HMRC are working on this urgently and

expect people to be able to access the Scheme no later than the beginning of June.

More information about the Scheme, including the full eligibility criteria and how to

claim, is available at www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-

covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

The Scheme supplements the significant support already announced for UK

businesses and employees, including the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan

Scheme, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, and deferral of tax payments.

More information about the full range of business support measures is available at

www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/.




http://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme



http://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

http://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/


Spirits: Excise Duties

Ian Murray: [33502]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the

potential merits of reducing the duty on spirits as a result of producers switching

production to hand sanitiser; and if he will make a statement.

Kemi Badenoch:

The government is aware that some distillers have offered to support their local

communities by using their alcohol stocks to produce hand sanitiser. We are keen to

support this and ensure that were alcohol is used for this purpose it does not attract

excise duty.

Under new measures announced by HM Revenue & Customs on 23rd March,

distillers and gin producers that hold alcohol within an excise warehouse may, without

prior approval, use this to produce hand sanitiser without the payment of excise duty,

providing the final product meets the World Health Organization’s formulation for

Handrub.

Further information on all the easements announced by to support hand sanitiser

production can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/producing-hand-sanitiser-and-gel-for-

coronavirus-covid-19

Statutory Sick Pay


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much (a) statutory sick pay has been paid

out of the public purse to (a) self-employed and (b) employed people in financial year

2019-20.

Jesse Norman:

Statutory Sick Pay is paid by employers not from the public purse.

The Government has introduced a rebate scheme reimbursing small-medium

enterprises (less than 250 employees) for up to two weeks of SSP per employee due

to COVID-19. The Government estimates that nearly 2 million employers will be

eligible for this rebate. The Government will work with employers over the coming

months to set up a repayment mechanism for employers as soon as possible.

Temporary Employment: Coronavirus


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support contract workers will be

eligible for during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jesse Norman:

The Government is seeking to protect, as far as possible, people’s jobs and incomes.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will help employers to continue paying 80%





of their employees’ wages and is open to individuals on any contract type who were

on an employer’s PAYE payroll on or before 19 March 2020. Full guidance can be

found at: www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-

retention-scheme.

Welfare Tax Credits

Anneliese Dodds: [33615]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will suspend the tax credit income

disregard for reductions in earnings for the financial year 2020-21 to ensure that where

earnings fall households' tax credit entitlement takes full account of that loss.

Steve Barclay:

This Government is doing whatever it can to ensure that individuals, families and

businesses are supported during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Government recognises that Tax Credits were introduced in the early 2000s and

no longer fully reflect the world of work for many people. That is one of the reasons

why we are introducing Universal Credit. Universal Credit replaces Tax Credits and

several other legacy benefits, to provide a single system of means-tested support for

working age people. Universal Credit is assessed and paid monthly and is based on

claimants’ actual earnings in the month, rather than their annual income. As HMRC

and DWP are experiencing significant increased demand, the Government has

chosen to prioritise the safety and stability of the benefits system overall. That is why

we have introduced measures that can be operationalised as quickly and safely as

possible in order to provide support to those who need it most.

Suspending the income disregard in Working Tax Credit (WTC) would not benefit

claimants on the lowest incomes who are already in receipt of the maximum support

available through WTC.

This Government has taken additional steps to support those affected by Covid-19

and has announced a wide-ranging package of measures to support individuals,

families and businesses affected by Covid-19. These measures include:

• Making Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) available for individuals diagnosed with Covid-19

or those unable to work because they are self-isolating in line with Government

guidance. This is in addition to the change announced by the Prime Minister that

SSP will be payable from day 1 instead of day 4 for affected individuals.

• Increasing the standard allowance in Universal Credit and the basic element of

Working Tax Credit by up to £20 per week

• A further temporary relaxation of earnings rules for self-employed Universal Credit

claimants

• Increasing the Local Housing Allowance for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit

claimants to the 30 th percentile of market rents.

• Introducing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep

people in employment. Businesses can put workers on temporary leave and the



Government will pay them cash grants to cover 80% of their wages up to a cap of

£2,500, providing they keep the worker employed.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Attendance Allowance

Chris Stephens: [33605]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of

take-up rates of attendance allowance in each of the last five years for which data are

available.

Guy Opperman:

The Government currently spends £5.8 billion a year providing some help to 1.43

million people of pension age with the cost of their care needs. Attendance Allowance

provides financial support towards the extra costs faced by those with a severe

disability. It is only available to those over State Pension age who require care or

supervision as a result of their disability.

Information on the availability of Attendance Allowance is widely available including

online on GOV.UK; from places such as Libraries and Doctors Surgeries; directly

from Health Care Professionals who might be supporting those with care needs; and

from a range of groups and charities who provide advice and support to elderly

people with care needs. DWP continually seeks to improve the information it makes

available so as to encourage people to claim Attendance Allowance where they may

be entitled. We have not made any estimates in take-up rates of Attendance

Allowance.

Children: Maintenance

Martyn Day: [33590]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy for the

public purse to cover shortfalls in child maintenance payments to protect family income


Mims Davies:

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.

No one should use this time as an excuse to avoid their child maintenance payments

however where parents experience a change in income, we can review their case

and check if the amount paid should change and they may be eligible for Universal

Credit, contributory JSA or ESA.

The Government has been clear in its commitment to support those, including both

paying and receiving parents, whose income drops as a result of the public health

emergency and we have made a number changes to the welfare system to ensure




people are receiving the support they need. These include increasing the standard

rate of Universal Credit and working tax credit for this year by around £1000 per year.

People who need money urgently continue to be able to access up to a month’s

Universal Credit advance upfront by applying online. In addition, Statutory Sick Pay

now applies from day one, rather than the fourth day of illness. We are increasing 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.

Taken together, these 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 the coronavirus

outbreak.

Employment and Support Allowance: Coronavirus

Mike Amesbury: [34408]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is

taking to ensure that employment support allowance and new style employment support

allowance applications (a) can be made online and (b) are processed urgently during the

covid-19 outbreak.

Justin Tomlinson:

On average we are processing ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance

(NSESA) claims in 2.2 days but we recognise people will have found it difficult to

speak to us given the volume of traffic, and so we have fast-tracked the development

of an online application process for NSESA, which went live on 20 April. This will

allow the majority of people who need to claim this benefit to do so online. The

NSESA claim phone lines are still available for people who do not have access to, or

who cannot, use the online system. DWP have prioritised the clearance of all benefit

claims by moving colleagues to front line processing roles, which has significantly

increased our capacity and we are endeavouring to clear claims received as quickly

as possible.

ESA is now closed as a means-tested benefit for new claimants in the majority of

cases and working-age claimants with a disability or health condition should now

make a claim to Universal Credit.

Universal Credit


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how long after first applying can

claimants for universal credit receive their first advance.

Will Quince:

Universal Credit new claim advance payments have long been an integral part of the

UC system, allowing claimants to access up to 100% of their total expected monthly




award at the start of their claim, which can be paid back over a period of up to 12

months, which will be extended to 24 months from October 2021.

Applications are accepted by phone or online and payments can be issued on the

same day.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 20

March 2020 to Question 28608, on Universal Credit, how many universal credit claims

were made in 2019 by households containing a person that declared they are receiving

Statutory Maternity Pay.

Mims Davies:

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid by an employer through their payroll system

and is therefore treated as a form of earnings for the purposes of assessing

entitlement to Universal Credit. Any SMP received is subject to the work allowance

(where a claimant is eligible) and tapering, in the same way as other earned income.

The earnings data we receive does not allow the Department to identify earnings that

include SMP.

Universal Credit seeks to take earnings into account in a way that is fair and

transparent. The amount of Universal Credit paid reflects, as closely as possible, the

actual circumstances of a household during each monthly assessment period,

including any earnings reported by their employer or employers during the

assessment period, regardless of when they were paid, or which month they relate to.

Assessment periods allow for Universal Credit awards to be adjusted on a monthly

basis, ensuring that if a claimant’s income changes, they do not have to wait several

months for a corresponding change in their Universal Credit award. Claimants can

discuss the implications of any changes in earnings with their Case Manager or Work

Coach and can be referred to personal budgeting support to help them manage their

budgeting.

Universal Credit: Coronavirus


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has

made of trends in the level of time taken to speak to a call handler on the universal credit

helpline.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she has taken to

manage an increase in claims for universal credit as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the increase in universal

credit claims as a result of the covid-19 outbreak has affected claim processing times.






Will Quince:

Since mid-March we have seen a huge volume of calls to the Universal Credit

helpline, with over 2 million calls on a single day at one point. We are aware that this

demand has meant that some claimants were not able to get through.

People making new claims for Universal Credit no longer need to call the Department

as part of the process. Once they have completed their online application we will call

them if we need to check any of the information they have given us. We have also

introduced new processes to ease pressure on waiting times for identity verification

over the phone and other processes.

The Department’s priority is to continue to ensure those who are entitled to benefit

receive the support they need at a time when new claims for Universal Credit are at

an unprecedented level.

Since 16 March 2020, we have received more than 1.5 million new claims for

Universal Credit. 10,000 members of staff from other parts of DWP are being

redeployed to support work on new claims and we are urgently recruiting additional

people to assist with the processing of claims.

Neil Gray: [34356]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications for

universal credit were made on each of the last 30 days.

Will Quince:

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Universal Credit system has demonstrated its

resilience and ability to deal with large increase in applications, ensuring we provide

financial help to those in need. Using technology and automation Universal Credit

delivers a modern and effective working-age welfare system, allowing our staff to

concentrate on those people who require additional support. This approach is

currently allowing us to continue to process new applications online and by telephone

without the need to visit a Jobcentre.

The most recent scheduled Universal Credit statistical release surrounding the

caseload volume was on 21 April 2020:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/universal-credit-29-april-

2013-to-12-march-2020


https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/universal-credit-29-april-2013-to-12-march-2020



Daily Report Tuesday, 21 April 2020 WRITTEN STATEMENTS 141

WRITTEN STATEMENTS

EDUCATION

Schools Capital Funding

The Minister of State for School Standards (Nick Gibb): [HCWS191]

Today, I am confirming £2.2bn of capital funding to maintain and improve the condition of

the school estate and to create new school places. Funding allocations were published

on 15 April 2020. This investment will support the Government’s priority to ensure that

every child has the opportunity of a place at a good school, whatever their background.

As part of our investment of £23 billion in the school estate by 2021, we have now

announced over £1.4 billion of condition funding for the financial year 2020-21. This

package includes:

• £800 million for local authorities, large multi-academy trusts and academy

sponsors, and dioceses, and other large voluntary aided school groups, to invest in

maintaining and improving the condition of their schools.

• Over £400 million available through the Condition Improvement Fund for essential

maintenance projects at small and stand-alone academy trusts, voluntary aided

schools and sixth-form colleges.

• Over £200 million of Devolved Formula Capital allocated directly for schools to

spend on capital projects to meet their own priorities.

In addition, we have announced nearly £750 million of new funding to create new school

places needed for September 2022. This funding, which is over and above our

commitment to invest £23 billion in the school estate by 2021, will allow local authorities

to plan ahead with confidence, and to invest strategically to ensure they deliver good

school places for every child who needs one.

This funding was announced on 15 April 2020. Full details have been published on the

Department for Education section on the GOV.UK website.

Support for Education Settings/Providers

The Secretary of State for Education (Gavin Williamson): [HCWS193]

Support for education settings/providers

I am writing to inform the House of further steps this Government is taking to support the

education system and children and young people manage the consequences of COVID-

19.

Attendance in schools

Schools have been closed to all but the children of critical workers and vulnerable

children since Monday, March 23. They will remain closed until further notice, except for

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2020-04-21/HCWS191/


142 Daily Report Tuesday, 21 April 2020 WRITTEN STATEMENTS

children of critical workers and vulnerable children, who are encouraged to attend where

it is appropriate for them to do so.

Today we have published the numbers of children of critical workers and vulnerable

children in attendance at schools since 23 March and up to 17 April. The figures are

available on Gov.uk. Attendance statistics will now be published on a weekly basis,

looking back at the previous school week. Further data will be available next Tuesday,

covering the period up to 24 April.

Key findings are as follows –

• Figures show the attendance rate amongst pupils in educational establishments

was 0.9% during the week commencing 6 April, which would have been the first

week of the Easter holidays, having originally been above 3% in the first week of

schools being closed except for children of critical workers and vulnerable children.

• 24,000 of the children in attendance on Friday 17 April were classed as vulnerable;

62,000 of the children in attendance on Friday 17 April were children of critical

workers.

• Statistics also show that the number of teachers attending school has been falling,

which suggests that schools are adapting to lower numbers of pupils and the latest

advice on social distancing.

These figures illustrate the incredible effort families all over the country are making as we

fight the coronavirus, with well over 90% of children staying home.

Supporting attendance of vulnerable children and young people

Our first priority has always been protecting the wellbeing of children and young people,

but particularly those vulnerable young people with special educational needs or a social

worker.

Schools remain open for them, as they also do for children of critical workers, and we

encourage vulnerable children and young people to attend educational settings unless

they have underlying health conditions that put them at severe risk.

We have refreshed our guidance in relation to this group to set out our expectations of

how educational settings and local authorities should encourage and support vulnerable

children and young people at this time and how non-attendance should be followed up.

This can be found on Gov.uk.

Free School Meals

We thank schools for continuing to support those children that are eligible for free school

meals, including during the Easter break. We know that support is being provided through

their existing schools food suppliers or through the national voucher scheme Government

has put in place. Today I can confirm that Aldi will be added to the list of supermarkets

where vouchers will be redeemable. That is in addition to Sainsbury’s, Tesco’s, Waitrose,

M&S, Asda and Morrison’s.

New support for remote education and access to social services

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-attendance-in-education-and-early-years-settings




Most children are not attending schools, and we are extremely grateful for how schools

and colleges have adapted so rapidly to new ways of working by moving resources

online, working remotely and changing the way they support their students and each

other.

We have already published an initial list of high quality online educational resources

including how to support physical and mental wellbeing and materials for teaching

children with special educational needs and disabilities. Many commercial providers have

also offered high quality educational resources at discounts or for free.

In addition, to support the hard work of schools in delivering remote education, the Oak

National Academy was launched on Monday 20 April. This brand-new enterprise has

been created by 40 teachers from some of the leading schools across England, backed

by government grant funding. It will provide 180 video lessons each week, across a broad

range of subjects from maths to art to languages, for every year group from Reception

through to Year 10.

The BBC has also launched its own education package across TV and online, featuring

celebrities and some of the best teachers – helping to keep children learning and

supporting parents.

This is alongside new guidance we published on Sunday 19 April for parents on how best

to support their child’s education and development at home. This can be found on

Gov.uk.

To ensure that as many children as possible can access online learning, we have ordered

laptops to help disadvantaged young people who would otherwise not have access and

are preparing for exams (in year 10).

We will also provide laptops or tablets for care leavers and children with social workers

(including families with pre-school age children) to help them stay in touch with the

services they need, keeping them safe as well as supporting home learning.

And if disadvantaged children in year 10, care leavers and children with a social worker at

secondary school cannot access the internet, we’ll provide free 4G routers to get them

connected while schools are closed. We are also working with some of the major

telecommunications providers to exempt certain educational resource sites from data

charges.

For 16-19 year olds, colleges, schools or other providers can support those without

access to devices or connections through their flexible bursary funding. Where additional

funding is needed to provide this support, providers can apply to have their bursary funds

topped up to ensure those who need it have access.

NSPCC Helpline

To further protect children from harm, we are continuing to support NSPCC’s Childline

and are working with them to expand the adult helpline by providing them with £1.6

million. This means children have someone to call, and more adults will be able to raise

concerns and seek advice about the safety and wellbeing of any child they are worried

about.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/supporting-your-childrens-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/supporting-your-childrens-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19


Care leavers

We recognise that young people who have left care or are just about to, whether that’s

from a foster family or residential care, are especially vulnerable right now.

I am asking local authorities to ensure no one has to leave care during this period, by

looking very carefully at whether it is safe for those young people who would have been

due to move out of their care to do so and to give care leavers extra support.

The £1.6 billion of additional funding announced by the Secretary of State for Housing,

Communities and Local Government on Saturday will help local authorities give care

leavers, and other vulnerable groups, the support that they need at this difficult time.

Flexibility to use early years entitlement funding to secure childcare for critical workers

and vulnerable children

It is vital that we secure sufficient childcare for critical workers and vulnerable children

through the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensure the sector is able to function and allow

parents to return to work afterwards. I want to thank the local authorities, childminders,

nurseries and schools that are working together to ensure sufficient childcare in their

areas. To help them do this, we are providing a range of financial support.

As most early years providers have mixed private and public incomes, we have published

guidance setting out how providers can access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

(CJRS) while still receiving early entitlement funding. This confirmed that providers can

access the CJRS to cover up to the proportion of its pay bill which could be considered to

have been paid for from that provider’s private income.

We will also be publishing guidance to support local authorities to use their free

entitlement funding differently, redistributing it – in exceptional cases and in a clearly

focused and targeted way – in order to secure childcare for the children of critical workers

and for vulnerable children, where their usual arrangements are no longer possible.

This ability to redistribute will enable local authorities to ensure that critical workers,

including NHS staff, are able to access childcare where they need it. Any setting which

sees their early entitlement funding reduced in order to fund childcare places elsewhere

will be able to increase the proportion of their salary bill eligible for the Coronavirus Job

Retention Scheme in line with the department’s guidance on access to the scheme.

This statement has also been made in the House of Lords.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Update on Defra sectors

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (George Eustice):

[HCWS192]

Coronavirus presents unprecedented challenges to the businesses we rely on to provide

essential services which keep people safe – including food supply, water and waste.




Many businesses in these sectors have benefited from Government schemes to support

all businesses, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Coronavirus Business

Interruption Loan Scheme, and the Small Business Grant Scheme and support for the

self-employed.

Beyond this, the Government has taken specific action to support the food, farming, water

and waste sectors in the delivery of critical services.

• Fisheries: The fishing sector has seen considerable impacts because of the closure of

restaurants both here and in Europe and severe market disruption. Last week we

announced a new £10 million support scheme to help the catching and aquaculture

sector in England and boost local supply chains. Vessel owners and aquaculture

businesses will receive payments to help cover their fixed costs. On Monday we

began to contact eligible vessel owners. The MMO has published the details of the

scheme on gov.uk.

• Dairy: In particular, the dairy sector has felt a significant impact as a result of the

coronavirus pandemic. Between 5 and 10 per cent of total milk production goes to the

food service trade and there is therefore a small proportion of milk production that

currently has no home. The vast majority of Britain's 10,000 dairy farmers continue to

supply their contracts at the usual price and larger processors have been largely

unaffected by the market disruption because of their scale and diversified nature. In

order to support the affected farmers, on Friday we announced that we will set aside

some elements of competition law to make it easier for processors to come together

and voluntarily work out how to ease production down in order to create the space in

the market for that milk that currently has no home and to support a recovery in the

spot price. We have asked the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board

(which supports the interests of dairy farmers and the wider farming industry) and

Dairy UK (which represents the processors) to coordinate a proposal and discussions

are already underway.

• Livestock: There has been a drop in demand in various cuts, for example steaks,

leading to carcass balance problems in the beef, poultry meat and pig meat sectors.

We have encouraged supermarkets to put steaks on promotion and, while the price of

beef cattle has reduced in recent weeks, retailers are also reporting an increase in

meat sales. Although the price of beef cattle, poultry and pigs has dropped, it still

remains higher than in previous years. Quite a lot of beef, poultry meat and pig meat

has gone into storage so we continue to monitor this market closely.

• Waste: The waste sector has been impacted by social distancing, staff shortages and

an increase in waste produced by households compared to a decrease in demand for

commercial collections. Defra has published guidance to local authorities to help them

prioritise their waste streams to keep important services like black bin bag collections

moving, and worked with the waste sector to develop an online platform called

WasteSupport which facilitates the sharing of resources between local authorities and

commercial operators. This was launched by the sector at the end of last week. We

are looking at how we can keep other services operating such as household waste

recycling centres, and are aware of reports of increases in fly-tipping.


• Supermarkets: following a significant spike in consumer demand, we have now seen

stock levels in supermarkets improve and panic buying has stopped. To support the

food sector, the government temporarily relaxed competition law and regulations

relating to driver hours and delivery times so that the sector could work together to

keep putting food on the shelves.

• Ornamental horticulture: the closure of garden centres has had an impact on some

specialist plant producers in the ornamental horticultural sector. Online sales have

been able to continue and the Government is keeping the situation under review but

concluded last week that it was too early to ease any restrictions on such retail

environments. The First Secretary set out the five tests on which the Government

would base any assessment of easing the current measure. We must all continue to

stay at home, in order to protect the NHS and save lives.

The Government will continue to support these essential services; I want to thank all

those who have rallied in an extraordinary way to respond to this unprecedented

challenge.

This statement has also been made in the House of Lords: HLWS188

JUSTICE

Implementation of the Whiplash Reform Programme

The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Robert Buckland):

[HCWS194]

I would like to provide an update on next steps for the Whiplash Reform Programme.

The Government remains firmly committed to implementing these measures which are

intended to control the number and cost of whiplash claims. Under the Programme, we

will increase the small claims track limit for road traffic accident related personal injury

claims to £5,000; as well as introduce a fixed tariff of damages for pain, suffering and loss

of amenity for whiplash injuries, and a ban on the making or accepting of offers to settle a

whiplash claim without a medical report.

The Government indicated on 27 February 2020 that after careful consideration it had

decided to implement the whiplash reforms in August 2020. However, it is apparent that

the current Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the medical, legal

and insurance sectors. While the whiplash reform measures remain important, the

Government is committed to acting to ease the disruption and pressures caused by the

Covid-19 outbreak where it can.

As a result, the Government has considered representations from key stakeholder groups

and agrees that now is not the time to press ahead with significant transformational

change to the personal injury sector.

We have therefore decided to delay the implementation of the whiplash reform

programme to April 2021. This will enable key sectors of this country’s business to focus

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Lords/2020-04-21/HLWS188/




their energies on delivering their response to Covid-19, and will allow the Government to

focus on delivering key services in the justice area during this difficult time.

The Government will continue to monitor developments in relation to the current

pandemic and will, if necessary, make further announcements in regard to the

implementation of these important reforms.