Daily Report Wednesday, 8 May 2019 CONTENTS · 5/8/2019 · Daily Report Wednesday, 8 May 2019 This report shows written answers and statements provided on 8 May 2019 and the information

Daily Report Wednesday, 8 May 2019

This report shows written answers and statements provided on 8 May 2019 and the

information is correct at the time of publication (06:35 P.M., 08 May 2019). For the latest

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

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

CONTENTS

ANSWERS 6

ATTORNEY GENERAL 6

Prosecutions: West Midlands 6

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND

INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY 7

[Subject Heading to be

Assigned] 7

Artificial Intelligence:

Employment 7

Carbon Emissions: Northern

Ireland 8

Drax Power Station: Biofuels 9

Energy 10

Energy: Meters 10

Fracking: Water 10

Heating: Housing 11

Liquefied Petroleum Gas and

Natural Gas: Competition 11

Liquefied Petroleum Gas:

Competition 12

Post Office 12

Post Office: Civil Proceedings 13

Retail Trade 13

Whirlpool Corporation: Tumble

Dryers 14

CABINET OFFICE 15

Cabinet Office: Departmental

Responsibilities 15

Cabinet Office: Written

Questions 15

Constituencies 15

Huawei: 5G 15

Politics and Government 16

Public Sector: Procurement 16

DEFENCE 17

Armed Forces: Scotland 17

Armed Forces: Wales 17

Electronic Warfare 18

France: Military Decorations 19

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND

SPORT 19

5G 19

5G: Rural Areas 19

Broadcasting Programmes 20

Data Protection 20

National Holocaust Memorial

Centre and Learning Service 21

EDUCATION 21

Children: Protection 21

Children: Social Services 21

Children's Play 22

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

http://www.parliament.uk/writtenanswers

Disabled Students' Allowances 23

Erasmus+ Programme 23

GCE A Level 25

Higher Education 26

Outdoor Education 27

Pupils: Per Capita Costs 27

Special Educational Needs 28

Teachers: Females 28

Teachers: Pay 29

Universities: Finance 29

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND

RURAL AFFAIRS 30

Agriculture and Waste

Disposal: Carbon Emissions 30

Birds: Pest Control 31

Circuses: Wildlife 32

Pesticides: Regulation 33

Pigeons 34

EXITING THE EUROPEAN

UNION 34

Department for Exiting the

European Union: Emerdata 34

FOREIGN AND

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 35

Democracy and Human

Rights: Annual Reports 35

Firearms: Regulation 35

Foreign and Commonwealth

Office: Emerdata 35

Iraq: Islamic State 35

Libya: Undocumented

Migrants 36

Malaysia: Institute for

Democracy and Economic

Affairs 36

Tobacco 36

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE 37

Cancer 37

Cancer: Drugs 37

Cannabis: Medical Treatments 38

European Reference Networks 38

Four Seasons Health Care:

Insolvency 39

Health Services: Immigrants 40

Hospitals: Construction 41

NHS: Capital Investment 43

NHS: Lancashire 43

Obesity: Children 43

Pathology 44

Pathology: Greater London 44

Pathology: Private Sector 45

Preventive Medicine 46

Rare Diseases: Medical

Treatments 46

Social Services 46

Vaccination: Disinformation 47

WHO Framework Convention

on Tobacco Control 48

HOME OFFICE 48

Animal Experiments 48

Asylum: Dublin Regulations 49

Asylum: Glasgow 49

Cars: Theft 49

Cash Dispensing: Theft 50

Fire and Rescue Services:

Suicide 50

Genocide: Rwanda 52

Hoaxes and False Alarms 52

Offensive Weapons: Arrests 53

Police: Football 53

Police: Pensions 53

Police: Suicide 54

Religious Buildings: Security 55

Stalking: Victims 55

Visas: Married People 56

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 56

Fracking: Planning 56

High Rise Flats: Insulation 57

Leasehold: Unfair Practices 57

National Holocaust Memorial

Centre and Learning Service 58

Private Rented Housing:

Evictions 59

Solar Power: Non-domestic

Rates 60

Temporary Accommodation:

Children 60

INTERNATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT 60

Department for International

Development: Secondment 60

Developing Countries: Climate

Change 61

Developing Countries: English

Language 61

Developing Countries: Plastics 61

Developing Countries:

Vaccination 62

Humanitarian Aid 62

Mozambique: Storms 63

Pakistan: Tobacco 63

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 63

Department for International

Trade: Emerdata 63

Drugs: Exports 63

Food: Exports 64

Foreign Investment in UK:

Northern Ireland 64

Free Trade: Dominica 64

Free Trade: Lesotho 65

JUSTICE 65

Children: Protection 65

Coroners 65

Drugs: Crime 66

Offenders: EU Nationals 66

Parole 67

Prison Sentences: Females 67

Prisons: Discipline 68

Prisons: Education 69

Rape: British Nationals Abroad 70

Segregation of Prisoners 70

Stalking 71

NORTHERN IRELAND 71

Historical Institutional Abuse

Inquiry 71

Northern Ireland Government 72

Northern Ireland Office:

Secondment 72

SPEAKER'S COMMITTEE ON

THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION 72

Electoral Register 72

TRANSPORT 73

Airports: Unmanned Air

Vehicles 73

Bus Services: Per Capita

Costs 73

Civil Aviation Authority 74

Department for Transport:

Secondment 74

Driver and Vehicle Standards

Agency 75

Driving Tests: Rural Areas 75

East Midlands Rail Franchise 75

East Midlands Rail Franchise:

Pensions 76

East Midlands Rail Franchise:

Rolling Stock 76

East Midlands Trains:

Pensions 76

Electric Vehicles: Charging

Points 77

High Speed 2 Railway Line 77

Low Emission Zones 78

Motorways 78

Motorways: Accidents 80

Motorways: Laybys 81

Offshore Industry: Helicopters 81

Public Transport 82

Railways: Disability 83

Railways: Franchises 84

Railways: Operating Costs 84

Railways: Sheffield 84

Railways: Standards 85

Roads: Standards 85

Stagecoach Group 86

Stagecoach Group and Virgin

Trains: Pensions 86

Transport: Infrastructure 86

Virgin Trains: Staff 87

Volkswagen 87

West Coast Partnership Rail

Franchise 88

TREASURY 89

101 Calls: VAT 89

Cash Dispensing: Fees and

Charges 89

General Anti-abuse Rule

Advisory Panel 91

Social Security Benefits 91

Tax Avoidance 92

Taxation: Multinational

Companies 92

Taxation: Self-assessment 92

Welfare Tax Credits:

Overpayments 92

WORK AND PENSIONS 93

Construction: Silicosis 93

Food Poverty: Disability 94

Social Security Benefits 95

State Retirement Pensions:

British Nationals Abroad 95

Universal Credit: Disability 96

Universal Credit: Private

Rented Housing 96

Universal Credit: Wales 97

WRITTEN STATEMENTS 98

HOME OFFICE 98

Home Office funding for local

authorities supporting

Unaccompanied Asylum-

Seeking Children 98

INTERNATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT 98

Contingent Liability arising

from the Loan Guarantee

Agreement with the World

Bank Group Covering an IBRD

Loan to the Government of

Jordan 98

LEADER OF THE HOUSE 99 Parliamentary Buildings

(Restoration and Renewal) Bill 99

Notes:

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

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

oral question and has since been unstarred.

ANSWERS

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Prosecutions: West Midlands

Preet Kaur Gill: [249931]

To ask the Attorney General, in how many cases did the West Midlands Crown

Prosecution Service decide not to charge a suspect on the grounds of (a) the evidential

test and (b) the public interest test in each of the last five years.

Robert Buckland:

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains a central record of the number of

suspects referred to prosecutors for a pre-charge decision and the number of

decisions not to prosecute suspects following the charging decision.

When prosecutors make decisions on cases, they refer to The Code for Crown

Prosecutors. The Code contains a two stage test which has to be met before a

suspect can be charged; the evidential stage followed by the public interest stage.

When deciding whether there is enough evidence to charge, prosecutors must

consider whether evidence can be used in court and is reliable and credible, and

there is no other material that might affect the sufficiency of evidence. Prosecutors

must be satisfied there is enough evidence to provide a "realistic prospect of

conviction" against each defendant. At the public interest stage the prosecutor must

consider whether a prosecution is required in the public interest. A prosecution will

usually take place unless the prosecutor is sure that the public interest factors

tending against prosecution outweigh those tending in favour.

The table below shows the volume and percentage of decisions not to prosecute for

evidential and public interest reasons for the West Midlands Area in each year from

2013/14 to 2017/18.

2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018

Volume % Volume % Volume % Volume % Volume %

No

Prosecution

- Evidential

4,760 18.8% 5,396 16.1% 4,580 18.7% 4,479 17.4% 3,589 13.8%

No

Prosecution

- Public

Interest

152 0.6% 584 1.7% 165 0.7% 164 0.6% 183 0.7%

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2019-05-01/249931

Total of

Evidential

& Public

Interest

4,912 19.4% 5,980 17.8% 4,745 19.3% 4,643 18.1% 3,772 14.5%

Total

Decisions

Made

25,360

33,600

24,542

25,708

26,026

Data Source: CPS

Management Information

System

BUSINESS, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

[Subject Heading to be Assigned]

Tom Brake: [910792]

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

assessment he has made of the potential effect on the environment of carbon capture

technology.

Claire Perry:

The Government believes that carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) has the

potential to play an important role in meeting the UK’s climate targets. CCUS can add

value to the economy and help tackle hard to decarbonise sectors.

Our CCUS Action Plan is designed to progress CCUS in the UK, including enabling

the UK’s first CCUS facility to be operational from the mid-2020s. CCUS is also likely

to play an important role in achieving our Industrial Clusters Mission, creating the

world’s first net-zero industrial cluster by 2040.

In progressing CCUS, the UK has already established a robust regulatory framework

for CCUS, with regulations applying to licensing, environmental inspection and CO 2

storage, operation and monitoring activities. This means that any CCUS project will

need to comply with a rigorous health and safety assessment and require permits

and approval from relevant environment agencies, the Health and Safety Executive

and the Oil and Gas Authority.

Artificial Intelligence: Employment

Paul Farrelly: [248599]

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

steps he has taken to train and prepare workers for the impact of artificial intelligence.



Kelly Tolhurst:

The Industrial Strategy sets out the Government’s vision to make the UK a global

centre for AI and data innovation, alongside measures to ensure our people are

equipped to capitalise on those opportunities.

We are improving the UK's system for training in digital skills and lifelong learning to

ensure that working people have the support they need to navigate the challenge of

automation to a higher-wage future. Through the Industrial Strategy we are

delivering:

• 16 New Centres for Doctoral Training at universities across the country, delivering

1,000 new PhDs over the next 5 years;

• New prestigious AI fellowships to attract and retain the top AI talent, underpinned

by up to £50m of funding agreed at Autumn Budget

• Industry-funding for new AI Masters places;

• Invested £406m in maths, digital and technical education; and

• Committed £100m for the first phase of developing the National Retraining Scheme

to support people vulnerable to technological change.

The Government’s Good Work Plan was published in December 2018 and will ensure

that the labour market continues to work for everyone. The Plan commits to a wide

range of policy and legislative changes to ensure that workers can access fair and

decent work, that both employers and workers have the clarity they need to

understand their employment relationships, and that the enforcement system is fair

and fit for purpose.

Carbon Emissions: Northern Ireland

Lady Hermon: [249878]

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

to the oral contribution of the Minister for Energy and Clean Growth of 23 April 2019,

Official Report, column 690, what are the market mechanisms put in place to deliver CO2

reductions in Northern Ireland since the closure of the Renewable Heat Incentive

scheme; and if she will make a statement.

Claire Perry:

Energy policy, including heat, is devolved for Northern Ireland. Section 113 of the

Energy Act 2011 contains provisions enabling the Northern Ireland Executive to make

regulations to introduce and operate a RHI scheme in Northern Ireland. The GB RHI

scheme is completely separate to the NI RHI scheme, with different scheme rules.

Between 1990 and 2016, Northern Ireland reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by

16%[1].

The Government has been working with Northern Ireland’s Executive in areas such

as the future of carbon pricing after we leave the European Union.


The UK Government and the Devolved Administrations (the Scottish Government;

the Welsh Government; and the Northern Ireland Executive) have jointly published a

consultation document on the UK’s future approach to carbon pricing. The

consultation plays a vital role in helping the government fulfil its commitment to

carbon pricing as an effective emissions reduction tool, as outlined in the Clean

Growth Strategy

This is a joint consultation and the Devolved Administrations are co-authors and

Government officials have worked with devolved administration’s counterparts

throughout the process. At ministerial level I have regular quadrilaterals and Northern

Ireland is represented by senior civil servants.

[1] Source: http://naei.beis.gov.uk/reports/reports?report_id=958

Drax Power Station: Biofuels

Sammy Wilson: [250019]

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

have been paid in subsidy in each of the last five years to Drax power station for burning

wood pellets.

Claire Perry:

Over the last five years, Drax’s renewable electricity generation from the co-firing of

biomass and the conversion of coal-fired units to 100% biomass has been supported

under the Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme. From 21 December 2016, Drax’s 3rd

Conversion Unit (Unit 1) has received support under the Contracts for Difference

(CfD) scheme. Units 2, 3 and 4 remain under the RO.

Information is not available on support under the RO specifically for burning wood

pellets. Therefore, the figures in the table below give the value of support for all of

Drax’s renewable electricity generation under the scheme, to the nearest million

pounds.

2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18

Renewables

Obligation[1]

£181m £399m £548m £548m £399m

Payments to individual projects are not reported separately under the CfD scheme.

The total value of payments to all the CfD supported projects is available in the

annual reports from the Low Carbon Contracts Company, the CfD scheme

administrator, at:

https://www.lowcarboncontracts.uk/publications?f%5B0%5D=field_publications_cate

gory%3A29

[1] The Renewables Obligation figures are the notional value of support, based on

Ofgem’s certificate report as at 01/05/2019 from their Renewables and CHP Register.

http://naei.beis.gov.uk/reports/reports?report_id=958

http://naei.beis.gov.uk/reports/reports?report_id=958


https://www.lowcarboncontracts.uk/publications?f%5B0%5D=field_publications_category%3A29



Energy

Vicky Foxcroft: [248725]

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

is taking to protect customers from the potential negative effects of collapse of energy

retail companies.

Claire Perry:

Where an energy supplier fails its customers are quickly transferred to another

supplier appointed by Ofgem and their account balances are protected. Ofgem are

considering a range of options to limit consumers’ exposure to the costs of supplier

failures and plan to consult further in the summer.

The choice for consumers has increased from 13 suppliers in 2010 to around 60 now,

with a wide range of innovative tariffs, competitive prices and low-carbon products.

Energy: Meters

Andrew Rosindell: [249874]

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

is taking to ensure the affordability of electrical smart meters.

Claire Perry:

Energy suppliers are responsible for the procurement of smart meters and have

commercial incentives to drive down the costs of metering. Moreover, a number of

meter manufacturers operate in the GB energy market and competition in the supply

of meters also helps to exert downward pressure on costs.

Consumers pay for metering costs (whether traditional or smart) as part of their

energy bills. The Government has put measures in place to prohibit energy suppliers

from charging households upfront for the costs of a smart meter and its installation.

Fracking: Water

Lee Rowley: [248068]


information his Department holds on when in hydraulic fracturing operations the operator

knows which type of water treatment and disposal facilities will be needed for the (a)

treatment and (b) disposal of the waste water.

Claire Perry:

As part of the environmental permit application, and before any hydraulic fracturing

can take place, operators must submit a waste management plan to the Environment

Agency for approval. This describes the processes and the types of extractive waste

that will be generated at the site. The plan must set out how the operator will

manage, minimise, reuse, recycle and dispose safely of the extractive waste, and

how they will monitor the extractive waste.




Heating: Housing


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

Department is taking to encourage householders to change from gas heating to (a)

electric heating, (b) heat pumps and (c) hydrogen-burning radiators.

Claire Perry:

Transforming how we heat our homes is one of the most difficult decarbonisation

challenges facing the country. A number of options have the potential for achieving

this, including heat networks, heat pumps, hydrogen and biogas. We need to

continue exploring and testing different approaches to heat decarbonisation.

Through the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme we are spending £4.5 billion between

2016 and 2021 to support innovative low-carbon heat technologies in homes and

businesses, including heat pumps. BEIS is considering the future policy framework

for supporting electrification of heat and we are looking to launch an electrification of

heat demonstration project in 2019 to inform our thinking on the feasibility of a large-

scale transition to heat pumps.

For hydrogen as an option for decarbonising heat, more work is needed to prove the

safety and feasibility case as well as to gain a better understanding of the costs and

benefits. BEIS is currently working towards building a programme of work to address

these evidence gaps in partnership with industry, academia and other key

stakeholders. This includes the £25m BEIS-funded Hy4Heat programme, which is

exploring the safety of using 100% hydrogen for heating in buildings and the

development of domestic hydrogen boilers.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Natural Gas: Competition

Rebecca Long Bailey: [248702]


comparative assessment his Department has made of the number of customers who

switched suppliers of (a) LPG and (b) mains gas in each of the last three years for which

data is available.

Claire Perry:

According to data held by the Competition and Markets Authority, the annual

switching rate for suppliers of Liquified Petroleum Gas in 2016, 2017 and 2018 is:

YEAR TO 31 MAY METERED ESTATES (%)* SINGLE TANKS (%)*

2016 1.14 3.72

2017 1.35 4.58

2018 1.67 5.27



* Calculated as the percentage of customers switching away compared to the size of

the customer base at the start of the year.

The data regarding mains gas switching is publicly available information, and can be

found at https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/data-portal/number-domestic-customers-

switching-supplier-fuel-type-gb

Liquefied Petroleum Gas: Competition

Rebecca Long Bailey: [248703]


assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the regulation of the LPG

market by the Competition and Markets Authority.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The monitoring of the liquefied petroleum gas supply market for domestic suppliers is

a matter for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) exercising its role as an

independent competition authority.

Domestic bulk LPG suppliers remain subject to regulation under the CMA Statutory

Orders and the CMA continues to monitor compliance with these Orders and the

2012 voluntary agreements. More information is available at

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/liquefied-petroleum-gas-lpg-market-

orders-and-calculator

In February 2018 the CMA published a factsheet and short animation explaining

switching rights for new and existing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) customers on

metered estates: www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-advises-liquefied-petroleum-

gas-customers-on-switching-rights. This was accompanied by updated guidance from

the sector trade association UKLPG for its members about how best to communicate

with residents of metered estates about their supply and switching options and a Q&A

for residents on their website.

Post Office

Mr Kevan Jones: [246964]

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

times Ministers in his Department have met the Chair of the Post Office in the last 12

months.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The Chair of Post Office, Tim Parker has met with Ministers twice in the last 12

months.



times Ministers in his Department have met the Chief Finance & Operations Officer of

Post Office Limited in the last 12 months.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/data-portal/number-domestic-customers-switching-supplier-fuel-type-gb




https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/liquefied-petroleum-gas-lpg-market-orders-and-calculator





Kelly Tolhurst:

As the Special Shareholder of Post Office Limited, my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of

State appoints a Non-Executive Representative to the Post Office board to provide

shareholder oversight of the company. Ministers have also met the Chief Finance and

Operations Officer of Post Office Limited once and had a telephone conversations

with him in the last 12 months.



times Ministers in his Department have met each of the four Non-Executive Directors of

Post Office Limited in the last 12 months.

Kelly Tolhurst:


State nominates one Non-Executive Director, and ministers have met him regularly

over the last 12 months. Ministers have also met with the chairman of the board and

had a telephone conversation with him in the last 12 months.



times Ministers in his Department have met the Company Secretary of Post Office

Limited in the last 12 months.

Kelly Tolhurst:


State appoints a Non-Executive Representative to the Post Office board to provide

shareholder oversight of the company. Ministers have also met the Company

Secretary of Post Office Limited and had a telephone conversation with her once in

the last 12 months.

Post Office: Civil Proceedings



times Ministers in his Department have met Post Office (a) directors and (b) officials to

discuss the ongoing group litigation order taken by subpostmasters against the Post

Office.

Kelly Tolhurst:

Ministers have met with directors and officials of the Post Office four times in the last

12 months to discuss a number of topics including the ongoing group litigation.

Retail Trade

Mr Jim Cunningham: [249204]

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

Department has taken to promote the retail industry through the Government's Industrial

Strategy.





Kelly Tolhurst:

[Holding answer 7 May 2019]: At Autumn Budget 2018, my rt. hon. Friend Mr

Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the Future High Streets Fund, which aims to

invest £675m in England to support local areas to develop and fund plans to make

their high streets and town centres fit for the future. Autumn Budget also announced

a cut in business rates by one third for the next two years for all retailers in England

with a rateable value below £51,000, worth almost £1bn to retailers.

The industry-led Retail Sector Council has agreed its priority work areas for the next

two years, focusing on: costs to business, skills and lifelong learning, employment

protections, the circular economy, consumer protections, and retail and the Industrial

Strategy.

A senior industry figure is leading each of these work groups and will bring proposals

for action for both industry and government back to the Council for consideration. The

Industrial Strategy workstream is led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, Chairman of the John

Lewis Partnership and member of the Industrial Strategy Council, and will look at how

the Industrial Strategy can work to the benefit of the retail sector.

As part of the Industrial Strategy, and following the Taylor Review of Modern Working

Practices, the Government responded with the Good Work Plan, which will bring

forward legislation to extend workers’ rights, including for people who work in the

retail sector. This includes the introduction of new guidance to support the

interpretation of holiday pay rules, as well as the biggest ever increase to the National

Living Wage. An awareness campaign will be launched, targeted at both individuals

and employers, to boost awareness and understanding to help ensure all workers are

benefiting from their paid entitlement to leave. All these measures will improve the

wages and working contracts of many of those working in the retail sector.

Whirlpool Corporation: Tumble Dryers

Alison Thewliss: [245840]

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

steps he has taken to increase consumer awareness of the risks associated with

unmodified Whirlpool tumble dryers.

Kelly Tolhurst:

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published the findings of its

review of Whirlpool’s tumble dryer modification programme on 4 April. This included

reviewing whether Whirlpool’s consumer outreach programme was adequate.

OPSS has written to Whirlpool setting out the actions it must take, including using

more creative ways to reach affected consumers who have not yet come forward to

minimise the risk of unmodified machines still being in people’s homes. Whirlpool has

28 days to respond from the date of the letter setting out what further actions it will

take. OPSS will hold Whirlpool to account in regard to these requirements.

Consumers also have access to a central recalls website covering all electrical recalls

via GOV.UK.


CABINET OFFICE

Cabinet Office: Departmental Responsibilities

Stephen Twigg: [237584]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many ministerial requirements have been

issued by the Cabinet Secretary in each year since 2010.

Mr David Lidington:

I refer the honourable gentleman to recent correspondence from Justin Tomlinson

MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, a copy of which has been placed

in the library of the House, which clarifies previous answers on this subject.

As the Prime Minister’s most senior policy adviser and Secretary to the Cabinet, the

Cabinet Secretary provides advice on a wide range of policy issues. Policy decisions

are taken by ministers, within the framework of collective Cabinet responsibility, on

the advice of the Civil Service.

Cabinet Office: Written Questions

Stephen Twigg: [249843]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to respond to Question 237584

on Departmental Responsibilities, tabled on 27 March 2019 by the hon. Member for

Liverpool West Derby.

Mr David Lidington:

I refer the Right Honourable Member to my answer given to Question 237584 on 8

May 2019.

Constituencies

Cat Smith: [248714]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the last Boundary Commission

reviews for (a) England, (b) Northern Ireland, (c) Scotland and (d) Wales cost the public

purse.

Kevin Foster:

The expenditure by each Boundary Commission on the conduct of the Boundary

Review which reported in September 2018 includes costs incurred in the 2018-19

financial year, and the figures are therefore subject to final confirmation of the 2018-

19 accounts. The National Audit Office is currently auditing Departmental accounts

for 2018-19 and once it has produced its report on them, it will be possible to confirm

the final costs incurred by the four Boundary Commissions in the boundary review.

Huawei: 5G

Jo Platt: [250002]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the 5G operators which (a)

use and (b) do not use the Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Centre advice.





Mr David Lidington:

The UK government works with telecoms operators to manage cyber security risks

while ensuring the UK can continue to benefit from new technology. The annual

report from the Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Centre Oversight Board is made

publicly available to help all operators assess risks in their networks.

Politics and Government

Tommy Sheppard: [250005]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has contracted Ipsos

Mori to carry out polling on the public perception of the state of the union in the last six

months.

Kevin Foster:

The Government regularly contracts research to understand public perceptions

towards government policy. Government contracts can be found on GOV.UK.

Tommy Sheppard: [250006]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has commissioned

any research on the public perception of the state of the union in the last three months.

Kevin Foster:

The Government regularly contracts research to understand public perceptions

towards government policy. Government contracts can be found on GOV.UK.

Public Sector: Procurement

Peter Dowd: [249980]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many public procurement contracts were

awarded to foreign companies in 2018.

Oliver Dowden:

Information on the nationality of suppliers is not routinely held centrally.

Statistics on cross-border public procurement between EU Member States are

collated and published periodically by the European Commission. The latest report is

available at https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-

/publication/5c148423-39e2-11e7-a08e-01aa75ed71a1


To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many public infrastructure contracts were

awarded to foreign companies in the last 12 months.

Oliver Dowden:

Information on the nationality of suppliers for infrastructure contracts is not routinely

held centrally

Statistics on cross-border public procurement between EU Member States are

collated and published periodically by the European Commission. The latest report is




https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/5c148423-39e2-11e7-a08e-01aa75ed71a1




available at https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-

/publication/5c148423-39e2-11e7-a08e- 01aa75ed71a1

Jo Stevens: [249990]

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what enforcement and review mechanisms are

in place to ensure 30-day payment clauses are in place for suppliers and subcontractors

contracted to work with private sector companies on outsourced public sector contracts.

Oliver Dowden:

The Public Procurement Regulations require public sector buyers to pay their

suppliers within 30 days and require these payment terms to be passed down the

supply chain

Where this is not happening, businesses are encouraged to raise this with the Public

Procurement Review Service, who will investigate. The Public Procurement Review

Service will also proactively ensure that 30-day payment terms are being passed

down the supply chain by carrying out spot checks on contracting authorities

From September, suppliers who do not pay their subcontractors on time may face

exclusion from winning government contracts.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Scotland

Deidre Brock: [248706]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2019 to

Question 238377, whether he plans to make mitigation payments to lower-paid MoD

personnel based in England in relation to the Scottish rate of income tax.

Mr Tobias Ellwood:

Our approach to mitigation payments was in direct response to concerns expressed

by Service personnel adversely affected as Scottish taxpayers. Similar concerns

were not raised by others living outside Scotland. Accordingly, there are no plans to

provide any form of financial mitigation for those Service personnel outside Scotland

who found themselves, for example in Tax Year 2018-19, paying slightly more tax (up

to £20 a year) than their equivalents who are resident in Scotland and, therefore,

Scottish taxpayers.

Armed Forces: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: [249932]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of (a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal

Air Force and (c) army personnel resided in Wales before assuming active service in the

last five years.

Mr Tobias Ellwood:

The requested information is provided in the following table:




Proportion of Welsh Intake to the Untrained Regular Armed Forces, by

Financial Year and Service

FINANCIAL

YEAR 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18

Royal

Navy/Royal

Marines

3.9% 4.6% 4.9% 4.8% 4.9%

Army 4.1% 5.9% 5.6% 5.4% 5.9%

Royal Air

Force

5.5% 5.6% 5.4% 4.0% 4.9%

Notes:

1) UK Regulars are Full-time Service personnel, including Nursing Services, but

excluding Full Time Reserve Personnel, Gurkhas, mobilised Reservists, Military

Provost Guard Service, Locally Employed Personnel and Non Regular Permanent

Staff.

2) Figures include both Officers and Other Ranks.

3) Figures may include personnel who have joined more than once during the time

period.

4) For Army, figures have been provided based on postcode at the time of

recruitment, with input provided by both Defence Statistics(Army) and Army

Recruiting and Initial Training Command. It was not possible to match the location for

around 8% of Army personnel, some of whom could have resided in Wales.

5) Royal Navy/Royal Marines and Royal Air Force recruits have been interpreted as

those who joined through Welsh Armed Forces Careers Offices.

Electronic Warfare

Stephen McPartland: [249270]

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

increase the effectiveness of the UK’s offensive cyber capabilities.

Mark Lancaster:

The Ministry of Defence works in partnership with the Government Communications

Headquarters to deliver the National Offensive Cyber Programme, harnessing the

expertise of both organisations to establish a world-class offensive cyber capability

delivered through a "Joint Mission" construct.


France: Military Decorations

Emily Thornberry: [250007]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 22 March 2019 to

Question 234103 on France: Military Decorations, how many surviving British veterans

who fought for the liberation of France during the second world war are waiting (a) to

have their applications to receive the French Legion d'Honneur processed by his

Department and (b) to receive the award of the Legion d'Honneur for which they have

been certified as eligible by his Department.

Mr Tobias Ellwood:

The Ministry of Defence currently has seven applications for the Legion d'Honneur.

There are currently 71 cases for the award being processed by the French

authorities.

DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

5G

Tom Watson: [249977]

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

Department has carried out an impact assessment on the effect of banning Huawei

equipment from non-core components of the 5G network on the speed of 5G rollout.

Tom Watson: [249979]

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

Government plans to change its 5G roll-out targets in light of the reported decision to limit

the use of Huawei equipment in the UK's 5G infrastructure.

Margot James:

The Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review in July 2018 set out the Government’s

strategy for delivering 5G ambitions. The ambitions on 5G are for the UK to become a

world leader in the technology and for the majority of the population to have access to

a 5G signal by 2027.

The terms of reference for the Telecoms Supply Chain Review were published on

gov.uk on 8 November 2018. The decisions of the Review will be announced in due

course and to Parliament.

5G: Rural Areas

Mr Alistair Carmichael: [249242]

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

has had with Ofcom on helping to ensure that the next auction of 5G spectrum promotes

coverage of rural communities which might sit beyond mobile operators' roll-out plans.

Margot James:

Ministers and officials have regular discussions with Ofcom on a range of subjects.





We welcome the proposals for coverage obligations within Ofcom’s latest

consultation on the auction of 700 MHz and 3.6-3.8 GHz spectrum and remain

committed to working with Ofcom and the mobile industry to ensure that the

manifesto commitment to provide 95% geographic mobile coverage across the UK is

met.

Broadcasting Programmes

Dr David Drew: [249191]

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

discussions with broadcast media on ensuring balanced coverage of people who claim

benefits.

Margot James:

The government does not influence programming decisions, as broadcasters are

editorially independent of government. Ofcom, as the independent communications

regulator, is responsible for enforcing the Broadcasting Code which sets rules for

licensed broadcasters to follow. This includes a requirement for broadcasters to treat

individuals within programmes fairly, and material facts must not be presented in a

way that is unfair to an individual.

The government is committed to supporting the broadcasting sector to ensure that it

provides for and reflects the whole of the UK population, including individuals from

different socioeconomic backgrounds.

Data Protection

Mrs Anne Main: [249256]

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

organisations have been found in breach of General Data Protection Regulations by the

Information Commissioner's Office since May 2018.

Mrs Anne Main: [249257]

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

list of the public bodies and agencies who have been found in breach of the General Data

Protection Regulations since they came into force in May 2018 and (b) details of any

fines that may have been imposed by the Information Commissioner's Office as a result

of any breaches.

Margot James:

The Government takes the protection of personal data and the right to privacy

extremely seriously.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the independent regulator for data

protection in the UK and is responsible for regulating compliance with data protection

legislation. The Information Commissioner has the power to serve fines on a data

controller as a result of a data breach. Details of enforcement action, including fines,

are published on the ICO website at www.ico.org.uk/action-weve-taken




National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service

Sir Edward Leigh: [248586]

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

has (a) imposed and (b) indicated an intention to impose on the planned use of part of

Victoria Tower Gardens for the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre.

Michael Ellis:

The Government decided to locate the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in

Victoria Tower Gardens so that the view of Parliament from the Memorial will serve

as a permanent reminder of the far-reaching consequences of political decisions. The

development of plans will take proper account of relevant legislation and regulations.

EDUCATION

Children: Protection

Tim Loughton: [249795]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, (a) which and (b) how many safeguarding

boards are currently without a permanent chairperson.

Nadhim Zahawi:

The information requested is not held centrally. Following commencement of

provisions in the Children and Social Work Act 2017, Local Safeguarding Children

Boards are currently being phased out and replaced by safeguarding partners (police,

health and local authority). There is no requirement to have an independent chair of

the new arrangements, which must be in place by September 2019.

Children: Social Services

Angela Rayner: [249317]

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

financial sustainability of children's services in Northamptonshire.

Nadhim Zahawi:

As was announced to the House on 10 May 2018, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary

of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has appointed

Commissioners to Northamptonshire County Council. One of their responsibilities is

to oversee financial strategy at the Council. Thanks to their work and that of the new

senior team, the Council finished 2018-19 in credit and has set a balanced budget for

2019-20.

We have also appointed a Children’s Commissioner to work with Northamptonshire

on improving children’s services. The Commissioner’s first report will be published

shortly.

More generally, funding for children’s services is made available through the Local

Government Finance Settlement. We are in the final year of a multi-year settlement




deal and have made £46.4 billion available this year for local services including those

for children’s services.

The government has made an additional £410 million available to local authorities

this year, for adult and children's social care.

The government will continue to work closely with the sector to consider long-term

children’s services funding as part of the Spending Review.

Tim Farron: [249929]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April 2019 to

Question 243378 on Children: Social Services, what analysis has been (a) carried out

and (b) commissioned by his Department to estimate the funding needed by local

authorities to meet demand for children’s social care services in each year of the period

covered by the forthcoming Spending Review.

Nadhim Zahawi:

My department is working with the sector, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and

Local Government (MHCLG) and with HM Treasury, as part of our preparation for the

next Spending Review, to understand the level of funding local government needs to

meet demand and deliver statutory duties.

My department is also working closely with MHCLG on the Review of Relative Needs

and Resources to develop a robust, up-to-date approach to funding distribution for

children's services at local government finance settlements.

Children's Play

Steve McCabe: [249200]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has made an

assessment of the (a) quality, (b) number and (c) adequacy of the content of local

authority play strategies throughout England.

Nadhim Zahawi:

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework sets the regulatory

standards for ‘learning and development’ and ‘safeguarding and welfare’

requirements for all early years providers caring for children from birth to 5. The

framework defines 7 areas of learning and development and is clear that each area

must be implemented through planned, purposeful play and through a mix of adult-

led and child-initiated activity.

The department is not currently reviewing local authority play strategies in England.

The EYFS does not promote a particular pedagogical approach - instead, it is for

individual early years settings to determine how the areas of learning should be

implemented to support children to meet the expected level of development by the

end of the reception year.



Disabled Students' Allowances

Layla Moran: [248764]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has made an

assessment of the effect of the Disabled Students' Allowance assistive technology

procurement proposal on students with (a) low incidence disabilities and (b) vision

impairment.

Chris Skidmore:

The new arrangements being introduced by the Student Loans Company (SLC) to

procure assistive technology equipment and training for students in receipt of

Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) will not affect the level or range of support

available to any student.

The SLC has engaged with groups within the sector to ensure that the procurement

process will ensure that the needs of all students in receipt of DSA can continue to be

met, and over 40 different organisations, including those representing students with

vision impairment, have provided responses to the SLC, which are currently being

considered.

Layla Moran: [248765]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will publish the list of approved

equipment for Disabled Students' Allowance.

Chris Skidmore:

Section 6 of the Student Loans Company’s (SLC) Disabled Students’ Allowances

(DSA) guidance contains advice on the types of equipment that are available to

recipients of these allowances. This is available at:

https://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/1646/1819-guidance-dsa-new-students-

from-ay-201617.pdf.

The SLC maintains a list of assistive technology software products that have

attracted DSA funding, which is available at:

https://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/1457/product-list.pdf.

Erasmus+ Programme

Gordon Marsden: [249844]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether it remains the Government’s policy

to guarantee (a) Erasmus+ bids approved in May 2019 and (b) cover students’ study

costs for the academic year 2020-21 following the extension to the Article 50 process to

October 2019.

Chris Skidmore:

The government guarantee still stands. It will cover the payment of awards to UK

applicants for all successful Erasmus+ bids submitted before the end of 2020 and it

commits to underwrite funding for the entire lifetime of the projects. Successful bids

are ones that are approved directly by the Commission or by the UK National Agency

and ratified by the Commission.



https://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/1457/product-list.pdf

https://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/1457/product-list.pdf


In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the government will engage

with the European Commission with the aim of securing the UK’s participation in

Erasmus+ until the end of 2020.

If discussions with the European Commission to secure the continued ability of UK

institutions to participate in the programme are unsuccessful, the government will

engage with individual member states and key institutions to seek to ensure that UK

participants can continue with their planned activity as far as possible on a bilateral

basis.

In terms of participation beyond 2020, the UK government has repeatedly made clear

that it values international exchange and collaboration in education and training as

part of its vision for a global Britain.

We are open to exploring participation in the successor scheme to the current

Erasmus+ Programme and we will continue to be involved in discussions about that

programme while we remain in the EU. Ultimately, our participation in that successor

programme is a matter for negotiations to come about our future relationship with the

EU.

The government will need to fully consider the balance between supporting

international mobility and ensuring value for money for the tax payer.


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussion (a) he and (b)

Ministers in his Department have had with education sector stakeholders on a potential

domestic alternative to the Erasmus+ Programme.

Chris Skidmore:

We have made clear that we value international exchange and collaboration in

education and training as part of our vision for a global Britain. The White Paper on

the Future Relationship between the UK and the EU proposed that the UK and EU

should continue to give young people and students the chance to benefit from each

other’s world leading universities.

Ministers and I meet with representatives of the education sector regularly to discuss

the Department for Education agenda, and that has included the questions of the

Erasmus+ programme and international mobility more widely.

Ultimately, participation in the future Erasmus+ programme (2021-2027) is a matter

for negotiations to come about our future relationship with the EU and, as is the duty

of a responsible government, we are preparing for a range of potential outcomes.

This includes consideration of domestic alternative options for supporting

international mobility outside Erasmus+. My officials have had observer status on

work done by UK and members of the sector on what form a domestic alternative to

Erasmus+ could take. We are listening to stakeholder views on this issue. Our

stakeholder engagement will be ongoing.


GCE A Level

Ben Bradley: [248071]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of pupils who

(a) were and (b) were not eligible for pupil premium in their last year of compulsory

secondary school (i) entered at least one A level, (ii) achieved three or more A-levels, (iii)

achieved grades ABB or better at A level, and (iv) achieved A*A*A or better at A-level in

the last year for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb:

The Department publishes student’s achievements in A levels, in different grade

combinations, split by characteristics. This information is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/a-level-and-other-16-to-18-results-2017-to-

2018-revised.

Table 1, attached below uses this data to provide the number[1] of students entering

at least one A level[2] and those who achieved A*/A*/A, A/B/B and E/E/E[3] ,[4],[5] or

better, split by their disadvantaged status[6] at the end of key stage 4. Figures are

based on 2017/18[7] revised data, for students in state-funded schools and colleges.

The Department does not publish estimates of the proportion of key stage 4

disadvantaged pupils who go on to enter and achieve these different A level

combinations by the end of 16-18 study. However, an estimate can be derived by

comparing the published numbers to the size of the disadvantaged and non-

disadvantaged groups from two years previously in 2016. These are shown in table 2,

attached.

[1] The cohort of students is based on those who are eligible for inclusion in the AAB

measure, however this is further restricted (see footnote 2). Inclusion in the AAB

measure refers to those who entered at least one full size A level, excluding applied

A levels (this includes double award A levels, but does not include AS levels, general

studies or critical thinking)). If students are entered for less than three full size A

levels, they are only included in the measure if they have not entered for other

academic, applied general and tech level qualifications greater than or equal to the

size of an A level. Where a student has only been at a provider for one year, they

need to have entered three A levels to be included.

[2] This includes A level entries only (excludes double awards, AS levels and Applied

A levels); it excludes general studies and critical thinking.

[3] Each student's total grades are taken and compared to the requested groupings.

Inclusion in each group occurs when the student has the exact grades, or when three

(or more) of their grades match or are higher than the required grades. Therefore,

students with only 1 or 2 grades are excluded as they do not match or beat all three

required grades. These figures will differ slightly from measures published for all

students nationally, due to this slight methodological difference.

[4] Only includes students with pass grades (A* to E). Discounting has been applied

in line with performance tables methodology


(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/16-to-19-qualifications-discount-codes-

and-point-scores).

[5] The E/E/E combination identifies those who achieved 3 or more A levels as an E

grade is the lowest passing grade.

[6] Students disadvantaged status is taken from the census recorded completed in

their final year of key stage 4 year study. Students who completed their key stage 4

study in independent schools will not have been included in the census and are

grouped as 'unknown disadvantaged status'.

[7] Based on students who finished their 16 to 18 study in 2017/18. Covers results

achieved during all years of 16-18 study (up to three years, i.e. the 2015/16, 2016/17

and 2017/18 academic years).

Attachments:

1. 248071_Tables [248071_tables_disadvantage_attainment.docx]

Higher Education


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

financial assistance will be included in his Department's response to the review of post-18

education.

Chris Skidmore:

The government’s review of post-18 education and funding is looking at how we can

ensure there is choice and competition across a joined-up post-18 education and

training sector. The review’s focus includes how we can encourage learning that is

more flexible (for example, part-time, distance learning and commuter study options)

and complements ongoing government work to support people at different times in

their lives.

The independent panel will report shortly, and the government will then conclude the

overall review later this year. We will not speculate about potential recommendations,

as we do not wish to pre-judge the outcome of the review.


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions his Department has

had with the higher education sector on potential future (a) immigration policies and (b)

student exchange programmes.

Chris Skidmore:

Department officials engage regularly with stakeholders across the higher education

sector, including Universities UK (UUK), the Russell Group, Universities Alliance,

MillionPlus, Guild HE, Independent HE and others, on a wide range of issues

including the future immigration system and student exchange programmes.

We have made clear that we value international exchange and collaboration in

education and training as part of our vision for a global Britain, and are listening to



stakeholder views on this issue. My officials have had observer status on work done

by UUK and members of the sector on what form a domestic alternative to Erasmus+

could take.

The Home Office has initiated an extensive programme of engagement across the

UK on the Immigration White Paper proposals. The Home Office’s Education

Advisory Group will meet regularly throughout the engagement period to capture

views from the education sector and ensure the government designs a future

immigration system that works for the whole of the UK.

Outdoor Education


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

potential merits of ensuring that the national curriculum includes outdoor learning on the

natural environment.

Nick Gibb:

Outdoor education can play an important role for many subjects in the school

curriculum. It can include cultural trips, environmental and countryside education,

science and geography fieldwork, and visits to museums and heritage sites. For

some subjects such as biology and geography, fieldwork is a part of the national

curriculum and a requirement of GCSE subject content.

In recognition of these benefits, the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan,

published in January 2018, included £10 million funding from the Department to help

more children from disadvantaged backgrounds to have contact with nature.

The Government does not prescribe how schools should teach or what outdoor

activities they should offer. They have the freedom to plan and deliver curricula that

meet the educational needs and interests of their pupils, provided they meet any

statutory requirements.

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

Helen Jones: [249221]

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

per pupil funding for each child in (a) primary and (b) secondary education in Warrington

in each year since 2010.

Nick Gibb:

[Holding answer 7 May 2019]: The revenue funding allocated for schools for each

financial year from 2009 to 2019 for Warrington local authority are shown in the

attached table. For financial year 2019/20, only the dedicated schools grant (DSG)

has been allocated at this time, though this makes up the bulk of schools funding.



The DSG for Warrington this year is £166.7 million. Other grants will be allocated at

later points in the year.

Attachments:

1. 249221_Table

[249221_Revenue_amounts_primary_and_secondary_education_Warrington_local_authorit

y.xls]

Special Educational Needs


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps his Department has taken

to improve the outcomes of children with special educational needs and disability.

Nadhim Zahawi:

The department is taking steps to ensure every child and young person with special

educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can achieve highly in education, find

employment and lead happy and fulfilled lives.

We have established a SEND System Leadership Board that will focus on improving

how local health, education and social care partners can plan better, commission

strategically and work jointly to provide services and improve outcomes for children

and young people with SEND.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission continue to inspect local areas to identify

strengths and weaknesses in relation to children and young people with SEND.

Where there are concerns, the local area is required to produce a Written Statement

of Action. The area will be revisited within 18 months to ensure improvements have

been made.

To support local authorities, we have provided an additional £250 million in high

needs funding up to 2020 on top of the funding increases we had already committed.

This brings the total allocation for high needs in 2019-20 to £6.3 billion and will help

local authorities to manage the significant pressures on their high needs budgets.

Teachers: Females

Janet Daby: [248075]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if his Department will estimate the cost of

equalising widows’ and children’s pension benefits for female teachers who served prior

to 6 April 1988.

Nick Gibb:

This Department has not made an estimate of the costs of equalising widowers’ and

children’s pension benefits.

As part of the Government’s review of survivor benefits in occupational pension

schemes in 2014, the Government Actuary’s Department estimated the expected

additional cost for public service schemes if scheme benefits were retrospectively

enhanced. The review looked at all survivor benefits, for example those for civil



partners, same-sex married couples and widowers. It was estimated that the total

cost would be in the region of £2.9 billion across the public sector, which equates to

£600 million for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Included in the £600 million figure is

an immediate payment in relation to those who are already in receipt of a survivor

pension of approximately £200 million.

Teachers: Pay


To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to fund the two per cent

pay increase for teachers in 2019-20; and what assessment he has made of the effect of

that pay increase on school budgets.

Nick Gibb:

The School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) is responsible for reviewing and making

recommendations on teacher pay. The STRB is currently considering the appropriate

pay award for the 2019-20 academic year and is expected to make its

recommendations at the end of May 2019.

In January 2019, the Department submitted written evidence to the STRB. In this it

was noted that a 2% increase in teachers’ pay, in line with forecast inflation, is

affordable nationally within the overall funding available to schools for the 2019/20

financial year.

Alongside this evidence the Department published an assessment of teacher pay

affordability in a schools’ costs technical note. This note provides information on

costs for schools in the financial years 2018/19 and 2019/20, and can be found here

on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-costs-technical-

note.

It is important to note that the effects of the 2018 pay award will continue to be

supported through the £321 million Teachers’ Pay Grant in 2019/20.

Universities: Finance

Bambos Charalambous: [248752]

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

potential effect of a reduction in per student funding for universities on their ability to

collaborate and partner with local employers; and if he will make a statement.

Bambos Charalambous: [248753]

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will ensure that universities continue to

be sustainably funded to enable them to expand the partnerships they have with local

business and employers as set out in the recent HE business and community interaction

survey by the Higher Education Statistics Agency.


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-costs-technical-note





Chris Skidmore:

Business-university collaboration is increasingly important, both in the development

of work-ready, highly skilled graduates, and in contributing to local and regional

economic growth.

My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister announced a major review of post-18

education and funding that will ensure we have a joined up education system that is

accessible to all and encourages the development of the funding and skills we need

as a country. The independent panel will report shortly. The government will consider

their recommendations, but we remain committed to ensuring that universities are

funded on a sustainable basis.

The government is committed to ensuring that funding is available to support

sustainable collaboration between universities and businesses in local areas and is

supporting this work in a number of ways:

• The Office for Students (OfS), through its Industrial Strategy and Skills Challenge

Competition is funding providers (including in collaboration with employers) to

develop and implement projects to improve outcomes for graduates who seek

employment in their home region. Details of which can be found at:

https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/ofs-challenge-competition-

industrial-strategy-and-skills-support-for-local-students-and-graduates/.

• Similarly, the UK Research and Innovation 'Strength in Places Fund' is a

competitive fund for collaborative bids between research institutions and

businesses to support significant regional growth through research and innovation.

Details can be found at: https://www.ukri.org/funding/funding-

opportunities/strength-in-places-fund/.

• The OfS is providing £20 million for the Institute of Coding which will target a skills

gap in digital skills and involves collaboration between education providers and

industry. This includes working together to create core content and introducing

flexible ways to learn.

• The government also part funds the National Centre for Universities and Business

which promotes, develops and supports university and business collaboration

across the UK.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture and Waste Disposal: Carbon Emissions

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: [249917]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is

taking to reduce emissions in agriculture and waste management.

Dr Thérèse Coffey:

Defra is committed to take action to mitigate climate change and to adapt to its

impact. As the cornerstone of our future agriculture policy, the new Environmental

https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/ofs-challenge-competition-industrial-strategy-and-skills-support-for-local-students-and-graduates/



https://www.ukri.org/funding/funding-opportunities/strength-in-places-fund/




Land Management (ELM) system will pay public money for the provision of

environmental public goods, including mitigation and adaption to climate change. Our

Clean Growth Strategy (CGS) and 25 Year Environment Plan also set out a range of

specific commitments to reduce emissions from agriculture.

This year we have started to develop a new emissions reduction plan for agriculture,

which will set out our long-term vision for a more productive, low-carbon farming

sector. This policy development will be informed by research, modelling, stakeholder

engagement and feasibility studies. We are establishing a Lowland Agricultural Peat

Taskforce to identify how to protect our peat carbon stores and prevent further

emissions. In addition we are making progress towards our target to plant 11 million

new trees in this parliament and continuing to phase down fluorinated gases.

For waste, the majority of our emissions are in the form of methane generated by

biodegradable waste breaking down anaerobically in landfill. We have made

significant improvements in this area, with emissions from the waste sector falling by

70% since 1990. This is mostly due to the implementation of methane recovery

systems at UK landfill sites, as well as policies such as the landfill tax reducing the

amount of waste disposed of here.

Further improvements will come from policies announced in the recent Resources

and Waste Strategy, which are currently being consulted on. For example, we want to

introduce a consistent set of materials to be collected across local authorities and

municipal businesses, which would include food waste being collected separately.

This is expected to divert a significant amount of biodegradable waste away from

landfill and therefore lead to a reduction in the associated emissions.

Birds: Pest Control

Sir Nicholas Soames: [249792]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment

he has made of the effect on (a) pest control, (b) agriculture and (c) animal welfare of

Natural England’s withdrawal of three General Licences for pest control.


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he

has made of the number of people that control pests under the terms of the General

Licence.


Defra fully recognises the implications of the withdrawal of these licences for pest

controllers, farmers and gamekeepers. For this reason, the Secretary of State has

taken back decision making powers with respect to the three licences in question.

Defra has initiated a call for evidence in order to better understand the impact of the

withdrawal, which closes on Monday 13 May. Due to the nature of the general

licences, Natural England does not hold records of the numbers of people who rely

on them but it estimates up to 50,000 people may be affected.




To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he met

with the interim Chair of Natural England to discuss the recent withdrawal of General

Licences in England.


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has

met the new Chairman of Natural England to discuss the withdrawal of General Licences

in England.


The Secretary of State has discussed Natural England’s approach to the withdrawal

of general licences with both Chief Executive Marian Spain and new Chair Tony

Juniper.

Circuses: Wildlife

Sir Christopher Chope: [249841]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many wild

animals of each species are currently licensed for use in travelling circuses in England;

and which of those wild animals are classified as dangerous.


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many

travelling circuses are currently licensed to use wild animals in England; and how many

licences for such use have been breached in each of the last five years.

David Rutley:

There are currently 19 wild animals licensed by Defra for use by two travelling

circuses in England. The 19 wild animals are 6 Reindeer; 4 Camels; 4 Zebras; 2

Racoons; 1 Fox; 1 Macaw; and 1 Zebu.

Under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976; Camels, Zebra and Reindeer (domestic

Reindeer excepted) are classified as dangerous animals.

In each of the last five complete calendar years the following number of breaches (as

defined as a significant breach of one of the 17 different licensing conditions or

standards assessed at each inspection) were identified in the two licensed circuses:

2014 – 1

2015 – 2

2016 – 0

2017 – 0

2018 – 0





Each licensed circus is inspected at least three times a year, with at least one

inspection being unannounced. Where any breaches were found, the circuses were

required to undertake remedial actions to address the issues identified.

Pesticides: Regulation


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans

to set up a new pesticides as a result of the resignation of key members from the

Pesticides Forum and Voluntary Initiative.

Mr Robert Goodwill:

The Pesticides Forum was set up by Government to bring together a range of

organisations with an interest in how pesticides are used and the impact of their use.

It plays a helpful role in supporting the National Action Plan (NAP) for pesticides by

identifying issues and possible solutions across a range of pesticides issues. The

Voluntary Initiative is an industry-led group which has done useful work in developing

and promoting best practice in the use of pesticides. We regret that the Wildlife and

Countryside Link and the Pesticides Action Network UK have decided to withdraw

from these groups, which benefit from having a range of views around the table.

As set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan, the Government will develop its

approach to pesticides, putting Integrated Pest Management at its heart. In doing so

we will continue to reduce the impacts of pesticide use and maintain dialogue with all

those that can help us to make further progress. As part of this process we will review

the NAP and update it as necessary. This will involve public consultation and we

hope that environmental and farming groups will engage actively with this.

Mr Laurence Robertson: [249195]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is

taking to ensure that future bans on the use of pesticides are based on scientific

research; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Robert Goodwill:

The Government’s priority is to protect people and the environment, and pesticides

are only authorised if scientific evidence shows that they will not harm human health

or have unacceptable effects on the environment.

We carry out a thorough assessment of the scientific evidence, drawing on advice

from scientists in the Health and Safety Executive and the UK Expert Committee on

Pesticides. Regulatory decisions are regularly reviewed so that safety can be

reassessed using the latest data and scientific knowledge.

Decisions on the use of pesticides will continue to be based on a careful scientific

assessment of the risks and we will ensure that the regulation of pesticides continues

to be robust and fit for purpose as our scientific knowledge develops.



Pigeons


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information

his Department holds on the (a) value and (b) amount of the agricultural damage done by

wood pigeons in England.


The current costs of woodpigeon damage to the individual grower sectors are not

known.

A 2014 estimate of woodpigeon damage to the overall UK oilseed rape crop was

approximately £2 million for a ‘low impact’ year (2% of national crop severely

damaged) and approximately £5 million for a ‘high impact’ year (5% of national crop

severely damaged). This is based on an average loss of £131 per hectare for

severely damaged crop. These figures were presented at a National Farmers Union

bird deterrent event held in December 2014.

We do not have figures or estimates for damage overall to other UK crops. However,

a small scale consultation in 2014 with growers produced estimates of economic loss

associated with woodpigeon crop damage ranging from £125 per hectare for oilseed

rape to £250 per hectare for peas and £330-£1,250 per hectare for brassicas. It

should be noted that general estimates were often broad, lacked detail or in some

cases were not provided.


To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment

he has made of trends in the number of woodpigeons in England.


The Breeding Birds Survey 2017 estimates that the number of woodpigeons in

England has increased by 39% from 1995 to 2017.

EXITING THE EUROPEAN UNION

Department for Exiting the European Union: Emerdata


To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, whether (a) his

Department, (b) his Department's agencies and (c) his Department's associated public

bodies have entered into contracts with Emerdata Limited in the last year.

Kwasi Kwarteng:

No contracts have been entered into with Emerdata Limited in the last year.




FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Democracy and Human Rights: Annual Reports

Ann Clwyd: [249853]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when his

Department plans to publish the next annual Human Rights and Democracy report.

Mark Field:

The 2018 Human Rights and Democracy report is due to be published in early June

2019.

Firearms: Regulation


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is

taking to promote stronger gun control laws throughout the world.

Sir Alan Duncan:

Domestic gun laws elsewhere are a matter for those respective countries.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Emerdata


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether (a) his

Department, (b) his Department's agencies and (c) his Department's associated public

bodies have entered into contracts with Emerdata Limited in the last year.

Sir Alan Duncan:

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not entered into any contracts

with Emerdata Limited.

Information relating to FCO Executive Agencies and public bodies is not held

centrally and therefore not readily available.

Iraq: Islamic State


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his

Department is taking to ensure that children born under Isis in Iraq are formally

recognised.

Mark Field:

Children born under Daesh in Iraq remain particularly vulnerable and present

significant protection challenges. We continue to raise with the Iraqi authorities the

importance of formal recognition of children born under Daesh. We welcome the

steps recently taken by the Iraqi government to address the specific problem of the

legal status of children born to Yezidi survivors as a result of sexual violence.





Libya: Undocumented Migrants

Dan Carden: [248761]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if his Department

will support search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean for people trying to flee

Libya.

Sir Alan Duncan:

The UK Government currently supports the EU's Operation Sophia through the

provision of staff to its Operational Headquarters, although Operation Sophia's naval

operations are currently suspended. There is no evidence of an increase in the

volumes of migrants seeking to cross the central Mediterranean from Libya to

Europe. However, we are monitoring this situation closely. The UK Government

continues to call on all parties to the conflict in Libya to commit to a ceasefire, ensure

humanitarian access to aid the voluntary evacuation of civilians, and a return to the

political process.

Malaysia: Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs

Martyn Day: [249957]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment

he has made of the validity of reports that the British High Commission in Malaysia

provided financial support to the Kuala Lumpur think tank Institute for Democracy and

Economic Affairs while that institute argued against tobacco control legislation, including

tobacco taxes and plain packaging.

Mark Field:

The British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur has, in the past, commissioned the

Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) to undertake projects that

support the UK’s prosperity, economic and political agenda in Malaysia. These

projects were delivered between 2013 and 2017 and were not associated in any way

with the promotion of tobacco products. The Government takes very seriously its

obligations as a Party to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on

Tobacco Control. HMG in Malaysia has not co-financed or partnered in any way with

tobacco companies whether through our Prosperity or Global Britain Funds.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office-led programmes follow the standards set out by

Her Majesty's Treasury. They receive robust scrutiny to ensure that all spend

represents value for money for UK taxpayers and advances the UN’s sustainable

development goals and our foreign policy objectives.

Tobacco


To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is

taking to ensure that officials of his Department comply with his Department's guidance




on support in relation to the tobacco industry; and whether overseas diplomatic staff of

his Department have met with representatives of the tobacco industry.

Mark Field:

The Government takes very seriously its obligations as a Party to the World Health

Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). This includes the

treaty commitment at Article 5.3 to protect public health policies with respect to

tobacco control from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.

The FCTC does not prohibit meetings with representatives of the tobacco industry but

the Foreign and Commonwealth Office issues guidance annually to all staff on

limiting support to the tobacco industry to ensure FCTC compliance. We do not hold

a central record of staff meetings with third parties.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Cancer


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the recent

MacMillan Cancer Support Survey, what steps is he taking to ensure that there is

adequate care and support from health or social services for cancer patients during their

treatment.

Seema Kennedy:

The National Health Service Long Term Plan published in January 2019 set out that

by 2021, where appropriate, every person diagnosed with cancer will have access to

personalised care, including needs assessment, a care plan and health and wellbeing

information and support. This will be delivered in line with the NHS Comprehensive

Model for Personalised Care. This will empower people to manage their care and the

impact of their cancer, and maximise the potential of digital and community-based

support. Over the next three years every patient with cancer will get a full assessment

of their needs, an individual care plan and information and support for their wider

health and wellbeing. All patients, including those with secondary cancers, will have

access to the right expertise and support, including a Clinical Nurse Specialist or

other support worker.

Cancer: Drugs

Mr Clive Betts: [R] [249828]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 25

April 2019 to Question 245610, how many forms of cancer have no maintenance drug

available at any stage in the treatment plan.

Seema Kennedy:

The information requested is not available.



Cannabis: Medical Treatments

Sir Mike Penning: [248610]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the timeframe is for the

process evaluation being undertaken by the NHS on prescribing cannabis-based

products for medical use; and if he will he make a statement.


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who he will be engaging with in

the process evaluation on prescribing cannabis-based products for medical use.

Seema Kennedy:

NHS England has been asked to provide an interim report to the Secretary of State

for Health and Social Care by the end of May 2019. The review will be clinically led

by the NHS England and NHS Improvement Medical Director and Chief

Pharmaceutical Officer, drawing on further specialist support as required.

NHS England will work with patient groups and the All Party Parliamentary Group on

Medical Cannabis under Prescription to identify a sample of patients that have been

seeking to access cannabis-based products for medicinal use through the National

Health Service. Case reviews will involve interviews with relevant individuals who are

involved in the decision to prescribe cannabis-based products for medicinal use,

including patients, carers and relevant trust staff.


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how the National Institute for

Health Research will identify patients with severe intractable epilepsy to use as a placebo

in research into the safety and clinical efficacy and effectiveness of cannabis-based

products for medical use in humans.

Seema Kennedy:

To stimulate research proposals, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

has issued two calls for research into cannabis-based products for medicinal use and

has taken steps to advertise the call to all manufacturers interested in supplying the

United Kingdom market.

The NIHR also remain open to the submission of proposals outside of these specific

calls. Proposals made to NIHR are assessed for scientific rigour, which will include

the design of the trials, before funding is allocated to the applicants.

The process for selecting people for inclusion in any trials will be determined by the

researchers and will be dependent on the study design used in the trial.

European Reference Networks

Catherine West: [248746]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assurances he has (a)

sought and (b) received from the European Commission that the UK will be allowed to





continue to participate in European Reference Networks in the event that the UK leaves

the EU without a deal.

Caroline Dinenage:

The Government remains focused on ensuring our smooth and orderly withdrawal

from the European Union with a deal as soon as possible. The United Kingdom would

like to explore participation in European Reference Networks beyond 2020 as part of

detailed negotiations on our future relationship. However, in the event of no-deal,

current EU legislation states that only EU and European Economic Area Member

States are permitted to participate in the European Reference Networks. The UK is

considering potential alternatives to participation in the European Reference

Networks as part of no deal preparations.

Four Seasons Health Care: Insolvency

John Spellar: [249829]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what contingency plans his

Department has made for the maintenance of the provision of services as a result of Four

Seasons Care Homes going into administration.

Caroline Dinenage:

The Department and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have been and will

continue to monitor the administration and sales process of Four Seasons Health

Care Group closely over the coming weeks and months. There will be no immediate

impact on people receiving care from Four Seasons Healthcare Group, nor the

company’s 22,000 employees.

The CQC’s Market Oversight regulatory responsibility is to advise local authorities if

they believe that there will be likely service cessation as a result of business failure.

They have been monitoring the company’s position and will continue to do so until the

sale is completed. They are clear that there is no risk to continuity of care at this time.

The Care Act 2014 places duties on local authorities to intervene to protect

individuals where their care provider is no longer able to carry on because of

business failure. There should never be a gap in the care that an individual receives.

Departmental officials are working closely with the CQC, the Local Government

Association, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, NHS England and

Four Seasons Healthcare Group to ensure that individuals’ care and support needs

continue to be met.

Ms Angela Eagle: [249858]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made

of the effect on NHS Trusts of the announcement that Four Seasons Healthcare has

gone into administration; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Dinenage:

There has been no reported impact on NHS services. NHS England and NHS

Improvement have been working closely with Four Seasons Health Care and other



organisations to ensure the continued running of services and have established a

reporting system for the National Health Service to report any concerns. To date, no

concerns have been reported, but NHS England and NHS Improvement will continue

to monitor the situation.

Ms Angela Eagle: [249859]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department took

to monitor the financial viability of Four Seasons Healthcare before that company entered

administration; and whether NHS contracts were awarded to that company after financial

health warnings were issued; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Dinenage:

Four Seasons Health Care Group has been going through financial restructuring

negotiations since December 2017. The announcement that the Group will be

entering an independent sales process, facilitated by the appointment of

administrators to the business’ two debt holding companies, marks the next stage in

what has been a complex and protracted process. At no point in this process were

warnings regarding the financial health of the company issued. The administration

appointment and planned sales process will bring greater certainty to those in care,

their families, and the 22,000 people employed by the company.

The Care Quality Commission’s Market Oversight regulatory responsibility is to

advise local authorities if they believe that there will be likely service cessation as a

result of business failure. They have been monitoring the company’s position and will

continue to do so until the sale is completed. They are clear that there is no risk to

continuity of care at this time.

Details of individual contracts held by local National Health Service organisations with

private providers are not held centrally. It is the responsibility of the local NHS to

check the financial viability of their service providers.

A Written Ministerial Statement ( HCWS1532 ) on the position of Four Seasons

Healthcare Group was laid before the House on Wednesday 1 May 2019.

Health Services: Immigrants

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: [248607]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his

Department has made of the implications for his policies of the conclusions of the

Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration’s report: An Inspection of the

Home Office Borders, Immigration and Citizenship System’s policies and practices

relating to charging and fees.

Stephen Hammond:

The Department will consider the implications of the Independent Chief Inspector of

Borders and Immigration’s report: ‘An Inspection of the Home Office Borders,

Immigration and Citizenship Systems’ as part of its ongoing commitment to keep the

charging regulations under review and will take any action it deems necessary.


https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-05-01/HCWS1532/

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-05-01/HCWS1532/



To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment

of the (a) equity and (b) effectiveness of the immigration health surcharge.


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an

assessment of the potential merits of exempting doctors from the immigration health

surcharge; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Hammond:

The immigration health surcharge applies to non-European Economic Area nationals

subject to immigration control coming to live, work and study in the United Kingdom

and is payable as part of their visa application. The surcharge provides

comprehensive access to NHS services regardless of the amount of care needed

during a person’s time in the UK, and includes treatment for pre-existing conditions.

This represents excellent value when compared to the alternatives and ensures that

individuals do not need to worry about insurance or pay for unexpected treatment

whilst they are here. The surcharge also reduces the administrative burden on the

NHS frontline associated with identifying chargeable patients and recovering charges.

Whilst the Government fully recognises the contribution that international

professionals make to the UK and to our health service, it is only right that all those

who come to the UK to live, work and study should contribute to the running of the

NHS.

Hospitals: Construction

Mark Menzies: [248655]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what major hospital

redevelopments are planned in the next 24 months; and whether those redevelopments

include the centralisation of acute hospital sites.

Stephen Hammond:

The following table shows a list of major hospital redevelopments that have confirmed

capital funding from the sustainability and transformation partnership programme and

other funding sources.

LEAD ORGANISATION SCHEME

TOTAL SCHEME VALUE £

MILLION

Under Construction

Brighton and Sussex

University Hospitals NHS Trust

3Ts Scheme - three-phase

building works to deliver a

Regional Centre for Teaching,

Trauma and Tertiary Care.

484

Royal Liverpool and A new hospital development to 450




LEAD ORGANISATION SCHEME

TOTAL SCHEME VALUE £

MILLION

Broadgreen University

Hospitals NHS Trust

deliver more care outside

hospital, whilst ensuring a

world class facility for urgent

and specialist treatment.

Sandwell and West

Birmingham Hospitals NHS

Trust

Midland Metropolitan Hospital -

new acute hospital at Grove

Lane, Smethwick site and

community facilities.

340

Subject to business case approval

Shrewsbury and Telford

Hospital NHS Trust

Sustainable Services Project. 312

Poole Hospital NHS

Foundation Trust and The

Royal Bournemouth and

Christchurch Hospitals NHS

Foundation Trust

One Acute Network – Acute

Reconfiguration in Dorset

147

MSB Hospital Group Reconfiguration of hospital

services at the Mid-and-South

Essex Acute Hospitals

118

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS

Foundation Trust

Project Oriel - a new eye care,

research and education facility

344

Calderdale and Huddersfield

NHS Foundation Trust

Reconfiguration of hospital

services

196.5

Cambridge University

Hospitals NHS Foundation

Trust

Cambridge Children’s Hospital Up to £100 million

With regard to the centralisation of acute hospital sites, NHS England guidance on

service change is clear that schemes should not progress to consultation without

explicit support from NHS Improvement and NHS England.

This evidence is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/planning-assuring-

delivering-service-change-v6-1.pdf

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/planning-assuring-delivering-service-change-v6-1.pdf



NHS: Capital Investment


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans in the 2019

spending review to allocate funding to provide for the work required on NHS critical

infrastructure; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Hammond:

The Spending Review, which is expected to be later this year, will set future years

capital budgets. This will consider the case and options for capital investment in the

National Health Service, including in supporting and maintaining critical infrastructure

in the NHS.

The majority of NHS capital assets are owned by individual NHS trusts and NHS

foundation trusts, who in aggregate make capital investments of around £3 billion

annually. NHS planning guidance for 2019-20 has been clear that local organisations

should set out how their proposed capital investments are consistent with their clinical

strategies and how they demonstrate the delivery of safe, productive services that are

affordable to the organisation.

NHS: Lancashire


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what type of

NHS positions were vacant in Lancashire as of 31 March 2019.

Stephen Hammond:

The data is not available in the format requested.

The number of National Health Service vacancies in England as at 31 March 2019

will become available on 30 May 2019, when NHS Improvement and NHS Digital are

due to produce a joint vacancy statistics report.

Obesity: Children

Frank Field: [249880]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to

promote the child-obesity strategy developed by Leeds City Council to improve levels of

nutrition among children from disadvantaged households in other areas of the UK.

Seema Kennedy:

Through ‘Childhood obesity: a plan for action, Chapter 2’, we are delivering a

Trailblazer Programme in partnership with the Local Government Association and

Public Health England, working with local authorities to address childhood obesity at

local level.

The programme has a strong focus on inequalities and ethnic disparities in childhood

obesity and in the next phase that begins this spring, the Trailblazer Programme will




support five local authorities with £100,000 a year in funding to take innovative action

to address these issues in their community.

Brilliant, innovative projects are already taking place across the country, and we will

look closely at what has worked in Leeds, and with our Trailblazer councils to

consider what more the Government can do to enable ambitious local action.

Pathology

Helen Hayes: [250023]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his

Department has made of the effect of pathology networks on (a) patient care and (b) NHS

England’s finances.

Stephen Hammond:

By 2021, all pathology services across England will be part of a pathology network.

Pathology networks will mean quicker test turnaround times, improved access to

more complex tests at a lower overall cost and better career opportunities for

healthcare scientists and clinicians. This will improve the quality of the service offered

to patients and benefit patient care. NHS Improvement estimates have suggested a

single network is predicting to make savings of £26 million during the next five years,

while others forecasting their average cost per test drop by a fifth, and overall the

National Health Service hopes to save £200 million through the project by 2021.

Pathology: Greater London


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department and

NHS England have to consult with the public on (a) plans to merge pathology services in

South East London hospitals into a single network and (b) plans to tender that contract to

private companies.

Stephen Hammond:

The South East London pathology network will reduce costs and boost quality of

pathology service provision through collaboration and networking. This is part of a

national strategy to network all National Health Service pathology services in

England, due to the significant benefits identified in the 2016 Carter review.

Due to the significant benefits to quality and cost of service, all NHS trusts are

expected to network as per the direction set out by NHS Improvement in September

2017. NHS Improvement has set out guidance that includes a range of acceptable

operating models for networks, including enabling them to work with any qualified

provider. It is for individual Trust boards to assess and select the model that best

serves their patients and that organisation. Informing this decision, NHS

organisations have policies to ensure consultation around change with the community

that they serve. The decision about consultation in this instance will sit with the South

East London hospitals involved. Neither the Department or NHS England have plans

to consult on this specific network.




To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish any (a) impact

and (b) risk assessments his Department has carried out on the proposed pathology

network for South East London NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts.

Stephen Hammond:

The South East London pathology network will reduce costs and boost quality of

pathology service provision through collaboration and networking. This is part of a

national strategy to network all National Health Service pathology services in

England, due to the significant benefits identified in the 2016 Carter review.

All trusts involved in pathology network creation will need to submit clear business

cases to support any proposed changes. NHS Improvement and the Department will

review these cases with subject matter experts, to ensure changes will be of benefit

to the NHS and deliver the services that patients expect and need. These business

cases will contain commercially sensitive information and so will not be made public.

Pathology: Private Sector


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has

to ensure pathology service standards are protected in the event of a successful private

bidder experiencing financial or leadership difficulties.

Stephen Hammond:

As part of the pathology networking programme, NHS Improvement has issued a

number of toolkits and guidance documents to support the clinical and commercial

relationships that trusts enter into, whether they are between public sector

organisations or with commercial organisations. This guidance has been drawn from

lessons learnt by the sector from successful and unsuccessful networking

programmes across England. It will be expected that all hospital trusts ensure

adequate performance and review policies and commercial contract terms to provide

assurance that the provider will take action in the event of any difficulty.

In addition to this, NHS Improvement will be reissuing the Pathology Quality

Assurance Dashboard (PQAD) (as recommended following the 2012 Barnes review

into the King's Mill quality failure). This dashboard, aimed toward trust executives and

boards, seeks to demonstrate the clinical, operational and commercial performance.

The National Pathology Optimisation and Delivery Group is the oversight board for

the pathology networking programme and includes members of the pathology

community, arm’s length bodies and commissioners. It will be developing a

governance role to ensure the network formation and PQAD are fit for purpose to

enable individual trusts to identify issues early and in advance of them impacting

upon patient care.



Preventive Medicine

Dr Sarah Wollaston: [248665]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Prevention

is better than cure vision published by his Department in November 2018, whether the

forthcoming prevention Green Paper will include oral health.

Seema Kennedy:

We are considering a number of policy options for the prevention green paper and

will be mindful of oral health opportunities.

Chris Ruane: [249892]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish the

prevention is better than a cure Green Paper; and whether that Green Paper will include

provisions to improve vaccination rates in the UK.

Seema Kennedy:

Last November, we published ‘Prevention is Better than Cure’; the Government vision

on prevention. This set out a clear Government position on why prevention matters,

and the role we all have to play in living healthier, happier lives. This year, we will

publish a prevention Green Paper, setting out our plans in greater detail; drawing

from evidence on the main causes of ill-health and disability.

Rare Diseases: Medical Treatments


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to

ensure that the UK will (a) be able to continue to participate in European Reference

Networks and (b) co-operate with the EU on the development of rare disease care and

treatment in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Caroline Dinenage:

In the July 2018 white paper ‘The future relationship between the United Kingdom

and the European Union’, the Government set out its aim to explore continued

participation in European Reference Networks as part of a future agreement on

science and innovation. The European Commission have shown that they recognise

the significant expertise of UK clinicians. Both sides appreciate the importance of

maintaining UK participation. The UK and the EU have a long track record of jointly

tackling global challenges with strong existing links between our research and

innovation communities. The Government wants to continue the joint EU and UK

benefit realised from this shared collaboration on research and innovation.

Social Services

Mr Steve Reed: [248692]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether local authorities have a

duty to identify the role of companion animals in an individual’s care and support plan and

needs assessment.






To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether getting a cat as a pet is

recommended to individuals as part of their individual care and support plan.


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether an individual in receipt

of a personal budget as part of a care and support plan can allocate funds from that

budget to funding care for their pets.

Caroline Dinenage:

Personal budgets (particularly direct payments) are designed to be used flexibly and

innovatively and so there should be no unreasonable restriction placed on the use of

the payment, as long as it is being used to meet eligible care and support needs in

line with the care and support plan agreed between those requiring care and their

local team which includes healthcare professionals. The local authority then has a

duty to ensure that their care meets the needs of the eligible person, and to continue

to oversee that care to ensure it addresses the identified needs.

The Department does not make specific recommendations on what should be

included in care and support plans, nor do we require local authorities to identify the

role of companion animals. Instead, there are exclusions listed within the regulations.

Taking this into account, it is the responsibility of clinicians and local teams, in co-

operation with patients, their families and carers, to determine what will be included in

the care and support plan.

Vaccination: Disinformation


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has

had with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the sharing of

misinformation about vaccines on digital and social media platforms.

Seema Kennedy:

We take the matter of misinformation about vaccines very seriously. That is why we

are working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and media

companies, as outlined in the Online Harms White Paper, as part of wider work in

challenging online misinformation


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is

taking to tackle the misinformation on vaccination on digital and social media platforms.

Seema Kennedy:

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Romford

(Andrew Rosindell MP) on 26 March 2019 Question 233488.

We want to ensure that parents have the right information when making important

choices such as vaccinations for their children – as well as for people of all ages





eligible for vaccines against diseases such as meningitis and shingles. The

Department is working with Public Health England to help remind people about the

dreadful diseases vaccines protect against.

We have also been in discussion with major social media companies such as

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram about the issue of misinformation and proliferation

of harmful content and its impact on people’s mental health, holding a summit on

Monday 28 April, where vaccines were also raised. We intend to follow this with

another meeting in the summer.

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control


To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is

taking to support the FCTC 2030 group of countries implement the provisions of the

World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control relating to the

tobacco track and trace system.

Seema Kennedy:

The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO

FCTC) is delivering the FCTC 2030 project, including supporting fifteen low and

middle-income countries to accelerate the implementation of the WHO FCTC.

Implementation of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products,

including tobacco track and trace systems, is not a specific area of focus for the

FCTC 2030 project. However, several FCTC 2030 countries have joined the Protocol.

The Secretariat of the WHO FCTC is encouraging all countries that are Parties to the

WHO FCTC to also join the Protocol.

HOME OFFICE

Animal Experiments


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress his Department is

making on reducing the use of animals in experiments and replacing such experiments

with machine learning.

Mr Ben Wallace:

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires project licence holders to

ensure that their programme of work does not involve any regulated procedures for

which there is a scientifically satisfactory alternative method or testing strategy that

does not entail the use of a protected animal.

The government is committed to the replacement, reduction, and refinement of the

use of animals in research - the ‘3Rs’. Implementing the 3Rs requires that, in every

research proposal, animals are replaced with non-animal alternatives wherever

possible; that the number of animals is reduced to the minimum needed to achieve



the results sought; and that, for those animals which must be used, procedures are

refined as much as possible to minimise their suffering.

Asylum: Dublin Regulations

Jessica Morden: [249253]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases remain

outstanding in the Third Country Unit in her Department.

Jessica Morden: [249254]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) average length of

time and (b) current longest time is for cases awaiting consideration by the Third Country

Unit

Caroline Nokes:

The Home Office is unable to report on how many cases remain outstanding,

average length of time and current longest time for cases awaiting consideration by

the Third Country Unit as this information is not held electronically in a reportable

format.

Asylum: Glasgow

Mr Paul Sweeney: [249938]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether Mears Group plans to

rule out the use of lock-change evictions when it commences the contract for providing

housing for asylum seekers in Glasgow in September 2019.

Caroline Nokes:

Asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute are provided with free, furnished

accommodation whilst their asylum claim is under consideration. Where they are

granted leave to remain they are free to live and work in the United Kingdom.

Those who have been unsuccessful in their asylum claim and do not have leave to

remain in the UK are no longer entitled to asylum accommodation and should take

steps to leave the UK. UKVI will continue to work with Serco, Mears and Glasgow

City Council to ensure that those with no right to be in the UK leave their

accommodation in a safe and secure way and that they are provided with the

necessary support and advice to make an informed decision about their future.

Cars: Theft

David Simpson: [248627]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cars were reported

stolen in the last two years.

Mr Nick Hurd:

The Home Office does not hold data specifically on the number of cars that were

reported stolen. However, information about all stolen vehicles recorded by police in

the last 2 years is available and have been released in the Police Recorded Crime





Open Data tables, which can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-recorded-crime-open-data-tables

Cash Dispensing: Theft


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps is his Department

taking to tackle gangs using diggers to rip out ATM machines from rural shops.

Victoria Atkins:

Justice and policing is devolved to Northern Ireland and Scotland and policing

priorities are determined by these areas.

Across England and Wales, the Government has ensured that, through the election

of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), communities have a strong voice in

determining how police resources are allocated to tackle the crimes that matter most

to them, including those in rural areas. Chief Constables and PCCs are responsible

for setting priorities in tackling crime in their areas.

The Government is determined to prevent and defend against serious and organised

crime. Our new strategy, published in November 2018, sets out how we will mobilise

the full force of the state and align our collective efforts.

Fire and Rescue Services: Suicide

Luke Pollard: [248772]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information his Department

holds on the number of fire fighters who have taken their own lives in each of the last ten

years.

Mr Nick Hurd:

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes suicide statistics for the UK for

each calendar year. The latest available figures were published by ONS in

September 2018 and covered calendar years up to 2017[1].

Table 1 below provides the number of deaths caused by suicide in firefighters of a

working age (20-64 years old) based on information attained on the death certificate.

Please note, data on firefighters in managerial roles has also been provided but this

category also includes senior officers in ambulance, prison and related services.

YEAR FIRE SERVICE OFFICERS

SENIOR OFFICERS IN FIRE,

AMBULANCE, PRISON AND

RELATED SERVICES

2008 6 0

2009 5 2

2010 3 1



YEAR FIRE SERVICE OFFICERS

SENIOR OFFICERS IN FIRE,

AMBULANCE, PRISON AND

RELATED SERVICES

2011 9 0

2012 3 0

2013 7 3

2014 9 2

2015 10 0

2016 6 0

2017 5 0

Source: Office for National Statistics

Box 1. International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes

used to define suicide

ICD-10 CODES DESCRIPTION

X60-X84 Intentional self-harm

Table 1: Deaths caused by suicide in fire service officers and senior officers in

fire, ambulance, prison and related services, aged 20 to 64 years, England and

Wales, deaths registered 2008 to 2017 [2] , [3], [4], [5], [6]

[1]

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/d

eaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2017registrations

[2]Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases,

Tenth Revision (ICD-10). This includes all deaths from intentional self-harm for

persons aged 10 years and over, and deaths where the intent was undetermined for

those aged 15 years and over. The ICD codes used to select the deaths are show in

Box 1.

[3]Figures are for those aged 20 to 64 years based on usual working age. However,

information from the death certificate does not ascertain if the individual was actively

in work or retired.

[4]Figures for England and Wales include the deaths of non-residents.

[5]Figures are for deaths registered, rather than deaths occurring in each calendar

year. Due to the length of time it takes to complete a coroner’s inquest, it can take

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2017registrations



months or even years for a suicide to be registered. More details can be found in the

‘Suicides in the UK’ statistical bulletin.

[6]Occupations defined using the Standard Occupation Classification (v.2010). 'Fire

service officers' are defined by SOC code 3313 and 'Senior officers in fire, ambulance

and prison related services' are defined by SOC code 1173. For information on the

classification hierarchy, follow the link below:

Information on the Standard Occupation Classification

Genocide: Rwanda

Stephen Morgan: [249920]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps he has taken

to (a) apprehend and (b) bring to justice people living in the UK who took part in the

Rwandan genocide between April and July 1994.

Mr Nick Hurd:

The Government is committed to upholding international law and holding those who

commit the most serious crimes accountable for their actions.

Apprehending and bringing to justice those suspected of crimes is a matter for the

police and courts.

Extradition requests from Rwanda for five people accused of involvement in the

genocide were refused by the courts in July 2017. These individuals are currently

under investigation. Any decision to bring charges under UK law will be a matter for

the CPS following the investigation.

The Government has published guidance to clarify the role of prosecutors and the

police on the investigation and prosecution of crimes of universal jurisdiction.

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) War Crimes Unit is a dedicated specialist unit

which investigates and prosecutes people living in the UK suspected of committing

war crimes and crimes against humanity in line with universal jurisdiction and the

CPS Counter Terrorism Division has the responsibility for prosecuting such crimes.

Hoaxes and False Alarms


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is

taking to tackle prank calls made to the emergency services.

Mr Nick Hurd:

The handling of 999 calls is an operational matter for the police and fire and rescue

services. It is for Chief Constables, elected Police Crime Commissioners and Police,

Fire and Crime Commissioner and Fire and Rescue Services and Authorities to

decide how best to manage their communications and response to the public.



Offensive Weapons: Arrests


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were arrested

for carrying a dangerous weapon in 2018.

Mr Nick Hurd:

The Home Office collects and publishes data on the number of arrests at the offence

group level, including ‘possession of offensive weapons’ offences.

Data on the number of arrests for ‘possession of offensive weapons’ are published

annually, on a financial year basis, in the ‘Police Powers and Procedures, England

and Wales’ statistical bulletin. The latest data, covering the period up to March 2018,

can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-powers-and-

procedures-england-and-wales-year-ending-31-march-2018

Police: Football

Stephanie Peacock: [248750]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of

the overall cost to the police service of policing football matches in each of the last three

years.

Stephanie Peacock: [248751]

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

Department provides to police forces for the policing of football matches.

Mr Nick Hurd:

The 2019/20 police funding settlement provides the biggest increase in police funding

since 2010. Total police funding is increasing by over £1 billion in 2019/20 compared

with last year including council tax and funding to tackle serious violence.

Event organisers are responsible for the safety and security of their events, but they

are able to request ‘Special Police Services’ from the relevant police force, which the

force can charge for. Police forces estimate that it costs around £48m to police

football matches in England and Wales.

The Home Office UK Football Policing Unit will provide additional funding of up to

£521,000 in 2019/20 to support local police operations gathering evidence and

obtaining preventative football banning orders against individuals involved in violence

or disorder in connection with football matches.

Police: Pensions


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate his Department

has made of the cost of paying pensions to police widows and widowers for life in the

event of their re-marriage or co-habitation.


https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales-year-ending-31-march-2018







To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many widows and widowers

of police officers in England and Wales whose spouses were killed on duty or as a result

of injuries sustained on duty have had their pensions revoked as a result of their

remarriage or cohabitation before 1 April 2015.

Mr Nick Hurd:

The Home Office has estimated with the Government Actuary’s Department that the

cost of retaining benefits for all police survivors would increase the police scheme

liabilities by around £144m. It is estimated that retaining benefits for all police

survivors, including reinstatement of pensions already surrendered, would increase

the police scheme liabilities by around £198m.

The Home Office does not hold information on the number of survivors’ pensions

surrendered on remarriage or cohabitation, as police pensions are administered at

police force level by the relevant Police Pension Authority.

Police: Suicide


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information his Department

holds on the number of police officers who have taken their own lives in each of the last

ten years.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police forces hold

statistics on the number of (a) police officers, (b) police community support officers and

(c) police staff taking their own lives.


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department has

issued guidance to police forces on the collection of statistics on the number of police

officers taking their own lives; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Nick Hurd:

The Home Office does not centrally hold the information requested.

The Office for National Statistics publish data on suicide by occupation in England.

The latest release can be found here:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/d

eaths/datasets/suicidebyoccupationenglandsupplementarydatatables

The Home Office has not issued any guidance to police forces on the collection of

statistics on the number of police officers taking their own lives.





https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/suicidebyoccupationenglandsupplementarydatatables



Religious Buildings: Security


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the recent

shooting at the San Diego synagogue, what urgent steps he is taking to provide

additional funding for security at places of worship.

Mr Ben Wallace:

The police are aware of events taking place around the world such as San Diego, Sri

Lanka and Christchurch and adapt their operational policing plans, including

increased high visibility patrolling, to protect and reassure all our faith communities.

On 19 March, the Home Secretary announced a boost in funding for the hate crime

Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme to £1.6 million for 2019/20

(excluding synagogues). This is double the amount awarded in 2018/19.

Furthermore, £5 million over three years has also been committed to providing

security training to places of worship in England and Wales. This will enable staff and

volunteers to develop the security understanding necessary to make security

measures work more effectively.

On 27 February, the Home Secretary announced increased funding for the Jewish

Community Protective Security Grant to £14 million for 2019/20. Although this fund is

focussed primarily on security at Jewish Schools a proportion of funding is allocated

to the security of synagogues. This Grant was introduced in 2015 following a number

of terrorist attacks on Jews and Jewish sites in Europe.

More widely, the Home Secretary has committed to consulting with faith communities

to understand what more could and should be done to help protect faith communities

at their places of worship.

Stalking: Victims


To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is

taking to support victims of stalking.

Victoria Atkins:

Stalking is an insidious crime that has a deep and significant impact on vic-tims’

wellbeing. Both online and offline, perpetrators leave victims feeling constantly at risk

and looking over their shoulder. This Government is committed to ensuring that

victims are supported.

Our National Statement of Expectations for Violence Against Women and Girls

(VAWG), published in December 2016, sets out the standards which local

commissioners should meet when putting in place services to respond to VAWG,

including stalking. This includes the need to put the victim at the cen-tre of service

delivery.

The Home Office part-funds the National Stalking Helpline, operated by the Suzy

Lamplugh Trust, which has helped over 30,000 people since its inception. Through a



grant of £4.1m under the Police Transformation Fund, the Government is also

funding the Multi-Agency Stalking Intervention Programme. This aims, across three

sites, to test and compare strategies to reduce recidivism on the part of stalking

perpetrators and to develop best practice. This should improve the response to

victims of stalking, ensuring that they receive consistently high-quality service and

improving their satisfaction with police and across the criminal justice system.

The Stalking Protection Act 2019, which received Royal Assent on 15th March, will

introduce Stalking Protection Orders. These will provide protection to victims at an

early stage. Restraining orders can also be issued to those who have been

prosecuted for stalking offences, to prevent continued stalking behaviour.

Visas: Married People

Grahame Morris: [249944]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average time taken is

for a spousal visa appeal to be considered by UK Visas & Immigration.

Caroline Nokes:

Statistics on appeal clearance timescales are published by HM Courts and Tribunals

Service on a quarterly basis. The most recent edition (Tribunals and gender

recognitions certificates statistics quarterly: October to December 2018) is available

at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunals-and-gender-recognition-

certificate-statistics-quarterly-october-to-december-2018. Table T_3 contains the

closest match to the requested data.

HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Fracking: Planning

Carol Monaghan: [248718]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what

steps he is taking to help ensure the (a) interests and (b) safety of local communities is

fully considered in decisions on planning for shale gas fracking; and if he will make a

statement.

Kit Malthouse:

The Government is firmly committed to ensuring that local communities are fully

involved in planning decisions that affect them. Planning applications for shale

development proposals require consultation with local communities, ensuring that

planning concerns about potential impacts raised by local people are taken into

account in the determination of such applications.

The Government takes the safety of the public and environmental protection very

seriously and are confident we have a robust regulatory framework in place. We have

been clear that shale gas exploration development must be safe and environmentally

sound. The UK has world-class regulation to ensure that shale gas exploration can



happen safely, respecting local communities and safeguarding the environment.

National planning policy makes clear that in considering planning applications,

mineral planning authorities should ensure that there are no unacceptable adverse

impacts on the natural and historic environment or on human health.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Sarah Jones: [250034]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant

to his Answer of 25 March 2019 to Question 234774 on High Rise Flats: Insulation, if he

will provide a regional breakdown for the 16,600 dwellings in private blocks with

Aluminium Composite Material cladding systems unlikely to meet Building Regulations

which are yet to be remediated.

Kit Malthouse:

For the latest data, as at 31 March 2019 there are approximately 16,500 dwellings in

private sector high-rise residential blocks with Aluminium Composite Material

cladding systems unlikely to meet Building Regulations yet to be remediated. The

regional breakdown is in the table below:

REGIONNO OF DWELLINGSLONDON10,600YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER2,000NORTH

WEST2,000SOUTH EAST900SOUTH WEST400EAST OF ENGLAND300EAST MIDLANDS200GRAND

TOTAL16,400

* rounded to nearest 100

Leasehold: Unfair Practices



steps is he taking to tackle unfair practises in the leasehold system.

Mrs Heather Wheeler:

This Government is committed to tackling unfair practices in the leasehold market.

We have committed to banning new leasehold houses and restricting ground rents to

a peppercorn and launched a technical consultation on the details of these proposals

which closed on 26 November. We will publish the Government response in due

course and bring forward primary legislation as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

We are also working with the Law Commission to make it faster, fairer and cheaper

for existing leaseholders to extend their lease or buy the freehold. The Law

Commission have also consulted on making Right to Manage legislation so that

leaseholders can more easily take control of running their buildings. The Government

will consider next steps when the Law Commission reports later this year

In addition, we have also set up a Working Group, chaired by Lord Best, to look at

how property agents can be improved, including a single, mandatory Code of

Practice for managing agents and whether any fees should be capped or banned. We



expect to receive the Working Group's recommendations this summer and we will

respond with our plans later this year.

We recently announced a new government-backed industry pledge to make sure that

leaseholders whose leases contain onerous terms such as doubling ground rents

within 20 years, get the support they need. The new pledge announced on 28 March

has been signed by more than forty leading property developers and freeholders.

National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service



to the Answer of 10 April 2019 to Question 239872, for what reason the Prime Minister’s

announcement on 27 January 2016 on locating the Holocaust Memorial in Victoria Tower

Gardens did not refer to the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation’s recommendation that

the Memorial and the Learning Centre should be co-located.


Co-location was recommended by the Prime Minister’s Commission in January 2015

and reflected in the Foundation’s document on the search for a site published in

September 2015. The Government press release on 27 January 2016, following the

PM announcement, also noted that plans for the learning centre would be announced

in the coming months.



to the Answer of 10 April 2019 to Question 239870, on what dates the UK Holocaust

Memorial Foundation first spoke to representatives of the (a) Royal Parks, (b)

Department of Culture, Media and Sport and (c) Westminster City Council about the

possibility of the Holocaust Memorial being located in Victoria Tower Gardens; and

whether in each case the conversation also covered the proposed Learning Centre.


The Foundation engaged with representatives of The Royal Parks, Department of

Culture, Media and Sport and Westminster City Council in the early stages of this

project and continue to engage with them on a regular basis.



to the Answers of 7 March 2019 to Question 229626 and 10 April 2019 to Question

239872, on what date in January 2016 the Government received from the UK Holocaust

Memorial Foundation its recommendation that the Holocaust Memorial and the Holocaust

Learning Centre should be located in Victoria Tower Gardens.


13 January 2016.






to the Answer of 10 April 2019 to Question 239868 on the Holocaust Memorial and

Learning Centre, for what reason the answer did not indicate whether the criteria for the

site were altered.


The objective throughout has been to build a striking new national memorial co-

located with a world class learning centre.



to the Answer of 10 April 2019 to Question 239869 on the location of the National

Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Centre, for what reason that Answer did not

indicate which of the criteria were met.


The answer of 10 April to Question UIN 239869 referred to an earlier answer to

Question UIN 203298, answered on 21 December, which provided a clear

explanation of the reasons for selecting Victoria Tower Gardens.


To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether

it is the Government’s policy that all the existing entrances to Victoria Tower Gardens will

continue to be available to the public during the same hours as they are currently after

the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre have been built.


Yes.

Private Rented Housing: Evictions

Sir David Evennett: [249232]


deterrents are in place to stop rogue landlords illegally evicting a tenant.


Tenants are protected from illegal eviction through the Protection from Eviction Act

1977, the Housing Act 1988, and the retaliatory eviction provisions in the

Deregulation Act 2015. Under the Eviction Act 1977, local authorities have the power

to prosecute landlords in the criminal courts who break the law.

We want to go further, and we recently announced that we will abolish ‘no-fault’

evictions by repealing section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. By ending ‘no fault’

evictions, landlords will always have to provide a reason for ending a tenancy. This

more secure tenancy framework will give tenants greater confidence that they can

complain about problems with their home without the fear of eviction.





Solar Power: Non-domestic Rates

Alex Sobel: [249356]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether

the business rates exemption for <50kW solar systems will be maintained under the

smart export guarantee scheme.

Rishi Sunak:

The Government is continuing business rates relief for solar microgeneration plant

and machinery of less than 50kW. These arrangements would also apply under the

Smart Export Guarantee as proposed. The current relief provides a 100 per cent

business rates exemption for qualifying solar plant and machinery between the

installation of the equipment and the next revaluation for business rates planned in

2021.

Temporary Accommodation: Children

Stella Creasy: [250035]

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how

many children there were in temporary accommodation in another local authority district,

for each local authority in the last three years.


This information is currently collected. As these are experimental statistics, the

information provided is not of sufficient quality to be published but will be available in

future.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Department for International Development: Secondment


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many civil servants in

his Department have been seconded to (a) the Department for Exiting the European

Union and (b) the Department for International Trade in each of the last three years.

Harriett Baldwin:

The below table details the number of DFID staff who have been seconded to the

Department for Exiting the European Union and the Department for International

Trade in each of the last three financial years.

OGD 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19

DEXEU 3 1 28

DIT 4 5 26

Total 7 6 54




Developing Countries: Climate Change


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department

is taking to ensure that all Official Development Assistance spending is aligned with the

Paris climate agreement objective of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.

Harriett Baldwin:

Tackling climate change is a priority for this Government and for the Department of

International Development. In ratifying the Paris Agreement, the UK agreed to work

towards making all financial flows consistent with lowering greenhouse gas emissions

and supporting climate-resilient development.

The UK has committed to provide at least £5.8bn of our aid over the period 2016-

2021 to tackle climate change. We are supporting many programmes which

contribute to this goal, including those for example which deliver clean energy. Since

2011, these resources have helped reduce or avoid 10.4 million tonnes of carbon

emissions from entering the atmosphere and supported 17 million people to access

clean energy.

Developing Countries: English Language



is taking to increase the level of English language training in under-developed countries.

Harriett Baldwin:

The UK has significant investments in English language, especially through the

British Council and the BBC World Service. In DFID we support a range of

programmes including: improving the quality of English language teaching in

Rwanda, a skills hub supporting the biggest African economies (including Kenya,

South Africa and Nigeria) to scale up English language learning and providing

opportunities for UK teachers to volunteer in schools overseas. The Foreign

Secretary launched English Connects for francophone countries in West Africa on his

recent visit.

Developing Countries: Plastics

Alex Sobel: [249354]


is taking to support the recycling of plastic throughout the developing world.

Harriett Baldwin:

The Department for International Development is committed to helping developing

countries tackle the problem of plastic pollution. We are doing this with a programme

of technical assistance in twenty developing countries. We are starting to work with

businesses and NGOs to trial new approaches to increase plastic recycling rates

manage waste, thereby helping the environment while creating new jobs. We are also




investing in finding ways in which manufacturing processes can reduce plastic

pollution. For example, we are match funding Tearfund’s plastic appeal to set up

recycling hubs in Pakistan.

In addition, the UK provides considerable funding to multilateral organisations who

are working with countries to tackle this problem, including some major investments

in better waste management services.

Developing Countries: Vaccination


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has

made of the effectiveness of her Department's spending on improving global vaccination

rates in each year for which data is available.

Harriett Baldwin:

Vaccination represents one of the most cost-effective health interventions. The UK is

a global leader in ensuring children across the world benefit from the life-saving

power of one of humankind’s greatest achievements. For every US$1 spent on

immunisation in the world’s lowest-income countries, there is an estimated saving of

US$16; from reduced health care costs for the individual and from the resulting

increase in that individual’s contribution to the economy and to society.

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccination rates are a key indicator of

immunisation performance. Through UK support to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, DPT

vaccination rates in the world’s poorest countries have now increased from 66% in

2000 to 80% in 2017. These efforts have helped vaccinate over 700 million children,

saving over 10 million lives against vaccine-preventable diseases. The UK will not

rest on its laurels. The UK will host the Gavi replenishment conference in 2020 where

we will lead efforts to drive even greater vaccination coverage; including for children

in the most fragile, hardest to reach countries.

Humanitarian Aid


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she is taking to

ensure that humanitarian aid is always delivered based on need and not used as a tool

for other political interests.

Harriett Baldwin:

As set out in the UK’s Humanitarian Reform Policy, DFID ensures humanitarian

assistance is underpinned by humanitarian principles, including neutrality and

impartiality, and is targeted to meet the most acute needs of those affected by crises.

To meet urgent needs DFID works with local, regional and international partners to

rapidly provide funding, relief supplies, and expertise, saving lives and reducing the

suffering of many across the globe.



Mozambique: Storms

Joan Ryan: [249813]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the outcome was of

her meeting at the World Bank to attract donors to make long-term reconstruction

investments in Mozambique following Cyclone Idai and Cyclone Kenneth.

Harriett Baldwin:

The meeting was successful in raising international awareness, coordinating support

and increasing funding for the Cylone Response including reconstruction. Following

the meeting a number of donors substantially increased their support. The World

Bank have set out plans for a regional operation, covering Mozambique, Zimbabwe

and Malawi. This will focus on “building back better” and climate resilient

infrastructure. The UK also welcomes the news that Mozambique plans to host a

reconstruction conference in the coming months. On 3 May, the World Bank

announced that it had mobilised over half a billion dollars in new resources to help

people in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

Pakistan: Tobacco


To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what funding her

Department has allocated to programmes in Pakistan to promote control of the tobacco

industry.

Harriett Baldwin:

The DFID Pakistan programme has not allocated specific funding to promote the

control of the tobacco industry in Pakistan.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Department for International Trade: Emerdata


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether (a) his Department, (b) his

Department's agencies and (c) his Department's associated public bodies have entered

into contracts with Emerdata Limited in the last year.

George Hollingbery:

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has not held any contracts with

Emerdata Limited in the last year. DIT does not currently have any agencies or public

bodies.

Drugs: Exports


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions has he had

with his counterparts overseas on the export of UK pharmaceutical products.





Graham Stuart:

The United Kingdom pharmaceutical sector is a major exporter with exports of £24.8

billion in 2018. Support to exports by United Kingdom pharmaceutical companies is

co-ordinated by the Department for International Trade. We work closely with the

sector to identify when Ministerial or official discussions with overseas counterparts

are required and there is regular senior level engagement with the major UK

pharmaceutical exporters.

Food: Exports


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department is taking

to increase food and drink exports from Northern Ireland to (a) Asia (b) South America

and (c) Africa.

Graham Stuart:

The Department for International Trade (DIT) collaborates closely with Invest

Northern Ireland both here in the UK and overseas to support companies from the

region to export globally. We encourage companies to take advantage of overseas

opportunities via initiatives such as our Exporting is GREAT campaign, our

Tradeshow Access Programme, bespoke “Meet the Buyer” events alongside

providing financial support to exporters via UK Export Finance.

Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioners, including those for South Asia, Latin America

and Africa provide a wealth of export opportunities on Great.gov.uk for companies to

access.

Foreign Investment in UK: Northern Ireland


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps his Department

has taken to increase foreign direct investment into Northern Ireland.

Graham Stuart:

I refer the Hon. Member for Upper Bann to the answer given by my Hon. Friend, the

Minister of State for Trade Policy, on 12 March to the Hon. Member for Strangford,

UIN: 228744.

Free Trade: Dominica


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps he has taken to

enable free trade with Dominica after the UK leaves the EU.

George Hollingbery:

On 22 March, the UK signed an Economic Partnership Agreement with CARIFORUM

States, including Dominica. This will provide continuity for businesses, exporters and

consumers as the UK prepares to leave the EU.




Free Trade: Lesotho


To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent steps he has taken to

enable free trade with Lesotho after the UK leaves the EU.

George Hollingbery:

We are continuing to work with the Southern African Customs Union and

Mozambique partner countries, including Lesotho to replicate the effects of the EU’s

Economic Partnership Agreement.

In addition, the Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act enables the UK to put in place a

trade preferences scheme for when we leave the EU. This will grant duty-free, quota-

free access to Least Developed Countries, including Lesotho.

JUSTICE

Children: Protection


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to extend the position of trust

law to sports coaches and youth justice workers with positions of influence over children.

Lucy Frazer:

Any sexual activity with a child under 16 is a criminal offence, regardless of whether

consent is given. Any non-consensual sexual activity is also a crime, whatever the

age of the victim and whatever the relationship between the victim and perpetrator.

I recognise that there are concerns about those who might abuse their position of

power over a 16 or 17-year-old to pressure them into engaging in a sexual

relationship. Such behaviour is very likely to be caught by the robust laws we already

have in place,

However, we remain absolutely committed to protecting children and young people

from sexual abuse and we want to ensure that existing offences are being used

effectively to tackle this behaviour, and that those working with young people

understand their responsibilities and act appropriately.

My department, working closely with colleagues across government, is taking forward

a review of the existing law, to check that that it is working effectively and ensuring

young people are protected.

Coroners


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many notices were issued by coroners in

England and Wales under Schedule 5 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 requiring the

production of documents in each of the last three years for which information is available.





To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will direct the Coroner for Dorset

conducting the investigation into the death of the late Gordon Munday who died on 11

October 2017 to issue a notice under Schedule 5 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to

require Dr Borek to produce the documents in her possession relevant to that

investigation; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Argar:

Coroners are independent judicial office holders. As such it would not be appropriate

for Ministers to comment on or seek to influence the conduct of their investigations.

The Ministry of Justice does not hold information on the number of notices issued by

coroners under schedule 5 to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.

Drugs: Crime


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people were convicted for selling

drugs in the last two years.

Edward Argar:

Available data show the number of offenders found guilty of supplying drugs in

England and Wales. This can be found in the Experimental statistics: Principal

offence proceedings and outcomes by Home Office offence data tool in the annual

criminal justice statistics publication, linked below. From the Offence drop down box,

select 92A.09, 92A.10, 92A.11 and 92A.12, then drag the Detailed offence filter into

the row box for the pivot table. The table will display figures for possession,

production and supply of drugs including intent to supply drugs offences separately.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm

ent_data/file/738814/HO-Code-Tool-2017.xlsx

Court proceedings and convictions data for 2018 are planned for publication on 16

May 2019

Offenders: EU Nationals

Preet Kaur Gill: [249930]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many non-UK EU nationals received a (a)

caution, (b) community order and (c) another court disposal in each of the last five years.

Edward Argar:

Information on the nationality of the offenders sentenced is not held centrally by MoJ

and would only be obtainable at disproportionate cost. Therefore, it not possible to

provide this information.



https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/738814/HO-Code-Tool-2017.xlsx




Parole


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps are being taken to ensure that the

probation reports required for the parole hearing of Liam Vare A9035AH scheduled for 10

May 2019 are available in time for that hearing.

Edward Argar:

The independent Parole Board had listed an oral hearing for the purposes of Mr

Vare’s case on 10 May. However, on learning that a new offender manager had been

appointed for Mr Vare, the Parole Board decided on 27 April to defer the oral hearing

to allow the offender manager time to meet Mr Vare and to produce a report on him.

The hearing has now been listed for the first available date after 24 June. The Board

has directed that all outstanding reports be provided by 3 June. The Public Protection

Casework Section, which oversees the delivery of the Secretary of State’s obligations

in relation to the parole process, is liaising with the offender manager and others to

ensure that the reports are indeed provided by 3 June.

Prison Sentences: Females

David Hanson: [249224]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women were sent to immediate

custody from the (a) Crown Court and (b) Magistrates' Courts for sentences of (i) less

than and (ii) more than six months for each offence classification in each police force

area in England and Wales in 2018-19.


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women with no previous convictions

were sent to immediate custody from the (a) the Crown Court and (b) Magistrates' Courts

for sentences of (i) below 6 months and (ii) 6 months and above in each police force area

in England and Wales in 2018-19; and what the offence classification was in each of

those cases.


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women in the North Wales police

force area received an immediate custodial sentence of (a) less than and (b) more than

six months for each category of offence from the (i) Crown Courts and (ii) Magistrates

Courts in 2018-19.

Edward Argar:

The number of female offenders sentenced to custody by court level and police force

area, including North Wales, in 2017, can be found in the Court outcomes by Police

Force Area data tool, which can be found at the below link:-

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-

december-2017





https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-december-2017



Select the drop down boxes referring to custodial sentence length in order to

establish sentence lengths. Select female from the sex drop box and, once having

done this, young adults and adults to establish women. Offence classification can be

found in both the Offence Type and Offence group boxes, depending on which

specific definition applies here.

The number of female offenders with no previous convictions sentenced to immediate

custody by court type, sentence length, and offence type in England and Wales in

2017 can be found in the attached table.

Court proceedings data for 2018 are planned for publication on 16 May 2019, with

data for 2019 planned for publication in May 2020.

Our vision, as set out in our Female Offender Strategy, is to see fewer women

coming into the criminal justice system and a greater proportion managed

successfully in the community.

There is persuasive evidence showing community sentences, in certain

circumstances, are more effective than short custodial sentences in reducing

reoffending. The MoJ study ‘The impact of short custodial sentences, community

orders and suspended sentence orders on re-offending’ published in 2015 involved

around 350,000 sentencing occasions over 4 years and used 130 different variables

to construct matched groups of offenders and examine the effect of short sentences

relative to community sentences. This study found a reduction of around 3

percentage points in proven reoffences if offenders receiving sentences of less than

12 months were to get a community order instead. This is statistically significant and

equates to around 30,000 proven reoffences in total over a one-year period. This

means fewer victims of crime.

Unless we tackle the underlying causes of offending, we cannot protect the public

from being victims of crime. Effective community orders can address offenders’

behaviour, answer their mental health and alcohol or drug misuse needs, and provide

reparation for the benefit of the wider community.

Attachments:

1. Table [Copy of PQ 249225 Table.xlsx]

Prisons: Discipline

Imran Hussain: [248701]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many days prisoners were locked in cells

for 22 hours or more in each prison in each month of (a) 2016, (b) 2017, (c) 2018, and (d)

2019.

Lucy Frazer:

The information requested is not held.

Prison officer numbers are at their highest since March 2012, which is vital to

ensuring prisons are safe, secure and decent. We have recruited over 4,700 new

prison officers across the country since October 2016 to improve safety and help turn


offenders’ lives around. The recruitment drive will continue until we reach required

levels across the prison estate, ensuring prisons can fulfil their purpose - protecting

the public, reducing reoffending and crucially, rehabilitating offenders.

As part of the Offender Management in Custody model (OMiC), Key Worker roles are

being introduced to support the rehabilitative culture and relationship between Prison

Officers and prisoners.

Prisons: Education

Richard Burgon: [248729]

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

availability of courses for prisoners serving Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences

to prepare to demonstrate their suitability for release to the Parole Board.

Edward Argar:

Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the Parole Board work

closely to improve the progression of prisoners serving sentences of Imprisonment

for Public Protection (IPP). Consequently, there is a joint action plan in place, co-

owned by HMPPS and the Parole Board, with the specific aim of providing

opportunities for prisoners serving IPP sentences to progress to safe release. We are

prioritising post-tariff prisoners in accessing rehabilitative interventions, including

psychology service-led reviews in cases where there has not been satisfactory

progression, and enhanced case management for those prisoners sentenced with a

complex set of risks and needs. We have also developed progression regimes at four

prisons across the country, which are dedicated to progressing indeterminate

prisoners struggling to achieve release via the usual routes.

It is important to note that accredited programmes are offered to prisoners based on

risk, need and responsivity for a particular programme. For IPP prisoners, suitability

for any accredited programmes will be considered as part of their wider sentence

plan. A wide range of accredited programmes are available and IPP prisoners are

one of the groups prioritised for participation on accredited programmes where they

are identified as suitable. However, the completion of accredited programmes is not a

mandatory requirement for IPP prisoners to secure release.

While HMPPS is focused on giving all prisoners serving IPP sentences opportunities

to progress towards release, public protection must remain our priority.

Jim Shannon: [249291]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2019 to

Question 225506 on Prisons: Education, what proportion of the prison population was

engaged in offender learning and skills in prisons in each of the last five years.


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2019 to

Question 225506 on Prisons: Education, how many offenders were engaged in learning

that falls outside of core prison education provision in each of the last five years.




Edward Argar:

The Department for Education publishes data on prison education participation and

completion rates. Details for the academic years 2010-11 to 2017-18 can be found at

the following link:


ent_data/file/761349/201718_Nov_MAIN_OLASS_Particpation_FINALv1.xlsx

This data is published using total numbers, not by proportion of the population which

would be disproportionate costs for us to calculate. We do not hold data centrally for

unaccredited learning.

Rape: British Nationals Abroad


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the potential

merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to enable allegations of rape committed

abroad by UK citizens to be investigated and prosecuted in the UK.

Lucy Frazer:

Existing law already provides for a UK national or a UK resident accused of raping a

person under the age of 18 abroad to be brought to trial in the UK.

The draft Domestic Abuse Bill includes provision to extend the jurisdiction of our

courts to offences of rape committed abroad against a victim aged 18 or over as

required by the Istanbul Convention.

Segregation of Prisoners

Richard Burgon: [248730]

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners serving Imprisonment for

Public Protection sentences are currently held in segregation units.

Lucy Frazer:

The information requested is not held centrally and could not be collated without

incurring disproportionate cost.

The welfare of those in our care is our priority: prison governors have authority to

arrange that a prisoner is to be segregated where it appears desirable for the

maintenance of good order or discipline or it is in his or her own interest. Segregation

is used only as a last resort, however.

Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service and the Parole Board have a joint action

plan to provide opportunities for prisoners serving sentences of Imprisonment for

Public Protection to progress to safe release.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/761349/201718_Nov_MAIN_OLASS_Particpation_FINALv1.xlsx





Stalking


To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been cautioned for

stalking in each of the last five years.

Edward Argar:

The number of people cautioned for stalking in each of the last five years can be

found in the Outcomes by Offence data tool available here:


ent_data/file/733981/outcomes-by-offence-tool-2017-update.xlsx

Select 8.Q Stalking from the Offence drop down list

Court proceedings and convictions data for 2018 are planned for publication on 16

May 2019

NORTHERN IRELAND

Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry


To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assurances she can provide that

the resumption of the talks process between political parties in Northern Ireland will not

further delay the implementation of the recommendations of the Hart Report in relation to

historical institutional abuse in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement.


To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps she is taking to ensure the

appointment by the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service of an Interim Advocate for

victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse; and if she will make a statement.

John Penrose:

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland welcomes the resumption of the talks

process between the political parties of Northern Ireland, and will continue to work to

restore a functioning Executive. A locally elected, democratically accountable

devolved government will mean that decisions affecting the people of Northern

Ireland can be taken by locally elected ministers as soon as possible. The Secretary

of State also recognises the importance of providing clarity on this issue, and is

currently considering the recent judgment and the next steps.

The Northern Ireland Civil Service is in the midst of the appointment process for an

Interim Advocate and expects the post to be filled shortly.


https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/733981/outcomes-by-offence-tool-2017-update.xlsx





Northern Ireland Government


To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what her response is to the call by the

Leader of Sinn Fein on Easter Sunday 2019 for a joint authority over Northern Ireland

between the Irish and British Governments; and if she will make a statement.

Karen Bradley:

This Government remains steadfast in its commitment to the Belfast Agreement

including the principle of consent governing Northern Ireland’s constitutional position.

It is on that basis that Northern Ireland is and remains a full and integral part of the

United Kingdom.

As the Conservative and Unionist Party Northern Ireland General Election Manifesto

2017 clearly stated, “we will not countenance any constitutional arrangements - such

as joint authority over Northern Ireland between the United Kingdom and Ireland -

that are inconsistent with the consent principle”.

Northern Ireland Office: Secondment


To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many civil servants in her

Department have been seconded to (a) the Department for Exiting the European Union

and (b) the Department for International Trade in each of the last three years.

John Penrose:

There have been no civil servants seconded from the Northern Ireland Office to either

the Department for Exiting the European Union or the Department for International

Trade, in each of the last three years.

SPEAKER'S COMMITTEE ON THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION

Electoral Register

Nick Smith: [250031]

To ask the hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland South, representing the Speaker's

Committee on the Electoral Commission, what assessment the Commission has made of

the effect on trends in the level of voter registration of information sharing between

Government and local authorities.

Bridget Phillipson:

In 2011 and 2012, the Electoral Commission carried out an evaluation of the

Government’s pilots to test the extent to which data held on national public databases

could assist Electoral Registration Officers in maintaining their electoral registers. Its

evaluations found that the principle of sharing data had potential but that the

approach, as piloted, was not effective.




The Commission has recently undertaken feasibility studies examining how publicly-

held data could be used to improve registration. The findings will be published in the

summer.

TRANSPORT

Airports: Unmanned Air Vehicles


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

of the recent introduction by the Civil Aviation Authority of Flight Restriction Zones around

protected aerodromes on the interests of members of the British Model Flying Association

in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman:

The flight restriction zone around aerodromes was developed in response to

submissions gathered through our consultation on the safe and effective regulation of

drones, ‘Taking Flight: The Future of Drones in the UK’. There was significant interest

in the consultation, which closed in September 2018 and received around 5,000

responses. A range of options were considered when developing the extended

restriction zone and factors including impacts on all airspace users, safety, security

and the communication and enforceability of the zone were all evaluated.

The new legislation takes the same approach as the former restriction zone by

allowing any small unmanned aircraft, including model aircraft, to fly within the

restriction zone where the relevant permission has been received. When an Air

Traffic Control Unit (ATCU) is operational, permission needs to be sought from this

unit.

The CAA will be assessing the permissions process as part of a wider review of

airport restriction zones later this year.

Bus Services: Per Capita Costs


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the

average price-per-mile for bus travel in (a) each region of the UK and (b) each bus

franchise operating in the UK.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

The Department has not made a recent assessment of the average price per mile for

bus travel. The bus market outside London is deregulated and decisions regarding

setting the level of fares, is primarily a commercial matter for bus operators.

Bus Open Data powers in the Bus Services Act 2017 will require bus operators in

England to open up route and timetable, fares and tickets and real time information

for passengers from 2020. These improvements aim to remove uncertainty in bus

journeys, improve journey planning and help passengers secure best value tickets.



Civil Aviation Authority

Mr Clive Betts: [249823]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the last date was on which the Civil

Aviation Authority conducted a campaign to (a) raise awareness of the dangers of illegal

public transport operations and (b) guide consumers on what to look for when chartering

an aircraft to ensure the flight is legal; how many illegal operators were identified; how

many successful prosecutions there were of illegal operators arising from that campaign;

what the outcomes were; how many airfields were revealed to be hosting illegal activity;

and what steps (i) he and (ii) the CAA has taken to place an obligation on airfield

operators to report suspicions of illegal public transport operations to the (A) CAA and (B)

police.

Jesse Norman:

The CAA last conducted a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal

public transport operations, and to guide consumers on what to look for when

chartering an aircraft to ensure the flight is legal, in 2013. The CAA is planning further

work to educate consumers about the rules, and the potential risks of illegal charter

flights.

It is not possible to link work aimed at raising awareness directly to specific

enforcement actions. The CAA will prosecute people where there is sufficient

evidence, and where it is in the public interest to do so, but enforcement action will

vary depending on the circumstances of the incident. It includes educating individuals

or organisations on the regulations to avoid breaches, a formal warning, the

revocation of licences, approvals or certificates, or criminal investigations and

prosecutions.

The CAA publishes the detail and outcome of all successful prosecutions since 2005

on its website at https://www.caa.co.uk/Our-work/About-us/Enforcement-and-

prosecutions/. These include successful prosecutions for illegal public transport.

Earlier this year, the CAA assisted with the prosecution of an individual in the

Manchester Crown Court for, among other things, illegal public transport.

Both the CAA and the police encourage the reporting of potential illegal activity at

airfields and provide a number of channels, including confidential reporting, for

concerns to be reported.

Department for Transport: Secondment


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many civil servants in his Department

have been seconded to (a) the Department for Exiting the European Union and (b) the

Department for International Trade in each of the last three years.

Jesse Norman:

The information requested for all three years can only be provided at disproportionate

cost.


https://www.caa.co.uk/Our-work/About-us/Enforcement-and-prosecutions/




However, of the information that is more readily available, the Central Department

and its Executive Agencies does hold information for the previous year which is as

follows:

DEPARTMENT FOR EXITING THE

EUROPEAN UNION (DEXEU)

DEPARTMENT FOR

INTERNATIONAL TRADE (DIT)

1 April 2018 – 31 March 2019 7 5 or fewer

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Stephen Kerr: [249350]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the arrangements are for the

governance and accountability of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency; and what

plans there are to review those arrangements.

Jesse Norman:

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has robust governance and

accountability arrangements in place, which are published at

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-standards-

agency/about/our-governance.

The Cabinet Office is planning a tailored review of the DVSA’s control and

governance arrangements, later this financial year. The review will ensure that the

DVSA is complying with recognised principles of good corporate governance, and

that it has the capacity to deliver its services effectively and efficiently.

Driving Tests: Rural Areas

Stephen Kerr: [249351]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what policies and guidance there are to

ensure that people living in rural areas have adequate access to driving centres through

the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency network.

Jesse Norman:

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has policies and guidance in place

to ensure that people living in rural areas where the population is equal to, or fewer

than, 100 persons per square kilometre, should not have to travel more than 30 miles

to take their test. The DVSA takes this travel distance criterion into account when

deciding on locations for new driving test centres.

East Midlands Rail Franchise

Chris Williamson: [248647]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, at what stage in the franchise process the

decision was taken to exclude Stagecoach from bidding for the East Midlands franchise.




Andrew Jones:

The decision was made shortly before Stagecoach was informed of the

disqualification decision on 9 April 2019.

East Midlands Rail Franchise: Pensions


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2019 to

Question 245609 on Railways: Franchises, whether the recent bidders for the East

Midlands Trains franchise were subject to different requirements from those of previous

bidders in respect of their responsibilities for pension contributions (a) now and (b) at a

later date.

Andrew Jones:

No. Since privatisation, train operators have always been, and will continue to be,

responsible for paying employer pension contributions required under the schedule of

contributions applicable during their franchise term. There are no plans to change this

arrangement.

East Midlands Rail Franchise: Rolling Stock



Question 244025 on East Midlands Rail Franchise: Rolling Stock, what type of train will

replace existing rolling stock; and which train routes those trains will be transferred from.

Andrew Jones:

The procurement of the trains that replace the current rolling stock is matter for the

new operator.

East Midlands Trains: Pensions

Chris Williamson: [248648]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assurances Abellio have provided his

Department in relation to the pensions of staff employed on the East Midlands line.

Andrew Jones:

The Railways Pension Scheme was established in 1994, replacing the previous

British Rail scheme. Contributions in to the Railways Pension Scheme are split

according to a shared cost arrangement, whereby employers (the Train Operating

Companies) pay 60% and employees pay the remaining 40%. Since franchising

arrangements were first introduced Train Operating Companies have been, and

continue to be, responsible for paying employer pension contributions during a

franchise term.

Under the East Midlands Franchise Agreement Abellio will participate in and become

the Designated Employer for the East Midlands section of the Railways Pension

Scheme. Abellio will be obliged by the Franchise Agreement to pay the employer




contributions required under the schedule of contributions applicable during their

franchise term. All of Abellio’s pensions related obligations are detailed in Schedule

16.1 to the Franchise Agreement which will be published in due course.

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points

Ben Bradley: [249958]

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

increase the number of electric vehicle charging points in Nottinghamshire.

Jesse Norman:

Nottingham City Council has been awarded £6m under the Government’s Go Ultra

Low Cities Scheme to deliver a range of initiatives in Nottingham and Derby to

increase the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles, including deploying 35 rapid and

195 fast charging units at key locations across the cities. The Council has also been

awarded £700k under the Ultra-low Emission Taxi Infrastructure Scheme, to deliver

20 rapid chargepoints and 12 fast chargepoints dedicated to taxis and private hire

vehicles.

The Government has various UK-wide support schemes in place to assist with the

cost of installing chargepoints in motorists’ homes, on residential streets, in

workplaces, car parks and the wider public estate. The workplace scheme has

provided funding for 59 chargepoints in the wider Nottingham area.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Mr David Davis: [248588]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether High Speed Two will be delivered (a)

on time and (b) on budget.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

The 2015 Spending Review confirmed a funding envelope for the whole of HS2 of

£55.7bn in 2015 prices.

HS2 Ltd has been set Delivery-In-Service targets by Government under its

Development Agreement, which are to deliver initial Phase One services from 2026

and the whole HS2 network by 2033.

HS2 Ltd is currently working with their contracted suppliers to update and agree the

latest cost and schedule positions for Phase One. Once completed we will make

these details public as part of the Phase One Full Business Case, which is due for

publication later in 2019.

Keir Starmer: [249343]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many lorry movements would be

required to move Euston approaches excavated material by HGV; and what estimate he

has made of the cost of moving that material by (a) HGV and (b) rail.




Ms Nusrat Ghani:

The volume of lorry movements to move excavated material by HGV is detailed in the

HS2 Phase One Environmental Statement and the cost is included within the HS2

budget. The cost of moving material by rail is more expensive than moving material

by road because it requires investment in rail infrastructure and the cost of operating

and maintaining the freight service. HS2 Ltd and its contractors are committed to

identifying options to reduce the impact of lorry movements and where practicable

maximise the volume of material transported by rail.

Low Emission Zones

Gareth Thomas: [249181]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to enable local

authorities to introduce ultra-low emission zones; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman:

Local authorities already have powers under the Transport Act 2000 to implement

Clean Air Zones. The Clean Air Zone (CAZ) Framework sets out the principles for the

operation of Clean Air Zones in England. It provides the expected approach to be

taken by local authorities when implementing and operating a Clean Air Zone. The

full guide provided to local authorities is in the link below.


ent_data/file/612592/clean-air-zone-framework.pdf

Motorways


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the

timing of the implementation of dynamic all-lane running on smart motorways.

Jesse Norman:

Highways England operational staff are automatically alerted to rising traffic flows

from roadside detectors. At a pre-determined threshold, operators are prompted to

begin the process of opening the hard shoulder. CCTV is used to check for any

stopped vehicles or obstructions in the hard shoulder. Once checked, the hard

shoulder is opened to traffic by the operator implementing a speed limit sign above

the hard shoulder.

The decision to close the hard shoulder is again taken based on location specific,

pre-determined, traffic flow thresholds.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the locations of (a)

permanent and (b) dynamic all-lane running sections of smart motorways.

Jesse Norman:

The locations of smart motorway sections in England are as follows:


https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/612592/clean-air-zone-framework.pdf





(a) All Lane Running

SMART MOTORWAY SCHEME REGION STATUS OF SCHEME

M1 J16-19 Midlands Operational

M1 J23a-25 Midlands Operational

M1 J28-31 Midlands Operational



M1 J32-35a North East Operational

M1 J39-42 North East Operational

M25 J5-7 South East Operational

M25 J23-27 South East Operational

M3 J2-4a South East Operational

M6 J16-19 North West Operational

M62 J18-20 North West Operational

M1 J13-16 Midlands In Construction



M20 J3-5 South East In Construction




M62 J10-12 North West In Construction

(b)Dynamic Hard Shoulder Running

SMART MOTORWAY SCHEME REGION STATUS OF SCHEME

M1 J10-13 East Operational


M6 J4-10a Midlands Operational

M4 J19-20 South West Operational

M5 J15-17 South West Operational

M62 J25-30 North East Operational

Motorways: Accidents


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

accidents involving (a) personal injury and (b) death on (i) permanent all-lane running

sections and (ii) dynamic all-lane running sections of smart motorways in each of the last

three years.

Jesse Norman:

England’s motorways are among the safest roads in the world and each smart

motorway scheme’s safety objective is to be at least as safe as the traditional

motorway it replaces.

All Highways England schemes are evaluated after opening. In addition, Highways

England have carried out a more detailed review of the first two permanent all lane

running schemes, on the M25, after one, two and three years of operation. From

review of personal injury data (including fatal incidents) it has been demonstrated that

the safety objective set for these all lane running smart motorways has been met.

The three-year evaluation reports for both M25 schemes are publicly available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/m25-junction-5-to-7-third-year-

evaluation-report

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/m25-junction-23-to-27-third-year-

evaluation-report

This assessment approach of evaluating the first three years of operation was also

taken for the first dynamic hard shoulder running scheme on the M42.

The three-year evaluation report for the M42 is publicly available here:

http://highwaysengland.co.uk/knowledge-compendium/knowledge/publications/m42-

mm-monitoring-and-evaluation-three-year-safety-review/index.html


https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/m25-junction-5-to-7-third-year-evaluation-report






http://highwaysengland.co.uk/knowledge-compendium/knowledge/publications/m42-mm-monitoring-and-evaluation-three-year-safety-review/index.html



Motorways: Laybys


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria his Department uses for the

spacing of emergency refuge lay-bys on (a) permanent and (b) dynamic all-lane running

sections of smart motorways.

Jesse Norman:

The criterion for the spacing of emergency areas for the initial dynamic hard shoulder

running pilot scheme on the M42 was set at approximately 500 metres. Based on

more operational insight and further performance data, the spacing was progressively

increased to a maximum of 1000 metres on all other dynamic hard shoulder running

schemes and then to 2500 metres on existing All Lane Running schemes.

Highways England undertook a comprehensive review of smart motorways and found

no consistent correlation between the number of live lane stops and the spacing of

emergency areas. Nevertheless, Highways England understand motorists want to

feel safe and therefore are making a number of changes to the design of emergency

areas.

On new schemes, starting construction from 2020 onwards, the maximum spacing of

emergency areas will be reduced to 1600 metres (1 mile). Highways England are

also enhancing the visibility of emergency areas on all new and existing smart

motorways by installing orange surfacing and improved, more frequent signs. These

changes are designed to help drivers feel more confident that they can find a safe

place to stop in an emergency.

Offshore Industry: Helicopters

Alex Cunningham: [249278]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent representations he has received

from representatives from oil and gas companies on (a) safety and (b) regulatory

standards in the offshore helicopter transport industry.

Jesse Norman:

The Department for Transport officials met twice with representatives from Oil and

Gas UK to discuss safety in 2018/2019. Regulatory Standards were not raised in

these meetings.



Question 237684 on Offshore Industry: Helicopters, what the timeframe is for the

publication of the Civil Aviation Authority review of CAP1145.

Jesse Norman:

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) seeks to ensure that North Sea helicopter flight is

as safe as possible. It is carefully reviewing the Recommendations and Actions in




CAP 1145 to check that they achieve the objective of making further improvements to

offshore helicopter safety standards.

The CAA currently intends to publish the review in the autumn of 2019.



Question 237686 on Offshore Industry: Helicopters, what changes have been made to

the Civil Aviation Authority's safety assurance policy since 2014.

Jesse Norman:

The Civil Aviation Authority’s safety assurance policy was established in 2017. Since

2017, one minor revision to the policy has been made.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the

level of (a) current and (b) future demand for pilots in the offshore helicopter transport

sector.

Jesse Norman:

The Government has not made an assessment of the current and future demand for

offshore helicopter pilots. However, understanding the current and future demand

and equipping the aviation sector with the skills it needs to succeed, including pilot

training, is an important part of the Government’s strategy for aviation. The Aviation

2050 consultation now under way considers proposals to overcome financial, social

mobility and diversity barriers that may prevent people from entering the aviation

sector now and in the future.

Public Transport

Alan Brown: [249943]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many full-time equivalent (a) civil

servants and (b) contractors in his Department are working on matters in relation to

accessibility (i) on buses and the bus network; and (ii) railway stations and on rolling

stock.

Jesse Norman:

The Government is committed to developing a transport network which disabled

individuals can use easily, confidently and without additional cost.

Consistent with this commitment, and with its Public Sector Equality Duty, the

Department routinely considers the impact of its policies on people with protected

characteristics, including those who are disabled.

Matters concerning accessibility are therefore considered by officials working across

a range of bus and rail related workstreams in addition to the central accessible travel

team, and it is not possible to disaggregate the amount of Full Time Equivalent

resource dedicated to accessibility.




Railways: Disability

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: [249924]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to ensure that

disabled people are able to access rail travel (a) in the absence of second safety critical

member of staff and (b) at unstaffed stations.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

The Inclusive Transport Strategy, which was published in July 2018, sets out the

action the Department is taking to improve access to transport for disabled people,

including to the rail network. This includes working with industry partners to improve

the Passenger Assist scheme through which disabled passengers can book the

assistance they need, and the provision of information about accessibility to enable

better journey planning.

All operators are required as a licence condition to have a Disabled People’s

Protection Policy in place, which sets out how disabled people can seek assistance

on board and at stations.


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

of the effect on disabled passenger access to the rail network of (a) driver-only operations

and (b) unstaffed stations.


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

potential effect on disabled people's access to the rail network of (a) ensuring that trains

are run with a second member of staff and (b) increasing the number of stations that are

staffed on a full-time basis.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

With growing passenger numbers, the Department has been clear that it wants to see

more customer-facing staff on the railways, not fewer. For example, there are now

more on-train staff on Southern and South Western Railways and their modernisation

plans will mean more staff to assist passengers on trains. Regarding off-train staff,

the number of staff employed at stations in Hampshire has increased by nearly 10%

since 2010.

In addition, train and station operators are required as a condition of their licence to

take part in the Passenger Assist scheme through which disabled passengers can

book the assistance they need.

We believe that train operators themselves are best placed to determine how staff

are deployed to best meet the needs of their passengers.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations his Department has

received from (a) organisations representing disabled people and (b) disabled people on

the accessibility of the rail network.





Ms Nusrat Ghani:

The Department is committed to ensuring that disabled people have equal access to

the rail network. As such, officials and Ministers regularly engage with disabled

people and organisations representing disabled people to discuss making the

railways more accessible.

This includes, for example, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, who

are statutory independent advisors to the Government; extensive engagement with

disabled people and disability organisations in the development and delivery of the

Inclusive Transport Strategy; and the Inclusive Transport Stakeholder Group, which

brings together the expertise of representative bodies to act as a sounding board for

the Department on inclusive travel policy.

Railways: Franchises

Lisa Nandy: [248670]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the disqualification of

Stagecoach from three rail franchise bids, what recent assessment he has made of the

viability of the rail franchise system.

Andrew Jones:

The Williams Review is currently considering potential rail industry structures and will

summarise its recommendations as part of a white paper in Autumn 2019.

Railways: Operating Costs

James Morris: [248651]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the net cost to the public purse was of

subsidising the running of services not including enhancements or repairs on the railways

in (a) the year before privatisation and (b) the last financial year in (i) cash terms and (ii)

real terms at prices in the last financial year.

Ms Nusrat Ghani:

In 2017-18, train operating companies provided a net premium of £0.2 billion to

central government. In 1993-94, train operating companies received a net subsidy of

£0.9 billion in nominal terms (£1.5 billion in real terms) from central government.

For additional information on train operating companies net premiums and subsidies

please refer to the Office of Rail and Road data at the link below:

http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/a830de20-83bf-408d-9c22-

7f3ec23999f9

Railways: Sheffield


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of trains between (a)

Sheffield and London and (b) London and Sheffield arrived on time between (i) April 2017

and March 2018 and (ii) April 2018 and March 2019.



http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/a830de20-83bf-408d-9c22-7f3ec23999f9




Andrew Jones:

The Department does not hold data on what proportion of trains between London and

Sheffield and Sheffield and London arrived on time between April 2017 and March

2018 and April 2018 and March 2019 as it does not have a requirement for

information on the performance of specific journeys.

Railways: Standards


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many direct train services there were

per day between (a) Edinburgh, (b) Glasgow, (c) Newcastle, (d) Birmingham, (e)

Nottingham, (f) Derby, (g) Peterborough, (h) Norwich, (i) Portsmouth, (j) Southampton, (k)

Preston, (l) Stoke-on-Trent, (m) Leeds, (n) Sheffield, (o) Liverpool and London in (A) the

year before privatisation of the railways and (B) the last financial year.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many seats on direct train services there

were per day between (a) Edinburgh, (b) Glasgow, (c) Newcastle, (d) Birmingham, (e)

Nottingham, (f) Derby, (g) Peterborough, (h) Norwich, (i) Portsmouth, (j) Southampton, (k)

Preston, (l) Stoke-on-Trent, (m) Leeds, (n) Sheffield, (o) Liverpool and London in (A) the

year before privatisation of the railways and (B) the last financial year.

Andrew Jones:

The Department does not hold the specific information requested. However, industry

figures from the Rail Delivery Group suggest that the number of planned train

services per year has increased from 5.69 million in 1997-98 to 7.30 million in

2016/17. The industry also cites some specific examples of increased services on

routes to London, such as Manchester to London increasing from 17 trains per day in

1994 to 47 in 2016, and the number of trains from London to Sheffield increasing

from 15 per day in 1994 to 31 in 2016.

In relation to the number of seats, According to the Rail Delivery Group, there were

10,400 vehicles in passenger use in 1996/97 compared to 14,025 as at March 2018,

an increase of over 3,500 vehicles or nearly 35%. This additional fleet capacity is

helping to lengthen trains and contribute towards the thousands of extra rail services

each week.

Roads: Standards

Mr Ranil Jayawardena: [248733]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he will take to support improving

key roads that are official diversion routes for motorways that are not in the major road

network.

Jesse Norman:

Highways England and the relevant local authority work together to identify local

roads that are official diversionary routes. As part of this, a risk assessment is




undertaken to determine a route’s suitability. That assessment includes taking

account of suitability and physical characteristics.

Diversion route planning is conducted in close liaison with the local highway authority

traffic manager, and includes liaison with other key local stakeholders as deemed

necessary by the authority.

The Government is providing over £6.6 billion funding for local highways

maintenance between 2015 and 2021. It is for local highway authorities to decide

how this funding is utilised, including on improvement of key diversionary roads,

based on local needs and priorities.

Stagecoach Group


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions officials in his Department

have had with the Pensions Regulator on the decision to disqualify Stagecoach from

bidding on three rail franchises.

Andrew Jones:

Department for Transport officials had no discussions with The Pensions Regulator in

respect of the Department’s intention to disqualify Stagecoach from the three

franchise competitions before making that decision. All bidders were given the same

opportunity to bid compliantly and they were warned not to submit bids which were

not compliant. Stagecoach breached established rules and, in doing so, they are

responsible for their own disqualification.

Stagecoach Group and Virgin Trains: Pensions


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to help

safeguard the pensions of rail workers employed by (a) Stagecoach and (b) Virgin Trains.

Andrew Jones:

Responsibility for providing pensions for employees in the rail franchising system

resides with train operators. Under current franchising arrangements when contracts

are awarded train operators are required, under the terms of Schedule 16 of the

Franchise Agreement, to provide pensions. This requirement will continue to apply

when the new train operator takes over responsibility for pensions in which the

current rail workers employed by Stagecoach and Virgin Trains participate.

Transport: Infrastructure

Craig Tracey: [249341]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress the Government has made on

improving transport infrastructure in areas with a high number of new build homes.




Jesse Norman:

The Government has invested £1.2bn through the Housing Infrastructure Fund to

support housing and further announcements through this £5.5bn fund are expected

later this year. A significant number of HIF bids include transport infrastructure.

The Government is also investing in transport supporting new home construction

through the Transforming Cities Fund, Major Road Network, and projects in the

Oxford-Cambridge Arc, and it is promoting integrated housing and transport planning,

for example through the revised National Planning Policy Framework.

Virgin Trains: Staff



Stagecoach from three rail franchise bids, what steps is he taking to help protect the (a)

jobs and (b) terms and conditions of all staff employed by Virgin Trains West Coast.



Stagecoach from three rail franchise bids, what steps he is taking to help ensure that the

jobs and terms and conditions of all staff employed by sub-contractors for Virgin Trains

West Coast are protected.


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

potential effect on job (a) numbers and (b) roles of staff employed by Virgin Trains West

Coast of the disqualification of Stagecoach from three rail franchise bids.


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

potential effect on job (a) numbers and (b) roles of staff employed via subcontractors on

the Virgin Trains West Coast line of the disqualification of Stagecoach from three rail

franchise bids.

Andrew Jones:

The Invitation to Tender for the West Coast Partnership does not specify a reduction

in any staff, and is explicit in its requirement for a franchisee who will provide a high-

quality experience for all customers, including through excellent customer service.

Overall, since 2010/11 we have seen an increase in the total number of people

employed by Train Operating Companies of nearly 20%.

Volkswagen


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what penalties have been imposed on

Volkswagen in the UK since the scandal on excessive emissions levels.






Jesse Norman:

It is for the German Government in the first place to take action given that the vast

majority, if not all, of the potential wrongdoing is thought to have occurred at

Volkswagen AG in Germany. The Department will assess the prospects of taking

action in the UK once the German investigation is complete, based on evidence

available at the time.

West Coast Partnership Rail Franchise


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether a train guard will be retained on

every train in the next West Coast Main Line franchise contract.

Andrew Jones:


in any staff, and is explicit in its requirement for a franchisee who will provide a high-

quality experience for all customers, including through excellent customer service.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the current catering provision will be

(a) maintained and (b) expanded in the next West Coast Main Line franchise contract.

Andrew Jones:

The West Coast Partnership Invitation to Tender incentivizes a future franchise

operator to develop proposals to significantly improve the overall catering offer for

passengers, such as improving passenger choice, quality, complimentary first class

catering and offering advance ordering or at seat services.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the current ticket office provision will

be (a) maintained and (b) expanded in the next West Coast Main Line franchise contract.

Andrew Jones:

The West Coast Partnership Invitation to Tender requires any future franchise

operator to deliver a high-quality standard of ticket retailing service to all customers

which will provide them with widespread and easy access to the full range of fares

and a range of ticket retail opportunities that meet their needs.


To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the current level of provision of

station staff will be (a) maintained and (b) expanded in the next West Coast Main Line

Franchise contract.

Andrew Jones:


in any staff (including on train), and is explicit in its requirement for a franchisee who

will provide a high-quality experience for all customers, including through excellent

customer service.







Stagecoach from three rail franchise bids, whether Virgin Trains will retain the West

Coast Main Line franchise until March 2020.

Andrew Jones:

The current franchise agreement with West Coast Trains Limited is due to expire on 1

April 2020. There is a contractual option to terminate the franchise agreement at the

Secretary of State’s discretion no earlier than 11 November 2019 upon the provision

of three months’ notice to West Coast Trains Limited.



Stagecoach from three rail franchise bids, what steps his Department has taken to ensure

the compliance of the remaining bidders for the West Coast Main Line franchise.

Andrew Jones:

The Department does not comment on a live competition. All bids received for any

franchise competition are evaluated against the requirements and instructions set out

in the relevant Invitation to Tender.

TREASURY

101 Calls: VAT


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the contribution has been to the public

purse from levying VAT on the 101 non-emergency police phone line.

Mel Stride:

The details that HMRC collects from taxpayers on their VAT returns are not specific

enough to provide an estimate of VAT on 101 phone calls.

To minimise the administrative burden on businesses, they are only required to report

the total VAT on all their taxable supplies of goods and services in the relevant

period. It is therefore not possible to identify the types of supplies on which the VAT

was charged.

Cash Dispensing: Fees and Charges

Chi Onwurah: [249934]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that reductions

in the interchange rate do not result in free ATMs becoming pay ATMs.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the

effect on poorer households of recent increases in the number of free ATMs becoming

pay ATMs; and if he will make a statement.







To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Payment

Services Regulator on the effect of changes to LINK rates; and whether he plans to re-

impose interchange rates at LINK cost study levels.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of

the proportion of household income spent as cash in the last 12 months; and what

projection his Department has made of changes in the level of income and spending with

cash in the next 10 years.

John Glen:

Last year, Government launched a Call for Evidence on Cash and Digital Payments

in the New Economy. One part of the wide range of evidence collected detailed the

changing levels of cash usage. Responses showed that, although the proportion of

cash transactions is expected to fall over the next 10 years, cash remains important

in the lives of many people and businesses across the UK. That’s why the

Government is committed to supporting digital payments, whilst safeguarding access

to cash for those who need it. The Government is engaging, and will continue to

engage, with the regulators and industry on this important topic.

The Government has not made an assessment of the effect on poor households of

free-to-use ATMs becoming pay-to-use. However, the Government-established

Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) is closely monitoring developments in ATM

provision, including those that are free-to-use. The PSR regulates LINK, the scheme

which runs the UK’s ATM network, and has used its powers to hold LINK to account

over LINK’s commitments to preserve the broad geographic spread of the ATM

network.

The PSR has set out requirements of LINK, including that any cuts to interchange

fees (the fees which fund free-to-use ATMs) must be incremental, with action taken

by LINK where the impact is not as expected. Having implemented two of the four

planned incremental reductions to the interchange fee, LINK has cancelled the third

reduction and put on hold the fourth. The PSR welcomed these adjustments, having

stated that LINK must carefully review its decisions on interchange fees to reflect

changing market conditions. These adjustments gave the PSR further assurances

that LINK is committed to making sure communities do not lose their free-to-use

ATMs.

LINK has put in place specific arrangements to protect free-to-use ATMs more than 1

kilometre away from the next nearest free-to-use ATM. LINK has also enhanced its

Financial Inclusion Programme by tripling the funding available to ATMs in the most

deprived areas of the UK and undertaken new financial support for ATMs in remote

and deprived areas.



General Anti-abuse Rule Advisory Panel


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many cases have been referred to the

GAAR Advisory Panel since 2015.

Mel Stride:

Since 2015, 13 cases have been referred to the General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR)

Advisory Panel. GAAR Advisory Panel opinions are published on GOV.UK.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: [249808]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the amount of (a)

tax credits and (b) child benefit to which claimants were entitled but did not claim in each

year since 2010.

Elizabeth Truss:

Estimates of the amounts of tax credit which have not been claimed by eligible

households are published annually in “Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit and Working

Tax Credit Take-up rates” on the gov.uk website. The latest publication relating to

2016-17 is here:


ent_data/file/763597/Child_Benefit__Child_Tax_Credit_and_Working_Tax_Credit_ta

ke-up_rates_2016_to_2017.pdf

The table below show estimates of the total amount of tax credit expenditure

unclaimed since 2010-11.

YEAR

CENTRAL ESTIMATE OF EXPENDITURE UNCLAIMED

(£BN)

2010-11 4.6

2011-12 4.1

2012-13 4.0

2013-14 3.7

2014-15 4.1

2015-16 5.1

2016-17 4.4

Variations in the amounts unclaimed are related to changes in the rates and

thresholds in the tax credit system. The proportion of Child Tax Credit expenditure

which is claimed has remained at 90 per cent or above since 2010-11, and the



proportion of Working Tax Credit expenditure which is claimed has remained at

between 83 and 86 per cent over the same period.

The proportion of eligible children who have Child Benefit claimed on their behalf is

included in the publication referenced above and remains high at 93 per cent in 2016-

17. Information relating to the amounts of Child Benefit unclaimed can only be

provided at disproportionate cost.

Tax Avoidance


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many penalties related to off-shore

activities HMRC collected in the last 12 months.

Mel Stride:

HMRC does not record data on penalties related to offshore activities in a single

system, as cases can be complex and involve a combination of offshore and onshore

elements. The information requested is not available.

Taxation: Multinational Companies

Anneliese Dodds: [250037]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of

companies which claimed the group financing exemption to the controlled foreign

company rules in each of the last three years.

Mel Stride:

Data from corporate tax returns submitted to HMRC indicates that between 170 and

190 UK companies have claimed the group financing exemption to the controlled

foreign company rules in each of the years 2015-2017.

Taxation: Self-assessment


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many late filing penalties HMRC collected

in 2018 from small and medium-sized businesses.

Mel Stride:

HMRC does not record data on penalties paid by size of business so the information

requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments

Ruth George: [249939]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of

people claiming tax credits who have an overpayment in the latest period for which

figures are available.





Elizabeth Truss:

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave her on 11 January 2019, UIN:

206456. Updated estimates will be published in Summer 2019.


To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of the £6.9 billion of tax credit

debt has been held by HMRC (a) for more than seven years, (b) between two and seven

years and (c) less than two years.

Elizabeth Truss:

The £6.9 billion of tax credit debt in 2017/18 is net £0.3billion of debt that was

transferred to DWP. A breakdown of the age of tax credits debt is only readily

available on the gross debt estimate of £7.2 billion. This shows that (a) 16 per cent

relates to the 2010-11 award year or older, (b) 52 per cent relates to award years

between 2011/12 to 2015/16, and (c) 29 per cent relates to the 2016/17 award year

or after.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Construction: Silicosis


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information her Department

holds on trends in the number of people with Silicosis in the construction industry.

Justin Tomlinson:

Silicosis, along with coal workers pneumoconiosis and asbestosis are the most

common forms of pneumoconiosis which is a prescribed disease within the Industrial

Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) scheme. Pneumoconiosis cases not specifically

identified as asbestosis or coal workers’ pneumoconiosis are mainly silicosis and the

annual numbers of such cases newly assessed for IIDB over the last ten years are

shown in the table below. Of these annual cases, those associated with the

construction industry are also shown.

The number of silicosis cases within the IIDB scheme is likely to be lower than the

true incidence of this disease. This is because IIDB does not compensate anyone

who is self-employed, and not all affected individuals apply to the scheme.



Annual new cases of pneumoconiosis not recorded as asbestosis or coal

workers’ pneumoconiosis assessed for IIDB, 2008-2017

- 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 TOTAL

All cases 85 80 60 50 40 45 55 25 30 30 500

Cases

associated

with

construction

20 20 15 10 5 10 20 10 10 10 130

Note: values have been rounded to the nearest 5 to meet disclosure rules.

Food Poverty: Disability


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is

taking to reduce the number of disabled people in food poverty.

Justin Tomlinson:

We will spend over £55 billion this year (2019/20) on benefits to support disabled

people and people with health conditions. This is around 2.5% of GDP, and over 6%

of government spending, and as a share of GDP, the UK’s public spending is second

highest in the G7, bar Germany [OECD 2015 data]. This year spending on the main

disability benefits (PIP, DLA and Attendance Allowance) will be over £6bn higher in

real terms than it was in 2010.

Alongside this, we want to build a better understanding of household food needs so

that future support reaches those who need it most. The new questions that we are

including on the Family Resources Survey starting from April 2019 will enable us to

better understand the drivers of food insecurity and identify which groups are most at

risk.

We are committed to helping people with health conditions and disabilities move

nearer to the labour market and, when ready, into work, by building more

personalised tailored employment and health support, such as:

• The Work and Health programme, which was rolled out between November 2017

and March 2018, and will provide innovative support for around 275,000 people.

The majority of people of starting on the programme (around 220,000) will be

disabled people who can volunteer for the programme at any time.

• Access to Work, which is a demand-led, discretionary grant scheme that offers

advice and in-work support above the level of statutory reasonable adjustments to

disabled people who are in work or about to start work, up to an annual limit of

£59,200 per person.


• We also are promoting the skills and talents of disabled people and those with long

term health conditions to employers through the Disability Confident Scheme. The

Scheme focuses on the crucial role that employers play in ensuring disabled

people are recruited, retained and developed in their careers. Over 11,500

employers have already signed up to the campaign, and this number continues to

grow.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: [249806]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to promote

the use of benefits calculators to help ensure that people claim the benefits to which they

are entitled.

Will Quince:

The independent benefits calculators we endorse are intended to provide useful

estimations of what people can get in certain circumstances, based on what

information is entered on the calculators themselves. This is to allow people to safely

explore what help they may receive from Universal Credit before they apply, or based

on potential changes of circumstances.

Information on accessing independent benefit calculators is readily available via the

gov.uk website. This includes links to three independent calculators and advice on

the type of information required to complete a calculation.

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

In addition, DWP staff will signpost post people to independent benefit calculators

and websites which provide additional advice and guidance.

State Retirement Pensions: British Nationals Abroad

Sir Roger Gale: [249790]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons not all UK

pensioners living overseas receive annual pension uprating.


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons the Government

has not agreed to uprate the pensions of UK nationals resident outside the EU; and if will

she make a statement.

Guy Opperman:

Since WW2 successive Governments, Labour, the Coalition and Conservatives have

had the same policy. The policy on up-rating the UK State Pension abroad is long-

standing and unchanged. UK State Pensions are payable worldwide and they are up-

rated for overseas residents where there is a legal requirement to do so.

The cost of up-rating State Pensions would increase by more than £3 billion over five

years if payments to recipients in countries where they are not currently up-rated






were increased to the rates payable had the recipients never left the UK. It is not

proposed to change this policy.

Universal Credit: Disability


To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the

number of people in receipt of severe disability premium (SDP) who claimed universal

credit before 16 January 2019 and who will be repaid their entitlement to SDP when the

Universal Credit (Managed Migration) Regulations 2018 come into force.

Justin Tomlinson:

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question 215614, from 6 February 2019.

Since the introduction of The Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (SDP

Gateway) Amendment Regulations 2019, which came into force on 16th January

2019, claimants who are entitled, or have been within the last month, to an award of

an existing benefit that includes SDP have not been required to move to Universal

Credit; even if they have experienced a relevant change in their circumstances. The

draft Universal Credit (Managed Migration Pilot and Miscellaneous Amendments)

Regulations 2019, which are currently before Parliament, make provision for SDP

transitional payments for those eligible claimants who have already moved to UC and

for moving existing legacy claimants onto Universal Credit and implementing

transitional protection.

We are currently considering the court judgment handed down on 3 May 2019.

Marsha De Cordova: [250028]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) seriously ill and (b)

disabled people are no longer eligible for severe disability premium as a result of (i)

natural and (ii) managed migration to universal credit since 16 January 2019.

Justin Tomlinson:

Since the introduction of The Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (SDP

Gateway) Amendment Regulations 2019, which came into force on 16th January

2019, claimants entitled to the SDP are not required to move to Universal Credit,

even if they experience a change in circumstance.

Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing

Steve McCabe: [249850]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 15 April

2019 to Question 243334 on Universal Credit: Private Rented Housing, whether she has

plans to classify being in receipt of benefits as a protected characteristic in order to

eliminate discrimination against benefit recipients in the rental housing market.

Will Quince:

The Government has no current plans to classify receipt of benefits as a protected

characteristic (under Equalities Legislation).




Ministers are working with stakeholders from across the private rental sector to

discuss how it can work with them to eliminate practices which prevent benefit

recipients from renting property.

Universal Credit: Wales

Chris Elmore: [249986]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her

Department has made of a potential link between the rollout of universal credit and use of

foodbanks in (a) Wales and (b) Ogmore.

Will Quince:

There are many reasons people use foodbanks and agreement that growth in the use

of foodbanks cannot be attributed solely to Universal Credit.

Under Universal Credit no claimant has to wait for their money: advances of up to

100 per cent of their award are available to all claimants from day one of their claim.

Advances are paid back over a period of 12 months and in the Autumn Budget 2018,

we announced that from October 2021, the payback period for these advances will be

extended further, up to 16 months. This is just one of a number of measures the

Department has put in place to support claimants, such as paying those claimants

moving from Housing Benefit onto Universal Credit a two week ‘transitional housing

payment’. We are also introducing a two-week run on for eligible claimants of Income

Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance from July

2020.


WRITTEN STATEMENTS

HOME OFFICE

Home Office funding for local authorities supporting Unaccompanied Asylum-

Seeking Children

The Minister of State for Immigration (Caroline Nokes): [HCWS1543]

Following a review of the existing funding arrangements, I have decided to make more

funding available to local authorities supporting Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking

Children (UASC).

The review involved gathering detailed information and feedback from across the local

government sector, and I am grateful to all those who contributed to producing a robust

evidence base. This included over 50 Upper Tier or Unitary Local Authorities, NGOs, the

Local Government Association (LGA), Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA),

the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) and regional Strategic

Migration Partnerships (SMPs).

After considering the evidence, I have decided that the rates currently paid at £71, £91

and £95 should be uplifted to £114 per UASC per night. This will apply to care provided

from 1 April 2019 onwards.

Home Office funding for local authorities supporting UASC provides a contribution to their

costs. The decision to increase these rates reflects the incredibly valuable work local

authorities undertake with vulnerable UASC, and the Home Office commitment to

supporting this.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Contingent Liability arising from the Loan Guarantee Agreement with the World

Bank Group Covering an IBRD Loan to the Government of Jordan

Secretary of State for International Development (Rory Stewart): [HCWS1542]

I have today laid a departmental Minute setting out DFID’s intention to guarantee a

portion of a forthcoming Development Policy Loan from the International Bank for

Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)-arm of the World Bank to Jordan.

This would create a contingent liability of the US Dollar equivalent of £332 million (based

on current interest and exchange rates), in respect of the World Bank Group. There

remain strong incentives for Jordan to avoid entering into arrears as doing so would lead

to the IBRD not agreeing any new lending, and not providing any lending agreed under

existing loans.

In the event that a default did occur, and the guarantee is called, the UK would still

provide compensation to the World Bank, in proportion to the UK’s guaranteed share of

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-05-08/HCWS1543/


the overall IBRD loan. If this liability is called, provision for any DFID payment would be

sought through the normal procedure.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill

Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Andrea

Leadsom): [HCWS1544]

Today, the Government publishes the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and

Renewal) Bill, which seeks to establish the statutory bodies that will be responsible

for the restoration and renewal works within the Parliamentary estate, giving effect to

the resolutions passed by Parliament earlier last year. In addition to Parliament

having expressed its view in those resolutions, it will also be given an opportunity to

vote on the proposed design, cost and timing of the substantive building works

relating to the Palace of Westminster. In developing the Bill, the Government has

worked closely with the House Authorities.

The tragic fire at Notre Dame has served as a reminder of the risks to this historic

and iconic building. The recent incidents in the Palace of Westminster, including

falling masonry, have further highlighted the urgency of the works to restore and

renew the Palace of Westminster.

The Restoration and Renewal Bill was published in draft in October 2018 and has

been subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee. Their report was

published in March 2019 and we have carefully considered the responses of the Joint

Committee. The Government welcomed the Committee’s report and the considered,

evidence-based approach the Chair and Members of the Committee have taken in

scrutinising the Bill, and accepted many of its recommendations in full. The support of

the Committee and its endorsement of the overarching aim of the Bill is integral in

progressing this important and pressing work.

The Bill will establish the governance structure within which those bodies will operate.

The bodies will have the capacity and capability to make strategic decisions on the

Restoration and Renewal Programme, so that the Palace of Westminster can be

secured as the UK Parliament for future generations.

The Bill establishes a Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body which will have overall

responsibility for the Programme and act as a single client on behalf of both Houses.

It will also form a Delivery Authority as a company limited by guarantee. The Delivery

Authority will formulate proposals in relation to the restoration works, and ensure their

operational delivery. The bodies will be independent and able to operate effectively in

the commercial sphere, bringing the expertise and capability needed for a project of


this scale. This two-tier approach was used to successfully deliver the London

Olympics.

The Bill also establishes a Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission which will lay

the Sponsor Body’s estimates before Parliament, and play a role in reviewing the

Sponsor Body’s expenditure.

The Government’s role is to ensure we deliver the best possible value for taxpayers’

money, and the measures in the Bill reflect our determination to ensure Parliament

keeps the total bill down, and the restoration runs to time and on budget. The Bill

provides that the Sponsor Body and the Delivery Authority must have regard to value

for money when exercising their functions throughout the Programme. The Treasury

will be able to review and comment on the annual estimates for the funding of the

Programme, and the National Audit Office will be able to undertake audits and value-

for-money reviews. Furthermore, the Estimates Commission will have the power to

review, comment on, and in certain circumstances reject those annual estimates.

It is important that the views of Parliamentarians on the Programme are taken into

account. The Sponsor Body will have a majority of Parliamentarians on its Board,

alongside external expertise. Parliamentarians will be fully consulted on the strategic

direction of the Programme. The Sponsor Body will be required to return to

Parliament for approval to make any significant changes to the approved proposals in

respect of the Palace. Parliament will also be given an opportunity to vote on the

annual expenditure of the Sponsor Body and the Delivery Authority through the

estimates process.

Documents

Daily Report Wednesday, 8 May 2019 CONTENTS · 5/8/2019 · Daily Report Wednesday, 8 May 2019 This report shows written answers and statements provided on 8 May 2019 and the information